CLASS 4A - Salina South High School in Salina Quarterfinals (Thursday) 5:00 p.m. (Field A) - [1] Wamego (17-1) vs. [8] St. George-Rock Creek (11-11) 5:00 p.m. (Field B) - [2] McPherson (19-3) vs. [7] Fort Scott (13-8) 7:00 p.m. (Field A) - [4] Eudora (15-5) vs. [5] Andale/Garden Plain (15-7) 7:00 p.m. (Field B) - [3] Mulvane (17-5) vs. [6] Clearwater (14-8) Semifinals (Friday) 11:00 a.m. (Field A) - McPherson/Ft. Scott winner vs. Mulvane/Clearwater winner 11:00 a.m. (Field B) - Wamego/St.George-Rock Creek winner vs. Eudora/Andale-Garden Plain winner 3rd Place Game (Friday) 1:00 p.m. (Field B) -&nbsp;TBD Championship Game (Friday) 1:30 p.m. (Field A) - TBD *<a href="https://www.kshsaa.org/public/baseball/pdf/gamechangerresults.pdf">Stats &amp; Results from Class 4A</a> -The McPherson Bullpups make just their second state tournament appearance in program history... defeated Winfield and Abilene in regional play, both in shutout fashion, outscoring the two 16-0... second straight year as undefeated AVCTL-III champions... two of three losses came to 6A qualifiers Derby and Manhattan... only three seniors on current roster... sophomore Addison Chapman is 11-2 in the circle with a 2.20 ERA and 113 strikeouts on the season...

CLASS 3A - Twin Oaks Complex in Manhattan Quarterfinals (Thursday) 5:00 p.m. (Field 1) - [1] Haven (22-1) vs. [8] Scott City (16-7) 5:00 p.m. (Field 4) - [2] Southeast of Saline (21-2) vs. [7] Burlington (15-6) 7:00 p.m. (Field 1) - [4] Beloit (20-3) vs. [5] Santa Fe Trail (19-3) 7:00 p.m. (Field 4) - [3] Columbus (21-2) vs. [6] Rossville (17-4) Semifinals (Friday) 11:00 a.m. (Field 1) - SE of Saline/Burlington winner vs. Columbus/Rossville winner 11:00 a.m. (Field 4) - Haven/Scott City winner vs. Beloit/Santa Fe Trail winner 3rd Place Game (Friday) 1:00 p.m. (Field 4) -&nbsp;TBD Championship Game (Friday) 1:30 p.m. (Field 1) - TBD&nbsp; *<a href="https://www.kshsaa.org/public/baseball/pdf/gamechangerresults.pdf">Stats &amp; Results from Class 3A</a> -Haven returns to the state tournament for the seventh time in the past nine seasons, and have been a 3A powerhouse under head coach Darin Ashworth... Wildcats finished as runner-up in 2016 &amp; 2017 and three third place finishes... Haven has won the Central Kansas League in four of the past five seasons... defeated Conway Springs/Argonia, Kingman/Norwich and Wichita Trinity en route to the state tournament... freshman Avery Brawner has had a standout first year going 16-1 in the circle with a 1.49 ERA and 104 punch outs... junior Sadie Estill leads the offense with a .634 average and 41 RBI

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684983513675.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>CLASS 4A - Salina South High School in Salina Quarterfinals (Thursday) 5:00 p.m. (Field A) - [1] Wamego (17-1) vs. [8] St. George-Rock Creek (11-11) 5:00 p.m. (Field B) - [2] McPherson (19-3) vs. [7] Fort Scott (13-8) 7:00 p.m. (Field A) - [4] Eudora (15-5) vs. [5] Andale/Garden Plain (15-7) 7:00 p.m. (Field B) - [3] Mulvane (17-5) vs. [6] Clearwater (14-8) Semifinals (Friday) 11:00 a.m. (Field A) - McPherson/Ft. Scott winner vs. Mulvane/Clearwater winner 11:00 a.m. (Field B) - Wamego/St.George-Rock Creek winner vs. Eudora/Andale-Garden Plain winner 3rd Place Game (Friday) 1:00 p.m. (Field B) -&nbsp;TBD Championship Game (Friday) 1:30 p.m. (Field A) - TBD *<a href="https://www.kshsaa.org/public/baseball/pdf/gamechangerresults.pdf">Stats &amp; Results from Class 4A</a> -The McPherson Bullpups make just their second state tournament appearance in program history... defeated Winfield and Abilene in regional play, both in shutout fashion, outscoring the two 16-0... second straight year as undefeated AVCTL-III champions... two of three losses came to 6A qualifiers Derby and Manhattan... only three seniors on current roster... sophomore Addison Chapman is 11-2 in the circle with a 2.20 ERA and 113 strikeouts on the season...<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684983404853.jpeg" alt="The McPherson Bullpups are headed to the 4A state softball tournament. Photo courtesy of McPherson High School Athletics." />
 <figcaption>The McPherson Bullpups are headed to the 4A state softball tournament. Photo courtesy of McPherson High School Athletics.</figcaption>
 </figure>CLASS 3A - Twin Oaks Complex in Manhattan Quarterfinals (Thursday) 5:00 p.m. (Field 1) - [1] Haven (22-1) vs. [8] Scott City (16-7) 5:00 p.m. (Field 4) - [2] Southeast of Saline (21-2) vs. [7] Burlington (15-6) 7:00 p.m. (Field 1) - [4] Beloit (20-3) vs. [5] Santa Fe Trail (19-3) 7:00 p.m. (Field 4) - [3] Columbus (21-2) vs. [6] Rossville (17-4) Semifinals (Friday) 11:00 a.m. (Field 1) - SE of Saline/Burlington winner vs. Columbus/Rossville winner 11:00 a.m. (Field 4) - Haven/Scott City winner vs. Beloit/Santa Fe Trail winner 3rd Place Game (Friday) 1:00 p.m. (Field 4) -&nbsp;TBD Championship Game (Friday) 1:30 p.m. (Field 1) - TBD&nbsp; *<a href="https://www.kshsaa.org/public/baseball/pdf/gamechangerresults.pdf">Stats &amp; Results from Class 3A</a> -Haven returns to the state tournament for the seventh time in the past nine seasons, and have been a 3A powerhouse under head coach Darin Ashworth... Wildcats finished as runner-up in 2016 &amp; 2017 and three third place finishes... Haven has won the Central Kansas League in four of the past five seasons... defeated Conway Springs/Argonia, Kingman/Norwich and Wichita Trinity en route to the state tournament... freshman Avery Brawner has had a standout first year going 16-1 in the circle with a 1.49 ERA and 104 punch outs... junior Sadie Estill leads the offense with a .634 average and 41 RBI<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684983206902.jpeg" alt="The Haven Wildcats are headed to the 3A state softball tournament. Photo courtesy of Haven High School Athletics." />
 <figcaption>The Haven Wildcats are headed to the 3A state softball tournament. Photo courtesy of Haven High School Athletics.</figcaption>
 </figure>

