KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The future of the Royals and Chiefs in Kansas City was thrown into question when residents of Jackson County, Missouri, voted against a sales tax to help to pay for a new downtown ballpark and renovations to Arrowhead Stadium. Royals owner John Sherman and Chiefs president Mark Donovan acknowledged about two hours after polls closed Tuesday night that the ballot measure would fail. They were hoping to replace an existing three-eighths of a cent sales tax that has been paying for upkeep of current stadiums with a new three-eighths of a cent tax that would have been in place for the next 40 years.

BALTIMORE (AP) — Alec Marsh pitched seven innings of two-hit ball, Maikel Garcia drove in three runs and the Kansas City Royals breezed past the Baltimore Orioles 4-1 on a wet, chilly night at Camden Yards. Marsh turned in the best performance of his budding career, dominating the defending AL East champions Tuesday night with an exceptional display of control. He struck out five, walked one and retired the side in order five times. Now in his second season, Marsh previously hadn’t gone more than six innings and never allowed fewer than three hits in any outing longer than an inning. In this one, he threw 72 pitches, only 18 of which were called balls.

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Willson Contreras hit a two-run homer off Yu Darvish in the sixth inning, and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the San Diego Padres 5-2 to win the first two of a three-game series. Miles Mikolas, who broke into the majors with San Diego in 2012, improved to 3-2 against his old squad. He allowed two runs and seven hits in six innings. Ryan Helsley worked the ninth for his first save in two chances. The Padres held a pregame moment of silence for Larry Lucchino, their CEO and president from 1995-2001 who led the push for Petco Park. Lucchino died early Tuesday morning of congenital heart failure. He was 78.

CHICAGO (AP) — Cody Bellinger, Seiya Suzuki, Christopher Morel and Garrett Cooper homered, and the Chicago Cubs pounded the Colorado Rockies 12-2 on Tuesday night for their third straight win. Bellinger’s two-run drive off the right-field scoreboard at Wrigley Field was his first homer of the season. The 2019 NL MVP re-signed with the Cubs for a $80 million, three-year contract in February. Some fans in the crowd of 26,555 chanted “Cody! Cody! Cody!” when Bellinger stepped to the plate in the seventh on a chilly, breezy night. It only got louder when Bellinger launched his 425-foot shot on a 1-2 fastball.

DALLAS (AP) — An attorney says one of two speeding sports cars that police say caused a chain-reaction crash on a busy Dallas highway over the weekend was being leased by Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice. An attorney for a Dallas-based car rental company said Rice was leasing the Lamborghini sport utility vehicle involved in Saturday’s crash. Police have said the drivers of a Corvette and a Lamborghini were speeding on North Central Expressway when they lost control. Police said the occupants of the Lamborghini and Corvette left without determining if anyone needed medical attention or providing their information. Police said Tuesday they are still working to identify suspects. Police have not said whether Rice is among the people they are seeking.

UNDATED (AP) — Steve Lutz was hired Monday as the basketball coach at Oklahoma State after one season at Western Kentucky. The 51-year-old Lutz has a 69-35 career record and has led his teams to the NCAA Tournament in each of his three seasons as a head coach — this year at Western Kentucky and the previous two at Texas A&amp;M-Corpus Christi. Before that, he was an assistant at Purdue and Creighton. Lutz takes over for Mike Boynton, who was fired after going 119-109 in seven seasons. The Cowboys reached only one NCAA Tournament under Boynton as he dealt with the fallout from an NCAA investigation.

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina State is riding an emotional wave with its men's and women's basketball teams both reaching the Final Four. It marks the first trip to the Final Four for the men's team since Jim Valvano's “Cardiac Pack” won the 1983 NCAA title by stunning heavily favored Houston. For the women, it marks the first Final Four trip since 1998 under Hall of Famer Kay Yow. Sunday's wins marked a breakthrough moment for both programs. N.C. State is now the 11th school to have its men's and women's teams reach the Final Four in the same year.

UNDATED (AP) — Deion Sanders has brought in Hall of Fame defensive lineman Warren Sapp as a graduate assistant to work with the Colorado Buffaloes. The grad assistant position paves the way for the 51-year-old Sapp to work more closely on the field with the team. Sapp introduced himself to the team as the senior quality control analyst, but that role would limit his involvement on the field. The University of Miami standout spent 13 seasons in the NFL with Tampa Bay and the Oakland Raiders. Sapp was the 1999 AP defensive player of the year. He won a Super Bowl title with the Buccaneers following the 2002 season.

Detroit at N-Y Mets 1:10 p.m. (Postponed)

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701494597443.png" alt="Sports Headlines and News for Wednesday, April 3rd, 2024." />
 <figcaption>Sports Headlines and News for Wednesday, April 3rd, 2024.</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="April 3rd, 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=b9a3b-15cec62-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=60a0c8&font-color=&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=ff6d00" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The future of the Royals and Chiefs in Kansas City was thrown into question when residents of Jackson County, Missouri, voted against a sales tax to help to pay for a new downtown ballpark and renovations to Arrowhead Stadium. Royals owner John Sherman and Chiefs president Mark Donovan acknowledged about two hours after polls closed Tuesday night that the ballot measure would fail. They were hoping to replace an existing three-eighths of a cent sales tax that has been paying for upkeep of current stadiums with a new three-eighths of a cent tax that would have been in place for the next 40 years.BALTIMORE (AP) — Alec Marsh pitched seven innings of two-hit ball, Maikel Garcia drove in three runs and the Kansas City Royals breezed past the Baltimore Orioles 4-1 on a wet, chilly night at Camden Yards. Marsh turned in the best performance of his budding career, dominating the defending AL East champions Tuesday night with an exceptional display of control. He struck out five, walked one and retired the side in order five times. Now in his second season, Marsh previously hadn’t gone more than six innings and never allowed fewer than three hits in any outing longer than an inning. In this one, he threw 72 pitches, only 18 of which were called balls.SAN DIEGO (AP) — Willson Contreras hit a two-run homer off Yu Darvish in the sixth inning, and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the San Diego Padres 5-2 to win the first two of a three-game series. Miles Mikolas, who broke into the majors with San Diego in 2012, improved to 3-2 against his old squad. He allowed two runs and seven hits in six innings. Ryan Helsley worked the ninth for his first save in two chances. The Padres held a pregame moment of silence for Larry Lucchino, their CEO and president from 1995-2001 who led the push for Petco Park. Lucchino died early Tuesday morning of congenital heart failure. He was 78.CHICAGO (AP) — Cody Bellinger, Seiya Suzuki, Christopher Morel and Garrett Cooper homered, and the Chicago Cubs pounded the Colorado Rockies 12-2 on Tuesday night for their third straight win. Bellinger’s two-run drive off the right-field scoreboard at Wrigley Field was his first homer of the season. The 2019 NL MVP re-signed with the Cubs for a $80 million, three-year contract in February. Some fans in the crowd of 26,555 chanted “Cody! Cody! Cody!” when Bellinger stepped to the plate in the seventh on a chilly, breezy night. It only got louder when Bellinger launched his 425-foot shot on a 1-2 fastball.DALLAS (AP) — An attorney says one of two speeding sports cars that police say caused a chain-reaction crash on a busy Dallas highway over the weekend was being leased by Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice. An attorney for a Dallas-based car rental company said Rice was leasing the Lamborghini sport utility vehicle involved in Saturday’s crash. Police have said the drivers of a Corvette and a Lamborghini were speeding on North Central Expressway when they lost control. Police said the occupants of the Lamborghini and Corvette left without determining if anyone needed medical attention or providing their information. Police said Tuesday they are still working to identify suspects. Police have not said whether Rice is among the people they are seeking.UNDATED (AP) — Steve Lutz was hired Monday as the basketball coach at Oklahoma State after one season at Western Kentucky. The 51-year-old Lutz has a 69-35 career record and has led his teams to the NCAA Tournament in each of his three seasons as a head coach — this year at Western Kentucky and the previous two at Texas A&amp;M-Corpus Christi. Before that, he was an assistant at Purdue and Creighton. Lutz takes over for Mike Boynton, who was fired after going 119-109 in seven seasons. The Cowboys reached only one NCAA Tournament under Boynton as he dealt with the fallout from an NCAA investigation.RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina State is riding an emotional wave with its men's and women's basketball teams both reaching the Final Four. It marks the first trip to the Final Four for the men's team since Jim Valvano's “Cardiac Pack” won the 1983 NCAA title by stunning heavily favored Houston. For the women, it marks the first Final Four trip since 1998 under Hall of Famer Kay Yow. Sunday's wins marked a breakthrough moment for both programs. N.C. State is now the 11th school to have its men's and women's teams reach the Final Four in the same year.UNDATED (AP) — Deion Sanders has brought in Hall of Fame defensive lineman Warren Sapp as a graduate assistant to work with the Colorado Buffaloes. The grad assistant position paves the way for the 51-year-old Sapp to work more closely on the field with the team. Sapp introduced himself to the team as the senior quality control analyst, but that role would limit his involvement on the field. The University of Miami standout spent 13 seasons in the NFL with Tampa Bay and the Oakland Raiders. Sapp was the 1999 AP defensive player of the year. He won a Super Bowl title with the Buccaneers following the 2002 season.TUESDAY SCORESMAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALLINTERLEAGUEDetroit at N-Y Mets 1:10 p.m. (Postponed)Final Milwaukee 3 Minnesota 2Final L.A. Angels 3 Miami 1Final Chicago White Sox 3 Atlanta 2Final Arizona 7 N.Y. Yankees 0AMERICAN LEAGUEFinal Kansas City 4 Baltimore 1Final Tampa Bay 5 Texas 2Final Toronto 2 Houston 1Final Cleveland 5 Seattle 2Final Boston 5 Oakland 4NATIONAL LEAGUEFinal Philadelphia 9 Cincinnati 4Final Chicago Cubs 12 Colorado 2Final St. Louis 5 San Diego 2Final L.A. Dodgers 5 San Francisco 4NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATIONFinal L.A. Lakers 128 Toronto 111Final Washington 117 Milwaukee 113Final Miami 109 New York 99Final Philadelphia 109 Oklahoma City 105Final Minnesota 113 Houston 106Final Cleveland 129 Utah 113Final Denver 110 San Antonio 105Final Sacramento 109 L.A. Clippers 95

📢📰 Sports Headlines for Wednesday

BALTIMORE (AP) — Alec Marsh pitched seven innings of two-hit ball, Maikel Garcia drove in three runs and the Kansas City Royals breezed past the Baltimore Orioles 4-1 Tuesday night at wet and chilly Camden Yards.

Marsh (1-0) turned in the best performance of his budding career, dominating the defending AL East champions with an exceptional display of control. He&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/Royals/status/1775323645696495719">struck out five</a>, walked one and retired the side in order five times.

“He was outstanding,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said of Marsh. “Adverse conditions to pitch in against a really good lineup, and he did nothing but attack, right from the get-go.”

Now in his second season, Marsh previously hadn't gone more than six innings and never allowed fewer than three hits in any outing longer than an inning. In this one, the right-hander threw 72 pitches, only 18 of which were called balls.

“You couldn't ask for anything more,” Quatraro said.

Marsh received offensive support from Garcia, who hit a two-run double in the second inning and added an RBI triple in the fourth.

