<a href="https://www.theopen.com/players/dominic-clemons">CLEMONS PROFILE</a>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;|&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://www.theopen.com/leaderboard">LEADERBOARD</a>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;|&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://www.randa.tv/schedule">WATCH</a>

TROON, Scotland — Former Hutchinson Community College All-American golfer Dominic Clemons will make his major championship debut on Thursday in The Open Championship.

Clemons is scheduled to tee off at 8:47 a.m. BST (2:47 a.m. CST) on Thursday morning at Prestwick Golf Club in Scotland.&nbsp;

The 22-year-old Clemons is in the same grouping as Stewart Cink and Chris Kirk. Cink is a veteran of the PGA Tour, turning pro in 1995. He has played in The Open Championship 24 times in his career, finishing as high as sixth in 2007. Kirk joined the PGA Tour in 2011 and has appeared in The Open Championship five times, finishing as high as 19th in 2014.

The trio of Clemons, Cink and Kirk will tee off at 1:48 p.m. BST (7:48 a.m. CST) on Friday in Round 2.

Clemons is the first-ever former HutchCC golfer to ever qualify for a PGA major championship.

To read more about Clemons' journey from HutchCC to where he is now, <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/b337d8d5-98f8-454a-b48d-280d314c7822">click here</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720013461785.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy HutchCC Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy HutchCC Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.theopen.com/players/dominic-clemons">CLEMONS PROFILE</a>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;|&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://www.theopen.com/leaderboard">LEADERBOARD</a>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;|&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://www.randa.tv/schedule">WATCH</a>SEAN BOSTON Hutch PostTROON, Scotland — Former Hutchinson Community College All-American golfer Dominic Clemons will make his major championship debut on Thursday in The Open Championship.Clemons is scheduled to tee off at 8:47 a.m. BST (2:47 a.m. CST) on Thursday morning at Prestwick Golf Club in Scotland.&nbsp;The 22-year-old Clemons is in the same grouping as Stewart Cink and Chris Kirk. Cink is a veteran of the PGA Tour, turning pro in 1995. He has played in The Open Championship 24 times in his career, finishing as high as sixth in 2007. Kirk joined the PGA Tour in 2011 and has appeared in The Open Championship five times, finishing as high as 19th in 2014.The trio of Clemons, Cink and Kirk will tee off at 1:48 p.m. BST (7:48 a.m. CST) on Friday in Round 2.Clemons is the first-ever former HutchCC golfer to ever qualify for a PGA major championship.To read more about Clemons' journey from HutchCC to where he is now, <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/b337d8d5-98f8-454a-b48d-280d314c7822">click here</a>.

⛳ Former Blue Dragon Clemons tee time set for The Open Championship Thursday

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701263164849.png" alt="Early Morning Sports with Rob Dreher for Tuesday, July 16th, 2024." />
 <figcaption>Early Morning Sports with Rob Dreher for Tuesday, July 16th, 2024.</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="July 16th, 2024 Early Morning Sports" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=7w7zb-166e2fc-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=60a0c8&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=ff6d00" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

🎧 LISTEN: ⚾ Monarchs run-rule Black Sox:⚾ Royals Witt 2nd in MLB All-Star Home Run contest

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Right-handed pitcher Hunter Cranton and infielder/catcher Kodey Shojinaga were each selected on the second day of the 2024 MLB Draft. Cranton was drafted in the 3rd round, 91st overall by the Seattle Mariners, while Shojinaga was selected in the 6th round, 192nd overall by the Philadelphia Phillies. They were the first Kansas players drafted since 2019 and the first under Head Coach Dan Fitzgerald.

"I'm really proud of Hunter and Kodey," Fitzgerald said. "Both guys are incredible workers, self starting, and ultra competitive. Their impact on KU Baseball will be felt for a long time."

At 91st overall, Cranton tied for the second highest draft pick in program history with Jim Walker in 1993. Shojinaga's selection at 192nd overall marked the fifth highest position player ever drafted out of Kansas. The last position player to be drafted that high was Tony Thompson in 2010 with the 185th overall pick.

Kansas has two Top-10 round picks for the first time since 2019 when Ryan Zeferjahn went in the third round with the 107th overall pick and Jaxx Groshans was drafted in the 5th round with the 167th overall selection.

Round 3, No. 91 Overall, Seattle Mariners

Cranton worked at the back end of the bullpen for Kansas in 2024. The flame-thrower, whose fastball sits in the upper 90s and has touched 100 mph, posted a 4-3 record with a 2.16 ERA and seven saves across 25 appearances this past season. Cranton did not allow an earned run in his first 11 appearances of the season and 10 of the final 11 outings of his college career.

"Hunter has two legitimate major league pitches and should be a quick mover through a really awesome Mariners player development system," Fitzgerald said.

An All-Big 12 Honorable Mention, Cranton punched out 38 batters – compared to only nine walks – in 25.0 innings pitched. He recorded a strikeout in 20 of his 25 appearances and had multiple strikeouts in 14 of those outings. Cranton's 13.68 strikeouts per nine innings pitched ratio ranked the third highest in a single season in Kansas program history.

The Newport Beach, California, native spent two seasons (2023 and 2024) in Lawrence. Cranton began his career at Saddleback College in 2020 and 2021 before spending the 2022 season at San Diego State.

Round 6, No. 192 Overall, Philadelphia Phillies

Shojinaga, who earned All-Big 12 Second Team honors as an infielder for a second consecutive season, led the team in hits (78) and doubles (20) in 2024. He was second on the team with a .335 batting average and he drew more walks (25) than times he struck out (22). Shojinaga's 10.6 at-bats per strikeout made him the second toughest to strikeout in the Big 12.

"Shoj had an incredible career as a Jayhawk and will undoubtedly continue to progress through a fantastic Phillies organization," Fitzgerald said. "Kodey has elite bat to ball skills, outstanding plate discipline, and a huge capacity for work."

A freshman All-American and the Big 12 Co-Freshman of the Year in 2023, Shojinaga quickly became a consistent bat in the Jayhawks lineup the last two seasons. Shojinaga set a Kansas freshman record with a .378 batting average and posted a .418 batting average and recorded 41 hits in conference games, which were both a league best in his rookie campaign.

A native of Honolulu, Hawaii, Shojinaga was originally recruited to Kansas as a catcher before he was converted to an infielder. His defensive versatility was crucial to keeping his bat in the lineup every day.

The 2024 MLB Draft will conclude on Tuesday afternoon at 1 p.m. CT with rounds 11-20. Fans can watch and follow along with the final day of the draft on MLB.com.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721128576560.jpeg" alt="Cranton Shojinaga-Image Courtesy KU Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Cranton Shojinaga-Image Courtesy KU Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas AthleticsLAWRENCE, Kan. — Right-handed pitcher Hunter Cranton and infielder/catcher Kodey Shojinaga were each selected on the second day of the 2024 MLB Draft. Cranton was drafted in the 3rd round, 91st overall by the Seattle Mariners, while Shojinaga was selected in the 6th round, 192nd overall by the Philadelphia Phillies. They were the first Kansas players drafted since 2019 and the first under Head Coach Dan Fitzgerald."I'm really proud of Hunter and Kodey," Fitzgerald said. "Both guys are incredible workers, self starting, and ultra competitive. Their impact on KU Baseball will be felt for a long time."At 91st overall, Cranton tied for the second highest draft pick in program history with Jim Walker in 1993. Shojinaga's selection at 192nd overall marked the fifth highest position player ever drafted out of Kansas. The last position player to be drafted that high was Tony Thompson in 2010 with the 185th overall pick.Kansas has two Top-10 round picks for the first time since 2019 when Ryan Zeferjahn went in the third round with the 107th overall pick and Jaxx Groshans was drafted in the 5th round with the 167th overall selection.RHP Hunter Cranton (R-Sr.)Round 3, No. 91 Overall, Seattle MarinersCranton worked at the back end of the bullpen for Kansas in 2024. The flame-thrower, whose fastball sits in the upper 90s and has touched 100 mph, posted a 4-3 record with a 2.16 ERA and seven saves across 25 appearances this past season. Cranton did not allow an earned run in his first 11 appearances of the season and 10 of the final 11 outings of his college career."Hunter has two legitimate major league pitches and should be a quick mover through a really awesome Mariners player development system," Fitzgerald said.An All-Big 12 Honorable Mention, Cranton punched out 38 batters – compared to only nine walks – in 25.0 innings pitched. He recorded a strikeout in 20 of his 25 appearances and had multiple strikeouts in 14 of those outings. Cranton's 13.68 strikeouts per nine innings pitched ratio ranked the third highest in a single season in Kansas program history.The Newport Beach, California, native spent two seasons (2023 and 2024) in Lawrence. Cranton began his career at Saddleback College in 2020 and 2021 before spending the 2022 season at San Diego State.INF/C Kodey Shojinaga (So.)Round 6, No. 192 Overall, Philadelphia PhilliesShojinaga, who earned All-Big 12 Second Team honors as an infielder for a second consecutive season, led the team in hits (78) and doubles (20) in 2024. He was second on the team with a .335 batting average and he drew more walks (25) than times he struck out (22). Shojinaga's 10.6 at-bats per strikeout made him the second toughest to strikeout in the Big 12."Shoj had an incredible career as a Jayhawk and will undoubtedly continue to progress through a fantastic Phillies organization," Fitzgerald said. "Kodey has elite bat to ball skills, outstanding plate discipline, and a huge capacity for work."A freshman All-American and the Big 12 Co-Freshman of the Year in 2023, Shojinaga quickly became a consistent bat in the Jayhawks lineup the last two seasons. Shojinaga set a Kansas freshman record with a .378 batting average and posted a .418 batting average and recorded 41 hits in conference games, which were both a league best in his rookie campaign.A native of Honolulu, Hawaii, Shojinaga was originally recruited to Kansas as a catcher before he was converted to an infielder. His defensive versatility was crucial to keeping his bat in the lineup every day.The 2024 MLB Draft will conclude on Tuesday afternoon at 1 p.m. CT with rounds 11-20. Fans can watch and follow along with the final day of the draft on MLB.com.

⚾ 2 Jayhawks selected on Day 2 of MLB Draft

KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The Kansas City Royals selected eight players on the second day of the 2024 First-Year Player Draft.

With the 76th overall pick in the 3rd round, the Royals selected right-handed pitcher Drew Beam out of the University of Tennessee. Beam, 21, went 9-2 with a 4.22 ERA (48 ER in 102.1 IP) for the national champion Volunteers. Beam struck out 99 batters (22.7%) in 19 starts, while walking just 27 (6.2%). His efforts garnered national attention, as he was a Third-Team All-American by NCBWA, First-Team All-Region by ABCA and the 2024 SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Over three seasons at Tennessee, he went 26-8 with a 3.60 ERA (105 ER in 262.2 IP) and 249 strikeouts (22.7%), and just 71 walks (6.5%), posting a 1.19 WHIP. Beam also made 2 starts for the 2023 USA Collegiate National Team, striking out 7 batters in 8.0 innings, including a victory over Team Japan on July 8 (4.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R) and a win vs. Chinese Taipei on July 1 (4.0 IP, 1 R).

With the 105th overall pick in the 4th round, Kansas City selected right-handed pitcher LP (LouisPhilippe) Langevin out of the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. Langevin, 21, went 6-1 with 7 saves and a 3.73 ERA (26 ER in 62.2 IP) across 23 appearances (3 starts), striking out 106 batters (39.1 K%) while issuing just 33 walks (12.2 BB%) for the Ragin’ Cajuns, earning himself a semifinalist nod for&nbsp;the Dick Howser Trophy. His fastball metrics were outstanding, as he ranked 2nd in NCAA Division-I overall (45.0%) and in-zone (42.0%) whiff rate this season. A native of Quebec, Canada, LP spent his&nbsp;first two college seasons at Wabash Valley (Ill.) Community College and helped lead the Warriors to&nbsp;the finals of the 2023 Junior College World Series.

