PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Salvador Perez hit a three-run homer and drove in five runs, helping the Kansas City Royals overcome Kyle Schwarber's NL-high 52nd homer and delay the Philadelphia Phillies from clinching the NL East with a 10-3 win Sunday.

Philadelphia, which entered with a six-game winning steak, leads the NL East by 12 games over the second-place New York Mets.

Perez hit his third homer in two games, a three-run drive off Aaron Nola (4-9) in a four-run sixth that built a 6-2 lead. He added a two-run single in the seventh as the Royals ended a six-game losing streak.

Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto homered in the first off Noah Cameron (8-7), who allowed two runs and four hits in seven innings.

Jac Caglianone tied the score with a two-run homer in the fifth and Bobby Witt Jr. homered in the ninth against Max Lazar.

Royals closer Carlos Estévez got two outs in the ninth before leaving with an apparent injury.

Bryson Stott also homered for the Phillies.

Nola allowed six runs and six hits in six innings.

Witt led off the sixth with a triple off the high wall in right and scored on a double by Vinny Pasquantino, who had three hits.

Kansas City has been swept in series just four times this season, second-fewest in the AL.

Royals: Host Seattle and RHP Logan Gilbert (4-6, 3.54) in a series starting Tuesday.

Phillies: LHP Rangers Suárez (12-6, 2.77) starts Monday night's series opener at the Los Angeles Dodgers.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757884472132.png" alt="Photo Kansas City Royals" />
 <figcaption>Photo Kansas City Royals</figcaption>
 </figure>PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Salvador Perez hit a three-run homer and drove in five runs, helping the Kansas City Royals overcome Kyle Schwarber's NL-high 52nd homer and delay the Philadelphia Phillies from clinching the NL East with a 10-3 win Sunday.Philadelphia, which entered with a six-game winning steak, leads the NL East by 12 games over the second-place New York Mets.Perez hit his third homer in two games, a three-run drive off Aaron Nola (4-9) in a four-run sixth that built a 6-2 lead. He added a two-run single in the seventh as the Royals ended a six-game losing streak.Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto homered in the first off Noah Cameron (8-7), who allowed two runs and four hits in seven innings.Jac Caglianone tied the score with a two-run homer in the fifth and Bobby Witt Jr. homered in the ninth against Max Lazar.Royals closer Carlos Estévez got two outs in the ninth before leaving with an apparent injury.Bryson Stott also homered for the Phillies.Nola allowed six runs and six hits in six innings.<h2>Key moment</h2>Witt led off the sixth with a triple off the high wall in right and scored on a double by Vinny Pasquantino, who had three hits.<h2>Key stats</h2>Kansas City has been swept in series just four times this season, second-fewest in the AL.<h2>Up next</h2>Royals: Host Seattle and RHP Logan Gilbert (4-6, 3.54) in a series starting Tuesday.Phillies: LHP Rangers Suárez (12-6, 2.77) starts Monday night's series opener at the Los Angeles Dodgers.

⚾ Perez's 5 RBIs lead Royals over Phillies and delay NL East clinch

NORTH NEWTON - It's been awhile since the Kansas Wesleyan Women's Cross Country team had won a race. Since 2013 to be exact.

The Coyotes picked up a 10-point win on Saturday at Bethel College's Muthama-Rogers Invitational for the team's first team victory since the 2013 KCAC Championships.

KWU topped the field of 14 teams in which only nine scored as a team. Wesleyan finished with 38 points, besting Fort Hays State with 48 in second, Butler CC with 82 in third, Northwestern Oklahoma State in fourth with 125 and Tabor in fifth with 134.

<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/bafb4657-5b21-4121-acd2-1a05b6da0fef?elinkdata=28936">Kirstin Hackney</a> led the Coyotes across the line in fourth place with a 19:4069 for the 5K course. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/a2016152-c5b5-4e01-836b-d81f460d584b?elinkdata=28936">Josie Koppes</a> was sixth in 20:03.01, <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/e4610f2b-8f1f-4ec6-bce1-eb1259e3a4f2?elinkdata=28936">Micah Dickens</a> was seventh in 20:10.84, <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/4af24d93-4142-47d2-a1e8-1b0eea270578?elinkdata=28936">Kierra Jensen</a> was ninth in 20:26.50, <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/9d755620-0385-49fc-9663-9fbefd52ca82?elinkdata=28936">Shelby Lingle</a> was 12th in 20:28.97, <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/3bdbfa26-73c3-4077-ad83-544e0e288e3d?elinkdata=28936">Madisyn Ehrlich</a> was 16th in 20:44.83.

<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/93742e74-3d76-475f-b32a-948dd54cc4af?elinkdata=28936">Charlee Lind</a> was 19th in 20:49.41, <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/e57ec8ca-26b5-45d1-b70d-8d92b6ab10f8?elinkdata=28936">Hailey Nordhus</a> was 29th in 21:29.09, <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/fd5fbc44-4386-4e4f-afca-aad58b9bc66b?elinkdata=28936">Makayla Little</a> was 30th in 21:30.57, <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/b0037ec8-bc0b-4bbd-8d62-707657e7e9f7?elinkdata=28936">Emma McAlister</a> was 34th in 21:50.96, <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/a4c67c4b-c421-4989-b728-f966ee0a912d?elinkdata=28936">Mya Schweitzer</a> was 46th in 22:43.81, and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/0b064d28-cf82-4f9b-a27a-bc0a2ce3a4ab?elinkdata=28936">Joni Schroeder</a> was 47th in 22:50.15.

Elizabeth Hernandez was the meet champion with a time of 18:46.12 for Butler Community College.

NORTH NEWTON - It's been awhile since the Kansas Wesleyan Women's Cross Country team had won a race. Since 2013 to be exact.The Coyotes picked up a 10-point win on Saturday at Bethel College's Muthama-Rogers Invitational for the team's first team victory since the 2013 KCAC Championships.KWU topped the field of 14 teams in which only nine scored as a team. Wesleyan finished with 38 points, besting Fort Hays State with 48 in second, Butler CC with 82 in third, Northwestern Oklahoma State in fourth with 125 and Tabor in fifth with 134.<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/bafb4657-5b21-4121-acd2-1a05b6da0fef?elinkdata=28936">Kirstin Hackney</a> led the Coyotes across the line in fourth place with a 19:4069 for the 5K course. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/a2016152-c5b5-4e01-836b-d81f460d584b?elinkdata=28936">Josie Koppes</a> was sixth in 20:03.01, <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/e4610f2b-8f1f-4ec6-bce1-eb1259e3a4f2?elinkdata=28936">Micah Dickens</a> was seventh in 20:10.84, <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/4af24d93-4142-47d2-a1e8-1b0eea270578?elinkdata=28936">Kierra Jensen</a> was ninth in 20:26.50, <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/9d755620-0385-49fc-9663-9fbefd52ca82?elinkdata=28936">Shelby Lingle</a> was 12th in 20:28.97, <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/3bdbfa26-73c3-4077-ad83-544e0e288e3d?elinkdata=28936">Madisyn Ehrlich</a> was 16th in 20:44.83.<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/93742e74-3d76-475f-b32a-948dd54cc4af?elinkdata=28936">Charlee Lind</a> was 19th in 20:49.41, <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/e57ec8ca-26b5-45d1-b70d-8d92b6ab10f8?elinkdata=28936">Hailey Nordhus</a> was 29th in 21:29.09, <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/fd5fbc44-4386-4e4f-afca-aad58b9bc66b?elinkdata=28936">Makayla Little</a> was 30th in 21:30.57, <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/b0037ec8-bc0b-4bbd-8d62-707657e7e9f7?elinkdata=28936">Emma McAlister</a> was 34th in 21:50.96, <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/a4c67c4b-c421-4989-b728-f966ee0a912d?elinkdata=28936">Mya Schweitzer</a> was 46th in 22:43.81, and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/0b064d28-cf82-4f9b-a27a-bc0a2ce3a4ab?elinkdata=28936">Joni Schroeder</a> was 47th in 22:50.15.Elizabeth Hernandez was the meet champion with a time of 18:46.12 for Butler Community College.

KWU women's XC wins first meet since 2013 at Muthama Rogers

<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/e12e8492-11a8-4e53-adff-a79d47477e51?elinkdata=28872">Henry Austad</a> and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/5e378b23-a548-4e4b-8996-497c5965cf25?elinkdata=28872">Will Wilcox</a> continue to be a two-man wrecking crew for the Kansas Wesleyan football team.

