MANHATTAN, Kan. – The Kansas State track and field teams will open their postseason on Wednesday (May 28), as 20 Wildcats vie for the chance to advance to the NCAA Outdoor Championship at the four-day NCAA West Preliminary set for E.B. Cushing Stadium in Bryan-College Station, Texas.

The West Preliminary runs from Wednesday (May 28) through Saturday (May 31) with all four days being streamed on <a href="https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/id/154ae674-fb9c-46da-a040-b69fa346c459">ESPN+</a> at the start of the track events. The men’s events run on Wednesday and Friday with the women competing on Thursday and Saturday.

The top-12 athletes in each event, and 12 relay teams, for both the West and East Preliminary rounds will advance to the NCAA Outdoor Championships set for Wednesday-Saturday, June 11-14 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.

"I'm excited for the athletes we have headed to the NCAA first rounds. It shows their hard work and dedication in focusing on the process," said first-year head coach <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/track-and-field/roster/coaches/travis-geopfert/2539">Travis Geopfert</a>. "I appreciate these kids buying into the new coaches and consequently finding a large amount of success. This group of young women and men are headed to College Station as competitors, not participants. They're focused on the process and excited to go compete."

Starting on the first day, reigning Big 12 Champion Gary Moore Jr., will compete in the men’s hammer throw at 10 a.m., CT followed by sophomore Riley Marx in the men’s javelin at 2:30 p.m., CT and sophomore Pierson Carlisle in the men’s pole vault at 5:30 p.m., CT. Sophomores Tavon Underwood and Nen Matlock will race in the first round of the men’s 400 meters at 7:25 p.m., CT.

Senior Monique Hardy will be among five Wildcat field athletes competing on Thursday, as she kicks off competition in the women’s hammer throw at 10 a.m., CT. Senior Jessi Brummett competes in the women’s javelin at 2:30 p.m., CT followed by senior Shalom Olotu in the women’s long jump at 4:30 p.m., CT, junior Claire Bybee in the women’s pole vault at 5:30 p.m., CT and senior Jaycee Schroeder in the women’s shot put at 6 p.m. CT.

Five more men will compete on Friday, starting with Moore and junior Nate Collier in the discus throw at 1 p.m. CT. Big 12 champion Jhavor Bennett and freshman Selva Prabhu will follow in the triple jump at 2:30 p.m., CT before senior Tommy Hazen runs in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at 5:40 p.m., CT.

The final day on Saturday will start with junior Tamaiah Koonce in the women’s discus throw at 1 p.m., CT followed by senior Shalom Olotu and sophomore Taylor Mayo in the women’s triple jump at 2:30 p.m., CT and junior Sharie Enoe in the women’s high jump at 3:30 p.m., CT. A trio of competitors – senior Ludivine Aubert, junior Jourdin Edwards and junior Safhia Hinds – will wrap up the competition in the women’s 400-meter hurdles at 7:25 p.m., CT. Hinds claimed the Big 12 title in the event with a time of 55.90.

Eight of the 20 qualifying Wildcats will compete at the West Preliminary for the second consecutive year, including Edwards, Enoe, Hardy, Hazen, Koonce, Matlock, Marx and Schroeder. Seven athletes (Brummett, Bybee, Carlislie, Collier, Hinds, Prabhu and Underwood) will be competing for the first time.

Moore (men’s hammer and discus throws) and Olotu (women’s triple jump and long jump) have each qualified in two events at the West Preliminary. Moore is making the second West Preliminary of his career, but his first in the hammer and discus throws after placing 31st in the shot put in 2023 while at Baylor. Olotu competed in the both events at the 2023 Preliminary before redshirting in 2024, finishing in the 13th in the long jump (6.12m) and 29th in the triple jump (12.9m). Overall, this is the third time Olotu has competed in the long jump at the West Preliminary, placing 15th in the event with a jump of 6.18m in 2022 while at Oral Roberts.

Hardy, Enoe and Marx all enter this week’s Preliminary with top-10 marks in the West Region. Hardy has the No. 7 mark in the women’s hammer throw at 68.07m, while Enoe is No. 6 in the women’s high jump at 1.88m and Marx is No. 10 in the men’s javelin throw at 70.83m.

Hardy is making her third consecutive appearance in the West Preliminary in the hammer throw, finishing 22nd in 2023 with a mark of 60.30m and 13th in 2024 with a mark of 60.21m. This is her fourth straight Preliminary, counting her trip to the East Preliminary in the event while at LSU. The Big 12 runner-up, Enoe tied for 19th in women’s high jump with a height of 1.76m. Marx was the only freshman to compete for the Wildcats at the 2024 West Preliminary, finishing 18th with a toss of 67.04m.

Koonce has qualified for her third consecutive West Preliminary in the discus throw, finishing 24th in 2023 with a mark of 51.26m and 17th in 2024 with a mark of 55.15m.

Others to compete at last year’s West Preliminary include Edwards (400-meter hurdles, 1:00.22, 37th), Hazen (3,000-meter steeplechase, 9:45.52, 47th) and Schroeder (shot put, 16.44m, 25th).

Aubert and Bennett will be making their second West Preliminary appearances, but the first in their respective events. Aubert was part of the 4x400-meter relay that finished 21st in the 2023 event, while Bennett posted a distance of 6.95m in the long jump as a freshman in 2023.

Mayo competed in the triple jump at the 2024 West Preliminary while at Kansas.

Matlock, who was All-American honorable mention at last year’s NCAA Championship in the 4x400-meter relay, will be compete in the men’s 400 meters for the first time at West Preliminary after posting a personal-best time of 46.14 at the Big 12 Championship.

Senior Emil Uhlin has already qualified for the NCAA Championship in the men’s decathlon after compiling the 14th-best performance in the nation at the Drake Relays on April 23-26 with a new personal-best score of 7,788 points. He will begin competition at 2 p.m., CT on Wednesday, June 11 in the 100 meters before concluding the final five events on Thursday, June 12.

Seven Wildcats competed in the 2024 NCAA Championships, including four individuals (Urte Bacianskaite/women’s heptathlon, Eugene Omalla/men’s 400 meters, Hannah Stewart/women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase, Andrew White/men’s discus) along with the men’s 4x400-meter relay team of Nen Matlock, E. Omalla, Jaimie Omalla and Kyle Gale).

10 a.m. – Gary Moore Jr. (men’s hammer throw)

2:30 p.m. – Riley Marx (men’s javelin)

5:30 p.m. – Pierson Carlisle (men’s pole vault)

7:25 p.m. – Tavon Underwood, Nen Matlock (men’s 400 meters)

10 a.m. – Monique Hardy (women’s hammer throw)

2:30 p.m. – Jessi Brummet (women’s javelin throw)

4:30 p.m. – Shalom Olotu (women’s long jump)

5:30 p.m. – Claire Bybee (women’s pole vault)

6 p.m. – Jaycee Schroeder (women’s shot put)

1 p.m. – Gary Moore Jr., Nate Collier (men’s discus throw)

2:30 p.m. – Jhavor Bennett, Selva Prabhu (men’s triple jump)

5:40 p.m. – Tommy Hazen (men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase)

1 p.m. – Tamaiah Koonce (women’s discus)

2:30 p.m. – Shalom Olotu, Taylor Mayo (women’s triple jump)

3:30 p.m. – Sharie Enoe (women’s high jump)

