WICHITA, Kan.—The Wichita Wind Surge lost 6-3 to the Springfield Cardinals at Riverfront Stadium. While Wichita connected on a pair of homers in their final game as the Turbo Tubs this season, the Cardinals put up all six of their runs without any scoreboard response until they were down to their final out, which was too little too late.

Tanner Schobel&nbsp;jolted a two-run blast, his 10th of the season, out to the left field berm in the bottom of the first. Back-to-back Wind Surge hitters have crossed the 10 long ball threshold in back-to-back games after&nbsp;Aaron Sabato&nbsp;did so last night.

Springfield scored their first run on a long double play in the top of the fourth when Matt Lloyd touched the plate before a rundown between first and second base ended the frame with a 2-1 score in favor of Wichita. R.J. Yeager brought the Cardinals ahead on a two-out, two-run single to left in the following inning.

Nathan Church entered the game as a pinch-hitter in the top of the ninth and singled to center to improve Springfield’s lead to 4-2. Yeager did another solid and singled home two more batters later for a ninth-inning Cardinals three-spot.

Kyler Fedko&nbsp;yanked a solo shot, his third of the season, to left-center in the bottom of the ninth when Wichita was down to their final out, which got recorded four pitches later with a 6-3 final score.

Jaylen Nowlin&nbsp;falls to 5-6 on the season after the loss. He gave up three runs (two earned) on three hits with four walks and six strikeouts in four and two-thirds innings.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1725007017494.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy of Wichita Wind Surge" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Wichita Wind Surge</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan.—The Wichita Wind Surge lost 6-3 to the Springfield Cardinals at Riverfront Stadium. While Wichita connected on a pair of homers in their final game as the Turbo Tubs this season, the Cardinals put up all six of their runs without any scoreboard response until they were down to their final out, which was too little too late.Tanner Schobel&nbsp;jolted a two-run blast, his 10th of the season, out to the left field berm in the bottom of the first. Back-to-back Wind Surge hitters have crossed the 10 long ball threshold in back-to-back games after&nbsp;Aaron Sabato&nbsp;did so last night.Springfield scored their first run on a long double play in the top of the fourth when Matt Lloyd touched the plate before a rundown between first and second base ended the frame with a 2-1 score in favor of Wichita. R.J. Yeager brought the Cardinals ahead on a two-out, two-run single to left in the following inning.Nathan Church entered the game as a pinch-hitter in the top of the ninth and singled to center to improve Springfield’s lead to 4-2. Yeager did another solid and singled home two more batters later for a ninth-inning Cardinals three-spot.Kyler Fedko&nbsp;yanked a solo shot, his third of the season, to left-center in the bottom of the ninth when Wichita was down to their final out, which got recorded four pitches later with a 6-3 final score.Jaylen Nowlin&nbsp;falls to 5-6 on the season after the loss. He gave up three runs (two earned) on three hits with four walks and six strikeouts in four and two-thirds innings.

⚾ Wichita Wind Surge can't answer Springfield's scoring

Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter help Colorado hold off NDSU 31-26 to start Year 2 under Deion Sanders

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Shedeur Sanders threw for 445 yards and four touchdowns — three to Travis Hunter — and Colorado began Year 2 under Deion Sanders by holding off FCS power North Dakota State 31-26 on Thursday night. A 10 1/2-point favorite, the Buffaloes couldn't shake a pesky Bison team that scored with 2:19 remaining to make things interesting. Shedeur Sanders looked as if he sealed the season-opening victory when he scrambled around and heaved a ball downfield on third-and-8 that drew a pass interference call. But North Dakota State got the ball back with 31 seconds remaining. Cam Miller launched a pass from his own 47 as time expired that was caught by Tyler Terhark 4 yards short of the end zone.

49ers' Brandon Aiyuk ends contract dispute, agrees to 4-year, $120M deal, AP sources say

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Brandon Aiyuk's long contract dispute with San Francisco came to an end Thursday when he agreed on a four-year contract to stay with the 49ers. A person familiar with the deal says the sides came to the agreement after Aiyuk missed his second straight practice despite being cleared by team doctors to participate. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal hadn't been announced. NFL Network first reported the agreement that will pay Aiyuk $120 million over four years with $76 million in guarantees.

Stephen Curry signs $63 million extension with Warriors for 2026-27 season

Stephen Curry has signed a one-year extension with the Golden State Warriors for the 2026-27 season, one in which the NBA's all-time 3-point leader and Olympic gold medalist will earn nearly $63 million. The team announced the signing. ESPN first reported the agreement was in place, and Curry's agent, Jeff Austin of Octagon, later confirmed it to The Associated Press. Curry is now guaranteed about $178 million for the next three seasons; about $55.8 million for this season, about $59.6 million for 2025-26 and now about $62.6 million — the most the Warriors could offer by league rule — for 2026-27.

US Open: Carlos Alcaraz's 15-match Grand Slam win streak ends in loss to Botic van de Zandschulp

NEW YORK (AP) — Carlos Alcaraz's 15-match Grand Slam unbeaten run has ended at the U.S. Open with a 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 loss to Botic van de Zandschulp in the second round. Alcaraz's exit in New York on Thursday night comes after he won the French Open in June and Wimbledon in July. The 21-year-old from Spain won the U.S. Open in 2022 and was 16-2 at the hard-court tournament in his career. This was his earliest loss at any major tournament since bowing out in the second round at Wimbledon in 2021 as a teenager. Alcaraz has never lost in the first round at a Slam event. He was a big favorite against the 74th-ranked van de Zandschulp.

Naomi Osaka's forehand goes awry and she loses in the US Open's second round to Karolina Muchova

NEW YORK (AP) — Karolina Muchova has eliminated two-time U.S. Open champion Naomi Osaka 6-3, 7-6 (5) in the second round at Flushing Meadows. Osaka was a point from pushing the contest to a third set while serving for the second at 5-4 on Thursday night in Arthur Ashe Stadium. But Osaka missed forehand after forehand until she ceded that game and chucked her racket. Muchova then pulled out the victory in the ensuing tiebreaker. Muchova was the runner-up at the 2023 French Open and made it to the semifinals at the U.S. Open last year before losing to champion Coco Gauff.

No. 1 seeds Sinner, Swiatek move into the third round at the US Open; Alcaraz, Osaka eliminated

NEW YORK (AP) — Iga Swiatek and Jannik Sinner have flashed their No. 1 form with powerful performances that moved them into the third round of the U.S. Open. Carlos Alcaraz and Naomi Osaka couldn't quite find the games that once had them on top of the rankings. Swiatek raced by Japanese qualifier Ena Shibahara 6-0, 6-1, finishing off the match in 65 minutes. It took the 2022 U.S. Open champion longer than that to play the second set of her first-round match, when she needed a tiebreaker that she eventually closed out in 72 minutes. Sinner downed Alex Michelsen 6-4, 6-0, 6-2 in 1 hour, 39 minutes.

The Chiefs' pursuit of a 3-peat is the hot topic among many storylines entering 2024 NFL season

Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs chasing history will be the hottest topic throughout the NFL season. Kansas City's three-peat quest is only one of many interesting storylines. Aaron Rodgers is back in New York after his first season with the Jets lasted only four plays. The 40-year-old four-time NFL MVP is returning from a torn Achilles tendon and aiming to help the Jets end the league's longest active playoff drought. No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams takes over for the Bears, looking to end Chicago's lengthy search for a franchise quarterback. Eighteen weeks and 272 games to determine the teams that'll play in January to figure out which two face off in February for the Vince Lombardi trophy.

Team USA keeps Olympic training center, other facilities open for Paralympians for the first time

PARIS (AP) — The United States Olympic &amp; Paralympic Committee is giving its Paralympians an advantage long held by its Olympians: a training facility of their own. For the first time, the U.S. High Performance Facility is staying open through the Paralympic games at a multisport facility in the Paris suburbs. Athletes say that having a space they can call their own makes training much easier, and that having the support facilities and staff they use back in the States allows them to focus on their competition. The facility will return to local ownership with $29 million in renovations by USOPC.

NFL places restrictions on Brady's broadcasting access because of pending Raiders ownership stake

An NFL spokesperson says Tom Brady's pending bid to become a part owner of the Las Vegas Raiders has triggered restrictions on his access to teams as part of his role as a Fox Sports broadcaster. Brady is not permitted to attend in-person or online broadcast production meetings and may not have access to team facilities, players or coaches. Fox staff is not subject to these limitations. He also must abide by the league constitution and bylaws that prohibit public criticism of officials and other clubs. Brady is allowed to broadcast Raiders games.

Jacoby Brissett is selected Patriots starting quarterback for Week 1 against Cincinnati

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Patriots coach Jerod Mayo has selected Jacoby Brissett as the starting quarterback for New England's season opener at Cincinnati. Brissett gets the nod over rookie first-round draft pick Drake Maye, who he shared snaps with throughout training camp and the preseason. Brissett, who heading into his ninth NFL season, signed a one-year, $8 million deal with the Patriots in March. It reunited him with the team that drafted him in in the third round in 2016. While Mayo acknowledged earlier this week that he felt Maye had outplayed Brissett this preseason, he said other factors shifted the pendulum toward Brissett, most notably his overall experience.