Austad, the Coyotes' quarterback, had 268 total yards and accounted for three touchdowns while Wilcox, a tall and talented split end, caught nine more passes in leading the Coyotes to a 30-6 demolition of Avila on Saturday night on Gene Bissell Field at JRI Hospitality Stadium and Graves Family Sports Complex.

Wesleyan improved to 3-0 under first-year coach <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/e56e0e8d-ba9b-4d93-8c8d-cbdeac08419b?elinkdata=28872">Matt Middleton</a> with Austad and Wilcox once again leading the offense. Their efforts were backed by another stellar effort from the defense.

Austad, a graduate transfer from Southeastern (Florida), was 23 of 36 passing for 225 yards and a touchdown and had 43 yards rushing that included a pair of two-yard scoring runs. Wilcox, a freshman transfer from Henderson State, gained 102 yards with his nine receptions, the longest 36 yards. Five others also caught passes.

<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/d22a1a25-ea1c-4686-9848-d7663eae3d7f?elinkdata=28872">Luke Armstrong</a>, the team's leading rusher, missed the game with a leg injury he suffered a week earlier against Bethany.

"I thought it was sloppy at times," Middleton said on his postgame radio show. "We've got to get our running game going. Obviously, you could see the big miss with Luke tonight - we got some bad news with him this week.

"All in all, it's a win and you can't ask for more than that. ... but we left a lot of points on the field tonight, at least 14 or 15."

Middleton used three running backs in the game. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/16cf9a7a-a7f3-4280-8bfe-5414e13153b5?elinkdata=28872">D'Heaven Domena</a> had 66 yards on 10 carries, <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/603fb3d3-60be-40d4-bae7-eeca01f0ef98?elinkdata=28872">Kohl Nolan</a> 29 on nine tries and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/b7702d3f-4d48-42ce-896b-8ab58cd22868?elinkdata=28872">Enoch Walton</a> 20 on six attempts.

"The thing is we faced a three-man front," Middleton said. "We've got to be able to run the football at will and anytime you get a three-man front you should be able to at will. It's just something we haven't done, and I need to do better with that."

Defensively KWU limited Avila (0-3) to 274 total yards and blanked the Eagles until midway through the fourth quarter. Linebacker <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/0fddfe24-721d-4557-908b-e7ece59c4e76?elinkdata=28872">Myles Elam</a> had a team-best 10 tackles, seven of them solo.

Special teams also had a good night highlighted by a pivotal play in the second quarter. Clinging to a 7-0 lead Avila drove deep into KWU territory before the drive stalled.

Eagles' placekicker Juan Delgado attempted a 35-yard field goal, but <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/5d869ec7-177b-49d8-94fe-da15b3cdcb85?elinkdata=28872">Diego Davis</a> broke through and blocked it. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/f88793bc-4649-46c0-8a5f-84dceccb4678?elinkdata=28872">Brennon Allen</a> scooped up the loose ball and ran 72 yards for a touchdown that gave KWU a 14-0 lead with 14:02 remaining in the second quarter.

Middleton was thrilled with one statistic that actually did not register as such - the Coyotes were not flagged for a penalty the entire game. Avila had five penalties for 33 yards.

"That's what we want to do," he said. "The biggest thing is play disciplined football and do the very best that we possibly can. I'm super proud of the kids for that, there's no doubt."

Wesleyan took a 7-0 lead on its second drive of the game going 95 yards on 10 plays, the final 11 yards on a pass from Austad to <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/465260c8-48b5-4069-989d-6186ee59132e?elinkdata=28872">David Sheffer</a> with 5:31 left in the opening quarter.

After Allen's special teams gem Avila went three-and-out. KWU scored five plays later on <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/e5dd27f6-0f58-4e89-bc75-299c427bb7bd?elinkdata=28872">Cole Segraves'</a> 38-yard field goal with 10:54 left in the half that made it 17-0 - a margin the Coyotes took to the locker room at halftime.

Wesleyan scored on first possession of the second half, Austad going in from the 2 at the 7:21 mark of the third quarter and capping a 51-yard, 12-play drive.

Austad's second two-yard touchdown run came with 11:32 left in the game and finished off a 46-yard, 10-play drive that upped the advantage to 30-0.

Avila scored on Kasaun Graham's 4-yard run with 8:47 remaining.

"I'm proud of the kids and the reason I love them is they're not satisfied," Middleton said. "There's a sour taste in their mouth after tonight. We're leaving a lot points out there and we've got to get that corrected pretty quick."

<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/e12e8492-11a8-4e53-adff-a79d47477e51?elinkdata=28872">Henry Austad</a> and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/5e378b23-a548-4e4b-8996-497c5965cf25?elinkdata=28872">Will Wilcox</a> continue to be a two-man wrecking crew for the Kansas Wesleyan football team.Austad, the Coyotes' quarterback, had 268 total yards and accounted for three touchdowns while Wilcox, a tall and talented split end, caught nine more passes in leading the Coyotes to a 30-6 demolition of Avila on Saturday night on Gene Bissell Field at JRI Hospitality Stadium and Graves Family Sports Complex.Wesleyan improved to 3-0 under first-year coach <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/e56e0e8d-ba9b-4d93-8c8d-cbdeac08419b?elinkdata=28872">Matt Middleton</a> with Austad and Wilcox once again leading the offense. Their efforts were backed by another stellar effort from the defense.Austad, a graduate transfer from Southeastern (Florida), was 23 of 36 passing for 225 yards and a touchdown and had 43 yards rushing that included a pair of two-yard scoring runs. Wilcox, a freshman transfer from Henderson State, gained 102 yards with his nine receptions, the longest 36 yards. Five others also caught passes.<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/d22a1a25-ea1c-4686-9848-d7663eae3d7f?elinkdata=28872">Luke Armstrong</a>, the team's leading rusher, missed the game with a leg injury he suffered a week earlier against Bethany."I thought it was sloppy at times," Middleton said on his postgame radio show. "We've got to get our running game going. Obviously, you could see the big miss with Luke tonight - we got some bad news with him this week."All in all, it's a win and you can't ask for more than that. ... but we left a lot of points on the field tonight, at least 14 or 15."Middleton used three running backs in the game. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/16cf9a7a-a7f3-4280-8bfe-5414e13153b5?elinkdata=28872">D'Heaven Domena</a> had 66 yards on 10 carries, <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/603fb3d3-60be-40d4-bae7-eeca01f0ef98?elinkdata=28872">Kohl Nolan</a> 29 on nine tries and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/b7702d3f-4d48-42ce-896b-8ab58cd22868?elinkdata=28872">Enoch Walton</a> 20 on six attempts."The thing is we faced a three-man front," Middleton said. "We've got to be able to run the football at will and anytime you get a three-man front you should be able to at will. It's just something we haven't done, and I need to do better with that."Defensively KWU limited Avila (0-3) to 274 total yards and blanked the Eagles until midway through the fourth quarter. Linebacker <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/0fddfe24-721d-4557-908b-e7ece59c4e76?elinkdata=28872">Myles Elam</a> had a team-best 10 tackles, seven of them solo.Special teams also had a good night highlighted by a pivotal play in the second quarter. Clinging to a 7-0 lead Avila drove deep into KWU territory before the drive stalled.Eagles' placekicker Juan Delgado attempted a 35-yard field goal, but <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/5d869ec7-177b-49d8-94fe-da15b3cdcb85?elinkdata=28872">Diego Davis</a> broke through and blocked it. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/f88793bc-4649-46c0-8a5f-84dceccb4678?elinkdata=28872">Brennon Allen</a> scooped up the loose ball and ran 72 yards for a touchdown that gave KWU a 14-0 lead with 14:02 remaining in the second quarter.Middleton was thrilled with one statistic that actually did not register as such - the Coyotes were not flagged for a penalty the entire game. Avila had five penalties for 33 yards."That's what we want to do," he said. "The biggest thing is play disciplined football and do the very best that we possibly can. I'm super proud of the kids for that, there's no doubt."Wesleyan took a 7-0 lead on its second drive of the game going 95 yards on 10 plays, the final 11 yards on a pass from Austad to <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/465260c8-48b5-4069-989d-6186ee59132e?elinkdata=28872">David Sheffer</a> with 5:31 left in the opening quarter.After Allen's special teams gem Avila went three-and-out. KWU scored five plays later on <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/e5dd27f6-0f58-4e89-bc75-299c427bb7bd?elinkdata=28872">Cole Segraves'</a> 38-yard field goal with 10:54 left in the half that made it 17-0 - a margin the Coyotes took to the locker room at halftime.Wesleyan scored on first possession of the second half, Austad going in from the 2 at the 7:21 mark of the third quarter and capping a 51-yard, 12-play drive.Austad's second two-yard touchdown run came with 11:32 left in the game and finished off a 46-yard, 10-play drive that upped the advantage to 30-0.Avila scored on Kasaun Graham's 4-yard run with 8:47 remaining."I'm proud of the kids and the reason I love them is they're not satisfied," Middleton said. "There's a sour taste in their mouth after tonight. We're leaving a lot points out there and we've got to get that corrected pretty quick."

