It was only a few days ago when Free State High’s baseball team couldn’t get a clutch hit and stranded tons of runners on base. That seemed like ancient history on Saturday afternoon at the River City Baseball Festival.

The Firebirds only had four hits, all doubles, but they made each of them count. After drawing 10 walks, FSHS kept clearing the bases in a 8-3 win over Branson, Mo., at Kansas University’s Hoglund Ballpark.

Seniors Cameron Pope and Zach Bickling, who will remain teammates at Allen Community College next year, helped the Firebirds bounce back from an early one-run deficit with timely line drives into the outfield.

“That’s been our problem all year: executing with people in scoring position,” Pope said. “Today we were able to do that and it showed.”

Pope, who went 0-for-7 at the plate over the past two games, found his rhythm Saturday. He drilled a 1-0 fastball into the left-center gap to score junior Cooper Karlin and senior Ryan Cantrell in the third inning. He also drove in a run with a sacrifice fly in the fourth.

“I was seeing the ball a little better,” Pope said. “Less breaking balls than I’ve got previously and it was just a better day for me.”

Bickling hit a three-run homer in a win on Friday and continued his hot streak Saturday, going 2-for-2 and bringing home Casey Hearnen when he laced his second two-bagger in the fifth inning.

“I’ve just been working on seeing the ball up, looking at strikes, instead of chasing,” Bickling said. “It’s worked well for me so far.”

Once the Firebirds (9-4) had the bats going they didn’t have to worry about much else with senior right-hander Ryan Stagg on the mound. Stagg, on a pitch count because he will pitch on Tuesday, allowed a run in the first inning and just one base runner over the next two innings.

“I can’t say enough about his demeanor,” FSHS coach Mike Hill said. “He just gets the ball and goes. He doesn’t let things rattle him and that’s the mark of a young man with experience and a good pitcher. He was good.”

Stagg has allowed just two earned runs over his past 9 1/3 innings and has proven himself as the ace of the pitching staff, hitting his spots in the strike zone and forcing routine ground balls for his defense.

“He’s been awesome so far this year,” Bickling said. “It’s been fun to watch.”

Hearnen relieved Stagg in the fourth inning and gave up two unearned runs in the fifth. The right-hander features a low-80s fastball and struck out three and walked none.

The Firebirds may have been pressing at the plate when they struggled with situational hitting, but they certainly look like they’ve turned the page in their last two games.

“We were able to produce with guys on and runners in scoring position,” Hill said. “It’s part of the game. Timely hitting is critical and it’s not going to be there all of the time. I thought the kids did a good job responding the last couple of days.”

Free State will go on the road to face Olathe South at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

Branson 100 020 0 — 3 4 1

Free State 003 221 x — 8 4 1

W — Ryan Stagg (4-1). L — Gage Hall.

2B — Cameron Pope, Zach Bickling (2), Ryan Cantrell, FS.

Free State highlights — Stagg, 3 IP, 2 H, 1 ER; Casey Hearnen, 4 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 3 Ks; Cantrell, 1-for-2, 2 runs; Pope, 1-for-2, 2 runs, 3 RBI; Bickling, 2-for-2, 2 runs, RBI.