KANSAS CITY, Kan.&nbsp;— In the second-straight matchup between the Kansas City&nbsp;Current&nbsp;(2-6-0) and Racing Louisville FC (2-2-4) the home team fell 2-0 at Children’s Mercy Park. After a tough stretch of three games in seven days, the Current just could not find the back of the net despite 18 total shots with six on target for the night.&nbsp;

“We are very disappointed, and the overall performance today wasn’t good enough,” said Current interim head coach Caroline Sjöblom. “I think it speaks for itself why we lost today. It’s a tough loss but the performance wasn’t there.”&nbsp;

Racing Louisville scored both of their goals in the first half of play. Midfielder Savannah DeMelo took advantage of an errant back pass from Current defender Croix Soto to Cassie Miller and pounced on it for an easy shot to the back of the net in the 12th minute. In the 27th minute Louisville capitalized again with good passing and DeMelo found forward Kirsten Davis for the goal, giving Racing a 2-0 lead.&nbsp;

A bright spot for Kansas City was the return of forward Kristen Hamilton who made her season debut in the 81st&nbsp;minute after missing the entire season to this point due to injury. When her name was announced she was greeted with a deafening welcome and standing ovation from the KC Current supporters.&nbsp;

“It’s fantastic to have Hammy back on the pitch,” said Sjöblom. “She brings a lot of energy, and she is fantastic when she presses. She comes with a high speed, and she can read the defender where they put the ball and she’s also a goal scorer. We need that kind of player that can go in with one touch and score with the knee, a foot, or the head and Hammy is that kind of player.”&nbsp;

Hamilton said when she subbed onto the field and saw the standing ovation from the crowd of 10,603 fans at Children’s Mercy Park it was an emotional moment.&nbsp;

“It was so cool,” said Hamilton. “You could hear different groups of people chanting my name and I definitely did not expect that. I have so much love for the fans and so much love for this city. I’m so happy and proud to be representing the Current. It was such a good feeling to step back on the field.”&nbsp;

The Current had good chances in the final minutes of stoppage time, but some timely saves from Louisville goalkeeper Katie Lund would keep Kansas City from finding the back of the net.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;Current stay home for a matchup with the Houston Dash this Friday at Children’s Mercy Park at 7 p.m. CT.

Kansas City CurrentKANSAS CITY, Kan.&nbsp;— In the second-straight matchup between the Kansas City&nbsp;Current&nbsp;(2-6-0) and Racing Louisville FC (2-2-4) the home team fell 2-0 at Children’s Mercy Park. After a tough stretch of three games in seven days, the Current just could not find the back of the net despite 18 total shots with six on target for the night.&nbsp;“We are very disappointed, and the overall performance today wasn’t good enough,” said Current interim head coach Caroline Sjöblom. “I think it speaks for itself why we lost today. It’s a tough loss but the performance wasn’t there.”&nbsp;Racing Louisville scored both of their goals in the first half of play. Midfielder Savannah DeMelo took advantage of an errant back pass from Current defender Croix Soto to Cassie Miller and pounced on it for an easy shot to the back of the net in the 12th minute. In the 27th minute Louisville capitalized again with good passing and DeMelo found forward Kirsten Davis for the goal, giving Racing a 2-0 lead.&nbsp;A bright spot for Kansas City was the return of forward Kristen Hamilton who made her season debut in the 81st&nbsp;minute after missing the entire season to this point due to injury. When her name was announced she was greeted with a deafening welcome and standing ovation from the KC Current supporters.&nbsp;“It’s fantastic to have Hammy back on the pitch,” said Sjöblom. “She brings a lot of energy, and she is fantastic when she presses. She comes with a high speed, and she can read the defender where they put the ball and she’s also a goal scorer. We need that kind of player that can go in with one touch and score with the knee, a foot, or the head and Hammy is that kind of player.”&nbsp;Hamilton said when she subbed onto the field and saw the standing ovation from the crowd of 10,603 fans at Children’s Mercy Park it was an emotional moment.&nbsp;“It was so cool,” said Hamilton. “You could hear different groups of people chanting my name and I definitely did not expect that. I have so much love for the fans and so much love for this city. I’m so happy and proud to be representing the Current. It was such a good feeling to step back on the field.”&nbsp;The Current had good chances in the final minutes of stoppage time, but some timely saves from Louisville goalkeeper Katie Lund would keep Kansas City from finding the back of the net.&nbsp;The&nbsp;Current stay home for a matchup with the Houston Dash this Friday at Children’s Mercy Park at 7 p.m. CT.

Kansas City Current falls 2-0 to Racing Louisville

ATLANTA, Ga. –&nbsp;Kansas Wesleyan flag football saw its best season in program history come to a close on Friday as the Coyotes split two games in the NAIA Flag Football Finals Tournament.

The Coyotes used a come from behind win against Warner to advance in the losers bracket after a loss on Thursday, to advance to play Keiser.

The Coyotes trailed Warner 13-6 in the early morning game, but the Coyotes came back to get within a point at 13-12.

<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/33/13684">Alexa Mansur</a>&nbsp;(SO/Henderson, Nev.) made the first play of the game for the Coyotes intercepting a pass and returning it for a touchdown, giving the Coyotes an 18-13 lead with 7:34 left in the game.

The Coyotes nearly had a huge defensive stop, forcing a long fourth and goal for the Royals but Warner would convert a touchdown pass in the back corner of the endzone to take a 19-18 lead with 58 seconds left.

Back came the Coyotes, as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/33/13680">Brianna Hernandez-Silva</a>&nbsp;(SR/Las Vegas, Nev.) hit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/33/13685">Angel Roman</a>&nbsp;(SO/Jacksonville, Fla.) for a 66-yard touchdown pass to give Wesleyan a 24-19 lead with 37 seconds left.

Warner drove down the field, getting into KWU territory for a first down at the KWU-39 but could not find a way to the next zone before time ran out, and the Coyotes held on for the win.

The Coyotes then headed outside to the Home Depot Back Yard, adjacent to Mercedes Benz Stadium, where the Coyotes faced Keiser.

KWU fell behind to start, but came back and were within a score at half time 21-14.

Keiser though would control the second half, scoring 14 unanswered points, including forcing several interceptions on KWU drives that had gone deep into Keiser territory to come away for the win.

The Coyotes conclude the season with a 15-6 overall record and were 8-2 in the KCAC, finishing as the conference runners-up. A record number of players were named All-KCAC, including Hernandez-Silva as the Offensive Player of the Year.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684672176560.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com">kwucoyotes.com</a>" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com">kwucoyotes.com</a></figcaption>
 </figure>KWU Sports InformationATLANTA, Ga. –&nbsp;Kansas Wesleyan flag football saw its best season in program history come to a close on Friday as the Coyotes split two games in the NAIA Flag Football Finals Tournament.The Coyotes used a come from behind win against Warner to advance in the losers bracket after a loss on Thursday, to advance to play Keiser.The Coyotes trailed Warner 13-6 in the early morning game, but the Coyotes came back to get within a point at 13-12.<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/33/13684">Alexa Mansur</a>&nbsp;(SO/Henderson, Nev.) made the first play of the game for the Coyotes intercepting a pass and returning it for a touchdown, giving the Coyotes an 18-13 lead with 7:34 left in the game.The Coyotes nearly had a huge defensive stop, forcing a long fourth and goal for the Royals but Warner would convert a touchdown pass in the back corner of the endzone to take a 19-18 lead with 58 seconds left.Back came the Coyotes, as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/33/13680">Brianna Hernandez-Silva</a>&nbsp;(SR/Las Vegas, Nev.) hit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/33/13685">Angel Roman</a>&nbsp;(SO/Jacksonville, Fla.) for a 66-yard touchdown pass to give Wesleyan a 24-19 lead with 37 seconds left.Warner drove down the field, getting into KWU territory for a first down at the KWU-39 but could not find a way to the next zone before time ran out, and the Coyotes held on for the win.The Coyotes then headed outside to the Home Depot Back Yard, adjacent to Mercedes Benz Stadium, where the Coyotes faced Keiser.KWU fell behind to start, but came back and were within a score at half time 21-14.Keiser though would control the second half, scoring 14 unanswered points, including forcing several interceptions on KWU drives that had gone deep into Keiser territory to come away for the win.The Coyotes conclude the season with a 15-6 overall record and were 8-2 in the KCAC, finishing as the conference runners-up. A record number of players were named All-KCAC, including Hernandez-Silva as the Offensive Player of the Year.

KWU flag football season ends at NAIA finals

MANHATTAN –&nbsp;K-State's late ninth-inning rally wasn't enough as the Wildcats comeback bid fell short, 4-3, in the series' rubber match against TCU at Tointon Family Stadium. In the regular-season finale for both teams, K-State (33-22, 13-11) enters the upcoming Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championship as the No. 5 seed starting on Wednesday, May 24. The Cats will take on No. 4 seed TCU with first pitch slated for 9 a.m. at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas "You got to flush it," said head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/coaches/pete-hughes/1939">Pete Hughes</a>&nbsp;about his team heading into the Big 12 tournament. "We expect to play a little further along this postseason and beyond the Big 12 tournament. Feel bad about it for 24 hours then get locked and get to business and ready to roll in Arlington." "Obviously disappointing day and weekend, you can't expect to beat anyone when you score two runs in the previous 17 innings. The storyline of the weekend was there pitching was better then our offense this weekend," said Hughes. <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/ty-ruhl/10964">Ty Ruhl</a>&nbsp;(3-4) was credited the loss in his first start of the season as the sophomore allowed two earned runs over his 4 2/3 innings.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/tyson-neighbors/10958">Tyson Neighbors</a>&nbsp;struck out five during his 4 1/3 innings in relief. "We put them in roles they weren't accustomed to, stretched them out a little and they were super-efficient. They absolutely pitched good enough for our offense to build a lead, but credit to TCU's pitching." Senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/cash-rugely/10963">Cash Rugely</a>&nbsp;collected a game-high four hits going 4-for-4 in his final game at Tointon Family Stadium while scoring two of the Cats' three runs. The Cats honored Rugely,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/owen-boerema/10978">Owen Boerema</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/blake-corsentino/10946">Blake Corsentino</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/roberto-pena/10971">Roberto Pena</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/cole-johnson/10953">Cole Johnson</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/griffin-hassall/10951">Griffin Hassall</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/jared-henry/10985">Jared Henry</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/corey-cater/10983">Corey Cater</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/trae-robertson/11040">Trae Robertson</a>&nbsp;during the 2023 Senior Day Ceremony.&nbsp;&nbsp;

K-State SportsMANHATTAN –&nbsp;K-State's late ninth-inning rally wasn't enough as the Wildcats comeback bid fell short, 4-3, in the series' rubber match against TCU at Tointon Family Stadium. In the regular-season finale for both teams, K-State (33-22, 13-11) enters the upcoming Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championship as the No. 5 seed starting on Wednesday, May 24. The Cats will take on No. 4 seed TCU with first pitch slated for 9 a.m. at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas "You got to flush it," said head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/coaches/pete-hughes/1939">Pete Hughes</a>&nbsp;about his team heading into the Big 12 tournament. "We expect to play a little further along this postseason and beyond the Big 12 tournament. Feel bad about it for 24 hours then get locked and get to business and ready to roll in Arlington." "Obviously disappointing day and weekend, you can't expect to beat anyone when you score two runs in the previous 17 innings. The storyline of the weekend was there pitching was better then our offense this weekend," said Hughes. <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/ty-ruhl/10964">Ty Ruhl</a>&nbsp;(3-4) was credited the loss in his first start of the season as the sophomore allowed two earned runs over his 4 2/3 innings.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/tyson-neighbors/10958">Tyson Neighbors</a>&nbsp;struck out five during his 4 1/3 innings in relief. "We put them in roles they weren't accustomed to, stretched them out a little and they were super-efficient. They absolutely pitched good enough for our offense to build a lead, but credit to TCU's pitching." Senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/cash-rugely/10963">Cash Rugely</a>&nbsp;collected a game-high four hits going 4-for-4 in his final game at Tointon Family Stadium while scoring two of the Cats' three runs. The Cats honored Rugely,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/owen-boerema/10978">Owen Boerema</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/blake-corsentino/10946">Blake Corsentino</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/roberto-pena/10971">Roberto Pena</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/cole-johnson/10953">Cole Johnson</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/griffin-hassall/10951">Griffin Hassall</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/jared-henry/10985">Jared Henry</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/corey-cater/10983">Corey Cater</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/trae-robertson/11040">Trae Robertson</a>&nbsp;during the 2023 Senior Day Ceremony.&nbsp;&nbsp;

TCU holds off K-State in Saturday’s rubber game

By MATT CARLSON Associated Press

CHICAGO — Jake Burger hit a three-run double in the sixth inning, helping Lucas Giolito and the Chicago White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 5-1 on Saturday.

Yoán Moncada had two RBIs as Chicago won for the fourth time in five games. Andrew Benintendi and Luis Robert Jr. each scored two runs.

Burger has hit safely in six games since returning from a strained left oblique, going 11 for 22 with three homers and nine RBIs. He came through again in this one, breaking open a tight game.

"For me, it's just controlling everything and slowing the game down," Burger said. "I feel like I did that in the last at-bat real well."

With Chicago ahead 2-1, its first three batters reached in the sixth before Royals starter Jordan Lyles was replaced by Jose Cuas. Benintendi walked and Robert reached on catcher interference before Moncada walked.

After Andrew Vaughn struck out swinging, Burger hit a liner into the gap in right-center. Burger's clutch swing gave the White Sox a 5-1 lead.

"It's a one-run game and you've got to have some extra focus, especially in that situation," Burger said. "Fortunately I got the right pitch and drove the ball to right-center."

Giolito (3-3) permitted one run and six hits in six innings. The right-hander has a 2.66 ERA his last eight starts.

"For me it's all about taking it one pitch at a time, executing and working well with Seby (catcher Zavala) on sequencing," Giolito said.

Salvador Pérez hit his 10th homer in Kansas City's sixth loss in eight games. Pérez finished with three hits, including a double, off Giolito.

