MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Four former Kansas State men's basketball –&nbsp;Keyontae Johnson,&nbsp;Markquis Nowell,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/tylor-perry/11222">Tylor Perry</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;Xavier Sneed&nbsp;– will participate in the NBA 2K25 Summer League that starts Friday (July 12) and runs until Monday, July 22 at the Thomas &amp; Mack Center and Pavilion in Las Vegas.

NBA teams will play round-robin games for a week starting Friday (July 12) until Friday, July 19 before the playoffs run from Saturday-Sunday, July 20-21 capped by the championship game on Monday, July 22. &nbsp; Johnson, who will begin his second professional season in 2024-25, will play for the Oklahoma City Thunder, which drafted him in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft. Nowell will play for the Washington Wizards after starting his career with the Toronto Raptors, while Perry will play for the Raptors after signing an Exhibition-10 deal on June 27.&nbsp; Sneed, who played with the Wildcats from 2016-20, will play for the Sacramento Kings.Sneed and the Kings tip off the action on Friday (July 12) at 5 p.m., CT against the Memphis Grizzlies on NBA TV Canada before Nowell and the Wizards play the Atlanta Hawks at 8:30 p.m., CT on ESPN. Johnson and the Thunder open play against the Perry and the Raptors on Saturday (July 13) at 7:30 p.m., CT on NBA TV.

Nowell and the Wizards will be back in action on Sunday (July 14) against the Houston Rockets at 5 p.m., CT on ESPN2 with the Raptors and Perry playing the Denver Nuggets at 8:30 p.m. CT on NBA TV.

Johnson and Sneed will both play on Monday (July 15) on ESPNU with the Thunder facing the Heat at 5 p.m., CT and the Kings and Jazz playing at 9 p.m., CT.

Other games include the Wizards and Trail Blazers on Tuesday (July 16) at 7:30 p.m., CT on NBA TV, the Kings vs. the Knicks at 2:30 p.m., CT on Wednesday (July 17) on NBA TV followed by the Thunder and Suns at 7 p.m., CT on NBA TV and the Wizards and Kings on Thursday (July 18) at 6 p.m., CT on ESPN.

Both Toronto and Oklahoma City will wrap up round-robin play on Friday (July 19) with the Raptors facing the Heat at 8 p.m., CT on ESPN3, while the Thunder will play the Warriors at 9:30 p.m., CT pm NBA TV.

Johnson, who earned All-American honors in his lone season at K-State in 2022-23, helped the Thunder's G-League team, the Oklahoma City Blue, won its first G-League title in April. He scored 14 points in the decisive 117-100 win over the Maine Celtics on April 15. For the season, he averaged 19.9 points on 52.4 percent shooting with 5.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.2 steals in 32.2 minutes per game.

A 2023 Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year winner, Nowell played in just 13 games for the Raptors' G-League team, the Raptors 905, before an injury sidelined him the rest of the 2023-24 season. He averaged 13.8 points on 40.7 percent shooting with 7.6 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.8 steals in 31.9 minutes per game.

Perry earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honors in his one season at K-State after leading the Wildcats in several categories, including scoring (519), 3-point field goals made (93), free throws (160), assists (148) and minutes (2,238), while starting all 34 games. For the season, he averaged a team-best 15.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 4.4 assists in 36.4 minutes per game. He scored nearly 2,500 points during his college career (2,490 points), which included stints at Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College (2019-21), North Texas (2021-23) and K-State (2023-24). Sneed spent the past season playing for Brindisi (Brindisi, Apulia, Italy) in the Lega Basket Serie A (LBA), which is the highest level of professional basketball in Italy. He faced off against former teammate&nbsp;Barry Brown Jr.&nbsp;(Venezia) and former Wildcat&nbsp;Jacob Pullen(Napoli) Sneed averaged 16.2 points in 27 games on 39.3 percent shooting with 6.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.3 steals in 32.7 minutes per game. He scored a season-high 28 points on Jan. 7 against Brescia.

Sneed recently played in 3 games for the Kings in the California Classic Summer League that ran from July 6-10, averaging 15.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.0 steals in 30 minutes per game.

More information on the NBA 2K25 Summer League can be found&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nba.com/summer-league/2024">here</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720816978153.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy Kansas State Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Kansas State Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas State AthleticsMANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Four former Kansas State men's basketball –&nbsp;Keyontae Johnson,&nbsp;Markquis Nowell,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/tylor-perry/11222">Tylor Perry</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;Xavier Sneed&nbsp;– will participate in the NBA 2K25 Summer League that starts Friday (July 12) and runs until Monday, July 22 at the Thomas &amp; Mack Center and Pavilion in Las Vegas. NBA teams will play round-robin games for a week starting Friday (July 12) until Friday, July 19 before the playoffs run from Saturday-Sunday, July 20-21 capped by the championship game on Monday, July 22. &nbsp; Johnson, who will begin his second professional season in 2024-25, will play for the Oklahoma City Thunder, which drafted him in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft. Nowell will play for the Washington Wizards after starting his career with the Toronto Raptors, while Perry will play for the Raptors after signing an Exhibition-10 deal on June 27.&nbsp; Sneed, who played with the Wildcats from 2016-20, will play for the Sacramento Kings.Sneed and the Kings tip off the action on Friday (July 12) at 5 p.m., CT against the Memphis Grizzlies on NBA TV Canada before Nowell and the Wizards play the Atlanta Hawks at 8:30 p.m., CT on ESPN. Johnson and the Thunder open play against the Perry and the Raptors on Saturday (July 13) at 7:30 p.m., CT on NBA TV. Nowell and the Wizards will be back in action on Sunday (July 14) against the Houston Rockets at 5 p.m., CT on ESPN2 with the Raptors and Perry playing the Denver Nuggets at 8:30 p.m. CT on NBA TV. Johnson and Sneed will both play on Monday (July 15) on ESPNU with the Thunder facing the Heat at 5 p.m., CT and the Kings and Jazz playing at 9 p.m., CT. Other games include the Wizards and Trail Blazers on Tuesday (July 16) at 7:30 p.m., CT on NBA TV, the Kings vs. the Knicks at 2:30 p.m., CT on Wednesday (July 17) on NBA TV followed by the Thunder and Suns at 7 p.m., CT on NBA TV and the Wizards and Kings on Thursday (July 18) at 6 p.m., CT on ESPN. Both Toronto and Oklahoma City will wrap up round-robin play on Friday (July 19) with the Raptors facing the Heat at 8 p.m., CT on ESPN3, while the Thunder will play the Warriors at 9:30 p.m., CT pm NBA TV. Johnson, who earned All-American honors in his lone season at K-State in 2022-23, helped the Thunder's G-League team, the Oklahoma City Blue, won its first G-League title in April. He scored 14 points in the decisive 117-100 win over the Maine Celtics on April 15. For the season, he averaged 19.9 points on 52.4 percent shooting with 5.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.2 steals in 32.2 minutes per game. A 2023 Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year winner, Nowell played in just 13 games for the Raptors' G-League team, the Raptors 905, before an injury sidelined him the rest of the 2023-24 season. He averaged 13.8 points on 40.7 percent shooting with 7.6 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.8 steals in 31.9 minutes per game. Perry earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honors in his one season at K-State after leading the Wildcats in several categories, including scoring (519), 3-point field goals made (93), free throws (160), assists (148) and minutes (2,238), while starting all 34 games. For the season, he averaged a team-best 15.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 4.4 assists in 36.4 minutes per game. He scored nearly 2,500 points during his college career (2,490 points), which included stints at Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College (2019-21), North Texas (2021-23) and K-State (2023-24). Sneed spent the past season playing for Brindisi (Brindisi, Apulia, Italy) in the Lega Basket Serie A (LBA), which is the highest level of professional basketball in Italy. He faced off against former teammate&nbsp;Barry Brown Jr.&nbsp;(Venezia) and former Wildcat&nbsp;Jacob Pullen(Napoli) Sneed averaged 16.2 points in 27 games on 39.3 percent shooting with 6.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.3 steals in 32.7 minutes per game. He scored a season-high 28 points on Jan. 7 against Brescia. Sneed recently played in 3 games for the Kings in the California Classic Summer League that ran from July 6-10, averaging 15.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.0 steals in 30 minutes per game. More information on the NBA 2K25 Summer League can be found&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nba.com/summer-league/2024">here</a>.

🏀 4 former Wildcats to play in NBA 2K25 Summer League

"Give me a yell and then flex your biceps!" the videographer says inside a dark makeshift studio at Allegiant Stadium.

"Ahhhhh!"&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/football/roster/avery-johnson/11768">Avery Johnson</a>&nbsp;yells, flexing for the camera.

Johnson stands in his purple Kansas State jersey, the white No. 2 proudly beaming from his chest. The sophomore quarterback stands upon a green carpet. He tosses a football into the air, catches it, tosses it again wearing a carefree smile as golden locks dance across the back of his jersey.

"This is pretty cool," Johnson says, leaving the video studio. "Cool experience.

"Every step is new for Johnson along this path as he shuffles in and out of similar makeshift studios at Big 12 Football Media Day inside the NFL stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. It's 9:03 a.m. Time is precious. Must stay on schedule. He ducks into one room, and another, where cameras await his arrival.

Now, it's 10:34 a.m. and Johnson finds himself in a chair under a spotlight. The man behind the camera asks him his favorite pregame meal (steak and pasta), his favorite Halloween candy (Twix and Snickers), his secret talent (math), and Johnson answers each inquiry without batting an eye. He smiles. This is fun.

Next, he's taken onto the football field to radio row and takes a seat besides two hosts.

"How excited are you for the upcoming season?" one of the hosts asks?

"Man," Johnson replies, "I'm really excited.

"It's 11:34 a.m. and Johnson sits in a studio where an employee at a major TV network pelts him with questions. Finally, the host asks one of the questions on everybody's mind: "You guys are one of the favorites in the new Big 12. What mentality are you bringing into this season?

"Unhesitatingly, Johnson replies, "The same mentality you have to bring each and every week: Attacking each week like a one-week season and not looking too far ahead. We're trying to ignore the predictions and just try to focus on what's going on inside our walls."

Johnson, 19, appears mature beyond his years at his first Big 12 Football Media Day. He appears comfortable. He wears a gray suit, purple pocket square, white dress shirt, and white sneakers. He's thoughtful. He's direct. He's without a doubt the star of the show.

It's precisely what K-State head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/chris-klieman/2502">Chris Klieman</a>&nbsp;envisioned when he recruited Johnson, one of the nation's top quarterbacks, out of Maize, Kansas.

"I told him when we recruited him that he was going to be the face of the program, and it came up late in his first year where he ended up truly being the face," Klieman says. "I'm excited because he's taken that mantle really well, and for a young player he's been a great, great leader.

"It becomes most evident at 3:05 p.m. when a throng of reporters surround Johnson. The face of the program is mature beyond his years.

How does Johnson plan to deal with outside expectations as one of the top playmakers in the Big 12 this season?

"You have to carry yourself with some sort of humble confidence and know I'm no better than anybody else, but in my head believe I'm the best player on the field," he says. "It's about working and ultimately having the utmost confidence in yourself and the players around you to know you're going to execute whenever the play is called."

Johnson assuredly rises to the challenge when called to execute. He arrived at K-State last spring as the top dual-threat passer in the Class of 2023 and the first Elite 11 quarterback to sign with K-State since Josh Freeman in 2005. Last season, he saw time in eight games with two starts, completing 56.1% (37-of-66) of his passes for 479 yards and five touchdowns and no interceptions. He rushed 52 times for 296 yards (5.7 yards per attempt) with seven touchdowns, the most by a true freshman quarterback in 2023. Just the fifth true freshman to start at quarterback in K-State history, the 6-foot-2, 192-pounder made his first true start at quarterback while leading the Wildcats to a 28-19 win over NC State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. He threw for 178 yards and two touchdowns and added 71 rushing yards and a score to earn game MVP honors in the bowl victory.

His breakout performance arrived when he came off the sideline to rush for a school record-tying five touchdowns in a 38-21 win at Texas Tech. It marked the most rushing touchdowns by any true freshman since Samaje Perine had five against Kansas in 2014 and the most by any true freshman quarterback since at least 1995.

"He had an 'it' factor," Klieman says. "You can tell the guys who have an 'it' factor. There's a confidence but not arrogance and he was confident, and I knew that. I believe it and he believes that he should be the best quarterback in this league. Now we have to go out and prove it but there's a belief that's there.

"How much has the game slowed down since last season?"

It's definitely a lot slower," Johnson says. "When I first stepped on campus that first spring practice, things were all over the place and flying around for me. Definitely, I feel like I took big strides this spring already knowing the offense and deepening my knowledge of the offense. Even as the season went on, the game slowed down. Preparation was a big role in that."