🥎 Haven, McPherson highlight area state qualifiers

CLASS 4A - Dean Evans Stadium in Salina Quarterfinals (Thursday) 11:00 a.m. - [2] St. George-Rock Creek (21-1) vs. [7] Paola (14-8) 1:15 p.m. - [3] McPherson (18-4) vs. [6] Larned/La Crosse (14-7) 3:30 p.m. - [1] Clay Center/Wakefield (21-1) vs. [8] Chanute (16-6) 5:45 p.m. - [4] Fort Scott (16-6) vs. [5] Abilene (14-8) Semifinals (Friday) 11:00 a.m. - G1 winner vs. G2 winner 1:15 p.m. - G3 winner vs. G4 winner 3rd Place Game (Friday) 3:30 p.m. - G5 loser vs. G6 loser Championship Game (Friday) 5:45 p.m. - G5 winner vs. G6 winner *<a href="https://www.kshsaa.org/public/baseball/pdf/gamechangerresults.pdf">Stats &amp; Results from Class 4A</a> -The McPherson Bullpups return to the Class 4A state tournament as the reigning champions, beating Tonganoxie 5-2 last spring... the Bullpups finished the 2022 season with a 23-2 record... this marks the ninth appearance for the Bullpups at the state tournament in program history... senior Hunter Alvord set the school record for batting average (.545) this season (6 HR, 47 RBI)

CLASS 2-1A - Great Bend Sports Complex Quarterfinals (Thursday) 11:00 a.m. - [1] Little River (20-1)&nbsp;vs. [8] Pittsburg-St. Mary's Colgan (12-11) 1:15 p.m. - [4] Onaga (18-3) vs. [5] Medicine Lodge (19-4) 3:30 p.m. - [2] Elkhart (20-1) vs. [7] Prairie Village-KC Christian (15-8) 5:45 p.m. - [3] Marion (19-2) vs. [6] Sedgwick (18-5) Semifinals (Friday) 11:00 a.m. - G1 winner vs. G2 winner 1:15 p.m. - G3 winner vs. G4 winner 3rd Place Game (Friday) 3:30 p.m. - G5 loser vs. G6 loser Championship Game (Friday) 5:45 p.m. - G5 winner vs. G6 winner *<a href="https://www.kshsaa.org/public/baseball/pdf/gamechangerresults.pdf">Stats &amp; Results from Class 2-1A</a> -The Little River Redskins are back in the 2-1A state tournament after finishing as runner-up in 2022, losing to Mission Valley, 5-4... the Redskins beat Ell-Saline, Canton-Galva and Sacred Heart in regional play... this marks the fourth state tournament appearance in program history... senior Braden Young leads the team with a .667 average and has 22 RBI, 52 runs scored and 35 stolen bases... the Redskins have just 11 players on their state roster

-The Sedgwick Cardinals are back in the 2-1A state tournament after winning the state title in 2021, beating Valley Falls, 11-1... this marks the fourth appearance in the state tournament for the Cardinals... Sedgwick defeated Flinthills, Leon-Bluestem and Remington in regional play... junior Jeff Nold leads the team with 29 total hits and 26 RBI... four of the five losses for the Cardinals have come to fellow 2-1A qualifiers Little River and quarterfinal foe Marion...&nbsp;

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684980575527.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>CLASS 4A - Dean Evans Stadium in Salina Quarterfinals (Thursday) 11:00 a.m. - [2] St. George-Rock Creek (21-1) vs. [7] Paola (14-8) 1:15 p.m. - [3] McPherson (18-4) vs. [6] Larned/La Crosse (14-7) 3:30 p.m. - [1] Clay Center/Wakefield (21-1) vs. [8] Chanute (16-6) 5:45 p.m. - [4] Fort Scott (16-6) vs. [5] Abilene (14-8) Semifinals (Friday) 11:00 a.m. - G1 winner vs. G2 winner 1:15 p.m. - G3 winner vs. G4 winner 3rd Place Game (Friday) 3:30 p.m. - G5 loser vs. G6 loser Championship Game (Friday) 5:45 p.m. - G5 winner vs. G6 winner *<a href="https://www.kshsaa.org/public/baseball/pdf/gamechangerresults.pdf">Stats &amp; Results from Class 4A</a> -The McPherson Bullpups return to the Class 4A state tournament as the reigning champions, beating Tonganoxie 5-2 last spring... the Bullpups finished the 2022 season with a 23-2 record... this marks the ninth appearance for the Bullpups at the state tournament in program history... senior Hunter Alvord set the school record for batting average (.545) this season (6 HR, 47 RBI)<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684983576348.jpeg" alt="The McPherson Bullpups are headed to the 4A state baseball tournament. Photo courtesy of McPherson High School Athletics." />
 <figcaption>The McPherson Bullpups are headed to the 4A state baseball tournament. Photo courtesy of McPherson High School Athletics.</figcaption>
 </figure>CLASS 2-1A - Great Bend Sports Complex Quarterfinals (Thursday) 11:00 a.m. - [1] Little River (20-1)&nbsp;vs. [8] Pittsburg-St. Mary's Colgan (12-11) 1:15 p.m. - [4] Onaga (18-3) vs. [5] Medicine Lodge (19-4) 3:30 p.m. - [2] Elkhart (20-1) vs. [7] Prairie Village-KC Christian (15-8) 5:45 p.m. - [3] Marion (19-2) vs. [6] Sedgwick (18-5) Semifinals (Friday) 11:00 a.m. - G1 winner vs. G2 winner 1:15 p.m. - G3 winner vs. G4 winner 3rd Place Game (Friday) 3:30 p.m. - G5 loser vs. G6 loser Championship Game (Friday) 5:45 p.m. - G5 winner vs. G6 winner *<a href="https://www.kshsaa.org/public/baseball/pdf/gamechangerresults.pdf">Stats &amp; Results from Class 2-1A</a> -The Little River Redskins are back in the 2-1A state tournament after finishing as runner-up in 2022, losing to Mission Valley, 5-4... the Redskins beat Ell-Saline, Canton-Galva and Sacred Heart in regional play... this marks the fourth state tournament appearance in program history... senior Braden Young leads the team with a .667 average and has 22 RBI, 52 runs scored and 35 stolen bases... the Redskins have just 11 players on their state roster<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684983717528.jpeg" alt="The Little River Redskins are headed to the 2-1A state baseball tournament. Photo courtesy of Little River High School Athletics." />
 <figcaption>The Little River Redskins are headed to the 2-1A state baseball tournament. Photo courtesy of Little River High School Athletics.</figcaption>
 </figure>-The Sedgwick Cardinals are back in the 2-1A state tournament after winning the state title in 2021, beating Valley Falls, 11-1... this marks the fourth appearance in the state tournament for the Cardinals... Sedgwick defeated Flinthills, Leon-Bluestem and Remington in regional play... junior Jeff Nold leads the team with 29 total hits and 26 RBI... four of the five losses for the Cardinals have come to fellow 2-1A qualifiers Little River and quarterfinal foe Marion...&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684983766263.jpeg" alt="The Sedgwick Cardinals are headed to the 2-1A state baseball tournament. Photo courtesy of Sedgwick High School Athletics." />
 <figcaption>The Sedgwick Cardinals are headed to the 2-1A state baseball tournament. Photo courtesy of Sedgwick High School Athletics.</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

