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

The Free State baseball team dog piles after defeating Olathe Northwest in its state tournament game on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park.

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

Free State senior Ben Graves celebrates during the Firebirds’ state tournament game against Olathe Northwest on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park.

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

Free State senior Nathan Young squares to bunt during the Firebirds’ state tournament game against Olathe Northwest on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park.

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

Free State junior Ferris Dinkel celebrates after drawing a walk during the Firebirds’ state tournament game against Olathe Northwest on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park.

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

Free State third baseman Owen Lester follows through after throwing to first during the Firebirds’ state tournament game against Olathe Northwest on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park.

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

Free State junior Finn Moore celebrates with the dugout during the Firebirds’ state tournament game against Olathe Northwest on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park.

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

Free State second baseman Finn Moore tosses over to first during the Firebirds’ state tournament game against Olathe Northwest on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park.

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

Free State senior Ben Graves makes a tough throw during the Firebirds’ state tournament game against Olathe Northwest on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park.

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

Free State junior Finn Moore yells to the dugout during the Firebirds’ state tournament game against Olathe Northwest on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park.

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

Free State senior Ben Graves (left) and sophomore Donnie Krehbiel celebrate after tying the Firebirds’ state tournament game against Olathe Northwest on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park.

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

Free States junior Ryan Mahnke (front) and sophomore Donnie Krehbiel celebrate during the Firebirds’ state tournament game against Olathe Northwest on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park.

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

Free State sophomore Donnie Krehbiel slides safely into home to tie the Firebirds’ state tournament game against Olathe Northwest on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park.

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

Free State junior Finn Morore makes contact during the Firebirds’ state tournament game against Olathe Northwest on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park.

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

Free State junior Owen Lester follows through with his swing during the Firebirds’ state tournament game against Olathe Northwest on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park.

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

Free State sophomore Donnie Krehbiel takes a lead off second base during the Firebirds’ state tournament game against Olathe Northwest on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park.

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

Free State senior Ben Graves squares to bunt during the Firebirds’ state tournament game against Olathe Northwest on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park.

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

Free State sophomore Donnie Krehbiel follows through after making contact during the Firebirds’ state tournament game against Olathe Northwest on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park.

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

Free State sophomore Donnie Krehbiel takes a moment before stepping into the batter’s box during the Firebirds’ state tournament game against Olathe Northwest on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park.

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

Free State pitcher Zane Shaw celebrates a big inning during the Firebirds’ state tournament game against Olathe Northwest on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park.

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

Free State shortstop Ben Graves throws over to first during the Firebirds’ state tournament game against Olathe Northwest on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park.

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

Free State senior Zane Shaw lines his barrel up with a pitch during the Firebirds’ state tournament game against Olathe Northwest on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park.

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

Free State junior Finn Moore drops his bat while leaving the batter’s box during the Firebirds’ state tournament game against Olathe Northwest on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park.

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

Free State junior Finn Moore looks to make contact during the Firebirds’ state tournament game against Olathe Northwest on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park.

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

Free State senior Ben Graves looks for signs during the Firebirds’ state tournament game against Olathe Northwest on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park.

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

Free State senior Ben Graves follows through with his swing during the Firebirds’ state tournament game against Olathe Northwest on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park.

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

Free State third baseman Owen Lester throws across the infield during the Firebirds’ state tournament game against Olathe Northwest on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park.

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

Free State shortstop Ben Graves lays down a tag during the Firebirds’ state tournament game against Olathe Northwest on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park.

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

Free State pitcher Zane Shaw delivers a pitch during the Firebirds’ state tournament game against Olathe Northwest on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park.

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

Free State senior Eli Berns takes a swing during the Firebirds’ state tournament game against Olathe Northwest on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park.

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

Free State junior Ryker Mahnke is hit by a pitch during the Firebirds’ state tournament game against Olathe Northwest on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park.

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

Free State sophomore Carter Laubach follows through with his swing during the Firebirds’ state tournament game against Olathe Northwest on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park.

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

Free State senior Zane Shaw comes off the field after making a play in the infield during the Firebirds’ state tournament game against Olathe Northwest on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park.

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

Free State pitcher Ben Graves strides out to deliver a pitch during the Firebirds’ state tournament game against Olathe Northwest on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park.

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

Free State pitcher Nathan Young delivers a pitch during the Firebirds’ state tournament game against Olathe Northwest on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park.

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

Free State senior Nathan Young checks his swing during the Firebirds’ state tournament game against Olathe Northwest on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park.

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

Free State catcher Carter Laubach (left) and pitcher Nathan Young meet on the mound during the Firebirds’ state tournament game against Olathe Northwest on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park.

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

Free State pitcher Nathan Young strides out to deliver a pitch during the Firebirds’ state tournament game against Olathe Northwest on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park.

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

Free State senior Owen Lester lines his barrel up with a pitch during the Firebirds’ state tournament game against Olathe Northwest on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park.

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

Free State second baseman Finn Moore looks to make a play at second during the Firebirds’ state tournament game against Olathe Northwest on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park.

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

Free State sophomore Carter Laubach turns to avoid a pitch during the Firebirds’ state tournament game against Olathe Northwest on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park.

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

Free State catcher Carter Laubach watches in a pitch during the Firebirds’ state tournament game against Olathe Northwest on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park.

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

Free State senior Owen Lester takes a lead off second base during the Firebirds’ state tournament game against Olathe Northwest on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park.

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

Free State senior Ben Graves sprints out of the batter’s box during the Firebirds’ state tournament game against Olathe Northwest on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park.

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

Free State junior Ryker Mahnke takes a lead off third base during the Firebirds’ state tournament game against Olathe Northwest on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park.

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

Free State pitcher Nathan Young fields a chopper during the Firebirds’ state tournament game against Olathe Northwest on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park.

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

Free State pitcher Nathan Young releases a pitch during the Firebirds’ state tournament game against Olathe Northwest on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park.