WASHINGTON (AP) — Seven years ago, when a joint bid by the United States, Canada and Mexico was awarded the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup">2026 World Cup</a>, rifts created by tariffs — yes, back then, too! — and a proposed border wall were glossed over because of the neighbors’ longstanding political and economic alliances.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/71e70169ac9343839436613b7d8dbb31">“The unity of the three nations″</a>&nbsp;was the overriding theme articulated by Carlos Cordeiro, then-president of the U.S. Soccer Federation. “A powerful message,” he called it.

Well, here we are now, with the soccer showcase arriving in North America in about 15 months, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;back in office — inciting trade wars between the neighbors, not to mention across the globe, by levying&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tariffs-timeline-trade-war-trump-canada-mexico-china-97819f94e424c0e7bba2812e09a721a7">tariffs</a>&nbsp;that come, then go, then return,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-eu-whiskey-cb259623a25ca1bfdb4673262ceef85b">with more promised</a>, including what the Republican calls “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-reciprocal-tariff-trade-deficit-4329a37b5a41ac944dcc74093410a126">reciprocal tariffs</a>&nbsp;” starting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-new-tariffs-liberation-day-import-taxes-118d73f50e5133ef3d9598aed6661a6c">Wednesday</a>.

It’s hard to know how, exactly, the current geopolitical fissures, made all the more stark every time Trump or those in his administration talk provocatively about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/how-canada-could-become-us-state-42360e10ded96c0046fd11eaaf55ab88">making Canada the 51st state</a>, might affect the World Cup, its organization and coordination, fans’ travel plans and more.

“Oh, I think it’s going to make it more exciting,” was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-fifa-world-cup-task-force-dba6def9a56cd1c48be592e1725d4a6a">Trump’s take</a>&nbsp;during&nbsp;<a href="https://youtu.be/INDwnNAkTLI?si=fHBRHnggEextYnIZ" target="_blank">an Oval Office appearance with FIFA President Gianni Infantino</a>&nbsp;last month. “Tension’s a good thing.”

Will the world come to the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics?

Given that the U.S. also is preparing to welcome the world for FIFA’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fifa-club-world-cup-prize-money-real-madrid-0cdee232b9a3670c77b62cd7dc3b53cb">Club World Cup</a>&nbsp;in June, golf’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ryder-cup-pay-pga-tour-europe-e287158b848e8d447302df31da36a79a">Ryder Cup</a>&nbsp;in September and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/43833244a74643b3a1fd0b2787c2e38d">Los Angeles Olympics</a>&nbsp;in 2028, the question becomes: Will the world want to come?

And, taking&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/border-tourists-german-canadian-detention-immigration-408cd27338e8065268fabc835f8b0c34">Trump’s border and visa policies</a>&nbsp;into account, will the world be able to?

Alan Rothenberg, who ran the 1994 World Cup and successfully oversaw the bid to host the 1999 Women’s World Cup as then-president of U.S. Soccer, thinks the answers to those questions are “Yes.” Pointing to concerns about the last two World Cups, in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-260baf7eaa624cf4b39e9ec988ba9114">Russia in 2018</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-soccer-sports-business-discrimination-ee9a8b506525341927b02c97cb19993d">Qatar in 2022</a>, he noted those still attracted attendance totals above 3 million apiece.

“People love the United States around the world — frankly, we wouldn’t have the immigration issue that we’re dealing with if that weren’t the case — so a lot of this is government-to-government,” Rothenberg said. “A passionate soccer fan is not going to be held up by that.”

He doesn’t think one of the host nations would drop out of the World Cup, say, or that other countries might&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jimmy-carter-olympics-boycott-9ba0aad38e01013bd0f40ce554317caf">boycott</a>, as happened at the 1976, 1980 and 1984 Summer Olympics.

“More than anything, they’ll see it as an opportunity for, perhaps, rapprochement, rather than escalating the tensions,” Rothenberg said.

“Besides, from an organizing standpoint, if either Canada or Mexico withdrew” from the World Cup, he said, “the U.S. would pick up the games in a heartbeat.”

Spectators booing the U.S. national anthem

Still, as the White House stance on tariffs and Russia’s war in Ukraine have put&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-ukraine-russia-war-putin-zelenskyy-europe-7940f9c5828fc46431928bc073170bc2">Europe on edge</a>, and relations with other countries have become fraught, it might not be a surprise if soccer stadiums for the U.S. games at the World Cup offer the same sort of anti-American sentiment heard when spectators&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-anthem-booed-montreal-hockey-9265bda34c95a1ed0ca2e1f90e7da1b1">in Canada booed “The Star-Spangled Banner”</a>&nbsp;during hockey’s 4 Nations Face-Off in February.

FIFA, soccer’s governing body, did not respond to Associated Press requests for comment, but Infantino has never hidden his admiration for Trump, which he often demonstrates via&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DFCCe0sIRF8/?igsh=MXN1OGZ0ZDhkbGU3OQ%3D%3D&amp;img_index=1" target="_blank">social media</a>. They have met at least five times since the U.S. election in November.

Last week, when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ioc-olympics-president-election-coventry-coe-samaranch-762f3442ff2a01be9e822cd017b89a59">Kirsty Coventry</a>&nbsp;was elected president of the International Olympic Committee — becoming the first woman in that position — she was asked how she would work with Trump and what she would tell athletes about traveling to the U.S. for the next Games.

“I have been dealing with, let’s say, difficult men, in high positions since I was 20 years old,” Coventry said with a chuckle, “and first and foremost, what I have learned is that communication will be key. That is something that will happen early on. And my firm belief is that President Trump is a huge lover of sports. He will want these Games to be significant. He will want them to be a success.”

Referring to concerns about whether the administration might deny some athletes visas, she added: “We will not waver from our values … of solidarity in ensuring that every athlete that qualifies for the Olympic Games has the possibility to attend the Olympic Games and be safe during the Olympic Games.”

The overriding assumption among those involved in the Olympics is that Trump will assure the 2028 Games are a success.

As U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee chairman&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/winter-olympics-sports-8a89eac6ffd68f3e809cda0ec01ce4ac">Gene Sykes</a>&nbsp;put it: “I can’t speak for him, but I think he’s the kind of person who probably believes that having these go very, very well is a reflection of his leadership.”

Will Trump’s tariffs and other policies affect soccer’s World Cup?

“The most likely outcome is that Trump’s nonsense won’t have an impact,” said Smith College professor Andrew Zimbalist, an expert on the economics of sports.

“My guess is that if relations between Canada and the U.S. deteriorate to the point that there are travel restrictions and spending restrictions,” Zimbalist said, “Trump would — just like he’s making exceptions all the time on his tariffs policies — make an exception for a month or six weeks.”

The U.S. and Canadian soccer federations declined AP requests for comment on how White House policies might affect the 2026 World Cup.

Gabriela Cuevas, who represents Mexico’s government in meetings with FIFA, said she considers the tariffs and the soccer event “separate issues,” adding that she believes “the World Cup could be a route to engage in a conversation.”

Observers tend to agree, saying logistics such as security cooperation or team transportation from city to city — or country to country — should not be hampered when it comes to the World Cup, scheduled to take place in 16 cities across the U.S., Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

The borders might become an issue, though.

“The main thing FIFA needs to move for this event is not car parts, and it’s not wheat, and it’s not electricity. It’s people. That’s your real concern,” said Victor Matheson, an economics professor at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts.

“What were previously pretty reasonable border crossings could become much more challenging, simply because both sides amp up their level of inspections and the United States, in particular, cuts down government services that allow people to move effectively between countries.”

As for the fans, 29-year-old Mexican businessman German Camacho Pacheco said “soccer is religion” in his country, so when it comes to the World Cup, “I don’t think they care about tariffs.”

Camacho, wearing the Monterrey club jersey of defender Sergio Ramos while on the way to watch a game at a sports bar in Mexico City, said he doesn’t expect there to be any effect at all on the World Cup “unless this goes from a trade war to an actual war.”