⚾ McPherson, Sedgwick and Little River highlight area state qualifiers

Courtesy of Kansas State Athletics

ARLINGTON, Texas –&nbsp;The Horned Frogs' pitching staff held the Wildcats to just three hits as the fourth-seeded TCU defeated No. 5 seed K-State, 16-3, in seven innings during the first round of the 2023 Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championship at Globe Life Field. "Not the start that we wanted to have for the game or for the tournament," stated head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/coaches/pete-hughes/1939">Pete Hughes</a>. "Credit to TCU to dictate the tempo." "We're all in. We were all in today they just jumped out on us and we couldn't exercise our pitching plan. It will be every man available and we will do whatever it takes to win. Survive for the next day and game plan for the next day," said Hughes. K-State drew 11 walks, TCU's largest allowed walk total this season, with four Wildcats drawing multiple. The Cats season total improved to 331 walks which ranks third all-time in the school's single-season records. "I was proud of our guys. You can abandon your plate discipline in a throw away game like that when you're chasing 10 runs, but they stuck to who they were. There's some maturity there and we can build off that." Boerema became just the fifth Wildcat in program history to record 91 strikeouts in a single season after striking out the final batter in the first, tying Derek Anderson in the single-season records. The Litchfield, Minn., product received just his second loss of the season to move to 7-2. &nbsp; <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/blake-corsentino/10946">Blake Corsentino</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/andrew-evans/10981">Andrew Evans</a>&nbsp;allowed just two hits over their 2 1/3 innings in relief. <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/cash-rugely/10963">Cash Rugely</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/cole-johnson/10953">Cole Johnson</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/nick-goodwin/10950">Nick Goodwin</a>&nbsp;each recorded a hit while Johnson,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/roberto-pena/10971">Roberto Pena</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/raphael-pelletier/10960">Raphael Pelletier</a>&nbsp;each drove in an RBI. HOW IT HAPPENED TCU scored all 16 of its runs over the first four innings including a six-run fourth to seal the run-rule victory. &nbsp; The Horned Frogs struck first in the bottom of the opening frame with Brayden Taylor's three-run homer. TCU reached base in four straight plate appearances before the Wildcats' recorded an out until Kurtis Byrne, who hit No. 7 in the lineup, launched a two-run blast into left center to expand the lead to five. The Cats added traffic to the basepath for the first time since the first frame with three walks until&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/roberto-pena/10971">Roberto Pena</a>&nbsp;was hit by a pitch to bring in K-State's first run of the tournament to end the shutout in the fourth. <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/raphael-pelletier/10960">Raphael Pelletier</a>&nbsp;put a 3-1 pitch into play to score&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/brady-day/10948">Brady Day</a>&nbsp;on the sacrifice fly to trim the Frogs' lead to eight, 10-2. &nbsp; In the fifth, Johnson registered the Cats' first hit since the first inning with an RBI single up the middle past the diving efforts of the Frogs' second baseman. Trailing 16-3, Goodwin doubled down the left field line to record his 23rd&nbsp;extra-base hit of the season until&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/dom-hughes/10952">Dom Hughes</a>&nbsp;drew the Cats K-State drew its 331st&nbsp;walk. The duo moved into scoring position on a wild pitch but were left stranded when reliever Chase Hoover punched out the final two batters. INSIDE THE BOX

UP NEXT K-State (33-23) will face either No. 1 seed Texas or No. 8 seed Kansas Thursday in an elimination game at 9 a.m. The game can be seen on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ and the ESPN app. Radio coverage can be heard on the K-State Sports Radio Network with live audio streaming at K-StateSports.com/Watch.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684978530875.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Courtesy of Kansas State Athletics

