The only thing that could stop Free State High softball players at the plate on Thursday was Mother Nature.

The Firebirds posted 14 runs and just one out in the bottom of the first inning against Shawnee Mission West before the game was suspended because of inclement weather with FSHS leading, 14-0. The game will be resumed at 2 p.m. Monday before they play host to Lawrence High in the City Showdown.

The first 11 Free State batters reached base on six hits, four walks and one error. Their offensive explosion was highlighted by an opposite-.field grand slam by junior Cali Byrn, smashing a pitch over the fence in right-center.

“Outside pitch, just drove it that way,” Byrn said with a smile. “Hitting is all a mental game. So when you have the confidence, hitting is nothing.”

“That was all power there,” FSHS coach Lee Ice added. “That was not generated by any pitch speed whatsoever.”

After the first three batters drew walks, Byrn, junior Kate Stanwix, senior Lily Ross and sophomore Mayah Daniels all hit RBI singles into the outfield.

Seniors Emily Bermel and Kylie Cobb added RBI singles during their second time at the plate before Byrn’s grand slam cleared the base paths.

“It really challenges our team’s mental toughness because you have to stay focused and you can’t go down to the other team’s level,” said Byrn, who was 2-for-2 with two runs and five RBIs. “It’s a good game to see what you’re made of and to make sure you are where you are supposed to be.”

Though the Firebirds (7-6) were well on their way to cruising to a victory, they were intent on staying focused and making the most of their at-bats.

“We talked about not taking this game lightly by any means,” Ice said. “We talked about getting something out of it. We talked about squaring up the ball hard. We had some popups that fell in but again, we only had one out in the bottom of the first so we really haven’t had much of an opportunity to square many up.”

In the top of the first inning, junior pitcher Elizabeth Patton allowed a leadoff single to SM West sophomore Emma Beason before retiring the next three batters.

The Firebirds will play host to Shawnee Mission East at 3:30 p.m. today after it was postponed on Thursday.

SM West 0 — 0 1 1

Free State (14) — 14 7 1

HR — Cali Byrn, FS.