Klieman lauds Johnson's maturity and competitiveness.

"He's always had a great maturity about him, but he's a humble guy and works his tail off," Klieman says. "He's the best competitor I've been around since Easton Stick, who was at North Dakota State for five years and is now with the Chargers. Avery is that kind of competitor. If you come out and watch a morning run, he's not losing any of the competition drills, he's not losing any of the races, and he finishes first in everything he does, and he brings his teammates and says, 'Stay on top with me,' because he wants to be the best.

"He's hard-working, humble kid who has huge goals but I'm excited because he has those habits that would allow him to reach those goals.

"Somebody asks Johnson about proving his ability to the world. Johnson replies, "I know what I'm capable of doing and everybody in our facility knows what I'm capable of doing. At the end of the day, it's just going out there and playing my game and not trying to do too much.

"But Klieman and Johnson expect his game to expand during his first year as a full-time starter. Already Johnson has formed a tight relationship with new quarterbacks coach&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/matt-wells/2513">Matt Wells</a>, the former Texas Tech head coach who developed Jordan Love while at Utah State. Wells brings more than 25 years of coaching experience and will serve as associate head coach and co-offensive coordinator with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/conor-riley/2505">Conor Riley</a>, the longtime offensive line coach who enters his first year as offensive coordinator.

"When they were going through the process of picking a (quarterbacks) coach I got on the phone with Coach Wells and we clicked right away," Johnson says. "I spent all of January all the way until spring ball in his office chopping it up and watching ball and he's definitely helped me grow as a leader and as a person and as a quarterback as well."

"Just proving to everybody that I'm a passer and I don't just run the ball," Johnson says. "I can stay in the pocket. I worked a lot this spring on pocket presence and not getting too happy-feet and get outside of the pocket. I'm excited to showcase that ability.

"It's been 194 days since K-State played in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. To some, it might seem like a small lifetime ago, but…"It doesn't feel too long ago," Johnson says. "The summer has gone by really fast and next season is already about to be here. Everything is kind of speeding by right now.

"Yet after an early-morning flight from Manhattan to Las Vegas, and after walking some eight miles back-and-forth across the football field and in the TV studios at Big 12 Football Media Days, Johnson's day finishes sitting in front of a Powercat backdrop at Allegiant Stadium. He and Klieman and his teammates will soon board a shuttle and ride to the airport to their awaiting jet to fly back to the Little Apple.

But not before this: Johnson, the face of the program, and a quarterback who's in the conversation for the Heisman Trophy, is asked about his individual goals for the 2024 season. &nbsp;"To be honest, I want to win the Big 12 Championship, I want to go undefeated, and I want to play for a College Football Championship," he says. "All the other goals will fall into place.

"Someday soon, Johnson will flex for the camera again. This time likely after scoring a touchdown. The K-State crowd will erupt.

And Johnson, the pride of the Sunflower State, might let out a yell that is heard across the college football nation.



<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720808951518.png" alt="Avery Johnson. @ Big 12 Media Days courtesy of K-State Sports" />
 <figcaption>Avery Johnson. @ Big 12 Media Days courtesy of K-State Sports</figcaption>
 </figure>

By: D. Scott Fritchen"Give me a yell and then flex your biceps!" the videographer says inside a dark makeshift studio at Allegiant Stadium."Ahhhhh!"&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/football/roster/avery-johnson/11768">Avery Johnson</a>&nbsp;yells, flexing for the camera.Johnson stands in his purple Kansas State jersey, the white No. 2 proudly beaming from his chest. The sophomore quarterback stands upon a green carpet. He tosses a football into the air, catches it, tosses it again wearing a carefree smile as golden locks dance across the back of his jersey."This is pretty cool," Johnson says, leaving the video studio. "Cool experience."Every step is new for Johnson along this path as he shuffles in and out of similar makeshift studios at Big 12 Football Media Day inside the NFL stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. It's 9:03 a.m. Time is precious. Must stay on schedule. He ducks into one room, and another, where cameras await his arrival.Now, it's 10:34 a.m. and Johnson finds himself in a chair under a spotlight. The man behind the camera asks him his favorite pregame meal (steak and pasta), his favorite Halloween candy (Twix and Snickers), his secret talent (math), and Johnson answers each inquiry without batting an eye. He smiles. This is fun.Next, he's taken onto the football field to radio row and takes a seat besides two hosts."How excited are you for the upcoming season?" one of the hosts asks?"Man," Johnson replies, "I'm really excited."It's 11:34 a.m. and Johnson sits in a studio where an employee at a major TV network pelts him with questions. Finally, the host asks one of the questions on everybody's mind: "You guys are one of the favorites in the new Big 12. What mentality are you bringing into this season?"Unhesitatingly, Johnson replies, "The same mentality you have to bring each and every week: Attacking each week like a one-week season and not looking too far ahead. We're trying to ignore the predictions and just try to focus on what's going on inside our walls."Johnson, 19, appears mature beyond his years at his first Big 12 Football Media Day. He appears comfortable. He wears a gray suit, purple pocket square, white dress shirt, and white sneakers. He's thoughtful. He's direct. He's without a doubt the star of the show.It's precisely what K-State head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/chris-klieman/2502">Chris Klieman</a>&nbsp;envisioned when he recruited Johnson, one of the nation's top quarterbacks, out of Maize, Kansas."I told him when we recruited him that he was going to be the face of the program, and it came up late in his first year where he ended up truly being the face," Klieman says. "I'm excited because he's taken that mantle really well, and for a young player he's been a great, great leader."It becomes most evident at 3:05 p.m. when a throng of reporters surround Johnson. The face of the program is mature beyond his years.How does Johnson plan to deal with outside expectations as one of the top playmakers in the Big 12 this season?"You have to carry yourself with some sort of humble confidence and know I'm no better than anybody else, but in my head believe I'm the best player on the field," he says. "It's about working and ultimately having the utmost confidence in yourself and the players around you to know you're going to execute whenever the play is called."<figure>
 <img src="https://www.kstatesports.com/images/2024/7/11/20240709_Big12_Media_Day-304_web.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Johnson assuredly rises to the challenge when called to execute. He arrived at K-State last spring as the top dual-threat passer in the Class of 2023 and the first Elite 11 quarterback to sign with K-State since Josh Freeman in 2005. Last season, he saw time in eight games with two starts, completing 56.1% (37-of-66) of his passes for 479 yards and five touchdowns and no interceptions. He rushed 52 times for 296 yards (5.7 yards per attempt) with seven touchdowns, the most by a true freshman quarterback in 2023. Just the fifth true freshman to start at quarterback in K-State history, the 6-foot-2, 192-pounder made his first true start at quarterback while leading the Wildcats to a 28-19 win over NC State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. He threw for 178 yards and two touchdowns and added 71 rushing yards and a score to earn game MVP honors in the bowl victory.His breakout performance arrived when he came off the sideline to rush for a school record-tying five touchdowns in a 38-21 win at Texas Tech. It marked the most rushing touchdowns by any true freshman since Samaje Perine had five against Kansas in 2014 and the most by any true freshman quarterback since at least 1995."He had an 'it' factor," Klieman says. "You can tell the guys who have an 'it' factor. There's a confidence but not arrogance and he was confident, and I knew that. I believe it and he believes that he should be the best quarterback in this league. Now we have to go out and prove it but there's a belief that's there."How much has the game slowed down since last season?"It's definitely a lot slower," Johnson says. "When I first stepped on campus that first spring practice, things were all over the place and flying around for me. Definitely, I feel like I took big strides this spring already knowing the offense and deepening my knowledge of the offense. Even as the season went on, the game slowed down. Preparation was a big role in that."Klieman lauds Johnson's maturity and competitiveness."He's always had a great maturity about him, but he's a humble guy and works his tail off," Klieman says. "He's the best competitor I've been around since Easton Stick, who was at North Dakota State for five years and is now with the Chargers. Avery is that kind of competitor. If you come out and watch a morning run, he's not losing any of the competition drills, he's not losing any of the races, and he finishes first in everything he does, and he brings his teammates and says, 'Stay on top with me,' because he wants to be the best."He's hard-working, humble kid who has huge goals but I'm excited because he has those habits that would allow him to reach those goals."Somebody asks Johnson about proving his ability to the world. Johnson replies, "I know what I'm capable of doing and everybody in our facility knows what I'm capable of doing. At the end of the day, it's just going out there and playing my game and not trying to do too much."But Klieman and Johnson expect his game to expand during his first year as a full-time starter. Already Johnson has formed a tight relationship with new quarterbacks coach&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/matt-wells/2513">Matt Wells</a>, the former Texas Tech head coach who developed Jordan Love while at Utah State. Wells brings more than 25 years of coaching experience and will serve as associate head coach and co-offensive coordinator with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/conor-riley/2505">Conor Riley</a>, the longtime offensive line coach who enters his first year as offensive coordinator."When they were going through the process of picking a (quarterbacks) coach I got on the phone with Coach Wells and we clicked right away," Johnson says. "I spent all of January all the way until spring ball in his office chopping it up and watching ball and he's definitely helped me grow as a leader and as a person and as a quarterback as well."<figure>
 <img src="https://www.kstatesports.com/images/2024/7/11/20240709_Big12_Media_Day-192_web.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Part of the mission this season? Simple."Just proving to everybody that I'm a passer and I don't just run the ball," Johnson says. "I can stay in the pocket. I worked a lot this spring on pocket presence and not getting too happy-feet and get outside of the pocket. I'm excited to showcase that ability."It's been 194 days since K-State played in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. To some, it might seem like a small lifetime ago, but…"It doesn't feel too long ago," Johnson says. "The summer has gone by really fast and next season is already about to be here. Everything is kind of speeding by right now."Yet after an early-morning flight from Manhattan to Las Vegas, and after walking some eight miles back-and-forth across the football field and in the TV studios at Big 12 Football Media Days, Johnson's day finishes sitting in front of a Powercat backdrop at Allegiant Stadium. He and Klieman and his teammates will soon board a shuttle and ride to the airport to their awaiting jet to fly back to the Little Apple.But not before this: Johnson, the face of the program, and a quarterback who's in the conversation for the Heisman Trophy, is asked about his individual goals for the 2024 season. &nbsp;"To be honest, I want to win the Big 12 Championship, I want to go undefeated, and I want to play for a College Football Championship," he says. "All the other goals will fall into place."Someday soon, Johnson will flex for the camera again. This time likely after scoring a touchdown. The K-State crowd will erupt.And Johnson, the pride of the Sunflower State, might let out a yell that is heard across the college football nation.

🏈 K-State's Johnson ready for the season to start

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The defending NBC World Series champion Hutchinson Monarchs (21-7) will host the the Diamond Kings (5-17) at Hobart-Detter Field in Carey Park Friday night with the first pitch scheduled for 7 p.m.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720808527303.png" alt="Game Day vs Diamond Kings - July 12th, 2024" />
 <figcaption>Game Day vs Diamond Kings - July 12th, 2024</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The defending NBC World Series champion Hutchinson Monarchs (21-7) will host the the Diamond Kings (5-17) at Hobart-Detter Field in Carey Park Friday night with the first pitch scheduled for 7 p.m.The Monarchs are slated for 20 home games with all 20 games set to be video streamed on <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/8dc5bdf3-e9a7-4011-9b4a-2b453688d13f">hutchpost.com</a> as well as on the <a href="http://www.monarchslive.tv">monarchslive.tv</a> channel. Glen Grunwald will have the play-by-play call with Matt Peterson providing the video stream sponsored by Mid-Way Motors.&nbsp;<div><iframe src="https://vcloud.hudl.com/broadcast/embed/1120638?autoplay=1" width="640" height="360" allow="fullscreen;" style="border:0;overflow:hidden;"></iframe></div>

⚾ Monarchs begin home stand with Diamond Kings tonight

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701263164849.png" alt="Early Morning Sports with Rob Dreher for Friday, July 12th, 2024" />
 <figcaption>Early Morning Sports with Rob Dreher for Friday, July 12th, 2024</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="July 12th, 2024 Early Morning Sports" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=55587-1667e7e-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=60a0c8&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=ff6d00" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

🎧 LISTEN: ⚾ Monarchs defeat Derby; 🏈 Mahomes wins best NFL player award at ESPY's

Jasmine Paolini wins Wimbledon's longest women's semifinal and faces Barbora Krejcikova next

LONDON (AP) — Jasmine Paolini has reached her second consecutive Grand Slam final with a 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (10-8) victory over Donna Vekic at Wimbledon. She will face 2021 French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova in Saturday's final. Krejcikova eliminated 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in Thursday's second semifinal. Paolini is the No. 7 seed at the All England Club and her win at Centre Court follows her runner-up showing at Roland Garros last month. The 28-year-old Italian is the first woman to get to the title matches at the French Open and Wimbledon in the same season since Serena Williams did in 2016.