ARLINGTON, Texas –&nbsp;The Horned Frogs' pitching staff held the Wildcats to just three hits as the fourth-seeded TCU defeated No. 5 seed K-State, 16-3, in seven innings during the first round of the 2023 Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championship at Globe Life Field. "Not the start that we wanted to have for the game or for the tournament," stated head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/coaches/pete-hughes/1939">Pete Hughes</a>. "Credit to TCU to dictate the tempo." "We're all in. We were all in today they just jumped out on us and we couldn't exercise our pitching plan. It will be every man available and we will do whatever it takes to win. Survive for the next day and game plan for the next day," said Hughes. K-State drew 11 walks, TCU's largest allowed walk total this season, with four Wildcats drawing multiple. The Cats season total improved to 331 walks which ranks third all-time in the school's single-season records. "I was proud of our guys. You can abandon your plate discipline in a throw away game like that when you're chasing 10 runs, but they stuck to who they were. There's some maturity there and we can build off that." Boerema became just the fifth Wildcat in program history to record 91 strikeouts in a single season after striking out the final batter in the first, tying Derek Anderson in the single-season records. The Litchfield, Minn., product received just his second loss of the season to move to 7-2. &nbsp; <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/blake-corsentino/10946">Blake Corsentino</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/andrew-evans/10981">Andrew Evans</a>&nbsp;allowed just two hits over their 2 1/3 innings in relief. <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/cash-rugely/10963">Cash Rugely</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/cole-johnson/10953">Cole Johnson</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/nick-goodwin/10950">Nick Goodwin</a>&nbsp;each recorded a hit while Johnson,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/roberto-pena/10971">Roberto Pena</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/raphael-pelletier/10960">Raphael Pelletier</a>&nbsp;each drove in an RBI. HOW IT HAPPENED TCU scored all 16 of its runs over the first four innings including a six-run fourth to seal the run-rule victory. &nbsp; The Horned Frogs struck first in the bottom of the opening frame with Brayden Taylor's three-run homer. TCU reached base in four straight plate appearances before the Wildcats' recorded an out until Kurtis Byrne, who hit No. 7 in the lineup, launched a two-run blast into left center to expand the lead to five. The Cats added traffic to the basepath for the first time since the first frame with three walks until&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/roberto-pena/10971">Roberto Pena</a>&nbsp;was hit by a pitch to bring in K-State's first run of the tournament to end the shutout in the fourth. <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/raphael-pelletier/10960">Raphael Pelletier</a>&nbsp;put a 3-1 pitch into play to score&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/brady-day/10948">Brady Day</a>&nbsp;on the sacrifice fly to trim the Frogs' lead to eight, 10-2. &nbsp; In the fifth, Johnson registered the Cats' first hit since the first inning with an RBI single up the middle past the diving efforts of the Frogs' second baseman. Trailing 16-3, Goodwin doubled down the left field line to record his 23rd&nbsp;extra-base hit of the season until&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/dom-hughes/10952">Dom Hughes</a>&nbsp;drew the Cats K-State drew its 331st&nbsp;walk. The duo moved into scoring position on a wild pitch but were left stranded when reliever Chase Hoover punched out the final two batters. INSIDE THE BOX<ul>
 <li>K-State scored three runs on three hits with three errors and 11 left on base</li><li>The Cats drew 11 walks</li><li>K-State drew double figure walks for the ninth time this season</li><li>Goodwin, Rugely and Johnson each registered a hit</li><li>Three Wildcats drove in an RBI</li><li>Boerema (7-2) received the loss</li><li>The Cats bullpen combined for two earned runs and two strikeouts</li><li>K-State stole two bases to bring the season total to 111; ranks fifth in the single-season records</li><li>TCU played 16 runs on 17 hits with one error and five left on base</li><li>Traeger received his first victory of the season</li><li>The Frogs' pitching staff combined for 10 strikeouts</li>
 </ul>NOTES<ul>
 <li>K-State moves to 19-25 all-time in the Big 12 Championship tournament</li><li>Cats will face the loser of No. 1 Texas and No. 8 Kansas</li><li>Boerema ties fifth in the single-season records with 91 strikeouts</li><li>TCU leads the all-time series, 29-13</li><li>K-State is 1-3 against TCU during the conference tournament</li><li>TCU leads the season-series 3-1</li>
 </ul> UP NEXT K-State (33-23) will face either No. 1 seed Texas or No. 8 seed Kansas Thursday in an elimination game at 9 a.m. The game can be seen on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ and the ESPN app. Radio coverage can be heard on the K-State Sports Radio Network with live audio streaming at K-StateSports.com/Watch.

⚾ K-State blasted by TCU in Big 12 tournament opener

⚾ Reeder’s grand slam lifts Jayhawks to Big 12 Tournament win over top-seeded Texas

Courtesy of Wichita State Athletics&nbsp;

WICHITA, Kan. –&nbsp;Wichita State student-athletes set a school record with a 3.406 cumulative grade-point average for the Spring 2023 semester. It was also the 36th-consecutive semester of earning higher than a 3.00 cumulative grade-point average. In August of 2022, Wichita State Athletics established a bold and aggressive set of five-year strategic objectives.&nbsp;Academically - beginning the Fall of 2022 semester and concluding the Spring of 2027 semester - Wichita State Athletics aspires to achieve a department-wide 3.0 GPA all 10 semesters, a department-wide 3.30 GPA five out of the next 10 semesters and a department-wide 3.40 GPA once out of the next 10 semesters.&nbsp;The Spring of 2023 accomplished all three of these objectives, after achieving a "never been done before" department-wide GPA of 3.406. "Today's record-breaking announcement, achieving a 'first ever' department-wide GPA above a 3.4, brings great joy to our department, University and community," said Director of Athletics Kevin Saal.&nbsp; "Our student-athletes, coaches, support staff and administration have consistently prioritized elite academic performance. Over half of our student-athletes identify as first-generation college students, so these results represent generational and transformational change not only within their families but also collectively within our athletics department family." Of the 198 student-athletes on the honor roll (above a 3.0), 45 earned a perfect 4.0 GPA, while 124 were named to the Dean's List (3.5 GPA) and 182 were named Shocker Scholars (3.2 GPA).&nbsp;&nbsp;Eighty-six percent of student-athlete grades were either an A or a B.&nbsp;&nbsp; "The Shocker Athletics Scholarship Organization (SASO) is critical to connecting young people from all walks of life to a higher education degree," Saal said. "Athletics represents unique classrooms through which young people are equipping to launch as leaders of character, competence, and consequence for life.&nbsp;Our gratitude and appreciation for hundreds of generous SASO contributors cannot be overstated. Thank you for fueling our mission to develop young people and programs through intercollegiate athletics at Wichita State University."&nbsp; If you would like to enhance your current contribution to SASO or make a new contribution to assist in providing the best educational experience for our student-athletes, please call the SASO Office at 316-978-7276 or email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:saso@goshockers.com">saso@goshockers.com</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684955746552.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Courtesy of Wichita State Athletics&nbsp;WICHITA, Kan. –&nbsp;Wichita State student-athletes set a school record with a 3.406 cumulative grade-point average for the Spring 2023 semester. It was also the 36th-consecutive semester of earning higher than a 3.00 cumulative grade-point average. In August of 2022, Wichita State Athletics established a bold and aggressive set of five-year strategic objectives.&nbsp;Academically - beginning the Fall of 2022 semester and concluding the Spring of 2027 semester - Wichita State Athletics aspires to achieve a department-wide 3.0 GPA all 10 semesters, a department-wide 3.30 GPA five out of the next 10 semesters and a department-wide 3.40 GPA once out of the next 10 semesters.&nbsp;The Spring of 2023 accomplished all three of these objectives, after achieving a "never been done before" department-wide GPA of 3.406. "Today's record-breaking announcement, achieving a 'first ever' department-wide GPA above a 3.4, brings great joy to our department, University and community," said Director of Athletics Kevin Saal.&nbsp; "Our student-athletes, coaches, support staff and administration have consistently prioritized elite academic performance. Over half of our student-athletes identify as first-generation college students, so these results represent generational and transformational change not only within their families but also collectively within our athletics department family." Of the 198 student-athletes on the honor roll (above a 3.0), 45 earned a perfect 4.0 GPA, while 124 were named to the Dean's List (3.5 GPA) and 182 were named Shocker Scholars (3.2 GPA).&nbsp;&nbsp;Eighty-six percent of student-athlete grades were either an A or a B.&nbsp;&nbsp; "The Shocker Athletics Scholarship Organization (SASO) is critical to connecting young people from all walks of life to a higher education degree," Saal said. "Athletics represents unique classrooms through which young people are equipping to launch as leaders of character, competence, and consequence for life.&nbsp;Our gratitude and appreciation for hundreds of generous SASO contributors cannot be overstated. Thank you for fueling our mission to develop young people and programs through intercollegiate athletics at Wichita State University."&nbsp; If you would like to enhance your current contribution to SASO or make a new contribution to assist in providing the best educational experience for our student-athletes, please call the SASO Office at 316-978-7276 or email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:saso@goshockers.com">saso@goshockers.com</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Shocker student-athletes set GPA record

