After a three-run first inning, Free State softball was silenced at the plate for the remainder of Tuesday’s contest, resulting in a 4-3 season-opening loss at home to Olathe Northwest.

“We saw some good things,” head coach Charley Bowen said. “We came out in the first inning, scored three runs, and then we didn’t score another run, and I think that was something that probably told a big story.”

Bowen said that after the first inning, the Firebirds allowed Olathe Northwest starter Rylee Rushton to settle in while the offense mustered just three hits in the final six innings.

“I think we got a little bit tight,” Bowen said. “We just need to relax. And we came out in the first (inning) relaxed, and put some balls in play and scored some runs. But, first game, I expect some of that.”

Sophomore Jace Feurt threw a complete game for Free State, allowing four runs and striking out three batters. Feurt, who started at times as a freshman, showed positive signs as she was able to get herself out of trouble multiple times throughout the game.

“I think you saw her grow up tonight,” Bowen said. “I would rather see if she can finish a game or battle through something like that early in the season, and that’s going to just benefit us later on (in the season).”

To start the game, Feurt retired the side in order on just 10 pitches. Senior shortstop Sophia Halton walked, freshman third baseman Avery Sack singled, and junior Saria Preston walked to load the bases with one out in the bottom of the first.

The Firebirds scored the first runs of the game on a two-RBI single by junior first baseman AJ Collins, while Preston scored the third run on a sacrifice fly by Feurt.

The second and third innings were identical to one another, with Olathe Northwest getting a two-out runner on in both frames before Feurt was able to keep the shutout intact. Offensively, Free State went down in order in both innings to keep the score at 3-0, mustering just one hit in the second before a baserunning error.

After a double began the fourth inning, a passed ball allowed the Ravens’ runner to advance to third before scoring on a groundout. Feurt allowed another double with two outs but induced a popup to get out of the inning with a 3-1 advantage.

With two outs, Free State got its first hit since the second inning on a single by junior right fielder Avery Lonnberg. Senior catcher Rory Scarlett was hit by a pitch before the runners were stranded on an inning-ending flyout to right field.

“I saw some good hits,” Bowen said. “We put the bat on the ball a bit, (but) they made some great catches.”

The Ravens continued to cut into the deficit with two outs in the fifth inning thanks to an RBI single. Center fielder Riley Shierling kept the Firebirds’ lead intact with a lunging catch at the wall to end the frame.

With one out in the bottom of the fifth, the Firebirds looked to add on to the lead after a double by junior Mallary Hice. However, Hice was stranded as a groundout and a lineout ended the threat.

A double and a single by Olathe Northwest quickly forced a Free State mound visit in the sixth. Feurt got the first out of the inning on a comebacker to keep the lead runner at third, and a fielder’s choice to shortstop kept the lead intact as the runner was thrown out by Halton.

However, the Ravens did find a way to break through, taking a 4-3 lead on a two-RBI double before Feurt prevented further damage with a strikeout.

“They’re always a good team, they can always hit the ball,” Bowen said of Olathe Northwest. “We knew going into this game that we were going to have to score some runs, and we knew they were going to hit the ball.”

The Ravens got two runners on with back-to-back two-out singles, but Feurt kept the deficit at one by inducing a lineout to give the Firebirds one last chance to keep the game alive.

They failed to do so as Rushton finished a complete game of her own by retiring the side in order, getting a groundout by Halton to end the game.

The Firebirds will look to bounce back on Thursday, visiting Shawnee Mission North.