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 Friday August 30th, 2024." />
 <figcaption>Sports Headlines and News for Friday August 30th, 2024.</figcaption>
 </figure>AP Sports Summary for August 30th, 2024:<div><iframe width="100%" height="95" src="https://embeds.audioboom.com/posts/8563561/embed?v=202301" style="background-color: transparent; display: block; padding: 0; width: 100%" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="allowtransparency" scrolling="no" title="Audioboom player" allow="autoplay" sandbox="allow-downloads allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation"></iframe></div>Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter help Colorado hold off NDSU 31-26 to start Year 2 under Deion SandersBOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Shedeur Sanders threw for 445 yards and four touchdowns — three to Travis Hunter — and Colorado began Year 2 under Deion Sanders by holding off FCS power North Dakota State 31-26 on Thursday night. A 10 1/2-point favorite, the Buffaloes couldn't shake a pesky Bison team that scored with 2:19 remaining to make things interesting. Shedeur Sanders looked as if he sealed the season-opening victory when he scrambled around and heaved a ball downfield on third-and-8 that drew a pass interference call. But North Dakota State got the ball back with 31 seconds remaining. Cam Miller launched a pass from his own 47 as time expired that was caught by Tyler Terhark 4 yards short of the end zone.49ers' Brandon Aiyuk ends contract dispute, agrees to 4-year, $120M deal, AP sources saySANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Brandon Aiyuk's long contract dispute with San Francisco came to an end Thursday when he agreed on a four-year contract to stay with the 49ers. A person familiar with the deal says the sides came to the agreement after Aiyuk missed his second straight practice despite being cleared by team doctors to participate. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal hadn't been announced. NFL Network first reported the agreement that will pay Aiyuk $120 million over four years with $76 million in guarantees.Stephen Curry signs $63 million extension with Warriors for 2026-27 seasonStephen Curry has signed a one-year extension with the Golden State Warriors for the 2026-27 season, one in which the NBA's all-time 3-point leader and Olympic gold medalist will earn nearly $63 million. The team announced the signing. ESPN first reported the agreement was in place, and Curry's agent, Jeff Austin of Octagon, later confirmed it to The Associated Press. Curry is now guaranteed about $178 million for the next three seasons; about $55.8 million for this season, about $59.6 million for 2025-26 and now about $62.6 million — the most the Warriors could offer by league rule — for 2026-27.US Open: Carlos Alcaraz's 15-match Grand Slam win streak ends in loss to Botic van de ZandschulpNEW YORK (AP) — Carlos Alcaraz's 15-match Grand Slam unbeaten run has ended at the U.S. Open with a 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 loss to Botic van de Zandschulp in the second round. Alcaraz's exit in New York on Thursday night comes after he won the French Open in June and Wimbledon in July. The 21-year-old from Spain won the U.S. Open in 2022 and was 16-2 at the hard-court tournament in his career. This was his earliest loss at any major tournament since bowing out in the second round at Wimbledon in 2021 as a teenager. Alcaraz has never lost in the first round at a Slam event. He was a big favorite against the 74th-ranked van de Zandschulp.Naomi Osaka's forehand goes awry and she loses in the US Open's second round to Karolina MuchovaNEW YORK (AP) — Karolina Muchova has eliminated two-time U.S. Open champion Naomi Osaka 6-3, 7-6 (5) in the second round at Flushing Meadows. Osaka was a point from pushing the contest to a third set while serving for the second at 5-4 on Thursday night in Arthur Ashe Stadium. But Osaka missed forehand after forehand until she ceded that game and chucked her racket. Muchova then pulled out the victory in the ensuing tiebreaker. Muchova was the runner-up at the 2023 French Open and made it to the semifinals at the U.S. Open last year before losing to champion Coco Gauff.No. 1 seeds Sinner, Swiatek move into the third round at the US Open; Alcaraz, Osaka eliminatedNEW YORK (AP) — Iga Swiatek and Jannik Sinner have flashed their No. 1 form with powerful performances that moved them into the third round of the U.S. Open. Carlos Alcaraz and Naomi Osaka couldn't quite find the games that once had them on top of the rankings. Swiatek raced by Japanese qualifier Ena Shibahara 6-0, 6-1, finishing off the match in 65 minutes. It took the 2022 U.S. Open champion longer than that to play the second set of her first-round match, when she needed a tiebreaker that she eventually closed out in 72 minutes. Sinner downed Alex Michelsen 6-4, 6-0, 6-2 in 1 hour, 39 minutes.The Chiefs' pursuit of a 3-peat is the hot topic among many storylines entering 2024 NFL seasonPatrick Mahomes and the Chiefs chasing history will be the hottest topic throughout the NFL season. Kansas City's three-peat quest is only one of many interesting storylines. Aaron Rodgers is back in New York after his first season with the Jets lasted only four plays. The 40-year-old four-time NFL MVP is returning from a torn Achilles tendon and aiming to help the Jets end the league's longest active playoff drought. No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams takes over for the Bears, looking to end Chicago's lengthy search for a franchise quarterback. Eighteen weeks and 272 games to determine the teams that'll play in January to figure out which two face off in February for the Vince Lombardi trophy.Team USA keeps Olympic training center, other facilities open for Paralympians for the first timePARIS (AP) — The United States Olympic &amp; Paralympic Committee is giving its Paralympians an advantage long held by its Olympians: a training facility of their own. For the first time, the U.S. High Performance Facility is staying open through the Paralympic games at a multisport facility in the Paris suburbs. Athletes say that having a space they can call their own makes training much easier, and that having the support facilities and staff they use back in the States allows them to focus on their competition. The facility will return to local ownership with $29 million in renovations by USOPC.NFL places restrictions on Brady's broadcasting access because of pending Raiders ownership stakeAn NFL spokesperson says Tom Brady's pending bid to become a part owner of the Las Vegas Raiders has triggered restrictions on his access to teams as part of his role as a Fox Sports broadcaster. Brady is not permitted to attend in-person or online broadcast production meetings and may not have access to team facilities, players or coaches. Fox staff is not subject to these limitations. He also must abide by the league constitution and bylaws that prohibit public criticism of officials and other clubs. Brady is allowed to broadcast Raiders games.Jacoby Brissett is selected Patriots starting quarterback for Week 1 against CincinnatiFOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Patriots coach Jerod Mayo has selected Jacoby Brissett as the starting quarterback for New England's season opener at Cincinnati. Brissett gets the nod over rookie first-round draft pick Drake Maye, who he shared snaps with throughout training camp and the preseason. Brissett, who heading into his ninth NFL season, signed a one-year, $8 million deal with the Patriots in March. It reunited him with the team that drafted him in in the third round in 2016. While Mayo acknowledged earlier this week that he felt Maye had outplayed Brissett this preseason, he said other factors shifted the pendulum toward Brissett, most notably his overall experience.AP-ScorecardHere are the scores from yesterday's sports events:___INTERLEAGUEFinal	Cincinnati	10	Oakland	9	Final	L.A. Dodgers	6	Baltimore	3	___AMERICAN LEAGUEFinal	L.A. Angels	3	Detroit	0	Final	Texas	2	Chicago White Sox	1	Final	Toronto	2	Boston	0	Final	Houston	6	Kansas City	3	___NATIONAL LEAGUEFinal	Milwaukee	6	San Francisco	0	Final	St. Louis	4	San Diego	1	Final	N.Y. Mets	3	Arizona	2	Final	Miami	12	Colorado	8	Final	Philadelphia	5	Atlanta	4	___TOP-25 COLLEGE FOOTBALLFinal	(24)NC State	38	W. Carolina	21	Final	(11)Missouri	51	Murray St.	0	Final	(22)Kansas	48	Lindenwood (Mo.)	3	Final	(12)Utah	49	S. Utah	0	___TODAY'S SPORTS SCHEDULE___INTERLEAGUE		San Diego	at	Tampa Bay	6:50 p.m.			St. Louis	at	N-Y Yankees	7:05 p.m.			Pittsburgh	at	Cleveland	7:10 p.m.			N-Y Mets	at	Chi White Sox	8:10 p.m.			Baltimore	at	Colorado	8:40 p.m.	___AMERICAN LEAGUE		Boston	at	Detroit	6:40 p.m.			Oakland	at	Texas	8:05 p.m.			Kansas City	at	Houston	8:10 p.m.			Toronto	at	Minnesota	8:10 p.m.			Seattle	at	L-A Angels	9:38 p.m.	___NATIONAL LEAGUE		Milwaukee	at	Cincinnati	12:40 p.m.			Atlanta	at	Philadelphia	6:40 p.m.			Milwaukee	at	Cincinnati	6:40 p.m.			Chi Cubs	at	Washington	6:45 p.m.			L-A Dodgers	at	Arizona	9:40 p.m.			Miami	at	San Francisco	10:15 p.m.	___TOP-25 COLLEGE FOOTBALL		Temple	at	(16)Oklahoma	7 p.m.	___WOMEN'S NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION		Indiana	at	Chicago	7:30 p.m.			Minnesota	at	Dallas	7:30 p.m.			Atlanta	at	Las Vegas	10 p.m.			New York	at	Seattle	10 p.m.	___

📢📰🎧 Sports Headlines for Friday

<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/fball/2024-25/boxscores/20240829_8m9r.xml">BOX SCORE</a>

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The No. 3-ranked Hutchinson Community College football team opened the 2024 season on Thursday with a 42-10 win over New Mexico Military Institute at Gowans Stadium.

Waymond Jordan Jr. rushed for 179 yards on 14 carries and two scores, while Derrick Salley Jr. caught two passes for 53 yards and two touchdowns.

The Blue Dragons offense accounted for 502 yards of total offense, the most since Sept. 2, 2023, when HutchCC posted 525 yards.

Jordan Jr. found the end-zone from 26 yards out on a third-and-one play to score the first points of the season at the 7:29 mark in the first quarter.&nbsp;

Hutchinson found the end-zone just over three minutes later when Samari Collier found Ja'Cory Thomas for a 68-yard touchdown pass to in front 14-0 with 4:12 left in the first period.

Salley Jr. pushed the lead to three scores on a one-handed grab in the end-zone with 2:16 to play in quarter one.

The Blue Dragons brought in backup quarterback Christian Johnson to the game in the second period. Johnson found Salley Jr. down the left sideline for a 41-yard connection to go in front 28-0.

Jordan Jr. (54-yard run), Johnson (eight-yard run) score the final two touchdowns of the night for the Blue Dragons.

NMMI scored its lone touchdown in the third quarter on a nine-yard passing play. The Broncos added a 26-yard field goal with 4:44 to play in the fourth quarter to score the games final play.

Hutch will travel to Council Bluffs, Iowa, on Saturday, Sept. 7 for a 1 p.m. kickoff at Titan Stadium. Iowa Western is currently ranked No. 1 in the nation.

HutchCC is now 56-35-2 all-time in season openers and have won three straight. The Blue Dragons are now 4-0 all-time against NMMI.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724988653106.jpeg" alt="Hutch Post Photo/Sean Boston" />
 <figcaption>Hutch Post Photo/Sean Boston</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/fball/2024-25/boxscores/20240829_8m9r.xml">BOX SCORE</a>SEAN BOSTON Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — The No. 3-ranked Hutchinson Community College football team opened the 2024 season on Thursday with a 42-10 win over New Mexico Military Institute at Gowans Stadium.Waymond Jordan Jr. rushed for 179 yards on 14 carries and two scores, while Derrick Salley Jr. caught two passes for 53 yards and two touchdowns.The Blue Dragons offense accounted for 502 yards of total offense, the most since Sept. 2, 2023, when HutchCC posted 525 yards.Jordan Jr. found the end-zone from 26 yards out on a third-and-one play to score the first points of the season at the 7:29 mark in the first quarter.&nbsp;Hutchinson found the end-zone just over three minutes later when Samari Collier found Ja'Cory Thomas for a 68-yard touchdown pass to in front 14-0 with 4:12 left in the first period.Salley Jr. pushed the lead to three scores on a one-handed grab in the end-zone with 2:16 to play in quarter one.The Blue Dragons brought in backup quarterback Christian Johnson to the game in the second period. Johnson found Salley Jr. down the left sideline for a 41-yard connection to go in front 28-0.Jordan Jr. (54-yard run), Johnson (eight-yard run) score the final two touchdowns of the night for the Blue Dragons.NMMI scored its lone touchdown in the third quarter on a nine-yard passing play. The Broncos added a 26-yard field goal with 4:44 to play in the fourth quarter to score the games final play.Hutch will travel to Council Bluffs, Iowa, on Saturday, Sept. 7 for a 1 p.m. kickoff at Titan Stadium. Iowa Western is currently ranked No. 1 in the nation.HutchCC is now 56-35-2 all-time in season openers and have won three straight. The Blue Dragons are now 4-0 all-time against NMMI.&nbsp;

🏈 Blue Dragons cruise past Broncos in season opener

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — No. 3 Hutchinson kicks off the 2024 campaign against New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI) at 6 p.m. in Gowans Stadium Thursday.