The Wichita State men's basketball team will travel to Greece for a 10-day exhibition tour, Aug. 1-10, first-year head coach Paul Mills announced today. "I'm thankful for this opportunity to take our team to Greece," Mills said. "These summer months preparing for our games will ignite chemistry and lay a critical foundation for the approaching season. It's also phenomenal cultural opportunity, giving our players exposure to the people and rich heritage of Greece." The Shockers will play three games against international competition during their trip (dates and opponents to be announced) and can take advantage of 10 extra practices in the days leading up to it. Greece is a country with thousands of islands throughout the Aegean and Ionian seas and is famous for its beaches. Influential in ancient times, it's often called the cradle of Western civilization. The itinerary includes stops in Thessaloniki, Athens, Kalampaka and Corinth for site-seeing opportunities at world-famous landmarks such at the Acropolis, the Parthanon, Meteora, the Isthmus of Corinth and more. The journey begins with two days in Thessaloniki, along the Aegean Sea. Rich in history, culture and beauty, it's the second-largest city in Greece and the capital of the region. Evidence of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman history remains in the form of museums, monuments and an intricate culinary scene. Words nor pictures can sufficiently describe the magic and beauty of Meteora, the famous rock formation located just outside the city of Kalampaka in central Greece. The Shockers will have a day to soak it all in and a chance to visit the Meteora Monasteries, perched precipitously atop the formation's collection of large pillars and rounded boulders. The second half of the trip takes place in and around Athens, the capital of Greece, which is home to legendary landmarks like the 5th-century B.C. Acropolis citadel and the Parthenon temple. While in Athens, the team will take a full-day cruise through the islands of Poros, Hydra and Aegina and later tour Corinth, an important historical and archeological site that was once one of the most powerful cities of the Classical world. "I'm grateful to the many Wichita State fans and supporters who contribute to our athletics program to make this possible," Mills said. "Shocker Nation is giving these young men an experience they will not forget. Thank you!" NCAA rules allow for one foreign tour every four years. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, WSU last took one in 2016 when it played a series of games in Montreal and Toronto. Previous teams visited Brazil (2011) and Vancouver, British Columbia (2016).&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684943717223.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Courtesy of Wichita State Athletics&nbsp;The Wichita State men's basketball team will travel to Greece for a 10-day exhibition tour, Aug. 1-10, first-year head coach Paul Mills announced today. "I'm thankful for this opportunity to take our team to Greece," Mills said. "These summer months preparing for our games will ignite chemistry and lay a critical foundation for the approaching season. It's also phenomenal cultural opportunity, giving our players exposure to the people and rich heritage of Greece." The Shockers will play three games against international competition during their trip (dates and opponents to be announced) and can take advantage of 10 extra practices in the days leading up to it. Greece is a country with thousands of islands throughout the Aegean and Ionian seas and is famous for its beaches. Influential in ancient times, it's often called the cradle of Western civilization. The itinerary includes stops in Thessaloniki, Athens, Kalampaka and Corinth for site-seeing opportunities at world-famous landmarks such at the Acropolis, the Parthanon, Meteora, the Isthmus of Corinth and more. The journey begins with two days in Thessaloniki, along the Aegean Sea. Rich in history, culture and beauty, it's the second-largest city in Greece and the capital of the region. Evidence of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman history remains in the form of museums, monuments and an intricate culinary scene. Words nor pictures can sufficiently describe the magic and beauty of Meteora, the famous rock formation located just outside the city of Kalampaka in central Greece. The Shockers will have a day to soak it all in and a chance to visit the Meteora Monasteries, perched precipitously atop the formation's collection of large pillars and rounded boulders. The second half of the trip takes place in and around Athens, the capital of Greece, which is home to legendary landmarks like the 5th-century B.C. Acropolis citadel and the Parthenon temple. While in Athens, the team will take a full-day cruise through the islands of Poros, Hydra and Aegina and later tour Corinth, an important historical and archeological site that was once one of the most powerful cities of the Classical world. "I'm grateful to the many Wichita State fans and supporters who contribute to our athletics program to make this possible," Mills said. "Shocker Nation is giving these young men an experience they will not forget. Thank you!" NCAA rules allow for one foreign tour every four years. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, WSU last took one in 2016 when it played a series of games in Montreal and Toronto. Previous teams visited Brazil (2011) and Vancouver, British Columbia (2016).&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 MBB: WSU to play in 10-day exhibition tour overseas

LAWRENCE, Kan.&nbsp;— The Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball team received big news on Wednesday morning, as it was announced Kevin McCullar will be returning to the hardwood next season in the crimson and blue.

McCullar entered the NBA Draft process following the 2022-23 season, but will return to Kansas for a fifth year.&nbsp;

McCullar was named to the Big 12 All Defensive Team and All-Big 12 Third Team after his performance this past winter. He finished third on the team in scoring at 10.7 points per game and was second on the team and fourth in the Big 12 in rebounds per game at 7.0.&nbsp;

“How about one more year Jayhawk nation,” McCullar said in a release. “To be able to play in front of the best fans in the country; to play for the best coach in the nation, I truly believe we have the pieces to hang another banner in the Phog. Rock Chalk! Let’s do it!”

Possibly the happiest about the news is head coach Bill Self.

“This is a big day for Kansas basketball,” Bill Self added in the release. “We’ve had a lot of good things happen through recruiting this offseason, but nothing that has transpired this offseason was bigger for KU basketball than having a seasoned veteran like Kevin McCullar return to our program.”

