By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post

In a doubleheader that could very well decide a league title, the Southeast of Saline softball team dominated Minneapolis on Tuesday, handing the Lady Lions their first two losses of 9-1 and 12-2 in a clean road sweep.

Game One: SE of Saline 9, Minneapolis 1

The first game of this two-game set was ruled by Karlee Zurfluh in the circle, as the Lady Trojan ace cut down batter after batter in a dominant effort.

By the game's end, Zurfluh would allow just one run on one hit, recording twelve strikeouts in a complete-game effort.

SES got on the board first with two runs in the top of the opening frame, but Minneapolis quickly answered with a pair of their own in the home half.

The Lady Trojans would score the games remaining seven runs, including four in the second, one in the sixth and two more in the seventh.

At the plate, Kyiah Samuelson stole the show, driving in three runs on two big hits for SES.

Game Two: SE of Saline 12, Minneapolis 2

The nightcap saw more of the same with the Lady Trojans jumping out to a big 5-0 lead in the second, extending that advantage to 12-0 with a seven-run fourth.

The Lady Lions battled back with a pair in the fifth, but the damage was done as Southeast cruised to a mercy-shortened 12-2 win.

This time around, Southeast shared the love at the plate, with four different Lady Trojans recording multi-hit games, and four more driving in at least two runs.

Karlee Dye picked up right where Zurfluh left off in the circle, allowing just two runs on four hits, striking out three and failing to issue even one walk.

The Lady Trojans terrorized Minneapolis on the basepaths, with Reese Heinrich and Kyiah Samuelson swiping a total of ten bags in two games.

With this result, SES improves to 13-3 on the year and 6-0 in league play, while the now 12-2 Lady Lions fall to 10-2 in the NCAA.

Southeast holds serve in the league with doubleheaders against Ellsworth (6-10), Lyons (4-12), and Beloit (7-6) still to play.

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina PostIn a doubleheader that could very well decide a league title, the Southeast of Saline softball team dominated Minneapolis on Tuesday, handing the Lady Lions their first two losses of 9-1 and 12-2 in a clean road sweep.<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.jpg" />
 <figcaption>Salina Regional Orthopedic &amp; Sports Medicine- Your home-field advantage starts here.jpg</figcaption>
 </figure>Game One: SE of Saline 9, Minneapolis 1The first game of this two-game set was ruled by Karlee Zurfluh in the circle, as the Lady Trojan ace cut down batter after batter in a dominant effort.By the game's end, Zurfluh would allow just one run on one hit, recording twelve strikeouts in a complete-game effort.SES got on the board first with two runs in the top of the opening frame, but Minneapolis quickly answered with a pair of their own in the home half.The Lady Trojans would score the games remaining seven runs, including four in the second, one in the sixth and two more in the seventh.At the plate, Kyiah Samuelson stole the show, driving in three runs on two big hits for SES.Game Two: SE of Saline 12, Minneapolis 2The nightcap saw more of the same with the Lady Trojans jumping out to a big 5-0 lead in the second, extending that advantage to 12-0 with a seven-run fourth.The Lady Lions battled back with a pair in the fifth, but the damage was done as Southeast cruised to a mercy-shortened 12-2 win.This time around, Southeast shared the love at the plate, with four different Lady Trojans recording multi-hit games, and four more driving in at least two runs.Karlee Dye picked up right where Zurfluh left off in the circle, allowing just two runs on four hits, striking out three and failing to issue even one walk.The Lady Trojans terrorized Minneapolis on the basepaths, with Reese Heinrich and Kyiah Samuelson swiping a total of ten bags in two games.With this result, SES improves to 13-3 on the year and 6-0 in league play, while the now 12-2 Lady Lions fall to 10-2 in the NCAA.Southeast holds serve in the league with doubleheaders against Ellsworth (6-10), Lyons (4-12), and Beloit (7-6) still to play.

🥎 Lady Trojans take over league lead with dominant sweep in Minneapolis

The Southeast of Saline softball team split their mid-season tournament games on Friday, falling to Wamego 11-0 but bouncing back to defeat El Dorado 5-4 on a walk-off Abby Wyatt single.

Game One: Wamego 11, SE of Saline 0

The opener of this two-game set would be one to forget for SES, whose bats went truly cold for the first time all season.

Southeast would be blanked for the first time in the campaign, finding just five hits and a pair of walks against the Wamego starter, and striking out eight times.

The Lady Raiders scored four runs in the first and third, adding another in the fourth and two more in the fifth to win by mercy rule.

Game Two: SE of Saline 5, El Dorado 4

Not discouraged by a rough start, the Lady Trojans bounced back in a game two pitchers duel that saw the teams even at 2 apiece going into the fifth.

El Dorado added a run in the fifth and Southeast responded with one of their own in the sixth, but with another in the seventh, the Wildcats put Southeast down to their final three outs.

With their backs to the wall, SES went to work, tying the game on a Kyiah Samuelson RBI single, and walking it off when Abby Wyatt did the same in the very next at bat.

In the circle, Karlee Zurfluh and Carlee Dye combined to allow just four earned runs, walking just two batters while striking out six.

With this split, SES moves to 11-3, good enough to lead the Osage City regional standings with two weeks left to go in the regular season.

The Lady Trojans will return to league play on Tuesday when they travel to Minneapolis for a date with the Lady Lions.

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina PostThe Southeast of Saline softball team split their mid-season tournament games on Friday, falling to Wamego 11-0 but bouncing back to defeat El Dorado 5-4 on a walk-off Abby Wyatt single.<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: Wamego 11, SE of Saline 0The opener of this two-game set would be one to forget for SES, whose bats went truly cold for the first time all season.Southeast would be blanked for the first time in the campaign, finding just five hits and a pair of walks against the Wamego starter, and striking out eight times.The Lady Raiders scored four runs in the first and third, adding another in the fourth and two more in the fifth to win by mercy rule.Game Two: SE of Saline 5, El Dorado 4Not discouraged by a rough start, the Lady Trojans bounced back in a game two pitchers duel that saw the teams even at 2 apiece going into the fifth.El Dorado added a run in the fifth and Southeast responded with one of their own in the sixth, but with another in the seventh, the Wildcats put Southeast down to their final three outs.With their backs to the wall, SES went to work, tying the game on a Kyiah Samuelson RBI single, and walking it off when Abby Wyatt did the same in the very next at bat.In the circle, Karlee Zurfluh and Carlee Dye combined to allow just four earned runs, walking just two batters while striking out six.With this split, SES moves to 11-3, good enough to lead the Osage City regional standings with two weeks left to go in the regular season.The Lady Trojans will return to league play on Tuesday when they travel to Minneapolis for a date with the Lady Lions.

🥎 Southeast splits midseason tournament with Wamego and El Dorado

The Southeast of Saline softball team turned heads once again on Monday, punching up against an NCKL foe and emerging with a sweep.

The Lady Trojans held on to defeat Clay Center in a 5-4 pitchers' duel to open the set, then exploded to win 14-3 in a mercy-rule shortened nightcap.

Game One: SE of Saline 5, Clay Center 4

Through the first four innings of this game, Karlee Zurfluh looked unhittable, helping her team take a 2-0 lead into the fifth.