Join Sean Boston, Daren Dunn and Steve Carpenter as they prepare you for the new football season.

<a href="https://streamdb5web.securenetsystems.net/v5/KHUT">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN LIVE!</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701469098052.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — No. 3 Hutchinson kicks off the 2024 campaign against New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI) at 6 p.m. in Gowans Stadium Thursday.Join Sean Boston, Daren Dunn and Steve Carpenter as they prepare you for the new football season.<a href="https://streamdb5web.securenetsystems.net/v5/KHUT">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN LIVE!</a><div><iframe title="SEG 1 vs. NMMI" 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=rdbgy-16b8208-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><div><iframe title="SEG 2 vs. NMMI" 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=a5cw8-16b8235-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><div><iframe title="SEG 3 vs. NMMI" 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=rbhks-16b823b-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: Countdown To Kickoff vs. New Mexico Military

🏈 Blue Dragons host NMMI in season opener tonight

By Steve Carpenter Blue Dragon Sports Information Director

Jafet Molinares’ first season as Hutchinson Community College cross country coach in 2023 was in many ways very typical for a coach in his first season with a new program.

There were plenty of ups and downs along the way.

Some of the ups were the Blue Dragon women’s team finishing as KJCCC and Region 6 runner-up and a Top 10 finish at the NJCAA national championships. Some of the downs were the men’s team struggling with injuries and only posting one team score last season, which was a fifth-place Region 6 finish.

Now as Year No. 2 is set to start Friday night for Molinares, both Blue Dragon teams have high hopes – the women’s team maintaining its status as one of the top teams in the KJCCC and the guys looking to return to the upper echelon of the league.

“I’m really excited about our recruiting class and newcomers,” said Molinares, whose team opens the 2024 season on Friday with the annual Terry Masterson Classic at the Fun Valley Sports Complex. “I think all the new runners will complement our returning runners well. We have some pretty talented individuals this year. I’m looking forward to seeing them compete.”

The Terry Masterson Twilight Classic begins with the women’s race at 8:30 p.m. on Friday. The men’s race is scheduled for 9:05 p.m.

The Blue Dragons have two returning sophomores in 2024.

Leo LeGrand and David Ultreras ran last season as individuals at the NJCAA Division I national championships. LeGrand (Mansfield, Texas) placed 78th in a time of 26:35.30, which was his best 8K time of the season. David Ultreras (Dodge City) ran 1 time of 27:32.20 to finish 125th. His best 8K time as a freshman was 27:08.90.

“David has come along and the same thing with Leo,” Molinares said. “Both had good indoor and outdoor track seasons and they are looking to carry their momentum into cross country season.”

The HutchCC men will get a boost from two Blue Dragon track athletes who joined the Blue Dragon program at the start of the 2024 second semester.

Titus Kiprotich (Iten, Kenya) ran the second fastest indoor 3,000-meter time in Blue Dragon history (8:34.90) and the sixth-fastest outdoor 5,000-meter time (14:50.60) last spring. Farrin Mangelson (San Antonio, Texas) posted the fifth-fastest indoor 5,000-meter time (15:15.12), eighth-fastest outdoor 5,000-meter time (15:03.13) and third-fastest 10,000-meter time (31.49.43) last spring.

“Both of those guys have adapted to the system, the philosophy and the training,” Molinares said. “Those guys will make a big impact on our team.”

The 2024 Blue Dragons will have three freshman runners from Kenya in Dennis Cheruiyot, Cornelius Kogo and Thaddaeus Rotich. The in-state freshmen are Kaden Lohrentz (Buhler) and Blake Yoder (Hutchinson Central Christian).

“Those guys will have a big impact on the team as well,” Molinares said. “We are going to be able to post team scores as every meet this year with nine runners.”

The 2024 Blue Dragon women will have seven runners this season, three return from 2024.

Sophomore Laura Avila (Medellin, Columbia) is the Blue Dragons’ top returning runner. She placed sixth last season in Region 6, posting a season’s best 5K time of 18:55.07, which is the fifth-fastest 5K time in Blue Dragon women’s history. Avila was 53rd at nationals in a time of 19:46.20. Injuries slowed her progress down in the spring track season.

Jordyn Picolet (Council Grove) had a strong freshman cross country season. Picolet ran her best cross country time of the season of 19:37.93 to finish 13th in the Region 6 championships. She placed 77th at nationals with a time of 21:42.80. In the spring, Picolet posted the third-fastest outdoor 5,000-meter time (18:44.62) and second-fastest 10,000-meter time (39:46.61) in Blue Dragon history.

Abigail Grantham (Maize) ran a top 5K cross country time of 20:49.22 to placed 27th overall last season. She ran 21:04.50 to place 106th at nationals. Grantham was a two-time track All-American last spring, earning those honors in the indoor distance medley relay and the outdoor 4x800-meter relay.

“Laura is fit now and I’m certain she will again be one of our top runners,” Molinares said. “Jordyn is phenomenal to say the least. I think she will surprise some people this year.”

One transfer and three freshmen round out the 2024 Blue Dragon women’s roster.

Rio Kirven (Dallas) is a transfer from Fort Scott Community College. She ran in two races last season. Her season’s best was 22:07.6 at the Missouri Southern Stampede. She was 48th at Region 6 with a time of 22:37.4.

Faith Jepchirchir (Iten, Kenya), Ava Lemaster (Salina) and Lillian Mateo Torrez (Potosi, Bolivia) are the freshmen runners this season.

“The girls have a good chance to keep rolling,” Molinares said. “They have a chance to do some special things. I honestly think we will improve from last year.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724953200216.jpeg" alt="Laura Avila (left) and Leo LeGrand (right) are two of five overall returning runners for the 2024 Blue Dragon Cross Country teams, which open the season Friday with the Terry Masterson Twilight Classic." />
 <figcaption>Laura Avila (left) and Leo LeGrand (right) are two of five overall returning runners for the 2024 Blue Dragon Cross Country teams, which open the season Friday with the Terry Masterson Twilight Classic.</figcaption>
 </figure>By Steve Carpenter Blue Dragon Sports Information DirectorJafet Molinares’ first season as Hutchinson Community College cross country coach in 2023 was in many ways very typical for a coach in his first season with a new program.There were plenty of ups and downs along the way.Some of the ups were the Blue Dragon women’s team finishing as KJCCC and Region 6 runner-up and a Top 10 finish at the NJCAA national championships. Some of the downs were the men’s team struggling with injuries and only posting one team score last season, which was a fifth-place Region 6 finish.Now as Year No. 2 is set to start Friday night for Molinares, both Blue Dragon teams have high hopes – the women’s team maintaining its status as one of the top teams in the KJCCC and the guys looking to return to the upper echelon of the league.“I’m really excited about our recruiting class and newcomers,” said Molinares, whose team opens the 2024 season on Friday with the annual Terry Masterson Classic at the Fun Valley Sports Complex. “I think all the new runners will complement our returning runners well. We have some pretty talented individuals this year. I’m looking forward to seeing them compete.”The Terry Masterson Twilight Classic begins with the women’s race at 8:30 p.m. on Friday. The men’s race is scheduled for 9:05 p.m.BLUE DRAGON MENThe Blue Dragons have two returning sophomores in 2024.Leo LeGrand and David Ultreras ran last season as individuals at the NJCAA Division I national championships. LeGrand (Mansfield, Texas) placed 78th in a time of 26:35.30, which was his best 8K time of the season. David Ultreras (Dodge City) ran 1 time of 27:32.20 to finish 125th. His best 8K time as a freshman was 27:08.90.“David has come along and the same thing with Leo,” Molinares said. “Both had good indoor and outdoor track seasons and they are looking to carry their momentum into cross country season.”The HutchCC men will get a boost from two Blue Dragon track athletes who joined the Blue Dragon program at the start of the 2024 second semester.Titus Kiprotich (Iten, Kenya) ran the second fastest indoor 3,000-meter time in Blue Dragon history (8:34.90) and the sixth-fastest outdoor 5,000-meter time (14:50.60) last spring. Farrin Mangelson (San Antonio, Texas) posted the fifth-fastest indoor 5,000-meter time (15:15.12), eighth-fastest outdoor 5,000-meter time (15:03.13) and third-fastest 10,000-meter time (31.49.43) last spring.“Both of those guys have adapted to the system, the philosophy and the training,” Molinares said. “Those guys will make a big impact on our team.”The 2024 Blue Dragons will have three freshman runners from Kenya in Dennis Cheruiyot, Cornelius Kogo and Thaddaeus Rotich. The in-state freshmen are Kaden Lohrentz (Buhler) and Blake Yoder (Hutchinson Central Christian).“Those guys will have a big impact on the team as well,” Molinares said. “We are going to be able to post team scores as every meet this year with nine runners.”BLUE DRAGON WOMENThe 2024 Blue Dragon women will have seven runners this season, three return from 2024.Sophomore Laura Avila (Medellin, Columbia) is the Blue Dragons’ top returning runner. She placed sixth last season in Region 6, posting a season’s best 5K time of 18:55.07, which is the fifth-fastest 5K time in Blue Dragon women’s history. Avila was 53rd at nationals in a time of 19:46.20. Injuries slowed her progress down in the spring track season.Jordyn Picolet (Council Grove) had a strong freshman cross country season. Picolet ran her best cross country time of the season of 19:37.93 to finish 13th in the Region 6 championships. She placed 77th at nationals with a time of 21:42.80. In the spring, Picolet posted the third-fastest outdoor 5,000-meter time (18:44.62) and second-fastest 10,000-meter time (39:46.61) in Blue Dragon history.Abigail Grantham (Maize) ran a top 5K cross country time of 20:49.22 to placed 27th overall last season. She ran 21:04.50 to place 106th at nationals. Grantham was a two-time track All-American last spring, earning those honors in the indoor distance medley relay and the outdoor 4x800-meter relay.“Laura is fit now and I’m certain she will again be one of our top runners,” Molinares said. “Jordyn is phenomenal to say the least. I think she will surprise some people this year.”One transfer and three freshmen round out the 2024 Blue Dragon women’s roster.Rio Kirven (Dallas) is a transfer from Fort Scott Community College. She ran in two races last season. Her season’s best was 22:07.6 at the Missouri Southern Stampede. She was 48th at Region 6 with a time of 22:37.4.Faith Jepchirchir (Iten, Kenya), Ava Lemaster (Salina) and Lillian Mateo Torrez (Potosi, Bolivia) are the freshmen runners this season.“The girls have a good chance to keep rolling,” Molinares said. “They have a chance to do some special things. I honestly think we will improve from last year.”