Paul Skenes pitches 7 no-hit innings as the Pirates blank the Brewers 1-0

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Paul Skenes struck out 11 in seven no-hit innings in another dominant performance, and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Milwaukee Brewers 1-0. Skenes threw 99 pitches in his 11th major league start, 65 for strikes. The All-Star right-hander walked one while lowering his ERA to 1.90. Colin Holderman replaced Skenes and surrendered a leadoff single to Jake Bauers for Milwaukee's first hit. The Brewers loaded the bases with two down in the eighth, but Holderman escaped the jam when he struck out William Contreras swinging. Aroldis Chapman handled the ninth for his fourth save, finishing a two-hitter for Pittsburgh.

Uruguay players defend decision to enter crowd to protect families amid Copa America brawl

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Uruguay striker Luis Suárez defended his teammates' decision to enter the stands following a 1-0 loss to Colombia in the Copa America semifinals, saying the action was necessary to defend families and supporters. After a physical and emotional game that included seven yellow cards and one red card, players exchanged words and shoves at midfield of Bank of America Stadium on Wednesday night. Uruguay players, including Darwin Núñez, noticed an altercation behind the team's bench and about a dozen or so players then climbed into the stands as the melee continued.

US appeals court says some NCAA athletes may qualify as employees under federal wage-and-hour laws

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A U.S. appeals court in Philadelphia has ruled that some college athletes may qualify as employees under federal wage-and-hour laws. The court says a test should be developed to differentiate students who play college sports for fun from those whose effort "crosses the legal line into work" that benefits the school. The NCAA had hoped to have the case dismissed. It now goes back to a trial judge for fact finding. The ruling follows a Supreme Court case that led the NCAA to allow athletes to profit from their name, image and likeness.

If Jürgen Klopp is available, Jim Curtin says no others need be interviewed by US Soccer

NEW YORK (AP) — Philadelphia coach Jim Curtin thinks the search for Gregg Berhalter's successor as U.S. coach doesn't need to be complicated. Curtin says that if Jürgen Klopp is available, he's the guy. Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and Marcelo Bielsa also are among those being speculated about as candidates to lead the Americans into the 2026 World Cup, along with Curtin, Steve Cherundolo, Jesse Marsch, Hugo Pérez, Pellegrino Matarazzo, David Wagner, Massimiliano Allegri and Mauricio Pochettino.

Surprise, surprise! Unlikely Wimbledon contenders Krejcikova and Paolini meet in the women's final

LONDON (AP) — Barbora Krejcikova will face Jasmine Paolini in the Wimbledon final on Saturday. Both women are surprised they've made it this far. Krejcikova had a bad back and just a handful of wins this season before Wimbledon. Paolini had never even won a match at the All England Club in three prior appearances. They both won their semifinal matches Friday in three sets. Krejcikova ousted 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina. Paolini outlasted Donna Vekic in the longest Wimbledon women's semifinal on record. Neither finalist has participated in a Wimbledon singles title match before. Their meeting ensures there will be yet another new champion. Seven women have won the singles title in the past seven editions.

Serena Williams hosts an ESPY awards show celebrating landmark year for women's sports

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Led by host Serena Williams, The ESPYS celebrated a landmark year for women's sports, with Simone Biles, A'ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark, Dawn Staley and JuJu Watkins among the honorees on Thursday nigh at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. The three-hour show on ABC was delayed when President Joe Biden's nationally televised news conference started late. Host Serena Williams told jokes during her monologue and later sang. The show experienced a technical glitch in its closing minutes and as a result Williams' goodnight and the credits were cut off during the live telecast in the East and Central time zones. ABC said the problems would be corrected for tape-delayed viewing in the West.

Phillies back Nola with 3 homers and down Dodgers 5-1 to finish 3-game sweep

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Brandon Marsh hit a home run and an RBI triple, Trea Turner launched his sixth longball in nine games and the Philadelphia Phillies completed a three-game sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers with a 5-1 victory. Aaron Nola struck out nine in six innings for his 11th win and Kyle Schwarber also went deep for the Phillies, who swept the Dodgers for the first time since 2011 — and the first time in Philadelphia since 2008. Los Angeles has lost four straight overall. In a matchup between the top two teams in the National League, the Phillies led in every inning of the series except for the first one on Tuesday, which ended with both teams scoreless. They outscored the Dodgers 19-5 in the three games.

Bill Belichick joining 'Inside the NFL' for upcoming season

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The CW Network announced Thursday that Bill Belichick will be one of the analysts on "Inside the NFL" this season. Belichick coached the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl titles during his 24 years at the helm. He will also appear this season on the Manningcast during "Monday Night Football." Belichick joins Ryan Clark, Chad Johnson and Chris Long. Johnson and Long each played one season for Belichick in New England.

Here's what you need to know about the NBA's upcoming 11-year, $76 billion media rights deal

The NBA might not be happy with the NFL making Christmas Day a regular part of its schedule. However, its new set of media rights deals nearly puts them in the same economic arena. The NBA's 11-year, $76 billion contract package will begin with the 2025-26 season. It is the same number of years as the NFL's most recent deal, which began with the 2023 season. The deals with ESPN/ABC, NBC and Amazon Prime Video will average $6.9 billion per season. The NFL averages $10 billion per year, but that is with five networks.

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, July 12th, 2024" />
 <figcaption>Sports Headlines and News for Friday, July 12th, 2024</figcaption>
 </figure>AP Sports Summary for July 12th, 2024:<div><iframe width="100%" height="95" src="https://embeds.audioboom.com/posts/8540436/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>Jasmine Paolini wins Wimbledon's longest women's semifinal and faces Barbora Krejcikova nextLONDON (AP) — Jasmine Paolini has reached her second consecutive Grand Slam final with a 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (10-8) victory over Donna Vekic at Wimbledon. She will face 2021 French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova in Saturday's final. Krejcikova eliminated 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in Thursday's second semifinal. Paolini is the No. 7 seed at the All England Club and her win at Centre Court follows her runner-up showing at Roland Garros last month. The 28-year-old Italian is the first woman to get to the title matches at the French Open and Wimbledon in the same season since Serena Williams did in 2016.Paul Skenes pitches 7 no-hit innings as the Pirates blank the Brewers 1-0MILWAUKEE (AP) — Paul Skenes struck out 11 in seven no-hit innings in another dominant performance, and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Milwaukee Brewers 1-0. Skenes threw 99 pitches in his 11th major league start, 65 for strikes. The All-Star right-hander walked one while lowering his ERA to 1.90. Colin Holderman replaced Skenes and surrendered a leadoff single to Jake Bauers for Milwaukee's first hit. The Brewers loaded the bases with two down in the eighth, but Holderman escaped the jam when he struck out William Contreras swinging. Aroldis Chapman handled the ninth for his fourth save, finishing a two-hitter for Pittsburgh.Uruguay players defend decision to enter crowd to protect families amid Copa America brawlCHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Uruguay striker Luis Suárez defended his teammates' decision to enter the stands following a 1-0 loss to Colombia in the Copa America semifinals, saying the action was necessary to defend families and supporters. After a physical and emotional game that included seven yellow cards and one red card, players exchanged words and shoves at midfield of Bank of America Stadium on Wednesday night. Uruguay players, including Darwin Núñez, noticed an altercation behind the team's bench and about a dozen or so players then climbed into the stands as the melee continued.US appeals court says some NCAA athletes may qualify as employees under federal wage-and-hour lawsPHILADELPHIA (AP) — A U.S. appeals court in Philadelphia has ruled that some college athletes may qualify as employees under federal wage-and-hour laws. The court says a test should be developed to differentiate students who play college sports for fun from those whose effort "crosses the legal line into work" that benefits the school. The NCAA had hoped to have the case dismissed. It now goes back to a trial judge for fact finding. The ruling follows a Supreme Court case that led the NCAA to allow athletes to profit from their name, image and likeness.If Jürgen Klopp is available, Jim Curtin says no others need be interviewed by US SoccerNEW YORK (AP) — Philadelphia coach Jim Curtin thinks the search for Gregg Berhalter's successor as U.S. coach doesn't need to be complicated. Curtin says that if Jürgen Klopp is available, he's the guy. Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and Marcelo Bielsa also are among those being speculated about as candidates to lead the Americans into the 2026 World Cup, along with Curtin, Steve Cherundolo, Jesse Marsch, Hugo Pérez, Pellegrino Matarazzo, David Wagner, Massimiliano Allegri and Mauricio Pochettino.Surprise, surprise! Unlikely Wimbledon contenders Krejcikova and Paolini meet in the women's finalLONDON (AP) — Barbora Krejcikova will face Jasmine Paolini in the Wimbledon final on Saturday. Both women are surprised they've made it this far. Krejcikova had a bad back and just a handful of wins this season before Wimbledon. Paolini had never even won a match at the All England Club in three prior appearances. They both won their semifinal matches Friday in three sets. Krejcikova ousted 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina. Paolini outlasted Donna Vekic in the longest Wimbledon women's semifinal on record. Neither finalist has participated in a Wimbledon singles title match before. Their meeting ensures there will be yet another new champion. Seven women have won the singles title in the past seven editions.Serena Williams hosts an ESPY awards show celebrating landmark year for women's sportsLOS ANGELES (AP) — Led by host Serena Williams, The ESPYS celebrated a landmark year for women's sports, with Simone Biles, A'ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark, Dawn Staley and JuJu Watkins among the honorees on Thursday nigh at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. The three-hour show on ABC was delayed when President Joe Biden's nationally televised news conference started late. Host Serena Williams told jokes during her monologue and later sang. The show experienced a technical glitch in its closing minutes and as a result Williams' goodnight and the credits were cut off during the live telecast in the East and Central time zones. ABC said the problems would be corrected for tape-delayed viewing in the West.Phillies back Nola with 3 homers and down Dodgers 5-1 to finish 3-game sweepPHILADELPHIA (AP) — Brandon Marsh hit a home run and an RBI triple, Trea Turner launched his sixth longball in nine games and the Philadelphia Phillies completed a three-game sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers with a 5-1 victory. Aaron Nola struck out nine in six innings for his 11th win and Kyle Schwarber also went deep for the Phillies, who swept the Dodgers for the first time since 2011 — and the first time in Philadelphia since 2008. Los Angeles has lost four straight overall. In a matchup between the top two teams in the National League, the Phillies led in every inning of the series except for the first one on Tuesday, which ended with both teams scoreless. They outscored the Dodgers 19-5 in the three games.Bill Belichick joining 'Inside the NFL' for upcoming seasonLOS ANGELES (AP) — The CW Network announced Thursday that Bill Belichick will be one of the analysts on "Inside the NFL" this season. Belichick coached the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl titles during his 24 years at the helm. He will also appear this season on the Manningcast during "Monday Night Football." Belichick joins Ryan Clark, Chad Johnson and Chris Long. Johnson and Long each played one season for Belichick in New England.Here's what you need to know about the NBA's upcoming 11-year, $76 billion media rights dealThe NBA might not be happy with the NFL making Christmas Day a regular part of its schedule. However, its new set of media rights deals nearly puts them in the same economic arena. The NBA's 11-year, $76 billion contract package will begin with the 2025-26 season. It is the same number of years as the NFL's most recent deal, which began with the 2023 season. The deals with ESPN/ABC, NBC and Amazon Prime Video will average $6.9 billion per season. The NFL averages $10 billion per year, but that is with five networks.AP-ScorecardHere are the scores from yesterday's sports events:___INTERLEAGUEFinal	Toronto	5	San Francisco	3	Final	Chicago Cubs	8	Baltimore	0	Final	Houston	6	Miami	3	___AMERICAN LEAGUEFinal	Detroit	10	Cleveland	1	Final	Boston	7	Oakland	0	Final	Tampa Bay	5	N.Y. Yankees	4	Final	Seattle	11	L.A. Angels	0	___NATIONAL LEAGUEFinal	Cincinnati	8	Colorado	1	Final	N.Y. Mets	7	Washington	0	Final	Pittsburgh	1	Milwaukee	0	Final	Philadelphia	5	L.A. Dodgers	1	Final	Arizona	1	Atlanta	0	___WOMEN'S NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATIONFinal	New York	91	Chicago	76	___TODAY'S SPORTS SCHEDULE___INTERLEAGUE		L-A Dodgers	at	Detroit	6:40 p.m.			Oakland	at	Philadelphia	6:40 p.m.			Pittsburgh	at	Chi White Sox	8:10 p.m.			Toronto	at	Arizona	9:40 p.m.			Minnesota	at	San Francisco	10:15 p.m.	___AMERICAN LEAGUE		Cleveland	at	Tampa Bay	6:50 p.m.			N-Y Yankees	at	Baltimore	7:05 p.m.			Kansas City	at	Boston	7:10 p.m.			Texas	at	Houston	8:10 p.m.			Seattle	at	L-A Angels	9:38 p.m.	___NATIONAL LEAGUE		Colorado	at	N-Y Mets	7:10 p.m.			Miami	at	Cincinnati	7:10 p.m.			Washington	at	Milwaukee	8:10 p.m.			Chi Cubs	at	St. Louis	8:15 p.m.			Atlanta	at	San Diego	9:40 p.m.	___WOMEN'S NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION		Las Vegas	at	Atlanta	7:30 p.m.			Phoenix	at	Indiana	7:30 p.m.			Minnesota	at	Seattle	10 p.m.	___

📢📰🎧 Sports Headlines for Friday

SPRINGFIELD, Mo.—The Wichita Wind Surge connected on four solo home runs in a 6-4 loss to the Springfield Cardinals at Hammons Field. The defeat pushes the Wind Surge to 5-11 in two-run games this season.