AP writers Greg Beacham in Inglewood, California; Nancy Benac in Washington; Ronald Blum in New York; Graham Dunbar in Costa Navarino, Greece; Eddie Pells in Denver; Anne M. Peterson in Portland, Oregon, and Carlos Rodriguez in Mexico City contributed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741521131212.png" alt="-President Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino unveil the official trophy of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup" />
 <figcaption>-President Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino unveil the official trophy of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Seven years ago, when a joint bid by the United States, Canada and Mexico was awarded the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup">2026 World Cup</a>, rifts created by tariffs — yes, back then, too! — and a proposed border wall were glossed over because of the neighbors’ longstanding political and economic alliances.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/71e70169ac9343839436613b7d8dbb31">“The unity of the three nations″</a>&nbsp;was the overriding theme articulated by Carlos Cordeiro, then-president of the U.S. Soccer Federation. “A powerful message,” he called it.Well, here we are now, with the soccer showcase arriving in North America in about 15 months, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;back in office — inciting trade wars between the neighbors, not to mention across the globe, by levying&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tariffs-timeline-trade-war-trump-canada-mexico-china-97819f94e424c0e7bba2812e09a721a7">tariffs</a>&nbsp;that come, then go, then return,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-eu-whiskey-cb259623a25ca1bfdb4673262ceef85b">with more promised</a>, including what the Republican calls “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-reciprocal-tariff-trade-deficit-4329a37b5a41ac944dcc74093410a126">reciprocal tariffs</a>&nbsp;” starting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-new-tariffs-liberation-day-import-taxes-118d73f50e5133ef3d9598aed6661a6c">Wednesday</a>.It’s hard to know how, exactly, the current geopolitical fissures, made all the more stark every time Trump or those in his administration talk provocatively about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/how-canada-could-become-us-state-42360e10ded96c0046fd11eaaf55ab88">making Canada the 51st state</a>, might affect the World Cup, its organization and coordination, fans’ travel plans and more.“Oh, I think it’s going to make it more exciting,” was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-fifa-world-cup-task-force-dba6def9a56cd1c48be592e1725d4a6a">Trump’s take</a>&nbsp;during&nbsp;<a href="https://youtu.be/INDwnNAkTLI?si=fHBRHnggEextYnIZ" target="_blank">an Oval Office appearance with FIFA President Gianni Infantino</a>&nbsp;last month. “Tension’s a good thing.”<h2>Will the world come to the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics?</h2>Given that the U.S. also is preparing to welcome the world for FIFA’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fifa-club-world-cup-prize-money-real-madrid-0cdee232b9a3670c77b62cd7dc3b53cb">Club World Cup</a>&nbsp;in June, golf’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ryder-cup-pay-pga-tour-europe-e287158b848e8d447302df31da36a79a">Ryder Cup</a>&nbsp;in September and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/43833244a74643b3a1fd0b2787c2e38d">Los Angeles Olympics</a>&nbsp;in 2028, the question becomes: Will the world want to come?And, taking&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/border-tourists-german-canadian-detention-immigration-408cd27338e8065268fabc835f8b0c34">Trump’s border and visa policies</a>&nbsp;into account, will the world be able to?Alan Rothenberg, who ran the 1994 World Cup and successfully oversaw the bid to host the 1999 Women’s World Cup as then-president of U.S. Soccer, thinks the answers to those questions are “Yes.” Pointing to concerns about the last two World Cups, in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-260baf7eaa624cf4b39e9ec988ba9114">Russia in 2018</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-soccer-sports-business-discrimination-ee9a8b506525341927b02c97cb19993d">Qatar in 2022</a>, he noted those still attracted attendance totals above 3 million apiece.“People love the United States around the world — frankly, we wouldn’t have the immigration issue that we’re dealing with if that weren’t the case — so a lot of this is government-to-government,” Rothenberg said. “A passionate soccer fan is not going to be held up by that.”He doesn’t think one of the host nations would drop out of the World Cup, say, or that other countries might&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jimmy-carter-olympics-boycott-9ba0aad38e01013bd0f40ce554317caf">boycott</a>, as happened at the 1976, 1980 and 1984 Summer Olympics.“More than anything, they’ll see it as an opportunity for, perhaps, rapprochement, rather than escalating the tensions,” Rothenberg said.“Besides, from an organizing standpoint, if either Canada or Mexico withdrew” from the World Cup, he said, “the U.S. would pick up the games in a heartbeat.”<h2>Spectators booing the U.S. national anthem</h2>Still, as the White House stance on tariffs and Russia’s war in Ukraine have put&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-ukraine-russia-war-putin-zelenskyy-europe-7940f9c5828fc46431928bc073170bc2">Europe on edge</a>, and relations with other countries have become fraught, it might not be a surprise if soccer stadiums for the U.S. games at the World Cup offer the same sort of anti-American sentiment heard when spectators&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-anthem-booed-montreal-hockey-9265bda34c95a1ed0ca2e1f90e7da1b1">in Canada booed “The Star-Spangled Banner”</a>&nbsp;during hockey’s 4 Nations Face-Off in February.FIFA, soccer’s governing body, did not respond to Associated Press requests for comment, but Infantino has never hidden his admiration for Trump, which he often demonstrates via&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DFCCe0sIRF8/?igsh=MXN1OGZ0ZDhkbGU3OQ%3D%3D&amp;img_index=1" target="_blank">social media</a>. They have met at least five times since the U.S. election in November.Last week, when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ioc-olympics-president-election-coventry-coe-samaranch-762f3442ff2a01be9e822cd017b89a59">Kirsty Coventry</a>&nbsp;was elected president of the International Olympic Committee — becoming the first woman in that position — she was asked how she would work with Trump and what she would tell athletes about traveling to the U.S. for the next Games.“I have been dealing with, let’s say, difficult men, in high positions since I was 20 years old,” Coventry said with a chuckle, “and first and foremost, what I have learned is that communication will be key. That is something that will happen early on. And my firm belief is that President Trump is a huge lover of sports. He will want these Games to be significant. He will want them to be a success.”Referring to concerns about whether the administration might deny some athletes visas, she added: “We will not waver from our values … of solidarity in ensuring that every athlete that qualifies for the Olympic Games has the possibility to attend the Olympic Games and be safe during the Olympic Games.”The overriding assumption among those involved in the Olympics is that Trump will assure the 2028 Games are a success.As U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee chairman&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/winter-olympics-sports-8a89eac6ffd68f3e809cda0ec01ce4ac">Gene Sykes</a>&nbsp;put it: “I can’t speak for him, but I think he’s the kind of person who probably believes that having these go very, very well is a reflection of his leadership.”<h2>Will Trump’s tariffs and other policies affect soccer’s World Cup?</h2>“The most likely outcome is that Trump’s nonsense won’t have an impact,” said Smith College professor Andrew Zimbalist, an expert on the economics of sports.“My guess is that if relations between Canada and the U.S. deteriorate to the point that there are travel restrictions and spending restrictions,” Zimbalist said, “Trump would — just like he’s making exceptions all the time on his tariffs policies — make an exception for a month or six weeks.”The U.S. and Canadian soccer federations declined AP requests for comment on how White House policies might affect the 2026 World Cup.Gabriela Cuevas, who represents Mexico’s government in meetings with FIFA, said she considers the tariffs and the soccer event “separate issues,” adding that she believes “the World Cup could be a route to engage in a conversation.”Observers tend to agree, saying logistics such as security cooperation or team transportation from city to city — or country to country — should not be hampered when it comes to the World Cup, scheduled to take place in 16 cities across the U.S., Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.The borders might become an issue, though.“The main thing FIFA needs to move for this event is not car parts, and it’s not wheat, and it’s not electricity. It’s people. That’s your real concern,” said Victor Matheson, an economics professor at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts.“What were previously pretty reasonable border crossings could become much more challenging, simply because both sides amp up their level of inspections and the United States, in particular, cuts down government services that allow people to move effectively between countries.”As for the fans, 29-year-old Mexican businessman German Camacho Pacheco said “soccer is religion” in his country, so when it comes to the World Cup, “I don’t think they care about tariffs.”Camacho, wearing the Monterrey club jersey of defender Sergio Ramos while on the way to watch a game at a sports bar in Mexico City, said he doesn’t expect there to be any effect at all on the World Cup “unless this goes from a trade war to an actual war.”<h2>___</h2>AP writers Greg Beacham in Inglewood, California; Nancy Benac in Washington; Ronald Blum in New York; Graham Dunbar in Costa Navarino, Greece; Eddie Pells in Denver; Anne M. Peterson in Portland, Oregon, and Carlos Rodriguez in Mexico City contributed.

US-Canada-Mexico joint World Cup goes from unity to acrimony thanks to tariffs

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Eric Haase and Christian Yelich hit solo home runs to back a strong start by Chad Patrick and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Kansas City Royals 5-0 on Tuesday night for their first win of the season.

Patrick gave the Brewers something they hadn't had thus far — three scoreless innings to begin the game. Milwaukee surrendered 24 runs in the first three innings of its first four games.

Haase homered from the ninth spot in the order to put the Brewers up 1-0 in the third. Brice Turang and Jackson Chourio followed with singles and Turang scored on a force-out at second on Yelich's grounder to make it 2-0.

Patrick fell an out short of qualifying for the win in his first career start, giving up three hits and three walks with five strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings.

Rhys Hoskins had an RBI single in a two-run sixth to up the lead to 4-0, and Yelich hit his first home run to cap the scoring in the eighth.

Jared Koenig pitched an inning, Abner Uribe (1-0) got four outs to get the win, Joel Payamps pitched the eighth and Trevor Megill got the last three outs.

Michael Lorenzen (0-1) allowed four runs — three earned — in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out seven.

Koenig entered with two outs and two on in the top of the fifth inning. He retired Michael Massey on a grounder to first to preserve a 2-0 lead.

The Brewers began the day with an ERA of 12.27 through four games and that includes two scoreless innings from first baseman Jake Bauers. The staff tied the record set by the 1954 Cardinals for the most runs allowed through four games with 47.

Cole Ragans (0-0) makes his second start for Kansas City in Wednesday's series finale. Freddy Peralta (0—1) starts for the second time for Milwaukee.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743590051920.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Royals' Michael Lorenzen pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Tuesday, April 1, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Royals' Michael Lorenzen pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Tuesday, April 1, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)</figcaption>
 </figure>MILWAUKEE (AP) — Eric Haase and Christian Yelich hit solo home runs to back a strong start by Chad Patrick and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Kansas City Royals 5-0 on Tuesday night for their first win of the season.Patrick gave the Brewers something they hadn't had thus far — three scoreless innings to begin the game. Milwaukee surrendered 24 runs in the first three innings of its first four games.Haase homered from the ninth spot in the order to put the Brewers up 1-0 in the third. Brice Turang and Jackson Chourio followed with singles and Turang scored on a force-out at second on Yelich's grounder to make it 2-0.Patrick fell an out short of qualifying for the win in his first career start, giving up three hits and three walks with five strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings.Rhys Hoskins had an RBI single in a two-run sixth to up the lead to 4-0, and Yelich hit his first home run to cap the scoring in the eighth.Jared Koenig pitched an inning, Abner Uribe (1-0) got four outs to get the win, Joel Payamps pitched the eighth and Trevor Megill got the last three outs.Michael Lorenzen (0-1) allowed four runs — three earned — in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out seven.<h2>Key moment</h2>Koenig entered with two outs and two on in the top of the fifth inning. He retired Michael Massey on a grounder to first to preserve a 2-0 lead.<h2>Key stat</h2>The Brewers began the day with an ERA of 12.27 through four games and that includes two scoreless innings from first baseman Jake Bauers. The staff tied the record set by the 1954 Cardinals for the most runs allowed through four games with 47.<h2>Up next</h2>Cole Ragans (0-0) makes his second start for Kansas City in Wednesday's series finale. Freddy Peralta (0—1) starts for the second time for Milwaukee.

⚾ Haase, Yelich homer as Brewers blank Royals 

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post

The Sacred Heart baseball team’s league title defense is off to a roaring start following a doubleheader sweep of Minneapolis on Tuesday, with the Knights taking a pair of mercy-rule shortened wins 17-2 and 12-2.

The Knights made short work of the opener in this series, striking for six runs in the first, four in the second, and seven more in the third to put the finishing touches on an early afternoon rout.

In the first inning, Sacred Heart capitalized on three walks and an error, scoring every player that reached on a free pass.

Minneapolis starter Max Helget settled in and found the zone after the first, but the Knight’s bats came to life, rattling off six four runs on six hits in the second, and seven runs on seven hits in the third, capped off by an Ethan Schrant 2-RBI double to end the game and a run of six straight hits.

No one player stole the spotlight for Sacred Heart, as eight different players reached base twice, and seven different Knights scored at least two runs.

On the bump, Graham Armstrong looked dominant, holding the Lions to just two runs on four hits in three innings of work.

The second game of this doubleheader was much more competitive, with Minneapolis striking first and hanging around until the later innings.

