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

Free State senior Ben Graves scores a run during the Firebirds' game against Mill Valley on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Mill Valley High School in Shawnee.

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

Free State pitcher Zane Shaw delivers a pitch in his complete game against Mill Valley on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Mill Valley High School in Shawnee.

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

Free State catcher Carter Laubach catches a foul tip during the Firebirds’ game against Mill Valley on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Mill Valley High School in Shawnee.

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

Free State senior Ryan Vigna watches as a pitch is delivered to the plate as leads off from third during the Firebirds’ game against Mill Valley on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Mill Valley High School in Shawnee.

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

Free State junior Ryker Mahnke celebrates after hitting a double during the Firebirds’ game against Mill Valley on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Mill Valley High School in Shawnee.

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

Free State senior Nathan Young trots home to score a run during the Firebirds’ game against Mill Valley on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Mill Valley High School in Shawnee.

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

Free State senior Eli Berns slides safely into a home after a wild throw in the Firebirds’ game against Mill Valley on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Mill Valley High School in Shawnee.

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

Free State sophomore Carter Laubach pulls back from bunting during the Firebirds’ game against Mill Valley on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Mill Valley High School in Shawnee.

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

Free State senior Nathan Young checks his swing during the Firebirds’ game against Mill Valley on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Mill Valley High School in Shawnee.

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

Free State senior Zane Shaw turns on a Mill Valley pitch for a hit during the Firebirds’ game on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Mill Valley High School in Shawnee.

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

Free State pitcher Zane Shaw shares a chat with an umpire after closing out an inning during the Firebirds’ game against Mill Valley on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Mill Valley High School in Shawnee.

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

Free State first baseman Ryan Vigna prepares for the play as a pitch is delivered during the Firebirds’ game against Mill Valley on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Mill Valley High School in Shawnee.

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

Free State junior Finn Moore charges down the base paths to score during the Firebirds’ game against Mill Valley on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Mill Valley High School in Shawnee.

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

Free State junior Finn Moore takes his lead off third base during the Firebirds’ game against Mill Valley on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Mill Valley High School in Shawnee.

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

Free State junior Owen Lester looks to the dugout for signs during the Firebirds’ game against Mill Valley on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Mill Valley High School in Shawnee.

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

Free State senior Ben Graves takes a lead off second base during the Firebirds’ game against Mill Valley on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Mill Valley High School in Shawnee.

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

Free State junior Finn Moore turns to avoid being hit by a pitch during the Firebirds’ game against Mill Valley on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Mill Valley High School in Shawnee.

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

Free State junior Ryker Mahnke heads to first base after being walked in the Firebirds’ game against Mill Valley on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Mill Valley High School in Shawnee.

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

Free State junior Ryan Vigna looks to connect with a Mill Valley pitch during the Firebirds’ game on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Mill Valley High School in Shawnee.

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

Free State third baseman Owen Lester gets into his defensive stance as a pitch is delivered during the Firebirds’ game against Mill Valley on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Mill Valley High School in Shawnee.

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

Free State pitcher Zane Shaw looks to his catcher during the Firebirds’ game against Mill Valley on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Mill Valley High School in Shawnee.

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

Free State second baseman Finn Moore throws over to first to complete an out during the Firebirds’ game against Mill Valley on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Mill Valley High School in Shawnee.

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

Free State junior Owen Lester slides safely into home during the Firebirds’ game against Mill Valley on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Mill Valley High School in Shawnee.

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

Free State senior Zane Shaw sheds his gear after hitting a single during the Firebirds’ game against Mill Valley on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Mill Valley High School in Shawnee.

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

Free State senior Zane Shaw lines his barrel up with a Mill Valley pitch during the Firebirds’ game on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Mill Valley High School in Shawnee.

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

Free State junior Owen Lester takes off from first base during a hit and run play during the Firebirds’ game against Mill Valley on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Mill Valley High School in Shawnee.

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

Free State junior Ferris Dinkel takes a swing at a Mill Valley pitch during the Firebirds’ game on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Mill Valley High School in Shawnee.

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

Free State third baseman Owen Lester throws over to first during the Firebirds’ game against Mill Valley on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Mill Valley High School in Shawnee.

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

Free State second baseman Finn Moore reacts to a hit during the Firebirds’ game against Mill Valley on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Mill Valley High School in Shawnee.

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

Free State pitcher Zane Shaw comes set during the Firebirds’ game against Mill Valley on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Mill Valley High School in Shawnee.

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

The Free State infield huddles on the mound during the Firebirds’ game against Mill Valley on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Mill Valley High School in Shawnee.

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

Free State center fielder Ryker Mahnke gets the ball in from the outfield during the Firebirds’ game against Mill Valley on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Mill Valley High School in Shawnee.

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

Free State pitcher Zane Shaw delivers a pitch to the plate during the Firebirds’ game against Mill Valley on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Mill Valley High School in Shawnee.

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

Free State pitcher Zane Shaw strides out to deliver a pitch during the Firebirds’ game against Mill Valley on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Mill Valley High School in Shawnee.

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

Free State third baseman Owen Lester waits for the pitcher to come set during the Firebirds’ game against Mill Valley on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Mill Valley High School in Shawnee.

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

Free State shortstop Ben Graves creeps into position during the Firebirds’ game against Mill Valley on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Mill Valley High School in Shawnee.