"With Salvy, he's owned me over the course of my career," Gioloto said,. "Some days it's like I strike him out out two or three times in three at-bats. Other days it's like homer, double, double. Today was one of those days."

Pérez was a lone bright spot for the last-place Royals.

"He's a good ballplayer man," Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro said. "It's no accident he's been doing this for 12-13 years."

Royals right-hander Jordan Lyles (0-8) was charged with five runs, four earned, and four hits in five-plus innings.

Pérez drove a 3-2 slider just over the fence in left-center in the first for Kansas City

But the White Sox responded with two runs in the bottom half.

After Benintendi singled and Robert doubled, Moncada hit a two-run single to left.

White Sox closer Liam Hendriks, who is recovering from stage-4 non-Hodgkin lymphoma, is expected to throw another live batting practice session, possibly when the team is in Cleveland for a three-game series that starts Monday.

Manager Pedro Grifol said the team and Hendriks will evaluate his status afterward and "we'll see where we go from there."

The 34-year-old right-hander tossed live BP in Chicago on Friday and was back in the clubhouse on Saturday.

Kansas City reinstated left-hander Amir Garrett from the family medical emergency list and optioned right-hander Jackson Kowar to Triple-A Omaha. Kowar made his season debut in Friday's 2-0 loss at Chicago, pitching 2 1/3 scoreless innings.

White Sox: OF Gavin Sheets was scratched. He jammed a wrist sliding into second on Friday. ... C Yasmani Grandal (right hamstring) was available off the bench. He is expected to start Sunday. ... OF/DH Eloy Jiménez (appendectomy on May 6) has resumed all baseball activities and "is probably ahead of schedule," Grifol said. ... INF Elvis Andrus (oblique strain) has resumed batting practice.

White Sox right-hander Lance Lynn (2-5, 6.66 ERA) pitches in the series finale on Sunday. The Royals had not yet named their starter.

By MATT CARLSON Associated PressCHICAGO — Jake Burger hit a three-run double in the sixth inning, helping Lucas Giolito and the Chicago White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 5-1 on Saturday.Yoán Moncada had two RBIs as Chicago won for the fourth time in five games. Andrew Benintendi and Luis Robert Jr. each scored two runs.Burger has hit safely in six games since returning from a strained left oblique, going 11 for 22 with three homers and nine RBIs. He came through again in this one, breaking open a tight game."For me, it's just controlling everything and slowing the game down," Burger said. "I feel like I did that in the last at-bat real well."With Chicago ahead 2-1, its first three batters reached in the sixth before Royals starter Jordan Lyles was replaced by Jose Cuas. Benintendi walked and Robert reached on catcher interference before Moncada walked.After Andrew Vaughn struck out swinging, Burger hit a liner into the gap in right-center. Burger's clutch swing gave the White Sox a 5-1 lead."It's a one-run game and you've got to have some extra focus, especially in that situation," Burger said. "Fortunately I got the right pitch and drove the ball to right-center."Giolito (3-3) permitted one run and six hits in six innings. The right-hander has a 2.66 ERA his last eight starts."For me it's all about taking it one pitch at a time, executing and working well with Seby (catcher Zavala) on sequencing," Giolito said.Salvador Pérez hit his 10th homer in Kansas City's sixth loss in eight games. Pérez finished with three hits, including a double, off Giolito."With Salvy, he's owned me over the course of my career," Gioloto said,. "Some days it's like I strike him out out two or three times in three at-bats. Other days it's like homer, double, double. Today was one of those days."Pérez was a lone bright spot for the last-place Royals."He's a good ballplayer man," Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro said. "It's no accident he's been doing this for 12-13 years."Royals right-hander Jordan Lyles (0-8) was charged with five runs, four earned, and four hits in five-plus innings.Pérez drove a 3-2 slider just over the fence in left-center in the first for Kansas CityBut the White Sox responded with two runs in the bottom half.After Benintendi singled and Robert doubled, Moncada hit a two-run single to left.HENDRIKS UPDATEWhite Sox closer Liam Hendriks, who is recovering from stage-4 non-Hodgkin lymphoma, is expected to throw another live batting practice session, possibly when the team is in Cleveland for a three-game series that starts Monday.Manager Pedro Grifol said the team and Hendriks will evaluate his status afterward and "we'll see where we go from there."The 34-year-old right-hander tossed live BP in Chicago on Friday and was back in the clubhouse on Saturday.ROYALS MOVEKansas City reinstated left-hander Amir Garrett from the family medical emergency list and optioned right-hander Jackson Kowar to Triple-A Omaha. Kowar made his season debut in Friday's 2-0 loss at Chicago, pitching 2 1/3 scoreless innings.TRAINER'S ROOMWhite Sox: OF Gavin Sheets was scratched. He jammed a wrist sliding into second on Friday. ... C Yasmani Grandal (right hamstring) was available off the bench. He is expected to start Sunday. ... OF/DH Eloy Jiménez (appendectomy on May 6) has resumed all baseball activities and "is probably ahead of schedule," Grifol said. ... INF Elvis Andrus (oblique strain) has resumed batting practice.UP NEXTWhite Sox right-hander Lance Lynn (2-5, 6.66 ERA) pitches in the series finale on Sunday. The Royals had not yet named their starter.

Hot-hitting Burger, Giolito lead White Sox past Royals 5-1

By TYLER HENRY Salina Post contributor

With just two weeks remaining in the regular season, the Salina Liberty will return to Tony’s Pizza Events Center one final time for a meeting with the Sioux City Bandits.

Salina comes into this game in third place at 6-2, with a chance to lock up at least the 3-seed if they can knock off the fourth-place Bandits who will enter this contest at 5-3.

When these two CIF titans clashed earlier this year in Sioux City the Liberty fell 45-39, but the team that takes to the field in this one will look much different from that earlier rendition.

“If you look at the personnel we have now we’ve added 15 different players that we didn’t have in that first Sioux City game,” Salina head coach Heron O’Neal said. “There are only ten guys that were on the roster the first time we played so they could have a tough time scouting us.”

A lot remains on the table for the Liberty, who could finish the year as high as the 2-seed with a first-round bye and the right to host a semifinal, or as low as the four-seed.

Despite these implications, Salina is approaching this game the same way they always do, and not a single hint of desperation looms in the Liberty locker room.

“When you talk about a ‘must win’ game you’re talking about something with a real consequence and we don’t believe in that in the regular season,” O’Neal said. “Make no mistake, these are big games. We’re still fighting for that number two seed and we really want to win both.”

In order to even the season series with Sioux City, Salina must find an answer for Bandit Gunslinger Tasleem Wilson, who sits second in the league with 989 passing yards, and leads the league by a wide margin with 29 touchdown passes.

“All you can do is contain Tas because you’re not going to stop him,” O’Neal said. “He’s a great football player and he has an arm from God. He’s going to make big plays but we can’t get discouraged and we have to keep pressure on him and keep his options covered.”

This time around, Wilson will find himself in a duel with rookie hotshot Ed Crouch, who has been electric since taking the helm under center, and leads a young core from Salina against one of the most experienced teams in the CIF. “Sioux City is the most veteran team in the league and they’ve got experience at every position,” he said. “They know how to play the game and they’re not going to beat themselves. This won’t be an easy game and we’re still learning some things with our rookies but we’ll have them ready come game time.”

Kickoff between the Liberty and Bandits is scheduled for 6:35 pm at Tony’s Pizza Events Center and as always the game can be heard on KINA (910 AM or 107.5 FM) courtesy of Eagle Radio.

By TYLER HENRY Salina Post contributor<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617387097958.png" alt="Coverage of Liberty football is presented by Ryan Roofing" />
 <figcaption>Coverage of Liberty football is presented by Ryan Roofing</figcaption>
 </figure>With just two weeks remaining in the regular season, the Salina Liberty will return to Tony’s Pizza Events Center one final time for a meeting with the Sioux City Bandits.Salina comes into this game in third place at 6-2, with a chance to lock up at least the 3-seed if they can knock off the fourth-place Bandits who will enter this contest at 5-3.When these two CIF titans clashed earlier this year in Sioux City the Liberty fell 45-39, but the team that takes to the field in this one will look much different from that earlier rendition.“If you look at the personnel we have now we’ve added 15 different players that we didn’t have in that first Sioux City game,” Salina head coach Heron O’Neal said. “There are only ten guys that were on the roster the first time we played so they could have a tough time scouting us.”A lot remains on the table for the Liberty, who could finish the year as high as the 2-seed with a first-round bye and the right to host a semifinal, or as low as the four-seed.Despite these implications, Salina is approaching this game the same way they always do, and not a single hint of desperation looms in the Liberty locker room. “When you talk about a ‘must win’ game you’re talking about something with a real consequence and we don’t believe in that in the regular season,” O’Neal said. “Make no mistake, these are big games. We’re still fighting for that number two seed and we really want to win both.”In order to even the season series with Sioux City, Salina must find an answer for Bandit Gunslinger Tasleem Wilson, who sits second in the league with 989 passing yards, and leads the league by a wide margin with 29 touchdown passes.“All you can do is contain Tas because you’re not going to stop him,” O’Neal said. “He’s a great football player and he has an arm from God. He’s going to make big plays but we can’t get discouraged and we have to keep pressure on him and keep his options covered.”This time around, Wilson will find himself in a duel with rookie hotshot Ed Crouch, who has been electric since taking the helm under center, and leads a young core from Salina against one of the most experienced teams in the CIF. “Sioux City is the most veteran team in the league and they’ve got experience at every position,” he said. “They know how to play the game and they’re not going to beat themselves. This won’t be an easy game and we’re still learning some things with our rookies but we’ll have them ready come game time.”Kickoff between the Liberty and Bandits is scheduled for 6:35 pm at Tony’s Pizza Events Center and as always the game can be heard on KINA (910 AM or 107.5 FM) courtesy of Eagle Radio.

Liberty look to even season series against Bandits

Even up against one of the most loaded regional fields in Class 3A, the Southeast of Saline track teams put together a strong performance on Friday, with the boys winning the Nickerson Regional and the girls finishing eighth.

For the Trojans, 78 points proved to be just enough to lead the 15-team pack, finishing five clear of Council Grove on a day that saw the boys qualify five individuals in seven events and two relay teams for state.

Meanwhile, the Lady Trojans got the lion's share of their 31 points from the dynamic duo of Ashley Prochazka, who won both the 1600 and 32o0, and Elliana Smith, who took fourth in the high jump and 100m hurdles.

Here is a look at all seven of Southeast's individual qualifiers, as well as the two relay teams that will compete in Wichita next week.

Nakari Morrical-Palmer - 1st 400m dash - 2nd 200m dash - 2nd triple jump

Ashley Prochazka - 1st 1600 - 1st 3200

Elliana Smith - 4th high jump - 4th 100m hurdles

By TYLER HENRY Salina Post contributor<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599179528888.png" alt="Coverage of SES track and field is presented by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!" />
 <figcaption>Coverage of SES track and field is presented by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!</figcaption>
 </figure>Even up against one of the most loaded regional fields in Class 3A, the Southeast of Saline track teams put together a strong performance on Friday, with the boys winning the Nickerson Regional and the girls finishing eighth.For the Trojans, 78 points proved to be just enough to lead the 15-team pack, finishing five clear of Council Grove on a day that saw the boys qualify five individuals in seven events and two relay teams for state.Meanwhile, the Lady Trojans got the lion's share of their 31 points from the dynamic duo of Ashley Prochazka, who won both the 1600 and 32o0, and Elliana Smith, who took fourth in the high jump and 100m hurdles.Here is a look at all seven of Southeast's individual qualifiers, as well as the two relay teams that will compete in Wichita next week.Boys (1st/15, 78 pts)Nakari Morrical-Palmer - 1st 400m dash - 2nd 200m dash - 2nd triple jumpDamion Jackson - 1st 3200Tate Nurnberg - 2nd high jumpJacob Bircher - 3rd 800Omar Calzada - 4th 400Team - 2nd 4x800 - 3rd 4x400Girls (8th/15, 31 pts)Ashley Prochazka - 1st 1600 - 1st 3200Elliana Smith - 4th high jump - 4th 100m hurdles

Trojan track takes Nickerson Regional title, Lady Trojans finish 8th

LUBBOCK, Texas –&nbsp;A windy Friday night that featured seven home runs combined between Kansas and Texas Tech ended with a walk-off homer as Texas Tech defeated Kansas 8-7 in 10 innings at Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park. Luke Leto, Collier Cranford, Michael Brooks and Cole Elvis all homered for Kansas.

The Jayhawks battled all game, coming back from a four-run deficit early and a two-run deficit late. Leto and Cranford hit back-to-back home runs to help tie the game at 4-4 in the fourth. Then, Elvis hit a game-tying home run in the eighth that ultimately pushed the game to extra innings. Texas Tech’s Gavin Kash hit a walk-off home run to end it with two outs in the 10th.

Texas Tech (36-19, 11-12 Big 12) took the lead first on Friday for a second straight day. Three runs in the second inning and one run in the third gave the Red Raiders a 4-0 advantage. Dillon Carter hit a solo home run in the second and Austin Green had a solo shot in the third.

The deficit did not faze the Jayhawks. In the fourth inning, KU scored four runs to tie up the game. The inning began with singles from Elvis and Sam Hunt. Jake English drove in Elvis from third base on an RBI fielder’s choice for the first run of the inning. Leto was up next and crushed a 472-foot home run to right field to make it 4-3. Cranford followed Leto and went back-to-back with a solo homer to even the game at 4-4.

The Red Raiders loaded the bases in the bottom of the fourth with no outs. They were able to get two runs in the inning on a pair of sacrifice flies. That made the score 6-4 in favor of Texas Tech.

The teams exchanged runs in the fifth inning. Brooks launched a solo home run for his eighth blast of the season. The Red Raiders got the run back in the bottom half of the inning on an RBI single by Nolen Hester. After five innings, Texas Tech led 7-5.

Neither team scored in the sixth or seventh innings, but Elvis had a big moment for a second straight night. In the eighth, Brooks led off the inning with a single. Elvis came up next and hit an opposite field home run to right to tie the game at 7-7. He hit a go-ahead home run in the ninth inning on Thursday.

