Free State High’s baseball team is looking to figure out its identity for the upcoming season after returning just six seniors from its Sunflower League championship team a year ago.

Plenty of underclassmen will have an opportunity to make a strong first impression when the Firebirds open play at 1 p.m. today with a doubleheader against Warrensburg (Mo.) High at FSHS.

“Unlike many years, it’s going to be more of a process for us to determine the right fit in terms of players and positions and how it all works,” Firebirds coach Mike Hill said. “It’s not necessarily what you desire as a coach, but that’s just where we are right now.”

The Firebirds will turn to seniors Cameron Pope, Ryan Cantrell and Zach Bickling, among other returners, for leadership early in the season as they defend their league title.

“I think expectations never change,” Hill said. “For us, it’s about competing for championships. Do we get there? Time will tell, but we’re never going to change expectations for our program.”