Free State High junior pitcher Elizabeth Patton just needed a little breathing room Tuesday evening against Shawnee Mission Northwest.

Once her teammates, juniors Kate Stanwix and Cali Byrn, broke up a scoreless softball game with RBIs, Patton made the rest of a 5-2 home victory easier for all the Firebirds with a two-out, two-run double that capped a four-run fourth inning.

“That was huge,” Free State coach Lee Ice said of the No. 9 hitter’s two RBIs in a tight game.

Patton displayed more resolve in the circle during the sixth and seventh innings, with the Cougars loading the bases in each frame. The FSHS pitcher (five strikeouts) had only surrendered one hit in the first five innings, but gave up three straight in the sixth. To make matters worse, the Firebirds (3-2) committed back-to-back errors next, as SMNW ended a shutout bid, cut the lead to three and loaded the bases with one out.

Patton responded by getting a pop-out and a strikeout.

“Lizzy did a tremendous job on the mound throwing strikes — 107 pitches, giving up five hits,” Ice said.

Another FSHS error, mixed in with a SMNW single and walk in the seventh, loaded the bases with two outs. But a pop-up to Firebirds second baseman Mayah Daniels sealed the win.

Stanwix drove in the game’s first run with a double in the fourth and plated another with a single in the fifth.

“She’s probably been the most consistent hitter we’ve had,” Ice said. “Her and Cali Byrn have been tremendous as far as hitting the ball hard in key situations.”

SMNW 000 002 0 — 2 5 2

FSHS 000 041 x — 5 8 3

W — Elizabeth Patton, 3-2. L — Katie Born.

2B — Shelby Smith, SMNW; Kate Stanwix, Patton, FSHS.

FSHS highlights — Stanwix, 2-for-3, 2 RBIs; Lily Ross, 2-for-3, R; Patton, 7 IP, 5 Ks, 1-for-3, 2 RBIs; Kylie Cobb, 1-for-3; Mayah Daniels, 1-for-3, R; Emily Bermel, 1-for-4, steal; Cali Byrn, 0-for-2, RBI.