After a scoreless ninth inning, the game went to extras. Kansas left a runner stranded on first in the top half of the 10th. The Jayhawks were able to get the first two outs in the bottom of the 10th, but Kash sent a 3-2 pitch out to right field to win it.

Hunter Cashero started for Kansas and allowed four runs over 2.2 innings. Ethan Bradford, Kolby Dougan, Steven Andrews and Stone Hewlett followed out of the bullpen for Kansas. Andrews threw a scoreless inning of relief. Hewlett suffered the loss after giving up the walk-off home run.

KU AthleticsLUBBOCK, Texas –&nbsp;A windy Friday night that featured seven home runs combined between Kansas and Texas Tech ended with a walk-off homer as Texas Tech defeated Kansas 8-7 in 10 innings at Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park. Luke Leto, Collier Cranford, Michael Brooks and Cole Elvis all homered for Kansas.The Jayhawks battled all game, coming back from a four-run deficit early and a two-run deficit late. Leto and Cranford hit back-to-back home runs to help tie the game at 4-4 in the fourth. Then, Elvis hit a game-tying home run in the eighth that ultimately pushed the game to extra innings. Texas Tech’s Gavin Kash hit a walk-off home run to end it with two outs in the 10th.Texas Tech (36-19, 11-12 Big 12) took the lead first on Friday for a second straight day. Three runs in the second inning and one run in the third gave the Red Raiders a 4-0 advantage. Dillon Carter hit a solo home run in the second and Austin Green had a solo shot in the third.The deficit did not faze the Jayhawks. In the fourth inning, KU scored four runs to tie up the game. The inning began with singles from Elvis and Sam Hunt. Jake English drove in Elvis from third base on an RBI fielder’s choice for the first run of the inning. Leto was up next and crushed a 472-foot home run to right field to make it 4-3. Cranford followed Leto and went back-to-back with a solo homer to even the game at 4-4.The Red Raiders loaded the bases in the bottom of the fourth with no outs. They were able to get two runs in the inning on a pair of sacrifice flies. That made the score 6-4 in favor of Texas Tech.The teams exchanged runs in the fifth inning. Brooks launched a solo home run for his eighth blast of the season. The Red Raiders got the run back in the bottom half of the inning on an RBI single by Nolen Hester. After five innings, Texas Tech led 7-5.Neither team scored in the sixth or seventh innings, but Elvis had a big moment for a second straight night. In the eighth, Brooks led off the inning with a single. Elvis came up next and hit an opposite field home run to right to tie the game at 7-7. He hit a go-ahead home run in the ninth inning on Thursday.After a scoreless ninth inning, the game went to extras. Kansas left a runner stranded on first in the top half of the 10th. The Jayhawks were able to get the first two outs in the bottom of the 10th, but Kash sent a 3-2 pitch out to right field to win it.Hunter Cashero started for Kansas and allowed four runs over 2.2 innings. Ethan Bradford, Kolby Dougan, Steven Andrews and Stone Hewlett followed out of the bullpen for Kansas. Andrews threw a scoreless inning of relief. Hewlett suffered the loss after giving up the walk-off home run.

KU baseball falls 8-7 in extras at Texas Tech

NEW ORLEANS - The Fort Hays State track and field teams earned 11 USTFCCCA Outdoor All-Central Region honors, announced Wednesday (May 17) by the coaches association. Nine different Tigers received the distinction during the 2023 outdoor season, with two FHSU student-athletes receiving a pair of recognitions. The top five individuals in each event from each region earn All-Region distinction, in addition to each member of the region's top three relay teams. <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/58ccf280-5ef6-45a5-a0f2-ec9c13a2b791?elinkdata=211389" target="_blank">Mattie Rossi</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/819e286c-239b-4723-b275-8f95a158e338?elinkdata=211389" target="_blank">Philip Landrum</a>&nbsp;both earned multiple awards, while&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/c411bcbd-a2d2-4d73-945e-37e07c445fea?elinkdata=211389" target="_blank">Addie Berens</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/9024cec7-6b81-44f9-8cd2-617e5455c887?elinkdata=211389" target="_blank">Rhyann Brown</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/73345ca8-f4bd-4228-af20-7776d0b221f3?elinkdata=211389" target="_blank">Emily Salmans</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/fae418d8-85f4-4d28-8da4-cef59beed091?elinkdata=211389" target="_blank">Taylor Savolt</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/a215ff0b-2ac9-4890-ad66-f5b537998d59?elinkdata=211389" target="_blank">Nolan Churchman</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/6ebe81b3-9043-4718-8030-b302efa6f721?elinkdata=211389" target="_blank">Trever Medina</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/aaf2f761-34a7-460a-8015-f3444211cb12?elinkdata=211389" target="_blank">Ryan Stanley</a>&nbsp;all earned one spot on the All-Region list. <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/6edcf4d1-d3be-4515-bb8a-2f3cf08ee76d?elinkdata=211389" target="_blank">Mattie Rossi</a>&nbsp;was in the top five in both the 400m hurdles and the heptathlon, giving her eight career All-Region awards. She ranks fifth nationally with her time of 59.19, while she enters the National Championships ranked 10th in the heptathlon with a top point total of 5,163 this season. <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/eac43184-1e7c-47cd-9641-b82b79210415?elinkdata=211389" target="_blank">Philip Landrum</a>&nbsp;ranked in the top five in both the 100m dash and the 200m dash, finishing his Tiger career with 13 All-Region honors. He ranks in the top 12 in the country in both events, sitting in 11th in the 100m with a school-record time of 10.23 and 12th in the 200m with a time of 20.80. The javelin duo of&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/59ef110e-f315-4cae-a069-1218d77388da?elinkdata=211389" target="_blank">Addie Berens</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/550fa56a-095c-4f43-bf7b-1013c7a2e08c?elinkdata=211389" target="_blank">Rhyann Brown</a>&nbsp;were both All-Region selections. This is Berens' third-such honor and the second for Brown. Brown had the top qualifying mark among all entrants in the javelin at the 2023 NCAA DII Outdoor Championships with her toss of 159-10 last month in Kearney, Neb., while Berens enters nationals with the No. 3 seed after a top toss of 154-8 this season. <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/191fe4b6-a0d6-4186-8d89-894ff39e1fb4?elinkdata=211389" target="_blank">Emily Salmans</a>&nbsp;picked up her first career All-Region award with her top time of 2:10.52 in the 800m dash. <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/9bdcc002-263a-4ded-8ffc-8844fea93c5a?elinkdata=211389" target="_blank">Taylor Savolt</a>&nbsp;also earned her first career All-Region recognition this season, doing so in the 400m hurdles after recording a top time of 59.45. That mark ranks seventh in Division II this season. <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/f4cd58eb-324f-429f-9949-e48b20566cca?elinkdata=211389" target="_blank">Nolan Churchman</a>&nbsp;was an All-Region pick in the decathlon, his eighth career All-Region pick. He will enter next week's National Championships ranked seventh nationally with a top point total of 7,158. <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/a316da88-5b88-4908-b141-a56a610bea5f?elinkdata=211389" target="_blank">Trever Medina</a>&nbsp;received his first All-Region honor this season in the 800m run. He ran a top time of 1:50.03 twice this season, once in California at the Bryan Clay Invitational and once in Colorado at the Mines Last Chance. <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/fb59f76f-dfe2-4a6b-9749-b22628f0722c?elinkdata=211389" target="_blank">Ryan Stanley</a>&nbsp;collected All-Region status in the pole vault for a seventh time after breaking the school record with a clearance of 17-7 earlier this season in California. That mark ranks fifth in DII this season and is a top-25 mark all-time in Division II.

FHSU AthleticsNEW ORLEANS - The Fort Hays State track and field teams earned 11 USTFCCCA Outdoor All-Central Region honors, announced Wednesday (May 17) by the coaches association. Nine different Tigers received the distinction during the 2023 outdoor season, with two FHSU student-athletes receiving a pair of recognitions. The top five individuals in each event from each region earn All-Region distinction, in addition to each member of the region's top three relay teams. <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/58ccf280-5ef6-45a5-a0f2-ec9c13a2b791?elinkdata=211389" target="_blank">Mattie Rossi</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/819e286c-239b-4723-b275-8f95a158e338?elinkdata=211389" target="_blank">Philip Landrum</a>&nbsp;both earned multiple awards, while&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/c411bcbd-a2d2-4d73-945e-37e07c445fea?elinkdata=211389" target="_blank">Addie Berens</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/9024cec7-6b81-44f9-8cd2-617e5455c887?elinkdata=211389" target="_blank">Rhyann Brown</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/73345ca8-f4bd-4228-af20-7776d0b221f3?elinkdata=211389" target="_blank">Emily Salmans</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/fae418d8-85f4-4d28-8da4-cef59beed091?elinkdata=211389" target="_blank">Taylor Savolt</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/a215ff0b-2ac9-4890-ad66-f5b537998d59?elinkdata=211389" target="_blank">Nolan Churchman</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/6ebe81b3-9043-4718-8030-b302efa6f721?elinkdata=211389" target="_blank">Trever Medina</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/aaf2f761-34a7-460a-8015-f3444211cb12?elinkdata=211389" target="_blank">Ryan Stanley</a>&nbsp;all earned one spot on the All-Region list. <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/6edcf4d1-d3be-4515-bb8a-2f3cf08ee76d?elinkdata=211389" target="_blank">Mattie Rossi</a>&nbsp;was in the top five in both the 400m hurdles and the heptathlon, giving her eight career All-Region awards. She ranks fifth nationally with her time of 59.19, while she enters the National Championships ranked 10th in the heptathlon with a top point total of 5,163 this season. <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/eac43184-1e7c-47cd-9641-b82b79210415?elinkdata=211389" target="_blank">Philip Landrum</a>&nbsp;ranked in the top five in both the 100m dash and the 200m dash, finishing his Tiger career with 13 All-Region honors. He ranks in the top 12 in the country in both events, sitting in 11th in the 100m with a school-record time of 10.23 and 12th in the 200m with a time of 20.80. The javelin duo of&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/59ef110e-f315-4cae-a069-1218d77388da?elinkdata=211389" target="_blank">Addie Berens</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/550fa56a-095c-4f43-bf7b-1013c7a2e08c?elinkdata=211389" target="_blank">Rhyann Brown</a>&nbsp;were both All-Region selections. This is Berens' third-such honor and the second for Brown. Brown had the top qualifying mark among all entrants in the javelin at the 2023 NCAA DII Outdoor Championships with her toss of 159-10 last month in Kearney, Neb., while Berens enters nationals with the No. 3 seed after a top toss of 154-8 this season. <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/191fe4b6-a0d6-4186-8d89-894ff39e1fb4?elinkdata=211389" target="_blank">Emily Salmans</a>&nbsp;picked up her first career All-Region award with her top time of 2:10.52 in the 800m dash. <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/9bdcc002-263a-4ded-8ffc-8844fea93c5a?elinkdata=211389" target="_blank">Taylor Savolt</a>&nbsp;also earned her first career All-Region recognition this season, doing so in the 400m hurdles after recording a top time of 59.45. That mark ranks seventh in Division II this season. <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/f4cd58eb-324f-429f-9949-e48b20566cca?elinkdata=211389" target="_blank">Nolan Churchman</a>&nbsp;was an All-Region pick in the decathlon, his eighth career All-Region pick. He will enter next week's National Championships ranked seventh nationally with a top point total of 7,158. <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/a316da88-5b88-4908-b141-a56a610bea5f?elinkdata=211389" target="_blank">Trever Medina</a>&nbsp;received his first All-Region honor this season in the 800m run. He ran a top time of 1:50.03 twice this season, once in California at the Bryan Clay Invitational and once in Colorado at the Mines Last Chance. <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/fb59f76f-dfe2-4a6b-9749-b22628f0722c?elinkdata=211389" target="_blank">Ryan Stanley</a>&nbsp;collected All-Region status in the pole vault for a seventh time after breaking the school record with a clearance of 17-7 earlier this season in California. That mark ranks fifth in DII this season and is a top-25 mark all-time in Division II.