MANHATTAN, Kan. – The Kansas State track and field teams will open their postseason on Wednesday (May 28), as 20 Wildcats vie for the chance to advance to the NCAA Outdoor Championship at the four-day NCAA West Preliminary set for E.B. Cushing Stadium in Bryan-College Station, Texas.The West Preliminary runs from Wednesday (May 28) through Saturday (May 31) with all four days being streamed on <a href="https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/id/154ae674-fb9c-46da-a040-b69fa346c459">ESPN+</a> at the start of the track events. The men’s events run on Wednesday and Friday with the women competing on Thursday and Saturday.The top-12 athletes in each event, and 12 relay teams, for both the West and East Preliminary rounds will advance to the NCAA Outdoor Championships set for Wednesday-Saturday, June 11-14 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore."I'm excited for the athletes we have headed to the NCAA first rounds. It shows their hard work and dedication in focusing on the process," said first-year head coach <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/track-and-field/roster/coaches/travis-geopfert/2539">Travis Geopfert</a>. "I appreciate these kids buying into the new coaches and consequently finding a large amount of success. This group of young women and men are headed to College Station as competitors, not participants. They're focused on the process and excited to go compete."Starting on the first day, reigning Big 12 Champion Gary Moore Jr., will compete in the men’s hammer throw at 10 a.m., CT followed by sophomore Riley Marx in the men’s javelin at 2:30 p.m., CT and sophomore Pierson Carlisle in the men’s pole vault at 5:30 p.m., CT. Sophomores Tavon Underwood and Nen Matlock will race in the first round of the men’s 400 meters at 7:25 p.m., CT.Senior Monique Hardy will be among five Wildcat field athletes competing on Thursday, as she kicks off competition in the women’s hammer throw at 10 a.m., CT. Senior Jessi Brummett competes in the women’s javelin at 2:30 p.m., CT followed by senior Shalom Olotu in the women’s long jump at 4:30 p.m., CT, junior Claire Bybee in the women’s pole vault at 5:30 p.m., CT and senior Jaycee Schroeder in the women’s shot put at 6 p.m. CT.Five more men will compete on Friday, starting with Moore and junior Nate Collier in the discus throw at 1 p.m. CT. Big 12 champion Jhavor Bennett and freshman Selva Prabhu will follow in the triple jump at 2:30 p.m., CT before senior Tommy Hazen runs in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at 5:40 p.m., CT.The final day on Saturday will start with junior Tamaiah Koonce in the women’s discus throw at 1 p.m., CT followed by senior Shalom Olotu and sophomore Taylor Mayo in the women’s triple jump at 2:30 p.m., CT and junior Sharie Enoe in the women’s high jump at 3:30 p.m., CT. A trio of competitors – senior Ludivine Aubert, junior Jourdin Edwards and junior Safhia Hinds – will wrap up the competition in the women’s 400-meter hurdles at 7:25 p.m., CT. Hinds claimed the Big 12 title in the event with a time of 55.90.Eight of the 20 qualifying Wildcats will compete at the West Preliminary for the second consecutive year, including Edwards, Enoe, Hardy, Hazen, Koonce, Matlock, Marx and Schroeder. Seven athletes (Brummett, Bybee, Carlislie, Collier, Hinds, Prabhu and Underwood) will be competing for the first time.Moore (men’s hammer and discus throws) and Olotu (women’s triple jump and long jump) have each qualified in two events at the West Preliminary. Moore is making the second West Preliminary of his career, but his first in the hammer and discus throws after placing 31st in the shot put in 2023 while at Baylor. Olotu competed in the both events at the 2023 Preliminary before redshirting in 2024, finishing in the 13th in the long jump (6.12m) and 29th in the triple jump (12.9m). Overall, this is the third time Olotu has competed in the long jump at the West Preliminary, placing 15th in the event with a jump of 6.18m in 2022 while at Oral Roberts.Hardy, Enoe and Marx all enter this week’s Preliminary with top-10 marks in the West Region. Hardy has the No. 7 mark in the women’s hammer throw at 68.07m, while Enoe is No. 6 in the women’s high jump at 1.88m and Marx is No. 10 in the men’s javelin throw at 70.83m.Hardy is making her third consecutive appearance in the West Preliminary in the hammer throw, finishing 22nd in 2023 with a mark of 60.30m and 13th in 2024 with a mark of 60.21m. This is her fourth straight Preliminary, counting her trip to the East Preliminary in the event while at LSU. The Big 12 runner-up, Enoe tied for 19th in women’s high jump with a height of 1.76m. Marx was the only freshman to compete for the Wildcats at the 2024 West Preliminary, finishing 18th with a toss of 67.04m.Koonce has qualified for her third consecutive West Preliminary in the discus throw, finishing 24th in 2023 with a mark of 51.26m and 17th in 2024 with a mark of 55.15m.Others to compete at last year’s West Preliminary include Edwards (400-meter hurdles, 1:00.22, 37th), Hazen (3,000-meter steeplechase, 9:45.52, 47th) and Schroeder (shot put, 16.44m, 25th).Aubert and Bennett will be making their second West Preliminary appearances, but the first in their respective events. Aubert was part of the 4x400-meter relay that finished 21st in the 2023 event, while Bennett posted a distance of 6.95m in the long jump as a freshman in 2023.Mayo competed in the triple jump at the 2024 West Preliminary while at Kansas.Matlock, who was All-American honorable mention at last year’s NCAA Championship in the 4x400-meter relay, will be compete in the men’s 400 meters for the first time at West Preliminary after posting a personal-best time of 46.14 at the Big 12 Championship.Senior Emil Uhlin has already qualified for the NCAA Championship in the men’s decathlon after compiling the 14th-best performance in the nation at the Drake Relays on April 23-26 with a new personal-best score of 7,788 points. He will begin competition at 2 p.m., CT on Wednesday, June 11 in the 100 meters before concluding the final five events on Thursday, June 12.Seven Wildcats competed in the 2024 NCAA Championships, including four individuals (Urte Bacianskaite/women’s heptathlon, Eugene Omalla/men’s 400 meters, Hannah Stewart/women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase, Andrew White/men’s discus) along with the men’s 4x400-meter relay team of Nen Matlock, E. Omalla, Jaimie Omalla and Kyle Gale).West Preliminary ScheduleWednesday, May 2810 a.m. – Gary Moore Jr. (men’s hammer throw)2:30 p.m. – Riley Marx (men’s javelin)5:30 p.m. – Pierson Carlisle (men’s pole vault)7:25 p.m. – Tavon Underwood, Nen Matlock (men’s 400 meters)Thursday, May 2910 a.m. – Monique Hardy (women’s hammer throw)2:30 p.m. – Jessi Brummet (women’s javelin throw)4:30 p.m. – Shalom Olotu (women’s long jump)5:30 p.m. – Claire Bybee (women’s pole vault)6 p.m. – Jaycee Schroeder (women’s shot put)Friday, May 301 p.m. – Gary Moore Jr., Nate Collier (men’s discus throw)2:30 p.m. – Jhavor Bennett, Selva Prabhu (men’s triple jump)5:40 p.m. – Tommy Hazen (men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase)Saturday, May 311 p.m. – Tamaiah Koonce (women’s discus)2:30 p.m. – Shalom Olotu, Taylor Mayo (women’s triple jump)3:30 p.m. – Sharie Enoe (women’s high jump)

Wildcats Begin Postseason at NCAA West Preliminary

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;–&nbsp;K-State Athletics is launching its Summer Ticket On-Sale, giving fans the opportunity to purchase or renew tickets across all six ticketed sports – football, men’s and women’s basketball, soccer, volleyball and baseball. The on-sale begins exclusively online at 5 p.m., on Tuesday, June 10.

<a href="https://app.kstatesports.com/K-StateTickets" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to preview the full ticket menu.&nbsp;

Ahearn Fund members will have an exclusive week-long online-only pre-sale for single-game tickets. The general public can begin purchasing tickets online only beginning at 5 p.m., on Tuesday, June 17.

Phone and in-person orders for football single-game tickets for both Ahearn Fund members and the general public will begin at 8:30 a.m., on Monday, June 23.

Fans are encouraged to act fast and purchase their tickets early. K-State Athletics utilizes dynamic pricing and single-game prices may change based on demand.

K-State Athletics can only verify tickets and assist fans with issues on gameday with tickets that are purchased from the K-State Ticket Office or through SeatGeek.

A limited number of football season tickets are still available for purchase online and over the phone at 1-800-221-CATS.

New season tickets for men’s and women’s basketball, soccer and volleyball will go on sale online only beginning at 5 p.m., on Tuesday, June 10. Phone and in-person orders will begin at 8:30 a.m., on Wednesday, June 11.

Fans who had season tickets for the 2024-25 seasons have until Thursday, July 31 to renew their tickets.

Fans who renew or order by the July 1 incentive deadline can receive a discount off the processing fee, the opportunity to sign up for monthly payment plans and an exclusive season-long concessions discount card.

New season ticket purchasers for men’s and women’s basketball will be able to select reserved seats in any location currently available. Fans should order by the Thursday, July 31 priority deadline to participate in the seat upgrade process in August.

An Ahearn Fund contribution is required for all premium seating. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ahearnfund.com/premiumseating" target="_blank">www.ahearnfund.com/premiumseating</a>&nbsp;or contact the Ahearn Fund at (888) 232.9074.

Fans have a variety of ticket prices and locations from which to choose from, with a Wildcat 4-Pack starting at less than $15 per game.

General admission season tickets start at $75 each for a Wildcat 4-Pack. Individual GA season tickets are available for $100 or just $75 for football and men’s Basketball season ticket holders.

General admission season tickets start at $40 with a Wildcat 4-Pack – less than $5 per match and a savings of $10 per season ticket. Individual GA season tickets are just $50.

Season ticket holders can take advantage of the Ticket Exchange Program, an opportunity to swap out unused tickets to bring more friends and family to a future match (while supplies last).

GA season tickets start at $75 with a Wildcat 4-Pack – less than $6 per match and a savings of $25 per season ticket. Individual GA season tickets are available for $100.

Season ticket holders can take advantage of the Ticket Exchange Program, an opportunity to swap out unused tickets to bring more friends and family to a future match (while supplies last). Season ticket holders also receive early entry.

Fans can place deposits for 2026 season tickets. Current season ticket holders should not place a 2026 season ticket deposit. Full season ticket details will be announced at a later date.

Continuing with the 2025-26 athletic season, sales tax will be added to the price of all season and single-game tickets. Fans will see the final price reflected in their shopping cart when checking out.

As part of our continued effort to provide the Best Fan Experience in the Big 12, all K-State Athletics facilities will be cashless venues continuing with the 2025-26 season. Going cashless has proven to reduce wait times while providing a faster and more secure payment system for fans. This change allows our facilities and staff to operate more efficiently.

The K-State Athletics ticket office will only conduct business with the ticket holder on record. Once tickets are received, any tickets that are lost can be replaced for a fee of $5 per ticket at the ticket window on gameday. If the original, unused tickets are presented at the gate, those barcodes will be invalid, and the presenter will be refused admission. The reprinted tickets will have the valid barcode and will be allowed entrance.

Any tickets that have not been downloaded to a mobile wallet prior to arriving on game day can be replaced for a fee of $5 per ticket at the ticket window on gameday.