That work would be quickly undone by Clay Center, who plated two runs in both the fifth and sixth, but a pair of SES runs would keep the score level going into a pivotal seventh inning.

Neither team would score in the seventh, and as the game went to extras, Zurfluh found her groove again, keeping the Lady Tigers off the board in the top of the eighth.

Southeast’s affinity for small ball paid dividends once again as Adyson Rohr laid down a perfect squeeze bunt to score the game-winning walkoff run, bringing Emma Zurfluh home under a close attempt at the plate.

Karlee Zurfluh collects another well-deserved win, allowing no earned runs, walking just one, and striking out six.

Game Two: SE of Saline 14, Clay Center 3

Game one may have been tight, but the nightcap was anything but as the Lady Trojans answered a three-run top of the first with five of their own in the home half.

Clay Center ran out of steam after their initial charge, failing to push another run across the plate, and with two more Lady Trojan runs in the second and seven in the fourth, SES wrapped this game up in just five innings.

Reese Heinrich and Kimber Ogorzolka both closed out game two with three hits, and Emma Zurfluh was an RBI machine, driving in four in the win.

In the circle, Carlee Dye settled in, recording four strikeouts and allowing just two earned runs in the win.

With this sweep, SES improves to 10-2 while Clay Center drops to 2-12.

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina PostThe Southeast of Saline softball team turned heads once again on Monday, punching up against an NCKL foe and emerging with a sweep.The Lady Trojans held on to defeat Clay Center in a 5-4 pitchers' duel to open the set, then exploded to win 14-3 in a mercy-rule shortened nightcap.<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: SE of Saline 5, Clay Center 4Through the first four innings of this game, Karlee Zurfluh looked unhittable, helping her team take a 2-0 lead into the fifth.That work would be quickly undone by Clay Center, who plated two runs in both the fifth and sixth, but a pair of SES runs would keep the score level going into a pivotal seventh inning.Neither team would score in the seventh, and as the game went to extras, Zurfluh found her groove again, keeping the Lady Tigers off the board in the top of the eighth.Southeast’s affinity for small ball paid dividends once again as Adyson Rohr laid down a perfect squeeze bunt to score the game-winning walkoff run, bringing Emma Zurfluh home under a close attempt at the plate.Karlee Zurfluh collects another well-deserved win, allowing no earned runs, walking just one, and striking out six.Game Two: SE of Saline 14, Clay Center 3Game one may have been tight, but the nightcap was anything but as the Lady Trojans answered a three-run top of the first with five of their own in the home half.Clay Center ran out of steam after their initial charge, failing to push another run across the plate, and with two more Lady Trojan runs in the second and seven in the fourth, SES wrapped this game up in just five innings.Reese Heinrich and Kimber Ogorzolka both closed out game two with three hits, and Emma Zurfluh was an RBI machine, driving in four in the win.In the circle, Carlee Dye settled in, recording four strikeouts and allowing just two earned runs in the win.With this sweep, SES improves to 10-2 while Clay Center drops to 2-12.

🥎 Southeast softball sweeps Clay Center

For those seeking entertaining baseball, Chapman was the place to be on Friday as the Trojans and Irish played to a split that saw two late come-from-behind wins.

Southeast of Saline rattled off seven runs in the sixth inning of game one to take a 12-1 victory while Chapman erased a go-ahead run in extras to walk off game two 12-11.

Game One: SE of Saline 12, Chapman 10

After conceding a run in the top of the first, the Irish bats exploded in the second, rattling off seven runs to take a commanding 7-1 lead.

SES would get two of those runs back in the third and fifth innings, but still trailed 9-5 going into the sixth.

Finally, the Trojans got their bats going and kept the line moving, capitalizing on opportunities and scoring seven runs of their own to take back the lead.

Chapman managed to plate two more runs but the damage was done as Southeast slammed the door shut in a 12-10 victory.

Grady Gebhardt was the epitome of a leadoff hitter in this game, scoring four of the 12 Trojan runs throughout a 4-4 day at the plate.

Ian Nickelson, Evan Watkins, Cole Gilpin, and Tysen Keller all recorded multi-RBI days, combining to drive in eight runs on the day.

Game Two: Chapman 12, SE of Saline 11

The nightcap of this two-game set was a back-and-forth affair, with three ties and eight different lead changes.

The Irish took a 4-1 lead into the third, where Southeast scored six runs to flip the advantage back to the purple and white.

Three more Chapman runs would give the Irish a small lead going into the fifth, where they would lose, and reclaim a one-run lead all in the fifth frame.

Down to their final three outs, SES scratched across the tying run in the seventh, and then the go-ahead run in the eighth, but as they had done all game Chapman battled back plating two runs in the bottom of the eighth to clinch a walk-off win in extras.

Both teams would finish the nightcap with 14 hits, combining to score 45 runs in an offense-heavy doubleheader.

With these results, Chapman improves to 6-6 while Southeast moves to 7-5.

The Trojans will be back at home on Thursday to host Beloit, while the Irish hit the road to Concordia on Tuesday.

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina PostFor those seeking entertaining baseball, Chapman was the place to be on Friday as the Trojans and Irish played to a split that saw two late come-from-behind wins.Southeast of Saline rattled off seven runs in the sixth inning of game one to take a 12-1 victory while Chapman erased a go-ahead run in extras to walk off game two 12-11.<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: SE of Saline 12, Chapman 10After conceding a run in the top of the first, the Irish bats exploded in the second, rattling off seven runs to take a commanding 7-1 lead.SES would get two of those runs back in the third and fifth innings, but still trailed 9-5 going into the sixth.Finally, the Trojans got their bats going and kept the line moving, capitalizing on opportunities and scoring seven runs of their own to take back the lead.Chapman managed to plate two more runs but the damage was done as Southeast slammed the door shut in a 12-10 victory.Grady Gebhardt was the epitome of a leadoff hitter in this game, scoring four of the 12 Trojan runs throughout a 4-4 day at the plate.Ian Nickelson, Evan Watkins, Cole Gilpin, and Tysen Keller all recorded multi-RBI days, combining to drive in eight runs on the day.Game Two: Chapman 12, SE of Saline 11The nightcap of this two-game set was a back-and-forth affair, with three ties and eight different lead changes.The Irish took a 4-1 lead into the third, where Southeast scored six runs to flip the advantage back to the purple and white.Three more Chapman runs would give the Irish a small lead going into the fifth, where they would lose, and reclaim a one-run lead all in the fifth frame.Down to their final three outs, SES scratched across the tying run in the seventh, and then the go-ahead run in the eighth, but as they had done all game Chapman battled back plating two runs in the bottom of the eighth to clinch a walk-off win in extras.Both teams would finish the nightcap with 14 hits, combining to score 45 runs in an offense-heavy doubleheader.With these results, Chapman improves to 6-6 while Southeast moves to 7-5.The Trojans will be back at home on Thursday to host Beloit, while the Irish hit the road to Concordia on Tuesday.

⚾️ Walk-off win secures split for Chapman against SES

The Southeast of Saline and Chapman softball teams played to a split on Thursday in an incredibly competitive doubleheader that saw the Lady Irish win a 4-3 pitchers' duel, and the Lady Trojans win a 9-7 shootout.

Game One: Chapman 4, SE of Saline 3

With Madalynn Harold and Karlee Zurfluh in the circle, game one was destined to be low scoring, and the opener of this set lived up to the billing.

