<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22STEPHEN%20WHYNO%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By STEPHEN WHYNO <br>AP Sports Writer</a>

D. Wayne Lukas, the Hall of Famer who became one of the most accomplished trainers in the history of horse racing and a face of the sport for decades, has died. He was 89.

His family said Sunday that Lukas died Saturday night at his Louisville, Kentucky, home.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/d-wayne-lukas-hosptialized-3696adc1800e69d3f7708374bd444d1c">Lukas had been hospitalized</a>&nbsp;with a severe MRSA blood infection that caused significant damage to his heart and digestive system and worsened pre-existing chronic conditions.

“Wayne devoted his life not only to horses but to the industry — developing generations of horsemen and horsewomen and growing the game by inviting unsuspecting fans into the winner’s circle,” his family said in a statement. “Whether he was boasting about a maiden 2-year-old as the next Kentucky Derby winner or offering quiet words of advice before a big race, Wayne brought heart, grace, and grit to every corner of the sport. His final days were spent at home in Kentucky, where he chose peace, family, and faith.”

Lukas won 15 Triple Crown races, including the Kentucky Derby four times. Only good friend Bob Baffert has more Triple Crown victories, and Lukas owns a record-tying 20 in the Breeders’ Cup World Championships.

“The whole secret of this game, I think, is being able to read the horse: Read what he needs, what he doesn’t need, what he can’t do, what he can do,” Lukas said in May before his 34th and final Preakness Stakes. “That’s the whole key. Everybody’s got the blacksmith, everybody’s got to the same bed available, the feed man. We all can hire a good jockey. We all can hire a pretty good exercise rider if we’ve got the means, so what the hell is the difference? The horse is the difference and what we do with him in reading him.”

Lukas was affectionately known around the barns and the racetrack as “Coach” because he coached high school basketball before his professional career with horses began. Even with months to go before his 90th birthday, he would get up on his pony in the early morning hours and go out to the track himself, rather than letting his assistants do the day-to-day work.

Born Darnell Wayne Lukas on Sept. 2, 1935, in Wisconsin as the second of three children, he rose to prominence in the sport with quarter horses in races that are effectively sprints. He moved into thoroughbreds in the late 1970s and won his first Preakness with Codex in 1980.

Lukas has 4,967 documented victories in thoroughbred racing, with his horses earning more than $310 million from more than 30,600 starts.

"Today we lost one of the great champions of Churchill Downs and one of the most significant figures in Thoroughbred racing over the last 50 years,” Churchill Downs Inc. CEO Bill Carstanjen said. “We will miss his humor, his wisdom and his unmatched capacity to thrill the fans with the performances of his horses on our sport’s biggest days.”

Achieving something of a career renaissance over the past decade, one he credits to finding the right owners willing to spend money on horses, Lukas won the Preakness last year with Seize the Grey. Asked what motivates him to keep doing his job well into his late 80s, he gave a pep talk fit for a locker room before a big game.

“If you have a passion, you eliminate all the excuses,” Lukas said. “That’s how it works. You get up early. You go without a meal. You drive. You go without sleep — as long as you got the passion. Don’t let that sofa pull you down. It’s a little easy when that alarm goes off to say, ‘Oh my God, I don’t know if I really want to do this today.’ Erase that. The most important decision you’ll ever make in your life is your attitude decision. Make it early, and make the right one.”

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751224552018.png" alt="<br>" />
                        <figcaption><br></figcaption>
                    </figure><p><a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22STEPHEN%20WHYNO%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By STEPHEN WHYNO <br>AP Sports Writer</a></p><p>D. Wayne Lukas, the Hall of Famer who became one of the most accomplished trainers in the history of horse racing and a face of the sport for decades, has died. He was 89.</p><p>His family said Sunday that Lukas died Saturday night at his Louisville, Kentucky, home.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/d-wayne-lukas-hosptialized-3696adc1800e69d3f7708374bd444d1c">Lukas had been hospitalized</a>&nbsp;with a severe MRSA blood infection that caused significant damage to his heart and digestive system and worsened pre-existing chronic conditions.</p><p>“Wayne devoted his life not only to horses but to the industry — developing generations of horsemen and horsewomen and growing the game by inviting unsuspecting fans into the winner’s circle,” his family said in a statement. “Whether he was boasting about a maiden 2-year-old as the next Kentucky Derby winner or offering quiet words of advice before a big race, Wayne brought heart, grace, and grit to every corner of the sport. His final days were spent at home in Kentucky, where he chose peace, family, and faith.”</p><p>Lukas won 15 Triple Crown races, including the Kentucky Derby four times. Only good friend Bob Baffert has more Triple Crown victories, and Lukas owns a record-tying 20 in the Breeders’ Cup World Championships.</p><p>“The whole secret of this game, I think, is being able to read the horse: Read what he needs, what he doesn’t need, what he can’t do, what he can do,” Lukas said in May before his 34th and final Preakness Stakes. “That’s the whole key. Everybody’s got the blacksmith, everybody’s got to the same bed available, the feed man. We all can hire a good jockey. We all can hire a pretty good exercise rider if we’ve got the means, so what the hell is the difference? The horse is the difference and what we do with him in reading him.”</p><p>Lukas was affectionately known around the barns and the racetrack as “Coach” because he coached high school basketball before his professional career with horses began. Even with months to go before his 90th birthday, he would get up on his pony in the early morning hours and go out to the track himself, rather than letting his assistants do the day-to-day work.</p><p>Born Darnell Wayne Lukas on Sept. 2, 1935, in Wisconsin as the second of three children, he rose to prominence in the sport with quarter horses in races that are effectively sprints. He moved into thoroughbreds in the late 1970s and won his first Preakness with Codex in 1980.</p><p>Lukas has 4,967 documented victories in thoroughbred racing, with his horses earning more than $310 million from more than 30,600 starts.</p><p>"Today we lost one of the great champions of Churchill Downs and one of the most significant figures in Thoroughbred racing over the last 50 years,” Churchill Downs Inc. CEO Bill Carstanjen said. “We will miss his humor, his wisdom and his unmatched capacity to thrill the fans with the performances of his horses on our sport’s biggest days.”</p><p>Achieving something of a career renaissance over the past decade, one he credits to finding the right owners willing to spend money on horses, Lukas won the Preakness last year with Seize the Grey. Asked what motivates him to keep doing his job well into his late 80s, he gave a pep talk fit for a locker room before a big game.</p><p>“If you have a passion, you eliminate all the excuses,” Lukas said. “That’s how it works. You get up early. You go without a meal. You drive. You go without sleep — as long as you got the passion. Don’t let that sofa pull you down. It’s a little easy when that alarm goes off to say, ‘Oh my God, I don’t know if I really want to do this today.’ Erase that. The most important decision you’ll ever make in your life is your attitude decision. Make it early, and make the right one.”</p><p>___</p>

Hall of Fame horse trainer D. Wayne Lukas, a winner of 15 Triple Crown races, dies at 89

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Monarchs dropped their first home game of the summer Saturday night, falling 13-6 to the Derby Twins at Hobart-Detter Field.

The Twins erupted for seven runs in the seventh inning, breaking open what had been a close game and handing the Monarchs their first home loss of the 2025 season. Hutchinson now sits at 14-5 on the year and will look to rebound Sunday night against the Kansas Cannons. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Despite leading 4-2 after five innings, the Monarchs couldn’t hold off a relentless Derby offense that tallied 14 hits and capitalized on Hutchinson’s miscues, including two costly errors and a wild pitch in the seventh that helped spark the rally.

Griffin Cooley, Joel Lindahl, and Cade Sutherland led the charge for Derby. Sutherland crushed a two-run homer to center in the seventh and added a two-run triple in the ninth, finishing with four RBIs. Lindahl added a bases-clearing double to cap the seventh-inning outburst.

Monarchs starter Ethan Giesbrecht pitched effectively through five innings, striking out eight and allowing just three runs before the Twins’ bats came alive against the Hutchinson bullpen.

Jake Gutierrez paced the Monarchs at the plate, going 4-for-5 with two RBI's in his debut as a Monarch. Gutierrez is from Lubbock, Texas and just joined the Monarchs. Jackson Legg added three hits and an RBI double, while Dylan Bell scored twice and drew two walks.

Hutchinson had a chance to respond late, scoring in the seventh and eighth innings to cut the deficit to 10-6, but the Twins tacked on three more in the ninth to seal the victory.

The loss ends a dominant home stretch for the Monarchs, who had previously gone 8-0 at Hobart-Detter to open the season.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751195438596.png" alt="Final - Monarchs drop first home game of the season to the Derby Twins&nbsp; Saturday night." />
                        <figcaption>Final - Monarchs drop first home game of the season to the Derby Twins&nbsp; Saturday night.</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Monarchs dropped their first home game of the summer Saturday night, falling 13-6 to the Derby Twins at Hobart-Detter Field.</p><p>The Twins erupted for seven runs in the seventh inning, breaking open what had been a close game and handing the Monarchs their first home loss of the 2025 season. Hutchinson now sits at 14-5 on the year and will look to rebound Sunday night against the Kansas Cannons. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.</p><p>Despite leading 4-2 after five innings, the Monarchs couldn’t hold off a relentless Derby offense that tallied 14 hits and capitalized on Hutchinson’s miscues, including two costly errors and a wild pitch in the seventh that helped spark the rally.</p><p>Griffin Cooley, Joel Lindahl, and Cade Sutherland led the charge for Derby. Sutherland crushed a two-run homer to center in the seventh and added a two-run triple in the ninth, finishing with four RBIs. Lindahl added a bases-clearing double to cap the seventh-inning outburst.</p><p>Monarchs starter Ethan Giesbrecht pitched effectively through five innings, striking out eight and allowing just three runs before the Twins’ bats came alive against the Hutchinson bullpen.</p><p>Jake Gutierrez paced the Monarchs at the plate, going 4-for-5 with two RBI's in his debut as a Monarch. Gutierrez is from Lubbock, Texas and just joined the Monarchs. Jackson Legg added three hits and an RBI double, while Dylan Bell scored twice and drew two walks.</p><p>Hutchinson had a chance to respond late, scoring in the seventh and eighth innings to cut the deficit to 10-6, but the Twins tacked on three more in the ninth to seal the victory.</p><p>The loss ends a dominant home stretch for the Monarchs, who had previously gone 8-0 at Hobart-Detter to open the season.</p>

⚾ Derby Twins hand Monarchs first home loss in 13-6 rout

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Vinnie Pasquantino homered, doubled and drove in a career high-tying five runs, and the Kansas City Royals beat Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-5 on Saturday to snap an 11-game home losing streak.

