By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports Writer

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Marcus Semien and the rest of the red-hot Texas Rangers are headed home on a high note.

Semien had three hits and drove in a pair of runs, and Jonah Heim capped a big day for the Rangers offense with a three-run shot in the ninth inning, leading them to a 12-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday. That wrapped up a three-game sweep and ran their winning streak to four straight on a 5-1 road trip.

"Everybody is starting to get hot, especially the position players," said Semien, who has driven in a run in five straight games and 11 total over that stretch. "It's a big road trip for us with all our injuries and definitely a confidence boost."

In the last few weeks, the Rangers have lost Corey Seager to a hamstring injury and Mitch Garver to a sprained knee.

Imagine how the offense would be performing with them.

Ezequiel Duran added a bases-clearing double Wednesday, and Leody Taveras and Adolis García also drove in two runs apiece, helping the Rangers improve to 12-6 to match the fifth-best start in franchise history.

"You can string together some wins and sweeps, it's always a good sign," Heim said. "We're just passing the baton."

Martin Pérez (3-1) allowed three runs on eight hits over 5 2/3 innings. He's gone at least five in 34 straight starts, the longest streak ever by a Rangers left-hander, though he allowed more than two runs for the first time this season.

They've been outscored 52-15 while losing six straight games, and they have lost nine of their last 10 to fall to 4-15 under first-year manager Matt Quatraro. Kansas City has won just once in 13 games at home this season.

"There's nothing you can do about the first three weeks of the season," Quatraro said. "Nobody is happy. You don't want to get beat. You don't want to be embarrassed, especially at home in front of your fans."

Brady Singer (1-2) didn't give the Royals much of a chance Wednesday. He allowed five runs on six hits and three walks while using 97 pitches just to get through five innings. He had four strikeouts, two of them coming on full-count pitches.

Singer looked like he was developing into a staff ace last season, but this year has been a struggle. The young right-hander allowed eight runs on 10 hits in his last start against Atlanta, and he's allowed 18 runs over 16 innings in his last three outings.

"It looked like it was really fine misses," Quatraro said. "They did a really nice job of not expanding (the strike zone)."

Just like the previous night, when the Rangers jumped on erratic Royals starter Brad Keller, they took advantage of Singer's early trouble finding the strike zone — fine as the misses were — to jump to a 3-0 lead by the end of the second inning.

Semien led off the game with the first of his three singles and Travis Jankowski worked a four-pitch walk before Garcia's sacrifice fly gave Texas a 1-0 lead. Then in the second, Heim drew a leadoff walk before scoring on a double by Taveras, who proceeded to score when Semien sent a single to right field for a 3-0 lead.

Taveras and Semien also drove in runs in the fourth as the Rangers pushed their advantage to 5-1.

The Royals scratched out two runs in the sixth to make it a game, but the Rangers answered with four in the seventh — the binge beginning with a free base due to catcher's interference — before Heim's punctuating three-run shot in the ninth.

"We just have to keep locking in when there's money on the table," Semien said.

Rangers: RHP Jacob deGrom (wrist soreness) had no discomfort while playing catch Wednesday and expects to make his next scheduled start. DeGrom left Monday's game in Kansas City after four hitless innings. "We'll continue to watch him," Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said, "but all went well today."

Both teams are off Thursday. The Rangers will be back at home Friday night and send RHP Jon Gray (1-1, 3.21 ERA) out for the opener of a three-game series against Oakland. The Royals will be in Los Angeles the same night to face the Angels.

By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports WriterKANSAS CITY, Mo. — Marcus Semien and the rest of the red-hot Texas Rangers are headed home on a high note.Semien had three hits and drove in a pair of runs, and Jonah Heim capped a big day for the Rangers offense with a three-run shot in the ninth inning, leading them to a 12-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday. That wrapped up a three-game sweep and ran their winning streak to four straight on a 5-1 road trip."Everybody is starting to get hot, especially the position players," said Semien, who has driven in a run in five straight games and 11 total over that stretch. "It's a big road trip for us with all our injuries and definitely a confidence boost."In the last few weeks, the Rangers have lost Corey Seager to a hamstring injury and Mitch Garver to a sprained knee.Imagine how the offense would be performing with them.Ezequiel Duran added a bases-clearing double Wednesday, and Leody Taveras and Adolis García also drove in two runs apiece, helping the Rangers improve to 12-6 to match the fifth-best start in franchise history."You can string together some wins and sweeps, it's always a good sign," Heim said. "We're just passing the baton."Martin Pérez (3-1) allowed three runs on eight hits over 5 2/3 innings. He's gone at least five in 34 straight starts, the longest streak ever by a Rangers left-hander, though he allowed more than two runs for the first time this season.It hardly mattered against the Royals.They've been outscored 52-15 while losing six straight games, and they have lost nine of their last 10 to fall to 4-15 under first-year manager Matt Quatraro. Kansas City has won just once in 13 games at home this season."There's nothing you can do about the first three weeks of the season," Quatraro said. "Nobody is happy. You don't want to get beat. You don't want to be embarrassed, especially at home in front of your fans."Brady Singer (1-2) didn't give the Royals much of a chance Wednesday. He allowed five runs on six hits and three walks while using 97 pitches just to get through five innings. He had four strikeouts, two of them coming on full-count pitches.Singer looked like he was developing into a staff ace last season, but this year has been a struggle. The young right-hander allowed eight runs on 10 hits in his last start against Atlanta, and he's allowed 18 runs over 16 innings in his last three outings."It looked like it was really fine misses," Quatraro said. "They did a really nice job of not expanding (the strike zone)."Just like the previous night, when the Rangers jumped on erratic Royals starter Brad Keller, they took advantage of Singer's early trouble finding the strike zone — fine as the misses were — to jump to a 3-0 lead by the end of the second inning.Semien led off the game with the first of his three singles and Travis Jankowski worked a four-pitch walk before Garcia's sacrifice fly gave Texas a 1-0 lead. Then in the second, Heim drew a leadoff walk before scoring on a double by Taveras, who proceeded to score when Semien sent a single to right field for a 3-0 lead.Taveras and Semien also drove in runs in the fourth as the Rangers pushed their advantage to 5-1.The Royals scratched out two runs in the sixth to make it a game, but the Rangers answered with four in the seventh — the binge beginning with a free base due to catcher's interference — before Heim's punctuating three-run shot in the ninth."We just have to keep locking in when there's money on the table," Semien said.TRAINER'S ROOMRangers: RHP Jacob deGrom (wrist soreness) had no discomfort while playing catch Wednesday and expects to make his next scheduled start. DeGrom left Monday's game in Kansas City after four hitless innings. "We'll continue to watch him," Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said, "but all went well today."UP NEXTBoth teams are off Thursday. The Rangers will be back at home Friday night and send RHP Jon Gray (1-1, 3.21 ERA) out for the opener of a three-game series against Oakland. The Royals will be in Los Angeles the same night to face the Angels.

Heim, Semien lead Rangers to 12-3 win over KC, series sweep

By TYLER HENRY Salina Post contributor

There are few words to accurately describe just how dominant the Southeast of Saline softball team has been this season, and at the midway mark of their 2023 campaign, the Lady Trojans look like a force to be reckoned with ahead of the home stretch.

Southeast will enter the final eight games of their regular season at 11-1 and a perfect 4-0 in league play, having outscored their first 12 opponents by an obscene 135 runs.

“We’re better in all facets of the game than we were last year and I’m so excited by that improvement,” SES head coach Pesha Ptacek said. “We’ve been able to fine-tune a lot of things now that these girls have all played big roles for us for a long time now.”

While an 11-1 record is impressive all on its own, it doesn't do the first half of the season justice, as eight of those wins have come by mercy rule, and five have come in shutouts.

“We haven’t been surprised by the level of success we’ve had this season but I do feel like last year we let a lot of teams play with us,” Ptacek said. “This year we’ve done a better job of finishing games strong and not letting people hang around.”

While this Lady Trojan team has always possessed the talent to make a deep postseason run, this year’s squad has a new level of veteran poise that past versions lacked, which has made Southeast all the more terrifying on the diamond.

“The experience on this team has been huge,” she said. “It’s been great to see that growth and to see what consistency can do. The conversations we’re having with our pitchers and the things we’re talking about across the board are so detailed and analytical in ways they haven’t been in the past.”

While the Lady Trojan lineup has feasted on opposing pitching, striking for 160 runs in just 12 games, their work in the circle has been even more impressive, as the trio of Lexi Jacobson, Bryna Baird, and Carly Commerford has kept opposing orders off balance all season long.

Those three arms have combined to toss 60 innings this year, combining to allow just 17 earned runs for a 1.98 ERA, adding 72 strikeouts to just 19 walks.

Offensively, Southeast has done their damage by committee, hitting .462 and slugging north of .570 as a team, with almost a quarter of their hits on the year coming by the extra-base variety.

The Lady Trojans have also been incredibly patient at the plate, reaching base on 65 walks while combining to strike out just 26 times in 12 games.

Despite all of this success and video game-like numbers, SES remains every bit as committed to improvement as they were the day the season began, and will look to continue honing their skills down the home stretch of their campaign.

“We absolutely still feel like we have areas we can improve in,” Ptacek said. “We’re still working on consistency and we have the luxury of working on the finer details because we have all the basics down and our average softball IQ is so high this year.”

The Lady Trojans will be back in action for the biggest doubleheader of their season on Thursday when they travel to Beloit to take on the rival Trojans in a pair of games that could very well decide this year’s league title.

“We’re feeling good about where things stand,” Ptacek said. “We have a big challenge coming up in Beloit and we do feel like we have some things to avenge from last year so this is a big one for us and the girls are hungry to get it done.”

