KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Giancarlo Stanton hit a go-ahead homer in the eighth inning amid a battle of the bullpens, and the New York Yankees beat the Kansas City Royals 3-2 on Wednesday night in Game 3 of their AL Division Series at Kauffman Stadium.

Stanton finished with three hits, drove in two runs and stole a base for the first time in four years for the Yankees, who will turn to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2024-mlb-playoffs-royals-yankees-55c69e03da0c418a922ad02831ea0610">six-time All-Star pitcher Gerrit Cole on Thursday night</a>&nbsp;with a chance to reach&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mlb">the American League Championship Series</a>.

The Royals used four relievers before Kris Bubic took over for the eighth. The left-hander struck out Austin Wells before Stanton hit his 3-1 pitch nearly 420 feet to left to give New York the lead.

The Royals tried to answer off Luke Weaver in the bottom half, getting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/royals-chiefs-kansas-city-patrick-mahomes-bobby-witt-25b56b7e0ed73261a13434168c102551">Bobby Witt Jr.'s first hit of the series</a>&nbsp;and a two-out single by franchise stalwart Salvador Perez. Weaver recovered to get Yuli Gurriel to fly out to end the threat, and he also handled the ninth to earn the save and cap 4 1/3 scoreless innings by the New York bullpen.

The Yankees won despite another frustrating night in the postseason for MVP front-runner Aaron Judge. He went 0 for 4 with a walk, and is now 1 for 11 with only an infield single through three games against the Royals.

It helped that the powerful Yankees drew nine walks Wednesday night, giving them 22 for the series.

It was the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yankees-royals-new-york-kansas-city-mlb-playoffs-a71e04dca396f35402287621911ad50e">first playoff game at the K in 3,268 days</a>, since the Royals beat the Mets in Game 2 of the 2015 World Series. They won their first title in 30 years a few days later in New York.

The first baseman on that Royals team, Eric Hosmer, was on hand to deliver the first pitch for a crowd that included Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

The Yankees had some good swings against Seth Lugo's dizzying array of nine pitches, but they had nothing to show for it early on.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mlb-playoffs-yankees-soto-royals-new-york-0e67745813372aaca6bc33b027b4c669">Juan Soto flew out to center in the first</a>&nbsp;on what would have been a homer in 17 ballparks. Judge followed with a liner snared by Witt at shortstop that had an exit velocity of 114 mph. And in the third, Gleyber Torres hit a ball to the warning track in right, moments after a review confirmed that his would-be RBI blooper down the line had landed foul.

The Yankees broke through in the fourth on Stanton's double — Soto came around from first to score, though he might well have been out had Witt delivered a better relay throw to the plate. And in the fifth, Soto added a bases-loaded sacrifice fly.

The Royals answered with two in the fifth. Kyle Isbel got them on the board with a two-out double to left, and Michael Massey ripped a sinking liner that somehow missed Soto's glove in right for an RBI triple.

Yankees starter Clarke Schmidt was dinged for both runs on four hits and a walk in 4 2/3 innings. Lugo went five for Kansas City, allowing two hits and walking four against the team that led the league in free passes this season.

Yankees: Cole (8-5, 3.41 ERA) heads back to the mound Thursday night. He allowed four runs — three earned — over five innings in the opener Saturday night but got no decision in the 6-5 win for New York.

Royals: RHP Michael Wacha (13-8, 3.35 ERA) will face Cole again after pitching just four innings Saturday. He allowed three runs but was long gone by the time the Yankees scored the go-ahead run in the seventh.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728527218078.png" alt="Giancarlo Stanton finished with three hits, drove in two runs and stole a base for the first time in four years for the Yankees-Photo courtesy New York Yankees" />
 <figcaption>Giancarlo Stanton finished with three hits, drove in two runs and stole a base for the first time in four years for the Yankees-Photo courtesy New York Yankees</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Giancarlo Stanton hit a go-ahead homer in the eighth inning amid a battle of the bullpens, and the New York Yankees beat the Kansas City Royals 3-2 on Wednesday night in Game 3 of their AL Division Series at Kauffman Stadium.Stanton finished with three hits, drove in two runs and stole a base for the first time in four years for the Yankees, who will turn to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2024-mlb-playoffs-royals-yankees-55c69e03da0c418a922ad02831ea0610">six-time All-Star pitcher Gerrit Cole on Thursday night</a>&nbsp;with a chance to reach&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mlb">the American League Championship Series</a>.The Royals used four relievers before Kris Bubic took over for the eighth. The left-hander struck out Austin Wells before Stanton hit his 3-1 pitch nearly 420 feet to left to give New York the lead.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728527435203.png" alt="Kansas City Royals' Yuli Gurriel celebrates after hitting a double during the second inning in Game 3 of an American League Division baseball playoff series against the New York Yankees Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Royals' Yuli Gurriel celebrates after hitting a double during the second inning in Game 3 of an American League Division baseball playoff series against the New York Yankees Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)</figcaption>
 </figure>The Royals tried to answer off Luke Weaver in the bottom half, getting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/royals-chiefs-kansas-city-patrick-mahomes-bobby-witt-25b56b7e0ed73261a13434168c102551">Bobby Witt Jr.'s first hit of the series</a>&nbsp;and a two-out single by franchise stalwart Salvador Perez. Weaver recovered to get Yuli Gurriel to fly out to end the threat, and he also handled the ninth to earn the save and cap 4 1/3 scoreless innings by the New York bullpen.The Yankees won despite another frustrating night in the postseason for MVP front-runner Aaron Judge. He went 0 for 4 with a walk, and is now 1 for 11 with only an infield single through three games against the Royals.It helped that the powerful Yankees drew nine walks Wednesday night, giving them 22 for the series.It was the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yankees-royals-new-york-kansas-city-mlb-playoffs-a71e04dca396f35402287621911ad50e">first playoff game at the K in 3,268 days</a>, since the Royals beat the Mets in Game 2 of the 2015 World Series. They won their first title in 30 years a few days later in New York.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FRoyals%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0Yv1Jn9vedfcT3GwueeHbHf6MDDoLXMTS4bQC73jW8ha9XjZEQfLT7f5NfYCLGF7Bl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="645" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>The first baseman on that Royals team, Eric Hosmer, was on hand to deliver the first pitch for a crowd that included Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.The Yankees had some good swings against Seth Lugo's dizzying array of nine pitches, but they had nothing to show for it early on.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mlb-playoffs-yankees-soto-royals-new-york-0e67745813372aaca6bc33b027b4c669">Juan Soto flew out to center in the first</a>&nbsp;on what would have been a homer in 17 ballparks. Judge followed with a liner snared by Witt at shortstop that had an exit velocity of 114 mph. And in the third, Gleyber Torres hit a ball to the warning track in right, moments after a review confirmed that his would-be RBI blooper down the line had landed foul.The Yankees broke through in the fourth on Stanton's double — Soto came around from first to score, though he might well have been out had Witt delivered a better relay throw to the plate. And in the fifth, Soto added a bases-loaded sacrifice fly.The Royals answered with two in the fifth. Kyle Isbel got them on the board with a two-out double to left, and Michael Massey ripped a sinking liner that somehow missed Soto's glove in right for an RBI triple.Yankees starter Clarke Schmidt was dinged for both runs on four hits and a walk in 4 2/3 innings. Lugo went five for Kansas City, allowing two hits and walking four against the team that led the league in free passes this season.UP NEXTYankees: Cole (8-5, 3.41 ERA) heads back to the mound Thursday night. He allowed four runs — three earned — over five innings in the opener Saturday night but got no decision in the 6-5 win for New York.Royals: RHP Michael Wacha (13-8, 3.35 ERA) will face Cole again after pitching just four innings Saturday. He allowed three runs but was long gone by the time the Yankees scored the go-ahead run in the seventh.___

⚾ Stanton's homer in the 8th lifts Yankees over Royals in Game 3 of the ALDS

SALINA, Kan. - Kansas Wesleyan University has announced that head football coach Matt Myers has stepped back from the head coaching position, effective immediately. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/b60737f2-69da-462e-9494-2cfb4f78aa86?elinkdata=13347">David Leonard</a>, football operations and passing game coordinator, and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/9bc3fd7a-c44c-4cdb-a89c-572c07016924?elinkdata=13347">Chris Snyder</a>, assistant coach and recruiting/retention director, will serve as the interim co-head coaches while a national search is conducted.

Myers will take on another role at KWU in the coming weeks.

"I thank Matt and his family for their contributions to Kansas Wesleyan," said Miguel Paredes, director of athletics. "He did many positive things for this program, and we look forward to the influence his new role will have at the university. It is our hope that this change enables our program to grow and see additional successes, both on and off the field. We have watched David and Chris grow as coaches and campus leaders these past several seasons, and have faith that they are ready to lead our team for the remainder of the campaign."

The search for the next KWU head football coach will begin immediately and is expected to conclude prior to Dec. 1.

SALINA, Kan. - Kansas Wesleyan University has announced that head football coach Matt Myers has stepped back from the head coaching position, effective immediately. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/b60737f2-69da-462e-9494-2cfb4f78aa86?elinkdata=13347">David Leonard</a>, football operations and passing game coordinator, and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/9bc3fd7a-c44c-4cdb-a89c-572c07016924?elinkdata=13347">Chris Snyder</a>, assistant coach and recruiting/retention director, will serve as the interim co-head coaches while a national search is conducted.Myers will take on another role at KWU in the coming weeks."I thank Matt and his family for their contributions to Kansas Wesleyan," said Miguel Paredes, director of athletics. "He did many positive things for this program, and we look forward to the influence his new role will have at the university. It is our hope that this change enables our program to grow and see additional successes, both on and off the field. We have watched David and Chris grow as coaches and campus leaders these past several seasons, and have faith that they are ready to lead our team for the remainder of the campaign."The search for the next KWU head football coach will begin immediately and is expected to conclude prior to Dec. 1.

