Firebirds learn fate in softball

At least Free State High’s softball team knows when it will open its Class 6A regional. Lawrence High’s fate still is up in the air.

Free State (5-15) earned the No. 7 seed in the Olathe Northwest regional and will face No. 2-seeded Olathe Northwest (19-1) at 4:45 p.m. Tuesday. Winner of that game will face the winner between No. 3 Manhattan (10-10) and No. 6 Junction City (6-14) in the 6:30 p.m. championship.

LHS (8-12) earned the No. 5 seed in the Topeka Washburn Rural regional and will face fourth-seeded Topeka High (9-11) either Wednesday or Thursday. That regional is awaiting the outcome of Monday’s play-in game between No. 8 Kansas City Washington/Schlagle (3-12) and No. 9 Leavenworth (0-18).

If Leavenworth wins, it would face top-seeded Rural (20-0) on Wednesday at Rural. If Washington/Schlagle wins, the game would be Thursday at Rural. The scheduling uncertainty it due to conflicting graduation ceremonies.

First-round winners advance to the championship for a berth to the state tournament, which will be held May 28-29 at Kansas University’s Arrocha Ballpark.