With the 138th overall pick in the 5th round, the Royals selected right-handed pitcher A.J. Causey out of the University of Tennessee, joining 3rd-rounder Drew Beam as 2024 Volunteers selected by the Royals. Causey and Beam played travel ball together throughout high school for the Vipers Baseball Academy. Causey, 21, went 13-3 for the national champions, posting a 4.43 ERA (45 ER in 91.1 IP) with 125 strikeouts (31.8%) and 22 walks (5.6%), earning Third-Team All American honors from Perfect Game, ABCA and NCBWA, as well as First-Team All-Southeast Region from ABCA. A.J. threw 3.2 innings as the bulk pitcher in Game 1 of the College World Series final vs. Texas A&amp;M, striking out 5 batters and walking just 1. He spent 2022-23 at Jacksonville State University (Fla.), where he went 9-6 with a 4.11 ERA (57 ER in 124.2 IP) and 147 strikeouts.

With the 167th overall pick in the 6th round, the Royals selected right-handed pitcher Tanner Jones out of Texas A&amp;M University. Jones, 21, spent last season with the Texas A&amp;M Aggies, and in his lone season with them he struck out 47 batters (20.7 K%) in 48.1 innings pitched. He attended Jacksonville State University from 2022-23, where he was teammates with Royals 4th rounder A.J. Causey. Jones attended Thorsby High School (Ala.), where he became the first student-athlete to sign with an NCAA Division-I program in 2021.

With the 197th overall pick in the 7th round, the Royals selected right-handed pitcher Dennis Colleran Jr. out of Northeastern University (Mass.). Colleran, 21, appeared in 20 games (4 starts) for&nbsp;Northeastern University this season, striking out 46 batters (24.6 K%) with 18 walks (9.6%) and 1 save. Displayed premium velocity in 2024 with a fastball that averaged between 96-100 mph, and maxed out at 99.2 mph at the Draft Combine in June. He missed 2023 due to Tommy John Surgery, but as a freshman in 2022, he appeared in 15 games, striking out 24 batters in 22.0 innings pitched. Colleran Jr. pitched in 9 games for Hyannis in the 2023 Cape Cod League, going 4-0 with 18 strikeouts (32.1&nbsp;K%) in 13.0 innings of work. He lettered in baseball and wrestling at North Attleboro High School (Mass.), where he won League MVP as a senior in 2021.

With the 227th overall pick in the 8th round, the Royals selected right-handed pitcher Nick Conte&nbsp;out of Duke University (N.C.). Conte, 22, has appeared in 20 games for the Duke Blue Devils in three seasons, striking out 23 batters (26.1 K%) in 18.1 innings pitched. He pitched in 6 games (3 finished)&nbsp;for Ocean State in the New England Collegiate Baseball League this summer, striking out 24 batters&nbsp;(55.8 K%) in 11.1 innings. Conte was a four-year letter-winner at North Providence High School (R.I.), where he went 13-5 as a junior and boasted a 4.0 GPA across all four years, and he was ranked by Perfect Game as the No. 1 right-handed pitcher and the No. 1 overall player in the state of Rhode&nbsp;Island coming out of high school.

With the 257th overall pick in the 9th round, the Royals selected catcher Canyon Brown out of&nbsp;North Carolina A&amp;T State University. Brown, 20, slashed .310/.414/.492 (61-for-197, .906 OPS) with 21 extra-base hits, 41 runs, 49 RBI and 23 walks to 28 strikeouts at North Carolina A&amp;T this season. Defensively, he threw out 27-of-57 (47.4%) attempted base runners and finished with a .979 fielding&nbsp;percentage. He played in three seasons for the Aggies, slashing .290/.374/.473 (161-for-556, .847&nbsp;OPS) across 151 games with 116 RBI and 59 extra-base hits. Brown was named a Collegiate Baseball&nbsp;Freshman All-American in 2022 after posting an .818 OPS across 52 games at North Carolina A&amp;T. He participated in the 2024 MLB Draft Combine, and was also named to the second annual HBCU Swingman Classic roster, a showcase for Division I HBCU college baseball programs played during&nbsp;the All-Star break. The game was held on July 12 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.

With the 287th overall pick in the 10th round, the Royals selected left-handed pitcher Nate Ackenhausen out of Louisiana State University. Ackenhausen, 22, struck out 59 batters (31.1 K%) in 43.0 innings across 20 appearances (5 starts) for the Louisiana State University Tigers this year. In two seasons at LSU, he has gone 6-5 with 4 saves and a 4.76 ERA (39 ER in 73.2 IP), as well as 95 strikeouts (29.3 K%). Ackenhausen was named to the 2023 SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll as a sport administration major. Prior to his time at LSU, he spent two seasons at Eastern Oklahoma State University, and posted an 8-1 record with a 1.84 ERA as a sophomore in 2022.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694083714074.png" alt="Photo Courtesy Kansas City Royals" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Kansas City Royals</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The Kansas City Royals selected eight players on the second day of the 2024 First-Year Player Draft.With the 76th overall pick in the 3rd round, the Royals selected right-handed pitcher Drew Beam out of the University of Tennessee. Beam, 21, went 9-2 with a 4.22 ERA (48 ER in 102.1 IP) for the national champion Volunteers. Beam struck out 99 batters (22.7%) in 19 starts, while walking just 27 (6.2%). His efforts garnered national attention, as he was a Third-Team All-American by NCBWA, First-Team All-Region by ABCA and the 2024 SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Over three seasons at Tennessee, he went 26-8 with a 3.60 ERA (105 ER in 262.2 IP) and 249 strikeouts (22.7%), and just 71 walks (6.5%), posting a 1.19 WHIP. Beam also made 2 starts for the 2023 USA Collegiate National Team, striking out 7 batters in 8.0 innings, including a victory over Team Japan on July 8 (4.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R) and a win vs. Chinese Taipei on July 1 (4.0 IP, 1 R).With the 105th overall pick in the 4th round, Kansas City selected right-handed pitcher LP (LouisPhilippe) Langevin out of the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. Langevin, 21, went 6-1 with 7 saves and a 3.73 ERA (26 ER in 62.2 IP) across 23 appearances (3 starts), striking out 106 batters (39.1 K%) while issuing just 33 walks (12.2 BB%) for the Ragin’ Cajuns, earning himself a semifinalist nod for&nbsp;the Dick Howser Trophy. His fastball metrics were outstanding, as he ranked 2nd in NCAA Division-I overall (45.0%) and in-zone (42.0%) whiff rate this season. A native of Quebec, Canada, LP spent his&nbsp;first two college seasons at Wabash Valley (Ill.) Community College and helped lead the Warriors to&nbsp;the finals of the 2023 Junior College World Series.With the 138th overall pick in the 5th round, the Royals selected right-handed pitcher A.J. Causey out of the University of Tennessee, joining 3rd-rounder Drew Beam as 2024 Volunteers selected by the Royals. Causey and Beam played travel ball together throughout high school for the Vipers Baseball Academy. Causey, 21, went 13-3 for the national champions, posting a 4.43 ERA (45 ER in 91.1 IP) with 125 strikeouts (31.8%) and 22 walks (5.6%), earning Third-Team All American honors from Perfect Game, ABCA and NCBWA, as well as First-Team All-Southeast Region from ABCA. A.J. threw 3.2 innings as the bulk pitcher in Game 1 of the College World Series final vs. Texas A&amp;M, striking out 5 batters and walking just 1. He spent 2022-23 at Jacksonville State University (Fla.), where he went 9-6 with a 4.11 ERA (57 ER in 124.2 IP) and 147 strikeouts.With the 167th overall pick in the 6th round, the Royals selected right-handed pitcher Tanner Jones out of Texas A&amp;M University. Jones, 21, spent last season with the Texas A&amp;M Aggies, and in his lone season with them he struck out 47 batters (20.7 K%) in 48.1 innings pitched. He attended Jacksonville State University from 2022-23, where he was teammates with Royals 4th rounder A.J. Causey. Jones attended Thorsby High School (Ala.), where he became the first student-athlete to sign with an NCAA Division-I program in 2021.With the 197th overall pick in the 7th round, the Royals selected right-handed pitcher Dennis Colleran Jr. out of Northeastern University (Mass.). Colleran, 21, appeared in 20 games (4 starts) for&nbsp;Northeastern University this season, striking out 46 batters (24.6 K%) with 18 walks (9.6%) and 1 save. Displayed premium velocity in 2024 with a fastball that averaged between 96-100 mph, and maxed out at 99.2 mph at the Draft Combine in June. He missed 2023 due to Tommy John Surgery, but as a freshman in 2022, he appeared in 15 games, striking out 24 batters in 22.0 innings pitched. Colleran Jr. pitched in 9 games for Hyannis in the 2023 Cape Cod League, going 4-0 with 18 strikeouts (32.1&nbsp;K%) in 13.0 innings of work. He lettered in baseball and wrestling at North Attleboro High School (Mass.), where he won League MVP as a senior in 2021.With the 227th overall pick in the 8th round, the Royals selected right-handed pitcher Nick Conte&nbsp;out of Duke University (N.C.). Conte, 22, has appeared in 20 games for the Duke Blue Devils in three seasons, striking out 23 batters (26.1 K%) in 18.1 innings pitched. He pitched in 6 games (3 finished)&nbsp;for Ocean State in the New England Collegiate Baseball League this summer, striking out 24 batters&nbsp;(55.8 K%) in 11.1 innings. Conte was a four-year letter-winner at North Providence High School (R.I.), where he went 13-5 as a junior and boasted a 4.0 GPA across all four years, and he was ranked by Perfect Game as the No. 1 right-handed pitcher and the No. 1 overall player in the state of Rhode&nbsp;Island coming out of high school.With the 257th overall pick in the 9th round, the Royals selected catcher Canyon Brown out of&nbsp;North Carolina A&amp;T State University. Brown, 20, slashed .310/.414/.492 (61-for-197, .906 OPS) with 21 extra-base hits, 41 runs, 49 RBI and 23 walks to 28 strikeouts at North Carolina A&amp;T this season. Defensively, he threw out 27-of-57 (47.4%) attempted base runners and finished with a .979 fielding&nbsp;percentage. He played in three seasons for the Aggies, slashing .290/.374/.473 (161-for-556, .847&nbsp;OPS) across 151 games with 116 RBI and 59 extra-base hits. Brown was named a Collegiate Baseball&nbsp;Freshman All-American in 2022 after posting an .818 OPS across 52 games at North Carolina A&amp;T. He participated in the 2024 MLB Draft Combine, and was also named to the second annual HBCU Swingman Classic roster, a showcase for Division I HBCU college baseball programs played during&nbsp;the All-Star break. The game was held on July 12 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.With the 287th overall pick in the 10th round, the Royals selected left-handed pitcher Nate Ackenhausen out of Louisiana State University. Ackenhausen, 22, struck out 59 batters (31.1 K%) in 43.0 innings across 20 appearances (5 starts) for the Louisiana State University Tigers this year. In two seasons at LSU, he has gone 6-5 with 4 saves and a 4.76 ERA (39 ER in 73.2 IP), as well as 95 strikeouts (29.3 K%). Ackenhausen was named to the 2023 SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll as a sport administration major. Prior to his time at LSU, he spent two seasons at Eastern Oklahoma State University, and posted an 8-1 record with a 1.84 ERA as a sophomore in 2022.

⚾ Royals select 8 on Day 2 of draft

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernández won the Home Run Derby when he beat local star Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals 14-13 in the final round. The 31-year-old Hernández hit 49 homers over three rounds that totaled 3.98 miles. He is the first Dodgers player to win the derby. Kansas City has never had a winner. Witt, needing one to tie with one out remaining, drove a ball to one of the deepest parts of the park in left-center, where it hit halfway up the wall.

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Paul Skenes was the center of attention in a ballpark filled with six dozen All-Stars. The 22-year-old Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher with 11 major league appearances will start for the National League on Tuesday night, when Baltimore's Corbin Burnes starts for the American League. Skenes will have the fewest big league games of any player in the showcase’s 91-year history. His splinker, a hybrid that sinks like a splitter with the velocity of a sinker, has batters muttering. He is 6-0 with a 1.90 ERA since his May 11 debut, striking out 89 and walking 13 in 66 1/3 innings.