SES capitalized on an early miscue in left as Kimber Ogorzolka drove in Abby Wyatt to put the Lady Trojans up 1-0 in the top of the first.

That would be all Southeast could muster for a while, however, as Harold locked in from the circle, retiring 11 of the next 12 batters in a stretch that included seven strikeouts.

Chapman responded with unearned runs of their own in the third and fourth to take a 2-1 lead, but in the fifth, SES broke the spell, scoring Riley Donnelly on a Reese Heinrich RBI single.

The 2-2 tie would be short-lived, as Teagan Ellis drove in a pair of runs on an RBI single to left to put the Irish back on top.

Ashley Whelchel’s first career home run in the sixth cut the deficit to one, but that would be the final run of the game for Southeast as Harold cruised through the last five batters to secure the 4-3 win.

Harold finished her day surrendering just two earned runs on six hits, issuing no walks and striking out 11.

Game Two: SE of Saline 9, Chapman 7

With the aces out of the circle, fans braced for a higher scoring nightcap, but that didn’t appear to be the case through the first five innings.

Southeast’s Carlee Dye and Chapman’s Olivia Harold both limited the early damage, and the Lady Trojans held just a 3-2 lead heading into the sixth inning.

Of those three SES runs, just one was driven in, with the other two scoring from third on wild pitches.

In the sixth, the wheels came off for Chapman as three walks, three bunt singles, an infield single, four wild pitches, and a throwing error brought across five Southeast runs.

Not deterred by the 8-2 deficit, the Lady Irish got to work in their half of the sixth, and managed to score four runs on the strength of four singles.

Both teams added one run in the seventh but Karlee Zurfluh slammed the door shut to earn her first save of the season and secure the 9-7 win for SES.

Carlee Dye closed out her day with six strikeouts and no walks in the circle, while Reese Heinrich and Avery Kinkelaar led the charge on the basepaths, combining for four walks, a pair of hits, six stolen bases and four runs scored.&nbsp;

With this result, the Lady Trojans move to 7-2 overall while Chapman takes their first loss of the year at 11-1.

SES will return home next to host Clay Center while Chapman hits the road to battle Concordia.

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina PostThe Southeast of Saline and Chapman softball teams played to a split on Thursday in an incredibly competitive doubleheader that saw the Lady Irish win a 4-3 pitchers' duel, and the Lady Trojans win a 9-7 shootout.<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: Chapman 4, SE of Saline 3With Madalynn Harold and Karlee Zurfluh in the circle, game one was destined to be low scoring, and the opener of this set lived up to the billing.SES capitalized on an early miscue in left as Kimber Ogorzolka drove in Abby Wyatt to put the Lady Trojans up 1-0 in the top of the first.That would be all Southeast could muster for a while, however, as Harold locked in from the circle, retiring 11 of the next 12 batters in a stretch that included seven strikeouts.Chapman responded with unearned runs of their own in the third and fourth to take a 2-1 lead, but in the fifth, SES broke the spell, scoring Riley Donnelly on a Reese Heinrich RBI single.The 2-2 tie would be short-lived, as Teagan Ellis drove in a pair of runs on an RBI single to left to put the Irish back on top.Ashley Whelchel’s first career home run in the sixth cut the deficit to one, but that would be the final run of the game for Southeast as Harold cruised through the last five batters to secure the 4-3 win.Harold finished her day surrendering just two earned runs on six hits, issuing no walks and striking out 11.Game Two: SE of Saline 9, Chapman 7With the aces out of the circle, fans braced for a higher scoring nightcap, but that didn’t appear to be the case through the first five innings.Southeast’s Carlee Dye and Chapman’s Olivia Harold both limited the early damage, and the Lady Trojans held just a 3-2 lead heading into the sixth inning.Of those three SES runs, just one was driven in, with the other two scoring from third on wild pitches.In the sixth, the wheels came off for Chapman as three walks, three bunt singles, an infield single, four wild pitches, and a throwing error brought across five Southeast runs.Not deterred by the 8-2 deficit, the Lady Irish got to work in their half of the sixth, and managed to score four runs on the strength of four singles.Both teams added one run in the seventh but Karlee Zurfluh slammed the door shut to earn her first save of the season and secure the 9-7 win for SES.Carlee Dye closed out her day with six strikeouts and no walks in the circle, while Reese Heinrich and Avery Kinkelaar led the charge on the basepaths, combining for four walks, a pair of hits, six stolen bases and four runs scored.&nbsp;With this result, the Lady Trojans move to 7-2 overall while Chapman takes their first loss of the year at 11-1.SES will return home next to host Clay Center while Chapman hits the road to battle Concordia.

🥎 Lady Trojans and Irish split tight doubleheader

By NATE KING Salina Post

U.S. Senator Roger Marshall made a "surprise" stop in Salina on Monday to tour three major housing developments and discuss the growing strain on housing in Kansas communities. Marshall linked federal regulations and supply chain disruptions to the slowing pace of construction across the state, warning that continued delays could hinder rural workforce recruitment and retention.

"Number one is, 'Why is housing so expensive right now?' and I've asked the builders, why has the cost of housing gone up so much, and they would talk about inflation, but more so the regulatory environment," Sen. Marshall said. "To build a housing spot, but also spending two or three years going through the regulatory process."

Marshall said several housing projects across Kansas have been stalled for six to nine months due to delays in acquiring electrical transformers—components essential for powering new developments. He attributed the bottleneck not only to supply chain disruptions and federal regulations, but a lack of domestic mineral production.

"Transformers are one of the biggest things slowing down housing construction right now," Marshall said.

Marshall shared that many of the materials needed to manufacture transformers, such as iron for the core, copper for windings and mineral oil for insulation and cooling, are either heavily regulated or primarily sourced from abroad.

“We don’t mine [those minerals] anymore in this country,” Marshall said. “There’s this huge demand for transformers. Every wind turbine has one at its base, so that adds to the shortage.”

Kansas is one of the top five wind energy producers in the nation.

Marshall also noted that some provisions in the federal Farm Bill — renewed every five years — support rural economic development, including housing projects. The most recent Farm Bill, the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, was extended through Sept. 30, 2025, under the American Relief Act of 2025, which was signed into law on Dec. 21, 2024. While the developments he toured in Salina did not receive USDA assistance, others across the state have benefited from rural loan programs tied to the bill.

Marshall said housing shortages are one of the biggest obstacles facing rural Kansas, especially in communities trying to grow their workforce in healthcare, manufacturing and education.

“We were in Minneapolis earlier today, and they said, ‘We’ve kind of become a bedroom community for Salina,’” Marshall said. “But they don’t have homes people can move into. Part of the reason we can’t find people to move here is because of a lack of affordable, suitable housing.”

He added that rural areas often face higher construction costs per square foot due to fewer economies of scale. Marshall said access to housing remains one of the top concerns he hears from constituents.

"I said this 20 years ago, the biggest challenges for Kansas are water and a lack of people for the jobs we have," Sen. Marshall said. "In order for rural America to survive, you need things like, good education, good health care, high-speed internet, housing, those are all basic necessities that we struggle in rural America to do."

