photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Free State pitcher Nathan Young throws a pitch in a 14-0 win over Sioux Falls-Lincoln on Friday, March 21, 2025, at Free State High School.

Free State baseball moved to 2-0 with a 14-0 win over Sioux Falls-Lincoln at Free State High School on Friday.

A day after the Firebirds had hits but couldn’t convert them to runs, they poured in runs. They started with three in the first inning. The Firebirds were aided by five free bases and a single from catcher Andrew Zimmerschied.

The second inning accounted for the majority of the runs. Free State scored 10 times with five hits. Left fielder Owen Lester and center fielder Ryker Mahnke started the run with two singles to start it off and an error in the next at-bat brought them both home. Infielder Ben Graves drove in a run with a single, and the Firebirds then loaded the bases. The subsequent three runs came consecutively with walks to take a 9-0 lead.

In his second plate appearance of the inning, Mahnke hit a double that brought two runners home. Two walks later, the Firebirds brought in their 12th run of the game. The final run of the inning came as Zimmerschied advanced with a walk with bases loaded.

The Free State defense quickly retired the side in the second and third innings. The Patriots had one hit, a single, through three frames at the start of the first inning. The Firebirds relied on four pitchers combined for one hit allowed against five total strikeouts.

Coach Mike Hill said the team likes its pitching depth and hoped to use a few more pitchers in the first two games.

The Patriots retired the side at the bottom of the third and had two walks at the top of the fourth. Those were the only two walks Free State allowed in the game.

Free State scored the 14th and final run of the game on a single from third baseman Finn Moore in the bottom of the fourth. The Firebirds got the final out of the game on a fielder’s choice from Graves to second baseman Hugh Kneidel in the top of the fifth inning.

The Firebirds will play three games next week on consecutive days, starting on Thursday with O’Gorman High School at 3 p.m.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Free State third baseman Finn Moore sets to throw to first base in a 14-0 win over Sioux Falls-Lincoln at Free State on Friday March 21, 2025.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Free State first baseman Wesley Cupps starts his swing in a 14-0 win over Sioux Falls-Lincoln at Free State High School on Friday, March 21, 2025.