photo by: Richard Gwin

FSHS senior Trevor Munsch delivers against St. James Academy on April 14 at Hoglund Ballpark.

It’s no secret that Free State High’s baseball team features one of the top pitching staffs in the state.

Dominant pitching led the Firebirds to a state championship last season and it’s brought them back to the Class 6A state tournament this week. The Firebirds will meet Derby (17-5) at 1:15 p.m. Thursday at Kansas University’s Hoglund Ballpark in the first round of state.

As a pitching staff, the Firebirds (18-4) have combined for a minuscule 1.28 earned-run average, led by seniors Hunter Gudde and Trevor Munsch, and junior Aaron Funk.

All three of them possess different strengths on the mound, but they are all equally tough to hit.

The best way to learn about their differences is from their fellow pitchers, who see them throw every day. A look at Free State’s top three pitchers:

Hunter Gudde

After earning all-state honors on the mound last season, Gudde has put up even better numbers this year. The 6-foot-3 right-hander has allowed three earned runs in 45 1/3 innings, moving to the team’s closer role midway through the season.

“I think it’s the way that he spots his pitches,” Munsch said. “He uses his off-speed. I remember in a scrimmage, actually it was Friday where I was sitting behind the screen, and he threw a 2-0 curveball and a 3-1 curveball, too. He can pitch backwards. That really helps him a lot.”

“Just his ability to locate every pitch and throw it for a strike in any given count,” Funk said. “I wish I could do that.”

Gudde, signed to pitch at Johnson County CC, has only walked three batters this season. His coaches credit his competitiveness, which helped make him an all-state basketball player. He can throw three pitches for strikes, but it’s his change-up that catches the eyes of his teammates.

“It just has a lot of movement that I can’t quite get with mine yet,” Funk said.

Munsch added: “Last year, he stepped up and did amazing. I think that really built confidence for him. Now he’s just as good or better than he was last year.”

Trevor Munsch

The 6-foot-4, 160-pound Munsch missed some time this season with sore biceps, but has dominated when he’s stepped on the pitching rubber. He’s struck out 52 batters in 49 1?3 innings, featuring a mid-80s fastball. During last year’s state tournament, the left-hander gave up one run in a complete game in the semifinals.

What makes him so difficult to hit?

“His weird arm motion and how he can locate and hit his spots when needed,” Funk said. “Just looks like it’s flying at you. It looks like a young Chris Sale.”

Said Gudde: “I wish I had that left arm, maybe. I think we kind of have similar stuff because my ball moves a little bit and his ball moves a little bit. But he has a little bit more velocity on his. That sidearm really gets him.”

Munsch, signed to pitch at Oklahoma, threw a complete-game shutout in the regional finals last week, clinching Free State’s spot at state.

“He has a lot of movement on his ball,” Gudde said. “He has great stuff, great breaking balls. Just his determination to go out there. He knows he’s the best one out there.”

Aaron Funk

Funk only threw one inning last season, but he’s made it look easy adjusting to the varsity level. With a high-80s fastball and a dominant curveball, the 6-foot-5, 200-pound Funk has struck out 64 batters in 42 innings, featuring a 1.17 ERA.

“He’s come a long way,” Gudde said. “We knew he was going to be a great pitcher and he will be a great pitcher. Just him coming in like he did this year and taking over a starter role is really big for us.”

“He stepped up to the plate and did what we needed him to do,” Munsch added. “I think next year he’s going to be a stud. He’s following our footsteps and he’s getting better.”

The right-handed Funk throws hard, but it’s his curveball that really frustrates hitters. It has a 12-6 break and drops below swings.

“I faced it in a scrimmage and it’s pretty nasty,” Munsch said. “The late movement on it, it breaks late.”

“He needs to be able to locate it a little better,” Gudde said with a laugh. “I mean, it’s a great pitch.”

Looking to become the first team to repeat titles in 6A since Shawnee Mission Northwest in 1990-91, the Firebirds are confident their three pitchers will give them a chance to win in each game.

“We all just support each other,” Munsch said. “We all want each other to go out there and do well. That’s what we’ve been doing.”