Ohtani made his third start of the season and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dodgers-shohei-ohtani-pitching-882646a3578e99e4c81b1c0e774df7d1">threw the fastest pitch</a>&nbsp;of his career, a 101.7 mph fastball that induced an inning-ending double-play grounder by Pasquantino in the first.

The Dodgers' two-way superstar threw 27 pitches in two scoreless innings. He is working as an opener as he eases back into pitching following Tommy John surgery in 2023. Ohtani went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts as LA's leadoff batter.

Pasquantino’s&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/MLB/status/1939074998011916473">430-foot, three-run blast</a>&nbsp;to right-center off Ben Casparius (6-2) capped a four-run fifth inning for the Royals, who won at Kaufmann Stadium for the first time since May 31. They ended a six-game skid overall.

Freddie Freeman went 3-for-3 with a homer for the Dodgers, whose five-game winning streak ended. Infielder Miguel Rojas pitched the eighth.

Seth Lugo (5-5) threw 5 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing four hits and five walks while striking out eight.

Casparius relieved Ohtani in the third and quickly allowed three hits and a pair of runs on Maikel Garcia’s two-out double off the left-field wall.

Bobby Witt Jr. hit an RBI single in the fifth before Pasquantino went deep. Pasquantino added a two-run double in the seventh.

Jonathan India and Witt each had four hits as the top four Royals batters finished with 11 hits and eight runs.

The Royals' four-run fifth was their biggest inning at home since they scored four in the eighth against the Chicago White Sox on May 8.

The Royals' 15 home-field home runs are the fewest in the majors.

The Dodgers plan to use an opener for Sunday’s series finale against Royals LHP Kris Bubic (6-5, 2.16 ERA).

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751156034931.png" alt="Image from KC Royals video" />
                        <figcaption>Image from KC Royals video</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Vinnie Pasquantino homered, doubled and drove in a career high-tying five runs, and the Kansas City Royals beat Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-5 on Saturday to snap an 11-game home losing streak.</p><p>Ohtani made his third start of the season and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dodgers-shohei-ohtani-pitching-882646a3578e99e4c81b1c0e774df7d1">threw the fastest pitch</a>&nbsp;of his career, a 101.7 mph fastball that induced an inning-ending double-play grounder by Pasquantino in the first.</p><p>The Dodgers' two-way superstar threw 27 pitches in two scoreless innings. He is working as an opener as he eases back into pitching following Tommy John surgery in 2023. Ohtani went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts as LA's leadoff batter.</p><p>Pasquantino’s&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/MLB/status/1939074998011916473">430-foot, three-run blast</a>&nbsp;to right-center off Ben Casparius (6-2) capped a four-run fifth inning for the Royals, who won at Kaufmann Stadium for the first time since May 31. They ended a six-game skid overall.</p><p>Freddie Freeman went 3-for-3 with a homer for the Dodgers, whose five-game winning streak ended. Infielder Miguel Rojas pitched the eighth.</p><p>Seth Lugo (5-5) threw 5 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing four hits and five walks while striking out eight.</p><p>Casparius relieved Ohtani in the third and quickly allowed three hits and a pair of runs on Maikel Garcia’s two-out double off the left-field wall.</p><p>Bobby Witt Jr. hit an RBI single in the fifth before Pasquantino went deep. Pasquantino added a two-run double in the seventh.</p><p>Jonathan India and Witt each had four hits as the top four Royals batters finished with 11 hits and eight runs.</p><p>LA scored four runs in the ninth.</p><h2>Key moment</h2><p>The Royals' four-run fifth was their biggest inning at home since they scored four in the eighth against the Chicago White Sox on May 8.</p><h2>Key stat</h2><p>The Royals' 15 home-field home runs are the fewest in the majors.</p><h2>Up next</h2><p>The Dodgers plan to use an opener for Sunday’s series finale against Royals LHP Kris Bubic (6-5, 2.16 ERA).</p>

⚾ Pasquantino's big day helps Royals beat Ohtani and the Dodgers 

HUTCHINSON, Kan.  — The Hutchinson Monarchs (14-4) will pay host to the Derby Panthers tonight at Hobart-Detter Field in Carey Park. First pitch is set for 7 p.m.

Hutchinson is slated for 19 home games this season, all of which will be streamed live on HutchPost.com and the MonarchsLive.tv channel. Glen Grunwald of Eagle Media will handle the play-by-play, with Matt Peterson on the video stream.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751109484829.png" alt="Game Day - Hutch hosts Derby tonight at Hobart-Detter Field" />
                        <figcaption>Game Day - Hutch hosts Derby tonight at Hobart-Detter Field</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>HUTCHINSON, Kan.  — The Hutchinson Monarchs (14-4) will pay host to the Derby Panthers tonight at Hobart-Detter Field in Carey Park. First pitch is set for 7 p.m.</p><p>Hutchinson is slated for 19 home games this season, all of which will be streamed live on HutchPost.com and the MonarchsLive.tv channel. Glen Grunwald of Eagle Media will handle the play-by-play, with Matt Peterson on the video stream.</p><div><iframe src="https://vcloud.hudl.com/broadcast/embed/2472681?autoplay=1" width="640" height="360" allow="fullscreen;" style="border:0;overflow:hidden;"></iframe></div>

🎥⚾ WATCH LIVE: Hutch Monarchs return home to host Derby Twins tonight at Hobart-Detter

DERBY, Kan.&nbsp; — The Hutchinson Monarchs (14-4) held off a late rally to edge the Derby Twins 5-4 on Friday night at Panther Field in Derby, thanks to timely hitting and a resilient bullpen effort.

Hutchinson jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first. Joey Senstock delivered a two-run single to right field, plating Blake Bradford and Jeter Worthley to put the Monarchs ahead 2-0.

The Twins responded in the bottom of the second when Griffin Cooley’s aggressive baserunning and a pair of Monarchs errors cut the lead in half. Cooley stole second, advanced to third on a throwing error by catcher Jeter Worthley, and scored on a miscue in center field by Tyler Mitchell to make it 2-1.

In the fourth, Bradford extended Hutchinson’s lead to 3-1 with a line-drive double to center, scoring Worthley.

Derby clawed back with a run in the fifth off an RBI single from Rolen Driskoll and tied the game in the sixth when Noah Allison launched a solo homer to left field.

The Monarchs regained control in the seventh. With the bases loaded, Mitchell drew a walk to force in Drew Bugner, and Worthley followed with a single to score Senstock, giving Hutchinson a 5-3 cushion.

Derby made things interesting in the bottom of the eighth when Joel Lindahl homered to left, trimming the lead to 5-4, but Hutchinson’s bullpen held on in the ninth to seal the win.

The two teams will meet again Saturday night at Hobart-Detter Field in Hutchinson.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751108630241.png" alt="Final - Hutch Monarchs edge Derby 5-4 on Friday night in Derby. Same two teams match up tonight in Hutchinson.," />
                        <figcaption>Final - Hutch Monarchs edge Derby 5-4 on Friday night in Derby. Same two teams match up tonight in Hutchinson.,</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>DERBY, Kan.&nbsp; — The Hutchinson Monarchs (14-4) held off a late rally to edge the Derby Twins 5-4 on Friday night at Panther Field in Derby, thanks to timely hitting and a resilient bullpen effort.</p><p>Hutchinson jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first. Joey Senstock delivered a two-run single to right field, plating Blake Bradford and Jeter Worthley to put the Monarchs ahead 2-0.</p><p>The Twins responded in the bottom of the second when Griffin Cooley’s aggressive baserunning and a pair of Monarchs errors cut the lead in half. Cooley stole second, advanced to third on a throwing error by catcher Jeter Worthley, and scored on a miscue in center field by Tyler Mitchell to make it 2-1.</p><p>In the fourth, Bradford extended Hutchinson’s lead to 3-1 with a line-drive double to center, scoring Worthley.</p><p>Derby clawed back with a run in the fifth off an RBI single from Rolen Driskoll and tied the game in the sixth when Noah Allison launched a solo homer to left field.</p><p>The Monarchs regained control in the seventh. With the bases loaded, Mitchell drew a walk to force in Drew Bugner, and Worthley followed with a single to score Senstock, giving Hutchinson a 5-3 cushion.</p><p>Derby made things interesting in the bottom of the eighth when Joel Lindahl homered to left, trimming the lead to 5-4, but Hutchinson’s bullpen held on in the ninth to seal the win.</p><p>The two teams will meet again Saturday night at Hobart-Detter Field in Hutchinson.</p>

⚾ Hutchinson Monarchs hold off Derby Twins for win

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani led off the game with his 29th home run and also hit an RBI triple, and Freddie Freeman stretched as he fell over to complete a game-ending double play as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Kansas City Royals 5-4 Friday night for their fifth straight win.

Ohtani hit his major league-leading eighth leadoff homer this season, a drive off off Noah Cameron (2-4), and Max Muncy hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer for a 3-1 lead in the second.

Bobby Witt Jr.'s two-run homer against Dustin May put Kansas City ahead 4-3 in the bottom half and gave the Royals their first lead since Sunday.

Ohtani tied the score in the fifth against Cameron (2-4) with his seventh triple of the season and scored on Mookie Betts' single off Steven Cruz.

Kansas City loaded the bases with one out in the ninth against Tanner Scott on singles by Mikael Garcia and Salvador Perez around Vinnie Pacquantino's walk.

Rookie Jac Caglianone grounded to second Tommy Edman, who made a backhand flip to Betts at second, and Betts bounced his throw to Freeman. The All-Star first baseman snagged the ball as he fell to the field, giving Scott his 18th save in 23 chances.

Kansas City has lost six straight overall and 11 home games in a row.

Lou Trivino (3-0) got five outs as five Dodgers relievers combined for shutout relief of Dustin May, who gave up four runs, six hits and three walks in four innings.

Cameron (2-4) allowed five runs, three hits and three walks in four-plus innings

Perez had a run-scoring single in the first. Kyle Isbel lined an RBI double just over the outstretched glove of right fielder Teoscar Hernandez in the three-run second for the Royals, who had scored on run during a three-game series against Tampa Bay.

Freeman, who won a Gold Glove in 2018, made the outstanding defensive play that ended the game.

Kansas City tied its record for consecutive home losses, set from Sept. 21, 2011, to April 23, 2012, and matched from May 6 to June 4, 2013.