For continuing coverage of Southeast softball all season 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 Southeast softball is presented by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!" />
 <figcaption>Coverage of Southeast softball is presented by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!</figcaption>
 </figure>There are few words to accurately describe just how dominant the Southeast of Saline softball team has been this season, and at the midway mark of their 2023 campaign, the Lady Trojans look like a force to be reckoned with ahead of the home stretch.Southeast will enter the final eight games of their regular season at 11-1 and a perfect 4-0 in league play, having outscored their first 12 opponents by an obscene 135 runs.“We’re better in all facets of the game than we were last year and I’m so excited by that improvement,” SES head coach Pesha Ptacek said. “We’ve been able to fine-tune a lot of things now that these girls have all played big roles for us for a long time now.”While an 11-1 record is impressive all on its own, it doesn't do the first half of the season justice, as eight of those wins have come by mercy rule, and five have come in shutouts.“We haven’t been surprised by the level of success we’ve had this season but I do feel like last year we let a lot of teams play with us,” Ptacek said. “This year we’ve done a better job of finishing games strong and not letting people hang around.”While this Lady Trojan team has always possessed the talent to make a deep postseason run, this year’s squad has a new level of veteran poise that past versions lacked, which has made Southeast all the more terrifying on the diamond.“The experience on this team has been huge,” she said. “It’s been great to see that growth and to see what consistency can do. The conversations we’re having with our pitchers and the things we’re talking about across the board are so detailed and analytical in ways they haven’t been in the past.”While the Lady Trojan lineup has feasted on opposing pitching, striking for 160 runs in just 12 games, their work in the circle has been even more impressive, as the trio of Lexi Jacobson, Bryna Baird, and Carly Commerford has kept opposing orders off balance all season long.Those three arms have combined to toss 60 innings this year, combining to allow just 17 earned runs for a 1.98 ERA, adding 72 strikeouts to just 19 walks.Offensively, Southeast has done their damage by committee, hitting .462 and slugging north of .570 as a team, with almost a quarter of their hits on the year coming by the extra-base variety.The Lady Trojans have also been incredibly patient at the plate, reaching base on 65 walks while combining to strike out just 26 times in 12 games.Despite all of this success and video game-like numbers, SES remains every bit as committed to improvement as they were the day the season began, and will look to continue honing their skills down the home stretch of their campaign.“We absolutely still feel like we have areas we can improve in,” Ptacek said. “We’re still working on consistency and we have the luxury of working on the finer details because we have all the basics down and our average softball IQ is so high this year.”The Lady Trojans will be back in action for the biggest doubleheader of their season on Thursday when they travel to Beloit to take on the rival Trojans in a pair of games that could very well decide this year’s league title.“We’re feeling good about where things stand,” Ptacek said. “We have a big challenge coming up in Beloit and we do feel like we have some things to avenge from last year so this is a big one for us and the girls are hungry to get it done.”For continuing coverage of Southeast softball all season long, stay tuned to the Salina Post.

Lady Trojans putting on a show throughout first half of season

The Southeast of Saline golf team posted a dominant performance on Monday, winning this year’s Republic County Invitational 23 points clear of their next closest competition in Washington County.

The Trojans swept all three podium places with Joel Huffaker claiming an individual victory with a score of 75, Dylan Esch carding a 77 in second and Kayson Lilley winning a playoff with Valley Height’s Jayden DeWalt to finish third.

In addition to a monopoly on the top three, SES also collected a fourth top-ten finish courtesy of freshman Adam Thiel, who carded an 85 on Monday to close out his invitational in 8th.

Below are the full team results from this year’s Republic County Invite.

1. Southeast of Saline- 318 2. Washington County- 341 3. Republic County- 374 T4. Smith Center- 385 T4. Valley Heights- 385 6. Concordia- 415 7. Clay Center- 421 8. Minneapolis- 431 9. Beloit- 448 10. Ellsworth- 471 11. Thayer Central- 501

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 posted a dominant performance on Monday, winning this year’s Republic County Invitational 23 points clear of their next closest competition in Washington County.The Trojans swept all three podium places with Joel Huffaker claiming an individual victory with a score of 75, Dylan Esch carding a 77 in second and Kayson Lilley winning a playoff with Valley Height’s Jayden DeWalt to finish third.In addition to a monopoly on the top three, SES also collected a fourth top-ten finish courtesy of freshman Adam Thiel, who carded an 85 on Monday to close out his invitational in 8th.Below are the full team results from this year’s Republic County Invite.1. Southeast of Saline- 318 2. Washington County- 341 3. Republic County- 374 T4. Smith Center- 385 T4. Valley Heights- 385 6. Concordia- 415 7. Clay Center- 421 8. Minneapolis- 431 9. Beloit- 448 10. Ellsworth- 471 11. Thayer Central- 501

SES golf sweeps podium places in Republic County Invite win

At the midway mark of their 2023 campaign, the Southeast of Saline baseball team will be in search of a late-season surge, entering the home stretch at 7-5 overall and 3-1 in league play.

The Trojans got off to an exceptionally hot start, winning their first six straight before dropping five of their next six, and will look to rebound with a steady diet of league opponents the rest of the way.

With a run differential of +63, this year’s Southeast squad has had little trouble putting runs on the board, but keeping their opponents off of it has proved troublesome at times, as the Trojans have surrendered just shy of 12 runs per game throughout the skid.

“We’re hitting the ball well and putting up big runs, that’s been encouraging to see,” SES head coach Mike Garretson said. “Our pitching has been a little thin and we’re having a hard time getting 21 outs without giving up too many runs, that’s the biggest area where we need to improve.”

Some of those struggles can be attributed to the absolute gauntlet of teams that the Trojans have traveled to play recently, including an Abilene team fresh off a 4A state appearance, a 10-2 Sacred Heart squad whose only league loss came at the hands of SES, and a resurgent Chapman program.

“You want to play good teams who go out and press you,” Garretson said. “As a player you want to compete, you want to face good pitching and you want to take pride in winning the battles you take on. Those kinds of tough matchups prepare you for the postseason.”

Offensively, this year’s Trojans have looked like a juggernaut once again, with eight of the nine members of the Southeast lineup batting north of .300.

Much of that damage has been dealt by a trio of Gebhardt brothers, with Jake, Luke, and Grady all hitting above .400, slugging above .600, and combining for 15 extra-base hits and 46 runs driven in.

Landen Allen, Jase VanAmburg, Drew Richardson, and Mac Chambers join that group in the double-digit RBI club, adding even more firepower to a potent SES lineup.

On the mound, Landen Allen, Trever Keller, Cole Gilpin, and Jake Gebhardt have shouldered a majority of the pitching duties, combining to account for 65 of the staff’s 80 strikeouts.

Despite this being just his sophomore season, Gilpin has emerged as a standout on the bump, fanning 18 batters while walking just seven and leading the team with a 3.4 ERA.

While many things around Gypsum have changed, the goals of this team have not, and the mission remains state or bust for the 2023 Trojans on the diamond.

“We still have one goal, and that’s to make it 74 miles from our home plate to the one at Tointon Stadium,” Garretson said. “We want to end our season at state and we’re still working to improve each and every day to get there.”

Southeast will resume their season this Thursday when they travel to Beloit for a pivotal doubleheader against the rival Trojans.

For continuing coverage of SES baseball all season 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>At the midway mark of their 2023 campaign, the Southeast of Saline baseball team will be in search of a late-season surge, entering the home stretch at 7-5 overall and 3-1 in league play.The Trojans got off to an exceptionally hot start, winning their first six straight before dropping five of their next six, and will look to rebound with a steady diet of league opponents the rest of the way.With a run differential of +63, this year’s Southeast squad has had little trouble putting runs on the board, but keeping their opponents off of it has proved troublesome at times, as the Trojans have surrendered just shy of 12 runs per game throughout the skid.“We’re hitting the ball well and putting up big runs, that’s been encouraging to see,” SES head coach Mike Garretson said. “Our pitching has been a little thin and we’re having a hard time getting 21 outs without giving up too many runs, that’s the biggest area where we need to improve.”Some of those struggles can be attributed to the absolute gauntlet of teams that the Trojans have traveled to play recently, including an Abilene team fresh off a 4A state appearance, a 10-2 Sacred Heart squad whose only league loss came at the hands of SES, and a resurgent Chapman program.“You want to play good teams who go out and press you,” Garretson said. “As a player you want to compete, you want to face good pitching and you want to take pride in winning the battles you take on. Those kinds of tough matchups prepare you for the postseason.”Offensively, this year’s Trojans have looked like a juggernaut once again, with eight of the nine members of the Southeast lineup batting north of .300.Much of that damage has been dealt by a trio of Gebhardt brothers, with Jake, Luke, and Grady all hitting above .400, slugging above .600, and combining for 15 extra-base hits and 46 runs driven in.Landen Allen, Jase VanAmburg, Drew Richardson, and Mac Chambers join that group in the double-digit RBI club, adding even more firepower to a potent SES lineup.On the mound, Landen Allen, Trever Keller, Cole Gilpin, and Jake Gebhardt have shouldered a majority of the pitching duties, combining to account for 65 of the staff’s 80 strikeouts.Despite this being just his sophomore season, Gilpin has emerged as a standout on the bump, fanning 18 batters while walking just seven and leading the team with a 3.4 ERA.While many things around Gypsum have changed, the goals of this team have not, and the mission remains state or bust for the 2023 Trojans on the diamond.“We still have one goal, and that’s to make it 74 miles from our home plate to the one at Tointon Stadium,” Garretson said. “We want to end our season at state and we’re still working to improve each and every day to get there.”Southeast will resume their season this Thursday when they travel to Beloit for a pivotal doubleheader against the rival Trojans.For continuing coverage of SES baseball all season long, stay tuned to the Salina Post.

Trojan baseball in search of late-season surge at midway mark

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Marcus Semien hit a three-run homer during a five-run sixth inning, Adolis Garcia added another three-run homer in the eighth, and the Texas Rangers pounced on some poor Kansas City Royals pitching in a 12-2 victory Tuesday night.

Sandy León also drove in a pair of runs, and three Rangers that reached base on walks from erratic Royals starter Brad Keller also scored, as Texas (11-6) improved to five games over .500 for the first time since July 16, 2019.

The Rangers also dealt the Royals their fifth straight loss. They are 1-11 at home this season.

Nathan Eovaldi (2-2) went six innings, allowing two runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out five. It was quite the bounce back after last week, when the Rangers' right-hander allowed six runs on 10 hits in five innings against Kansas City.

Keller (2-2) allowed three runs on three hits and five walks, including leadoff walks in three of his four innings.

In the third, Brad Miller walked before Travis Jankowski's single gave Texas a 1-0 lead. Then in the fourth, Josh Jung and Robbie Grossman walked before the pair scored on a single by Ezequiel Duran and Miller's fielder's choice.

Still, the Royals were within 3-2 after RBIs by MJ Melendez and Kyle Isbel when the Rangers put the game away in the sixth.

Royals reliever Carlos Hernández allowed four straight singles to start the inning, including the two-run base hit by León that extended the Rangers' lead. Semien followed with his three-run shot that traveled 417 feet and made it 8-2.

The line for Hernández: five runs on five hits without a batter retired.

Amir Garrett proceeded to give up two more hits — that made it seven straight for the Rangers to start the sixth inning. Isbel cut down Jankowski trying to score from second with a spectacular throw from deep center field, though, and Garrett settled down enough to prevent Texas from scoring any more runs in the inning.

Given the way the Kansas City offense has performed this season, they already had more than enough.

Rangers ace Jacob deGrom plans to make his next start after leaving Monday night's game after four hitless innings with a sore right wrist. But manager Bruce Bochy wants to see him throw Wednesday before penciling him into the rotation.

"That's good news for us," Bochy said. "Right now it's all positive, and he's positive on where he's at with that arm."

Rangers: RHP Jon Gray (bruised right forearm) is "good to go" for his next start, Bochy said. Gray threw two shutout innings against the Astros on Saturday before taking a line drive off Yainer Diaz's bat off the forearm.