🏈 Austad, Wilcox, Defense lead Coyotes to 30-6 rout of Avila

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (September 13, 2025)—Jake Rucker hit a bases-clearing triple in the 7-5 win for the Wichita Wind Surge over the Corpus Christi Hooks at Whataburger Field. Wichita is now one game back of the Tulsa Drillers for the playoff spot with one more game left in the regular season after Tulsa beat the Arkansas Travelers 10-8 tonight. If the Wind Surge win and the Drillers lose tomorrow, Wichita will clinch the playoff berth. On the other hand, if Wichita loses, the 2025 season for the Wind Surge comes to an end.&nbsp;

After Lucas Spence singled and moved from first to third on a wild pitch, Wes Clarke brought him home on a sacrifice fly to center field for a 1-0 Hooks lead in the bottom of the first inning. Garret Guillemette opened the home half of the second with a solo home run to left to double the Corpus Christi advantage.&nbsp;

Jose Salas homered to left field, his sixth with Wichita, and Ricardo Olivar yanked an RBI single to left to tie the game 2-2 in the top of the third. Olivar’s hit was the third two-out hit for the Wind Surge in the inning.

Clarke collected his second RBI of the night on a single to center to give the lead back to the Hooks in the bottom of the third.&nbsp;

Wichita put up five runs on three hits in the top of the fifth. Olivar singled in the first run, Andrew Cossetti worked a bases-loaded walk for the second, then Rucker drove in the final three on a bases-clearing triple to the right field corner to make the score 7-3 Wind Surge.&nbsp;

Spence opened the bottom of the fifth inning with a solo shot to left, and Corpus Christi later loaded the bases, but John Stankiewicz struck out Tommy Sacco Jr. to strand the runners to end the fifth frame. The Hooks brought a run in for the fifth different inning with a fielder’s choice in the bottom of the sixth to cut the deficit to two at 7-5, with Wichita out in front.

Kade Bragg and Kyle Bischoff combined to hold the Hooks to just two hits over the last three and two-thirds innings. While each pitcher gave up a hit, Bragg struck out three men over two and two-thirds of an inning to improve to 4-0 with the Wind Surge. Bischoff struck out two in the ninth to secure his first Double-A save in 2025 and the 7-5 win for Wichita.&nbsp;

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (September 13, 2025)—Jake Rucker hit a bases-clearing triple in the 7-5 win for the Wichita Wind Surge over the Corpus Christi Hooks at Whataburger Field. Wichita is now one game back of the Tulsa Drillers for the playoff spot with one more game left in the regular season after Tulsa beat the Arkansas Travelers 10-8 tonight. If the Wind Surge win and the Drillers lose tomorrow, Wichita will clinch the playoff berth. On the other hand, if Wichita loses, the 2025 season for the Wind Surge comes to an end.&nbsp;After Lucas Spence singled and moved from first to third on a wild pitch, Wes Clarke brought him home on a sacrifice fly to center field for a 1-0 Hooks lead in the bottom of the first inning. Garret Guillemette opened the home half of the second with a solo home run to left to double the Corpus Christi advantage.&nbsp;Jose Salas homered to left field, his sixth with Wichita, and Ricardo Olivar yanked an RBI single to left to tie the game 2-2 in the top of the third. Olivar’s hit was the third two-out hit for the Wind Surge in the inning.Clarke collected his second RBI of the night on a single to center to give the lead back to the Hooks in the bottom of the third.&nbsp;Wichita put up five runs on three hits in the top of the fifth. Olivar singled in the first run, Andrew Cossetti worked a bases-loaded walk for the second, then Rucker drove in the final three on a bases-clearing triple to the right field corner to make the score 7-3 Wind Surge.&nbsp;Spence opened the bottom of the fifth inning with a solo shot to left, and Corpus Christi later loaded the bases, but John Stankiewicz struck out Tommy Sacco Jr. to strand the runners to end the fifth frame. The Hooks brought a run in for the fifth different inning with a fielder’s choice in the bottom of the sixth to cut the deficit to two at 7-5, with Wichita out in front.Kade Bragg and Kyle Bischoff combined to hold the Hooks to just two hits over the last three and two-thirds innings. While each pitcher gave up a hit, Bragg struck out three men over two and two-thirds of an inning to improve to 4-0 with the Wind Surge. Bischoff struck out two in the ninth to secure his first Double-A save in 2025 and the 7-5 win for Wichita.&nbsp;POSTGAME NOTES<ul>
 <li>Wichita is now one game back of the Tulsa Drillers for the playoff spot with one more game left in the regular season.</li><li>If the Wind Surge win and the Drillers lose tomorrow, Wichita will clinch the playoff berth.&nbsp;</li><li>If Wichita loses and Tulsa wins tomorrow, the 2025 season for the Wind Surge comes to an end.</li><li>Hendry Mendez, Ricardo Olivar, and Jake Rucker all finish with multiple hits.</li><li>Six of the 10 runs for Wichita came in on two-out scenarios.</li><li>The Wind Surge and Hooks play at 2pm, Tulsa hosts Arkansas at 6pm</li>
 </ul>

⚾️ Wichita Scores Five Runs in the Fifth for a Comeback Victory Against Corpus Christi

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Kyle Schwarber hit his 51st home run, Brandon Marsh also went deep and the Philadelphia Phillies won their sixth straight game with an 8-6 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Saturday night.

Harrison Bader contributed three hits for the Phillies, who can clinch their second straight NL East title by completing a three-game sweep of Kansas City in the series finale on Sunday afternoon.

Taijuan Walker (5-8) benefited from strong run support, giving up four runs on seven hits in five innings.

Jhoan Duran tossed a 1-2-3 ninth for his 30th save in 33 opportunities.

Salvador Perez homered twice for the Royals, who lost their sixth in the last seven to further hurt their slim playoff chances.

Angel Zerpa (5-2), in relief of starter Ryan Bergert, gave up three runs in the fifth inning when Philadelphia went in front for good.

Schwarber tied the game at 4 by leading off the frame by sending a 1-1, 86-mph slider into the seats in right. He pulled within seven homers of tying Ryan Howard for the single-season franchise record, set in 2006.

Bader, filling in for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/phillies-turner-injury-hamstring-strain-181ab190b3eab565d9df0766849967ee">injured Trea Turner</a>&nbsp;as Philadelphia’s leadoff hitter, has multiple hits in six consecutive games.

Nick Castellanos’ pinch-hit sacrifice fly four batters after Schwarber’s home run put the Phillies in front 5-4.

13.50 — Bergert’s ERA in his last two starts after a 2.43 mark in his first six starts after being&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-royals-trade-deadline-794b0f281ac2ee2a2a16215e5de7b8b6">acquired at the trade deadline</a>.