Luke Keaschall&nbsp;opened Thursday’s game the same way that he did two nights ago in Tuesday’s series opener, with a solo home run. The former Sun Devil sent his fourth Double-A long ball and ninth leadoff round-tripper this season out to the berm in left-center on the sixth pitch of the night in the top of the first. For Wichita, that’s now six leadoff homers this season, with Keaschall responsible for each of the last three;&nbsp;Emmanuel Rodriguez&nbsp;(2) and&nbsp;Kala’i Rosario&nbsp;(1) are the other two players who have accomplished the feat.

Bryan Torres reached on an error to begin the home half of the first, advanced from first to third on a Matt Lloyd single, then tied the game on a Jimmy Crooks infield single. Wind Surge starter&nbsp;Travis Adams&nbsp;would leave runners stranded at second and third after forcing Nathan Church to pop out to&nbsp;Jorel Ortega.

Tanner Schobel&nbsp;seemed to agree with Keaschall’s use of the long ball this week, so he left the yard himself on another solo blast for his third of the season and a 2-1 Wichita advantage. Ortega said three could play that game and demolished his sixth home run of the season, a third solo shot, to deep left field in the third to make the score 3-1 Wind Surge through two and a half frames.

Matt Lloyd laced a sacrifice fly to left field in the bottom of the fifth, allowing the Cardinals to get within one run before Mike Antico sent a two-out, two-run dinger, his seventh of the year, the opposite way over the left field wall. Springfield jumped ahead 4-3 and forced Wichita to go to their bullpen to record the inning’s last out.

Schobel tied the game on his second bomb of the night and fourth of the year, a solo swat that he yanked to left in the top of the seventh. Lloyd responded with an RBI double that bounced around the wall in the left-center alley to regain the lead for the Cardinals at 5-4. Nathan Church would single in Lloyd to make the score 6-4 Cardinals after seven.

Tyler Dearden&nbsp;collected his first extra-base hit in his Wind Surge debut on a bloop double down the left field line before the following two batters went down on a flyout and an infield groundout to end the night.

Scott Engler&nbsp;received his first loss in a Wind Surge uniform and now stands at 4-1 on the season. He surrendered two earned runs on two hits and two walks with a punchout in one and one-third innings pitched.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720782631532.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy of Wichita Wind Surge" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Wichita Wind Surge</figcaption>
 </figure>SPRINGFIELD, Mo.—The Wichita Wind Surge connected on four solo home runs in a 6-4 loss to the Springfield Cardinals at Hammons Field. The defeat pushes the Wind Surge to 5-11 in two-run games this season.Luke Keaschall&nbsp;opened Thursday’s game the same way that he did two nights ago in Tuesday’s series opener, with a solo home run. The former Sun Devil sent his fourth Double-A long ball and ninth leadoff round-tripper this season out to the berm in left-center on the sixth pitch of the night in the top of the first. For Wichita, that’s now six leadoff homers this season, with Keaschall responsible for each of the last three;&nbsp;Emmanuel Rodriguez&nbsp;(2) and&nbsp;Kala’i Rosario&nbsp;(1) are the other two players who have accomplished the feat.Bryan Torres reached on an error to begin the home half of the first, advanced from first to third on a Matt Lloyd single, then tied the game on a Jimmy Crooks infield single. Wind Surge starter&nbsp;Travis Adams&nbsp;would leave runners stranded at second and third after forcing Nathan Church to pop out to&nbsp;Jorel Ortega.Tanner Schobel&nbsp;seemed to agree with Keaschall’s use of the long ball this week, so he left the yard himself on another solo blast for his third of the season and a 2-1 Wichita advantage. Ortega said three could play that game and demolished his sixth home run of the season, a third solo shot, to deep left field in the third to make the score 3-1 Wind Surge through two and a half frames.Matt Lloyd laced a sacrifice fly to left field in the bottom of the fifth, allowing the Cardinals to get within one run before Mike Antico sent a two-out, two-run dinger, his seventh of the year, the opposite way over the left field wall. Springfield jumped ahead 4-3 and forced Wichita to go to their bullpen to record the inning’s last out.Schobel tied the game on his second bomb of the night and fourth of the year, a solo swat that he yanked to left in the top of the seventh. Lloyd responded with an RBI double that bounced around the wall in the left-center alley to regain the lead for the Cardinals at 5-4. Nathan Church would single in Lloyd to make the score 6-4 Cardinals after seven.Tyler Dearden&nbsp;collected his first extra-base hit in his Wind Surge debut on a bloop double down the left field line before the following two batters went down on a flyout and an infield groundout to end the night.Scott Engler&nbsp;received his first loss in a Wind Surge uniform and now stands at 4-1 on the season. He surrendered two earned runs on two hits and two walks with a punchout in one and one-third innings pitched.

⚾ Wichita Wind Surge come up short in Springfield

DERBY, Kan. - The Hutchinson Monarchs found a way to overcome six errors in their Jayhawk Summer league game Thursday night in Derby to defeat the Twins 7-5.

Hutchinson was able to score runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh inning to pull away for their 21st win on the season.

Jace Minor pitched seven innings to earn the win aided by Cooper Wesslund and Sam Wiese having three RBI's apiece to lead the Monarchs offensively.

Hutchinson (21-7) return home to Hobart-Detter for games tonight and Saturday night hosting the Wichita Diamond Kings with first pitch set for 7pm.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720781939175.png" alt="Final - vs Twins July 11, 2024&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Final - vs Twins July 11, 2024&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>DERBY, Kan. - The Hutchinson Monarchs found a way to overcome six errors in their Jayhawk Summer league game Thursday night in Derby to defeat the Twins 7-5.Hutchinson was able to score runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh inning to pull away for their 21st win on the season.Jace Minor pitched seven innings to earn the win aided by Cooper Wesslund and Sam Wiese having three RBI's apiece to lead the Monarchs offensively.Hutchinson (21-7) return home to Hobart-Detter for games tonight and Saturday night hosting the Wichita Diamond Kings with first pitch set for 7pm.

⚾ Monarchs overcome errors to rally for win over Derby

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Patrick Mahomes won the ESPYs for Best Male Athlete and Best NFL Player. The awards were presented Thursday.

“I been around this kid for a few years now and to watch him grow as a football player, as a teammate, as a leader has been phenomenal,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said, accepting on Mahomes’ behalf, “but more than that to watch him grow as a father and a husband has been the best part.”

Led by host Serena Williams, The ESPYS celebrated a landmark year for women’s sports, with Simone Biles, A’ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark, Dawn Staley and JuJu Watkins among the honorees on Thursday night at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. The three-hour show on ABC was delayed when President Joe Biden's nationally televised news conference started late.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715633812741.jpeg" alt="Chiefs Mahomes" />
 <figcaption>Chiefs Mahomes</figcaption>
 </figure>LOS ANGELES (AP) — Patrick Mahomes won the ESPYs for Best Male Athlete and Best NFL Player. The awards were presented Thursday.“I been around this kid for a few years now and to watch him grow as a football player, as a teammate, as a leader has been phenomenal,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said, accepting on Mahomes’ behalf, “but more than that to watch him grow as a father and a husband has been the best part.”Led by host Serena Williams, The ESPYS celebrated a landmark year for women’s sports, with Simone Biles, A’ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark, Dawn Staley and JuJu Watkins among the honorees on Thursday night at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. The three-hour show on ABC was delayed when President Joe Biden's nationally televised news conference started late.

🏈 Mahomes wins ESPYs

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncaa.org/news/2024/7/11/media-center-mens-basketball-committee-approves-single-site-for-2026-divisions-i-ii-and-iii-championships-and-nit-adopts-new-metrics-for-team-sheets.aspx" target="_blank">Indianapolis will host championships</a>&nbsp;for all three NCAA divisions and the NIT in 2026, and the governing body’s men’s basketball committee has also approved including the Torvik and Wins Against Bubble rankings among metrics in evaluating teams for next year’s tournament.

The Indiana capital and NCAA home was previously chosen in 2018 to host the men’s Division I Final Four for the ninth time from April 4-6, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium. Finals for Divisions II and III have been added for the Sunday before the top-level title game at nearby Gainbridge Fieldhouse, with the NIT championship site to be determined. The NIT will hold its semifinals on April 2, 2026, at Butler’s Hinkle Fieldhouse.

It will mark the second time one city has held all three men’s championships, the first since Atlanta in 2013. Indianapolis and Dallas hosted all three women’s championships in 2016 and 2023, respectively.

NCAA senior vice president of basketball Dan Gavitt said 2026 will be a celebration of basketball in Indiana and cited attendance of nearly 8,000 for DII and DIII championships in Atlanta in 2013 and sellout crowds for the NIT semifinals and finals last spring at Hinkle.

“It will be an awesome opportunity for student-athletes at the participating schools,” Gavitt said in a release, “as well as a showcase for the legendary college basketball fans in Indiana.”

In evaluating the 68 tournament teams — which will feature 31 conference-champion automatic qualifiers along with 37 at-large squads — Gavitt noted that members have increasingly referenced the Torvik and WAB rankings, along with other metrics such as KenPom, BPI and NET.

Torvik rankings feature projections that rank every team for the upcoming season. WAB measures how many more wins a team earns against its schedule than an average bubble team.

“Adding them to the team sheet ensures that all 12 (committee) members easily have access to this data,” Gavitt said.

The committee also named Sun Belt Conference commissioner Keith Gill as vice chair for the 2024-25 season during its summer meeting. Gill will serve as chair the following season.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716518230646.jpeg" alt="FILE - Signage at the headquarters of the NCAA is viewed in Indianapolis, March 12, 2020. A U.S. appeals court in Philadelphia has ruled that some college athletes may qualify as employees under federal wage-and-hour laws. The court says a test should be developed to differentiate students who play college sports for fun from those whose effort “crosses the legal line into work” that benefits the school. The NCAA had hoped to have the case dismissed.(AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)" />
 <figcaption>FILE - Signage at the headquarters of the NCAA is viewed in Indianapolis, March 12, 2020. A U.S. appeals court in Philadelphia has ruled that some college athletes may qualify as employees under federal wage-and-hour laws. The court says a test should be developed to differentiate students who play college sports for fun from those whose effort “crosses the legal line into work” that benefits the school. The NCAA had hoped to have the case dismissed.(AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>INDIANAPOLIS (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncaa.org/news/2024/7/11/media-center-mens-basketball-committee-approves-single-site-for-2026-divisions-i-ii-and-iii-championships-and-nit-adopts-new-metrics-for-team-sheets.aspx" target="_blank">Indianapolis will host championships</a>&nbsp;for all three NCAA divisions and the NIT in 2026, and the governing body’s men’s basketball committee has also approved including the Torvik and Wins Against Bubble rankings among metrics in evaluating teams for next year’s tournament.The Indiana capital and NCAA home was previously chosen in 2018 to host the men’s Division I Final Four for the ninth time from April 4-6, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium. Finals for Divisions II and III have been added for the Sunday before the top-level title game at nearby Gainbridge Fieldhouse, with the NIT championship site to be determined. The NIT will hold its semifinals on April 2, 2026, at Butler’s Hinkle Fieldhouse.It will mark the second time one city has held all three men’s championships, the first since Atlanta in 2013. Indianapolis and Dallas hosted all three women’s championships in 2016 and 2023, respectively.NCAA senior vice president of basketball Dan Gavitt said 2026 will be a celebration of basketball in Indiana and cited attendance of nearly 8,000 for DII and DIII championships in Atlanta in 2013 and sellout crowds for the NIT semifinals and finals last spring at Hinkle.“It will be an awesome opportunity for student-athletes at the participating schools,” Gavitt said in a release, “as well as a showcase for the legendary college basketball fans in Indiana.”In evaluating the 68 tournament teams — which will feature 31 conference-champion automatic qualifiers along with 37 at-large squads — Gavitt noted that members have increasingly referenced the Torvik and WAB rankings, along with other metrics such as KenPom, BPI and NET.Torvik rankings feature projections that rank every team for the upcoming season. WAB measures how many more wins a team earns against its schedule than an average bubble team.“Adding them to the team sheet ensures that all 12 (committee) members easily have access to this data,” Gavitt said.The committee also named Sun Belt Conference commissioner Keith Gill as vice chair for the 2024-25 season during its summer meeting. Gill will serve as chair the following season.