When asked about concerns that housing projects in Salina are being built and contracted by out-of-town firms, Marshall acknowledged the issue but pointed to broader challenges facing the construction industry across Kansas.

“The builders typically try to use as many local contractors as they can,” Marshall said. “But again, there’s a labor shortage. Everybody has the opportunity to bid, and I hope it’s the local person that wins. But you can’t subsidize people either—it’s easier said than done.”

Lauren Driscoll, director of community and development services for the City of Salina, confirmed that Marshall’s visit was unexpected but appreciated.

“The purpose of the visit yesterday—it was a total surprise for us—but he was in state visiting and wanted to talk about housing. That was the focus of the tour,” Driscoll said.

With just 20 minutes to spare, Driscoll gave Marshall a quick tour of three major developments: South View Estates, Aero Plains and Magonlia Village.

“We drove—South View and Aero Plains and the Salina Destination  Magnolia Village project —that’s as much as I could get in 20 minutes,” Driscoll said.

Driscoll said South View Estates, located off Ohio Street, includes more than 100 units. The Aero Plains project is expected to bring 300 units at full buildout, and&nbsp; Magnolia Village located off Virginia Drive, will add approximately 500 units once both Phase I and II are completed.

While some residents have voiced concern about out-of-town businesses and contractors winning bids, Driscoll said the picture is more nuanced.

“Even if you have a general contractor from outside, they a lot of times use local subcontractors,” she said. “To do as much housing as we need, at the speed at which we need it—even if you had everybody local working—it’s still not enough.”

Located in southeast Salina, this new development will feature 108 housing units in the form of single-family homes and duplex townhomes, with prices ranging from $179,000 to $204,000. Construction began in early 2022, and several homes were on the market by late that year as part of a public-private effort to expand local workforce housing. 

The project’s infrastructure is backed by up to $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds from Saline County, Moderate Income Housing (MIH) grant funds from the state and the area has been designated a Rural Housing Incentive District to help finance streets and utilities. 

Homes in South View Estates are designed with modern, low-maintenance materials and popular features like granite countertops and attached garages to appeal to first-time buyers.&nbsp;

Planned on more than 53 acres in south Salina near West Magnolia Road and Interstate 135, Aero Plains is a large housing subdivision slated for 338 units at full build-out. The project is divided into two phases—Phase I with 150 duplex-style townhome units and Phase II with 188 more—aimed at providing moderate-income “workforce” housing. 

It has been approved for a state Moderate Income Housing (MIH) grant, and the city has designated the site as a Rural Housing Incentive District, meaning property tax increments will help fund infrastructure improvements. Initial building permits have already been issued for portions of Phase I, signaling that construction is underway.

Salina Destination Development- Magnolia Village

Near the intersection of Magnolia Road and I-135, this<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/7a4149d5-6859-43dc-b3a6-b102edd738ad"> project is launching a large multi-family housing complex to address Salina’s growing need for workforce housing.</a>&nbsp;

Phase I includes 254 modern apartments with amenities such as a clubhouse, basketball court, children’s playground, pickleball court, BBQ area, and in-unit laundry. <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/dd1dab42-a105-47ef-8578-c168d34bbc17">Phase II will add approximately 250 units of “horizontal apartments”</a>&nbsp;and three additional multistory buildings, bringing the total to around 500 new rental units upon completion.

