MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp; –&nbsp;A pair of Wildcats –&nbsp;Ques Glover&nbsp;and&nbsp;David N’Guessan&nbsp;– were selected to the 2023-24 National Association of Basketball Coaches Association (NABC) Honors Court in announcement by the organization on Monday (July 15).

The NABC Honors Court is bestowed upon juniors, seniors and/or graduate students who post a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher in a given academic year.

It marks the second consecutive year that N’Guessan has earned the honor. He was recently named to the 2024 Winter Academic All-Big 12 First Team. Glover won the accolade for the first time in his career.In addition to head coach&nbsp;Jerome Tang&nbsp;and Chief of Staff&nbsp;Marco Borne, several individuals play a pivotal role in support of the team’s academic excellence, including Senior Associate AD&nbsp;Kristin Waller&nbsp;and her staff in the Evans Student-Athlete Success Program, including academic counselor&nbsp;Jamie Cherry, and Assistant AD&nbsp;Andrė Bean&nbsp;and his staff in the Evans Competitive Advantage Program.

How to follow the ‘Cats:&nbsp;For complete information on K-State men’s basketball, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/" target="_blank">www.kstatesports.com</a>&nbsp;and follow the team’s social media channels on&nbsp;<a href="mailto:@KStateMBB" target="_blank">X</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/kstatembb/?hl=en" target="_blank">Instagram</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/kstatembb/" target="_blank">Facebook</a>.

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp; –&nbsp;A pair of Wildcats –&nbsp;Ques Glover&nbsp;and&nbsp;David N’Guessan&nbsp;– were selected to the 2023-24 National Association of Basketball Coaches Association (NABC) Honors Court in announcement by the organization on Monday (July 15).The NABC Honors Court is bestowed upon juniors, seniors and/or graduate students who post a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher in a given academic year.It marks the second consecutive year that N’Guessan has earned the honor. He was recently named to the 2024 Winter Academic All-Big 12 First Team. Glover won the accolade for the first time in his career.In addition to head coach&nbsp;Jerome Tang&nbsp;and Chief of Staff&nbsp;Marco Borne, several individuals play a pivotal role in support of the team’s academic excellence, including Senior Associate AD&nbsp;Kristin Waller&nbsp;and her staff in the Evans Student-Athlete Success Program, including academic counselor&nbsp;Jamie Cherry, and Assistant AD&nbsp;Andrė Bean&nbsp;and his staff in the Evans Competitive Advantage Program.How to follow the ‘Cats:&nbsp;For complete information on K-State men’s basketball, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/" target="_blank">www.kstatesports.com</a>&nbsp;and follow the team’s social media channels on&nbsp;<a href="mailto:@KStateMBB" target="_blank">X</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/kstatembb/?hl=en" target="_blank">Instagram</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/kstatembb/" target="_blank">Facebook</a>.

Glover, N’Guessan Selected to NABC Honors Court

Hello and happy Monday, everybody, it’s Tyler Henry, back with another KINA Sports Update presented by Salina Regional Orthopedic and Sports Medicine…

Over the weekend The Salina Liberty battled but failed to overcome a slow second half, falling 80-59 to the Albany Firebirds in this year’s AFL semifinal round.

For Salina, an impressive inaugural AFL campaign comes to a close at 7-3, while the Firebirds advance to take on the Billings Outlaws in the Arena Bowl next week.

Albany quarterback Jake Medlock put on a clinic, completing 73% of his passes for 269 yards and five touchdown passes, adding 22 yards and two more scores on the ground.

The Arena Bowl will be played in East Rutheford, NJ at 4:30 CST on Friday, July 19.

Sunday also saw The Kansas City Royals selected two players on the first day of the 2024 First-Year Player Draft.

With the 6th overall pick in the 1st round, the Royals selected two-way player&nbsp;Jac Caglianone&nbsp;out of the University of Florida, and with the 41st pick in the 2nd round, Kansas City selected left-handed pitcher&nbsp;David Shields&nbsp;from Mt. Lebanon High School

And finally, speaking of the Royals, KC dropped their weekend series with the Boston Red Sox, taking the opener 6-1 before falling 5-0 on Saturday and 5-4 on Sunday.

The Royals will be back in Kansas City to host the White Sox after the All-Star break this week

That’s your sports update for today, but for even more great area sports content like this, check out Salina Post and stay tuned to KINA.

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 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QnZ1Grb4FxQ"></iframe>
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 </figure>BY SALINA POST(Transcript)Hello and happy Monday, everybody, it’s Tyler Henry, back with another KINA Sports Update presented by Salina Regional Orthopedic and Sports Medicine…_________Over the weekend The Salina Liberty battled but failed to overcome a slow second half, falling 80-59 to the Albany Firebirds in this year’s AFL semifinal round.For Salina, an impressive inaugural AFL campaign comes to a close at 7-3, while the Firebirds advance to take on the Billings Outlaws in the Arena Bowl next week.Albany quarterback Jake Medlock put on a clinic, completing 73% of his passes for 269 yards and five touchdown passes, adding 22 yards and two more scores on the ground.The Arena Bowl will be played in East Rutheford, NJ at 4:30 CST on Friday, July 19._________Sunday also saw The Kansas City Royals selected two players on the first day of the 2024 First-Year Player Draft.With the 6th overall pick in the 1st round, the Royals selected two-way player&nbsp;Jac Caglianone&nbsp;out of the University of Florida, and with the 41st pick in the 2nd round, Kansas City selected left-handed pitcher&nbsp;David Shields&nbsp;from Mt. Lebanon High School_________And finally, speaking of the Royals, KC dropped their weekend series with the Boston Red Sox, taking the opener 6-1 before falling 5-0 on Saturday and 5-4 on Sunday.The Royals will be back in Kansas City to host the White Sox after the All-Star break this week_________That’s your sports update for today, but for even more great area sports content like this, check out Salina Post and stay tuned to KINA.

910 KINA Sports Headlines — July 15

KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The Kansas City Royals selected two players on the first day of the 2024 First-Year Player Draft.

With the 6th overall pick in the 1st round, the Royals selected two-way player&nbsp;Jac Caglianone&nbsp;out of the University of Florida. With the 41st pick in the 2nd round, Kansas City selected left-handed pitcher&nbsp;David Shields&nbsp;from Mt. Lebanon High School (Pa.).

Caglianone, 21, set the school’s single-season home run record (35) this season as a junior, and the school’s career home run record (75). In 66 games this year, he slashed .419/.544/.875 with 72 RBI and walked (58) more than he struck out (26), even if you remove intentional walks (27).

Caglianone homered in 9 consecutive games from April 6-19, matching the NCAA Division I record done previously by Nevada’s Tyler Bosetti in 2021. The 7th home run of Caglianone’s streak measured approximately 516 ft.

In 16 starts on the mound, the left hander went 5-2 with 83 strikeouts in 73.2 innings (10.1 K/9) while touching triple digits with his fastball. That made him the runaway winner of the 2024 John Olerud Award for college baseball’s best two-way player.

Shields, a 6-foot-2, 210-pound 17-year-old pitcher was crowned the Gatorade Pennsylvania Baseball Player of the Year in June after leading the Mt. Lebanon Blue Devils to a 28-2 record. He went 5-0 with a 0.25 ERA, 52 strikeouts and just 3 walks on the mound. At the plate, he batted .418 with 7 doubles and 28 RBI, compiling a 1.244 OPS. He is committed to play baseball at the University of Miami (Fla.).

Shields has volunteered locally at the Miracle League baseball facility operated by Major League veteran,&nbsp;Sean Casey. He’s also donated his time to multiple youth events such as clinics, evaluations and games in association with the Mt. Lebanon Baseball Association.

Video of Caglianone’s Zoom call from earlier this evening, as well as all press releases and calls from the 2024 Draft, can be found&nbsp;<a href="https://royals-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/p/comshr/Eh-jZpV1OVJKsgTimgeBo4MBCIQHNUXJtL0WXnqopxUlhA?e=EEa27U" target="_blank">here</a>.The Draft will resume tomorrow beginning at 11:00 a.m. CT with rounds 3-10, exclusively on MLB.com.

KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The Kansas City Royals selected two players on the first day of the 2024 First-Year Player Draft.With the 6th overall pick in the 1st round, the Royals selected two-way player&nbsp;Jac Caglianone&nbsp;out of the University of Florida. With the 41st pick in the 2nd round, Kansas City selected left-handed pitcher&nbsp;David Shields&nbsp;from Mt. Lebanon High School (Pa.).Caglianone, 21, set the school’s single-season home run record (35) this season as a junior, and the school’s career home run record (75). In 66 games this year, he slashed .419/.544/.875 with 72 RBI and walked (58) more than he struck out (26), even if you remove intentional walks (27).Caglianone homered in 9 consecutive games from April 6-19, matching the NCAA Division I record done previously by Nevada’s Tyler Bosetti in 2021. The 7th home run of Caglianone’s streak measured approximately 516 ft.In 16 starts on the mound, the left hander went 5-2 with 83 strikeouts in 73.2 innings (10.1 K/9) while touching triple digits with his fastball. That made him the runaway winner of the 2024 John Olerud Award for college baseball’s best two-way player.Shields, a 6-foot-2, 210-pound 17-year-old pitcher was crowned the Gatorade Pennsylvania Baseball Player of the Year in June after leading the Mt. Lebanon Blue Devils to a 28-2 record. He went 5-0 with a 0.25 ERA, 52 strikeouts and just 3 walks on the mound. At the plate, he batted .418 with 7 doubles and 28 RBI, compiling a 1.244 OPS. He is committed to play baseball at the University of Miami (Fla.).Shields has volunteered locally at the Miracle League baseball facility operated by Major League veteran,&nbsp;Sean Casey. He’s also donated his time to multiple youth events such as clinics, evaluations and games in association with the Mt. Lebanon Baseball Association.Video of Caglianone’s Zoom call from earlier this evening, as well as all press releases and calls from the 2024 Draft, can be found&nbsp;<a href="https://royals-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/p/comshr/Eh-jZpV1OVJKsgTimgeBo4MBCIQHNUXJtL0WXnqopxUlhA?e=EEa27U" target="_blank">here</a>.The Draft will resume tomorrow beginning at 11:00 a.m. CT with rounds 3-10, exclusively on MLB.com.