👟 Blue Dragons thinking big in 2024

ARNIE MELENDREZ STAPLETON Associated Press

The Kansas City Chiefs have ruled the AFC West since two-time MVP&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-mahomes-kelce-pass-1bcab0adc7d2eb8f0fc35c7270994483">Patrick Mahomes</a>&nbsp;was still slinging it at Texas Tech. They’ve won the division every year since 2016.

What the back-to-back Super Bowl champs are really out to accomplish this season, though, is something that’s never been done before: a three-peat that has eluded the other seven repeat champs, including the Pittsburgh Steelers twice.

As tight end Travis Kelce celebrated the Chiefs’ 25-22 win over San Francisco in Las Vegas at the last Super Bowl, his thoughts were already on the next one, in New Orleans on Feb. 9, 2025.

“How about that?” Kelce hollered. “We get a chance to do it three times in a row.”

None of the other back-to-back Super Bowl champs even made it back to the big game for a shot at a three-peat. Joe Montana and the 49ers came closest, but lost to the New York Giants 15-13 on Matt Bahr’s 42-yard field goal as time expired in the NFC championship at Candlestick Park following the 1990 season.

The NFL is the only major sports league in North America that hasn’t had a back-to-back-to-back champion. The feat was last accomplished in the NBA by Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal with the Los Angeles Lakers from 2000-02, shortly after the Yankees won three straight World Series titles from 1998-2000. The last NHL team to do it was the New York Islanders in the early 1980s.

In trying to break the Chiefs’ stranglehold on the AFC West, the Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders both brought in new quarterbacks and the Los Angeles Chargers hired a new head coach.

Rookie&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/denver-broncos-bo-nix-quarterback-nfl-bef5c987fa50c59b9ccb89fab54de30a">Bo Nix</a>&nbsp;will be the 14th different starter at quarterback in Denver since Peyton Manning retired following a triumphant Super Bowl 50 — the last time the Broncos even reached the playoffs.

Journeyman&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minshew-raiders-oconnell-pierce-6715a517a60d7ab71535a9a332c7ff69">Gardner Minshew</a>&nbsp;won the Raiders’ QB competition and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chargers-hotel-elevator-beb167ef2d205ca381311021912323c8">Justin Herbert</a>&nbsp;has coach Jim Harbaugh calling the shots in Los Angeles. The former 49ers head coach returned to the NFL after guiding Michigan to the national title last season.

The Chiefs bring back largely the same cast led by Mahomes, Kelce, coach Andy Reid and All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones, who signed a five-year, $158.75 million contract in the offseason.

The Chiefs got even better in the offseason, upgrading their wide receiver corps by signing free agents “Hollywood” Brown and Juju Smith-Schuster and drafting Xavier Worthy in the first round.

In Smith-Schuster, the Chiefs are reuniting with a veteran pass catcher who helped Kansas City beat the Eagles 38-35 in the Super Bowl two years ago.

GM Brett Veach shored up the team’s greatest remaining roster weakness by signing Broncos castoff running back Samaje Perine shortly after roster cuts Tuesday.

The Broncos also had an abundance of wide receivers and three whom they let go — Tim Patrick (Lions), Brandon Johnson (Steelers) and Jalen Virgil (Bills) — were snapped up to serve on other teams’ practice squads.

If the Chiefs needed any fresh fire for their quest, they got it this summer from an unlikely source: Trey Taylor, the Jim Thorpe Award-winning former Air Force safety and Raiders seventh-round draft pick.

A Raiders fan attending the team’s training camp brought a Kermit the Frog puppet complete with a Mahomes wig and jersey to practice. A&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/MySportsUpdate/status/1816579328613974508?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1816579328613974508%7Ctwgr%5Eb4ac3abcb6ef203107ca1079463c2fc4b5deee30%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fnews3lv.com%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fvideo-las-vegas-raider-player-has-fun-with-patrick-mahomes-kermit-the-frog-puppet-kansas-city-chiefs-sports-nfl-football-afc-west" target="_blank">viral video</a>&nbsp;showed Taylor laughing with the other players while placing the puppet on his right hand and speaking in a voice that sounded like both the genial green amphibian and the three-time Super Bowl winning QB.

Las Vegas coach Antonio Pierce said the team addressed the rookie clowning on Mahomes and declared, “It’s over with.”

“It’ll get handled when it gets handled,” Mahomes said when asked about the mockery by the Raiders rookie.

Mahomes has manhandled the Raiders, beating them 10 times in 12 tries. He’s also 12-1 against Denver and 8-2 against the Raiders.

That’s 30-5 against division opponents, the chief reason Kansas City has owned the AFC West for so long.

Nix, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-rookies-to-watch-2024-f5d79de99b581f236da96cd62cf6ed9b">sixth quarterback</a>&nbsp;selected in the top dozen picks in the NFL draft in April, beat out career backup Jarrett Stidham and 2021 second overall pick Zach Wilson to win the Broncos’ starting job.

When the Broncos open at Seattle on Sept. 8, he’ll become the first rookie quarterback to start a season for Denver since Hall of Famer John Elway in 1983.

Elway’s debut was forgettable: He went 1 for 8 for 14 yards with an interception and four sacks before being replaced by former starter Steve DeBerg, who rallied the Broncos past the Pittsburgh Steelers 14-10.

Jim Harbaugh was quick to praise Justin Herbert for quickly picking up the new offense, but the Chargers’ fifth-year quarterback’s acclimation was dealt a setback with yet another injury this summer. This time, it was to the plantar fascia in his right foot that had him in a walking boot for two weeks.

Over the past two seasons, Herbert has had bruised ribs, a torn labrum to his non-throwing shoulder and two broken fingers, including one on his throwing hand that caused him to miss the final four games last season.

&nbsp; Harbaugh had some more praise for Herbert when the QB was among a dozen Chargers players who got&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chargers-elevator-9a388907bd958f96623ad5ec3620017b">stuck in an elevator</a>&nbsp;for two hours at the team hotel the night before a preseason game at Dallas. Harbaugh said he saw the players as they were rescued and Herbert hadn’t even broken a sweat.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707710199636.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) runs against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 58 football game Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)." />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) runs against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 58 football game Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/George Walker IV).</figcaption>
 </figure>ARNIE MELENDREZ STAPLETON Associated PressThe Kansas City Chiefs have ruled the AFC West since two-time MVP&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-mahomes-kelce-pass-1bcab0adc7d2eb8f0fc35c7270994483">Patrick Mahomes</a>&nbsp;was still slinging it at Texas Tech. They’ve won the division every year since 2016.What the back-to-back Super Bowl champs are really out to accomplish this season, though, is something that’s never been done before: a three-peat that has eluded the other seven repeat champs, including the Pittsburgh Steelers twice.As tight end Travis Kelce celebrated the Chiefs’ 25-22 win over San Francisco in Las Vegas at the last Super Bowl, his thoughts were already on the next one, in New Orleans on Feb. 9, 2025.“How about that?” Kelce hollered. “We get a chance to do it three times in a row.”None of the other back-to-back Super Bowl champs even made it back to the big game for a shot at a three-peat. Joe Montana and the 49ers came closest, but lost to the New York Giants 15-13 on Matt Bahr’s 42-yard field goal as time expired in the NFC championship at Candlestick Park following the 1990 season.The NFL is the only major sports league in North America that hasn’t had a back-to-back-to-back champion. The feat was last accomplished in the NBA by Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal with the Los Angeles Lakers from 2000-02, shortly after the Yankees won three straight World Series titles from 1998-2000. The last NHL team to do it was the New York Islanders in the early 1980s.In trying to break the Chiefs’ stranglehold on the AFC West, the Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders both brought in new quarterbacks and the Los Angeles Chargers hired a new head coach.Rookie&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/denver-broncos-bo-nix-quarterback-nfl-bef5c987fa50c59b9ccb89fab54de30a">Bo Nix</a>&nbsp;will be the 14th different starter at quarterback in Denver since Peyton Manning retired following a triumphant Super Bowl 50 — the last time the Broncos even reached the playoffs.Journeyman&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minshew-raiders-oconnell-pierce-6715a517a60d7ab71535a9a332c7ff69">Gardner Minshew</a>&nbsp;won the Raiders’ QB competition and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chargers-hotel-elevator-beb167ef2d205ca381311021912323c8">Justin Herbert</a>&nbsp;has coach Jim Harbaugh calling the shots in Los Angeles. The former 49ers head coach returned to the NFL after guiding Michigan to the national title last season.The Chiefs bring back largely the same cast led by Mahomes, Kelce, coach Andy Reid and All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones, who signed a five-year, $158.75 million contract in the offseason.<h2>Rich get richer</h2>The Chiefs got even better in the offseason, upgrading their wide receiver corps by signing free agents “Hollywood” Brown and Juju Smith-Schuster and drafting Xavier Worthy in the first round.In Smith-Schuster, the Chiefs are reuniting with a veteran pass catcher who helped Kansas City beat the Eagles 38-35 in the Super Bowl two years ago.GM Brett Veach shored up the team’s greatest remaining roster weakness by signing Broncos castoff running back Samaje Perine shortly after roster cuts Tuesday.The Broncos also had an abundance of wide receivers and three whom they let go — Tim Patrick (Lions), Brandon Johnson (Steelers) and Jalen Virgil (Bills) — were snapped up to serve on other teams’ practice squads.<h2>Poking the bear</h2>If the Chiefs needed any fresh fire for their quest, they got it this summer from an unlikely source: Trey Taylor, the Jim Thorpe Award-winning former Air Force safety and Raiders seventh-round draft pick.A Raiders fan attending the team’s training camp brought a Kermit the Frog puppet complete with a Mahomes wig and jersey to practice. A&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/MySportsUpdate/status/1816579328613974508?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1816579328613974508%7Ctwgr%5Eb4ac3abcb6ef203107ca1079463c2fc4b5deee30%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fnews3lv.com%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fvideo-las-vegas-raider-player-has-fun-with-patrick-mahomes-kermit-the-frog-puppet-kansas-city-chiefs-sports-nfl-football-afc-west" target="_blank">viral video</a>&nbsp;showed Taylor laughing with the other players while placing the puppet on his right hand and speaking in a voice that sounded like both the genial green amphibian and the three-time Super Bowl winning QB.Las Vegas coach Antonio Pierce said the team addressed the rookie clowning on Mahomes and declared, “It’s over with.”Maybe not.“It’ll get handled when it gets handled,” Mahomes said when asked about the mockery by the Raiders rookie.Mahomes has manhandled the Raiders, beating them 10 times in 12 tries. He’s also 12-1 against Denver and 8-2 against the Raiders.That’s 30-5 against division opponents, the chief reason Kansas City has owned the AFC West for so long.<h2>Nix is up next</h2>Nix, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-rookies-to-watch-2024-f5d79de99b581f236da96cd62cf6ed9b">sixth quarterback</a>&nbsp;selected in the top dozen picks in the NFL draft in April, beat out career backup Jarrett Stidham and 2021 second overall pick Zach Wilson to win the Broncos’ starting job.When the Broncos open at Seattle on Sept. 8, he’ll become the first rookie quarterback to start a season for Denver since Hall of Famer John Elway in 1983.Elway’s debut was forgettable: He went 1 for 8 for 14 yards with an interception and four sacks before being replaced by former starter Steve DeBerg, who rallied the Broncos past the Pittsburgh Steelers 14-10.<h2>Harbaugh and Herbert</h2>Jim Harbaugh was quick to praise Justin Herbert for quickly picking up the new offense, but the Chargers’ fifth-year quarterback’s acclimation was dealt a setback with yet another injury this summer. This time, it was to the plantar fascia in his right foot that had him in a walking boot for two weeks.Over the past two seasons, Herbert has had bruised ribs, a torn labrum to his non-throwing shoulder and two broken fingers, including one on his throwing hand that caused him to miss the final four games last season.&nbsp; Harbaugh had some more praise for Herbert when the QB was among a dozen Chargers players who got&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chargers-elevator-9a388907bd958f96623ad5ec3620017b">stuck in an elevator</a>&nbsp;for two hours at the team hotel the night before a preseason game at Dallas. Harbaugh said he saw the players as they were rescued and Herbert hadn’t even broken a sweat.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Predicted order of finish</h2>