A persistent, light rain soaked the players and the announced crowd of 9,404. Temperatures dipped into the 40s soon after the game started, and a crisp breeze provided the stouthearted fans additional discomfort.

The Orioles gave their supporters little reason to stand up and cheer. Baltimore's only run came in the third inning on successive doubles by Jordan Westburg and Colton Cowser, but that only served to cut the deficit to 3-1.

Kansas City answered in the fourth with a walk and a triple by Garcia on a&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/BallySportsKC/status/1775305527985062234">liner off the right-field wall</a>. That was more than enough backing for Marsh, who earned the fifth spot in the Royals rotation with a strong showing in spring training.

As a rookie in 2023, Marsh lost his first eight decisions before ending up 3-9 with a 5.69 ERA.

The solid finish, along with his productive spring, gave Marsh some momentum heading into the 2024 season.

“He's been on a mission,” Quatraro said. “That's one game. We don't want to proclaim this to be a finished product. He's a very young pitcher in his big league career, but there's a lot of upside and we're excited about it.”

When the Orioles got good wood on the ball, there always seemed to be someone there to catch it.

“Good fastball, curveball had a lot of depth on it,” Baltimore's Ryan O’Hearn said. “It was one of those nights. I feel like we had a lot of balls hit right at guys. Sometimes it happens that way.”

After Marsh put in his seven innings, the bullpen finished up without incident. John Schreiber gave up a single in the eighth and Will Smith got three straight outs for his first save.

Orioles starter Cole Irvin (0-1) gave up four runs and seven hits in five innings. The 30-year-old is attempting to bounce back from a disappointing season in which he went 1-4, endured three stints in the minor leagues and did not appear on Baltimore's postseason roster.

Royals reliever Jake Brentz threw in the bullpen for the first time since going on the IL last month with a left hamstring strain. Brentz, 29, hasn't pitched in the big leagues since undergoing elbow surgery in July of 2022.

The teams face a rainy forecast for Wednesday's series finale, which matches Orioles ace Corbin Burnes (1-0, 1.50 ERA) and Royals opening day starter Cole Ragans (0-1, 3.00).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708710110872.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BALTIMORE (AP) — Alec Marsh pitched seven innings of two-hit ball, Maikel Garcia drove in three runs and the Kansas City Royals breezed past the Baltimore Orioles 4-1 Tuesday night at wet and chilly Camden Yards.Marsh (1-0) turned in the best performance of his budding career, dominating the defending AL East champions with an exceptional display of control. He&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/Royals/status/1775323645696495719">struck out five</a>, walked one and retired the side in order five times.“He was outstanding,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said of Marsh. “Adverse conditions to pitch in against a really good lineup, and he did nothing but attack, right from the get-go.”Now in his second season, Marsh previously hadn't gone more than six innings and never allowed fewer than three hits in any outing longer than an inning. In this one, the right-hander threw 72 pitches, only 18 of which were called balls.“You couldn't ask for anything more,” Quatraro said.Marsh received offensive support from Garcia, who hit a two-run double in the second inning and added an RBI triple in the fourth.A persistent, light rain soaked the players and the announced crowd of 9,404. Temperatures dipped into the 40s soon after the game started, and a crisp breeze provided the stouthearted fans additional discomfort.The Orioles gave their supporters little reason to stand up and cheer. Baltimore's only run came in the third inning on successive doubles by Jordan Westburg and Colton Cowser, but that only served to cut the deficit to 3-1.Kansas City answered in the fourth with a walk and a triple by Garcia on a&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/BallySportsKC/status/1775305527985062234">liner off the right-field wall</a>. That was more than enough backing for Marsh, who earned the fifth spot in the Royals rotation with a strong showing in spring training.As a rookie in 2023, Marsh lost his first eight decisions before ending up 3-9 with a 5.69 ERA.The solid finish, along with his productive spring, gave Marsh some momentum heading into the 2024 season.“He's been on a mission,” Quatraro said. “That's one game. We don't want to proclaim this to be a finished product. He's a very young pitcher in his big league career, but there's a lot of upside and we're excited about it.”When the Orioles got good wood on the ball, there always seemed to be someone there to catch it.“Good fastball, curveball had a lot of depth on it,” Baltimore's Ryan O’Hearn said. “It was one of those nights. I feel like we had a lot of balls hit right at guys. Sometimes it happens that way.”After Marsh put in his seven innings, the bullpen finished up without incident. John Schreiber gave up a single in the eighth and Will Smith got three straight outs for his first save.Orioles starter Cole Irvin (0-1) gave up four runs and seven hits in five innings. The 30-year-old is attempting to bounce back from a disappointing season in which he went 1-4, endured three stints in the minor leagues and did not appear on Baltimore's postseason roster.TRAINER'S ROOMRoyals reliever Jake Brentz threw in the bullpen for the first time since going on the IL last month with a left hamstring strain. Brentz, 29, hasn't pitched in the big leagues since undergoing elbow surgery in July of 2022.UP NEXTThe teams face a rainy forecast for Wednesday's series finale, which matches Orioles ace Corbin Burnes (1-0, 1.50 ERA) and Royals opening day starter Cole Ragans (0-1, 3.00).

⚾ Royals win over Orioles Tuesday

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The undefeated national champion Hutchinson Community College Blue Dragons (37-0) returned home Tuesday night.

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/03303cb3-2957-412e-92a1-33edbc221ecf">The women's basketball team defeated defending champion Northwest Florida State Monday night in Casper, Wyoming.</a>

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712109319428.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The undefeated national champion Hutchinson Community College Blue Dragons (37-0) returned home Tuesday night.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/03303cb3-2957-412e-92a1-33edbc221ecf">The women's basketball team defeated defending champion Northwest Florida State Monday night in Casper, Wyoming.</a><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=317&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FHutchPost%2Fvideos%2F383504397926644%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=0" width="560" height="317" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FHutchPost%2Fvideos%2F258813677319396%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=0" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=317&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FHutchPost%2Fvideos%2F280184391799191%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=0" width="560" height="317" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712110146648.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712110174617.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp;

🎥 Champs return home

CASPER, Wyo. — Relive Monday nights NJCAA DI Women's Basketball Championship Game audio broadcast, as heard on Hutchinson's #1 Hit Music Station, My 93-1.

No. 1 Hutchinson finished off an unbeaten 37-0 season with an 88-80 win over No. 3 Northwest Florida State inside the Ford Wyoming Center.

The Blue Dragons claim their first-ever national title in the programs 50th year.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711773017269.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>CASPER, Wyo. — Relive Monday nights NJCAA DI Women's Basketball Championship Game audio broadcast, as heard on Hutchinson's #1 Hit Music Station, My 93-1.No. 1 Hutchinson finished off an unbeaten 37-0 season with an 88-80 win over No. 3 Northwest Florida State inside the Ford Wyoming Center.The Blue Dragons claim their first-ever national title in the programs 50th year.<div><iframe title="2024 NJCAA DI Women's Basketball National Championship Game" 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=89iu3-15ccfe2-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=60a0c8&font-color=&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=ff6d00" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

🎧 LISTEN: NJCAA DI WBB National Championship Game: Hutchinson 88, NW FL St. 80

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701263164849.png" alt="Early Morning Sports with Rob Dreher for Tuesday, April 2nd, 2024." />
 <figcaption>Early Morning Sports with Rob Dreher for Tuesday, April 2nd, 2024.</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="April 2nd, 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=4bh2p-15cd07e-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=60a0c8&font-color=&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=ff6d00" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

🎧 LISTEN: 🏀 WBB: HutchCC wins first NJCAA Title ⚾ Royals in Baltimore 🏀 KU gets commitment

DALLAS (AP) — An
attorney for Kansas City Chiefs player Rashee Rice says the wide
receiver is cooperating with authorities after a speeding Corvette
and Lamborghini sport utility vehicle caused a chain-reaction crash
on a busy Dallas highway over the weekend. Police say the occupants
of both of the speeding sports cars left the scene after the crash
shortly before 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Police said Monday they were
working to identify the occupants of the Corvette and Lamborghini.
Sources told television station WFAA that one of the speeding
vehicles was registered to Rice. An attorney for Rice says his client
is cooperating with local authorities.

BALTIMORE (AP) —
Jordan Westburg hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the bottom of the
ninth inning to carry the Baltimore Orioles past the Kansas City
Royals 6-4. Westburg’s opposite-field drive to right came on an 0-2
pitch from Nick Anderson after the Royals rallied to tie the game in
the top of the inning. Ryan Mountcastle homered and drove in three
runs for the Orioles. Bobby Witt Jr. and Salvador Perez homered for
the Royals, the second straight game in which each went deep. Making
his Kansas City debut after signing a two-year, $32 million contract
in December, Michael Wacha gave up three runs in five innings.

SAN DIEGO (AP) —
Willson Contreras and Brendan Donovan each hit a two-run home run,
Kyle Gibson was dominant in his St. Louis debut and the Cardinals won
6-2 against their former manager Mike Schildt and the San Diego
Padres. Shildt managed the Cardinals from August 2018 until 2021,
when he was fired suddenly despite leading them to three straight
playoff berths and winning the 2019 NL Manager of the Year Award. He
worked in the Padres’ organization the last two seasons before
being promoted to manager in October after Bob Melvin left for his
hometown San Francisco Giants with one year remaining on his contract
in San Diego.

CHICAGO (AP) —
Shota Imanaga pitched six sparkling innings in his major league
debut, and the Cubs used another defensive mistake by Nolan Jones to
beat the Colorado Rockies 5-0 on Monday. Working in short sleeves on
a cold, gray afternoon, Imanaga struck out nine in Chicago’s home
opener. The Japanese left-hander, who signed a $53 million, four-year
contract with the Cubs in January, allowed two singles and walked
none — throwing 65 of his 92 pitches for strikes. Dakota Hudson
also was impressive in his first start for Colorado, but a pair of
errors on Jones on one play in the sixth sent the right-hander to the
loss.

HOUSTON (AP) —
Ronel Blanco of the Houston Astros threw the first no-hitter in the
major leagues this season, blanking the Toronto Blue Jays 10-0. The
right-hander struck out seven and walked two. He walked George
Springer to start the game and again with two outs in the ninth. When
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. grounded out to end it, Blanco smiled broadly
before raising his arms above his head just before being mobbed by
teammates. It was the 17th no-hitter in Astros history and the first
in the majors since Philadelphia’s Michael Lorenzen threw one
against the Washington Nationals on Aug. 9 of last year.

WASHINGTON (AP) —
Let other folks downplay the way the Pittsburgh Pirates have begun
2024. Manager Derek Shelton is thrilled that his club is 5-0 for the
first time in 41 years. Pittsburgh also has scored at least a
half-dozen runs each time out this deep into a season for the first
time in at least 124 years. The Pirates opened a three-game series at
the Washington Nationals with an 8-4 victory Monday night. That
followed a four-game sweep at the Miami Marlins to open the season.
Pittsburgh is coming off a 76-86 record a year ago and a fourth-place
finish in the NL Central.