Ohtani (0-0, 4.50 ERA) makes his third mound appearance since elbow surgery, facing RHP Seth Lugo (4-5, 2.93 ERA) on Saturday.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751102005125.png" alt="Ohtani image from Dodger video" />
                        <figcaption>Ohtani image from Dodger video</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani led off the game with his 29th home run and also hit an RBI triple, and Freddie Freeman stretched as he fell over to complete a game-ending double play as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Kansas City Royals 5-4 Friday night for their fifth straight win.</p><p>Ohtani hit his major league-leading eighth leadoff homer this season, a drive off off Noah Cameron (2-4), and Max Muncy hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer for a 3-1 lead in the second.</p><p>Bobby Witt Jr.'s two-run homer against Dustin May put Kansas City ahead 4-3 in the bottom half and gave the Royals their first lead since Sunday.</p><p>Ohtani tied the score in the fifth against Cameron (2-4) with his seventh triple of the season and scored on Mookie Betts' single off Steven Cruz.</p><p>Kansas City loaded the bases with one out in the ninth against Tanner Scott on singles by Mikael Garcia and Salvador Perez around Vinnie Pacquantino's walk.</p><p>Rookie Jac Caglianone grounded to second Tommy Edman, who made a backhand flip to Betts at second, and Betts bounced his throw to Freeman. The All-Star first baseman snagged the ball as he fell to the field, giving Scott his 18th save in 23 chances.</p><p>Kansas City has lost six straight overall and 11 home games in a row.</p><p>Lou Trivino (3-0) got five outs as five Dodgers relievers combined for shutout relief of Dustin May, who gave up four runs, six hits and three walks in four innings.</p><p>Cameron (2-4) allowed five runs, three hits and three walks in four-plus innings</p><p>Perez had a run-scoring single in the first. Kyle Isbel lined an RBI double just over the outstretched glove of right fielder Teoscar Hernandez in the three-run second for the Royals, who had scored on run during a three-game series against Tampa Bay.</p><h2>Key Moment</h2><p>Freeman, who won a Gold Glove in 2018, made the outstanding defensive play that ended the game.</p><h2>Key Stat</h2><p>Kansas City tied its record for consecutive home losses, set from Sept. 21, 2011, to April 23, 2012, and matched from May 6 to June 4, 2013.</p><h2>Up Next</h2><p>Ohtani (0-0, 4.50 ERA) makes his third mound appearance since elbow surgery, facing RHP Seth Lugo (4-5, 2.93 ERA) on Saturday.</p>

⚾ Ohtani hits 29th homer, adds RBI triple to lead Dodgers over Royals

<a href="mailto:sean.boston@eaglemedia.com">SEAN BOSTON<br></a><i>Hutch Post</i>

WICHITA, Kan. — Hutchinson Community College student-athletes swept the Junior College Athlete of the Year honors Thursday evening at the Greater Wichita Sports Banquet at INTRUST Bank Arena.

Hailey Jackson was named the Junior College Female Athlete of the Year. A first-team all-conference selection, Jackson helped lead the Blue Dragon women’s basketball team back to the NJCAA national tournament in March. She started all 34 games this past season, averaging a conference-best 18.3 points and 8.6 rebounds per game while shooting 46% from the field.

Waymond Jordan Jr. earned the Junior College Male Athlete of the Year award after leading the Blue Dragon football team to its second national championship in program history. Hutchinson defeated Iowa Western 28-23 on Dec. 18, 2024. Jordan Jr. was named the NJCAA National Offensive Player of the Year and the KJCCC Offensive Player of the Year after leading the nation in rushing yards and touchdowns. He finished the season with 1,614 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns in 12 games.

Jordan Jr. is currently in Los Angeles, California, and will play for the University of Southern California Trojans this fall.&nbsp;

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749497041419.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy Wichita Sports Commission" />
                        <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Wichita Sports Commission</figcaption>
                    </figure><p><a href="mailto:sean.boston@eaglemedia.com">SEAN BOSTON<br></a><i>Hutch Post</i></p><p>WICHITA, Kan. — Hutchinson Community College student-athletes swept the Junior College Athlete of the Year honors Thursday evening at the Greater Wichita Sports Banquet at INTRUST Bank Arena.</p><p>Hailey Jackson was named the Junior College Female Athlete of the Year. A first-team all-conference selection, Jackson helped lead the Blue Dragon women’s basketball team back to the NJCAA national tournament in March. She started all 34 games this past season, averaging a conference-best 18.3 points and 8.6 rebounds per game while shooting 46% from the field.</p><p>Waymond Jordan Jr. earned the Junior College Male Athlete of the Year award after leading the Blue Dragon football team to its second national championship in program history. Hutchinson defeated Iowa Western 28-23 on Dec. 18, 2024. Jordan Jr. was named the NJCAA National Offensive Player of the Year and the KJCCC Offensive Player of the Year after leading the nation in rushing yards and touchdowns. He finished the season with 1,614 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns in 12 games.</p><p>Jordan Jr. is currently in Los Angeles, California, and will play for the University of Southern California Trojans this fall.&nbsp;</p><div><div class="subscriber-only">
<p><strong>Lynette Woodard High School Female Athlete of the Year</strong></p>
</div>
<div class="subscriber-only">
<p>Sophie Stockam, Maize South High School</p>
</div>
<div class="subscriber-only">
<p><strong>Barry Sanders High School Male Athlete of the Year</strong></p>
</div>
<div class="subscriber-only">
<p>Da'Saahn Brame, Derby High School</p>
</div>
<div class="subscriber-only">
<p><strong>Junior College Female Athlete of the Year</strong></p>
</div>
<div class="subscriber-only">
<p><span style="background-color: #ffff00;">Hailey Jackson, Hutchinson Community College</span></p>
</div>
<div class="subscriber-only">
<p><strong>Junior College Male Athlete of the Year</strong></p>
</div>
<div class="subscriber-only">
<p><span style="background-color: #ffff00;">Waymond Jordan Jr., Hutchinson Community College</span></p>
</div>
<div class="subscriber-only">
<p><strong>College Female Athlete of the Year</strong></p>
</div>
<div class="subscriber-only">
<p>Sara Duque Jimenez, Wichita State University</p>
</div>
<div class="subscriber-only">
<p><strong>College Male Athlete of the Year</strong></p>
</div>
<div class="subscriber-only">
<p>Xavier Bell, Wichita State University</p>
</div>
<div class="subscriber-only">
<p><strong>High School Girls Coach of the Year</strong></p>
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<div class="subscriber-only">
<p>Greg Rauch, Bishop Carroll High School</p>
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<div class="subscriber-only">
<p><strong>High School Boys Coach of the Year</strong></p>
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<div class="subscriber-only">
<p>Derek Tuttle, Andover Central High School</p>
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<div class="subscriber-only">
<p><strong>Gene Stephenson Coach of the Year</strong></p>
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<div class="subscriber-only">
<p>Steve Gream, Cowley College</p>
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<div class="subscriber-only">
<p><strong>Professional Athlete of the Year</strong></p>
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<div class="subscriber-only">
<p>Zebby Matthews, Wichita Wind Surge</p>
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<div class="subscriber-only">
<p><strong>Robert E. "Bob" Hanson Impact Award</strong></p>
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<div class="subscriber-only">
<p>Clark Ensz, Wichita Marathon</p>
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<div class="subscriber-only">
<p><strong>Achievement of Excellence Award</strong></p>
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<div class="subscriber-only">
<p>Todd Carter, Butler Community College</p>
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<div class="subscriber-only">
<p><strong>Special Recognition Award "Dynamic Duo"</strong></p>
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<div class="subscriber-only">
<p>Derek and Diana Schutte, Halstead High School</p>
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🏈🏀 Blue Dragons sweep JUCO honors at Greater Wichita Sports Banquet

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701263164849.png" alt="Early Morning Sports with Rob Dreher" />
                        <figcaption>Early Morning Sports with Rob Dreher</figcaption>
                    </figure><div><iframe title="Early Morning Sports for Friday, June 27, 2025" 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=9ny8n-18ecc22-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=60a0c8&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=ff6d00" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

🎧⚾ Royals swept by Rays; ⚾ Wind Surge blank Cards; ⚾ Monarchs lose in Newton

NEWTON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Monarchs’ late-game rally came up short as the Newton Rebels held on for a 5-3 victory Thursday night at Klein-Scott Field.

Hutchinson (13-4) fell behind early and couldn't recover despite cutting the deficit to one run in the fifth. Newton capitalized on timely hitting and a few Monarch miscues.

The Rebels plated one run in the first and added two more in the second, aided by a hit batter and a pair of walks. Hutchinson fought back in the third when AJ Mustow doubled home a run and later scored on a single by Jackson Legg to make it 3-2. The Monarchs tied it in the fifth on another RBI single from Mustow.

But Newton regained the lead in the seventh without recording a hit—scoring on a throwing error following a leadoff single. They added an insurance run in the eighth when Alex Downing’s two-out single brought in Caden Ehardt.

The Monarchs threatened in the ninth, loading the bases with two outs, but Mustow grounded out to end the game.

Newton starter Kyle Lockhart was solid, striking out six in three innings, while reliever Jeffrey Neill earned the win and Jeremy Bingesser notched the hold. Colton Jones came on in the ninth to get the final out and pick up the save.

Hutchinson used four pitchers, with Cole Toureau earning the start. Daegan Vinduska took the loss.

The Monarchs will look to bounce back Friday night as they travel to Derby to face the Twins before returning home for a weekend set at Hobart-Detter Field in Hutchinson on Saturday versus the Twins and Sunday hosting the Cannons..

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751020227450.png" alt="Final - Hutch scores late, but Newton holds on for 5-3 win." />
                        <figcaption>Final - Hutch scores late, but Newton holds on for 5-3 win.</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>NEWTON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Monarchs’ late-game rally came up short as the Newton Rebels held on for a 5-3 victory Thursday night at Klein-Scott Field.</p><p>Hutchinson (13-4) fell behind early and couldn't recover despite cutting the deficit to one run in the fifth. Newton capitalized on timely hitting and a few Monarch miscues.</p><p>The Rebels plated one run in the first and added two more in the second, aided by a hit batter and a pair of walks. Hutchinson fought back in the third when AJ Mustow doubled home a run and later scored on a single by Jackson Legg to make it 3-2. The Monarchs tied it in the fifth on another RBI single from Mustow.</p><p>But Newton regained the lead in the seventh without recording a hit—scoring on a throwing error following a leadoff single. They added an insurance run in the eighth when Alex Downing’s two-out single brought in Caden Ehardt.</p><p>The Monarchs threatened in the ninth, loading the bases with two outs, but Mustow grounded out to end the game.</p><p>Newton starter Kyle Lockhart was solid, striking out six in three innings, while reliever Jeffrey Neill earned the win and Jeremy Bingesser notched the hold. Colton Jones came on in the ninth to get the final out and pick up the save.</p><p>Hutchinson used four pitchers, with Cole Toureau earning the start. Daegan Vinduska took the loss.</p><p>The Monarchs will look to bounce back Friday night as they travel to Derby to face the Twins before returning home for a weekend set at Hobart-Detter Field in Hutchinson on Saturday versus the Twins and Sunday hosting the Cannons..</p>

⚾ Rebels hold off Monarchs late rally in tight battle at Newton

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Shane Baz allowed three hits over a career-best eight innings, Brandon Lowe and Junior Caminero hit back-to-back homers in the sixth, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Kansas City Royals 4-0 on Thursday for a three-game sweep.