🏈 Mahomes and the Chiefs seek history this season

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701263164849.png" alt="Early Morning Sports with Rob Dreher for Thursday August 29th, 2024" />
 <figcaption>Early Morning Sports with Rob Dreher for Thursday August 29th, 2024</figcaption>
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🎧 LISTEN: ⚾ Cleveland comes from behind to nip Royals; 🏈 HutchCC opens season tonight at Gowans versus NMMI

Sophomore forward Haley Rogers posted the 99th all-time hat trick in Hutchinson Community College women’s soccer history to lead the 20th-ranked Blue Dragons to a Jayhawk Conference season-opening victory on Wednesday night at the Salthawk Soccer Complex.

Rogers had a career-high seven points and sophomore midfielder Kaitlyn Edwards tied a career high with five points as the Blue Dragons defeated the Garden City Broncbusters 7-2.

The Blue Dragons improved to 2-0 overall and 1-0 in the KJCCC. Hutchinson travels to Seward County on Saturday for a 2 p.m. match against the Saints at Liberal High School. Garden City is 2-1 overall and 0-1 in league play.

Rogers became the 44th different player in Blue Dragon history to register a hat trick. Rogers scored three goals and had an assists to pace the Dragons. She scored the match’s first two goals. All three of Rogers’ goals came in the first half, which is the 48th time in program history a player has had three goals or more in a single half.

Edwards earned her fourth career multi-goal game with two goals and an assist.

Sophomore Katharina Marx had her second-straight multi-point game of the season with a goal and two assists. That was her third career multi-assist game.

Marx and Rogers are tied for the team lead through two games with 10 points each.

Blue Dragon sophomore goalkeeper Karsyn Slothower (2-0) collected her 14th career victory with a five-save performance. Slothower also reached a milestone, moving past Olivia Felix-Cardona into third place on the Blue Dragon career saves list and become the third-ever Blue Dragon keeper to surpass 100 career saves. Slothower has 101 career saves.

Freshman Faith Pound was the other goal scorer for the Blue Dragons. Beatrice Sales, Anastasia Pokrandt, Kira Artmann and Emma Hoffman all collected assists in the game.

The Blue Dragons out-shot Garden City 33-17 and had 12 corner kicks in the game to Garden City’s zero.

Hutchinson produced its second five-goal half of the season on Wednesday night.

The scoring started after Edwards intercepted a short punt by the Garden City goalkeeper and she immediately slid a pass to Rogers, who moved by one defender and lofted a shot from 25 yards out into the goal for a 1-0 lead with 40:55 to play in the opening half.

About nine minutes later, Sales controlled a loose ball at midfield and hit Marx in stride, who in turn made a run at goal up the middle. Marx slide a pass to her left over to Rogers, who scored from about 20 yards out to make it 2-0 Dragons with 33:28 remaining in the first half.

Marx made hit 3-0 when she received a Pokrandt pass just outside the box and drove by an aggressive play by Garden’s keeper and scored into a wide-open goal with 24:52 remaining in the half.

The Blue Dragons struck from long distance for their fourth goal when Edwards lofted a shot from 25 yards out for the upper-right corner of the goal that glanced off the finger tips of the Garden keeper with 9:11 to play in the half. Artmann was credited with the assist.

Rogers finished off her hat trick with the final goal of the half when she one-touched a perfect Hoffman cross and chipped the ball into the goal for a 5-0 lead with 6:43 to play in the first half.

Rogers earned her lone assist of the game with a corner kick and Edwards headed in for a 6-0 lead 34:45 to play in the second half.

After Garden City scored a pair of goals to pull within four, the Dragons had the final marker of the game when Pound knocked home her first career goal off a loose ball from a Marx shot for a 7-2 lead with 7:07 remaining in the game.

The Blue Dragons are now 32-0-1 all-time against Garden City. The Busters did score more than one goal in a game against the Blue Dragons. for the first time in series history. Jessica Newton had both goals for the Busters.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724928245084.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy Hutchinson Community College" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Hutchinson Community College</figcaption>
 </figure>HutchCC Sports InformationSophomore forward Haley Rogers posted the 99th all-time hat trick in Hutchinson Community College women’s soccer history to lead the 20th-ranked Blue Dragons to a Jayhawk Conference season-opening victory on Wednesday night at the Salthawk Soccer Complex.Rogers had a career-high seven points and sophomore midfielder Kaitlyn Edwards tied a career high with five points as the Blue Dragons defeated the Garden City Broncbusters 7-2.The Blue Dragons improved to 2-0 overall and 1-0 in the KJCCC. Hutchinson travels to Seward County on Saturday for a 2 p.m. match against the Saints at Liberal High School. Garden City is 2-1 overall and 0-1 in league play.Rogers became the 44th different player in Blue Dragon history to register a hat trick. Rogers scored three goals and had an assists to pace the Dragons. She scored the match’s first two goals. All three of Rogers’ goals came in the first half, which is the 48th time in program history a player has had three goals or more in a single half.Edwards earned her fourth career multi-goal game with two goals and an assist.Sophomore Katharina Marx had her second-straight multi-point game of the season with a goal and two assists. That was her third career multi-assist game.Marx and Rogers are tied for the team lead through two games with 10 points each.Blue Dragon sophomore goalkeeper Karsyn Slothower (2-0) collected her 14th career victory with a five-save performance. Slothower also reached a milestone, moving past Olivia Felix-Cardona into third place on the Blue Dragon career saves list and become the third-ever Blue Dragon keeper to surpass 100 career saves. Slothower has 101 career saves.Freshman Faith Pound was the other goal scorer for the Blue Dragons. Beatrice Sales, Anastasia Pokrandt, Kira Artmann and Emma Hoffman all collected assists in the game.The Blue Dragons out-shot Garden City 33-17 and had 12 corner kicks in the game to Garden City’s zero.Hutchinson produced its second five-goal half of the season on Wednesday night.The scoring started after Edwards intercepted a short punt by the Garden City goalkeeper and she immediately slid a pass to Rogers, who moved by one defender and lofted a shot from 25 yards out into the goal for a 1-0 lead with 40:55 to play in the opening half.About nine minutes later, Sales controlled a loose ball at midfield and hit Marx in stride, who in turn made a run at goal up the middle. Marx slide a pass to her left over to Rogers, who scored from about 20 yards out to make it 2-0 Dragons with 33:28 remaining in the first half.Marx made hit 3-0 when she received a Pokrandt pass just outside the box and drove by an aggressive play by Garden’s keeper and scored into a wide-open goal with 24:52 remaining in the half.The Blue Dragons struck from long distance for their fourth goal when Edwards lofted a shot from 25 yards out for the upper-right corner of the goal that glanced off the finger tips of the Garden keeper with 9:11 to play in the half. Artmann was credited with the assist.Rogers finished off her hat trick with the final goal of the half when she one-touched a perfect Hoffman cross and chipped the ball into the goal for a 5-0 lead with 6:43 to play in the first half.Rogers earned her lone assist of the game with a corner kick and Edwards headed in for a 6-0 lead 34:45 to play in the second half.After Garden City scored a pair of goals to pull within four, the Dragons had the final marker of the game when Pound knocked home her first career goal off a loose ball from a Marx shot for a 7-2 lead with 7:07 remaining in the game.The Blue Dragons are now 32-0-1 all-time against Garden City. The Busters did score more than one goal in a game against the Blue Dragons. for the first time in series history. Jessica Newton had both goals for the Busters.

⚽ Rogers hat trick sparks Dragons to KJCCC opening victory

AP Sports Summary for Thursday August 29th, 2024:

Ohtani and his dog share first-pitch duties before Dodgers superstar blasts leadoff homer

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani has homered leading off the game on his bobblehead night at Dodger Stadium. He sent a 1-2 pitch from Baltimore's Corbin Burnes to right-center shortly after Ohtani and his dog handled first pitch duties. The second Ohtani bobblehead giveaway this season is proving just as popular as the first. Only the first 40,000 fans at Wednesday's game received the bobblehead, which depicts a smiling Ohtani holding his dog named Decoy. Long lines of cars backed up on roads around the stadium five hours before the Dodgers hosted the Orioles. Ohtani carried his dog to the mound for the ceremonial first pitch. They later shared a hand-to-paw high five.

Wimbledon champion Krejcikova out of US Open, Shelton and Tiafoe set to meet in 3rd round

NEW YORK (AP) — Frances Tiafoe is getting the rematch he wants, a second shot at Ben Shelton at the U.S. Open. But there won't be a second straight Grand Slam title for Barbora Krejcikova. The Wimbledon champion was knocked out of the U.S. Open in the second round on Wednesday, defeated by Elena-Gabriela Ruse 6-4, 7-5. Ruse advanced to the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time and will play No. 26 seed Paula Badosa, who eliminated American Taylor Townsend 6-3, 7-5. Tiafoe and Shelton both won second-round matches and will meet Friday. Shelton beat Tiafoe last year in the U.S. Open quarterfinals.