Royals select Caglianone, Shields on first day of draft

BOSTON (AP) — Rafael Devers hit a two-run homer that broke a seat deep in right field at Fenway Park, Dominic Smith also had a two-run shot and the Boston Red Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 5-4 on Sunday to take the series.

The Red Sox won their second straight after losing the opener. Boston improved to a major league-best 9-3 in July and is 20-8 since June 12.

All-Star Devers sent a first-inning slider from Brady Singer (5-6) with an estimated exit velocity of 114.7 mph a projected 439 feet, crashing into the top of a seat and loosening up the top support. The Red Sox posted a “&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/RedSox/status/1812556309239369974">Fenway Facilities Incident Report</a>&nbsp;” that had a picture of the broken red seat on their social media sites.

Adam Frazier opened the game with a homer into the Royals’ bullpen and All-Star Salvador Perez, who was selected for his ninth Midsummer Classic, added a solo shot into the Green Monster seats for Kansas City.

First-time All-Star Jarren Duran had four hits for the Red Sox, who improved to a majors’ best 15-1 on Sundays. Boston enters the All-Star break surprisingly 4 ½ games out of first in the AL East after finishing in the basement three of the last four years.

Brayan Bello (10-5) overcame his struggles at home, going 6 1/3 innings, allowing three runs and seven hits. He had posted a 6.55 ERA in his seven starts in Fenway.

Kenley Jansen got the final six outs, striking out three, for his 19th save, the 439th of his career. He gave up a run in the ninth but got Nick Loftin to ground out with a runner on second to end it.

Smith’s shot went an estimated 431 feet, traveling over Boston’s bullpen to make it 4-1 in the second. He added a key RBI single that made it 5-3 in the seventh.

Singer had allowed just one run in each of his previous four starts but was tagged for four runs and eight hits in 2 2/3 innings.

The Royals go into the break with 52 victories, three off the most before the All-Star Game in team history behind the 1973 club.

Royals: OF MJ Melendez limped out of the game with a sprained left ankle after beating out a fielder’s choice grounder that drove in a run in the fourth. … C Perez was the DH for the second straight game after leaving Friday’s early due to cramping.

Red Sox: OF Tyler O’Neill was back in the lineup after getting Saturday off.

Royals: Begin a nine-game homestand following the All-Star break, starting with the Chicago White Sox on Friday.

Red Sox: Open a six-game road trip after the break, with the first of three at the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday.

BOSTON (AP) — Rafael Devers hit a two-run homer that broke a seat deep in right field at Fenway Park, Dominic Smith also had a two-run shot and the Boston Red Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 5-4 on Sunday to take the series.The Red Sox won their second straight after losing the opener. Boston improved to a major league-best 9-3 in July and is 20-8 since June 12.All-Star Devers sent a first-inning slider from Brady Singer (5-6) with an estimated exit velocity of 114.7 mph a projected 439 feet, crashing into the top of a seat and loosening up the top support. The Red Sox posted a “&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/RedSox/status/1812556309239369974">Fenway Facilities Incident Report</a>&nbsp;” that had a picture of the broken red seat on their social media sites.Adam Frazier opened the game with a homer into the Royals’ bullpen and All-Star Salvador Perez, who was selected for his ninth Midsummer Classic, added a solo shot into the Green Monster seats for Kansas City.First-time All-Star Jarren Duran had four hits for the Red Sox, who improved to a majors’ best 15-1 on Sundays. Boston enters the All-Star break surprisingly 4 ½ games out of first in the AL East after finishing in the basement three of the last four years.Brayan Bello (10-5) overcame his struggles at home, going 6 1/3 innings, allowing three runs and seven hits. He had posted a 6.55 ERA in his seven starts in Fenway.Kenley Jansen got the final six outs, striking out three, for his 19th save, the 439th of his career. He gave up a run in the ninth but got Nick Loftin to ground out with a runner on second to end it.Smith’s shot went an estimated 431 feet, traveling over Boston’s bullpen to make it 4-1 in the second. He added a key RBI single that made it 5-3 in the seventh.Singer had allowed just one run in each of his previous four starts but was tagged for four runs and eight hits in 2 2/3 innings.The Royals go into the break with 52 victories, three off the most before the All-Star Game in team history behind the 1973 club.TRAINER’S ROOMRoyals: OF MJ Melendez limped out of the game with a sprained left ankle after beating out a fielder’s choice grounder that drove in a run in the fourth. … C Perez was the DH for the second straight game after leaving Friday’s early due to cramping.Red Sox: OF Tyler O’Neill was back in the lineup after getting Saturday off.UP NEXTRoyals: Begin a nine-game homestand following the All-Star break, starting with the Chicago White Sox on Friday.Red Sox: Open a six-game road trip after the break, with the first of three at the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday.

⚾ Red Sox take the series with Sunday win over Royals

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post

The Salina Liberty battled but failed to overcome a slow second half, falling 80-59 to the Albany Firebirds in this year’s AFL semifinal round.

The first half of this contest was a true back-and-forth affair, as Salina trailed by just two at the end of the first quarter and kept that deficit at the half.

From there, the Firebirds turned up the heat, holding the Liberty to just five third-quarter points and outscoring Salina 36-17 in the second half to pull away and take the victory.

Turnovers would prove to be a key difference in this game as Albany picked off Charles McCullum four times and forced the ball loose twice, with three of those INTs finding the hands of Markus Smith.

In a statement released on social media, head coach Heron O’Neal reflected on a challenging season.

“We overcame a lot of obstacles and made the most of them,” he said. “I’m proud of our organization for standing tall and giving me the tools to devise a plan and continue to be successful on the field. This is a season I’ll never forget, and I want to thank Liberty Nation for always being there for me.”

O’Neal went on to thank ownership, which managed to stay strong in a league that saw eight other teams fold, as well as the players who rode the highs and lows of the league’s turmoil while continuing to play at a high level.

The Firebirds (8-2) will take on the Billings Outlaws (8-1), who defeated Nashville 35-32 on Saturday.

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina PostThe Salina Liberty battled but failed to overcome a slow second half, falling 80-59 to the Albany Firebirds in this year’s AFL semifinal round.For Salina, an impressive inaugural AFL campaign comes to a close at 7-3, while the Firebirds advance to take on the Billings Outlaws in the Arena Bowl next week.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715632935741.png" alt="Coverage of Liberty football is presented by Ryan Roofing." />
 <figcaption>Coverage of Liberty football is presented by Ryan Roofing.</figcaption>
 </figure>The first half of this contest was a true back-and-forth affair, as Salina trailed by just two at the end of the first quarter and kept that deficit at the half.From there, the Firebirds turned up the heat, holding the Liberty to just five third-quarter points and outscoring Salina 36-17 in the second half to pull away and take the victory.Albany quarterback Jake Medlock put on a clinic, completing 73% of his passes for 269 yards and five touchdown passes, adding 22 yards and two more scores on the ground.Turnovers would prove to be a key difference in this game as Albany picked off Charles McCullum four times and forced the ball loose twice, with three of those INTs finding the hands of Markus Smith.In a statement released on social media, head coach Heron O’Neal reflected on a challenging season.“We overcame a lot of obstacles and made the most of them,” he said. “I’m proud of our organization for standing tall and giving me the tools to devise a plan and continue to be successful on the field. This is a season I’ll never forget, and I want to thank Liberty Nation for always being there for me.”O’Neal went on to thank ownership, which managed to stay strong in a league that saw eight other teams fold, as well as the players who rode the highs and lows of the league’s turmoil while continuing to play at a high level.The Firebirds (8-2) will take on the Billings Outlaws (8-1), who defeated Nashville 35-32 on Saturday.The Arena Bowl will be played in East Rutheford, NJ at 4:30 CST on Friday, July 19.

Slow second half dooms Liberty in AFL semifinals

KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The Kansas City Royals announced today that they have acquired right-handed pitcher&nbsp;Hunter Harvey&nbsp;from the Washington Nationals for minor league infielder&nbsp;Cayden Wallace&nbsp;and the 39th pick of the 2024 First-Year Player Draft, in Competitive Balance Round A. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Royals have designated pitcher&nbsp;Nick Anderson&nbsp;for assignment.

Harvey, 29, has appeared in 43 games for the Nationals this season, going 2-4 with a 4.20 ERA (21 ER in 45.0 IP), 50 strikeouts (26.3 K%, 10.0 K/9) and just 12 walks (6.3 BB%, 2.4 BB/9). He has earned &nbsp;a career-high 26 holds this season, tied with St. Louis’&nbsp;JoJo Romero&nbsp;for the Major League lead, and he has inherited 17 runners, allowing just 1 to score (94.1% stranded).

In 2023, Harvey ranked among National League relievers in strikeout-to-walk ratio (5.15, T-4th) and WHIP (0.94, 5th), while his 2.82 ERA (19 ER in 60.2 IP) ranked 10th (min. 60.0 IP). He earned 10 saves and 19 holds, one of just four Major League relievers to reach those numbers last season.

A native of Catawba, N.C., Harvey has spent parts of six seasons in the Majors, as he began his career with three campaigns in Baltimore from 2019-21 before landing in Washington, where he has spent each of the last three seasons. In 164 career appearances, he has amassed a 3.20 ERA (60 ER in 168.2 IP) and 185 strikeouts (27.2 K%, 9.9 K/9), while holding opponents to a .225/.282/.370 (139-for-619, .652 OPS) slashline.

His father,&nbsp;Bryan Harvey, was a two-time All-Star with the Angels (1991) and Marlins (1993) and recorded 177 saves at the big league level. With Hunter’s 1st career save on May 7, 2023 at Arizona, the Harveys became the ninth father-son duo in Major League history to each record 1 save.

Harvey was originally selected by Baltimore with the 22nd overall pick in the 2013 First-Year Player Draft out of Bandys High School (N.C.).Wallace, 22, was Kansas City’s 2nd-round pick in the 2022 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Arkansas, and is currently on the 7-day Injured List.

Anderson, 34, posted a 4.04 ERA (16 ER in 35.2 IP) across 37 games for the Royals this season.

KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The Kansas City Royals announced today that they have acquired right-handed pitcher&nbsp;Hunter Harvey&nbsp;from the Washington Nationals for minor league infielder&nbsp;Cayden Wallace&nbsp;and the 39th pick of the 2024 First-Year Player Draft, in Competitive Balance Round A. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Royals have designated pitcher&nbsp;Nick Anderson&nbsp;for assignment.Harvey, 29, has appeared in 43 games for the Nationals this season, going 2-4 with a 4.20 ERA (21 ER in 45.0 IP), 50 strikeouts (26.3 K%, 10.0 K/9) and just 12 walks (6.3 BB%, 2.4 BB/9). He has earned &nbsp;a career-high 26 holds this season, tied with St. Louis’&nbsp;JoJo Romero&nbsp;for the Major League lead, and he has inherited 17 runners, allowing just 1 to score (94.1% stranded).In 2023, Harvey ranked among National League relievers in strikeout-to-walk ratio (5.15, T-4th) and WHIP (0.94, 5th), while his 2.82 ERA (19 ER in 60.2 IP) ranked 10th (min. 60.0 IP). He earned 10 saves and 19 holds, one of just four Major League relievers to reach those numbers last season.A native of Catawba, N.C., Harvey has spent parts of six seasons in the Majors, as he began his career with three campaigns in Baltimore from 2019-21 before landing in Washington, where he has spent each of the last three seasons. In 164 career appearances, he has amassed a 3.20 ERA (60 ER in 168.2 IP) and 185 strikeouts (27.2 K%, 9.9 K/9), while holding opponents to a .225/.282/.370 (139-for-619, .652 OPS) slashline.His father,&nbsp;Bryan Harvey, was a two-time All-Star with the Angels (1991) and Marlins (1993) and recorded 177 saves at the big league level. With Hunter’s 1st career save on May 7, 2023 at Arizona, the Harveys became the ninth father-son duo in Major League history to each record 1 save.Harvey was originally selected by Baltimore with the 22nd overall pick in the 2013 First-Year Player Draft out of Bandys High School (N.C.).Wallace, 22, was Kansas City’s 2nd-round pick in the 2022 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Arkansas, and is currently on the 7-day Injured List.Anderson, 34, posted a 4.04 ERA (16 ER in 35.2 IP) across 37 games for the Royals this season.

Royals acquire RHP Hunter Harvey from Washington

BOSTON (AP) — Kutter Crawford took a one-hitter into the eighth inning, Rafael Devers hit a solo homer and the Boston Red Sox beat potential AL All-Star starter Seth Lugo in a 5-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Saturday.

Crawford (6-7) struck out four and walked one, throwing 76 of his 96 pitches for strikes. He gave up Maikel Garcia’s leadoff single in the eighth before manager Alex Cora lifted him. The righty walked off to a standing ovation.

“It feels good when you can kind of go to your back pocket and anything you throw is going to be around the zone,” said Crawford, who is 3-0 with a 0.45 ERA in his last three starts.

The Red Sox improved to 19-8 since June 12. Kansas City’s four-game winning streak was snapped.

“Throwing strikes, man,” Cora said. “Pounding the strike zone with all of his pitches, efficient.”

All-Star Devers homered into the first row of Green Monster seats against Lugo (11-4) to make it 5-0 in the fifth. It was his 22nd of the season and 194th of his career, which passed former catcher and current coach Jason Varitek for 11th on the club’s all-time list.

Lugo gave up five runs on 10 hits in five innings. He entered the day with a MLB-best ERA of 2.21 that rose to 2.48. He’s second in the majors in victories, one behind Atlanta’s Chris Sale (12-3).

“I made a few mistakes out there and didn't really give the guys a chance to win,” Lugo said. “I couldn't really locate glove side, wasn't getting inside well until like about the fourth, fifth inning. I think that's when I finally started finding a little grove for myself.”

Before the game, Royals manager Matt Quatraro lobbied for the 34-year-old righty to be named the starter for Tuesday’s All-Star Game in Arlington, Texas.

“That be awesome,” Lugo said. “I think everybody in the league wants that, me included. That be cool.”

Zack Kelly threw a double-play ball on his first pitch and finished the eighth before getting the final three outs of the combined four-hitter, which was Boston’s majors’ best 11th shutout.

“It's one of the higher strike percentages I've seen in a long time,” Royals manager Quatraro said of Crawford. “He kept us on our heels. The cutter was outstanding. ... Just kept us off the barrel for the most part.”

Coming off seven shutout innings when he threw just 68 pitches in a victory over the Yankees in his previous start last Sunday night, Crawford threw his first 13 pitches for strikes on Saturday.

Royals: C Salvador Perez, who left Friday’s game due to cramping, was the DH. “We said he wouldn’t catch today after the cramping,” Quatraro said. “He wasn’t going to catch all three games. We’ll see how he feels after (the game).”

Red Sox: Cora gave OF Tyler O’Neill the day off. … RHP Chris Martin (injured list, right elbow inflammation) threw Friday but Cora said he didn’t feel well afterward. “He played catch. He didn’t feel great,” Cora said. “Not concerned, but he’s going to take longer than we expected.”

RHP Brady Singer (5-5, 2.93 ERA) is scheduled start Sunday’s series finale for the Royals against Red Sox RHP Brayan Bello (9-5, 5.40).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720916632331.png" alt="Boston's Wilyer Abreu scores against Royals catcher Freddy Fermin on a two-run single in the third inning of Saturday's game in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)" />
 <figcaption>Boston's Wilyer Abreu scores against Royals catcher Freddy Fermin on a two-run single in the third inning of Saturday's game in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)</figcaption>
 </figure>BOSTON (AP) — Kutter Crawford took a one-hitter into the eighth inning, Rafael Devers hit a solo homer and the Boston Red Sox beat potential AL All-Star starter Seth Lugo in a 5-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Saturday.Crawford (6-7) struck out four and walked one, throwing 76 of his 96 pitches for strikes. He gave up Maikel Garcia’s leadoff single in the eighth before manager Alex Cora lifted him. The righty walked off to a standing ovation.“It feels good when you can kind of go to your back pocket and anything you throw is going to be around the zone,” said Crawford, who is 3-0 with a 0.45 ERA in his last three starts.The Red Sox improved to 19-8 since June 12. Kansas City’s four-game winning streak was snapped.“Throwing strikes, man,” Cora said. “Pounding the strike zone with all of his pitches, efficient.”All-Star Devers homered into the first row of Green Monster seats against Lugo (11-4) to make it 5-0 in the fifth. It was his 22nd of the season and 194th of his career, which passed former catcher and current coach Jason Varitek for 11th on the club’s all-time list.Lugo gave up five runs on 10 hits in five innings. He entered the day with a MLB-best ERA of 2.21 that rose to 2.48. He’s second in the majors in victories, one behind Atlanta’s Chris Sale (12-3).“I made a few mistakes out there and didn't really give the guys a chance to win,” Lugo said. “I couldn't really locate glove side, wasn't getting inside well until like about the fourth, fifth inning. I think that's when I finally started finding a little grove for myself.”Before the game, Royals manager Matt Quatraro lobbied for the 34-year-old righty to be named the starter for Tuesday’s All-Star Game in Arlington, Texas.“That be awesome,” Lugo said. “I think everybody in the league wants that, me included. That be cool.”Zack Kelly threw a double-play ball on his first pitch and finished the eighth before getting the final three outs of the combined four-hitter, which was Boston’s majors’ best 11th shutout.“It's one of the higher strike percentages I've seen in a long time,” Royals manager Quatraro said of Crawford. “He kept us on our heels. The cutter was outstanding. ... Just kept us off the barrel for the most part.”Coming off seven shutout innings when he threw just 68 pitches in a victory over the Yankees in his previous start last Sunday night, Crawford threw his first 13 pitches for strikes on Saturday.TRAINER’S ROOMRoyals: C Salvador Perez, who left Friday’s game due to cramping, was the DH. “We said he wouldn’t catch today after the cramping,” Quatraro said. “He wasn’t going to catch all three games. We’ll see how he feels after (the game).”Red Sox: Cora gave OF Tyler O’Neill the day off. … RHP Chris Martin (injured list, right elbow inflammation) threw Friday but Cora said he didn’t feel well afterward. “He played catch. He didn’t feel great,” Cora said. “Not concerned, but he’s going to take longer than we expected.”UP NEXTRHP Brady Singer (5-5, 2.93 ERA) is scheduled start Sunday’s series finale for the Royals against Red Sox RHP Brayan Bello (9-5, 5.40).___

⚾Crawford pitches 1-hitter into 8th as Red Sox blank Royals

BOSTON (AP) — Bobby Witt Jr. and MJ Melendez each had solo home runs, Cole Ragans allowed one run over seven innings and the Kansas City Royals beat the Boston Red Sox 6-1 on Friday night for their fourth consecutive victory.

Adam Frazier, Vinnie Pasquantino and Salvador Perez (with two) all added RBIs for Kansas City, which opened the three-game series a game back of Boston for the AL’s final wild-card spot.

“Every win is huge, whether it's April or July,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “But when you're squarely right behind a team and you beat them, that's a good step forward for us.”

It was the 16th homer of the season for Witt, an All-Star who will be competing in Monday’s Home Run Derby. The ball, which landed in the center field portion of the seats atop the Green Monster, was claimed by a Royals' fan.

"I knew the wind was helping a little bit, luckily," Witt said. “I just try to put good swing on it.”

There was nothing happening by chance for Ragans (6-6). He struck out seven and allowed four hits to earn his first victory since June 24 at Miami.

“I thought overall I commanded it pretty well,” Ragans said. “I missed a few, but overall I thought it was pretty good.”

Ceddanne Rafaela had an RBI for the Red Sox.

Cooper Criswell (3-4) threw a career-high 104 pitches over six innings, yielding eight hits and five runs, but only two – including Witt’s home run – were earned.

In their last 27 games, the Red Sox are 1-8 against left-handed starting pitchers. That compares to 17-1 against right-handers. All-Stars Rafael Devers and Jarren Duran were a combined 1 for 8 on Friday.

