photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Free State sophomore Ben Graves (6) is jubilant after the final strikeout during a game with Shawnee Mission East on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at FSHS.

Ben Graves stood tall after firing in strike 3 to complete Free State baseball’s 5-4 home win against Shawnee Mission East on Tuesday. The sophomore relieved his older brother, Kyle, and fellow sophomore Zane Shaw, allowing just one hit and dealing six strikeouts for the save.

RBIs by Mason Lester and Ben Graves gave the Firebirds (11-1) a quick three-run lead on the Lancers (6-6) heading into the fourth inning, just as senior starter Kyle Graves (4.0 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 6 K) ran into trouble with three earned runs in the fourth.

FSHS picked up two runs worth of insurance when freshman Ryker Mahnke singled his way to second on a defensive error, but SM East inched closer, crossing another run in the fifth, which meant Shaw was brought onto the mound to relieve Kyle Graves.

FSHS coach Mike Hill said the older Graves and Shaw each embraced their roles and didn’t flinch across the Lancers’ 10 total hits.

“KG is our horse; he’s our guy,” Hill said. “He’s got two outs, nobody on in the fourth again, and it’s 3 (and) 4 that he gets out and here comes 5, 6 and 7 and they’re all good … They strung some things together, and it’s time to go get Zane; he’s cutting his teeth, but he competes, man.”

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Free State senior Kyle Graves awaits his next batter during a game with Shawnee Mission East on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at FSHS.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Free State senior Mason Lester drills the ball into play during a game with Shawnee Mission East on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at FSHS.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Free State sophomore Ben Graves dives into home plate during a game with Shawnee Mission East on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at FSHS.

After pitching one inning of no-run ball, Shaw handed the mound duties over to Ben Graves, who allowed the Firebirds to hang on for the rest of the way.

The younger Graves said he’s beginning to find his rhythm again after being displeased with his early-season performances.

“When I get my name called, I’m going to be ready,” Ben Graves said. “I got my best stuff out of the bullpen, so I’m feeling good right now … I’ve kind of just figured out my stuff when the warm weather comes in, and I’m starting to figure it out at the right time.”

The Firebirds travel to Shawnee Mission Northwest on Thursday. First pitch is set for 4:30 p.m.

Box score

SM East 000 310 0 – 4 10 3

Free State 003 200 0 – 5 8 0

W – K. Graves; Save – B. Graves; L – Rose.

Highlights for Free State: K. Graves 4.0 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 6 K; Shaw 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K; B. Graves 2.0 IP, 1 H, 6 K, 1-3, R, RBI; Lester 1-4, 2 RBI; Moore 1-3, R; R; Mahnke 2-3, R, RBI; Cupps 1-3.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Free State freshman Ryker Mahnke (20) watches the mound closely during a game with Shawnee Mission East on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at FSHS.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Free State sophomore Ben Graves (6) high fives a teammate after crossing home plate during a game with Shawnee Mission East on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at FSHS.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Free State senior Kyle Graves (3) unleashes his pitch during a game with Shawnee Mission East on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at FSHS.

Late play at the plate saves shutout for Wells, LHS

A complete game thrown by Lawrence High senior Vaughn Wells teetered on a throw to the plate by senior outfielder Cale Paden, who found senior catcher Koen Myers’ glove and preserved a 2-0 win over Shawnee Mission Northwest on Tuesday at home.

Paden’s throw stalled what would’ve been the Cougars’ (5-7) first run of the day, threatening the two-run lead that the Lions (8-4) earned in the fourth on two RBIs between seniors Johnathan Riggins and Connor Nowak.

“It could’ve been a completely different situation, but Cale comes up big,” Wells said. “He had a really good week last week and does it again this week … I’m not going to lie, I was feeling it a little bit but had a big play out of right, and I knew Koen was catching that ball.”

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Lawrence High senior Vaughn Wells winds up his pitch during a game vs. Shawnee Mission Northwest on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at LHS.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Lawrence High senior catcher Koen Myers looks over to the third base coach during a game vs. Shawnee Mission Northwest on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at LHS.

Wells outperformed his SM Northwest counterpart, freshman righty Brayden Borberg. The LHS pitcher allowed six total hits with a walk and five strikeouts.

LHS coach Brad Stoll was pleased with his defense as a whole and had high praise for Wells’ shutout performance.

“That’s kind of Vaughn’s MO,” Stoll said. “He’s just going to pound the zone, he’s going to sink his fastball and I thought everybody played really good defense behind him.”

LHS hosts Gardner Edgerton on Thursday. First pitch is TBD.

Box score

SM Northwest 000 000 0 – 0 6 0

Lawrence 000 200 X – 2 6 0

W – Wells; L – Borberg.

Highlights for LHS: Wells 7.0 IP, 6 H, 1 BB, 5 K; Riggins 2-3, RBI; Stoll 2-3, R; Paden 1-3, R; Nowak 0-1, RBI; Jones 1-2.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Lawrence High coach Brad Stoll shares a chat with his team during a game vs. Shawnee Mission Northwest on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at LHS.