photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Free State senior Jackson Waggoner strikes out a batter during the second inning of Friday's 12-0 shutout victory over Carthage (Mo.) on the second day of the River Ciy Baseball Festival on April 28, 2023, at Free State High School.

A rain-delayed start didn’t keep the Free State baseball team from swinging the bat in a 12-0 shutout victory over Carthage (Mo.) on Friday at the River City Baseball Festival.

Senior Jackson Waggoner, picking up the start at home, allowed just two hits on three walks and 10 strikeouts on the afternoon. Free State coach Mike Hill said Waggoner braved the wet elements, as expected.

“The conditions were not very conducive to pitching by any stretch,” Hill said. “He attacked the zone well.”

The action started with an error by Carthage left fielder Austin Mitchell resulting in a leadoff triple for Free State junior Mason Lester in the bottom of the first. An RBI single by freshman Ben Graves, an error-forced RBI triple by junior Kyle Graves, and an RBI groundout by sophomore Wesley Cupps made it 4-0 Firebirds heading into the second.

Waggoner, who struck out three Tigers in the top of the first, added two more strikeouts onto his stat sheet in the second. The senior struck out Carthage’s Zach Hoenshell to save the inning with just one hit allowed. Back at the plate, Free State added two runs on another RBI single by Ben Graves and another on an overthrown ball by Tigers catcher Clay Kinder intended for second baseman Ty Perry.

With one out in the third, Waggoner walked Kinder but Free State shortstop Kyle Graves caught Kinder vying for third. Then, Waggoner struck out Perry to bring Free State back to the plate.

Waggoner’s confident start was a refreshing sign for a Firebirds club that gave up 11 total hits between three pitchers the night before against Rockhurst.

“You got four games in a few days time and you’re going to get deep into the staff,” Hill said. “We got behind yesterday and that provided some opportunities for guys who’d not been on the mound all year.”

Carthage starter Brady Carlton loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the third, picking up two strikeouts holding Free State to just one run earned on a walk entering the fourth.

Carthage’s Carson Kinder relieved Carlton in the bottom of the fourth, walking Cupps and giving up a base hit sophomore Ryan Weishaar. With two outs, Free State crossed in four more runs on two RBIs by sophomore Andrew Zimmerschied and Ben Graves and two passed balls to send the Firebirds up 12-0.

Umpires paused the game for a brief rain delay, before the Firebirds ultimately kept the Tigers quiet through the top of the fifth and final side of the ballgame. Hill said his team’s got their work cut out for them as the state postseason nears.

“You get 20 in Kansas and every one of the counts,” Hill said. “One of the goals we have every year is to host a regional and we’ve got to fix some things over the next few games to reach that goal.”

Free State meets Platte County (Mo.) for its final matchup of the festival at 11:15 a.m. on Saturday at Hoglund Ballpark.

*Lawrence High and Rockhurst, originally scheduled for Friday, has been rescheduled for May 12 at LHS due to wet conditions. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.

BOX SCORE:

Carthage 000 00 – 0 2 2

Free State 431 4X – 12 10 0

W – Waggoner; L – Carlton.

Highlights for Free State: B. Graves 3-for-4, 2 R, 4 RBI; K. Graves 1-for-3, 1 R, 2 RBI, 3B; Lester 2-for-2, 3 R, 3B; Weishaar 2-for-3, 1 R; Waggoner 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 10 K.