Royals: LHP Kris Bubic (forearm flexor strain) will get a second opinion on his injury Thursday. He experienced tightness during his start Saturday against Atlanta and the Royals have some "underlying concerns," manager Matt Quatraro said.

Rangers LHP Martin Perez (2-1, 2.87 ERA) faces Royals RHP Brady Singer (1-0, 4.91) in the series finale Wednesday.

By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports WriterKANSAS CITY, Mo. — Marcus Semien hit a three-run homer during a five-run sixth inning, Adolis Garcia added another three-run homer in the eighth, and the Texas Rangers pounced on some poor Kansas City Royals pitching in a 12-2 victory Tuesday night.Sandy León also drove in a pair of runs, and three Rangers that reached base on walks from erratic Royals starter Brad Keller also scored, as Texas (11-6) improved to five games over .500 for the first time since July 16, 2019.The Rangers also dealt the Royals their fifth straight loss. They are 1-11 at home this season.Nathan Eovaldi (2-2) went six innings, allowing two runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out five. It was quite the bounce back after last week, when the Rangers' right-hander allowed six runs on 10 hits in five innings against Kansas City.Keller (2-2) allowed three runs on three hits and five walks, including leadoff walks in three of his four innings.In the third, Brad Miller walked before Travis Jankowski's single gave Texas a 1-0 lead. Then in the fourth, Josh Jung and Robbie Grossman walked before the pair scored on a single by Ezequiel Duran and Miller's fielder's choice.Still, the Royals were within 3-2 after RBIs by MJ Melendez and Kyle Isbel when the Rangers put the game away in the sixth.Royals reliever Carlos Hernández allowed four straight singles to start the inning, including the two-run base hit by León that extended the Rangers' lead. Semien followed with his three-run shot that traveled 417 feet and made it 8-2.The line for Hernández: five runs on five hits without a batter retired.Amir Garrett proceeded to give up two more hits — that made it seven straight for the Rangers to start the sixth inning. Isbel cut down Jankowski trying to score from second with a spectacular throw from deep center field, though, and Garrett settled down enough to prevent Texas from scoring any more runs in the inning.Given the way the Kansas City offense has performed this season, they already had more than enough.DEGROM OKRangers ace Jacob deGrom plans to make his next start after leaving Monday night's game after four hitless innings with a sore right wrist. But manager Bruce Bochy wants to see him throw Wednesday before penciling him into the rotation."That's good news for us," Bochy said. "Right now it's all positive, and he's positive on where he's at with that arm."TRAINER'S ROOMRangers: RHP Jon Gray (bruised right forearm) is "good to go" for his next start, Bochy said. Gray threw two shutout innings against the Astros on Saturday before taking a line drive off Yainer Diaz's bat off the forearm.Royals: LHP Kris Bubic (forearm flexor strain) will get a second opinion on his injury Thursday. He experienced tightness during his start Saturday against Atlanta and the Royals have some "underlying concerns," manager Matt Quatraro said.UP NEXTRangers LHP Martin Perez (2-1, 2.87 ERA) faces Royals RHP Brady Singer (1-0, 4.91) in the series finale Wednesday.

Semien, Garcia hit 3-run shots as Rangers rout Royals 12-2

TULSA, Okla. – The Wichita Wind Surge hit three home runs and came from behind to defeat the Tulsa Drillers 4-2 on Tuesday.&nbsp; The come-from-behind win is the first of the season.

Tulsa struck first with a pair of first inning runs and led 2-0 until the seventh inning when DaShawn Keirsey, Jr. crushed a two-run homer on a line drive to left field. &nbsp;Keirsey’s homer against Tulsa marks his first of the season.

The Surge carried that same momentum over to the eighth inning at the plate. Brooks Lee hit his second home run of the season to lead off the inning to give Wichita its first lead.&nbsp; &nbsp;Yunior Severino added another before the inning was over to round out the final score.

Blayne Enlow pitched six innings for Wichita and struck out five and walked two. He allowed two runs and four hits. &nbsp;&nbsp;Enlow struggled in the first facing eight hitters but allowed just one hit for the remaining five innings. &nbsp;Jose Bravo earned the win in relief retiring all five hitters he faced.

Kody Funderburk got the final four outs for his first save of the season.

NOTES –Brooks Lee improves his hitting streak to nine straight.&nbsp;The gametime of 1:59 is the shortest of the season and only the second sub two hour nine inning game in Wind Surge history.&nbsp;&nbsp;Wichita ended Tulsa’s run of four consecutive games with a home run.

UPCOMING – Wichita will play against the Los Angeles Dodgers affiliate the Tulsa Drillers in game two of a six-game series Wednesday at 11:05 a.m. &nbsp;RH David Festa will face RH Nick Frasso. &nbsp;Catch the game on the MiLB App and&nbsp;<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=http%3a%2f%2fwindsurge.com%2f&amp;c=E,1,tQnMbXbKGjGd_XbWZijt5b5-cOxiRn5WzBk28FG0UQkENRqaECorsuX7ZOU-Ukm2cmUOkH3ePkp-SzzJ3Tyvi-rFodXTwhQV8wpt3RnbwV_dEzGo8cij0Wepgw,,&amp;typo=1" target="_blank">windsurge.com</a>.&nbsp;

NEXT HOME GAME – Wichita will play against the St. Louis Cardinals affiliate the Springfield Cardinals on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. at Riverfront Stadium. Promotion: $5 domestic beers from when gates open until first pitch. Get two tickets for the price of one when you show your Dillions Shopper Card or Dillons app at the box office and $1 hot dogs.

Wichita Wind SurgeTULSA, Okla. – The Wichita Wind Surge hit three home runs and came from behind to defeat the Tulsa Drillers 4-2 on Tuesday.&nbsp; The come-from-behind win is the first of the season.Tulsa struck first with a pair of first inning runs and led 2-0 until the seventh inning when DaShawn Keirsey, Jr. crushed a two-run homer on a line drive to left field. &nbsp;Keirsey’s homer against Tulsa marks his first of the season.The Surge carried that same momentum over to the eighth inning at the plate. Brooks Lee hit his second home run of the season to lead off the inning to give Wichita its first lead.&nbsp; &nbsp;Yunior Severino added another before the inning was over to round out the final score.Blayne Enlow pitched six innings for Wichita and struck out five and walked two. He allowed two runs and four hits. &nbsp;&nbsp;Enlow struggled in the first facing eight hitters but allowed just one hit for the remaining five innings. &nbsp;Jose Bravo earned the win in relief retiring all five hitters he faced.Kody Funderburk got the final four outs for his first save of the season.NOTES –Brooks Lee improves his hitting streak to nine straight.&nbsp;The gametime of 1:59 is the shortest of the season and only the second sub two hour nine inning game in Wind Surge history.&nbsp;&nbsp;Wichita ended Tulsa’s run of four consecutive games with a home run.UPCOMING – Wichita will play against the Los Angeles Dodgers affiliate the Tulsa Drillers in game two of a six-game series Wednesday at 11:05 a.m. &nbsp;RH David Festa will face RH Nick Frasso. &nbsp;Catch the game on the MiLB App and&nbsp;<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=http%3a%2f%2fwindsurge.com%2f&amp;c=E,1,tQnMbXbKGjGd_XbWZijt5b5-cOxiRn5WzBk28FG0UQkENRqaECorsuX7ZOU-Ukm2cmUOkH3ePkp-SzzJ3Tyvi-rFodXTwhQV8wpt3RnbwV_dEzGo8cij0Wepgw,,&amp;typo=1" target="_blank">windsurge.com</a>.&nbsp;NEXT HOME GAME – Wichita will play against the St. Louis Cardinals affiliate the Springfield Cardinals on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. at Riverfront Stadium. Promotion: $5 domestic beers from when gates open until first pitch. Get two tickets for the price of one when you show your Dillions Shopper Card or Dillons app at the box office and $1 hot dogs.

Wind Surge hits three homers, defeats Tulsa

HILLSBORO –&nbsp;Kansas Wesleyan women's tennis picked up a 6-1 win over the Tabor Bluejays on Monday at the Tabor Tennis Courts.

The victory is the second of the season for the Coyotes, and second in conference play.

The Coyotes captured the doubles point in the match as&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/15/13208">Michaela Crowe</a>&nbsp;(JR/Overland Park, Kan.) and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/15/14413">Kristi Henderson</a>&nbsp;(JR/Acton, Calif.) beat Tara Stewart and Bethany Yutzy 6-2. KWU also got a default win at No. 3 singles. Tabor won the other singles match as Fiorella Villa and Sarah Brunk beat&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/15/13213">Kaitlyn Wrye</a>&nbsp;(SO/Olathe, Kan.) and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/15/13210">Eliza Camp</a>&nbsp;(SO/Winfield, Kan.) 6-3.

KWU took four of the five contested singles matches, and picked up a default win in a fifth.

Crowe beat Stewart 6-4, 7-5; Henderson beat Yutzy 6-2, 6-0; Camp beat Brunk 6-3, 6-4; and Wrye picked up a hard-fought three-set win over Binita Sitoula 7-6, 6-7, 10-6.

Tabor got its only singles win as Villa beat&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/15/13942">Kira McGrown</a>&nbsp;(FR/Wichita, Kan.) 6-3, 6-1.

The Coyotes are back in action on Tuesday hosting the McPherson Bulldogs at Salina Tennis Center.

KWU Sports InformationHILLSBORO –&nbsp;Kansas Wesleyan women's tennis picked up a 6-1 win over the Tabor Bluejays on Monday at the Tabor Tennis Courts.The victory is the second of the season for the Coyotes, and second in conference play.The Coyotes captured the doubles point in the match as&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/15/13208">Michaela Crowe</a>&nbsp;(JR/Overland Park, Kan.) and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/15/14413">Kristi Henderson</a>&nbsp;(JR/Acton, Calif.) beat Tara Stewart and Bethany Yutzy 6-2. KWU also got a default win at No. 3 singles. Tabor won the other singles match as Fiorella Villa and Sarah Brunk beat&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/15/13213">Kaitlyn Wrye</a>&nbsp;(SO/Olathe, Kan.) and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/15/13210">Eliza Camp</a>&nbsp;(SO/Winfield, Kan.) 6-3.KWU took four of the five contested singles matches, and picked up a default win in a fifth.Crowe beat Stewart 6-4, 7-5; Henderson beat Yutzy 6-2, 6-0; Camp beat Brunk 6-3, 6-4; and Wrye picked up a hard-fought three-set win over Binita Sitoula 7-6, 6-7, 10-6.Tabor got its only singles win as Villa beat&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/15/13942">Kira McGrown</a>&nbsp;(FR/Wichita, Kan.) 6-3, 6-1.The Coyotes are back in action on Tuesday hosting the McPherson Bulldogs at Salina Tennis Center.