Emery Lambdin would open the scoring for the Lions, scoring on a walk in the second inning, but Sacred Heart was quick to rally, taking the lead with three unanswered in the home half and never looking back.

Neither team scored in the third, sending the game to the fourth inning with a tight score of 3-1, but the Knights would tack on six in the fourth, one in the fifth, and two more in the sixth to seal the deal.

Graham Armstrong followed up a 2-3, 2-RBI performance in game one with a nearly identical 2-3, 2-RBI performance in game two that included a game-winning base hit to right field to close out the win.

On the bump, Cayson Ivey muted the Minneapolis bats in the win, tossing four innings of two-hit ball and striking out five before turning the keys over to Tristen Hitchins.

With this result, the Knights move to 3-0 overall and in league play, while Minneapolis falls to 0-4.

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina PostThe Sacred Heart baseball team’s league title defense is off to a roaring start following a doubleheader sweep of Minneapolis on Tuesday, with the Knights taking a pair of mercy-rule shortened wins 17-2 and 12-2.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715807615208.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>Game One: Sacred Heart 17, Minneapolis 2The Knights made short work of the opener in this series, striking for six runs in the first, four in the second, and seven more in the third to put the finishing touches on an early afternoon rout.In the first inning, Sacred Heart capitalized on three walks and an error, scoring every player that reached on a free pass.Minneapolis starter Max Helget settled in and found the zone after the first, but the Knight’s bats came to life, rattling off six four runs on six hits in the second, and seven runs on seven hits in the third, capped off by an Ethan Schrant 2-RBI double to end the game and a run of six straight hits.No one player stole the spotlight for Sacred Heart, as eight different players reached base twice, and seven different Knights scored at least two runs.On the bump, Graham Armstrong looked dominant, holding the Lions to just two runs on four hits in three innings of work.Game Two: Sacred Heart 12, Minneapolis 2The second game of this doubleheader was much more competitive, with Minneapolis striking first and hanging around until the later innings.Emery Lambdin would open the scoring for the Lions, scoring on a walk in the second inning, but Sacred Heart was quick to rally, taking the lead with three unanswered in the home half and never looking back.Neither team scored in the third, sending the game to the fourth inning with a tight score of 3-1, but the Knights would tack on six in the fourth, one in the fifth, and two more in the sixth to seal the deal.Graham Armstrong followed up a 2-3, 2-RBI performance in game one with a nearly identical 2-3, 2-RBI performance in game two that included a game-winning base hit to right field to close out the win.On the bump, Cayson Ivey muted the Minneapolis bats in the win, tossing four innings of two-hit ball and striking out five before turning the keys over to Tristen Hitchins.With this result, the Knights move to 3-0 overall and in league play, while Minneapolis falls to 0-4.

⚾️ Knights dominate Lions in doubleheader sweep

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Senior David N’Guessan was among 20 players chosen to participate in the 2025 NABC/Reese’s Division I College All-Star Game, which will be played on Friday (April 4) at the Alamodome in San Antonio as part of Final Four festivities.

Friday’s game will air nationally on CBS Sports Network at 3:30 p.m., CT. Admission to the game as well as all of Reese’s Final Four Friday is free to the public.

N’Guessan will play on the West team, along with former Wildcat teammate Cam Carter who played at LSU in 2024-25. They will be joined by Creighton’s Steven Ashworth and Jamiya Neal, Texas A&amp;M’s Wade Taylor IV, Northern Arizona’s Trent McLaughlin, UC San Diego’s Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones, Nevada’s Kobe Sanders, New Mexico’s Nelly Junior Joseph and Louisiana Tech’s Daniel Batcho.

The East team will include St. Joseph’s Erik Reynolds II, Yale’s Bez Mbeng, Missouri’s Tamar Bates and Caleb Grill, Iowa State’s Curtis Jones, VCU’s Max Shulga, Charleston Southern’s Taje’ Kelly, Marquette’s David Joplin, Xavier’s Zach Freemantle and Clemson’s Viktor Lakin.

This marks the second straight year that a Wildcat as taken part in the All-Star Game, as Tylor Perry played 18 minutes off the bench for the West-winning squad.

A 6-foot-9, 220-pound wing from De Lier, The Netherlands, N’Guessan was the Wildcats’ leading scorer and rebounder for most of the season, as he averaged 13.3 points on a Big 12-best 64.4 percent (179-of-278) shooting from the field with 7.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 0.9 blocks in 29.7 minutes per game. He scored in double figures in a team-best 26 games, including a team-best six 20-point performance. He has also collected a team-best 7 double-doubles, including 5 in Big 12 play. In addition to being the league’s leader in field goal percentage, he ranked in the Big 12’s top 20 in both scoring and rebounding.

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Senior David N’Guessan was among 20 players chosen to participate in the 2025 NABC/Reese’s Division I College All-Star Game, which will be played on Friday (April 4) at the Alamodome in San Antonio as part of Final Four festivities.Friday’s game will air nationally on CBS Sports Network at 3:30 p.m., CT. Admission to the game as well as all of Reese’s Final Four Friday is free to the public.N’Guessan will play on the West team, along with former Wildcat teammate Cam Carter who played at LSU in 2024-25. They will be joined by Creighton’s Steven Ashworth and Jamiya Neal, Texas A&amp;M’s Wade Taylor IV, Northern Arizona’s Trent McLaughlin, UC San Diego’s Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones, Nevada’s Kobe Sanders, New Mexico’s Nelly Junior Joseph and Louisiana Tech’s Daniel Batcho.The East team will include St. Joseph’s Erik Reynolds II, Yale’s Bez Mbeng, Missouri’s Tamar Bates and Caleb Grill, Iowa State’s Curtis Jones, VCU’s Max Shulga, Charleston Southern’s Taje’ Kelly, Marquette’s David Joplin, Xavier’s Zach Freemantle and Clemson’s Viktor Lakin.This marks the second straight year that a Wildcat as taken part in the All-Star Game, as Tylor Perry played 18 minutes off the bench for the West-winning squad.A 6-foot-9, 220-pound wing from De Lier, The Netherlands, N’Guessan was the Wildcats’ leading scorer and rebounder for most of the season, as he averaged 13.3 points on a Big 12-best 64.4 percent (179-of-278) shooting from the field with 7.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 0.9 blocks in 29.7 minutes per game. He scored in double figures in a team-best 26 games, including a team-best six 20-point performance. He has also collected a team-best 7 double-doubles, including 5 in Big 12 play. In addition to being the league’s leader in field goal percentage, he ranked in the Big 12’s top 20 in both scoring and rebounding.

N’Guessan to Play in Reese’s College All-Star Game Friday

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Following a career-best performance from beyond the 3-point line this season, K-State’s Temira Poindexter has been selected to compete in the Celsius Women’s 3-Point Championship. The 36th&nbsp;annual State Farm College Slam Dunk and 3-Point Championships will be held on Thursday at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, and will air live on ESPN beginning at 6 p.m.

Poindexter is the second Wildcat since 2014 to be chosen for the College 3-Point Championship, as Kindred Wesemann competed and won the 2017 edition of the event in Phoenix, Arizona.

In her collegiate career, Poindexter made 273 three-pointers. She registered at least one 3-point field goal in 110 of 129 career games. She made four or more 3-point field goals in a game 24 times in her career, including a career-high eight at Kentucky on in the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament on March 23, 2025. Of her 2,011 career points, 40.7 percent (819 points) came from beyond the arc.

In her first season in Manhattan, Poindexter garnered All-Big 12 Third Team honors. She registered 12.5 points per game on a career-high 45.5 field goal percentage.

The product of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, shot a career-high 40.0 percent (92-of-230) from three-point range while making a career-high 92 three-pointers this season. Her 92 connections from beyond the arc ranks 16th in the nation. Over the last two seasons, Poindexter made 177 three-point field goals.

The 92 made 3-point field goals this season ranks fifth in school history for a single season and is third for 3-point field goals made in a senior season.

K-State concluded the 2024-25 season with its 19th NCAA Tournament bid and the fourth Sweet 16 appearance in program history. The Wildcats registered the second-most wins in a season in school history with 28 and tied for the second-most wins in a two-season span (54). K-State was ranked in both the Associated Press and Coaches polls for the entirety of the season.

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Following a career-best performance from beyond the 3-point line this season, K-State’s Temira Poindexter has been selected to compete in the Celsius Women’s 3-Point Championship. The 36th&nbsp;annual State Farm College Slam Dunk and 3-Point Championships will be held on Thursday at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, and will air live on ESPN beginning at 6 p.m.Poindexter is the second Wildcat since 2014 to be chosen for the College 3-Point Championship, as Kindred Wesemann competed and won the 2017 edition of the event in Phoenix, Arizona.In her collegiate career, Poindexter made 273 three-pointers. She registered at least one 3-point field goal in 110 of 129 career games. She made four or more 3-point field goals in a game 24 times in her career, including a career-high eight at Kentucky on in the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament on March 23, 2025. Of her 2,011 career points, 40.7 percent (819 points) came from beyond the arc.In her first season in Manhattan, Poindexter garnered All-Big 12 Third Team honors. She registered 12.5 points per game on a career-high 45.5 field goal percentage.The product of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, shot a career-high 40.0 percent (92-of-230) from three-point range while making a career-high 92 three-pointers this season. Her 92 connections from beyond the arc ranks 16th in the nation. Over the last two seasons, Poindexter made 177 three-point field goals.The 92 made 3-point field goals this season ranks fifth in school history for a single season and is third for 3-point field goals made in a senior season.K-State concluded the 2024-25 season with its 19th NCAA Tournament bid and the fourth Sweet 16 appearance in program history. The Wildcats registered the second-most wins in a season in school history with 28 and tied for the second-most wins in a two-season span (54). K-State was ranked in both the Associated Press and Coaches polls for the entirety of the season.

K-State’s Poindexter to Compete in Celsius Women’s 3-Point Championship

WICHITA, Kan. -&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/4ab59c5d-d9e0-415a-94a9-b63a809a0869?elinkdata=23576" target="_blank">Chihiro Iwata</a>&nbsp;of Kansas Wesleyan University has earned the KCAC Flag Football Offensive Player of the Week honor, the conference office announced Monday. Student-athletes were selected for their performances from March 24-30 by a vote of conference sports information directors. All KCAC Player of the Week honors are presented by&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/c0947d63-223a-4558-b548-ecfac72f9471?elinkdata=23576" target="_blank">Equity Bank</a>.

Iwata was phenomenal for the Coyotes in two blowout wins, 57-0 over Bethel and 46-0 over Graceland.

