photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State sophomore Finn Moore (15) celebrates with teammate Andrew Zimmerschied after hitting a home run against O'Gorman on Thursday, March 27, 2025.

The Free State baseball team improved to 3-0 on the season by defeating Sioux Falls-O’Gorman 13-3 in five innings on Thursday afternoon at Free State High School.

The Firebirds scored five runs in the first inning and never looked back, continuing to hit with power. Free State recorded six extra-base hits and two home runs, doubling its total of one from the 2024 season.

“Offensively, we had some really good at-bats up and down the lineup,” Firebird head coach Mike Hill said.

Senior right-hander Blaine Larkin got the start on the mound for Free State, tossing three innings while striking out five batters and giving up one run and one hit. Junior Nathan Young followed Larkin in relief, pitching two innings, giving up two runs on three hits and striking out three batters.

“I thought Blaine did a nice job, settled down after the first inning,” Hill said. “And I thought Nathan ran into a little bad luck. He was particularly good with two pitches, just a couple things didn’t bounce his way.”

Larkin faced danger early, giving up a hit and a walk with one out in the first. After a wild pitch that moved up the runners to second and third, the Knights got on the scoreboard first with an RBI groundout. One batter later, Larkin induced a groundout to second baseman Ben Graves to end the inning.

The Knights’ advantage didn’t last long, as sophomore third baseman Finn Moore launched a two-run home run over the left field wall to give the Firebirds a 2-1 run lead with two outs in the bottom of the first. Following a single and a walk, first baseman Wesley Cupps extended the lead with a two-RBI triple before shortstop Charlie Peters hit a triple of his own to bring in Cupps and make the score 5-1 after the first inning.

Free State added another run in the second on a sacrifice fly from Moore to drive in center fielder Ryker Mahnke.

In the meantime, Larkin began to settle in on the bump, retiring the final seven batters he faced, recording five strikeouts in that span.

The Firebirds added to the lead further in the third inning, doing all of their damage with two outs. Peters started the rally with an infield single, and following a walk from left fielder Ryan Weishaar, Mahnke laced a double to score both Peters and Weishaar. Two batters later, second baseman Ben Graves lined a single to score Mahnke, giving the Firebirds a 9-1 advantage.

“I was very pleased in the first. We were down 1-0, we have two outs and a guy on third and we haven’t scored, then we put up six,” Hill said. “That’s critical because to be a good team, you’ve got to be able to score with two outs.”

After holding O’Gorman scoreless once again in the top of the fourth, Free State used its power to add to the lead. Catcher Andrew Zimmerschied began the frame with a leadoff single and was immediately followed by a home run by designated hitter Boston Baker to extend the lead to 10.

“Let’s be honest, it was a pretty nice day to hit for a right-handed batter with the wind blowing out, but I thought most guys obviously put the barrel on it,” Hill said. “We’re not going to hang our hat on that; that’s not who we are as a team, but anytime you can do that, it’s certainly beneficial.”

The O’Gorman bats began to heat up in the top of the fifth after having 10 straight batters retired. The Knights began the inning with a single and a double, putting themselves in prime position to get back on the scoreboard. After two strikeouts from Young, the Knights capitalized with a double down the right field line to score both runners. Young finished off the inning one batter later with a groundout.

It took just two batters for the Firebirds to respond, as a bunt single by Mahnke set up another single by right fielder Cole Wright. After a fielding error on the latter hit, Mahnke scored from first base, and Wright advanced to third base. Graves ended the game in run-rule fashion a few pitches later, driving in Wright with a sacrifice fly.

With two more games this weekend, Hill says the offense still has to improve in order to keep rolling, starting with having a good approach.

Free State will host Brandon Valley High School on Friday at 2:15 p.m.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior Ryan Weishaar jogs to first base after being walked during the game against O’Gorman at Free State High School in Lawrence on Thursday, March 27, 2025.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior Charlie Peters prepares for his at-bat against the O’Gorman pitcher on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior Wesley Cupps takes a swing at an O’Gorman pitch during the game at Free State High School in Lawrence on Thursday, March 27, 2025.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior Wesley Cupps takes his position during the game against O’Gorman at Free State High School in Lawrence on Thursday, March 27, 2025.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior Blaine Larkin delivers a pitch to an O’Gorman batter on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior Cole Wright slides safely into second base during the game against O’Gorman on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Free State High School in Lawrence.