“Obviously the production of Raffy and Jarren is lower. We've just got to find a way to do it,” manager Alex Cora said. “We've just got to be patient and keep working.”

The Royals opened the game with three consecutive singles to load the bases with no outs, and then took a 1-0 lead on a sacrifice fly by Perez. But Criswell got Michael Massey on a groundout and Hunter Renfroe on a flyout to get out of the inning.

In the second inning Kansas City took advantage of a fielding error by first baseman Romy Gonzalez, plus a walk and hit batter by Criswell to add three unearned runs and increase the lead to 4-0.

Red Sox: Placed RHP Justin Slaten on the 15-day IL retroactive to July 9 with right elbow inflammation. The reliever is 5-2 with a 3.38 ERA in 31 games this season. LHP Cam Booser was called up from Triple-A Worcester to take the roster spot.

Royals: RHP Seth Lugo (11-3, 2.21 ERA) has the lowest ERA by a Royal over his first 19 starts with the franchise. He is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in three career appearances against Boston.

Red Sox: RHP Kutter Crawford (5-7, 3.24) is making his 19th start of the season. He’s lost both of his career starts against Kansas City, tallying an 8.64 ERA.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720869251855.png" alt="Photo KC Royals" />
 <figcaption>Photo KC Royals</figcaption>
 </figure>BOSTON (AP) — Bobby Witt Jr. and MJ Melendez each had solo home runs, Cole Ragans allowed one run over seven innings and the Kansas City Royals beat the Boston Red Sox 6-1 on Friday night for their fourth consecutive victory.Adam Frazier, Vinnie Pasquantino and Salvador Perez (with two) all added RBIs for Kansas City, which opened the three-game series a game back of Boston for the AL’s final wild-card spot.“Every win is huge, whether it's April or July,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “But when you're squarely right behind a team and you beat them, that's a good step forward for us.”It was the 16th homer of the season for Witt, an All-Star who will be competing in Monday’s Home Run Derby. The ball, which landed in the center field portion of the seats atop the Green Monster, was claimed by a Royals' fan."I knew the wind was helping a little bit, luckily," Witt said. “I just try to put good swing on it.”There was nothing happening by chance for Ragans (6-6). He struck out seven and allowed four hits to earn his first victory since June 24 at Miami.“I thought overall I commanded it pretty well,” Ragans said. “I missed a few, but overall I thought it was pretty good.”Ceddanne Rafaela had an RBI for the Red Sox.Cooper Criswell (3-4) threw a career-high 104 pitches over six innings, yielding eight hits and five runs, but only two – including Witt’s home run – were earned.In their last 27 games, the Red Sox are 1-8 against left-handed starting pitchers. That compares to 17-1 against right-handers. All-Stars Rafael Devers and Jarren Duran were a combined 1 for 8 on Friday.“Obviously the production of Raffy and Jarren is lower. We've just got to find a way to do it,” manager Alex Cora said. “We've just got to be patient and keep working.”The Royals opened the game with three consecutive singles to load the bases with no outs, and then took a 1-0 lead on a sacrifice fly by Perez. But Criswell got Michael Massey on a groundout and Hunter Renfroe on a flyout to get out of the inning.Criswell’s luck didn’t last.In the second inning Kansas City took advantage of a fielding error by first baseman Romy Gonzalez, plus a walk and hit batter by Criswell to add three unearned runs and increase the lead to 4-0.TRAINER’S ROOMRed Sox: Placed RHP Justin Slaten on the 15-day IL retroactive to July 9 with right elbow inflammation. The reliever is 5-2 with a 3.38 ERA in 31 games this season. LHP Cam Booser was called up from Triple-A Worcester to take the roster spot.UP NEXTRoyals: RHP Seth Lugo (11-3, 2.21 ERA) has the lowest ERA by a Royal over his first 19 starts with the franchise. He is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in three career appearances against Boston.Red Sox: RHP Kutter Crawford (5-7, 3.24) is making his 19th start of the season. He’s lost both of his career starts against Kansas City, tallying an 8.64 ERA.

⚾ Witt, Melendez both homer to help Royals beat Red Sox

Hello and happy Friday, everybody, it’s Tyler Henry, back with another KINA Sports Update presented by Salina Regional Orthopedic and Sports Medicine…

On Thursday, the Kansas Jayhawks announced their men’s basketball non-conference slate for the historic 70th season at Allen Fieldhouse

Fans will get a first look at an enhanced Allen Fieldhouse at the 40th Annual Late Night in the Phog on Friday, October 18. Details on Late Night will be released at a later date.

The action begins with an exhibition against Washburn on October 29th, followed by a loaded November featuring Howard, UNC, Oakland, UNC Wilmington, and Furman.

To view the full schedule or purchase your tickets head on over to KUAthletics.com

Thursday also saw the announcement that Travis Geopfert, a four-time National Assistant Coach of the Year during two stints at national powerhouse Arkansas, was announced as K-State’s seventh full-time Director of Track and Field/Cross Country

Geopfert agreed to a 5-year contract and will be formally introduced to the public during a news conference on Monday, July 15 at 11 a.m., CT

And finally the Salina Liberty will continue their push for an AFL title on Saturday when they face the league’s top seed in the Albany Firebirds at 1:30

The winner will advance to the Arena Bowl Championship game to take on either the Billings Outlaws or Nashville Kats the following week, both games can be viewed on the CBS Sports Network.

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 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_3cAUkbGn-Y"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BY SALINA POST(Transcript)Hello and happy Friday, everybody, it’s Tyler Henry, back with another KINA Sports Update presented by Salina Regional Orthopedic and Sports Medicine…_________On Thursday, the Kansas Jayhawks announced their men’s basketball non-conference slate for the historic 70th season at Allen FieldhouseFans will get a first look at an enhanced Allen Fieldhouse at the 40th Annual Late Night in the Phog on Friday, October 18. Details on Late Night will be released at a later date.The action begins with an exhibition against Washburn on October 29th, followed by a loaded November featuring Howard, UNC, Oakland, UNC Wilmington, and Furman.To view the full schedule or purchase your tickets head on over to KUAthletics.com_________Thursday also saw the announcement that Travis Geopfert, a four-time National Assistant Coach of the Year during two stints at national powerhouse Arkansas, was announced as K-State’s seventh full-time Director of Track and Field/Cross CountryGeopfert agreed to a 5-year contract and will be formally introduced to the public during a news conference on Monday, July 15 at 11 a.m., CT_________And finally the Salina Liberty will continue their push for an AFL title on Saturday when they face the league’s top seed in the Albany Firebirds at 1:30The winner will advance to the Arena Bowl Championship game to take on either the Billings Outlaws or Nashville Kats the following week, both games can be viewed on the CBS Sports Network._________That’s your sports update for today, but for even more great area sports content like this, check out Salina Post and stay tuned to KINA.

910 KINA Sports Headlines — July 12

Kansas’ upcoming men’s basketball’s non-conference schedule once again features a loaded slate as the Jayhawks celebrate the 70th season inside historic Allen Fieldhouse in 2024-25.

The most historic arena in college sports, Allen Fieldhouse, will celebrate its 70th season beginning in late October, and Jayhawk fans will have the opportunity to experience the upgraded venue throughout the 2024-25 campaign.

The Fieldhouse, which underwent a first phase of updates prior to the 2023-24 season, will see the second phase completed prior to this upcoming season, giving fans a reimagined experience.&nbsp;

Kansas’ upcoming men’s basketball’s non-conference schedule once again features a loaded slate as the Jayhawks celebrate the 70th season inside historic Allen Fieldhouse in 2024-25.Fans will get a first look at an enhanced Allen Fieldhouse at the 40th Annual Late Night in the Phog on Friday, October 18. Details on Late Night will be released at a later date.The most historic arena in college sports, Allen Fieldhouse, will celebrate its 70th season beginning in late October, and Jayhawk fans will have the opportunity to experience the upgraded venue throughout the 2024-25 campaign.The Fieldhouse, which underwent a first phase of updates prior to the 2023-24 season, will see the second phase completed prior to this upcoming season, giving fans a reimagined experience.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720740192669.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Jayhawk MBB releases non-conference schedule

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;–&nbsp;Travis Geopfert, a four-time National Assistant Coach of the Year during two stints at national powerhouse Arkansas, was announced as K-State’s seventh full-time Director of Track and Field/Cross Country by Director of Athletics&nbsp;Gene Taylor&nbsp;on Thursday (July 11).

Geopfert agreed to a 5-year contract, which was approved by the K-State Athletics, Inc., Board of Directors and President&nbsp;Richard Linton.

Geopfert will be formally introduced to the public during a news conference on Monday, July 15 at 11 a.m., CT in the Steel and Pipe Team Theatre at the Vanier Football Complex. A live stream of the news conference can be viewed on the K-State Sports Facebook page.

“It is an exciting time for K-State Track and Field as we welcome Travis, Nicole, Jones, Jax and Ellyn to the Wildcat Family,” Taylor said. “The sustained success during Coach Rovelto’s hall of fame career and the recent facility upgrades for our program made this a very attractive job - sought after by many phenomenal candidates. Travis’ recent success at one of the top track and field programs in the country certainly speaks for itself, but he also has strong Midwest roots, head coaching experience and a tremendous ability to recruit globally. He will coach eight Olympians in this year’s Paris games, and we are excited for the future of K-State Track and Field under his leadership.”

Geopfert, a native of Panora, Iowa, has 22 years of coaching experience, including 12 at Arkansas, where he was a part of two NCAA Championship teams (2013 men’s indoor and 2023 men’s indoor), 21 top-10 NCAA team finishes and 25 SEC Championships as an assistant men’s track and field and cross country coach (2009-18) and associate head coach of the men’s track and field and cross country teams (2021-24).

A 2002 graduate of Northern Iowa, where he was a three-time Missouri Valley Conference champion and All-American, Geopfert got his coaching start as a graduate assistant at Central Missouri (2002-03) for head coach&nbsp;Kip Janvrin. He returned to his alma mater in 2003 for the start of a 6-year stint, where he rose from an assistant track and field coach (2003-07) to associate head coach (2007-08) to head coach (2008-09). He was part of 12 Missouri Valley Conference team championships while at UNI, including the 2009 men’s indoor and outdoor titles as head coach. For his efforts, he was named the 2009 MVC Outdoor Coach of the Year.