The development is supported by $25 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds awarded through Kansas legislation and overseen by the Department of Commerce. Construction on Phase I is expected to be completed by early 2026. Phase II construction begins this spring with an estimated completion sometimes in 2027.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744813301482.jpeg" alt="U.S. Senator Roger Marshall and&nbsp;Lauren Driscoll, director of community and development services for the City of Salina.&nbsp;Photo by NATE KING" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Senator Roger Marshall and&nbsp;Lauren Driscoll, director of community and development services for the City of Salina.&nbsp;Photo by NATE KING</figcaption>
 </figure>By NATE KING Salina PostU.S. Senator Roger Marshall made a "surprise" stop in Salina on Monday to tour three major housing developments and discuss the growing strain on housing in Kansas communities. Marshall linked federal regulations and supply chain disruptions to the slowing pace of construction across the state, warning that continued delays could hinder rural workforce recruitment and retention."Number one is, 'Why is housing so expensive right now?' and I've asked the builders, why has the cost of housing gone up so much, and they would talk about inflation, but more so the regulatory environment," Sen. Marshall said. "To build a housing spot, but also spending two or three years going through the regulatory process."Marshall said several housing projects across Kansas have been stalled for six to nine months due to delays in acquiring electrical transformers—components essential for powering new developments. He attributed the bottleneck not only to supply chain disruptions and federal regulations, but a lack of domestic mineral production."Transformers are one of the biggest things slowing down housing construction right now," Marshall said.Marshall shared that many of the materials needed to manufacture transformers, such as iron for the core, copper for windings and mineral oil for insulation and cooling, are either heavily regulated or primarily sourced from abroad.“We don’t mine [those minerals] anymore in this country,” Marshall said. “There’s this huge demand for transformers. Every wind turbine has one at its base, so that adds to the shortage.”Kansas is one of the top five wind energy producers in the nation.Marshall also noted that some provisions in the federal Farm Bill — renewed every five years — support rural economic development, including housing projects. The most recent Farm Bill, the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, was extended through Sept. 30, 2025, under the American Relief Act of 2025, which was signed into law on Dec. 21, 2024. While the developments he toured in Salina did not receive USDA assistance, others across the state have benefited from rural loan programs tied to the bill.Marshall said housing shortages are one of the biggest obstacles facing rural Kansas, especially in communities trying to grow their workforce in healthcare, manufacturing and education.“We were in Minneapolis earlier today, and they said, ‘We’ve kind of become a bedroom community for Salina,’” Marshall said. “But they don’t have homes people can move into. Part of the reason we can’t find people to move here is because of a lack of affordable, suitable housing.”He added that rural areas often face higher construction costs per square foot due to fewer economies of scale. Marshall said access to housing remains one of the top concerns he hears from constituents."I said this 20 years ago, the biggest challenges for Kansas are water and a lack of people for the jobs we have," Sen. Marshall said. "In order for rural America to survive, you need things like, good education, good health care, high-speed internet, housing, those are all basic necessities that we struggle in rural America to do."When asked about concerns that housing projects in Salina are being built and contracted by out-of-town firms, Marshall acknowledged the issue but pointed to broader challenges facing the construction industry across Kansas.“The builders typically try to use as many local contractors as they can,” Marshall said. “But again, there’s a labor shortage. Everybody has the opportunity to bid, and I hope it’s the local person that wins. But you can’t subsidize people either—it’s easier said than done.”Lauren Driscoll, director of community and development services for the City of Salina, confirmed that Marshall’s visit was unexpected but appreciated.“The purpose of the visit yesterday—it was a total surprise for us—but he was in state visiting and wanted to talk about housing. That was the focus of the tour,” Driscoll said.With just 20 minutes to spare, Driscoll gave Marshall a quick tour of three major developments: South View Estates, Aero Plains and Magonlia Village.“We drove—South View and Aero Plains and the Salina Destination Magnolia Village project —that’s as much as I could get in 20 minutes,” Driscoll said.Driscoll said South View Estates, located off Ohio Street, includes more than 100 units. The Aero Plains project is expected to bring 300 units at full buildout, and&nbsp; Magnolia Village located off Virginia Drive, will add approximately 500 units once both Phase I and II are completed.While some residents have voiced concern about out-of-town businesses and contractors winning bids, Driscoll said the picture is more nuanced.“Even if you have a general contractor from outside, they a lot of times use local subcontractors,” she said. “To do as much housing as we need, at the speed at which we need it—even if you had everybody local working—it’s still not enough.”<h2>Salina Housing Projects</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744816889216.png" alt="South View Estates 1200 Harbor Dr, Salina, KS 67401 $179,900 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,097 Sq Ft Single Family." />
 <figcaption>South View Estates 1200 Harbor Dr, Salina, KS 67401 $179,900 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,097 Sq Ft Single Family.</figcaption>
 </figure>South View EstatesLocated in southeast Salina, this new development will feature 108 housing units in the form of single-family homes and duplex townhomes, with prices ranging from $179,000 to $204,000. Construction began in early 2022, and several homes were on the market by late that year as part of a public-private effort to expand local workforce housing. The project’s infrastructure is backed by up to $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds from Saline County, Moderate Income Housing (MIH) grant funds from the state and the area has been designated a Rural Housing Incentive District to help finance streets and utilities. Homes in South View Estates are designed with modern, low-maintenance materials and popular features like granite countertops and attached garages to appeal to first-time buyers.&nbsp;Aero Plains&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744816111446.png" alt="2 Bedrooms • 2 Bathrooms • 2 Car Garage - $199,900 2738 Tim Rogers Lane, Salina KS 1071 Square Feet, Zero Entry Accessiblity, Vaulted Ceilings, Open Floor Plan, One Level Living, $0 Special Assessment Property Taxes, Landscape/Sod/Sprinkler system included " />
 <figcaption>2 Bedrooms • 2 Bathrooms • 2 Car Garage - $199,900 2738 Tim Rogers Lane, Salina KS 1071 Square Feet, Zero Entry Accessiblity, Vaulted Ceilings, Open Floor Plan, One Level Living, $0 Special Assessment Property Taxes, Landscape/Sod/Sprinkler system included </figcaption>
 </figure>Planned on more than 53 acres in south Salina near West Magnolia Road and Interstate 135, Aero Plains is a large housing subdivision slated for 338 units at full build-out. The project is divided into two phases—Phase I with 150 duplex-style townhome units and Phase II with 188 more—aimed at providing moderate-income “workforce” housing. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744816139169.png" alt="Lear • 3 Bedrooms • 3 Bathrooms • 2 Car Garage - $229,000" />
 <figcaption>Lear • 3 Bedrooms • 3 Bathrooms • 2 Car Garage - $229,000</figcaption>
 </figure>It has been approved for a state Moderate Income Housing (MIH) grant, and the city has designated the site as a Rural Housing Incentive District, meaning property tax increments will help fund infrastructure improvements. Initial building permits have already been issued for portions of Phase I, signaling that construction is underway.Salina Destination Development- Magnolia Village<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744816378492.jpeg" alt="Salina Destination Developement construction work on Phase I of the housing project near Menards in Salina. Photo by NATE KING" />
 <figcaption>Salina Destination Developement construction work on Phase I of the housing project near Menards in Salina. Photo by NATE KING</figcaption>
 </figure>Near the intersection of Magnolia Road and I-135, this<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/7a4149d5-6859-43dc-b3a6-b102edd738ad"> project is launching a large multi-family housing complex to address Salina’s growing need for workforce housing.</a>&nbsp;Phase I includes 254 modern apartments with amenities such as a clubhouse, basketball court, children’s playground, pickleball court, BBQ area, and in-unit laundry. <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/dd1dab42-a105-47ef-8578-c168d34bbc17">Phase II will add approximately 250 units of “horizontal apartments”</a>&nbsp;and three additional multistory buildings, bringing the total to around 500 new rental units upon completion. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743089707613.png" alt="The proposed Phase II concept for Magnolia Village, part of the Dry Creek Addition No. 2, includes new residential units and infrastructure improvements south of the existing development. The expansion will add 152 horizontal apartment units, three multi-level apartment buildings, and commercial spaces, while extending Virginia Drive and creating Shenandoah Drive to enhance connectivity." />
 <figcaption>The proposed Phase II concept for Magnolia Village, part of the Dry Creek Addition No. 2, includes new residential units and infrastructure improvements south of the existing development. The expansion will add 152 horizontal apartment units, three multi-level apartment buildings, and commercial spaces, while extending Virginia Drive and creating Shenandoah Drive to enhance connectivity.</figcaption>
 </figure>The development is supported by $25 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds awarded through Kansas legislation and overseen by the Department of Commerce. Construction on Phase I is expected to be completed by early 2026. Phase II construction begins this spring with an estimated completion sometimes in 2027.

U.S. Sen. Marshall’s 'surprise' stop in Salina centers on housing and red tape

The Southeast of Saline and Sacred Heart baseball teams played in a pivotal league doubleheader on Monday and split the set with the Knights winning game one 4-3 in walk-off fashion, and the Trojans holding on to win game two by the same score.

Game One: Sacred Heart 4, SE of Saline 3

The opener was a true back-and-forth affair that saw Southeast strike first on a Sam Knopf RBI single in the first and add to the lead with an RBI knock from Tysen Keller in the third.

That lead would be short-lived as the Knights responded with two runs of their own in the fourth on a pair of RBI groundouts.

In the sixth, Sacred Heart would put the Trojans down to their final three outs with a pair of doubles from Luke Koland and Maddox Wells, but Southeast stayed alive in the seventh on a mad dash to the plate that scored Ian Nickelson on a passed ball.

Looking to avoid extra innings, the Knights got to work in the home half of the seventh, and after recording two outs, Graham Armstrong reached on a walk, advanced on a Luke Koland single, and came in to score the decisive run on a Maddox Wells walk-off single.

Wells and Armstrong were also the two pitchers of record in this game, combining to toss seven innings and allowing just three runs on seven hits.

Game Two: SE of Saline 4, Sacred Heart 3

The Trojans got off to a much better start in game two, rattling off four runs on six hits in the top of the second inning.

Unfortunately for Southeast, those would be their last hits of the game, and the Trojans would need to rely on pitching and defense to win the day.

Little by little, the Knights came back in this game, scoring three runs without the aid of a single RBI, thanks to good sacrifice bunts and a pair of wild pitches.

A run in the second, another in the fourth and one more in the fifth would make this a 4-3 game, but that was all the closer the Knights would get as Tiernan Ptacek slammed the door shut in the final two frames.

Ptacek went the distance in this game, tossing seven innings and allowing just three runs on five hits, walking just one batter while fanning five.

With this split, SES improves to 6-4 on the year and 3-1 in league play, while Sacred Heart moves to 5-4 and 4-2 respectively.

SES will be on the road this Thursday to take on the 5-3 Irish of Chapman, while Sacred Heart returns to Salina to face Republic County.