Tiger track and field earns 11 All-Region honors

WICHITA - Timely two-out hits by Kansas City Kansas Community College would put the Cloud County Community College baseball team in an early hole before seeing a five-run sixth inning by the Blue Devils put things out of reach to end the 2023 T-Bird campaign in an 11-3, eight-inning loss in the 2023 NJCAA Plains District Tournament at Eck Stadium in Wichita on Thursday. The season comes to an end for Cloud County with a 37-23 overall record after going 0-2 in the double-elimination bracket portion of the Plains District Tournament while KCKCC keeps their season alive for at least one more day while improving to 38-22 overall. For 20 Cloud County sophomores, time in a T-Bird uniform ends after helping CCCC to 79 wins over the last two seasons and two of Cloud County's three appearances in program history in the NJCAA Plains District Tournament. Facing one of two of the other seven teams to reach Eck Stadium that they had yet to play against this season, Cloud County would see the early deficit against Kansas City Kansas come right away in the top of the first as a two-out single back up the middle would be followed by a two-run home run by Jase Woita to give the Blue Devils an early shot of momentum in a must-win game for both squads. Looking to answer with some offensive run support of their own, Cloud County would get a leadoff single from&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/3a766164-f15e-44db-bb6a-fc7854fb7d2a?elinkdata=51298" target="_blank">Gavin Roy</a>&nbsp;and a wild pitch from KCKCC to move their leadoff runner into scoring position that would be followed by a groundout from Alex Diaz and&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/cb66eb8b-f1f3-406d-b672-1229119c69c4?elinkdata=51298" target="_blank">Danny Infante</a>&nbsp;RBI single to cut the Kansas City Kansas lead in half. The Blue Devils would put their leadoff runner aboard in the top of the second as a hit batter would start a rally in the next inning of play with a second hit batter coming later in the inning to put runners at first and second with one out. Getting a shallow flyout into center field to keep both runners from advancing, a walk would be issued to keep the inning alive before seeing a well-placed triple into the right field corner clear the bases and bring home three runs on what would be the only hit of the inning for KCKCC and make the score 5-1 in favor of the Blue Devils. Following the three-run inning by Kansas City Kansas, things would settle in as the score would remain unchanged again until the bottom of the fourth when Cloud County would find themselves an offensive spark to cut into the Blue Devil lead. Drawing a leadoff walk by&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/a0021aab-f056-4deb-95cc-f32671d710c0?elinkdata=51298" target="_blank">Karson Green</a>, the T-Birds would see freshman&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/1f205780-24d4-4a94-89f1-c6125048cd0e?elinkdata=51298" target="_blank">Paul Schuyler</a>&nbsp;draw a walk two batters later and put Green in scoring position with one out. After a flyout that would put a second out on the board and threaten to stop a potential rally before it even started, leadoff hitter Roy would come through with a two-RBI double into the right-center field gap that would score both runners and bring CCCC back within two at 5-3. The Sudbury, Ontario native would take an extra 90 feet with Diaz at the plate on a wild pitch but ultimately get stranded at third as a groundout would end the inning and keep the deficit at two for the T-Birds. A relatively clean fifth inning would feature just one hit by KCKCC with no offense coming across to change the score as the game would still very much be up for grabs at the midway point of the contest. More trouble would be found by Cloud County in the top of the sixth, however, as back-to-back walks to begin the inning would be followed by a bunt single to load the bases with nobody out. A hit batter would then bring home a run for the Blue Devils and allow KCKCC to add to their lead while forcing a CCCC pitching change. Following the change on the mound, a fielding error on a ground ball that would have allowed Cloud County to cut a run down at the plate would lead to a pair of runs coming home to make the score 8-6. Problems would continue for Cloud County as a passed ball and fielder's choice that would see all runners safely advance bring home another run before an RBI single that would cap off a five-run inning on two hits to break a two-run game open and allow Kansas City Kansas to go up seven. Needing some kind of response just to try and slow the momentum that was built by KCKCC in the sixth, CCCC would get a one-out pinch-hit double from&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/58e8112a-3430-4dc3-9153-c86e2c2c3e99?elinkdata=51298" target="_blank">Eric Foufoulas</a>&nbsp;before seeing a flyout put a second out on the board. A&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/a1bebbd5-8fc7-499c-8110-927b5fa33cb0?elinkdata=51298" target="_blank">Kolden Howerton</a>&nbsp;walk to flip the lineup over to Roy would be followed by a hit batter issued by the Blue Devils to load the bases and give Cloud County an opportunity to answer with some offense but see a flyout into right field and end the inning with the bases left loaded. Both teams would go hitless in the seventh to keep things where they were as the T-Birds would see the number of chances left available to them becoming fewer and fewer in a seven-run game heading into the eighth inning. Three straight one-out base runners in the top of the eighth for Kansas City Kansas would be followed by a fielder's choice as a throw to first on a potential inning-ending double play would not be in time with a crucial run scoring for the Blue Devils to put things in run-rule territory in the bottom of the inning. With Cloud County in a must-score situation to extend the game into the ninth, CCCC would be retired in order and see a second consecutive day of missed opportunities prove costly with eight stranded base runners. Limited to six hits in the game, CCCC would see three of their hits come from leadoff batter Roy who would also drive in two of the three T-Bird runs and score once. Cloud County would manage to draw only four walks while going 3-10 at the plate with runners in scoring position as timely hits never would be found. Four sophomores would combine to throw the eight innings on the mound for CCCC, with&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/a28fe0d2-5e19-4f9e-8c9c-357561626c91?elinkdata=51298" target="_blank">Phil Brennaman</a>&nbsp;taking his third loss of the year after going two innings and allowing five runs on three hits before seeing&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/86636184-80aa-4a38-a3e7-4e5439887a3a?elinkdata=51298" target="_blank">Cole Askew</a>&nbsp;(three innings),&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/5ef66a17-c1fe-4149-b740-deb260546213?elinkdata=51298" target="_blank">Blayne Fritcher</a>&nbsp;(one inning), and&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/e7d5a828-ba24-4983-a7cb-b135a08a912c?elinkdata=51298" target="_blank">Mason Munz</a>&nbsp;(two innings) also throw one final outing in a T-Bird uniform.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Cloud County Sports InformationWICHITA - Timely two-out hits by Kansas City Kansas Community College would put the Cloud County Community College baseball team in an early hole before seeing a five-run sixth inning by the Blue Devils put things out of reach to end the 2023 T-Bird campaign in an 11-3, eight-inning loss in the 2023 NJCAA Plains District Tournament at Eck Stadium in Wichita on Thursday. The season comes to an end for Cloud County with a 37-23 overall record after going 0-2 in the double-elimination bracket portion of the Plains District Tournament while KCKCC keeps their season alive for at least one more day while improving to 38-22 overall. For 20 Cloud County sophomores, time in a T-Bird uniform ends after helping CCCC to 79 wins over the last two seasons and two of Cloud County's three appearances in program history in the NJCAA Plains District Tournament. Facing one of two of the other seven teams to reach Eck Stadium that they had yet to play against this season, Cloud County would see the early deficit against Kansas City Kansas come right away in the top of the first as a two-out single back up the middle would be followed by a two-run home run by Jase Woita to give the Blue Devils an early shot of momentum in a must-win game for both squads. Looking to answer with some offensive run support of their own, Cloud County would get a leadoff single from&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/3a766164-f15e-44db-bb6a-fc7854fb7d2a?elinkdata=51298" target="_blank">Gavin Roy</a>&nbsp;and a wild pitch from KCKCC to move their leadoff runner into scoring position that would be followed by a groundout from Alex Diaz and&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/cb66eb8b-f1f3-406d-b672-1229119c69c4?elinkdata=51298" target="_blank">Danny Infante</a>&nbsp;RBI single to cut the Kansas City Kansas lead in half. The Blue Devils would put their leadoff runner aboard in the top of the second as a hit batter would start a rally in the next inning of play with a second hit batter coming later in the inning to put runners at first and second with one out. Getting a shallow flyout into center field to keep both runners from advancing, a walk would be issued to keep the inning alive before seeing a well-placed triple into the right field corner clear the bases and bring home three runs on what would be the only hit of the inning for KCKCC and make the score 5-1 in favor of the Blue Devils. Following the three-run inning by Kansas City Kansas, things would settle in as the score would remain unchanged again until the bottom of the fourth when Cloud County would find themselves an offensive spark to cut into the Blue Devil lead. Drawing a leadoff walk by&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/a0021aab-f056-4deb-95cc-f32671d710c0?elinkdata=51298" target="_blank">Karson Green</a>, the T-Birds would see freshman&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/1f205780-24d4-4a94-89f1-c6125048cd0e?elinkdata=51298" target="_blank">Paul Schuyler</a>&nbsp;draw a walk two batters later and put Green in scoring position with one out. After a flyout that would put a second out on the board and threaten to stop a potential rally before it even started, leadoff hitter Roy would come through with a two-RBI double into the right-center field gap that would score both runners and bring CCCC back within two at 5-3. The Sudbury, Ontario native would take an extra 90 feet with Diaz at the plate on a wild pitch but ultimately get stranded at third as a groundout would end the inning and keep the deficit at two for the T-Birds. A relatively clean fifth inning would feature just one hit by KCKCC with no offense coming across to change the score as the game would still very much be up for grabs at the midway point of the contest. More trouble would be found by Cloud County in the top of the sixth, however, as back-to-back walks to begin the inning would be followed by a bunt single to load the bases with nobody out. A hit batter would then bring home a run for the Blue Devils and allow KCKCC to add to their lead while forcing a CCCC pitching change. Following the change on the mound, a fielding error on a ground ball that would have allowed Cloud County to cut a run down at the plate would lead to a pair of runs coming home to make the score 8-6. Problems would continue for Cloud County as a passed ball and fielder's choice that would see all runners safely advance bring home another run before an RBI single that would cap off a five-run inning on two hits to break a two-run game open and allow Kansas City Kansas to go up seven. Needing some kind of response just to try and slow the momentum that was built by KCKCC in the sixth, CCCC would get a one-out pinch-hit double from&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/58e8112a-3430-4dc3-9153-c86e2c2c3e99?elinkdata=51298" target="_blank">Eric Foufoulas</a>&nbsp;before seeing a flyout put a second out on the board. A&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/a1bebbd5-8fc7-499c-8110-927b5fa33cb0?elinkdata=51298" target="_blank">Kolden Howerton</a>&nbsp;walk to flip the lineup over to Roy would be followed by a hit batter issued by the Blue Devils to load the bases and give Cloud County an opportunity to answer with some offense but see a flyout into right field and end the inning with the bases left loaded. Both teams would go hitless in the seventh to keep things where they were as the T-Birds would see the number of chances left available to them becoming fewer and fewer in a seven-run game heading into the eighth inning. Three straight one-out base runners in the top of the eighth for Kansas City Kansas would be followed by a fielder's choice as a throw to first on a potential inning-ending double play would not be in time with a crucial run scoring for the Blue Devils to put things in run-rule territory in the bottom of the inning. With Cloud County in a must-score situation to extend the game into the ninth, CCCC would be retired in order and see a second consecutive day of missed opportunities prove costly with eight stranded base runners. Limited to six hits in the game, CCCC would see three of their hits come from leadoff batter Roy who would also drive in two of the three T-Bird runs and score once. Cloud County would manage to draw only four walks while going 3-10 at the plate with runners in scoring position as timely hits never would be found. Four sophomores would combine to throw the eight innings on the mound for CCCC, with&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/a28fe0d2-5e19-4f9e-8c9c-357561626c91?elinkdata=51298" target="_blank">Phil Brennaman</a>&nbsp;taking his third loss of the year after going two innings and allowing five runs on three hits before seeing&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/86636184-80aa-4a38-a3e7-4e5439887a3a?elinkdata=51298" target="_blank">Cole Askew</a>&nbsp;(three innings),&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/5ef66a17-c1fe-4149-b740-deb260546213?elinkdata=51298" target="_blank">Blayne Fritcher</a>&nbsp;(one inning), and&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/e7d5a828-ba24-4983-a7cb-b135a08a912c?elinkdata=51298" target="_blank">Mason Munz</a>&nbsp;(two innings) also throw one final outing in a T-Bird uniform.&nbsp;&nbsp;

KCKCC ends T-Bird baseball's season in district play

WICHITA —&nbsp;Kansas Wesleyan University has won the KCAC Commissioner's Cup for the 2022-23 academic year, the conference office announced Thursday. The KCAC Commissioner's Cup is&nbsp;awarded annually as a symbol of excellence in athletics representing 21&nbsp; championships. Member institutions can&nbsp;earn points for their finish of each varsity team in those 21&nbsp;officially recognized conference sports. The KCAC Commissioner's Cup is presented by&nbsp;McCownGordon Construction.

"I am very proud of our student-athletes, coaches, and athletic staff for coming together to help us earn the Commissioner's Cup," Miguel Paredes, the athletic director at Kansas Wesleyan, remarked.&nbsp;"This honor takes everyone on campus believing in one another and working together to put out a successful product."

This marks the third time the Coyotes have taken home the KCAC Commissioner's Cup in the award's history (dating back to the 2012-13 academic year), and the third time in the past four years that Kansas Wesleyan has earned this honor.&nbsp;

"This award goes beyond the Kansas Wesleyan community and celebrates the importance of community outside of Kansas Wesleyan," Paredes continued.&nbsp;"We cannot win without the outstanding support we get in the community. All of Salina should be proud and celebrate this award with us. I am extremely proud to be part of an outstanding winning culture here."

The Coyotes had 166.5 total points to lead the conference. Ottawa University finished in second place with 156 points, while Friends University rounded out the top three with 143.5 points.&nbsp;

"I would like to thank Richard Speas for his leadership during the fall semester as he was serving as the Interim Athletic Director," Paredes said. "His leadership in the interim period helped us get started in the fall and set us on the path to success."

"The Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference congratulates Kansas Wesleyan University Athletics on this significant accomplishment.&nbsp; This award is the ultimate group accomplishment needing collective success from teams across all three sports seasons," stated Dr. Scott Crawford, KCAC Commissioner.&nbsp; "I am honored to present this award to Miguel Parades and his staff upon completion of a terrific 2022-23 athletic campaign."

Kansas Wesleyan found success in a variety of sports throughout the fall, winter, and spring seasons.

●The Coyotes were in second place in the Commissioner's Cup standings following the 2022 fall sports season, trailing the University of Saint Mary. Top-three finishes in the women's soccer and volleyball regular-season standings, as well as top three finishes by both the Coyote men's and women's cross country teams&nbsp;at the 2022 KCAC Cross Country Championships, put Kansas Wesleyan in a good position in the Commissioner's Cup standings following the fall sports season.

●Kansas Wesleyan scored the most Commissioner's Cup points (53) of any KCAC institution in the winter sports season, which helped narrow the gap between the Coyotes and Saint Mary to only half a point. KWU finished in the top three in both the men's and women's basketball regular-season standings, finished second at the KCAC Competitive Dance Championships, and finished in second place at the KCAC Men's Indoor Track &amp; Field Championships.

●The Coyotes continued their success in the spring, tallying the second most points in the spring sport season behind Ottawa University. Kansas Wesleyan finished in second at the KCAC Women's Golf Championship, finished in a tie for third at the KCAC Men's Golf Championship, took home the regular-season title in baseball, and finished third on the men's side at the KCAC Outdoor Track &amp; Field Championships.&nbsp;

2022-23 KCAC Commissioner's Cup Final Standings (<a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Qwf9cgh1bB5RIAq8dTZgUGfIDxuCl3DFG-Edpwa0zfY/edit?usp=sharing">Season-by-Season Breakdown</a>)&nbsp;&nbsp;

About the Commissioner's Cup In an effort to further recognize the achievements of its student-athletes and member institutions, the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference developed an award for the institution that performs the greatest over the fall, winter, and spring athletic seasons. The KCAC Commissioner's Cup will be awarded annually as a symbol of excellence in athletics representing&nbsp;21 championships. Member institutions can&nbsp;earn points for their finish of each varsity team in those 21&nbsp;officially recognized conference sports.