Against Bethel, Iwata was 10-of-11 for 125 yards and five touchdowns. She also ran once for 10 yards. KWU started its drives on average at the Bethel 27 yard line, so there just wasn't yards to gain in the game.

Against Graceland, she was 24-of-31 passing for 269 yards and six touchdowns and she rushed four times for 21 yards. For the week, she was 34-of-42 for 394 yards and 11 touchdowns, completing 81 percent of her passes. She also had five rushes for 31 yards on the week.

This marks the second time this season Iwata has been named the KCAC Women's Flag Football Offensive Player of the Week.

WICHITA, Kan. -&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/4ab59c5d-d9e0-415a-94a9-b63a809a0869?elinkdata=23576" target="_blank">Chihiro Iwata</a>&nbsp;of Kansas Wesleyan University has earned the KCAC Flag Football Offensive Player of the Week honor, the conference office announced Monday. Student-athletes were selected for their performances from March 24-30 by a vote of conference sports information directors. All KCAC Player of the Week honors are presented by&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/c0947d63-223a-4558-b548-ecfac72f9471?elinkdata=23576" target="_blank">Equity Bank</a>.Iwata was phenomenal for the Coyotes in two blowout wins, 57-0 over Bethel and 46-0 over Graceland.Against Bethel, Iwata was 10-of-11 for 125 yards and five touchdowns. She also ran once for 10 yards. KWU started its drives on average at the Bethel 27 yard line, so there just wasn't yards to gain in the game.Against Graceland, she was 24-of-31 passing for 269 yards and six touchdowns and she rushed four times for 21 yards. For the week, she was 34-of-42 for 394 yards and 11 touchdowns, completing 81 percent of her passes. She also had five rushes for 31 yards on the week.This marks the second time this season Iwata has been named the KCAC Women's Flag Football Offensive Player of the Week.

Iwata earns KCAC Flag Football Offensive Player of the Week honor

Kansas Wesleyan's&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/ba1ea923-44d0-4a27-9b86-62876960f7fc?elinkdata=23545" target="_blank">Ryan Wagner</a>&nbsp;has been selected as the Heart of America Conference Men's Volleyball Defender of the Week, presented by Molten, as announced by the Heart Conference office on Monday.

Playing in only two of three matches this week was huge on the defensive side for the Coyotes. He averaged 2.17 blocks per match on the week.

He had seven blocks against No. 3 ranked Missouri Valley as the Coyotes played easily their best match of the season against the Vikings.Against Culver-Stockton he added six blocks while only playing in two of three sets in the match.

Kansas Wesleyan's&nbsp;<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/ba1ea923-44d0-4a27-9b86-62876960f7fc?elinkdata=23545" target="_blank">Ryan Wagner</a>&nbsp;has been selected as the Heart of America Conference Men's Volleyball Defender of the Week, presented by Molten, as announced by the Heart Conference office on Monday.Playing in only two of three matches this week was huge on the defensive side for the Coyotes. He averaged 2.17 blocks per match on the week.He had seven blocks against No. 3 ranked Missouri Valley as the Coyotes played easily their best match of the season against the Vikings.Against Culver-Stockton he added six blocks while only playing in two of three sets in the match.

Ryan Wagner named HEART Men's Volleyball Defender of the Week

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Kris Bubic struck out eight in six shutout innings in his first start in nearly two years, and the Kansas City Royals spoiled Milwaukee's home opener with an 11-1 victory over the winless Brewers on Monday.

Maikel Garcia and Salvador Perez homered for the Royals. Jonathan India had three hits and drove in two runs one day after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/royals-jonathan-india-21ca211a9ceab0a802ad3e0161c98cd7">he was struck</a>&nbsp;on the left side of his face by a 98.9-mph pitch from Cleveland's Emmanuel Clase.

Bubic (1-0) allowed three hits and walked two in his first start since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/braves-royals-0901437988ea02e1d63792b0b8fcbcb7">April 15, 2023.</a>&nbsp;The 27-year-old left-hander had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/royals-kris-bubic-e784a60aeb5aa900ac518966b0a6446b">Tommy John surgery</a>&nbsp;later that month, and he filled a relief role in all 27 of his appearances last season, going 1-1 with a 2.67 ERA.

The two-time&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/milwaukee-brewers-984ada478789a7727c5f1333df7afddd">defending NL Central champion</a>&nbsp;Brewers are 0-4 for the first time since 2015, when they finished 68-94.

Garcia connected for a 428-foot drive to center on a 2-1 fastball from Elvin Rodriguez (0-1) in the second. Perez went deep on a 2-2 slider from Elvis Peguero in the seventh, sending a 418-foot drive just inside the left-field foul pole.

Brewers associate manager Rickie Weeks was ejected from the game by home plate umpire Brennan Miller after arguing a ball-strike call from the dugout in the seventh.

After India and Bobby Witt opened the game with back-to-back singles, Rodríguez retired the next two batters and seemed on the verge of getting out of the inning until Michael Massey ripped a 1-1 fastball that bounced over the left-field wall for a ground-rule RBI double. Hunter Renfroe followed with a two-run single.

The Brewers have been outscored 47-15 through their first four games. They opened their season by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/torpedo-bats-yankees-6ac6c797ea935941ed1c0d0e51a7d870">getting swept</a>&nbsp;in a three-game series at Yankee Stadium.

Right-hander Michael Lorenzen starts for the Royals as the three-game series continues Tuesday. The Brewers haven't announced their starting pitcher.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743508996698.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Royals pitcher Kris Bubic (50) throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Monday, March 31, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Royals pitcher Kris Bubic (50) throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Monday, March 31, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)</figcaption>
 </figure>MILWAUKEE (AP) — Kris Bubic struck out eight in six shutout innings in his first start in nearly two years, and the Kansas City Royals spoiled Milwaukee's home opener with an 11-1 victory over the winless Brewers on Monday.Maikel Garcia and Salvador Perez homered for the Royals. Jonathan India had three hits and drove in two runs one day after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/royals-jonathan-india-21ca211a9ceab0a802ad3e0161c98cd7">he was struck</a>&nbsp;on the left side of his face by a 98.9-mph pitch from Cleveland's Emmanuel Clase.Bubic (1-0) allowed three hits and walked two in his first start since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/braves-royals-0901437988ea02e1d63792b0b8fcbcb7">April 15, 2023.</a>&nbsp;The 27-year-old left-hander had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/royals-kris-bubic-e784a60aeb5aa900ac518966b0a6446b">Tommy John surgery</a>&nbsp;later that month, and he filled a relief role in all 27 of his appearances last season, going 1-1 with a 2.67 ERA.The two-time&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/milwaukee-brewers-984ada478789a7727c5f1333df7afddd">defending NL Central champion</a>&nbsp;Brewers are 0-4 for the first time since 2015, when they finished 68-94.Garcia connected for a 428-foot drive to center on a 2-1 fastball from Elvin Rodriguez (0-1) in the second. Perez went deep on a 2-2 slider from Elvis Peguero in the seventh, sending a 418-foot drive just inside the left-field foul pole.Brewers associate manager Rickie Weeks was ejected from the game by home plate umpire Brennan Miller after arguing a ball-strike call from the dugout in the seventh.<h2>Key moment</h2>After India and Bobby Witt opened the game with back-to-back singles, Rodríguez retired the next two batters and seemed on the verge of getting out of the inning until Michael Massey ripped a 1-1 fastball that bounced over the left-field wall for a ground-rule RBI double. Hunter Renfroe followed with a two-run single.<h2>Key stat</h2>The Brewers have been outscored 47-15 through their first four games. They opened their season by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/torpedo-bats-yankees-6ac6c797ea935941ed1c0d0e51a7d870">getting swept</a>&nbsp;in a three-game series at Yankee Stadium.<h2>Up next</h2>Right-hander Michael Lorenzen starts for the Royals as the three-game series continues Tuesday. The Brewers haven't announced their starting pitcher.

⚾ Bubic sparkles in first start since April 2023 as Royals trounce Brewers

KANSAS CITY, Mo. –&nbsp;The National Football League announced today that the Kansas City Chiefs have been awarded marketing and commercialization rights for the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Spain as part of the NFL’s Global Markets Program. These three new markets add to the Chiefs existing rights in Mexico, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, bringing the team’s total to seven, among the highest in the NFL.

“We are incredibly excited to bring Chiefs football to fans in the UK, Ireland and Spain,” Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt said. “As the game grows globally, more and more fans from around the world are becoming a part of Chiefs Kingdom. Kansas City has certainly made a name for itself in the global sports landscape, and we are proud to showcase our town and our team on the international stage.”

“We are deeply committed to creating meaningful opportunities for and connections with our growing global fanbase,” said Lara Krug, Chiefs Executive Vice President of Marketing and Chief Media and Marketing Officer. “The passion we see from our international fans inspires us and drives us to build Chiefs Kingdom into a truly global community. We are particularly pleased to now have six European countries, allowing us to service many more fans on the continent and bring the energy of the NFL and Chiefs traditions there.”

Beginning April 1, 2025, the club can begin activating elements of its marketing and commercial plans in all three new markets, including hosting events in the countries to engage fans locally, unveiling market/language-specific digital properties (Chiefs.com and Chiefs Mobile app), launching advertising campaigns, signing local sponsorship deals, extending domestic sponsors internationally, and aligning with local agencies with on-the-ground knowledge and expertise.

Looking ahead, the club will invest in its fanbase in all three markets through on-site activations, fan events, and local NFL FLAG Football initiatives. The club will also focus on growing community engagement through social programs, expanding both long- and short-form media content series, and exploring opportunities to play regular season games in these markets as part of the NFL's rotation of International Series games.

