photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Free State celebrates retiring an inning during the softball City Showdown on Friday, May 3, 2024, at LHS.

A true pitchers duel headlined the softball City Showdown through nine full innings, as Free State escaped Lawrence High 3-1 on Friday at LHS.

The Firebirds (15-6) and Chesty Lions (8-13) renewed their annual rivalry on Tuesday, but a severe storm forced the contest into the weekend – setting up a fiery battle between FSHS senior veteran Elsa Carrillo and LHS sophomore star Keira Norris.

Carrillo praised Norris and LHS’ grit lasting well into extras.

“She did an amazing job,” Carrillo said. “It’s hard to come in as a young pitcher. I remember my freshman year I didn’t even pitch JV and then my sophomore year I struggled to find time on JV… Kudos to all of them for having such a consistent pitching staff.”

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Free State senior Elsa Carrillo fires a pitch during the softball City Showdown on Friday, May 3, 2024, at LHS.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Lawrence High sophomore Keira Norris hurls a pitch during the softball City Showdown on Friday, May 3, 2024, at LHS.

Ahead of Tuesday’s decision to postpone the contest, FSHS already leapt to a 1-0 lead thanks to an RBI double by senior Megan Kohl in the top of the first. The Lions evened the score up 1-1 on an RBI double smacked into center field by junior Lydia Folks before the first inning closed.

That score stayed burned into the scoreboard clear until the ninth Friday, as the Firebirds benefited from multiple unexpected LHS pitching changes en route to their two-run victory.

For LHS, the loss came with some added pain. Norris exited the game after allowing two earned runs, one scored on a wild pitch and the other a fielder’s choice hit into play by senior Megan Kohl, in the top of the ninth. Senior Taylor Zeckser entered the circle in search of a comeback but instead took a line drive to her thumb during her second batter. Norris returned to the circle only to be struck in the shoulder by another line drive and replaced by sophomore Sophie Rowley.

“Even though we have the weekend off, we’ve got four games next week and I thought Sophie did a great job,” LHS coach Mike Byrn said about his unusual pitching dilemma. “(Rowley) came in a situation like that, got warm quick and got the out we needed.

“I thought (Norris) threw great, but it was time to pull.”

All 10 of the Firebirds’ hits were hard-earned, too.

Norris racked up a game-high 12 strikeouts on nine total hits for LHS, and the Lions found themselves with multiple chances to jump out front. One such opportunity came in the bottom of the sixth when Free State senior Myra Hamilton nabbed a hard hit to right field by Folks and got the ball to third baseman Abry Hill in time for a double play to end the inning.

Later in the eighth, Hamilton again robbed LHS of what appeared to be at least a double on a towering right-field shot by senior Charlee Burghart, stranding junior Reese Dannevik (advanced to second on a dropped third strike) and sending the game into the ninth.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Lawrence High junior Reese Dannevik smiles after racing her way to second on a dropped third strike during the softball City Showdown on Friday, May 3, 2024, at LHS.

The loss to a hometown rival stings, but Burghart said LHS has nothing to hang their heads about after facing Carrillo, who’s committed to continue pitching for Johnson County Community College next spring.

Burghart and fellow senior Shea Rowley agree the loss counts as another mental exam in the box.

“I think we showed up and played our hearts out,” Burghart said. “… I try to go in no matter who I’m facing, I can hit off them. And going in with that confidence, just allows me to be ready for whatever when I’m in the box.”

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Lawrence High senior Charlee Burghart is jubilant after reaching second base during the softball City Showdown on Friday, May 3, 2024, at LHS.

“If you believe yourself, you can hit off of her, it’s all a mental game,” Rowley added.

For the Firebirds, it was their 15th win heading into the final stretch of the regular season and, soon, a heated regional race. FSHS coach Charley Bowen said his group is learning just how unpredictable the game can become this late in the season.

“Early in the year, I don’t think we win that game,” Bowen said. “I told them that I felt like I didn’t have much to do with tonight. They came together as a team tonight, picked each other up, and kept fighting… I believe that throughout the year, they’ve developed into the team that won that game tonight.”

On Monday, FSHS welcomes in Perry-Lecompton (4 p.m.) and LHS heads to Gardner Edgerton (5:30 p.m.).

Box score

Free State 100 000 002 – 3 10 2

Lawrence 100 000 000 – 1 4 0

Carrillo – W; Norris L.

Highlights for Free State: Carrillo 9.0 IP, 4 H, R, ER, 10 K, 1-4, 3B; Hill 2-4, 2 R; Kohl 2-5, 2 RBI.

Highlights for LHS: Norris 8.1 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 3 ER< 3 BB, 12 K; Crawford 1-4, R; Burghart 1-4; Folks 1-4; Rowley 1-3.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Free State junior Delaney Bruhns gets set for a long throw during the softball City Showdown on Friday, May 3, 2024, at LHS.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Lawrence High junior Maddy Crawford heads for home during the softball City Showdown on Friday, May 3, 2024, at LHS.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Lawrence High head softball coach Michael Byrn motivates his team from the third baseline during the softball City Showdown on Friday, May 3, 2024, at LHS.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Free State senior Megan Kohl smiles at her dugout from second base during the softball City Showdown on Friday, May 3, 2024, at LHS.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Lawrence High senior Charlee Burghart (center) celebrates an out during the softball City Showdown on Friday, May 3, 2024, at LHS.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Lawrence High senior Shea Rowley takes off for first base during the softball City Showdown on Friday, May 3, 2024, at LHS.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Lawrence High sophomore Brae Mayo holds back her swing during the softball City Showdown on Friday, May 3, 2024, at LHS.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Free State senior Abry Hill motivates her team between innings during the softball City Showdown on Friday, May 3, 2024, at LHS.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Free State senior Aly Richardson warms up before stepping up to the plate during the softball City Showdown on Friday, May 3, 2024, at LHS.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Lawrence High senior Charlee Burghart (10) slides into third base as Free State senior Abry Hill makes the out during the softball City Showdown on Friday, May 3, 2024, at LHS.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Lawrence High sophomore Brae Mayo gets a piece of the ball during the softball City Showdown on Friday, May 3, 2024, at LHS.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Free State senior Aly Richardson reaches second base during the softball City Showdown on Friday, May 3, 2024, at LHS.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Free State senior Myra Hamilton celebrates with her teammates after pulling in a tough catch during the softball City Showdown on Friday, May 3, 2024, at LHS.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Lawrence High sophomore Ava Mondi hurls the ball toward home plate during the softball City Showdown on Friday, May 3, 2024, at LHS.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Free State senior Abry Hill slides into home plate during the softball City Showdown on Friday, May 3, 2024, at LHS.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Free State senior Abry Hill (left) and Lawrence High junior Reese Dannevik (right) separate after a collision at the plate during the softball City Showdown on Friday, May 3, 2024, at LHS.