Kansas City LHP Noah Cameron (7-7, 3.00 ERA) faces Philadelphia RHP Aaron Nola (4-8, 6.24) on Sunday afternoon when the Phillies try to complete a 7-0 homestand.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Kyle Schwarber hit his 51st home run, Brandon Marsh also went deep and the Philadelphia Phillies won their sixth straight game with an 8-6 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Saturday night.Harrison Bader contributed three hits for the Phillies, who can clinch their second straight NL East title by completing a three-game sweep of Kansas City in the series finale on Sunday afternoon.Taijuan Walker (5-8) benefited from strong run support, giving up four runs on seven hits in five innings.Jhoan Duran tossed a 1-2-3 ninth for his 30th save in 33 opportunities.Salvador Perez homered twice for the Royals, who lost their sixth in the last seven to further hurt their slim playoff chances.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">1 swing 🤝 2 big milestones. Salvy collects his 300th homer and 1,000th RBI! <a href="https://t.co/HPADOjnGxH">pic.twitter.com/HPADOjnGxH</a>&mdash; Kansas City Royals (@Royals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Royals/status/1967000355050582133?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Angel Zerpa (5-2), in relief of starter Ryan Bergert, gave up three runs in the fifth inning when Philadelphia went in front for good.Schwarber tied the game at 4 by leading off the frame by sending a 1-1, 86-mph slider into the seats in right. He pulled within seven homers of tying Ryan Howard for the single-season franchise record, set in 2006.Bader, filling in for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/phillies-turner-injury-hamstring-strain-181ab190b3eab565d9df0766849967ee">injured Trea Turner</a>&nbsp;as Philadelphia’s leadoff hitter, has multiple hits in six consecutive games.<h2>Key moment</h2>Nick Castellanos’ pinch-hit sacrifice fly four batters after Schwarber’s home run put the Phillies in front 5-4.<h2>Key stat</h2>13.50 — Bergert’s ERA in his last two starts after a 2.43 mark in his first six starts after being&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-royals-trade-deadline-794b0f281ac2ee2a2a16215e5de7b8b6">acquired at the trade deadline</a>.<h2>Up next</h2>Kansas City LHP Noah Cameron (7-7, 3.00 ERA) faces Philadelphia RHP Aaron Nola (4-8, 6.24) on Sunday afternoon when the Phillies try to complete a 7-0 homestand.

⚾Schwarber hits 51st homer to lift Phillies over Royals

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post

You can say many things about the Battle of Dickinson County, but you can never say it doesn’t deliver on entertainment value.

This year’s game was no exception, with a roller coaster of twists and turns culminating in a fourth-straight win for Abilene over Chapman by a final score of 16-12.

On the very first drive, Chapman’s defense showcased speed and strength not seen out of the Irish in years, and forced a three-and-out to let everyone watching know this wouldn’t be another blowout win.

A first-half fumble by Abilene marked the only notable end to a drive as the two teams entered the second quarter scoreless.

A holding penalty would erase an Audiel Becker rushing touchdown, and Chapman came up empty on the drive, fumbling the ball away.

Fortunately, the Cowboys were kind enough to return the favor, throwing an interception to Audiel Becker on the goal line.

The Irish made some headway, but fumbled the ball right back, and this time the Cowboys capitalized as Taygen Funston scrambled into the end zone from 12 yards out.

After forcing a punt and briefly losing Funston for a play to an apparent injury, Abilene went on the attack again, punching in a two-yard Lane Hoekman carry to take a 13-0 halftime lead.

The third quarter saw Chapman’s first real chunk gain of the day when Audiel Becker broke a run down the far sideline for 55 yards, setting up a 5-yard Brecken Francis rushing touchdown to get the Irish on the board.

Abilene strung together their longest drive of the day and had first and goal from the one-yard line, but failed on two carries, took a sack, and had to settle for a Brandon Sims field goal.

The two teams traded punts, and with under five minutes to play deep in Cowboy territory, Chapman took a crucial sack on fourth down, turning the ball over on what could have been a game-icing play.

The Irish defense immediately forced a three-and-out, and on the ensuing Abilene punt from their own end zone, Kaicen Deweese blocked the kick and Ian Sayers recovered for a touchdown.

Now trailing just 16-12, the Irish again stood tall, forcing a three-and-out to get the ball back with just under three minutes to go.

Chapman successfully drove the ball into Abilene territory and had a chance to take the lead, but the Irish underthrew a wide-open Isaac VanMeter in the end zone, and a Taygen Funston interception on the very next play would officially seal the deal.

Penalties played a huge role on both sides, with Abilene committing 10, and Chapman committing 15, including two that wiped out a total of eight points in what would go down as a four-point loss.

The Cowboys improve to 1-1 on the year while the Irish slide to 0-2.

Abilene will remain on the road at Concordia next Friday while Chapman stays home to host Riley County.

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina PostYou can say many things about the Battle of Dickinson County, but you can never say it doesn’t deliver on entertainment value.This year’s game was no exception, with a roller coaster of twists and turns culminating in a fourth-straight win for Abilene over Chapman by a final score of 16-12.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746812152965.jpeg" alt="Salina Regional Orthopedic &amp; Sports Medicine- Your home-field advantage starts here." />
 <figcaption>Salina Regional Orthopedic &amp; Sports Medicine- Your home-field advantage starts here.</figcaption>
 </figure>On the very first drive, Chapman’s defense showcased speed and strength not seen out of the Irish in years, and forced a three-and-out to let everyone watching know this wouldn’t be another blowout win.A first-half fumble by Abilene marked the only notable end to a drive as the two teams entered the second quarter scoreless.Then, the chaos began.A holding penalty would erase an Audiel Becker rushing touchdown, and Chapman came up empty on the drive, fumbling the ball away.Fortunately, the Cowboys were kind enough to return the favor, throwing an interception to Audiel Becker on the goal line.The Irish made some headway, but fumbled the ball right back, and this time the Cowboys capitalized as Taygen Funston scrambled into the end zone from 12 yards out.After forcing a punt and briefly losing Funston for a play to an apparent injury, Abilene went on the attack again, punching in a two-yard Lane Hoekman carry to take a 13-0 halftime lead.The third quarter saw Chapman’s first real chunk gain of the day when Audiel Becker broke a run down the far sideline for 55 yards, setting up a 5-yard Brecken Francis rushing touchdown to get the Irish on the board.13-6, game on.Abilene strung together their longest drive of the day and had first and goal from the one-yard line, but failed on two carries, took a sack, and had to settle for a Brandon Sims field goal.The two teams traded punts, and with under five minutes to play deep in Cowboy territory, Chapman took a crucial sack on fourth down, turning the ball over on what could have been a game-icing play.That would have been too simple.The Irish defense immediately forced a three-and-out, and on the ensuing Abilene punt from their own end zone, Kaicen Deweese blocked the kick and Ian Sayers recovered for a touchdown.Now trailing just 16-12, the Irish again stood tall, forcing a three-and-out to get the ball back with just under three minutes to go.Chapman successfully drove the ball into Abilene territory and had a chance to take the lead, but the Irish underthrew a wide-open Isaac VanMeter in the end zone, and a Taygen Funston interception on the very next play would officially seal the deal.Penalties played a huge role on both sides, with Abilene committing 10, and Chapman committing 15, including two that wiped out a total of eight points in what would go down as a four-point loss.The Cowboys improve to 1-1 on the year while the Irish slide to 0-2.Abilene will remain on the road at Concordia next Friday while Chapman stays home to host Riley County.

🏈 Abilene holds on to outlast improved Irish squad

By JEREMY OBERMEYER Salina Post Contributor

Southeast of Saline took a brief reprieve from league play on Friday night to welcome the Clay Center Tigers to the new Steve Fritz Field in a matchup that has quickly turned into a rivalry over the last three years.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The last two meetings went the way of the Trojans by a combined seven points, but this year it was all purple, as Southeast dominated by a score of 46-7.

The Trojan defense set the tone early, recovering a Clay Center fumble on the Tigers' first possession of the game.&nbsp;

That allowed the Southeast offense to score a few plays later on a 1-yard Grady Gebhardt run to take the early 8-0 lead.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Southeast also scored on their last possession of the first half as Gannon Jacobson ran one in from 12 yards out, and the Trojans led 16-0 at halftime.

After being held to just 30 yards in the first half, Gebhardt and the Southeast offense went full throttle in the second half.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Gebhardt scored on a 14-yard pass from Jacobson, and runs of 72, 81, and 24.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Clay Center scored their lone touchdown of the night on a 1-yard Isaac Girton run in the third quarter.

Gebhardt led all rushers with 216 yards and 4 touchdowns on 15 carries, while Jacobson threw for 189 yards and a touchdown, completing 12 of 19 passes.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Trojan defense held the Tigers to just a total of 202 rushing yards and 0 passing yards, touting 1 fumble recovery and 1 interception.

Southeast of Saline (2-0) will travel to Beloit next Friday, while Clay Center (1-1) hosts Louisburg.

