Washburn Rural Baseball Claims Long-Awaited Class 6A State Title

WICHITA — In a momentous achievement for the Washburn Rural baseball team, the Junior Blues clinched their first Class 6A State Championship, a victory that took an impressive 74 years to realize. The historic win came on Saturday, May 30, when they narrowly defeated Lawrence Free State with a final score of 4-3.

Reflecting on the victory, Washburn Rural's coach Jay Mastin expressed joy and pride, stating, "It's been a while. It's about these kids this year and everything that they put into it. All of the hard work, determination and grit paid off today." The team's success was highlighted by an extraordinary play from catcher Aiden Newbery, who made a crucial tag at home plate to secure the win.

The Junior Blues established an early lead, with players Drew Moore, Nate Selm, and Austin Ditch reaching base in the first inning. Newbery then stepped up, hitting a significant double that drove in two runs, followed by a sacrifice fly from Dom Nimz that added another run. Although Lawrence Free State managed to score in the second inning, Washburn Rural maintained control of the game.

In the fourth inning, Ditch's timely hit allowed Trenton Gray to score, extending the Junior Blues' lead. The Firebirds rallied in the fifth and sixth innings, narrowing the gap to 4-3. However, starting pitcher Preston Bahr showcased resilience, pitching 5.2 innings with three strikeouts and holding off the Free State offense during critical moments. "There were some tough times, but knowing my defense had my back made it feel great," Bahr remarked.

As the game neared its conclusion, Isaac Ansley took to the mound and delivered a solid performance, striking out a batter and allowing just one hit in the final four outs, securing the championship for Washburn Rural. Coach Mastin praised his players, saying, "They are scrappy dudes who like playing the game of baseball. They want to win and they want to win for each other."