With McCullar back, KU will now have 11 scholarship players on the roster. The Jayhawks will have three returners, three incoming transfers and four incoming freshman on the 2023-24 roster.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678410958158.png" alt="Kansas guard Kevin McCullar Jr. celebrates after making a basket in an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Big 12 Conference tournament Thursday, March 9, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (Kansas Athletics photo)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas guard Kevin McCullar Jr. celebrates after making a basket in an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Big 12 Conference tournament Thursday, March 9, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (Kansas Athletics photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan.&nbsp;— The Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball team received big news on Wednesday morning, as it was announced Kevin McCullar will be returning to the hardwood next season in the crimson and blue.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">1️⃣5️⃣ is BACK baby 🔴🔵 <a href="https://twitter.com/Kevin_McCullar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Kevin_McCullar</a> <a href="https://t.co/d5kihcNl7r">pic.twitter.com/d5kihcNl7r</a>&mdash; Kansas Men’s Basketball (@KUHoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/KUHoops/status/1661371696836669442?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 24, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>McCullar entered the NBA Draft process following the 2022-23 season, but will return to Kansas for a fifth year.&nbsp;McCullar was named to the Big 12 All Defensive Team and All-Big 12 Third Team after his performance this past winter. He finished third on the team in scoring at 10.7 points per game and was second on the team and fourth in the Big 12 in rebounds per game at 7.0.&nbsp;“How about one more year Jayhawk nation,” McCullar said in a release. “To be able to play in front of the best fans in the country; to play for the best coach in the nation, I truly believe we have the pieces to hang another banner in the Phog. Rock Chalk! Let’s do it!”Possibly the happiest about the news is head coach Bill Self.“This is a big day for Kansas basketball,” Bill Self added in the release. “We’ve had a lot of good things happen through recruiting this offseason, but nothing that has transpired this offseason was bigger for KU basketball than having a seasoned veteran like Kevin McCullar return to our program.”With McCullar back, KU will now have 11 scholarship players on the roster. The Jayhawks will have three returners, three incoming transfers and four incoming freshman on the 2023-24 roster.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 MBB: McCullar opts out of NBA Draft process, returns to KU

ARLINGTON, Texas—The Big 12 Baseball Championship begins Wednesday morning in Arlington, Texas.

The official 2023&nbsp;Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball&nbsp;Championship game program is now available for download.

The program produced by Learfield IMG College features Big 12 standings, Big 12 Championship records as well as team rosters and stats. The program can be&nbsp;<a href="https://digital.learfield.com/big-12-bsb-championship-program.html">downloaded here</a>&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684929480100.jpeg" alt="Big 12 Baseball.jpg" />
 <figcaption>Big 12 Baseball.jpg</figcaption>
 </figure>ARLINGTON, Texas—The Big 12 Baseball Championship begins Wednesday morning in Arlington, Texas.The official 2023&nbsp;Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball&nbsp;Championship game program is now available for download.The program produced by Learfield IMG College features Big 12 standings, Big 12 Championship records as well as team rosters and stats. The program can be&nbsp;<a href="https://digital.learfield.com/big-12-bsb-championship-program.html">downloaded here</a>&nbsp;

 ⚾ 2023 Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championship starts Wednesday

IRVING, Texas –&nbsp;True freshman Kodey Shojinaga was named Big 12 Co-Freshman of the Year, the first in program history to receive the accolade, while five Jayhawks received conference honors Wednesday as announced by the league. Janson Reeder was selected to the All-Big 12 First Team, while Collin Baumgartner, Cole Elvis, Chase Jans and Shojinaga were voted to the All-Big 12 Second Team. Shojinaga also was an unanimous selection for the Big 12 All-Freshman Team. &nbsp; “I’m super proud of all the guys,” Head Coach Dan Fitzgerald said. They have been bought in since our first team meeting last August. They all trusted the process and stayed focused on the important things. They are a special group of Jayhawks.” &nbsp; Shojinaga highlighted the conference awards for the Jayhawks by being recognized as the Big 12 Co-Freshman of the Year, a member of the All-Big 12 Second Team and getting selected unanimously to the Big 12 All-Freshman Team. He shared Freshman of the Year honors with Oklahoma State’s Nolan Schubart. &nbsp; Shojinaga, originally recruited as a catcher and converted to an infielder, has been the most consistent hitter for Kansas in 2023. He is currently seventh in the nation amongst true freshman with a team-best .380 batting average this season, which ranks second in the conference. The Honolulu, Hawaii, native also posted a .418 average and 41 hits in conference games, which were both a league best. He led the team in hits (70), multi-hit games (19), on-base percentage (.424) and OPS (.962) as well. &nbsp; “Kodey has worked hard and played at a very high level since day one on campus,” Fitzgerald said. “He’s a winner in every way – a 4.0 student, a great teammate, and an elite worker. His success is not surprising, and I could not be more proud of Kodey.” &nbsp; Reeder earned a spot on the All-Big 12 First Team as a designated hitter. The junior transfer from Cowley Community College made his transition to Division I this season and led the Jayhawks in doubles and slugging percentage. He also was tied for the most extra-base hits on the roster and hit 11 home runs, the second most on the team. He recorded 15 multi-hit games and had 11 multi-RBI contests. Reeder posted a .614 slugging percentage in Big 12 play this season. &nbsp; Baumgartner, a sixth-year graduate transfer from SIU-Edwardsville, seized his opportunity to move up to the Power Five level and was rewarded with a spot on the All-Big 12 Second Team. Baumgartner spent his first five years alongside current Kansas pitching coach Brandon Scott. The Brighton, Illinois, native was the Friday starter for Kansas all season and went 5-1 with a 3.79 ERA. He allowed three runs or less in 10 of his 14 starts and led the team in wins, strikeouts, innings pitched and strikeout to walk ratio. His 73.2 innings pitched ranked fifth in the conference. &nbsp; Elvis, a senior transfer from Cal, was awarded a spot on the All-Big 12 Second Team as an infielder. Elvis was the only Kansas player to start every game this season and played two-thirds of those games at first base. He led the team with 14 home runs, 51 RBIs and 118 total bases. Ten of his 14 home runs this season have come in the sixth inning or later. Elvis hit a home run in four consecutive games from April 19-23, which made him the first Jayhawk to do so since at least 1993. The Vacaville, California, native hit 10 home runs in conference play, which was tied for the most in the Big 12. His 32 RBIs and 67 total bases in Big 12 play were both the most in conference games this season. Defensively, Elvis committed only four errors in 447 chances for a .991 fielding percentage. &nbsp; Jans, one of 10 returners from the 2022 roster, made a huge jump that landed him on the All-Big 12 Second Team. Jans was second on the team in slugging percentage, hits and RBIs. This season, Jans has hit 10 home runs compared to three in 2022. On April 16, he tied the program record of nine RBIs set in 1993 after going 5-for-7 with a double, grand slam, and four runs scored. The sophomore from Overland Park, Kansas, made some highlight-reel catches on defense this season, two of which ended up on SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays. &nbsp; All five players who received conference honors were developed over the last year under Fitzgerald, who is in his first year as head coach at Kansas, along with his assembled coaching staff of Scott, Tyler Hancock and Jon Coyne. &nbsp; “My staff did a great job with these guys,” Fitzgerald said. “We built a good foundation and map for them to follow - but ultimately - all the credit goes to the players. They are the ones who actually have to do it, and those guys have really done it at a high level all year.” &nbsp; Kansas (24-30, 8-16 Big 12) begins the Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championship against No. 13 Texas on Wednesday afternoon at 12:30 p.m. CT at Globe Life Field. The Jayhawks are making their first appearance in the tournament since 2021 and are seeking their first victory in the double-elimination tournament since 2019. &nbsp; AWARDS + STATISTICS INF&nbsp;Kodey Shojinaga, Big 12 Co-Freshman of the Year, All-Big 12 Second Team, Big 12 All-Freshman Team Overall: .380/.424/.538, 11 2B, 6 HR, 31 RBI, 40 R, 15 BB, 99 TB in 50 games (43 starts) Big 12: .418/.462/.500, 8 2B, 10 RBI, 20 R, 8 BB, 49 TB in 24 games (23 starts) &nbsp; DH&nbsp;Janson Reeder, All-Big 12 First Team Overall: .278/.374/.561, 16 2B, 2 3B, 11 HR, 41 RBI, 34 R, 21 BB, 105 TB in 51 games (49 starts) Conference: .295/.366/.614, 8 2B, 1 3B, 6 HR, 22 RBI, 10 R, 6 BB, 54 TB in 23 games (22 starts) &nbsp; RHP&nbsp;Collin Baumgartner, All-Big 12 Second Team Overall: 5-1, 3.79 ERA, 14 G, 14 GS, 73.2 IP, 21 BB, 69 SO in 14 starts Big 12: 3-1, 4.69 ERA, 8 G, 8 GS, 40.1 IP, 13 BB, 39 SO in eight starts &nbsp; INF&nbsp;Cole Elvis, All-Big 12 Second Team Overall: .275/.324/.532, 15 2B, 14 HR, 51 RBI, 36 R, 16 BB, 118 TB in 54 games Conference: .313/.387/.698, 7 2B, 10 HR, 32 RBI, 21 R, 11 BB, 67 TB in 24 starts &nbsp; OF&nbsp;Chase Jans, All-Big 12 Second Team Overall: .320/.390/.548, 13 2B, 1 3B, 10 HR, 49 RBI, 36 R, 22 BB, 108 TB in 50 games (47 starts) Conference: .304/.359/.511, 4 3B, 5 HR, 24 RBI, 18 R, 9 BB, 47 TB in 22 games (21 starts)

