Free State baseball coach Mike Hill was fully expecting the nerves in his players.

Before the team’s season-opening doubleheader against Warrensburg (Mo.) on Friday, many of them had no experience at the varsity level.

But Hill couldn’t help but walk away pleased with how his players performed in Free State’s sweep of Warrensburg.

The Firebirds won Game 1, 6-5, and took Game 2, 12-2, at FSHS.

“I thought the kids competed well,” Hill said. “I was particularly pleased with how we competed in the first game, late, when it got interesting.”

Hill chuckled when he recalled the seventh inning of the first game, which proved to be eventful for the Firebirds.

Free State took a 6-3 lead into the final frame, but the bullpen allowed two runs and had to pitch its way out of trouble.

After the deficit was cut to one, Warrensburg loaded the bases with one out, but Free State turned a double play to end the game and secure its first win of the season.

The game was Free State’s first since graduating 16 seniors last season. The Firebirds finished with a record of 15-7 last season, but they are hoping to maintain their level of success this season, despite the new look.

“I think we’re still trying to figure out who we are,” Hill said. “We may not know for a long time. But it was good to get some kids in (the games).”

The Firebirds (2-0) produced 14 hits in the first game, and their offense received steady production from senior first baseman Quinton Graham, who went 3 for 3 at the plate.

“There’s not a better kid in the world than Quinton Graham,” Hill said. “There’s not anybody that works harder than him. We love him to death, we’re proud of him, and I was thrilled to see him get the results that he did today.”

As for the second game, Free State dominated from the start. After jumping out to a 9-2 lead, a 10-run mercy rule ended the contest in the bottom of the sixth once the Firebirds scored three runs in the frame.

The Firebirds racked up 14 hits in the second game, which gave them 26 on the day.

“I think offensively, we did really good,” said Graham, who had an RBI single in his only at-bat in the sixth. “I think (our lineup) has a chance to just get better as the season goes on.”

Hill said he thought his lineup did a better job of stringing together hits in the second game compared to the first.

“You outhit somebody 14-to-5 (in the first game), and you need a double play to end the ballgame in a one-run game,” Hill said. “But that’s why baseball is such a unique game. … I thought in the second game, we were better at stringing some hits together.”

The offensive production was plenty for junior starters Ethan Bradford and Jack Kallenberger, who both earned wins in their respective starts on the day.

Bradford, who started the first game, allowed just one hit and one run in four innings of work. Kallenberger struck out four batters in his four innings during the second game.

“Every kid that pitched today, it was the first time they ever pitched in a varsity game,” Hill said with a laugh. “I’m sure there were a little jitters, and that was to be expected. It was a good opportunity for some kids to get their feet wet at the varsity level.”

Game 1

Warrensburg 001 002 2 — 5 5 2

Free State 022 200 x — 6 14 3

W–Bradford (1-0). L–Kade Peterson. S–Jake Rittman (1).

2B–Trevor Key, Warrensburg; Peterson, Warrensburg; Parker Gay, Free State; Camden Karlin, Free State. 3B–Kallenberger, Free State.

Free State highlights–Bradford, 4 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 2 BB, K; Graham, 3 for 3, HBP; Gay, 2 for 3; Kallenberger, 2 for 3.

Game 2

Warrensburg 010 100 x — 2 7 2

Free State 310 413 x — 12 12 1

W–Kallenberger (1-0). L–Austin Payne.

2B–Jake Baker (2), Free State. 3B–Peterson, Warrensburg.

Free State highlights–Kallenberger, 4 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 4 K; Baker, 2 for 3, 2 RBI; Gay, 1 for 3, BB, 2. RBI; Jaxson Webb, BB, HBP; Kyle Abrahamson, 1 for 3, BB, RBI, Colter Maldonado, 1 for 3, BB.