By JEREMY OBERMEYER Salina Post ContributorSoutheast of Saline took a brief reprieve from league play on Friday night to welcome the Clay Center Tigers to the new Steve Fritz Field in a matchup that has quickly turned into a rivalry over the last three years.&nbsp;&nbsp;The last two meetings went the way of the Trojans by a combined seven points, but this year it was all purple, as Southeast dominated by a score of 46-7.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746812152965.jpeg" alt="Salina Regional Orthopedic &amp; Sports Medicine- Your home-field advantage starts here." />
 <figcaption>Salina Regional Orthopedic &amp; Sports Medicine- Your home-field advantage starts here.</figcaption>
 </figure>The Trojan defense set the tone early, recovering a Clay Center fumble on the Tigers' first possession of the game.&nbsp;That allowed the Southeast offense to score a few plays later on a 1-yard Grady Gebhardt run to take the early 8-0 lead.&nbsp;&nbsp;Southeast also scored on their last possession of the first half as Gannon Jacobson ran one in from 12 yards out, and the Trojans led 16-0 at halftime.After being held to just 30 yards in the first half, Gebhardt and the Southeast offense went full throttle in the second half.&nbsp;&nbsp;Gebhardt scored on a 14-yard pass from Jacobson, and runs of 72, 81, and 24.&nbsp;&nbsp;Clay Center scored their lone touchdown of the night on a 1-yard Isaac Girton run in the third quarter.Gebhardt led all rushers with 216 yards and 4 touchdowns on 15 carries, while Jacobson threw for 189 yards and a touchdown, completing 12 of 19 passes.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Trojan defense held the Tigers to just a total of 202 rushing yards and 0 passing yards, touting 1 fumble recovery and 1 interception.Southeast of Saline (2-0) will travel to Beloit next Friday, while Clay Center (1-1) hosts Louisburg.<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FLoqax1Mylg"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

🏈 Five Gebhardt touchdowns aid Trojans in beatdown of Clay Center

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Ismail Mahdi ran for 189 yards, Noah Fifita had two touchdown runs and Arizona overcame a shaky start to the second half for a 23-17 win over Kansas State on Friday night.

Arizona (3-0) faced its first big test of the year after beating two smaller-conference teams by a combined score of 88-9. The Wildcats led by 14 at halftime, but let Kansas State back in it with a series of mistakes. They sealed the win with a turnover on downs, opening 3-0 for the first time since 2015.

“That's what it's supposed to look like,” Arizona coach Brent Brennan said. “Not the whole thing, but in moments that's what it's supposed to look like and I'm so proud of this team.”

Coming off a home loss to Army, Kansas State (1-3) struggled offensively for much of the nonconference matchup between future Big 12 foes — a game scheduled before Arizona joined the league. Kansas State had 193 total yards and quarterback Avery Johnson was limited to 88 yards and no touchdowns on 13 of 29 passing.

“We've come out flat four straight weeks,” Johnson said. “We knew what they were going to give us, just felt like we were slow in all aspects.”

Arizona led 17-3 at halftime on touchdown runs of 15 and two yards by Fifita.

Kansas State needed one play to get back in it.

Taking a direct snap, Jayce Brown weaved through a blockade of tacklers on the right side and raced past the rest of the defense for&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/Big12Conference/status/1966701130248773774">a 75-yard touchdown run</a>&nbsp;— the first touchdown Arizona's defense has allowed this season.

After a three-and-out, Arizona punter Michael Salgado-Medina fumbled a snap and had his kick blocked, setting up Kansas State at Arizona's 13. Johnson scored four plays later on a 1-yard run to tie it at 17-all.

Salgado-Medina kicked field goals of 31 and 41 yards to put Arizona up 23-17 before hitting the upright on a 46-yard attempt with 1:55 left.

“I definitely feel like there's a lot of growth as far as responding, and it's showing out there,” Arizona defensive back Genesis Smith said.

Kansas State running back Dylan Edwards returned for the first time since spraining his ankle early in the season opener against No. 14 Iowa State.

The third-year player saw limited action, finishing with 13 yards on four carries.

“He tried to go — I applaud Dylan,” Kansas State coach Chris Klieman said. “He gave it a go, gave it an effort and got a couple of runs, but I knew he wasn’t gonna last that long and he didn’t."

Kansas State: The Wildcats need to find some answers fast. Kansas State's only win is against a Football Championship Subdivision team and it spent most of Friday night being dominated on both sides of the ball once again.

Arizona: The Wildcats were shaky in the opening 4 1/2 minutes of the third quarter, but shut down Kansas State the rest of the night.

Kansas State: Opens Big 12 play against UCF on Sept. 27.

Arizona: Plays its first Big 12 game at Iowa State on Sept. 27.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757743613696.png" alt="Photo K-State Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo K-State Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Ismail Mahdi ran for 189 yards, Noah Fifita had two touchdown runs and Arizona overcame a shaky start to the second half for a 23-17 win over Kansas State on Friday night.Arizona (3-0) faced its first big test of the year after beating two smaller-conference teams by a combined score of 88-9. The Wildcats led by 14 at halftime, but let Kansas State back in it with a series of mistakes. They sealed the win with a turnover on downs, opening 3-0 for the first time since 2015.“That's what it's supposed to look like,” Arizona coach Brent Brennan said. “Not the whole thing, but in moments that's what it's supposed to look like and I'm so proud of this team.”Coming off a home loss to Army, Kansas State (1-3) struggled offensively for much of the nonconference matchup between future Big 12 foes — a game scheduled before Arizona joined the league. Kansas State had 193 total yards and quarterback Avery Johnson was limited to 88 yards and no touchdowns on 13 of 29 passing.“We've come out flat four straight weeks,” Johnson said. “We knew what they were going to give us, just felt like we were slow in all aspects.”Arizona led 17-3 at halftime on touchdown runs of 15 and two yards by Fifita.Kansas State needed one play to get back in it.Taking a direct snap, Jayce Brown weaved through a blockade of tacklers on the right side and raced past the rest of the defense for&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/Big12Conference/status/1966701130248773774">a 75-yard touchdown run</a>&nbsp;— the first touchdown Arizona's defense has allowed this season.After a three-and-out, Arizona punter Michael Salgado-Medina fumbled a snap and had his kick blocked, setting up Kansas State at Arizona's 13. Johnson scored four plays later on a 1-yard run to tie it at 17-all.Salgado-Medina kicked field goals of 31 and 41 yards to put Arizona up 23-17 before hitting the upright on a 46-yard attempt with 1:55 left.“I definitely feel like there's a lot of growth as far as responding, and it's showing out there,” Arizona defensive back Genesis Smith said.<h2>Edwards' return</h2>Kansas State running back Dylan Edwards returned for the first time since spraining his ankle early in the season opener against No. 14 Iowa State.The third-year player saw limited action, finishing with 13 yards on four carries.“He tried to go — I applaud Dylan,” Kansas State coach Chris Klieman said. “He gave it a go, gave it an effort and got a couple of runs, but I knew he wasn’t gonna last that long and he didn’t."<h2>The takeaway</h2>Kansas State: The Wildcats need to find some answers fast. Kansas State's only win is against a Football Championship Subdivision team and it spent most of Friday night being dominated on both sides of the ball once again.Arizona: The Wildcats were shaky in the opening 4 1/2 minutes of the third quarter, but shut down Kansas State the rest of the night.<h2>Up next</h2>Kansas State: Opens Big 12 play against UCF on Sept. 27.Arizona: Plays its first Big 12 game at Iowa State on Sept. 27.

🏈 Mahdi runs for 189 yards, Arizona holds off Kansas State rally for win

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (September 12, 2025)—Andrew Cossetti hit his 14th homer of the year in an 8-3 Wichita Wind Surge come from behind win over the Corpus Christi Hooks at Whataburger Field. Wichita is now one game back of the Tulsa Drillers for the playoff spot with two games left in the regular season after Tulsa beat the Arkansas Travelers 7-1 tonight at ONEOK Field. Surge own the tie-breaker.

Cossetti crushed a solo home run, his 14th of the season, to left field to give Wichita a 1-0 lead in the top of the second.

Will Bush responded by putting Corpus Christi ahead on a two-run blast to left center in the home half of the second inning. Both teams added on in their halves of the third with Kala’i Rosario scoring on an infield error to tie the game and Joseph Sullivan making it a 3-2 Hooks advantage on an RBI single to center field.