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://mcusercontent.com/3846a6408b9536a51afeabac1/images/07738262-0b24-a1db-96e4-193152fdaa9a.jpeg" alt="Via KU Sports" />
 <figcaption>Via KU Sports</figcaption>
 </figure>IRVING, Texas –&nbsp;True freshman Kodey Shojinaga was named Big 12 Co-Freshman of the Year, the first in program history to receive the accolade, while five Jayhawks received conference honors Wednesday as announced by the league. Janson Reeder was selected to the All-Big 12 First Team, while Collin Baumgartner, Cole Elvis, Chase Jans and Shojinaga were voted to the All-Big 12 Second Team. Shojinaga also was an unanimous selection for the Big 12 All-Freshman Team. &nbsp; “I’m super proud of all the guys,” Head Coach Dan Fitzgerald said. They have been bought in since our first team meeting last August. They all trusted the process and stayed focused on the important things. They are a special group of Jayhawks.” &nbsp; Shojinaga highlighted the conference awards for the Jayhawks by being recognized as the Big 12 Co-Freshman of the Year, a member of the All-Big 12 Second Team and getting selected unanimously to the Big 12 All-Freshman Team. He shared Freshman of the Year honors with Oklahoma State’s Nolan Schubart. &nbsp; Shojinaga, originally recruited as a catcher and converted to an infielder, has been the most consistent hitter for Kansas in 2023. He is currently seventh in the nation amongst true freshman with a team-best .380 batting average this season, which ranks second in the conference. The Honolulu, Hawaii, native also posted a .418 average and 41 hits in conference games, which were both a league best. He led the team in hits (70), multi-hit games (19), on-base percentage (.424) and OPS (.962) as well. &nbsp; “Kodey has worked hard and played at a very high level since day one on campus,” Fitzgerald said. “He’s a winner in every way – a 4.0 student, a great teammate, and an elite worker. His success is not surprising, and I could not be more proud of Kodey.” &nbsp; Reeder earned a spot on the All-Big 12 First Team as a designated hitter. The junior transfer from Cowley Community College made his transition to Division I this season and led the Jayhawks in doubles and slugging percentage. He also was tied for the most extra-base hits on the roster and hit 11 home runs, the second most on the team. He recorded 15 multi-hit games and had 11 multi-RBI contests. Reeder posted a .614 slugging percentage in Big 12 play this season. &nbsp; Baumgartner, a sixth-year graduate transfer from SIU-Edwardsville, seized his opportunity to move up to the Power Five level and was rewarded with a spot on the All-Big 12 Second Team. Baumgartner spent his first five years alongside current Kansas pitching coach Brandon Scott. The Brighton, Illinois, native was the Friday starter for Kansas all season and went 5-1 with a 3.79 ERA. He allowed three runs or less in 10 of his 14 starts and led the team in wins, strikeouts, innings pitched and strikeout to walk ratio. His 73.2 innings pitched ranked fifth in the conference. &nbsp; Elvis, a senior transfer from Cal, was awarded a spot on the All-Big 12 Second Team as an infielder. Elvis was the only Kansas player to start every game this season and played two-thirds of those games at first base. He led the team with 14 home runs, 51 RBIs and 118 total bases. Ten of his 14 home runs this season have come in the sixth inning or later. Elvis hit a home run in four consecutive games from April 19-23, which made him the first Jayhawk to do so since at least 1993. The Vacaville, California, native hit 10 home runs in conference play, which was tied for the most in the Big 12. His 32 RBIs and 67 total bases in Big 12 play were both the most in conference games this season. Defensively, Elvis committed only four errors in 447 chances for a .991 fielding percentage. &nbsp; Jans, one of 10 returners from the 2022 roster, made a huge jump that landed him on the All-Big 12 Second Team. Jans was second on the team in slugging percentage, hits and RBIs. This season, Jans has hit 10 home runs compared to three in 2022. On April 16, he tied the program record of nine RBIs set in 1993 after going 5-for-7 with a double, grand slam, and four runs scored. The sophomore from Overland Park, Kansas, made some highlight-reel catches on defense this season, two of which ended up on SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays. &nbsp; All five players who received conference honors were developed over the last year under Fitzgerald, who is in his first year as head coach at Kansas, along with his assembled coaching staff of Scott, Tyler Hancock and Jon Coyne. &nbsp; “My staff did a great job with these guys,” Fitzgerald said. “We built a good foundation and map for them to follow - but ultimately - all the credit goes to the players. They are the ones who actually have to do it, and those guys have really done it at a high level all year.” &nbsp; Kansas (24-30, 8-16 Big 12) begins the Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championship against No. 13 Texas on Wednesday afternoon at 12:30 p.m. CT at Globe Life Field. The Jayhawks are making their first appearance in the tournament since 2021 and are seeking their first victory in the double-elimination tournament since 2019. &nbsp; AWARDS + STATISTICS INF&nbsp;Kodey Shojinaga, Big 12 Co-Freshman of the Year, All-Big 12 Second Team, Big 12 All-Freshman Team Overall: .380/.424/.538, 11 2B, 6 HR, 31 RBI, 40 R, 15 BB, 99 TB in 50 games (43 starts) Big 12: .418/.462/.500, 8 2B, 10 RBI, 20 R, 8 BB, 49 TB in 24 games (23 starts) &nbsp; DH&nbsp;Janson Reeder, All-Big 12 First Team Overall: .278/.374/.561, 16 2B, 2 3B, 11 HR, 41 RBI, 34 R, 21 BB, 105 TB in 51 games (49 starts) Conference: .295/.366/.614, 8 2B, 1 3B, 6 HR, 22 RBI, 10 R, 6 BB, 54 TB in 23 games (22 starts) &nbsp; RHP&nbsp;Collin Baumgartner, All-Big 12 Second Team Overall: 5-1, 3.79 ERA, 14 G, 14 GS, 73.2 IP, 21 BB, 69 SO in 14 starts Big 12: 3-1, 4.69 ERA, 8 G, 8 GS, 40.1 IP, 13 BB, 39 SO in eight starts &nbsp; INF&nbsp;Cole Elvis, All-Big 12 Second Team Overall: .275/.324/.532, 15 2B, 14 HR, 51 RBI, 36 R, 16 BB, 118 TB in 54 games Conference: .313/.387/.698, 7 2B, 10 HR, 32 RBI, 21 R, 11 BB, 67 TB in 24 starts &nbsp; OF&nbsp;Chase Jans, All-Big 12 Second Team Overall: .320/.390/.548, 13 2B, 1 3B, 10 HR, 49 RBI, 36 R, 22 BB, 108 TB in 50 games (47 starts) Conference: .304/.359/.511, 4 3B, 5 HR, 24 RBI, 18 R, 9 BB, 47 TB in 22 games (21 starts)<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