Coyote women's tennis defeats Tabor, 6-1

HILLSBORO –&nbsp;Kansas Wesleyan men's tennis was knocked off by the Tabor Bluejays 6-1 on Monday at the Tabor Tennis Courts.

Wesleyan's lone point in the match came at No. 1 singles as&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/8/13541">Bryce Ware</a>&nbsp;(SO/Amarillo, Texas) continued his winning ways beating Mateo Garcia 6-1, 6-1.

In the other singles flights, Tabor picked up wins. Jean Paul Fort beat&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/8/13543">Garrison Wright</a>&nbsp;(SO/Maize, Kan.) 6-3, 7-6; Mickel Alexander beat&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/8/13985">Jacob Phelps</a>&nbsp;(FR/Lawton, Okla.) 6-2, 6-1; Jordan Azenka beat&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/8/13992">Adam Hanson</a>&nbsp;(FR/Edmond, Okla.) 6-2, 6-1; Ethan Kutz beat&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/8/13984">Collin Phelps</a>&nbsp;(FR/Salina, Kan.) 6-4, 6-2; and Jacob Goertzen beat&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/8/13991">Jack Hanson</a>&nbsp;(FR/Edmond, Okla.) 6-4, 6-3.

Tabor also won the doubles point winning two of three flights, both in tiebreaks. Garcia and Alexander beat Ware and Wright 8-4 in the tiebreak at No.1, and Fort and Azenka beat&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/8/13992">Adam Hanson</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/8/13545">Luke Craft</a>&nbsp;(SO/Manhattan, Kan.) 8-6 in the tiebreak.

KWU got a victory at No. 3 doubles as&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/8/13987">Gavin Chavez</a>&nbsp;(FR/Topeka, Kan.) and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/8/13985">Jacob Phelps</a>&nbsp;beat Kutz and Stephano Moreano Chan 6-4.

Wesleyan is back in action on Tuesday, facing No. 20 ranked McPherson at Salina Tennis Center.

KWU Sports InformationHILLSBORO –&nbsp;Kansas Wesleyan men's tennis was knocked off by the Tabor Bluejays 6-1 on Monday at the Tabor Tennis Courts.Wesleyan's lone point in the match came at No. 1 singles as&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/8/13541">Bryce Ware</a>&nbsp;(SO/Amarillo, Texas) continued his winning ways beating Mateo Garcia 6-1, 6-1.In the other singles flights, Tabor picked up wins. Jean Paul Fort beat&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/8/13543">Garrison Wright</a>&nbsp;(SO/Maize, Kan.) 6-3, 7-6; Mickel Alexander beat&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/8/13985">Jacob Phelps</a>&nbsp;(FR/Lawton, Okla.) 6-2, 6-1; Jordan Azenka beat&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/8/13992">Adam Hanson</a>&nbsp;(FR/Edmond, Okla.) 6-2, 6-1; Ethan Kutz beat&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/8/13984">Collin Phelps</a>&nbsp;(FR/Salina, Kan.) 6-4, 6-2; and Jacob Goertzen beat&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/8/13991">Jack Hanson</a>&nbsp;(FR/Edmond, Okla.) 6-4, 6-3.Tabor also won the doubles point winning two of three flights, both in tiebreaks. Garcia and Alexander beat Ware and Wright 8-4 in the tiebreak at No.1, and Fort and Azenka beat&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/8/13992">Adam Hanson</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/8/13545">Luke Craft</a>&nbsp;(SO/Manhattan, Kan.) 8-6 in the tiebreak.KWU got a victory at No. 3 doubles as&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/8/13987">Gavin Chavez</a>&nbsp;(FR/Topeka, Kan.) and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/8/13985">Jacob Phelps</a>&nbsp;beat Kutz and Stephano Moreano Chan 6-4.Wesleyan is back in action on Tuesday, facing No. 20 ranked McPherson at Salina Tennis Center.

Tabor defeats KWU men's tennis, 6-1

WICHITA –&nbsp;Kansas Wesleyan's&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/33/13680">Brianna Hernandez-Silva</a>&nbsp;(SR/Las Vegas, Nev.) was named as the KCAC Flag Football Offensive Player of the Week for her efforts for the Coyotes last week. The KCAC Player of the Week program is selected by a vote of conference sports information directors and is presented at the conference level by Equity Bank.

Hernandez-Silva had another outstanding performance for the Coyotes at the quarterback position as the Coyotes topped the Saint Mary Spires 51-0 on Saturday in Leavenworth.

Hernandez-Silva was 14 of 24 passing for 207 yards and five touchdowns, and added nine rushes for 94 yards and two more scores for the Coyotes. Hernandez-Silva finished the game with 311 yards of total offense and seven touchdowns in KWU's victory over the Spires.

The Coyotes are 9-3 overall and 6-2 in the KCAC heading into the final week of the regular season. KWU hosts Hesston College in a non-conference game on Tuesday at 6 p.m. on Gene Bissell Field at JRI Stadium at the Graves Family Sports Complex. KWU then wraps the regular season this weekend with games at home against Cottey on Saturday at 1:30 p.m., and Sunday against Saint Mary at 1 p.m.

The KCAC Postseason Tournament is next weekend, April 28 and 29. The first round of games on Friday is at the all-new Paragon Star Sports Complex in Lee's Summit, Mo., and the Championship Game on Saturday at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, in Kansas City.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681854025241.jpeg" alt="Image courtesy <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com">kwucoyotes.com</a>" />
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 </figure>KWU Sports InformationWICHITA –&nbsp;Kansas Wesleyan's&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/33/13680">Brianna Hernandez-Silva</a>&nbsp;(SR/Las Vegas, Nev.) was named as the KCAC Flag Football Offensive Player of the Week for her efforts for the Coyotes last week. The KCAC Player of the Week program is selected by a vote of conference sports information directors and is presented at the conference level by Equity Bank.Hernandez-Silva had another outstanding performance for the Coyotes at the quarterback position as the Coyotes topped the Saint Mary Spires 51-0 on Saturday in Leavenworth.Hernandez-Silva was 14 of 24 passing for 207 yards and five touchdowns, and added nine rushes for 94 yards and two more scores for the Coyotes. Hernandez-Silva finished the game with 311 yards of total offense and seven touchdowns in KWU's victory over the Spires.The Coyotes are 9-3 overall and 6-2 in the KCAC heading into the final week of the regular season. KWU hosts Hesston College in a non-conference game on Tuesday at 6 p.m. on Gene Bissell Field at JRI Stadium at the Graves Family Sports Complex. KWU then wraps the regular season this weekend with games at home against Cottey on Saturday at 1:30 p.m., and Sunday against Saint Mary at 1 p.m.The KCAC Postseason Tournament is next weekend, April 28 and 29. The first round of games on Friday is at the all-new Paragon Star Sports Complex in Lee's Summit, Mo., and the Championship Game on Saturday at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, in Kansas City.

KWU's Hernandez-Silva earns KCAC flag football weekly honor

CONCORDIA - Throwing six innings and allowing just one while striking out nine to pick up his fourth victory of the year, Cloud County Community College baseball player&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/9ffef0d7-04c8-4476-8012-d4162268ad3e?elinkdata=48554" target="_blank">Phil Brennaman</a>&nbsp;has been named Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference West Division Pitcher of the Week. Getting the start in game two against Garden City, Brennaman would allow just one run on one hit coming in the top of the first inning against the Broncbusters before settling in to retire the final 17 batters he faced on the afternoon. Totaling just 86 pitches in the six-inning outing, Brennaman struck out seven of the nine batters he faced to tally his career-high nine strikeouts on the afternoon while seeing just three balls leave the infield as part of the stretch of retiring17 consecutive batters. Brennaman is the third T-Bird baseball player to earn KJCCC weekly honors, joining KJCCC West Players of the Week&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/2358a4f0-d418-4adb-9524-3b18bedceb53?elinkdata=48554" target="_blank">Danny Infante</a>&nbsp;(February 21st, 2023) and&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/79fc3e2a-365a-4737-8682-2e72f5ea5047?elinkdata=48554" target="_blank">Kolden Howerton</a>&nbsp;(March 14th, 2023).&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681853694909.png" alt="Image courtesy <a href="http://cloudtbirds.com">cloudtbirds.com</a>" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy <a href="http://cloudtbirds.com">cloudtbirds.com</a></figcaption>
 </figure>Cloud County Sports InformationCONCORDIA - Throwing six innings and allowing just one while striking out nine to pick up his fourth victory of the year, Cloud County Community College baseball player&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/9ffef0d7-04c8-4476-8012-d4162268ad3e?elinkdata=48554" target="_blank">Phil Brennaman</a>&nbsp;has been named Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference West Division Pitcher of the Week. Getting the start in game two against Garden City, Brennaman would allow just one run on one hit coming in the top of the first inning against the Broncbusters before settling in to retire the final 17 batters he faced on the afternoon. Totaling just 86 pitches in the six-inning outing, Brennaman struck out seven of the nine batters he faced to tally his career-high nine strikeouts on the afternoon while seeing just three balls leave the infield as part of the stretch of retiring17 consecutive batters. Brennaman is the third T-Bird baseball player to earn KJCCC weekly honors, joining KJCCC West Players of the Week&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/2358a4f0-d418-4adb-9524-3b18bedceb53?elinkdata=48554" target="_blank">Danny Infante</a>&nbsp;(February 21st, 2023) and&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/79fc3e2a-365a-4737-8682-2e72f5ea5047?elinkdata=48554" target="_blank">Kolden Howerton</a>&nbsp;(March 14th, 2023).&nbsp;&nbsp;

T-Birds' Brennaman named KJCCC West Baseball Pitcher of Week

WICHITA –&nbsp;Kansas Wesleyan's&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/15/13210">Eliza Camp</a>&nbsp;(SO/Winfield, Kan.) was named as the KCAC Women's Tennis Player of the Week for her efforts for the Coyotes last week. The KCAC Player of the Week program is selected by a vote of conference sports information directors and is presented at the conference level by Equity Bank.

Camp was a bright spot for the Coyotes this week in their only match, a hard-fought loss to Baker. Camp won her singles match over Cambrie Frame 7-5, 6-0, and with teammate&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/15/13213">Kaitlyn Wrye</a>&nbsp;(SO/Olathe, Kan.), won the only doubles flight for the Coyotes over Langfoss and Grabast 6-3.