Darren Bowen and Logan Whitaker held the Hooks to three hits over the following three and one-third innings, with Whitaker striking out three men against two walks over two innings of relief to earn his first win with the Wind Surge.&nbsp;

A four-run frame took place for Wichita in the top of the seventh on four hits, starting with a game-tying opposite field blast to left from Hendry Mendez. Ricardo Olivar punched a run-scoring single toward right field and later swiped home on a double steal. Cossetti singled up the gut and into center to drive home Ben Ross for a 6-3 Wind Surge advantage.&nbsp;

Mike Paredes came on to pitch for Wichita in the top of the eighth, and after getting two more insurance runs in the top of the ninth on a wild pitch and an RBI double by Ross, struck out the side to secure the 8-3 final score for the Wind Surge and his seventh save of the season.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (September 12, 2025)—Andrew Cossetti hit his 14th homer of the year in an 8-3 Wichita Wind Surge come from behind win over the Corpus Christi Hooks at Whataburger Field. Wichita is now one game back of the Tulsa Drillers for the playoff spot with two games left in the regular season after Tulsa beat the Arkansas Travelers 7-1 tonight at ONEOK Field. Surge own the tie-breaker.Cossetti crushed a solo home run, his 14th of the season, to left field to give Wichita a 1-0 lead in the top of the second.Will Bush responded by putting Corpus Christi ahead on a two-run blast to left center in the home half of the second inning. Both teams added on in their halves of the third with Kala’i Rosario scoring on an infield error to tie the game and Joseph Sullivan making it a 3-2 Hooks advantage on an RBI single to center field.Darren Bowen and Logan Whitaker held the Hooks to three hits over the following three and one-third innings, with Whitaker striking out three men against two walks over two innings of relief to earn his first win with the Wind Surge.&nbsp;A four-run frame took place for Wichita in the top of the seventh on four hits, starting with a game-tying opposite field blast to left from Hendry Mendez. Ricardo Olivar punched a run-scoring single toward right field and later swiped home on a double steal. Cossetti singled up the gut and into center to drive home Ben Ross for a 6-3 Wind Surge advantage.&nbsp;Mike Paredes came on to pitch for Wichita in the top of the eighth, and after getting two more insurance runs in the top of the ninth on a wild pitch and an RBI double by Ross, struck out the side to secure the 8-3 final score for the Wind Surge and his seventh save of the season.POSTGAME NOTES<ul>
 <li>Wichita is one game back of the Tulsa Drillers for the playoff spot with two games left in the regular season.</li><li>Andrew Cossetti, Kala’i Rosario, and Ben Ross all finish with multiple hits.</li><li>Mike Paredes leads the Wind Surge in saves (7).&nbsp;</li><li>Logan Whitaker notches his first win with Wichita.&nbsp;</li><li>Kala’i Rosario steals two more bases, has 32 now in 2025.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>

Wind Surge Score Six Unanswered Runs in Comeback Victory Over Hooks

🏈 Saline County Scoreboard Week Two

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Walker Buehler pitched five strong innings in his Philadelphia debut, Bryce Harper and Bryson Stott homered, and the Phillies won their fifth straight, 8-2 over the Kansas City Royals on Friday night.

Buehler allowed one run on five hits with one walk and three strikeouts for the NL East-leading Phillies, who are closing in on clinching the division.

A veteran of seven mostly successful but injury-marred seasons with the Dodgers before joining Boston this season, Buehler (8-7) was released by the Red Sox on Aug. 29 and signed with the Phillies two days later.

On Friday, he earned his first win since Aug. 8 for Boston at San Diego. He allowed a run in the first when Bobby Witt Jr. singled, stole second and scored on a two-out single by Maikel Garcia.

The Phillies tied it in the second against Michael Lorenzen on a sacrifice fly by Rafael Marchan. They broke it open over the next two innings.

In the third, Harper hit a two-run homer, and Brandon Marsh tripled and scored on a single by Otto Kemp for a 4-1 lead. In the fourth, Marchan, Harrison Bader and Kyle Schwarber hit consecutive doubles to push the advantage to 6-1.

Stott added a two-run shot in the seventh.

Lorenzen (5-11) went three-plus innings, allowing six earned runs on 10 hits.

Schwarber led off the third with a walk before Harper drilled one into the left-field seats for his 26th homer, giving the Phillies the lead for good.

Seldom-used backup catcher Marchan, who entered with a .178 batting average, had two hits and scored a run after his sacrifice fly in the second.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Walker Buehler pitched five strong innings in his Philadelphia debut, Bryce Harper and Bryson Stott homered, and the Phillies won their fifth straight, 8-2 over the Kansas City Royals on Friday night.Buehler allowed one run on five hits with one walk and three strikeouts for the NL East-leading Phillies, who are closing in on clinching the division.A veteran of seven mostly successful but injury-marred seasons with the Dodgers before joining Boston this season, Buehler (8-7) was released by the Red Sox on Aug. 29 and signed with the Phillies two days later.On Friday, he earned his first win since Aug. 8 for Boston at San Diego. He allowed a run in the first when Bobby Witt Jr. singled, stole second and scored on a two-out single by Maikel Garcia.The Phillies tied it in the second against Michael Lorenzen on a sacrifice fly by Rafael Marchan. They broke it open over the next two innings.In the third, Harper hit a two-run homer, and Brandon Marsh tripled and scored on a single by Otto Kemp for a 4-1 lead. In the fourth, Marchan, Harrison Bader and Kyle Schwarber hit consecutive doubles to push the advantage to 6-1.Stott added a two-run shot in the seventh.Lorenzen (5-11) went three-plus innings, allowing six earned runs on 10 hits.<h2>Key moment</h2>Schwarber led off the third with a walk before Harper drilled one into the left-field seats for his 26th homer, giving the Phillies the lead for good.<h2>Key stat</h2>Seldom-used backup catcher Marchan, who entered with a .178 batting average, had two hits and scored a run after his sacrifice fly in the second.<h2>Up next</h2>

⚾ Walker Buehler works 5 strong innings as Phillies beat the Royals

The Sacred Heart Knights will be in search of a bounce back win when they travel to Plainville on Friday night for a showdown with the Cardinals.

The Knights looked good in the first half of their season opener, holding Ellsworth to just seven points and leading 8-7 at half, but quickly saw that come apart as the Bearcats outscored them 42-0 down the stretch of a 49-8 rout.

For Plainville’s part in week one’s action, the Cardinals looked solid in stretches on both sides of the ball but still came up short, dropping a second-straight season opener at the hands of Phillipsburg, this time 33-18.

Both squads will have an opportunity to even their ledger this week and find the optimism of 1-1 as opposed to the despair of 0-2.

This was a game that Plainville won handily in 2024, coming into Salina and handing the Knights a 34-6 loss at Kansas Wesleyan.

Historically, this has been a very lopsided series, with the Cardinals coming out on top in all seven meetings between the two schools dating back to 2011.

For the Knights to find success, and a win in this game, the defense will have to put together a stout four-quarter effort, and the offense, anchored by three freshmen on the offensive line, will need to be better about controlling the ball and the clock for longer drives.

Kickoff at Plainville High School is set for 7:00, and as always you can tune in to this contest on Salina Post or on our Salina Post YouTube page.

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina PostThe Sacred Heart Knights will be in search of a bounce back win when they travel to Plainville on Friday night for a showdown with the Cardinals.The Knights looked good in the first half of their season opener, holding Ellsworth to just seven points and leading 8-7 at half, but quickly saw that come apart as the Bearcats outscored them 42-0 down the stretch of a 49-8 rout.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746812152965.jpeg" alt="Salina Regional Orthopedic &amp; Sports Medicine- Your home-field advantage starts here." />
 <figcaption>Salina Regional Orthopedic &amp; Sports Medicine- Your home-field advantage starts here.</figcaption>
 </figure>For Plainville’s part in week one’s action, the Cardinals looked solid in stretches on both sides of the ball but still came up short, dropping a second-straight season opener at the hands of Phillipsburg, this time 33-18.Both squads will have an opportunity to even their ledger this week and find the optimism of 1-1 as opposed to the despair of 0-2.This was a game that Plainville won handily in 2024, coming into Salina and handing the Knights a 34-6 loss at Kansas Wesleyan.Historically, this has been a very lopsided series, with the Cardinals coming out on top in all seven meetings between the two schools dating back to 2011.For the Knights to find success, and a win in this game, the defense will have to put together a stout four-quarter effort, and the offense, anchored by three freshmen on the offensive line, will need to be better about controlling the ball and the clock for longer drives.Kickoff at Plainville High School is set for 7:00, and as always you can tune in to this contest on Salina Post or on our Salina Post YouTube page.

