Overland Park ? The Free State High baseball team’s season got off to a bumpy start with an 11-1, six-inning loss at Blue Valley Northwest Saturday afternoon.

It wasn’t just one rough inning that did in the Firebirds, but a few runs each frame that piled up in the Huskies’ favor.

“Blue Valley Northwest did a really good job of hitting the ball right from the get-go,” Free State coach Mike Hill said.

The Firebirds (0-1) trailed 4-0 in the top of the third when sophomore Joe Dineen belted a solo home run for Free State’s only run.

FSHS threw five pitchers in the opener.

Trent Johnson started before Jacob Caldwell, Sam Hearmen, Ryan Cantrell and JD Prochaska contributed from the bullpen. Placement, Hill said, led to some pitching struggles.

“We were putting it in the middle of the plate, and they were turning on it,” the coach said.

Still, the defense turned a couple of nice double plays, Hill added, and Montana Samuels went 2-for-3 at the plate, so there were some positives in the loss.

“We certainly have a long, long way to go,” Hill said.

Free State will play host to St. James Academy at 4 p.m. Tuesday.