Baz (8-3) struck out nine and walked one. Jacob Lowe had three hits for the Rays, and Jake Mangum hit a run-scoring triple.

Tampa Bay has won five of six to move a season-high 11 games above .500 (46-35) and a half-game behind the AL East-leading New York Yankees, who were off Thursday.

Paul Gervase gave up singles to Jonathan India and Vinnie Pasquantino before Pete Fairbanks came on with one out in the ninth and got Maikel Garcia to ground into a 6-4-3 double play for his 15th save.

Tampa Bay starters have thrown 22 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings.

The Royals were also shut out on Wednesday and scored one run in their three losses to the Rays. Kansas City has gone 14-27 (.341) — third worst in the majors over that span — since starting the season 24-16 (.600).

Jonathan Aranda hit a two-out double and then scored on Mangum’s triple off starter Michael Lorenzen (4-8) before Josh Lowe added an RBI single to cap Tampa Bay’s two-run fourth.

The Rays are the first team in the majors to sweep three road series this season. Tampa Bay swept a three-game series at the New York Mets earlier this month and won three straight at San Diego in April.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748392923191.png" alt="<br>" />
                        <figcaption><br></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Shane Baz allowed three hits over a career-best eight innings, Brandon Lowe and Junior Caminero hit back-to-back homers in the sixth, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Kansas City Royals 4-0 on Thursday for a three-game sweep.</p><p>Baz (8-3) struck out nine and walked one. Jacob Lowe had three hits for the Rays, and Jake Mangum hit a run-scoring triple.</p><p>Tampa Bay has won five of six to move a season-high 11 games above .500 (46-35) and a half-game behind the AL East-leading New York Yankees, who were off Thursday.</p><p>Paul Gervase gave up singles to Jonathan India and Vinnie Pasquantino before Pete Fairbanks came on with one out in the ninth and got Maikel Garcia to ground into a 6-4-3 double play for his 15th save.</p><p>Tampa Bay starters have thrown 22 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings.</p><p>The Royals were also shut out on Wednesday and scored one run in their three losses to the Rays. Kansas City has gone 14-27 (.341) — third worst in the majors over that span — since starting the season 24-16 (.600).</p><h2>Key moment</h2><p>Jonathan Aranda hit a two-out double and then scored on Mangum’s triple off starter Michael Lorenzen (4-8) before Josh Lowe added an RBI single to cap Tampa Bay’s two-run fourth.</p><h2>Key stat</h2><p>The Rays are the first team in the majors to sweep three road series this season. Tampa Bay swept a three-game series at the New York Mets earlier this month and won three straight at San Diego in April.</p><h2>Up next</h2>

⚾ Royals shut out by Rays for 10th straight loss at home

Bobby Witt Jr. announced Thursday morning that he will represent Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) that will take place March 5-17, 2026 in four cities — San Juan, Houston, Tokyo and Miami.

Witt Jr. played in the 2023 WBC with Team USA, going 1-for-2 in limited reps as a bench player.&nbsp;

Witt’s experience with Team USA goes back well before the 2023 World Baseball Classic. In 2018, he starred on the USA Baseball U-18 team at the Pan-American Championships, earning MVP honors after batting .576 with three triples, three home runs, and hitting for the cycle in the gold medal game against Panama.

His father, Bobby Witt Sr., also represented Team USA, winning a silver medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

Witt Jr. is hitting .281 at the plate in 2025 with 88 hits, including 27 doubles, three triples and 10 home runs. He has 40 RBIs through the first 81 games of the season.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1730720651347.jpeg" alt="FILE - Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. throws out New York Yankees' Gleyber Torres at first during the first inning in Game 3 of an American League Division baseball playoff series, Oct. 9, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)" />
                        <figcaption>FILE - Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. throws out New York Yankees' Gleyber Torres at first during the first inning in Game 3 of an American League Division baseball playoff series, Oct. 9, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Bobby Witt Jr. announced Thursday morning that he will represent Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) that will take place March 5-17, 2026 in four cities — San Juan, Houston, Tokyo and Miami.</p><p>Witt Jr. played in the 2023 WBC with Team USA, going 1-for-2 in limited reps as a bench player.&nbsp;</p><p>Witt’s experience with Team USA goes back well before the 2023 World Baseball Classic. In 2018, he starred on the USA Baseball U-18 team at the Pan-American Championships, earning MVP honors after batting .576 with three triples, three home runs, and hitting for the cycle in the gold medal game against Panama.</p><p>His father, Bobby Witt Sr., also represented Team USA, winning a silver medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.</p><p>Witt Jr. is hitting .281 at the plate in 2025 with 88 hits, including 27 doubles, three triples and 10 home runs. He has 40 RBIs through the first 81 games of the season.</p>

⚾ Bobby Witt Jr. to play for Team USA in 2026 WBC

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750950262257.png" alt="Photo Courtesy Kansas State Athletics" />
                        <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Kansas State Athletics</figcaption>
                    </figure><div><p><em>Kansas State Athletics</em></p>
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<div class="x_elementToProof"><strong data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">MANHATTAN, Kan.</strong>&nbsp;&ndash; Kansas State will play Mississippi State in the second game of the Hall of Fame Classic at 8:30 p.m., CT on Thursday, Nov. 20 at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, as the NABC announced the complete bracket for the 25th&nbsp;annual event on Thursday (June 26).</div>
<div class="x_elementToProof">&nbsp;</div>
<div class="x_elementToProof">Nebraska and New Mexico will open the tournament at 6 p.m., CT on Thursday. The winners of the two semifinal matchups will play in the championship game at 8:30 p.m., CT on Friday, Nov. 21 with the consolation bracket set for 6 p.m., CT.</div>
<div class="x_elementToProof">&nbsp;</div>
<div class="x_elementToProof">All games will be streamed on&nbsp;<strong><u><a id="OWAc785db00-be47-9be5-90c6-72ee6b4992f0" class="x_OWAAutoLink" title="https://www.peacocktv.com/" href="https://www.peacocktv.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="4">Peacock</a></u></strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong><u><a id="OWAc4cdfdc6-1992-a162-8212-bb7d0844f2ff" class="x_OWAAutoLink" title="https://www.nbcsports.com/now" href="https://www.nbcsports.com/now" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="5">NBC Sports NOW</a></u></strong>.</div>
<div class="x_elementToProof">&nbsp;</div>
<div class="x_elementToProof">Tickets for the 2025 Hall of Fame Classic will go on sale via the T-Mobile Center box office and t-mobilecenter.com on Sept. 3.</div>
<div class="x_elementToProof">&nbsp;</div>
<div class="x_elementToProof">The Bulldogs are coming off their third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance in 2024-25 with a third straight 20-win season under head coach&nbsp;<strong>Chris Jans</strong>. They finished in a four-way tie for ninth in the rugged SEC with Arkansas, Georgia and Vanderbilt with an 8-10 mark.</div>
<div class="x_elementToProof">&nbsp;</div>
<div class="x_elementToProof">This will be the fifth all-time meeting between the schools and the first since a 67-61 MSU win at the Never Forget Tribute Classic in Newark, N.J., on Dec. 14, 2019. K-State won the previous three meetings in the series in 1984, 1985 and 1994.</div>
<div class="x_elementToProof">&nbsp;</div>
<div class="x_elementToProof">Nebraska won the inaugural College Basketball Crown tournament championship in 2025, finishing with a 21-14 record and a 7-13 mark in Big Ten play. New Mexico (27-8) captured the Mountain West regular-season championship with a 17-3 record and earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament for the second straight season.</div>
<div class="x_elementToProof">&nbsp;</div>
<div class="x_elementToProof">K-State leads the all-time series with both Nebraska (128-94) and New Mexico (4-2), having last met the Lobos in 2006 and Cornhuskers in 2023.</div>
<div class="x_elementToProof">&nbsp;</div>
<div class="x_elementToProof">K-State will be making its fourth appearance in the Hall of Fame Classic and the first since 2021. The Wildcats finished as the tournament runner-up in their first two visits, defeating No. 18 Gonzaga before losing to top-ranked Duke in 2010 and defeating Missouri before losing to No. 9 North Carolina in 2015. The team lost to No. 13 Arkansas and No. 14 Illinois in their most recent appearance in 2021.</div>
<div class="x_elementToProof">&nbsp;</div>
<div class="x_elementToProof">The Hall of Fame Classic was created by the Kansas City-based National Association of Basketball Classic (NABC) in 2001 as the Guardians Classic and was later known as the CBE Classic and CBE Hall of Fame Classic before being rebranded as the Hall of Fame Classic in 2017.</div>
<div class="x_elementToProof">&nbsp;</div>
<div class="x_elementToProof">Peacock&rsquo;s expansive sports programming features live coverage including Sunday Night Football, Olympic and Paralympic Games, Big Ten Football and Basketball, Notre Dame Football, BIG EAST basketball, Premier League, NASCAR, golf, the NBA beginning in 2025-26, the WNBA beginning in 2026, La Copa Mundial de la FIFA 2026, and much more. Peacock also offers daily sports programming on the NBC Sports channel.</div>
<div class="x_elementToProof">&nbsp;</div>
<div class="x_elementToProof">NBC Sports NOW is a free 24/7 streaming channel offering daily sports talk shows, live sports and highlights, is available via Peacock, the NBC Sports App on mobile and tablet devices, and all major FAST Channel distributors, including Roku Channel and Samsung TV Plus.</div></div>

🏀 K-State men to play Mississippi State at Hall of Fame Classic

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Bravin Powell-Brown, a standout student-athlete from Gardner-Edgerton High School and Hutchinson Community College football signee, has been named to the 2025 National Football Foundation (NFF) Team of Distinction, the organization announced Wednesday.

Selected from a national pool of 3,500 scholar-athletes, Powell-Brown was one of 82 honorees recognized for their academic excellence, athletic achievements and leadership in the community. He was chosen as the top scholar-athlete from his NFF chapter region.