KWU Announces Football Program Leadership Change

<a>MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;–</a>&nbsp;The Big 12 Conference and FOX Sports announced Monday that Kansas State’s October 19 game at West Virginia will kick at 6:30 p.m. (CT) and will be shown on either FOX or FS1.

The Wildcats and Mountaineers are meeting for the first time in two years after not playing in 2023. K-State has won each of the last two matchups, earning a 34-17 home win in 2021 before a 48-31 triumph in Morgantown in 2022.

<a>MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;–</a>&nbsp;The Big 12 Conference and FOX Sports announced Monday that Kansas State’s October 19 game at West Virginia will kick at 6:30 p.m. (CT) and will be shown on either FOX or FS1.The Wildcats and Mountaineers are meeting for the first time in two years after not playing in 2023. K-State has won each of the last two matchups, earning a 34-17 home win in 2021 before a 48-31 triumph in Morgantown in 2022.

K-State at West Virginia to Kick at Night

The Kansas Wesleyan women's basketball team certainly does not lack experience and veteran leadership in advance of the 2024-25 season.

"This is going to be the oldest team that I've ever had," coach <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/9e624610-d83f-4024-8a70-aa03f79ca08a?elinkdata=13278">Ryan Showman</a> said Tuesday during the Kansas Conference's virtual media day. "In our top 17 that's in our varsity practices there are nine seniors and seven juniors. Of those seniors four are fifth-year seniors - <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/b8f012ba-3286-4319-aefc-1452f100ba3b?elinkdata=13278">LaMyah Ricks</a>, <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/37eb3e80-aa71-40a3-b68d-f27d18ce7b06?elinkdata=13278">Jill Stephens</a>, <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/edce986f-5145-4094-85bd-225e5f92bd74?elinkdata=13278">Angel Lee</a>, and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/f6eb268e-7f28-475a-bae4-4b61466b4381?elinkdata=13278">Alexis Dixon</a>."

The Coyotes, who return all five starters from a year ago, are not the only KCAC team with plethora of familiar faces though. Ten others return at least four starters - four have all five back.

"This is going to be a fun, challenging year in our conference with everyone that has returned and with the continuity of the coaching staffs," said Showman, who enters his 13th season as KWU's head coach.

Wesleyan was picked to finish fifth in the coaches' poll conducted Tuesday. Tabor was first, Friends second, Saint Mary third and Evangel fourth. KWU was fourth in the media poll with Tabor first followed by Friends and Saint Mary in a tie for second.

The Coyotes rebounded from a 2-5 start last year and finished 17-13, 14-8 in the conference, before losing to Tabor in the conference tournament semifinals.

Showman expressed cautious optimism Tuesday.

"We return 86 percent of our scoring and 81 percent of our rebounding which on paper looks awesome," he said. "But before anybody gets too worried remember we only scored 67 points a game and shot 37 percent from the field so some of that was smoke and mirrors.

"We had conversations starting in March. I really like the response that we've had from our returners in terms of getting better and being more efficient. Just doing the little things that cost us games last year."

Age, though, has pluses and some minuses.

"A lot of experience back, a lot of players that have been in the league, a lot of players that have been in Kansas Wesleyan, so they know the KCAC grind," he said. "They know what it takes to win, and they know how that razor thin margin that either creates a win or creates a loss.

"Practice has been fun but as every coach knows with an older, experienced, veteran group practice sometimes gets boring, so we've had to come up with some creative ways to keep it interesting until we get going with games."

Showman is counting on three transfers to bolster the returning group. Junior college guards <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/7aa66af4-9bb3-44a6-af38-e58034f9df5c?elinkdata=13278">Kelsey Koza</a> and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/a1c6ca05-2943-4f20-9d3b-9312e1ce9a74?elinkdata=13278">Abigail Lombardoni</a> come in from Hesston and Fulton-Montgomery, respectively, while <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/a72587bb-b6ca-4ab4-8ef2-8ff58b61105d?elinkdata=13278">Jocelyn Hall</a>, a 6-foot-1 forward, played for Division II Illinois-Springfield last season.

KWU plays eight of its 13 first semester games inside Mabee Arena starting with New Mexico College and Jamestown in the Coyote Classic on November 1 and 2.

"I feel like each of the last few years we were playing some of our best basketball at the end of the year," he said, "so our challenge now is to have some success early, take advantage of some of those home opportunities first semester to build that momentum going into January and February."

The Kansas Wesleyan women's basketball team certainly does not lack experience and veteran leadership in advance of the 2024-25 season."This is going to be the oldest team that I've ever had," coach <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/9e624610-d83f-4024-8a70-aa03f79ca08a?elinkdata=13278">Ryan Showman</a> said Tuesday during the Kansas Conference's virtual media day. "In our top 17 that's in our varsity practices there are nine seniors and seven juniors. Of those seniors four are fifth-year seniors - <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/b8f012ba-3286-4319-aefc-1452f100ba3b?elinkdata=13278">LaMyah Ricks</a>, <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/37eb3e80-aa71-40a3-b68d-f27d18ce7b06?elinkdata=13278">Jill Stephens</a>, <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/edce986f-5145-4094-85bd-225e5f92bd74?elinkdata=13278">Angel Lee</a>, and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/f6eb268e-7f28-475a-bae4-4b61466b4381?elinkdata=13278">Alexis Dixon</a>."The Coyotes, who return all five starters from a year ago, are not the only KCAC team with plethora of familiar faces though. Ten others return at least four starters - four have all five back."This is going to be a fun, challenging year in our conference with everyone that has returned and with the continuity of the coaching staffs," said Showman, who enters his 13th season as KWU's head coach.Wesleyan was picked to finish fifth in the coaches' poll conducted Tuesday. Tabor was first, Friends second, Saint Mary third and Evangel fourth. KWU was fourth in the media poll with Tabor first followed by Friends and Saint Mary in a tie for second.The Coyotes rebounded from a 2-5 start last year and finished 17-13, 14-8 in the conference, before losing to Tabor in the conference tournament semifinals.Showman expressed cautious optimism Tuesday."We return 86 percent of our scoring and 81 percent of our rebounding which on paper looks awesome," he said. "But before anybody gets too worried remember we only scored 67 points a game and shot 37 percent from the field so some of that was smoke and mirrors."We had conversations starting in March. I really like the response that we've had from our returners in terms of getting better and being more efficient. Just doing the little things that cost us games last year."Age, though, has pluses and some minuses."A lot of experience back, a lot of players that have been in the league, a lot of players that have been in Kansas Wesleyan, so they know the KCAC grind," he said. "They know what it takes to win, and they know how that razor thin margin that either creates a win or creates a loss."Practice has been fun but as every coach knows with an older, experienced, veteran group practice sometimes gets boring, so we've had to come up with some creative ways to keep it interesting until we get going with games."Showman is counting on three transfers to bolster the returning group. Junior college guards <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/7aa66af4-9bb3-44a6-af38-e58034f9df5c?elinkdata=13278">Kelsey Koza</a> and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/a1c6ca05-2943-4f20-9d3b-9312e1ce9a74?elinkdata=13278">Abigail Lombardoni</a> come in from Hesston and Fulton-Montgomery, respectively, while <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/a72587bb-b6ca-4ab4-8ef2-8ff58b61105d?elinkdata=13278">Jocelyn Hall</a>, a 6-foot-1 forward, played for Division II Illinois-Springfield last season.KWU plays eight of its 13 first semester games inside Mabee Arena starting with New Mexico College and Jamestown in the Coyote Classic on November 1 and 2."I feel like each of the last few years we were playing some of our best basketball at the end of the year," he said, "so our challenge now is to have some success early, take advantage of some of those home opportunities first semester to build that momentum going into January and February."

KWU WBB picked fourth by media, fifth by coaches in KCAC Media Day polls

Kansas Wesleyan University Women's Volleyball faced off against the Baker University Wildcats in a non-conference mid season match up on Tuesday night inside Mabee Arena. The Coyotes of KWU won in a 3-1 match with scores of 25-12, 25-17, 20-25, 25-19.

In the first set KWU put together a string of runs. The first one putting the Coyotes up 10-7 after a kill by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/a4bcefe7-2c0e-4e80-8c19-e16a9c0126ee?elinkdata=13301">Kate Bebout</a> and anther kill by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/176388eb-5f14-4253-a356-2e6da84ce31a?elinkdata=13301">Kylee Harris</a>. The Wildcats fought back and kept it within 4 points until they went cold as the Coyotes took advantage and went on a 7 point run to give KWU a 23-11 lead. Most notable in this run was KWU's <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/7bfc42d0-573d-4c73-a9bc-acd1c5486fba?elinkdata=13301">Ella Schmid</a>; shutting down any offensive opportunity Baker and giving her teammates well placed passes to give easy sets and explosive kills. Kansas Wesleyan would go on to claim the first set 25-12.

Set two the Wildcats started out hot with a 6-1 lead after a handful of kills by Aby Widhalm of BU. KWU would immediately get it all back with a 5 point run to set at 6-6. The teams would swap points and were tied multiple times all the way till 12-12. KWU put points together on and off again to find a 23-16 lead after a handful kills by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/970c0f58-ad85-4591-972c-cb88aece55f5?elinkdata=13301">Kylee Harris</a> and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/2657e616-410f-4c58-81f1-a3de5a345501?elinkdata=13301">Josie Deckinger</a>. KWU took the second set at 25-17 to lead 2-0.

The third set the Coyotes switched from their normal 5-1 to a 6-2 offense. This gave the Coyotes some different looks to score but the Wildcats capitalized on KWU's discomfort. The set was very back and was tied multiple times all the way to 17-17. Baker then went on a four point run to put the Wildcats ahead 21-17 after two attack errors on KWU. BU found four points to win the third set 25-20 and put the game at 1-2 KWU lead.

