Free State softball finishes off perfect run through league play to win another title

photo by: Chance Parker

Free State senior Sara Roszak hugs her teammates after hitting a home run in the city showdown against Lawrence High. Free State won 15-2 Tuesday, May 4, 2021.

It didn’t take long for Free State’s softball team to wrap up its outright Sunflower League title. The Firebirds needed just three innings to earn a 17-0 road win over Shawnee Mission East on Monday.

With the victory, the Firebirds (16-1) won all 13 games of Sunflower League play to win the title outright. It marks the fourth league crown in program history, as Free State won back-to-back titles in 2005 and 2006 and won for a third time during the 2019 campaign.

On Monday, Free State exploded for 11 runs in the first and were in cruise control after that. The Firebirds scored one run in the second before finishing off the run-rule victory with five runs in the top of the third.

Seniors Sara Roszak and Tatum Clopton both clobbered home runs for FSHS in the win. Roszak, Clopton, junior McKenzie Marcum, sophomore Leah Mueller and senior Robin Todd all recorded a double as well.

Mueller, who was batting leadoff, finished with a team-high four RBIs while going 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Roszak drove in three RBIs on a 2-of-2 day, while Clopton and Todd each drove in two RBIs apiece.

Free State was able to get plenty of players involved, making five substitutions in the lineup by the end of the game. Freshman Abry Hill delivered three RBIs on her lone hit during a pinch-hit at-bat. Freshman Grace Rothwell also managed to draw three walks in the win.

In the circle, FSHS used two different pitchers to get through three innings without giving up a hit or a run. Junior Kay Lee Richardson recorded two strikeouts and one walk in her lone inning. Freshman Kinsey Clopton whiffed all six batters she faced over the final two frames.

Free State will host LHS in the regular-season finale at 5:30 p.m. Thursday. It will be senior night for a talented class responsible for two state titles.

Free State 17, SM East 0

FSHS 11 1 5 — 17 11 0

SME 0 0 0 — 0 0 1

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