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) —
Caitlin Clark made nine 3-pointers and finished with 41 points and 12
assists in a sensational performance as Iowa knocked defending
national champion LSU out of the women’s NCAA Tournament with a
94-87 victory, advancing the Hawkeyes to their second straight Final
Four. Top-seeded Iowa will play UConn in the national semifinals
Friday night in Cleveland. Monday’s highly anticipated matchup was
a rematch of last year’s national championship game won by LSU,
which drew a record 9.9 million viewers. With the game tied at 45
after an entertaining first half, Clark took over in the third
quarter. She hit four 3-pointers in the period.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP)
— After being a spectator a year ago, Paige Bueckers is headed back
to the Final Four after scoring 28 points and lifting UConn to a
80-73 win over Southern California in the women’s NCAA Tournament.
Bueckers outdueled fabulous USC freshman All-American JuJu Watkins,
sparking a decisive run over the final five minutes that sent
third-seeded UConn to its 23rd Final Four, the most of any school.
Leading 65-64, the Huskies scored 11 straight points, including seven
from Bueckers and a three-point play from Aaliyah Edwards to finally
put away the top-seeded Trojans. Edwards finished with 24 points.
Watkins scored 29 points for USC.

UNDATED (AP) —
Drake has hired Ben McCollum as its basketball coach. He replaces
Darian DeVries, who was hired by West Virginia after taking the
Bulldogs to three NCAA Tournaments in the last four years. The
42-year-old McCollum grew up in Storm Lake, Iowa, and played junior
college ball in the state before finishing his playing career at
Northwest Missouri State. He went into coaching at his alma mater,
spent four years at rival Emporia State, then returned to the
Bearcats in 2009 as a 27-year-old head coach. Over the next 15
seasons, Northwest Missouri State won four national championships
along with 12 regular-season conference titles and eight conference
tournament titles.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701494597443.png" alt="Sports Headlines and News for Tuesday, April 2nd, 2024" />
 <figcaption>Sports Headlines and News for Tuesday, April 2nd, 2024</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="April 2nd, 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=4bh2p-15cd07e-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=60a0c8&font-color=&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=ff6d00" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>DALLAS (AP) — An
attorney for Kansas City Chiefs player Rashee Rice says the wide
receiver is cooperating with authorities after a speeding Corvette
and Lamborghini sport utility vehicle caused a chain-reaction crash
on a busy Dallas highway over the weekend. Police say the occupants
of both of the speeding sports cars left the scene after the crash
shortly before 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Police said Monday they were
working to identify the occupants of the Corvette and Lamborghini.
Sources told television station WFAA that one of the speeding
vehicles was registered to Rice. An attorney for Rice says his client
is cooperating with local authorities.BALTIMORE (AP) —
Jordan Westburg hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the bottom of the
ninth inning to carry the Baltimore Orioles past the Kansas City
Royals 6-4. Westburg’s opposite-field drive to right came on an 0-2
pitch from Nick Anderson after the Royals rallied to tie the game in
the top of the inning. Ryan Mountcastle homered and drove in three
runs for the Orioles. Bobby Witt Jr. and Salvador Perez homered for
the Royals, the second straight game in which each went deep. Making
his Kansas City debut after signing a two-year, $32 million contract
in December, Michael Wacha gave up three runs in five innings.SAN DIEGO (AP) —
Willson Contreras and Brendan Donovan each hit a two-run home run,
Kyle Gibson was dominant in his St. Louis debut and the Cardinals won
6-2 against their former manager Mike Schildt and the San Diego
Padres. Shildt managed the Cardinals from August 2018 until 2021,
when he was fired suddenly despite leading them to three straight
playoff berths and winning the 2019 NL Manager of the Year Award. He
worked in the Padres’ organization the last two seasons before
being promoted to manager in October after Bob Melvin left for his
hometown San Francisco Giants with one year remaining on his contract
in San Diego.CHICAGO (AP) —
Shota Imanaga pitched six sparkling innings in his major league
debut, and the Cubs used another defensive mistake by Nolan Jones to
beat the Colorado Rockies 5-0 on Monday. Working in short sleeves on
a cold, gray afternoon, Imanaga struck out nine in Chicago’s home
opener. The Japanese left-hander, who signed a $53 million, four-year
contract with the Cubs in January, allowed two singles and walked
none — throwing 65 of his 92 pitches for strikes. Dakota Hudson
also was impressive in his first start for Colorado, but a pair of
errors on Jones on one play in the sixth sent the right-hander to the
loss.HOUSTON (AP) —
Ronel Blanco of the Houston Astros threw the first no-hitter in the
major leagues this season, blanking the Toronto Blue Jays 10-0. The
right-hander struck out seven and walked two. He walked George
Springer to start the game and again with two outs in the ninth. When
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. grounded out to end it, Blanco smiled broadly
before raising his arms above his head just before being mobbed by
teammates. It was the 17th no-hitter in Astros history and the first
in the majors since Philadelphia’s Michael Lorenzen threw one
against the Washington Nationals on Aug. 9 of last year.WASHINGTON (AP) —
Let other folks downplay the way the Pittsburgh Pirates have begun
2024. Manager Derek Shelton is thrilled that his club is 5-0 for the
first time in 41 years. Pittsburgh also has scored at least a
half-dozen runs each time out this deep into a season for the first
time in at least 124 years. The Pirates opened a three-game series at
the Washington Nationals with an 8-4 victory Monday night. That
followed a four-game sweep at the Miami Marlins to open the season.
Pittsburgh is coming off a 76-86 record a year ago and a fourth-place
finish in the NL Central.ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) —
Caitlin Clark made nine 3-pointers and finished with 41 points and 12
assists in a sensational performance as Iowa knocked defending
national champion LSU out of the women’s NCAA Tournament with a
94-87 victory, advancing the Hawkeyes to their second straight Final
Four. Top-seeded Iowa will play UConn in the national semifinals
Friday night in Cleveland. Monday’s highly anticipated matchup was
a rematch of last year’s national championship game won by LSU,
which drew a record 9.9 million viewers. With the game tied at 45
after an entertaining first half, Clark took over in the third
quarter. She hit four 3-pointers in the period.PORTLAND, Ore. (AP)
— After being a spectator a year ago, Paige Bueckers is headed back
to the Final Four after scoring 28 points and lifting UConn to a
80-73 win over Southern California in the women’s NCAA Tournament.
Bueckers outdueled fabulous USC freshman All-American JuJu Watkins,
sparking a decisive run over the final five minutes that sent
third-seeded UConn to its 23rd Final Four, the most of any school.
Leading 65-64, the Huskies scored 11 straight points, including seven
from Bueckers and a three-point play from Aaliyah Edwards to finally
put away the top-seeded Trojans. Edwards finished with 24 points.
Watkins scored 29 points for USC.UNDATED (AP) —
Drake has hired Ben McCollum as its basketball coach. He replaces
Darian DeVries, who was hired by West Virginia after taking the
Bulldogs to three NCAA Tournaments in the last four years. The
42-year-old McCollum grew up in Storm Lake, Iowa, and played junior
college ball in the state before finishing his playing career at
Northwest Missouri State. He went into coaching at his alma mater,
spent four years at rival Emporia State, then returned to the
Bearcats in 2009 as a 27-year-old head coach. Over the next 15
seasons, Northwest Missouri State won four national championships
along with 12 regular-season conference titles and eight conference
tournament titles.MONDAY SCORESMAJOR LEAGUE
BASEBALLINTERLEAGUEFinal	Atlanta	9	Chicago
White Sox	0	Final	L.A.
Angels	7	Miami	4	Final	Detroit	5	N.Y.
Mets	0	Final	N.Y.
Yankees	5	Arizona	2	AMERICAN LEAGUEFinal	Baltimore	6	Kansas
City	4	Final	Texas	9	Tampa
Bay	3	Final	Houston	10	Toronto	0	Final	Boston	9	Oakland	0	Final	Seattle	5	Cleveland	4	NATIONAL LEAGUEFinal	Chicago
Cubs	5	Colorado	0	Final	Pittsburgh	8	Washington	4	Final	Cincinnati	6	Philadelphia	3	Final	St.
Louis	6	San Diego	2	Final	L.A.
Dodgers	8	San Francisco	3	NATIONAL
BASKETBALL ASSOCIATIONFinal	Boston	118	Charlotte	104	Final	Memphis	110	Detroit	108	Final	Orlando	104	Portland	103	Final	Indiana	133	Brooklyn	111	Final	Atlanta	113	Chicago	101	Final	Phoenix	124	New
Orleans	111	NATIONAL HOCKEY
LEAGUEFinal	Columbus	4	Colorado	1	Final	Toronto	6	Florida	4	Final OT	N-Y
Islanders	4	Philadelphia	3	Final	Pittsburgh	5	N-Y
Rangers	2	Final	Detroit	4	Tampa
Bay	2	Final	Winnipeg	4	Los
Angeles	3	Final OT	St.
Louis	3	Edmonton	2

📢📰 Sports Headlines for Tuesday

<a href="https://kuathletics.com/english-dutton-garner-big-12-weekly-awards/">Via KU Athletics</a>

Kansas seniors Jake English and Reese Dutton each received Big 12 weekly honors, the conference office announced Monday. English was named the Big 12 Player of the Week and Dutton was selected as Big 12 Co-Newcomer of the Week.

The Big 12 award is the first of English’s career, while Dutton earned Big 12 Pitcher of the Week and Co-Newcomer of the Week earlier this season.

English hit .500/.571/1.167 (6-for-12), with two doubles, two home runs, five RBIs, six runs scored, two walks and a 1.738 OPS in a three-game sweep at BYU this past weekend. English homered in back-to-back games for the fifth time in his career and second time this season on Thursday and Friday against the Cougars.

English posted back-to-back three-hit games for the first time in his career on Thursday and the first game of a doubleheader Friday. He hit a double and home run in both of those games. The Olathe native caught game one and played first base in the second game of the doubleheader Friday. English played a big role in Kansas clinching its first doubleheader sweep on the road against a Big 12 team since 1997.

This season, English is second in the Big 12 in doubles (13) and slugging percentage (.728), tied for fourth in home runs (8) and walks (25), fifth in on-base percentage (.500) and tied for eighth in runs scored (29).

Dutton recorded a career-high 12 strikeouts as he pitched eight dominant innings and allowed only one run at BYU on Thursday. Dutton has won six-straight games, which includes five-consecutive quality starts. The six-straight wins are the most by a KU pitcher since 1994. Dutton’s 12 strikeouts were also the most by a Kansas pitcher since the 2020 season.

Dutton had two strikeouts in the first inning, one in the second, two in the third, one in the fourth, one in the fifth, one in the sixth, two in the seventh and two in the eighth. The Kenosha, Wisconsin, native is the only Big 12 pitcher this season to win his first four starts in conference play.

Currently, Dutton ranks first in the Big 12 in wins (6), second in innings pitched (43.0), fifth in WHIP (1.05), sixth in opponent batting average (.204), seventh in ERA (2.30) and is tied for eighth in strikeouts (43). In conference games, he leads the league in wins (4) and innings pitched (28.0).

Dutton has won six of his first seven starts, making him the first KU pitcher to have six wins in his first seven starts since 2001.

Dutton is the first Jayhawk since James Cosentino in 2017 to win Big 12 Newcomer of the Week twice in the same season. Dutton also received the honor on March 11 after beating No. 3-ranked TCU.

