KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Some Kansas City Chiefs players answer questions during presser before&nbsp; Rookie Minicamp practice Saturday. From <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KansasCityChiefs">The Kansas City Chiefs Facebook page</a>:

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Some Kansas City Chiefs players answer questions during presser before&nbsp; Rookie Minicamp practice Saturday. From <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KansasCityChiefs">The Kansas City Chiefs Facebook page</a>:<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FKansasCityChiefs%2Fvideos%2F193948650140773%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=0" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>

🎥Chiefs players talk football prior to Rookie Minicamp practice

GREAT BEND –&nbsp;The Kansas Wesleyan Baseball team saw its run in the KCAC Tournament come to a close on Saturday as the Coyotes dropped a 6-5 decision to the McPherson Bulldogs in 11 innings on Saturday at Great Bend Sports Complex.

The Coyotes now await the NAIA National Championship Opening Round assignment and match-ups. KWU will find out location and opponents on Thursday afternoon at 4 p.m. as the NAIA will release Opening Round information in a selection show live online.

McPherson took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning of the pitcher's duel between KWU starter&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14249">Zach Westbrook</a>&nbsp;(JR/Azle, Texas) and McPherson's Blake Maddock.

Wesleyan finally broke through in the fifth inning on a 2-out rally.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/13271">Zach Olson</a>&nbsp;(JR/Red Deer, Alberta) singled as did&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14229">Kansuke Okada</a>&nbsp;(SR/Osaka, Japan).&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14204">William Dryburgh</a>&nbsp;(SR/St. Joseph, Mo.) followed with a RBI single to score Olson and get the Coyotes on the board.

The Coyotes took the lead in the top of the eighth, putting four on the board. Dryburgh was hit by a pitch to start the inning,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14219">Kendall Foster</a>&nbsp;(SR/Prosper, Texs) walked followed by RBI singles by Sipe and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14201">Haydn Brown</a>&nbsp;(SR/Gardnerville, Nev.).&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14208">Zack Beatty</a>&nbsp;(JR/Maple Park, Ill.) made it three in a row with a hit to center.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/13260">Jarrett Gable</a>&nbsp;(SR/Colleyville, Texas) walked to load the bases and Olson walked to force in a run.

McPherson got one back in the bottom of the inning, and then scored twice in the bottom of the ninth to tie things up. The Bulldogs had a chance to end it, with the bases loaded, but&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14214">Sam Cooper</a>&nbsp;(SO/Franklin, Tenn.) came in and got a strikeout to end the threat.

The Coyotes had runners at second and third with one out, but couldn't score in the top of the 10th. Cooper would strike out the side in the bottom of the inning.

McPherson would win it in the bottom of the 11th on a homer.

Dryburgh,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/13268">Kevin Esquilin-Cruz</a>&nbsp;(SR/Trujilo Alto, Puerto Rico) and Olson had two hits each for the Coyotes.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683473590316.jpeg" alt="Danny Ramirez. Photo courtesy <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com">kwucoyotes.com</a>" />
 <figcaption>Danny Ramirez. Photo courtesy <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com">kwucoyotes.com</a></figcaption>
 </figure>KWU Sports InformationGREAT BEND –&nbsp;The Kansas Wesleyan Baseball team saw its run in the KCAC Tournament come to a close on Saturday as the Coyotes dropped a 6-5 decision to the McPherson Bulldogs in 11 innings on Saturday at Great Bend Sports Complex.The Coyotes now await the NAIA National Championship Opening Round assignment and match-ups. KWU will find out location and opponents on Thursday afternoon at 4 p.m. as the NAIA will release Opening Round information in a selection show live online.McPherson took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning of the pitcher's duel between KWU starter&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14249">Zach Westbrook</a>&nbsp;(JR/Azle, Texas) and McPherson's Blake Maddock.Wesleyan finally broke through in the fifth inning on a 2-out rally.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/13271">Zach Olson</a>&nbsp;(JR/Red Deer, Alberta) singled as did&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14229">Kansuke Okada</a>&nbsp;(SR/Osaka, Japan).&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14204">William Dryburgh</a>&nbsp;(SR/St. Joseph, Mo.) followed with a RBI single to score Olson and get the Coyotes on the board.The Coyotes took the lead in the top of the eighth, putting four on the board. Dryburgh was hit by a pitch to start the inning,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14219">Kendall Foster</a>&nbsp;(SR/Prosper, Texs) walked followed by RBI singles by Sipe and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14201">Haydn Brown</a>&nbsp;(SR/Gardnerville, Nev.).&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14208">Zack Beatty</a>&nbsp;(JR/Maple Park, Ill.) made it three in a row with a hit to center.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/13260">Jarrett Gable</a>&nbsp;(SR/Colleyville, Texas) walked to load the bases and Olson walked to force in a run.McPherson got one back in the bottom of the inning, and then scored twice in the bottom of the ninth to tie things up. The Bulldogs had a chance to end it, with the bases loaded, but&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14214">Sam Cooper</a>&nbsp;(SO/Franklin, Tenn.) came in and got a strikeout to end the threat.The Coyotes had runners at second and third with one out, but couldn't score in the top of the 10th. Cooper would strike out the side in the bottom of the inning.McPherson would win it in the bottom of the 11th on a homer.Dryburgh,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/13268">Kevin Esquilin-Cruz</a>&nbsp;(SR/Trujilo Alto, Puerto Rico) and Olson had two hits each for the Coyotes.

KWU baseball falls to McPherson in KCAC tournament final

SPRINGDALE, Ark. –Blayne Enlow pitched six innings allowed two runs on four hits and punched out a season-high nine hitters, but it was not enough as the Northwest Arkansas Naturals defeated the Wind Surge 5-1.

The Naturals defeated the Surge for the third consecutive game and have won four of five in the series.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Naturals took advantage of a third inning error and Peyton Wilson delivered a two out RBI single to score the games first run in the third inning.&nbsp; Parker Bates drilled a two out solo home run in the fifth inning to extend the lead to 2-0.

DaShawn Keirsey opened the seventh inning with a solo home run to the cut the lead to 2-1.&nbsp; The Naturals sent nine hitters to the plate in the seventh and tacked on three insurance runs.

Anthony Veneziano improved to 4-1 pitching six shutout innings.&nbsp; Enlow suffered the loss and Noah Murdock earned a three inning save.

Wichita falls to 10-16 and NW Arkansas improves to 14-12 on the season.

NOTES -&nbsp; The 1:57 game time is the shortest of the season.&nbsp; Yoyner Fajardo extended his hitting streak to ten games.&nbsp; Enlow pitched the first quality start of the season for the Wind Surge and the longest outing by a starting pitcher.&nbsp; Brooks Lee snapped a seven-game hit streak.&nbsp;

UPCOMING – The Wind Surge and Naturals will wrap up the series Sunday afternoon at 2:05. The Surge will start RH David Festa against RH Ronald Medrano.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

BROADCAST:&nbsp; Catch the game ar Milb First Pitch App,&nbsp;<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fWindsurge.com&amp;c=E,1,dexWbEMmO2SNZFacaCKfVJIV48UFXNwoAwE4zyM2KXaD_HSgx84zoOHAglON-gUjtBR3aBrV7b7fNPJsxVGXCgYR5cYPta1xJgIbXkHri2NTnYdJ6WV7jsuz044,&amp;typo=1&amp;ancr_add=1" target="_blank">Windsurge.com</a>

NEXT HOME GAME:&nbsp;May 16 vs Arkansas Travelers.

Wichita Wind SurgeSPRINGDALE, Ark. –Blayne Enlow pitched six innings allowed two runs on four hits and punched out a season-high nine hitters, but it was not enough as the Northwest Arkansas Naturals defeated the Wind Surge 5-1.The Naturals defeated the Surge for the third consecutive game and have won four of five in the series.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Naturals took advantage of a third inning error and Peyton Wilson delivered a two out RBI single to score the games first run in the third inning.&nbsp; Parker Bates drilled a two out solo home run in the fifth inning to extend the lead to 2-0.DaShawn Keirsey opened the seventh inning with a solo home run to the cut the lead to 2-1.&nbsp; The Naturals sent nine hitters to the plate in the seventh and tacked on three insurance runs.Anthony Veneziano improved to 4-1 pitching six shutout innings.&nbsp; Enlow suffered the loss and Noah Murdock earned a three inning save.Wichita falls to 10-16 and NW Arkansas improves to 14-12 on the season.NOTES -&nbsp; The 1:57 game time is the shortest of the season.&nbsp; Yoyner Fajardo extended his hitting streak to ten games.&nbsp; Enlow pitched the first quality start of the season for the Wind Surge and the longest outing by a starting pitcher.&nbsp; Brooks Lee snapped a seven-game hit streak.&nbsp;UPCOMING – The Wind Surge and Naturals will wrap up the series Sunday afternoon at 2:05. The Surge will start RH David Festa against RH Ronald Medrano.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;BROADCAST:&nbsp; Catch the game ar Milb First Pitch App,&nbsp;<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fWindsurge.com&amp;c=E,1,dexWbEMmO2SNZFacaCKfVJIV48UFXNwoAwE4zyM2KXaD_HSgx84zoOHAglON-gUjtBR3aBrV7b7fNPJsxVGXCgYR5cYPta1xJgIbXkHri2NTnYdJ6WV7jsuz044,&amp;typo=1&amp;ancr_add=1" target="_blank">Windsurge.com</a>NEXT HOME GAME:&nbsp;May 16 vs Arkansas Travelers.

