Washburn Rural baseball's Class 6A State Championship 74 years in the making

WICHITA — Two months before Washburn Rural baseball's first state championship, ‘A Streetcar named Desire’ was cleaning up at the 1952 Oscars.

The Junior Blues won the state title that spring, when Kansas recognized only two classifications.

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After 74 years, Washburn Rural lifted the Class 6A State Championship for the first time. Washburn Rural defeated Lawrence Free State 4-3 on Saturday, May 30.

“It's been a while,” Washburn Rural Jay Mastin said with a smile. “It's about these kids this year and everything that they put into it. All of the hard work, determination and grit and that paid off today.”

The Junior Blues used a heroic moment from Aiden Newbery to lift the title.

With two outs and a runner on third base, Washburn Rural’s Isaac Ansley threw a ball into the dirt. It skipped off of Newbery, the catcher, and went a few feet to his left.

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The Firebirds sent the runner.

Newbery collected the ball and dove at the plate applying the tag.

The umpire called out and the dog pile ensued.

Unlike Marlon Brando’s Stanley Kowalski, Newbery was the hero.

“I saw the ball right next to me, I knew I needed to run as hard as I could and I would have him no matter what,” Newbery said. "I figured I was closer and I knew that I wanted it. I can't describe it, words cannot describe how amazing this is."

Washburn Rural started in front and held the lead. Drew Moore, Nate Selm and Austin Ditch were able to get on base in the first inning. With zero outs, Newbery delivered a big double to left field scoring two runs. Dom Nimz hit a sacrifice fly to add a run, too.

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Free State would score in the bottom of the second inning to cut the lead to 3-1.

In the fourth inning, Ditch had a perfect hit to right field scoring Trenton Gray. Free State added runs in the fifth and sixth innings cutting the Junior Blues’ 4-3.

Free had bases loaded in the fifth inning and runners in scoring position in the sixth inning. Starting pitcher Preston Bahr delivered time and time again in big spots. He pitched 5.2 innings giving up nine hits, three runs and three strikeouts.

“There was some tough times,” Bahr said. "Battling through and knowing that my defense had me and knowing that we have the best defense in the state. It feels great, it feels great.”

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When it was time to close the door, Ansley was on the mark. He struck out a batter and allowed one hit in the final four outs leading the Junior Blues to victory.

“They are scrappy dudes, who like playing the game of baseball," Mastin said. “They want to win and they want to win for each other.”

Liam Keating covers high school sports and Washburn University athletics for The Topeka Capital-Journal. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Inside Washburn Rural baseball's 2026 Class 6A State Championship win