Points are assigned based on regular-season finish for football, men's and women's soccer, volleyball, men's and women's&nbsp;basketball, baseball, softball, and men's and women's tennis.&nbsp;In competitive cheer, competitive dance, cross country, men's wrestling, indoor track &amp; field, men's and women's golf, and outdoor track &amp; field, the conference championship meet&nbsp;results will determine point values. To be a conference sport there must be six&nbsp;member institutions competing in that sport at the varsity level.

Teams who finish in first place will be awarded a maximum number of points equivalent to the total number of teams competing&nbsp;in that&nbsp;respective sport. Point tallies will continue in reverse order until the last&nbsp;place team has been awarded its corresponding&nbsp;point value (i.e. if a sport only has seven teams, point values will be given from the maximum 7 to 1). &nbsp;When two&nbsp;or more teams tie for final placing&nbsp;in the conference standings, each team will be awarded the average&nbsp;of the respective placing. For example, if three&nbsp;teams tied for second place in a sport with 11 teams, those three&nbsp;teams will be given the score&nbsp;of nine&nbsp;points because&nbsp;those three&nbsp;teams are occupying the second (10 points), third (9 points) and fourth (8 points) positions in the standings. The sum of those three positions (27 points) divided by the three&nbsp;teams yields&nbsp;an average score&nbsp;of nine points for each of the teams.

KWU Sports InformationWICHITA —&nbsp;Kansas Wesleyan University has won the KCAC Commissioner's Cup for the 2022-23 academic year, the conference office announced Thursday. The KCAC Commissioner's Cup is&nbsp;awarded annually as a symbol of excellence in athletics representing 21&nbsp; championships. Member institutions can&nbsp;earn points for their finish of each varsity team in those 21&nbsp;officially recognized conference sports. The KCAC Commissioner's Cup is presented by&nbsp;McCownGordon Construction."I am very proud of our student-athletes, coaches, and athletic staff for coming together to help us earn the Commissioner's Cup," Miguel Paredes, the athletic director at Kansas Wesleyan, remarked.&nbsp;"This honor takes everyone on campus believing in one another and working together to put out a successful product."This marks the third time the Coyotes have taken home the KCAC Commissioner's Cup in the award's history (dating back to the 2012-13 academic year), and the third time in the past four years that Kansas Wesleyan has earned this honor.&nbsp;"This award goes beyond the Kansas Wesleyan community and celebrates the importance of community outside of Kansas Wesleyan," Paredes continued.&nbsp;"We cannot win without the outstanding support we get in the community. All of Salina should be proud and celebrate this award with us. I am extremely proud to be part of an outstanding winning culture here."The Coyotes had 166.5 total points to lead the conference. Ottawa University finished in second place with 156 points, while Friends University rounded out the top three with 143.5 points.&nbsp;"I would like to thank Richard Speas for his leadership during the fall semester as he was serving as the Interim Athletic Director," Paredes said. "His leadership in the interim period helped us get started in the fall and set us on the path to success.""The Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference congratulates Kansas Wesleyan University Athletics on this significant accomplishment.&nbsp; This award is the ultimate group accomplishment needing collective success from teams across all three sports seasons," stated Dr. Scott Crawford, KCAC Commissioner.&nbsp; "I am honored to present this award to Miguel Parades and his staff upon completion of a terrific 2022-23 athletic campaign."Kansas Wesleyan found success in a variety of sports throughout the fall, winter, and spring seasons.●The Coyotes were in second place in the Commissioner's Cup standings following the 2022 fall sports season, trailing the University of Saint Mary. Top-three finishes in the women's soccer and volleyball regular-season standings, as well as top three finishes by both the Coyote men's and women's cross country teams&nbsp;at the 2022 KCAC Cross Country Championships, put Kansas Wesleyan in a good position in the Commissioner's Cup standings following the fall sports season.●Kansas Wesleyan scored the most Commissioner's Cup points (53) of any KCAC institution in the winter sports season, which helped narrow the gap between the Coyotes and Saint Mary to only half a point. KWU finished in the top three in both the men's and women's basketball regular-season standings, finished second at the KCAC Competitive Dance Championships, and finished in second place at the KCAC Men's Indoor Track &amp; Field Championships.●The Coyotes continued their success in the spring, tallying the second most points in the spring sport season behind Ottawa University. Kansas Wesleyan finished in second at the KCAC Women's Golf Championship, finished in a tie for third at the KCAC Men's Golf Championship, took home the regular-season title in baseball, and finished third on the men's side at the KCAC Outdoor Track &amp; Field Championships.&nbsp;2022-23 KCAC Commissioner's Cup Final Standings (<a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Qwf9cgh1bB5RIAq8dTZgUGfIDxuCl3DFG-Edpwa0zfY/edit?usp=sharing">Season-by-Season Breakdown</a>)&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684528228350.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>About the Commissioner's Cup In an effort to further recognize the achievements of its student-athletes and member institutions, the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference developed an award for the institution that performs the greatest over the fall, winter, and spring athletic seasons. The KCAC Commissioner's Cup will be awarded annually as a symbol of excellence in athletics representing&nbsp;21 championships. Member institutions can&nbsp;earn points for their finish of each varsity team in those 21&nbsp;officially recognized conference sports.Points are assigned based on regular-season finish for football, men's and women's soccer, volleyball, men's and women's&nbsp;basketball, baseball, softball, and men's and women's tennis.&nbsp;In competitive cheer, competitive dance, cross country, men's wrestling, indoor track &amp; field, men's and women's golf, and outdoor track &amp; field, the conference championship meet&nbsp;results will determine point values. To be a conference sport there must be six&nbsp;member institutions competing in that sport at the varsity level.Teams who finish in first place will be awarded a maximum number of points equivalent to the total number of teams competing&nbsp;in that&nbsp;respective sport. Point tallies will continue in reverse order until the last&nbsp;place team has been awarded its corresponding&nbsp;point value (i.e. if a sport only has seven teams, point values will be given from the maximum 7 to 1). &nbsp;When two&nbsp;or more teams tie for final placing&nbsp;in the conference standings, each team will be awarded the average&nbsp;of the respective placing. For example, if three&nbsp;teams tied for second place in a sport with 11 teams, those three&nbsp;teams will be given the score&nbsp;of nine&nbsp;points because&nbsp;those three&nbsp;teams are occupying the second (10 points), third (9 points) and fourth (8 points) positions in the standings. The sum of those three positions (27 points) divided by the three&nbsp;teams yields&nbsp;an average score&nbsp;of nine points for each of the teams.

KWU claims KCAC Commissioner's Cup for 3rd time in 4 years

MANHATTAN –&nbsp;K-State's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/brady-day/10948">Brady Day</a>&nbsp;delivered the game-winning hit to give the Wildcats a 7-6 victory over TCU in the series opener at Tointon Family Stadium. &nbsp; "That was a fun, crucial win for our program," head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/coaches/pete-hughes/1939">Pete Hughes</a>&nbsp;said on his team's victory. "Just a great college baseball game. Great atmosphere, the back-and-forth and the importance of it." K-State (33-20, 13-9 Big 12) gave up a pair of runs in the top of the eighth and faced a one-run deficit heading into the final frame before a passed ball leveled the score. Day, who was the seventh Wildcat to head to the plate in the ninth, recorded the game-winning RBI as he smoked a ball into left center to snap a four-game losing streak against the Horned Frogs (31-22, 11-11 Big 12). "I'm really proud of our guys. Once again, their resiliency was on display, they never panicked. They just keep getting back into games and believing in each other. It's one of those special trademark wins that you can talk about when you look back on this season," said Hughes. Day's game-winning single marked the Cats third walk-off of the year and second by the Hampstead, N.H. product. The Cats remain tied third in the Big 12 race alongside Texas who topped West Virginia, 12-2. <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/tyson-neighbors/10958">Tyson Neighbors</a>&nbsp;(5-1) earned his sixth consecutive decision as the sophomore picked up the victory in relief. Neighbors, who was selected to the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team Training Camp, allowed two runs (two earned) in his two innings and retired the side in the ninth with a pair strikeouts. <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/owen-boerema/10978">Owen Boerema</a>, in his final start at Tointon Family Stadium, struck out a game-high six during his six-inning start where he allowed three earned runs on eight hits. Six Wildcats earned a hit in the victory led by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/brendan-jones/10954">Brendan Jones</a>&nbsp;and Day with two while&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/kaelen-culpepper/10947">Kaelen Culpepper</a>&nbsp;drove in two RBI.&nbsp;&nbsp;

ON DECK Game Two between the Cats and Horned Frogs is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday inside Tointon Family Stadium. The entire conference series can be seen on the Big 12 Now on ESPN+&nbsp; while a free live stream audio is available at <a href="http://kstatesports.com/watch">kstatesports.com/watch</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

K-State SportsMANHATTAN –&nbsp;K-State's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/brady-day/10948">Brady Day</a>&nbsp;delivered the game-winning hit to give the Wildcats a 7-6 victory over TCU in the series opener at Tointon Family Stadium. &nbsp; "That was a fun, crucial win for our program," head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/coaches/pete-hughes/1939">Pete Hughes</a>&nbsp;said on his team's victory. "Just a great college baseball game. Great atmosphere, the back-and-forth and the importance of it." K-State (33-20, 13-9 Big 12) gave up a pair of runs in the top of the eighth and faced a one-run deficit heading into the final frame before a passed ball leveled the score. Day, who was the seventh Wildcat to head to the plate in the ninth, recorded the game-winning RBI as he smoked a ball into left center to snap a four-game losing streak against the Horned Frogs (31-22, 11-11 Big 12). "I'm really proud of our guys. Once again, their resiliency was on display, they never panicked. They just keep getting back into games and believing in each other. It's one of those special trademark wins that you can talk about when you look back on this season," said Hughes. Day's game-winning single marked the Cats third walk-off of the year and second by the Hampstead, N.H. product. The Cats remain tied third in the Big 12 race alongside Texas who topped West Virginia, 12-2. <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/tyson-neighbors/10958">Tyson Neighbors</a>&nbsp;(5-1) earned his sixth consecutive decision as the sophomore picked up the victory in relief. Neighbors, who was selected to the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team Training Camp, allowed two runs (two earned) in his two innings and retired the side in the ninth with a pair strikeouts. <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/owen-boerema/10978">Owen Boerema</a>, in his final start at Tointon Family Stadium, struck out a game-high six during his six-inning start where he allowed three earned runs on eight hits. Six Wildcats earned a hit in the victory led by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/brendan-jones/10954">Brendan Jones</a>&nbsp;and Day with two while&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/kaelen-culpepper/10947">Kaelen Culpepper</a>&nbsp;drove in two RBI.&nbsp;&nbsp;ON DECK Game Two between the Cats and Horned Frogs is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday inside Tointon Family Stadium. The entire conference series can be seen on the Big 12 Now on ESPN+&nbsp; while a free live stream audio is available at <a href="http://kstatesports.com/watch">kstatesports.com/watch</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Day’s walk-off caps comeback; K-State stuns TCU

LUBBOCK, Texas –&nbsp;After an 80-minute weather delay, Friday’s game between Kansas and Texas Tech began under a rainbow in center field and ended with a home run into the night sky from Cole Elvis to give the Jayhawks a 3-1 victory. The 2-run homer by Elvis broke a 1-1 tie with two outs in the top of the ninth inning.

Kansas trailed 1-0 in the game all the way until the seventh inning. Elvis had an RBI single in the frame to even the game at 1-1. Elvis’ home run in the ninth put Kansas ahead for pitcher Thaniel Trumper to finish out the bottom of the ninth. Kodey Shojinaga extended his hitting streak to a career-best 18 games, which is the longest by a Jayhawk this season. The win improved Kansas to 24-28 on the year and 8-14 in conference play.

After Texas Tech (35-19, 10-12 Big 12) started the game with a leadoff double, Collin Baumgartner struck out the next three batters he faced to strike out the side in the first. That was three of the four strikeouts Baumgartner had on the night.

However, the Red Raiders were able to take the lead in the second inning. Texas Tech scored an unearned run on a sacrifice bunt to grab a 1-0 advantage.

Both teams tossed zeros up on the board until the seventh inning. Kansas cranked out three consecutive singles from Janson Reeder, Michael Brooks and Elvis with one out in the inning. The single by Elvis drove in Tyler Gerety, who was pinch running for Reeder, to even the game at 1-1.

Then, in the ninth, Elvis delivered again in a big way with a two-out, two-run bomb. The home run was his team-high 13th of the season.

Collin Baumgartner started for Kansas and tossed three innings. Baumgartner punched out four batters and issued no walks. He gave up an unearned run in his start. Hunter Cranton entered in relief of Baumgartner and threw three scoreless innings and struck out two while walking none. Trumper finished out the final three innings and did not allow a run. He earned the win to improve to 4-5 on the season. The three combined to strikeout eight and only walk one while not allowing an earned run.

UP NEXT Kansas plays Texas Tech in game two of the series on Friday evening. First pitch from Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684527202550.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy <a href="http://kuathletics.com">kuathletics.com</a>" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy <a href="http://kuathletics.com">kuathletics.com</a></figcaption>
 </figure>KU AthleticsLUBBOCK, Texas –&nbsp;After an 80-minute weather delay, Friday’s game between Kansas and Texas Tech began under a rainbow in center field and ended with a home run into the night sky from Cole Elvis to give the Jayhawks a 3-1 victory. The 2-run homer by Elvis broke a 1-1 tie with two outs in the top of the ninth inning.Kansas trailed 1-0 in the game all the way until the seventh inning. Elvis had an RBI single in the frame to even the game at 1-1. Elvis’ home run in the ninth put Kansas ahead for pitcher Thaniel Trumper to finish out the bottom of the ninth. Kodey Shojinaga extended his hitting streak to a career-best 18 games, which is the longest by a Jayhawk this season. The win improved Kansas to 24-28 on the year and 8-14 in conference play.After Texas Tech (35-19, 10-12 Big 12) started the game with a leadoff double, Collin Baumgartner struck out the next three batters he faced to strike out the side in the first. That was three of the four strikeouts Baumgartner had on the night.However, the Red Raiders were able to take the lead in the second inning. Texas Tech scored an unearned run on a sacrifice bunt to grab a 1-0 advantage.Both teams tossed zeros up on the board until the seventh inning. Kansas cranked out three consecutive singles from Janson Reeder, Michael Brooks and Elvis with one out in the inning. The single by Elvis drove in Tyler Gerety, who was pinch running for Reeder, to even the game at 1-1.Then, in the ninth, Elvis delivered again in a big way with a two-out, two-run bomb. The home run was his team-high 13th of the season.Collin Baumgartner started for Kansas and tossed three innings. Baumgartner punched out four batters and issued no walks. He gave up an unearned run in his start. Hunter Cranton entered in relief of Baumgartner and threw three scoreless innings and struck out two while walking none. Trumper finished out the final three innings and did not allow a run. He earned the win to improve to 4-5 on the season. The three combined to strikeout eight and only walk one while not allowing an earned run.UP NEXT Kansas plays Texas Tech in game two of the series on Friday evening. First pitch from Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Superb pitching, timely hitting lift Kansas to 3-1 victory at Texas Tech

FAYETTE, Mo. –&nbsp;Kansas Wesleyan baseball faced the NAIA's top-ranked team in the Southeastern Fire for the second time in as many dates on Thursday morning as the teams met in the championship game of the Fayette Bracket of the NAIA Baseball National Championship Opening Round at Estes Field.

