Free State shortstop Samantha O'Brien waits for the throw before tagging out Olathe Northwest runner Vashti Neal during the third inning on Tuesday, May 1, 2012 at Free State High School.

Free State High’s softball team swept defending state champion Olathe Northwest, 3-2 and 13-11, on Tuesday at FSHS.

The Firebirds improved to 9-6 overall, while Northwest dropped to 13-3.

“It’s the biggest two wins we’ve put together. It’s what we’ve been shooting for all along, to build the program where we can compete against the best teams in the state,” FSHS coach Lee Ice said. “We’ve been right there and got over the hump tonight.”

Alex Hill’s base hit scored A’Liyah Rogers with the winning run in the 10th inning of Game One. Meredith Morris was the winning pitcher. Kaley Delg was the winner in the second game. Courtney Parker had four hits.

“We fought through some ugly innings,” Ice said of Game Two. “We were fortunate enough to put up a crooked number (four in the fifth). We had good pitching and a timely hit (in game one). The kids believed and competed.”

Free State will meet SM Northwest Thursday at FSHS.