English and Dutton are the first Kansas duo to receive a Big 12 weekly award in the same week since Casey Burnham and Ryan Cyr on May 6, 2019. English is the 20th player in Kansas history to win Big 12 Player of the Week and Dutton is the 16th Jayhawk to win Big 12 Newcomer of the Week honors.

Kansas (15-10, 7-5 Big 12) recorded its first series sweep on the road since 2014 at BYU this past weekend. KU will play at Wichita State on Wednesday night at 6 p.m. CT. Then, the Jayhawks will host West Virginia for a three-game series this weekend at Hoglund Ballpark. Kansas currently sits in fourth place in the Big 12 standings.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712054737816.jpeg" alt="Image Courtesy KU Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Image Courtesy KU Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://kuathletics.com/english-dutton-garner-big-12-weekly-awards/">Via KU Athletics</a>Kansas seniors Jake English and Reese Dutton each received Big 12 weekly honors, the conference office announced Monday. English was named the Big 12 Player of the Week and Dutton was selected as Big 12 Co-Newcomer of the Week.The Big 12 award is the first of English’s career, while Dutton earned Big 12 Pitcher of the Week and Co-Newcomer of the Week earlier this season.English hit .500/.571/1.167 (6-for-12), with two doubles, two home runs, five RBIs, six runs scored, two walks and a 1.738 OPS in a three-game sweep at BYU this past weekend. English homered in back-to-back games for the fifth time in his career and second time this season on Thursday and Friday against the Cougars.English posted back-to-back three-hit games for the first time in his career on Thursday and the first game of a doubleheader Friday. He hit a double and home run in both of those games. The Olathe native caught game one and played first base in the second game of the doubleheader Friday. English played a big role in Kansas clinching its first doubleheader sweep on the road against a Big 12 team since 1997.This season, English is second in the Big 12 in doubles (13) and slugging percentage (.728), tied for fourth in home runs (8) and walks (25), fifth in on-base percentage (.500) and tied for eighth in runs scored (29).Dutton recorded a career-high 12 strikeouts as he pitched eight dominant innings and allowed only one run at BYU on Thursday. Dutton has won six-straight games, which includes five-consecutive quality starts. The six-straight wins are the most by a KU pitcher since 1994. Dutton’s 12 strikeouts were also the most by a Kansas pitcher since the 2020 season.Dutton had two strikeouts in the first inning, one in the second, two in the third, one in the fourth, one in the fifth, one in the sixth, two in the seventh and two in the eighth. The Kenosha, Wisconsin, native is the only Big 12 pitcher this season to win his first four starts in conference play.Currently, Dutton ranks first in the Big 12 in wins (6), second in innings pitched (43.0), fifth in WHIP (1.05), sixth in opponent batting average (.204), seventh in ERA (2.30) and is tied for eighth in strikeouts (43). In conference games, he leads the league in wins (4) and innings pitched (28.0).Dutton has won six of his first seven starts, making him the first KU pitcher to have six wins in his first seven starts since 2001.Dutton is the first Jayhawk since James Cosentino in 2017 to win Big 12 Newcomer of the Week twice in the same season. Dutton also received the honor on March 11 after beating No. 3-ranked TCU.English and Dutton are the first Kansas duo to receive a Big 12 weekly award in the same week since Casey Burnham and Ryan Cyr on May 6, 2019. English is the 20th player in Kansas history to win Big 12 Player of the Week and Dutton is the 16th Jayhawk to win Big 12 Newcomer of the Week honors.Kansas (15-10, 7-5 Big 12) recorded its first series sweep on the road since 2014 at BYU this past weekend. KU will play at Wichita State on Wednesday night at 6 p.m. CT. Then, the Jayhawks will host West Virginia for a three-game series this weekend at Hoglund Ballpark. Kansas currently sits in fourth place in the Big 12 standings.

⚾ English, Dutton Garner Big 12 Weekly Awards

<a href="https://www.nfl.com/news/chiefs-signing-qb-carson-wentz-to-one-year-deal">NFL Network's</a> Ian Rapaport reported Monday that Carson Wentz&nbsp;is signing a one-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Wentz, selected with the No. 2 pick of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, is now bound for his fifth team in as many seasons.

Blaine Gabbert was Patrick Mahomes' backup last year and Chad Henne did so before that.

Through parts of eight NFL seasons, Wentz has played in 95 games, posted a 47-45-1 record as a starter, and thrown for 22,292 yards, 153 touchdowns and 67 interceptions.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707336003255.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.nfl.com/news/chiefs-signing-qb-carson-wentz-to-one-year-deal">NFL Network's</a> Ian Rapaport reported Monday that Carson Wentz&nbsp;is signing a one-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs.Wentz, selected with the No. 2 pick of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, is now bound for his fifth team in as many seasons.Blaine Gabbert was Patrick Mahomes' backup last year and Chad Henne did so before that.Through parts of eight NFL seasons, Wentz has played in 95 games, posted a 47-45-1 record as a starter, and thrown for 22,292 yards, 153 touchdowns and 67 interceptions.

🏈 Wentz signing with Chiefs

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Former Buhler High standout Bradley Neill, currently a sophomore at HutchCC, announced via social media that's he's committed to Pittsburg State University to continue his baseball career. 

Thus far, Neill is having a stellar sophomore campaign with 8 appearances, over 34 innings pitched and an era of 1.30.  He is 5-0 as a starter with a save. 

 Neill tossed a one hit shutout against Butler earlier this year and was named the week 7 Jayhawk Conference pitcher of the week. 

 He is the son of John and Wendy Neill.   John Neill is the head baseball coach at Buhler.  Earlier this year, Bradley's brother Jeffrey, who's currently a senior at Buhler, committed to play baseball at HutchCC next season.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1711995664967.jpeg" alt="Bradley Neill-Photo Courtesy HutchCC" />
 <figcaption>Bradley Neill-Photo Courtesy HutchCC</figcaption>
 </figure>ROB DREHER Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — Former Buhler High standout Bradley Neill, currently a sophomore at HutchCC, announced via social media that's he's committed to Pittsburg State University to continue his baseball career. Thus far, Neill is having a stellar sophomore campaign with 8 appearances, over 34 innings pitched and an era of 1.30. He is 5-0 as a starter with a save. Neill tossed a one hit shutout against Butler earlier this year and was named the week 7 Jayhawk Conference pitcher of the week. He is the son of John and Wendy Neill. John Neill is the head baseball coach at Buhler. Earlier this year, Bradley's brother Jeffrey, who's currently a senior at Buhler, committed to play baseball at HutchCC next season.

⚾ Bradley Neill headed to Pitt State

BALTIMORE (AP) — Jordan Westburg hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning to carry the Baltimore Orioles past the Kansas City Royals 6-4 on Monday night.

Westburg's opposite-field drive to right came on an 0-2 pitch from Nick Anderson (0-1) after the Royals rallied to tie the game in the top of the inning.

“I really wasn't trying to do too much, just trying to move the ball and get to the next man (in the lineup)," Westburg said.

Instead, the second-year infielder put an end to a tight contest.

“That was the coolest moment of my career so far,” Westburg said. “I've never had a walk-off in all my years I've played baseball. To have my first one here in Baltimore is pretty special.”

Ryan Mountcastle homered and drove in three runs for the Orioles.

Bobby Witt Jr. and Salvador Perez homered for the Royals, the second straight game in which each went deep.

With the score tied at 3 in the eighth, singles by Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman put runners at the corners with two outs for Mountcastle, who reached on an RBI infield single when first baseman Nick Loftin couldn't handle the throw from the shortstop Witt.

That gave closer Craig Kimbrel (1-0) a chance to seal the victory in his Baltimore debut. But Kyle Isbel singled, and pinch-runner Dairon Blanco stole second and third before scoring on a fly ball by Maikel Garcia.

Westburg delivered in the bottom half. He leaped in joy after rounding first base and was drenched in water after arriving at the plate.

“It just an euphoric feeling, seeing that ball go over the wall,” he said.

Making his Kansas City debut after signing a two-year, $32 million contract in December, Michael Wacha gave up three runs in five innings. The only three hits he allowed came in succession in the fourth, when Baltimore bounced back from a 3-0 deficit to pull even.

“Good one to build off of,” Wacha said. “I felt like I had good command of stuff early, and carried it toward the end of my outing as well.”

Orioles starter Dean Kremer allowed three runs and three hits in 5 1/3 innings.

Witt hit a solo shot in the third and Perez added a two-run drive to put the Royals up 3-0.

Rutschman doubled leading off the Baltimore fourth, Anthony Santander followed with an RBI single and Mountcastle went deep.

“Our guys went out and put up a three-spot, and as a pitcher you want to be able to hold that lead,” Wacha said. “It was frustrating giving it right back to them a couple innings later.”

The Orioles fumbled two grounders for errors in the first inning, but a pair of superb fielding plays kept the game tied in the seventh. After Nelson Velázquez hit a one-out double, Mountcastle dived to snare a grounder past first base and beat Isbel to the bag. Henderson then charged to pick up a short-hop grounder to shortstop and threw out speedy Maikel Garcia.

Orioles: LHP John Means (elbow) began his rehabilitation assignment by yielding two homers and seven runs in one-plus innings for Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday. “The numbers didn't show great success but he felt good physically,” Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Monday. “That's what matters in any rehab, for sure.”

Royals: INF Michael Massey (lower back strain) is “progressing well” and could begin a rehab assignment “in the next few days,” manager Matt Quatraro said.

There's rain in the forecast Tuesday night, when Orioles starter Cole Irvin is scheduled to face the Royals and Alec Marsh, who lost his first eight decisions as a rookie last year before finishing 3-9.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708710110872.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BALTIMORE (AP) — Jordan Westburg hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning to carry the Baltimore Orioles past the Kansas City Royals 6-4 on Monday night.Westburg's opposite-field drive to right came on an 0-2 pitch from Nick Anderson (0-1) after the Royals rallied to tie the game in the top of the inning.“I really wasn't trying to do too much, just trying to move the ball and get to the next man (in the lineup)," Westburg said.Instead, the second-year infielder put an end to a tight contest.“That was the coolest moment of my career so far,” Westburg said. “I've never had a walk-off in all my years I've played baseball. To have my first one here in Baltimore is pretty special.”Ryan Mountcastle homered and drove in three runs for the Orioles.Bobby Witt Jr. and Salvador Perez homered for the Royals, the second straight game in which each went deep.With the score tied at 3 in the eighth, singles by Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman put runners at the corners with two outs for Mountcastle, who reached on an RBI infield single when first baseman Nick Loftin couldn't handle the throw from the shortstop Witt.That gave closer Craig Kimbrel (1-0) a chance to seal the victory in his Baltimore debut. But Kyle Isbel singled, and pinch-runner Dairon Blanco stole second and third before scoring on a fly ball by Maikel Garcia.Westburg delivered in the bottom half. He leaped in joy after rounding first base and was drenched in water after arriving at the plate.“It just an euphoric feeling, seeing that ball go over the wall,” he said.Making his Kansas City debut after signing a two-year, $32 million contract in December, Michael Wacha gave up three runs in five innings. The only three hits he allowed came in succession in the fourth, when Baltimore bounced back from a 3-0 deficit to pull even.“Good one to build off of,” Wacha said. “I felt like I had good command of stuff early, and carried it toward the end of my outing as well.”Orioles starter Dean Kremer allowed three runs and three hits in 5 1/3 innings.Witt hit a solo shot in the third and Perez added a two-run drive to put the Royals up 3-0.Rutschman doubled leading off the Baltimore fourth, Anthony Santander followed with an RBI single and Mountcastle went deep.“Our guys went out and put up a three-spot, and as a pitcher you want to be able to hold that lead,” Wacha said. “It was frustrating giving it right back to them a couple innings later.”FIELDING GEMSThe Orioles fumbled two grounders for errors in the first inning, but a pair of superb fielding plays kept the game tied in the seventh. After Nelson Velázquez hit a one-out double, Mountcastle dived to snare a grounder past first base and beat Isbel to the bag. Henderson then charged to pick up a short-hop grounder to shortstop and threw out speedy Maikel Garcia.TRAINER'S ROOMOrioles: LHP John Means (elbow) began his rehabilitation assignment by yielding two homers and seven runs in one-plus innings for Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday. “The numbers didn't show great success but he felt good physically,” Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Monday. “That's what matters in any rehab, for sure.”Royals: INF Michael Massey (lower back strain) is “progressing well” and could begin a rehab assignment “in the next few days,” manager Matt Quatraro said.UP NEXTThere's rain in the forecast Tuesday night, when Orioles starter Cole Irvin is scheduled to face the Royals and Alec Marsh, who lost his first eight decisions as a rookie last year before finishing 3-9.