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;–&nbsp;K-State Athletics is launching its Summer Ticket On-Sale, giving fans the opportunity to purchase or renew tickets across all six ticketed sports – football, men’s and women’s basketball, soccer, volleyball and baseball. The on-sale begins exclusively online at 5 p.m., on Tuesday, June 10.<a href="https://app.kstatesports.com/K-StateTickets" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to preview the full ticket menu.&nbsp;FOOTBALL TICKETSAhearn Fund members will have an exclusive week-long online-only pre-sale for single-game tickets. The general public can begin purchasing tickets online only beginning at 5 p.m., on Tuesday, June 17.Phone and in-person orders for football single-game tickets for both Ahearn Fund members and the general public will begin at 8:30 a.m., on Monday, June 23.Fans are encouraged to act fast and purchase their tickets early. K-State Athletics utilizes dynamic pricing and single-game prices may change based on demand.K-State Athletics can only verify tickets and assist fans with issues on gameday with tickets that are purchased from the K-State Ticket Office or through SeatGeek.A limited number of football season tickets are still available for purchase online and over the phone at 1-800-221-CATS.SEASON TICKETSNew season tickets for men’s and women’s basketball, soccer and volleyball will go on sale online only beginning at 5 p.m., on Tuesday, June 10. Phone and in-person orders will begin at 8:30 a.m., on Wednesday, June 11.Fans who had season tickets for the 2024-25 seasons have until Thursday, July 31 to renew their tickets.Fans who renew or order by the July 1 incentive deadline can receive a discount off the processing fee, the opportunity to sign up for monthly payment plans and an exclusive season-long concessions discount card.New season ticket purchasers for men’s and women’s basketball will be able to select reserved seats in any location currently available. Fans should order by the Thursday, July 31 priority deadline to participate in the seat upgrade process in August.An Ahearn Fund contribution is required for all premium seating. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ahearnfund.com/premiumseating" target="_blank">www.ahearnfund.com/premiumseating</a>&nbsp;or contact the Ahearn Fund at (888) 232.9074.MEN’S BASKETBALLFans have a variety of ticket prices and locations from which to choose from, with a Wildcat 4-Pack starting at less than $15 per game.WOMEN’S BASKETBALLGeneral admission season tickets start at $75 each for a Wildcat 4-Pack. Individual GA season tickets are available for $100 or just $75 for football and men’s Basketball season ticket holders.SOCCER SEASON TICKETSGeneral admission season tickets start at $40 with a Wildcat 4-Pack – less than $5 per match and a savings of $10 per season ticket. Individual GA season tickets are just $50.Season ticket holders can take advantage of the Ticket Exchange Program, an opportunity to swap out unused tickets to bring more friends and family to a future match (while supplies last).VOLLEYBALL SEASON TICKETSGA season tickets start at $75 with a Wildcat 4-Pack – less than $6 per match and a savings of $25 per season ticket. Individual GA season tickets are available for $100.Season ticket holders can take advantage of the Ticket Exchange Program, an opportunity to swap out unused tickets to bring more friends and family to a future match (while supplies last). Season ticket holders also receive early entry.BASEBALL DEPOSITSFans can place deposits for 2026 season tickets. Current season ticket holders should not place a 2026 season ticket deposit. Full season ticket details will be announced at a later date.----Continuing with the 2025-26 athletic season, sales tax will be added to the price of all season and single-game tickets. Fans will see the final price reflected in their shopping cart when checking out.As part of our continued effort to provide the Best Fan Experience in the Big 12, all K-State Athletics facilities will be cashless venues continuing with the 2025-26 season. Going cashless has proven to reduce wait times while providing a faster and more secure payment system for fans. This change allows our facilities and staff to operate more efficiently.The K-State Athletics ticket office will only conduct business with the ticket holder on record. Once tickets are received, any tickets that are lost can be replaced for a fee of $5 per ticket at the ticket window on gameday. If the original, unused tickets are presented at the gate, those barcodes will be invalid, and the presenter will be refused admission. The reprinted tickets will have the valid barcode and will be allowed entrance.Any tickets that have not been downloaded to a mobile wallet prior to arriving on game day can be replaced for a fee of $5 per ticket at the ticket window on gameday.

K-State Athletics Launches Summer Ticket On-Sale Beginning June 10

Scot Pollard was standing in Gasoline Alley at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and trying not to cry.

The NBA champion and “Survivor” contestant was talking about meeting the family of Casey Angell, whose heart was now beating inside Pollard's chest. Angell's sister brought a stethoscope.

“She touched my chest. She listened and she started crying. She said, ‘Hey, Bubba,’ because that’s what she used to call him,” Pollard said. “And we all lost it. And I’m losing it right now.”

A first-round draft pick who took Kansas to the NCAA Sweet 16 four years in a row and won it all with the 2008 Boston Celtics, Pollard was virtually bedridden by 2024, unable to walk around the block or even conduct an interview without needing a rest because of a virus that had weakened his heart.

Since receiving the life-saving transplant last winter, he has dedicated himself to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/heart-transplant-scot-pollard-discharged-3b2b1b8136f1617b9ad07ecfbc3a584b">raising awareness of organ donation</a>, a mission that earned him the honor of serving as the Grand Marshal for the Indy 500 Festival Parade on Saturday. Angell's family rode along on the float with him.

“Any time we get to see them and be around them is a great moment,” Pollard said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. “But also just to be able to share this experience of being grand marshal with them, and be part of their lives.”

At 6-foot-11 and a playing weight of 260 pounds, Pollard inherited his size from his father along with a genetic heart condition that doctors say was triggered by a virus that left him no other choice but a transplant. The problem would be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/scot-pollard-nba-survivor-heart-transplant-d8b34f86b1a6f027ef8210c3a6ab0268">finding a donor</a>&nbsp;organ big enough to pump blood throughout his NBA center-sized body.

Six hundred miles away, in East Texas, Angell was on life support with pneumonia brought on by a respiratory illness.

“We made the decision that we were letting go, and they came to us within about 30 minutes and asked about donation,” said Megan Tyra, who works as an administrator at the hospital where her brother died. “We saw the heart leave, going out the door, and all we were told was that it was headed to Tennessee.”

To protect everyone’s privacy, organ recipients can only learn about their donors – and vice versa – through a system that requires both sides to agree. Pollard was told that most people don't hear back, but he wrote a note anyway. Angell’s family responded.

(In addition to his heart, Casey Angell’s corneas and his kidneys were donated. The family was told the other recipients were two 17-year-olds and a 48- and a 49-year-old; they have not heard from any of the other recipients.)

“Casey was a nosy dude. He always wanted to be in the know,” Tyra said with a laugh. “And so when we got that first letter from Scot, … we were grateful that Scot wanted to know about Casey. Him and (his wife) Dawn have been so sweet and kind, (saying) ‘You’re part of our family now.’”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/scot-pollard-nba-survivor-heart-donor-132717c3a1ccab4033cb35480e008935">They set up a meeting</a>&nbsp;in Texas this March. Tyra was there with her husband, Clint; Angell’s wife, Pam; and her son William, who is now 13. Pollard brought his family — and cameras to record the event for a TV documentary.

“To say the least, it was a tad bit overwhelming,” Tyra said in a telephone interview this week from Indianapolis. “We never did this for anything other than who Casey was, a helper, a guy who would help anyone do anything. So it’s a little bit surreal, a little bit overwhelming. But (Scot) and Dawn make it easy.”

Pollard, who turned 50 in February a few days after celebrating his one-year anniversary with the new heart, said that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/scot-pollard-heart-transplant-donor-1de85b7ca3321de6f3a813d41846502b">since receiving the transplant</a>&nbsp;he has suffered from survivor's guilt — the doubt that he was worthy of such a gift: “It’s a challenge, because I’ve got to live right. There’s a face, and I know what he looks like and I know who he was, and the family. And so there's that pressure.”

Angell’s family, he said, helped save him twice.

“There were a lot of days I was crying like, ‘I don’t know if I deserve this,’” Pollard said. “And then when they responded, and I got to know them, and I learned a lot more about Casey, it definitely helped. He has helped a whole lot with the healing. Not just emotionally, obviously.”

Pollard is hoping the documentary and the other media attention he brings as a former pro athlete will persuade people to consider organ donation. Last month, he spoke at the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation and received a standing ovation from a convention center full of doctors, including his own; that night, he attended a Celtics playoff game and got another big cheer when he received a shoutout on the scoreboard.

Pollard, who spent two of his 11 NBA seasons with the Indiana Pacers and settled near Indianapolis, was booked for a breakfast with the governor as part of the Indy 500 festivities this weekend along with some other meet-and-greets. He will watch the race — known as the Greatest Spectacle in Racing — on Sunday in a suite with Angell's family.

“We're excited about the fact that we’re honoring Casey, and who Casey was. So it’s all about Casey, and the sacrifice Casey made,” Tyra said. “We’re grateful that Scot wanted us to meet, and wants us to be a part of this and that he’s doing so much for organ donation. It’s amazing.