In between his two stints at Arkansas, Geopfert spent three years (2018-21) as the associate head coach for the men’s and women’s track and field and cross country teams at Tennessee under head coach&nbsp;Beth Alford-Sullivan, helping the Volunteer men’s team to a top-10 NCAA finish at the 2021 indoor championships.

All told, Geopfert has been part two NCAA team championships, 24 top-10 NCAA team finishes and 37 conference team championships (MVC, SEC) during his 22-year coaching career at Central Missouri, Northern Iowa, Arkansas and Tennessee.

“My family and I are thrilled to become part of the Kansas State community,” said Geopfert.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Just look at every named facility on campus and it’s obvious that family and community are the framework of Kansas State. That may be the biggest thing that attracted us to Manhattan.&nbsp;

“I’d like to thank&nbsp;Gene Taylor, (executive associate AD)&nbsp;Kenny Lannou&nbsp;and (deputy AD)&nbsp;Jill Shields&nbsp;for giving me this opportunity to lead such a storied program - a program with multiple Olympians, Olympic medalists and NCAA champions, led for more than three decades by hall of fame coach&nbsp;Cliff Rovelto.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“It’s not lost on me the shoes that I’m trying to fill in following a legendary coach.&nbsp;&nbsp;Coach Rovelto has built a foundation at Kansas State that makes this one of the most attractive opportunities in NCAA track and field. With that, I promise to work tirelessly for the alumni and current student-athletes here at Kansas State.&nbsp;&nbsp;I want to help make all of these individuals proud of where they are from. They built the foundation for our future success, and we owe it to them and this administration to get after it here with everything we’ve got.

“With that said, I cannot express enough appreciation to&nbsp;Gene Taylor&nbsp;for handing me the reigns here in Manhattan.&nbsp;&nbsp;His reputation precedes him in making great coaching hires.&nbsp;&nbsp;I’m humbled that he believes in me to continue to move this program forward.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Lastly, I’d like to thank my former student-athletes, bosses and colleagues at Central Missouri, Northern Iowa, Tennessee, and Arkansas.&nbsp;&nbsp;The last 22 years learning from all of them has given me the foundation I need to coach and mentor at the highest level.&nbsp;&nbsp;These coaching experiences along with the amazing support of my wife Nicole, our kids and my entire family gives me the confidence I need to be the next Director of Track and Field / Cross Country at K-State.”&nbsp;

Individually,&nbsp;Geopfert coached three Bowerman Award finalists (track and field’s version of the Heisman Trophy) while at Arkansas, including a pair of winners in sprinter and long jumper&nbsp;Jarrion Lawson&nbsp;(2016) and triple and long jumper&nbsp;Jaydon Hibbert&nbsp;(2023) as well as 2022 finalist&nbsp;Ayden Owens-Delerme. In total, he has helped train 20 national champions (a combined 12 in the long and triple jump) in his career as well as 106 NCAA First Team All-Americans, 182 NCAA National Finals Qualifiers and 89 conference champions.

Geopfert has coached 15 Olympians, including eight who have advanced to this summer’s Paris Games. Those eight Olympians include&nbsp;Romaine Beckford&nbsp;(high jump/Jamaica),&nbsp;Tara Davis-Woodhall&nbsp;(long jump/USA),&nbsp;Jaydon Hibbert&nbsp;(triple jump/Jamaica),&nbsp;Jarrion Lawson&nbsp;(long jump/USA),&nbsp;Carey McLeod&nbsp;(long jump/Jamaica),&nbsp;Jah-Nhai Perinchief&nbsp;(triple jump/Bermuda),&nbsp;Ayden Owens-Delerme&nbsp;(decathlon/Puerto Rico) and&nbsp;Wayne Pinnock&nbsp;(long jump/Jamaica).

In total, Geopfert’s athletes have qualified for the World Championships 30 times with five global medals. They have broken three American Junior records, three World Junior records, two NCAA all-time collegiate records and two NCAA meet records. They have combined to break 59 school records at Northern Iowa, Arkansas and Tennessee.

Geopfert was part of tremendous success at Arkansas where he worked for his college head coach and 30-time SEC Coach of the Year&nbsp;Chris Bucknam, first as assistant coach for the men’s and women’s teams from 2009-18 then as associate head coach for the men’s team from 2021-24.

The Razorbacks won the 2013 and 2023 NCAA team Indoor Championships, while they finished as the national team runners-up on six occasions (2012, 2014, 2016 and 2024 indoor seasons and 2016 and 2023 outdoor seasons). They also won 25 SEC team championships in cross country and indoor and outdoor track and field, including a sweep of the indoor and outdoor titles on six occasions (2012, 2013, 2016, 2022, 2023, 2024). The school earned the prestigious John McDonnell Program of the Year honor in both 2013 and 2017 which goes annually to the top overall cross country and track and field program.

Geopfert coached all three of Arkansas’ Bowerman Award finalists, including winners&nbsp;Jarrion Lawson&nbsp;(2016) and&nbsp;Jaydon Hibbert&nbsp;(2023), as well as 2022 finalist&nbsp;Ayden Owens-Delerme.

A two-time Olympian, Lawson won six NCAA championships with the Razorbacks, including the “Jesse Owens triple” with titles in the 100 and 200 meters and long jump at the 2016 NCAA Outdoor Championships. Hibbert was the 2023 Outdoor National Field co-Athlete of the Year as well as the 2023 Indoor and Outdoor National Field Scholar-Athlete of the Year, setting both the indoor and outdoor collegiate marks in the triple jump while sweeping both NCAA Championships. Owens-Delerme was the 2022 NCAA Outdoor National Field Athlete of the Year after winning the NCAA title in the decathlon.

Geopfert coached seven other national champions at Arkansas, including two-time triple jump champion&nbsp;Clive Pullen&nbsp;(2016, 2017 indoor) and two-time long jump champion&nbsp;Carey McLeod&nbsp;(2023 indoor and outdoor). This past season,&nbsp;Romaine Beckford&nbsp;swept the indoor and outdoor high jump titles, while&nbsp;Wayne Pinnock&nbsp;won the 2024 indoor long jump championship.

Geopfert was honored four times as the USTFCCCA National Assistant Coach of the Year while on staff at Arkansas following the 2013, 2014 and 2023 men’s indoor seasons and the 2023 men’s outdoor season. He was also selected as the South Central Region Men’s Assistant Coach of the Year on seven occasions (2013, 2014, 2017, 2022, 2023 (indoor and outdoor), 2024).

In addition to his coaching honors at Arkansas, Geopfert was named the 2020 South Region Men’s Indoor Assistant Coach of the Year at Tennessee, the 2007 and 2008 Midwest Region Men’s Outdoor Assistant Coach of the Year at Northern Iowa and the 2003 Division II Central Region Men’s Outdoor Assistant Coach of the Year at Central Missouri. He was the 2009 Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Coach of the Year at UNI.

In between his stints at Arkansas, Geopfert spent three seasons at Tennessee from 2018-21 as associate head coach for the men’s and women’s teams under head coach&nbsp;Beth Alford-Sullivan. Most notably he guided&nbsp;Carey McLeod&nbsp;to the long jump crown and a runner-up finish in the triple jump at the 2020 SEC Indoor Championship.

Geopfert also coached two-time Bowerman watch list member and high jumper&nbsp;Darryl Sullivan, who tied the all-time SEC indoor record and posted the No. 4 collegiate mark in indoor history with a height of 2.33 m/7-7.75.

McLeod and Sullivan had NCAA-leading marks in the long jump and high jump, respectively, before the 2020 NCAA Indoor Championships were cancelled due to COVID-19.

Prior to his first stint with the Razorbacks, Geopfert spent six years at his alma mater Northern Iowa, first as an assistant track and field coach (2003-07) to associate head coach (2007-08) to head coach (2008-09). He was part of 12 MVC championship teams, including a sweep of the 2009 men’s indoor and outdoor titles in his lone season as head coach. The 2007 and 2008 teams placed in the top-10 at the NCAA Indoor Championships.

Notable athletes coached by Geopfert at UNI included 2008 MVC women’s most outstanding track athlete&nbsp;Dani Stipe&nbsp;and five-time All-Americans&nbsp;Raven Cepeda&nbsp;and&nbsp;Cody Eichmeier. Stipe was the first female athlete in UNI history to qualify for the NCAA Championship in the heptathlon, while Cepeda still holds the conference and school records in both the heptathlon and decathlon. Eichmeier was a nine-time conference champion in the long jump and the 2005 MVC Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year.

In his lone season at Central Missouri, Geopfert helped coach two-time national champion&nbsp;Ivan Varbanov, who won the 2003 Division II indoor high jump and triple jump titles, as well as one national runner-up, six All-Americans, seven national qualifiers, five conference champions and 10 all-conference performers.

Geopfert enjoyed a notable career of his own as a combined events athlete and sprinter at Northern Iowa from 1997-2002. While competing for the Panthers, he won the decathlon at the 1998 Missouri Valley Conference Championship and was part of multiple conference-winning relay teams, including the 1999 4x100-meter relay and 2000 indoor distance medley relay teams. He earned 2000 Indoor All-American honors in the distance medley relay with a seventh-place finish. He was a four-time All-MVC performer (1997, 1998 indoor and outdoor) as well as a two-time MVC Scholar-Athlete (1999, 2000).

Upon graduation, Geopfert finished as the runner-up in the 2003 Drake Relays decathlon, behind USA Olympian&nbsp;Kip Janvrin&nbsp;before winning the event in both 2004 and 2006. He was a five-time national qualifier at the USATF Indoor and Outdoor Championships while also qualifying for the 2004 Olympic Trials.

Geopfert was also a member of the U.S. vs Germany decathlon Thorpe Cup duel teams in 2003, 2005 and 2006, where he was coached by former by K-State Director of Track and Field / Cross Country&nbsp;Cliff Rovelto. He returned to the Thorpe Cup in 2009 for the first of three stints as head decathlon coach (2009, 2013, 2014).