⚾ Orioles win over Royals Monday

Courtesy of HutchCC Sports Information

CASPER, Wyoming – Hutchinson Community College women’s basketball was indeed golden on Monday night.

Trailing by six points with 2:32 to play in the fourth quarter, the top-seeded Blue Dragons were able to force overtime and then dominate the extra session, outscoring defending national champion Northwest Florida State 19-11 in overtime, win the program’s first national championship with an 88-80 victory in the 2024 NJCAA Division I Women’s Tournament.

The Blue Dragons complete the season 37-0, a school record for wins, longest winning streak and best start to a season.

Freshman Kiki Smith was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. She scored a 23 points to lead the Blue Dragons on 10 of 16 shooting with a 3-pointer.

Sophomore Journey Armstead and freshman Hailey Jackson were both named to the All-Tournament team.

Jackson had a team and career-high 25 points. Armstead had 11 points and three assists before fouling out with 5:09 to play in the fourth quarter.

Monae Duffy had 10 points and 9 rebounds.

The Blue Dragons led by as many as 13 points in the third quarter, but Northwest Florida State rallied to take a 55-53 lead and led 68-62 with 2:27 to play.

The Dragons rallies back, closing with a 7-1 run, getting three free throws from Hailey Jackson with 0.7 seconds to play to tie the game at 69-all.

In overtime, Akaysha Muggeridge, Jackson and Smith scored on consecutive possessions for a 77-71 lead and upped the lead to eight at 81-73 on a Muggeridge hoop with 1:18 to go.

The Blue Dragons were 6 of 6 shooting from the floor and 7 of 10 from the foul line in overtime. Northwest Florida State was 5 of 12.

The Blue Dragon win their first national title in women’s basketball, second women’s national championship and 10th overall national championship.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712033565446.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy Steve Carpenter/HutchCC Sports Information" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Steve Carpenter/HutchCC Sports Information</figcaption>
 </figure>Courtesy of HutchCC Sports InformationCASPER, Wyoming – Hutchinson Community College women’s basketball was indeed golden on Monday night.Trailing by six points with 2:32 to play in the fourth quarter, the top-seeded Blue Dragons were able to force overtime and then dominate the extra session, outscoring defending national champion Northwest Florida State 19-11 in overtime, win the program’s first national championship with an 88-80 victory in the 2024 NJCAA Division I Women’s Tournament.The Blue Dragons complete the season 37-0, a school record for wins, longest winning streak and best start to a season.Freshman Kiki Smith was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. She scored a 23 points to lead the Blue Dragons on 10 of 16 shooting with a 3-pointer.Sophomore Journey Armstead and freshman Hailey Jackson were both named to the All-Tournament team.Jackson had a team and career-high 25 points. Armstead had 11 points and three assists before fouling out with 5:09 to play in the fourth quarter.Monae Duffy had 10 points and 9 rebounds.The Blue Dragons led by as many as 13 points in the third quarter, but Northwest Florida State rallied to take a 55-53 lead and led 68-62 with 2:27 to play.The Dragons rallies back, closing with a 7-1 run, getting three free throws from Hailey Jackson with 0.7 seconds to play to tie the game at 69-all.In overtime, Akaysha Muggeridge, Jackson and Smith scored on consecutive possessions for a 77-71 lead and upped the lead to eight at 81-73 on a Muggeridge hoop with 1:18 to go.The Blue Dragons were 6 of 6 shooting from the floor and 7 of 10 from the foul line in overtime. Northwest Florida State was 5 of 12.The Blue Dragon win their first national title in women’s basketball, second women’s national championship and 10th overall national championship.

🏀 WBB: NATIONAL CHAMPS; HutchCC wins first title in program history

DALLAS (AP) — An attorney for Kansas City Chiefs player Rashee Rice said Monday that the wide receiver is cooperating with authorities after a speeding Corvette and Lamborghini sport utility vehicle caused a chain-reaction crash on a busy Dallas highway over the weekend.

A total of six vehicles were involved in the crash shortly before 6:30 p.m. Saturday in the northbound lanes of North Central Expressway, Dallas police said Monday. The people in the Lamborghini and Corvette left the scene without determining if anyone needed medical attention or providing their information, police said. Two of the drivers in the other vehicles were treated at the scene for minor injuries, and two occupants of another vehicle were taken to a hospital with minor injuries.

Dallas&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/dallas-police-kansas-city-chiefs-wide-receiver-rashee-rice-collision/287-d3c39c05-b11e-4107-8c4f-87e4d12319a0">television station WFAA,</a>&nbsp;citing unnamed sources, reported that one of the speeding vehicles was registered to Rice. Police said Monday morning that they were working to identify the occupants of the Corvette and Lamborghini but did not release any information about the people they were seeking and would not confirm reports that Rice was among them.

Police spokesperson Kristin Lowman said early Monday evening that she could confirm that police had “spoken with members of legal counsel but have not conducted interviews with potentially involved individuals in Saturday’s crash.”

State Sen. Royce West, an attorney for Rice, said in a statement Monday that his client’s thoughts were with everyone impacted by the accident and that he was cooperating with local authorities.

West said in the statement that Rice “will take all necessary steps to address this situation responsibly.”

Police said the drivers of the Corvette and Lamborghini were speeding in the far left lane when they lost control and the Lamborghini traveled onto the shoulder and hit the center median wall, causing the chain collision.

Rice, a member of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/super-bowl-chiefs-dynasty-kansas-city-d16a308684d97a6be2d269c8d56404be">Super Bowl-winning Chiefs team</a>, is from the Dallas area. He played for Southern Methodist University and grew up in the Fort Worth suburb of North Richland Hills.

Chiefs President Mark Donovan said in an interview Monday with KCMO Talk Radio's “Mundo in the Morning” that the team will “react accordingly” once more is known about what happened.

“In all these situations you have to wait until you have all the facts, and frankly, we don’t have all the facts at this point,” Donovan said.

Lowman said law enforcement is asking anyone with information on the crash to contact police.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712017870514.png" alt="Rashee Rice-photo KC Chiefs" />
 <figcaption>Rashee Rice-photo KC Chiefs</figcaption>
 </figure>DALLAS (AP) — An attorney for Kansas City Chiefs player Rashee Rice said Monday that the wide receiver is cooperating with authorities after a speeding Corvette and Lamborghini sport utility vehicle caused a chain-reaction crash on a busy Dallas highway over the weekend.A total of six vehicles were involved in the crash shortly before 6:30 p.m. Saturday in the northbound lanes of North Central Expressway, Dallas police said Monday. The people in the Lamborghini and Corvette left the scene without determining if anyone needed medical attention or providing their information, police said. Two of the drivers in the other vehicles were treated at the scene for minor injuries, and two occupants of another vehicle were taken to a hospital with minor injuries.Dallas&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/dallas-police-kansas-city-chiefs-wide-receiver-rashee-rice-collision/287-d3c39c05-b11e-4107-8c4f-87e4d12319a0">television station WFAA,</a>&nbsp;citing unnamed sources, reported that one of the speeding vehicles was registered to Rice. Police said Monday morning that they were working to identify the occupants of the Corvette and Lamborghini but did not release any information about the people they were seeking and would not confirm reports that Rice was among them.Police spokesperson Kristin Lowman said early Monday evening that she could confirm that police had “spoken with members of legal counsel but have not conducted interviews with potentially involved individuals in Saturday’s crash.”State Sen. Royce West, an attorney for Rice, said in a statement Monday that his client’s thoughts were with everyone impacted by the accident and that he was cooperating with local authorities.West said in the statement that Rice “will take all necessary steps to address this situation responsibly.”Police said the drivers of the Corvette and Lamborghini were speeding in the far left lane when they lost control and the Lamborghini traveled onto the shoulder and hit the center median wall, causing the chain collision.Rice, a member of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/super-bowl-chiefs-dynasty-kansas-city-d16a308684d97a6be2d269c8d56404be">Super Bowl-winning Chiefs team</a>, is from the Dallas area. He played for Southern Methodist University and grew up in the Fort Worth suburb of North Richland Hills.Chiefs President Mark Donovan said in an interview Monday with KCMO Talk Radio's “Mundo in the Morning” that the team will “react accordingly” once more is known about what happened.“In all these situations you have to wait until you have all the facts, and frankly, we don’t have all the facts at this point,” Donovan said.Lowman said law enforcement is asking anyone with information on the crash to contact police.

Chiefs  Rashee Rice is cooperating with police after sports car crash

<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2023-24/files/Women-s_Notes_37_-_Northwest_Florida_State.pdf">BLUE DRAGON GAME NOTES (PDF Format)</a>

CASPER, Wyo. — The No. 1 Hutchinson Community College women's basketball team takes on No. 3 Northwest Florida State in the NJCAA DI national tournament championship game at the Ford Wyoming Center with tip off scheduled for 7 p.m. CT/6 p.m. MT.

EAGLE Media's Sean Boston is in Casper and will have the broadcast exclusively on&nbsp;<a href="https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/ce/index.cfm?stationCallSign=KHMY2">Hutchinson's #1 Hit Music Station, My 93-1 (KHMY-FM)</a>&nbsp;with pregame starting at 6:45 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Blue Dragons are 36-0 overall and are appearing in their fourth championship game in program history, while the Raiders are 30-3 and are making their third title game appearance.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711485151744.jpeg" alt="Ford Wyoming Center/Photo Sean Boston" />
 <figcaption>Ford Wyoming Center/Photo Sean Boston</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2023-24/files/Women-s_Notes_37_-_Northwest_Florida_State.pdf">BLUE DRAGON GAME NOTES (PDF Format)</a> CASPER, Wyo. — The No. 1 Hutchinson Community College women's basketball team takes on No. 3 Northwest Florida State in the NJCAA DI national tournament championship game at the Ford Wyoming Center with tip off scheduled for 7 p.m. CT/6 p.m. MT. EAGLE Media's Sean Boston is in Casper and will have the broadcast exclusively on&nbsp;<a href="https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/ce/index.cfm?stationCallSign=KHMY2">Hutchinson's #1 Hit Music Station, My 93-1 (KHMY-FM)</a>&nbsp;with pregame starting at 6:45 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Blue Dragons are 36-0 overall and are appearing in their fourth championship game in program history, while the Raiders are 30-3 and are making their third title game appearance.