🏀 NCAA committee approves Indianapolis to host all 3 men’s finals, NIT in 2026, adds metrics for 2025

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Royals made a trade on Thursday afternoon, sending Colin Selby to the Baltimore Orioles.

Selby appeared in two games for the Royals on the mound, going three innings, allowing two hits and three runs. The 26-year old right-handed thrower was designated for assignment by the Royals on July 6.&nbsp;

Selby was traded to the Royals on April 7 from the Pittsburgh Pirates for left-handed pitcher Connor Oliver.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695315090950.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy Kansas City Royals" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Kansas City Royals</figcaption>
 </figure>SEAN BOSTON Hutch PostKANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Royals made a trade on Thursday afternoon, sending Colin Selby to the Baltimore Orioles.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We have traded RHP Colin Selby to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for cash considerations.&mdash; Kansas City Royals (@Royals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Royals/status/1811478064846770406?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 11, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Selby appeared in two games for the Royals on the mound, going three innings, allowing two hits and three runs. The 26-year old right-handed thrower was designated for assignment by the Royals on July 6.&nbsp;Selby was traded to the Royals on April 7 from the Pittsburgh Pirates for left-handed pitcher Connor Oliver.

⚾ Royals trade RHP Colin Selby to Orioles

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678361830840.png" alt="Photo Courtesy Kansas Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Kansas Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure><div>Kansas Athletics
 
LAWRENCE, Kan.&nbsp;&ndash; Kansas&apos; upcoming men&apos;s basketball&apos;s non-conference schedule once again features a loaded slate as the Jayhawks celebrate the 70th&nbsp;season inside historic Allen Fieldhouse in 2024-25. &nbsp; Fans will get a first look at an enhanced Allen Fieldhouse at the 40th&nbsp;Annual Late Night in the Phog on Friday, October 18. Details on Late Night will be released at a later date. &nbsp; Following a home exhibition contest against Washburn on Tuesday, Oct. 29, Kansas will open the regular season by hosting Howard on Monday, Nov. 4. The Howard game will mark the second-consecutive season that KU begins the year hosting an HBCU opponent. The contest celebrates University of Kansas alum and legendary coach John McClendon and the McLendon Leadership Initiative. Last season, Kansas hosted North Carolina Central. &nbsp; In its second game of the 2024-25 campaign, KU will host fellow Blue Blood North Carolina on Friday, Nov. 8. It will be the two schools&apos; first contest since the 2022 NCAA National Championship title game won by the Jayhawks. &nbsp; Kansas will play Michigan State in the Champions Classic on Tuesday, Nov. 12, in Atlanta at State Farm Arena. Following the Michigan State contest, Kansas will return home for two games against Oakland on Saturday, Nov. 16 and UNC-Wilmington on Tuesday, Nov. 19. &nbsp; KU will face another fellow Blue Blood when it plays Duke on Tuesday, Nov. 26, at the Vegas Showdown in Las Vegas. In the second game of the Vegas Showdown, Kansas will host Furman on Saturday, Nov. 30 at Allen Fieldhouse. &nbsp; KU will play at Creighton on Dec. 4, in the Big 12-Big EAST Battle. The Jayhawks will then play at former conference foe Missouri on Sunday, Dec. 8, at Mizzou Arena. &nbsp; Kansas will close out the non-conference portion of the season hosting NC State on Saturday, Dec. 14, and Brown on Sunday, Dec. 22. &nbsp; In 2023-24, Kansas ranked third in NCAA Division I in strength of schedule, marking the 10th time under head coach&nbsp;<dfn style="text-align: start;color: rgb(73, 73, 73);background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size: 16px;"><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/bill-self/727" rel="smarttag" style="color: rgb(0, 81, 186);">Bill Self</a></dfn>&nbsp;the Jayhawks have recorded a top-three toughest schedule in the nation. Under Self, Kansas has been ranked in the top 10 in strength of schedule 14 times in his 21 seasons at KU. &nbsp; In late June, the Big 12 announced its men&apos;s basketball opponent matrix for this upcoming season, which will combine with the non-conference schedule. In the 20-game league schedule, Kansas will host Arizona, Arizona State, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech and West Virginia as home only opponents and will have league road games at BYU, Utah, TCU, Baylor and Cincinnati. KU will play home-and-home conference contests against Colorado, Iowa State, Kansas State, Houston and UCF. Specific dates and times for the Big 12 slate, along with television details will be announced later. The conference men&apos;s basketball schedule will begin in late December with the Big 12 Championship running March 11-15 at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri. &nbsp; Kansas finished the 2023-24 season with a 23-11 (10-8 Big 12) record. Preseason No. 1, Kansas was ranked in every Associated Press Poll in 2023-24, including 17 weeks in the AP Top 10. Additionally, Kansas advanced to its 51st&nbsp;all-time NCAA Tournament, including its 34th&nbsp;in the last 35 seasons. &nbsp; Communication for renewing Kansas men&apos;s basketball season tickets will be sent out later today. &nbsp; Kansas Men&apos;s Basketball 2024-25 Schedule (Home games in ALL CAPS; Times and TV to be announced later) Oct. 18 (Fri.) &ndash; LATE NIGHT IN THE PHOG Oct. 29 (Tue.) &ndash; WASHBURN (EXHIBITION) Nov. 4 (Mon.) &ndash; HOWARD Nov. 8 (Fri.) &ndash; NORTH CAROLINA Nov. 12 (Tue.) &ndash; vs. Michigan State (Champions Classic, Atlanta) Nov. 16 (Sat.) &ndash; OAKLAND Nov. 19 (Tue.) &ndash; UNC-WILMINGTON Nov. 26 (Tue.) &ndash; vs. Duke (Vegas Showdown, Las Vegas) Nov. 30 (Sat.) &ndash; FURMAN (Vegas Showdown) Dec. 4 (Wed.) &ndash; at Creighton (Big 12-Big EAST Challenge) Dec. 8 (Sun.) &ndash; at Missouri Dec. 14 (Sat.) &ndash; NC STATE Dec. 22 (Sun.) &ndash; BROWN &nbsp; Big 12 Scheduling Opponent Matrix (20-game schedule) Home opponents only - Arizona, Arizona State, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, West Virginia Road opponents only - BYU, Utah, TCU, Baylor, Cincinnati Home-and-Home opponents - Colorado, Iowa State, Kansas State, Houston, UCF</div>

🏀 MBB: KU releases loaded non-conference schedule

WICHITA, Kan. — League 42 founder and Executive Director, Bob Lutz, has announced the unveiling of the new Jackie Robinson statue will take place on Monday, August 5 at 6 p.m. at McAdams Park.

The <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/fc0c5248-f7bd-47f5-85b7-05426ee1096d">previous Jackie Robinson statue was stolen from McAdams Park in January</a>&nbsp;and was then <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/91f9d290-d505-49a7-b856-f68c96997307">found in late January dismantled and burned</a>.

Lutz said in a Facebook post that League 42 is expecting a large crowd inside the Jackie Robinson Pavilion at McAdams Park.

"We're expecting a large crowd for this event and parking will be at a premium. If you attend, you'll need to park in one of the lots adjacent to the Pavilion on 17th Street near Wabash and Ohio streets. Those lots will fill quickly, and we have around 90 spaces at the Leslie Rudd Learning Center, 1212 E. 17th Street North, just across from the Pavilion. I know this event is going to receive a lot of news coverage and we're expecting some folks from Major League Baseball to attend."

You can find out more information about League 42 <a href="https://league42.org/">here</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720717682185.png" alt="Photo Courtesy League 42" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy League 42</figcaption>
 </figure>SEAN BOSTON Hutch PostWICHITA, Kan. — League 42 founder and Executive Director, Bob Lutz, has announced the unveiling of the new Jackie Robinson statue will take place on Monday, August 5 at 6 p.m. at McAdams Park.The <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/fc0c5248-f7bd-47f5-85b7-05426ee1096d">previous Jackie Robinson statue was stolen from McAdams Park in January</a>&nbsp;and was then <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/91f9d290-d505-49a7-b856-f68c96997307">found in late January dismantled and burned</a>.Lutz said in a Facebook post that League 42 is expecting a large crowd inside the Jackie Robinson Pavilion at McAdams Park."We're expecting a large crowd for this event and parking will be at a premium. If you attend, you'll need to park in one of the lots adjacent to the Pavilion on 17th Street near Wabash and Ohio streets. Those lots will fill quickly, and we have around 90 spaces at the Leslie Rudd Learning Center, 1212 E. 17th Street North, just across from the Pavilion. I know this event is going to receive a lot of news coverage and we're expecting some folks from Major League Baseball to attend."<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fbob.lutz.73%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0UQBGYaZvYPALvRycp5gWTzjVRZ7NN2EtZYbxJ6YXzw9ciKiTq7V6Ak1JhsBLJLktl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="265" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>You can find out more information about League 42 <a href="https://league42.org/">here</a>.

⚾ New Jackie Robinson statue to be unveiled in early August

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels said he would be ready to play a game now.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-jayhawks-football-leipold-92bd6282cf0243bea1272b9b482ca582">Coach Lance Leipold</a>&nbsp;and the Jayhawks just need him to be ready for the season.

Daniels missed most of last season because of a back injury, playing in only three games before the end of September.

“I try not to ask Jalon Daniels more than once a week how is he doing because I know everybody asks him that,” Leipold said Wednesday during Big 12 media days. “He wouldn’t be here today if we didn’t think he was going to be ready to go for this season. I can tell you that.”

The Jayhawks were picked fourth in the Big 12 preseason media poll, much of that certainly based on the expectation of Daniels being healthy. They open the season Aug. 29 at home against FCS team Lindenwood.

Daniels threw for 2,014 yards with 18 touchdowns and ran for another seven scores in 2022, but was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-jayhawks-ed83b2e988c159502b12ed83dea7e3d9">limited to 705 yards and five TDs passing with none on the ground last season</a>.

“I’m excited to see what Jalon will do this season for us,” Leipold said. “He’s doing everything that doctors, trainers, strength coaches are having him do, and I can’t wait to get to August.”

West Virginia coach Neal Brown and his team remembers being picked last year to finish at the bottom of what was then a 14-team league.

The Mountaineers instead went 9-4 overall, with a 6-3 record in the Big 12.

“There’s no question we rallied around that. I stood up here a year ago, and we were picked 14th and I said we wouldn’t be there. And our team proved me right,” Brown said Wednesday. “And I said that a year ago because I knew what we had on both fronts.”

West Virginia, which finished last season on a three-game winning streak, is now picked seventh in the expanded 16-team Big 12.

The coach believes people may be underestimating his team once again.

“Now it’s similar .... with a team that finished strong last year that returns a lot of production, that has one of the most dynamic players in all of college football in (quarterback) Garrett Greene,” Brown said. “I think there’s a similar dynamic that works with this team, too. And, more importantly, to me on a personal level, I believe some of our players are undervalued.”

Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young and Heisman Trophy winners Robert Griffin III and Andre Ware are among&nbsp;<a href="https://big12sports.com/news/2024/7/10/general-big-12-conference-launches-first-ever-big-12-alumni-council.aspx" target="_blank">32 former student-athletes who will make up the first Big 12 Alumni Council</a>.

The council announced Wednesday includes two former athletes, one man and one woman, from each of the 16 schools that will make up the league when Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah officially become Big 12 members at the start of August.

“As we enter into a new chapter as a 16-team league, the insights and perspectives of the Big 12 Alumni Council will be an incredible resource,” Commissioner Brett Yormark said.

Other council members include gold medal-winning softball pitcher Jennie Finch, who was part of a Women’s College World Series championship at Arizona, and Cincinnati alumnus Kevin Youkilis, who won two World Series with the Boston Red Sox.