Naturals defeat Wind Surge, win four of five in series

By DAVID SMALE Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Oakland Athletics won consecutive games for the first time this season as Ryan Noda had a triple and double, reaching base four times in a 5-4 win over the Kansas City Royals on Saturday night.

Noda was 5 for 7 with three doubles, a triple, four runs and four RBIs in the first two games of the series between teams tied for the worst record in the major leagues at 8-26.

"He's swinging the bat," Oakland manager Mark Kotsay said. "He's learned early in the season that when you're as patient as he's been coming through the minor leagues, these big-league guys will attack you. He's been a little more aggressive in the zone and that's created some results."

Noda is just trying to keep an even keel.

"My job is to get on base any way I can," he said. "The last two days I've been doing a pretty good job of it. I'm just sticking to my approach and grinding it out. I've been getting good pitches and not missing them."

Ken Waldichuk (1-2) allowed four runs, six hits and six walks in five innings with six strikeouts. His 115 pitches were the most he's thrown in his major-league career.

"I really wanted to get through five and help out the bullpen a little bit," Waldichuk said. "I'm really happy that Kots let me stay out there.

"I was battling a lot with my command. Once I walked (Michael Massey leading off the fifth), I knew it was go time."

Zach Jackson retired Bobby Witt Jr. on a game-ending groundout with two on for his first save this season.

Brady Singer (2-4) gave up five runs and six hits in four innings.

Kansas City honored Lorenzo Cain in a pregame ceremony. A member of the 2015 World Series champions, Cain signed a one-day contract to retire with the Royals. The team drew 29,549, its highest home crowd since opening day.

The Royals had seven baserunners in the last three innings but didn't score.

"To leave that many guys stranded you have to have some good at-bats, too, to put them on base," Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. "We put a lot of good at-bats together so there is a flip side to everything."

Maikel Garcia hit a two-out RBI double in the first, but Esteury Ruiz's two-run single in the second and JJ Bleday's homer in the third built a 3-1 lead. Ryan Noda hit an RBI triple in the fourth and scored on Brent Rooker's double.

It marked the first series win of season for the Athletics after losing their first 10 series.

"For this club, we know where we're at," Kotsay said. "We know the hole we dug ourselves. Our focus is on winning each day. I don't think the weight of not winning a series was impactful. But it definitely does feel good to get our first series win."

Freddy Fermin's solo homer and Witt's two-run drive, a 434-foot drive for his sixth homer this season, cut the deficit to one run in the bottom half.

RHP Mason Miller (0-1, 3.52 ERA) starts Sunday for Oakland and LHP Ryan Yarbrough (0-4, 7.40 ERA) for the Royals.

By DAVID SMALE Associated PressKANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Oakland Athletics won consecutive games for the first time this season as Ryan Noda had a triple and double, reaching base four times in a 5-4 win over the Kansas City Royals on Saturday night.Noda was 5 for 7 with three doubles, a triple, four runs and four RBIs in the first two games of the series between teams tied for the worst record in the major leagues at 8-26."He's swinging the bat," Oakland manager Mark Kotsay said. "He's learned early in the season that when you're as patient as he's been coming through the minor leagues, these big-league guys will attack you. He's been a little more aggressive in the zone and that's created some results."Noda is just trying to keep an even keel."My job is to get on base any way I can," he said. "The last two days I've been doing a pretty good job of it. I'm just sticking to my approach and grinding it out. I've been getting good pitches and not missing them."Ken Waldichuk (1-2) allowed four runs, six hits and six walks in five innings with six strikeouts. His 115 pitches were the most he's thrown in his major-league career."I really wanted to get through five and help out the bullpen a little bit," Waldichuk said. "I'm really happy that Kots let me stay out there."I was battling a lot with my command. Once I walked (Michael Massey leading off the fifth), I knew it was go time."Zach Jackson retired Bobby Witt Jr. on a game-ending groundout with two on for his first save this season.Brady Singer (2-4) gave up five runs and six hits in four innings.Kansas City honored Lorenzo Cain in a pregame ceremony. A member of the 2015 World Series champions, Cain signed a one-day contract to retire with the Royals. The team drew 29,549, its highest home crowd since opening day.The Royals had seven baserunners in the last three innings but didn't score."To leave that many guys stranded you have to have some good at-bats, too, to put them on base," Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. "We put a lot of good at-bats together so there is a flip side to everything."Maikel Garcia hit a two-out RBI double in the first, but Esteury Ruiz's two-run single in the second and JJ Bleday's homer in the third built a 3-1 lead. Ryan Noda hit an RBI triple in the fourth and scored on Brent Rooker's double.It marked the first series win of season for the Athletics after losing their first 10 series."For this club, we know where we're at," Kotsay said. "We know the hole we dug ourselves. Our focus is on winning each day. I don't think the weight of not winning a series was impactful. But it definitely does feel good to get our first series win."Freddy Fermin's solo homer and Witt's two-run drive, a 434-foot drive for his sixth homer this season, cut the deficit to one run in the bottom half.UP NEXTRHP Mason Miller (0-1, 3.52 ERA) starts Sunday for Oakland and LHP Ryan Yarbrough (0-4, 7.40 ERA) for the Royals.

A's beat Royals 5-4, win back-to-back for 1st time

HILLSBORO – The Kansas Wesleyan women's track team posted an eighth-place finish at the KCAC Championships on Thursday and Friday at Tabor College.

<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14297">Saffron Jacobs</a>&nbsp;(JR/Johannesburg, South Africa) placed second in the discus with a mark of 40.98m and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14314">Elizabeth Stout</a>&nbsp;(FR/Holden, Mo.) was 10th with a mark of 33.61m.

The 4x800m relay team of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14311">Joni Schroeder</a>&nbsp;(FR/Salina, Kan.),&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14303">Josie Koppes</a>&nbsp;(SO/Manhattan, Kan.),&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14300">Alayna Behrman</a>&nbsp;(SO/Craig, Colo.) and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14308">Madisyn Ehrlich</a>&nbsp;(FR/Salina, Kan.) was third in 10:03.22.

<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14303">Josie Koppes</a>&nbsp;placed fourth in the 5000m with a time of 19:00.83,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14308">Madisyn Ehrlich</a>&nbsp;was ninth in 20:05.10 and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14309">Charlee Lind</a>&nbsp;(FR/Wamego, Kan.) was 12th in 21:04.69.

<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14314">Elizabeth Stout</a>&nbsp;placed fourth in the shot put with a mark of 11.39m and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14294">Nicole Holaday</a>&nbsp;(SR/Gove, Kan.) was fifth with a mark of 11.23m.

<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14294">Nicole Holaday</a>&nbsp;placed fourth in the hammer throw with a mark of 43.18m,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14314">Elizabeth Stout</a>&nbsp;was 13th with a mark of 32.88m.

<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14308">Madisyn Ehrlich</a>&nbsp;placed fifth in the 1500m with a time of 5:03.65,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14295">Regan Rhodes</a>&nbsp;(SR/Mullinville, Kan.) was 17th with a time of 6:06.12,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14298">Savannah Pilsner</a>&nbsp;(SO/Columbus, Texas) was 18th with a time of 6:22.70 and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14296">Daniella Gaona</a>&nbsp;(JR/Clifton, Texas) was 19th with a time of 6:24.88.

The 4x100m relay team of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14299">Tamayia Washington</a>&nbsp;(SO/Manhattan, Kan.),&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14310">Grace Pearson</a>&nbsp;(FR/Cypress, Texas),&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14313">Grayce Tankersley</a>&nbsp;(FR/Hillsboro, Kan.) and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14302">Bailey Mann</a>&nbsp;(SO/Ferris, Texas) was seventh in 50.95 seconds.