Going into the fourth set KWU went back to their 5-1 offense and back into their groove. The teams would trade point for point all the way t0 8-8. KWU then went on a 5 point run and take the lead. BU then answered and nearly got back to a tie after a four point run and putting the score at 15-16 Coyote lead. The teams then would trade point for point yet again with KWU holding a one point lead until the Wildcats scored their last point at 19-20. The Coyotes then put the set and game away with a five point run off of three service aces from <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/952684ea-e731-4537-9d4e-7decf8df34c5?elinkdata=13301">Kate Bebout</a> to secure the set at 19-25, and 1-3 for the ball game.

Kansas Wesleyan University Women's Volleyball faced off against the Baker University Wildcats in a non-conference mid season match up on Tuesday night inside Mabee Arena. The Coyotes of KWU won in a 3-1 match with scores of 25-12, 25-17, 20-25, 25-19.In the first set KWU put together a string of runs. The first one putting the Coyotes up 10-7 after a kill by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/a4bcefe7-2c0e-4e80-8c19-e16a9c0126ee?elinkdata=13301">Kate Bebout</a> and anther kill by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/176388eb-5f14-4253-a356-2e6da84ce31a?elinkdata=13301">Kylee Harris</a>. The Wildcats fought back and kept it within 4 points until they went cold as the Coyotes took advantage and went on a 7 point run to give KWU a 23-11 lead. Most notable in this run was KWU's <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/7bfc42d0-573d-4c73-a9bc-acd1c5486fba?elinkdata=13301">Ella Schmid</a>; shutting down any offensive opportunity Baker and giving her teammates well placed passes to give easy sets and explosive kills. Kansas Wesleyan would go on to claim the first set 25-12.Set two the Wildcats started out hot with a 6-1 lead after a handful of kills by Aby Widhalm of BU. KWU would immediately get it all back with a 5 point run to set at 6-6. The teams would swap points and were tied multiple times all the way till 12-12. KWU put points together on and off again to find a 23-16 lead after a handful kills by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/970c0f58-ad85-4591-972c-cb88aece55f5?elinkdata=13301">Kylee Harris</a> and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/2657e616-410f-4c58-81f1-a3de5a345501?elinkdata=13301">Josie Deckinger</a>. KWU took the second set at 25-17 to lead 2-0.The third set the Coyotes switched from their normal 5-1 to a 6-2 offense. This gave the Coyotes some different looks to score but the Wildcats capitalized on KWU's discomfort. The set was very back and was tied multiple times all the way to 17-17. Baker then went on a four point run to put the Wildcats ahead 21-17 after two attack errors on KWU. BU found four points to win the third set 25-20 and put the game at 1-2 KWU lead.Going into the fourth set KWU went back to their 5-1 offense and back into their groove. The teams would trade point for point all the way t0 8-8. KWU then went on a 5 point run and take the lead. BU then answered and nearly got back to a tie after a four point run and putting the score at 15-16 Coyote lead. The teams then would trade point for point yet again with KWU holding a one point lead until the Wildcats scored their last point at 19-20. The Coyotes then put the set and game away with a five point run off of three service aces from <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/952684ea-e731-4537-9d4e-7decf8df34c5?elinkdata=13301">Kate Bebout</a> to secure the set at 19-25, and 1-3 for the ball game.

Women's Volleyball gets four-set win over Baker

LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;Following its bye week, the Kansas football team will return to action on Saturday, Oct. 19, hosting Houston in a game that will kick off at 2:30 p.m. CT and be broadcast on ESPN+, the Big 12 Conference announced Monday.

The Oct. 19 matchup with Houston also serves as the University of Kansas’ 112th&nbsp;Homecoming game, with information on events and more&nbsp;<a href="http://kualumni.org/homecoming" target="_blank">available here</a>.

The game will mark the fifth all-time meeting between Kansas and Houston, but the first as conference foes, with the Cougars in their second season competing in the Big 12. Kansas leads the all-time series 4-0, including a 48-30 victory over the Cougars in Houston in the third game of the 2022 season. The Jayhawks previously defeated the Cougars 42-13 in the 2005 Fort Worth Bowl and swept a two-game series over Houston with victories in 1994 (35-13 in Houston) and 1995 (20-13 in Lawrence).

Kansas is 5-5 under head coach Lance Leipold when playing on ESPN+, including a 1-1 record this season.

LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;Following its bye week, the Kansas football team will return to action on Saturday, Oct. 19, hosting Houston in a game that will kick off at 2:30 p.m. CT and be broadcast on ESPN+, the Big 12 Conference announced Monday.The Oct. 19 matchup with Houston also serves as the University of Kansas’ 112th&nbsp;Homecoming game, with information on events and more&nbsp;<a href="http://kualumni.org/homecoming" target="_blank">available here</a>.The game will mark the fifth all-time meeting between Kansas and Houston, but the first as conference foes, with the Cougars in their second season competing in the Big 12. Kansas leads the all-time series 4-0, including a 48-30 victory over the Cougars in Houston in the third game of the 2022 season. The Jayhawks previously defeated the Cougars 42-13 in the 2005 Fort Worth Bowl and swept a two-game series over Houston with victories in 1994 (35-13 in Houston) and 1995 (20-13 in Lawrence).Kansas is 5-5 under head coach Lance Leipold when playing on ESPN+, including a 1-1 record this season.

Kickoff of Kansas vs. Houston Game Set for 2:30 p.m. on ESPN+

K-State Renews Conference Rivalry with Colorado

Kansas Wesleyan's <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/856fa63c-14a5-4dcd-b648-164390a66f80?elinkdata=13232">Eduardo Flores</a> has been named as the KCAC Men's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts last week for the Coyotes.

Student-athletes were selected for their performances from Sept. 30-Oct. 6 by a vote of conference sports information directors. All KCAC Player of the Week honors are presented by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/e09f9f1a-5032-4086-8f95-923447358a72?elinkdata=13232">Equity Bank</a>.

Flores played a key role on the back line for the Coyotes in two wins on the road at Tabor and at Saint Mary. He helped hold Tabor to zero shots on goal (four shots overall) in the 1-0 win, as the KWU defense stymied the Bluejay offense the entire match. In the match against Saint Mary, a 3-2 victory for Kansas Wesleyan, the Coyotes surrendered a pair of goals, but they came from the other side of the formation from Flores.

Kansas Wesleyan's <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/856fa63c-14a5-4dcd-b648-164390a66f80?elinkdata=13232">Eduardo Flores</a> has been named as the KCAC Men's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts last week for the Coyotes.Student-athletes were selected for their performances from Sept. 30-Oct. 6 by a vote of conference sports information directors. All KCAC Player of the Week honors are presented by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/e09f9f1a-5032-4086-8f95-923447358a72?elinkdata=13232">Equity Bank</a>.Flores played a key role on the back line for the Coyotes in two wins on the road at Tabor and at Saint Mary. He helped hold Tabor to zero shots on goal (four shots overall) in the 1-0 win, as the KWU defense stymied the Bluejay offense the entire match. In the match against Saint Mary, a 3-2 victory for Kansas Wesleyan, the Coyotes surrendered a pair of goals, but they came from the other side of the formation from Flores.

Flores earns KCAC Men's Soccer Defensive honor

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes threw for a bunch of yards. Travis Kelce caught a whole lot of his passes. And Kareem Hunt plowed into the end zone once again, sending a torrent of red fireworks flying over Arrowhead Stadium on Monday night.

It might as well have been six years ago, the last time that trio of Chiefs played in a home game together.

But with injuries having ravaged their offense, the Chiefs were forced to lean on two of their stalwarts and the return of their erstwhile star running back to beat the Saints, 26-13. Mahomes finished with 331 yards through the air, Kelce had a game-high nine catches for 70 yards, and Hunt ran 27 times for 102 yards and a touchdown.

“It was a great feeling to get back in the end zone. I missed it very much,” said Hunt, who only returned to the Chiefs a couple of weeks ago, after an injury to starter Isiah Pacheco. “That's why I threw up a heart. To show my love for Kansas City.”

There was a lot of love flowing inside Arrowhead Stadium.

Just as the Chiefs were moving to 5-0 behind another defensive gem, the Royals were beating the Yankees in Game 2 of their AL Division Series in New York. There were frequent chants of “Let's go Royals!” throughout the game, and when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mlb-playoffs-yankees-royals-973e1a65ef5ba6bede4b849f3329d924">the Royals finished off a 4-2 victory</a>&nbsp;to send the series back to Kansas City tied at a game apiece, a roar ripped through Arrowhead.

“There was kind of a lull there toward the end of the game, and I was like, ‘They’re not showing the score. The Yankees came back,'” said Mahomes, who owns a part of the Royals. “But they picked it up and got the win, and it was extremely exciting.”

The Chiefs held Saints quarterback Derek Carr to 185 yards passing with two touchdowns and an interception before leaving with an oblique injury. It occurred with about 9 1/2 minutes left, when Carr was hit by blitzing defensive back Chamarri Conner on a fourth-down incompletion as he tried to rally New Orleans from a 23-13 deficit.

“I couldn’t do what I needed to do in the simplest form," said Carr, who plans to get an MRI exam on Tuesday.

The Saints' Alvin Kamara managed 26 yards rushing on 11 carries, becoming the latest high-profile running back to struggle against the Chiefs. They held the Ravens' Derrick Henry to 46 yards rushing, Zack Moss of the Bengals to 34, Falcons star Bijan Robinson to 31 and J.K. Dobbins to 32 in last week's win over the Chargers.

“We got outplayed,” Saints coach Dennis Allen said. "We really couldn't get a whole lot going on either side of the ball.”

The first half Monday night featured a bit of everything: Hunt's first TD since returning to Kansas City, where his once-promising career was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-kansas-city-kareem-hunt-e02c86492982355676e0be2548b95914">derailed by an off-the-field incident</a>; a 43-yard touchdown pass from Carr to Rashid Shaheed, the shortest of the three Shaheed has caught this season; and yet another lateral by Kelce, which came on the most bizarre of drives.