While in high school, Geopfert was a seven-time state champion at Panorama High School.

Geopfert and wife&nbsp;Nicole&nbsp;have three children,&nbsp;Jones,&nbsp;Jax&nbsp;and&nbsp;Ellyn.

(2013, 2014, 2023 men’s indoor and 2023 men’s outdoor)

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;–&nbsp;Travis Geopfert, a four-time National Assistant Coach of the Year during two stints at national powerhouse Arkansas, was announced as K-State’s seventh full-time Director of Track and Field/Cross Country by Director of Athletics&nbsp;Gene Taylor&nbsp;on Thursday (July 11).Geopfert agreed to a 5-year contract, which was approved by the K-State Athletics, Inc., Board of Directors and President&nbsp;Richard Linton.Geopfert will be formally introduced to the public during a news conference on Monday, July 15 at 11 a.m., CT in the Steel and Pipe Team Theatre at the Vanier Football Complex. A live stream of the news conference can be viewed on the K-State Sports Facebook page.“It is an exciting time for K-State Track and Field as we welcome Travis, Nicole, Jones, Jax and Ellyn to the Wildcat Family,” Taylor said. “The sustained success during Coach Rovelto’s hall of fame career and the recent facility upgrades for our program made this a very attractive job - sought after by many phenomenal candidates. Travis’ recent success at one of the top track and field programs in the country certainly speaks for itself, but he also has strong Midwest roots, head coaching experience and a tremendous ability to recruit globally. He will coach eight Olympians in this year’s Paris games, and we are excited for the future of K-State Track and Field under his leadership.”Geopfert, a native of Panora, Iowa, has 22 years of coaching experience, including 12 at Arkansas, where he was a part of two NCAA Championship teams (2013 men’s indoor and 2023 men’s indoor), 21 top-10 NCAA team finishes and 25 SEC Championships as an assistant men’s track and field and cross country coach (2009-18) and associate head coach of the men’s track and field and cross country teams (2021-24).A 2002 graduate of Northern Iowa, where he was a three-time Missouri Valley Conference champion and All-American, Geopfert got his coaching start as a graduate assistant at Central Missouri (2002-03) for head coach&nbsp;Kip Janvrin. He returned to his alma mater in 2003 for the start of a 6-year stint, where he rose from an assistant track and field coach (2003-07) to associate head coach (2007-08) to head coach (2008-09). He was part of 12 Missouri Valley Conference team championships while at UNI, including the 2009 men’s indoor and outdoor titles as head coach. For his efforts, he was named the 2009 MVC Outdoor Coach of the Year.In between his two stints at Arkansas, Geopfert spent three years (2018-21) as the associate head coach for the men’s and women’s track and field and cross country teams at Tennessee under head coach&nbsp;Beth Alford-Sullivan, helping the Volunteer men’s team to a top-10 NCAA finish at the 2021 indoor championships.All told, Geopfert has been part two NCAA team championships, 24 top-10 NCAA team finishes and 37 conference team championships (MVC, SEC) during his 22-year coaching career at Central Missouri, Northern Iowa, Arkansas and Tennessee.“My family and I are thrilled to become part of the Kansas State community,” said Geopfert.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Just look at every named facility on campus and it’s obvious that family and community are the framework of Kansas State. That may be the biggest thing that attracted us to Manhattan.&nbsp;“I’d like to thank&nbsp;Gene Taylor, (executive associate AD)&nbsp;Kenny Lannou&nbsp;and (deputy AD)&nbsp;Jill Shields&nbsp;for giving me this opportunity to lead such a storied program - a program with multiple Olympians, Olympic medalists and NCAA champions, led for more than three decades by hall of fame coach&nbsp;Cliff Rovelto.&nbsp;&nbsp;“It’s not lost on me the shoes that I’m trying to fill in following a legendary coach.&nbsp;&nbsp;Coach Rovelto has built a foundation at Kansas State that makes this one of the most attractive opportunities in NCAA track and field. With that, I promise to work tirelessly for the alumni and current student-athletes here at Kansas State.&nbsp;&nbsp;I want to help make all of these individuals proud of where they are from. They built the foundation for our future success, and we owe it to them and this administration to get after it here with everything we’ve got.“With that said, I cannot express enough appreciation to&nbsp;Gene Taylor&nbsp;for handing me the reigns here in Manhattan.&nbsp;&nbsp;His reputation precedes him in making great coaching hires.&nbsp;&nbsp;I’m humbled that he believes in me to continue to move this program forward.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Lastly, I’d like to thank my former student-athletes, bosses and colleagues at Central Missouri, Northern Iowa, Tennessee, and Arkansas.&nbsp;&nbsp;The last 22 years learning from all of them has given me the foundation I need to coach and mentor at the highest level.&nbsp;&nbsp;These coaching experiences along with the amazing support of my wife Nicole, our kids and my entire family gives me the confidence I need to be the next Director of Track and Field / Cross Country at K-State.”&nbsp;Individually,&nbsp;Geopfert coached three Bowerman Award finalists (track and field’s version of the Heisman Trophy) while at Arkansas, including a pair of winners in sprinter and long jumper&nbsp;Jarrion Lawson&nbsp;(2016) and triple and long jumper&nbsp;Jaydon Hibbert&nbsp;(2023) as well as 2022 finalist&nbsp;Ayden Owens-Delerme. In total, he has helped train 20 national champions (a combined 12 in the long and triple jump) in his career as well as 106 NCAA First Team All-Americans, 182 NCAA National Finals Qualifiers and 89 conference champions.Geopfert has coached 15 Olympians, including eight who have advanced to this summer’s Paris Games. Those eight Olympians include&nbsp;Romaine Beckford&nbsp;(high jump/Jamaica),&nbsp;Tara Davis-Woodhall&nbsp;(long jump/USA),&nbsp;Jaydon Hibbert&nbsp;(triple jump/Jamaica),&nbsp;Jarrion Lawson&nbsp;(long jump/USA),&nbsp;Carey McLeod&nbsp;(long jump/Jamaica),&nbsp;Jah-Nhai Perinchief&nbsp;(triple jump/Bermuda),&nbsp;Ayden Owens-Delerme&nbsp;(decathlon/Puerto Rico) and&nbsp;Wayne Pinnock&nbsp;(long jump/Jamaica).In total, Geopfert’s athletes have qualified for the World Championships 30 times with five global medals. They have broken three American Junior records, three World Junior records, two NCAA all-time collegiate records and two NCAA meet records. They have combined to break 59 school records at Northern Iowa, Arkansas and Tennessee.Geopfert was part of tremendous success at Arkansas where he worked for his college head coach and 30-time SEC Coach of the Year&nbsp;Chris Bucknam, first as assistant coach for the men’s and women’s teams from 2009-18 then as associate head coach for the men’s team from 2021-24.The Razorbacks won the 2013 and 2023 NCAA team Indoor Championships, while they finished as the national team runners-up on six occasions (2012, 2014, 2016 and 2024 indoor seasons and 2016 and 2023 outdoor seasons). They also won 25 SEC team championships in cross country and indoor and outdoor track and field, including a sweep of the indoor and outdoor titles on six occasions (2012, 2013, 2016, 2022, 2023, 2024). The school earned the prestigious John McDonnell Program of the Year honor in both 2013 and 2017 which goes annually to the top overall cross country and track and field program.Geopfert coached all three of Arkansas’ Bowerman Award finalists, including winners&nbsp;Jarrion Lawson&nbsp;(2016) and&nbsp;Jaydon Hibbert&nbsp;(2023), as well as 2022 finalist&nbsp;Ayden Owens-Delerme.A two-time Olympian, Lawson won six NCAA championships with the Razorbacks, including the “Jesse Owens triple” with titles in the 100 and 200 meters and long jump at the 2016 NCAA Outdoor Championships. Hibbert was the 2023 Outdoor National Field co-Athlete of the Year as well as the 2023 Indoor and Outdoor National Field Scholar-Athlete of the Year, setting both the indoor and outdoor collegiate marks in the triple jump while sweeping both NCAA Championships. Owens-Delerme was the 2022 NCAA Outdoor National Field Athlete of the Year after winning the NCAA title in the decathlon.Geopfert coached seven other national champions at Arkansas, including two-time triple jump champion&nbsp;Clive Pullen&nbsp;(2016, 2017 indoor) and two-time long jump champion&nbsp;Carey McLeod&nbsp;(2023 indoor and outdoor). This past season,&nbsp;Romaine Beckford&nbsp;swept the indoor and outdoor high jump titles, while&nbsp;Wayne Pinnock&nbsp;won the 2024 indoor long jump championship.Geopfert was honored four times as the USTFCCCA National Assistant Coach of the Year while on staff at Arkansas following the 2013, 2014 and 2023 men’s indoor seasons and the 2023 men’s outdoor season. He was also selected as the South Central Region Men’s Assistant Coach of the Year on seven occasions (2013, 2014, 2017, 2022, 2023 (indoor and outdoor), 2024).In addition to his coaching honors at Arkansas, Geopfert was named the 2020 South Region Men’s Indoor Assistant Coach of the Year at Tennessee, the 2007 and 2008 Midwest Region Men’s Outdoor Assistant Coach of the Year at Northern Iowa and the 2003 Division II Central Region Men’s Outdoor Assistant Coach of the Year at Central Missouri. He was the 2009 Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Coach of the Year at UNI.In between his stints at Arkansas, Geopfert spent three seasons at Tennessee from 2018-21 as associate head coach for the men’s and women’s teams under head coach&nbsp;Beth Alford-Sullivan. Most notably he guided&nbsp;Carey McLeod&nbsp;to the long jump crown and a runner-up finish in the triple jump at the 2020 SEC Indoor Championship.Geopfert also coached two-time Bowerman watch list member and high jumper&nbsp;Darryl Sullivan, who tied the all-time SEC indoor record and posted the No. 4 collegiate mark in indoor history with a height of 2.33 m/7-7.75.McLeod and Sullivan had NCAA-leading marks in the long jump and high jump, respectively, before the 2020 NCAA Indoor Championships were cancelled due to COVID-19.Prior to his first stint with the Razorbacks, Geopfert spent six years at his alma mater Northern Iowa, first as an assistant track and field coach (2003-07) to associate head coach (2007-08) to head coach (2008-09). He was part of 12 MVC championship teams, including a sweep of the 2009 men’s indoor and outdoor titles in his lone season as head coach. The 2007 and 2008 teams placed in the top-10 at the NCAA Indoor Championships.Notable athletes coached by Geopfert at UNI included 2008 MVC women’s most outstanding track athlete&nbsp;Dani Stipe&nbsp;and five-time All-Americans&nbsp;Raven Cepeda&nbsp;and&nbsp;Cody Eichmeier. Stipe was the first female athlete in UNI history to qualify for the NCAA Championship in the heptathlon, while Cepeda still holds the conference and school records in both the heptathlon and decathlon. Eichmeier was a nine-time conference champion in the long jump and the 2005 MVC Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year.In his lone season at Central Missouri, Geopfert helped coach two-time national champion&nbsp;Ivan Varbanov, who won the 2003 Division II indoor high jump and triple jump titles, as well as one national runner-up, six All-Americans, seven national qualifiers, five conference champions and 10 all-conference performers.Geopfert enjoyed a notable career of his own as a combined events athlete and sprinter at Northern Iowa from 1997-2002. While competing for the Panthers, he won the decathlon at the 1998 Missouri Valley Conference Championship and was part of multiple conference-winning relay teams, including the 1999 4x100-meter relay and 2000 indoor distance medley relay teams. He earned 2000 Indoor All-American honors in the distance medley relay with a seventh-place finish. He was a four-time All-MVC performer (1997, 1998 indoor and outdoor) as well as a two-time MVC Scholar-Athlete (1999, 2000).Upon graduation, Geopfert finished as the runner-up in the 2003 Drake Relays decathlon, behind USA Olympian&nbsp;Kip Janvrin&nbsp;before winning the event in both 2004 and 2006. He was a five-time national qualifier at the USATF Indoor and Outdoor Championships while also qualifying for the 2004 Olympic Trials.Geopfert was also a member of the U.S. vs Germany decathlon Thorpe Cup duel teams in 2003, 2005 and 2006, where he was coached by former by K-State Director of Track and Field / Cross Country&nbsp;Cliff Rovelto. He returned to the Thorpe Cup in 2009 for the first of three stints as head decathlon coach (2009, 2013, 2014).While in high school, Geopfert was a seven-time state champion at Panorama High School.Geopfert and wife&nbsp;Nicole&nbsp;have three children,&nbsp;Jones,&nbsp;Jax&nbsp;and&nbsp;Ellyn.Coaching Experience<ul>
 <li>Graduate assistant (Men’s and Women’s), Central Missouri (2002-03)</li><li>Assistant Track and Field Coach (Men’s and Women’s), Northern Iowa (2003-07)</li><li>Associate Head Track and Field Coach (Men’s and Women’s), Northern Iowa (2007-08)</li><li>Head Track and Field Coach (Men’s and Women’s), Northern Iowa (2008-09)</li><li>Assistant Track and Field Coach (Men’s), Arkansas (2009-18)</li><li>Associate Head Track and Field Coach (Men’s and Women’s), Tennessee (2018-21)</li><li>Associate Head Track and Field Coach (Men), Arkansas (2021-24)</li><li>Director of Cross Country and Track and Field, Kansas State (2024-present)</li>
 </ul>Coaching Honors<ul>
 <li>4-time USTFCCA National Assistant Coach of the Year (Arkansas)</li>
 </ul>(2013, 2014, 2023 men’s indoor and 2023 men’s outdoor)<ul>
 <li>5-time USTFCCA South Central Region Men’s Indoor Assistant Coach of the Year (Arkansas)</li>
 </ul>(2013, 2014, 2017, 2023, 2024).<ul>
 <li>2-time USTFCCA South Central Region Men’s Outdoor Assistant Coach of the Year (Arkansas)</li>
 </ul>(2022, 2023)<ul>
 <li>1-time USTFCCA South Region Men’s Indoor Assistant Coach of the Year (Tennessee)</li>
 </ul>(2020)<ul>
 <li>2-time USTFCCA Midwest Region Men’s Outdoor Assistant Coach of the Year (Northern Iowa)</li>
 </ul>(2007, 2008)<ul>
 <li>1-time USTFCAA Division II Central Region Men’s Outdoor Assistant Coach of the Year (Central Missouri)</li>
 </ul>(2003)<ul>
 <li>2009 Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Coach of the Year (Northern Iowa)</li><li>3-time USA vs. Germany Thorpe Cup decathlon head coach</li>
 </ul>(2009, 2013, 2014)Athlete Honors<ul>
 <li>1998 Missouri Valley Conference decathlon champion</li><li>1999 Missouri Valley Conference 4x100-meter relay champion</li><li>2000 Missouri Valley Conference indoor distance medley relay champion</li><li>2000 NCAA Indoor All-American (distance medley relay)</li><li>4-time All-Missouri Valley Conference performer (1997, 1998 indoor and outdoor)</li><li>2-time Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete (1999, 2000)</li><li>2004, 2006 Drake Relay decathlon champion</li><li>5-time national qualifier at the USATF Indoor and Outdoor Championships</li><li>2004 Olympic Trials qualifier</li><li>3-time member of the U.S. vs. Germany decathlon Thorpe Teams</li>
 </ul>(2003, 2005, 2006)Education<ul>
 <li>Bachelor’s degree in general studies, University of Northern Iowa, 2002</li>
 </ul>Personal<ul>
 <li>Born:&nbsp;August 20, 1978, in Panora, Iowa</li><li>Wife:&nbsp;Nicole</li><li>Children:&nbsp;sons Jones and Jax and daughter Ellyn</li>
 </ul>