Before Young was a three-time Super Bowl champion with the San Francisco 49ers, he threw for 7,733 yards and 56 touchdowns in 34 games for BYU from 1981-83. Ware was the 1989 Heisman winner with Houston after throwing for 4,699 yards and 46 TDs that season. Griffin took home that award at Baylor in 2011, when he had 4,992 total yards and 47 touchdowns (37 passing/10 passing).

The Big 12 said council members will provide guidance and insights on a variety of topics, including but not limited to brand building, athlete relations, storytelling and digital content.

New Houston coach Willie Fritz is already getting requests for tickets when he gets to play a Big 12 game close to home.

The Cougars play Oct. 19 against Kansas at Arrowhead Stadium, home of the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs. That stadium is less than 20 miles from Shawnee Mission, Kansas, where Fritz was born and attended high school.

“Well, it’ll be fun. I’ve had, I don’t know how many people ... I just got back from Kansas City a few weeks ago, and I’ve had hundreds of requests for tickets when we go up there and play,” Fritz said. “I’m sure that’ll be a busy weekend for my wife doling out all the tickets.”

Fritz has been a head coach for 31 years, the last eight at Tulane, but now at 64 is coaching in a power conference for the first time.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/houston-fritz-tulane-e4fe0fdd948eaf8483008cdfdc415414">He replaced Dana Holgorsen</a>, who was fired by Houston after a 4-8 record in the school’s inaugural Big 12 season.

“I went to Shawnee Mission Northwest High School, and they were also nicknamed the Cougars. I guess this was going to come to be one way or the other,” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720691377305.jpeg" alt="Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels answers questions from the media during Big 12 NCAA college football media days in Las Vegas, Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Lucas Peltier)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels answers questions from the media during Big 12 NCAA college football media days in Las Vegas, Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Lucas Peltier)</figcaption>
 </figure>LAS VEGAS (AP) — Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels said he would be ready to play a game now.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-jayhawks-football-leipold-92bd6282cf0243bea1272b9b482ca582">Coach Lance Leipold</a>&nbsp;and the Jayhawks just need him to be ready for the season.Daniels missed most of last season because of a back injury, playing in only three games before the end of September.“I try not to ask Jalon Daniels more than once a week how is he doing because I know everybody asks him that,” Leipold said Wednesday during Big 12 media days. “He wouldn’t be here today if we didn’t think he was going to be ready to go for this season. I can tell you that.”The Jayhawks were picked fourth in the Big 12 preseason media poll, much of that certainly based on the expectation of Daniels being healthy. They open the season Aug. 29 at home against FCS team Lindenwood.Daniels threw for 2,014 yards with 18 touchdowns and ran for another seven scores in 2022, but was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-jayhawks-ed83b2e988c159502b12ed83dea7e3d9">limited to 705 yards and five TDs passing with none on the ground last season</a>.“I’m excited to see what Jalon will do this season for us,” Leipold said. “He’s doing everything that doctors, trainers, strength coaches are having him do, and I can’t wait to get to August.”<h2>Mountaineers finish better</h2>West Virginia coach Neal Brown and his team remembers being picked last year to finish at the bottom of what was then a 14-team league.The Mountaineers instead went 9-4 overall, with a 6-3 record in the Big 12.“There’s no question we rallied around that. I stood up here a year ago, and we were picked 14th and I said we wouldn’t be there. And our team proved me right,” Brown said Wednesday. “And I said that a year ago because I knew what we had on both fronts.”West Virginia, which finished last season on a three-game winning streak, is now picked seventh in the expanded 16-team Big 12.The coach believes people may be underestimating his team once again.“Now it’s similar .... with a team that finished strong last year that returns a lot of production, that has one of the most dynamic players in all of college football in (quarterback) Garrett Greene,” Brown said. “I think there’s a similar dynamic that works with this team, too. And, more importantly, to me on a personal level, I believe some of our players are undervalued.”<h2>Big 12 Alumni Council</h2>Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young and Heisman Trophy winners Robert Griffin III and Andre Ware are among&nbsp;<a href="https://big12sports.com/news/2024/7/10/general-big-12-conference-launches-first-ever-big-12-alumni-council.aspx" target="_blank">32 former student-athletes who will make up the first Big 12 Alumni Council</a>.The council announced Wednesday includes two former athletes, one man and one woman, from each of the 16 schools that will make up the league when Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah officially become Big 12 members at the start of August.“As we enter into a new chapter as a 16-team league, the insights and perspectives of the Big 12 Alumni Council will be an incredible resource,” Commissioner Brett Yormark said.Other council members include gold medal-winning softball pitcher Jennie Finch, who was part of a Women’s College World Series championship at Arizona, and Cincinnati alumnus Kevin Youkilis, who won two World Series with the Boston Red Sox.Before Young was a three-time Super Bowl champion with the San Francisco 49ers, he threw for 7,733 yards and 56 touchdowns in 34 games for BYU from 1981-83. Ware was the 1989 Heisman winner with Houston after throwing for 4,699 yards and 46 TDs that season. Griffin took home that award at Baylor in 2011, when he had 4,992 total yards and 47 touchdowns (37 passing/10 passing).The Big 12 said council members will provide guidance and insights on a variety of topics, including but not limited to brand building, athlete relations, storytelling and digital content.<h2>Homecoming for Fritz</h2>New Houston coach Willie Fritz is already getting requests for tickets when he gets to play a Big 12 game close to home.The Cougars play Oct. 19 against Kansas at Arrowhead Stadium, home of the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs. That stadium is less than 20 miles from Shawnee Mission, Kansas, where Fritz was born and attended high school.“Well, it’ll be fun. I’ve had, I don’t know how many people ... I just got back from Kansas City a few weeks ago, and I’ve had hundreds of requests for tickets when we go up there and play,” Fritz said. “I’m sure that’ll be a busy weekend for my wife doling out all the tickets.”Fritz has been a head coach for 31 years, the last eight at Tulane, but now at 64 is coaching in a power conference for the first time.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/houston-fritz-tulane-e4fe0fdd948eaf8483008cdfdc415414">He replaced Dana Holgorsen</a>, who was fired by Houston after a 4-8 record in the school’s inaugural Big 12 season.“I went to Shawnee Mission Northwest High School, and they were also nicknamed the Cougars. I guess this was going to come to be one way or the other,” he said.

🏈 KU QB Jalon Daniels ready to play after missing most of ’23 with back injury

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701263164849.png" alt="Early Morning Sports with Rob Dreher for Thursday, July 11th, 2024" />
 <figcaption>Early Morning Sports with Rob Dreher for Thursday, July 11th, 2024</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="July 11th, 2024 Early Morning Sports" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=tep7e-1666250-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 take two from Cardinals; ⚾ Monarchs continue hot streak

WICHITA, Kan. — Addison Barnard can add another "first" to her resume. Barnard has been named the 2023-24 American Athletic Conference Softball Scholar-Athlete of the Year, it was announced by the league Wednesday morning.

She is the first Shocker softball student-athlete to earn scholar-athlete of the year honors since Wichita State joined The American in 2017. The Faculty Athletic Representatives (FARs) annually select 22 student-athletes (10 males, 12 females), one from each American sponsored sport, who will receive a post-graduate, post-eligibility financial scholarship of $2,000 and a trophy.

Last month Barnard was named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-America Second Team, becoming the first Shocker to repeat as an Academic All-American. She was a First Team selection in 2022. She graduated in May with a degree in health science and a cumulative GPA of 3.82.

Barnard has been named to the American Athletic Conference All-Academic Team every year and the Athletic Director's Honor Roll every semester.

She recorded her third season of 20 or more home runs in 2024, finishing with 93 in her storied career. Her 93 career homers rank fifth all time in NCAA history. She became the first player in NCAA history with 90+ home runs and 60+ stolen bases, earning All-America honors three of her four seasons at Wichita State.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720698263340.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Wichita State AthleticsWICHITA, Kan. — Addison Barnard can add another "first" to her resume. Barnard has been named the 2023-24 American Athletic Conference Softball Scholar-Athlete of the Year, it was announced by the league Wednesday morning.She is the first Shocker softball student-athlete to earn scholar-athlete of the year honors since Wichita State joined The American in 2017. The Faculty Athletic Representatives (FARs) annually select 22 student-athletes (10 males, 12 females), one from each American sponsored sport, who will receive a post-graduate, post-eligibility financial scholarship of $2,000 and a trophy.Last month Barnard was named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-America Second Team, becoming the first Shocker to repeat as an Academic All-American. She was a First Team selection in 2022. She graduated in May with a degree in health science and a cumulative GPA of 3.82.Barnard has been named to the American Athletic Conference All-Academic Team every year and the Athletic Director's Honor Roll every semester.She recorded her third season of 20 or more home runs in 2024, finishing with 93 in her storied career. Her 93 career homers rank fifth all time in NCAA history. She became the first player in NCAA history with 90+ home runs and 60+ stolen bases, earning All-America honors three of her four seasons at Wichita State.

🥎 WSU's Barnard named AAC Softball Scholar-Athlete of the Year 

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels says he could be ready to play a game now. Coach Lance Leipold and the Jayhawks just need him to be ready for the season. Daniels played only three games in September before missing the rest of the season because of a back injury. Leipold said Wednesday during Big 12 media days that Daniels is doing everything he's being asked to do and wouldn't have been in Las Vegas if the Jayhawks didn't think he would be ready for this season. Kansas is picked fourth in the Big 12 preseason media poll,

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Colorado coach Deion Sanders took some time at the start of his first Big 12 media days appearance to give props to some of the other coaches in the league. Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders, the coach’s son, was recruited by Gus Malzahn when the current UCF coach was still at Auburn. The younger Sanders played in high school for current Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire. Deion Sanders said Wednesday that he was highlighting some coaches that have been so kind and considerate to him. Colorado is returning to the Big 12 after the past 13 seasons in the Pac-12.

IRVING, Texas (AP) — Big 12 newcomer Utah has been picked to finish first in the expanded 16-team football conference this fall. The Utes got 20 of 61 first-place votes in the poll released Tuesday from the votes of media who cover the league. Kansas State got 19 first-place votes and was picked second, with last year’s Big 12 runner-up Oklahoma State third with 14 first-place ballots. Pac-12 teams Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah officially became Big 12 members this week, at the same time that reigning Big 12 champion Texas and Oklahoma joined the Southeastern Conference. Colorado and coach Deion Sanders were picked 11th in the Big 12 preseason poll, with Arizona State picked 16th.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Salvador Perez homered in both games and MJ Melendez added a solo shot in the nightcap to help the Kansas City Royals beat the St. Louis Cardinals 8-5 for a sweep of a day-night doubleheader Wednesday. Kansas City took the opener 6-4. The Royals have won three in a row to improve to 51-43 — a season after winning just 56 games. Former Cardinals pitcher Michael Wacha (6-6) went five innings for the victory in the second game. Closer James McArthur picked up his 17th save of the season and second of the day. Alec Marsh (7-6) win the opener, giving up three runs and three hits in six innings.

NEW YORK (AP) — Adolis García will represent the host Texas Rangers in Monday night’s Home Run Derby at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, and Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández completed the eight-man field. García was knocked out by Tampa Bay’s Randy Arozarena last year in the first round at Seattle’s T-Mobile Park. The New York Mets’ Pete Alonso, Philadelphia’s Alec Bohm, Baltimore’s Gunnar Henderson, Atlanta’s Marcell Ozuna, Cleveland’s José Ramírez and Kansas City’s Bobby Witt Jr. previously committed to the competition. García, last year's AL Championship Series MVP, is the only player in the derby who wasn't selected to the All-Star Game.

LAS VEGAS (AP) — For USA Basketball, the road to the Paris Olympics has started with a win. Anthony Davis scored 13 points, Stephen Curry added 12 and the United States opened its tune-up schedule for the Paris Games by topping Canada 86-72 on Wednesday night. Jrue Holiday scored 11 points and Anthony Davis finished with 10 for the U.S., which has four more exhibitions before getting to France. RJ Barrett scored 12 points for Canada, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Dillon Brooks each had 10. President Barack Obama was at the game, as were many NBA coaches and dozens of USA Basketball dignitaries in town for the federation’s 50th anniversary celebration.

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Derrick White has been named to the U.S. men’s basketball team for the Paris Olympics as a replacement for Kawhi Leonard. The announcement Wednesday from USA Basketball marked the first shakeup to a roster that was announced in the spring. Leonard missed 12 of the Los Angeles Clippers’ final 14 games this past season with right knee inflammation, though he said in recent days that he felt fine and the knee was doing well. USA Basketball said it, along with the Clippers, made the decision on Leonard’s status for Paris. He was replaced by White, who averaged 15.2 points and 5.2 assists for the NBA champion Boston Celtics this past season.

