Against some of the best teams in the state, there’s simply no room for mistakes.

Free State High’s softball team learned that lesson the hard way Tuesday in a 6-1 loss against Olathe East at FSHS.

In the first inning, the Hawks scored on a wild pitch with two outs. A two-base throwing error helped another run score in the second inning. Then in the fifth inning, an error in the outfield put the leadoff hitter on base, who eventually came around to score.

The mistakes added up and turned a potentially close game into a six-run lead for the Hawks.

“That’s typically what every team has done against us this year,” FSHS coach Lee Ice said. “When we make a mistake, the other team capitalizes on it.”

In addition to some of the mistakes in the field, the Firebirds knew they were going to have a tough time at the plate against Olathe East junior right-hander Hayley McGhee, who struck out seven and allowed only three hits in a complete game.

“She’s the best pitcher, probably, in the league,” Ice said.

Free State senior right-hander Elizabeth Patton nearly matched McGhee, striking out 10 and giving up only three earned runs against a dangerous lineup. Patton wasn’t known as a strikeout pitcher a year ago, but she fooled hitters with her ability to mix pitches on Tuesday.

“I’m throwing a lot more moving pitches this year,” Patton said. “I’m not the fastest in the league or close to that. Coach Ice is letting (catcher) Brianna (Burenheide) and I call it, so we’re moving it around more and I think that’s where I succeed more.”

The Firebirds (7-9, 5-3 in Sunflower League) had four strikeouts and five ground outs in the first three innings against McGhee before senior Hailey Jump was hit by a pitch and senior Madison Norris smacked a single into center field. With two runners on base and no outs, McGhee forced three straight grounders.

With the same situation in the fifth inning — senior Cali Byrn was hit by a pitch and junior Mayah Daniels singled — the Firebirds finally broke through with a run when junior Jasper Hawkins laced an RBI single into right field, scoring pinch-runner Grace Patchen.

Then McGhee only allowed one more hitter to reach base for the remainder of the night.

“She’s very skilled,” Patton said of McGhee. “She’s fast and she has a lot of movement. It was impressive what she had. I think it was a curve and a rise that was pretty nasty.”

The Hawks (11-2, 6-1) scored three runs in the fifth inning when Kaylee Byers reached on an error, Elissa Rohr drew a walk and Jadyn Smith hit a two-run double. Kylie Pittman added an RBI on a sacrifice fly.

The Firebirds know they are capable of competing with the top teams, especially after upsetting previously unbeaten Olathe South last week.

But it’s a matter of putting all the pieces together — strong pitching, solid defense and timely hitting — for an entire game.

“As I told the girls, good pitching like that will beat good hitting most of the time, unless you play defense with them and then take advantage of a mistake they make,” Ice said.

The Firebirds play Shawnee Mission West and Shawnee Mission East on Thursday at SM Softball Complex.

O-East 110 130 0 — 6 7 0

Free State 000 010 0 — 1 3 2

W — Hayley McGhee. L — Elizabeth Patton, 7-6.

2B — Kaylee Byers (2), Jadyn Smith, OE.

FSHS highlights — Patton, 7 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 10 K; Jasper Hawkins, 1-for-3, RBI; Madison Norris, 1-for-3; Mayah Daniels, 1-for-3.