<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14310">Grace Pearson</a>&nbsp;placed seventh in the 400m with a time of 60.17 seconds,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14299">Tamayia Washington</a>&nbsp;was 13th with a time of 65.20 and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14313">Grayce Tankersley</a>&nbsp;was 14th with a time of 65.46.

The 4x400m relay team of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14299">Tamayia Washington</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14310">Grace Pearson</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14313">Grayce Tankersley</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14302">Bailey Mann</a>&nbsp;was seventh with a time of 4:15.90.

<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14300">Alayna Behrman</a>&nbsp;placed eighth in the 10000m with a time of 44:28.75 and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14295">Regan Rhodes</a>&nbsp;was ninth with a time of 46:17.89.

<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14311">Joni Schroeder</a>&nbsp;was ninth in the 800m with a time of 2:32.90 and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14298">Savannah Pilsner</a>&nbsp;was 24th with a time of 3:04.33.

<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14313">Grayce Tankersley</a>&nbsp;placed 14th in the long jump with a mark of 4.75m.

<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14310">Grace Pearson</a>&nbsp;placed 15th in the 200m preliminaries with a time of 26.31 seconds, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14313">Grayce Tankersley</a>&nbsp;was 24th with a time of 28.37 seconds.

KWU Sports InformationHILLSBORO – The Kansas Wesleyan women's track team posted an eighth-place finish at the KCAC Championships on Thursday and Friday at Tabor College.<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14297">Saffron Jacobs</a>&nbsp;(JR/Johannesburg, South Africa) placed second in the discus with a mark of 40.98m and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14314">Elizabeth Stout</a>&nbsp;(FR/Holden, Mo.) was 10th with a mark of 33.61m.The 4x800m relay team of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14311">Joni Schroeder</a>&nbsp;(FR/Salina, Kan.),&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14303">Josie Koppes</a>&nbsp;(SO/Manhattan, Kan.),&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14300">Alayna Behrman</a>&nbsp;(SO/Craig, Colo.) and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14308">Madisyn Ehrlich</a>&nbsp;(FR/Salina, Kan.) was third in 10:03.22.<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14303">Josie Koppes</a>&nbsp;placed fourth in the 5000m with a time of 19:00.83,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14308">Madisyn Ehrlich</a>&nbsp;was ninth in 20:05.10 and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14309">Charlee Lind</a>&nbsp;(FR/Wamego, Kan.) was 12th in 21:04.69.<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14314">Elizabeth Stout</a>&nbsp;placed fourth in the shot put with a mark of 11.39m and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14294">Nicole Holaday</a>&nbsp;(SR/Gove, Kan.) was fifth with a mark of 11.23m.<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14294">Nicole Holaday</a>&nbsp;placed fourth in the hammer throw with a mark of 43.18m,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14314">Elizabeth Stout</a>&nbsp;was 13th with a mark of 32.88m.<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14308">Madisyn Ehrlich</a>&nbsp;placed fifth in the 1500m with a time of 5:03.65,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14295">Regan Rhodes</a>&nbsp;(SR/Mullinville, Kan.) was 17th with a time of 6:06.12,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14298">Savannah Pilsner</a>&nbsp;(SO/Columbus, Texas) was 18th with a time of 6:22.70 and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14296">Daniella Gaona</a>&nbsp;(JR/Clifton, Texas) was 19th with a time of 6:24.88.The 4x100m relay team of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14299">Tamayia Washington</a>&nbsp;(SO/Manhattan, Kan.),&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14310">Grace Pearson</a>&nbsp;(FR/Cypress, Texas),&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14313">Grayce Tankersley</a>&nbsp;(FR/Hillsboro, Kan.) and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14302">Bailey Mann</a>&nbsp;(SO/Ferris, Texas) was seventh in 50.95 seconds.<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14310">Grace Pearson</a>&nbsp;placed seventh in the 400m with a time of 60.17 seconds,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14299">Tamayia Washington</a>&nbsp;was 13th with a time of 65.20 and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14313">Grayce Tankersley</a>&nbsp;was 14th with a time of 65.46.The 4x400m relay team of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14299">Tamayia Washington</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14310">Grace Pearson</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14313">Grayce Tankersley</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14302">Bailey Mann</a>&nbsp;was seventh with a time of 4:15.90.<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14300">Alayna Behrman</a>&nbsp;placed eighth in the 10000m with a time of 44:28.75 and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14295">Regan Rhodes</a>&nbsp;was ninth with a time of 46:17.89.<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14311">Joni Schroeder</a>&nbsp;was ninth in the 800m with a time of 2:32.90 and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14298">Savannah Pilsner</a>&nbsp;was 24th with a time of 3:04.33.<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14313">Grayce Tankersley</a>&nbsp;placed 14th in the long jump with a mark of 4.75m.<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14310">Grace Pearson</a>&nbsp;placed 15th in the 200m preliminaries with a time of 26.31 seconds, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/17/14313">Grayce Tankersley</a>&nbsp;was 24th with a time of 28.37 seconds.

KWU women's track 8th at KCAC Championships

GREAT BEND –&nbsp;Kansas Wesleyan Baseball is two wins away from its second straight KCAC Baseball Tournament Championship after the Coyotes picked up wins over Ottawa 14-11 and Oklahoma Wesleyan 8-2 on Friday at Great Bend Sports Complex.

The victories also boosted the Coyotes to a new season record for wins in a season, now at 42, after tying the record on Thursday.

The Coyotes will face McPherson in Saturday's championship series, where like last year, Wesleyan must win two games to clinch the title.

Wesleyan first faced Ottawa and eliminated the Braves 14-11.

Wesleyan got things started in the first inning when&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/13262">Dustin Sipe</a>&nbsp;(SR/Aztec, N.M.) hit a 2-run homer after&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14219">Kendall Foster</a>&nbsp;(SR/Prosper, Texs) had reached on a single to give the Coyotes a 2-1 lead. Ottawa got a run in the bottom of the first.

The Coyotes added three more in the second on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14204">William Dryburgh</a>&nbsp;(SR/St. Joseph, Mo.)'s 3-run homer that scored courtesy runner Coulsen Riggs and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/13271">Zach Olson</a>&nbsp;(JR/Red Deer, Alberta).

Ottawa got another run in the second and another in the fourth.

Dryburgh hit another homer in the fifth, a solo shot that sparked a 6-run rally in the inning.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/13260">Jarrett Gable</a>&nbsp;(SR/Colleyville, Texas) added a sacrifice fly to score Foster,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/13268">Kevin Esquilin-Cruz</a>&nbsp;(SR/Trujilo Alto, Puerto Rico) had a RBI single and Olson hit a 3-run homer.

Ottawa got a run in the fifth, but the Coyotes added two more in the seventh on Esquilin-Cruz's homer that scored&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14201">Haydn Brown</a>&nbsp;(SR/Gardnerville, Nev.) who doubled to lead off the frame.

The Braves tried to rally, scoring four in the seventh, and three in the eighth get with within two at 13-11.

Sipe homered again in the top of the ninth launching a ball out down the left field line to make it 14-11.

<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14237">Nathan Righi</a>&nbsp;(JR/Pekin, Ill.) went five innings allowing four runs on seven hits.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/13229">Cesar Rodriguez</a>&nbsp;(JR/Houston, Texas)and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14242">Ritter Steinmann</a>&nbsp;(SO/Oroville, Calif.) pitched an inning and a third, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/13264">Ryan Sandoval</a>&nbsp;(SR/El Paso, Texas) added an inning and third to pick up the save.

Esquilin-Cruz had three hits to lead the offense, while three others added two each.

The Coyotes then faced Oklahoma Wesleyan and broke a 2-2 tie in the top of the ninth inning with six runs, eliminating the Eagles 8-2.

<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/13273">Spencer Foley</a>&nbsp;(SR/Lancaster, Calif.) was fantastic for the Coyotes on the hill, going seven and two-thirds, allowing two runs, one earned on seven hits with four strikeouts, but departed with a no-decision.

It was a defensive battle throughout. The Eagles broke through in the bottom of the third inning taking a 1-0 lead, but the Coyotes answered back in the top of the fourth.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14208">Zack Beatty</a>&nbsp;(JR/Maple Park, Ill.) singled and after a fielder's choice, Esquilin-Cruz walked and then Olson hit a 2-run double to put the Coyotes up 2-1.

No one scored again until the eighth when OKWU tied it on a sacrifice fly. The Eagles would leave the bases loaded.

Wesleyan's offense got the spark it needed in the top of the ninth.

