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

Free State senior Wesley Cupps celebrates on third base with assistant coach Nolan Deitrich 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

The Free State baseball team walks off the field after recording a victory against Washburn Rural in the state tournament on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence.

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

Free State sophomore Ryker Mahnke high-fives teammates after the Firebirds took down Washburn Rural in the state tournament on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence.

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

Free State’s Owen Lester (left) and Cole Wright celebrate in the outfield after the Firebirds beat Washburn Rural in the state tournament game on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence.

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

Free State’s Finn Moore (front) and Wesley Cupps celebrate in the infield after defeating Washburn Rural in 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 center fielder Ryker Mahnke tracks down a pop fly for the final out of 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 pitcher Ben Graves looks to receive signs from his catcher 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 shortstop Charlie Peters attempts to make a sliding stop 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 pitcher Ben Graves works through his motion to deliver a pitch to a Washburn Rural batter during the Firebirds’ state tournament game at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence.

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

Free State’s Wesley Cupps (left) grabs his gear from teammate Charlie Peters after being left on 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 Owen Lester takes a lead off second 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 senior Wesley Cupps turns to sprint out of the batter’s box 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 Owen Lester swings at a Washburn Rural pitch 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 sends a Washburn Rural pitch to the outfield 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 second baseman Ben Graves tosses over to first to record an out 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 second baseman Ben Graves fields a Washburn Rural ground ball 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 shortstop Charlie Peters (front) watches as center fielder Ryker Mahnke catches a pop fly 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 third baseman Finn Moore gets into position 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 first baseman Wesley Cupps watches in a throw from his pitcher 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 junior Zane Shaw peeks over his glove to receive signs from his catcher 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 junior Zane Shaw strides out to deliver 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 senior Andrew Zimmerschied goes throw his routine as he steps into the box on Thursday, May 29, 2025, during the Firebirds’ state tournament game against Washburn Rural at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence.

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

Free State sophomore Ryker Mahnke receives signs from his third base coach 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 celebrates on third base after high-fiving assistant coach Nolan Deitrich 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 Boston Baker comes across the plate to score the Firebirds’ first run of their 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 Charlie Peters comes off the field smiling after a big play 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 Andrew Zimmerschied takes a swing at a Washburn Rural pitch 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 catcher Andrew Zimmerschied sets up to receive a pitch 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 first baseman Wesley Cupps watches as a pitch is delivered to a Washburn Rural batter during the Firebirds’ 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 Blaine Larkin deals a pitch to a Washburn Rural batter during the Firebirds’ state tournament game on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence.

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

Free State sophomore Ryker Mahnke watches the ball as he leaves the batter box after hitting a Washburn Rural pitch during the Firebirds’ 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 Wesley Cupps (10) holds on a Washburn Rural runner 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 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 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.

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.