The organization also looks to continue growing Chiefs Kingdom in the markets where they already have global market rights. Some examples:

Additionally, the Chiefs are bringing back Chiefs House to all international markets where they have marketing rights and NFL games are being played this season. This immersive, Chiefs-branded destination offers Chiefs fans and football enthusiasts alike a fun, engaging environment around the international games being played in each location. The 2025 season games:

KANSAS CITY, Mo. –&nbsp;The National Football League announced today that the Kansas City Chiefs have been awarded marketing and commercialization rights for the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Spain as part of the NFL’s Global Markets Program. These three new markets add to the Chiefs existing rights in Mexico, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, bringing the team’s total to seven, among the highest in the NFL.“We are incredibly excited to bring Chiefs football to fans in the UK, Ireland and Spain,” Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt said. “As the game grows globally, more and more fans from around the world are becoming a part of Chiefs Kingdom. Kansas City has certainly made a name for itself in the global sports landscape, and we are proud to showcase our town and our team on the international stage.”“We are deeply committed to creating meaningful opportunities for and connections with our growing global fanbase,” said Lara Krug, Chiefs Executive Vice President of Marketing and Chief Media and Marketing Officer. “The passion we see from our international fans inspires us and drives us to build Chiefs Kingdom into a truly global community. We are particularly pleased to now have six European countries, allowing us to service many more fans on the continent and bring the energy of the NFL and Chiefs traditions there.”Beginning April 1, 2025, the club can begin activating elements of its marketing and commercial plans in all three new markets, including hosting events in the countries to engage fans locally, unveiling market/language-specific digital properties (Chiefs.com and Chiefs Mobile app), launching advertising campaigns, signing local sponsorship deals, extending domestic sponsors internationally, and aligning with local agencies with on-the-ground knowledge and expertise.Looking ahead, the club will invest in its fanbase in all three markets through on-site activations, fan events, and local NFL FLAG Football initiatives. The club will also focus on growing community engagement through social programs, expanding both long- and short-form media content series, and exploring opportunities to play regular season games in these markets as part of the NFL's rotation of International Series games.The organization also looks to continue growing Chiefs Kingdom in the markets where they already have global market rights. Some examples:<ul>
 <li>In Mexico, the club is launching season two of Viva Chiefs Kingdom, deepening its connection with the fan base through the exciting docuseries.</li><li>The Chiefs International Fan of the Year nominee from Germany will be making a Day 3 NFL Draft pick at the 2025 NFL Draft.</li>
 </ul>Additionally, the Chiefs are bringing back Chiefs House to all international markets where they have marketing rights and NFL games are being played this season. This immersive, Chiefs-branded destination offers Chiefs fans and football enthusiasts alike a fun, engaging environment around the international games being played in each location. The 2025 season games:<ul>
 <li>Two games in London at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – featuring the New York Jets and the Cleveland Browns as the designated teams.</li><li>One game in Berlin, Germany at the Olympic Stadium Berlin – featuring the Indianapolis Colts as the designated team.</li><li>One game in Madrid, Spain at the Bernabéu Stadium, Home to Real Madrid C.F. – featuring the Miami Dolphins as the designated team.</li><li>One game in Dublin, Ireland – featuring the Pittsburgh Steelers as the designated team.</li><li>One game in London at Wembley Stadium – featuring the Jacksonville Jaguars as the designated team.</li>
 </ul>

Chiefs secure additional international marketing and commercialization rights via NFL's Global Markets Program

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Longtime manager Peter Vermes is out at Sporting Kansas City.

The MLS club announced Monday that it “mutually agreed to part ways” with Vermes after nearly two decades and with Sporting KC chasing its first win since mid-September of last season.

Kerry Zavagnin was appointed interim head coach.

Vermes became the club's technical director in 2006 before being elevated to head coach in 2009. The member of the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame ranks third on the all-time MLS list with 203 regular-season wins.

He is the only person to win the MLS Cup as a player and a coach with the same team — he led Kansas City to the 2000 title as a central defender, then coached the team to the 2013 championship.

“It would be hard to list all of the people I want to thank after 20 seasons in managerial positions at Sporting Kansas City,” Vermes said in a statement. “I am thankful to everyone, especially ownership for giving me the opportunity of being a steward of this club for the past two decades. I wish the club nothing but the best in the future.”

Vermes led the club to 11 playoff appearances and four first-place finishes in the regular season. The club also won U.S. Open Cup titles in 2012, 2015 and 2017. Last season, the team reached the U.S. Open Cup Final but finished with an 8-19-7 record for its third straight losing campaign.

Vermes' final game was Saturday, when Sporting KC fell 2–1 to FC Dallas for a fifth loss in their first six games of the 2025 season.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677119648732.png" alt="Peter Vermes courtesy image" />
 <figcaption>Peter Vermes courtesy image</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Longtime manager Peter Vermes is out at Sporting Kansas City.The MLS club announced Monday that it “mutually agreed to part ways” with Vermes after nearly two decades and with Sporting KC chasing its first win since mid-September of last season.Kerry Zavagnin was appointed interim head coach.Vermes became the club's technical director in 2006 before being elevated to head coach in 2009. The member of the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame ranks third on the all-time MLS list with 203 regular-season wins.He is the only person to win the MLS Cup as a player and a coach with the same team — he led Kansas City to the 2000 title as a central defender, then coached the team to the 2013 championship.“It would be hard to list all of the people I want to thank after 20 seasons in managerial positions at Sporting Kansas City,” Vermes said in a statement. “I am thankful to everyone, especially ownership for giving me the opportunity of being a steward of this club for the past two decades. I wish the club nothing but the best in the future.”Vermes led the club to 11 playoff appearances and four first-place finishes in the regular season. The club also won U.S. Open Cup titles in 2012, 2015 and 2017. Last season, the team reached the U.S. Open Cup Final but finished with an 8-19-7 record for its third straight losing campaign.Vermes' final game was Saturday, when Sporting KC fell 2–1 to FC Dallas for a fifth loss in their first six games of the 2025 season.

Peter Vermes is out as Sporting Kansas City manager after 16 years

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Tanner Bibee pitched shutout ball into the seventh inning, Kyle Mazardo hit a two-run homer and Gabriel Arias and Daniel Schneemann added solo shots as the Cleveland Guardians beat the Kansas City Royals 6-2 on Sunday.

Bibee (1-0) gave up no runs and two hits in 6 2/3 innings with two strikeouts and two walks. The right-hander bounced back after he was scheduled to make the opening day start for Cleveland on Thursday, but was scratched because of an illness.

Royals starter Michael Wacha (0-1) threw 87 pitches over four innings and allowed one run and four hits with two strikeouts and four walks. None of Kansas City's starting pitchers got past the fifth inning in any game during the three-game season-opening series.

Mazardo's home run traveled 417 feet nearly into the right field fountains off Sam Long to give the Guardians a 3-0 lead. It was his second home run of the series.

Arias' homer in the sixth made it 4-0. He started in place of six-time All-Star José Ramírez, who missed the game due to a sprained right wrist he suffered on a slide in Saturday’s game.

Cleveland took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on Arias' sacrifice fly that scored Carlos Santana.

Schneemann's homer in the eighth extended the Guardians' lead to 6-0.

Bobby Witt Jr. hit an RBI single and Hunter Renfroe drew a bases-loaded walk in the eighth for the Royals.

The Royals had the tying run at the plate in the eighth, but Hunter Gaddis forced a groundout to first to end the rally.

Steven Kwan went 3 for 5, all of those hits being singles, and had six hits over the series.

The Guardians send RHP Luis Ortiz to the mound to start a three-game series at San Diego on Monday. Kansas City travels to Milwaukee on Monday with LHP Kris Bubic on the hill.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743417602662.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Wacha throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Sunday, March 30, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Wacha throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Sunday, March 30, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Tanner Bibee pitched shutout ball into the seventh inning, Kyle Mazardo hit a two-run homer and Gabriel Arias and Daniel Schneemann added solo shots as the Cleveland Guardians beat the Kansas City Royals 6-2 on Sunday.Bibee (1-0) gave up no runs and two hits in 6 2/3 innings with two strikeouts and two walks. The right-hander bounced back after he was scheduled to make the opening day start for Cleveland on Thursday, but was scratched because of an illness.Royals starter Michael Wacha (0-1) threw 87 pitches over four innings and allowed one run and four hits with two strikeouts and four walks. None of Kansas City's starting pitchers got past the fifth inning in any game during the three-game season-opening series.Mazardo's home run traveled 417 feet nearly into the right field fountains off Sam Long to give the Guardians a 3-0 lead. It was his second home run of the series.Arias' homer in the sixth made it 4-0. He started in place of six-time All-Star José Ramírez, who missed the game due to a sprained right wrist he suffered on a slide in Saturday’s game.Cleveland took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on Arias' sacrifice fly that scored Carlos Santana.Schneemann's homer in the eighth extended the Guardians' lead to 6-0.Bobby Witt Jr. hit an RBI single and Hunter Renfroe drew a bases-loaded walk in the eighth for the Royals.<h2>Key moment</h2>The Royals had the tying run at the plate in the eighth, but Hunter Gaddis forced a groundout to first to end the rally.<h2>Key stat</h2>Steven Kwan went 3 for 5, all of those hits being singles, and had six hits over the series.<h2>Up next</h2>The Guardians send RHP Luis Ortiz to the mound to start a three-game series at San Diego on Monday. Kansas City travels to Milwaukee on Monday with LHP Kris Bubic on the hill.

⚾ Bibee throws shutout ball into the 7th as Guardians defeat Royals

LAMONI, Iowa - Kansas Wesleyan Flag Football tossed its second straight shutout on Saturday as the Coyotes blanked the Graceland Yellowjackets 46-0 in the first-ever meeting between the teams.

The Coyotes opened with the ball and drove the distance in eight plays, capping the drive with a 33-yard pass from <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/ac8098c1-6d19-4aab-aed5-dc25f9c3b2d0?elinkdata=23452">Chihiro Iwata</a> to <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/7990a6b6-2149-479f-b59b-8f13f319f0bc?elinkdata=23452">Ciaran DeCuir</a> with 7:40 to go in the first.

After a failed Graceland drive, the Coyotes scored again, this time Iwata finding <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/a9b04c26-a085-4132-80b7-072230ad9f2a?elinkdata=23452">Ava Duerr</a> for a 7-yard pass with 2:15 left in the first.

The Coyotes scored again on the next drive, going 29 yards in three plays, Iwata hitting <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/f436414c-fff2-4eec-9f41-3a22331fa0a4?elinkdata=23452">Jazmine Whitfield</a> for a 15-yard touchdown pass.

Wesleyan added one more score before the half, using a 42-yard pass to Whitfield to set up a 12-yard pass to <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/ee4a1ea3-c8c0-4da5-a312-b7c9a76e6b83?elinkdata=23452">Aliyah Wood</a> just before the end of the half to make it 25-0 at the break.

Graceland gave the Coyotes two points on the first drive of the second half as a wild pass from center went over the quarterbacks head into the endzone for a safety.

The Coyotes scored on the ensuing drive as Iwata hit Wood for a 21-yard scoring play to make it 34-0.

The Coyotes scored again as Iwata hit <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/d34eb2ac-eabc-409b-a59b-a4794614bd97?elinkdata=23452">Addison Cadwell</a> for an 11-yard scoring play to make it 40-0.

Wesleyan turned the ball over on downs on its next drive, but the ensuing Graceland drive, which had made it all the way to the KWU-8 was stopped with <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/47e472a7-9801-4444-bd3f-261301058958?elinkdata=23452">Alexa Mansur</a> stepped in front of a pass and it was off to the races the other way, Mansur with a 51-yard return to set up KWU's final score of the game as <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/322a3773-eef0-4997-83c8-8b26b4ef878a?elinkdata=23452">Shanya Murape</a> hit <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/43aa4b84-1a3d-4591-ab5f-befbf49a880f?elinkdata=23452">Jenise Washington</a> for an 18-yard touchdown as time expired.

The Coyotes racked up 330 yards of total offense in the game, while holding Graceland to 154. Iwata was 24 of 31 for 269 yards and six touchdowns in the game. Wood had seven catches for 88 yards and Whitfield had five for 67.

LAMONI, Iowa - Kansas Wesleyan Flag Football tossed its second straight shutout on Saturday as the Coyotes blanked the Graceland Yellowjackets 46-0 in the first-ever meeting between the teams.The Coyotes opened with the ball and drove the distance in eight plays, capping the drive with a 33-yard pass from <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/ac8098c1-6d19-4aab-aed5-dc25f9c3b2d0?elinkdata=23452">Chihiro Iwata</a> to <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/7990a6b6-2149-479f-b59b-8f13f319f0bc?elinkdata=23452">Ciaran DeCuir</a> with 7:40 to go in the first.After a failed Graceland drive, the Coyotes scored again, this time Iwata finding <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/a9b04c26-a085-4132-80b7-072230ad9f2a?elinkdata=23452">Ava Duerr</a> for a 7-yard pass with 2:15 left in the first.The Coyotes scored again on the next drive, going 29 yards in three plays, Iwata hitting <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/f436414c-fff2-4eec-9f41-3a22331fa0a4?elinkdata=23452">Jazmine Whitfield</a> for a 15-yard touchdown pass.Wesleyan added one more score before the half, using a 42-yard pass to Whitfield to set up a 12-yard pass to <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/ee4a1ea3-c8c0-4da5-a312-b7c9a76e6b83?elinkdata=23452">Aliyah Wood</a> just before the end of the half to make it 25-0 at the break.Graceland gave the Coyotes two points on the first drive of the second half as a wild pass from center went over the quarterbacks head into the endzone for a safety.The Coyotes scored on the ensuing drive as Iwata hit Wood for a 21-yard scoring play to make it 34-0.The Coyotes scored again as Iwata hit <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/d34eb2ac-eabc-409b-a59b-a4794614bd97?elinkdata=23452">Addison Cadwell</a> for an 11-yard scoring play to make it 40-0.Wesleyan turned the ball over on downs on its next drive, but the ensuing Graceland drive, which had made it all the way to the KWU-8 was stopped with <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/47e472a7-9801-4444-bd3f-261301058958?elinkdata=23452">Alexa Mansur</a> stepped in front of a pass and it was off to the races the other way, Mansur with a 51-yard return to set up KWU's final score of the game as <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/322a3773-eef0-4997-83c8-8b26b4ef878a?elinkdata=23452">Shanya Murape</a> hit <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/43aa4b84-1a3d-4591-ab5f-befbf49a880f?elinkdata=23452">Jenise Washington</a> for an 18-yard touchdown as time expired.The Coyotes racked up 330 yards of total offense in the game, while holding Graceland to 154. Iwata was 24 of 31 for 269 yards and six touchdowns in the game. Wood had seven catches for 88 yards and Whitfield had five for 67.

KWU Flag Football stomps Graceland 46-0

Kansas Wesleyan Baseball completed a three-game sweep of the Bethany Swedes on Saturday at Dean Evans Stadium picking up two wins as13-3 in seven innings, and then capping the series with a 15-4 win.

It took until the third inning of the first game for the Coyotes to get the bats going. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/7fdd321e-90cb-4f78-8457-c38b976b3577?elinkdata=23421">Fernando Ruvalcaba</a> led off the inning with a double and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/8a80a46c-1d05-4199-8de9-a525396d8d09?elinkdata=23421">Carter Allen</a> walked setting up <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/cc789964-8b43-4e41-9dbb-2000d5ddc34b?elinkdata=23421">Drew Wardell's</a> 3-run homer.

Bethany got within a run at 3-2 in the fourth, but in the bottom of the inning the Coyotes started to pull away. Homers by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/56f76655-a50e-4164-8088-d89abc45d08a?elinkdata=23421">Tyler Favretto</a> and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/faf8305d-2861-49d3-98c1-51248afa2457?elinkdata=23421">Joe Finder</a> in the inning made it 6-2.

The Swedes got their final run of the game in the fifth, meanwhile the Coyotes were just getting going. Walks to <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/c93ed264-7975-45fb-aa9b-beb8f2f63f72?elinkdata=23421">Eric Romero</a> and Favretto around a <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/c46b8294-f3c6-4570-bd70-36b06aec127b?elinkdata=23421">Jacob Williamson</a> double loaded the bases and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/aa7c708a-97e4-4989-badf-9e0ade6a3674?elinkdata=23421">Garrett Garfield</a> would walk to bring in a run. Ruvalcaba then stepped up and uncorked a grand slam to make it 11-3 Coyotes.

Favretto brought in a run in the sixth reaching on a fielder's choice making it 12-3 and in the seventh the Coyotes ended it as Ruvalcaba singled and then Allen doubled to bring in pinch runner <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/56260d40-bc0d-4c12-8838-5c05bc3fc65d?elinkdata=23421">Michael Rago</a> to close it out.

Ruvalcaba had a game, going 3 of 4 with four RBI to pace the KWU offense. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/2620562a-5602-4081-b24f-9fc59a593e72?elinkdata=23421">Nathan Righi</a> went five innings allowing three runs on three hits with five strikeouts. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/369b353b-09fd-45a0-8111-22bc5d2b1e12?elinkdata=23421">Riley Gwin</a> allowed two hits in two innings of relief.

The Coyotes wasted no time in getting the bats going in the second game. Favretto and Garfield homered in the first inning and after Ruvalcaba walked, Allen hit a 2-run homer and it was 4-0 after an inning.

Bethany got a run in the second, but in the bottom of the inning, the Coyotes added four more. Romero walked, and Williamson followed with a 2-run homer. Two batters later, Garfield and Ruvalcaba went back-to-back for the Coyotes to make it 8-1.

The Swedes got two runs in the third, but the Coyotes got one back on Favretto's RBI double in the bottom of the inning.

After another Bethany run in the fourth, the Coyotes added two more, the first coming as Allen stole third and then scored on a throwing error by the catcher, and pinch hitter <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/32a7cb03-8862-4ba2-a612-77b6bde48c77?elinkdata=23421">Jackson Harriger</a> followed with an RBI double to make it 11-4.

Wesleyan loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth on walks to Wardell and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/40cf50a9-c78c-4f95-9ce3-390fb2915ba5?elinkdata=23421">Blake Dale</a>. Romero singled to pack the bags and the first run of the inning came on a wild pitch. Favretto drove in a run with an RBI groundout, and later in the inning after loading the bases again, Allen walked in a run and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/3732e216-2b15-41bd-bf3a-37790099d967?elinkdata=23421">Alex Garcia</a> did as well.

Favretto, Garfield and Allen had two hits each for the Coyotes. Favretto and Allen drove in three each. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/23627b0d-3fe6-42a4-b235-c618d1b9b6b5?elinkdata=23421">Nathan Galusha</a> got the win, going four innings, allowing four runs on seven hits with five strikeouts. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/57b03709-3b2d-4db4-9e06-270da5f9ff9d?elinkdata=23421">Ritter Steinmann</a> pitched two innings and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/f5c8af4a-b31e-488f-a303-c91e8161f304?elinkdata=23421">Hunter Blea</a> got an inning of work.

Kansas Wesleyan Baseball completed a three-game sweep of the Bethany Swedes on Saturday at Dean Evans Stadium picking up two wins as13-3 in seven innings, and then capping the series with a 15-4 win.It took until the third inning of the first game for the Coyotes to get the bats going. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/7fdd321e-90cb-4f78-8457-c38b976b3577?elinkdata=23421">Fernando Ruvalcaba</a> led off the inning with a double and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/8a80a46c-1d05-4199-8de9-a525396d8d09?elinkdata=23421">Carter Allen</a> walked setting up <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/cc789964-8b43-4e41-9dbb-2000d5ddc34b?elinkdata=23421">Drew Wardell's</a> 3-run homer.Bethany got within a run at 3-2 in the fourth, but in the bottom of the inning the Coyotes started to pull away. Homers by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/56f76655-a50e-4164-8088-d89abc45d08a?elinkdata=23421">Tyler Favretto</a> and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/faf8305d-2861-49d3-98c1-51248afa2457?elinkdata=23421">Joe Finder</a> in the inning made it 6-2.The Swedes got their final run of the game in the fifth, meanwhile the Coyotes were just getting going. Walks to <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/c93ed264-7975-45fb-aa9b-beb8f2f63f72?elinkdata=23421">Eric Romero</a> and Favretto around a <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/c46b8294-f3c6-4570-bd70-36b06aec127b?elinkdata=23421">Jacob Williamson</a> double loaded the bases and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/aa7c708a-97e4-4989-badf-9e0ade6a3674?elinkdata=23421">Garrett Garfield</a> would walk to bring in a run. Ruvalcaba then stepped up and uncorked a grand slam to make it 11-3 Coyotes.Favretto brought in a run in the sixth reaching on a fielder's choice making it 12-3 and in the seventh the Coyotes ended it as Ruvalcaba singled and then Allen doubled to bring in pinch runner <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/56260d40-bc0d-4c12-8838-5c05bc3fc65d?elinkdata=23421">Michael Rago</a> to close it out.Ruvalcaba had a game, going 3 of 4 with four RBI to pace the KWU offense. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/2620562a-5602-4081-b24f-9fc59a593e72?elinkdata=23421">Nathan Righi</a> went five innings allowing three runs on three hits with five strikeouts. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/369b353b-09fd-45a0-8111-22bc5d2b1e12?elinkdata=23421">Riley Gwin</a> allowed two hits in two innings of relief.The Coyotes wasted no time in getting the bats going in the second game. Favretto and Garfield homered in the first inning and after Ruvalcaba walked, Allen hit a 2-run homer and it was 4-0 after an inning.Bethany got a run in the second, but in the bottom of the inning, the Coyotes added four more. Romero walked, and Williamson followed with a 2-run homer. Two batters later, Garfield and Ruvalcaba went back-to-back for the Coyotes to make it 8-1.The Swedes got two runs in the third, but the Coyotes got one back on Favretto's RBI double in the bottom of the inning.After another Bethany run in the fourth, the Coyotes added two more, the first coming as Allen stole third and then scored on a throwing error by the catcher, and pinch hitter <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/32a7cb03-8862-4ba2-a612-77b6bde48c77?elinkdata=23421">Jackson Harriger</a> followed with an RBI double to make it 11-4.Wesleyan loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth on walks to Wardell and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/40cf50a9-c78c-4f95-9ce3-390fb2915ba5?elinkdata=23421">Blake Dale</a>. Romero singled to pack the bags and the first run of the inning came on a wild pitch. Favretto drove in a run with an RBI groundout, and later in the inning after loading the bases again, Allen walked in a run and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/3732e216-2b15-41bd-bf3a-37790099d967?elinkdata=23421">Alex Garcia</a> did as well.Favretto, Garfield and Allen had two hits each for the Coyotes. Favretto and Allen drove in three each. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/23627b0d-3fe6-42a4-b235-c618d1b9b6b5?elinkdata=23421">Nathan Galusha</a> got the win, going four innings, allowing four runs on seven hits with five strikeouts. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/57b03709-3b2d-4db4-9e06-270da5f9ff9d?elinkdata=23421">Ritter Steinmann</a> pitched two innings and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/f5c8af4a-b31e-488f-a303-c91e8161f304?elinkdata=23421">Hunter Blea</a> got an inning of work.

Coyote baseball sweeps the Swedes

The Kansas Wesleyan men are playing their best volleyball at the right time.

Following a hard-fought 3-1 loss to No. 3-ranked Missouri Valley on Friday the Coyotes quickly bounced back with a 3-0 (25-19, 25-21, 25-20) Senior Day victory over Culver-Stockton in a Heart of America Conference match Saturday afternoon inside Mabee Arena.

KWU improved to 4-11 in the conference and 8-14 overall; Culver-Stockton fell to 1-13 and 2-23.

"That's a sign of maturity and growth," coach <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/f5c3c04f-79db-48f9-876c-4e0055fb002a?elinkdata=23297">Dustin Sahlmann</a> said. "Young guys learning how to bounce back the next day after things don't go exactly how you want them and we're still able to do the job that we were trying to do."

Sahlmann said a meeting earlier in the week paid dividends.

"We had a pretty extensive team meeting on Monday before practice and that was part of it," he said. "Some guys got to express some things that hadn't been expressed before. They also know we have an opportunity to still make the conference tournament if we can win X amount of matches and that's what they're trying to accomplish."

Tied 14-14 in the first set the Coyotes took control with a 10-3 run and finished it on a kill by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/0b687a9d-8f88-40e1-a001-327243d023cc?elinkdata=23297">Ryan Wagner</a>.

A 10-4 burst in the second set extended KWU's 10-9 lead to 20-13. Culver-Stockton used a 5-1 surge to get within 24-21 but an attack error gave the Coyotes victory and a 2-0 lead in the match.

Culver-Stockton led the third set 8-6 when <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/1de142d8-a39d-4342-abe2-ed704cb44717?elinkdata=23297">Justin Burras</a> took the serve. Eight consecutive points followed, and the Coyotes led 14-8. The Wildcats got within 19-18 before three straight KWU points extended the advantage to 22-18. CSC narrowed the gap to 22-20 before consecutive kills by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/6a5fc153-a8a9-4d5d-8c00-374b829b25e6?elinkdata=23297">Jaron Lindsay</a> and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/bca5dd35-590f-4f9b-b991-b59a60b237fa?elinkdata=23297">Colin Lindo</a> ended the set and match.

"I was really happy for the focus we had today coming off a pretty emotional hard fought match last night," Sahlmann said. "We're more together. Even on Tuesday night against Grand View we weren't a hundred percent together but were more so than we had been. That sign of growth and where we're trying to get to."

The Coyotes hit .182 percent and were led by Lindsay's 11 kills while Burras had eight and Lindo six. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/b83f6a66-f5b8-4ddc-b27e-c87d8d0fbbba?elinkdata=23297">Ethan Ricketts</a> had 22 assists and Burras four service aces. Defensively, Burras led the way with 10 digs and Wagner six block assists.

Culver-Stockton hit .103 percent and was led by Henry Reeves' 13 kills.

Wesleyan's two seniors, Lindo and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/4338b368-1c3e-430e-9ed9-11990c9beb31?elinkdata=23297">Angel Diaz</a>, were recognized during a pregame ceremony.

The Kansas Wesleyan men are playing their best volleyball at the right time.Following a hard-fought 3-1 loss to No. 3-ranked Missouri Valley on Friday the Coyotes quickly bounced back with a 3-0 (25-19, 25-21, 25-20) Senior Day victory over Culver-Stockton in a Heart of America Conference match Saturday afternoon inside Mabee Arena.KWU improved to 4-11 in the conference and 8-14 overall; Culver-Stockton fell to 1-13 and 2-23."That's a sign of maturity and growth," coach <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/f5c3c04f-79db-48f9-876c-4e0055fb002a?elinkdata=23297">Dustin Sahlmann</a> said. "Young guys learning how to bounce back the next day after things don't go exactly how you want them and we're still able to do the job that we were trying to do."Sahlmann said a meeting earlier in the week paid dividends."We had a pretty extensive team meeting on Monday before practice and that was part of it," he said. "Some guys got to express some things that hadn't been expressed before. They also know we have an opportunity to still make the conference tournament if we can win X amount of matches and that's what they're trying to accomplish."Tied 14-14 in the first set the Coyotes took control with a 10-3 run and finished it on a kill by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/0b687a9d-8f88-40e1-a001-327243d023cc?elinkdata=23297">Ryan Wagner</a>.A 10-4 burst in the second set extended KWU's 10-9 lead to 20-13. Culver-Stockton used a 5-1 surge to get within 24-21 but an attack error gave the Coyotes victory and a 2-0 lead in the match.Culver-Stockton led the third set 8-6 when <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/1de142d8-a39d-4342-abe2-ed704cb44717?elinkdata=23297">Justin Burras</a> took the serve. Eight consecutive points followed, and the Coyotes led 14-8. The Wildcats got within 19-18 before three straight KWU points extended the advantage to 22-18. CSC narrowed the gap to 22-20 before consecutive kills by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/6a5fc153-a8a9-4d5d-8c00-374b829b25e6?elinkdata=23297">Jaron Lindsay</a> and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/bca5dd35-590f-4f9b-b991-b59a60b237fa?elinkdata=23297">Colin Lindo</a> ended the set and match."I was really happy for the focus we had today coming off a pretty emotional hard fought match last night," Sahlmann said. "We're more together. Even on Tuesday night against Grand View we weren't a hundred percent together but were more so than we had been. That sign of growth and where we're trying to get to."The Coyotes hit .182 percent and were led by Lindsay's 11 kills while Burras had eight and Lindo six. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/b83f6a66-f5b8-4ddc-b27e-c87d8d0fbbba?elinkdata=23297">Ethan Ricketts</a> had 22 assists and Burras four service aces. Defensively, Burras led the way with 10 digs and Wagner six block assists.Culver-Stockton hit .103 percent and was led by Henry Reeves' 13 kills.Wesleyan's two seniors, Lindo and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/4338b368-1c3e-430e-9ed9-11990c9beb31?elinkdata=23297">Angel Diaz</a>, were recognized during a pregame ceremony.

KWU MVB stops skid, sweeps Culver-Stockton on Senior Day

SALINA KS. - Kansas Wesleyan University's Softball team hosted the University of Saint Mary Spires for a KCAC match up. The teams would spit the double header with KWU stealing game one with late offense and USM taking game two by run rule. The scores would be 7-4 Coyotes in game one, and 10-2 Spires in game two.

Starting in the circle for the Coyotes to start the day was <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/f9d893b0-2e60-43c6-8684-438437f31733?elinkdata=23328">Caitlyn Collier</a>. Game one the Coyotes put themselves in a tough position with a two errors in the top in the first and one error in the top of the second. The Spires capitalized scoring three runs to make it 3-0 after three innings of play. The fourth inning is when the Coyotes stared playing ball, only allowing one hit, and getting out of the inning with no harm done. Then three runs on three hits making a tied ball game at 3-3. The Coyotes then put another great inning together with allowing no runs in the top of fifth off of one hit. Then KWU would go to the bottom of the fifth to score two runs off of a deep sacrifice fly to center field by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/0fcf1e3e-50d0-4912-ac33-e3e909da90cc?elinkdata=23328">Keira Hammen</a>. Her hit would score <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/1e16f688-70a8-40e3-aed7-9b48f420f636?elinkdata=23328">Josie Buhr</a> from third and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/5b2fdc3f-7f85-4979-ada5-696ff29e8508?elinkdata=23328">Kylar Smith</a> from third. Trinity Miller then hit a two run homer scoring Jenna Soul who reached on a single. KWU would go on to win game one 4-7.

Game two was a slow start for both teams. No runs for either side after two innings of play. The third inning the Spires cashed in two runs off of two hits and two errors. The Coyotes would respond by scoring two runs themselves off of a RBI double by Keira Hamman. Then an RBI single by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/a02404bd-e34d-4275-8b28-f73ee7441a3c?elinkdata=23328">Hailey Summers</a> to even things at 2-2 after three innings. The fourth inning was another scoreless one for both teams. Then the 5th inning saw the Spires having timely hits to score three runs off of two singles and a double and one error by the Coyotes. KWU was not able to answer back in the 5th scoring no runs with only one hit. USM then kept the momentum in their favor scoring five runs off of four hits in the top of the 6th to make it 10-2. KWU could not get anything on the board in the bottom of 6th and would lose due to the run rule of being down by 8 or more after five innings or more of play.

The Coyotes now sit at a record of 13-17 overall and 4-8 in KCAC play.

SALINA KS. - Kansas Wesleyan University's Softball team hosted the University of Saint Mary Spires for a KCAC match up. The teams would spit the double header with KWU stealing game one with late offense and USM taking game two by run rule. The scores would be 7-4 Coyotes in game one, and 10-2 Spires in game two.Starting in the circle for the Coyotes to start the day was <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/f9d893b0-2e60-43c6-8684-438437f31733?elinkdata=23328">Caitlyn Collier</a>. Game one the Coyotes put themselves in a tough position with a two errors in the top in the first and one error in the top of the second. The Spires capitalized scoring three runs to make it 3-0 after three innings of play. The fourth inning is when the Coyotes stared playing ball, only allowing one hit, and getting out of the inning with no harm done. Then three runs on three hits making a tied ball game at 3-3. The Coyotes then put another great inning together with allowing no runs in the top of fifth off of one hit. Then KWU would go to the bottom of the fifth to score two runs off of a deep sacrifice fly to center field by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/0fcf1e3e-50d0-4912-ac33-e3e909da90cc?elinkdata=23328">Keira Hammen</a>. Her hit would score <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/1e16f688-70a8-40e3-aed7-9b48f420f636?elinkdata=23328">Josie Buhr</a> from third and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/5b2fdc3f-7f85-4979-ada5-696ff29e8508?elinkdata=23328">Kylar Smith</a> from third. Trinity Miller then hit a two run homer scoring Jenna Soul who reached on a single. KWU would go on to win game one 4-7.Game two was a slow start for both teams. No runs for either side after two innings of play. The third inning the Spires cashed in two runs off of two hits and two errors. The Coyotes would respond by scoring two runs themselves off of a RBI double by Keira Hamman. Then an RBI single by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/a02404bd-e34d-4275-8b28-f73ee7441a3c?elinkdata=23328">Hailey Summers</a> to even things at 2-2 after three innings. The fourth inning was another scoreless one for both teams. Then the 5th inning saw the Spires having timely hits to score three runs off of two singles and a double and one error by the Coyotes. KWU was not able to answer back in the 5th scoring no runs with only one hit. USM then kept the momentum in their favor scoring five runs off of four hits in the top of the 6th to make it 10-2. KWU could not get anything on the board in the bottom of 6th and would lose due to the run rule of being down by 8 or more after five innings or more of play.The Coyotes now sit at a record of 13-17 overall and 4-8 in KCAC play.

Coyote softball splits with Saint Mary

SPOKANE, Ore. (AP) — Kennedy Smith stepped into the void left by injured star JuJu Watkins, scoring 19 points to help Southern California hold off Kansas State 67-61 in the Sweet 16 of the women's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness">NCAA Tournament</a>&nbsp;on Saturday.

The top-seeded Trojans (31-3) were considered title contenders before&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-juju-watkins-hurt-usc-12f286a14edad1e632dd1a4938132a88">Watkins tore her right ACL</a>&nbsp;during&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-usc-mississippi-state-score-371f2453968abdf9d3416f1beead058d">a second-round victory</a>&nbsp;over Mississippi State. Now they’ll be underdogs in an Elite Eight rematch on Monday with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-oklahoma-uconn-score-917699e45b6d7619e93530c3d0415a58">Paige Bueckers</a>&nbsp;and second-seeded UConn. The Huskies knocked the Trojans out of last year’s March Madness in Watkins’ first season.

Avery Howell, another freshman, scored 18 points for USC, which went on a 12-0 run during the third quarter to take a 46-39 lead, matching its biggest advantage of the day.

Kansas State (28-8) kept pushing, though, and tied it at 51-all early in the fourth on a layup by Ayoka Lee. Rayah Marshall responded with two straight buckets for USC.

A layup by Serena Sundell got the Wildcats within 60-59. Smith responded with a pair of free throws, and USC was solid enough at the foul line to close it out.

Sundell scored 22 points and Lee had 12 for the fifth-seeded Wildcats (28-8), who fell short of the program’s second Elite Eight appearance and first since 1982. They beat Kentucky&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-kansas-state-kentucky-women-score-bda945b0046c0fee4943a2d0b733cd9d">80-79 in overtime</a>&nbsp;to reach their first Sweet 16 since 2002.

Smith had 11 points in the opening quarter as the Trojans built 19-9 lead.

The Wildcats pulled ahead 19-16 after Sundell's layup and free throw. USC answered with a pair of 3-pointers from Howell and Malia Samuels.

Sundell hit a jumper and two free throws down the stretch to help Kansas State to a 30-28 advantage at the half.

USC arrived at Spokane Arena wearing Nike T-shirts emblazoned with Watkins’ face.

Players passed around a small Watkins bobblehead, complete with her trademark “JuJu Bun” hairstyle, on the sidelines during the game.

A day earlier, coach Lindsay Gottlieb said her team was playing for its inured star: “I think the prevailing feeling is that we can still do something together, and that’s what JuJu wants us to do.”

Watkins was hoping to lead USC to its first national title since it won back to back in 2002 and '03.

SPOKANE, Ore. (AP) — Kennedy Smith stepped into the void left by injured star JuJu Watkins, scoring 19 points to help Southern California hold off Kansas State 67-61 in the Sweet 16 of the women's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness">NCAA Tournament</a>&nbsp;on Saturday.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Thank you, K-State Family. 💜 <a href="https://t.co/A0E4LQqvZe">pic.twitter.com/A0E4LQqvZe</a>&mdash; K-State Women&#39;s Basketball (@KStateWBB) <a href="https://twitter.com/KStateWBB/status/1906166043267207186?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The top-seeded Trojans (31-3) were considered title contenders before&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-juju-watkins-hurt-usc-12f286a14edad1e632dd1a4938132a88">Watkins tore her right ACL</a>&nbsp;during&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-usc-mississippi-state-score-371f2453968abdf9d3416f1beead058d">a second-round victory</a>&nbsp;over Mississippi State. Now they’ll be underdogs in an Elite Eight rematch on Monday with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-oklahoma-uconn-score-917699e45b6d7619e93530c3d0415a58">Paige Bueckers</a>&nbsp;and second-seeded UConn. The Huskies knocked the Trojans out of last year’s March Madness in Watkins’ first season.Avery Howell, another freshman, scored 18 points for USC, which went on a 12-0 run during the third quarter to take a 46-39 lead, matching its biggest advantage of the day.Kansas State (28-8) kept pushing, though, and tied it at 51-all early in the fourth on a layup by Ayoka Lee. Rayah Marshall responded with two straight buckets for USC.A layup by Serena Sundell got the Wildcats within 60-59. Smith responded with a pair of free throws, and USC was solid enough at the foul line to close it out.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">From all of us, thank you.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NCAAWBB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NCAAWBB</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MarchMadness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MarchMadness</a> <a href="https://t.co/4UB4ezbRP2">pic.twitter.com/4UB4ezbRP2</a>&mdash; NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarchMadnessWBB/status/1906167071911575761?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Sundell scored 22 points and Lee had 12 for the fifth-seeded Wildcats (28-8), who fell short of the program’s second Elite Eight appearance and first since 1982. They beat Kentucky&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-kansas-state-kentucky-women-score-bda945b0046c0fee4943a2d0b733cd9d">80-79 in overtime</a>&nbsp;to reach their first Sweet 16 since 2002.Smith had 11 points in the opening quarter as the Trojans built 19-9 lead.The Wildcats pulled ahead 19-16 after Sundell's layup and free throw. USC answered with a pair of 3-pointers from Howell and Malia Samuels.Sundell hit a jumper and two free throws down the stretch to help Kansas State to a 30-28 advantage at the half.<h2>Honoring JuJu</h2>USC arrived at Spokane Arena wearing Nike T-shirts emblazoned with Watkins’ face.Players passed around a small Watkins bobblehead, complete with her trademark “JuJu Bun” hairstyle, on the sidelines during the game.A day earlier, coach Lindsay Gottlieb said her team was playing for its inured star: “I think the prevailing feeling is that we can still do something together, and that’s what JuJu wants us to do.”Watkins was hoping to lead USC to its first national title since it won back to back in 2002 and '03.___

🏀 K-State women's basketball season ends in Sweet 16

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Bobby Witt Jr. hit a go-ahead RBI double in the seventh inning after Maikel Garcia tied it with a homer four batters earlier to help lead the Kansas City Royals over the Cleveland Guardians 4-3 on Saturday.

Garcia led off the seventh with a 405-foot homer off Paul Sewald (0-1). Cavan Biggio followed with a single and was replaced by pinch-runner Dairon Blanco, who stole second. With two outs, Witt lined a double to left to score Blanco with the go-ahead run.

Guardians six-time All-Star José Ramírez left in the sixth inning with a sprained right wrist after he was hurt in the third inning while attempting to steal second base. Gabriel Arias replaced Ramírez at third base.

Bo Naylor gave the Indians a 1-0 lead on an RBI single in the second, and Carlos Santana scored Steven Kwan on a sacrifice fly in the third.

Kwan's solo homer in the fifth put Cleveland up 3-1.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743297600088.png" alt="Kansas City Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia circles the bases after hitting a game-tying home run against the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday, March 29, 2025 in Kansas City, Mo. (Kansas City Royals photo)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia circles the bases after hitting a game-tying home run against the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday, March 29, 2025 in Kansas City, Mo. (Kansas City Royals photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Bobby Witt Jr. hit a go-ahead RBI double in the seventh inning after Maikel Garcia tied it with a homer four batters earlier to help lead the Kansas City Royals over the Cleveland Guardians 4-3 on Saturday.Garcia led off the seventh with a 405-foot homer off Paul Sewald (0-1). Cavan Biggio followed with a single and was replaced by pinch-runner Dairon Blanco, who stole second. With two outs, Witt lined a double to left to score Blanco with the go-ahead run.Guardians six-time All-Star José Ramírez left in the sixth inning with a sprained right wrist after he was hurt in the third inning while attempting to steal second base. Gabriel Arias replaced Ramírez at third base.Bo Naylor gave the Indians a 1-0 lead on an RBI single in the second, and Carlos Santana scored Steven Kwan on a sacrifice fly in the third.Kwan's solo homer in the fifth put Cleveland up 3-1.Royals starter Seth Lugo threw five innings and allowed three earned runs and four hits and struck out four with three walks. Daniel Lynch IV (1-0) followed Lugo and threw two perfect innings for the win. Carlos Estévez walked one and struck out one in the ninth to earn his first save for Kansas City.Guardians starter Gavin Williams allowed two runs and four hits in five innints with one walk and two strikeouts.Salvador Perez had RBI singles in the fourth and sixth innings.<h2>Key moment</h2>The Royals' comeback in the bottom of the seventh inning was powered by Garcia's homer and Witt's double.<h2>Key stat</h2>The top four hitters for Kansas City — Jonathan India, Witt, Vinnie Pasquantino and Perez — went 5 for 14 with five RBIs.<h2>Up next</h2>The Guardians send RHP Tanner Bibee to the mound against RHP Michael Wacha for Kansas City in Sunday’s series finale.—