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.

As with many baseball teams, the Free State Firebirds will be reliant upon their pitching staff and the defense behind it this season. Luckily for the Firebirds, they’re well off in those spots.

“At any level, it’s going to come down to pitching and defense,” coach Mike Hill said. “I think our ability to minimize mistakes and play clean baseball and maintain focus will be key for us.”

The Firebirds have 11 to 12 arms the team can depend on. That depth is one of the best parts of the Firebirds’ team and is one they can rely on to help continue their deep postseason runs.

The team isn’t just strong in terms of depth but has skill at the top of its staff. Senior Blaine Larkin started the first game of the season against Sioux Falls-Jefferson and threw five innings, allowing three hits and throwing nine strikeouts. In total, he threw only 68 pitches in the game.

“(Larkin) is a competitor — he’s a three-sport athlete,” Hill said. “He’s not afraid to go after it. I think what’s really helped him is his secondary pitches are getting significantly better. With the slider and changeup developing, and he still has his curveball, if he competes with three to four pitches, then that’s going to be tough.”

Larkin, a Central Missouri commit, said the defense is the cornerstone of Free State’s baseball program. He’s confident when he goes out there that the defense will compensate for any mistakes that he might make, giving him a clear head to pitch.

“That trust is huge because I’m not afraid to put the ball in the zone where it might get hit,” Larkin said. “I’m not afraid to let up a hit or two because my defense has my back. If they put a ball in play — we make big plays all the time. I’m not really afraid to let them hit it.”

Zane Shaw pitched the final two innings of Thursday’s season opener with one hit allowed against four strikeouts. Neither pitcher gave up a walk on Thursday. On Friday against Sioux Falls-Lincoln, the Firebirds put four pitchers on the mound in five innings and allowed one hit against five strikeouts. The team didn’t give up its first walk until two came in the final inning of the Friday game.

As much as the pitching staff is a strength for the team, the defense behind the pitchers helps ensure that they can pitch confidently. The numerous returning starters on defense know how to work with each other during a play.

“It’s a mix of communication and leadership,” center fielder Ryker Mahnke said. “Most of these guys have been playing together for a bit. We’ve got a lot of seniors who are great leaders.”

It also helps when the team plays with a lead, which was particularly true for Friday’s Friday game against Lincoln. The Firebirds scored three runs in the first and 10 in the second. When the team builds a lead, confidence spreads through the pitchers, hitters and defense.

Larkin said the team has many players who can be vocal and step up into leadership roles. The senior class plays a big part in leading the team, and that leadership helps their younger teammtes. Mahnke, a sophomore, said he gets confidence knowing that the seniors around him have his back.

Free State finished third in back-to-back years in 2023 and 2024. The team brings back experience, which has helped set the tone for early practices. Hill said the Firebirds have been “hungry” in their first weeks of practice. It might come in handy most during league games when the Firebirds are in a tough position and need to win.

“The talent across this side of the state, in particular on the mound, is as good as ever,” Hill said. “This league is as good as I’ve ever seen it. There’s going to be a lot of battles ahead. We’re going to need to play good baseball in order to compete with some of those other teams.”

It’s a long season to get to the playoffs, but the Firebirds already know that the state tournament is the focus of this season. After a couple of years of coming close to the championship game, the Firebirds are hunting for the title.

“The regular season is about us making sure we’re peaking as a baseball team when we get to the state tournament,” Larkin said. “If we pitch well and we’re driving the ball, then we have a good shot at winning.”

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.