Lenexa ? The Free State baseball team opened up its season with a 12-3 rout against St. James Academy on Tuesday.

Free State’s Tim Lewis went 2-for-4 with a triple and three RBIs. Colin Toalson added a home run and Preston Schenck was 1-for-3 with a double.

Toalson earned the victory for the Firebirds, striking out five in 2 2/3 innings.

Free State pitchers struck out 15 St. James batters.

Cody Kukuk started the game for the Firebirds, striking out eight in three innings. Tim Lewis pitched the seventh inning and struck out two.

“It was good to get the first one under our belts,” Free State coach Mike Hill said.

The Firebirds (1-0) will play Springfield Kickapoo (Mo.) on Friday in Claremore, Okla.