“You know, we never thought our little smalltown selves would be here for the Indy 500," she said. “But here we are.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748347868154.jpeg" alt="Former Boston Celtics center Scot Pollard, who underwent a heart transplant in 2024, watches the Celtics play the Orlando Magic during the first half in game 5 of a first-round NBA playoff basketball series, Tuesday, April 29, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)" />
 <figcaption>Former Boston Celtics center Scot Pollard, who underwent a heart transplant in 2024, watches the Celtics play the Orlando Magic during the first half in game 5 of a first-round NBA playoff basketball series, Tuesday, April 29, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)</figcaption>
 </figure>JIMMY GOLEN AP Sports WriterScot Pollard was standing in Gasoline Alley at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and trying not to cry.The NBA champion and “Survivor” contestant was talking about meeting the family of Casey Angell, whose heart was now beating inside Pollard's chest. Angell's sister brought a stethoscope.“She touched my chest. She listened and she started crying. She said, ‘Hey, Bubba,’ because that’s what she used to call him,” Pollard said. “And we all lost it. And I’m losing it right now.”A first-round draft pick who took Kansas to the NCAA Sweet 16 four years in a row and won it all with the 2008 Boston Celtics, Pollard was virtually bedridden by 2024, unable to walk around the block or even conduct an interview without needing a rest because of a virus that had weakened his heart.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748347923641.jpeg" alt="FILE - Kansas center Scot Pollard slam dunks against Santa Clara during the first half of their second round NCAA West Regional game Sunday, March 17, 1996, in Tempe, Ariz. Behind Pollard are Santa Clara's Brendan Graves (42) and Marlon garnett (24). (AP Photo/Jeff Robbins, File)" />
 <figcaption>FILE - Kansas center Scot Pollard slam dunks against Santa Clara during the first half of their second round NCAA West Regional game Sunday, March 17, 1996, in Tempe, Ariz. Behind Pollard are Santa Clara's Brendan Graves (42) and Marlon garnett (24). (AP Photo/Jeff Robbins, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>Since receiving the life-saving transplant last winter, he has dedicated himself to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/heart-transplant-scot-pollard-discharged-3b2b1b8136f1617b9ad07ecfbc3a584b">raising awareness of organ donation</a>, a mission that earned him the honor of serving as the Grand Marshal for the Indy 500 Festival Parade on Saturday. Angell's family rode along on the float with him.“Any time we get to see them and be around them is a great moment,” Pollard said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. “But also just to be able to share this experience of being grand marshal with them, and be part of their lives.”At 6-foot-11 and a playing weight of 260 pounds, Pollard inherited his size from his father along with a genetic heart condition that doctors say was triggered by a virus that left him no other choice but a transplant. The problem would be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/scot-pollard-nba-survivor-heart-transplant-d8b34f86b1a6f027ef8210c3a6ab0268">finding a donor</a>&nbsp;organ big enough to pump blood throughout his NBA center-sized body.Six hundred miles away, in East Texas, Angell was on life support with pneumonia brought on by a respiratory illness.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748347976728.jpeg" alt="FILE - Boston Celtics center Scot Pollard smiles while facing reporters during a news conference held to introduce the newly signed player at the team's headquarters, in Boston, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2007. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)" />
 <figcaption>FILE - Boston Celtics center Scot Pollard smiles while facing reporters during a news conference held to introduce the newly signed player at the team's headquarters, in Boston, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2007. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>“We made the decision that we were letting go, and they came to us within about 30 minutes and asked about donation,” said Megan Tyra, who works as an administrator at the hospital where her brother died. “We saw the heart leave, going out the door, and all we were told was that it was headed to Tennessee.”To protect everyone’s privacy, organ recipients can only learn about their donors – and vice versa – through a system that requires both sides to agree. Pollard was told that most people don't hear back, but he wrote a note anyway. Angell’s family responded.(In addition to his heart, Casey Angell’s corneas and his kidneys were donated. The family was told the other recipients were two 17-year-olds and a 48- and a 49-year-old; they have not heard from any of the other recipients.)“Casey was a nosy dude. He always wanted to be in the know,” Tyra said with a laugh. “And so when we got that first letter from Scot, … we were grateful that Scot wanted to know about Casey. Him and (his wife) Dawn have been so sweet and kind, (saying) ‘You’re part of our family now.’”<a href="https://apnews.com/article/scot-pollard-nba-survivor-heart-donor-132717c3a1ccab4033cb35480e008935">They set up a meeting</a>&nbsp;in Texas this March. Tyra was there with her husband, Clint; Angell’s wife, Pam; and her son William, who is now 13. Pollard brought his family — and cameras to record the event for a TV documentary.“To say the least, it was a tad bit overwhelming,” Tyra said in a telephone interview this week from Indianapolis. “We never did this for anything other than who Casey was, a helper, a guy who would help anyone do anything. So it’s a little bit surreal, a little bit overwhelming. But (Scot) and Dawn make it easy.”Pollard, who turned 50 in February a few days after celebrating his one-year anniversary with the new heart, said that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/scot-pollard-heart-transplant-donor-1de85b7ca3321de6f3a813d41846502b">since receiving the transplant</a>&nbsp;he has suffered from survivor's guilt — the doubt that he was worthy of such a gift: “It’s a challenge, because I’ve got to live right. There’s a face, and I know what he looks like and I know who he was, and the family. And so there's that pressure.”Angell’s family, he said, helped save him twice.“There were a lot of days I was crying like, ‘I don’t know if I deserve this,’” Pollard said. “And then when they responded, and I got to know them, and I learned a lot more about Casey, it definitely helped. He has helped a whole lot with the healing. Not just emotionally, obviously.”Pollard is hoping the documentary and the other media attention he brings as a former pro athlete will persuade people to consider organ donation. Last month, he spoke at the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation and received a standing ovation from a convention center full of doctors, including his own; that night, he attended a Celtics playoff game and got another big cheer when he received a shoutout on the scoreboard.Pollard, who spent two of his 11 NBA seasons with the Indiana Pacers and settled near Indianapolis, was booked for a breakfast with the governor as part of the Indy 500 festivities this weekend along with some other meet-and-greets. He will watch the race — known as the Greatest Spectacle in Racing — on Sunday in a suite with Angell's family.“We're excited about the fact that we’re honoring Casey, and who Casey was. So it’s all about Casey, and the sacrifice Casey made,” Tyra said. “We’re grateful that Scot wanted us to meet, and wants us to be a part of this and that he’s doing so much for organ donation. It’s amazing.“You know, we never thought our little smalltown selves would be here for the Indy 500," she said. “But here we are.”

🏀 NBA champ, former KU bigman Scot Pollard shares Indy 500 parade float with heart donor's family

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Nick Martinez worked seven strong innings and Tyler Stephenson homered to lead the Cincinnati Reds to a 7-4 win over the Kansas City Royals on Monday.

Martinez (3-5) allowed three singles through six shutout innings and finished seven innings allowing three runs on six hits with two strikeouts and no walks.

Stephenson hit a two-run homer to left in the fifth inning, his second of the season, boosting the Reds' lead to 6-0. Stephenson had three of Cincinnati’s 14 hits.

Michael Lorenzen (3-6) allowed six runs on a career-high 11 hits with three walks and two strikeouts in five innings as the Royals lost for the third time in four games.

Cincinnati jumped ahead 1-0 in the first on TJ Friedl’s leadoff double and Austin Hays’ sacrifice fly. The Reds lead the majors with 46 first-inning runs and have outscored opponents 46-21 in the first.

Gavin Lux and Stephenson drove in runs with two of the Reds five singles in the third inning before Will Benson added a sacrifice fly for a 4-0 lead.

Salvador Perez hit a first-pitch, two-run homer in the seventh, snapping Martinez’s homerless streak at 42 2/3 innings. Nick Loftin added a sacrifice fly, cutting Kansas City's deficit to 6-3.

Vinnie Pasquantino had three hits and extended his hitting streak to 10 games, including four straight with multiple hits. Maikel Garcia extended his hitting streak to 11 games.

After playing shortstop for all but three innings this season, Elly De La Cruz was the designated hitter, with Garrett Hampson making his first start at short.

Making his major league debut, John Rave bunted for a hit, putting runners at the corners with no outs in the seventh. Cleveland challenged the safe call at first, which was overturned and Martinez retired the next two batters, escaping the inning.

Martinez needed just 67 pitches to shut out the Royals for six innings.

Former Royals RHP Brady Singer (5-3, 4.88) takes the mound for Cincinnati, while Kansas City did not announce a starter for Tuesday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748341140429.jpeg" alt="Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Nick Martinez throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Monday, May 26, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)" />
 <figcaption>Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Nick Martinez throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Monday, May 26, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Nick Martinez worked seven strong innings and Tyler Stephenson homered to lead the Cincinnati Reds to a 7-4 win over the Kansas City Royals on Monday.Martinez (3-5) allowed three singles through six shutout innings and finished seven innings allowing three runs on six hits with two strikeouts and no walks.Stephenson hit a two-run homer to left in the fifth inning, his second of the season, boosting the Reds' lead to 6-0. Stephenson had three of Cincinnati’s 14 hits.Michael Lorenzen (3-6) allowed six runs on a career-high 11 hits with three walks and two strikeouts in five innings as the Royals lost for the third time in four games.Cincinnati jumped ahead 1-0 in the first on TJ Friedl’s leadoff double and Austin Hays’ sacrifice fly. The Reds lead the majors with 46 first-inning runs and have outscored opponents 46-21 in the first.Gavin Lux and Stephenson drove in runs with two of the Reds five singles in the third inning before Will Benson added a sacrifice fly for a 4-0 lead.Salvador Perez hit a first-pitch, two-run homer in the seventh, snapping Martinez’s homerless streak at 42 2/3 innings. Nick Loftin added a sacrifice fly, cutting Kansas City's deficit to 6-3.Vinnie Pasquantino had three hits and extended his hitting streak to 10 games, including four straight with multiple hits. Maikel Garcia extended his hitting streak to 11 games.After playing shortstop for all but three innings this season, Elly De La Cruz was the designated hitter, with Garrett Hampson making his first start at short.<h2>Key moment</h2>Making his major league debut, John Rave bunted for a hit, putting runners at the corners with no outs in the seventh. Cleveland challenged the safe call at first, which was overturned and Martinez retired the next two batters, escaping the inning.<h2>Key stat</h2>Martinez needed just 67 pitches to shut out the Royals for six innings.<h2>Up next</h2>Former Royals RHP Brady Singer (5-3, 4.88) takes the mound for Cincinnati, while Kansas City did not announce a starter for Tuesday.

