photo by: Sarah Buchanan/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior Kyle Graves throws a pitch during the City Showdown on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at Hoglund Ballpark.

Free State baseball shut out crosstown rival Lawrence High 10-0 on Tuesday at Hoglund Ballpark, earning some City Showdown bragging rights and putting itself in even better position in the Sunflower League toward the tail end of the season.

Starter Kyle Graves added another win to his senior-season resume by pitching 5.0 innings of three-hit, no-run baseball with a walk and five strikeouts. The Firebirds (19-5) piled up nine total hits at the plate, including three by Graves himself.

FSHS coach Mike Hill praised Graves’ performance in the heated rivalry game.

“He was in the zone and threw three pitches effectively,” Hill said. “Lawrence High certainly has some ability there, and I thought he did a nice job of keeping that in check.”

Across the field, LHS coach Brad Stoll chose veteran Vaughn Wells (5.0 IP, 9 H 10 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 5 K) for the start.

“Everybody on this team has the utmost faith in (Wells),” Stoll said. “Things just didn’t go our way, and when you go against a team that’s as talented as Free State, it’s going to be a long night for sure.”

“(Wells has) come a long way,” Hill added. “He’s got a lot to be proud of. I thought our kids battled him well tonight … That happens; that’s baseball.”

Wells and LHS (13-12) gave up two runs right away in the first, as Graves punched in his brother, Ben, from third on a fielder’s choice and senior Mason Lester (HBP) walked to home plate.

Kyle Graves lifted the FSHS lead to 4-0 in the second, with a heads-up play by third baseman Lester stranding two LHS hits in the bottom side.

“Mason made a really nice play,” Hill said. “That was a tough hop, and he attacked it … That was important because we had some early momentum and that would’ve given that away.”

The Lions held the Firebirds off the board through the fourth and got a big break when senior catcher Koen Myers tagged out FSHS senior Jackson Lickert on a close throw to the plate fired home by right fielder Brooks Jones.

But the Firebirds weren’t done scoring just yet. They amassed six runs in the fifth – including single RBIs by junior Wesley Cupps, Ben Graves and Kyle Graves – and LHS was in a 10-run hole heading into the bottom of the fifth with a pressing run rule on the line.

Kyle Graves delivered his fifth and final strikeout of the game, catching LHS senior Austin Crawford looking, to seal the deal against the Lions.

The Firebirds may have won the crosstown clash, but they can’t afford to celebrate for long, Hill said.

“We’re going to go home and wipe this one away,” Hill said. “We play a very, very good Aquinas team tomorrow to end the regular season, and I think that probably puts us in a position to host a regional, which is a goal of ours … I’m pretty confident that gets us where we need to be.”

Both teams return home on Wednesday, Free State to host Saint Thomas Aquinas and LHS to host Blue Valley North. Both games are set for 5:30 p.m.

Box score

Free State 220 06 – 10 9 1

Lawrence 000 00 – 0 3 3

W – K. Graves; L – V. Wells.

Highlights for Free State: B. Graves 2-3, 3 R, 2 RBI; K. Graves 3-4, 3 RBI, 5.0 IP, 3 H, BB, 5 K; Jeffries 2-4, RBI.

Highlights for LHS: Riggins 1-2, Jones 1-1, Wells 5.0 IP, 9 H, 10 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 5 K.

photo by: Sarah Buchanan/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior Ben Wessel smiles in the dugout at the City Showdown on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at Hoglund Ballpark.

photo by: Sarah Buchanan/Special to the Journal-World

Free State celebrates at the City Showdown on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at Hoglund Ballpark.

photo by: Sarah Buchanan/Special to the Journal-World

Free State celebrates at the City Showdown on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at Hoglund Ballpark.

photo by: Sarah Buchanan/Special to the Journal-World

Free State celebrates at the City Showdown on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at Hoglund Ballpark.

photo by: Sarah Buchanan/Special to the Journal-World

Free State celebrates at the City Showdown on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at Hoglund Ballpark.

photo by: Sarah Buchanan/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence High senior Vaughn Wells throws a pitch during the City Showdown on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at Hoglund Ballpark.

photo by: Sarah Buchanan/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence High senior Vaughn Wells winds up during the City Showdown on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at Hoglund Ballpark.

photo by: Sarah Buchanan/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence High’s Sutton Dye steals second base during the City Showdown on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at Hoglund Ballpark.

photo by: Sarah Buchanan/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior Kyle Graves throws a pitch during the City Showdown on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at Hoglund Ballpark.

photo by: Sarah Buchanan/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior Kyle Graves winds up during the City Showdown on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at Hoglund Ballpark.

photo by: Sarah Buchanan/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior Kyle Graves throws a pitch during the City Showdown on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at Hoglund Ballpark.

photo by: Sarah Buchanan/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence High’s Johnathan Riggins rounds the bases during the City Showdown on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at Hoglund Ballpark.

photo by: Sarah Buchanan/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior Kyle Graves runs the bases during the City Showdown on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at Hoglund Ballpark.

photo by: Sarah Buchanan/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior Kyle Graves runs the bases during the City Showdown on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at Hoglund Ballpark.

photo by: Sarah Buchanan/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence High senior Vaughn Wells winds up during the City Showdown on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at Hoglund Ballpark.

photo by: Sarah Buchanan/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior Kyle Graves delivers during the City Showdown on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at Hoglund Ballpark.

photo by: Sarah Buchanan/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence High senior Sammy Stoll waits to make a catch at second base in the City Showdown on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at Hoglund Ballpark.