K-State Announces Travis Geopfert as Director of Track and Field/Cross Country

Hello and happy Thursday, everybody, it’s Tyler Henry, back with another KINA Sports Update presented by Salina Regional Orthopedic and Sports Medicine…

On Wednesday Salvador Perez homered in both games and MJ Melendez added a solo shot in the nightcap to help the Kansas City Royals beat the St. Louis Cardinals 8-5 for a sweep of a day-night doubleheader

Kansas City took the opener 6-4, and the Royals have won three in a row to improve to 51-43 — a season after winning just 56 games total.

Michael Wacha went five innings for the victory in the second game. He pitched seven seasons in St. Louis and was the MVP of the 2013 NLCS against the Dodgers. This was his first start in St. Louis since leaving five years ago.

Wednesday also saw news break that <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/02/sport/us-head-coach-gregg-berhalter-copa-america-spt-intl/index.html">Gregg Berhalter</a>&nbsp;has been fired as the head coach of the United States men’s national soccer team following the squad’s Copa America elimination

Berhalter finishes with a record of 44-17-13 in 74 matches. He also led the squad to a Gold Cup victory in 2021 and two&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/25/sport/us-mexico-concacaf-nations-league-discriminatory-chanting-spt-intl/index.html">CONCACAF Nations League</a>&nbsp;titles, but struggled on the biggest stage prompting this change ahead of the summer olympics

And finally last night Sporting KC picked up a big win over FC Dallas taking a 2-0 victory in the US open cup

Sporting will resume the regular season in San Jose later on this weekend

<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HSjsiwDk8H4"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BY SALINA POST(Transcript)Hello and happy Thursday, everybody, it’s Tyler Henry, back with another KINA Sports Update presented by Salina Regional Orthopedic and Sports Medicine…_________On Wednesday Salvador Perez homered in both games and MJ Melendez added a solo shot in the nightcap to help the Kansas City Royals beat the St. Louis Cardinals 8-5 for a sweep of a day-night doubleheaderKansas City took the opener 6-4, and the Royals have won three in a row to improve to 51-43 — a season after winning just 56 games total.Michael Wacha went five innings for the victory in the second game. He pitched seven seasons in St. Louis and was the MVP of the 2013 NLCS against the Dodgers. This was his first start in St. Louis since leaving five years ago._________Wednesday also saw news break that <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/02/sport/us-head-coach-gregg-berhalter-copa-america-spt-intl/index.html">Gregg Berhalter</a>&nbsp;has been fired as the head coach of the United States men’s national soccer team following the squad’s Copa America eliminationBerhalter finishes with a record of 44-17-13 in 74 matches. He also led the squad to a Gold Cup victory in 2021 and two&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/25/sport/us-mexico-concacaf-nations-league-discriminatory-chanting-spt-intl/index.html">CONCACAF Nations League</a>&nbsp;titles, but struggled on the biggest stage prompting this change ahead of the summer olympics_________And finally last night Sporting KC picked up a big win over FC Dallas taking a 2-0 victory in the US open cupSporting will resume the regular season in San Jose later on this weekend_________That’s your sports update for today, but for even more great area sports content like this, check out Salina Post and stay tuned to KINA.

910 KINA Sports Headlines — July 11

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Salvador Perez homered in both games and MJ Melendez added a solo shot in the nightcap to help the Kansas City Royals beat the St. Louis Cardinals 8-5 for a sweep of a day-night doubleheader Wednesday.

Kansas City took the opener 6-4. The Royals have won three in a row to improve to 51-43 — a season after winning just 56 games.

Michael Wacha (6-6) went five innings for the victory in the second game. He pitched seven seasons in St. Louis (2013-2019) and was the MVP of the 2013 NLCS against the Los Angeles Dodgers. This was his first start in St. Louis since leaving five years ago.

“There were definitely some emotions there,” Wacha said. “It was hard to treat it like just another start.”

Lars Nootbaar homered for St. Louis in the second game to give the Cardinals a 1-0 lead in the second.

Closer James McArthur picked up his 17th save of the season and second of the day. McArthur had not pitched over the previous six days and was ready for the two-game challenge.

“It was just one of those things where you just throw and see how you’re feeling,” McArthur said.

Perez led off the sixth with his 16th of season to pushed the lead to 6-4.

“He makes us go,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said about Perez. “The middle of the order is big for us and no one is bigger than Salvy.”

Perez was 3 for 7 with two homers and four RBI in the doubleheader. It was the second time in his career that he went deep in both games of the doubleheader. The first came on May 21, 2017 against Minnesota.