UNDATED (AP) — The NBA has agreed to terms on its new media deal, an 11-year agreement worth $76 billion that assures player salaries will continue rising for the foreseeable future and one that will surely change how some viewers access the game for years to come. A person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press that the networks have the terms sheets, with the next step being for the league’s board of governors to approve the contracts. The deal sets NBA records for both its length and total value and goes into effect for the 2025-26 season.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Jefferson Lerma scored in the 39th minute, and Colombia played a man short the entire second half in a 1-0 win over Uruguay to reach the Copa America final against Lionel Messi and Argentina. Daniel Muñoz was ejected in first-half stoppage time for his second yellow card, but Colombia held on to reach the championship for the first time since winning its only Copa title as host in 2001. Colombia extended its unbeaten streak to a team record 28 games. Players from both teams pushed and shoved on the field at the final whistle and some players went into the stands to scrap with fans.

NEW YORK (AP) — Gregg Berhalter was fired as U.S. men’s soccer coach, nine days after his team’s first-round exit from the Copa America flamed doubts he was the right person to remain in charge for the 2026 World Cup. Berhalter’s second term as coach was cut short 10 months after he returned to the bench with high hopes and proclaimed the team’s goal was “to change soccer in America forever.” The U.S. had seven wins, six losses and one draw in his second stint, leaving his overall record at 44 wins, 17 losses and 13 draws.

DORTMUND, Germany (AP) — England has reached a second straight European Championship final by beating the Netherlands 2-1 thanks to substitute Ollie Watkins’ stoppage-time winner. Watkins came on for captain Harry Kane in a bold call by coach Gareth Southgate. He turned and smashed a fierce shot into the bottom corner in the first minute of added-on time. It was a late goal that left King Charles III on the edge of his seat. England will play Spain in Sunday’s final in Berlin. It will be the nation’s first title match on foreign soil having won the World Cup in 1966 and lost to Italy in the Euro 2020 final.

DORTMUND, Germany (AP) — Dutch fans came to the stadium in a rousing march, 100,000 strong. It will feel like a long journey home. Ollie Watkins’ added-time goal sealed a 2-1 win for England over the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 semifinals on Wednesday and ended the orange-clad Dutch fans’ dream of a first European Championship title since 1988. The journey home will not be without some bitterness after a hotly disputed penalty decision in England's favor after Dutch defender Denzel Dumfries made contact with Harry Kane while trying to block a shot.

LONDON (AP) — Lorenzo Musetti has reached his first Grand Slam semifinal by eliminating Taylor Fritz at Wimbledon and will face Novak Djokovic next. The 25th-seeded Musetti beat the 13th-seeded Fritz 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 in the quarterfinals on Wednesday. It was the 37th five-setter at the All England Club this year, the most at any Grand Slam tournament. Djokovic’s trip through the bracket was made even easier when he moved into a record-tying 13th semifinal at the tournament via a walkover. Alex de Minaur withdrew before the match with a hip injury. Elena Rybakina and Barbora Krejcikova earned spots in the women's semifinals. Rybakina won Wimbledon in 2022. Krejcikova won the 2021 French Open.

NORTH BERWICK, Scotland (AP) — Rory McIlroy's recovery from a devastating U.S. Open loss was to walk the High Line in Manhattan. He says it allowed him to be alone in his thoughts. That follows a final hour in the U.S. Open where he says he got out of his own world and started thinking too much about Bryson DeChambeau. McIlroy is at the Scottish Open this week. It's his first time speaking about the two short putts he missed at Pinehurst No. 2. He doesn't see the British Open next week at Royal Troon as a chance for redemption. It's just another chance to end a decade without a major.

NEW YORK (AP) — Former NBA player Jontay Porter has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in a federal criminal case. The charge is tied to the betting scandal that got Porter banned from the league. The former Toronto Raptors center entered the plea Wednesday at his arraignment in a New York federal court. Porter admits he agreed to withdraw early from games so that co-conspirators could win bets on his performance. He says he's undergone inpatient treatment for a gambling problem and remains in therapy. The former center is free on $250,000 bond while awaiting his sentencing Dec. 18.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701494597443.png" alt="Sports Headlines and News for Thursday, July 11th, 2024" />
 <figcaption>Sports Headlines and News for Thursday, July 11th, 2024</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="AP Sports Summary for July 11th, 2024" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=z3kd6-16661d6-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>LAS VEGAS (AP) — Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels says he could be ready to play a game now. Coach Lance Leipold and the Jayhawks just need him to be ready for the season. Daniels played only three games in September before missing the rest of the season because of a back injury. Leipold said Wednesday during Big 12 media days that Daniels is doing everything he's being asked to do and wouldn't have been in Las Vegas if the Jayhawks didn't think he would be ready for this season. Kansas is picked fourth in the Big 12 preseason media poll,LAS VEGAS (AP) — Colorado coach Deion Sanders took some time at the start of his first Big 12 media days appearance to give props to some of the other coaches in the league. Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders, the coach’s son, was recruited by Gus Malzahn when the current UCF coach was still at Auburn. The younger Sanders played in high school for current Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire. Deion Sanders said Wednesday that he was highlighting some coaches that have been so kind and considerate to him. Colorado is returning to the Big 12 after the past 13 seasons in the Pac-12.IRVING, Texas (AP) — Big 12 newcomer Utah has been picked to finish first in the expanded 16-team football conference this fall. The Utes got 20 of 61 first-place votes in the poll released Tuesday from the votes of media who cover the league. Kansas State got 19 first-place votes and was picked second, with last year’s Big 12 runner-up Oklahoma State third with 14 first-place ballots. Pac-12 teams Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah officially became Big 12 members this week, at the same time that reigning Big 12 champion Texas and Oklahoma joined the Southeastern Conference. Colorado and coach Deion Sanders were picked 11th in the Big 12 preseason poll, with Arizona State picked 16th.ST. LOUIS (AP) — Salvador Perez homered in both games and MJ Melendez added a solo shot in the nightcap to help the Kansas City Royals beat the St. Louis Cardinals 8-5 for a sweep of a day-night doubleheader Wednesday. Kansas City took the opener 6-4. The Royals have won three in a row to improve to 51-43 — a season after winning just 56 games. Former Cardinals pitcher Michael Wacha (6-6) went five innings for the victory in the second game. Closer James McArthur picked up his 17th save of the season and second of the day. Alec Marsh (7-6) win the opener, giving up three runs and three hits in six innings.NEW YORK (AP) — Adolis García will represent the host Texas Rangers in Monday night’s Home Run Derby at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, and Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández completed the eight-man field. García was knocked out by Tampa Bay’s Randy Arozarena last year in the first round at Seattle’s T-Mobile Park. The New York Mets’ Pete Alonso, Philadelphia’s Alec Bohm, Baltimore’s Gunnar Henderson, Atlanta’s Marcell Ozuna, Cleveland’s José Ramírez and Kansas City’s Bobby Witt Jr. previously committed to the competition. García, last year's AL Championship Series MVP, is the only player in the derby who wasn't selected to the All-Star Game.LAS VEGAS (AP) — For USA Basketball, the road to the Paris Olympics has started with a win. Anthony Davis scored 13 points, Stephen Curry added 12 and the United States opened its tune-up schedule for the Paris Games by topping Canada 86-72 on Wednesday night. Jrue Holiday scored 11 points and Anthony Davis finished with 10 for the U.S., which has four more exhibitions before getting to France. RJ Barrett scored 12 points for Canada, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Dillon Brooks each had 10. President Barack Obama was at the game, as were many NBA coaches and dozens of USA Basketball dignitaries in town for the federation’s 50th anniversary celebration.LAS VEGAS (AP) — Derrick White has been named to the U.S. men’s basketball team for the Paris Olympics as a replacement for Kawhi Leonard. The announcement Wednesday from USA Basketball marked the first shakeup to a roster that was announced in the spring. Leonard missed 12 of the Los Angeles Clippers’ final 14 games this past season with right knee inflammation, though he said in recent days that he felt fine and the knee was doing well. USA Basketball said it, along with the Clippers, made the decision on Leonard’s status for Paris. He was replaced by White, who averaged 15.2 points and 5.2 assists for the NBA champion Boston Celtics this past season.UNDATED (AP) — The NBA has agreed to terms on its new media deal, an 11-year agreement worth $76 billion that assures player salaries will continue rising for the foreseeable future and one that will surely change how some viewers access the game for years to come. A person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press that the networks have the terms sheets, with the next step being for the league’s board of governors to approve the contracts. The deal sets NBA records for both its length and total value and goes into effect for the 2025-26 season.CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Jefferson Lerma scored in the 39th minute, and Colombia played a man short the entire second half in a 1-0 win over Uruguay to reach the Copa America final against Lionel Messi and Argentina. Daniel Muñoz was ejected in first-half stoppage time for his second yellow card, but Colombia held on to reach the championship for the first time since winning its only Copa title as host in 2001. Colombia extended its unbeaten streak to a team record 28 games. Players from both teams pushed and shoved on the field at the final whistle and some players went into the stands to scrap with fans.NEW YORK (AP) — Gregg Berhalter was fired as U.S. men’s soccer coach, nine days after his team’s first-round exit from the Copa America flamed doubts he was the right person to remain in charge for the 2026 World Cup. Berhalter’s second term as coach was cut short 10 months after he returned to the bench with high hopes and proclaimed the team’s goal was “to change soccer in America forever.” The U.S. had seven wins, six losses and one draw in his second stint, leaving his overall record at 44 wins, 17 losses and 13 draws.DORTMUND, Germany (AP) — England has reached a second straight European Championship final by beating the Netherlands 2-1 thanks to substitute Ollie Watkins’ stoppage-time winner. Watkins came on for captain Harry Kane in a bold call by coach Gareth Southgate. He turned and smashed a fierce shot into the bottom corner in the first minute of added-on time. It was a late goal that left King Charles III on the edge of his seat. England will play Spain in Sunday’s final in Berlin. It will be the nation’s first title match on foreign soil having won the World Cup in 1966 and lost to Italy in the Euro 2020 final.DORTMUND, Germany (AP) — Dutch fans came to the stadium in a rousing march, 100,000 strong. It will feel like a long journey home. Ollie Watkins’ added-time goal sealed a 2-1 win for England over the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 semifinals on Wednesday and ended the orange-clad Dutch fans’ dream of a first European Championship title since 1988. The journey home will not be without some bitterness after a hotly disputed penalty decision in England's favor after Dutch defender Denzel Dumfries made contact with Harry Kane while trying to block a shot.LONDON (AP) — Lorenzo Musetti has reached his first Grand Slam semifinal by eliminating Taylor Fritz at Wimbledon and will face Novak Djokovic next. The 25th-seeded Musetti beat the 13th-seeded Fritz 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 in the quarterfinals on Wednesday. It was the 37th five-setter at the All England Club this year, the most at any Grand Slam tournament. Djokovic’s trip through the bracket was made even easier when he moved into a record-tying 13th semifinal at the tournament via a walkover. Alex de Minaur withdrew before the match with a hip injury. Elena Rybakina and Barbora Krejcikova earned spots in the women's semifinals. Rybakina won Wimbledon in 2022. Krejcikova won the 2021 French Open.NORTH BERWICK, Scotland (AP) — Rory McIlroy's recovery from a devastating U.S. Open loss was to walk the High Line in Manhattan. He says it allowed him to be alone in his thoughts. That follows a final hour in the U.S. Open where he says he got out of his own world and started thinking too much about Bryson DeChambeau. McIlroy is at the Scottish Open this week. It's his first time speaking about the two short putts he missed at Pinehurst No. 2. He doesn't see the British Open next week at Royal Troon as a chance for redemption. It's just another chance to end a decade without a major.NEW YORK (AP) — Former NBA player Jontay Porter has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in a federal criminal case. The charge is tied to the betting scandal that got Porter banned from the league. The former Toronto Raptors center entered the plea Wednesday at his arraignment in a New York federal court. Porter admits he agreed to withdraw early from games so that co-conspirators could win bets on his performance. He says he's undergone inpatient treatment for a gambling problem and remains in therapy. The former center is free on $250,000 bond while awaiting his sentencing Dec. 18.WEDNESDAY SCORESMAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALLINTERLEAGUEFinal Kansas City 6 St. Louis 4Final Seattle 2 San Diego 0Final Chicago Cubs 4 Baltimore 0Final Kansas City 8 St. Louis 5Final Houston 9 Miami 1Final Toronto 10 San Francisco 6AMERICAN LEAGUEFinal Chicago White Sox 3 Minnesota 1Final Minnesota 3 Chicago White Sox 2Final Detroit 5 Cleveland 4Final N.Y. Yankees 2 Tampa Bay 1Final Oakland 5 Boston 2Final L.A. Angels 7 Texas 2NATIONAL LEAGUEFinal N.Y. Mets 6 Washington 2Final Philadelphia 4 L.A. Dodgers 3Final Colorado 6 Cincinnati 5Final Milwaukee 9 Pittsburgh 0

📢📰🎧 Sports Headlines for Thursday

SPRINGFIELD, Mo.—The Wichita Wind Surge won for the first time this season at Hammons Stadium with a 7-3 final score over the Springfield Cardinals. Five of the seven runs came across the final three innings, with the last three being unanswered tallies over the eighth and ninth innings.

