Free State pitcher Aaron Funk throws against Lawrence High Tuesday evening in the City Showdown baseball game at FSHS.

It was only two weeks ago when Free State High baseball players had trouble finding ways to score runs. It looked like ancient history on Tuesday against Lawrence High in the City Showdown.

The Firebirds exploded for a season-high 12 hits, scoring at least one run in each of the first five innings on their way to a 9-2 victory on their home field on Senior Night.

All nine batters in the Free State starting lineup reached base at least once and four of them had multiple hits.

“This is probably our best game we’ve played all year,” FSHS junior outfielder Jacob Pavlyak said after going 2-for-3 with an RBI. After moving to the leadoff spot, Pavylak has seven hits in the last three games.

The Firebirds (15-4) didn’t miss any pitches up in the strike zone against LHS senior right-hander Parker Kirkpatrick. Sophomore outfielder Kyle Abrahamson hit a two-run double down the left field line in the first inning.

Junior first baseman Nate Strathman, who went 3-for-3 with three runs scored, hit a leadoff double in the second inning and scored on a wild pitch. Over the next three innings, Pavlyak, junior third baseman Zion Bowlin, senior Hunter Gudde and junior catcher Jaden Moore added RBI singles.

“The second half of the year I haven’t been hitting well,” Moore said, “so it felt good to get back into it and hit the ball.”

In theory, it’s a simple concept to win baseball games: score more runs than the other team. But for the Firebirds this season, it’s just scoring one run. They are undefeated when scoring a run, with all four losses a result of being shut out.

After going scoreless three times in a five-game stretch two weeks ago, the Firebirds have worked on their approach at the plate. The coaching staff has tried to simplify it. Hit the ball hard. Put the ball in play and put pressure on the defense.

In the past three games, the Firebirds have combined for 30 hits and 21 runs.

“Hitting is the most over-taught, overanalyzed, misunderstood part of baseball,” Free State coach Mike Hill said. “When you’re struggling a little bit, the notion is ‘I have to see more film. I have to do this. I have to do that.’ There’s some truth to knowing what your challenges are and how to address them, but sometimes you really have to simplify it. It’s more in the head than in the technique.”

With plenty of run support, Free State 6-foot-5 junior right-hander Aaron Funk was in his comfort zone on the mound, striking out seven in 4 1?3 innings. With a mid-80s fastball and a devastating curveball, he was cruising until the Lions (8-10) rallied in the fourth inning.

Lawrence loaded the bases with one out after singles from sophomore Andrew Stewart and Kirkpatrick, and a walk by sophomore Devin Lauts. Stewart scored on a wild pitch and Lauts scored on a ground out but Funk limited the damage.

Free State relief pitchers Gudde and junior Peyton Habiger didn’t allow a hit in a combined 2 2?3 innings.

“You have to find a way to throw up zeroes and put quality at-bats together and we didn’t have an answer tonight,” LHS coach Brad Stoll said. “That starts with me.”

With strong pitching, solid defense and timely hitting, the Firebirds are following the same blueprint that brought them a state championship last season.

The key was finding a way to become stronger at the plate and taking some of the pressure off of their pitching staff and defense, which has been reliable all season long.

“In the past three games, we’ve been much more effective,” Hill said. “Even some of outs have been loud outs. I like the progress that’s being made. We’re a better team than we were two weeks ago.”

The two schools will play again at 7 p.m. Thursday at Kansas University’s Hoglund Ballpark.

Lawrence 000 200 0 — 2 3 3

Free State 212 220 x — 9 12 0

W — Aaron Funk. L — Parker Kirkpatrick.

2B — Kyle Abrahamson, Nate Strathman, FS.

LHS highlights — Andrew Stewart, 1-for-3, run; Devin Lauts, 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K; Ivan Hollins, 1-for-2.

FSHS highlights — Strathman, 3-for-3, 3 runs; Jacob Pavlyak, 2-for-3, run, RBI; Abrahamson, 2-for-4, run, 2 RBI; Hunter Gudde, 1-for-3, RBI, 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K; Jaden Moore, 2-for-3, RBI; Funk, 4.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 7 K.