⚾ Martinez, Stephenson help Reds to  win over the Royals

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Maikel Garcia hit a two-out RBI single in the 10th inning, and the Kansas City Royals avoided a series sweep by topping the Minnesota Twins 2-1 on Sunday.

Garcia drove a 0-2 pitch from Jhoan Duran (3-1) into left field, scoring automatic runner Nick Loftin. Michael Massey struck out swinging and Freddy Femin bounced to third before Garcia delivered.

Carlos Estévez (2-0) retired each of his four batters — two by strikeouts — to get the win. Taylor Clarke worked the 10th for his first save this season.

Kris Bubic struck out nine in seven sparkling innings for Kansas City. He allowed two hits and walked two, continuing his breakout season.

Ryan Jeffers hit a leadoff double for Minnesota in the first, and Ty France followed with an RBI single.

The 27-year-old Bubic is 3-1 with a 1.22 ERA in his last seven starts. Bubic’s 1.45 ERA in 11 starts this season is second among qualified pitchers behind the Yankees’ Max Fried at 1.29.

Minnesota right-hander Bailey Ober permitted one run and seven hits in 6 2/3 innings.

Fermin drove in Drew Waters with a two-out double in the seventh.

The Twins lost for just the third time in their last 19 games.

Fermin's tying double in the seventh came on a 0-2 pitch from Ober.

The Twins entered Sunday with walk-off wins in three straight and four of their last five home games.

Royals right-hander Michael Lorenzen (3-5, 3.77 ERA) starts on Monday against visiting Cincinnati. Right-hander Nick Martinez (2-5, 3.43 ERA) takes the mound for the Reds.

Twins right-hander Chris Paddack (2-4, 3.98 ERA) pitches on Monday at Tampa Bay in the opener of a 10-game trip.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748207510147.jpeg" alt="Photo Kansas City Royals" />
 <figcaption>Photo Kansas City Royals</figcaption>
 </figure>MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Maikel Garcia hit a two-out RBI single in the 10th inning, and the Kansas City Royals avoided a series sweep by topping the Minnesota Twins 2-1 on Sunday.Garcia drove a 0-2 pitch from Jhoan Duran (3-1) into left field, scoring automatic runner Nick Loftin. Michael Massey struck out swinging and Freddy Femin bounced to third before Garcia delivered.Carlos Estévez (2-0) retired each of his four batters — two by strikeouts — to get the win. Taylor Clarke worked the 10th for his first save this season.Kris Bubic struck out nine in seven sparkling innings for Kansas City. He allowed two hits and walked two, continuing his breakout season.Ryan Jeffers hit a leadoff double for Minnesota in the first, and Ty France followed with an RBI single.The 27-year-old Bubic is 3-1 with a 1.22 ERA in his last seven starts. Bubic’s 1.45 ERA in 11 starts this season is second among qualified pitchers behind the Yankees’ Max Fried at 1.29.Minnesota right-hander Bailey Ober permitted one run and seven hits in 6 2/3 innings.Fermin drove in Drew Waters with a two-out double in the seventh.The Twins lost for just the third time in their last 19 games.<h2>Key moment</h2>Fermin's tying double in the seventh came on a 0-2 pitch from Ober.<h2>Key stat</h2>The Twins entered Sunday with walk-off wins in three straight and four of their last five home games.<h2>Up next</h2>Royals right-hander Michael Lorenzen (3-5, 3.77 ERA) starts on Monday against visiting Cincinnati. Right-hander Nick Martinez (2-5, 3.43 ERA) takes the mound for the Reds.Twins right-hander Chris Paddack (2-4, 3.98 ERA) pitches on Monday at Tampa Bay in the opener of a 10-game trip.

⚾Garcia's RBI single in 10th helps Royals avoid sweep with victory over Twins

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Brooks Lee hit an RBI single with two outs in the ninth inning to give the Minnesota Twins their second straight walk off against the Kansas City Royals, this time overcoming a four-run deficit for a 5-4 win on Saturday.

Harrison Bader and Kody Clemens homered for Minnesota, which won for the 16th time in 18 games.

Pinch-hitter Carlos Correa walked against Daniel Lynch IV (3-1) to open the Minnesota ninth and advanced to second two batters later when pinch-hitter Ryan Jeffers also walked. With Steven Cruz pitching, Lee grounded a ball up the middle for his first career walk-off hit.

Ty France hit a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/twins-royals-score-56d857e4ea28dd4cec2724a89785a02f">two-run home run</a>&nbsp;in the ninth in the Twins 3-1 win on Friday.

Minnesota closer Jhoan Duran (3-0) pitched a scoreless ninth for the win.

Vinnie Pasquantino had three hits for Kansas City, which struck out a season-high 18 times. Bobby Witt Jr. tied a career high with four of those.

Pasquantino had an RBI double and Salvador Perez an RBI single in the fifth for a 4-0 Kansas City lead, but Bader homered and France had a two-out, two-run single in the inning to get the Twins within 4-3.

Clemens tied the game with a home run leading off the sixth against Royals’ starter Michael Wacha, who allowed seven hits and four earned runs in five-plus innings.

With the bases loaded and two outs in the top of the ninth, Kansas City’s Drew Waters bounced back to Duran to end the threat.

In his second start since being recalled from Triple-A last Sunday, Minnesota’s Zebby Matthews needed 81 pitches to get through four innings. The right-hander allowed two earned runs on five hits but struck out a career-high nine.

Royals LHP Kris Bubic (5-2, 1.47) will face Twins RHP Bailey Ober (4-1, 3.68) on Sunday.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Brooks Lee hit an RBI single with two outs in the ninth inning to give the Minnesota Twins their second straight walk off against the Kansas City Royals, this time overcoming a four-run deficit for a 5-4 win on Saturday.Harrison Bader and Kody Clemens homered for Minnesota, which won for the 16th time in 18 games.Pinch-hitter Carlos Correa walked against Daniel Lynch IV (3-1) to open the Minnesota ninth and advanced to second two batters later when pinch-hitter Ryan Jeffers also walked. With Steven Cruz pitching, Lee grounded a ball up the middle for his first career walk-off hit.Ty France hit a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/twins-royals-score-56d857e4ea28dd4cec2724a89785a02f">two-run home run</a>&nbsp;in the ninth in the Twins 3-1 win on Friday.Minnesota closer Jhoan Duran (3-0) pitched a scoreless ninth for the win.Vinnie Pasquantino had three hits for Kansas City, which struck out a season-high 18 times. Bobby Witt Jr. tied a career high with four of those.Pasquantino had an RBI double and Salvador Perez an RBI single in the fifth for a 4-0 Kansas City lead, but Bader homered and France had a two-out, two-run single in the inning to get the Twins within 4-3.Clemens tied the game with a home run leading off the sixth against Royals’ starter Michael Wacha, who allowed seven hits and four earned runs in five-plus innings.<h2>Key moment</h2>With the bases loaded and two outs in the top of the ninth, Kansas City’s Drew Waters bounced back to Duran to end the threat.<h2>Key stat</h2>In his second start since being recalled from Triple-A last Sunday, Minnesota’s Zebby Matthews needed 81 pitches to get through four innings. The right-hander allowed two earned runs on five hits but struck out a career-high nine.<h2>Up next</h2>Royals LHP Kris Bubic (5-2, 1.47) will face Twins RHP Bailey Ober (4-1, 3.68) on Sunday.

⚾Lee's single gives Twins second straight walk-off win over Royals

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Ty France hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning and the Minnesota Twins beat the Kansas City Royals 3-1 on Friday night for their 15th win in 17 games.

With the score 1-1. Carlos Correa reached on an infield single off Lucas Erceg (1-1) and France hit a first-pitch slider feet into the bullpen in left-center for his fourth homer this season.

Correa, who passed concussion protocol and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/twins-correa-concussion-reinstated-b6931986befecf5f3960439da899d53c">was activated from the 7-day injured list</a>, hit a 429-foot homer in the second against Noah Cameron. Fans at the game received Carlos Correa Jedi bobbleheads.

Cole Sands (3-1) pitched a perfect ninth.

Vinnie Pasquantino had two hits for the Royals, while Cavan Biggio had a double and drove in a run.

Cameron, a 25-year-old left-hander making his third major league start, allowed one run and four hits in 6 2/3 innings while striking out eight and walking one. He has a 0.93 ERA in 19 2/3 innings.