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina PostThe Southeast of Saline and Sacred Heart baseball teams played in a pivotal league doubleheader on Monday and split the set with the Knights winning game one 4-3 in walk-off fashion, and the Trojans holding on to win game two by the same score.<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 4, SE of Saline 3The opener was a true back-and-forth affair that saw Southeast strike first on a Sam Knopf RBI single in the first and add to the lead with an RBI knock from Tysen Keller in the third.That lead would be short-lived as the Knights responded with two runs of their own in the fourth on a pair of RBI groundouts.In the sixth, Sacred Heart would put the Trojans down to their final three outs with a pair of doubles from Luke Koland and Maddox Wells, but Southeast stayed alive in the seventh on a mad dash to the plate that scored Ian Nickelson on a passed ball.Looking to avoid extra innings, the Knights got to work in the home half of the seventh, and after recording two outs, Graham Armstrong reached on a walk, advanced on a Luke Koland single, and came in to score the decisive run on a Maddox Wells walk-off single.Wells and Armstrong were also the two pitchers of record in this game, combining to toss seven innings and allowing just three runs on seven hits.Game Two: SE of Saline 4, Sacred Heart 3The Trojans got off to a much better start in game two, rattling off four runs on six hits in the top of the second inning.Unfortunately for Southeast, those would be their last hits of the game, and the Trojans would need to rely on pitching and defense to win the day.Little by little, the Knights came back in this game, scoring three runs without the aid of a single RBI, thanks to good sacrifice bunts and a pair of wild pitches.A run in the second, another in the fourth and one more in the fifth would make this a 4-3 game, but that was all the closer the Knights would get as Tiernan Ptacek slammed the door shut in the final two frames.Ptacek went the distance in this game, tossing seven innings and allowing just three runs on five hits, walking just one batter while fanning five.With this split, SES improves to 6-4 on the year and 3-1 in league play, while Sacred Heart moves to 5-4 and 4-2 respectively.SES will be on the road this Thursday to take on the 5-3 Irish of Chapman, while Sacred Heart returns to Salina to face Republic County.

⚾️ Trojans and Knights split pivotal NCAA doubleheader 

The Southeast of Saline softball team kept the good times rolling on Monday, tossing a pair of shutouts to sweep Sacred Heart 11-0 and 14-0.

Game One: SE of Saline 11, Sacred Heart 0

Southeast wasted no time getting on the board in game one, striking for three runs in the top of the first, and following that with another in the second, five more in the third, and a pair in the fifth to force the mercy rule.

At the plate, the Lady Trojans shared the wealth once again, with eight different players recording a hit and five different players driving in at least a run.

Abby Wyatt continues to swing one of the hottest bats in the state of Kansas, turning in another 4-4 performance with two more driven in.

Kyiah Samelson was an RBI machine in the opener, bringing four runs across on two hits and scoring two times as well.

In the circle, Karlee Zurfluh dominated, allowing just one hit in five scoreless innings while recording eight strikeouts and issuing no walks.

Game Two: SE of Saline 14, Sacred Heart 0

SES picked up right where they left off in the nightcap, taking a 2-0 lead into the second, but the Knights actually managed to silence the Southeast bats through the second and third.

That momentum would not hold, however, and in both the fourth and fifth innings, SES rattled off six unanswered runs to once again end the game early.

The Lady Trojan lineup somehow managed to one-up itself with nine different players recording a hit in game two and seven driving in a run.

While everyone contributed, Kimber Ogorzolka was the star of the show in the nightcap, cashing in a 3-3 performance at the plate, highlighted by four RBI.

Avery Kinkelaar looked borderline unhittable in the circle, completing the second complete game shutout of the day and allowing just one hit and three walks to five strikeouts.

With these results, the Lady Trojans improve to 7-1 overall and 4-0 in league play, while the Lady Knights slide to 1-7 and 1-5 respectively.

SES will be on the road this Thursday to take on the white hot 8-0 Lady Irish of Chapman, while Sacred Heart returns to Salina to face Republic County.

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina PostThe Southeast of Saline softball team kept the good times rolling on Monday, tossing a pair of shutouts to sweep Sacred Heart 11-0 and 14-0.<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: SE of Saline 11, Sacred Heart 0Southeast wasted no time getting on the board in game one, striking for three runs in the top of the first, and following that with another in the second, five more in the third, and a pair in the fifth to force the mercy rule.At the plate, the Lady Trojans shared the wealth once again, with eight different players recording a hit and five different players driving in at least a run.Abby Wyatt continues to swing one of the hottest bats in the state of Kansas, turning in another 4-4 performance with two more driven in.Kyiah Samelson was an RBI machine in the opener, bringing four runs across on two hits and scoring two times as well.In the circle, Karlee Zurfluh dominated, allowing just one hit in five scoreless innings while recording eight strikeouts and issuing no walks.Game Two: SE of Saline 14, Sacred Heart 0SES picked up right where they left off in the nightcap, taking a 2-0 lead into the second, but the Knights actually managed to silence the Southeast bats through the second and third.That momentum would not hold, however, and in both the fourth and fifth innings, SES rattled off six unanswered runs to once again end the game early.The Lady Trojan lineup somehow managed to one-up itself with nine different players recording a hit in game two and seven driving in a run.While everyone contributed, Kimber Ogorzolka was the star of the show in the nightcap, cashing in a 3-3 performance at the plate, highlighted by four RBI.Avery Kinkelaar looked borderline unhittable in the circle, completing the second complete game shutout of the day and allowing just one hit and three walks to five strikeouts.With these results, the Lady Trojans improve to 7-1 overall and 4-0 in league play, while the Lady Knights slide to 1-7 and 1-5 respectively.SES will be on the road this Thursday to take on the white hot 8-0 Lady Irish of Chapman, while Sacred Heart returns to Salina to face Republic County.

🥎 Southeast softball sweeps Sacred Heart in Salina

The Bill Snyder Family/Sunflower Chapter of the National Football Foundation has announced its special recognition awards for the 2024-25 academic year.

The winners will be honored at the annual chapter&nbsp;awards dinner to be conducted May 7 at the Shamrock Plaza at Bill Snyder Family Stadium on the Kansas State University campus in Manhattan, Kan. Check-in and a reception begin at 5 p.m., with dinner at 6 p.m. (NOTE:&nbsp;12 student-athletes who are high school seniors in 2024-25 will be announced later as Sunflower Chapter scholarship award winners).

Andover Central head coach Derek Tuttle&nbsp;and&nbsp;Southeast of Saline head coach Mitch Gebhardt&nbsp;were named the Don Fambrough Coaches of the Year. The legendary late Kansas head football coach, Fambrough was also a member of the Jayhawks’ 1947 Orange Bowl team. He led the Jayhawks to the 1973 Liberty and 1981 Hall of Fame bowls.

A native of Grinnell, Kan., Tuttle played two years at Bethany College before completing his education at Kansas State. He has been a fixture at Andover schools since 1998 and became head coach at Andover Central in 2019, registering a 57-15 record in six years. That includes Class 4A runner-up finishes in 2019, 21, 23 and the title this past season, defeating Bishop Miege 49-42. Gebhardt, who graduated from Ellsworth High School and Fort Hays State University, is 143-74 in 22 years combined at Lincoln and Southeast of Saline. Southeast of Saline is 54-4 in his last five seasons. The Trojans claimed the Class 2A title this past season with a 36-28 win over Nemaha Central.

