photo by: John Young

Leavenworth High senior Kyler McKeel (18) steals second base while Free State High junior Matt Hill (2) waits for the ball during their game Thursday at FSHS.

For the past two seasons, Free State High’s baseball team has been known for its dominant pitching.

One of the biggest keys to its pitchers’ success is the defense behind them. All of the Free State hurlers are content with pitching to contact, knowing their defense won’t make many mistakes behind them.

The Firebirds have only allowed 38 runs in 22 games this season, including seven shutouts. With a chance to defend their Class 6A state title, the Firebirds know they’ll need to stick to the same formula, opening against fifth-seeded Derby (17-5) at 1:15 p.m. Thursday in the first round of the state tournament at Kansas University’s Hoglund Ballpark.

“Defense is going to have to be a huge part of it,” senior Mikey Corbett said. “Our M.O. is pitching and defense and see if we can squander a few runs here and there. Last year, we gave up two runs in three games against three really good teams (at state). During regionals, we gave up one run in two games, so that’s definitely our key to success.”

On paper, the fourth-seeded Firebirds (18-4) are repeating last year’s success in the field, but they virtually remade their infield.

photo by: John Young

Free State High senior Mikey Corbett flips the ball to first base for an out during the Firebirds' game against Leavenworth Thursday at FSHS.

Junior third baseman Zion Bowlin, who has a cannon for a right arm, is the only infielder who returned from last year in the same position.

Corbett, who started at shortstop last season, moved to second base after undergoing Tommy John surgery in August, making it an easier throw on his arm.

Junior Matt Hill became the team’s new shortstop, and juniors Nate Strathman and Dale Miller split time at first base, with junior Jaden Moore at catcher.

“Our belief is that our defense isn’t going to have an off day,” FSHS pitching coach Layne Meyer said. “Fortunately, the guys have worked so hard in practice, and it really shows in our games.”

During their six-game winning streak, the Firebirds have committed only three errors — all in one game against Lawrence High.

At shortstop, Hill hasn’t made an error this season, quite a feat behind a group of pitchers who force a lot of ground balls.

Hill has improved throughout the season, working on “quicker hands, quicker feet and more range.” He showed off all of those tools in the regional final against Lawrence, going to his backhand in the hole between shortstop and third base and firing a dart to first base for an out.

“Honestly, playing a lot of games on turf, you can’t beat that,” Hill said. “No bad hops, and everything plays true. Just working every day. I’ve been working on defense for as long as I can remember. It’s always been my thing.”

Meyer added of Hill: “We expected a lot from him. But I don’t think it would be a stretch to say, maybe, he exceeded expectations. He’s played very, very well.”

One of the benefits to Corbett moving to second base is that the Firebirds have two natural shortstops anchoring the middle of their infield.

“I’ve learned a lot from Mikey,” Hill said. “He’s helped me out a lot. He’s helped me during games with positioning and tells me when to get rid of the ball. He was a great shortstop last year, and it’s nice having him right next to me.”

In the outfield, the Firebirds added sophomore Kyle Abrahamson to left field, junior Jacob Pavlyak shifted from left to center field, and senior Hunter Gudde continued to start in right field.

The infield, which is primarily juniors, played together for years during youth baseball. That continuity has made it easier to adjust at the varsity level.

“It helps a lot knowing everyone’s tendencies and when to get on them or when to pat them on the butt and tell them it’s all right,” Hill said. “It’s been nice.”

Relying on consistent pitching and defense all season long, the Firebirds are comfortable heading into the state tournament, knowing they only need a few runs to win games.

“We haven’t had a game where we’ve lost a game because of our defense,” Corbett said. “It’s always been our inability to hit or something. We put a lot of pressure on our pitchers and defense to be good, but we know that we are talented enough to succeed in those regards. We just have to get it done offensively.”