Gable walked with one out, followed by a walk to Esquilin-Cruz. Olson then walked as did&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14229">Kansuke Okada</a>&nbsp;(SR/Osaka, Japan) to force in the go-ahead run. Dryburgh then singled home a run and Foster followed with a 2-run double. Dryburgh scored on a wild pitch and Sipe singled to drive in the sixth run of the inning.

Oklahoma Wesleyan loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth, but a double play ended it for the Coyotes.

Dryburgh had three of KWU's 10 hits.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/13264">Ryan Sandoval</a>&nbsp;picked up the win in relief, recording the final four outs of the game. &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683401037458.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 InformationGREAT BEND –&nbsp;Kansas Wesleyan Baseball is two wins away from its second straight KCAC Baseball Tournament Championship after the Coyotes picked up wins over Ottawa 14-11 and Oklahoma Wesleyan 8-2 on Friday at Great Bend Sports Complex.The victories also boosted the Coyotes to a new season record for wins in a season, now at 42, after tying the record on Thursday.The Coyotes will face McPherson in Saturday's championship series, where like last year, Wesleyan must win two games to clinch the title.Wesleyan first faced Ottawa and eliminated the Braves 14-11.Wesleyan got things started in the first inning when&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/13262">Dustin Sipe</a>&nbsp;(SR/Aztec, N.M.) hit a 2-run homer after&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14219">Kendall Foster</a>&nbsp;(SR/Prosper, Texs) had reached on a single to give the Coyotes a 2-1 lead. Ottawa got a run in the bottom of the first.The Coyotes added three more in the second on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14204">William Dryburgh</a>&nbsp;(SR/St. Joseph, Mo.)'s 3-run homer that scored courtesy runner Coulsen Riggs and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/13271">Zach Olson</a>&nbsp;(JR/Red Deer, Alberta).Ottawa got another run in the second and another in the fourth.Dryburgh hit another homer in the fifth, a solo shot that sparked a 6-run rally in the inning.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/13260">Jarrett Gable</a>&nbsp;(SR/Colleyville, Texas) added a sacrifice fly to score Foster,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/13268">Kevin Esquilin-Cruz</a>&nbsp;(SR/Trujilo Alto, Puerto Rico) had a RBI single and Olson hit a 3-run homer.Ottawa got a run in the fifth, but the Coyotes added two more in the seventh on Esquilin-Cruz's homer that scored&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14201">Haydn Brown</a>&nbsp;(SR/Gardnerville, Nev.) who doubled to lead off the frame.The Braves tried to rally, scoring four in the seventh, and three in the eighth get with within two at 13-11.Sipe homered again in the top of the ninth launching a ball out down the left field line to make it 14-11.<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14237">Nathan Righi</a>&nbsp;(JR/Pekin, Ill.) went five innings allowing four runs on seven hits.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/13229">Cesar Rodriguez</a>&nbsp;(JR/Houston, Texas)and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14242">Ritter Steinmann</a>&nbsp;(SO/Oroville, Calif.) pitched an inning and a third, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/13264">Ryan Sandoval</a>&nbsp;(SR/El Paso, Texas) added an inning and third to pick up the save.Esquilin-Cruz had three hits to lead the offense, while three others added two each.The Coyotes then faced Oklahoma Wesleyan and broke a 2-2 tie in the top of the ninth inning with six runs, eliminating the Eagles 8-2.<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/13273">Spencer Foley</a>&nbsp;(SR/Lancaster, Calif.) was fantastic for the Coyotes on the hill, going seven and two-thirds, allowing two runs, one earned on seven hits with four strikeouts, but departed with a no-decision.It was a defensive battle throughout. The Eagles broke through in the bottom of the third inning taking a 1-0 lead, but the Coyotes answered back in the top of the fourth.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14208">Zack Beatty</a>&nbsp;(JR/Maple Park, Ill.) singled and after a fielder's choice, Esquilin-Cruz walked and then Olson hit a 2-run double to put the Coyotes up 2-1.No one scored again until the eighth when OKWU tied it on a sacrifice fly. The Eagles would leave the bases loaded.Wesleyan's offense got the spark it needed in the top of the ninth.Gable walked with one out, followed by a walk to Esquilin-Cruz. Olson then walked as did&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14229">Kansuke Okada</a>&nbsp;(SR/Osaka, Japan) to force in the go-ahead run. Dryburgh then singled home a run and Foster followed with a 2-run double. Dryburgh scored on a wild pitch and Sipe singled to drive in the sixth run of the inning.Oklahoma Wesleyan loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth, but a double play ended it for the Coyotes.Dryburgh had three of KWU's 10 hits.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/13264">Ryan Sandoval</a>&nbsp;picked up the win in relief, recording the final four outs of the game. &nbsp;

KWU baseball wins twice, advances to KCAC Championship

HILLSBORO –&nbsp;Kansas Wesleyan men's track posted its highest score ever in the KCAC Championship meet as the Coyotes scored 137 points and finished second as the conference meet was held at Tabor College's Joel Wiens Stadium on Thursday and Friday.

KWU's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14367">Cole Parker</a>&nbsp;(SR/Corning, Calif.) was named the KCAC Field Athlete of the Meet, repeating the same honor he won at the KCAC Indoor Championships in February.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14341">Shaquelle Lewis</a>&nbsp;was named as the Men's Assistant Coach of the Year after another outstanding performance by the Coyote throwers, scoring 24 points in three events at the championship.

<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14367">Cole Parker</a>&nbsp;won the shot put, recording a mark of 15.79m to win the event by over a half-meter.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14365">Keegan Lott</a>&nbsp;(FR/Horton, Kan.) placed fourth with a mark of 14.25m, Dylan Worrell placed fifth with a mark of 13.59m,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14360">Cody Flax</a>&nbsp;(JR/Culver, Kan.) was 15th with a mark of 11.25m, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14371">Jonathan Calzada</a>&nbsp;(FR/Salina, Kan.) was 16th with a mark of 11.23m.

<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14359">Simeon Faagai</a>&nbsp;(JR/Ponca City, Okla.) was the KCAC Champion in the hammer throw with a mark of 52.14m.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14360">Cody Flax</a>&nbsp;placed fourth with a mark of 44.20m,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14371">Jonathan Calzada</a>&nbsp;was fifth with a mark of 43.54m, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14368">Jason Traister</a>&nbsp;(FR/Plano, Texas) was 12th with a mark of 37.06m.

<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14367">Cole Parker</a>&nbsp;finished second in the javelin with a mark of 58.23m, hitting the NAIA 'A' Standard and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14365">Keegan Lott</a>&nbsp;placed third with a mark of 52.07m.

The 4x800m relay team of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14348">Ty Davidson</a>&nbsp;(SO/Lakin, Kan.),&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14366">Nicolas Martinez</a>&nbsp;(FR/Coppell, Texas),&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14352">Giovanni Rios</a>&nbsp;(SO/Temecula, Calif.), and Will Griffith placed second with a time of 7:53.84.

Mark Benjamin posted a second place finish in the 200m finals, posting a time of 21.49 seconds.

<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14346">Eryk Kyser</a>&nbsp;(JR/Caney, Kan.) smashed his school record in the long jump finishing second with a mark of 7.56m and hitting the NAIA 'A' Standard.

<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14365">Keegan Lott</a>&nbsp;placed second in the discus with a mark of 46.18m,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14367">Cole Parker</a>&nbsp;was third with a mark of 45.63m,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14359">Simeon Faagai</a>&nbsp;was fifth with a mark of 40.14m,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14368">Jason Traister</a>&nbsp;was eighth with a mark of 38.88m, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14371">Jonathan Calzada</a>&nbsp;was 16th with a mark of 28.05m.

<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14346">Eryk Kyser</a>&nbsp;paced third in the 400m with a time of 49.35 seconds, while&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14362">Riley Garcia</a>&nbsp;(FR/San Antonio, Texas) posted a 14th place finish with a time of 51.46 seconds and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14351">Conner LaRosa</a>&nbsp;(SO/Herington, Kan.) was 23rd with a time of 54.48 seconds.

Will Griffith posted a third place finish in the 800m with a time of 1:58.23,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14348">Ty Davidson</a>&nbsp;was fourth with a 1:58.28,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14357">Julian Avila</a>&nbsp;(SO/Manhattan, Kan.) placed 12th in 2:01.77,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14366">Nicolas Martinez</a>&nbsp;place 18th in 2:03.44, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14352">Giovanni Rios</a>&nbsp;placed 19th with a 2:03.70.

Mark Benjamin posted a fourth place finish in the 100m hitting the NAIA 'B' Standard with a time of 10.53 seconds.

