photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Elsa Carrillo, center, celebrates with the Free State softball team after hitting a walk-off home run to defeat Olathe South 1-0 on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at FSHS.

Elsa Carrillo woke up ready to play softball on Tuesday. Free State’s senior starter soaked up her turn in the rotation, striking out 21 total batters and delivering a walk-off bomb in the bottom of the 10th inning, leading the Firebirds over Olathe South 1-0 for their first win of the season.

On a day where just five total batters across both teams were fortunate enough to record a hit, FSHS (1-2) recorded its third and final one when Carrillo, facing a 2-2 count with one out already on the board, broke a nearly 10-inning silence with a home run towering over the left field fence.

Carrillo, who offered up just two hits and two walks to the Falcons (0-3) through 10 full innings of work, said she’s learned to talk herself through long ballgames – something she credits her father, Jason, who played baseball at Labette Community College, with passing on to her.

“(It) looks a little crazy if you’re sitting in the stands,” Carrillo said. “For me, it’s to hype myself up and calm myself down… What my dad told me, when I was younger and pitching together, ‘Just sit her down, send her back to the dugout.'”

And mow O-South’s lineup she did, as Carrillo wiped off two late hits from the bags in the sixth and the ninth to keep her team in it until the very end.

The Firebirds had their share of chances down the stretch, too. Senior Abry Hill singled her way clear to third in the bottom of the sixth with insurance runs waiting patiently behind her. O-South senior Riley Braden struck out FSHS senior Myra Hamilton to cut the momentum short.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World.

Free State senior Abry Hill takes off for third during a game against Olathe South on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at FSHS. The Firebirds won 1-0 in extras.

Another scoring opportunity came in the bottom of the eighth on a sacrifice bunt by Hill that shifted junior Chloe Clossen to second, but a flyout and strikeout by Braden stifled the Firebirds, again. Carrillo pointed out that accommodating to slow days at the plate is part of her team’s path forward.

“I think we’re slowly learning and we’re slowly easing into it,” Carrillo said. “Our defense is really solid. Cydnee (Price) back behind the plate, I know she’s got my back and I know if I shake off a call, she’s going to hit right back that we both know we can get this girl. I think energy was a big part of today.”

Braden seemingly tightened her grip on the Firebirds, adding two more strikeouts between the ninth and the 10th before Carrillo arrived at the plate. The senior’s at-bat marked the Firebirds’ first hit of extra innings – and it was a big one.

“She’s been throwing rise balls to us all game and I knew that I had to stay back, keep my hands up and I think I just got it at the perfect level,” Carrillo said.

The Firebirds now turn their attention to Thursday’s road trip to Shawnee Mission Northwest, as Carrillo and FSHS seek out a second win to build on Tuesday’s walk-off victory. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Free State senior Abry Hill smiles during a game against Olathe South on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at FSHS. The Firebirds won 1-0 in extras.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Free State senior Abry Hill fists bumps her first base coach after making it on base during a game against Olathe South on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at FSHS. The Firebirds won 1-0 in extras.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Free State seniors Elsa Carrillo (35) and Bailey Smith (44) share a chat during a game against Olathe South on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at FSHS. The Firebirds won 1-0 in extras.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Free State junior Delaney Bruhns takes a swing during a game against Olathe South on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at FSHS. The Firebirds won 1-0 in extras.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

The Free State softball team holds a meeting on the mound during a game against Olathe South on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at FSHS. The Firebirds won 1-0 in extras.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Free State senior Elsa Carrillo winds up her pitch during a game against Olathe South on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at FSHS. The Firebirds won 1-0 in extras.

Box score

Olathe South 000 000 000 0 – 0 2 0

Free State 000 000 000 1 – 1 3 1

W – Carrillo; L – Braden.

Highlights for Free State: Carrillo 10.0 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 21 K, 1-3, RBI; Hill 1-2; Kohl 1-3.

Schworm pieces together runner-up finish at Jaguar Invite

On Monday, Lawrence High junior Nate Schworm shot a 76 (+4) for a second-place individual finish at the Jaguar Invitational at Oakwood Country Club. Just one stroke behind Shawnee Mission South’s Kieran Myers, Schworm was the lone Chesty Lion ranking in the top 10.

Sophomore Andrew Kirkwood tied for 32nd carding an 88 and senior Gunnar Wayenberg sat close behind tying for 38th with an 89 on the afternoon.

LHS and Free State return to the links on Thursday at Wamego Country Club.

Crawford leads LHS past SM West in extras

Lawrence High junior Maddy Crawford connected for the game-winning RBI to escape Shawnee Mission West 9-8 on Tuesday at home.

Both squads entered extras knotted up at 2-2, as the Chesty Lions (4-1) came out on top in a long, winding slugfest that included 15 or more hits on both sides. Crawford’s game-winner capped her performance at 4 for 9 at the plate, including two runs and two RBI for LHS.

Sophomore Sophia Rowley (4.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K) got the start for LHS, as senior Taylor Zeckser (8.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K) and sophomore Keira Norris (4.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K) relieved Rowley down the stretch.

Box score

SM West 000 200 000 003 030 0 – 8 15 3

Lawrence 002 000 000 003 030 1 – 9 18 6

W – Norris; L – Peiker.

Highlights for LHS: Crawford 4-9, 2 R, 2 RBI; Dye 3-7, 2 R, RBI; Folks 2-8, 1 R, 3 RBI; Mayo 1-6, 1 R, RBI.