The Coyotes picked up a 6-1 win over Tabor on Monday, and face McPherson on Tuesday at Salina Tennis Center.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681853327237.jpeg" alt="Image courtesy <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com">kwucoyotes.com</a>" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com">kwucoyotes.com</a></figcaption>
 </figure>KWU Sports InformationWICHITA –&nbsp;Kansas Wesleyan's&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/15/13210">Eliza Camp</a>&nbsp;(SO/Winfield, Kan.) was named as the KCAC Women's Tennis Player of the Week for her efforts for the Coyotes last week. The KCAC Player of the Week program is selected by a vote of conference sports information directors and is presented at the conference level by Equity Bank.Camp was a bright spot for the Coyotes this week in their only match, a hard-fought loss to Baker. Camp won her singles match over Cambrie Frame 7-5, 6-0, and with teammate&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/15/13213">Kaitlyn Wrye</a>&nbsp;(SO/Olathe, Kan.), won the only doubles flight for the Coyotes over Langfoss and Grabast 6-3.The Coyotes picked up a 6-1 win over Tabor on Monday, and face McPherson on Tuesday at Salina Tennis Center.

KWU's Camp earns KCAC Women's Tennis Player of Week honor

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Fort Hays State pole vaulter&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/3abcdd61-9159-47f2-8c68-3fd3ffdf47b5?elinkdata=209725" target="_blank">Ryan Stanley</a>&nbsp;earned MIAA Men's Field Athlete of the Week honors on Tuesday (Apr. 18). The Bennington native matched the best mark in NCAA Division II so far this outdoor season at the Pacific Coast Invitational in Long Beach, California this past week. In the process of matching the nation's top mark posted by Matteo Madrassi of Cal Poly Pomona two weeks prior, Stanley also broke his own FHSU outdoor record of 17 feet, 3.5 inches by another 3.5 inches. Stanley had just set the record on April 8, topping the 17 feet, 3 inches posted by teammate&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/73dcb0f5-8b62-4a42-a147-4c598e28a129?elinkdata=209725" target="_blank">Jacob Clark</a>&nbsp;in the outdoor season of 2022. Stanley finished third overall and was the top Division II performer in a field of over 40 competitors at the Pacific Coast Invitational, mainly from NCAA Division I schools. He finished only behind Hunter Garretson of Akron, who has the fourth-best effort in NCAA Division I this season, and Zach McWhorter who was competing unattached. Two days later, he had another performance of over 17 feet, clearing 17 feet, 0.75 inches at the Brian Clay Invitational.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681853083556.png" alt="Image courtesy <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com">fhsuathletics.com</a>" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy <a href="http://fhsuathletics.com">fhsuathletics.com</a></figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsKANSAS CITY, Mo. - Fort Hays State pole vaulter&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/3abcdd61-9159-47f2-8c68-3fd3ffdf47b5?elinkdata=209725" target="_blank">Ryan Stanley</a>&nbsp;earned MIAA Men's Field Athlete of the Week honors on Tuesday (Apr. 18). The Bennington native matched the best mark in NCAA Division II so far this outdoor season at the Pacific Coast Invitational in Long Beach, California this past week. In the process of matching the nation's top mark posted by Matteo Madrassi of Cal Poly Pomona two weeks prior, Stanley also broke his own FHSU outdoor record of 17 feet, 3.5 inches by another 3.5 inches. Stanley had just set the record on April 8, topping the 17 feet, 3 inches posted by teammate&nbsp;<a href="http://fhsuathletics.com/services/go.ashx/73dcb0f5-8b62-4a42-a147-4c598e28a129?elinkdata=209725" target="_blank">Jacob Clark</a>&nbsp;in the outdoor season of 2022. Stanley finished third overall and was the top Division II performer in a field of over 40 competitors at the Pacific Coast Invitational, mainly from NCAA Division I schools. He finished only behind Hunter Garretson of Akron, who has the fourth-best effort in NCAA Division I this season, and Zach McWhorter who was competing unattached. Two days later, he had another performance of over 17 feet, clearing 17 feet, 0.75 inches at the Brian Clay Invitational.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Bennington's Stanley named MIAA Men's Field Athlete of the Week

WICHITA –&nbsp;Kansas Wesleyan's&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/13/13701">Aidan Richmond</a>&nbsp;(JR/North Richland Hills, Texas) has been selected as the KCAC Women's Golfer of the Week for her efforts for the Coyotes last week. The KCAC Player of the Week program is selected by a vote of conference sports information directors and is presented at the conference level by Equity Bank.

Richmond posted her lowest round score of the season with a 75 in the second round of the loaded Susie Maxwell Berning Classic, which featured two nationally ranked teams in Oklahoma City, Texas Wesleyan, and solid teams in Bellevue and Wayland Baptist.

Richmond's 153 was her low tournament of the season and she was the top KCAC finisher at the event.

KWU placed seventh at the Susie Maxwell Berning Classic hosted by Oklahoma City University last week.

The Coyotes are preparing for the KCAC Championships next week at Mariah Hills in Dodge City. KWU is the 2-time defending conference champion in the event.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681852662200.jpeg" alt="Image courtesy <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com">kwucoyotes.com</a>" />
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 </figure>KWU Sports InformationWICHITA –&nbsp;Kansas Wesleyan's&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/13/13701">Aidan Richmond</a>&nbsp;(JR/North Richland Hills, Texas) has been selected as the KCAC Women's Golfer of the Week for her efforts for the Coyotes last week. The KCAC Player of the Week program is selected by a vote of conference sports information directors and is presented at the conference level by Equity Bank.Richmond posted her lowest round score of the season with a 75 in the second round of the loaded Susie Maxwell Berning Classic, which featured two nationally ranked teams in Oklahoma City, Texas Wesleyan, and solid teams in Bellevue and Wayland Baptist.Richmond's 153 was her low tournament of the season and she was the top KCAC finisher at the event.KWU placed seventh at the Susie Maxwell Berning Classic hosted by Oklahoma City University last week.The Coyotes are preparing for the KCAC Championships next week at Mariah Hills in Dodge City. KWU is the 2-time defending conference champion in the event.

KWU's Richmond earns KCAC Women's Golfer of the Week

LAWRENCE – Marcus Adams Jr. has signed to play basketball at Kansas, KU head coach Bill Self announced Monday. Originally a class of 2024 recruit, Adams (6-foot-8, 205 pounds) reclassified for the 2023 class and will be a freshman at KU for the 2023-24 season. “We started recruiting Marcus very late in the process,” Self said. “Coach (Kurtis) Townsend was the point recruiter with Marcus. When we had Marcus and his family in on an official visit, we just really connected. He certainly fills a need. He’s a tall wing. He’s 6-foot-8 and can shoot the basketball. He had two games this year, one in which he made 11 threes and the other which he made 13 threes. He’s good with the ball in his hands and can make plays for others as well. We think he is very underrated and a youngster that can find immediate minutes with the departure of our tall wings from last year.” From Torrance, Calif., Adams played prep basketball at Nathaniel Narbonne High School where he averaged 28.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game in 2022-23 for coach Kumase Demesma. He had three 40-point performances, including a 50-point, 21-rebound game. Adams was the recipient of the 2023 John R. Wooden High School Player of the Year Award for the L.A. City Section Open Division. A four-star recruit at the wing position, Adams is ranked No. 36 by <a href="http://247Sports.com">247Sports.com</a>. Adams is the fourth signee for Kansas for the 2023-24 season. The other three signed with KU in November and include 2023 McDonald’s All-American Elmarko Jackson (G, 6-3, 185, Marlton, New Jersey, South Kent School [Conn.]), Chris Johnson (G, 6-4, 180, Fort Bend, Texas, Montverde Academy [Fla.]) and Jamari McDowell (G, 6-4, 180, Manvel, Texas, Manvel High School).&nbsp;&nbsp;

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 </figure>KU AthleticsLAWRENCE – Marcus Adams Jr. has signed to play basketball at Kansas, KU head coach Bill Self announced Monday. Originally a class of 2024 recruit, Adams (6-foot-8, 205 pounds) reclassified for the 2023 class and will be a freshman at KU for the 2023-24 season. “We started recruiting Marcus very late in the process,” Self said. “Coach (Kurtis) Townsend was the point recruiter with Marcus. When we had Marcus and his family in on an official visit, we just really connected. He certainly fills a need. He’s a tall wing. He’s 6-foot-8 and can shoot the basketball. He had two games this year, one in which he made 11 threes and the other which he made 13 threes. He’s good with the ball in his hands and can make plays for others as well. We think he is very underrated and a youngster that can find immediate minutes with the departure of our tall wings from last year.” From Torrance, Calif., Adams played prep basketball at Nathaniel Narbonne High School where he averaged 28.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game in 2022-23 for coach Kumase Demesma. He had three 40-point performances, including a 50-point, 21-rebound game. Adams was the recipient of the 2023 John R. Wooden High School Player of the Year Award for the L.A. City Section Open Division. A four-star recruit at the wing position, Adams is ranked No. 36 by <a href="http://247Sports.com">247Sports.com</a>. Adams is the fourth signee for Kansas for the 2023-24 season. The other three signed with KU in November and include 2023 McDonald’s All-American Elmarko Jackson (G, 6-3, 185, Marlton, New Jersey, South Kent School [Conn.]), Chris Johnson (G, 6-4, 180, Fort Bend, Texas, Montverde Academy [Fla.]) and Jamari McDowell (G, 6-4, 180, Manvel, Texas, Manvel High School).&nbsp;&nbsp;

Marcus Adams Jr. signs with Jayhawk basketball

WICHITA –&nbsp;Kansas Wesleyan swept the KCAC Baseball weekly honors as&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/13272">Tyler Triano</a>&nbsp;(SR/Hollister, Calif.) and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14219">Kendall Foster</a>&nbsp;(SR/Prosper, Texs) were named the KCAC Pitcher and Player of the Week, respectively, for their efforts for the Coyotes this week. The KCAC Player of the Week program is selected by a vote of conference sports information directors and is presented at the conference level by Equity Bank.

The Coyotes posted a 3-1 record last week, winning over Sterling in a mid-week contest and taking two of three games over the Ottawa Braves in the weekend series.

Triano put on a dominant performance against the Ottawa Braves, ending the Braves' nine-game winning streak. Triano held the Braves to two hits in seven innings in a complete game run-rule win. He allowed one unearned run and struck out eight with no walks in the game.

Foster had an incredible week for the Coyotes, batting .600, with a .789 OBP and a 1.600 SLG, and&nbsp;helped the Coyotes go 3-1 over that time frame. He was part of a huge rally in the Sterling game. With the Coyotes trailing, Foster was part of a 13-run inning, hitting a grand slam as KWU beat the Warriors. He then played a key role in helping KWU take the series over a streaking Ottawa team. He hit 3 homers on the week, drove in 10 runs, and scored 12 times. He was also walked eight times during the week, and only struck out once.

The Coyotes are 33-10 overall and 21-5 in the KCAC heading into the final two weeks of the regular season. KWU has a mid-week game at York on Tuesday, then heads to Kansas City on Friday and Saturday to take on the Avila University Eagles.