The Fire would come away with an 11-3 win in the game to advance to the AVISTA NAIA World Series in Lewiston, Idaho.

Wesleyan ends its record-breaking season at 44-15 overall. The Coyotes set several new school records this season, including single season wins, single season KCAC wins, and homeruns.

It was the third time in five NAIA Opening Round appearances that the Coyotes have reached the championship game. The Coyotes reached the championship in 2009 and in 2011. The NAIA moved to the direct qualification model, introducing the Opening Round format in 2009.

The Coyotes got on the board first in the bottom of the first inning as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14204">William Dryburgh</a>&nbsp;(SR/St. Joseph, Mo.) was hit by a pitch and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14219">Kendall Foster</a>&nbsp;(SR/Prosper, Texas) walked, followed by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14201">Haydn Brown</a>&nbsp;(SR/Gardnerville, Nev.)'s double to center scoring Dryburgh and putting the Coyotes up 1-0.

Southeastern took the lead with single runs in the top of the second and third innings, and after scoreless frames in the fourth and fifth, the Fire scored three times in the sixth and seventh innings to take an 11-2 lead.

The Coyotes tried to rally in the eighth inning, as Foster belted his team-leading and school-record 24th homer of the season, followed by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/13262">Dustin Sipe</a>&nbsp;(SR/Aztec, N.M.) hitting his 18th of the season.

Southeastern (55-4) scored three in the top of the ninth inning to make it 11-3.

<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/13268">Kevin Esquilin-Cruz</a>&nbsp;(SR/Trujilo Alto, Puerto Rico) walked in the bottom of the ninth and made it to third base, but could not score.

Foster had two of KWU's five hits in the game.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684521898749.jpeg" alt="Kendall Foster. Photo courtesy <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com">kwucoyotes.com</a>" />
 <figcaption>Kendall Foster. Photo courtesy <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com">kwucoyotes.com</a></figcaption>
 </figure>KWU Sports InformationFAYETTE, Mo. –&nbsp;Kansas Wesleyan baseball faced the NAIA's top-ranked team in the Southeastern Fire for the second time in as many dates on Thursday morning as the teams met in the championship game of the Fayette Bracket of the NAIA Baseball National Championship Opening Round at Estes Field.The Fire would come away with an 11-3 win in the game to advance to the AVISTA NAIA World Series in Lewiston, Idaho.Wesleyan ends its record-breaking season at 44-15 overall. The Coyotes set several new school records this season, including single season wins, single season KCAC wins, and homeruns.It was the third time in five NAIA Opening Round appearances that the Coyotes have reached the championship game. The Coyotes reached the championship in 2009 and in 2011. The NAIA moved to the direct qualification model, introducing the Opening Round format in 2009.The Coyotes got on the board first in the bottom of the first inning as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14204">William Dryburgh</a>&nbsp;(SR/St. Joseph, Mo.) was hit by a pitch and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14219">Kendall Foster</a>&nbsp;(SR/Prosper, Texas) walked, followed by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14201">Haydn Brown</a>&nbsp;(SR/Gardnerville, Nev.)'s double to center scoring Dryburgh and putting the Coyotes up 1-0.Southeastern took the lead with single runs in the top of the second and third innings, and after scoreless frames in the fourth and fifth, the Fire scored three times in the sixth and seventh innings to take an 11-2 lead.The Coyotes tried to rally in the eighth inning, as Foster belted his team-leading and school-record 24th homer of the season, followed by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/13262">Dustin Sipe</a>&nbsp;(SR/Aztec, N.M.) hitting his 18th of the season.Southeastern (55-4) scored three in the top of the ninth inning to make it 11-3.<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/13268">Kevin Esquilin-Cruz</a>&nbsp;(SR/Trujilo Alto, Puerto Rico) walked in the bottom of the ninth and made it to third base, but could not score.Foster had two of KWU's five hits in the game.

KWU baseball falls to Southeastern in championship opening round

Regional track meets are officially underway across the state of Kansas, and like many other state hopefuls, the Southeast of Saline Trojans will look to qualify as many athletes as possible in Nickerson on Friday.

Several individuals have put together very impressive campaigns on the girl's side while the boys have dominated as a team, winning six of their seven meets while never finishing behind another 3A school.

“I was very pleased with how both teams performed,” SES head coach Wade Caselman said. “We had a lot of veterans on the boy's side and we had a lot of younger kids on both teams this year who really stepped up and improved a lot. We’ve got some freshmen who are going to be competing for spots at state and it’s been really fun to watch them make that progress throughout the season.”

Some of those young surprises include Malachi Hopkins, Jacob Bircher, Brayden Walker, Christina Wingo, Elliana Smith, and Breckyn Alderson, who have each made major contributions to their respective teams.

Those newcomers have slotted in perfectly alongside seasoned veterans like Michael Murray, Nakari Morrical-Palmer, Levi Allen, Damion Jackson, and Nate Friesen on the boy's side, and Ashley Prochazka, Cali Augustine, and Abby Commerford on the girl's side.

For the Lady Trojans, the focus at this year’s Nickerson regional will be on qualifying as many of those stars as possible, to give them a chance to shine in Wichita next week.

“They’re going to have to run really well to get out of a loaded regional in Nickerson,” Caselman said. “Everyone has been focused this week and everyone’s rested and ready to go. We’re hoping for the best for them.”

On the other side of things, if the Trojans can survive a loaded regional, they just might earn an opportunity to defend their back-to-back state titles in Class 3A next week.

“We would love to three-peat on the boy’s side but our regional is stacked both in the sprints and in the distance races,” he said. “We’re trying to qualify as many people as we can and this week that has to be our focus. Times and distances don’t matter this week, it’s all about being in that top four and punching your ticket to state.”

Prelims in Nickerson are already underway, for results and continuing coverage of track at state next week stay tuned to the Salina Post.

By TYLER HENRY Salina Post contributor<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599179528888.png" alt="Coverage of SES track and field is presented by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!" />
 <figcaption>Coverage of SES track and field is presented by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!</figcaption>
 </figure>Regional track meets are officially underway across the state of Kansas, and like many other state hopefuls, the Southeast of Saline Trojans will look to qualify as many athletes as possible in Nickerson on Friday.Several individuals have put together very impressive campaigns on the girl's side while the boys have dominated as a team, winning six of their seven meets while never finishing behind another 3A school.“I was very pleased with how both teams performed,” SES head coach Wade Caselman said. “We had a lot of veterans on the boy's side and we had a lot of younger kids on both teams this year who really stepped up and improved a lot. We’ve got some freshmen who are going to be competing for spots at state and it’s been really fun to watch them make that progress throughout the season.”Some of those young surprises include Malachi Hopkins, Jacob Bircher, Brayden Walker, Christina Wingo, Elliana Smith, and Breckyn Alderson, who have each made major contributions to their respective teams.Those newcomers have slotted in perfectly alongside seasoned veterans like Michael Murray, Nakari Morrical-Palmer, Levi Allen, Damion Jackson, and Nate Friesen on the boy's side, and Ashley Prochazka, Cali Augustine, and Abby Commerford on the girl's side.For the Lady Trojans, the focus at this year’s Nickerson regional will be on qualifying as many of those stars as possible, to give them a chance to shine in Wichita next week.“They’re going to have to run really well to get out of a loaded regional in Nickerson,” Caselman said. “Everyone has been focused this week and everyone’s rested and ready to go. We’re hoping for the best for them.”On the other side of things, if the Trojans can survive a loaded regional, they just might earn an opportunity to defend their back-to-back state titles in Class 3A next week.“We would love to three-peat on the boy’s side but our regional is stacked both in the sprints and in the distance races,” he said. “We’re trying to qualify as many people as we can and this week that has to be our focus. Times and distances don’t matter this week, it’s all about being in that top four and punching your ticket to state.”Prelims in Nickerson are already underway, for results and continuing coverage of track at state next week stay tuned to the Salina Post.

Trojan track looking to gain a foothold at Nickerson Regional

Baseball regionals are officially underway across the state of Kansas and eight of our area teams have made local brackets, and will look to punch their tickets to state this week.

Below you can find up-to-date schedules and results for Salina Central, Salina South, Abilene, Chapman, Southeast of Saline, Sacred Heart, Bennington, and Ell-Saline.

Monday, May 15th - Ell-Saline 7, Republic County 3 (play-in) - Little River 10, Ell-Saline 0 (QF) - Sacred Heart 4, Hays TMP 1 (QF) - Canton-Galva 10, Bennington 7 (QF)

Tuesday, May 16th -&nbsp;SE of Saline 10, Eureka 0 (QF) - Larned 2,&nbsp;Chapman 0 (SF)

Wednesday, May 17th - Goddard 12, Salina Central 4 (SF) - Maize 7, Salina South 6 (SF) - Sacred Heart 2, Ellis 0 (SF) - SE of Saline 14, Fredonia 4 (SF) - Little River 4, Sacred Heart 1 (F) - Humboldt 5, SE of Saline 4 (F)

Thursday, May 18th - Abilene 4, Wellington 3 (SF) - Abilene 4, Circle 3 (F)

Baseball regionals are officially underway across the state of Kansas and eight of our area teams have made local brackets, and will look to punch their tickets to state this week.Below you can find up-to-date schedules and results for Salina Central, Salina South, Abilene, Chapman, Southeast of Saline, Sacred Heart, Bennington, and Ell-Saline.Monday, May 15th - Ell-Saline 7, Republic County 3 (play-in) - Little River 10, Ell-Saline 0 (QF) - Sacred Heart 4, Hays TMP 1 (QF) - Canton-Galva 10, Bennington 7 (QF)Tuesday, May 16th -&nbsp;SE of Saline 10, Eureka 0 (QF) - Larned 2,&nbsp;Chapman 0 (SF) Wednesday, May 17th - Goddard 12, Salina Central 4 (SF) - Maize 7, Salina South 6 (SF) - Sacred Heart 2, Ellis 0 (SF) - SE of Saline 14, Fredonia 4 (SF) - Little River 4, Sacred Heart 1 (F) - Humboldt 5, SE of Saline 4 (F)Thursday, May 18th - Abilene 4, Wellington 3 (SF) - Abilene 4, Circle 3 (F)

Regional baseball schedule and results

After knocking off Nickerson and Smoky Valley in the Lyons quarter and semifinals on Tuesday, the Southeast of Saline softball team returned to finish the job against 2-seed Hoisington in the regional final.

SES quickly found themselves in a real battle but thanks to timely hitting and stellar pitching, the Lady Trojans emerged victorious, knocking out the Cardinals by a final score of 2-0.

With this win, Southeast moves to 21-2 on the year, improves their run differential to +259, and most importantly, punches their ticket to the 3A state tournament in Manhattan next week.

This game was a true pitcher's duel between two of the best in the state in Lexi Jacobson, and Jordyn Boxberger, who combined to allow just one earned run on nine total hits without a single walk issued on either side.

Fortunately for the Lady Trojans that earned run belonged to them as they plated two in the third, which proved to be the difference when all was said and done.

Jacobson tossed seven complete innings giving up just three hits in the shutout, and had Hoisington reeling with ten strikeouts on the day.

At the plate, it was the two and three-hole hitters who played the heroes, as Maddie Harris and Brielle Ptacek collected the hits that brought in the two SES runs in that critical third inning.

Now, the Lady Trojans will turn their attention to a return to Manhattan, where this group will look to make a run at a 3A state championship.

Action from the Twin Oaks Sports Complex will begin on May 25th, for continuing coverage of Lady Trojan softball, stay tuned to the Salina Post.

By TYLER HENRY Salina Post contributor<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599179528888.png" alt="Coverage of SES softball is presented by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!" />
 <figcaption>Coverage of SES softball is presented by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!</figcaption>
 </figure>After knocking off Nickerson and Smoky Valley in the Lyons quarter and semifinals on Tuesday, the Southeast of Saline softball team returned to finish the job against 2-seed Hoisington in the regional final.SES quickly found themselves in a real battle but thanks to timely hitting and stellar pitching, the Lady Trojans emerged victorious, knocking out the Cardinals by a final score of 2-0.With this win, Southeast moves to 21-2 on the year, improves their run differential to +259, and most importantly, punches their ticket to the 3A state tournament in Manhattan next week.This game was a true pitcher's duel between two of the best in the state in Lexi Jacobson, and Jordyn Boxberger, who combined to allow just one earned run on nine total hits without a single walk issued on either side.Fortunately for the Lady Trojans that earned run belonged to them as they plated two in the third, which proved to be the difference when all was said and done.Jacobson tossed seven complete innings giving up just three hits in the shutout, and had Hoisington reeling with ten strikeouts on the day.At the plate, it was the two and three-hole hitters who played the heroes, as Maddie Harris and Brielle Ptacek collected the hits that brought in the two SES runs in that critical third inning.Now, the Lady Trojans will turn their attention to a return to Manhattan, where this group will look to make a run at a 3A state championship.Action from the Twin Oaks Sports Complex will begin on May 25th, for continuing coverage of Lady Trojan softball, stay tuned to the Salina Post.

