photo by: Val Montanez/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior catcher Rory Scarlett (18) celebrates at home with her teammates after a sacrifice hit scores two against Shawnee Mission Northwest on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in Lawrence.

Despite a stretch in which they lost six straight games towards the end of the regular season, members of the Free State softball team have savored every moment together.

“It’s more about having fun and enjoying time with your team,” senior Rory Scarlett said. “I think the more fun you have, the better you play.”

The Firebirds certainly enjoyed their performance on Tuesday’s senior night, a 14-8 win against Shawnee Mission Northwest, proving that despite a 10-13 regular season record, they still have just as good a chance as anyone they face to punch a ticket to the state tournament.

“It was important that we win this game to prove that when we go to regional, we are a force to be reckoned with,” Scarlett said.

After finishing 11-16 in 2025, Free State entered with higher expectations in 2026 and had been living up to those standards with a 9-7 record before the late-season skid.

Playing in one of the toughest leagues in Kansas, the Sunflower League, is a positive in that the competition has prepared the Firebirds for any opponent in the postseason, even as they have taken some lumps against some of the best teams in Class 6A.

“I think that if we take that and build into (the postseason) knowing we played those teams and knowing we can play against anybody,” head coach Charley Bowen said, “I think we have a chance to beat anybody.”

The key, senior Sophia Halton said, has been to lean on each other and know that they remain together through the highs and lows.

“Just realizing that we’re a group and we’re not alone,” Halton said. “We knew that we had a better chance this year than last year coming in, and we knew we had a lot of talent.”

That mindset has carried the Firebirds throughout the season.

“I feel like it shows a lot more when people stay in the game rather than just constantly winning,” Halton said. “I think us persevering and going through it shows a lot about us.”

Both Halton and Scarlett say the key to picking up a pair of wins in the regionals, aside from playing with joy, is simple: “just relaxing.”

“I think playing with fluid motion and not getting so uptight is really important coming into regionals,” Scarlett said.

Bowen has constantly reminded the team that it’s a new season, and everyone gets a fresh start. If the Firebirds can play clean and minimize mistakes, there’s no telling how far they can go in the playoffs, even against stiff competition.

“When you start (making mistakes against) teams like that, they’ll make you pay,” Bowen said. “We’ve seen it, and I think they know, so now we’ll focus on ‘Hey, make the play that’s in front of you,’ and see what happens.”