photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Free State third baseman Finn Moore runs to third base in a 1-0 win over Shawnee Mission South on Saturday, May 3, 2025, in Lawrence.

Free State baseball relied on its pitching to get a 1-0 win over Shawnee Mission South at home on Saturday.

The Firebirds (18-2) had a hard time getting their offense going, but the team got seven runless innings from pitchers Cayman Cook and Ben Graves. Cook, who started, pitched five innings and threw five strikeouts against three hits. Graves pitched the final two and threw three strikeouts against one hit. Neither pitcher walked a batter.

“I like how we’re responding in tight ball games,” coach Mike Hill said. “I thought we were particularly strong on the mound today — Cook was good for five innings. When you can put Ben Graves in to get six outs, you’re pretty lucky.”

The Raiders put their leadoff hitter on base with an error, but the Firebirds turned a double play on the next at-bat and finished with a strikeout right after. Cole Wright was the only Firebird to get a hit in the bottom of the first on a ground ball single.

In the second inning, the Raiders started with a single but didn’t get anyone else on base. A sacrifice bunt advanced the runner, but a popout and a strikeout put the Firebirds back at the plate. There, the team got two runners on base with walks. Owen Lester and Wesley Cupps got on base before a groundout closed the inning.

Shawnee Mission South started with a runner on base for the third straight inning. The Free State defense turned its second double play in the next at-bat, and Cook threw another strikeout to enter the bottom of the third.

Free State scored the only run of the game in the third, as Ryker Mahnke started with a leadoff double. The Raiders got two outs in the next two at-bats while Mahnke advanced to third base. Finn Moore brought him home on an RBI single, but a flyout in the next at-bat closed the inning.

The Firebirds turned their third double play after a leadoff single in the top of the fourth, and Cook again finished the frame with a strikeout. Lester tripled to start the bottom of the fourth, but three straight outs, including two strikeouts, kept the Firebirds from adding some cushion to their lead.

“We missed a few opportunities offensively,” Hill said. “That’s a good pitcher we saw. But the way we respond in those close games is a positive.”

The Firebirds retired the side in three at-bats for Cook’s last inning on the mound. At the plate, the Firebirds put two runners on base with walks from Graves and Moore, but a lineout ended the fifth inning without a run.

Graves took over on the mound and threw two strikeouts in the sixth as the Firebirds retired the side in the first three at-bats again. Cupps hit a single to provide Free State’s only hit of the sixth before the defense came back out to close the game. Graves threw a strikeout, and Wright caught a pop fly to put the first two batters out. The Raiders got the game-tying run on base with a single, but a groundout ended the game in the next at-bat.

Free State catcher Andrew Zimmerschied said he and the team keep their confidence high in those late moments when they need their pitchers to make a play. With Graves in a closeout role, the Firebirds feel good about their chances.

“We know he has the stuff,” Zimmerschied said. “I’ll be back there blocking, receiving — whatever he needs. He does a really good job throwing strikes, and that’s absolutely crucial in those one-run ball games. If you let a guy get to first, there’s no telling what can happen.”

The Firebirds have five games left in the regular season before the playoffs begin. They’ll travel to Gardner Edgerton on Tuesday and Olathe Northwest on Thursday and finish the week with the first City Showdown match at Lawrence High on Friday.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Free State pitcher Cayman Cooks winds up for his throw in a 1-0 win over Shawnee Mission South on Saturday, May 3, 2025, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Free State pitcher Ben Graves throws a pitch in a 1-0 win over Shawnee Mission South on Saturday, May 3, 2025, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Free State left fielder Owen Lester runs toward home plate in a 1-0 win over Shawnee Mission South on Saturday, May 3, 2025, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Free State hitter Ryan Weishaar hits a ground ball in a 1-0 win over Shawnee Mission South on Saturday, May 3, 2025, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Free State shortstop Charlie Peters throws off balance to first base in a 1-0 win over Shawnee Mission South on Saturday, May 3, 2025, in Lawrence.