Pablo López gave up one run and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings.

Biggio's first-inning double scored Jonathan India.

With the score 1-1 and two on in the third, López struck out Biggio and retired Drew Waters on a flyout.

Kansas City was 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position, all against López.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748096470123.jpeg" alt="Minnesota Twins' Ty France (13) hits a walkoff two-run home run during ninth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Friday, May 23, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)" />
 <figcaption>Minnesota Twins' Ty France (13) hits a walkoff two-run home run during ninth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Friday, May 23, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)</figcaption>
 </figure>MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Ty France hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning and the Minnesota Twins beat the Kansas City Royals 3-1 on Friday night for their 15th win in 17 games.With the score 1-1. Carlos Correa reached on an infield single off Lucas Erceg (1-1) and France hit a first-pitch slider feet into the bullpen in left-center for his fourth homer this season.Correa, who passed concussion protocol and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/twins-correa-concussion-reinstated-b6931986befecf5f3960439da899d53c">was activated from the 7-day injured list</a>, hit a 429-foot homer in the second against Noah Cameron. Fans at the game received Carlos Correa Jedi bobbleheads.Cole Sands (3-1) pitched a perfect ninth.Vinnie Pasquantino had two hits for the Royals, while Cavan Biggio had a double and drove in a run.Cameron, a 25-year-old left-hander making his third major league start, allowed one run and four hits in 6 2/3 innings while striking out eight and walking one. He has a 0.93 ERA in 19 2/3 innings.Pablo López gave up one run and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings.Biggio's first-inning double scored Jonathan India.<h2>Key moment</h2>With the score 1-1 and two on in the third, López struck out Biggio and retired Drew Waters on a flyout.<h2>Key stat</h2>Kansas City was 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position, all against López.<h2>Up next</h2>

⚾ France's 2-run homer in 9th lifts Twins over Royals

Kansas Wesleyan University Athletics will induct five individuals and two championship teams into the Jerry Jones Kansas Wesleyan Coyote Athletic Hall of Fame this fall during Homecoming Weekend on campus.

The Hall of Fame breakfast and induction ceremony will be held on Saturday morning, October 25, starting at 8 a.m. inside Muir Gymnasium on the KWU campus. It will be held in conjunction with the university's alumni awards ceremony. Tickets are available for the 2025 Hall of Fame and Alumni Awards at <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/bb7027ef-0a2e-4b4f-8093-80d3f28102e4?elinkdata=26955">www.kwu.edu/homecoming2025</a>.

The 2025 inductees include women's volleyball star Melissa (Blair) Schwieger, cross country and track and field standouts Jolene Mick and Paul Buhl, football coach Dave Dallas, and Drew Dallas, coach of the NJCAA National Champion Hutchinson Blue Dragons, who will be inducted for post-graduate accomplishments.

The 1999 men's soccer team and the 2011 women's volleyball team will also be inducted.

Selections for induction to the Hall of Fame were conducted by a vote of the Hall of Fame Committee members.

Schweiger had an outstanding career for the Coyotes on the volleyball court. She still ranks among the Top 5 in KWU history in career kills, attack percentage, total blocks, assisted blocks and blocks per set. She was a four-time All-KCAC pick and was named the 2014 KCAC Player of the Year and NAIA Honorable Mention All-American.

Mick was an outstanding runner for the KWU Cross Country and Track programs. She was a 2-time KCAC Champion in cross country in 2006 and 2007 and finished 22nd in the 2006 NAIA National Championships, earning All-America honors.

Buhl was a four-time Top 5 finisher in the KCAC Cross Country Championships and was the KCAC Champion in 1979. He helped the 1977 and 1978 teams win the KCAC Cross Country Championship. He was a long-time record holder for the Coyotes in the 8000m cross country race.

Dave Dallas ranks second in all-time wins in Kansas Wesleyan Football history with 94. He spent 17 seasons with the Coyotes, leading KWU from a 4-26 combined record in the three seasons before his arrival, to KCAC Champions in just five seasons. He was instrumental in building enrollment at KWU by growing the football squad size from 55 to nearly 100 upon his arrival.

After a solid career playing football at Kansas Wesleyan, Drew Dallas moved into the coaching ranks and has built one of the best programs in the country at Hutchinson Community College. In five seasons as head coach of the Blue Dragons, Dallas has posted a 49-5 record, winning the Jayhawk Conference four times, making three appearances in the NJCAA Championship Game, winning the NJCAA National Championship twice including this past season.

The 1999 men's soccer team was the first to win the KCAC postseason tournament in just the fourth year of the program's existence. The Coyotes also were KCAC Regular Season Champions that season and continued on to win the National Small College Athletic Association National Championship for a third straight season.

The 2011 women's volleyball team was KCAC Regular Season and Tournament champions, marking the first time in school history the program won both titles in the same year, the feat coming just two years after coach Fred Aubuchon inherited a program with just one win. After winning the KCAC tournament, the Coyotes hosted an NAIA Opening Round match against Oklahoma Baptist and beat the Bison in four sets to advance the National Championship final site in Sioux City, Iowa, a first-ever program feat.

The Kansas Wesleyan Coyote Athletic Hall of Fame was started by former coach and Athletics Director Jerry Jones in 1986 as part of the university's centennial celebration. In 2022, Kansas Wesleyan renamed it the Jerry Jones Kansas Wesleyan University Coyote Athletic Hall of Fame in Jones' honor.

Melissa (Blair) Schweiger - Women's Volleyball

Melissa (Blair) Schweiger had a phenomenal career for the Coyotes from 2011 to 2014. She ranks fourth in KWU career history with 1016 kills, one of only five players all-time with 1000 or more career kills. Her career attack percentage of .291 ranks third best all-time. Blair is also the career leader in blocks for the Coyotes with 531, which includes a school record 467 assisted blocks, and 64 solo blocks which ranks ninth best all-time. Her 1.01 blocks per set average ranks fifth-best all-time.

She was a two-time Honorable Mention All-KCAC pick in 2011 and 2012, second-team All-KCAC in 2013, and was the 2014 KCAC Player of the Year, a first-team selection, AVCA All-Region and Honorable Mention All-America.

She was a key role player on the 2011 KCAC Championship team that won the KCAC tournament, and the NAIA Opening Round to become KWU's first-ever team to reach the final site. She also was a key player on the 2014 KCAC Championship team.

Jolene Mick - Women's Cross Country and Track and Field

Jolene Mick was an outstanding runner for the Kansas Wesleyan Cross Country and track programs. She was a 2-time KCAC Champion, winning the 2006 and 2007 KCAC Championships. In 2006, Mick finished 22nd, earning NAIA All-America honors at the NAIA National Championships.

She qualified for the NAIA Indoor National Championships in the 5000m, the NAIA Outdoor National Championships in the 10000m in 2008, was part of the distance medley relay that qualified for Indoor Nationals in 2009 and the 5000m.

She still holds the KWU record in the half marathon.

In addition to her induction to the Jerry Jones Kansas Wesleyan Coyote Athletic Hall of Fame, Mick is a member of the Cloud County Community College Athletic Hall of Fame, where she was the individual NJCAA National Champion in cross country in 2003 and was a nine-time NJCAA All-American in her time at Cloud County. She was also awarded the Most Valuable Athlete Award at the 2004 NJCAA Indoor National Track and Field Meet in which she won the 3,000 and 5,000-meter races. Mick currently holds six individual Cloud County school records in distance events.

Paul Buhl - Cross Country and Track and Field

Paul Buhl was excellent for the Coyotes in cross country. He was part of the 1977 and 78 KCAC Cross Country Championship teams. He was a 3-time qualifier for the NAIA National Championships. He finished in the top 5 of the KCAC Championships all four years winning the KCAC Championship meet in 1979. He once held the fastest 8000m race time in school history at 25:32.

In 1997, Dallas took over a struggling Kansas Wesleyan program that had gone 4-26 the previous three years before his arrival. In just five years, in 2001, Wesleyan captured its first KCAC title since 1982, and made the school's first ever NAIA Football Championship Series appearance.

He posted a 94-79 record with the Coyotes, good enough for second all-time in total coaching wins at KWU. His .543 winning percentage at KWU is third-best all time among coaches who coached at least five seasons at KWU.

While at KWU, Dallas captured two KCAC Championships in 2001 and 2002, and guided the Coyotes to their only two NAIA Post Season Championship berths in those same years at the time. Dallas was named the 2001 KCAC Coach of the Year.

During his tenure at Wesleyan, Dallas coached six NAIA All-Americans, and over 300 All-KCAC players, including eight KCAC Players of the Year. One of Dallas' team goals was for the players to complete their degrees, and Dallas coached over 50 NAIA Scholar-Athletes.

Dallas played collegiately at Missouri Western, and began his coaching career there as a graduate assistant for two seasons in 1983 and 1984. After finishing his degree at MWSU in 1984, Dallas spent one season at Truman State University (then Northeast Missouri State) in 1985, as the Bulldogs captured the MIAA title that season with an 8-3 overall record, and 5-0 in the MIAA.

After taking a year off from the college ranks to coach at Rolla High School in Rolla, Mo., Dallas became defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa, for two seasons, before taking the head coaching job at Ottawa in 1989 where the team went 38-39-1 during his tenure.