The Chiefs were leading 10-7 when a fumbled pitch and a holding penalty left them facing second-and-34. They got some of it back on a pass to JuJu Smith-Schuster, and then Mahomes hit Kelce over the middle. Kelce lateraled to Samaje Perine, who got within a yard of a first down, and Kansas City converted the fourth-and-short play to set up an eventual field goal.

It was exactly that — field goals — that kept New Orleans in the game, though. The Chiefs have struggled to score TDs in the red zone all season, and they were forced to let Harrison Butker kick a trio of chip shots to lead 16-7 at the break.

Their red-zone woes continued in the third quarter. On second-and-goal, Smith-Schuster had a pass bounce off his hands at the goal line and into the arms of 324-pound former Chiefs defensive tackle Khalen Saunders, who made his first career interception.

The Saints promptly marched 65 yards with Foster Moreau's TD catch getting them within 16-13 with 14:16 to play.

But unlike every other game for the Chiefs, which had been decided in the final minutes — if not the final play — they answered the blow by delivering one of their own. Smith-Schuster hauled in a 50-yard pass moments later, and Xavier Worthy took a handoff on first-and-goal at the 3 for a touchdown that extended their cushion early in the fourth quarter.

After the Chiefs stopped the Saints on fourth down, they tacked on another field goal with 3:03 left to put away the game.

"It’s pretty cool to get the band back together,” said Smith-Schuster, who is also back with the Chiefs after a couple of years spent in New England. “Man, I’m telling you, there is no place like this. What we have here is special. It’s unreal.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-taylor-swift-travis-kelce-arrowhead-b386bd5deb5b6588f255d62068417cae">Taylor Swift was back at Arrowhead Stadium</a>&nbsp;to see Kelce and the Chiefs after missing her boyfriend's previous two road games. She resumes her record-setting Eras Tour on Friday night with the first of three shows in Miami.

Saints: CB Will Harris hurt his hamstring in the first half. C Lucas Patrick left briefly in the third quarter with a collarbone injury,

Chiefs: LT Wanya Morris left in the first half with a lower leg injury but returned to the game.

Kansas City has a week off before visiting San Francisco on Oct. 20.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728358707794.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes throws during the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes throws during the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes threw for a bunch of yards. Travis Kelce caught a whole lot of his passes. And Kareem Hunt plowed into the end zone once again, sending a torrent of red fireworks flying over Arrowhead Stadium on Monday night.It might as well have been six years ago, the last time that trio of Chiefs played in a home game together.But with injuries having ravaged their offense, the Chiefs were forced to lean on two of their stalwarts and the return of their erstwhile star running back to beat the Saints, 26-13. Mahomes finished with 331 yards through the air, Kelce had a game-high nine catches for 70 yards, and Hunt ran 27 times for 102 yards and a touchdown.“It was a great feeling to get back in the end zone. I missed it very much,” said Hunt, who only returned to the Chiefs a couple of weeks ago, after an injury to starter Isiah Pacheco. “That's why I threw up a heart. To show my love for Kansas City.”There was a lot of love flowing inside Arrowhead Stadium.Just as the Chiefs were moving to 5-0 behind another defensive gem, the Royals were beating the Yankees in Game 2 of their AL Division Series in New York. There were frequent chants of “Let's go Royals!” throughout the game, and when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mlb-playoffs-yankees-royals-973e1a65ef5ba6bede4b849f3329d924">the Royals finished off a 4-2 victory</a>&nbsp;to send the series back to Kansas City tied at a game apiece, a roar ripped through Arrowhead.“There was kind of a lull there toward the end of the game, and I was like, ‘They’re not showing the score. The Yankees came back,'” said Mahomes, who owns a part of the Royals. “But they picked it up and got the win, and it was extremely exciting.”The Chiefs held Saints quarterback Derek Carr to 185 yards passing with two touchdowns and an interception before leaving with an oblique injury. It occurred with about 9 1/2 minutes left, when Carr was hit by blitzing defensive back Chamarri Conner on a fourth-down incompletion as he tried to rally New Orleans from a 23-13 deficit.“I couldn’t do what I needed to do in the simplest form," said Carr, who plans to get an MRI exam on Tuesday.The Saints' Alvin Kamara managed 26 yards rushing on 11 carries, becoming the latest high-profile running back to struggle against the Chiefs. They held the Ravens' Derrick Henry to 46 yards rushing, Zack Moss of the Bengals to 34, Falcons star Bijan Robinson to 31 and J.K. Dobbins to 32 in last week's win over the Chargers.“We got outplayed,” Saints coach Dennis Allen said. "We really couldn't get a whole lot going on either side of the ball.”The first half Monday night featured a bit of everything: Hunt's first TD since returning to Kansas City, where his once-promising career was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-kansas-city-kareem-hunt-e02c86492982355676e0be2548b95914">derailed by an off-the-field incident</a>; a 43-yard touchdown pass from Carr to Rashid Shaheed, the shortest of the three Shaheed has caught this season; and yet another lateral by Kelce, which came on the most bizarre of drives.The Chiefs were leading 10-7 when a fumbled pitch and a holding penalty left them facing second-and-34. They got some of it back on a pass to JuJu Smith-Schuster, and then Mahomes hit Kelce over the middle. Kelce lateraled to Samaje Perine, who got within a yard of a first down, and Kansas City converted the fourth-and-short play to set up an eventual field goal.It was exactly that — field goals — that kept New Orleans in the game, though. The Chiefs have struggled to score TDs in the red zone all season, and they were forced to let Harrison Butker kick a trio of chip shots to lead 16-7 at the break.Their red-zone woes continued in the third quarter. On second-and-goal, Smith-Schuster had a pass bounce off his hands at the goal line and into the arms of 324-pound former Chiefs defensive tackle Khalen Saunders, who made his first career interception.The Saints promptly marched 65 yards with Foster Moreau's TD catch getting them within 16-13 with 14:16 to play.But unlike every other game for the Chiefs, which had been decided in the final minutes — if not the final play — they answered the blow by delivering one of their own. Smith-Schuster hauled in a 50-yard pass moments later, and Xavier Worthy took a handoff on first-and-goal at the 3 for a touchdown that extended their cushion early in the fourth quarter.After the Chiefs stopped the Saints on fourth down, they tacked on another field goal with 3:03 left to put away the game."It’s pretty cool to get the band back together,” said Smith-Schuster, who is also back with the Chiefs after a couple of years spent in New England. “Man, I’m telling you, there is no place like this. What we have here is special. It’s unreal.”<h2>Tay-Tay returns</h2><a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-taylor-swift-travis-kelce-arrowhead-b386bd5deb5b6588f255d62068417cae">Taylor Swift was back at Arrowhead Stadium</a>&nbsp;to see Kelce and the Chiefs after missing her boyfriend's previous two road games. She resumes her record-setting Eras Tour on Friday night with the first of three shows in Miami.<h2>Injuries</h2>Saints: CB Will Harris hurt his hamstring in the first half. C Lucas Patrick left briefly in the third quarter with a collarbone injury,Chiefs: LT Wanya Morris left in the first half with a lower leg injury but returned to the game.<h2>Up next</h2>New Orleans hosts Tampa Bay on Sunday.Kansas City has a week off before visiting San Francisco on Oct. 20.

🏈 Mahomes throws for 331 yards, Derek Carr hurt as Chiefs shut down Saints 

NEW YORK (AP) — Salvador Perez homered leading off the fourth inning to spark a four-run rally against Carlos Rodón, and the Kansas City Royals beat the New York Yankees 4-2 on Monday night to even their AL Division Series at one game apiece.

Four relievers held New York in check after an inconsistent&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mlb-playoffs-ragans-royals-yankees-central-park-42adddaee4675c8a204b14873548dd2a">Cole Ragans lasted four innings.</a>&nbsp;Tommy Pham, Garrett Hampson and Maikel Garcia singled in runs for the Royals.

Garcia, moved up from ninth to first in Kansas City's batting order, had four hits.

Game 3 in the best-of-five playoff is Wednesday night at Kansas City, the Royals’ first postseason home game since the 2015 World Series.

“It’s basically like a brand-new series when we get to the K,” Ragans said, referring to Kauffman Stadium.

Yankees slugger&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mlb-playoffs-yankees-royals-judge-rodon-db7f25b5abe73eba553ee18d1974b14f">Aaron Judge went 1 for 3 with an infield single and is 1 for 7 with four strikeouts</a>&nbsp;in the series. Kansas City star Bobby Witt Jr., expected to finish second to Judge in AL MVP voting, was 0 for 5 with three strikeouts, dropping to 0 for 10 in the series.

All four Division Series opened 1-1 for the first time since the round started in 1995.

Giancarlo Stanton put the Yankees ahead with an RBI single in the third, but New York went 1 for 6 with runners in scoring position and is 3 for 19 in the two games.

“They were making their pitches when they needed to,” Judge said. “We've got to come through in those situations to kind of break it open.”

Ragans allowed just the one run and three hits, striking out five and walking four. Winning pitcher Angel Zerpa and John Schreiber each followed with a hitless inning before Kris Bubic threw two scoreless innings. Lucas Erceg worked the ninth for his third save this postseason.

Erceg gave up a leadoff homer to Jazz Chisholm Jr. and a two-out single to Jon Berti but retired Gleyber Torres on a grounder to end it with slugger Juan Soto on deck. Chisholm's homer was the first off Erceg since June 12, when he was still pitching for Oakland.

Perez, at 34 the only remaining Royals player from their 2015 championship team, tied the score when he drove a 2-0 slider into the left-field seats. The nine-time All-Star entered 12 for 26 (.462) with three homers off Rodón, an old AL Central rival when he pitched for the Chicago White Sox.