Melendez began the third with his 10th of the season.

Wacha gave up four runs on seven hits over over five innings. He had allowed two earned runs or fewer in his previous eight starts.

Kyle Isbel added a solo homer leading off the ninth for the Royals, who were playing their first day-night doubleheader since July 15, 2023.

Isbel says the group proved a point with the road sweep.

“It shows what kind of team that we have,” Isbel said. “It was a long day and you just have to stay locked in at all times.”

Bobby Witt Jr. highlighted Kansas City’s a two-run outburst in the fourth inning with a sacrifice fly.

St. Louis rookie Gordon Graceffo (0-1) allowed four hits and three runs over 3 1/3 innings in his first start and second big league appearance.

Nootbaar returned to the lineup on Monday after missing 36 games with an oblique strain.

“At the end of the day, the wins would make you feel a lot better,” Nootbaar said.

Garrett Hampson drove in two runs with a double in the opener, while Hunter Renfroe added two hits for the Royals. Nolan Arenado, Alec Burleson and Paul Goldschmidt homered for the Cardinals in the first game.

Alec Marsh (7-6) gave up three runs and three hits in six innings to earn the victory. He struck out eight and walked one. Marsh retired the last 11 batters he faced

McArthur got the save after giving up a one-out solo home run to Goldschmidt and a two-out single to Arenado in the ninth inning.

Andre Pallante (4-4) pitched 6 1/3 innings, his longest outing this season. He took the loss, allowing four runs and six hits with five strikeouts and no walks.

Perez, who will play in the All-Star Game next week, hit a 424-foot homer onto the grass in center field with one out in the sixth, giving the Royals a 4-3 lead.

Royals: Recalled left-hander Walter Pennington from Triple-A Omaha to serve as their 27th man for the doubleheader. The 26-year-old made his big-league debut last week in Colorado, retiring both batters he faced.

Cardinals: Recalled right-hander Gordon Graceffo from Triple-A Memphis to serve as their 27th man for the doubleheader.

Cardinals: C Iván Herrera (lower back tightness) caught a full nine innings Tuesday at Triple-A Memphis. He also hit a home run.

Royals: Will open a three-game series at Boston on Friday. Neither team has announced a starter.

Cardinals: RHP Sonny Gray (9-5, 3.30) will open a four-game series at home against the Chicago Cubs on Friday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720690844164.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Royals' Vinnie Pasquantino (9) and Freddy Fermin celebrate an 8-5 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in the second game of a baseball doubleheader Wednesday, July 10, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Royals' Vinnie Pasquantino (9) and Freddy Fermin celebrate an 8-5 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in the second game of a baseball doubleheader Wednesday, July 10, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)</figcaption>
 </figure>ST. LOUIS (AP) — Salvador Perez homered in both games and MJ Melendez added a solo shot in the nightcap to help the Kansas City Royals beat the St. Louis Cardinals 8-5 for a sweep of a day-night doubleheader Wednesday.Kansas City took the opener 6-4. The Royals have won three in a row to improve to 51-43 — a season after winning just 56 games.Michael Wacha (6-6) went five innings for the victory in the second game. He pitched seven seasons in St. Louis (2013-2019) and was the MVP of the 2013 NLCS against the Los Angeles Dodgers. This was his first start in St. Louis since leaving five years ago.“There were definitely some emotions there,” Wacha said. “It was hard to treat it like just another start.”Lars Nootbaar homered for St. Louis in the second game to give the Cardinals a 1-0 lead in the second.Closer James McArthur picked up his 17th save of the season and second of the day. McArthur had not pitched over the previous six days and was ready for the two-game challenge.“It was just one of those things where you just throw and see how you’re feeling,” McArthur said.Perez led off the sixth with his 16th of season to pushed the lead to 6-4.“He makes us go,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said about Perez. “The middle of the order is big for us and no one is bigger than Salvy.”Perez was 3 for 7 with two homers and four RBI in the doubleheader. It was the second time in his career that he went deep in both games of the doubleheader. The first came on May 21, 2017 against Minnesota.Melendez began the third with his 10th of the season.Wacha gave up four runs on seven hits over over five innings. He had allowed two earned runs or fewer in his previous eight starts.Kyle Isbel added a solo homer leading off the ninth for the Royals, who were playing their first day-night doubleheader since July 15, 2023.Isbel says the group proved a point with the road sweep.“It shows what kind of team that we have,” Isbel said. “It was a long day and you just have to stay locked in at all times.”Bobby Witt Jr. highlighted Kansas City’s a two-run outburst in the fourth inning with a sacrifice fly.St. Louis rookie Gordon Graceffo (0-1) allowed four hits and three runs over 3 1/3 innings in his first start and second big league appearance.Nootbaar returned to the lineup on Monday after missing 36 games with an oblique strain.“At the end of the day, the wins would make you feel a lot better,” Nootbaar said.Garrett Hampson drove in two runs with a double in the opener, while Hunter Renfroe added two hits for the Royals. Nolan Arenado, Alec Burleson and Paul Goldschmidt homered for the Cardinals in the first game.Alec Marsh (7-6) gave up three runs and three hits in six innings to earn the victory. He struck out eight and walked one. Marsh retired the last 11 batters he facedMcArthur got the save after giving up a one-out solo home run to Goldschmidt and a two-out single to Arenado in the ninth inning.Andre Pallante (4-4) pitched 6 1/3 innings, his longest outing this season. He took the loss, allowing four runs and six hits with five strikeouts and no walks.Perez, who will play in the All-Star Game next week, hit a 424-foot homer onto the grass in center field with one out in the sixth, giving the Royals a 4-3 lead.EXTRA PLAYERSRoyals: Recalled left-hander Walter Pennington from Triple-A Omaha to serve as their 27th man for the doubleheader. The 26-year-old made his big-league debut last week in Colorado, retiring both batters he faced.Cardinals: Recalled right-hander Gordon Graceffo from Triple-A Memphis to serve as their 27th man for the doubleheader.TRAINER’S ROOMCardinals: C Iván Herrera (lower back tightness) caught a full nine innings Tuesday at Triple-A Memphis. He also hit a home run.UP NEXTRoyals: Will open a three-game series at Boston on Friday. Neither team has announced a starter.Cardinals: RHP Sonny Gray (9-5, 3.30) will open a four-game series at home against the Chicago Cubs on Friday.

⚾ Perez homers in both games of doubleheader, Royals sweep Cardinals

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Salvador Perez drove in two runs with a homer and a single, leading the Kansas City Royals to a 6-4 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday in the first game of a day-night doubleheader.

Garrett Hampson drove in two runs with a double while Hunter Renfroe added two hits and a run scored for the Royals.

Nolan Arenado, Alec Burleson and Paul Goldschmidt homered for the Cardinals.

Alec Marsh (7-6) gave up three runs and three hits in six innings to earn the victory. He struck out eight and walked one.

James McArthur earned his 16th save despite giving up a one-out solo home run to Goldschmidt and a two-out single to Arenado in the ninth inning.

The Royals added two runs off reliever Chris Roycroft in the eighth. Vinnie Pasquantino drove in a run with a sacrifice fly. Perez singled home Bobby Witt Jr., who had singled and took second on a wild pitch.

Kansas City scored three runs and four hits in the fifth to tie it at 3-3. MJ Melendez hit a run-scoring double and Hampson drove in two runs with another double.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720645899690.png" alt="Photo Kansas City Royals" />
 <figcaption>Photo Kansas City Royals</figcaption>
 </figure>ST. LOUIS (AP) — Salvador Perez drove in two runs with a homer and a single, leading the Kansas City Royals to a 6-4 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday in the first game of a day-night doubleheader.Garrett Hampson drove in two runs with a double while Hunter Renfroe added two hits and a run scored for the Royals.Nolan Arenado, Alec Burleson and Paul Goldschmidt homered for the Cardinals.Alec Marsh (7-6) gave up three runs and three hits in six innings to earn the victory. He struck out eight and walked one.James McArthur earned his 16th save despite giving up a one-out solo home run to Goldschmidt and a two-out single to Arenado in the ninth inning.Andre Pallante (4-4) pitched 6 1/3 innings, his longest outing this season. He took the loss, allowing four runs and six hits with five strikeouts and no walks.Perez, who will play in the All-Star Game next week, hit a 424-foot homer onto the grass in center field with one out in the sixth, giving the Royals a 4-3 lead.The Royals added two runs off reliever Chris Roycroft in the eighth. Vinnie Pasquantino drove in a run with a sacrifice fly. Perez singled home Bobby Witt Jr., who had singled and took second on a wild pitch.Kansas City scored three runs and four hits in the fifth to tie it at 3-3. MJ Melendez hit a run-scoring double and Hampson drove in two runs with another double.Arenado gave St. Louis a 1-0 lead when he hit a one-out home run 411 feet into the left-field bleachers in the second inning. It was the fifth consecutive game going back to Aug. 13, 2020, that he has homered against the Royals.Burleson hit a two-run homer into the right-field bullpen in the third inning.EXTRA PLAYERSRoyals: Recalled left-hander Walter Pennington from Triple-A Omaha to serve as their 27th man for Wednesday’s doubleheader. The 26-year-old made his big-league debut last week in Colorado, retiring both batters he faced.Cardinals: Recalled right-hander Gordon Graceffo from Triple-A Memphis to serve as their 27th man for the doubleheader.TRAINER'S ROOMCardinals: Infielder Tommy Edman (wrist surgery) began a rehab assignment Tuesday night at Double-A Springfield. He singled in three at-bats. He is scheduled for five innings playing center field Wednesday. … Iván Herrera (lower back tightness) caught a full nine innings Tuesday at Triple-A Memphis. He also hit a home run.UP NEXTRoyals: Right-hander Michael Wacha (5-6, 3.74), who pitched for the Cardinals from 2013-19, has held opponents to three runs and 12 hits while striking out 19 batters in 16 1/3 innings in his past three starts. It will be Wacha’s third career start against the Cardinals. He is 2-0 with 2.19 ERA against St. Louis.Cardinals: Right-hander Gordon Graceffo (0-0, 2.00) last month made his MLB debut for his only appearance. He pitched 4 1/3 innings, allowing one run.