Lady Trojans punch ticket to state with 2-0 shutout of Hoisington

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Dénis Bouanga scored his league-leading 10th goal of the season, but Johnny Russell answered to help Sporting Kansas City earn a 1-1 draw with Los Angeles FC on Wednesday night.

Bouanga used assists from Kwadwo Opoku and Sergi Palencia to score in the 13th minute and give LAFC (6-1-4) an early lead.

Russell answered seven minutes later for Sporting KC (2-7-4) to knot the score. Russell's second goal of the season came with assists from Rémi Walter and Alan Pulido.

Ryan Hollingshead had a goal waved off in the 85th minute that would have given LAFC the lead.

Kendall McIntosh finished with six saves for Sporting KC in his first start of the season. Eldin Jakupovic had two saves in his second start for LAFC.

Sporting KC snaps a three-match losing streak against LAFC, which leads the series 5-4-1. LAFC has scored 16 goals in its five wins, but just five goals in the other five matches..

LAFC missed a chance to join the 2001-02 San Jose Earthquakes as the only teams to post 14 wins in a span of 15 regular-season matches at home.

Bouanga has now piled up seven goals and two assists in five home matches this season in league play.

Sporting KC has scored six goals in its last three matches, going 2-0-1, after going winless and totaling just three goals through the first 10 this season.

LAFC will host the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday. Sporting KC travels to play St. Louis City on Saturday.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Dénis Bouanga scored his league-leading 10th goal of the season, but Johnny Russell answered to help Sporting Kansas City earn a 1-1 draw with Los Angeles FC on Wednesday night.Bouanga used assists from Kwadwo Opoku and Sergi Palencia to score in the 13th minute and give LAFC (6-1-4) an early lead.Russell answered seven minutes later for Sporting KC (2-7-4) to knot the score. Russell's second goal of the season came with assists from Rémi Walter and Alan Pulido.Ryan Hollingshead had a goal waved off in the 85th minute that would have given LAFC the lead.Kendall McIntosh finished with six saves for Sporting KC in his first start of the season. Eldin Jakupovic had two saves in his second start for LAFC.Sporting KC snaps a three-match losing streak against LAFC, which leads the series 5-4-1. LAFC has scored 16 goals in its five wins, but just five goals in the other five matches..LAFC missed a chance to join the 2001-02 San Jose Earthquakes as the only teams to post 14 wins in a span of 15 regular-season matches at home.Bouanga has now piled up seven goals and two assists in five home matches this season in league play.Sporting KC has scored six goals in its last three matches, going 2-0-1, after going winless and totaling just three goals through the first 10 this season.LAFC will host the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday. Sporting KC travels to play St. Louis City on Saturday.

Russell helps Sporting KC earn 1-1 draw with LAFC

After finishing Fredonia 14-4 earlier in the afternoon, the Southeast of Saline baseball team turned their attention to a regional championship game with a tough customer in 21-1 Humboldt.

Southeast battled valiantly, making a steady comeback bid after falling behind 5-0, but ultimately came up just short, dropping the final 5-4.

Despite the loss, another stellar Trojan campaign comes to a close with an overall record of 15-8 with yet another league championship to boot.

The Cubs, who knocked out their first two opponents by mercy rule, wasted no time getting on the board with a pair in the second, and three more in the third.

After allowing those early runs, sophomore sensation Cole Gilpin buckled down and didn’t allow another through the final four innings of a near complete-game effort.

At the plate, the Trojans struck for a single run in the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth, but couldn’t find the one they needed in the top of the seventh, ultimately falling 5-4.

The Salina Post would like to thank everyone who followed along with our coverage of Southeast of Saline baseball all season long.

By TYLER HENRY Salina Post contributor<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599179528888.png" alt="Coverage of SES baseball is presented by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!" />
 <figcaption>Coverage of SES baseball is presented by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!</figcaption>
 </figure>After finishing Fredonia 14-4 earlier in the afternoon, the Southeast of Saline baseball team turned their attention to a regional championship game with a tough customer in 21-1 Humboldt.Southeast battled valiantly, making a steady comeback bid after falling behind 5-0, but ultimately came up just short, dropping the final 5-4.Despite the loss, another stellar Trojan campaign comes to a close with an overall record of 15-8 with yet another league championship to boot.The Cubs, who knocked out their first two opponents by mercy rule, wasted no time getting on the board with a pair in the second, and three more in the third.After allowing those early runs, sophomore sensation Cole Gilpin buckled down and didn’t allow another through the final four innings of a near complete-game effort.At the plate, the Trojans struck for a single run in the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth, but couldn’t find the one they needed in the top of the seventh, ultimately falling 5-4.The Salina Post would like to thank everyone who followed along with our coverage of Southeast of Saline baseball all season long.photo credit Kyler Boley

Trojan comeback bid comes up just short in regional final

The Southeast of Saline baseball team began their Wednesday with a bang, knocking off the Fredonia YellowJackets 14-4 to advance to the Burlington Regional final.

With this victory the Trojans moved to 15-7 overall, winning their 11th game of the campaign by mercy rule.

Things started normally enough as the YellowJackets took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first before Southeast snatched back the advantage with two of their own in the second.

In the third Fredonia reclaimed the upper hand to take a 3-2 lead but it would be the last they ever held as the Trojans exploded for 11 runs in the home half of the frame and never looked back en route to the 14-4 win.

At the dish, Luke Gebhardt, Jake Gebhardt, and Trever Keller all recorded multi-hit games, while Greyson Pembelton and Jase VanAmburg made their lone hits count, driving in two runs apiece.

All of this backed up Landen Allen on the hill, who was stellar in another complete-game effort, allowing just one earned run on two hits with three strikeouts to boot.

This win would send Southeast through to the regional finals where they would face the 1-seed in Humboldt, who knocked off Hillsboro 15-0 and Council Grove 10-0, each by mercy rule.

By TYLER HENRY Salina Post contributor<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599179528888.png" alt="Coverage of SES baseball is presented by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!" />
 <figcaption>Coverage of SES baseball is presented by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!</figcaption>
 </figure>The Southeast of Saline baseball team began their Wednesday with a bang, knocking off the Fredonia YellowJackets 14-4 to advance to the Burlington Regional final.With this victory the Trojans moved to 15-7 overall, winning their 11th game of the campaign by mercy rule.Things started normally enough as the YellowJackets took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first before Southeast snatched back the advantage with two of their own in the second.In the third Fredonia reclaimed the upper hand to take a 3-2 lead but it would be the last they ever held as the Trojans exploded for 11 runs in the home half of the frame and never looked back en route to the 14-4 win.At the dish, Luke Gebhardt, Jake Gebhardt, and Trever Keller all recorded multi-hit games, while Greyson Pembelton and Jase VanAmburg made their lone hits count, driving in two runs apiece.All of this backed up Landen Allen on the hill, who was stellar in another complete-game effort, allowing just one earned run on two hits with three strikeouts to boot.This win would send Southeast through to the regional finals where they would face the 1-seed in Humboldt, who knocked off Hillsboro 15-0 and Council Grove 10-0, each by mercy rule.

11-run third allows Trojans to finish Fredonia

WICHITA - A low-scoring and tightly contested game would once again be the undoing of the Cloud County Community College baseball team as the T-Birds would strand 10 base runners and be unable to overcome a three-run sixth inning against Cowley Community College to fall by a score of 3-1 in the opening round of the 2023 Plains District Baseball Tournament at Eck Stadium in Wichita on Wednesday. Falling to the Tigers after defeating Cowley 8-7 earlier in the season, Cloud County is now 37-22 overall while Cowley advances to tomorrow's winner's bracket game against top-seeded Barton Community College with a 36-20 overall record. Chances from the opening inning of the game would be seen by both teams as the T-Birds would get a one-out single from&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/b928a6cf-b99c-47b8-b9e2-2566eef85b66?elinkdata=51200" target="_blank">Gavin Roy</a>&nbsp;and two-out hit-by-pitch from&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/5024b0d8-a332-4b65-ad38-547548003055?elinkdata=51200" target="_blank">Anthony Taggart</a>&nbsp;before a successful double steal to move both runners into scoring position and be stranded as a strikeout would get Cowley out of an early jam. Cloud County would return the favor in the bottom of the first as a one-out walk and two-out hit batter would be followed by a base-hit into right field before seeing the arm of sophomore&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/c6644e85-f1e2-4d0f-9a51-00f6e05848d8?elinkdata=51200" target="_blank">Kolden Howerton</a>&nbsp;deliver a perfect throw to&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/3dc5761c-8ee1-4130-823c-80e1cc8f220f?elinkdata=51200" target="_blank">Karson Green</a>&nbsp;at the plate to cut down a would-be go-ahead run for Cowley to keep things scoreless. The Tigers would strand two more runners in the bottom of the second after a one-out walk and single into center field would lead to nothing with a strikeout and groundout ending the threat before seeing perfect third innings from both defenses to keep things at 0-0. Cloud County would put a base runner aboard with one out in the fourth before having an inning-ending double play give Cowley momentum in a game still looking for its first run, but once again be held scoreless as the T-Birds would work around a leadoff base runner reaching on a wild pitch on a third strike and one-out hit batter with a strikeout and flyout keeping CCC off the scoreboard. Cloud County would look to make some noise offensively again in the fifth as a leadoff base hit by Alex Diaz and a two-out walk drawn by Green would put a runner in scoring position but a lineout on a ball that would hang up just enough for Cowley right fielder Cooper Schwindt to make the catch and keep things tied. With the pitch count of starting pitcher&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/d712bd34-5402-420c-8319-51d2d0e54f91?elinkdata=51200" target="_blank">Mason McConnaughey</a>&nbsp;beginning to rise, the T-Birds would see the Topeka, Kansas native allow a leadoff walk and single to put two runners on for Cowley before a flyout that would advance the lead runner and have runners on the corners with just one out. McConnaughey would make sure that things would stay tied through the rest of the inning by inducing a popup in foul territory that would be caught by Roy before a lineout into right field as the Tigers would strand two base runners for the third time in five innings. A quick one-two-three top of the sixth would again give Cowley some momentum heading into the bottom of the inning as Cloud County would make a call to the bullpen and bring in&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/9528cba6-02ef-44a5-8f24-0c6c588323f6?elinkdata=51200" target="_blank">Brady Stuewe</a>&nbsp;with the game looking more and more to be the first team to score putting themselves in prime position to get a win. Hitting the first batter of his outing before giving up a walk, Stuewe would see the next batter for Cowley lay down a sacrifice bunt to first base that would be fielded with a throw being made to try and get the lead runner at third that would be off the mark and allow all three base runners to take an extra 90 feet with a run coming home to score. With the game now 1-0 in favor of the Tigers, Cowley would hit an infield popup before drawing back-to-back walks to bring home another run and end Stuewe's day on the mound with a second call to the bullpen being made to bring in&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/d01ec866-7200-4ec2-b435-e3275e507541?elinkdata=51200" target="_blank">Cayden Castellanos</a>. A walk to Ty Hammack to keep the inning going and bring home a third run would see Cowley with all the momentum until a strikeout and flyout to end the inning as the damage was done with three Tiger runs scoring on no hits. Needing a spark on offense, Diaz would reach base for a second time with a walk before seeing Cloud County opt for pinch-hitter&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/e4e0fbe6-8ab5-4c64-b63e-9ed3cff7eeca?elinkdata=51200" target="_blank">Landon Meyer</a>&nbsp;who would deliver with a ball into the left-center field gap that would lead to an RBI stand-up double as the T-Birds would find their way onto the scoreboard and be right back into the ball game. A strikeout by Howerton would put a second out on the board before seeing Green draw a walk to put the game-tying run on base that would end the day of Cowley starter Chance Cox after 106 pitches to exit while being in line to pick up his seventh win of the year. A walk issued to&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/924fccbe-3991-4ad9-bbe0-4457fd6ae1b3?elinkdata=51200" target="_blank">Paul Schuyler</a>&nbsp;would extend the inning for CCCC and load the bases for Roy, but a groundout to second base would end the inning as the throw would be a step ahead of the Sudbury, Ontario native's run down the line to try and beat the throw. Getting a clean one-two-three inning in the bottom of the seventh, Cloud County would have another opportunity in the top of the eighth to try and cut into the Cowley lead as a leadoff single for&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/59667b61-8e6e-4b0b-94cd-84fb4def2612?elinkdata=51200" target="_blank">Danny Infante</a>&nbsp;and one-out hit-by-pitch for pinch-hitter&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/4a4a5089-0207-4479-a7c4-39af54ec4228?elinkdata=51200" target="_blank">Eric Foufoulas</a>&nbsp;would put the game-tying run aboard before seeing Diaz move both runners up 90 feet on a groundout to the right side of the infield. With Meyer stepping up the plate and looking to re-create some magic that was found in his last at-bat, a groundout on a slow roller to third base would end the inning for the T-Birds with two more stranded base runners proving to loom large with another opportunity gone by the wayside. After allowing a leadoff single to nine-hole hitter Haden O'Toole, Castellanos would settle back in to get a sacrifice bunt groundout and strikeout to get two outs on the board with a runner at second for Cowley with Hammack due up as the T-Birds would intentionally walk the sophomore to avoid pitching to a player hitting .394 on the year. Following a balk that would move both runners into scoring position, the move to issue a free pass to Hammack would prove to pay off as Castellanos would get a groundout to end the inning and keep the deficit at just two for Cloud County as things would go to the ninth with the score still a 3-1 Cowley advantage. Down to their final three outs offensively, a groundout by Howerton would quickly take an opportunity away from Cloud County before seeing Green come through with a double into the left-center field gap that would look very similar to Meyer's RBI double in the seventh. With the lineup flipped over to the top of the order and Schuyler, Cowley would elect to keep with their reliever Jack Hill as the Edmond, Oklahoma native would get a strikeout and groundout to end the game and allow the Tigers to avenge a loss earlier in the year to Cloud County. Six of Cloud County's 10 stranded base runners would come in the seventh inning or later as CCCC would be limited to just five hits in the game coming from five different players. Not much offensively would be found on the other side from Cowley as the Tigers would be limited to four hits and strand 12 base runners with all four hits coming as singles with eight walks and the lone error of the game by the T-Birds leading to the offensive support for CCC. A no-decision for McConnaughey would come after 88 pitches along with five strikeouts before seeing Stuewe fall to 1-2 after allowing three runs (two earned) on three walks and a hit batter while Castellanos would throw the final 2.2 innings and allow one hit while striking out three. What's Next? Cloud County will put their 2023 season on the line in a 1 PM elimination game on Thursday afternoon when the T-Birds take on Kansas City Kansas Community College at Eck Stadium. The Blue Devils dropped a 14-5 decision to Barton Community College in seven innings on Thursday afternoon to fall to the elimination bracket and are 37-22 on the year. The last meeting between CCCC and KCKCC came in last season's NJCAA Plains District Tournament with the Blue Devils earning a 5-1 victory in the first game of the 2022 tournament.