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Baltimore’s Corbin Burnes will start for the American League in the All-Star Game against Pittsburgh rookie Paul Skenes. A 29-year-old right-hander, Burnes is 9-4 with a 2.93 ERA in his first season with the Orioles, who acquired him from Milwaukee just before spring training. Skenes, who made his major league debut on May 11, is 6-0 with a 1.90 ERA in 11 starts, striking out 89 and walking 13 in 66 1/3 innings. The 21-year-old right-hander will become the fifth rookie starter after Dave Stenhouse, Mark Fidrych, Fernando Valenzuela and Hideo Nomo.

UNDATED (AP) — Drew Beam was a key cog of Tennessee’s pitching staff on its road to a College World Series title. Now the right-hander hopes to make an impact for the up-and-coming Kansas City Royals. Beam was one of the first selections on Day 2 of Major League Baseball’s amateur draft on Monday after being taken with the second pick of the third round at No. 76 overall by the Royals. The second day consisted of rounds three through 10. Australian second baseman Travis Bazzana was taken by the Cleveland Guardians with the No. 1 overall pick on Sunday.

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Baseball can’t run away from its lack of runs. Batting averages are near half-century lows. Velocity is at an all-time high. The major league batting average was .240 through April and .239 in May, the lowest since the bottom of .237 in 1968’s Year of the Pitcher. It’s risen slightly along with the temperature as spring turned to summer: .246 in June and .250 in July, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Still, the season average of .243 heading into the All-Star break was just ahead of 2022 and 1968 as the lowest since the dead-ball era ended in 1920.

DALLAS (AP) — Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey unofficially opened the league’s first football season as 16-team league in North Texas. It was a setting for SEC Media Days at a time when everything about college sports seems to be in flux. He said it was time to update expectations for what college athletics can be. The 59-year-old commissioner stressed that college sports must find solutions from within. He also said that while he is paying attention litigation in the Atlantic Coast Conference involving Florida State and Clemson, the SEC is focused on its 16 schools and he is not a recruiter.

UNDATED (AP) — The short summer vacation is over for NFL players. It’s time to begin the journey to Super Bowl 59. Coming off a disappointing finish in the AFC championship game, the Baltimore Ravens became the first team to open training camp when they welcomed rookies on Saturday. Nineteen more teams get underway this week and all 32 clubs will open doors by July 24. Everyone is 0-0 but expectations aren’t the same. Some teams are legitimate contenders. A few are rebuilding. Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs are aiming to become the first team to three-peat since the 1965-67 Green Bay Packers won three consecutive NFL championships.

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Police say Colombia’s soccer federation president and his son were among 27 people arrested during the crowd control issues that broke out Sunday at the Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia. Ramón Jesurún and his son Ramon Jamil Jesurun were detained after the event at Hard Rock Stadium and charged, Miami-Dade police detective Andre Martin told The Associated Press. Martin did not disclose the charges. Arrest records showed Monday that Ramon Jamil Jesurun was booked on three counts of battery on an official. Colombia’s soccer federation didn’t immediately respond Monday to a request for comment from the AP.

BERLIN (AP) — Spain has won a record fourth European Championship title after Mikel Oyarzabal’s 86th-minute goal clinched a 2-1 victory as England's painful decades-long wait for a major trophy goes on. Oyarzabal slid in to poke home Marc Cucurella’s cross just when the game at Berlin’s Olympiastadion seemed destined for extra time after the latest show of resilience by England at the tournament. Substitute Cole Palmer equalized for England in the 73rd minute to cancel out Nico Williams’ opener in the 47th from 17-year-old winger Lamine Yamal’s pass.

UNDATED (AP) — Anthony Davis scored 17 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, Tyrese Haliburton came up with a pair of late 3-pointers that helped stop a freefall by the Americans, and the U.S. beat Australia 98-92 on Monday to improve to 2-0 in its five-game slate of exhibitions leading into the Paris Olympics. Devin Booker scored 16 for the U.S., which saw a 24-point second-half lead cut to four in the final moments. Jock Landale scored 20 for Australia, which got 17 from Josh Giddey and 14 from Dyson Daniels.

UNDATED (AP) — From Simone Biles to Sha’Carri Richardson and Diana Taurasi to Katie Ledecky, Team USA provides some of the biggest star power at the 2024 Olympic Games. It will be the women leading the way as the U.S. looks to lead the overall medal table for the eighth consecutive Summer Games. The nearly 600 athletes that make up the U.S. squad include more than 250 returning Olympians and 122 Olympic medalists. The women outnumber the men 314 to 278, at last count, and ages range from 16 to 59.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701494597443.png" alt="Sports Headlines and News for Tuesday, July 16th, 2024." />
 <figcaption>Sports Headlines and News for Tuesday, July 16th, 2024.</figcaption>
 </figure>ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers’ Teoscar Hernández won the Home Run Derby when he beat local star Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals 14-13 in the final round. The 31-year-old Hernández hit 49 homers over three rounds that totaled 3.98 miles. He is the first Dodgers player to win the derby. Kansas City has never had a winner. Witt, needing one to tie with one out remaining, drove a ball to one of the deepest parts of the park in left-center, where it hit halfway up the wall.ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Paul Skenes was the center of attention in a ballpark filled with six dozen All-Stars. The 22-year-old Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher with 11 major league appearances will start for the National League on Tuesday night, when Baltimore's Corbin Burnes starts for the American League. Skenes will have the fewest big league games of any player in the showcase’s 91-year history. His splinker, a hybrid that sinks like a splitter with the velocity of a sinker, has batters muttering. He is 6-0 with a 1.90 ERA since his May 11 debut, striking out 89 and walking 13 in 66 1/3 innings.ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Baltimore’s Corbin Burnes will start for the American League in the All-Star Game against Pittsburgh rookie Paul Skenes. A 29-year-old right-hander, Burnes is 9-4 with a 2.93 ERA in his first season with the Orioles, who acquired him from Milwaukee just before spring training. Skenes, who made his major league debut on May 11, is 6-0 with a 1.90 ERA in 11 starts, striking out 89 and walking 13 in 66 1/3 innings. The 21-year-old right-hander will become the fifth rookie starter after Dave Stenhouse, Mark Fidrych, Fernando Valenzuela and Hideo Nomo.UNDATED (AP) — Drew Beam was a key cog of Tennessee’s pitching staff on its road to a College World Series title. Now the right-hander hopes to make an impact for the up-and-coming Kansas City Royals. Beam was one of the first selections on Day 2 of Major League Baseball’s amateur draft on Monday after being taken with the second pick of the third round at No. 76 overall by the Royals. The second day consisted of rounds three through 10. Australian second baseman Travis Bazzana was taken by the Cleveland Guardians with the No. 1 overall pick on Sunday.ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Baseball can’t run away from its lack of runs. Batting averages are near half-century lows. Velocity is at an all-time high. The major league batting average was .240 through April and .239 in May, the lowest since the bottom of .237 in 1968’s Year of the Pitcher. It’s risen slightly along with the temperature as spring turned to summer: .246 in June and .250 in July, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Still, the season average of .243 heading into the All-Star break was just ahead of 2022 and 1968 as the lowest since the dead-ball era ended in 1920.DALLAS (AP) — Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey unofficially opened the league’s first football season as 16-team league in North Texas. It was a setting for SEC Media Days at a time when everything about college sports seems to be in flux. He said it was time to update expectations for what college athletics can be. The 59-year-old commissioner stressed that college sports must find solutions from within. He also said that while he is paying attention litigation in the Atlantic Coast Conference involving Florida State and Clemson, the SEC is focused on its 16 schools and he is not a recruiter.UNDATED (AP) — The short summer vacation is over for NFL players. It’s time to begin the journey to Super Bowl 59. Coming off a disappointing finish in the AFC championship game, the Baltimore Ravens became the first team to open training camp when they welcomed rookies on Saturday. Nineteen more teams get underway this week and all 32 clubs will open doors by July 24. Everyone is 0-0 but expectations aren’t the same. Some teams are legitimate contenders. A few are rebuilding. Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs are aiming to become the first team to three-peat since the 1965-67 Green Bay Packers won three consecutive NFL championships.MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Police say Colombia’s soccer federation president and his son were among 27 people arrested during the crowd control issues that broke out Sunday at the Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia. Ramón Jesurún and his son Ramon Jamil Jesurun were detained after the event at Hard Rock Stadium and charged, Miami-Dade police detective Andre Martin told The Associated Press. Martin did not disclose the charges. Arrest records showed Monday that Ramon Jamil Jesurun was booked on three counts of battery on an official. Colombia’s soccer federation didn’t immediately respond Monday to a request for comment from the AP.BERLIN (AP) — Spain has won a record fourth European Championship title after Mikel Oyarzabal’s 86th-minute goal clinched a 2-1 victory as England's painful decades-long wait for a major trophy goes on. Oyarzabal slid in to poke home Marc Cucurella’s cross just when the game at Berlin’s Olympiastadion seemed destined for extra time after the latest show of resilience by England at the tournament. Substitute Cole Palmer equalized for England in the 73rd minute to cancel out Nico Williams’ opener in the 47th from 17-year-old winger Lamine Yamal’s pass.UNDATED (AP) — Anthony Davis scored 17 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, Tyrese Haliburton came up with a pair of late 3-pointers that helped stop a freefall by the Americans, and the U.S. beat Australia 98-92 on Monday to improve to 2-0 in its five-game slate of exhibitions leading into the Paris Olympics. Devin Booker scored 16 for the U.S., which saw a 24-point second-half lead cut to four in the final moments. Jock Landale scored 20 for Australia, which got 17 from Josh Giddey and 14 from Dyson Daniels.UNDATED (AP) — From Simone Biles to Sha’Carri Richardson and Diana Taurasi to Katie Ledecky, Team USA provides some of the biggest star power at the 2024 Olympic Games. It will be the women leading the way as the U.S. looks to lead the overall medal table for the eighth consecutive Summer Games. The nearly 600 athletes that make up the U.S. squad include more than 250 returning Olympians and 122 Olympic medalists. The women outnumber the men 314 to 278, at last count, and ages range from 16 to 59.

📢📰🎧 Sports Headlines for Tuesday

HUTCHINSON, Kan. - The Hutchinson Monarchs continued their winning ways on Monday night with a 11-1 run-rule win over the Wichita Black Sox at Hobart-Detter field in Carey Park.

It was the Monarchs (25-6) ninth win in a row.

Hutchinson jumped out early aided by a three run home run by Jarrett Flaggertt to score five runs in the bottom of the first inning.&nbsp;

The Monarchs tacked on three more runs in the second and three in the fifth.

Flaggertt was three for three with three RBI's to lead the Monarchs in hiring.

Camden Cornelius pitched a gem for the win giving up only three hits through five innings. Ian Lanik came on in relief for two three-up, three-down innings including striking out the side in the seventh.

Hutchinson travels to Wellington for a non-league game tonight before wrapping up the season with a three game home stand Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721127231262.png" alt="Final - Monarchs vs Black Sox July 15th, 2024" />
 <figcaption>Final - Monarchs vs Black Sox July 15th, 2024</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. - The Hutchinson Monarchs continued their winning ways on Monday night with a 11-1 run-rule win over the Wichita Black Sox at Hobart-Detter field in Carey Park.It was the Monarchs (25-6) ninth win in a row.Hutchinson jumped out early aided by a three run home run by Jarrett Flaggertt to score five runs in the bottom of the first inning.&nbsp;The Monarchs tacked on three more runs in the second and three in the fifth.Flaggertt was three for three with three RBI's to lead the Monarchs in hiring.Camden Cornelius pitched a gem for the win giving up only three hits through five innings. Ian Lanik came on in relief for two three-up, three-down innings including striking out the side in the seventh.Hutchinson travels to Wellington for a non-league game tonight before wrapping up the season with a three game home stand Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

⚾ Hutch Monarchs win 9th straight; run-rule Black Sox

STEVEN HAWKINS AP Baseball Writer

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — When Teoscar Hernández needed a moment to calm down during the Home Run Derby, the Los Angeles Dodgers slugger got a boost from a former teammate who just happened to be last year's champion.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. wore a Blue Jays jersey with Hernández’s name and No. 37 on the back as he watched the competition, honoring his friend from their time as Toronto teammates from 2017-22.

“That was a surprise of the night,” Hernández said. “He brings my jersey from Toronto. And when he goes to home plate, he was trying to calm (me) down, and so he had passed two times, and it works. He said he wanted to help me going into the last round."

Hernández won the Home Run Derby when he beat local star Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals 14-13 in the final round Monday night.