The Kansas Coaching Legends Lifetime Achievement award will be given to&nbsp;Tom Young. Trailing only Silver Lake's C.J. Hamilton and Pittsburg Colgan's Chuck Smith as the winningest HS football coach in Kansas history with a 343-11 record in 44 years (Hanover: 1971-79; Wellington: 1980-82; Derby: 1983-2003; Leavenworth: 2004-05; McPherson: 2006-14). He has state championships in 1979, 1982, 1994. He is originally from Adams, Neb.

The John and Phil Laurie Officiating Award goes to&nbsp;David Haynes, a resident of Wichita, Kan. He has been self-employed in the construction industry for the past 20 years and began working high school football in 2014. Since then, he has worked 19 playoff games in that span. He officiated high school basketball from 1992-2000 working several substate rounds. He also officiated college basketball from 1995-2023, working numerous KCAC and Jayhawk conference championships. Haynes worked several NAIA regional championships and three NJCAA Division I National Tournaments, twice officiating the national championship.

The Dick Foster Legacy Award, created last year and awarded posthumously to the Jayhawk Conference coaching legend will be presented to&nbsp;Troy Morrell.&nbsp;Born in Benkelman, Neb., and a graduate of Buhler, Kan. High School, he played at Butler Community College and later Fort Hays State University. He returned to Butler as the OL coach and OC from 1996-1999. From 2000-14 he was the Butler head coach, amassing a 154-22 mark including a 30-3 mark in the NJCAA Region VI playoffs. He won NJCAA national titles in 2003, 07, 08.

The Bill Snyder Family/Sunflower Chapter of the National Football Foundation has announced its special recognition awards for the 2024-25 academic year.The winners will be honored at the annual chapter&nbsp;awards dinner to be conducted May 7 at the Shamrock Plaza at Bill Snyder Family Stadium on the Kansas State University campus in Manhattan, Kan. Check-in and a reception begin at 5 p.m., with dinner at 6 p.m. (NOTE:&nbsp;12 student-athletes who are high school seniors in 2024-25 will be announced later as Sunflower Chapter scholarship award winners).Andover Central head coach Derek Tuttle&nbsp;and&nbsp;Southeast of Saline head coach Mitch Gebhardt&nbsp;were named the Don Fambrough Coaches of the Year. The legendary late Kansas head football coach, Fambrough was also a member of the Jayhawks’ 1947 Orange Bowl team. He led the Jayhawks to the 1973 Liberty and 1981 Hall of Fame bowls.A native of Grinnell, Kan., Tuttle played two years at Bethany College before completing his education at Kansas State. He has been a fixture at Andover schools since 1998 and became head coach at Andover Central in 2019, registering a 57-15 record in six years. That includes Class 4A runner-up finishes in 2019, 21, 23 and the title this past season, defeating Bishop Miege 49-42. Gebhardt, who graduated from Ellsworth High School and Fort Hays State University, is 143-74 in 22 years combined at Lincoln and Southeast of Saline. Southeast of Saline is 54-4 in his last five seasons. The Trojans claimed the Class 2A title this past season with a 36-28 win over Nemaha Central.The Kansas Coaching Legends Lifetime Achievement award will be given to&nbsp;Tom Young. Trailing only Silver Lake's C.J. Hamilton and Pittsburg Colgan's Chuck Smith as the winningest HS football coach in Kansas history with a 343-11 record in 44 years (Hanover: 1971-79; Wellington: 1980-82; Derby: 1983-2003; Leavenworth: 2004-05; McPherson: 2006-14). He has state championships in 1979, 1982, 1994. He is originally from Adams, Neb.The John and Phil Laurie Officiating Award goes to&nbsp;David Haynes, a resident of Wichita, Kan. He has been self-employed in the construction industry for the past 20 years and began working high school football in 2014. Since then, he has worked 19 playoff games in that span. He officiated high school basketball from 1992-2000 working several substate rounds. He also officiated college basketball from 1995-2023, working numerous KCAC and Jayhawk conference championships. Haynes worked several NAIA regional championships and three NJCAA Division I National Tournaments, twice officiating the national championship.The Dick Foster Legacy Award, created last year and awarded posthumously to the Jayhawk Conference coaching legend will be presented to&nbsp;Troy Morrell.&nbsp;Born in Benkelman, Neb., and a graduate of Buhler, Kan. High School, he played at Butler Community College and later Fort Hays State University. He returned to Butler as the OL coach and OC from 1996-1999. From 2000-14 he was the Butler head coach, amassing a 154-22 mark including a 30-3 mark in the NJCAA Region VI playoffs. He won NJCAA national titles in 2003, 07, 08.

Mitch Gebhardt among Football Standouts to be Honored at Awards Dinner May 7 in Manhattan

The Abilene and Southeast of Saline baseball teams played to a doubleheader split on Friday, with the Cowboys taking game one 8-5 and the Trojans coming back to secore the split 11-8.

Game One: Abilene 8, SE of Saline 5

The opener of this series was a thrilling 12-inning affair, with neither side giving an inch until the final frame.

Southeast got the party started with a run in the second and third but the Cowboys came back to tie it up with two of their own in the fourth.

The Trojans found two more runs in the home half of that inning but once again, Abilene responded with two of their own in the visitor’s sixth.

With the 4-4 tie holding, the game went to extras, where Abilene brought what could have been the decisive run to the plate in the ninth, were it not for Southeast again responding with a run of their own to keep the marathon going.

Another scoreless inning took the game to the 12th, where the Cowboys finally got to the Trojan bullpen and broke the game open with a three-run inning.

Heath Hoekman closed out his heroic seven-inning relief appearance by slamming the door shut and securing the win for his team.

Hoekman would allow just one run on five hits, recording five strikeouts while walking just three.

At the plate, Abilene was led by Tyler Holloway, who drove in two runs on three hits as one of five Cowboys to record a multi-hit game.

Game Two: SE of Saline 11, Abilene 8

After the marathon game one, both teams returned to the field with the sun setting fast, and while Abilene would equal their run total from the opener, the Trojans would have their revenge.

Things looked good for the Cowboys early, who took a 4-1 lead into the bottom of the fourth, but Southeast picked up the pace with four runs in the fourth and a whopping six in the fifth.

Down just 11-8, this game was still well within reach for Abilene, but the extra inning win in game one came at the cost of a light-shortened game two, and the Trojans took the victory in five.

The top two spots in the Trojan order led the charge, as Grady Gebhardt went 2-4 with 3 RBI, while Sam Knopf finished the day 2-3 with 2 driven in.

With these results, Southeast moves to 5-3 on the year, while Abilene advances to 2-6.

The Trojans will travel to Saline to face Sacred Heart on Monday, while the Cowboys make the trek to Marysville.

