Lawrence Free State pitcher Dale Miller delivers a pitch during the Firebirds game against Shawnee Mission East Tuesday, April 25, at FSH.

In a rematch of last season’s Class 6A state championship game, Free State High’s baseball team started exactly the way it wanted Tuesday against Shawnee Mission East.

Free State senior first baseman Nate Strathman threw out a runner at the plate in the top of the first inning on a double steal and the Firebirds took an early lead in the bottom half of the frame.

But all it took was one inning with a couple of miscues defensively for things to unravel for the Firebirds in a 5-1 loss at FSHS.

The top-ranked Lancers (12-2), undefeated in Sunflower League play, pulled ahead with a three-run third inning and that was more than enough run support for 6-foot-5 right-hander Zebulon Vermillion.

“I thought the kids showed some fight,” Free State coach Mike Hill said. “The ball just did not bounce our way today.”

Lawrence Free State catcher Jaden Moore tags out a runner at home plate during the Firebirds game against Shawnee Mission East Tuesday, April 25, at FSH.

In a playoff-like atmosphere featuring the No. 1 and No. 2 ranked teams in the state, senior Jacob Pavlyak hit a leadoff triple in the first inning over the head of the SM East right fielder, who tripped on his way to the ball.

Pavlyak scored two batters later when Zion Bowlin reached on an infield single for an early 1-0 advantage.

“I was amped up, ready to hit and got a piece of one,” Pavlyak said. “It was a good way to start off the game. At that point, I was like, ‘All right, we’ve got a chance.’ It just didn’t turn out the right way for us.”

The Firebirds (9-4, 4-3 in league) couldn’t add to their lead, only managing on hit over the next six innings.

There were a couple of line outs, including a double play started by SM East freshman Robert Moore, the son of Royals general manager Dayton Moore. Then there were other strong stops in the infield by SM East shortstop Luke Anderson and catches from center fielder Jake Randa.

The Firebirds nearly scored in the second inning after Dale Miller hit a leadoff bloop single and Jaden Moore followed with a walk. But courtesy runner Zack Sanders was thrown out at the plate on a fielder’s choice and left with an injury.

“You score one run and have three hits, you typically don’t say you’re pleased with the offensive approach, but yet I was,” Hill said. “We hit some hard balls right at people. Didn’t get anything in terms of breaks today, but that’s what happens when you play a good team.”

Lawrence Free State runner Zack Sanders tries to avoid a tag at home plate while attempting to score on a base hit in the Firebirds game against Shawnee Mission East Tuesday, April 25, at FSH. Sanders was called out on the play.

Vermillion, signed to pitch at Arkansas, struck out five with a strong mix of curveballs, change-ups and his fastball, which can reach 90 mph.

“I think his fastball was his worst pitch, which was a good thing because his curveball, change-up and everything else he was throwing was tough to hit,” Pavlyak said.

In the third inning, two of the Lancers’ first three hitters reached base without the ball leaving the infield and an error. Then clean-up hitter Clayton Phillips drilled a two-run double, which skipped past Free State left fielder Daniel Bryant, for a 3-1 lead.

Phillips hit a leadoff double in the sixth inning and scored on a RBI single from Cameron Fritz.

“We want to compete every single game,” Pavlyak said, “and I don’t think we competed as well as we could.”

SM East 003 002 0– 5 8 0

Free State 100 000 0 — 1 3 1

W — Zebulon Vermillion. L — Dale Miller, 4-1.

2B — Clayton Phillips (2), SME. 3B — Jacob Pavlyak, FS.

FSHS highlights — Miller, 1-for-2, walk, 5.2 IP, 8 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 2 K; Pavlyak, 1-for-3, run; Zion Bowlin, 1-for-3, RBI.