photo by: Carter Gaskins

Free State senior pitcher Michael Uhler throws a pitch during a game against Lawrence High Tuesday night at Hoglund Ballpark on May 11, 2021.

In an era where so much of pitching is focused on throwing as hard as possible, there is something admirable about a pitcher who just wants to get the batter out.

Meet Michael Uhler, Free State’s senior pitcher.

Uhler won’t overpower opposing hitters, but that doesn’t seem to take away from his ability to get guys out on a regular basis. And that is why he is getting the ball to start the game against Blue Valley during the opening round of the Class 6A state tournament. Uhler’s hardest pitch all season was clocked at 83 miles per hour, and he’d be the first to admit that number shouldn’t strike fear into opposing batters.

“I know that’s not too hard, but it’s getting the job done,” Uhler said. “I like to kind of take myself out of the picture because as soon as I throw the ball, my job’s done. I love my defense doing the work that they’ve been doing for me. They have really been helping me out a lot this season, I got to give them all the credit.”

It is true that Free State has played good defense during a 13-9 campaign, notching a state berth and becoming the No. 8 seed in this year’s state tourney. But Uhler’s modesty shouldn’t overshadow his own part in what the Firebirds have accomplished this spring, and why they have trusted him in the biggest moments of the season.

Uhler gave up only one run while spinning a complete-game performance against Wichita West in the regional championship last week. Now, he will get the start against No. 1 seed Blue Valley (20-2) at 3:30 p.m. Thursday at LaRoche Baseball Complex in Fort Scott.

“It means the world to me,” Uhler said of getting the ball. “It means my team has faith in me, it means my coaches have faith in me. They know that I can come out here and pitch against a team as good as Blue Valley and do what needs to be done to hopefully come away with the win.”

photo by: Carter Gaskins

Free State players Michael Uhler (14) and Keaton Stramberg (2) high five after a play during a game against Lawrence High Tuesday night at Hoglund Ballpark on May 11, 2021.

Uhler has consistently delivered in his final season as a Firebird — and he’s done so in his own way.

There is a certain level of craftiness to Uhler’s pitching that seems to keep hitters off balance. He does a great job of mixing in all of his pitches (fastball, breaking ball and changeup) while moving around different spots in every at-bat.

Most of all, though, Uhler lives in the strike zone. He has excellent command, and wants opposing players to swing the bat when he’s on the mound.

“I have a lot of respect for him and the way he goes about his business,” FSHS head coach Mike Hill said. “His goal was to win the ballgame for his team and not what he could do for himself. Because of that, he’s been able to be successful where some others wouldn’t be able to be.”

Uhler has been doing a lot of winning for the Firebirds as of late, which is especially impressive considering the stakes are getting higher.

The senior hurler has earned a victory in four of his last five starts for the Firebirds. He has also gone the distance in four of his last five outings, tossing complete-game performances in three consecutive starts.

With a state berth on the line, Uhler held Wichita West to just one run on two hits to go along with three strikeouts and two walks. The start before that was against Lawrence High, when Uhler pitched with plenty of swagger in a rivalry matchup. He was not charged with an earned run while whiffing six batters and walking none over seven frames.

As a result, the Firebirds just have more confidence when Uhler is on the mound in big moments.

“I think you can definitely see the changes even when we start warming up,” FSHS senior Joey Wood said. “It’s just a different mentality when he’s on the bump and it just helps out everybody.”

This particular moment — pitching in the state tourney — has been a long time coming for Uhler. He was on the mound in the 2019 state championship game, surrendering the walk-off single in the ninth of a 3-2 loss to Haysville-Campus.

“I threw a couple good innings and the last inning kind of got away from me,” Uhler recalled of his state debut. “I replay that moment in my head every single time I step on the mound. That’s what drives me to compete and work hard.”

Uhler has aspirations of pitching at the next level just like his father did, something that has become more of an attainable goal after such a strong senior season. Uhler is 7-3 in 11 games (10 starts) while posting a 0.903 ERA on the year. He has struck out 52 batters and walked 15 over 62 total innings of work.

For now, though, Uhler is focused on doing what he can to ensure Free State’s season lasts one more day for what will be his final act as a Firebird. The Class 6A semifinals, state championship game and third-place contest are all slated for Friday.

“I take a lot of pride in putting on the Free State jersey,” Uhler said. “(I take pride in) going out there and doing everything I can for this team. This team means the world to me. I mean, these (guys) are my family away from my actual family.”

Class 6A baseball bracket

No. 1 Blue Valley (20-2) vs. No. 8 Free State (13-9), 3:30 p.m.

No. 4 Olathe West (18-4) vs. No. 5 Manhattan (18-4), 5:45 p.m.

No. 2 Gardner-Edgerton (18-4) vs. No. 7 Washburn Rural (17-5), 11 a.m.

No. 3 Derby (18-4) vs. No. 6 Blue Valley West (17-5), 1:15 p.m.