The 31-year-old Hernández hit 49 homers over three rounds that totaled 3.98 miles and became the first Dodgers player to win the derby among 11 who have tried. While not participating in the derby this year, Guerrero gave Hernández advice during breaks.

“If I have to bet, it doesn't matter who I'm going against, I'm going to bet on myself,” Hernández said when asked if he felt like the underdog. “People maybe underestimate myself.”

Witt, needing one home run to tie with one out remaining, drove a ball to one of the deepest parts of Globe Life Field in left-center, where it hit halfway up the wall to the left of the 410-foot sign.

“When I hit it I knew I kind of — I didn’t hit it great. But, yeah, I just was trying to blow on it or something,” Witt said with a chuckle. "The first thing I thought was just no pop. ... We got to do a couple more curls or something.”

Kansas City has never had a derby winner.

Both finished their two-minute final round with 11 homers, before bonus swings were added. Witt came up short of his first two bonus swings, then hit two homers in a row — one a 457-foot drive that got him one more swing.

Witt was the No. 2 overall pick by the Royals in 2019 out of Colleyville Heritage High School, about 15 miles north of the Rangers' stadium. It was his first time in the derby, but he was the high school home run champion in Washington in 2018 — and is the only player to compete in both contests.

The 24-year-old Witt finished with 50 homers overall that traveled 3.8 miles.

Witt had knocked out Cleveland switch-hitter José Ramírez 17-12 in the semifinals. Hernández beat Philadelphia's Alec Bohm 16-15 after a tiebreaker when both got three swings — Hernández hit two out, and Bohm one. They were tied at 14 after the three-minute segment and their bonus rounds, and Bohm came close to avoiding that, but the last ball he hit then landed on the warning track in left-center field.

Ramírez and Bohm both hit 21 homers to pace the first round. Witt started with 20 homers and Hernández had 19.

The New York Mets' Pete Alonso fell short in his bid to join Ken Griffey Jr. as a three-time derby champion when he hit only 12 homers in the first round.

Instead of a single-elimination bracket like last year, the four hitters with the most homers in the first round advanced to the semifinal round. It then became a bracket-style competition.

Alonso hit a 428-foot homer to left-centerfield on his first swing, but couldn't get into a rhythm. The others knocked out after the first round were hometown favorite Adolis García of Texas, Atlanta's Marcell Ozuna and Baltimore's Gunnar Henderson.

“It's disappointing, but for me, I think it's really just a blessing and it's just fun being out there,” said Alonso who has 207 homers in his five derby appearances. “At the end of the day, it wasn't my day.”

Ozuna did have the longest homer of the night at 473 feet. The longest homers hit during games at the stadium were 472 feet — by Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels in 2022, and Oakland's Seth Brown in 2021.

Bohm, one of a franchise-record eight Phillies named All-Stars, has only 11 homers this season — the fewest among the eight derby competitors. He said he was going to try to hit as many balls as he could to left field and did — pulling all 21 of his homers that way in the first round.

It still felt like 100 degrees (38 Celsius) outside the ballpark when the derby began, but the retractable roof was closed on the stadium that opened in 2020. When the Rangers hosted the 1995 All-Star Game across the street in their old stadium without a roof, the derby wasn't yet a prime-time event and was held in the sweltering mid-afternoon heat.

Frank Thomas won in 1995 with 15 homers over three rounds in a different format. Albert Belle finished with a total of 16, then a Home Run Derby record, but Thomas beat him 3-2 in the final round.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721121273932.jpeg" alt="American League's Bobby Witt Jr., of the Kansas City Royals, connects during the MLB baseball All-Star Home Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)" />
 <figcaption>American League's Bobby Witt Jr., of the Kansas City Royals, connects during the MLB baseball All-Star Home Run Derby, Monday, July 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)</figcaption>
 </figure>STEVEN HAWKINS AP Baseball WriterARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — When Teoscar Hernández needed a moment to calm down during the Home Run Derby, the Los Angeles Dodgers slugger got a boost from a former teammate who just happened to be last year's champion.Vladimir Guerrero Jr. wore a Blue Jays jersey with Hernández’s name and No. 37 on the back as he watched the competition, honoring his friend from their time as Toronto teammates from 2017-22.“That was a surprise of the night,” Hernández said. “He brings my jersey from Toronto. And when he goes to home plate, he was trying to calm (me) down, and so he had passed two times, and it works. He said he wanted to help me going into the last round."Hernández won the Home Run Derby when he beat local star Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals 14-13 in the final round Monday night.The 31-year-old Hernández hit 49 homers over three rounds that totaled 3.98 miles and became the first Dodgers player to win the derby among 11 who have tried. While not participating in the derby this year, Guerrero gave Hernández advice during breaks.“If I have to bet, it doesn't matter who I'm going against, I'm going to bet on myself,” Hernández said when asked if he felt like the underdog. “People maybe underestimate myself.”Witt, needing one home run to tie with one out remaining, drove a ball to one of the deepest parts of Globe Life Field in left-center, where it hit halfway up the wall to the left of the 410-foot sign.“When I hit it I knew I kind of — I didn’t hit it great. But, yeah, I just was trying to blow on it or something,” Witt said with a chuckle. "The first thing I thought was just no pop. ... We got to do a couple more curls or something.”Kansas City has never had a derby winner.Both finished their two-minute final round with 11 homers, before bonus swings were added. Witt came up short of his first two bonus swings, then hit two homers in a row — one a 457-foot drive that got him one more swing.Witt was the No. 2 overall pick by the Royals in 2019 out of Colleyville Heritage High School, about 15 miles north of the Rangers' stadium. It was his first time in the derby, but he was the high school home run champion in Washington in 2018 — and is the only player to compete in both contests.The 24-year-old Witt finished with 50 homers overall that traveled 3.8 miles.Witt had knocked out Cleveland switch-hitter José Ramírez 17-12 in the semifinals. Hernández beat Philadelphia's Alec Bohm 16-15 after a tiebreaker when both got three swings — Hernández hit two out, and Bohm one. They were tied at 14 after the three-minute segment and their bonus rounds, and Bohm came close to avoiding that, but the last ball he hit then landed on the warning track in left-center field.Ramírez and Bohm both hit 21 homers to pace the first round. Witt started with 20 homers and Hernández had 19.The New York Mets' Pete Alonso fell short in his bid to join Ken Griffey Jr. as a three-time derby champion when he hit only 12 homers in the first round.Instead of a single-elimination bracket like last year, the four hitters with the most homers in the first round advanced to the semifinal round. It then became a bracket-style competition.Alonso hit a 428-foot homer to left-centerfield on his first swing, but couldn't get into a rhythm. The others knocked out after the first round were hometown favorite Adolis García of Texas, Atlanta's Marcell Ozuna and Baltimore's Gunnar Henderson.“It's disappointing, but for me, I think it's really just a blessing and it's just fun being out there,” said Alonso who has 207 homers in his five derby appearances. “At the end of the day, it wasn't my day.”Ozuna did have the longest homer of the night at 473 feet. The longest homers hit during games at the stadium were 472 feet — by Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels in 2022, and Oakland's Seth Brown in 2021.Bohm, one of a franchise-record eight Phillies named All-Stars, has only 11 homers this season — the fewest among the eight derby competitors. He said he was going to try to hit as many balls as he could to left field and did — pulling all 21 of his homers that way in the first round.It still felt like 100 degrees (38 Celsius) outside the ballpark when the derby began, but the retractable roof was closed on the stadium that opened in 2020. When the Rangers hosted the 1995 All-Star Game across the street in their old stadium without a roof, the derby wasn't yet a prime-time event and was held in the sweltering mid-afternoon heat.Frank Thomas won in 1995 with 15 homers over three rounds in a different format. Albert Belle finished with a total of 16, then a Home Run Derby record, but Thomas beat him 3-2 in the final round.

⚾ Dodgers' Hernández beats Royals' Witt for HR Derby title

Former Hutchinson Community College All-American baseball player Ben McLaughlin became the 41st Blue Dragon selected in the MLB Draft on Monday.

McLaughlin was chosen in the ninth round with the 284th overall selection by the Arizona Diamondbacks on Day 2 of the three-day draft in Dallas. McLaughlin is the ninth Blue Dragon to be selected within in the Top 10 rounds.

The former Blue Dragon from Golden, Colorado, is the first Dragon drafted since Dylan Nedved in 2022 by the San Diego Padres. He is the second player selected by the Diamondbacks in Hutchinson history. Quarterback Club Hall of Famer Tim Olson was drafted by Arizona in the seventh round in 2000.

Playing for the Blue Dragons in 2021 and 2022, McLaughlin was the first Blue Dragon to be named Region VI Defensive Player of the Year. He was a first-team All-Jayhawk Conference Western Division and first-team All-Region VI selection as well in 2022.

The infielder started the 2022 season at first base and then moved to third base on March 24. He committed no errors at third base over the final 32 games of the regular season and had just two errors at the hot corner all season long. McLaughlin fielded .986 this season with only three errors in 222 fielding chances this season.

McLaughlin was the Blue Dragons' undisputed offensive leader in 2022, hitting .411 (88 of 214) with 19 home runs and 83 RBIs. He also had 23 doubles and posted a .511 on-base percentage with team highs of 34 walks and 13 hit-by-pitches.

McLaughlin ranked third in RBIs, tied for fourth in home runs, fourth in hits, tied for second in doubles and is tied for ninth in runs score in Blue Dragon single-season history.

In 2022 conference games, McLaughlin hit .431 with 10 home runs, 13 doubles, 50 total hits and 39 RBIs with 23 walks. He fielded .991 in 32 KJCCC games this season.

McLaughlin had a 16-game and 13-game hitting streak this season. He had 29 multi-hit games (17 two-hit games and 12 three-hit games) and 23 multi-RBI games this season.

McLaughlin was named the NJCAA National Player of the Week on May 11, 2022, going 11 for 16 with three doubles, three home runs and 11 RBIs in a four-game series against Dodge City.

McLaughlin tied for seventh in the NJCAA in RBIs and was eighth in the nation in total bases with 172. His 19 home runs tied for 15th in the NJCAA. McLaughlin was sixth in the Jayhawk Conference with a .411 batting average and was fifth in slugging percentage at .804.

McLaughlin had 29 multi-hit games, including 12 three-hit games. He had 23 multi-RBI games with a season-high five RBIs against Dodge City on May 6. McLaughlin owns the Blue Dragon single-game RBI record with nine against Pratt on April 3, 2021.

As a freshman, McLaughlin hit .366 in 48 games with 60 total hits, 13 doubles, 13 home runs and 58 RBIs.

In 108 games as a Blue Dragon, McLaughlin hit .392 with 148 total hits (8th most in team history). He also ranks second in RBIs (141), second in home runs (32), fifth in doubles (36) and eighth in runs scored (122).

