photo by: Sarah Buchanan/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior catcher Karson Bowers hits the ball against Park Hill South on Thursday, May 14, 2026, in Lawrence.

Through 25 games, Free State’s Donnie Krehbiel had made nine appearances solely as a courtesy runner. But in his first at-bat of his varsity career, the sophomore made the most of his opportunity.

With Thursday’s regular-season finale against Park Hill South tied at two, Krehbiel made a pinch-hit appearance and delivered with a two-RBI double that put the Firebirds (22-4) ahead for good, as they went on to win 7-2.

“I’m just grateful for the opportunity to be able to get in that position,” Krehbiel said. “(I) was just looking for a fastball, and then I got my pitch and I put a good swing on it.”

Krehbiel added that coming through in a moment of that magnitude for his teammates helps validate all the work he’s put in behind the scenes.

“It really makes me feel good about all the effort and time I’ve put into my swing,” he said. “Just being able to show that there with that, it just, again, really makes me happy and grateful for the moment.”

Head coach Mike Hill said the decision to insert Krehbiel in that situation goes back to discussions that have taken place over the last few weeks and being able to put a left-handed hitter (Krehbiel) against a right-handed pitcher.

“(I’m) so happy for him that the first varsity at-bat is a bases-clearing double,” Hill said. “Obviously that was a huge momentum shift in the game, and credit to him.”

Up to Krehbiel’s go-ahead hit, Ben Graves said the team lacked energy throughout the first five innings, but the hit shifted the emotion in the Firebird dugout.

“It changed it completely,” Graves said. “I’m happy for him. That was a nice swing, and you know, helped us win the game.”

Finn Moore got the start on the mound and went four-plus innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on one hit.

“I felt good,” Moore said. “It’s the best my curveball’s felt in a while.”

Moore also helped start the rally in the sixth with a leadoff double and added a two-RBI single later in the same inning at the plate. It was the first two hits in a week for Moore, his last coming on May 7 against Olathe Northwest

“He’s a great baseball player, and listen, when you have a 26-game schedule, a couple games off can be a big challenge mentally,” Hill said. “He’s a mentally tough kid. He’s stayed consistent with what he’s trying to do. He is a major contributor to our success we’ve had and hope to have as we move forward.”

The Panthers struck first before the Firebirds could record an out after an error and a wild pitch led to an RBI single two batters into the game. Moore settled in with a strikeout, then got two more outs to keep the Panthers limited to one run.

Free State leadoff hitter Ryker Mahnke reached base to begin the bottom of the first after being hit by a pitch. After two outs, Mahnke moved to third on an opposite-field single by Owen Lester before the inning came to a close after a pop-out.

Another error put a runner on base for Park Hill South with one out in the second. A two-out walk put a second Panther on the base paths before a bunt attempt for a single failed as Moore got the final out at first base.

Moore retired the side in order in the third while Park Hill South pitcher Cooper McQueen extended his streak to seven straight hitters retired after three innings.

Lester worked a five-pitch walk in the bottom of the fourth and stole second before tying the game on a double by Zane Shaw.

Moore faced one batter in the fifth, allowing a leadoff walk before being replaced by Ben Graves. Following a sacrifice bunt, a double drove in the second run of the game for Park Hill South as it once again pulled in front. Graves struck out the next two batters he faced to end the top of the fifth.

An error and a pair of walks loaded the bases for Free State with two outs in the bottom of the fifth. Dealt with a 3-1 count, Lester grounded out to first base as Park Hill South reliever Wyatt Rhodes escaped the jam with his team still leading.

Moore led off the bottom of the sixth with a single and stole second before advancing to third on a productive flyout by Shaw. With the infield in, Moore beat the throw home, and an error put Ferris Dinkel on second base.

“It felt really good,” Moore said. “I was struggling a lot, and it feels better.”

Dinkel advanced to third on a single by Nathan Young, and after a new pitcher entered the game, Krehbiel broke through with the go-ahead double. The Firebirds weren’t done yet, as Mahnke hit a double and came home on an Eli Berns single. Two more runs came in three batters later after Moore’s second single of the inning.

“We didn’t make a lot of hard contact in the first five innings,” Hill said. “Credit to the kids. They were able to make the adjustments and put the onus on them in terms of pressure by hard hit balls in the sixth.”

Graves induced three quick groundouts to complete the win.

Free State is currently seeded as the No. 2 team in the 6A West Regionals behind top-seeded Maize (23-2). The regionals will take place next week, but for now, rest is of the utmost importance for the Firebirds.

“I’m pretty tired, and I bet a lot of the guys are tired,” Graves said, “so probably a lot of relaxing this weekend… and then getting a lot of swings in, more than anything.”

photo by: Sarah Buchanan/Special to the Journal-World

Eli Berns and Charlie Griffith receive high-fives from their Free State teammates after scoring two points against Park Hill South on Thursday, May 14, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: Sarah Buchanan/Special to the Journal-World

Senior Eli Berns scores a run for Free State during the matchup against Park Hill South on Thursday, May 14, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: Sarah Buchanan/Special to the Journal-World

Junior Finn Moore slides through home plate to score for Free State during the game against Park Hill South on Thursday, May 14, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: Sarah Buchanan/Special to the Journal-World

Junior outfielder Ryker Mahnke celebrates towards his teammates in the dugout after making it to second base during Free State’s game against Park Hill South on Thursday, May 14, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: Sarah Buchanan/Special to the Journal-World

Junior Owen Lester is celebrated by his teammates after scoring for Free State against Park Hill South on Thursday, May 14, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: Sarah Buchanan/Special to the Journal-World

Junior Owen Lester rounds third base and makes it home to score for Free State during their game against Park Hill South on Thursday, May 14, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: Sarah Buchanan/Special to the Journal-World

Junior Owen Lester steals second base during Free State’s game against Park Hill South on Thursday, May 14, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: Sarah Buchanan/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior Ben Graves catches the ball and throws to first base to get a Park Hill South player out during their game on Thursday, May 14, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: Sarah Buchanan/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior catcher Karson Bowers hits the ball against Park Hill South on Thursday, May 14, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: Sarah Buchanan/Special to the Journal-World

Senior Ben Graves catches a fly ball during Free State’s game against Park Hill South on Thursday, May 14, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: Sarah Buchanan/Special to the Journal-World

Free State junior Finn Moore winds up to throw the ball against Park Hill South on Thursday, May 14, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: Sarah Buchanan/Special to the Journal-World

Senior Ben Graves connects with the ball in the beginning of Free State’s game against Park Hill South on Thursday, May 14, 2026, in Lawrence.