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

Free State pitcher Jace Feurt works through her windup during the Firebirds' game against Wichita Northwest on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Hummer Sports Park in Topeka.

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

Free State sophomore Jace Feurt lines her barrel up with a Wichita Northwest pitch during the Firebirds’ game on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Hummer Sports Park in Topeka.

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

Free State outfielder Maya Friedman catches a fly ball during the Firebirds’ game against Wichita Northwest on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Hummer Sports Park in Topeka.

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

Free State shortstop Sophia Halton lays a tag on a Wichita Northwest runner during the Firebirds’ game on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Hummer Sports Park in Topeka.

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

Free State pitcher AJ Collins delivers a pitch during the Firebirds’ game against Wichita Northwest on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Hummer Sports Park in Topeka.

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

Free State sophomore Maya Friedman advances on a hit during the Firebirds’ game against Wichita Northwest on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Hummer Sports Park in Topeka.

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

Free State first baseman AJ Collins catches a pop fly during the Firebirds’ game against Wichita Northwest on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Hummer Sports Park in Topeka.

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

Free State third baseman Avery Sack makes a throw over to first during the Firebirds’ game against Wichita Northwest on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Hummer Sports Park in Topeka.

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

Free State first baseman AJ Collins pops off first to check the Wichita Northwest runner during the Firebirds’ game on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Hummer Sports Park in Topeka.

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

Free State pitcher Jace Feurt delivers a pitch during the Firebirds’ game against Wichita Northwest on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Hummer Sports Park in Topeka.

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

Free State sophomore Jace Feurt follows through with her swing during the Firebirds’ game against Wichita Northwest on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Hummer Sports Park in Topeka.

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

Free State sophomore Jace Feurt makes contact during the Firebirds’ game against Wichita Northwest on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Hummer Sports Park in Topeka.

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

Free State outfielder Riley Shierling catches a fly ball in the outfield during the Firebirds’ game against Wichita Northwest on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Hummer Sports Park in Topeka.

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

Free State second baseman Mallary Hice throws over to first after fielding a ground ball during the Firebirds’ game against Wichita Northwest on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Hummer Sports Park in Topeka.

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

Free State second baseman Mallary Hice (center) catches a throw at first from third baseman Avery Sack during the Firebirds’ game against Wichita Northwest on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Hummer Sports Park in Topeka.

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

The Free State infield shakes hands during the Firebirds’ game against Wichita Northwest on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Hummer Sports Park in Topeka.

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

Free State junior Sarai Preston rounds second base during the Firebirds’ game against Wichita Northwest on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Hummer Sports Park in Topeka.

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

Free State sophomore Maya Friedman waits for a pitch to be delivered during the Firebirds’ game against Wichita Northwest on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Hummer Sports Park in Topeka.

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

Free State sophomore Maya Friedman lines her barrel up with a Wichita Northwest pitch during the Firebirds’ game on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Hummer Sports Park in Topeka.

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

Free State shortstop Sophia Halton throws to first during the Firebirds’ game against Wichita Northwest on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Hummer Sports Park in Topeka.

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

Free State second baseman Mallary Hice tosses over to first after fielding a ground ball during the Firebirds’ game against Wichita Northwest on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Hummer Sports Park in Topeka.

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

Free State junior AJ Collins tosses her bat to the dugout after being walked during the Firebirds’ game against Wichita Northwest on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Hummer Sports Park in Topeka.

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

Free State junior Sarai Preston swings at a Wichita Northwest pitch during the Firebirds’ game on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Hummer Sports Park in Topeka.

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

Free State shortstop Sophia Halton looks to make a play at second base during the Firebirds’ game against Wichita Northwest on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Hummer Sports Park in Topeka.

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

Free State catcher Rory Scarlett attempts to throw a Wichita Northwest runner out at second during the Firebirds’ game on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Hummer Sports Park in Topeka.

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

Free State sophomore Jace Feurt makes contact during the Firebirds’ game against Wichita Northwest on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Hummer Sports Park in Topeka.

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

Free State junior Sarai Preston steals second base during the Firebirds’ game against Wichita Northwest on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Hummer Sports Park in Topeka.

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

Free State junior AJ Collins makes contact with a pitch during the Firebirds’ game against Wichita Northwest on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Hummer Sports Park in Topeka.

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

Free State junior AJ Collins (left) and Mallary Hice high five during the Firebirds’ game against Wichita Northwest on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Hummer Sports Park in Topeka.

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

Free State junior Mallary Hice squares to bunt during the Firebirds’ game against Wichita Northwest on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Hummer Sports Park in Topeka.

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

The Free State softball team lines up for the national anthem prior to its game against Wichita Northwest on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Hummer Sports Park in Topeka.

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

The Free State softball team huddles prior to its game against Wichita Northwest on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Hummer Sports Park in Topeka.