Drew Dallas - Post-Graduate Accomplishments

Drew Dallas has made a name for himself as an outstanding coach at the junior college level. Drew Dallas is being selected for induction to the Jerry Jones Athletic Hall of Fame for his accomplishments after leaving KWU.

In just five seasons into his tenure at Hutchinson Community College, Dallas has amassed a record of 49-5 with four Jayhawk Conference championships, a KJCCC Playoff championship, three appearances in the NJCAA national playoffs, three appearances in the NJCAA Championship Game and two national championships.

The 49 wins are the most by a Blue Dragon coach in his first five seasons. Dallas' four-year total also includes 33 NJCAA All-Americans and 11 all-Jayhawk Conference selections with five KJCCC Players of the Year and two NJCAA National Players of the Year.

Dallas also had coaching stops at Angelo State from 2011 to 2018 and at Kansas Wesleyan from 2009 to 2010.

During his playing days as a quarterback, Dallas started his collegiate career at Fort Hays State in 2004 and 2005. He finished his collegiate career at Kansas Wesleyan in 2006 and 2007. He was a two-time Honorable Mention All-KCAC player at KWU, throwing for 2905 yards and 33 touchdowns in two years while also running for 508 yards and eight touchdowns while captaining a run-oriented offense for the Coyotes.

Dallas graduated from Salina Central High School in 2004. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Health, Physical Education &amp; Recreation from Kansas Wesleyan in 2009 and his Masters of Education in Educational Administration from Angelo State in 2013.

Dallas and wife, Heather, have two daughters, Hayden and Parker, and a son, Cooper.

1999 Men's Soccer - KCAC Champions, NSCAA Champions

1999 Men's Soccer team was the first KWU men's soccer team to win the KCAC Postseason Tournament, defeating Bethany 2-0 to win KCAC Tournament. KWU also won the KCAC Regular season title with a 7-0-1 record, drawing with Southwestern in the first conference match of the year, then going 7-0 afterwards. KWU outscored KCAC opponents 28-4 during the season. KWU continued its high level of success winning the National Small College Athletic Association National Championship that season for the third straight season. KWU finished with a 17-2-4 record.

Head Coach Brian Berner was named as the KCAC Co-Coach of the Year, Murad Dibbini was the Offensive Player of the Year and Jason Todd was named Co-Defensive Player of the Year.

Dibbini, Merrick Henry, Frank Bustos, Geoff Carlson and Jason Todd were named First Team All-KCAC and Ozzy Perez was named to the second team.

Frank Bustos, Geoff Carlson, Jerrod Cline, Murad Dibbini, Mike Fernandez, Ricardo Garcia, Merrick Henry, Laith Jones, Nick Long, Fuku Mori, Nick Owen, Craig Peck, Ozzy Perez, Thomas Potter, Ricardo Ramos, David Thompson, Mike Thomsen, Jason Todd, Kevin Williams, Val Zuck, Head Coach Brian Berner, Assistant Coach Phil Miller.

2011 Women's Volleyball - KCAC Champions, NAIA Opening Round Champions, National Tournament Final Site Appearance

The 2011 Kansas Wesleyan Women's Volleyball team won the KCAC Regular Season and Conference Tournament titles, marking the first time in school history that the feat had been accomplished. The conference title came just two years after Aubuchon inherited a down program that won just one match in 2009, his first year as coach.

The 2011 squad posted a 27-11 overall record and a 17-1 record in the KCAC.

KWU won the KCAC Tournament in a thrilling five-set victory inside Mabee Arena over Tabor College, winning 16-14 in the fifth set. A week later, KWU hosted the NAIA National Championship Opening Round against Oklahoma Baptist, beating the Bison in four sets to become the first-ever KWU Women's Volleyball team to reach the NAIA National Championship final site in Sioux City, Iowa.

Coach Fred Aubuchon was named as the KCAC Coach of the Year, and was AVCA West-Central Region Coach of the Year. Leah Keller and Kelsey Boyles were named first team All-KCAC, Pauline Yang, Breanne Schultz and Juli Miles were second team All-KCAC, and Melissa Blair was honorable mention All-KCAC.

Keller and Boyles were named AVCA All-Region and Keller was named as honorable mention NAIA All-American.

The team also excelled academically, earning the AVCA NAIA Team Academic Award.

