photo by: Nick Krug

The Free State Firebirds gather together in the dugout as head coach Mike Hill talks with them shortly after the 6A semifinal game was canceled because of the expectance of continued rains and delays on Friday, May 27, 2016 at Hoglund Ballpark. The Firebirds' game will now begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at Hoglund.

Trying to become the first school in 25 years to win back-to-back Class 6A state baseball titles, Free State High was forced to wait one more day because of bad weather.

A mix of rain, lightning and a bad forecast forced the postponement of Friday’s semifinal matchup against top-seeded Blue Valley at Kansas University’s Hoglund Ballpark. The two schools will play at 10 a.m. Saturday

Free State baseball players were on the field taking infield practice when lightning in the area forced them to retreat to the dugout.

After sitting around for an hour, the Kansas State High School Activities Association announced play would resume the following day.

“It’s nothing we can control and we’re not going to focus on things that we don’t have control over,” Free State coach Mike Hill said. The right decision was made by the KSHSAA tournament director. Nobody wants to sit around all day. We’ll go home, go to sleep and come back ready tomorrow.”

When the fourth-seeded Firebirds (19-4) return to the field, they will send senior left-hander Trevor Munsch to the mound against Blue Valley. Munsch, signed to play at Oklahoma, pitched a complete game shutout in the regional final last week. In last year’s state tournament, Munsch gave up one run in seven innings in the semifinals.

Opposite of Munsch, the Tigers (21-2) were going to throw senior pitcher Jared Demmel, a 6-foot-1 right-hander who has signed to Cowley County CC.

“Both pitchers had to get hot before the game, but given that it was moved to tomorrow, at least from our perspective, it was like a bullpen for Trevor anyway,” Hill said.

Bad weather is nothing new for the defending state champion Firebirds. They had to wait out a three-hour delay before their state semifinal game last year.

“I think we’re used to it,” junior outfielder Jacob Pavlyak said. “I think it’s better to just schedule it for tomorrow instead of sitting around all day, getting all tight and having to re-stretch and all that. I think it’s a good thing.”

Shawnee Mission East and Washburn Rural will play in the other semifinal matchup, starting 20 minutes after the conclusion of the Free State-Blue Valley game.

The third-place game is canceled and the state championship will begin about 20 minutes after the second semifinal game.

“They are relaxed, confident and having a good time,” Hill said of his team. “That’s what you want them to do. That’s what this is all about. We’re in a good place right now. Whether that translates into victory, who knows? But I love their attitude and the way they are going about their business.”