🎧🏀 LISTEN LIVE: HutchCC women vs. NW Florida St. in national championship at 7 p.m.

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) -&nbsp;Kansas basketball has&nbsp;landed its first transfer of the offseason. The Jayhawks landed a commitment from Florida transfer&nbsp;Riley Kugel&nbsp;on Sunday. As a sophomore this past season,&nbsp;Kugel averaged 9.2 points&nbsp;on 39.4 percent shooting with 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 23.3 minutes per game. The 6-foot-5 guard has two seasons of eligibility remaining.

Kugel started 11 of Florida's 33 games this past season. He began the season as the starter for the Gators, but he got off to an inefficient start to the season. The guard shot 38 percent from the field on 11.7 attempts per game, notching 11.6 points per game with 4.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists. He was then benched by head coach&nbsp;Todd Golden&nbsp;and came off the bench for the rest of the season. In his role off the bench, Kugel averaged 20 minutes per game and his efficiency improved to 40.7 percent shooting from the field while averaging 7.9 points per contest.

As a freshman on a 16-17 Florida team, Kugel started the final 14 games of the season and 17 in total. He averaged 9.9 points per game while shooting 45.6 percent from the field, while sooting 50.3 percent from 2 and 37.6 percent from 3. Coming out of high school in the class of 2022, Kugel was rated as a four-star prospect. Ranked as the No. 56 prospect nationally and the No. 4 shooting guard in the 2022 class, Kugel signed with Florida over offers to play at Auburn, Houston and Miami.

At the time of his commitment, Kugel is not rated as a transfer by the 247Sports recruiting staff.

KU has some big needs on the wing this offseason, with&nbsp;Kevin McCullar&nbsp;departing the program through graduation. Based on the current outlook, KU has two slots to work with if everyone who can return to school does. The addition of Kugel means KU has one scholarship spot to work with this offseason on the basis that KU will be at 12 scholarships next season.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1609550863288.jpeg" alt="KU basketball gets commitment from Kugel" />
 <figcaption>KU basketball gets commitment from Kugel</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) -&nbsp;Kansas basketball has&nbsp;landed its first transfer of the offseason. The Jayhawks landed a commitment from Florida transfer&nbsp;Riley Kugel&nbsp;on Sunday. As a sophomore this past season,&nbsp;Kugel averaged 9.2 points&nbsp;on 39.4 percent shooting with 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 23.3 minutes per game. The 6-foot-5 guard has two seasons of eligibility remaining.Kugel started 11 of Florida's 33 games this past season. He began the season as the starter for the Gators, but he got off to an inefficient start to the season. The guard shot 38 percent from the field on 11.7 attempts per game, notching 11.6 points per game with 4.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists. He was then benched by head coach&nbsp;Todd Golden&nbsp;and came off the bench for the rest of the season. In his role off the bench, Kugel averaged 20 minutes per game and his efficiency improved to 40.7 percent shooting from the field while averaging 7.9 points per contest.As a freshman on a 16-17 Florida team, Kugel started the final 14 games of the season and 17 in total. He averaged 9.9 points per game while shooting 45.6 percent from the field, while sooting 50.3 percent from 2 and 37.6 percent from 3. Coming out of high school in the class of 2022, Kugel was rated as a four-star prospect. Ranked as the No. 56 prospect nationally and the No. 4 shooting guard in the 2022 class, Kugel signed with Florida over offers to play at Auburn, Houston and Miami.At the time of his commitment, Kugel is not rated as a transfer by the 247Sports recruiting staff.KU has some big needs on the wing this offseason, with&nbsp;Kevin McCullar&nbsp;departing the program through graduation. Based on the current outlook, KU has two slots to work with if everyone who can return to school does. The addition of Kugel means KU has one scholarship spot to work with this offseason on the basis that KU will be at 12 scholarships next season.

🏀 MBB:  KU gets commitment from transfer guard

By Steve Carpenter HutchCC Sports Information Director

CASPER, Wyoming – During her sophomore night ceremony in February at the Sports Arena, it was written into the script that&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2023-24/bios/armstead_journey_w1mg">Journey Armstead</a>&nbsp;averaged 4 1/2 floor burns per game amongst her other statistics.

For fans who have watched the Hutchinson Community College sophomore point guard from Sand Springs, Oklahoma, over the past two seasons, that average probably isn't far from reality.

"If you aren't getting floor burns and getting bumps and bruises, they you aren't playing hard," Armstead said Sunday after the Blue Dragons' final practice before Monday's NJCAA Women's Tournament national championship game against Northwest Florida State. "Coach always tells us to give our all no matter what. That's just me playing hard."

After a freshman season that had more ups and downs than an amusement park roller coaster, this past summer Armstead dedicated herself to the notion that 2024 wouldn't end like 2023.

It wasn't that Armstead's freshman season was devoid of success – the Blue Dragon women finished 23-8 and earned a first-round bye for the Region VI Tournament with a fourth-place finish in the Jayhawk Conference. A lot of the consternation goes to a stunning quarterfinal loss and a premature end to a sometimes-challenging season.

When dissecting the 2023 season, it was determined a major element was missing – leadership. Armstead wasn't about to let that happed in her sophomore year.

"Last summer when were working out, I had a brand new team," Armstead recalled. "I came in with the mindset that I had to push them. So as a leader, if I do something right and work really hard, they would follow me. I've got to be better every day."

"Journey has really grown up and matured," said head coach John Ontjes, who was a point guard in his playing days at Nickerson High School, Hutchinson Community College and the University of Oklahoma. "She had accepted coaching. Her leadership for the ball club has been very consistent."

Armstead came to Hutchinson out of Charles Page High School as a "pass-first" point guard, meaning she is looking to set up teammates to score. This season, though, Armstead has become a scoring option as well. She said that aspect has been the most improved area of her overall game.

Armstead averaged 9.6 points per game as a freshman. While her season scoring average of 10.0 points as a sophomore isn't much higher, the quality of points and the variety of ways she is scoring has been greatly improved.

Her outside shooting is much better from both the mid-range and 3-point line. But she has become most known for her hard-driving takes to the hoop, many of which find her hitting the floor at the end of the drive.

"Last year I had a lot of scorers on the team and my mentality with that team was pass first and a defensive player," Armstead said. "This year I became better at scoring and passing. I've gotten better at seeing my teammates, but score when I can,"

When asked to compare Armstead with other past Blue Dragon point guards, Ontjes said 2013 point guard Christassia Walter comes to mind. Both Armstead and Walter have the same high-motor mentality and are able to deliver for their teams in very similar ways.

"The point guard had to be the hardest-working kid," Ontjes said. "They have to be very vocal. They have to understand and know time and score. They have to understand when it's time to push the ball and get easy baskets and when it's time to run offense.

"The strength of this team is being able to score in transition and Journey's a big reason why because of her vision."

A second-team All-Jayhawk Conference performer this season, Armstead enters Monday's championship game No. 2 in Blue Dragon career assists with 338. Her 189 assists this season rank No. 4 on the single-season list. Her 5.2 assists per game were second in the KJCCC this season.

Her career-high 11 assists this season against Seward County on February 24 in Liberal tied for the fourth most in Hutchinson single-game history. Armstead has four games or 10 or more assists and 11 career games of eight more assists, including eight this season.

Armstead said there had been thousands of hours of work on and off the court to put those numbers together.

"I go back and watch film a lot," she said. "I look at when I make a mistake, I work to correct myself. I look at how I get a teammate the ball and I have to throw it a certain way to certain players. Coach has helped me a lot with that."

Now the Blue Dragon point guard is looking to finish things off the right way Monday night.

"Coach told us that last year was the first year the team didn't get to put up any kind of banner," she said. "This year we decided to make sure people remember our sophomores. Me, Mo (<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2023-24/bios/duffy_monae_og8s">Monae Duffy</a>), Bree (Horyna) and Brynn (McCormick) took that personally and we went out to prove everybody wrong this year."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1711978701799.jpeg" alt="Journey Armstead has been the leader for the 2024 Blue Dragons on their run to the national championship game on Monday in Casper. Wyoming. (Steve Carpenter/Blue Dragon Sports Information)" />
 <figcaption>Journey Armstead has been the leader for the 2024 Blue Dragons on their run to the national championship game on Monday in Casper. Wyoming. (Steve Carpenter/Blue Dragon Sports Information)</figcaption>
 </figure>By Steve Carpenter HutchCC Sports Information DirectorCASPER, Wyoming – During her sophomore night ceremony in February at the Sports Arena, it was written into the script that&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2023-24/bios/armstead_journey_w1mg">Journey Armstead</a>&nbsp;averaged 4 1/2 floor burns per game amongst her other statistics.For fans who have watched the Hutchinson Community College sophomore point guard from Sand Springs, Oklahoma, over the past two seasons, that average probably isn't far from reality."If you aren't getting floor burns and getting bumps and bruises, they you aren't playing hard," Armstead said Sunday after the Blue Dragons' final practice before Monday's NJCAA Women's Tournament national championship game against Northwest Florida State. "Coach always tells us to give our all no matter what. That's just me playing hard."After a freshman season that had more ups and downs than an amusement park roller coaster, this past summer Armstead dedicated herself to the notion that 2024 wouldn't end like 2023.It wasn't that Armstead's freshman season was devoid of success – the Blue Dragon women finished 23-8 and earned a first-round bye for the Region VI Tournament with a fourth-place finish in the Jayhawk Conference. A lot of the consternation goes to a stunning quarterfinal loss and a premature end to a sometimes-challenging season.When dissecting the 2023 season, it was determined a major element was missing – leadership. Armstead wasn't about to let that happed in her sophomore year."Last summer when were working out, I had a brand new team," Armstead recalled. "I came in with the mindset that I had to push them. So as a leader, if I do something right and work really hard, they would follow me. I've got to be better every day.""Journey has really grown up and matured," said head coach John Ontjes, who was a point guard in his playing days at Nickerson High School, Hutchinson Community College and the University of Oklahoma. "She had accepted coaching. Her leadership for the ball club has been very consistent."Armstead came to Hutchinson out of Charles Page High School as a "pass-first" point guard, meaning she is looking to set up teammates to score. This season, though, Armstead has become a scoring option as well. She said that aspect has been the most improved area of her overall game.Armstead averaged 9.6 points per game as a freshman. While her season scoring average of 10.0 points as a sophomore isn't much higher, the quality of points and the variety of ways she is scoring has been greatly improved.Her outside shooting is much better from both the mid-range and 3-point line. But she has become most known for her hard-driving takes to the hoop, many of which find her hitting the floor at the end of the drive."Last year I had a lot of scorers on the team and my mentality with that team was pass first and a defensive player," Armstead said. "This year I became better at scoring and passing. I've gotten better at seeing my teammates, but score when I can,"When asked to compare Armstead with other past Blue Dragon point guards, Ontjes said 2013 point guard Christassia Walter comes to mind. Both Armstead and Walter have the same high-motor mentality and are able to deliver for their teams in very similar ways."The point guard had to be the hardest-working kid," Ontjes said. "They have to be very vocal. They have to understand and know time and score. They have to understand when it's time to push the ball and get easy baskets and when it's time to run offense."The strength of this team is being able to score in transition and Journey's a big reason why because of her vision."A second-team All-Jayhawk Conference performer this season, Armstead enters Monday's championship game No. 2 in Blue Dragon career assists with 338. Her 189 assists this season rank No. 4 on the single-season list. Her 5.2 assists per game were second in the KJCCC this season.Her career-high 11 assists this season against Seward County on February 24 in Liberal tied for the fourth most in Hutchinson single-game history. Armstead has four games or 10 or more assists and 11 career games of eight more assists, including eight this season.Armstead said there had been thousands of hours of work on and off the court to put those numbers together."I go back and watch film a lot," she said. "I look at when I make a mistake, I work to correct myself. I look at how I get a teammate the ball and I have to throw it a certain way to certain players. Coach has helped me a lot with that."Now the Blue Dragon point guard is looking to finish things off the right way Monday night."Coach told us that last year was the first year the team didn't get to put up any kind of banner," she said. "This year we decided to make sure people remember our sophomores. Me, Mo (<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2023-24/bios/duffy_monae_og8s">Monae Duffy</a>), Bree (Horyna) and Brynn (McCormick) took that personally and we went out to prove everybody wrong this year."