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina PostThe Abilene and Southeast of Saline baseball teams played to a doubleheader split on Friday, with the Cowboys taking game one 8-5 and the Trojans coming back to secore the split 11-8.<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: Abilene 8, SE of Saline 5The opener of this series was a thrilling 12-inning affair, with neither side giving an inch until the final frame.Southeast got the party started with a run in the second and third but the Cowboys came back to tie it up with two of their own in the fourth.The Trojans found two more runs in the home half of that inning but once again, Abilene responded with two of their own in the visitor’s sixth.With the 4-4 tie holding, the game went to extras, where Abilene brought what could have been the decisive run to the plate in the ninth, were it not for Southeast again responding with a run of their own to keep the marathon going.Another scoreless inning took the game to the 12th, where the Cowboys finally got to the Trojan bullpen and broke the game open with a three-run inning.Heath Hoekman closed out his heroic seven-inning relief appearance by slamming the door shut and securing the win for his team.Hoekman would allow just one run on five hits, recording five strikeouts while walking just three.At the plate, Abilene was led by Tyler Holloway, who drove in two runs on three hits as one of five Cowboys to record a multi-hit game.Game Two: SE of Saline 11, Abilene 8After the marathon game one, both teams returned to the field with the sun setting fast, and while Abilene would equal their run total from the opener, the Trojans would have their revenge.Things looked good for the Cowboys early, who took a 4-1 lead into the bottom of the fourth, but Southeast picked up the pace with four runs in the fourth and a whopping six in the fifth.Down just 11-8, this game was still well within reach for Abilene, but the extra inning win in game one came at the cost of a light-shortened game two, and the Trojans took the victory in five.The top two spots in the Trojan order led the charge, as Grady Gebhardt went 2-4 with 3 RBI, while Sam Knopf finished the day 2-3 with 2 driven in.With these results, Southeast moves to 5-3 on the year, while Abilene advances to 2-6.The Trojans will travel to Saline to face Sacred Heart on Monday, while the Cowboys make the trek to Marysville.

⚾️ Cowboys and Trojans split eventful doubleheader

The Southeast of Saline softball team continued their reign of terror over the area on Friday night in a clean sweep of Abilene, defeating the 4A foe 12-0 in the opener and 13-8 in the nightcap.

Game One: SE of Saline 12, Abilene 0

After a hot performance against Republic County, the Lady Trojans took a slower, steadier approach in game one, plating three runs in the first, two in the second and third, and five in the fourth en route to a comfortable victory.

Reese Heinrich epitomized the leadoff hitter with a perfect 4-4 day at the plate, while Abby Wyatt flexed her muscle in the 3-hole, leading the team with 4 RBI.

Those two were far from the only damage dealers on the day as five different Lady Trojans turned in multi-hit performances while Heinrich, Wyatt, and Emma Zurfluh all drove in two or more runs.

In the circle, Karlee Zurfluh was close to unhittable, shutting out the Cowgirls while surrendering just three hits and two walks to six strikeouts.

Game Two: SE of Saline 13, Abilene 8

The nightcap of this two-game set saw the floodgates open offensively, but SES was up to the challenge, coming back late to score 11 runs in the final four frames in an offensive win.

After a slow start for Southeast, the Cowgirls struck for three runs in the third and fourth to take a 6-1 lead at the halfway mark.

That lead wouldn’t last long as the Lady Trojans tacked on eight runs in a monster fourth inning, adding two more in the fifth and one in the sixth to secure the 13-8 win.

Abby Wyatt’s assault on softballs continued as the senior went 3-4 with 5 RBI on the day, while Ashley Whelchel drove in two runs of her own in the winning effort.

Madelyn McFadden and Karlee Zurfluh came in to clean up the final four innings in the circle, allowing just three runs and two walks while recording two strikeouts.

With these wins, the Lady Trojans move to 5-1 on the year and are on a four-game winning streak, while Abilene’s hunt for a win continues at 0-8.&nbsp;

SES will be back in action on Monday when they make the short trip to Salina to take on Sacred Heart. 

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina PostThe Southeast of Saline softball team continued their reign of terror over the area on Friday night in a clean sweep of Abilene, defeating the 4A foe 12-0 in the opener and 13-8 in the nightcap.<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: SE of Saline 12, Abilene 0After a hot performance against Republic County, the Lady Trojans took a slower, steadier approach in game one, plating three runs in the first, two in the second and third, and five in the fourth en route to a comfortable victory.Reese Heinrich epitomized the leadoff hitter with a perfect 4-4 day at the plate, while Abby Wyatt flexed her muscle in the 3-hole, leading the team with 4 RBI.Those two were far from the only damage dealers on the day as five different Lady Trojans turned in multi-hit performances while Heinrich, Wyatt, and Emma Zurfluh all drove in two or more runs.In the circle, Karlee Zurfluh was close to unhittable, shutting out the Cowgirls while surrendering just three hits and two walks to six strikeouts.Game Two: SE of Saline 13, Abilene 8The nightcap of this two-game set saw the floodgates open offensively, but SES was up to the challenge, coming back late to score 11 runs in the final four frames in an offensive win.After a slow start for Southeast, the Cowgirls struck for three runs in the third and fourth to take a 6-1 lead at the halfway mark.That lead wouldn’t last long as the Lady Trojans tacked on eight runs in a monster fourth inning, adding two more in the fifth and one in the sixth to secure the 13-8 win.Abby Wyatt’s assault on softballs continued as the senior went 3-4 with 5 RBI on the day, while Ashley Whelchel drove in two runs of her own in the winning effort.Madelyn McFadden and Karlee Zurfluh came in to clean up the final four innings in the circle, allowing just three runs and two walks while recording two strikeouts.With these wins, the Lady Trojans move to 5-1 on the year and are on a four-game winning streak, while Abilene’s hunt for a win continues at 0-8.&nbsp;SES will be back in action on Monday when they make the short trip to Salina to take on Sacred Heart.

🥎 Lady Trojans take two from Abilene to win their fourth straight

After splitting their season opener with Hesston, the Southeast of Saline softball team returned to Gypsum to kick off league play and did so in style, bashing the Buffaloes 15-0 in the opener and 14-1 in the nightcap.

Game One: SE of Saline 15, Republic County 0

By TYLER HENRY Lead Sportswriter - Salina PostAfter splitting their season opener with Hesston, the Southeast of Saline softball team returned to Gypsum to kick off league play and did so in style, bashing the Buffaloes 15-0 in the opener and 14-1 in the nightcap.<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: SE of Saline 15, Republic County 0The Lady Trojans began this game with a 4-0 lead in the first and never looked back, adding ten runs in the second inning and one more to seal the deal in the third.As it has been with so many previous SES teams, this was a true team effort, as nine different members of the order recorded a hit, seven drove in at least one run, and ten came across the plate to score a run.With just six walks on the day and only one strikeout, Southeast stayed aggressive, recording 14 RBI in the run-rule shortened game.In the circle, Karlee Zurfluh was perfection, striking out five of the nine batters she faced while allowing no hits, issuing no walks, and watching zero runs cross the plate.Game Two: SE of Saline 14, Republic County 1The nightcap of this two-game set saw Southeast pick up right where they left off, rattling off three runs in the first, eight in the second, and three in the fourth of a five-inning affair.This time around, it was Carlee Dye and Madelyn McFadden who baffled the Buffs in the circle, recording more strikeouts than hits allowed on the day.At the plate, the Lady Trojan bats stayed hot, but none were hotter than those of Kyiah Samuelson and Abby Wyatt, who each went a perfect 4-4 at the plate with four RBI apiece and six total runs scored.Those performances would cap off another game where SES got hits from seven members of its lineup and an RBI or more from four different Lady Trojans.With these wins, SES moves to 3-1 overall and 2-0 in league play, while Republic County falls to 2-6 and 0-2, respectively.Southeast will be back in action on Friday when they return to Gypsum to host the Abilene Cowgirls.