“He falls behind him, and from there started making some mistakes with his secondary (pitches) just in the heart of the plate," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said.

Yuli Gurriel singled, advanced on a wild pitch and scored on Pham’s one-out single for a 2-1 lead, prompting cheers from NFL fans at the Kansas City Chiefs' home game against New Orleans at Arrowhead Stadium. Pham stole second and scored on a two-out single by Hampson.

Garcia greeted Ian Hamilton with an RBI single that put the Royals ahead 4-1.

Rodón, lined up to pitch a potential Game 5, gave up four runs and seven hits in 3 2/3 innings with seven strikeouts and no walks. Twenty-four of the 32 home runs he has allowed this season have been solo shots.

“Obviously, I want to be better than that — especially how the first three innings went,” Rodón said. “I wouldn’t say I tired out. Just got to be better with those pitches, just more fine with them and get to better spots.”

Yankees: LHP Nestor Cortes (left flexor strain) took a step forward when he played catch Sunday, Boone said.

Yankees RHP Clarke Schmidt (5-5, 2.85 ERA) makes his first postseason start Wednesday. He was 0-2 with an 11.75 ERA in three relief appearances during the 2022 playoffs.

Seth Lugo (16-9, 3.00) is scheduled to start for the Royals. He struck out 10 over seven innings of three-hit ball in a 5-0 win at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 10.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728355383355.png" alt="Photo Kansas City Royals" />
 <figcaption>Photo Kansas City Royals</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Salvador Perez homered leading off the fourth inning to spark a four-run rally against Carlos Rodón, and the Kansas City Royals beat the New York Yankees 4-2 on Monday night to even their AL Division Series at one game apiece.Four relievers held New York in check after an inconsistent&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mlb-playoffs-ragans-royals-yankees-central-park-42adddaee4675c8a204b14873548dd2a">Cole Ragans lasted four innings.</a>&nbsp;Tommy Pham, Garrett Hampson and Maikel Garcia singled in runs for the Royals.Garcia, moved up from ninth to first in Kansas City's batting order, had four hits.Game 3 in the best-of-five playoff is Wednesday night at Kansas City, the Royals’ first postseason home game since the 2015 World Series.“It’s basically like a brand-new series when we get to the K,” Ragans said, referring to Kauffman Stadium.Yankees slugger&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mlb-playoffs-yankees-royals-judge-rodon-db7f25b5abe73eba553ee18d1974b14f">Aaron Judge went 1 for 3 with an infield single and is 1 for 7 with four strikeouts</a>&nbsp;in the series. Kansas City star Bobby Witt Jr., expected to finish second to Judge in AL MVP voting, was 0 for 5 with three strikeouts, dropping to 0 for 10 in the series.All four Division Series opened 1-1 for the first time since the round started in 1995.Giancarlo Stanton put the Yankees ahead with an RBI single in the third, but New York went 1 for 6 with runners in scoring position and is 3 for 19 in the two games.“They were making their pitches when they needed to,” Judge said. “We've got to come through in those situations to kind of break it open.”Ragans allowed just the one run and three hits, striking out five and walking four. Winning pitcher Angel Zerpa and John Schreiber each followed with a hitless inning before Kris Bubic threw two scoreless innings. Lucas Erceg worked the ninth for his third save this postseason.Erceg gave up a leadoff homer to Jazz Chisholm Jr. and a two-out single to Jon Berti but retired Gleyber Torres on a grounder to end it with slugger Juan Soto on deck. Chisholm's homer was the first off Erceg since June 12, when he was still pitching for Oakland.Perez, at 34 the only remaining Royals player from their 2015 championship team, tied the score when he drove a 2-0 slider into the left-field seats. The nine-time All-Star entered 12 for 26 (.462) with three homers off Rodón, an old AL Central rival when he pitched for the Chicago White Sox.“He falls behind him, and from there started making some mistakes with his secondary (pitches) just in the heart of the plate," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said.Yuli Gurriel singled, advanced on a wild pitch and scored on Pham’s one-out single for a 2-1 lead, prompting cheers from NFL fans at the Kansas City Chiefs' home game against New Orleans at Arrowhead Stadium. Pham stole second and scored on a two-out single by Hampson.Garcia greeted Ian Hamilton with an RBI single that put the Royals ahead 4-1.Rodón, lined up to pitch a potential Game 5, gave up four runs and seven hits in 3 2/3 innings with seven strikeouts and no walks. Twenty-four of the 32 home runs he has allowed this season have been solo shots.“Obviously, I want to be better than that — especially how the first three innings went,” Rodón said. “I wouldn’t say I tired out. Just got to be better with those pitches, just more fine with them and get to better spots.”TRAINER’S ROOMYankees: LHP Nestor Cortes (left flexor strain) took a step forward when he played catch Sunday, Boone said.UP NEXTYankees RHP Clarke Schmidt (5-5, 2.85 ERA) makes his first postseason start Wednesday. He was 0-2 with an 11.75 ERA in three relief appearances during the 2022 playoffs.Seth Lugo (16-9, 3.00) is scheduled to start for the Royals. He struck out 10 over seven innings of three-hit ball in a 5-0 win at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 10.

⚾ Perez's homer lifts Royals over Yankees in Game 2 to tie ALDS

Hello and happy Monday, everybody, it’s Tyler Henry, back with another KINA Sports Update presented by Salina Regional Orthopedic and Sports Medicine…

Over the weekend, Alex Verdugo hit a tiebreaking single in the seventh inning and saved at least one run with a sliding catch along the left-field line, boosting the New York Yankees over the Kansas City Royals 6-5 in their AL Division Series opener.

This was the first postseason game to see five separate lead changes, and may very well have come down to the Royals tying their season-high in walks with eight for the game, including a pair of walked in runs in the fifth inning.

The Royals return to the Bronx tonight at 6:38 pm for game two of the series

It was also a busy weekend for our college footballl teams, and in McPherson, the Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes battled, but couldn’t find their footing offensively in a 42-13 rout.

The Yotes will take the conference-wide bye week to rest up and get healthy, and despite being 2-4, still find themselves in the hunt for the Bissell division’s playoff autobid with a fresh start in two weeks.

As a reminder with no game on Saturday there will also be no coaches show this Wednesday.

While Kansas State was on bye, KU was in action this week, and fell to a new foe, but an old nemesis as Arizona State took them down 35-31 in the desert

And finally, this evening, the Kansas City Chiefs will look to join the Vikings as the only undefeated teams in the NFL when they host the 2-2 New Orleans Saints at 7:15

That’s your sports update for today, but for even more great area sports content like this, check out Salina Post and stay tuned to KINA.

<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/39ZWpsAthQA"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BY SALINA POST(Transcript)Hello and happy Monday, everybody, it’s Tyler Henry, back with another KINA Sports Update presented by Salina Regional Orthopedic and Sports Medicine…_________Over the weekend, Alex Verdugo hit a tiebreaking single in the seventh inning and saved at least one run with a sliding catch along the left-field line, boosting the New York Yankees over the Kansas City Royals 6-5 in their AL Division Series opener.This was the first postseason game to see five separate lead changes, and may very well have come down to the Royals tying their season-high in walks with eight for the game, including a pair of walked in runs in the fifth inning.The Royals return to the Bronx tonight at 6:38 pm for game two of the series_________It was also a busy weekend for our college footballl teams, and in McPherson, the Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes battled, but couldn’t find their footing offensively in a 42-13 rout.The Yotes will take the conference-wide bye week to rest up and get healthy, and despite being 2-4, still find themselves in the hunt for the Bissell division’s playoff autobid with a fresh start in two weeks.As a reminder with no game on Saturday there will also be no coaches show this Wednesday.While Kansas State was on bye, KU was in action this week, and fell to a new foe, but an old nemesis as Arizona State took them down 35-31 in the desert_________And finally, this evening, the Kansas City Chiefs will look to join the Vikings as the only undefeated teams in the NFL when they host the 2-2 New Orleans Saints at 7:15_________That’s your sports update for today, but for even more great area sports content like this, check out Salina Post and stay tuned to KINA.

910 KINA Sports Headlines — October 7

LEAVENWORTH - Kansas Wesleyan scored three goals and then held off a run by the Saint Mary Spires as KWU came away with a 3-2 win on Saturday at Berkel Stadium.

Wesleyan's first goal came in the 11th minute as <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/427f1741-8a7e-44a0-bb91-6a8d8a7aa279?elinkdata=13209">Cayden Andersen</a> scored on a loose ball in the box to put the Coyotes up 1-0.

KWU added a second just moments before half time, as <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/e1457a24-b54d-449d-8069-766452dd9aeb?elinkdata=13209">Gerardo Garcia</a> headed one home off a corner kick set piece by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/3811c562-2e2d-4c24-8131-cf99e4b7cfbd?elinkdata=13209">Daniel Micheletti</a> to make it 2-0 in the 43rd minute.

<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/0d51a9ab-09de-493a-a729-208a434dc976?elinkdata=13209">Seth Flores</a> added a 60th minute goal for the Coyotes to put KWU up 3-0.

Saint Mary tried to make a comeback, scoring in the 63rd and 66th minutes, but could not find another goal.

KWU outshot Saint Mary 16-7 in the match, led by four by Garcia and three by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/2730220f-cbb7-498a-bcf7-cdf6c3f536f0?elinkdata=13209">Noel Zimbeva</a>.