🏈 Knights travel to Plainville seeking first-ever win over Cardinals

The Battle of Dickinson County is a matchup that has been played every single year for more than a century, yet in all that time, the annual contest between Abilene and Chapman has never lost its juice.

This week should be no different as the Irish host the Cowboys for the 132nd all-time meeting between two schools, a stone's throw from one another.

In 2025, the pressure is on the Cowboys, who have won the last three matchups handily, and who have an opportunity to graduate another class that could potentially go all four years without a loss to Chapman, a feat last achieved by the Irish class of 2022.

Both schools suffered close defeats in defensive duels a week ago, and each will be in search of their first victory, and a chance to even the ledger at .500 here tonight.

Abilene managed to hold a tough Clay Center squad to a scoreless halftime tie before the Tigers pulled away for a 14-7 victory last week.

Chapman did the same to Smith Center before the Redmen turned on the heat in the second half, winning 16-6.

Last year, the Cowboys won this game by a wide margin in a 42-8 rout in which quarterback Taygen Funston struck for four touchdowns.

Funston will likely play a big role again tonight in both the run, and pass game, and will be a huge x-factor unless the Chapman defense can find a way to slow him down.

On Chapman’s offensive end, success will come in the run game, especially if a re-worked offensive line can carve a path for backs like Audiel Becker and Andrew Scott to operate.

Chapman High School serves as the host site for this year’s showdown, with a 7:00 kickoff.

You can stream this game live or on demand with full video and broadcast commentary. Our pregame coverage will begin at 6:40.

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina PostThe Battle of Dickinson County is a matchup that has been played every single year for more than a century, yet in all that time, the annual contest between Abilene and Chapman has never lost its juice.This week should be no different as the Irish host the Cowboys for the 132nd all-time meeting between two schools, a stone's throw from one another.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746812152965.jpeg" alt="Salina Regional Orthopedic &amp; Sports Medicine- Your home-field advantage starts here." />
 <figcaption>Salina Regional Orthopedic &amp; Sports Medicine- Your home-field advantage starts here.</figcaption>
 </figure>In 2025, the pressure is on the Cowboys, who have won the last three matchups handily, and who have an opportunity to graduate another class that could potentially go all four years without a loss to Chapman, a feat last achieved by the Irish class of 2022.Both schools suffered close defeats in defensive duels a week ago, and each will be in search of their first victory, and a chance to even the ledger at .500 here tonight.Abilene managed to hold a tough Clay Center squad to a scoreless halftime tie before the Tigers pulled away for a 14-7 victory last week.Chapman did the same to Smith Center before the Redmen turned on the heat in the second half, winning 16-6.Last year, the Cowboys won this game by a wide margin in a 42-8 rout in which quarterback Taygen Funston struck for four touchdowns.Funston will likely play a big role again tonight in both the run, and pass game, and will be a huge x-factor unless the Chapman defense can find a way to slow him down.On Chapman’s offensive end, success will come in the run game, especially if a re-worked offensive line can carve a path for backs like Audiel Becker and Andrew Scott to operate.Chapman High School serves as the host site for this year’s showdown, with a 7:00 kickoff.You can stream this game live or on demand with full video and broadcast commentary. Our pregame coverage will begin at 6:40.<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VIVK4rw3uNw"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

🏈 Abilene and Chapman battle for Dickinson County in 132nd rivalry installment

The 2A state title defense for Southeast of Saline started with a bang in week one as the Trojans hung 60 points on Minneapolis, pulling the starters at halftime in a 60-21 rout.

Week two will not be so simple, however, as SES prepares to defend its brand new home turf from an NCKL foe in Clay Center, and a Tiger team that’s been the biggest threat to Southeast’s undefeated regular season streak over the last several seasons.

Despite the challenge and a battle with a 3A opponent that always gives SES a run for their money, the Trojans are excited to play the type of team they may very well encounter again in this year’s 2A playoff.

“Games like these are outstanding for us,” SES head coach Mitch Gebhardt said. “Clay Center is always physical, they’re always tough, they’re well coached, and if you do something wrong, they’re going to make you pay for that. This game has been big for us over the years and I’m sure it will be again this Friday.”

Last year, Southeast was able to outlast Clay Center in a 22-20 nailbiter that would go down as the only regular-season win for SES by 18 or fewer.

The Trojans have won the last three in the series, collecting victories of 22-17 in 2023 and 26-14 in 2022.

Regular season or otherwise, Clay Center has consistently been one of the few teams capable of handling the bruising style of Southeast on both sides of the ball, which should make for another fun matchup tonight.

“They’re physical again,” Gebhardt said. “Every time we get a film on them year after year that’s the takeaway. Their coaching staff is great and their kids run the football well every year.”

For SES to maintain the state’s longest active regular-season winning streak, they’ll need to tackle the fundamentals in front of what’s sure to be a ruckus crowd on the brand new turf.

“We need to take care of the football and eliminate penalties this week,” he said. “If we can play good team defense and keep the football out of their hands we feel we can do well against Clay Center.”

Kickoff for this game is scheduled for 7:00 with pregame coverage to begin at 6:40 on KINA. As always, this game will also be streamed with live video and broadcast commentary on Salina Post.

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina PostThe 2A state title defense for Southeast of Saline started with a bang in week one as the Trojans hung 60 points on Minneapolis, pulling the starters at halftime in a 60-21 rout.Week two will not be so simple, however, as SES prepares to defend its brand new home turf from an NCKL foe in Clay Center, and a Tiger team that’s been the biggest threat to Southeast’s undefeated regular season streak over the last several seasons.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746812152965.jpeg" alt="Salina Regional Orthopedic &amp; Sports Medicine- Your home-field advantage starts here." />
 <figcaption>Salina Regional Orthopedic &amp; Sports Medicine- Your home-field advantage starts here.</figcaption>
 </figure>Despite the challenge and a battle with a 3A opponent that always gives SES a run for their money, the Trojans are excited to play the type of team they may very well encounter again in this year’s 2A playoff.“Games like these are outstanding for us,” SES head coach Mitch Gebhardt said. “Clay Center is always physical, they’re always tough, they’re well coached, and if you do something wrong, they’re going to make you pay for that. This game has been big for us over the years and I’m sure it will be again this Friday.”Last year, Southeast was able to outlast Clay Center in a 22-20 nailbiter that would go down as the only regular-season win for SES by 18 or fewer.The Trojans have won the last three in the series, collecting victories of 22-17 in 2023 and 26-14 in 2022.Regular season or otherwise, Clay Center has consistently been one of the few teams capable of handling the bruising style of Southeast on both sides of the ball, which should make for another fun matchup tonight.“They’re physical again,” Gebhardt said. “Every time we get a film on them year after year that’s the takeaway. Their coaching staff is great and their kids run the football well every year.”For SES to maintain the state’s longest active regular-season winning streak, they’ll need to tackle the fundamentals in front of what’s sure to be a ruckus crowd on the brand new turf.“We need to take care of the football and eliminate penalties this week,” he said. “If we can play good team defense and keep the football out of their hands we feel we can do well against Clay Center.”Kickoff for this game is scheduled for 7:00 with pregame coverage to begin at 6:40 on KINA. As always, this game will also be streamed with live video and broadcast commentary on Salina Post.<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FLoqax1Mylg"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

🏈 Trojans tangle with Tigers on Friday night

MANHATTAN, Kansas&nbsp;–&nbsp;Recent K-State graduate Serena Sundell will continue her active summer in 3x3 basketball, as she will play for Team USA at the FIBA 3x3 U23 World Cup 2025 in Xiong An, China, on September 17-21.

Teaming up with Sundell in the event for Team USA are Taylor Bigby (TCU), Kaety L’Amoreaux (Fairfield) and Zee Spearman (Tennessee).

All games in the FIBA 3x3 U23 World Cup 2025 will be streamed live on YouTube.com/FIBA3x3. The United States has been placed in Pool B and the game schedule is (all times Central): vs. Mexico (Sept. 17, 9:25 p.m.), vs. Philippines (Sept. 17, 11:55 p.m.), vs. Spain (Sept. 19, 9 p.m.), vs. Chile (11:30 p.m., 11:30 p.m.). The top two finishers in the four pools will advance to bracket play on September 21, with the champion to be determined that day.