Novak Djokovic reaches US Open third round after opponent stops in 3rd set due to injury

NEW YORK (AP) — Defending champion Novak Djokovic has reached the third round of the U.S. Open after his opponent had to stop in the third set of their match with an injury. Djokovic led Laslo Djere 6-4, 6-4, 2-0 on Wednesday night when his Serbian countryman retired. Djere was leading 4-2 in the second set when he appeared to be troubled by pain near his hip and was visited by a trainer later in the set. It was the 90th win at the U.S. Open for Djokovic, allowing him to reach that total at all four Grand Slams. The 24-time major champion will play No. 28 seed Alexei Popyrin on Friday.

US Open: Iga Swiatek and other tennis players say their mental and physical health are ignored

NEW YORK (AP) — It's nothing new for tennis players to worry aloud about their sport's overcrowded calendar, too-tough season and too-short offseason. No. 1-ranked Iga Swiatek added an additional complaint this week at the U.S. Open: Athletes are not being heard when they express concerns about potential harm to mental and physical health caused by having more tournaments that run longer and new rules that require participation in more events. Swiatek also said players are not being consulted enough by the professional tours.

49ers star receiver Brandon Aiyuk misses practice despite being cleared by team doctors

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco star receiver Brandon Aiyuk wasn't at the start of practice despite the team saying he was cleared by doctors to participate. Aiyuk had refused to practice all training camp as he seeks a long-term extension or a possible trade, with coach Kyle Shanahan citing a back injury as the official reason for what is essentially a contract dispute. Both Shanahan and general manager John Lynch said before practice that Aiyuk had been cleared by team doctors and the expectation was that he would practice. But Aiyuk was not on the field during the portion open to reporters and could be subject to fines.

Pittsburgh Steelers are handing their offense to veteran QB Russell Wilson

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to let Russell Wilson cook. Coach Mike Tomlin has selected the nine-time Pro Bowler as the starting quarterback heading into Week 1. The move ended a largely perfunctory quarterback competition with Justin Fields in which the 35-year-old Wilson held the "pole position" as Tomlin put it for months and did little to cede ground. Wilson is the fourth different quarterback to start Week 1 for the Steelers in the past four years.

Boxer's brother throws a punch at a rival trainer in chaotic post-fight melee

SYDNEY (AP) — The brother of a boxer who had just been awarded a technical knockout punched the trainer of a rival fighter during a chaotic melee in the ring following a televised bout in Sydney. Michael Zerafa received the TKO win on Wednesday night after his opponent Tommy Browne quit with a biceps injury after the first round of their catchweight bout. Zerafa wasn't happy with his rival retiring and yelled "you quit" to Browne. That led to a heated argument between Zerafa and Browne's trainer, Tommy Mercuri. Then Zerafa's brother and cornerman, Jason-Manuel Zerafa, entered the ring, moved around behind an official and threw a right to the side of Mercuri's head before retreating behind the boxer. The boxer's brother was later charged with assault by police.

Caitlin Clark sets WNBA rookie record for 3s as Fever beat Sun and snap 11-game skid in series

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Kelsey Mitchell scored 23 points, Caitlin Clark had 19 points, five rebounds and five assists, and the Indiana Fever beat the Connecticut Sun 84-80 to snap an 11-game losing streak in the series. It was Indiana's first win against Connecticut since July 3, 2021. Clark set a WNBA rookie record for made 3-pointers, passing Rhyne Howard's 85 in 2022, with a triple in the first quarter. Clark added two more 3-pointers before finishing 3 of 12, giving her 88 on the season.

Everyone starts out chasing Scottie Scheffler for the FedEx Cup title at East Lake

ATLANTA (AP) — Scottie Scheffler is the best player in golf. And now the other 29 players at the Tour Championship are spotting him a two-shot lead. Shane Lowry says he's used to giving his friends a few shots at home. But he says his friends are not named Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele. The Tour Championship and its staggered start depending on FedEx Cup ranking gets underway on Thursday. One change already in place for restored East Lake is to insert interior out-of-bounds stakes left the 18th to keep players from trying to take an easier route down the adjacent 10th fairway.

Giants taking historic number out of retirement for rookie receiver Malik Nabers

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The New York Giants are putting their first retired number back into service for sensational rookie receiver Malik Nabers. The Giants announced Wednesday that Nabers will wear No. 1 this season. The number was retired by the Giants in 1935, coinciding with the retirement of end Ray Flaherty. It was first jersey number retired in pro football history. The decision came after talks between Giants co-owner John Mara and Ray Flaherty, Jr., and the family approved the move, the team said. Nabers wore No. 9 in training camp, but it belonged to veteran kicker Graham Gano.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701494597443.png" alt="Sports Headlines and News for Thursday August 29th, 2024." />
 <figcaption>Sports Headlines and News for Thursday August 29th, 2024.</figcaption>
 </figure>AP Sports Summary for Thursday August 29th, 2024:<div><iframe width="100%" height="95" src="https://embeds.audioboom.com/posts/8563028/embed?v=202301" style="background-color: transparent; display: block; padding: 0; width: 100%" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="allowtransparency" scrolling="no" title="Audioboom player" allow="autoplay" sandbox="allow-downloads allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation"></iframe></div>Ohtani and his dog share first-pitch duties before Dodgers superstar blasts leadoff homerLOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani has homered leading off the game on his bobblehead night at Dodger Stadium. He sent a 1-2 pitch from Baltimore's Corbin Burnes to right-center shortly after Ohtani and his dog handled first pitch duties. The second Ohtani bobblehead giveaway this season is proving just as popular as the first. Only the first 40,000 fans at Wednesday's game received the bobblehead, which depicts a smiling Ohtani holding his dog named Decoy. Long lines of cars backed up on roads around the stadium five hours before the Dodgers hosted the Orioles. Ohtani carried his dog to the mound for the ceremonial first pitch. They later shared a hand-to-paw high five.Wimbledon champion Krejcikova out of US Open, Shelton and Tiafoe set to meet in 3rd roundNEW YORK (AP) — Frances Tiafoe is getting the rematch he wants, a second shot at Ben Shelton at the U.S. Open. But there won't be a second straight Grand Slam title for Barbora Krejcikova. The Wimbledon champion was knocked out of the U.S. Open in the second round on Wednesday, defeated by Elena-Gabriela Ruse 6-4, 7-5. Ruse advanced to the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time and will play No. 26 seed Paula Badosa, who eliminated American Taylor Townsend 6-3, 7-5. Tiafoe and Shelton both won second-round matches and will meet Friday. Shelton beat Tiafoe last year in the U.S. Open quarterfinals.Novak Djokovic reaches US Open third round after opponent stops in 3rd set due to injuryNEW YORK (AP) — Defending champion Novak Djokovic has reached the third round of the U.S. Open after his opponent had to stop in the third set of their match with an injury. Djokovic led Laslo Djere 6-4, 6-4, 2-0 on Wednesday night when his Serbian countryman retired. Djere was leading 4-2 in the second set when he appeared to be troubled by pain near his hip and was visited by a trainer later in the set. It was the 90th win at the U.S. Open for Djokovic, allowing him to reach that total at all four Grand Slams. The 24-time major champion will play No. 28 seed Alexei Popyrin on Friday.US Open: Iga Swiatek and other tennis players say their mental and physical health are ignoredNEW YORK (AP) — It's nothing new for tennis players to worry aloud about their sport's overcrowded calendar, too-tough season and too-short offseason. No. 1-ranked Iga Swiatek added an additional complaint this week at the U.S. Open: Athletes are not being heard when they express concerns about potential harm to mental and physical health caused by having more tournaments that run longer and new rules that require participation in more events. Swiatek also said players are not being consulted enough by the professional tours.49ers star receiver Brandon Aiyuk misses practice despite being cleared by team doctorsSANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco star receiver Brandon Aiyuk wasn't at the start of practice despite the team saying he was cleared by doctors to participate. Aiyuk had refused to practice all training camp as he seeks a long-term extension or a possible trade, with coach Kyle Shanahan citing a back injury as the official reason for what is essentially a contract dispute. Both Shanahan and general manager John Lynch said before practice that Aiyuk had been cleared by team doctors and the expectation was that he would practice. But Aiyuk was not on the field during the portion open to reporters and could be subject to fines.Pittsburgh Steelers are handing their offense to veteran QB Russell WilsonPITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to let Russell Wilson cook. Coach Mike Tomlin has selected the nine-time Pro Bowler as the starting quarterback heading into Week 1. The move ended a largely perfunctory quarterback competition with Justin Fields in which the 35-year-old Wilson held the "pole position" as Tomlin put it for months and did little to cede ground. Wilson is the fourth different quarterback to start Week 1 for the Steelers in the past four years.Boxer's brother throws a punch at a rival trainer in chaotic post-fight meleeSYDNEY (AP) — The brother of a boxer who had just been awarded a technical knockout punched the trainer of a rival fighter during a chaotic melee in the ring following a televised bout in Sydney. Michael Zerafa received the TKO win on Wednesday night after his opponent Tommy Browne quit with a biceps injury after the first round of their catchweight bout. Zerafa wasn't happy with his rival retiring and yelled "you quit" to Browne. That led to a heated argument between Zerafa and Browne's trainer, Tommy Mercuri. Then Zerafa's brother and cornerman, Jason-Manuel Zerafa, entered the ring, moved around behind an official and threw a right to the side of Mercuri's head before retreating behind the boxer. The boxer's brother was later charged with assault by police.Caitlin Clark sets WNBA rookie record for 3s as Fever beat Sun and snap 11-game skid in seriesINDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Kelsey Mitchell scored 23 points, Caitlin Clark had 19 points, five rebounds and five assists, and the Indiana Fever beat the Connecticut Sun 84-80 to snap an 11-game losing streak in the series. It was Indiana's first win against Connecticut since July 3, 2021. Clark set a WNBA rookie record for made 3-pointers, passing Rhyne Howard's 85 in 2022, with a triple in the first quarter. Clark added two more 3-pointers before finishing 3 of 12, giving her 88 on the season.Everyone starts out chasing Scottie Scheffler for the FedEx Cup title at East LakeATLANTA (AP) — Scottie Scheffler is the best player in golf. And now the other 29 players at the Tour Championship are spotting him a two-shot lead. Shane Lowry says he's used to giving his friends a few shots at home. But he says his friends are not named Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele. The Tour Championship and its staggered start depending on FedEx Cup ranking gets underway on Thursday. One change already in place for restored East Lake is to insert interior out-of-bounds stakes left the 18th to keep players from trying to take an easier route down the adjacent 10th fairway.Giants taking historic number out of retirement for rookie receiver Malik NabersEAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The New York Giants are putting their first retired number back into service for sensational rookie receiver Malik Nabers. The Giants announced Wednesday that Nabers will wear No. 1 this season. The number was retired by the Giants in 1935, coinciding with the retirement of end Ray Flaherty. It was first jersey number retired in pro football history. The decision came after talks between Giants co-owner John Mara and Ray Flaherty, Jr., and the family approved the move, the team said. Nabers wore No. 9 in training camp, but it belonged to veteran kicker Graham Gano.AP-ScorecardHere are the scores from yesterday's sports events:___INTERLEAGUEFinal	Houston	10	Philadelphia	0	Final	Oakland	9	Cincinnati	6	Final	Washington	5	N.Y. Yankees	2	Final	Atlanta	5	Minnesota	1	Final	L.A. Dodgers	6	Baltimore	4	___AMERICAN LEAGUEFinal	Cleveland	7	Kansas City	5	Final	Seattle	6	Tampa Bay	2	Final	Texas	3	Chicago White Sox	1	Final	Boston	3	Toronto	0	Final	Texas	4	Chicago White Sox	3	Final	Detroit	3	L.A. Angels	2	___NATIONAL LEAGUEFinal	Chicago Cubs	14	Pittsburgh	10	Final	St. Louis	4	San Diego	3	Final	Milwaukee	5	San Francisco	3	Final	Colorado	8	Miami	2	Final	Arizona	8	N.Y. Mets	5	___WOMEN'S NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATIONFinal	Indiana	84	Connecticut	80	Final	Washington	74	Chicago	70	Final	Minnesota	89	Phoenix	76	Final	Los Angeles	94	New York	88	Final	Seattle	85	Atlanta	81	___MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCERFinal	Columbus	1	Philadelphia	0	___TODAY'S SPORTS SCHEDULE___INTERLEAGUE		Oakland	at	Cincinnati	5:10 p.m.			Baltimore	at	L-A Dodgers	10:10 p.m.	___AMERICAN LEAGUE		L-A Angels	at	Detroit	1:10 p.m.			Texas	at	Chi White Sox	2:10 p.m.			Toronto	at	Boston	7:10 p.m.			Kansas City	at	Houston	8:10 p.m.	___NATIONAL LEAGUE		San Francisco	at	Milwaukee	2:10 p.m.			San Diego	at	St. Louis	2:15 p.m.			Miami	at	Colorado	3:10 p.m.			N-Y Mets	at	Arizona	3:40 p.m.			Atlanta	at	Philadelphia	6:40 p.m.	___TOP-25 COLLEGE FOOTBALL		W. Carolina	at	(24)NC State	7 p.m.			Murray St.	at	(11)Missouri	8 p.m.			Lindenwood (Mo.)	at	(22)Kansas	8 p.m.			S. Utah	at	(12)Utah	9 p.m.	___