LEAVENWORTH - Kansas Wesleyan scored three goals and then held off a run by the Saint Mary Spires as KWU came away with a 3-2 win on Saturday at Berkel Stadium.Wesleyan's first goal came in the 11th minute as <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/427f1741-8a7e-44a0-bb91-6a8d8a7aa279?elinkdata=13209">Cayden Andersen</a> scored on a loose ball in the box to put the Coyotes up 1-0.KWU added a second just moments before half time, as <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/e1457a24-b54d-449d-8069-766452dd9aeb?elinkdata=13209">Gerardo Garcia</a> headed one home off a corner kick set piece by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/3811c562-2e2d-4c24-8131-cf99e4b7cfbd?elinkdata=13209">Daniel Micheletti</a> to make it 2-0 in the 43rd minute.KWU carried the 2-0 lead into the half.<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/0d51a9ab-09de-493a-a729-208a434dc976?elinkdata=13209">Seth Flores</a> added a 60th minute goal for the Coyotes to put KWU up 3-0.Saint Mary tried to make a comeback, scoring in the 63rd and 66th minutes, but could not find another goal.KWU outshot Saint Mary 16-7 in the match, led by four by Garcia and three by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/2730220f-cbb7-498a-bcf7-cdf6c3f536f0?elinkdata=13209">Noel Zimbeva</a>.

KWU Men's Soccer topples Spires in 3-2 victory

LEAVENWORTH - <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/5a37d774-21e7-4823-a5af-4d554f79ea10?elinkdata=13186">Precious Nwosu's</a> 83rd minute goal was the difference as the Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes defeated the University of Saint Mary Spires on Saturday at Berkel Stadium.

The victory keeps the Coyotes unbeaten in the KCAC at 6-0 and improved KWU's record to 6-4-1 overall.

Nwosu's goal came as the ball was sent into the box by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/8535c4b8-ba92-41f5-9866-cb22c1f420a4?elinkdata=13186">Leslie Serrato</a> into a mess of players for both teams. Nwosu was able to gain control, spin to her right and fire upper-near-90 for the goal.

KWU had plenty of scoring chances in the match, including early tries by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/ec33d4cb-0ba5-4fc9-9043-704e49893c44?elinkdata=13186">Grace Conner</a> and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/87b4863f-f0b5-409c-938f-aeb00a6a562e?elinkdata=13186">Emma Gervy</a>.

KWU dominated the shots 27-11 in the match led by six from Nwosu. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/e30373bf-287c-49a2-8995-cbfed8d3d306?elinkdata=13186">Isabella Galvan</a> had another clean sheet in goal with three saves.

LEAVENWORTH - <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/5a37d774-21e7-4823-a5af-4d554f79ea10?elinkdata=13186">Precious Nwosu's</a> 83rd minute goal was the difference as the Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes defeated the University of Saint Mary Spires on Saturday at Berkel Stadium.The victory keeps the Coyotes unbeaten in the KCAC at 6-0 and improved KWU's record to 6-4-1 overall.Nwosu's goal came as the ball was sent into the box by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/8535c4b8-ba92-41f5-9866-cb22c1f420a4?elinkdata=13186">Leslie Serrato</a> into a mess of players for both teams. Nwosu was able to gain control, spin to her right and fire upper-near-90 for the goal.KWU had plenty of scoring chances in the match, including early tries by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/ec33d4cb-0ba5-4fc9-9043-704e49893c44?elinkdata=13186">Grace Conner</a> and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/87b4863f-f0b5-409c-938f-aeb00a6a562e?elinkdata=13186">Emma Gervy</a>.KWU dominated the shots 27-11 in the match led by six from Nwosu. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/e30373bf-287c-49a2-8995-cbfed8d3d306?elinkdata=13186">Isabella Galvan</a> had another clean sheet in goal with three saves.

Nwosu's late goal pushes Coyotes past Saint Mary, keeps KWU unbeaten in KCAC

McPHERSON - Kansas Wesleyan Football dropped its final non-division contest of the season on Saturday as the Coyotes fell to McPherson College 42-13 at McPherson Stadium.

The loss drops the Coyotes to 2-4 on the season heading into the conference-wide bye week next week that couldn't come at a better time for the injury-laden Coyotes.

A pair of KWU turnovers led to 14 McPherson points, as <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/d95ed8e0-bca7-4e95-a7aa-750757573320?elinkdata=13163">Luke Armstrong's</a> fumble on the second play of the third quarter led to a short field and touchdown for the Bulldogs and a strip sack in the fourth would lead to Bulldog points on the next play.

Things started out well for the Coyotes on their first drive after forcing McPherson into a 3-and-out to open the game. The Coyotes then turned around and covered 46 yards on six plays capped by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/5bbcd4f6-32e9-4993-add4-bdcd8e493234?elinkdata=13163">Zarek Fewell's</a> 29-yard run with 10:48 to go and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/21107779-61ce-4690-bcb9-f624bff93da7?elinkdata=13163">Talon Cope's</a> kick made it 7-0.

McPherson answered right back, driving 52 yards on seven plays after a long return gave the Bulldogs good field position to start the drive. Jalil Brown scored from nine yards out with 8:06 left in the quarter to tie things up at 7-all.

Wesleyan drove to the McPherson 6 on its next drive but stalled there settling for a 23-yard Cope field goal with 4:16 left in the first.

McPherson took the lead in the second, scoring twice, the first on a 6-yard pass from Tristan Szabo to Dillion Coleman with 9:52 in the quarter and the second on a 42-yard run by Szabo with 5:11 left.

The Bulldogs extended the lead in the third, scoring two plays after Armstrong's fumble on the second play of the second half to extend the lead to 28-10.

Wesleyan drove to the McPherson 12 on the next drive, but again stalled there settling for a 29-yard Cope field goal with 8:24 left in the third making it 28-13.

The Bulldogs added another score in the quarter, and capped things with a fourth quarter touchdown after a KWU fumble.

KWU had 253 yards of total offense in the game, 151 passing as <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/b0ebd4af-62d7-4cd4-b665-e11cf71dcf5f?elinkdata=13163">Richard Lara</a> was 17 of 30. Fewell led the Coyotes with 70 yards on nine carries. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/45cc06cf-5267-4751-895e-305f14fc17bd?elinkdata=13163">Earl Gray</a> had four catches for 62 yards.

Szabo was 12 of 22 for McPherson for 95 yards, and threw three touchdowns. Brown had 19 carries for 142 yards and a pair of scores. Brown also added three receptions for 34 yards, while Coleman had three for 24 yards and two touchdowns.

<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/d547304a-5030-4dc1-a1c7-a96c752f534d?elinkdata=13163">Myles Elam</a> had another huge day on defense with 18 tackles, while <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/db952020-8d75-4f5f-be59-6b5ad82fb790?elinkdata=13163">Daren Hawkins</a> added 11.

McPHERSON - Kansas Wesleyan Football dropped its final non-division contest of the season on Saturday as the Coyotes fell to McPherson College 42-13 at McPherson Stadium.The loss drops the Coyotes to 2-4 on the season heading into the conference-wide bye week next week that couldn't come at a better time for the injury-laden Coyotes.A pair of KWU turnovers led to 14 McPherson points, as <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/d95ed8e0-bca7-4e95-a7aa-750757573320?elinkdata=13163">Luke Armstrong's</a> fumble on the second play of the third quarter led to a short field and touchdown for the Bulldogs and a strip sack in the fourth would lead to Bulldog points on the next play.Things started out well for the Coyotes on their first drive after forcing McPherson into a 3-and-out to open the game. The Coyotes then turned around and covered 46 yards on six plays capped by <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/5bbcd4f6-32e9-4993-add4-bdcd8e493234?elinkdata=13163">Zarek Fewell's</a> 29-yard run with 10:48 to go and <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/21107779-61ce-4690-bcb9-f624bff93da7?elinkdata=13163">Talon Cope's</a> kick made it 7-0.McPherson answered right back, driving 52 yards on seven plays after a long return gave the Bulldogs good field position to start the drive. Jalil Brown scored from nine yards out with 8:06 left in the quarter to tie things up at 7-all.Wesleyan drove to the McPherson 6 on its next drive but stalled there settling for a 23-yard Cope field goal with 4:16 left in the first.The Coyotes led 10-7 after a quarter.McPherson took the lead in the second, scoring twice, the first on a 6-yard pass from Tristan Szabo to Dillion Coleman with 9:52 in the quarter and the second on a 42-yard run by Szabo with 5:11 left.The Bulldogs extended the lead in the third, scoring two plays after Armstrong's fumble on the second play of the second half to extend the lead to 28-10.Wesleyan drove to the McPherson 12 on the next drive, but again stalled there settling for a 29-yard Cope field goal with 8:24 left in the third making it 28-13.The Bulldogs added another score in the quarter, and capped things with a fourth quarter touchdown after a KWU fumble.KWU had 253 yards of total offense in the game, 151 passing as <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/b0ebd4af-62d7-4cd4-b665-e11cf71dcf5f?elinkdata=13163">Richard Lara</a> was 17 of 30. Fewell led the Coyotes with 70 yards on nine carries. <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/45cc06cf-5267-4751-895e-305f14fc17bd?elinkdata=13163">Earl Gray</a> had four catches for 62 yards.Szabo was 12 of 22 for McPherson for 95 yards, and threw three touchdowns. Brown had 19 carries for 142 yards and a pair of scores. Brown also added three receptions for 34 yards, while Coleman had three for 24 yards and two touchdowns.<a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/d547304a-5030-4dc1-a1c7-a96c752f534d?elinkdata=13163">Myles Elam</a> had another huge day on defense with 18 tackles, while <a href="http://kwucoyotes.com/services/go.ashx/db952020-8d75-4f5f-be59-6b5ad82fb790?elinkdata=13163">Daren Hawkins</a> added 11.

🏈 KWU falls to McPherson 42-13 to wrap up cross-division slate

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Sam Leavitt threw four touchdowns passes, including&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/ASUFootball/status/1842776268573446194">a 3-yard strike to Jordyn Tyson with 16 seconds left</a>, and Arizona State rallied for a thrilling 35-31 victory over Kansas on Saturday night.

The Sun Devils (4-1, 1-1 Big 12) outlasted the Jayhawks in a back-and-forth game that featured six lead changes in the second half. Cam Skattebo ran for a team-high 186 yards, including a crucial 39-yard dash on the game-winning drive.

