On May 30, the Firebird varsity baseball team capped off a historic campaign with a state championship victory by defeating tournament underdogs, Shawnee Mission West Vikings, 7-1, solidifying their third state title in program history, their first since 2015.
After back to back third place finishes during the two prior seasons, the Firebirds finished the year with a 28-2 record. The team was crowned as the 2025 Sunflower League champions and took the No. 1 spot of the 6A West Division.
Rising senior shortstop, second baseman and occasional relief pitcher Ben Graves closed out the championship game on the mound, striking out the final batter in the top of the seventh inning. Graves, who has been a part of the varsity team since his freshman year, said closing the game off meant a lot to him.
For alum shortstop and Arkansas State University commit Charlie Peters, the 2025 team was unlike any team he’d played on.
“This group of guys was the most connected team I’ve ever been a part of. I’ve played on some really good teams, but this one was different,” Peters said. “Every day, it felt like we were working and succeeding for each other, not just for ourselves. Even through the tough moments, no one blamed or pointed fingers. Every win and every loss, we carried together.”
Head coach Mike Hill, who has led the Firebirds to all three of their state titles, highlighted the players’ dedication and effort.
“We were very excited to win the state championship. It was the culmination of a tremendous amount of hard work on behalf of our players and reflective of their talents,” Hill said.
Just days after the championship game, the Firebirds were back at it—beginning summer training as they turned their focus to next season.
“The calendar happens to place the end of our season and the beginning of the next season just three days away. It is really not hard to shift the focus for our players as they know to work on where they are at the moment,” Hill said. “Our process includes focusing on what is right in front of us.”
Graves complemented his coach’s views and said that after getting the job done this time around, their goal is to reach the grand prize once again next year.
“As a team I think we all enjoyed the time of being a state champion but by the time this fall comes, I think we will all know that this is a new year and [we’ll be] working towards the same goal again for my senior year,” Graves said.
With a trophy in hand and the next challenge already underway, the 2025 Free State baseball team will be etched in school history, while the memories forged under the lights at Hoglund Ballpark on May 30 will last a lifetime.
“This one means everything to us. For some of the guys, it was their last time ever playing baseball and to go out on such a high note, in the city where most of us grew up, it couldn’t have been more perfect,” Peters said.