After Hutchinson, McLaughlin went to Arkansas and played for two seasons. McLaughlin hit .302 in his senior season and was named to the Fayetteville Regional all-tournament team. McLaughlin socked nine home runs and drove in 42 runs. As a junior, McLaughlin hit .346 with two homers and 14 RBIs.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721081643971.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy HutchCC Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy HutchCC Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>Hutchinson CC Sports InformationFormer Hutchinson Community College All-American baseball player Ben McLaughlin became the 41st Blue Dragon selected in the MLB Draft on Monday.McLaughlin was chosen in the ninth round with the 284th overall selection by the Arizona Diamondbacks on Day 2 of the three-day draft in Dallas. McLaughlin is the ninth Blue Dragon to be selected within in the Top 10 rounds.The former Blue Dragon from Golden, Colorado, is the first Dragon drafted since Dylan Nedved in 2022 by the San Diego Padres. He is the second player selected by the Diamondbacks in Hutchinson history. Quarterback Club Hall of Famer Tim Olson was drafted by Arizona in the seventh round in 2000.Playing for the Blue Dragons in 2021 and 2022, McLaughlin was the first Blue Dragon to be named Region VI Defensive Player of the Year. He was a first-team All-Jayhawk Conference Western Division and first-team All-Region VI selection as well in 2022.The infielder started the 2022 season at first base and then moved to third base on March 24. He committed no errors at third base over the final 32 games of the regular season and had just two errors at the hot corner all season long. McLaughlin fielded .986 this season with only three errors in 222 fielding chances this season.McLaughlin was the Blue Dragons' undisputed offensive leader in 2022, hitting .411 (88 of 214) with 19 home runs and 83 RBIs. He also had 23 doubles and posted a .511 on-base percentage with team highs of 34 walks and 13 hit-by-pitches.McLaughlin ranked third in RBIs, tied for fourth in home runs, fourth in hits, tied for second in doubles and is tied for ninth in runs score in Blue Dragon single-season history.In 2022 conference games, McLaughlin hit .431 with 10 home runs, 13 doubles, 50 total hits and 39 RBIs with 23 walks. He fielded .991 in 32 KJCCC games this season.McLaughlin had a 16-game and 13-game hitting streak this season. He had 29 multi-hit games (17 two-hit games and 12 three-hit games) and 23 multi-RBI games this season.McLaughlin was named the NJCAA National Player of the Week on May 11, 2022, going 11 for 16 with three doubles, three home runs and 11 RBIs in a four-game series against Dodge City.McLaughlin tied for seventh in the NJCAA in RBIs and was eighth in the nation in total bases with 172. His 19 home runs tied for 15th in the NJCAA. McLaughlin was sixth in the Jayhawk Conference with a .411 batting average and was fifth in slugging percentage at .804.McLaughlin had 29 multi-hit games, including 12 three-hit games. He had 23 multi-RBI games with a season-high five RBIs against Dodge City on May 6. McLaughlin owns the Blue Dragon single-game RBI record with nine against Pratt on April 3, 2021.As a freshman, McLaughlin hit .366 in 48 games with 60 total hits, 13 doubles, 13 home runs and 58 RBIs.In 108 games as a Blue Dragon, McLaughlin hit .392 with 148 total hits (8th most in team history). He also ranks second in RBIs (141), second in home runs (32), fifth in doubles (36) and eighth in runs scored (122).After Hutchinson, McLaughlin went to Arkansas and played for two seasons. McLaughlin hit .302 in his senior season and was named to the Fayetteville Regional all-tournament team. McLaughlin socked nine home runs and drove in 42 runs. As a junior, McLaughlin hit .346 with two homers and 14 RBIs.

⚾ Former Blue Dragon McLaughlin drafted by D-backs

WICHITA, Kan.&nbsp;–&nbsp;Wichita State senior left-handed pitcher&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/caden-favors/7628">Caden Favors</a>&nbsp;was selected in the 6th Round of the 2024 MLB Draft by the Cleveland Guardians&nbsp;on Monday afternoon. Favors was the 175th&nbsp;overall selection.

The Shockers have now had a player picked&nbsp;in 44 consecutive MLB drafts with the exception of 2020, which was shortened to just five rounds due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Favors was the workhorse of the Wichita State weekend rotation in 2024, earning Second Team&nbsp;ABCA/Rawlings Central All-Region and First Team All-American Athletic Conference honors. 

The southpaw went 9-4 with a 3.21 ERA over 17 appearances that included 16 starts and&nbsp;106.2 innings, the seventh-most in the country and the highest total from a Shocker since Jordan Cooper tossed 107.1 in 2010. Favors struck out 107 while issuing only 20 walks, good for a 5.35:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio that easily led the American Athletic Conference and ranked 18th nationally. His 1.69 walks per nine innings was the lowest rate in the conference while the 107 strikeouts ranked second on the circuit. He notched 10 strikeouts in consecutive starts against Utah Tech and Long Beach State on his way to becoming the first WSU pitcher with 100 strikeouts in a season since Charlie Lowell in 2011.

Favors was the only hurler in the AAC with multiple complete games and worked at least 5.2 innings in every start with the exception of his final start before the conference tournament when he was lifted early to preserve his pitch count. He delivered two brilliant starts in the conference tournament, holding UAB to one run over 6.1 innings and top-seeded East Carolina to two runs over 7.0 innings.

The left-hander finished his three-season Wichita State career 14-9 with a 3.29 ERA in 61 appearances and 25 starts covering 200.0 innings. He struck out 191 and walked 47.The MLB Draft concludes on Tuesday with rounds 11-20, beginning at 1:00 pm CT.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721078055559.png" alt="Photo Courtesy Wichita State Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Wichita State Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>Wichita State AthleticsWICHITA, Kan.&nbsp;–&nbsp;Wichita State senior left-handed pitcher&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/caden-favors/7628">Caden Favors</a>&nbsp;was selected in the 6th Round of the 2024 MLB Draft by the Cleveland Guardians&nbsp;on Monday afternoon. Favors was the 175th&nbsp;overall selection.The Shockers have now had a player picked&nbsp;in 44 consecutive MLB drafts with the exception of 2020, which was shortened to just five rounds due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Favors was the workhorse of the Wichita State weekend rotation in 2024, earning Second Team&nbsp;ABCA/Rawlings Central All-Region and First Team All-American Athletic Conference honors. The southpaw went 9-4 with a 3.21 ERA over 17 appearances that included 16 starts and&nbsp;106.2 innings, the seventh-most in the country and the highest total from a Shocker since Jordan Cooper tossed 107.1 in 2010. Favors struck out 107 while issuing only 20 walks, good for a 5.35:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio that easily led the American Athletic Conference and ranked 18th nationally. His 1.69 walks per nine innings was the lowest rate in the conference while the 107 strikeouts ranked second on the circuit. He notched 10 strikeouts in consecutive starts against Utah Tech and Long Beach State on his way to becoming the first WSU pitcher with 100 strikeouts in a season since Charlie Lowell in 2011.Favors was the only hurler in the AAC with multiple complete games and worked at least 5.2 innings in every start with the exception of his final start before the conference tournament when he was lifted early to preserve his pitch count. He delivered two brilliant starts in the conference tournament, holding UAB to one run over 6.1 innings and top-seeded East Carolina to two runs over 7.0 innings.The left-hander finished his three-season Wichita State career 14-9 with a 3.29 ERA in 61 appearances and 25 starts covering 200.0 innings. He struck out 191 and walked 47.The MLB Draft concludes on Tuesday with rounds 11-20, beginning at 1:00 pm CT.

⚾ WSU's Favors drafted by Guardians

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Baltimore’s Corbin Burnes will start for the American League in Tuesday night’s All-Star Game against Pittsburgh rookie Paul Skenes.

A 29-year-old right-hander, Burnes is 9-4 with a 2.93 ERA in his first season with the Orioles, who acquired him from Milwaukee just before spring training. The 2021 NL Cy Young Award winner, Burnes is an All-Star for the fourth straight season. He will become the fifth Orioles pitcher to start an All-Star Game, the first since Steve Stone in 1980.

Skenes, who made his major league debut on May 11, is 6-0 with a 1.90 ERA in 11 starts, striking out 89 and walking 13 in 66 1/3 innings. The 11 starts for the 21-year-old right-hander will be the fewest for an All-Star and he will become the fifth rookie starter after Dave Stenhouse (1962), Mark Fidrych (1976), Fernando Valenzuela (1981) and Hideo Nomo (1995).

NL manager Torey Lovullo announced last week he was starting Skenes.

AL manager Bruce Bochy of World Series champion Texas said Monday he has Steven Kwan of Cleveland hitting leadoff and playing left field, followed by Baltimore shortstop Gunnar Henderson, New York Yankees right fielder Juan Soto and center fielder Aaron Judge, Houston designed hitter Yordan Alvarez, Guardians shortstop José Ramírez, Toronto first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman and Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien.

Ketel Marte bats first and plays second base for the NL, followed by Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, Philadelphia shortstop Trea Turner, Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper, Milwaukee catcher William Contreras, Brewers right fielder Christian Yelich, Phillies third baseman Alex Bohm, Dodgers center fielder Teoscar Hernández and San Diego left fielder Jurickson Profar.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721071377698.png" alt="Photo Courtesy Major League Baseball" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Major League Baseball</figcaption>
 </figure>ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Baltimore’s Corbin Burnes will start for the American League in Tuesday night’s All-Star Game against Pittsburgh rookie Paul Skenes.A 29-year-old right-hander, Burnes is 9-4 with a 2.93 ERA in his first season with the Orioles, who acquired him from Milwaukee just before spring training. The 2021 NL Cy Young Award winner, Burnes is an All-Star for the fourth straight season. He will become the fifth Orioles pitcher to start an All-Star Game, the first since Steve Stone in 1980.Skenes, who made his major league debut on May 11, is 6-0 with a 1.90 ERA in 11 starts, striking out 89 and walking 13 in 66 1/3 innings. The 11 starts for the 21-year-old right-hander will be the fewest for an All-Star and he will become the fifth rookie starter after Dave Stenhouse (1962), Mark Fidrych (1976), Fernando Valenzuela (1981) and Hideo Nomo (1995).NL manager Torey Lovullo announced last week he was starting Skenes.AL manager Bruce Bochy of World Series champion Texas said Monday he has Steven Kwan of Cleveland hitting leadoff and playing left field, followed by Baltimore shortstop Gunnar Henderson, New York Yankees right fielder Juan Soto and center fielder Aaron Judge, Houston designed hitter Yordan Alvarez, Guardians shortstop José Ramírez, Toronto first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman and Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien.Ketel Marte bats first and plays second base for the NL, followed by Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, Philadelphia shortstop Trea Turner, Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper, Milwaukee catcher William Contreras, Brewers right fielder Christian Yelich, Phillies third baseman Alex Bohm, Dodgers center fielder Teoscar Hernández and San Diego left fielder Jurickson Profar.

⚾ Starters revealed for MLB All-Star Game Tuesday

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp; –&nbsp;A pair of Wildcats –&nbsp;Ques Glover&nbsp;and&nbsp;David N’Guessan&nbsp;– were selected to the 2023-24 National Association of Basketball Coaches Association (NABC) Honors Court in announcement by the organization on Monday (July 15).

The NABC Honors Court is bestowed upon juniors, seniors and/or graduate students who post a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher in a given academic year.

It marks the second consecutive year that N’Guessan has earned the honor. He was recently named to the 2024 Winter Academic All-Big 12 First Team. Glover won the accolade for the first time in his career.

In addition to head coach&nbsp;Jerome Tang&nbsp;and Chief of Staff&nbsp;Marco Borne, several individuals play a pivotal role in support of the team’s academic excellence, including Senior Associate AD&nbsp;Kristin Waller&nbsp;and her staff in the Evans Student-Athlete Success Program, including academic counselor&nbsp;Jamie Cherry, and Assistant AD&nbsp;Andrė Bean&nbsp;and his staff in the Evans Competitive Advantage Program.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721070322583.png" alt="Photo Courtesy Kansas State Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Kansas State Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas State AthleticsMANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp; –&nbsp;A pair of Wildcats –&nbsp;Ques Glover&nbsp;and&nbsp;David N’Guessan&nbsp;– were selected to the 2023-24 National Association of Basketball Coaches Association (NABC) Honors Court in announcement by the organization on Monday (July 15).The NABC Honors Court is bestowed upon juniors, seniors and/or graduate students who post a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher in a given academic year.It marks the second consecutive year that N’Guessan has earned the honor. He was recently named to the 2024 Winter Academic All-Big 12 First Team. Glover won the accolade for the first time in his career.In addition to head coach&nbsp;Jerome Tang&nbsp;and Chief of Staff&nbsp;Marco Borne, several individuals play a pivotal role in support of the team’s academic excellence, including Senior Associate AD&nbsp;Kristin Waller&nbsp;and her staff in the Evans Student-Athlete Success Program, including academic counselor&nbsp;Jamie Cherry, and Assistant AD&nbsp;Andrė Bean&nbsp;and his staff in the Evans Competitive Advantage Program.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 MBB: K-State's Glover, N’Guessan selected to NABC Honors Court

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Community College football team has garnered recognition among the national media, as the Blue Dragons are the No. 1 team in the JCGridiron Preseason Dirty 30 Rankings.

JCGridiron is a Rivals site affiliated with Yahoo Sports. The JCGridiron portion of the site is the leader in junior college football recruiting news.

Brad Hoiseth, the owner and publisher of JCGridiron has been promoting junior college football and ranking teams in his Dirty 30 Rankings for the past 20 years.

The preseason rankings are often questioned, according to Hoiseth.