A two-time football state champion and Class 6A Offensive Player of the Year, Powell-Brown earned first team all-state honors at quarterback while serving as a two-year team captain for the Blazers. He also excelled in track and field, winning the 6A state title in the 110-meter high hurdles this spring.

Off the field, Powell-Brown compiled a 4.18 GPA, earned membership in the National Honor Society and exemplified the scholar-athlete ideal that lies at the heart of the NFF’s mission.

“Each year, the NFF Team of Distinction represents the very best of what high school football has to offer, young men who lead with character, perform with excellence, and give back to their communities,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning. “These 82 honorees exemplify the scholar-athlete ideal.”

The NFF Team of Distinction program highlights the top graduating high school football players nationwide. Criteria include academic performance, athletic success and community service. Chapters are limited to one honoree each year, spotlighting the most well-rounded individuals in their respective regions.

Powell-Brown will join the Hutchinson Community College football program this fall.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750907819801.png" alt="Photo Courtesy National Football Foundation" />
                        <figcaption>Photo Courtesy National Football Foundation</figcaption>
                    </figure><p><a href="mailto:sean.boston@eaglemedia.com">SEAN BOSTON<br></a><i>Hutch Post</i></p><p>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Bravin Powell-Brown, a standout student-athlete from Gardner-Edgerton High School and Hutchinson Community College football signee, has been named to the 2025 National Football Foundation (NFF) Team of Distinction, the organization announced Wednesday.</p><p>Selected from a national pool of 3,500 scholar-athletes, Powell-Brown was one of 82 honorees recognized for their academic excellence, athletic achievements and leadership in the community. He was chosen as the top scholar-athlete from his NFF chapter region.</p><p>A two-time football state champion and Class 6A Offensive Player of the Year, Powell-Brown earned first team all-state honors at quarterback while serving as a two-year team captain for the Blazers. He also excelled in track and field, winning the 6A state title in the 110-meter high hurdles this spring.</p><p>Off the field, Powell-Brown compiled a 4.18 GPA, earned membership in the National Honor Society and exemplified the scholar-athlete ideal that lies at the heart of the NFF’s mission.</p><p>“Each year, the NFF Team of Distinction represents the very best of what high school football has to offer, young men who lead with character, perform with excellence, and give back to their communities,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning. “These 82 honorees exemplify the scholar-athlete ideal.”</p><p>The NFF Team of Distinction program highlights the top graduating high school football players nationwide. Criteria include academic performance, athletic success and community service. Chapters are limited to one honoree each year, spotlighting the most well-rounded individuals in their respective regions.</p><p>Powell-Brown will join the Hutchinson Community College football program this fall.</p>

🏈 HutchCC signee Bravin Powell-Brown named to NFF Team of Distinction

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701263164849.png" alt="Early Morning Sports with Rob Dreher" />
                        <figcaption>Early Morning Sports with Rob Dreher</figcaption>
                    </figure><div><iframe title="Early Morning Sports for Thursday, June 26, 2025" 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=93e9f-18eb1ba-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=60a0c8&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=ff6d00" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

🎧⚾ Royals drop second straight; ⚾ Monarchs beat Rebels; ⚾ Wind Surge rout Cardinals

NEWTON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Monarchs held off a furious Newton Rebels comeback before erupting for five runs in the ninth inning to claim a 13-8 victory Wednesday night at Klein-Scott Field.

After jumping out to a 6-0 lead by the third inning, the Monarchs saw their advantage evaporate when the Rebels plated five runs in the bottom of the fifth to take an 8-7 lead. Hutchinson tied it in the sixth and then delivered the knockout blow in the ninth.

Brayden McClure was dominant in relief for the Monarchs, tossing 2.2 scoreless innings while allowing just one hit and striking out six. Aiden Sowers closed it out in the ninth, walking two but fanning two to seal the win.

Blake Bradford sparked the offense, going 3-for-6 with three RBIs, including a first-inning two-run single and an RBI single in the ninth. Keegan Demmer added a two-run homer in the third inning to cap an early offensive burst that staked Hutchinson to a commanding lead.

In the ninth, the Monarchs capitalized on wildness from the Rebels’ bullpen and defensive miscues. After a throwing error allowed the go-ahead run to score, Hutchinson drew three consecutive bases-loaded walks to push the lead to 11-8. Bradford followed with an RBI single before Demmer added a sacrifice fly to complete the six-run rally.

The Rebels took advantage of several Monarch defensive lapses in the fourth and fifth innings, scoring five unearned runs during their rally. Spencer Goldston led the Rebels with two RBIs and two hits, while Tanner Peoples added a run-scoring double.

With the win, Hutchinson improves its summer record to 13-3 and will match up with the Rebels again tonight in Newton.

It was announced Wednesday that the game suspended by rain and lightning last Monday versus the Wichita Wildcats will be played on Monday, July 7th at Hobart-Detter field. Hutchinson leads in that game 3-1 in the bottom of the 1st inning with 1 out.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750927912530.png" alt="Final - Hutchinson continues to win on the road defeating Newton 13-8 on Wednesday." />
                        <figcaption>Final - Hutchinson continues to win on the road defeating Newton 13-8 on Wednesday.</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>NEWTON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Monarchs held off a furious Newton Rebels comeback before erupting for five runs in the ninth inning to claim a 13-8 victory Wednesday night at Klein-Scott Field.</p><p>After jumping out to a 6-0 lead by the third inning, the Monarchs saw their advantage evaporate when the Rebels plated five runs in the bottom of the fifth to take an 8-7 lead. Hutchinson tied it in the sixth and then delivered the knockout blow in the ninth.</p><p>Brayden McClure was dominant in relief for the Monarchs, tossing 2.2 scoreless innings while allowing just one hit and striking out six. Aiden Sowers closed it out in the ninth, walking two but fanning two to seal the win.</p><p>Blake Bradford sparked the offense, going 3-for-6 with three RBIs, including a first-inning two-run single and an RBI single in the ninth. Keegan Demmer added a two-run homer in the third inning to cap an early offensive burst that staked Hutchinson to a commanding lead.</p><p>In the ninth, the Monarchs capitalized on wildness from the Rebels’ bullpen and defensive miscues. After a throwing error allowed the go-ahead run to score, Hutchinson drew three consecutive bases-loaded walks to push the lead to 11-8. Bradford followed with an RBI single before Demmer added a sacrifice fly to complete the six-run rally.</p><p>The Rebels took advantage of several Monarch defensive lapses in the fourth and fifth innings, scoring five unearned runs during their rally. Spencer Goldston led the Rebels with two RBIs and two hits, while Tanner Peoples added a run-scoring double.</p><p>With the win, Hutchinson improves its summer record to 13-3 and will match up with the Rebels again tonight in Newton.</p><p>It was announced Wednesday that the game suspended by rain and lightning last Monday versus the Wichita Wildcats will be played on Monday, July 7th at Hobart-Detter field. Hutchinson leads in that game 3-1 in the bottom of the 1st inning with 1 out.</p>

⚾ Hutch Monarchs pull away late to defeat Rebels

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750041521086.png" alt="Photo Courtesy Wichita Wind Surge" />
                        <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Wichita Wind Surge</figcaption>
                    </figure><div><p><em>Wichita Wind Surge</em></p>
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<p>WICHITA, Kan. (June 25, 2025)&mdash;<a href="https://www.milb.com/player/kala-i-rosario-693850"><strong>Kala&rsquo;i Rosario</strong></a>&nbsp;hit for the cycle in a 10-1 Wichita Wind Surge win over the Springfield Cardinals at Equity Bank Park.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.milb.com/player/john-klein-804619"><strong>John Klein</strong></a>&nbsp;struck out a season-high nine hitters over five innings with two hits, an earned run, and a walk finishing out his line. He improved to 5-4 on the year with the win, while&nbsp;<a href="https://www.milb.com/player/ricky-castro-690462"><strong>Ricky Castro</strong></a>&nbsp;earned his second save after throwing for the final three innings with just two walks given up besides three strikeouts.</p>
<p>Rosario smoked a ground ball double the other way to right center to bring in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.milb.com/player/gabriel-gonzalez-694224"><strong>Gabby Gonzalez</strong></a>&nbsp;for a 1-0 Wind Surge lead in the bottom of the first.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.milb.com/player/jorel-ortega-687567"><strong>Jorel Ortega</strong></a>&nbsp;gave Wichita another run on a sacrifice fly to right field in the home half of the second.</p>
<p>JJ Wetherholt grounded an RBI single to right center in the top of the third to make the score 2-1 Wichita, then Rosario roped a solo shot off the scoreboard, his eighth of the season, to return a two-run lead for the Wind Surge in the bottom of the inning.</p>
<p>Wichita scored four more times in the bottom of the fourth on just a hit.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.milb.com/player/kaelen-culpepper-701785"><strong>Kaelen Culpepper</strong></a>&nbsp;drew a bases-loaded walk, and then&nbsp;<a href="https://www.milb.com/player/ben-ross-805346"><strong>Ben Ross</strong></a>&nbsp;came home on a groundout. Rosario singled to right center for the latter two runs to score and provide a 7-1 Wichita lead.</p>
<p>Culpepper homered for the second straight game to left field in the home half of the sixth.</p>
<div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" class="" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&amp;embedId=twitter-widget-0&amp;features=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%3D%3D&amp;frame=false&amp;hideCard=false&amp;hideThread=false&amp;id=1938057430237065288&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.milb.com%2Fnews%2Fwind-surge-fire-on-all-cylinders-in-victory-over-cardinals&amp;sessionId=8beff42145e672d6d2afda13881fc0f036334de3&amp;siteScreenName=milb&amp;theme=light&amp;widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&amp;width=550px" width="300" height="150" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-tweet-id="1938057430237065288"></iframe></div>
<p>Rosario proceeded to complete the cycle with a two-RBI triple to right center in the bottom of the eighth to give the Wind Surge a 10-1 lead that became the eventual final score. He&rsquo;s the second-ever Wichita batter to accomplish the feat.</p>
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<p><strong>POSTGAME NOTES</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Kala&rsquo;i Rosario is the second Wind Surge hitter in franchise history to hit for the cycle (Christian Encarnacion-Strand, July 17, 2022, vs. Arkansas). He&rsquo;s also the first Wichita hitter this year with five or more RBIs in a game (6).</li>
<li>Kaelen Culpepper hits his second home run with the Wind Surge.</li>
<li>John Klein tallies a new season-high in strikeouts (9).</li>
<li>Ricky Castro is up to two saves out of the bullpen in long relief action in 2025.</li>
<li>Every Wichita hitter in the lineup reached base.</li>
</ul>
<p>Wichita continues the series with the Springfield Cardinals on June 26 at 7:05 PM on Thirsty Thursday, presented by LDF, Standard Beverages, and House of Schwan. Come on down to Equity Bank Park for a variety of discounted drinks! You can listen to Wind Surge games on ESPN Wichita 92.3 FM and&nbsp;<a href="http://windsurge.com/">windsurge.com</a>&nbsp;or watch online at&nbsp;<a href="http://milb.tv/">MiLB.TV</a>&nbsp;and Bally Sports Live. For ticket information, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://windsurge.com/tickets">windsurge.com/tickets</a>.</p></div>

⚾ Wind Surge rout Cardinals Wednesday

NEW YORK (AP) — Cooper Flagg is the new Maine man in Dallas.

