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

Free State senior Andrew Zimmerschied is blasted with water as he hoists the state championship trophy on Friday, May 30, 2025, at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence.

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

Free State junior Zane Shaw delivers a pitch to a Shawnee Mission West batter during the Firebirds’ state championship game on Friday, May 30, 2025, at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence, Kansas.

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

The Free State baseball team poses with the state championship trophy on Friday, May 30, 2025, at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence.

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

Free State junior Ben Graves (left) and senior Wesley Cupps celebrate their state championship win on Friday, May 30, 2025, at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence.

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

Free State head coach Mike Hill hugs sophomore Finn Moore after the state championship game on Friday, May 30, 2025, at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence.

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

The Free State baseball team claps as the Firebirds begin to be awarded state championship medals on Friday, May 30, 2025, at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence.

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

The Free State baseball team lines up while waiting to be awarded their state championship medals after defeating Shawnee Mission West on Friday, May 30, 2025, at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence.

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

The Free State baseball team lines up while waiting to be awarded their state championship medals after defeating Shawnee Mission West on Friday, May 30, 2025, at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence.

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

The Free State baseball team celebrates on the field after beating Shawnee Mission West in the state championship game on Friday, May 30, 2025, at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence.

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

The Free State baseball team runs onto the field to celebrate their state championship after defeating Shawnee Mission West on Friday, May 30, 2025, at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence.

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

Free State third baseman Finn Moore yells as the Firebirds take down Shawnee Mission West to win the state championship on Friday, May 30, 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 Shawnee Mission West batter on Friday, May 30, 2025, during the Firebirds’ state championship at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence.

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

Free State sophomore Owen Lester follows through with his swing during the Firebirds’ state championship game against Shawnee Mission West on Friday, May 30, 2025, at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence.

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

Free State sophomore Finn Moore beats the Shawnee Mission West throw to third during the Firebirds’ state championship game on Friday, May 30, 2025, at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence.

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

Free State seniors Andrew Zimmerschied (2) and Wesley Cupps high five during the Firebirds’ state championship game against Shawnee Mission West on Friday, May 30, 2025, at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence.

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

Free State sophomore Ryker Mahnke lays down a bunt during the Firebirds’ state championship game against Shawnee Mission West on Friday, May 30, 2025, at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence.

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

Free State senior Charlie Peters throws his hands up as the dugout cheers during the Firebirds’ state championship game against Shawnee Mission West on Friday, May 30, 2025, at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence.

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

Free State senior Ryan Weishaar yells to the dugout after reaching base during the Firebirds’ state championship game against Shawnee Mission West on Friday, May 30, 2025, at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence.

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

Free State center fielder Ryker Mahnke tracks down a Shawnee Mission West hit during the Firebirds’ state championship game on Friday, May 30, 2025, at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence.

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

Free State pitcher Zane Shaw throws to first after coming off the mound during the Firebirds’ state championship game against Shawnee Mission West on Friday, May 30, 2025, at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence.

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

Free State senior Charlie Peters makes contact with a Shawnee Mission West pitch on Friday, May 30, 2025, during the Firebirds’ state championship game at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence,

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

Free State junior Ben Graves watches the ball travel after making contact with a Shawnee Mission West pitch on Friday, May 30, 2025, during the Firebirds’ state championship game at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence.

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

Free State senior Cole Wright lines his barrel up with a Shawnee Mission West pitch on Friday, May 30, 2025, during the Firebirds’ state championship game at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence.

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

Free State senior Andrew Smith yells as he waits for teammates to come off the field during the Firebirds’ state championship game against Shawnee Mission West on Friday, May 30, 2025, at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence.

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

Free State pitcher Zane Shaw throws over to first during the Firebirds’ state championship game against Shawnee Mission West on Friday, May 30, 2025, at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence.

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

Free State sophomore Ryker Mahnke takes a lead off first base during the Firebirds’ state championship game on Friday, May 30, 2025, against Shawnee Mission West at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence.

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

Free State shortstop Charlie Peters tosses over to second after fielding a Shawnee Mission West ground ball on Friday, May 30, 2025, during the Firebirds’ state championship game at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence.

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

Free State second baseman Ben Graves fields a Shawnee Mission West chopper on Friday, May 30, 2025, during the Firebirds’ state championship game at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence.

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

Free State junior Ben Graves is hit by a Shawnee Mission West pitch during the Firebirds’ state championship game on Friday, May 30, 2025, at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence.

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

The Free State baseball team hoists the state championship trophy after defeating Shawnee Mission West in the state championship game on Friday, May 30, 2025, at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence.

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

Free State sophomore Ryker Mahnke laces a Shawnee Mission West pitch for a single during the Firebirds’ state championship game on Friday, May 30, 2025, at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence.

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

Free State sophomore Ryker Mahnke celebrates after the Firebirds’ score in the first inning of the Firebirds’ state championship game against Shawnee Mission West on Friday, May 30, 2025, at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence.

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

Free State sophomore Ryker Mahnke celebrates after the Firebirds’ score in the first inning of the Firebirds’ state championship game against Shawnee Mission West on Friday, May 30, 2025, at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence.

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

Free State sophomore Ryker Mahnke comes across home plate to record the Firebirds’ first run of their state championship game against Shawnee Mission West at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence on Friday, May 30, 2025.

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

Free State senior Wesley Cupps comes off the field after the Firebirds end an inning against Shawnee Mission West during the state championship game on Friday, May 30th, 2025, at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence, Kansas.

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

The Free State baseball team poses with the state championship trophy after defeating Shawnee Mission West on Friday, May 30, 2025, at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence, Kansas.

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

The Free State baseball team celebrates with students after defeating Shawnee Mission West in the state championship game on Friday, May 30, 2025, at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence, Kansas.

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

The Free State baseball team celebrates at the mound after defeating Shawnee Mission West in the state championship game on Friday, May 30, 2025, at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence, Kansas.

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

Free State senior Cole Wright dives back safely to first base during the Firebirds state championship game against Shawnee Mission West on Friday, May 30, 2025, at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence, Kansas.

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

Free State sophomore Ryker Mahnke celebrates after the Firebirds’ score in the first inning of the Firebirds’ state championship game against Shawnee Mission West on Friday, May 30, 2025, at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence, Kansas.

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

Free State sophomore Ryker Mahnke swings against Shawnee Mission West for a leadoff double during the Firebirds’ state championship game on Friday, May 30, 2025, at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence, Kansas.