"During the spring, JCGridiron solicits the coaches in an attempt to locate the top talent for the Rivals database," Hoiseth said. "If coaches do not respond, they are likely not to get as high of a ranking as they would expect. The bottom line is, if we don’t know what you have it’s hard for us to give you a high ranking. Fortunately, most of the power programs do respond because they understand the importance of promoting their players and getting them in the database."

Hoiseth had this to say about the Blue Dragons: "The bullseye to start the season is on Hutchinson, who seems to have all the necessary pieces to make another run at a title. The Blue Dragons last won a title during the COVID-19 season (20-21) and have been knocking on the door for a second title ever since. Head coach Drew Dallas is 38-4 since taking over the reigns and was in a great spot to win the title last season before falling in a tight battle to East Mississippi in the NJCAA semifinals. They should be the favorites for a third straight Jayhawk Conference title. Hutch should be very good on both sides of the ball, but particularly gritty on defense."

The Blue Dragons open the season on Thursday, August 29 at 6 p.m. against New Mexico Military Institute at Gowans Stadium. The game can be heard on the flagship station for Blue Dragon athletics, <a href="https://streamdb5web.securenetsystems.net/v5/KHUT">Country 102.9 (KHUT-FM)</a>.

🏈 Blue Dragons top JCGridiron preseason rankings

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The defending NBC World Series champion Hutchinson Monarchs (24-6) will host the the Black Sox (5-17) at Hobart-Detter Field in Carey Park Monday night with the first pitch scheduled for 7 p.m. This will be the start of the last five regular season games that will conclude on Saturday.

The Monarchs are slated for 20 home games with all 20 games set to be video streamed on <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/8dc5bdf3-e9a7-4011-9b4a-2b453688d13f">hutchpost.com</a> as well as on the <a href="http://www.monarchslive.tv">monarchslive.tv</a> channel. Glen Grunwald will have the play-by-play call with Matt Peterson providing the video stream sponsored by Mid-Way Motors.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721048737148.png" alt="Game Day vs Black Sox&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Game Day vs Black Sox&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The defending NBC World Series champion Hutchinson Monarchs (24-6) will host the the Black Sox (5-17) at Hobart-Detter Field in Carey Park Monday night with the first pitch scheduled for 7 p.m. This will be the start of the last five regular season games that will conclude on Saturday.The Monarchs are slated for 20 home games with all 20 games set to be video streamed on <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/8dc5bdf3-e9a7-4011-9b4a-2b453688d13f">hutchpost.com</a> as well as on the <a href="http://www.monarchslive.tv">monarchslive.tv</a> channel. Glen Grunwald will have the play-by-play call with Matt Peterson providing the video stream sponsored by Mid-Way Motors.&nbsp;<div><iframe src="https://vcloud.hudl.com/broadcast/embed/1121790?autoplay=1" width="640" height="360" allow="fullscreen;" style="border:0;overflow:hidden;"></iframe></div>

⚾ Monarchs begin final week of regular season at home against Black Sox

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701263164849.png" alt="Early Morning Sports with Rob Dreher for Monday, July 15th, 2024." />
 <figcaption>Early Morning Sports with Rob Dreher for Monday, July 15th, 2024.</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="July 15th, 2024 Early Morning Sports" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=qq7nn-166c366-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=60a0c8&font-color=&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=ff6d00" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

🎧 LISTEN: ⚾ Royals drop 2 of 3 to Boston:⚾ Royals MLB draft results 

Argentina wins record 16th Copa America title, beats Colombia 1-0 after Messi gets hurt

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Argentina won its second straight Copa America championship, overcoming Lionel Messi's second-half leg injury to beat Colombia 1-0 on Lautaro Martínez's 112th-minute goal. Messi appeared to sustain a non-contact injury while running and falling in the 64th minute and covered his face with his hands when he sat on the bench. Martínez later ran to that bench to hug his captain after the goal that propelled Argentina to its record 16th Copa title. In a match that started 1 hour, 22 minutes late because of crowd trouble at Hard Rock Stadium, Argentina won its third straight major title following the 2021 Copa America and 2022 World Cup.

Lionel Messi exits Copa America final with apparent leg injury, ankle swollen

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi's night ended early during the Copa America final when he emotionally exited the field in the 64th minute with an apparent leg injury on Sunday night. The 37-year-old appeared to suffer a noncontact injury while running full speed on the pitch as defending champ Argentina remained in a scoreless match against Colombia. Messi immediately looked toward the Argentina bench as he went to the ground. He remained down for several minutes as trainers came out. He was helped to his feet and immediately took his shoe off his right foot.

Argentina beats Colombia 1-0 in Copa America final after crowd control issues cause match delay

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Fans appeared to breach the security gates at Hard Rock Stadium hours before the Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia. Video posted on social media showed fans jumping over security railings near the Southwest entrance of the stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, and running past police officers and stadium attendants. Screams could be heard in the background. A handful of people could be seen receiving medical treatment and asking for water in the sweltering South Florida heat. Officers were able to push the crowd behind black gates and lock down the entrance so that no one could get inside.

Spain wins record fourth European Championship title by inflicting another painful loss on England

BERLIN (AP) — Spain has won a record fourth European Championship title after Mikel Oyarzabal's 86th-minute goal clinched a 2-1 victory as England's painful decades-long wait for a major trophy goes on. Oyarzabal slid in to poke home Marc Cucurella's cross just when the game at Berlin's Olympiastadion seemed destined for extra time after the latest show of resilience by England at the tournament. Substitute Cole Palmer equalized for England in the 73rd minute to cancel out Nico Williams' opener in the 47th from 17-year-old winger Lamine Yamal's pass.

Australian second baseman Travis Bazzana taken by Cleveland Guardians with top MLB draft pick

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Australian second baseman Travis Bazzana was taken by the Cleveland Guardians with the No. 1 pick in Major League Baseball's amateur draft when three players from Wake Forest were selected in the top 10. A former cricket, rugby and soccer player who came to the United States to play baseball for Oregon State, the 21-year-old hit .407 with 28 homers and 66 RBIs this season. Baseball's top pick this year had a slot value of $10.57 million under the bonus pools system. Cleveland had the top pick for the first time since the draft began in 1965.

Carlos Alcaraz wants a seat at the adult table after his second Wimbledon and fourth Slam trophy

LONDON (AP) — Carlos Alcaraz is achieving all sorts of things Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic didn't by his age. The 21-year-old Spaniard already owns two Wimbledon titles and four Grand Slam trophies in all. His straight-set victory over Djokovic in the Wimbledon final on Sunday was only Alcaraz's latest impressive triumph. But he is hardly satisfied. He wants to keep going, keep improving and keep winning. He says he won't place any limits on what he can accomplish and has no idea whether he can collect as major championships as the so-called Big Three of men's tennis did.

Furue of Japan wins Evian Championship for her 1st major, beats Australian Kyriacou by 1 shot

EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France (AP) — Ayaka Furue of Japan makes a late charge to win the Evian Championship with an eagle on the last hole to clinch her first major title. The 24-year-old Furue held her nerve with another clinical putt, having made three birdies in the previous four holes to finish on 19 under overall. Furue placed one stroke ahead of overnight leader Stephanie Kyriacou of Australia and two clear of Thailand's Patty Tavatanakit, who made a superb 8-under 63 in the final round to move into contention for her second major.

Jacoby Jones, a star of Baltimore's most recent Super Bowl title run, has died at age 40

BALTIMORE (AP) — Former NFL receiver Jacoby Jones has died at age 40. Jones' 108-yard kickoff return in 2013 remains the longest touchdown in Super Bowl history. The Houston Texans were Jones' team for the first five seasons of his career. They announced his death on Sunday. In a statement released by the NFL Players Association, his family said he died at his home in New Orleans. A cause of death was not given. Jones played from 2007-15 for the Texans, Baltimore Ravens, San Diego Chargers and Pittsburgh Steelers. He made several huge plays for the Ravens during their most recent Super Bowl title season, including that kick return.

Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark score 17 each as Fever beat Lynx 81-74

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Kelsey Mitchell scored 21 points, Aliyah Boston had a double-double and Caitlin Clark finished with 17 points with six assists to help the Indiana Fever beat the Minnesota Lynx 81-74. Boston scored 17 points on 8-of-11 shooting, grabbed a career-best 16 rebounds and had four blocks for the Fever. Clark set up Boston for a layup before Samuelson fed Boston for another layup to give the Fever a four-point lead with 2 minutes to go. Clark and Mitchell combine to make 6-of-6 free throws from there to seal it. Alanna Smith had 18 points, eight rebounds and four steals for Minnesota (16-8). Bridget Carleton tied her career high with five 3-pointers and finished with 17 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Napheesa Collier (foot) missed her fourth consecutive game.

Yankees, Orioles both score 3 in the ninth. After all that chaos, Baltimore leads the division by 1

BALTIMORE (AP) — The Baltimore Orioles prevailed in a wild ninth inning in which each closer allowed three runs. The Orioles beat the Yankees 6-5 and took a one-game lead over New York atop the AL East. Cedric Mullins hit a two-run double to win the game. An error by shortstop Anthony Volpe with two outs kept Baltimore's winning rally going. Then left fielder Alex Verdugo misplayed Mullins' line drive and turned it into the winning hit. New York lost for the 18th time in its last 26 games. The Orioles had dropped five straight after the Yankees took the first two games of the series.

Here are the scores from yesterday's sports events:

