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

Free State pitcher Blaine Larkin yells after recording a strikeout to end the first inning of the Firebirds' state tournament game at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence on Thursday, May 29, 2025.

There are three words that define postseason play: “Survive and advance.” That’s exactly what the Free State baseball team (26-2) was able to do in the quarterfinal round of the 6A state tournament on Thursday morning at Hoglund Ballpark, defeating Washburn Rural, 4-1.

Free State senior pitcher and University of Central Missouri signee Blaine Larkin got the start on the mound and while he didn’t have his best stuff, he still threw five complete innings while allowing just one run and striking out seven batters, earning the win in the process.

“He wasn’t sharp, as he would really admit, but being a senior on an experienced team, he knew how to persevere through that,” head coach Mike Hill said. “I think the inning we gave up the run was a classic example. Obviously, it doesn’t look good in that situation, but he stuck with it, and here came the slider, and he found it in a critical moment. And then, he was able to gut the next two (innings) out.”

The Firebirds’ bats were also stagnant from the start, as they did not record a hit through until the third inning thanks to Washburn Rural starter Issac Ansley. Ansley wasn’t overpowering, topping out at 72 mph, but his ability to effectively use his off-speed pitches made it difficult for the Firebirds to find success at first.

“He did such a nice job, credit to him,” Hill said. “We worked extensively this week on it, but it takes some discipline, and buying into a philosophy, and it took us a little bit (to settle in). That’s a credit to that kid, and the job he did spinning it and mixing multiple pitches for strikes.”

After a scoreless first inning, the Junior Blues posed the first scoring threat when Aidan Newbery hit a one-out double in the top of the second. Larkin once again worked around traffic on the bases, getting a strikeout and an over-the-shoulder catch by Charlie Peters to keep the game scoreless.

Larkin found himself in danger once again after three straight walks to begin the top of the third. Washburn Rural scored the game’s first run on an error, but Larkin induced a fielder’s choice at home and a strikeout, before catcher Andrew Zimmerschied picked off a runner at third base to keep the deficit at 1-0.

Free State got its first hit of the game in the bottom of the third, as Boston Baker hit a single with one out and advanced to second on an error by the left fielder.

One batter later, Baker scored the tying run as Wesley Cupps lined a triple to center field. The Firebirds failed to take the lead, however, as a pair of baserunning mistakes ended the inning.

“We had good production today from the bottom of the order,” Hill said. “(Boston) had a nice day and so did Cupps, and you know, if we can get that production at the bottom, it really sets us up.”

It has been a roller coaster of a season at the plate for Cupps, an Ohio University signee, but he was a spark plug in the No. 9 hole and finished his day 2-for-2 with the RBI and a walk, and said he was sitting on a fastball on the RBI triple.

“We’ve been working on situational stuff, so just being able to focus on that pitch I want, and I know I can drive,” Cupps said.

Another golden opportunity to take the lead presented itself in the bottom of the fourth after Ben Graves worked a walk and advanced from first to third on a failed pickoff attempt. Free State didn’t waste the opportunity as Finn Moore drove in Graves with a double for their first lead of the game.

The Firebirds held the Junior Blues scoreless once again in the top of the fifth, allowing just a walk, while Larkin got two of the three outs via strikeouts.

Two one-out walks ended Ansley’s day in the bottom of the fifth, and Free State immediately capitalized as Cole Wright drove in Cupps to make the score 3-1. Another error by the Washburn Rural defense allowed Ryker Mahnke to score before the next two Free State batters were retired.

Zane Shaw pitched the sixth inning in relief of Larkin and worked around a leadoff walk and retired the next three batters to keep the Firebird lead at three runs. A pair of Free State’s hitters reached base in the bottom of the sixth, but it could not add to the lead.

In order to save Shaw for later in the tournament, Graves was sent to the mound in the seventh inning. The Junior Blues recorded two singles and brought the tying run to the plate, but Graves was able to induce a flyout to finish off the win.

“If you throw more than 30 (pitches) today, you’re done (for the tournament),” Hill said. “We didn’t feel like a multiple-inning save was in the cards for anybody today.”

With the Free State offense being held to just six hits, it will be important moving forward in the tournament to continue to execute in big moments, and adjust as the game goes along.

“You’ve got to rely on your offense at some point in time,” Hill said. “You don’t reinvent yourself this time of year, (we have to) figure out who are we seeing, what’s the best way to approach this guy and then you try to execute the game plan.”

Added Cupps: “Just focusing on driving the ball up the middle, (having) more competitive at-bats, finding fastballs early in the count and jumping on it.”

The Firebirds move into the semifinal round on Friday morning at 11 a.m., where they will play the winner of Maize and Manhattan at Hoglund Ballpark.

Line score

WRHS 001 000 0 – 1 5 3

FSHS 001 120 x – 4 6 1

W – Larkin; L – Ansley; S – Graves

Highlights for FSHS: Wesley Cupps 2-2, R, RBI, BB; Graves 1-2, R, RBI, BB, 1.0 IP, S; Larkin 5.0 IP, 3 H, R, ER, 4 BB, 7 K.

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

Free State senior Wesley Cupps dives safely into third to record an RBI triple against Washburn Rural during the Firebirds’ state tournament game against Washburn Rural on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence.

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

Free State senior Wesley Cupps hits a triple to drive in the Firebirds’ first run of their state tournament game on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence.

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

Free State senior Boston Baker dives safely into third base during the Firebirds’ state tournament game against Washburn Rural on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence.

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

Free State sophomore Finn Moore gets tripped after applying a tag to a Washburn Rural runner on Thursday, May 29, 2025, during the Firebirds’ state tournament game at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence.

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

Free State catcher Andrew Zimmerschied gets low to complete a play at the plate on Thursday, May 29, 2025, during the Firebirds’ state tournament game at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence.

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

Free State senior Charlie Peters throws home for a play at the plate during the Firebirds’ state tournament game at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence on Thursday, May 29, 2025.

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

Free State senior Charlie Peters (8) makes a tough catch as sophomore Owen Lester keeps out of the way on Thursday, May 29, 2025, during the Firebirds’ state tournament game at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence.

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

Free State pitcher Blaine Larkin (front) throws to first baseman Wesley Cupps to force the Washburn Rural runner back to the bag on Thursday, May 29, 2025, during the state tournament game at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence.

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

Free State senior Blaine Larkin fires a pitch to a Washburn Rural batter during the Firebirds’ state tournament game at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence on Thursday, May 29, 2025.

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

Free State sophomore Ryker Mahnke fist-bumps teammates as he is introduced before the Firebirds’ state tournament game against Washburn Rural at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence on Thursday, May 29, 2025.