Sundell, a product of Maryville, Missouri, Sundell has had an active summer, as she played for Team USA in the 2025 FIBA 3x3 Youth Nations League Americas in Punta Arenas, Chile, on July 21-27. She also finished as a runner-up with her 3x3 team at the FIBA 3x3 Women’s Series event in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, on August 1-2.

Prior to the event in Canada, Sundell kicked off her 3x3 action this summer by helping her team, B&amp;B, win the 3XBA event at the Spokane Hoopfest on June 27-28 in Spokane, Washington. The 3XBA event featured 32 of the most elite basketball players in the nation.

In addition to her 3x3 action, Sundell signed and played for the Dallas Wings in the WNBA through the end of the 2025 league season.

A 2025 Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) and Associated Press (AP) All-America honorable mention selection, Sundell led the nation with a career-high and school record for total assists (262) and paced the nation and led the Big 12 with a career-high for assists per game (7.28 apg) and was second in the Big 12 for assist-turnover ratio (2.52). She recorded a league-best nine games with 10 or more assists.

Sundell was K-State’s second-leading scorer with an average of 14.1 points per game and led the Wildcats with 508 points, which was the second-highest total of her career, on a .501 field goal percentage. Sundell was the only player in the nation in the 2024-25 season and the third player since 1993-94 to register a season with 500 or more points, 250 or more assists and shoot 50.0 percent or better from the field.

With her point (508) and assist (262) totals in the 2024-25 season, Sundell was the first player in Big 12 history to record four seasons with 350 or more points and 150 or more assists. She joined former Wildcat Kayla Goth as the only two players in program history with 500 or more points and 200 or more assists in a season.

In her career, Sundell set the school records for career starts (139) and games played (139). She established the school record and ranks fourth in Big 12 history for career assists with 811 and is second in program history for career assists per game (5.83 apg). She ranks sixth on the K-State career scoring list with 1,771 points. She ranks tied for seventh in school history for career blocks (104).

She was the first player in school history and the 14th&nbsp;in NCAA Division I women’s basketball history with 1,700 or more career points and 800 or more career assists.

Sundell was a 2025 WNBA Draft selection by the Seattle Storm. She was the ninth player in program history to be selected during the WNBA Draft.

MANHATTAN, Kansas&nbsp;–&nbsp;Recent K-State graduate Serena Sundell will continue her active summer in 3x3 basketball, as she will play for Team USA at the FIBA 3x3 U23 World Cup 2025 in Xiong An, China, on September 17-21.Teaming up with Sundell in the event for Team USA are Taylor Bigby (TCU), Kaety L’Amoreaux (Fairfield) and Zee Spearman (Tennessee).All games in the FIBA 3x3 U23 World Cup 2025 will be streamed live on YouTube.com/FIBA3x3. The United States has been placed in Pool B and the game schedule is (all times Central): vs. Mexico (Sept. 17, 9:25 p.m.), vs. Philippines (Sept. 17, 11:55 p.m.), vs. Spain (Sept. 19, 9 p.m.), vs. Chile (11:30 p.m., 11:30 p.m.). The top two finishers in the four pools will advance to bracket play on September 21, with the champion to be determined that day.Sundell, a product of Maryville, Missouri, Sundell has had an active summer, as she played for Team USA in the 2025 FIBA 3x3 Youth Nations League Americas in Punta Arenas, Chile, on July 21-27. She also finished as a runner-up with her 3x3 team at the FIBA 3x3 Women’s Series event in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, on August 1-2.Prior to the event in Canada, Sundell kicked off her 3x3 action this summer by helping her team, B&amp;B, win the 3XBA event at the Spokane Hoopfest on June 27-28 in Spokane, Washington. The 3XBA event featured 32 of the most elite basketball players in the nation.In addition to her 3x3 action, Sundell signed and played for the Dallas Wings in the WNBA through the end of the 2025 league season.A 2025 Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) and Associated Press (AP) All-America honorable mention selection, Sundell led the nation with a career-high and school record for total assists (262) and paced the nation and led the Big 12 with a career-high for assists per game (7.28 apg) and was second in the Big 12 for assist-turnover ratio (2.52). She recorded a league-best nine games with 10 or more assists.Sundell was K-State’s second-leading scorer with an average of 14.1 points per game and led the Wildcats with 508 points, which was the second-highest total of her career, on a .501 field goal percentage. Sundell was the only player in the nation in the 2024-25 season and the third player since 1993-94 to register a season with 500 or more points, 250 or more assists and shoot 50.0 percent or better from the field.With her point (508) and assist (262) totals in the 2024-25 season, Sundell was the first player in Big 12 history to record four seasons with 350 or more points and 150 or more assists. She joined former Wildcat Kayla Goth as the only two players in program history with 500 or more points and 200 or more assists in a season.In her career, Sundell set the school records for career starts (139) and games played (139). She established the school record and ranks fourth in Big 12 history for career assists with 811 and is second in program history for career assists per game (5.83 apg). She ranks sixth on the K-State career scoring list with 1,771 points. She ranks tied for seventh in school history for career blocks (104).She was the first player in school history and the 14th&nbsp;in NCAA Division I women’s basketball history with 1,700 or more career points and 800 or more career assists.Sundell was a 2025 WNBA Draft selection by the Seattle Storm. She was the ninth player in program history to be selected during the WNBA Draft.

Former Wildcat Sundell to Play for Team USA at FIBA U23 3x3 World Cup

CLEVELAND (AP) — Rookie C.J. Kayfus hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning as the Cleveland Guardians rallied for a 3-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Thursday night.

Cleveland (75-71) has won six of seven and took three of four in the series against its AL Central rival as it tries to stay in contention for the final AL wild card spot.

The Guardians trail Seattle by three games with 15 games remaining.

Kansas City's Vinnie Pasquantino became the fourth left-handed batter in Royals history to record 30 home runs in a season with a two-run drive in the first inning. The last Royals lefty batter to reach the mark was Mike Moustakas with 38 in 2017. The others were John Mayberry (34 in 1975) and Hall of Famer George Brett (30 in 1985).

The Royals (74-73) have gone 4-6 in their last 10 games and are 4 1/2 games back for the final wild card.

Guardians' catcher Bo Naylor led off the eighth with a base hit to right field. Kayfus followed with a towering 425-foot drive to right-center on a low fastball on a 1-0 count from John Schreiber (3-3) for his third homer of the season.

Matt Festa (4-3) got the win with a scoreless eighth inning. Cade Smith hit Jonathan India with a fastball to lead off the ninth and then retired the next three batters for his 13th save.

The Royals were 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position. They had runners at the corners with two outs in the sixth, but Guardians starter Gavin Williams struck out India with a sweeper on a full count to end the frame.

In 30 games since Aug. 10, Pasquatino leads the majors with 33 RBIs and is tied with the Mets’ Juan Soto at 11 home runs.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Rookie C.J. Kayfus hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning as the Cleveland Guardians rallied for a 3-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Thursday night.Cleveland (75-71) has won six of seven and took three of four in the series against its AL Central rival as it tries to stay in contention for the final AL wild card spot.The Guardians trail Seattle by three games with 15 games remaining.Kansas City's Vinnie Pasquantino became the fourth left-handed batter in Royals history to record 30 home runs in a season with a two-run drive in the first inning. The last Royals lefty batter to reach the mark was Mike Moustakas with 38 in 2017. The others were John Mayberry (34 in 1975) and Hall of Famer George Brett (30 in 1985).The Royals (74-73) have gone 4-6 in their last 10 games and are 4 1/2 games back for the final wild card.Guardians' catcher Bo Naylor led off the eighth with a base hit to right field. Kayfus followed with a towering 425-foot drive to right-center on a low fastball on a 1-0 count from John Schreiber (3-3) for his third homer of the season.Matt Festa (4-3) got the win with a scoreless eighth inning. Cade Smith hit Jonathan India with a fastball to lead off the ninth and then retired the next three batters for his 13th save.<h2>Key moment</h2>The Royals were 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position. They had runners at the corners with two outs in the sixth, but Guardians starter Gavin Williams struck out India with a sweeper on a full count to end the frame.<h2>Key stat</h2>In 30 games since Aug. 10, Pasquatino leads the majors with 33 RBIs and is tied with the Mets’ Juan Soto at 11 home runs.<h2>Up next</h2>Royals: Open a three-game series at Philadelphia on Friday with RHP Michael Lorenzen (5-10, 4.63 ERA) on the mound.