After having five chances at the plate with runners in scoring position and stranding as many runners over the first three innings,&nbsp;Jorel Ortega&nbsp;and&nbsp;Luke Keaschall&nbsp;brought in&nbsp;Tanner Schobel&nbsp;and&nbsp;Ben Ross&nbsp;on back-to-back RBI singles in the top of the fourth.

As has become tradition in the season series, if the Wind Surge score first, the Cardinals won’t take long to answer. Matt Lloyd crushed his team-leading 13th home run, a solo shot, to deep right field to cut the deficit in half in the home half of the fourth frame.&nbsp;Kyle Jones&nbsp;retired the following two batters on a groundout and a strikeout to finish his second Double-A appearance on a strong note.

Lloyd tied the game up 2-2 after grounding out to short in the last of the sixth as Jeremy Rivas was able to score from third.&nbsp;Jeferson Morales&nbsp;doubled home Keaschall and&nbsp;Jake Rucker&nbsp;toward the left field corner to give the lead back to Wichita at 4-2 heading into the stretch.

Aaron McKeithan gave Springfield their third run on a sacrifice fly to center after consecutive singles by Nathan Church and Noah Mendlinger opened the bottom of the seventh. Jacob Buchberger singled to left field, where Morales threw the ball back toward the infield. Mendlinger hesitated off of third base, then tried to score as the tying run. Schobel tagged him for the second out after some hot potato with the Wind Surge fielders and an early slide from Springfield’s second baseman.&nbsp;Jaylen Nowlin&nbsp;proceeded to strike out Bryan Torres with the tying and leading run on base at second and first to keep the game 4-3 heading into the eighth.

Keaschall recorded his second RBI of the night on a single to the left-center alley. Ross scored from second, and then Ortega got awarded the plate on an obstruction call at third for a 6-3 Wichita advantage in the top of the eighth.&nbsp;Carson McCusker&nbsp;strode across home on a wild pitch in the top of the ninth for the final insurance run ahead of a 7-3 final. For the first time this season, the Wind Surge have won a game at Hammons Field.

Nowlin is back to a positive record at 5-4 with the win after throwing five innings of two-run baseball with seven hits and two walks given up, besides two strikeouts, as the Wichita piggyback man in relief.

The Wind Surge continue their final series before the All-Star Break at Springfield tomorrow, Thursday, July 11, at Hammons Stadium, with a 7:05 PM first pitch. You can listen to Wind Surge games on ESPN Wichita 92.3 FM,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.milb.com/windsurge.com">windsurge.com</a>, or watch them online at MiLB.TV and Bally Live. For ticket information, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.milb.com/windsurge.com">windsurge.com</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720697531181.jpeg" alt="Wind Surge score five runs in the final three innings for win." />
 <figcaption>Wind Surge score five runs in the final three innings for win.</figcaption>
 </figure>SPRINGFIELD, Mo.—The Wichita Wind Surge won for the first time this season at Hammons Stadium with a 7-3 final score over the Springfield Cardinals. Five of the seven runs came across the final three innings, with the last three being unanswered tallies over the eighth and ninth innings.After having five chances at the plate with runners in scoring position and stranding as many runners over the first three innings,&nbsp;Jorel Ortega&nbsp;and&nbsp;Luke Keaschall&nbsp;brought in&nbsp;Tanner Schobel&nbsp;and&nbsp;Ben Ross&nbsp;on back-to-back RBI singles in the top of the fourth.As has become tradition in the season series, if the Wind Surge score first, the Cardinals won’t take long to answer. Matt Lloyd crushed his team-leading 13th home run, a solo shot, to deep right field to cut the deficit in half in the home half of the fourth frame.&nbsp;Kyle Jones&nbsp;retired the following two batters on a groundout and a strikeout to finish his second Double-A appearance on a strong note.Lloyd tied the game up 2-2 after grounding out to short in the last of the sixth as Jeremy Rivas was able to score from third.&nbsp;Jeferson Morales&nbsp;doubled home Keaschall and&nbsp;Jake Rucker&nbsp;toward the left field corner to give the lead back to Wichita at 4-2 heading into the stretch.Aaron McKeithan gave Springfield their third run on a sacrifice fly to center after consecutive singles by Nathan Church and Noah Mendlinger opened the bottom of the seventh. Jacob Buchberger singled to left field, where Morales threw the ball back toward the infield. Mendlinger hesitated off of third base, then tried to score as the tying run. Schobel tagged him for the second out after some hot potato with the Wind Surge fielders and an early slide from Springfield’s second baseman.&nbsp;Jaylen Nowlin&nbsp;proceeded to strike out Bryan Torres with the tying and leading run on base at second and first to keep the game 4-3 heading into the eighth.Keaschall recorded his second RBI of the night on a single to the left-center alley. Ross scored from second, and then Ortega got awarded the plate on an obstruction call at third for a 6-3 Wichita advantage in the top of the eighth.&nbsp;Carson McCusker&nbsp;strode across home on a wild pitch in the top of the ninth for the final insurance run ahead of a 7-3 final. For the first time this season, the Wind Surge have won a game at Hammons Field.Nowlin is back to a positive record at 5-4 with the win after throwing five innings of two-run baseball with seven hits and two walks given up, besides two strikeouts, as the Wichita piggyback man in relief.The Wind Surge continue their final series before the All-Star Break at Springfield tomorrow, Thursday, July 11, at Hammons Stadium, with a 7:05 PM first pitch. You can listen to Wind Surge games on ESPN Wichita 92.3 FM,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.milb.com/windsurge.com">windsurge.com</a>, or watch them online at MiLB.TV and Bally Live. For ticket information, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.milb.com/windsurge.com">windsurge.com</a>.

⚾ Wichita Wind Surge score late to win in Springfield

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Monarchs exploded for eight runs in the bottom of the second inning Wednesday night at Hobart-Detter Field to set the tone of scoring a bunch of runs early to defeat Newton 15-2 in a run-rule win.

Combined with outstanding pitching by Brock Rod who took a no-hitter into the fifth inning plus solid relief by Carson Cornelius, Hutch was on cruise mode for most of the night.

Camden Johnson went 2 for 4 with 4 RBI's along with Jaden Gustafson's 3 for 5 night with two RBI to lead the Monarchs in hitting.

Jack Gardner had a solo home run to left-center in the sixth for one of Newton's two runs.

Hutchinson (20-7) travel to Derby (18-9) Thursday night before returning home for games Friday and Saturday against the Diamond Kings. First pitch will be at 7 p.m. for all three games.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720696539169.png" alt="Final vs Newton - July 10th, 2024" />
 <figcaption>Final vs Newton - July 10th, 2024</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Monarchs exploded for eight runs in the bottom of the second inning Wednesday night at Hobart-Detter Field to set the tone of scoring a bunch of runs early to defeat Newton 15-2 in a run-rule win.Combined with outstanding pitching by Brock Rod who took a no-hitter into the fifth inning plus solid relief by Carson Cornelius, Hutch was on cruise mode for most of the night.Camden Johnson went 2 for 4 with 4 RBI's along with Jaden Gustafson's 3 for 5 night with two RBI to lead the Monarchs in hitting.Jack Gardner had a solo home run to left-center in the sixth for one of Newton's two runs.Hutchinson (20-7) travel to Derby (18-9) Thursday night before returning home for games Friday and Saturday against the Diamond Kings. First pitch will be at 7 p.m. for all three games.

⚾ Monarchs use big innings to run-rule Rebels

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Salvador Perez homered in both games and MJ Melendez added a solo shot in the nightcap to help the Kansas City Royals beat the St. Louis Cardinals 8-5 for a sweep of a day-night doubleheader Wednesday.

Kansas City took the opener 6-4. The Royals have won three in a row to improve to 51-43 — a season after winning just 56 games.

Michael Wacha (6-6) went five innings for the victory in the second game. He pitched seven seasons in St. Louis (2013-2019) and was the MVP of the 2013 NLCS against the Los Angeles Dodgers. This was his first start in St. Louis since leaving five years ago.

“There were definitely some emotions there,” Wacha said. “It was hard to treat it like just another start.”

Lars Nootbaar homered for St. Louis in the second game to give the Cardinals a 1-0 lead in the second.

Closer James McArthur picked up his 17th save of the season and second of the day. McArthur had not pitched over the previous six days and was ready for the two-game challenge.

“It was just one of those things where you just throw and see how you’re feeling,” McArthur said.

Perez led off the sixth with his 16th of season to pushed the lead to 6-4.

“He makes us go,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said about Perez. “The middle of the order is big for us and no one is bigger than Salvy.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717239521858.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>STEVE OVERBEY Associated PressST. LOUIS (AP) — Salvador Perez homered in both games and MJ Melendez added a solo shot in the nightcap to help the Kansas City Royals beat the St. Louis Cardinals 8-5 for a sweep of a day-night doubleheader Wednesday.Kansas City took the opener 6-4. The Royals have won three in a row to improve to 51-43 — a season after winning just 56 games.Michael Wacha (6-6) went five innings for the victory in the second game. He pitched seven seasons in St. Louis (2013-2019) and was the MVP of the 2013 NLCS against the Los Angeles Dodgers. This was his first start in St. Louis since leaving five years ago.“There were definitely some emotions there,” Wacha said. “It was hard to treat it like just another start.”Lars Nootbaar homered for St. Louis in the second game to give the Cardinals a 1-0 lead in the second.Closer James McArthur picked up his 17th save of the season and second of the day. McArthur had not pitched over the previous six days and was ready for the two-game challenge.“It was just one of those things where you just throw and see how you’re feeling,” McArthur said.Perez led off the sixth with his 16th of season to pushed the lead to 6-4.“He makes us go,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said about Perez. “The middle of the order is big for us and no one is bigger than Salvy.”Perez was 3 for 7 with two homers and four RBI in the doubleheader. It was the second time in his career that he went deep in both games of the doubleheader. The first came on May 21, 2017 against Minnesota.Melendez began the third with his 10th of the season.Wacha gave up four runs on seven hits over over five innings. He had allowed two earned runs or fewer in his previous eight starts.Kyle Isbel added a solo homer leading off the ninth for the Royals, who were playing their first day-night doubleheader since July 15, 2023.Isbel says the group proved a point with the road sweep.“It shows what kind of team that we have,” Isbel said. “It was a long day and you just have to stay locked in at all times.”Bobby Witt Jr. highlighted Kansas City’s a two-run outburst in the fourth inning with a sacrifice fly.St. Louis rookie Gordon Graceffo (0-1) allowed four hits and three runs over 3 1/3 innings in his first start and second big league appearance.Nootbaar returned to the lineup on Monday after missing 36 games with an oblique strain.“At the end of the day, the wins would make you feel a lot better,” Nootbaar said.Garrett Hampson drove in two runs with a double in the opener, while Hunter Renfroe added two hits for the Royals. Nolan Arenado, Alec Burleson and Paul Goldschmidt homered for the Cardinals in the first game.Alec Marsh (7-6) gave up three runs and three hits in six innings to earn the victory. He struck out eight and walked one. Marsh retired the last 11 batters he facedMcArthur got the save after giving up a one-out solo home run to Goldschmidt and a two-out single to Arenado in the ninth inning.Andre Pallante (4-4) pitched 6 1/3 innings, his longest outing this season. He took the loss, allowing four runs and six hits with five strikeouts and no walks.Perez, who will play in the All-Star Game next week, hit a 424-foot homer onto the grass in center field with one out in the sixth, giving the Royals a 4-3 lead.EXTRA PLAYERSRoyals: Recalled left-hander Walter Pennington from Triple-A Omaha to serve as their 27th man for the doubleheader. The 26-year-old made his big-league debut last week in Colorado, retiring both batters he faced.Cardinals: Recalled right-hander Gordon Graceffo from Triple-A Memphis to serve as their 27th man for the doubleheader.TRAINER’S ROOMCardinals: C Iván Herrera (lower back tightness) caught a full nine innings Tuesday at Triple-A Memphis. He also hit a home run.UP NEXTRoyals: Will open a three-game series at Boston on Friday. Neither team has announced a starter.Cardinals: RHP Sonny Gray (9-5, 3.30) will open a four-game series at home against the Chicago Cubs on Friday.