photo by: Conner Becker

Free State senior Tyler Vigna (right) and junior Kyle Graves (left) at practice on Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at Free State High School. Graves makes his first start of the season on Thursday against Olathe Northwest.

Filling the shoes of long-gone senior arms is a routine task for any high school baseball team and a regular part of the job according to Free State coach Mike Hill.

But when those shoes belong to last year’s Class 6A Pitcher of the Year where do you begin?

Senior righty Tyler Vigna, who made his first start in a 9-3 loss at Olathe South on Monday, has been atop Hill’s short list for a while in the team’s quest to replace Maddox Burkitt and lead the Free State pitching staff. Joining him will be 2022 closer, junior Kyle Graves.

“Tyler and Kyle’s successes will be important for us,” Hill said. “Their innings combined were just four innings more than Maddox Burkitt threw during the year. To replace those innings, both Tyler and Kyle will likely need to increase their contributions.”

Despite the loss in his first start, Vigna said he was happy with his team’s fight behind him.

“We didn’t ever die out, we always had energy going and that’s what I like about this group,” Vigna said. “We’re never dead. We always thought we were one hit away and if we would’ve gotten a big hit in a couple of situations, we would have been right back in that game.”

The Firebirds (3-1) are hoping to return to the state tournament after last year’s first-round loss and the performance of their top two pitchers likely will play a big role in whether that happens.

In Monday’s loss, Vigna allowed six runs on six hits, including a home run, through five innings, leaving the game with three walks and two strikeouts. Vigna, who caught Hill’s attention last year with his change-up, finished the 2022 season 4-2 with a 3.00 earned-run average and 32 strikeouts.

Last season, Vigna watched Burkitt “take control of the game” first-hand and he’s ready to mimic his former teammate’s leadership and command, not just when he’s on the mound but with the entire pitching staff.

“We’ve seen what we need to do,” Vigna said. “Being able to go out there and make an impact, hopefully, on these younger kids – that’s exactly what we’re trying to do.”

Along with Graves, the two combined for 64 innings last season. Serving as the team’s closer a season ago, Graves returns after posting a 1-2 record with four saves, a 2.65 ERA and 22 strikeouts last year.

Graves got a few innings during his freshman year, dipping his toes into what’s now become a starting role. Excited for the long season ahead, Graves got his first start Thursday against Shawnee Mission North at home.

Holding the Bison to just three hits, Graves’ one run allowed and five strikeouts led Free State to a 4-1 win over SM North. The home victory also featured a 2-for-3 performance by Vigna at the plate, including a game-high two RBIs.

The line of Firebirds vying for innings this season doesn’t end with Vigna or Graves, though.

Varsity newcomer Ben Graves, Kyle’s younger brother, impressed Hill and his teammates with the first win of his high school career in an 11-1 romp over Sioux Falls Roosevelt last week.

After previously competing in club ball with the Royals Scout Team in Kansas City, Missouri, the younger Graves didn’t allow a single hit through four innings, finishing with nine strikeouts and two walks. His brother, Kyle, was quick to comment on his brother’s first start.

“I love seeing him gain all the confidence to go out there and step on the mound,” Kyle Graves said. “He’s always been a very confident guy, confident about how he does things. I knew once he got through that first inning he was going to be good the rest of the way.”