The Mavericks took the Duke forward with the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft Wednesday night, hoping they have found their next franchise superstar less than five months after trading one away.

Mavericks fans were furious when Dallas&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/luka-doncic-anthony-davis-lakers-mavericks-trade-7c8064be5c8e941489f14500fa43f5e7">traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers</a>&nbsp;on Feb. 1, some immediately threatening to end their support of the team.

But the ones who stuck around may quickly love Flagg, the college player of the year who averaged 19.2 points and 7.5 rebounds while leading Duke to the Final Four. The Mavericks quickly announced that Flagg would wear No. 32 in Dallas, where fellow Duke products Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively II are on the roster.

“I’m really excited. I think I keep saying I’m excited to be a sponge, to get down there and just learn, be surrounded by Hall of Fame-caliber guys and just to be able to learn from them,” Flagg said. “It’s going to be an incredible experience.”

His selection — considered likely ever since Flagg showed off his considerable game last summer after being invited to the U.S. Olympic team’s training camp — was a daylong celebration in his home state for the 18-year-old forward from Newport, Maine.

“It means a lot to me to have the support of the whole state. I know how many people showed up today and supported me at some of the draft parties back home,” Flagg said. “It feels amazing knowing I can inspire younger kids. I was in their shoes really not that long ago, so just to know I can give those kids those feelings and have the whole state behind me, it means a lot.”

He joined Elton Brand,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mavericks-irving-contract-dfd30497433e4423a799b5bf07e9bbab">Irving</a>, Zion Williamson and Paolo Banchero as Duke players drafted No. 1 since 1999, and he returned the draft to its longtime start with a one-and-done college player.

That’s the way the draft began every year from 2010 until Banchero’s selection in 2022, but the last two No. 1 picks, Victor Wembanyama and Zaccherie Risacher, are both from France.

Rutgers freshman Dylan Harper was taken by the Spurs with the No. 2 pick and will try to follow Wembanyama and Stephon Castle and give San Antonio a third straight NBA Rookie of the Year.

“It’s definitely a goal of mine to make it three in a row,” Harper said. “I think the coaching staff and the players are going to make it easy for me to go out there and showcase my talent, so definitely.”

The 76ers then took Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe, getting the first sustained burst of loud cheers of the draft from what seemed to be a number of Philadelphia fans who made the trip to Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The first two picks had long been expected, but the No. 3 spot was the first one where there was intrigue.

Kon Knueppel made it two Duke players in the first four picks when the Charlotte Hornets took him at No. 4. When big man Khaman Maluach went at No. 10 — a pick made by the Houston Rockets but headed to Phoenix as part of the trade for Kevin Durant that can’t become official until next month — it gave the Blue Devils three top-10 picks and 50 in the first round since 1989, moving past Kentucky (48) for most by any school.

“It was so emotional getting to see my teammates, my fellow freshmen getting drafted,” Maluach said. “I was so happy for them because they deserve everything they have. They worked hard for it, for that moment, too.”

Ace Bailey, Harper’s teammate with the Scarlet Knights who could have been in the mix to go third but declined to work out for the 76ers, ended up going at No. 5 to Utah to end a draft process in which he was criticized for how his camp handled it.

“I’m glad it’s over,” Bailey said. “I’m ready to play some basketball now.”

Then it was Tre Johnson of Texas to the Washington Wizards at No. 6 and Oklahoma’s Jeremiah Fears to New Orleans at No. 7, before the host Nets took BYU’s Egor Demin at No. 8, Brooklyn’s first of potentially five selections in the first round. Toronto took South Carolina’s Collin Murray-Boyles at No. 9.

The NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder took Georgetown center Thomas Sorber at No. 15, their first of two picks in the first round.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750907091607.png" alt="Cooper Flagg, right, poses for a photo with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected first overall by the Dallas Mavericks In the first round of the NBA basketball draft, Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)" />
                        <figcaption>Cooper Flagg, right, poses for a photo with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected first overall by the Dallas Mavericks In the first round of the NBA basketball draft, Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>NEW YORK (AP) — Cooper Flagg is the new Maine man in Dallas.</p><p>The Mavericks took the Duke forward with the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft Wednesday night, hoping they have found their next franchise superstar less than five months after trading one away.</p><p>Mavericks fans were furious when Dallas&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/luka-doncic-anthony-davis-lakers-mavericks-trade-7c8064be5c8e941489f14500fa43f5e7">traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers</a>&nbsp;on Feb. 1, some immediately threatening to end their support of the team.</p><p>But the ones who stuck around may quickly love Flagg, the college player of the year who averaged 19.2 points and 7.5 rebounds while leading Duke to the Final Four. The Mavericks quickly announced that Flagg would wear No. 32 in Dallas, where fellow Duke products Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively II are on the roster.</p><p>“I’m really excited. I think I keep saying I’m excited to be a sponge, to get down there and just learn, be surrounded by Hall of Fame-caliber guys and just to be able to learn from them,” Flagg said. “It’s going to be an incredible experience.”</p><p>His selection — considered likely ever since Flagg showed off his considerable game last summer after being invited to the U.S. Olympic team’s training camp — was a daylong celebration in his home state for the 18-year-old forward from Newport, Maine.</p><p>“It means a lot to me to have the support of the whole state. I know how many people showed up today and supported me at some of the draft parties back home,” Flagg said. “It feels amazing knowing I can inspire younger kids. I was in their shoes really not that long ago, so just to know I can give those kids those feelings and have the whole state behind me, it means a lot.”</p><p>He joined Elton Brand,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mavericks-irving-contract-dfd30497433e4423a799b5bf07e9bbab">Irving</a>, Zion Williamson and Paolo Banchero as Duke players drafted No. 1 since 1999, and he returned the draft to its longtime start with a one-and-done college player.</p><p>That’s the way the draft began every year from 2010 until Banchero’s selection in 2022, but the last two No. 1 picks, Victor Wembanyama and Zaccherie Risacher, are both from France.</p><p>Rutgers freshman Dylan Harper was taken by the Spurs with the No. 2 pick and will try to follow Wembanyama and Stephon Castle and give San Antonio a third straight NBA Rookie of the Year.</p><p>“It’s definitely a goal of mine to make it three in a row,” Harper said. “I think the coaching staff and the players are going to make it easy for me to go out there and showcase my talent, so definitely.”</p><p>The 76ers then took Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe, getting the first sustained burst of loud cheers of the draft from what seemed to be a number of Philadelphia fans who made the trip to Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The first two picks had long been expected, but the No. 3 spot was the first one where there was intrigue.</p><p>Kon Knueppel made it two Duke players in the first four picks when the Charlotte Hornets took him at No. 4. When big man Khaman Maluach went at No. 10 — a pick made by the Houston Rockets but headed to Phoenix as part of the trade for Kevin Durant that can’t become official until next month — it gave the Blue Devils three top-10 picks and 50 in the first round since 1989, moving past Kentucky (48) for most by any school.</p><p>“It was so emotional getting to see my teammates, my fellow freshmen getting drafted,” Maluach said. “I was so happy for them because they deserve everything they have. They worked hard for it, for that moment, too.”</p><p>Ace Bailey, Harper’s teammate with the Scarlet Knights who could have been in the mix to go third but declined to work out for the 76ers, ended up going at No. 5 to Utah to end a draft process in which he was criticized for how his camp handled it.</p><p>“I’m glad it’s over,” Bailey said. “I’m ready to play some basketball now.”</p><p>Then it was Tre Johnson of Texas to the Washington Wizards at No. 6 and Oklahoma’s Jeremiah Fears to New Orleans at No. 7, before the host Nets took BYU’s Egor Demin at No. 8, Brooklyn’s first of potentially five selections in the first round. Toronto took South Carolina’s Collin Murray-Boyles at No. 9.</p><p>The NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder took Georgetown center Thomas Sorber at No. 15, their first of two picks in the first round.</p>

🏀 Cooper Flagg the new Maine man for the Mavericks as the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft

<b>By DAVE SKRETTA</b><br><i>AP Sports Writer</i>

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22DAVE%20SKRETTA%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest"></a>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Drew Rasmussen tossed five innings of two-hit ball, Tampa Bay scored three times in the second on an array of singles and bunts, and the Rays held on the rest of the way to beat the Kansas City Royals 3-0 on Wednesday night.

Rasmussen (7-5) struck out five and walked two before turning it over to the Tampa Bay bullpen on a hot, humid night. Three relievers combined to allow one hit and one walk before Pete Fairbanks handled the ninth for his 14th save.

The Rays (45-35) have won five straight on the road, nine of their last 12 overall and are a season-best 10 games over .500.

José Caballero had an RBI bunt single and Danny Jansen laid down a sacrifice bunt against Michael Wacha during the decisive second for Tampa Bay. Christopher Morel, Josh Lowe and Chandler Simpson had singles in the inning.

Other than that, Wacha (4-7) was tough on the Rays. He went six innings and struck out nine while walking just one.

His biggest problem has been the Royals' biggest problem: They aren't scoring. Not only have they managed four runs total amid a four-game losing streak, they have given Wacha two runs of support or fewer in 13 of his 16 starts this season.

Kansas City has lost nine straight at Kauffman Stadium since beating Detroit on May 31, its longest home skid since dropping 10 in a row in April and May 2023. The Royals also have lost 10 of their last 14 games overall.

The Royals put runners on the corners in the fourth, but Salvador Perez popped out on his first pitch to end the threat.

Kansas City has not hit a home run in its last 54 innings at Kauffman Stadium.

