photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

The Lawrence and Free State softball teams shake hands after Lawrence High's victory in the City Showdown game at Free State High School in Lawrence on Thursday, April 10, 2025.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior Chloe Clossen takes a swing at a Lawrence pitch late in the City Showdown game on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State freshman Jace Feurt dives back safely into first as Lawrence High’s Lydia Folks lays down a tag on Thursday, April 10, 2025, during the City Showdown game at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State’s AJ Collins tosses her bat after drawing a walk against Lawrence High on Thursday, April 10, 2025, during the City Showdown game at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence junior Peyton Hewins takes a swing at a Free State pitch during the City Showdown game at Free State High School in Lawrence on Thursday, April 10, 2025.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence senior Maddy Crawford takes off from first base on Thursday, April 10, 2025, during the City Showdown game at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State pitcher AJ Collins warms up to pitch against Lawrence High during the City Showdown game on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State sophomore Julia Norris and senior Harper Dye race to a shallow Free State pop fly on Thursday, April 10, 2025, during the City Showdown game at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence sophomore Julia Norris throws in the ball from the outfield fielding a Free State hit on Thursday, April 10, 2025, during the City Showdown game at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence High’s Peyton Hewins, Julia Norris, and Reese Dannevik (left to right) have a chat in the outfield in between innings of the City Showdown game at Free State High School in Lawrence on Thursday, April 10, 2025.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence junior Peyton Hewins and freshman Kate Neilson watch from the dugout as a new Free State pitcher warms up during the City Showdown game at Free State High School in Lawrence on Thursday, April 10, 2025.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence junior Keira Norris is welcomed off the field with a high five from teammate Lydia Folks after closing out an inning against Free State on Thursday, April 10, 2025, during the City Showdown game at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence’s Harper Dye, Maddy Crawford, Zoey Barker, and Keira Norris (left to right) come together in the pitcher’s circle during the City Showdown game at Free State High School in Lawrence on Thursday, April 10, 2025.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence senior Lydia Folks puts herself in front of a Free State ground ball during the City Showdown game at Free State High School in Lawrence on Thursday, April 10, 2025.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence senior Maddy Crawford settles in at third base while preparing for the play during the City Showdown game at Free State High School in Lawrence on Thursday, April 10, 2025.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence catcher Lillian Spinelli waits for the incoming pitch during the City Showdown game on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence freshman Zoey Barber sprints to second base to hold on the Free State runner during the City Showdown softball game at Free State High School in Lawrence on Thursday, April 10, 2025.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

The Free State dugout cheers on their batter at the plate during the City Showdown game against Lawrence High on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State sophomore Mallary Hice throws over to first base after field a Lawrence High ground ball on Thursday, April 10, 2025, during the City Showdown game at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior Delaney Bruhns tracks down a pop fly during the City Showdown game against Lawrence on Thursday, April 10, 2024, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence freshman Zoey Barber prepares to swing at a Free State pitch on Thursday, April 10, 2025, during the City Showdown softball game at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State sophomore Mallary Hice steals second base as Lawrence High’s Harper Dye comes to cover the bad during the City Showdown softball game on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence senior Lydia Folks watches the ball into her glove to record an out against Free State during the City Showdown game on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence junior Keira Norris deals a pitch to a Free State batter on Thursday, April 10, 2025, during the City Showdown softball game at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence senior Maddy Crawford (1) is welcomed to home plate by teammates after rounding the bases against Free State on Thursday, April 10, 2025, during the City Showdown softball game at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence senior Maddy Crawford rounds first base after hitting a home run in the first inning of the City Showdown softball game at Free State High School in Lawrence on Thursday, April 10, 2025.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State freshman Jace Feurt warms up before facing the Lawrence High lineup on Thursday, April 10, 2025, during the City Showdown game at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State’s Gia Miele, Sonomi Klaus, and Jace Feurt (left to right) stand at the pitcher’s circle during the national anthem prior to their City Showdown game against Lawrence on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.