The Free State softball team split its first two games at the Sunflower Softball Festival on Thursday at the Shawnee Mission Softball Complex — defeating Blue Valley, 10-5, and falling to Washburn Rural, 9-0.

Grace Patchen went 2-for-4 with four RBIs to lead the Firebirds against Blue Valley. Patchen’s three-run home run highlighted the Firebirds’ four-run sixth inning. Jenalee Dickson added a bases-clearing double, and Mayah Daniels went 3-for-4 with three runs scored against the Tigers.

Dacia Starr collected two of Free State’s four hits in the loss to Washburn Rural.

The Firebirds (6-5) will play their final two games of the Sunflower Softball Festival on Saturday. Free State will take on Gardner-Edgerton at 9 a.m., and Great Bend at 11 a.m.

Washburn Rural 022 050 0 — 9 10 0

Free State 000 000 0 — 0 4 6

LP — Mayah Daniels.

Free State highlights: Dacia Starr 2-for-4.

Blue Valley 200 003 0 — 5 7 2

Free State 004 204 X — 10 10 0

WP — Morgan Leslie.

Free State highlights: Grace Patchen 2-for-4, four RBIs, HR; Jenalee Dickson 1-for-3, three RBIs; Mayah Daniels 3-for-4, three runs scored.