Rays RHP Shane Baz (7-3, 4.79 ERA) starts the series finale Thursday. RHP Michael Lorenzen (4-7, 4.81) starts for the Royals.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750933236408.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Royals right fielder Jac Caglianone catches a fly ball for the out on Tampa Bay Rays' Josh Lowe during the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)" />
                        <figcaption>Kansas City Royals right fielder Jac Caglianone catches a fly ball for the out on Tampa Bay Rays' Josh Lowe during the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)</figcaption>
                    </figure><p><b>By DAVE SKRETTA</b><br><i>AP Sports Writer</i></p><p><a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22DAVE%20SKRETTA%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest"></a>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Drew Rasmussen tossed five innings of two-hit ball, Tampa Bay scored three times in the second on an array of singles and bunts, and the Rays held on the rest of the way to beat the Kansas City Royals 3-0 on Wednesday night.</p><p>Rasmussen (7-5) struck out five and walked two before turning it over to the Tampa Bay bullpen on a hot, humid night. Three relievers combined to allow one hit and one walk before Pete Fairbanks handled the ninth for his 14th save.</p><p>The Rays (45-35) have won five straight on the road, nine of their last 12 overall and are a season-best 10 games over .500.</p><p>José Caballero had an RBI bunt single and Danny Jansen laid down a sacrifice bunt against Michael Wacha during the decisive second for Tampa Bay. Christopher Morel, Josh Lowe and Chandler Simpson had singles in the inning.</p><p>Other than that, Wacha (4-7) was tough on the Rays. He went six innings and struck out nine while walking just one.</p><p>His biggest problem has been the Royals' biggest problem: They aren't scoring. Not only have they managed four runs total amid a four-game losing streak, they have given Wacha two runs of support or fewer in 13 of his 16 starts this season.</p><p>Kansas City has lost nine straight at Kauffman Stadium since beating Detroit on May 31, its longest home skid since dropping 10 in a row in April and May 2023. The Royals also have lost 10 of their last 14 games overall.</p><h2>Key moment</h2><p>The Royals put runners on the corners in the fourth, but Salvador Perez popped out on his first pitch to end the threat.</p><h2>Key stat</h2><p>Kansas City has not hit a home run in its last 54 innings at Kauffman Stadium.</p><h2>Up next</h2><p>Rays RHP Shane Baz (7-3, 4.79 ERA) starts the series finale Thursday. RHP Michael Lorenzen (4-7, 4.81) starts for the Royals.</p>

⚾ Rasmussen and the Rays bullpen shine in win over Royals

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750882146419.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy Kansas Athletics" />
                        <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Kansas Athletics</figcaption>
                    </figure><div><p><em>Kansas Athletics</em></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>LAWRENCE, Kan.</strong>&nbsp;&ndash; Center Paul Mbiya has signed a financial aid agreement to play basketball at Kansas, KU head coach&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/bill-self/727" rel="smarttag" rev="727">Bill Self</a></dfn>&nbsp;announced today. Mbiya is from Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo will be a freshman for the 2025-26 season.<br /><br />Mbiya is 6-foot-11, 260 pounds, and has a 7-foot-8 wingspan. He played&nbsp;this past season in the ASVEL team system in the top-tier level French Pro A League. Mbiya averaged 15.3 points, 11.7 rebounds and 3.0 blocked shots per game in 2024-25. In 2023-24, Mbiya averaged 15.5 points, 11.6 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game for the ASVEL U21 team. He also appeared in 10 games in 2023-24 for the top ASVEL team. Prior to playing for ASVEL, Mbiya was part of the NBA Academy Africa and was a 2022 Basketball Without Borders All-Star selection.<br /><br />"We've had a good last couple of days recruiting with Kohl (Rosario) signing yesterday and Paul today," Self said. "Paul is big. He's a legit 6-11 with a wingspan of 7-foot, 8 inches. He fits very well with the way we play. He is an immediate impact guy, and he gives us much needed size to go along with Flory (Bidunga) and Bryson (Tiller)."<br /><br />Mbiya becomes the sixth incoming freshman signee for Kansas, joining Darryn Peterson, Samis Calderon, Bryson Tiller, Kohl Rosario, and Corbin Allen. Tiller joined the KU team as a redshirt in January. Kansas' spring transfer portal signees include Melvin Council Jr. (St. Bonaventure), Jayden Dawson (Loyola Chicago), and Tre White (Illinois).</p></div>

🏀 Paul Mbiya signs with KU, second signee for Jayhawks in as many days

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701263164849.png" alt="Early Morning Sports with Rob Dreher" />
                        <figcaption>Early Morning Sports with Rob Dreher</figcaption>
                    </figure><div><iframe title="Early Morning Sports for Wednesday, June 25, 2025" 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=twznu-18e8efb-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=60a0c8&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=ff6d00" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

🎧⚾ Royals drop opener to Rays; ⚾ Wind Surge hit 3 home runs in win; 🏀 NBA Draft is tonight

LONDON (AP) — In an offseason huddle at the NFL’s London headquarters, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kansas-city-chiefs">Kansas City Chiefs</a>&nbsp;are drawing up a game plan to win over fans in a crowded UK market.

They’re getting input from the locals, and there’s good news.

“There is something about that younger generation, in the UK specifically, they are really into U.S. sports at the moment,” says Louise Johnson, chief executive of marketing agency Fuse. “There’s a moment in time that you can really capitalize on.”

Chiefs executives visited London after the team added the UK to its list of countries in the NFL’s&nbsp;<a href="https://operations.nfl.com/updates/the-game/all-32-teams-officially-part-of-nfl-s-global-markets-program/" target="_blank">global markets program</a>, which puts teams in the driver’s seat to increase fandom overall — as well as land commercial partnerships individually.

A day that began meeting with local agencies in the NFL’s glass-enclosed eighth-floor office overlooking Leicester Square ended along the banks of the Thames, where a “Chiefs cab” was the meeting point to&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/Chiefs/status/1929976584485720162" target="_blank">surprise a local fan</a>&nbsp;with a ticket giveaway.

“The UK is another puzzle piece in the larger globalization of the brand,” said Lara Krug, the team’s chief media and marketing officer, echoing a franchise theme of becoming the “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-mahomes-germany-global-kelce-c583255170f52f4a7628d116058ac402">world’s team</a>.”

Krug led the team’s delegation that included business, social media and public relations representatives. Besides marketing agencies, they also met with NFL officials. The takeaways were clear for growing the Chiefs’ fanbase.

“One, that 12-to-24 (aged) audience is where there is the biggest opportunity,” she told The Associated Press. ”(They’re) very much into the cultural part of the NFL and the Americana of it all.”

Second, find creative ways to connect to local fans. The Chicago Bears did&nbsp;<a href="https://www.chicagobears.com/news/bears-partner-with-acid-fc-mitchell-ness-for-london-merch-collection" target="_blank">soccer-style jerseys</a>&nbsp;last year for their London game.

“The league and the clubs have done a great job on growing the game,” Krug said. “We see the opportunity of reaching more fans and doing it from a cultural lens.”

Expanding your fan base is much easier when your quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, is the face of the league, and your star tight end,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/travis-kelce-kansas-city-chiefs-76e795fb9e896e69e82d4bc6af1eef60">Travis Kelce</a>, is dating&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stanley-cup-oilers-panthers-taylor-swift-travis-kelce-64580f4056005e292ab261900cbd2144">global pop star Taylor Swift</a>. Kelce was the&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/NFLUKIRE/status/1882475470484344866" target="_blank">UK’s top-selling NFL jersey</a>&nbsp;in 2024.

The Chiefs have also played in five of the last six Super Bowls and won three of them.

Still, there are eight other NFL teams with the same rights the Chiefs have in Britain — and six of them have been there longer.

Social media content on platforms like&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-trump-delay-executive-order-3211a98113615be44cf92b32dca69a8e">TikTok</a>&nbsp;and Instagram are crucial, especially because NFL fans in the UK over-index on daily social media use compared to other fans, the Chiefs said.

“We know mascots do really well in the markets, it becomes an ambassador,” Krug said.

KC Wolf was on hand&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-dolphins-germany-mahomes-12a0ace723d0c6c3aab077ca6614f161">in Frankfurt, Germany in 2023</a>&nbsp;when the Chiefs beat the Miami Dolphins 21-14.

They’ll soon be looking for “multiple European-based mascots of our KC Wolf,” Krug said.

“That will be something that we launch later this year,” she said, “so having KC Wolf show up in a few of our markets more frequently.”

Meetings aside, being on the ground in London was helpful in other ways: Krug noted the long line at a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/formula-one">Formula One</a>&nbsp;promotion in the Lego store in Leicester Square.

The Chiefs have experimented before. Last year the team partnered with Hallmark — headquartered in Kansas City — on “&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syuN4M-wa9s" target="_blank">Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story.</a>&nbsp;”

In the NFL’s global markets program, Kansas City has rights in seven countries — only the Los Angeles Rams have as many. All but one — Mexico — of the Chiefs’ markets are in Europe. The team added the UK, Ireland and Spain this year.

The team’s brass believes the best way to gain fans in foreign markets is to play games there. The Chiefs won their only London game, back in 2015. They are 3-0 overall in regular-season international games.

Dublin, Madrid and Berlin are all new host cities this season.

The Chiefs will play internationally this season — but not in Europe. They open in Brazil on Sept. 5 when they face the Los Angeles Chargers in Sao Paulo.

That’s the first of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-announces-2025-international-games-to-feature-seven-games-in-five-countries" target="_blank">seven international NFL games</a>&nbsp;in 2025 — the most ever in one season — and Commissioner Roger Goodell wants to eventually get to 16 games per year. Goodell has also floated the idea of creating a European division and staging&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/goodell-nfl-london-international-caa03e8d27aa2a07ab0a848bc015fff7">a Super Bowl outside the United States</a>. One theory is the league will package the international games into&nbsp;<a href="https://frontofficesports.com/sources-nfl-eyes-multi-billion-dollar-international-rights-package/" target="_blank">a billion-dollar rights deal</a>.

Team and league data show that the Chiefs are already popular internationally.

They have the largest overall German-language social media following at nearly 150,000. For consumer products sales, the Chiefs rank No. 1 in the “DACH” region of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and No. 2 in Mexico. In international Game Pass viewing, the Chiefs were the most-watched team in DACH and Mexico last season.

The Chiefs brought several British “influencers” to a game at Arrowhead Stadium last season. They included “&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@formzofficial?lang=en" target="_blank">Formz</a>,” a Tottenham fan who raps Premier League weekly recaps and sings about heartbreak; he has 1 million followers on TikTok.

The league saw “significant growth” in UK fandom last year, said Henry Hodgson, the NFL’s general manager for the UK and Ireland.

Confidence is high enough that three teams — the Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens and Green Bay Packers — applied for and were awarded UK rights starting this season, joining the six others already in the market.