📢📰🎧 Sports Headlines for Thursday

WICHITA, Kan. — The Wichita Wind Surge lost 2-1 to the Springfield Cardinals at Riverfront Stadium. Like last night, one side scored early. In this case, Springfield put up both of their runs in the first two innings before holding off the other team the rest of the way.

For the second straight game, R.J. Yeager brought Springfield their first run on a single that dunked down into shallow right field in the top of the first.&nbsp;C.J. Culpepper&nbsp;fought back after the Cardinals loaded the bases by ringing up Chris Rotondo looking to keep the game within one heading into the home half of the initial frame.

Bryan Torres doubled the opposite way into the left field corner to bring around Dakota Harris from first to double the Springfield lead to start the second. Wichita’s response happened later on in the home half of the fourth when&nbsp;Aaron Sabato&nbsp;smoked his 10th homer of the season, a solo shot, over the tall wall in right-center to make it a one-run game.

Down to their final out in the bottom of the ninth,&nbsp;Dalton Shuffield&nbsp;singled to left-center. Pinch-hitter&nbsp;Kyler Fedko&nbsp;pushed another base knock to right field to place the tying run on third base before a lineout to right field ended the game.

Culpepper drew his first Double-A decision, a loss, after giving up the two earned runs on five hits with two walks and a strikeout in the opening two and two-thirds innings.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724916888281.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy of Wichita Wind Surge" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Wichita Wind Surge</figcaption>
 </figure>Wichita Wind SurgeWICHITA, Kan. — The Wichita Wind Surge lost 2-1 to the Springfield Cardinals at Riverfront Stadium. Like last night, one side scored early. In this case, Springfield put up both of their runs in the first two innings before holding off the other team the rest of the way.For the second straight game, R.J. Yeager brought Springfield their first run on a single that dunked down into shallow right field in the top of the first.&nbsp;C.J. Culpepper&nbsp;fought back after the Cardinals loaded the bases by ringing up Chris Rotondo looking to keep the game within one heading into the home half of the initial frame.Bryan Torres doubled the opposite way into the left field corner to bring around Dakota Harris from first to double the Springfield lead to start the second. Wichita’s response happened later on in the home half of the fourth when&nbsp;Aaron Sabato&nbsp;smoked his 10th homer of the season, a solo shot, over the tall wall in right-center to make it a one-run game.Down to their final out in the bottom of the ninth,&nbsp;Dalton Shuffield&nbsp;singled to left-center. Pinch-hitter&nbsp;Kyler Fedko&nbsp;pushed another base knock to right field to place the tying run on third base before a lineout to right field ended the game.Culpepper drew his first Double-A decision, a loss, after giving up the two earned runs on five hits with two walks and a strikeout in the opening two and two-thirds innings.

⚾ Wind Surge drops close game to Springfield

EL DORADO, Kan. —&nbsp; The Hutchinson Community College volleyball team’s 16-match road trip to start the season hit a speed bump on Wednesday night in its Jayhawk Conference opener at Butler.

The Blue Dragons couldn’t overcome a slow offensive start and were swept by the Grizzlies 25-10, 25-16, 25-23 at the Power Plant.

Hutchinson fell to 2-3 overall and 0-1 in the KJCCC. Butler is 3-2 and 1-0. The Blue Dragons continue their long road trip to start the season with this weekend with four matches at the McCook Invitational in McCook, Nebraska. The Blue Dragons will play No. 9 Indian Hills, Lamar, Western Nebraska and North Platte this weekend.

Sophomore right-side hitter Tiana Simmons led the Blue Dragons offensively with nine kills. Freshman outside hitter Atlyn Proctor had seven kills and freshman outside Viktoria Graf had six kills, two block assists and six digs.

Sophomore middle blocker McKenzie Murphy had a team-high three blocks. Sophomore middle Precious Johnson had one solo block.

Freshman setter Ellie Suber had 18 assists. Freshman libero Addy Foster had a team-high nine digs and two service aces.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724927575289.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy Hutchinson Community College" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Hutchinson Community College</figcaption>
 </figure>HutchCC Sports InformationEL DORADO, Kan. —&nbsp; The Hutchinson Community College volleyball team’s 16-match road trip to start the season hit a speed bump on Wednesday night in its Jayhawk Conference opener at Butler.The Blue Dragons couldn’t overcome a slow offensive start and were swept by the Grizzlies 25-10, 25-16, 25-23 at the Power Plant.Hutchinson fell to 2-3 overall and 0-1 in the KJCCC. Butler is 3-2 and 1-0. The Blue Dragons continue their long road trip to start the season with this weekend with four matches at the McCook Invitational in McCook, Nebraska. The Blue Dragons will play No. 9 Indian Hills, Lamar, Western Nebraska and North Platte this weekend.Sophomore right-side hitter Tiana Simmons led the Blue Dragons offensively with nine kills. Freshman outside hitter Atlyn Proctor had seven kills and freshman outside Viktoria Graf had six kills, two block assists and six digs.Sophomore middle blocker McKenzie Murphy had a team-high three blocks. Sophomore middle Precious Johnson had one solo block.Freshman setter Ellie Suber had 18 assists. Freshman libero Addy Foster had a team-high nine digs and two service aces.

🏐 Dragons drop KJCCC opener at Butler

CLEVELAND (AP) — Rookie Jhonkensy Noel singled home Josh Naylor with the go-ahead run in the seventh inning and the Cleveland Guardians rallied for a 7-5 win over the Kansas City Royals, reclaiming sole possession of first place in the AL Central on Wednesday.

The Guardians trailed 5-2 entering the seventh and scored four times to take their first lead of the game. Bo Naylor homered off starter Michael Wacha, while Josh Naylor, Will Brennan and Noel had RBI singles against Lucas Erceg (2-4).

Andrés Giménez tacked on a sacrifice fly in the eighth as Cleveland avoided a four-game sweep in the series with its MLB-leading 37th comeback win. The Guardians had been alone atop the division for 154 days until Kansas City pulled into a tie Tuesday.

“We haven’t looked like ourselves for a while, but that inning, that was us,” Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said. “It was such a great response by our guys. Erceg has been very good, but Will came up with a big swing and Big Christmas (Noel) again comes through.”

Kansas City had its seven-game road winning streak snapped and is 23-14 since the All-Star break. The Royals, who have clinched the season tiebreaker over the Guardians, host Cleveland for three games next week.

Erceg was charged with one run allowed, his first in 12 appearances and 13 1/3 innings since joining Kansas City in a July 30 trade with Oakland.

“Tough way for us to go out, but we came in here and did what we needed to do,” said Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino, who had a career-high four hits. “I think we have their respect and they have ours. It’s going to be a fun month.”

Eli Morgan (2-0) pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings for the victory. Emmanuel Clase earned his AL-best 39th save — with his career-high 26th straight conversion — and matched Cody Allen’s franchise record with 149.

“The competitive nature Clase attacks the game with and the mentality he goes out with, it’s huge having him in the back end of a game,” Bo Naylor said. “The vibes today were electric, back to what we’ve known throughout this year. That was definitely a great step in the right direction.”

Bobby Witt Jr., Pasquantino and Michael Massey hit solo homers off Guardians ace Tanner Bibee, who gave up five runs in five innings. Witt went 2 for 5 and continues to lead baseball with a .346 batting average, 185 hits and 114 runs.

Wacha was denied his 100th career win, pitching six-plus innings and allowing five runs.

Royals: SS Bobby Witt Jr. (right middle finger bruise) has started all 134 games in the second spot in the batting order. The AL MVP candidate was hit by a pitch from Pedro Avila in the seventh inning Tuesday.

Guardians: RHP Alex Cobb (right fingernail tear) played catch at Progressive Field, one day after throwing three innings of live batting practice. The 36-year-old starter is eligible to be activated on Aug. 31.