🏀 WBB: It's been quite a journey for Blue Dragon guard Armstead

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701263164849.png" alt="Early Morning Sports with Rob Dreher for Monday, April 1st, 2024." />
 <figcaption>Early Morning Sports with Rob Dreher for Monday, April 1st, 2024.</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="April 1st, 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=eshpf-15cb263-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=60a0c8&font-color=&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=ff6d00" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

🎧 LISTEN: ⚾ Royals win first game of new season 🏀 NCAA WBB top seeds play tonight 🏀 WBB: HutchCC vs NW Florida State for NJCAA Championship

AP Sports Summary for Monday, April 1st, 2024.

N.C. State and its 2 DJs headed to 1st Final Four since 1983 after 76-64 win over Duke

DALLAS (AP) — Bruising big man DJ Burns Jr. scored a season-high 29 points, DJ Horne had 20 and 11th-seeded North Carolina State reached its first Final Four in four decades, beating Atlantic Coast Conference rival Duke 76-64 in the South Region final. N.C. State is back in the national semifinals for the first time since the late Jim Valvano was sprinting around the court looking for someone to hug after winning the 1983 national title. The Wolfpack will play Zach Edey and Purdue in the national semifinals. Jared McCain scored 32 points for Duke, which fell short of its second Final Four in three seasons.

Zach Edey goes big and sends Purdue to first Final Four since 1980 with a 72-66 win over Tennessee

DETROIT (AP) — Purdue big man Zach Edey went for a career-high 40 points along with 16 rebounds and one big block to muscle the Boilermakers into the program's first Final Four since 1980 with a 72-66 victory over Tennessee. The 7-foot-4 center and the Boilermakers eked out a back-and-forth thriller between the country's top two players, edging out Tennessee's All-American, Dalton Knecht, who finished with 37 points. Top-seeded Purdue set aside last year's grand disappointment -- a first-round loss as a No. 1 seed -- to book the trip to Glendale, Arizona. On Saturday, the Boilermakers will play either Duke or North Carolina State in the national semifinal.

Undefeated South Carolina women advance to Final Four with 70-58 win over Oregon State

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Tessa Johnson scored 15 points, Kamilla Cardoso added 12 and undefeated South Carolina advanced to the Final Four of the women's NCAA Tournament with a 70-58 win over Oregon State. South Carolina made it to the national semifinals unbeaten for the second straight season. The Gamecocks lost to Caitlin Clark and Iowa in the Final Four last year. This time, with an entirely new starting lineup, coach Dawn Staley has her group on the verge of the school's third national championship. The Gamecocks are 36-0 and will play N.C. State on Friday night in Cleveland. Raegan Beers scored 16 points to lead the Beavers.

Aziaha James makes 7 3s with mismatched 3-point lines, leads NC State past Texas into Final Four

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Aziaha James made a career-high seven 3-pointers and scored 27 points, and third-seeded North Carolina State earned its first trip to the Final Four of the women's NCAA Tournament since 1998, beating top-seeded Texas 76-66. The played with 3-point lines at different distances on opposite ends of the court. River Baldwin added 16 points for N.C. State, which will face unbeaten South Carolina in the national semifinals in Cleveland. Freshman Madison Booker finished with 17 points to lead the Longhorns, who were vying for their first Final Four since 2003. Both coaches were informed about the problem with the 3-point lines before the game but decided to play on.

Women's NCAA Tournament games in Portland played on court with mismatched 3-point lines

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The 3-point line for the women's NCAA Tournament at Moda Center had a discrepancy in distance at each end of the court that went unnoticed through four games over two days before Texas and North Carolina State were informed of the problem ahead of their Elite Eight matchup. The NCAA says in a statement that the teams' coaches agreed to play Sunday's game as scheduled with the mismatched 3-point lines rather than delay it. Four Sweet 16 games on Friday and Saturday were played without any of the participating teams saying anything publicly about a problem with the court. The line at one end was too close to the basket.

LeBron James ties career high with 9 3-pointers, scores 40 points as Lakers beat Nets 116-104

NEW YORK (AP) — LeBron James had one of the best shooting nights of his illustrious career, going 9 for 10 on 3-pointers to tie his career high for makes, and matched a season high with 40 points to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 116-104 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday night. James had the sellout crowd at Barclays Center standing on its feet as he put the finishing touches on his 3-point shooting display in the fourth quarter. The Lakers have won five of six, and this victory moved them a season-high nine games over .500 with seven games remaining in the regular season.

Thunder clinch first playoff spot since 2020, beat Knicks on Gilgeous-Alexander's jumper

NEW YORK (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made the go-ahead jumper from the corner with 2.6 seconds left, sending the Oklahoma City Thunder to the playoffs for the first time since 2020 with a 113-112 victory over the New York Knicks on Sunday night. Josh Giddey had 16 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists for Oklahoma City, which moved back into sole possession of first place in the Western Conference at 52-22 with its second straight win. It was Giddey's third career triple-double — all against the Knicks. He scored 12 points in the fourth quarter, when the Thunder outscored the Knicks 38-27.

Newspaper edits its column about LSU-UCLA game after Tigers coach Kim Mulkey blasted it as sexist

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — The Los Angeles Times has edited a column it published last week about the LSU women's basketball team ahead of its game against UCLA following criticism from Tigers coach Kim Mulkey, who blasted it as sexist and hurtful. Mulkey defended her players after they were referred to as "villains" and "dirty debutantes" in a piece first published Friday that likened the Sweet 16 game between LSU and UCLA as a battle of good versus evil. The Times removed those references late Saturday as well as one comparing UCLA's team to "milk and cookies." It republished the column with a note that said the original version did not meet the newspaper's standards.

Late caution gives Hamlin a second chance and he beats Gibbs teammate Truex at Richmond Raceway

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Denny Hamlin won the race off pit road with Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Martin Truex Jr. after a caution with two laps to go and won in overtime at Richmond Raceway. Truex dominated the second half of the NASCAR Cup Series race and seemed poised to hold off challenges by Joey Logano and Hamlin for the final two laps until Kyle Larson got nudged from behind on the front straightaway and skidded into the infield. Hamlin's victory was his second this season, the fifth of his career and the 53rd of his career.

Players, coaches dismiss criticism of trash talking, say it's part of the game

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — It was the signature moment of last year's national championship game.With victory assured, LSU's Angel Reese pointed to her ring finger and flashed the "you can't see me" gesture (waving her hand in front of her own face) at Iowa's Caitlin Clark, who had made a similar gesture earlier in the tournament.The move sparked a discussion over trash talk in the women's game, which is being renewed as the two stars prepare to face off again Monday in the Albany 2 regional final. Reese said Sunday that she a Clark don't hate each other and that the talk is just part of a competitive game. Clark agrees and said when she trash talks its to fire herself up, not to put down an opponent.

Here are the scores from yesterday's sports events:

		San Francisco	at	L-A Dodgers	10:10 p.m.	