<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14343">Austin Hess</a>&nbsp;(JR/Garden City, Kan.) was fifth in the 10000m with a time of 32:49.11,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14349">Cisco Alvarez</a>&nbsp;(SO/Colorado Springs, Colo.) was sixth in 33:01.40,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14342">Shane Calvin</a>&nbsp;(JR/Lakin, Kan.) was seventh in 33:15.60, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14350">Jack Horacek</a>&nbsp;(SO/Topeka. Kan.) was 12th in 35:03.10.

The 4x100m relay team of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14364">Que Hill</a>&nbsp;(JR/Salina, Kan.), Mark Benjamin,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14372">Arlander Johnson</a>&nbsp;(SO/Salina, Kan.), and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14362">Riley Garcia</a>&nbsp;placed fifth with a time of 42.41 seconds.

Kamal Murphy placed seventh in the 110m hurdles with a time of 16.90 seconds.

<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14352">Giovanni Rios</a>&nbsp;placed seventh in the 1500m with a time of 4:08.63, Stevie Merrill placed 20th with a time of 4:32.18, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14370">Remington Wiseman</a>&nbsp;(FR/Howard, Kan.) was 30th in 5:12.46.

<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14353">Darius Archuleta</a>&nbsp;(SO/Liberal, Kan.) placed eighth with a mark of 6.53m in the long jump.

Kamal Murphy placed eighth in the 400m hurdles with a time of 63.85 seconds.

The 4x400m relay team of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14362">Riley Garcia</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14348">Ty Davidson</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14357">Julian Avila</a>, and Will Griffith placed eighth in 3:27.51.

<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14343">Austin Hess</a>&nbsp;placed 10th in the 5000m with a time of 15:50.26,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14358">Jake Cruz</a>&nbsp;(FR/Pasadena, Texas) was 11th with an 16:00.25,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14342">Shane Calvin</a>&nbsp;was 15th in 16:15.71,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14349">Cisco Alvarez</a>&nbsp;was 16th in 16:18.54, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14350">Jack Horacek</a>&nbsp;was 23rd in 16:44.81.

Kamal Murphy placed 10th in the triple jump with a mark of 12.89m and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14353">Darius Archuleta</a>&nbsp;was 11th with a mark of 12.65m.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683400378295.jpeg" alt="The KWU men's track team. Photo courtesy <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com">kwucoyotes.com</a>" />
 <figcaption>The KWU men's track team. Photo courtesy <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com">kwucoyotes.com</a></figcaption>
 </figure>KWU Sports InformationHILLSBORO –&nbsp;Kansas Wesleyan men's track posted its highest score ever in the KCAC Championship meet as the Coyotes scored 137 points and finished second as the conference meet was held at Tabor College's Joel Wiens Stadium on Thursday and Friday.KWU's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14367">Cole Parker</a>&nbsp;(SR/Corning, Calif.) was named the KCAC Field Athlete of the Meet, repeating the same honor he won at the KCAC Indoor Championships in February.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14341">Shaquelle Lewis</a>&nbsp;was named as the Men's Assistant Coach of the Year after another outstanding performance by the Coyote throwers, scoring 24 points in three events at the championship.<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14367">Cole Parker</a>&nbsp;won the shot put, recording a mark of 15.79m to win the event by over a half-meter.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14365">Keegan Lott</a>&nbsp;(FR/Horton, Kan.) placed fourth with a mark of 14.25m, Dylan Worrell placed fifth with a mark of 13.59m,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14360">Cody Flax</a>&nbsp;(JR/Culver, Kan.) was 15th with a mark of 11.25m, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14371">Jonathan Calzada</a>&nbsp;(FR/Salina, Kan.) was 16th with a mark of 11.23m.<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14359">Simeon Faagai</a>&nbsp;(JR/Ponca City, Okla.) was the KCAC Champion in the hammer throw with a mark of 52.14m.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14360">Cody Flax</a>&nbsp;placed fourth with a mark of 44.20m,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14371">Jonathan Calzada</a>&nbsp;was fifth with a mark of 43.54m, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14368">Jason Traister</a>&nbsp;(FR/Plano, Texas) was 12th with a mark of 37.06m.<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14367">Cole Parker</a>&nbsp;finished second in the javelin with a mark of 58.23m, hitting the NAIA 'A' Standard and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14365">Keegan Lott</a>&nbsp;placed third with a mark of 52.07m.The 4x800m relay team of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14348">Ty Davidson</a>&nbsp;(SO/Lakin, Kan.),&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14366">Nicolas Martinez</a>&nbsp;(FR/Coppell, Texas),&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14352">Giovanni Rios</a>&nbsp;(SO/Temecula, Calif.), and Will Griffith placed second with a time of 7:53.84.Mark Benjamin posted a second place finish in the 200m finals, posting a time of 21.49 seconds.<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14346">Eryk Kyser</a>&nbsp;(JR/Caney, Kan.) smashed his school record in the long jump finishing second with a mark of 7.56m and hitting the NAIA 'A' Standard.<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14365">Keegan Lott</a>&nbsp;placed second in the discus with a mark of 46.18m,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14367">Cole Parker</a>&nbsp;was third with a mark of 45.63m,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14359">Simeon Faagai</a>&nbsp;was fifth with a mark of 40.14m,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14368">Jason Traister</a>&nbsp;was eighth with a mark of 38.88m, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14371">Jonathan Calzada</a>&nbsp;was 16th with a mark of 28.05m.<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14346">Eryk Kyser</a>&nbsp;paced third in the 400m with a time of 49.35 seconds, while&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14362">Riley Garcia</a>&nbsp;(FR/San Antonio, Texas) posted a 14th place finish with a time of 51.46 seconds and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14351">Conner LaRosa</a>&nbsp;(SO/Herington, Kan.) was 23rd with a time of 54.48 seconds.Will Griffith posted a third place finish in the 800m with a time of 1:58.23,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14348">Ty Davidson</a>&nbsp;was fourth with a 1:58.28,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14357">Julian Avila</a>&nbsp;(SO/Manhattan, Kan.) placed 12th in 2:01.77,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14366">Nicolas Martinez</a>&nbsp;place 18th in 2:03.44, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14352">Giovanni Rios</a>&nbsp;placed 19th with a 2:03.70.Mark Benjamin posted a fourth place finish in the 100m hitting the NAIA 'B' Standard with a time of 10.53 seconds.<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14343">Austin Hess</a>&nbsp;(JR/Garden City, Kan.) was fifth in the 10000m with a time of 32:49.11,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14349">Cisco Alvarez</a>&nbsp;(SO/Colorado Springs, Colo.) was sixth in 33:01.40,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14342">Shane Calvin</a>&nbsp;(JR/Lakin, Kan.) was seventh in 33:15.60, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14350">Jack Horacek</a>&nbsp;(SO/Topeka. Kan.) was 12th in 35:03.10.The 4x100m relay team of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14364">Que Hill</a>&nbsp;(JR/Salina, Kan.), Mark Benjamin,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14372">Arlander Johnson</a>&nbsp;(SO/Salina, Kan.), and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14362">Riley Garcia</a>&nbsp;placed fifth with a time of 42.41 seconds.Kamal Murphy placed seventh in the 110m hurdles with a time of 16.90 seconds.<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14352">Giovanni Rios</a>&nbsp;placed seventh in the 1500m with a time of 4:08.63, Stevie Merrill placed 20th with a time of 4:32.18, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14370">Remington Wiseman</a>&nbsp;(FR/Howard, Kan.) was 30th in 5:12.46.<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14353">Darius Archuleta</a>&nbsp;(SO/Liberal, Kan.) placed eighth with a mark of 6.53m in the long jump.Kamal Murphy placed eighth in the 400m hurdles with a time of 63.85 seconds.The 4x400m relay team of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14362">Riley Garcia</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14348">Ty Davidson</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14357">Julian Avila</a>, and Will Griffith placed eighth in 3:27.51.<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14343">Austin Hess</a>&nbsp;placed 10th in the 5000m with a time of 15:50.26,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14358">Jake Cruz</a>&nbsp;(FR/Pasadena, Texas) was 11th with an 16:00.25,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14342">Shane Calvin</a>&nbsp;was 15th in 16:15.71,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14349">Cisco Alvarez</a>&nbsp;was 16th in 16:18.54, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14350">Jack Horacek</a>&nbsp;was 23rd in 16:44.81.Kamal Murphy placed 10th in the triple jump with a mark of 12.89m and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/10/14353">Darius Archuleta</a>&nbsp;was 11th with a mark of 12.65m.

KWU men's track places 2nd at KCAC Championship meet

By TYLER HENRY Salina Post contributor

For the first time in over a month, the Salina Liberty will hit the road this Saturday for a league contest with the Southwest Kansas Storm.

Salina comes into this matchup in a tie for third at 5-2 while Southwest Kansas enters in sixth at 2-5.

These two met two weeks back in a game that saw the Liberty emerge victorious by a final score of 45-38.

While Salina emerged with a win, the Liberty will be very intentional about shoring up their play in the rematch, specifically in the turnover margin where the team was fortunate to escape with a win.

“I remember the fumbles and interceptions that we surrendered to one of the best defenses in the game and simply put we have to be better than that,” Liberty head coach Heron O’Neal said. “You’re not going to beat too many teams playing the way we did in that game but if we can keep things tightened up like we did last week we should be okay.”

While contending with a stout secondary will be among the top of Salina’s priority list, they will also have to find an answer for nose guard Sidney Jones, who has been more than a handful for opposing fronts this season.

“He’s a problem and we found out just how much of a problem he was in that first game,” O’Neal said. “We’ll have to neutralize him and we’ll have to work against one of the best secondaries in the league but we’re up for the challenge.”

On the other side of the contest, Salina will have to put more pressure on Storm QB Josh Hollins, who ran wild on the Liberty last time with four total touchdowns including three on the ground.

“Our defensive line will have to neutralize their quarterback,” O’Neal said. “He lit us up in that first game and now that we have more film and firsthand experience against him we understand his game and what he can do.”

Kickoff between the Liberty and Storm is scheduled for 6:00 in Dodge City 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>For the first time in over a month, the Salina Liberty will hit the road this Saturday for a league contest with the Southwest Kansas Storm.Salina comes into this matchup in a tie for third at 5-2 while Southwest Kansas enters in sixth at 2-5.These two met two weeks back in a game that saw the Liberty emerge victorious by a final score of 45-38.While Salina emerged with a win, the Liberty will be very intentional about shoring up their play in the rematch, specifically in the turnover margin where the team was fortunate to escape with a win.“I remember the fumbles and interceptions that we surrendered to one of the best defenses in the game and simply put we have to be better than that,” Liberty head coach Heron O’Neal said. “You’re not going to beat too many teams playing the way we did in that game but if we can keep things tightened up like we did last week we should be okay.”While contending with a stout secondary will be among the top of Salina’s priority list, they will also have to find an answer for nose guard Sidney Jones, who has been more than a handful for opposing fronts this season.“He’s a problem and we found out just how much of a problem he was in that first game,” O’Neal said. “We’ll have to neutralize him and we’ll have to work against one of the best secondaries in the league but we’re up for the challenge.”On the other side of the contest, Salina will have to put more pressure on Storm QB Josh Hollins, who ran wild on the Liberty last time with four total touchdowns including three on the ground.“Our defensive line will have to neutralize their quarterback,” O’Neal said. “He lit us up in that first game and now that we have more film and firsthand experience against him we understand his game and what he can do.”Kickoff between the Liberty and Storm is scheduled for 6:00 in Dodge City and as always, the game can be heard on KINA (910 AM or 107.5 FM) courtesy of Eagle Radio.

Liberty travel to Southwest Kansas for rematch with Storm

The Southeast of Saline track and field teams put on a show at their home invitational, posting a 1-2 finish ahead of a seven-team field.

The boy’s team finished head and shoulders above the rest, scoring 182 points to finish nearly 100 points ahead of their next closest competition in Abilene.

Meanwhile, it was the best result of the season for the girl’s team, as the Lady Trojans took second, behind only another league foe in Beloit.

Here then is a look at every member of both teams to finish on the podium on Friday.

Michael Murray - 100m dash: 1st - Long jump: 1st

Nakari Morrical-Palmer - 2oom dash: 1st - 400: 1st

Brayden Walker - 1600: 1st - 800: 3rd

Caden Parry - 110m hurdles: 3rd - Triple jump: 3rd

Ashley Prochazka - 1600: 1st - 3200: 1st

By TYLER HENRY Salina Post contributor<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599179528888.png" alt="Coverage of SES track is presented by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!" />
 <figcaption>Coverage of SES track is presented by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!</figcaption>
 </figure>The Southeast of Saline track and field teams put on a show at their home invitational, posting a 1-2 finish ahead of a seven-team field.The boy’s team finished head and shoulders above the rest, scoring 182 points to finish nearly 100 points ahead of their next closest competition in Abilene.Meanwhile, it was the best result of the season for the girl’s team, as the Lady Trojans took second, behind only another league foe in Beloit.Here then is a look at every member of both teams to finish on the podium on Friday.BoysMichael Murray - 100m dash: 1st - Long jump: 1stNakari Morrical-Palmer - 2oom dash: 1st - 400: 1stBrayden Walker - 1600: 1st - 800: 3rdJacob Bircher - 800: 1stDamion Jackson - 3200: 1stLevi Allen - 3200: 2ndCayden Walker - 1600: 2ndOmar Calzada - 400: 2ndConnor Caselman - Triple jump: 2ndNathan Friesen - 100m dash: 3rdMalachi Hopkins - High jump: 3rdCaden Parry - 110m hurdles: 3rd - Triple jump: 3rdGirlsAshley Prochazka - 1600: 1st - 3200: 1stBreckyn Alderson - 3200: 2ndCali Augustine - 800: 2ndChristina Wingo - Triple jump: 3rdElliana Smith - Pole vault: 3rd

Trojan track takes 1-2 finish at home meet

By TYLER HENRY Salina Post contributor

The Southeast of Saline softball team closed out their regular season in a doubleheader decimation of the Russell Broncos, putting the exclamation mark on their impressive campaign.

With two identical run-rule-shortened wins of 18-0, the Lady Trojans wrap up the regular season at 18-2 and 9-1 in league play, sharing the NCAA title with Beloit, who swept Republic County on Thursday.

SES will enter regional play on a seven-game winning streak, having won 15 of their 20 games by mercy rule and eight by shutout, and close out the campaign with a +231 run differential.

The Lady Trojans wasted no time pouring it on in game one, striking for six runs in the first and twelve in the second en route to their first 18-0 victory.

Bryna Baird was on another level in the circle, facing nine batters and striking out each and every one in a no-hit shutout effort.

Four different Lady Trojans recorded multi-RBI games, led by Chase Gilpin, Savannah Sutton, Bryna Baird, and Jayci Burghart.

Game two saw more of the same as SES piled on ten runs in the first and eight in the second en route to yet another 18-0 win.

This time around it was Carly Commerford and Aba Pearson who dominated in the circle combining to toss three more innings of no-hit ball, walking just one and striking out six.

The Lady Trojans will be back in action to kick off their postseason run on May 15th at the Lyons Regional.

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>The Southeast of Saline softball team closed out their regular season in a doubleheader decimation of the Russell Broncos, putting the exclamation mark on their impressive campaign.With two identical run-rule-shortened wins of 18-0, the Lady Trojans wrap up the regular season at 18-2 and 9-1 in league play, sharing the NCAA title with Beloit, who swept Republic County on Thursday.SES will enter regional play on a seven-game winning streak, having won 15 of their 20 games by mercy rule and eight by shutout, and close out the campaign with a +231 run differential.The Lady Trojans wasted no time pouring it on in game one, striking for six runs in the first and twelve in the second en route to their first 18-0 victory.Bryna Baird was on another level in the circle, facing nine batters and striking out each and every one in a no-hit shutout effort.Four different Lady Trojans recorded multi-RBI games, led by Chase Gilpin, Savannah Sutton, Bryna Baird, and Jayci Burghart.Game two saw more of the same as SES piled on ten runs in the first and eight in the second en route to yet another 18-0 win.This time around it was Carly Commerford and Aba Pearson who dominated in the circle combining to toss three more innings of no-hit ball, walking just one and striking out six.The Lady Trojans will be back in action to kick off their postseason run on May 15th at the Lyons Regional.

Southeast softball stomps Russell to close out campaign 18-2

The Southeast of Saline golf team came home to take eighth place at this year's Junction City Invitational amidst a loaded field of 4, 5, and 6A schools.

Joel Huffaker led the way for the Trojans, finishing 21st on a day that saw him card an 85.

Here then, are the results from this year's Junction City Invitational.

Final Team Results 1. Manhattan- 319 2. Washburn Rural- 331 3. Sacred Heart- 334 4. Emporia- 335 5. Tonganoxie- 337 6. Shawnee Heights- 339 7. Hutchinson- 343 8. SE of Saline- 367 9. Topeka-Hayden- 377 10. Topeka-Seaman- 377 11. Topeka- 391 12. Junction City- 395 13. Topeka-West- 417 14. Salina Central- 436 15. St. Mary's Academy- 473

SES Individual Results 21. Joel Huffaker- 85 T31. Dylan Esch- 88 T42. Adam Thiel- 92 T62. Matthew Redden- 102 84. Miguel Ortega- 130

By TYLER HENRY Salina Post contributor<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599179528888.png" alt="Coverage of SES golf is presented by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!" />
 <figcaption>Coverage of SES golf is presented by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!</figcaption>
 </figure>The Southeast of Saline golf team came home to take eighth place at this year's Junction City Invitational amidst a loaded field of 4, 5, and 6A schools.Joel Huffaker led the way for the Trojans, finishing 21st on a day that saw him card an 85.Here then, are the results from this year's Junction City Invitational.Final Team Results 1. Manhattan- 319 2. Washburn Rural- 331 3. Sacred Heart- 334 4. Emporia- 335 5. Tonganoxie- 337 6. Shawnee Heights- 339 7. Hutchinson- 343 8. SE of Saline- 367 9. Topeka-Hayden- 377 10. Topeka-Seaman- 377 11. Topeka- 391 12. Junction City- 395 13. Topeka-West- 417 14. Salina Central- 436 15. St. Mary's Academy- 473SES Individual Results 21. Joel Huffaker- 85 T31. Dylan Esch- 88 T42. Adam Thiel- 92 T62. Matthew Redden- 102 84. Miguel Ortega- 130

Trojan golf takes eighth at Junction City Invite

The Southeast of Saline baseball team concluded their regular season on Thursday, dropping two games at the hands of a former league foe in Russell.

With finals of 12-1 and 15-4, the Trojans close out the year at 13-7, and 9-1 in NCAA play, with another league title in the rearview and an appearance at regionals ahead.

SES will head into the postseason with an impressive run differential of +118, having won just under half of their games by mercy rule and seven via a shutout.

Game one of this doubleheader saw the Broncos in the driver's seat early, scoring two in the first and third before breaking the game open down the stretch.

The Trojans did muster a run in the second but it wasn’t nearly enough as Southeast fell in the opener 12-1.

Game two saw a closer game through the first two innings as the SES trailed just 4-2 going into the third, but an eight-run frame for Russell allowed the Broncos to cruise to a shortened 15-4 victory to complete the sweep.

The Trojans will begin their postseason run on May 15th at the Burlington regional.

For continuing coverage of SES baseball all postseason long 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 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 concluded their regular season on Thursday, dropping two games at the hands of a former league foe in Russell.With finals of 12-1 and 15-4, the Trojans close out the year at 13-7, and 9-1 in NCAA play, with another league title in the rearview and an appearance at regionals ahead.SES will head into the postseason with an impressive run differential of +118, having won just under half of their games by mercy rule and seven via a shutout.Game one of this doubleheader saw the Broncos in the driver's seat early, scoring two in the first and third before breaking the game open down the stretch.The Trojans did muster a run in the second but it wasn’t nearly enough as Southeast fell in the opener 12-1.Game two saw a closer game through the first two innings as the SES trailed just 4-2 going into the third, but an eight-run frame for Russell allowed the Broncos to cruise to a shortened 15-4 victory to complete the sweep.The Trojans will begin their postseason run on May 15th at the Burlington regional.For continuing coverage of SES baseball all postseason long stay tuned to the Salina Post.Photo credit: Kyler Boley

Trojans fall to Russell, conclude regular season at 13-7

WICHITA – The Wichita Wind Surge dropped both games of a doubleheader to the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Friday night. The Naturals beat the Surge 5-1 in game one and 4-3 in game two.

Yoyner Fajardo opened the first game with a double and scored to give Wichita a quick 1-0 advantage.

The Naturals responded scoring a pair of runs in the first with RBI singles from Jorge Bonifacio and Jeison Guzman.&nbsp; Bonifacio hit a two run home run in the fourth to extend the Northwest Arkansas lead to 4-1.&nbsp; Alec Marsh earned the win pitching six innings and had nine strikeouts. &nbsp; Chad Donato collected his third loss of the season for Wichita.

Similar to game one, the Surge scored first when Fajardo singled and scored on a DaShawn Keirsey RBI. &nbsp;The Naturals put together a four run first inning with Bonifacio hitting his second home run of the game, a three run shot. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Wichita added a run in the second and Seth Gray homered in the sixth to make it a one run game.&nbsp;

The Surge loaded the bases in the ninth inning with one out and the Naturals closed it out with a double play.

The winning pitcher was T.J. Sikkema and the losing pitcher was Carlos Luna.&nbsp;

Wichita Wind SurgeWICHITA – The Wichita Wind Surge dropped both games of a doubleheader to the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Friday night. The Naturals beat the Surge 5-1 in game one and 4-3 in game two.Yoyner Fajardo opened the first game with a double and scored to give Wichita a quick 1-0 advantage.The Naturals responded scoring a pair of runs in the first with RBI singles from Jorge Bonifacio and Jeison Guzman.&nbsp; Bonifacio hit a two run home run in the fourth to extend the Northwest Arkansas lead to 4-1.&nbsp; Alec Marsh earned the win pitching six innings and had nine strikeouts. &nbsp; Chad Donato collected his third loss of the season for Wichita.Similar to game one, the Surge scored first when Fajardo singled and scored on a DaShawn Keirsey RBI. &nbsp;The Naturals put together a four run first inning with Bonifacio hitting his second home run of the game, a three run shot. &nbsp;&nbsp;Wichita added a run in the second and Seth Gray homered in the sixth to make it a one run game.&nbsp;The Surge loaded the bases in the ninth inning with one out and the Naturals closed it out with a double play.The winning pitcher was T.J. Sikkema and the losing pitcher was Carlos Luna.&nbsp;

Naturals sweep doubleheader with Wind Surge

By AVERY OSEN Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Brent Rooker and Ramón Laureano hit back-to-back homers, Ryan Noda drove in three runs and the Oakland Athletics outslugged the Kansas City Royals 12-8 on Friday night in a matchup between the bottom two teams in baseball.

Kyle Muller became the first A's starter to earn a win in 33 games this year. The drought was the longest to begin a season in MLB history, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

"It's been a long time coming," Muller said. "We have had some opportunities and fell a little short. I don't think the performance was worthy of the first win because we've had some guys have some good outings. We're just going to keep rolling from here."

Rooker, Noda, Esteury Ruiz and Tony Kemp each had three of Oakland's 17 hits, a season high. Ruiz and Noda both scored three times as the A's improved to 7-26 with only their second victory by more than one run.

Nick Pratto homered for the Royals (8-25), who dropped to 2-15 at home. They shaved a seven-run deficit to 9-8 before Oakland scored three times in the final two innings.

"This club has shown a lot of fight and resilience to fight back, and we had a tough series against Seattle and lost some of those games we couldn't tack on runs," A's manager Mark Kotsay said. "Tonight in the eighth inning we were able to tack on those (two) extra runs, which was breathing room."

Rooker launched a two-run homer in the third inning and Laureano followed with a drive to left-center that made it 4-0. It was Rooker's 10th home run of the season, second-most in the American League.

Rooker hit an RBI double in the fourth and Kemp chased Royals starter Brad Keller with a run-scoring double in the fifth.

Keller (2-3) gave up six earned runs, 11 hits and four walks over 4 1/3 innings.

Noda added a two-run double in the fifth to make it 9-2 — the biggest lead for Oakland this season.

Muller (1-2) gave up a two-run homer to Pratto in the fourth. The left-hander went 5 1/3 innings, allowing five runs and eight hits. He walked three and struck out one.

For the second consecutive game, the Royals fought back from a big deficit but couldn't complete the comeback. A two-run triple by Hunter Dozier trimmed it to 9-8 in the seventh.

"I mean, disappointing. Or, you know, we don't expect to do that," manager Matt Quataro said about falling into a big hole for a second straight game. "That is what is frustrating is that we know our guys can perform better than that and they know that. That is where the frustration comes, the internal part."

Kansas City recalled RHP Jonathan Heasley and optioned LHP Austin Cox to Triple-A Omaha.

The Royals placed OF Kyle Isbel (left hamstring strain) on the 10-day injured list and recalled INF Nate Eaton.

Oakland sends LHP Ken Waldichuk (0-2, 7.26 ERA) to the mound against Royals RHP Brady Singer (2-3, 8.48) on Saturday.