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 </figure>KWU Sports InformationWICHITA –&nbsp;Kansas Wesleyan swept the KCAC Baseball weekly honors as&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/13272">Tyler Triano</a>&nbsp;(SR/Hollister, Calif.) and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14219">Kendall Foster</a>&nbsp;(SR/Prosper, Texs) were named the KCAC Pitcher and Player of the Week, respectively, for their efforts for the Coyotes this week. The KCAC Player of the Week program is selected by a vote of conference sports information directors and is presented at the conference level by Equity Bank.The Coyotes posted a 3-1 record last week, winning over Sterling in a mid-week contest and taking two of three games over the Ottawa Braves in the weekend series.Triano put on a dominant performance against the Ottawa Braves, ending the Braves' nine-game winning streak. Triano held the Braves to two hits in seven innings in a complete game run-rule win. He allowed one unearned run and struck out eight with no walks in the game.Foster had an incredible week for the Coyotes, batting .600, with a .789 OBP and a 1.600 SLG, and&nbsp;helped the Coyotes go 3-1 over that time frame. He was part of a huge rally in the Sterling game. With the Coyotes trailing, Foster was part of a 13-run inning, hitting a grand slam as KWU beat the Warriors. He then played a key role in helping KWU take the series over a streaking Ottawa team. He hit 3 homers on the week, drove in 10 runs, and scored 12 times. He was also walked eight times during the week, and only struck out once.The Coyotes are 33-10 overall and 21-5 in the KCAC heading into the final two weeks of the regular season. KWU has a mid-week game at York on Tuesday, then heads to Kansas City on Friday and Saturday to take on the Avila University Eagles.

Coyotes sweep KCAC  baseball weekly honors

CONCORDIA - Playing two final non-conference home games ahead of a grueling stretch that will see five games played against top-10 nationally-ranked opponents over the span of six days, the Cloud County Community College baseball team would use a big first inning in game one before coming alive midway through game two to pick up a pair of wins over the Kansas Wesleyan University JV team at Lee Doyen Field in Concordia on Monday. Earning a 10-0, five-inning win in game one, Cloud County would pick up a 9-1 win in game two to improve to 28-14 overall on the year while extending their recent streak to 11 victories in their past 12 as part of an eight-game win streak. GAME ONE All the run support needed in game one would come in the opening inning of play for CCCC as 13 batters would come to the plate for Cloud County as part of four hits, three errors, and two walks to allow the T-Birds to score eight runs. In the inning, Cloud County would get two-RBI singles from both&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/e137b7bc-1857-43e0-a65f-65cfeb0ab78d?elinkdata=48456" target="_blank">Kolden Howerton</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/7c1cd506-625d-4dc7-a10f-f6e7e0dc2bd7?elinkdata=48456" target="_blank">Logan Scully</a>&nbsp;while also seeing&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/9448f33e-4e9c-4516-b943-a04192a0e8bc?elinkdata=48456" target="_blank">Danny Infante</a>, Alex Diaz, and&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/5d8c99b8-decc-47d4-8962-a1b7593ff05b?elinkdata=48456" target="_blank">Paul Schuyler</a>&nbsp;all drive in runs as all eight runs would be unearned due to the defensive miscues by the Coyotes. Picking up another run in the bottom of the second with an&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/851c2807-b1c4-4fba-9dc2-3d14d727b90b?elinkdata=48456" target="_blank">Anthony Taggart</a>&nbsp;double to set up a Howerton RBI double, the T-Birds would work a perfect third inning before allowing a leadoff base hit to KWU JV in the top of the fourth for what would wind up being one of just two hits in the game for Kansas Wesleyan. With things heading to the bottom of the fourth and Cloud County still needing a run to have a chance to end the game in the top of the fifth, CCCC would use an Infante leadoff single and Taggart hit-by-pitch to set up what would become a Howerton sacrifice fly to drive in his fourth run of the game and more importantly put the T-Birds up by a 10-run margin. The Coyotes would do their best to try and extend the game in the top of the fifth by getting a leadoff walk and hit batter to put the first two batters of the inning aboard before seeing back-to-back ground balls lead to fielder's choices which included cutting down a run the plate to keep things a 10-0 lead. Facing one final batter, sophomore&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/caa459bd-aa0f-403d-9af8-4e650fbf37b7?elinkdata=48456" target="_blank">Liam Bates</a>&nbsp;would work his one and only strikeout of the day to end the game as the victory would be the fifth win of the year coming after five innings of play. Needing just seven hits to produce the 10 runs scored in the game, Cloud County would be led by a two-for-two effort by Howerton while also seeing Infante go two-for-three with an RBI. As a team, CCCC would strand just three base runners while forcing the Coyotes into six stranded runners as part of three walks, a hit batter, and two hits. Earning his first pitching victory of the year would be sophomore&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/0bbb1bbd-c49d-42f5-8c4b-53b6c9488cc4?elinkdata=48456" target="_blank">Brayden Mackey</a>&nbsp;after a two-inning outing where the Hastings, Nebraska native would allow one hit and strikeout three.&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/94a2cc94-4811-4c5e-9c02-37fbb43cf48e?elinkdata=48456" target="_blank">Carson Latimer</a>&nbsp;would also throw two scoreless innings, striking out five of the seven batters he faced which included striking out the side in the third inning on 10 pitches before seeing Bates finish things off with a scoreless fifth. GAME TWO A much slower start for Cloud County in game two would see Kansas Wesleyan grab an early 1-0 lead two batters into the game following a solo home run down the left field line despite stranding two runners as part of a three-hit top of the first. CCCC would be limited to just one hit through the first two innings of action while stranding a base runner in both the first and second before finally being able to find an offensive spark in the bottom of the third. Putting together a two-out rally in the bottom of the third following two quick outs, CCCC would use a Taggart single back up the middle to string together three-straight hits along with a passed ball to plate a pair of runs on a&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/13e0950a-4ffc-4849-8ce2-5bd50a36f218?elinkdata=48456" target="_blank">Landon Meyer</a>&nbsp;two-RBI single to take their first lead of the game at 2-1. Getting a quick one-two-three inning defensively in the fourth, the T-Birds would take advantage of the momentum to put together their biggest inning of the game with four hits and a Coyote error leading to four more runs with two of the runs coming on an&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/f9769ece-a89c-4f44-b060-0bbcde9da831?elinkdata=48456" target="_blank">Alexander Diaz</a>&nbsp;triple into the left-center field gap. Cloud County would tack on another run in the fifth with an&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/5d864772-08da-4f8e-9ef0-b65a87ce2885?elinkdata=48456" target="_blank">Aidan Malish</a>&nbsp;sacrifice fly to score Meyer who reached base to lead off the inning with a hit-by-pitch and would push across two more runs in the sixth while threatening to end the game by run rule before stranding two runners that represented the potential game-ending runs. The lead would be more than enough to work with for the CCCC pitching staff as Kansas Wesleyan JV would not record a single hit after the first inning to never pose a threat at making a game of things in the late innings. Belting out another 12 hits as a team, Cloud County would get two-hit efforts from&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/a602e6fb-490c-4edc-bfaf-76ce7937ef07?elinkdata=48456" target="_blank">Brock Wollin</a>&nbsp;and Diaz while seeing&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/692cd3de-380c-428a-8690-0d39d6067d2c?elinkdata=48456" target="_blank">Demitri Shakotko</a>, Meyer, and Diaz drive in two runs apiece with all nine batters who recorded a plate appearance collecting at least one hit. Five total pitchers would be used by the T-Birds with Will Yamka picking up the win after a one-inning outing where he would face the minimum and strikeout one after coming on in relief for starter&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/729166a1-365d-45c8-a663-608f3522f062?elinkdata=48456" target="_blank">John Green</a>&nbsp;(one inning) and reliever&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/a6485d1c-1ad7-466f-b84e-5fa0ce7f46c1?elinkdata=48456" target="_blank">Scott Rienguette</a>&nbsp;(one inning). Following Yamka, Cloud County would use&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/73d5e805-7f7c-4ac3-91c0-f55fa9eddcd9?elinkdata=48456" target="_blank">Mason Munz</a>&nbsp;for two innings as the Kingman, Kansas native would strike out four before using&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/bd33116f-ee6d-4130-ba49-a54bd7742afd?elinkdata=48456" target="_blank">Ethan Price</a>&nbsp;for the final two innings of the game. What's next? Facing their toughest task to date, CCCC will head to Great Bend to take on reigning Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference West Division regular-season and fifth-ranked Barton Community College in a 1 p.m. doubleheader on Thursday. The Cougars are 38-5 overall and 17-3 in the KJCCC West with a 21-2 record at home. All three conference losses for Barton have come in the series openers against conference foes as Cloud County will look to earn their third-straight win over the Cougars after winning the final game of a conference series last year before knocking BCC out of the NJCAA Plains District Tournament with an 11-6 win.