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701494597443.png" alt="Sports Headlines and News for Monday, July 15th, 2024" />
 <figcaption>Sports Headlines and News for Monday, July 15th, 2024</figcaption>
 </figure>AP Sports Summary for July 15th, 2024:<div><iframe title="AP Sports Summary for July 15th, 2024" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=t5fm3-166c35a-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=60a0c8&font-color=&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=ff6d00" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>Argentina wins record 16th Copa America title, beats Colombia 1-0 after Messi gets hurtMIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Argentina won its second straight Copa America championship, overcoming Lionel Messi's second-half leg injury to beat Colombia 1-0 on Lautaro Martínez's 112th-minute goal. Messi appeared to sustain a non-contact injury while running and falling in the 64th minute and covered his face with his hands when he sat on the bench. Martínez later ran to that bench to hug his captain after the goal that propelled Argentina to its record 16th Copa title. In a match that started 1 hour, 22 minutes late because of crowd trouble at Hard Rock Stadium, Argentina won its third straight major title following the 2021 Copa America and 2022 World Cup.Lionel Messi exits Copa America final with apparent leg injury, ankle swollenMIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi's night ended early during the Copa America final when he emotionally exited the field in the 64th minute with an apparent leg injury on Sunday night. The 37-year-old appeared to suffer a noncontact injury while running full speed on the pitch as defending champ Argentina remained in a scoreless match against Colombia. Messi immediately looked toward the Argentina bench as he went to the ground. He remained down for several minutes as trainers came out. He was helped to his feet and immediately took his shoe off his right foot.Argentina beats Colombia 1-0 in Copa America final after crowd control issues cause match delayMIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Fans appeared to breach the security gates at Hard Rock Stadium hours before the Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia. Video posted on social media showed fans jumping over security railings near the Southwest entrance of the stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, and running past police officers and stadium attendants. Screams could be heard in the background. A handful of people could be seen receiving medical treatment and asking for water in the sweltering South Florida heat. Officers were able to push the crowd behind black gates and lock down the entrance so that no one could get inside.Spain wins record fourth European Championship title by inflicting another painful loss on EnglandBERLIN (AP) — Spain has won a record fourth European Championship title after Mikel Oyarzabal's 86th-minute goal clinched a 2-1 victory as England's painful decades-long wait for a major trophy goes on. Oyarzabal slid in to poke home Marc Cucurella's cross just when the game at Berlin's Olympiastadion seemed destined for extra time after the latest show of resilience by England at the tournament. Substitute Cole Palmer equalized for England in the 73rd minute to cancel out Nico Williams' opener in the 47th from 17-year-old winger Lamine Yamal's pass.Australian second baseman Travis Bazzana taken by Cleveland Guardians with top MLB draft pickFORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Australian second baseman Travis Bazzana was taken by the Cleveland Guardians with the No. 1 pick in Major League Baseball's amateur draft when three players from Wake Forest were selected in the top 10. A former cricket, rugby and soccer player who came to the United States to play baseball for Oregon State, the 21-year-old hit .407 with 28 homers and 66 RBIs this season. Baseball's top pick this year had a slot value of $10.57 million under the bonus pools system. Cleveland had the top pick for the first time since the draft began in 1965.Carlos Alcaraz wants a seat at the adult table after his second Wimbledon and fourth Slam trophyLONDON (AP) — Carlos Alcaraz is achieving all sorts of things Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic didn't by his age. The 21-year-old Spaniard already owns two Wimbledon titles and four Grand Slam trophies in all. His straight-set victory over Djokovic in the Wimbledon final on Sunday was only Alcaraz's latest impressive triumph. But he is hardly satisfied. He wants to keep going, keep improving and keep winning. He says he won't place any limits on what he can accomplish and has no idea whether he can collect as major championships as the so-called Big Three of men's tennis did.Furue of Japan wins Evian Championship for her 1st major, beats Australian Kyriacou by 1 shotEVIAN-LES-BAINS, France (AP) — Ayaka Furue of Japan makes a late charge to win the Evian Championship with an eagle on the last hole to clinch her first major title. The 24-year-old Furue held her nerve with another clinical putt, having made three birdies in the previous four holes to finish on 19 under overall. Furue placed one stroke ahead of overnight leader Stephanie Kyriacou of Australia and two clear of Thailand's Patty Tavatanakit, who made a superb 8-under 63 in the final round to move into contention for her second major.Jacoby Jones, a star of Baltimore's most recent Super Bowl title run, has died at age 40BALTIMORE (AP) — Former NFL receiver Jacoby Jones has died at age 40. Jones' 108-yard kickoff return in 2013 remains the longest touchdown in Super Bowl history. The Houston Texans were Jones' team for the first five seasons of his career. They announced his death on Sunday. In a statement released by the NFL Players Association, his family said he died at his home in New Orleans. A cause of death was not given. Jones played from 2007-15 for the Texans, Baltimore Ravens, San Diego Chargers and Pittsburgh Steelers. He made several huge plays for the Ravens during their most recent Super Bowl title season, including that kick return.Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark score 17 each as Fever beat Lynx 81-74MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Kelsey Mitchell scored 21 points, Aliyah Boston had a double-double and Caitlin Clark finished with 17 points with six assists to help the Indiana Fever beat the Minnesota Lynx 81-74. Boston scored 17 points on 8-of-11 shooting, grabbed a career-best 16 rebounds and had four blocks for the Fever. Clark set up Boston for a layup before Samuelson fed Boston for another layup to give the Fever a four-point lead with 2 minutes to go. Clark and Mitchell combine to make 6-of-6 free throws from there to seal it. Alanna Smith had 18 points, eight rebounds and four steals for Minnesota (16-8). Bridget Carleton tied her career high with five 3-pointers and finished with 17 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Napheesa Collier (foot) missed her fourth consecutive game.Yankees, Orioles both score 3 in the ninth. After all that chaos, Baltimore leads the division by 1BALTIMORE (AP) — The Baltimore Orioles prevailed in a wild ninth inning in which each closer allowed three runs. The Orioles beat the Yankees 6-5 and took a one-game lead over New York atop the AL East. Cedric Mullins hit a two-run double to win the game. An error by shortstop Anthony Volpe with two outs kept Baltimore's winning rally going. Then left fielder Alex Verdugo misplayed Mullins' line drive and turned it into the winning hit. New York lost for the 18th time in its last 26 games. The Orioles had dropped five straight after the Yankees took the first two games of the series.AP-ScorecardHere are the scores from yesterday's sports events:___INTERLEAGUEFinal	Oakland	18	Philadelphia	3	Final	Detroit	4	L.A. Dodgers	3	Final	Pittsburgh	9	Chicago White Sox	4	Final	San Francisco	3	Minnesota	2	Final	Toronto	8	Arizona	7	___AMERICAN LEAGUEFinal	Baltimore	6	N.Y. Yankees	5	Final	Tampa Bay	2	Cleveland	0	Final	Boston	5	Kansas City	4	Final	Texas	4	Houston	2	Final	L.A. Angels	3	Seattle	2	___NATIONAL LEAGUEFinal	Miami	3	Cincinnati	2	Final	Chicago Cubs	8	St. Louis	3	Final	Colorado	8	N.Y. Mets	5	Final	Milwaukee	9	Washington	3	Final	Atlanta	6	San Diego	3	___WOMEN'S NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATIONFinal	Connecticut	96	Phoenix	69	Final	Las Vegas	89	Washington	77	Final	Indiana	81	Minnesota	74	Final	Seattle	81	Atlanta	70	___TODAY'S SPORTS SCHEDULE___

📢📰🎧 Sports Headlines for Monday

SPRINGFIELD, Mo.—The Wichita Wind Surge bowed out 16-9 in the series finale against the Springfield Cardinals at Hammons Field. The Cardinals opened the day by scoring nine runs over the first four innings, the Wind Surge responded with nine straight in the fifth and sixth before six more scored between the sixth and eighth innings for the home team.

Springfield loaded the bases their first time up in the bottom of the first on an infield error and a pair of singles. R.J. Yeager doubled down the left field line into the corner to clear the bases. Ramon Mendoza and Jeremy Rivas would each tag on run-scoring singles as the Cardinals sent 10 men to the plate and brought in five runs.

Another bat-around occurred for the home team two innings later. Mendoza had another RBI knock while MLB rehabber Tommy Edman laced one the other way to allow two more to cross the plate. Matt Lloyd also smacked a ground-rule double over the wall in the right-center alley for a 9-0 lead a third of the way through the final game before the All-Star Break. Rivas put Springfield into double digits on his second RBI single of the day up the middle in the bottom of the fourth.

Wichita finally worked together a pair of hits to put a four-spot on the board in the top of the fifth on an&nbsp;Andrew Cossetti&nbsp;RBI single to center,&nbsp;Dalton Shuffield’s two-RBI double into the left-center gap, and another double by&nbsp;Jake Rucker&nbsp;that banged off the wall and scored Shuffield.

That wouldn’t be all for the visitors in the middle three of the contest.&nbsp;Carson McCusker&nbsp;crushed his ninth home run of the season in the top of the sixth, tying for the team lead on a two-run shot that put the Wind Surge within four at 10-6.&nbsp;Ben Ross&nbsp;smoked the fourth double of the day for Wichita toward the wall in left-center, and then Shuffield cracked a two-run homer of his own over the centerfield wall to make it a one-run game.

Yeager trotted home on a wild pitch, and Edman worked another Springfield runner home on an infield hit to the left side in the home half of the sixth. The Wind Surge loaded the bases and left them stranded after consecutive popouts in the top of the seventh heading into the stretch.

Jimmy Crooks launched a solo round-tripper, his fifth of the season and second of the series, to the right-center berm for a new 13-9 Cardinals lead in the bottom of the seventh. Edman also tallied his third RBI on a sacrifice fly to right field in the following frame, where two more would score on an outfield error ahead of a 1-2-3 routine top of the ninth to end the game with a 16-9 score.

Andrew Morris&nbsp;gets the loss to become 4-2 on the season at Double-A, surrendering five unearned runs in his lone inning pitched as the Wichita starter.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721045258609.jpeg" alt="Wind Surge lose slugfest with Springfield" />
 <figcaption>Wind Surge lose slugfest with Springfield</figcaption>
 </figure>SPRINGFIELD, Mo.—The Wichita Wind Surge bowed out 16-9 in the series finale against the Springfield Cardinals at Hammons Field. The Cardinals opened the day by scoring nine runs over the first four innings, the Wind Surge responded with nine straight in the fifth and sixth before six more scored between the sixth and eighth innings for the home team.Springfield loaded the bases their first time up in the bottom of the first on an infield error and a pair of singles. R.J. Yeager doubled down the left field line into the corner to clear the bases. Ramon Mendoza and Jeremy Rivas would each tag on run-scoring singles as the Cardinals sent 10 men to the plate and brought in five runs.Another bat-around occurred for the home team two innings later. Mendoza had another RBI knock while MLB rehabber Tommy Edman laced one the other way to allow two more to cross the plate. Matt Lloyd also smacked a ground-rule double over the wall in the right-center alley for a 9-0 lead a third of the way through the final game before the All-Star Break. Rivas put Springfield into double digits on his second RBI single of the day up the middle in the bottom of the fourth.Wichita finally worked together a pair of hits to put a four-spot on the board in the top of the fifth on an&nbsp;Andrew Cossetti&nbsp;RBI single to center,&nbsp;Dalton Shuffield’s two-RBI double into the left-center gap, and another double by&nbsp;Jake Rucker&nbsp;that banged off the wall and scored Shuffield.That wouldn’t be all for the visitors in the middle three of the contest.&nbsp;Carson McCusker&nbsp;crushed his ninth home run of the season in the top of the sixth, tying for the team lead on a two-run shot that put the Wind Surge within four at 10-6.&nbsp;Ben Ross&nbsp;smoked the fourth double of the day for Wichita toward the wall in left-center, and then Shuffield cracked a two-run homer of his own over the centerfield wall to make it a one-run game.Yeager trotted home on a wild pitch, and Edman worked another Springfield runner home on an infield hit to the left side in the home half of the sixth. The Wind Surge loaded the bases and left them stranded after consecutive popouts in the top of the seventh heading into the stretch.Jimmy Crooks launched a solo round-tripper, his fifth of the season and second of the series, to the right-center berm for a new 13-9 Cardinals lead in the bottom of the seventh. Edman also tallied his third RBI on a sacrifice fly to right field in the following frame, where two more would score on an outfield error ahead of a 1-2-3 routine top of the ninth to end the game with a 16-9 score.Andrew Morris&nbsp;gets the loss to become 4-2 on the season at Double-A, surrendering five unearned runs in his lone inning pitched as the Wichita starter.

⚾️ Wind Surge lose slugfest

FORT WORTH, Texas — The Texas Rangers selected Hays High product and Tennessee star Dylan Dreiling with the 65th pick in the MLB Draft on Sunday. 

Dreiling slashed .342/.459/.715 for the Volunteers this year, helping Tennessee to the first national championship in program history. Dreiling was named the Most Outstanding Player in the College World Series.

Rangers director of amateur scouting Kip Fagg said that was something that obviously stood out to their scouting group.

“I think that's part of it,” he said. “I think that once you get to know the kid a little bit, it's like ice water in the veins, right? The bigger the moment, this kid's got no heartbeat kind of thing. He always performed in the big spots and especially in that league [the SEC], which is a premier league in college baseball. This guy's performed his two years there, and we’re excited to get a bat like this in our Minor Leagues, for sure.”

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721017833395.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FORT WORTH, Texas — The Texas Rangers selected Hays High product and Tennessee star Dylan Dreiling with the 65th pick in the MLB Draft on Sunday. Dreiling slashed .342/.459/.715 for the Volunteers this year, helping Tennessee to the first national championship in program history. Dreiling was named the Most Outstanding Player in the College World Series.Rangers director of amateur scouting Kip Fagg said that was something that obviously stood out to their scouting group.“I think that's part of it,” he said. “I think that once you get to know the kid a little bit, it's like ice water in the veins, right? The bigger the moment, this kid's got no heartbeat kind of thing. He always performed in the big spots and especially in that league [the SEC], which is a premier league in college baseball. This guy's performed his two years there, and we’re excited to get a bat like this in our Minor Leagues, for sure.”

⚾ Hays High product selected by Rangers

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The City Match Play tournament concluded Sunday at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Careyparkgolf?__cft__[0]=AZWRZ2kfXnTwzpfnYirYjExK40JxBbuH5zS8Ly4l0wNgn-JbQNdpXVELBuoPWDdDCglwXtZC9mlTYhR6gcV2OcQBfg94ZujV5alut1ow9O6fwLug16Hm8WUGalYyHlkmtMNtsGr22iBlJqWg0gskoQxiUam0BPTCclk-JJa7mzjNpVOyYARM3V4FWUG-0iRO5SbaHs3U4s8ta2wJR5xeRrJq&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Carey Park Golf Course</a>.