Royals: RHP Brady Singer (9-9, 3.38 ERA) starts the opener of a four-game series at AL West-leading Houston on Thursday.

Guardians: RHP Ben Lively (11-8, 3.62 ERA) pitches the first game of a three-game home series against Pittsburgh on Friday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717239521858.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BRIAN DULIK Associated PressCLEVELAND (AP) — Rookie Jhonkensy Noel singled home Josh Naylor with the go-ahead run in the seventh inning and the Cleveland Guardians rallied for a 7-5 win over the Kansas City Royals, reclaiming sole possession of first place in the AL Central on Wednesday.The Guardians trailed 5-2 entering the seventh and scored four times to take their first lead of the game. Bo Naylor homered off starter Michael Wacha, while Josh Naylor, Will Brennan and Noel had RBI singles against Lucas Erceg (2-4).Andrés Giménez tacked on a sacrifice fly in the eighth as Cleveland avoided a four-game sweep in the series with its MLB-leading 37th comeback win. The Guardians had been alone atop the division for 154 days until Kansas City pulled into a tie Tuesday.“We haven’t looked like ourselves for a while, but that inning, that was us,” Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said. “It was such a great response by our guys. Erceg has been very good, but Will came up with a big swing and Big Christmas (Noel) again comes through.”Kansas City had its seven-game road winning streak snapped and is 23-14 since the All-Star break. The Royals, who have clinched the season tiebreaker over the Guardians, host Cleveland for three games next week.Erceg was charged with one run allowed, his first in 12 appearances and 13 1/3 innings since joining Kansas City in a July 30 trade with Oakland.“Tough way for us to go out, but we came in here and did what we needed to do,” said Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino, who had a career-high four hits. “I think we have their respect and they have ours. It’s going to be a fun month.”Eli Morgan (2-0) pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings for the victory. Emmanuel Clase earned his AL-best 39th save — with his career-high 26th straight conversion — and matched Cody Allen’s franchise record with 149.“The competitive nature Clase attacks the game with and the mentality he goes out with, it’s huge having him in the back end of a game,” Bo Naylor said. “The vibes today were electric, back to what we’ve known throughout this year. That was definitely a great step in the right direction.”Bobby Witt Jr., Pasquantino and Michael Massey hit solo homers off Guardians ace Tanner Bibee, who gave up five runs in five innings. Witt went 2 for 5 and continues to lead baseball with a .346 batting average, 185 hits and 114 runs.Wacha was denied his 100th career win, pitching six-plus innings and allowing five runs.TRAINER’S ROOMRoyals: SS Bobby Witt Jr. (right middle finger bruise) has started all 134 games in the second spot in the batting order. The AL MVP candidate was hit by a pitch from Pedro Avila in the seventh inning Tuesday.Guardians: RHP Alex Cobb (right fingernail tear) played catch at Progressive Field, one day after throwing three innings of live batting practice. The 36-year-old starter is eligible to be activated on Aug. 31.UP NEXTRoyals: RHP Brady Singer (9-9, 3.38 ERA) starts the opener of a four-game series at AL West-leading Houston on Thursday.Guardians: RHP Ben Lively (11-8, 3.62 ERA) pitches the first game of a three-game home series against Pittsburgh on Friday.

⚾ Royals lose Wednesday to Guardians, now a game back

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719520416153.png" alt="EAGLE Media College Football Scoreboard" />
 <figcaption>EAGLE Media College Football Scoreboard</figcaption>
 </figure><div>KJCCC
THURSDAY
6 p.m. - Hutchinson vs. New Mexico Military &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://www.kjcccsports.net/hutchcc/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WATCH</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://streamdb5web.securenetsystems.net/v5/KHUT" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">LISTEN</a>
 
SATURDAY
11 a.m. - Dodge City vs. Tyler &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://www.kjcccsports.net/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WATCH</a>
11 a.m. - Garden City vs. Navarro &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://www.kjcccsports.net/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WATCH</a>
3 p.m. - Highland vs. Monroe &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://www.kjcccsports.net/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WATCH</a>
7 p.m. - Butler vs. NEO A&amp;M &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://www.kjcccsports.net/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WATCH</a>
 
<hr>
 
KCAC
SATURDAY
1 p.m. - Avila vs. Bethany &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcacnetwork.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WATCH</a>
6 p.m. - Ottawa vs. Southwestern &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcacnetwork.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WATCH</a>
6 p.m. - Saint Mary vs. Friends &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcacnetwork.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WATCH</a>
6 p.m. - Sterling vs. Bethel &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcacnetwork.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WATCH</a>
6 p.m. - Tabor vs. McPherson &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcacnetwork.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WATCH</a>
7 p.m. - Kansas Wesleyan vs. Evangel &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcacnetwork.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WATCH</a>
 
<hr>
 
MIAA
THURSDAY
6 p.m. - NW Missouri vs. Minnesota St. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="http://| WATCH" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WATCH</a>
6 p.m. - Northeastern St. vs. Missouri Western&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://| WATCH" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WATCH</a> |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.680kfeq.com/live-stream/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">LISTEN</a>
7 p.m. - Emporia St. vs. Washburn&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://| WATCH" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WATCH</a>
7 p.m. - Chadron St. vs. Nebraska Kearney&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://| WATCH" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WATCH</a>
7 p.m. - Midwestern St. vs. Missouri Southern&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://| WATCH" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WATCH</a>
7 p.m. - Fort Hays St. vs. Angelo St.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://| WATCH" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WATCH</a> |&nbsp;<a href="https://mix103fm.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">LISTEN</a>
 
SATURDAY
7 p.m. - Pittsburg St. vs. Ferris St. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://themiaanetwork.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WATCH</a>
 </div>

🏈🎥 WATCH: Week 1 KJCCC, KCAC, MIAA schedule

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701263164849.png" alt="Early Morning Sports with Rob Dreher for Wednesday August 28th, 2024." />
 <figcaption>Early Morning Sports with Rob Dreher for Wednesday August 28th, 2024.</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="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=pksnb-16b733c-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: ⚾ Royals win rain delayed game in Cleveland; tied for first place central division; 🏈 Chiefs make additions to offense

<a href="https://www.chiefs.com/news/chiefs-announce-roster-moves-2024">Via Chiefs.com</a>

The Chiefs made the below roster moves to get down to their 53-man roster.

The Kansas City Chiefs traded for the following players:

The Kansas City Chiefs placed the following player on Reserve/PUP:

The Kansas City Chiefs placed the following player on Reserve/NFI:

The Kansas City Chiefs waived the following players:

Bozeman, Swayze (LB- Southern Mississippi)

Ingram, Keaontay (RB- Southern California)

The Kansas City Chiefs released the following players:

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723386436838.png" alt="chiefs new.png" />
 <figcaption>chiefs new.png</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.chiefs.com/news/chiefs-announce-roster-moves-2024">Via Chiefs.com</a>The Chiefs made the below roster moves to get down to their 53-man roster.The Kansas City Chiefs traded for the following players:Hendershot, Peyton (TE- Indiana)Thomas, Cameron (DE- San Diego State)The Kansas City Chiefs placed the following player on Reserve/PUP:Omenihu, Charles (DE- Texas)The Kansas City Chiefs placed the following player on Reserve/NFI:Thompson, B.J. (DE- Stephen F. Austin)The Kansas City Chiefs waived the following players:Bailey, Emani (RB- Texas Christian)Bozeman, Swayze (LB- Southern Mississippi)Cupp, Baylor (TE- Texas Tech)Farrell, Neil (DT- Louisiana State)Godrick, Chukwuebuka (T- No College)Hadden, Kamal (CB- Tennessee)Ingram, Keaontay (RB- Southern California)Jacobs, Curtis (LB- Penn State)Jones, Truman (DE- Harvard)Lovett, Fabien (DT- Florida State)Miller, D.J. (CB- Kent State)Niang, Lucas (T- Texas Christian)Oladokun, Chris (QB- South Dakota State)Powell, Cornell (WR- Clemson)Prince, Deneric (RB- Tulsa)Rees-Zammit, Louis (RB- No College)Remigio, Nikko (WR- Fresno State)Ross, Justyn (WR- Clemson)Taylor, Keith (CB- Washington)Toney, Kadarius (WR- Florida)Washington, Montrell (WR- Samford)The Kansas City Chiefs released the following players:Bush, Deon (S- Miami)Christiansen, Cole (LB- Army)Dickerson, Matt (DT- UCLA)Smith, Irv (TE- Alabama)

🏈 Chiefs make roster moves Tuesday

WICHITA, Kan. — The Wichita Wind Surge got out in front early in a 4-3 victory over the Springfield Cardinals at Riverfront Stadium. All four of Wichita’s runs came in the first four innings, providing a big enough hole to hold off the Cardinals in the series opener.

Alex Isola&nbsp;singled up the middle in his first at-bat back at Riverfront and moved up to second on a five-pitch walk by&nbsp;Aaron Sabato. Both men scored on a double that carried off the left field wall by&nbsp;Andrew Cossetti&nbsp;for an early 2-0 Wind Surge lead in the bottom of the first.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724839516304.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy of Wichita Wind Surge" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Wichita Wind Surge</figcaption>
 </figure>Wichita Wind SurgeWICHITA, Kan. — The Wichita Wind Surge got out in front early in a 4-3 victory over the Springfield Cardinals at Riverfront Stadium. All four of Wichita’s runs came in the first four innings, providing a big enough hole to hold off the Cardinals in the series opener.Alex Isola&nbsp;singled up the middle in his first at-bat back at Riverfront and moved up to second on a five-pitch walk by&nbsp;Aaron Sabato. Both men scored on a double that carried off the left field wall by&nbsp;Andrew Cossetti&nbsp;for an early 2-0 Wind Surge lead in the bottom of the first.Jorel Ortega&nbsp;yanked a bouncer off an infielder’s glove out to shallow left field three innings later to give Wichita another run. Two pitches later, Ortega scored on an RBI double placed a little bit deeper out to left from&nbsp;Tanner Schobel&nbsp;to push Wichita out in front 4-0.Springfield strung together three straight runs in the seventh and eighth innings. R.J. Yeager smoked a solo shot, his 13th of the season, deep out to left-center in the seventh. Then Matt Lloyd pulled a two-out, two-run double of his own to right field in the top of the eighth.Pierson Ohl&nbsp;set down the side on eight pitches in the ninth to give the Wind Surge a series-opening 4-3 win over the Cardinals.&nbsp;Travis Adams&nbsp;picks up the win over five innings of three-hit baseball with two walks and three strikeouts to improve to 5-7 on the season. Ohl picks up his first save with Wichita after throwing for the final four innings and giving up three earned runs on five hits with a pair of punchouts.