Cloud County Sports InformationCONCORDIA - Playing two final non-conference home games ahead of a grueling stretch that will see five games played against top-10 nationally-ranked opponents over the span of six days, the Cloud County Community College baseball team would use a big first inning in game one before coming alive midway through game two to pick up a pair of wins over the Kansas Wesleyan University JV team at Lee Doyen Field in Concordia on Monday. Earning a 10-0, five-inning win in game one, Cloud County would pick up a 9-1 win in game two to improve to 28-14 overall on the year while extending their recent streak to 11 victories in their past 12 as part of an eight-game win streak. GAME ONE All the run support needed in game one would come in the opening inning of play for CCCC as 13 batters would come to the plate for Cloud County as part of four hits, three errors, and two walks to allow the T-Birds to score eight runs. In the inning, Cloud County would get two-RBI singles from both&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/e137b7bc-1857-43e0-a65f-65cfeb0ab78d?elinkdata=48456" target="_blank">Kolden Howerton</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/7c1cd506-625d-4dc7-a10f-f6e7e0dc2bd7?elinkdata=48456" target="_blank">Logan Scully</a>&nbsp;while also seeing&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/9448f33e-4e9c-4516-b943-a04192a0e8bc?elinkdata=48456" target="_blank">Danny Infante</a>, Alex Diaz, and&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/5d8c99b8-decc-47d4-8962-a1b7593ff05b?elinkdata=48456" target="_blank">Paul Schuyler</a>&nbsp;all drive in runs as all eight runs would be unearned due to the defensive miscues by the Coyotes. Picking up another run in the bottom of the second with an&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/851c2807-b1c4-4fba-9dc2-3d14d727b90b?elinkdata=48456" target="_blank">Anthony Taggart</a>&nbsp;double to set up a Howerton RBI double, the T-Birds would work a perfect third inning before allowing a leadoff base hit to KWU JV in the top of the fourth for what would wind up being one of just two hits in the game for Kansas Wesleyan. With things heading to the bottom of the fourth and Cloud County still needing a run to have a chance to end the game in the top of the fifth, CCCC would use an Infante leadoff single and Taggart hit-by-pitch to set up what would become a Howerton sacrifice fly to drive in his fourth run of the game and more importantly put the T-Birds up by a 10-run margin. The Coyotes would do their best to try and extend the game in the top of the fifth by getting a leadoff walk and hit batter to put the first two batters of the inning aboard before seeing back-to-back ground balls lead to fielder's choices which included cutting down a run the plate to keep things a 10-0 lead. Facing one final batter, sophomore&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/caa459bd-aa0f-403d-9af8-4e650fbf37b7?elinkdata=48456" target="_blank">Liam Bates</a>&nbsp;would work his one and only strikeout of the day to end the game as the victory would be the fifth win of the year coming after five innings of play. Needing just seven hits to produce the 10 runs scored in the game, Cloud County would be led by a two-for-two effort by Howerton while also seeing Infante go two-for-three with an RBI. As a team, CCCC would strand just three base runners while forcing the Coyotes into six stranded runners as part of three walks, a hit batter, and two hits. Earning his first pitching victory of the year would be sophomore&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/0bbb1bbd-c49d-42f5-8c4b-53b6c9488cc4?elinkdata=48456" target="_blank">Brayden Mackey</a>&nbsp;after a two-inning outing where the Hastings, Nebraska native would allow one hit and strikeout three.&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/94a2cc94-4811-4c5e-9c02-37fbb43cf48e?elinkdata=48456" target="_blank">Carson Latimer</a>&nbsp;would also throw two scoreless innings, striking out five of the seven batters he faced which included striking out the side in the third inning on 10 pitches before seeing Bates finish things off with a scoreless fifth. GAME TWO A much slower start for Cloud County in game two would see Kansas Wesleyan grab an early 1-0 lead two batters into the game following a solo home run down the left field line despite stranding two runners as part of a three-hit top of the first. CCCC would be limited to just one hit through the first two innings of action while stranding a base runner in both the first and second before finally being able to find an offensive spark in the bottom of the third. Putting together a two-out rally in the bottom of the third following two quick outs, CCCC would use a Taggart single back up the middle to string together three-straight hits along with a passed ball to plate a pair of runs on a&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/13e0950a-4ffc-4849-8ce2-5bd50a36f218?elinkdata=48456" target="_blank">Landon Meyer</a>&nbsp;two-RBI single to take their first lead of the game at 2-1. Getting a quick one-two-three inning defensively in the fourth, the T-Birds would take advantage of the momentum to put together their biggest inning of the game with four hits and a Coyote error leading to four more runs with two of the runs coming on an&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/f9769ece-a89c-4f44-b060-0bbcde9da831?elinkdata=48456" target="_blank">Alexander Diaz</a>&nbsp;triple into the left-center field gap. Cloud County would tack on another run in the fifth with an&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/5d864772-08da-4f8e-9ef0-b65a87ce2885?elinkdata=48456" target="_blank">Aidan Malish</a>&nbsp;sacrifice fly to score Meyer who reached base to lead off the inning with a hit-by-pitch and would push across two more runs in the sixth while threatening to end the game by run rule before stranding two runners that represented the potential game-ending runs. The lead would be more than enough to work with for the CCCC pitching staff as Kansas Wesleyan JV would not record a single hit after the first inning to never pose a threat at making a game of things in the late innings. Belting out another 12 hits as a team, Cloud County would get two-hit efforts from&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/a602e6fb-490c-4edc-bfaf-76ce7937ef07?elinkdata=48456" target="_blank">Brock Wollin</a>&nbsp;and Diaz while seeing&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/692cd3de-380c-428a-8690-0d39d6067d2c?elinkdata=48456" target="_blank">Demitri Shakotko</a>, Meyer, and Diaz drive in two runs apiece with all nine batters who recorded a plate appearance collecting at least one hit. Five total pitchers would be used by the T-Birds with Will Yamka picking up the win after a one-inning outing where he would face the minimum and strikeout one after coming on in relief for starter&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/729166a1-365d-45c8-a663-608f3522f062?elinkdata=48456" target="_blank">John Green</a>&nbsp;(one inning) and reliever&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/a6485d1c-1ad7-466f-b84e-5fa0ce7f46c1?elinkdata=48456" target="_blank">Scott Rienguette</a>&nbsp;(one inning). Following Yamka, Cloud County would use&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/73d5e805-7f7c-4ac3-91c0-f55fa9eddcd9?elinkdata=48456" target="_blank">Mason Munz</a>&nbsp;for two innings as the Kingman, Kansas native would strike out four before using&nbsp;<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com/services/go.ashx/bd33116f-ee6d-4130-ba49-a54bd7742afd?elinkdata=48456" target="_blank">Ethan Price</a>&nbsp;for the final two innings of the game. What's next? Facing their toughest task to date, CCCC will head to Great Bend to take on reigning Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference West Division regular-season and fifth-ranked Barton Community College in a 1 p.m. doubleheader on Thursday. The Cougars are 38-5 overall and 17-3 in the KJCCC West with a 21-2 record at home. All three conference losses for Barton have come in the series openers against conference foes as Cloud County will look to earn their third-straight win over the Cougars after winning the final game of a conference series last year before knocking BCC out of the NJCAA Plains District Tournament with an 11-6 win.

Cloud County baseball runs win streak to eight

The Southeast of Saline softball team ran into their first real hurdle on Monday, but stood tall to secure a split with Clay Center, maintaining their momentum at the midway mark of their campaign. Following a 5-1 loss, their first of the year, and a 12-5 win, the Lady Trojans move to 11-1 on the season, further improving their run differential of +135.

Game one was a delayed pitcher's duel as all six runs were scored in the first two innings, with the Lady Tigers jumping out to the early lead thanks to a five-run first.

After taking over for Bryna Baird in the third, Lexi Jacobson didn’t allow a single run, surrendering just three hits and one walk while fanning three batters in the final five innings. Unfortunately for the junior, a lack of run support would see Southeast fall for the first time in 2023 by a final score of 5-1.

Clay Center would get off to another strong start in game two, plating three runs in the top of the first, but their lead would be short-lived as the Lady Trojans evened the score with three of their own in the second.

From there, SES poured it on with a six-run fourth inning, taking a 9-3 lead and never looking back en route to a 12-5 victory.

After her stellar finish to the opener, Jacobson was given the start in game two and picked up right where she left off, striking out five and walking just three in another Southeast win.

Offensively, the bats woke up all throughout the lineup, as four different Lady Trojans recorded two RBI, led by Carly Commerford, Maddie Harris, Savannah Sutton, and Bryna Baird.

Southeast of Saline will have the most pivotal doubleheader of their season this Thursday when the Lady Trojans travel to Beloit for a pair of games that could very well decide this year’s NCAA champ.

For continuing coverage of SES softball all season 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 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 ran into their first real hurdle on Monday, but stood tall to secure a split with Clay Center, maintaining their momentum at the midway mark of their campaign. Following a 5-1 loss, their first of the year, and a 12-5 win, the Lady Trojans move to 11-1 on the season, further improving their run differential of +135.Game one was a delayed pitcher's duel as all six runs were scored in the first two innings, with the Lady Tigers jumping out to the early lead thanks to a five-run first.After taking over for Bryna Baird in the third, Lexi Jacobson didn’t allow a single run, surrendering just three hits and one walk while fanning three batters in the final five innings. Unfortunately for the junior, a lack of run support would see Southeast fall for the first time in 2023 by a final score of 5-1.Clay Center would get off to another strong start in game two, plating three runs in the top of the first, but their lead would be short-lived as the Lady Trojans evened the score with three of their own in the second.From there, SES poured it on with a six-run fourth inning, taking a 9-3 lead and never looking back en route to a 12-5 victory.After her stellar finish to the opener, Jacobson was given the start in game two and picked up right where she left off, striking out five and walking just three in another Southeast win.Offensively, the bats woke up all throughout the lineup, as four different Lady Trojans recorded two RBI, led by Carly Commerford, Maddie Harris, Savannah Sutton, and Bryna Baird.Southeast of Saline will have the most pivotal doubleheader of their season this Thursday when the Lady Trojans travel to Beloit for a pair of games that could very well decide this year’s NCAA champ.For continuing coverage of SES softball all season long, stay tuned to the Salina Post.

Southeast softball secures split with Clay Center

Sacred Heart Jr/Sr High School has announced Norman Jennings as its new head high school football coach.

Jennings joined our team last year as the assistant head coach and this year will mark his 15th year coaching. With more than 30 seasons of experience, he has coached football, baseball, basketball, and wrestling. In 2022-23 he was also a high school head wrestling coach, a position he has held for the past four seasons.

Jennings has spent much of his adult life impacting youth through coaching, mentoring, youth pastoring, and counseling.

Coaching is a place where he enjoys making connections that help to develop and grow the spiritual character of youth.

“Having more success on the field last year was great, but getting to know each one of the boys on the team was awesome. I cannot wait to see how God develops and grows each one of us individually and as a family! I so appreciated the atmosphere and support within the Sacred Heart community and hope to return those blessings for many years!” Jennings said.

Sacred Heart Jr/Sr High SchoolSacred Heart Jr/Sr High School has announced Norman Jennings as its new head high school football coach.Jennings joined our team last year as the assistant head coach and this year will mark his 15th year coaching. With more than 30 seasons of experience, he has coached football, baseball, basketball, and wrestling. In 2022-23 he was also a high school head wrestling coach, a position he has held for the past four seasons.Jennings has spent much of his adult life impacting youth through coaching, mentoring, youth pastoring, and counseling.Coaching is a place where he enjoys making connections that help to develop and grow the spiritual character of youth.“Having more success on the field last year was great, but getting to know each one of the boys on the team was awesome. I cannot wait to see how God develops and grows each one of us individually and as a family! I so appreciated the atmosphere and support within the Sacred Heart community and hope to return those blessings for many years!” Jennings said.

Sacred Heart Jr/Sr High School hires HS head football coach

By DAVID SMALE Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Jacob deGrom exited with a sore right wrist after pitching four spotless innings, and two Texas Rangers relievers completed a one-hitter Monday night in a 4-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals.

The Rangers said deGrom was removed as a precaution. The two-time NL Cy Young Award winner struck out five and walked one, throwing 39 of his 58 pitches for strikes.

"I felt it a little bit warming up," deGrom said. "I thought it was going to loosen up and it actually tightened up a little bit as the game went on.

"We're playing it smart. Could I have kept going? Probably. But it was lingering and it got a little bit worse as the game went on. I just want to play it safe. We've got a long season ahead of us."

Texas manager Bruce Bochy said there's concern any time you have to take a player out of a game because of injury, but he's optimistic.

"We'll re-evaluate him tomorrow," Bochy said. "Any time you take somebody out, that's a fair question. I think I can answer it better tomorrow. Right now, I feel pretty good about it."

Josh Jung launched a three-run homer in the first inning and Marcus Semien added a solo shot in the third. Dane Dunning (1-0) struck out five and walked none in 4 1/3 innings of relief.