“Good job by our guys just executing,” Sun Devils coach Kenny Dillingham said. “That was it. We just played the next play. We didn't get rattled. We just responded.”

Leavitt completed 14 of 24 passes for 157 yards. His consistent play helped the Sun Devils bounce back from their first loss of the season, a 30-22 setback to Texas Tech on Sept. 21.

“It was just back to what we do,” Leavitt said. “The last game we played wasn't our brand of football, so we got back to that.”

Kansas (1-5, 0-3) has lost five straight, including four by a touchdown or less. Jalon Daniels threw for a season-high 260 yards and two touchdowns. Devin Neal ran for 71 yards and a touchdown.

The teams battled each other along with some record-setting heat in front of a sellout crowd of 54,639 on Saturday. The temperature at kickoff was 107 degrees, which set the mark for the hottest October game in Tempe dating back to 2000.

The Jayhawks didn't seem fazed by the heat, pushing ahead 31-28 with 2:04 left when Daniels hit Quentin Skinner for his second touchdown catch of the night, this one on a diving completion that went for 34 yards.

But the Jayhawks couldn't close it out, allowing the Sun Devils to drive eight plays for 75 yards in less than two minutes.

“At the end of the day, our job is to stop the offense,” Kansas defensive end Dean Miller said. “Unfortunately, we came up short. We've got to do better as a team and as a unit.”

Leavitt capped the decisive drive by floating the 3-yard touchdown pass to Tyson, who had slipped past a defender. It was Tyson's second touchdown catch of the night and a proud moment for the sophomore, who missed all of last season with a knee injury.

Kansas took a 24-17 lead with 10:49 left in the game when Neal made a nifty cut before running untouched for the 31-yard touchdown.

The Sun Devils went up 21-17 early in the fourth quarter on a direct snap to Skattebo, who ran for the 1-yard touchdown. Leavitt converted on a crucial third-and-18 during the drive, rifling a precise pass over the middle to Tyson.

Arizona State tied the game at 14-all just before halftime when Leavitt threw a short pass Chamon Metayer, who ran 20 yards for the end zone. Kansas was hurt by two penalties over a three-play stretch on cornerback Cobee Bryant, who was flagged for holding and pass interference.

Arizona State's Keyshaun Elliott and Clayton Smith were ejected in the second half for targeting. The two — who are among the Sun Devils' best defensive players — must also miss the first half of Friday's game against No. 18 Utah.

Kansas: It's another brutal loss for the Jayhawks, who had high expectations entering the season but have just one win midway through the schedule. Kansas was ranked No. 19 in the nation after their season-opening win just five weeks ago.

Arizona State: It's another galvanizing win for the Sun Devils, who are much improved under coach Kenny Dillingham in Year 2. They'll have their biggest test of the year on Friday against No. 18 Utah.

Arizona State: Host No. 18 Utah on Friday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728200068762.jpeg" alt="Kansas wide receiver Quentin Skinner (0) had six catches for 130 yards and a touchdown in a 35-31 loss against Arizona State -photo courtesy KU Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Kansas wide receiver Quentin Skinner (0) had six catches for 130 yards and a touchdown in a 35-31 loss against Arizona State -photo courtesy KU Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Sam Leavitt threw four touchdowns passes, including&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/ASUFootball/status/1842776268573446194">a 3-yard strike to Jordyn Tyson with 16 seconds left</a>, and Arizona State rallied for a thrilling 35-31 victory over Kansas on Saturday night.The Sun Devils (4-1, 1-1 Big 12) outlasted the Jayhawks in a back-and-forth game that featured six lead changes in the second half. Cam Skattebo ran for a team-high 186 yards, including a crucial 39-yard dash on the game-winning drive.“Good job by our guys just executing,” Sun Devils coach Kenny Dillingham said. “That was it. We just played the next play. We didn't get rattled. We just responded.”Leavitt completed 14 of 24 passes for 157 yards. His consistent play helped the Sun Devils bounce back from their first loss of the season, a 30-22 setback to Texas Tech on Sept. 21.“It was just back to what we do,” Leavitt said. “The last game we played wasn't our brand of football, so we got back to that.”Kansas (1-5, 0-3) has lost five straight, including four by a touchdown or less. Jalon Daniels threw for a season-high 260 yards and two touchdowns. Devin Neal ran for 71 yards and a touchdown.The teams battled each other along with some record-setting heat in front of a sellout crowd of 54,639 on Saturday. The temperature at kickoff was 107 degrees, which set the mark for the hottest October game in Tempe dating back to 2000.The Jayhawks didn't seem fazed by the heat, pushing ahead 31-28 with 2:04 left when Daniels hit Quentin Skinner for his second touchdown catch of the night, this one on a diving completion that went for 34 yards.But the Jayhawks couldn't close it out, allowing the Sun Devils to drive eight plays for 75 yards in less than two minutes.“At the end of the day, our job is to stop the offense,” Kansas defensive end Dean Miller said. “Unfortunately, we came up short. We've got to do better as a team and as a unit.”Leavitt capped the decisive drive by floating the 3-yard touchdown pass to Tyson, who had slipped past a defender. It was Tyson's second touchdown catch of the night and a proud moment for the sophomore, who missed all of last season with a knee injury.“It means everything,” Tyson said.Kansas took a 24-17 lead with 10:49 left in the game when Neal made a nifty cut before running untouched for the 31-yard touchdown.The Sun Devils went up 21-17 early in the fourth quarter on a direct snap to Skattebo, who ran for the 1-yard touchdown. Leavitt converted on a crucial third-and-18 during the drive, rifling a precise pass over the middle to Tyson.Arizona State tied the game at 14-all just before halftime when Leavitt threw a short pass Chamon Metayer, who ran 20 yards for the end zone. Kansas was hurt by two penalties over a three-play stretch on cornerback Cobee Bryant, who was flagged for holding and pass interference.Arizona State's Keyshaun Elliott and Clayton Smith were ejected in the second half for targeting. The two — who are among the Sun Devils' best defensive players — must also miss the first half of Friday's game against No. 18 Utah.<h2>The takeaway</h2>Kansas: It's another brutal loss for the Jayhawks, who had high expectations entering the season but have just one win midway through the schedule. Kansas was ranked No. 19 in the nation after their season-opening win just five weeks ago.Arizona State: It's another galvanizing win for the Sun Devils, who are much improved under coach Kenny Dillingham in Year 2. They'll have their biggest test of the year on Friday against No. 18 Utah.<h2>Up next</h2>Kansas: Home vs. Houston on Oct. 19.Arizona State: Host No. 18 Utah on Friday.___

🏈 Leavitt throws 4 TDs to lift Arizona State past Kansas

NEW YORK (AP) — Alex Verdugo hit a tiebreaking single in the seventh inning and saved at least one run with a sliding catch along the left-field line, boosting the New York Yankees over the Kansas City Royals 6-5 on Saturday night in their AL Division Series opener.

New York’s Gleyber Torres and Kansas City’s MJ Melendez hit two-run homers in a back-and-forth game in which the Royals wasted leads of 1-0, 3-2 and 5-4 and the Yankees failed to hold 2-1 and 4-3 margins. It was the first postseason game with five lead changes, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Kansas City pitchers tied their season high with eight walks, forcing in a pair of runs in the fifth inning. The Yankees were just 1 for 11 with runners in scoring position before Verdugo lined a single off loser Michael Lorenzen.

Verdugo’s hit scored Jazz Chisholm Jr., who singled leading off and stole second on a play allowed to stand following a video review. Yankees manager Aaron Boone started Verdugo in left over rookie Jasson Domínguez in a defense-influenced decision. Verdugo entered the game in a 2-for-34 skid at the plate

With the Yankees trailing 3-2, Verdugo made a sliding catch on Michael Massey’s fourth-inning fly just inside the line to strand two runners. The ball hit Verdugo’s right wrist just below his glove and bounced off his chest before he grabbed it with his bare left hand.

Chisholm, playing third base this year for the first time after the Yankees acquired him from Miami at the July trade deadline, made three fine defensive plays, two with the help of first baseman Oswaldo Cabrera, starting because of Anthony Rizzo’s fractured fingers.

Four Yankees relievers combined to allow only an unearned run over four innings after ace Gerrit Cole came out, unhappy with his performance. Clay Holmes, dropped from his closer’s job last month, worked 1 2/3 innings for the win. Luke Weaver got four straight outs for the save in his postseason debut.

Yankees star Aaron Judge went 0 for 4 with three strikeouts, and Royals standout Bobby Witt Jr. was 0 for 5, barking at plate umpire Adam Hamari after a called third strike in the ninth.

Juan Soto went 3 for 5 and threw out Salvador Perez in the second inning trying to score from second on Melendez’s single to right. Kansas City first baseman Yuli Gurriel threw out runners at the plate on grounders in the first and fifth.

After a day off between Games 1 and 2, the series between the AL-best Yankees and wild-card Royals resumes Monday night. These teams met in four playoffs from 1976-80, with the Yankees winning the first three and getting swept in the last.

Cole allowed four runs — three earned — and seven hits in five-plus innings. Royals starter Michael Wacha gave up three runs, four hits and three walks in four-plus innings.

Tommy Pham hit a second-inning sacrifice fly, and Torres put the Yankees ahead 2-1 in the third with a 339-foot home run just over the right-field short porch.

Melendez’s two-run homer in the fourth gave Kansas City a 3-2 lead, but Royals pitchers issued four seven-pitch walks in the fifth, forcing in runs with walks by Angel Zerpa to Austin Wells and by John Schreiber to Anthony Volpe. The Yankees had not gotten a pair of bases-loaded walks in a postseason game since Bullet Joe Bush and Joe Dugan against the New York Giants’ Rosy Ryan in Game 6 of the 1923 World Series.

Volpe's throwing error at shortstop set up pinch-hitter Garrett Hampson's two-run, sixth-inning single through a drawn-in infield that put the Royals ahead 5-4. Wells’ two-out RBI single off Lorenzen tied the score in the bottom half.

New York's Carlos Rodón (16-9, 3.96 ERA) starts against the Royals' Cole Ragans (11-9, 3.14) in a matchup of left-handers. Rodón made a pair of postseason appearances for the Chicago White Sox, in relief against Oakland in 2020 and a start against Houston in 2021 which he pitched 2 2/3 innings, allowing Carlos Correa's go-ahead, two-run double. Ragans won the Wild Card Series opener at Baltimore on Tuesday with six scoreless innings of four-hit ball.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728181357575.jpeg" alt="New York Yankees' Alex Verdugo reacts after driving in a run on a double against the Kansas City Royals during the seventh inning of Game 1 of the American League baseball division series, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)" />
 <figcaption>New York Yankees' Alex Verdugo reacts after driving in a run on a double against the Kansas City Royals during the seventh inning of Game 1 of the American League baseball division series, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Alex Verdugo hit a tiebreaking single in the seventh inning and saved at least one run with a sliding catch along the left-field line, boosting the New York Yankees over the Kansas City Royals 6-5 on Saturday night in their AL Division Series opener.New York’s Gleyber Torres and Kansas City’s MJ Melendez hit two-run homers in a back-and-forth game in which the Royals wasted leads of 1-0, 3-2 and 5-4 and the Yankees failed to hold 2-1 and 4-3 margins. It was the first postseason game with five lead changes, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.Kansas City pitchers tied their season high with eight walks, forcing in a pair of runs in the fifth inning. The Yankees were just 1 for 11 with runners in scoring position before Verdugo lined a single off loser Michael Lorenzen.Verdugo’s hit scored Jazz Chisholm Jr., who singled leading off and stole second on a play allowed to stand following a video review. Yankees manager Aaron Boone started Verdugo in left over rookie Jasson Domínguez in a defense-influenced decision. Verdugo entered the game in a 2-for-34 skid at the plateWith the Yankees trailing 3-2, Verdugo made a sliding catch on Michael Massey’s fourth-inning fly just inside the line to strand two runners. The ball hit Verdugo’s right wrist just below his glove and bounced off his chest before he grabbed it with his bare left hand.Chisholm, playing third base this year for the first time after the Yankees acquired him from Miami at the July trade deadline, made three fine defensive plays, two with the help of first baseman Oswaldo Cabrera, starting because of Anthony Rizzo’s fractured fingers.Four Yankees relievers combined to allow only an unearned run over four innings after ace Gerrit Cole came out, unhappy with his performance. Clay Holmes, dropped from his closer’s job last month, worked 1 2/3 innings for the win. Luke Weaver got four straight outs for the save in his postseason debut.Yankees star Aaron Judge went 0 for 4 with three strikeouts, and Royals standout Bobby Witt Jr. was 0 for 5, barking at plate umpire Adam Hamari after a called third strike in the ninth.Juan Soto went 3 for 5 and threw out Salvador Perez in the second inning trying to score from second on Melendez’s single to right. Kansas City first baseman Yuli Gurriel threw out runners at the plate on grounders in the first and fifth.After a day off between Games 1 and 2, the series between the AL-best Yankees and wild-card Royals resumes Monday night. These teams met in four playoffs from 1976-80, with the Yankees winning the first three and getting swept in the last.Cole allowed four runs — three earned — and seven hits in five-plus innings. Royals starter Michael Wacha gave up three runs, four hits and three walks in four-plus innings.Tommy Pham hit a second-inning sacrifice fly, and Torres put the Yankees ahead 2-1 in the third with a 339-foot home run just over the right-field short porch.Melendez’s two-run homer in the fourth gave Kansas City a 3-2 lead, but Royals pitchers issued four seven-pitch walks in the fifth, forcing in runs with walks by Angel Zerpa to Austin Wells and by John Schreiber to Anthony Volpe. The Yankees had not gotten a pair of bases-loaded walks in a postseason game since Bullet Joe Bush and Joe Dugan against the New York Giants’ Rosy Ryan in Game 6 of the 1923 World Series.Volpe's throwing error at shortstop set up pinch-hitter Garrett Hampson's two-run, sixth-inning single through a drawn-in infield that put the Royals ahead 5-4. Wells’ two-out RBI single off Lorenzen tied the score in the bottom half.UP NEXTNew York's Carlos Rodón (16-9, 3.96 ERA) starts against the Royals' Cole Ragans (11-9, 3.14) in a matchup of left-handers. Rodón made a pair of postseason appearances for the Chicago White Sox, in relief against Oakland in 2020 and a start against Houston in 2021 which he pitched 2 2/3 innings, allowing Carlos Correa's go-ahead, two-run double. Ragans won the Wild Card Series opener at Baltimore on Tuesday with six scoreless innings of four-hit ball.

⚾ Verdugo's go-ahead single lifts Yankees over Royals in ALDS opener

OPENING STATEMENT:&nbsp;“Really everybody went today. Mecole (Hardman) we have listed as questionable but he practiced (the) whole practice. Clyde (Edwards-Helaire) will be listed as doubtful but he had a good week of practice, good to get him back into the swing of things and I believe that’s – Mecole practiced today, I mentioned that – questionable. Mike Danna did practice today so – he did good. Look forward to the opportunity of playing the Saints, good football team and well coached. Our guys have had a good week of practice and look forward to bringing them in here to GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Should be a heck of an atmosphere and great game. With that, time’s yours.”

Q: You’re down a wide receiver, what will your practice squad moves be?

HEAD COACH ANDY REIDOPENING STATEMENT:&nbsp;“Really everybody went today. Mecole (Hardman) we have listed as questionable but he practiced (the) whole practice. Clyde (Edwards-Helaire) will be listed as doubtful but he had a good week of practice, good to get him back into the swing of things and I believe that’s – Mecole practiced today, I mentioned that – questionable. Mike Danna did practice today so – he did good. Look forward to the opportunity of playing the Saints, good football team and well coached. Our guys have had a good week of practice and look forward to bringing them in here to GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Should be a heck of an atmosphere and great game. With that, time’s yours.”Q: You’re down a wide receiver, what will your practice squad moves be?

Chiefs Quotes: 10-5-24

NEW YORK, N.Y.—The Kansas City Royals today announced their roster for the Division Series. The roster remains unchanged from the Wild Card Series.

The Royals will carry 11 pitchers into tonight’s series opener in New York, led by starting pitchers Cole Ragans, Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha. The bullpen will consist of left-handed pitchers Kris Bubic, Sam Long, Daniel Lynch IV and Angel Zerpa, and right handers Lucas Erceg, Michael Lorenzen, John Schreiber and Brady Singer.

Kansas City will have 15 position players on the active roster, led by Captain Salvador Perez, All-Star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. and first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino. Dairon Blanco, Kyle Isbel, MJ Melendez, Tommy Pham and Hunter Renfroe will man the outfield, and they will carry infielders Paul DeJong, Maikel Garcia, Yuli Gurriel, Adam Frazier, Garrett Hampson and Michael Massey, as well as catcher Freddy Fermin.

Gurriel, 40, brings the most postseason experience, having played in 88 postseason games with Houston from 2017-23 and Kansas City this year, while Perez enters the Division Series 10 games shy of George Brett’s franchise record for postseason games (43).

NEW YORK, N.Y.—The Kansas City Royals today announced their roster for the Division Series. The roster remains unchanged from the Wild Card Series.The Royals will carry 11 pitchers into tonight’s series opener in New York, led by starting pitchers Cole Ragans, Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha. The bullpen will consist of left-handed pitchers Kris Bubic, Sam Long, Daniel Lynch IV and Angel Zerpa, and right handers Lucas Erceg, Michael Lorenzen, John Schreiber and Brady Singer.Kansas City will have 15 position players on the active roster, led by Captain Salvador Perez, All-Star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. and first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino. Dairon Blanco, Kyle Isbel, MJ Melendez, Tommy Pham and Hunter Renfroe will man the outfield, and they will carry infielders Paul DeJong, Maikel Garcia, Yuli Gurriel, Adam Frazier, Garrett Hampson and Michael Massey, as well as catcher Freddy Fermin.Gurriel, 40, brings the most postseason experience, having played in 88 postseason games with Houston from 2017-23 and Kansas City this year, while Perez enters the Division Series 10 games shy of George Brett’s franchise record for postseason games (43).

Royals Announce 2024 American League Divisional Series Roster

By ADAM COULTER Salina Post Contributor

The Sacred Heart Knights played their third consecutive game away from Salina on Friday night and faced an undefeated Sedgwick Cardinals team on its homecoming night.

By ADAM COULTER Salina Post ContributorThe Sacred Heart Knights played their third consecutive game away from Salina on Friday night and faced an undefeated Sedgwick Cardinals team on its homecoming night.The Knights were shutout for the majority of the game until a late touchdown made the final score 39-7 in favor of the Cardinals. Sedgwick is now 5-0 while Sacred Heart falls to 0-4.<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>Sedgwick led 13-0 after the opening quarter, 27-0 at halftime, and 39-0 after three quarters. Sacred Heart avoided being shutout by scoring with about 3:00 left in the game.Despite the loss, the Knights have plenty to play for in the final three games of the regular season. Sacred Heart returns home to host Bennington on Friday, then travels to Herington for a Week 7 matchup before facing Republic County on its senior night on October 25th.With Valley Heights in the driver's seat for the top seed in Class 1A, District 5, Sacred Heart could conceivably earn the second-seed and a district round home game on November 1st with head-to-head wins each of the next three weeks.The Knights will face the Bennington Bulldogs at 7pm on Friday from JRI Stadium on the campus of Kansas Wesleyan University. The game can been seen and heard at <a href="http://salinapost.com/">salinapost.com</a>.