By AVERY OSEN Associated PressKANSAS CITY, Mo. — Brent Rooker and Ramón Laureano hit back-to-back homers, Ryan Noda drove in three runs and the Oakland Athletics outslugged the Kansas City Royals 12-8 on Friday night in a matchup between the bottom two teams in baseball.Kyle Muller became the first A's starter to earn a win in 33 games this year. The drought was the longest to begin a season in MLB history, according to the Elias Sports Bureau."It's been a long time coming," Muller said. "We have had some opportunities and fell a little short. I don't think the performance was worthy of the first win because we've had some guys have some good outings. We're just going to keep rolling from here."Rooker, Noda, Esteury Ruiz and Tony Kemp each had three of Oakland's 17 hits, a season high. Ruiz and Noda both scored three times as the A's improved to 7-26 with only their second victory by more than one run.Nick Pratto homered for the Royals (8-25), who dropped to 2-15 at home. They shaved a seven-run deficit to 9-8 before Oakland scored three times in the final two innings."This club has shown a lot of fight and resilience to fight back, and we had a tough series against Seattle and lost some of those games we couldn't tack on runs," A's manager Mark Kotsay said. "Tonight in the eighth inning we were able to tack on those (two) extra runs, which was breathing room."Rooker launched a two-run homer in the third inning and Laureano followed with a drive to left-center that made it 4-0. It was Rooker's 10th home run of the season, second-most in the American League.Rooker hit an RBI double in the fourth and Kemp chased Royals starter Brad Keller with a run-scoring double in the fifth.Keller (2-3) gave up six earned runs, 11 hits and four walks over 4 1/3 innings.Noda added a two-run double in the fifth to make it 9-2 — the biggest lead for Oakland this season.Muller (1-2) gave up a two-run homer to Pratto in the fourth. The left-hander went 5 1/3 innings, allowing five runs and eight hits. He walked three and struck out one.For the second consecutive game, the Royals fought back from a big deficit but couldn't complete the comeback. A two-run triple by Hunter Dozier trimmed it to 9-8 in the seventh."I mean, disappointing. Or, you know, we don't expect to do that," manager Matt Quataro said about falling into a big hole for a second straight game. "That is what is frustrating is that we know our guys can perform better than that and they know that. That is where the frustration comes, the internal part."ROSTER MOVESKansas City recalled RHP Jonathan Heasley and optioned LHP Austin Cox to Triple-A Omaha.TRAINER'S ROOMThe Royals placed OF Kyle Isbel (left hamstring strain) on the 10-day injured list and recalled INF Nate Eaton.UP NEXTOakland sends LHP Ken Waldichuk (0-2, 7.26 ERA) to the mound against Royals RHP Brady Singer (2-3, 8.48) on Saturday.

Rooker, Laureano go back-to-back as A's outslug Royals 12-8

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Oakland Athletics broadcaster Glen Kuiper apologized after uttering what sounded like a racial slur while describing a trip to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.

In a pregame segment on NBC Sports California before the A's played the Kansas City Royals on Friday night, Kuiper talked about a trip to the museum with colleague Dallas Braden but seemingly mispronounced the word "negro," making it sound instead like a slur.

Later in the game, Kuiper apologized on the air without getting into specifics.

"Welcome back to Kauffman Stadium. I just want to ... a little bit earlier in the show, I said something, didn't come out quite the way I wanted it to," Kuiper said. "And I just wanted to apologize if it sounded different than I meant it to be said. And like I said, I just wanted to apologize for that."

The A's later issued a statement, calling the language used by Kuiper "unacceptable."

"The Oakland Athletics do not condone such language," the team said. "We are working to address the situation."

Kuiper has been calling A's games in the Bay Area for about 20 years. He is the younger brother of former major leaguer and Giants announcer Duane Kuiper.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Oakland Athletics broadcaster Glen Kuiper apologized after uttering what sounded like a racial slur while describing a trip to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.In a pregame segment on NBC Sports California before the A's played the Kansas City Royals on Friday night, Kuiper talked about a trip to the museum with colleague Dallas Braden but seemingly mispronounced the word "negro," making it sound instead like a slur.Later in the game, Kuiper apologized on the air without getting into specifics."Welcome back to Kauffman Stadium. I just want to ... a little bit earlier in the show, I said something, didn't come out quite the way I wanted it to," Kuiper said. "And I just wanted to apologize if it sounded different than I meant it to be said. And like I said, I just wanted to apologize for that."The A's later issued a statement, calling the language used by Kuiper "unacceptable.""The Oakland Athletics do not condone such language," the team said. "We are working to address the situation."Kuiper has been calling A's games in the Bay Area for about 20 years. He is the younger brother of former major leaguer and Giants announcer Duane Kuiper.

A's broadcaster apologizes after apparent racial slur

By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports Writer

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — It's been a long time since Frankie Muniz was "Malcolm in the Middle."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683324165710.jpeg" alt="Actor-turned-race car driver Frankie Muniz leans on his car before the ARCA 200 auto race Feb. 18 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Muniz is the surprising points leader in the ARCA Series heading into Saturday’s race at Kansas Speedway in his first full season in stock car racing. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, file)" />
 <figcaption>Actor-turned-race car driver Frankie Muniz leans on his car before the ARCA 200 auto race Feb. 18 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Muniz is the surprising points leader in the ARCA Series heading into Saturday’s race at Kansas Speedway in his first full season in stock car racing. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, file)</figcaption>
 </figure>By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports WriterKANSAS CITY, Kan. — It's been a long time since Frankie Muniz was "Malcolm in the Middle."These days, he's more like "Malcolm in the Front."The multitalented actor-turned-race car driver is leading the standings in the ARCA Series, one of the lower rungs on the NASCAR feeder system, through the first three races in his first full season. His goal is to reach the Cup Series eventually, but the 37-year-old Muniz harbors no misconceptions about just how difficult it will be to climb that ladder.Especially given he's still trying to learn what all the switches do in his current car."I'm so focused on all that I need to learn right now in ARCA," said Muniz, who was eighth-fastest in practice Friday at Kansas Speedway, where the series will race Saturday. "This is the fourth race of 20 this season. I thought I'd do OK; I didn't know I'd be in the points lead at this point. But I'm focused on continuing that and learning."Muniz has always been fascinated by racing. He saw some in Charlotte growing up and went to the Daytona 500, where he drove the pace car in 2001, the year Dale Earnhardt was killed in a last-lap wreck. And during his younger days, when he was starring as the titular character on the Fox sitcom "Malcolm in the Middle," he dabbled in competitive racing.Muniz entered 14 races in 2006 in the Formula BMW USA series, and the following year, moved up to the Champ Car Atlantic Series. He continued racing until 2009, when a crash left him with injuries that led to him stepping away.He focused primarily on acting, though by that point "Malcolm in the Middle" had long finished its seven-year run on Fox and was fast becoming a cult classic, and began moonlighting as the drummer in the indie rock band Kingsfoil.Muniz's comeback, so to speak, began in late 2021 when he drove a late model at Kern County Raceway Park in Bakersfield, California. Next came an ARCA Series test at Daytona last year, and in January, Rette Jones racing announced that Muniz would be behind the wheel for the No. 30 Ford full-time this season."I love my past. I love everything I've done," Muniz said, "but I don't remember ever saying I wanted to be an actor. I wanted to be a garbage man, honestly, and acting took over my life. This chance in racing was me saying: 'What do I want to do? What do I want to accomplish in my life?' And here I am. I chose this. And when I put my helmet on and leave pit land, as much as I don't know, I feel like I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be."Turns out that's at the front of the pack.While he's yet to win through three ARCA Series races, Muniz has been the model of consistency. He's the only driver to finish all 316 laps, and that's why he leads 18-year-old Jesse Love by the narrowest of margins in the points race."It's a great achievement for Frankie to be leading in the ARCA Racing Series championship point standings as a Rette Jones Racing driver, but it is very early in the season," said the team's co-owner, Mark Rette. "Still, Frankie is incredibly focused and he knows that if he just focuses on his craft behind the wheel, the points will follow."One thing Muniz has going for him is the support of Ford. The racing powerhouse recently had him at its world headquarters for some events, and his car this weekend is carrying the "Built Ford Proud" banner on it."Obviously that's an integral part of making those leaps," Muniz said, "the fact that I'm in with an amazing manufacturer."That will only take Muniz so far, though. He also understands that showing enough ability to rise through the ranks is of the utmost importance, and he doesn't have a whole lot of time to do it. Muniz is basically getting his start in stock car racing at the same age that many drivers are beginning to think about what comes next.That's an added bit of pressure that many of his peers don't have."There's good and bad, obviously, with being my age," Muniz said. "I've been through a lot in my life — a lot of good, a lot of bad. I have experienced some things, even racing in the past. I feel like I pushed hard in racing, but I always felt like I could have pushed harder, tried harder. I have this opportunity now here I get a second chance to do it the right way."