"He's been doing a terrific job for us," Bochy said. "With the confidence in Dane coming in, we felt good. We brought in a guy who's been throwing the ball well. He was set to go, so that was an easy call."

Matt Duffy's one-out single in the fifth off Dunning was Kansas City's only hit. José Leclerc got two outs to end it.

Beset by injuries the past two seasons with the New York Mets, deGrom signed a $185 million, five-year contract with Texas as a free agent in December.

"I'm honestly not too concerned," he said. "I would like to think I'll make my next (start), but we'll see how it is tomorrow."

The right-hander is 1-0 with a 3.48 ERA in four starts for the Rangers.

Kansas City (4-13) dropped to 1-10 at home this season. Jordan Lyles (0-3) gave up four runs — one earned — and three hits in eight innings. He walked three and struck out three.

The Rangers jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first. Royals third baseman Hunter Dozier committed a throwing error on Semien's leadoff grounder and then a fielding error on Travis Jankowski's bunt. One out later, Jung sent a drive over the left-field bullpen.

"(Lyles) was incredible, and that's why I felt so bad when I didn't make those two plays," Dozier said. "He looked really good for us, and I wish we could've played better behind him and got some runs for him."

Semien led off the third with a 412-foot shot to left.

The only baserunners deGrom permitted came on an error by first baseman Nathaniel Lowe in the third and a walk to Vinnie Pasquantino in the fourth.

Royals LHP Kris Bubic had additional tests on the flexor strain that landed him on the 15-day injured list after Saturday's start. Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro said the first test confirmed the strain but also revealed some "underlying concerns" that required a second opinion.

The teams continue their three-game series Tuesday night, when Texas sends RHP Nathan Eovaldi (1-2, 6.32 ERA) to the mound against RHP Brad Keller (2-1, 2.12).

The two starters matched up last Wednesday, with Keller picking up the win and Eovaldi taking the loss in Kansas City's 10-1 victory. Keller allowed one run in 6 2/3 innings, while Eovaldi gave up six runs in five innings.

By DAVID SMALE Associated PressKANSAS CITY, Mo. — Jacob deGrom exited with a sore right wrist after pitching four spotless innings, and two Texas Rangers relievers completed a one-hitter Monday night in a 4-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals.The Rangers said deGrom was removed as a precaution. The two-time NL Cy Young Award winner struck out five and walked one, throwing 39 of his 58 pitches for strikes."I felt it a little bit warming up," deGrom said. "I thought it was going to loosen up and it actually tightened up a little bit as the game went on."We're playing it smart. Could I have kept going? Probably. But it was lingering and it got a little bit worse as the game went on. I just want to play it safe. We've got a long season ahead of us."Texas manager Bruce Bochy said there's concern any time you have to take a player out of a game because of injury, but he's optimistic."We'll re-evaluate him tomorrow," Bochy said. "Any time you take somebody out, that's a fair question. I think I can answer it better tomorrow. Right now, I feel pretty good about it."Josh Jung launched a three-run homer in the first inning and Marcus Semien added a solo shot in the third. Dane Dunning (1-0) struck out five and walked none in 4 1/3 innings of relief."He's been doing a terrific job for us," Bochy said. "With the confidence in Dane coming in, we felt good. We brought in a guy who's been throwing the ball well. He was set to go, so that was an easy call."Matt Duffy's one-out single in the fifth off Dunning was Kansas City's only hit. José Leclerc got two outs to end it.Beset by injuries the past two seasons with the New York Mets, deGrom signed a $185 million, five-year contract with Texas as a free agent in December."I'm honestly not too concerned," he said. "I would like to think I'll make my next (start), but we'll see how it is tomorrow."The right-hander is 1-0 with a 3.48 ERA in four starts for the Rangers.Kansas City (4-13) dropped to 1-10 at home this season. Jordan Lyles (0-3) gave up four runs — one earned — and three hits in eight innings. He walked three and struck out three.The Rangers jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first. Royals third baseman Hunter Dozier committed a throwing error on Semien's leadoff grounder and then a fielding error on Travis Jankowski's bunt. One out later, Jung sent a drive over the left-field bullpen."(Lyles) was incredible, and that's why I felt so bad when I didn't make those two plays," Dozier said. "He looked really good for us, and I wish we could've played better behind him and got some runs for him."Semien led off the third with a 412-foot shot to left.The only baserunners deGrom permitted came on an error by first baseman Nathaniel Lowe in the third and a walk to Vinnie Pasquantino in the fourth.TRAINER'S ROOMRoyals LHP Kris Bubic had additional tests on the flexor strain that landed him on the 15-day injured list after Saturday's start. Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro said the first test confirmed the strain but also revealed some "underlying concerns" that required a second opinion.UP NEXTThe teams continue their three-game series Tuesday night, when Texas sends RHP Nathan Eovaldi (1-2, 6.32 ERA) to the mound against RHP Brad Keller (2-1, 2.12).The two starters matched up last Wednesday, with Keller picking up the win and Eovaldi taking the loss in Kansas City's 10-1 victory. Keller allowed one run in 6 2/3 innings, while Eovaldi gave up six runs in five innings.

Rangers blank Royals 4-0 after deGrom exits with sore wrist

Kansas Wesleyan baseball's bats awakened in the fifth inning of the second game of Sunday's crucial Kansas Conference doubleheader at Dean Evans Stadium, but the Coyotes couldn't complete the rally, falling 8-5.

The loss came after the Coyotes won Sunday's opener 14-4 in eight innings, assuring Wesleyan the series win.

It was the final games of the 2023 season at Dean Evans for the Coyotes.

Ottawa broke out to a 5-0 lead in the first inning, and added single tallies in the third and fourth innings to take a 7-0 lead.

The Coyotes got on the board in the fourth inning as&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14208">Zack Beatty</a>&nbsp;(JR/Maple Park, Ill.) walked,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/13260">Jarrett Gable</a>&nbsp;(SR/Colleyville, Texas) singled and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/13268">Kevin Esquilin-Cruz</a>&nbsp;(SR/Trujilo Alto, Puerto Rico) drove in the run with a single up the middle scoring Beatty from second.

In the fifth, the Coyotes put two on as&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14240">Diego Solis</a>&nbsp;(SO/El Paso, Texas) singled and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14219">Kendall Foster</a>&nbsp;(SR/Prosper, Texs) walked, setting up&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14201">Haydn Brown</a>&nbsp;(SR/Gardnerville, Nev.)'s homer to right center getting the Coyotes within striking distance. After a walk to Beatty, Gable was hit by a pitch and Esquilin-Cruz followed with a double to score the fourth run of the inning.

Ottawa got a run in the sixth, and the Coyotes looked to rally in the seventh.

Brown walked and Beatty flew out to left, hitting the cover off the ball, but the gusty wind blowing across the field knocked the ball down and kept it in play. Gable followed with a single, but a double play would end it.

The first game was all Coyotes early and often.

In the first inning, the Coyotes scored twice as Brown walked with the bases loaded scoring&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14204">William Dryburgh</a>&nbsp;(SR/St. Joseph, Mo.), and Beatty hit into a double play, but a run scored making it 2-0.

Ottawa got a run in the second, but the Coyotes answered right back putting up eight runs.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/13271">Zach Olson</a>&nbsp;(JR/Red Deer, Alberta) crushed a ball out to right field that nearly landed on Holmes Road beyond the fence at Evans Stadium, and Foster followed with a 2-run double. The Coyotes loaded the bases for Beatty, who quickly unloaded them. He popped a ball up to right, that got caught in the wind and carried over the fence for a grand slam putting KWU up 10-1.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681763847478.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 InformationKansas Wesleyan baseball's bats awakened in the fifth inning of the second game of Sunday's crucial Kansas Conference doubleheader at Dean Evans Stadium, but the Coyotes couldn't complete the rally, falling 8-5.The loss came after the Coyotes won Sunday's opener 14-4 in eight innings, assuring Wesleyan the series win.It was the final games of the 2023 season at Dean Evans for the Coyotes.Ottawa broke out to a 5-0 lead in the first inning, and added single tallies in the third and fourth innings to take a 7-0 lead.The Coyotes got on the board in the fourth inning as&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14208">Zack Beatty</a>&nbsp;(JR/Maple Park, Ill.) walked,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/13260">Jarrett Gable</a>&nbsp;(SR/Colleyville, Texas) singled and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/13268">Kevin Esquilin-Cruz</a>&nbsp;(SR/Trujilo Alto, Puerto Rico) drove in the run with a single up the middle scoring Beatty from second.In the fifth, the Coyotes put two on as&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14240">Diego Solis</a>&nbsp;(SO/El Paso, Texas) singled and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14219">Kendall Foster</a>&nbsp;(SR/Prosper, Texs) walked, setting up&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14201">Haydn Brown</a>&nbsp;(SR/Gardnerville, Nev.)'s homer to right center getting the Coyotes within striking distance. After a walk to Beatty, Gable was hit by a pitch and Esquilin-Cruz followed with a double to score the fourth run of the inning.Ottawa got a run in the sixth, and the Coyotes looked to rally in the seventh.Brown walked and Beatty flew out to left, hitting the cover off the ball, but the gusty wind blowing across the field knocked the ball down and kept it in play. Gable followed with a single, but a double play would end it.The first game was all Coyotes early and often.In the first inning, the Coyotes scored twice as Brown walked with the bases loaded scoring&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14204">William Dryburgh</a>&nbsp;(SR/St. Joseph, Mo.), and Beatty hit into a double play, but a run scored making it 2-0.Ottawa got a run in the second, but the Coyotes answered right back putting up eight runs.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/13271">Zach Olson</a>&nbsp;(JR/Red Deer, Alberta) crushed a ball out to right field that nearly landed on Holmes Road beyond the fence at Evans Stadium, and Foster followed with a 2-run double. The Coyotes loaded the bases for Beatty, who quickly unloaded them. He popped a ball up to right, that got caught in the wind and carried over the fence for a grand slam putting KWU up 10-1.Ottawa scored in the fourth and twice in the fifth, but the Coyotes got another one on the board when Foster homered to right.The Coyotes ended it early in the bottom of the eighth as Foster homered again, a 2-run shot, and Gable ended it with a bases loaded single to right center.Dryburgh and Foster each had three hits, while Foster drove in five and Beatty four.<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14210">Jarrett Brannen</a>&nbsp;(JR/Bakersfield, Calif.) got the win for the Coyotes, improving to 11-0 on the season, allowing four runs on seven hits in five innings.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/14242">Ritter Steinmann</a>&nbsp;(SO/Oroville, Calif.) pitched two innings and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kwucoyotes.com/roster/24/3/13256">KT Gearlds</a>&nbsp;(SR/Ingram, Texas) tossed one.Wesleyan's last seven regular season games will be on the road starting on Tuesday at York. KWU then goes to Avila this weekend and concludes the regular season at Saint Mary on April 28 and 29 in Leavenworth.