Kansas Wesleyan University Athletics will induct five individuals and two championship teams into the Jerry Jones Kansas Wesleyan Coyote Athletic Hall of Fame this fall during Homecoming Weekend on campus.The Hall of Fame breakfast and induction ceremony will be held on Saturday morning, October 25, starting at 8 a.m. inside Muir Gymnasium on the KWU campus. It will be held in conjunction with the university's alumni awards ceremony. Tickets are available for the 2025 Hall of Fame and Alumni Awards at <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/bb7027ef-0a2e-4b4f-8093-80d3f28102e4?elinkdata=26955">www.kwu.edu/homecoming2025</a>.The 2025 inductees include women's volleyball star Melissa (Blair) Schwieger, cross country and track and field standouts Jolene Mick and Paul Buhl, football coach Dave Dallas, and Drew Dallas, coach of the NJCAA National Champion Hutchinson Blue Dragons, who will be inducted for post-graduate accomplishments.The 1999 men's soccer team and the 2011 women's volleyball team will also be inducted.Selections for induction to the Hall of Fame were conducted by a vote of the Hall of Fame Committee members.Schweiger had an outstanding career for the Coyotes on the volleyball court. She still ranks among the Top 5 in KWU history in career kills, attack percentage, total blocks, assisted blocks and blocks per set. She was a four-time All-KCAC pick and was named the 2014 KCAC Player of the Year and NAIA Honorable Mention All-American.Mick was an outstanding runner for the KWU Cross Country and Track programs. She was a 2-time KCAC Champion in cross country in 2006 and 2007 and finished 22nd in the 2006 NAIA National Championships, earning All-America honors.Buhl was a four-time Top 5 finisher in the KCAC Cross Country Championships and was the KCAC Champion in 1979. He helped the 1977 and 1978 teams win the KCAC Cross Country Championship. He was a long-time record holder for the Coyotes in the 8000m cross country race.Dave Dallas ranks second in all-time wins in Kansas Wesleyan Football history with 94. He spent 17 seasons with the Coyotes, leading KWU from a 4-26 combined record in the three seasons before his arrival, to KCAC Champions in just five seasons. He was instrumental in building enrollment at KWU by growing the football squad size from 55 to nearly 100 upon his arrival.After a solid career playing football at Kansas Wesleyan, Drew Dallas moved into the coaching ranks and has built one of the best programs in the country at Hutchinson Community College. In five seasons as head coach of the Blue Dragons, Dallas has posted a 49-5 record, winning the Jayhawk Conference four times, making three appearances in the NJCAA Championship Game, winning the NJCAA National Championship twice including this past season.The 1999 men's soccer team was the first to win the KCAC postseason tournament in just the fourth year of the program's existence. The Coyotes also were KCAC Regular Season Champions that season and continued on to win the National Small College Athletic Association National Championship for a third straight season.The 2011 women's volleyball team was KCAC Regular Season and Tournament champions, marking the first time in school history the program won both titles in the same year, the feat coming just two years after coach Fred Aubuchon inherited a program with just one win. After winning the KCAC tournament, the Coyotes hosted an NAIA Opening Round match against Oklahoma Baptist and beat the Bison in four sets to advance the National Championship final site in Sioux City, Iowa, a first-ever program feat.The Kansas Wesleyan Coyote Athletic Hall of Fame was started by former coach and Athletics Director Jerry Jones in 1986 as part of the university's centennial celebration. In 2022, Kansas Wesleyan renamed it the Jerry Jones Kansas Wesleyan University Coyote Athletic Hall of Fame in Jones' honor.Full bios of each inductee are below.Melissa (Blair) Schweiger - Women's VolleyballMelissa (Blair) Schweiger had a phenomenal career for the Coyotes from 2011 to 2014. She ranks fourth in KWU career history with 1016 kills, one of only five players all-time with 1000 or more career kills. Her career attack percentage of .291 ranks third best all-time. Blair is also the career leader in blocks for the Coyotes with 531, which includes a school record 467 assisted blocks, and 64 solo blocks which ranks ninth best all-time. Her 1.01 blocks per set average ranks fifth-best all-time.She was a two-time Honorable Mention All-KCAC pick in 2011 and 2012, second-team All-KCAC in 2013, and was the 2014 KCAC Player of the Year, a first-team selection, AVCA All-Region and Honorable Mention All-America.She was a key role player on the 2011 KCAC Championship team that won the KCAC tournament, and the NAIA Opening Round to become KWU's first-ever team to reach the final site. She also was a key player on the 2014 KCAC Championship team.Jolene Mick - Women's Cross Country and Track and FieldJolene Mick was an outstanding runner for the Kansas Wesleyan Cross Country and track programs. She was a 2-time KCAC Champion, winning the 2006 and 2007 KCAC Championships. In 2006, Mick finished 22nd, earning NAIA All-America honors at the NAIA National Championships.She qualified for the NAIA Indoor National Championships in the 5000m, the NAIA Outdoor National Championships in the 10000m in 2008, was part of the distance medley relay that qualified for Indoor Nationals in 2009 and the 5000m.She still holds the KWU record in the half marathon.In addition to her induction to the Jerry Jones Kansas Wesleyan Coyote Athletic Hall of Fame, Mick is a member of the Cloud County Community College Athletic Hall of Fame, where she was the individual NJCAA National Champion in cross country in 2003 and was a nine-time NJCAA All-American in her time at Cloud County. She was also awarded the Most Valuable Athlete Award at the 2004 NJCAA Indoor National Track and Field Meet in which she won the 3,000 and 5,000-meter races. Mick currently holds six individual Cloud County school records in distance events.Paul Buhl - Cross Country and Track and FieldPaul Buhl was excellent for the Coyotes in cross country. He was part of the 1977 and 78 KCAC Cross Country Championship teams. He was a 3-time qualifier for the NAIA National Championships. He finished in the top 5 of the KCAC Championships all four years winning the KCAC Championship meet in 1979. He once held the fastest 8000m race time in school history at 25:32.Dave Dallas - Football CoachIn 1997, Dallas took over a struggling Kansas Wesleyan program that had gone 4-26 the previous three years before his arrival. In just five years, in 2001, Wesleyan captured its first KCAC title since 1982, and made the school's first ever NAIA Football Championship Series appearance.He posted a 94-79 record with the Coyotes, good enough for second all-time in total coaching wins at KWU. His .543 winning percentage at KWU is third-best all time among coaches who coached at least five seasons at KWU.While at KWU, Dallas captured two KCAC Championships in 2001 and 2002, and guided the Coyotes to their only two NAIA Post Season Championship berths in those same years at the time. Dallas was named the 2001 KCAC Coach of the Year.During his tenure at Wesleyan, Dallas coached six NAIA All-Americans, and over 300 All-KCAC players, including eight KCAC Players of the Year. One of Dallas' team goals was for the players to complete their degrees, and Dallas coached over 50 NAIA Scholar-Athletes.Dallas played collegiately at Missouri Western, and began his coaching career there as a graduate assistant for two seasons in 1983 and 1984. After finishing his degree at MWSU in 1984, Dallas spent one season at Truman State University (then Northeast Missouri State) in 1985, as the Bulldogs captured the MIAA title that season with an 8-3 overall record, and 5-0 in the MIAA.After taking a year off from the college ranks to coach at Rolla High School in Rolla, Mo., Dallas became defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa, for two seasons, before taking the head coaching job at Ottawa in 1989 where the team went 38-39-1 during his tenure.Drew Dallas - Post-Graduate AccomplishmentsDrew Dallas has made a name for himself as an outstanding coach at the junior college level. Drew Dallas is being selected for induction to the Jerry Jones Athletic Hall of Fame for his accomplishments after leaving KWU.In just five seasons into his tenure at Hutchinson Community College, Dallas has amassed a record of 49-5 with four Jayhawk Conference championships, a KJCCC Playoff championship, three appearances in the NJCAA national playoffs, three appearances in the NJCAA Championship Game and two national championships.The 49 wins are the most by a Blue Dragon coach in his first five seasons. Dallas' four-year total also includes 33 NJCAA All-Americans and 11 all-Jayhawk Conference selections with five KJCCC Players of the Year and two NJCAA National Players of the Year.Dallas also had coaching stops at Angelo State from 2011 to 2018 and at Kansas Wesleyan from 2009 to 2010.During his playing days as a quarterback, Dallas started his collegiate career at Fort Hays State in 2004 and 2005. He finished his collegiate career at Kansas Wesleyan in 2006 and 2007. He was a two-time Honorable Mention All-KCAC player at KWU, throwing for 2905 yards and 33 touchdowns in two years while also running for 508 yards and eight touchdowns while captaining a run-oriented offense for the Coyotes.Dallas graduated from Salina Central High School in 2004. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Health, Physical Education &amp; Recreation from Kansas Wesleyan in 2009 and his Masters of Education in Educational Administration from Angelo State in 2013.Dallas and wife, Heather, have two daughters, Hayden and Parker, and a son, Cooper.1999 Men's Soccer - KCAC Champions, NSCAA Champions1999 Men's Soccer team was the first KWU men's soccer team to win the KCAC Postseason Tournament, defeating Bethany 2-0 to win KCAC Tournament. KWU also won the KCAC Regular season title with a 7-0-1 record, drawing with Southwestern in the first conference match of the year, then going 7-0 afterwards. KWU outscored KCAC opponents 28-4 during the season. KWU continued its high level of success winning the National Small College Athletic Association National Championship that season for the third straight season. KWU finished with a 17-2-4 record.Head Coach Brian Berner was named as the KCAC Co-Coach of the Year, Murad Dibbini was the Offensive Player of the Year and Jason Todd was named Co-Defensive Player of the Year.Dibbini, Merrick Henry, Frank Bustos, Geoff Carlson and Jason Todd were named First Team All-KCAC and Ozzy Perez was named to the second team.Team Members:Frank Bustos, Geoff Carlson, Jerrod Cline, Murad Dibbini, Mike Fernandez, Ricardo Garcia, Merrick Henry, Laith Jones, Nick Long, Fuku Mori, Nick Owen, Craig Peck, Ozzy Perez, Thomas Potter, Ricardo Ramos, David Thompson, Mike Thomsen, Jason Todd, Kevin Williams, Val Zuck, Head Coach Brian Berner, Assistant Coach Phil Miller.2011 Women's Volleyball - KCAC Champions, NAIA Opening Round Champions, National Tournament Final Site AppearanceThe 2011 Kansas Wesleyan Women's Volleyball team won the KCAC Regular Season and Conference Tournament titles, marking the first time in school history that the feat had been accomplished. The conference title came just two years after Aubuchon inherited a down program that won just one match in 2009, his first year as coach.The 2011 squad posted a 27-11 overall record and a 17-1 record in the KCAC.KWU won the KCAC Tournament in a thrilling five-set victory inside Mabee Arena over Tabor College, winning 16-14 in the fifth set. A week later, KWU hosted the NAIA National Championship Opening Round against Oklahoma Baptist, beating the Bison in four sets to become the first-ever KWU Women's Volleyball team to reach the NAIA National Championship final site in Sioux City, Iowa.Coach Fred Aubuchon was named as the KCAC Coach of the Year, and was AVCA West-Central Region Coach of the Year. Leah Keller and Kelsey Boyles were named first team All-KCAC, Pauline Yang, Breanne Schultz and Juli Miles were second team All-KCAC, and Melissa Blair was honorable mention All-KCAC.Keller and Boyles were named AVCA All-Region and Keller was named as honorable mention NAIA All-American.The team also excelled academically, earning the AVCA NAIA Team Academic Award.Team Members:

KWU Announces 2025 Jerry Jones Kansas Wesleyan Coyote Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post

Southeast of Saline’s Lady Trojans battled to the very end of a low-scoring pitchers’ duel on Thursday, but came up a run shy of Silver Lake, falling in the regional final 4-3.

Karlee Zurfluh and Kendra Cook were both masterful in the circle, allowing just seven runs on eleven hits in a game that came down to a thrilling seventh inning.

Silver Lake wasted no time opening the scoring, as Kailyn Hanni led the game off with a walk, stole second, and came in to score on an RBI knock from Taylor Zordell.

SES quickly responded with a Kyiah Samuelson RBI single and a Kimber Ogorzolka solo shot to take a 2-1 lead in the second.

The Lady Eagles would flip that script two innings later when Kira Lowry drove a ball into the gap, plating two more runs to flip a one-run deficit to a one-run lead.

After surrendering those runs in the bottom of the first, Cook tightened the screws, setting down 15 batters in a row and taking a 4-2 lead into the bottom of the seventh.

Southeast did manage to get the bats going in the final frame, scoring a run on three singles, but the Lady Trojans left the tying run on second as the curtain fell on their season.

Silver Lake improves to 23-6, the defending state runners-up will have an opportunity to finish the job in Topeka next week.

For SES, another fantastic campaign comes to a close at 22-5.

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina PostSoutheast of Saline’s Lady Trojans battled to the very end of a low-scoring pitchers’ duel on Thursday, but came up a run shy of Silver Lake, falling in the regional final 4-3.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746812152965.jpeg" alt="Salina Regional Orthopedic &amp; Sports Medicine- Your home-field advantage starts here." />
 <figcaption>Salina Regional Orthopedic &amp; Sports Medicine- Your home-field advantage starts here.</figcaption>
 </figure>Karlee Zurfluh and Kendra Cook were both masterful in the circle, allowing just seven runs on eleven hits in a game that came down to a thrilling seventh inning.Silver Lake wasted no time opening the scoring, as Kailyn Hanni led the game off with a walk, stole second, and came in to score on an RBI knock from Taylor Zordell.SES quickly responded with a Kyiah Samuelson RBI single and a Kimber Ogorzolka solo shot to take a 2-1 lead in the second.The Lady Eagles would flip that script two innings later when Kira Lowry drove a ball into the gap, plating two more runs to flip a one-run deficit to a one-run lead.After surrendering those runs in the bottom of the first, Cook tightened the screws, setting down 15 batters in a row and taking a 4-2 lead into the bottom of the seventh.Southeast did manage to get the bats going in the final frame, scoring a run on three singles, but the Lady Trojans left the tying run on second as the curtain fell on their season.Silver Lake improves to 23-6, the defending state runners-up will have an opportunity to finish the job in Topeka next week.For SES, another fantastic campaign comes to a close at 22-5.