In one semifinal of the Championship Flight it was second seed Jake Winchester against third seed Zach Surface. Surface took an early 3 up lead and never let up. He wound up with 4 birdies and no bogeys through 14 holes. He played flawless golf and seemingly made every putt he had a he got by Winchester 5&amp;4. 

In the other semifinal it was the defending champion Nick Hague against 5 seed Daniel Ramirez. With a combined 3 bogeys and 7 birdies through 16 holes between the two players, Hague found himself with a 2 up lead with 2 holes to go. Ramirez rolled it in for birdie on 17 to push the match to 18. He then chipped in for birdie on 18 but with nerves of steel, Hague rolled in his birdie from 15 ft to secure a 1 up victory. 

The final match was back and forth the whole round. Neither player ever held more than a 1 up lead on the other. Almost every time that one of them would win a hole the other would win the very next hole to square the match. That was until Hague birdied 16 to take his final 1 up lead. They tied with pars on 17 and when Surfaces chip for birdie on 18 slid by the hole, all Hague had to do was 2 putt from 15 ft to claim yet another Match Play title, and that's just what he did. 

Congratulations to Nick on another victory and congratulations to all the flight winners. This was the biggest Match Play field in many years.

Thanks to all that played and a special thanks to Colton Berk and his staff at Carey Park Golf Course.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721042144660.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy Hutchinson Golf Council" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Hutchinson Golf Council</figcaption>
 </figure>Hutchinson Golf CouncilHUTCHINSON, Kan. — The City Match Play tournament concluded Sunday at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Careyparkgolf?__cft__[0]=AZWRZ2kfXnTwzpfnYirYjExK40JxBbuH5zS8Ly4l0wNgn-JbQNdpXVELBuoPWDdDCglwXtZC9mlTYhR6gcV2OcQBfg94ZujV5alut1ow9O6fwLug16Hm8WUGalYyHlkmtMNtsGr22iBlJqWg0gskoQxiUam0BPTCclk-JJa7mzjNpVOyYARM3V4FWUG-0iRO5SbaHs3U4s8ta2wJR5xeRrJq&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Carey Park Golf Course</a>. In one semifinal of the Championship Flight it was second seed Jake Winchester against third seed Zach Surface. Surface took an early 3 up lead and never let up. He wound up with 4 birdies and no bogeys through 14 holes. He played flawless golf and seemingly made every putt he had a he got by Winchester 5&amp;4. In the other semifinal it was the defending champion Nick Hague against 5 seed Daniel Ramirez. With a combined 3 bogeys and 7 birdies through 16 holes between the two players, Hague found himself with a 2 up lead with 2 holes to go. Ramirez rolled it in for birdie on 17 to push the match to 18. He then chipped in for birdie on 18 but with nerves of steel, Hague rolled in his birdie from 15 ft to secure a 1 up victory. The final match was back and forth the whole round. Neither player ever held more than a 1 up lead on the other. Almost every time that one of them would win a hole the other would win the very next hole to square the match. That was until Hague birdied 16 to take his final 1 up lead. They tied with pars on 17 and when Surfaces chip for birdie on 18 slid by the hole, all Hague had to do was 2 putt from 15 ft to claim yet another Match Play title, and that's just what he did. Congratulations to Nick on another victory and congratulations to all the flight winners. This was the biggest Match Play field in many years.Thanks to all that played and a special thanks to Colton Berk and his staff at Carey Park Golf Course.&nbsp;&nbsp;

⛳ Hague wins City Match Play

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Royals selected&nbsp;Jac Caglianone, a first baseman and left-handed pitcher out of the University of Florida, with the 6th overall pick in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft. He is the second player selected by Kansas City 6th overall in franchise history, following&nbsp;Zack Greinke&nbsp;in 2002.

As a junior this season at Florida, Caglianone set the school’s single-season home run record (35) and the school’s career home run record (75). In 66 games this season, he slashed .419/.544/.875 with 72 RBI and walked (58) more than he struck out (26), even if you remove intentional walks (27).Caglianone homered in 9 consecutive games from April 6-19, matching the NCAA Division I record done previously by Nevada’s&nbsp;Tyler Bosetti&nbsp;in 2021. The 7th home run of Caglianone’s streak measured approximately 516 ft.In 16 starts on the mound, the left hander went 5-2 with 83 strikeouts in 73.2 innings (10.1 K/9) while touching triple digits with his fastball. That made him the runaway winner of the 2024&nbsp;John Olerud&nbsp;Award for college baseball’s best two-way player.Caglianone, 21, is the second player selected with Kansas City’s 1st pick from the University of Florida, following fellow Gator&nbsp;Brady Singer, whom the Royals selected 18th overall in 2018.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

With the 41st pick in the 2nd round, Kansas City selected left-handed pitcher&nbsp;David Shields&nbsp;from Mt. Lebanon High School (Pa.).&nbsp;&nbsp;

Shields, a 6-foot-2, 210-pound 17-year-old pitcher was crowned the Gatorade Pennsylvania Baseball Player of the Year in June after leading the Mt. Lebanon Blue Devils to a 28-2 record. He went 5-0 with a 0.25 ERA, 52 strikeouts and just 3 walks on the mound. At the plate, he batted .418 with 7 doubles and 28 RBI, compiling a 1.244 OPS. He is committed to play baseball at the University of Miami (Fla.).Shields has volunteered locally at the Miracle League baseball facility operated by Major League veteran,&nbsp;Sean Casey. He’s also donated his time to multiple youth events such as clinics, evaluations and games in association with the Mt. Lebanon Baseball Association.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694386651701.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Royals selected&nbsp;Jac Caglianone, a first baseman and left-handed pitcher out of the University of Florida, with the 6th overall pick in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft. He is the second player selected by Kansas City 6th overall in franchise history, following&nbsp;Zack Greinke&nbsp;in 2002.As a junior this season at Florida, Caglianone set the school’s single-season home run record (35) and the school’s career home run record (75). In 66 games this season, he slashed .419/.544/.875 with 72 RBI and walked (58) more than he struck out (26), even if you remove intentional walks (27).Caglianone homered in 9 consecutive games from April 6-19, matching the NCAA Division I record done previously by Nevada’s&nbsp;Tyler Bosetti&nbsp;in 2021. The 7th home run of Caglianone’s streak measured approximately 516 ft.In 16 starts on the mound, the left hander went 5-2 with 83 strikeouts in 73.2 innings (10.1 K/9) while touching triple digits with his fastball. That made him the runaway winner of the 2024&nbsp;John Olerud&nbsp;Award for college baseball’s best two-way player.Caglianone, 21, is the second player selected with Kansas City’s 1st pick from the University of Florida, following fellow Gator&nbsp;Brady Singer, whom the Royals selected 18th overall in 2018.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; With the 41st pick in the 2nd round, Kansas City selected left-handed pitcher&nbsp;David Shields&nbsp;from Mt. Lebanon High School (Pa.).&nbsp;&nbsp;Shields, a 6-foot-2, 210-pound 17-year-old pitcher was crowned the Gatorade Pennsylvania Baseball Player of the Year in June after leading the Mt. Lebanon Blue Devils to a 28-2 record. He went 5-0 with a 0.25 ERA, 52 strikeouts and just 3 walks on the mound. At the plate, he batted .418 with 7 doubles and 28 RBI, compiling a 1.244 OPS. He is committed to play baseball at the University of Miami (Fla.).Shields has volunteered locally at the Miracle League baseball facility operated by Major League veteran,&nbsp;Sean Casey. He’s also donated his time to multiple youth events such as clinics, evaluations and games in association with the Mt. Lebanon Baseball Association.

⚾️ Royals select two on night one of draft

BOSTON (AP) — Rafael Devers hit a two-run homer that broke a seat deep in right field at Fenway Park, Dominic Smith also had a two-run shot and the Boston Red Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 5-4 on Sunday to take the series.

The Red Sox won their second straight after losing the opener. Boston improved to a major league-best 9-3 in July and is 20-8 since June 12.

All-Star Devers sent a first-inning slider from Brady Singer (5-6) with an estimated exit velocity of 114.7 mph a projected 439 feet, crashing into the top of a seat and loosening up the top support. The Red Sox posted a “&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/RedSox/status/1812556309239369974">Fenway Facilities Incident Report</a>&nbsp;” that had a picture of the broken red seat on their social media sites.

“The kid is locked in,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said of Devers, who opted out of going to the All-Star Game to rest a nagging shoulder. “Just take care of him this week. He's not going to Texas for a good reason, right. He wants to be ready for the second part, getting treatment during the week and keeping healthy.”

When told the homer broke a seat, Cora joked that someone would need to tell owner John Henry, saying: “It did? You've got to tell John.”

Adam Frazier opened the game with a homer into the Royals’ bullpen and All-Star Salvador Perez, who was selected for his ninth Midsummer Classic, added a solo shot into the Green Monster seats for Kansas City.

First-time All-Star Jarren Duran had four hits for the Red Sox, who improved to a majors-best 15-1 on Sundays. Boston enters the All-Star break surprisingly 4 ½ games out of first in the AL East after finishing in the basement three of the last four years.

“Today was just a good overall team win,” Duran said. “I've been saying it a lot this year. We're keeping it rolling and I love it.”

Brayan Bello (10-5) overcame his struggles at home, going 6 1/3 innings, allowing three runs and seven hits. He had posted a 6.55 ERA in his seven starts in Fenway.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717239521858.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BOSTON (AP) — Rafael Devers hit a two-run homer that broke a seat deep in right field at Fenway Park, Dominic Smith also had a two-run shot and the Boston Red Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 5-4 on Sunday to take the series.The Red Sox won their second straight after losing the opener. Boston improved to a major league-best 9-3 in July and is 20-8 since June 12.All-Star Devers sent a first-inning slider from Brady Singer (5-6) with an estimated exit velocity of 114.7 mph a projected 439 feet, crashing into the top of a seat and loosening up the top support. The Red Sox posted a “&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/RedSox/status/1812556309239369974">Fenway Facilities Incident Report</a>&nbsp;” that had a picture of the broken red seat on their social media sites.“The kid is locked in,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said of Devers, who opted out of going to the All-Star Game to rest a nagging shoulder. “Just take care of him this week. He's not going to Texas for a good reason, right. He wants to be ready for the second part, getting treatment during the week and keeping healthy.”When told the homer broke a seat, Cora joked that someone would need to tell owner John Henry, saying: “It did? You've got to tell John.”Adam Frazier opened the game with a homer into the Royals’ bullpen and All-Star Salvador Perez, who was selected for his ninth Midsummer Classic, added a solo shot into the Green Monster seats for Kansas City.First-time All-Star Jarren Duran had four hits for the Red Sox, who improved to a majors-best 15-1 on Sundays. Boston enters the All-Star break surprisingly 4 ½ games out of first in the AL East after finishing in the basement three of the last four years.“Today was just a good overall team win,” Duran said. “I've been saying it a lot this year. We're keeping it rolling and I love it.”Brayan Bello (10-5) overcame his struggles at home, going 6 1/3 innings, allowing three runs and seven hits. He had posted a 6.55 ERA in his seven starts in Fenway.Kenley Jansen got the final six outs, striking out three, for his 19th save, the 439th of his career. He gave up a run in the ninth but got Nick Loftin to ground out with a runner on second to end it. It was his first career two-inning save in a regular season.Smith’s shot went an estimated 431 feet, traveling over Boston’s bullpen to make it 4-1 in the second. He added a key RBI single that made it 5-3 in the seventh.Singer had allowed just one run in each of his previous four starts but was tagged for four runs and eight hits in 2 2/3 innings.The Royals go into the break with 52 victories, three off the most before the All-Star Game in team history behind the 1973 club.“I could care less what last year's record was at this point,” manager Matt Quatraro said. “This is a new team. This is a bunch of guys that's fighting their butts off to compete in a playoff race and that's what's exciting.”TRAINER’S ROOMRoyals: OF MJ Melendez limped out of the game with a sprained left ankle after beating out a fielder’s choice grounder that drove in a run in the fourth. … C Perez was the DH for the second straight game after leaving Friday’s early due to cramping.Red Sox: OF Tyler O’Neill was back in the lineup after getting Saturday off.UP NEXTRoyals: Begin a nine-game homestand following the All-Star break, starting with the Chicago White Sox on Friday.Red Sox: Open a six-game road trip after the break, with the first of three at the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday.