photo by: Nathan Friedman/Special to the Journal-World

The Free State softball team gives high fives to opposing players following the game against Shawnee Mission North on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Lawrence.

The Free State softball team played from behind for much of its doubleheader on Thursday night against Shawnee Mission North, but ultimately earned a split with the Bison, making its record 2-3 on the season.

“We’re young, and I think they’re trying, they’re working hard. I don’t think they’re giving up,” head coach Charley Bowen said. “I feel like we’re growing every single game. I think if we keep continuing where we’re going right now, we’ll be alright.”

The youth of the Firebirds is especially prominent in the pitching circle, as sophomores AJ Collins and Mallary Hice both threw complete games against the Bison.

“This is their first time starting varsity, and I think they’re growing up every game,” Bowen said. “If they keep growing and working hard like they are, I think by the end of the year, they’ll have a lot of success.

Throughout the two games, Free State faced deficits of three, four, and five runs, climbing its way back each time. Bowen says that his team’s will is what helped the Firebirds rally.

Game 1: Free State 6, Shawnee Mission North 5

The first game of the twin bill showed early signs of a back-and-forth duel. In the first inning, Collins quickly retired the first three batters she faced, while Shawnee Mission North’s Makenna VonFeldt worked her way out of a jam, stranding Firebird runners at second and third.

After a scoreless second inning, the first breakthrough of the game came in the top of the third. Following a leadoff single, VonFeldt lifted a two-run home run over the right field wall to give the Bison a 2-0 lead.

In the bottom of the third, the Firebirds were able to cut their deficit in half. Sophia Halton led off the inning by hitting a line drive into the right-center gap. The ball took a crooked hop at the fence, allowing Halton to safely reach third base with a triple. Two batters later, Halton scored on a passed ball to get the Firebirds on the scoreboard.

Shawnee Mission North added to its lead in the visitors’ half of the fourth. A pair of singles to begin the inning set up an RBI single by Taylor Hollingworth. A wild pitch moments later scored the second run of the inning for the Bison.

The Firebirds opened the bottom of the fourth with a single and a walk, but a runner’s interference halted momentum for the time being. After a strikeout, AJ Maginnis worked a full-count walk. The last pitch of the at-bat trickled away from the catcher, and a throwing error allowed both Zoe Milburn and Hice to score.

Halton was hit by a pitch to put runners at first and second before Sarai Preston drove in Maginnis to tie the game at 4. Delaney Bruhns concluded Free State’s scoring with a two-RBI triple to give Free State a 6-4 lead.

Offense continued to be the story as Shawnee Mission North cut the Firebirds’ lead in half with an RBI single. With two runners on and one out, Collins avoided further damage with consecutive strikeouts.

Pitching and defense starred the rest of the way, with neither team able to scratch another run across. The Bison got a runner on first to begin the seventh by way of an error, but Collins was able to finish her complete game with a flyout, lineout, and strikeout.

“I was just determined to get those outs and win the game,” Collins said. “I just really wanted to get those girls out of there.”

Game 2: Shawnee Mission North 10, Free State 9

Free State posed the first threat on offense with two outs in the home half of the second inning. Gia Miele placed a double just out of reach of a Bison outfielder before Sonomi Klaus hit another double, driving in Miele to put Free State up 1-0.

After struggling to get to Hice in the first two innings, Shawnee Mission North got its offense rolling in the top of the third. The Bison’s first three batters all reached base before an RBI single tied the score at one. Another RBI single put the Bison in front for the first time in game two before a bases-clearing double that landed just inside the foul line made the score 5-1.

Much like in game one, the Firebirds didn’t shy away from a deficit. With two outs, Preston and Hice both reached base with a single. Into the box came Collins with a chance to draw the Firebirds closer.

She was able to do just that, lining a double into the outfield and scoring both runners.

“I was just looking for the perfect pitch, and there it was,” Collins said.

Free Statethen cut the deficit down to just one as Kendall Feurt drove in Collins on an RBI single.

A pair of costly errors with runners on and a two-RBI double in the top of the fourth resulted in four more runs for Shawnee Mission North.

The offensive ability of the Firebirds made the game intriguing once again. A hit by pitch and a double set up Maginnis, who powered a two-run double to center field. Bruhns chipped into the deficit further, laying down a bunt as the throw got away, and brought in Maginnis.

A walk by Preston brought in a new pitcher, and with two outs, Feurt produced again with a double to score Bruhns and Preston, tying the game.

The Bison pushed back in front in the fifth inning via a fielding error by Free State. Both offenses remained silent for the rest of the game. Free State put the game-winning run on first base in the bottom of the seventh, but a groundout gave Shawnee Mission North the win in game two.

The Firebirds will gear up for another doubleheader on Tuesday, visiting Olathe North. The first game will begin at 4:15 p.m.

photo by: Nathan Friedman/Special to the Journal-World

Free State player AJ Maginnis prepares to swing at a pitch in the final inning of the game against Shawnee Mission North on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Lawrence.

photo by: Nathan Friedman/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior Giavonna Miele stands at second base during the game against Shawnee Mission North on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Lawrence.

photo by: Nathan Friedman/Special to the Journal-World

Free State freshman Mallary Hice and Adriana “AJ” Collins celebrate during the game against Shawnee Mission North on Thursday, April 3, 2025.

photo by: Nathan Friedman/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior third basemen Kendall Feurt tosses the ball to Adriana “AJ” Collins celebrate during the game against Shawnee Mission North on Thursday, April 3, 2025.

photo by: Nathan Friedman/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior Delany Bruhns celebrates at third base during the game against Shawnee Mission North on Thursday, April 3, 2025.

photo by: Nathan Friedman/Special to the Journal-World

The Free State Softball team gathers around coach Charley Bowen between innings during the game against Shawnee Mission North on Thursday, April 3, 2025.

photo by: Nathan Friedman/Special to the Journal-World

Free State sophomore Sonomi Klaus prepares to catch a throw at first base during the game against Shawnee Mission North on Thursday, April 3, 2025.

photo by: Nathan Friedman/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior outfielder Delany Bruhns squares to bunt during the game against Shawnee Mission North Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Lawrence.

photo by: Nathan Friedman/Special to the Journal-World

Free State sophomore outfielder Sarai Preston swings at a pitch during the game against Shawnee Mission North Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Lawrence.