Cloud County Sports InformationWICHITA - A low-scoring and tightly contested game would once again be the undoing of the Cloud County Community College baseball team as the T-Birds would strand 10 base runners and be unable to overcome a three-run sixth inning against Cowley Community College to fall by a score of 3-1 in the opening round of the 2023 Plains District Baseball Tournament at Eck Stadium in Wichita on Wednesday. Falling to the Tigers after defeating Cowley 8-7 earlier in the season, Cloud County is now 37-22 overall while Cowley advances to tomorrow's winner's bracket game against top-seeded Barton Community College with a 36-20 overall record. Chances from the opening inning of the game would be seen by both teams as the T-Birds would get a one-out single from&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/b928a6cf-b99c-47b8-b9e2-2566eef85b66?elinkdata=51200" target="_blank">Gavin Roy</a>&nbsp;and two-out hit-by-pitch from&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/5024b0d8-a332-4b65-ad38-547548003055?elinkdata=51200" target="_blank">Anthony Taggart</a>&nbsp;before a successful double steal to move both runners into scoring position and be stranded as a strikeout would get Cowley out of an early jam. Cloud County would return the favor in the bottom of the first as a one-out walk and two-out hit batter would be followed by a base-hit into right field before seeing the arm of sophomore&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/c6644e85-f1e2-4d0f-9a51-00f6e05848d8?elinkdata=51200" target="_blank">Kolden Howerton</a>&nbsp;deliver a perfect throw to&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/3dc5761c-8ee1-4130-823c-80e1cc8f220f?elinkdata=51200" target="_blank">Karson Green</a>&nbsp;at the plate to cut down a would-be go-ahead run for Cowley to keep things scoreless. The Tigers would strand two more runners in the bottom of the second after a one-out walk and single into center field would lead to nothing with a strikeout and groundout ending the threat before seeing perfect third innings from both defenses to keep things at 0-0. Cloud County would put a base runner aboard with one out in the fourth before having an inning-ending double play give Cowley momentum in a game still looking for its first run, but once again be held scoreless as the T-Birds would work around a leadoff base runner reaching on a wild pitch on a third strike and one-out hit batter with a strikeout and flyout keeping CCC off the scoreboard. Cloud County would look to make some noise offensively again in the fifth as a leadoff base hit by Alex Diaz and a two-out walk drawn by Green would put a runner in scoring position but a lineout on a ball that would hang up just enough for Cowley right fielder Cooper Schwindt to make the catch and keep things tied. With the pitch count of starting pitcher&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/d712bd34-5402-420c-8319-51d2d0e54f91?elinkdata=51200" target="_blank">Mason McConnaughey</a>&nbsp;beginning to rise, the T-Birds would see the Topeka, Kansas native allow a leadoff walk and single to put two runners on for Cowley before a flyout that would advance the lead runner and have runners on the corners with just one out. McConnaughey would make sure that things would stay tied through the rest of the inning by inducing a popup in foul territory that would be caught by Roy before a lineout into right field as the Tigers would strand two base runners for the third time in five innings. A quick one-two-three top of the sixth would again give Cowley some momentum heading into the bottom of the inning as Cloud County would make a call to the bullpen and bring in&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/9528cba6-02ef-44a5-8f24-0c6c588323f6?elinkdata=51200" target="_blank">Brady Stuewe</a>&nbsp;with the game looking more and more to be the first team to score putting themselves in prime position to get a win. Hitting the first batter of his outing before giving up a walk, Stuewe would see the next batter for Cowley lay down a sacrifice bunt to first base that would be fielded with a throw being made to try and get the lead runner at third that would be off the mark and allow all three base runners to take an extra 90 feet with a run coming home to score. With the game now 1-0 in favor of the Tigers, Cowley would hit an infield popup before drawing back-to-back walks to bring home another run and end Stuewe's day on the mound with a second call to the bullpen being made to bring in&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/d01ec866-7200-4ec2-b435-e3275e507541?elinkdata=51200" target="_blank">Cayden Castellanos</a>. A walk to Ty Hammack to keep the inning going and bring home a third run would see Cowley with all the momentum until a strikeout and flyout to end the inning as the damage was done with three Tiger runs scoring on no hits. Needing a spark on offense, Diaz would reach base for a second time with a walk before seeing Cloud County opt for pinch-hitter&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/e4e0fbe6-8ab5-4c64-b63e-9ed3cff7eeca?elinkdata=51200" target="_blank">Landon Meyer</a>&nbsp;who would deliver with a ball into the left-center field gap that would lead to an RBI stand-up double as the T-Birds would find their way onto the scoreboard and be right back into the ball game. A strikeout by Howerton would put a second out on the board before seeing Green draw a walk to put the game-tying run on base that would end the day of Cowley starter Chance Cox after 106 pitches to exit while being in line to pick up his seventh win of the year. A walk issued to&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/924fccbe-3991-4ad9-bbe0-4457fd6ae1b3?elinkdata=51200" target="_blank">Paul Schuyler</a>&nbsp;would extend the inning for CCCC and load the bases for Roy, but a groundout to second base would end the inning as the throw would be a step ahead of the Sudbury, Ontario native's run down the line to try and beat the throw. Getting a clean one-two-three inning in the bottom of the seventh, Cloud County would have another opportunity in the top of the eighth to try and cut into the Cowley lead as a leadoff single for&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/59667b61-8e6e-4b0b-94cd-84fb4def2612?elinkdata=51200" target="_blank">Danny Infante</a>&nbsp;and one-out hit-by-pitch for pinch-hitter&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/4a4a5089-0207-4479-a7c4-39af54ec4228?elinkdata=51200" target="_blank">Eric Foufoulas</a>&nbsp;would put the game-tying run aboard before seeing Diaz move both runners up 90 feet on a groundout to the right side of the infield. With Meyer stepping up the plate and looking to re-create some magic that was found in his last at-bat, a groundout on a slow roller to third base would end the inning for the T-Birds with two more stranded base runners proving to loom large with another opportunity gone by the wayside. After allowing a leadoff single to nine-hole hitter Haden O'Toole, Castellanos would settle back in to get a sacrifice bunt groundout and strikeout to get two outs on the board with a runner at second for Cowley with Hammack due up as the T-Birds would intentionally walk the sophomore to avoid pitching to a player hitting .394 on the year. Following a balk that would move both runners into scoring position, the move to issue a free pass to Hammack would prove to pay off as Castellanos would get a groundout to end the inning and keep the deficit at just two for Cloud County as things would go to the ninth with the score still a 3-1 Cowley advantage. Down to their final three outs offensively, a groundout by Howerton would quickly take an opportunity away from Cloud County before seeing Green come through with a double into the left-center field gap that would look very similar to Meyer's RBI double in the seventh. With the lineup flipped over to the top of the order and Schuyler, Cowley would elect to keep with their reliever Jack Hill as the Edmond, Oklahoma native would get a strikeout and groundout to end the game and allow the Tigers to avenge a loss earlier in the year to Cloud County. Six of Cloud County's 10 stranded base runners would come in the seventh inning or later as CCCC would be limited to just five hits in the game coming from five different players. Not much offensively would be found on the other side from Cowley as the Tigers would be limited to four hits and strand 12 base runners with all four hits coming as singles with eight walks and the lone error of the game by the T-Birds leading to the offensive support for CCC. A no-decision for McConnaughey would come after 88 pitches along with five strikeouts before seeing Stuewe fall to 1-2 after allowing three runs (two earned) on three walks and a hit batter while Castellanos would throw the final 2.2 innings and allow one hit while striking out three. What's Next? Cloud County will put their 2023 season on the line in a 1 PM elimination game on Thursday afternoon when the T-Birds take on Kansas City Kansas Community College at Eck Stadium. The Blue Devils dropped a 14-5 decision to Barton Community College in seven innings on Thursday afternoon to fall to the elimination bracket and are 37-22 on the year. The last meeting between CCCC and KCKCC came in last season's NJCAA Plains District Tournament with the Blue Devils earning a 5-1 victory in the first game of the 2022 tournament.

T-Bird baseball drops district opening round game to Cowley

FAYETTE, Mo. –&nbsp;Kansas Wesleyan baseball played twice on Wednesday in the Fayette Bracket of the NAIA Baseball National Championship Opening Round at Estes Field, hosted by Central Methodist University. The Coyotes dropped their first game to No. 1 ranked Southeastern (Fla.) 15-1, before rallying in the nightcap for a 16-7 win over Central Methodist.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684430303995.jpeg" alt="Jarrett Gable. Photo courtesy <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com">kwucoyotes.com</a>" />
 <figcaption>Jarrett Gable. Photo courtesy <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com">kwucoyotes.com</a></figcaption>
 </figure>KWU Sports InformationFAYETTE, Mo. –&nbsp;Kansas Wesleyan baseball played twice on Wednesday in the Fayette Bracket of the NAIA Baseball National Championship Opening Round at Estes Field, hosted by Central Methodist University. The Coyotes dropped their first game to No. 1 ranked Southeastern (Fla.) 15-1, before rallying in the nightcap for a 16-7 win over Central Methodist.The victory over CMU was the second in as many days for the Coyotes, who defeated the Eagles 3-1 on Wednesday.In the CMU game,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/13260">Jarrett Gable</a>&nbsp;(SR/Colleyville, Texas) set a new school record, collecting his 82nd&nbsp;RBI of the season on his 3-run homer in the ninth, breaking the previous mark of 81 set in 2016 by Peyton Deiters. He also tied for the team lead for homeruns with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14219">Kendall Foster</a>&nbsp;(SR/Prosper, Texs), as the duo currently share the single season homerun record at 23.The Coyotes dropped the first game of the day to the top-ranked Fire of Southeastern 15-1.The game featured the two top homerun hitting teams in the NAIA in 2023 and Southeastern would hit five in the game, and KWU would hit one.The Fire scored twice in the first and second innings, and then broke it open scoring nine in the bottom of the third inning.The Coyotes got on the board in the fourth inning on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/13262">Dustin Sipe</a>&nbsp;(SR/Aztec, N.M.)'s homerun, but that was all the Coyote offense could get going in the game.Southeastern added single runs in the fifth and sixth.In the second meeting with Central Methodist in the final game of the night, the Eagles got on the board first with two runs in the bottom of the first inning, but from there it was all Coyotes.It took until the third inning for the Coyotes to get things going.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/13268">Kevin Esquilin-Cruz</a>&nbsp;(SR/Trujilo Alto, Puerto Rico) led off the inning with a single, and after two outs,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14204">William Dryburgh</a>&nbsp;(SR/St. Joseph, Mo.) walked and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14219">Kendall Foster</a>&nbsp;followed with a RBI single to get KWU on the board.After a walk to Sipe,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14201">Haydn Brown</a>&nbsp;(SR/Gardnerville, Nev.) doubled down the line in right to bring in two runs and give the Coyotes the lead.In the fourth, the Coyotes blew it open. Esquilin-Cruz walked to start the inning and scored on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/13271">Zach Olson</a>&nbsp;(JR/Red Deer, Alberta)'s double. Pinch hitter&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14230">Cruz Oxford</a>&nbsp;(FR/Peoria, Ariz.) was hit by a pitch and Dryburgh reached on a bunt single to load the bases, and Foster quickly unloaded them, launching a ball far over the trees behind the right field fence to make it 8-2 Coyotes.CMU got four back in the bottom of the inning, but the Coyotes added one in the fifth on Dryburgh's RBI single, and added four more in the seventh.Esquilin-Cruz reached on a single to open the inning, then moved to second on an error. After a sacrifice bunt by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14240">Diego Solis</a>&nbsp;(SO/El Paso, Texas), Dryburgh was hit by a pitch to load the bases. A wild pitch brought in the first run, and Foster followed with a 2-run double. Two batters later, Brown doubled to bring in Foster.CMU got one in the bottom of the inning.In the ninth, the Coyotes scored three more on Gable's homer. Sipe walked and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14208">Zack Beatty</a>&nbsp;(JR/Maple Park, Ill.) singled ahead of Gable's homer that disappeared into the night sky beyond the left field fence putting the Coyotes up 16-7.KWU needed only 13 hits to score 16 runs aided by four CMU errors. Foster had three hits and drove in seven runs. Brown had three hits and drove in three. Dryburgh and Esquilin-Cruz had two hits each.<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14242">Ritter Steinmann</a>&nbsp;(SO/Oroville, Calif.) got the win for the Coyotes going three and a third, allowing one run. Starter&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/13272">Tyler Triano</a>&nbsp;(SR/Hollister, Calif.) went three and two-thirds allowing six runs, five earned, with four strikeouts before leaving in the fourth following an injury sustained in the first inning on a collision at home plate on a wild pitch.<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/13256">KT Gearlds</a>&nbsp;(SR/Ingram, Texas) tossed an inning, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/13264">Ryan Sandoval</a>&nbsp;(SR/El Paso, Texas) closed it out in the ninth.KWU meets Southeastern at 9 a.m. on Thursday at Estes Field in the Opening Round Championship series. KWU will have to beat the Fire twice to earn a berth to the AVISTA NAIA World Series in Lewiston, Idaho.