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701494597443.png" alt="Sports Headlines and News for Monday, April 1st, 2024." />
 <figcaption>Sports Headlines and News for Monday, April 1st, 2024.</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="April 1st, 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=eshpf-15cb263-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=60a0c8&font-color=&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=ff6d00" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>AP Sports Summary for Monday, April 1st, 2024.N.C. State and its 2 DJs headed to 1st Final Four since 1983 after 76-64 win over DukeDALLAS (AP) — Bruising big man DJ Burns Jr. scored a season-high 29 points, DJ Horne had 20 and 11th-seeded North Carolina State reached its first Final Four in four decades, beating Atlantic Coast Conference rival Duke 76-64 in the South Region final. N.C. State is back in the national semifinals for the first time since the late Jim Valvano was sprinting around the court looking for someone to hug after winning the 1983 national title. The Wolfpack will play Zach Edey and Purdue in the national semifinals. Jared McCain scored 32 points for Duke, which fell short of its second Final Four in three seasons.Zach Edey goes big and sends Purdue to first Final Four since 1980 with a 72-66 win over TennesseeDETROIT (AP) — Purdue big man Zach Edey went for a career-high 40 points along with 16 rebounds and one big block to muscle the Boilermakers into the program's first Final Four since 1980 with a 72-66 victory over Tennessee. The 7-foot-4 center and the Boilermakers eked out a back-and-forth thriller between the country's top two players, edging out Tennessee's All-American, Dalton Knecht, who finished with 37 points. Top-seeded Purdue set aside last year's grand disappointment -- a first-round loss as a No. 1 seed -- to book the trip to Glendale, Arizona. On Saturday, the Boilermakers will play either Duke or North Carolina State in the national semifinal.Undefeated South Carolina women advance to Final Four with 70-58 win over Oregon StateALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Tessa Johnson scored 15 points, Kamilla Cardoso added 12 and undefeated South Carolina advanced to the Final Four of the women's NCAA Tournament with a 70-58 win over Oregon State. South Carolina made it to the national semifinals unbeaten for the second straight season. The Gamecocks lost to Caitlin Clark and Iowa in the Final Four last year. This time, with an entirely new starting lineup, coach Dawn Staley has her group on the verge of the school's third national championship. The Gamecocks are 36-0 and will play N.C. State on Friday night in Cleveland. Raegan Beers scored 16 points to lead the Beavers.Aziaha James makes 7 3s with mismatched 3-point lines, leads NC State past Texas into Final FourPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Aziaha James made a career-high seven 3-pointers and scored 27 points, and third-seeded North Carolina State earned its first trip to the Final Four of the women's NCAA Tournament since 1998, beating top-seeded Texas 76-66. The played with 3-point lines at different distances on opposite ends of the court. River Baldwin added 16 points for N.C. State, which will face unbeaten South Carolina in the national semifinals in Cleveland. Freshman Madison Booker finished with 17 points to lead the Longhorns, who were vying for their first Final Four since 2003. Both coaches were informed about the problem with the 3-point lines before the game but decided to play on.Women's NCAA Tournament games in Portland played on court with mismatched 3-point linesPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The 3-point line for the women's NCAA Tournament at Moda Center had a discrepancy in distance at each end of the court that went unnoticed through four games over two days before Texas and North Carolina State were informed of the problem ahead of their Elite Eight matchup. The NCAA says in a statement that the teams' coaches agreed to play Sunday's game as scheduled with the mismatched 3-point lines rather than delay it. Four Sweet 16 games on Friday and Saturday were played without any of the participating teams saying anything publicly about a problem with the court. The line at one end was too close to the basket.LeBron James ties career high with 9 3-pointers, scores 40 points as Lakers beat Nets 116-104NEW YORK (AP) — LeBron James had one of the best shooting nights of his illustrious career, going 9 for 10 on 3-pointers to tie his career high for makes, and matched a season high with 40 points to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 116-104 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday night. James had the sellout crowd at Barclays Center standing on its feet as he put the finishing touches on his 3-point shooting display in the fourth quarter. The Lakers have won five of six, and this victory moved them a season-high nine games over .500 with seven games remaining in the regular season.Thunder clinch first playoff spot since 2020, beat Knicks on Gilgeous-Alexander's jumperNEW YORK (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made the go-ahead jumper from the corner with 2.6 seconds left, sending the Oklahoma City Thunder to the playoffs for the first time since 2020 with a 113-112 victory over the New York Knicks on Sunday night. Josh Giddey had 16 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists for Oklahoma City, which moved back into sole possession of first place in the Western Conference at 52-22 with its second straight win. It was Giddey's third career triple-double — all against the Knicks. He scored 12 points in the fourth quarter, when the Thunder outscored the Knicks 38-27.Newspaper edits its column about LSU-UCLA game after Tigers coach Kim Mulkey blasted it as sexistALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — The Los Angeles Times has edited a column it published last week about the LSU women's basketball team ahead of its game against UCLA following criticism from Tigers coach Kim Mulkey, who blasted it as sexist and hurtful. Mulkey defended her players after they were referred to as "villains" and "dirty debutantes" in a piece first published Friday that likened the Sweet 16 game between LSU and UCLA as a battle of good versus evil. The Times removed those references late Saturday as well as one comparing UCLA's team to "milk and cookies." It republished the column with a note that said the original version did not meet the newspaper's standards.Late caution gives Hamlin a second chance and he beats Gibbs teammate Truex at Richmond RacewayRICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Denny Hamlin won the race off pit road with Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Martin Truex Jr. after a caution with two laps to go and won in overtime at Richmond Raceway. Truex dominated the second half of the NASCAR Cup Series race and seemed poised to hold off challenges by Joey Logano and Hamlin for the final two laps until Kyle Larson got nudged from behind on the front straightaway and skidded into the infield. Hamlin's victory was his second this season, the fifth of his career and the 53rd of his career.Players, coaches dismiss criticism of trash talking, say it's part of the gameALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — It was the signature moment of last year's national championship game.With victory assured, LSU's Angel Reese pointed to her ring finger and flashed the "you can't see me" gesture (waving her hand in front of her own face) at Iowa's Caitlin Clark, who had made a similar gesture earlier in the tournament.The move sparked a discussion over trash talk in the women's game, which is being renewed as the two stars prepare to face off again Monday in the Albany 2 regional final. Reese said Sunday that she a Clark don't hate each other and that the talk is just part of a competitive game. Clark agrees and said when she trash talks its to fire herself up, not to put down an opponent.AP-ScorecardHere are the scores from yesterday's sports events:___INTERLEAGUEFinal	Chicago Cubs	9	Texas	5	___AMERICAN LEAGUEFinal	L.A. Angels	4	Baltimore	1	Final	Toronto	9	Tampa Bay	2	Final	Kansas City	11	Minnesota	0	Final	Detroit	3	Chicago White Sox	2	Final	N.Y. Yankees	4	Houston	3	Final	Oakland	4	Cleveland	3	Final	Boston	5	Seattle	1	___NATIONAL LEAGUEFinal	Philadelphia	5	Atlanta	4	Final	Milwaukee	4	N.Y. Mets	1	Final	Cincinnati	6	Washington	5	Final	Pittsburgh	9	Miami	7	Final	Arizona	5	Colorado	1	Final	San Diego	13	San Francisco	4	Final	L.A. Dodgers	5	St. Louis	4	___NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATIONFinal	Denver	130	Cleveland	101	Final	L.A. Lakers	116	Brooklyn	104	Final	Philadelphia	135	Toronto	120	Final	Miami	119	Washington	107	Final	L.A. Clippers	130	Charlotte	118	Final	Dallas	125	Houston	107	Final	Chicago	109	Minnesota	101	Final	Golden State	117	San Antonio	113	Final	Oklahoma City	113	New York	112	Final	Sacramento	127	Utah	106	___NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUEFinal	Vancouver	3	Anaheim	2	___TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALLFinal	(3)Purdue	72	(6)Tennessee	66	Final	NC State	76	(13)Duke	64	___MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCERFinal	Atlanta	3	Chicago	0	___TODAY'S SPORTS SCHEDULE___INTERLEAGUE		Atlanta	at	Chi White Sox	2:10 p.m.			L-A Angels	at	Miami	6:40 p.m.			Detroit	at	N-Y Mets	7:10 p.m.			N-Y Yankees	at	Arizona	9:40 p.m.	___AMERICAN LEAGUE		Kansas City	at	Baltimore	6:35 p.m.			Texas	at	Tampa Bay	6:50 p.m.			Toronto	at	Houston	8:10 p.m.			Boston	at	Oakland	9:40 p.m.			Cleveland	at	Seattle	9:40 p.m.	___NATIONAL LEAGUE		Colorado	at	Chi Cubs	2:20 p.m.			Pittsburgh	at	Washington	4:05 p.m.			Cincinnati	at	Philadelphia	6:40 p.m.			St. Louis	at	San Diego	9:40 p.m.			San Francisco	at	L-A Dodgers	10:10 p.m.	___NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION		Boston	at	Charlotte	7 p.m.			Brooklyn	at	Indiana	7 p.m.			Memphis	at	Detroit	7 p.m.			Portland	at	Orlando	7 p.m.			Atlanta	at	Chicago	8 p.m.			Phoenix	at	New Orleans	8 p.m.	___NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE		Colorado	at	Columbus	7 p.m.			Detroit	at	Tampa Bay	7 p.m.			Florida	at	Toronto	7 p.m.			N-Y Islanders	at	Philadelphia	7 p.m.			Pittsburgh	at	N-Y Rangers	7 p.m.			Edmonton	at	St. Louis	9 p.m.			Los Angeles	at	Winnipeg	9 p.m.			Seattle	at	San Jose	10:30 p.m.	___

📢📰 Sports Headlines for Monday

No. 1 Hutchinson (36-0) vs. No. 3 Northwest Florida State (30-3) NJCAA Tournament Championship Game

When: Monday, April 1, 2024 Tipoff: 7:00 p.m. CDT (6 p.m. MTD) Where: Ford Wyoming Center, Casper, WY Radio: <a href="https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/ce/index.cfm?stationCallSign=KHMY2">KHMY-FM (93.1)</a>, 6:45 p.m. - Sean Boston (PBP) Video: ESPNU, 7:00 p.m. - Chris Sylvester (PBP); Brian Burton (Color) X: @bluedragonsport <a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2023-24/files/Women-s_Notes_37_-_Northwest_Florida_State.pdf">BLUE DRAGON GAME NOTES (PDF Format)</a>

CASPER, Wyoming - For the fourth time in the 50-year history of the program, the Hutchinson Community College women’s basketball team will play for a national championship.

The No. 1-seed Blue Dragons (36-0) will play defending national champion and No. 3 seed Northwest Florida State (30-3) in the 2024 championship game at 7 p.m. CDT (6 p.m. MDT) in the NJCAA Division I Women’s Tournament national championship game from the Ford Wyoming Center in Casper, Wyoming.

The game will be broadcast live on KHMY-FM (93.1) with Sean Boston (play-by-play) calling the action beginning at 6:45 p.m. (Hutchinson time). The championship will be televised on ESPNU with Chris Sylvester (play-by-play) and Brian Burton (color) calling the action.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711477619305.jpeg" alt="Ford Wyoming Center/Photo Sean Boston" />
 <figcaption>Ford Wyoming Center/Photo Sean Boston</figcaption>
 </figure>Courtesy of HutchCC Sports InformationNo. 1 Hutchinson (36-0) vs. No. 3 Northwest Florida State (30-3) NJCAA Tournament Championship GameWhen: Monday, April 1, 2024 Tipoff: 7:00 p.m. CDT (6 p.m. MTD) Where: Ford Wyoming Center, Casper, WY Radio: <a href="https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/ce/index.cfm?stationCallSign=KHMY2">KHMY-FM (93.1)</a>, 6:45 p.m. - Sean Boston (PBP) Video: ESPNU, 7:00 p.m. - Chris Sylvester (PBP); Brian Burton (Color) X: @bluedragonsport <a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2023-24/files/Women-s_Notes_37_-_Northwest_Florida_State.pdf">BLUE DRAGON GAME NOTES (PDF Format)</a> CASPER, Wyoming - For the fourth time in the 50-year history of the program, the Hutchinson Community College women’s basketball team will play for a national championship.The No. 1-seed Blue Dragons (36-0) will play defending national champion and No. 3 seed Northwest Florida State (30-3) in the 2024 championship game at 7 p.m. CDT (6 p.m. MDT) in the NJCAA Division I Women’s Tournament national championship game from the Ford Wyoming Center in Casper, Wyoming.The game will be broadcast live on KHMY-FM (93.1) with Sean Boston (play-by-play) calling the action beginning at 6:45 p.m. (Hutchinson time). The championship will be televised on ESPNU with Chris Sylvester (play-by-play) and Brian Burton (color) calling the action.The Blue Dragons make their fourth attempt at the program’s first national championship, also playing in the NJCAA championship game in 2012, 2014 and 2015. Hutchinson advanced to the 2024 title game with a 61-46 semifinal win over No. 20 Eastern Arizona on Saturday.Hutchinson’s defense has been stellar in the national tournament holding all three opponents under 40 percent shooting and two under 30 percent. The Dragons are allowing 48.3 points per game and opponents are shooting 32.3 percent from the field.Northwest Florida State, the Region 8 champion which rides a nine-game win streak into the finals, defeated No. 2-seed Wabash Valley 86-72 in Saturday’s semifinals. The Raiders defeated No. 14 Casper 76-69 in the quarterfinals and No. 11 Three Rivers 69-54 in the quarterfinals.Just like Hutchinson’s semifinal game, Monday’s championship game features two of the nation’s top defensive teams. The Blue Dragons rank 10th in the NJCAA in scoring defense (53.1 points per game) and No. 3 in field-goal defense (32.6 percent). Northwest Florida State third in scoring defense (49.4 points per game) and is eighth in field-goal defense (33.2 percent).Monday’s matchup will be the third in series history between the Blue Dragons and Raiders with all three games contested in the national tournament. The Blue Dragons won meetings with Northwest Florida State in 2013 (quarterfinals, 73-71) and in 2015 (quarterfinals, 68-54).The Blue Dragons are 4-1 all-time in the NJCAA Tournament against Region 8 teams.