“For now, we don’t want to cap it,” Hodgson told the AP. “We see the benefit of these teams being involved in the market. It’s something that the NFL will monitor, not just in the UK but in all the markets that the global markets program exists in and make sure that all of the clubs can be successful in all the markets they’re in.”

Eleven teams have rights in Germany. Mexico is next highest with 10.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750857545978.jpeg" alt="The Kansas City Chiefs mascot, KC Wolf, is seen, before the start of an NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)" />
                        <figcaption>The Kansas City Chiefs mascot, KC Wolf, is seen, before the start of an NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>LONDON (AP) — In an offseason huddle at the NFL’s London headquarters, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kansas-city-chiefs">Kansas City Chiefs</a>&nbsp;are drawing up a game plan to win over fans in a crowded UK market.</p><p>They’re getting input from the locals, and there’s good news.</p><p>“There is something about that younger generation, in the UK specifically, they are really into U.S. sports at the moment,” says Louise Johnson, chief executive of marketing agency Fuse. “There’s a moment in time that you can really capitalize on.”</p><p>Chiefs executives visited London after the team added the UK to its list of countries in the NFL’s&nbsp;<a href="https://operations.nfl.com/updates/the-game/all-32-teams-officially-part-of-nfl-s-global-markets-program/" target="_blank">global markets program</a>, which puts teams in the driver’s seat to increase fandom overall — as well as land commercial partnerships individually.</p><p>A day that began meeting with local agencies in the NFL’s glass-enclosed eighth-floor office overlooking Leicester Square ended along the banks of the Thames, where a “Chiefs cab” was the meeting point to&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/Chiefs/status/1929976584485720162" target="_blank">surprise a local fan</a>&nbsp;with a ticket giveaway.</p><p>“The UK is another puzzle piece in the larger globalization of the brand,” said Lara Krug, the team’s chief media and marketing officer, echoing a franchise theme of becoming the “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-mahomes-germany-global-kelce-c583255170f52f4a7628d116058ac402">world’s team</a>.”</p><p>Krug led the team’s delegation that included business, social media and public relations representatives. Besides marketing agencies, they also met with NFL officials. The takeaways were clear for growing the Chiefs’ fanbase.</p><p>“One, that 12-to-24 (aged) audience is where there is the biggest opportunity,” she told The Associated Press. ”(They’re) very much into the cultural part of the NFL and the Americana of it all.”</p><p>Second, find creative ways to connect to local fans. The Chicago Bears did&nbsp;<a href="https://www.chicagobears.com/news/bears-partner-with-acid-fc-mitchell-ness-for-london-merch-collection" target="_blank">soccer-style jerseys</a>&nbsp;last year for their London game.</p><p>“The league and the clubs have done a great job on growing the game,” Krug said. “We see the opportunity of reaching more fans and doing it from a cultural lens.”</p><h2>Mahomes, Kelce and KC Wolf</h2><p>Expanding your fan base is much easier when your quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, is the face of the league, and your star tight end,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/travis-kelce-kansas-city-chiefs-76e795fb9e896e69e82d4bc6af1eef60">Travis Kelce</a>, is dating&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stanley-cup-oilers-panthers-taylor-swift-travis-kelce-64580f4056005e292ab261900cbd2144">global pop star Taylor Swift</a>. Kelce was the&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/NFLUKIRE/status/1882475470484344866" target="_blank">UK’s top-selling NFL jersey</a>&nbsp;in 2024.</p><p>The Chiefs have also played in five of the last six Super Bowls and won three of them.</p><p>Still, there are eight other NFL teams with the same rights the Chiefs have in Britain — and six of them have been there longer.</p><p>Social media content on platforms like&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-trump-delay-executive-order-3211a98113615be44cf92b32dca69a8e">TikTok</a>&nbsp;and Instagram are crucial, especially because NFL fans in the UK over-index on daily social media use compared to other fans, the Chiefs said.</p><p>But some old-school methods work too.</p><p>Hello, KC Wolf.</p><p>“We know mascots do really well in the markets, it becomes an ambassador,” Krug said.</p><p>KC Wolf was on hand&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-dolphins-germany-mahomes-12a0ace723d0c6c3aab077ca6614f161">in Frankfurt, Germany in 2023</a>&nbsp;when the Chiefs beat the Miami Dolphins 21-14.</p><p>They’ll soon be looking for “multiple European-based mascots of our KC Wolf,” Krug said.</p><p>“That will be something that we launch later this year,” she said, “so having KC Wolf show up in a few of our markets more frequently.”</p><p>Meetings aside, being on the ground in London was helpful in other ways: Krug noted the long line at a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/formula-one">Formula One</a>&nbsp;promotion in the Lego store in Leicester Square.</p><p>The Chiefs have experimented before. Last year the team partnered with Hallmark — headquartered in Kansas City — on “&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syuN4M-wa9s" target="_blank">Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story.</a>&nbsp;”</p><h2>Going international</h2><p>In the NFL’s global markets program, Kansas City has rights in seven countries — only the Los Angeles Rams have as many. All but one — Mexico — of the Chiefs’ markets are in Europe. The team added the UK, Ireland and Spain this year.</p><p>The team’s brass believes the best way to gain fans in foreign markets is to play games there. The Chiefs won their only London game, back in 2015. They are 3-0 overall in regular-season international games.</p><p>Dublin, Madrid and Berlin are all new host cities this season.</p><p>The Chiefs will play internationally this season — but not in Europe. They open in Brazil on Sept. 5 when they face the Los Angeles Chargers in Sao Paulo.</p><p>That’s the first of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-announces-2025-international-games-to-feature-seven-games-in-five-countries" target="_blank">seven international NFL games</a>&nbsp;in 2025 — the most ever in one season — and Commissioner Roger Goodell wants to eventually get to 16 games per year. Goodell has also floated the idea of creating a European division and staging&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/goodell-nfl-london-international-caa03e8d27aa2a07ab0a848bc015fff7">a Super Bowl outside the United States</a>. One theory is the league will package the international games into&nbsp;<a href="https://frontofficesports.com/sources-nfl-eyes-multi-billion-dollar-international-rights-package/" target="_blank">a billion-dollar rights deal</a>.</p><p>Team and league data show that the Chiefs are already popular internationally.</p><p>They have the largest overall German-language social media following at nearly 150,000. For consumer products sales, the Chiefs rank No. 1 in the “DACH” region of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and No. 2 in Mexico. In international Game Pass viewing, the Chiefs were the most-watched team in DACH and Mexico last season.</p><h2>NFL says UK still has room to grow</h2><p>The Chiefs brought several British “influencers” to a game at Arrowhead Stadium last season. They included “&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@formzofficial?lang=en" target="_blank">Formz</a>,” a Tottenham fan who raps Premier League weekly recaps and sings about heartbreak; he has 1 million followers on TikTok.</p><p>The league saw “significant growth” in UK fandom last year, said Henry Hodgson, the NFL’s general manager for the UK and Ireland.</p><p>Confidence is high enough that three teams — the Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens and Green Bay Packers — applied for and were awarded UK rights starting this season, joining the six others already in the market.</p><p>“For now, we don’t want to cap it,” Hodgson told the AP. “We see the benefit of these teams being involved in the market. It’s something that the NFL will monitor, not just in the UK but in all the markets that the global markets program exists in and make sure that all of the clubs can be successful in all the markets they’re in.”</p><p>Eleven teams have rights in Germany. Mexico is next highest with 10.</p>

🏈 Chiefs’ strategy to expand UK fandom: cultural connections and mascot diplomacy

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750857696666.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy Wichita Wind Surge" />
                        <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Wichita Wind Surge</figcaption>
                    </figure><div><p><em>Wichita Wind Surge</em></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p></p>
<p>WICHITA, Kan. (June 24, 2025)&mdash;<a href="https://www.milb.com/player/nate-baez-686960"><strong>Nate Baez</strong></a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.milb.com/player/kaelen-culpepper-701785"><strong>Kaelen Culpepper</strong></a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.milb.com/player/kyler-fedko-693459"><strong>Kyler Fedko</strong></a>&nbsp;all homered in a 3-0 victory for the Wichita Wind Surge over the Springfield Cardinals at Equity Bank Park. The shutout is also the sixth of the season thrown by the Wind Surge pitching staff.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.milb.com/player/christian-macleod-681306"><strong>Christian MacLeod</strong></a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.milb.com/player/jacob-wosinski-814291"><strong>Jacob Wosinski</strong></a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.milb.com/player/mike-paredes-702474"><strong>Mike Paredes</strong></a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.milb.com/player/tanner-andrews-681084"><strong>Tanner Andrews</strong></a>&nbsp;combined for the seventh shutout of the season for the Wind Surge. MacLeod gave up just three hits and a walk with a pair of strikeouts in his second start back from injury. Wosinski ended up earning the win to jump to 2-1 on the year with Wichita after two innings of two-hit baseball with two walks.</p>
<p>Baez debuted his new number #13 in loud fashion with a solo home run, his second with Wichita, out to left in the bottom of the second.</p>
<p>Fedko jumped back ahead to the top of the Texas League leaderboard with a solo shot, #13 of the year, off the Wind Surge scoreboard in the bottom of the sixth. Culpepper followed after the stretch in the seventh with a blast of his own for his first as a member of the Wind Surge and a 3-0 lead.</p>
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<p>Paredes and Andrews didn&rsquo;t let Springfield get a hit for the final four innings to end the night, with Andrews getting his first save in a Wind Surge uniform after a scoreless ninth.</p>
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<p><strong>POSTGAME NOTES</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Both Kaelen Culpepper and Walker Jenkins made their 2025 home debuts with the Wind Surge.</li>
<li>Gabby Gonzalez records his first outfield assist with Wichita in the top of the second, gunning down Ramon Mendoza at the plate. That&rsquo;s the ninth outfield assist of the season for the Wind Surge.</li>
<li>Kaelen Culpepper hits his first home run with Wichita.</li>
<li>Tanner Andrews records his first save with the Wind Surge.</li>
<li>Wichita throws their sixth shutout in 2025.</li>
</ul>
<p>The Wind Surge continue the series with the Springfield Cardinals on June 25 at 7:05 PM on Wetnose Wednesday. Bring your dogs to Equity Bank Park and enjoy the sights and sounds of baseball under the lights! You can listen to Wind Surge games on ESPN Wichita 92.3 FM and&nbsp;<a href="http://windsurge.com/">windsurge.com</a>&nbsp;or watch online at&nbsp;<a href="http://milb.tv/">MiLB.TV</a>&nbsp;and Bally Sports Live. For ticket information, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://windsurge.com/tickets">windsurge.com/tickets</a>.</p></div>