⚾ Shojinaga named Big 12 Freshman of the Year; Five Jayhawks receive conference honors

<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2022-23/files/2023_All-KJCCC_West_Baseball.pdf">CLICK FOR 2023 ALL-JAYHAWK WEST BASEBALL TEAM</a>

Hutchinson Community College baseball sophomore outfielder&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2022-23/bios/edmunson_will_rdcc">Will Edmunson</a>&nbsp;led five Blue Dragon players on the 2023 All-Jayhawk West team and was named the league's Most Valuable Player on Tuesday.

The sophomore from Luther, Oklahoma, and recent University of Arkansas commit, led the Jayhawk Conference in hitting and was eighth in the nation with a .454 batting average.

Edmunson was the only first-team selection for the Blue Dragons following a 30-28 season in 2023.

Freshman catcher/designated hitter&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2022-23/bios/gunderson_cody_4bzo">Cody Gunderson</a>&nbsp;was a second-team selection. First baseman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2022-23/bios/henderson_ryan_sab3">Ryan Henderson</a>, outfielder A.J. Mustow and pitcher&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2022-23/bios/giesbrecht_ethan_uono">Ethan Giesbrecht</a>&nbsp;were named all-Jayhawk West honorable mention this season.

Edmunson is the first Blue Dragon to be named Jayhawk West MVP since Zane Schmidt in 2019. He is the fifth Blue Dragon MVP in head coach Ryan Schmidt's tenure.

WILL EDMUNSON – MVP/1ST TEAM Edmunson became the first Blue Dragon to win the Jayhawk Conference batting championship since Michael Helman in 2017.

The Blue Dragon outfielder hit .454 with 93 total hits, 17 doubles, four triples and 51 RBIs, hitting primarily out of the No. 2 slot in the batting order. Edmunson scored 78 runs, walked 23 times, was hit with pitches 16 times and had a team-high 15 stolen bases this season.

Edmunson started the season with a 16-game hitting streak, which tied Brock Schaffer and Ben McLaughlin for the fifth-longest hitting streak in program history. Edmunson also put together hitting streaks of 12 and 10 games this season.

Edmunson had 33 multi-hit games, including five three-hit games, a four-hit game against Pratt on March 19 and a five-hit game against Southeast Nebraska on February 11.

In addition to Edmunson leading the KJCCC in batting, he also led the league and was sixth in the NJCAA in total hits. He was second in the KJCCC runs scored and on-base percentage (.532) and was sixth in the Jayhawk in slugging percentage (.737). Edmunson had a team-high 23-game streak of reaching base this season.

Edmunson's .454 batting average and 93 total hits both ranked fourth in Blue Dragon single-season history. His 78 runs scored tied Logan Sartori and Shane Cooper for second on the single-season list. He 151 total baes were seventh most in team single-season history.

Edmunson's .424 career batting average ranks No. 4 in Blue Dagon career statistical history.

He became the 51st Blue Dragon in program history to reach 100 career hits, closing his career with 106.

CODY GUNDERSON – 2ND TEAM Despite missing 13 games because of injury, the freshman from St. Malo, Manitoba, Canada had a strong season behind the plate and as a designated hitter.

Gunderson hit .367 this season, going 55 for 150 in 45 games.

Gunderson had 14 doubles and 10 home runs while scoring 44 runs and driving in 38 runs.

Gunderson went a season-high 4 for 5 with a double and home run on April 27 against eventual Jayhawk West champion Barton. He had a five-RBI game against Pratt on March 19 and drove in four runs against Seward County on March 26.

Defensively, Gunderson had a .962 fielding percentage and threw out 8 of 27 base stealers this season.

RYAN HENDERSON – HONORABLE MENTION A sophomore first baseman from Buhler, Henderson hit .271 in 57 games played, going 54 for 199 at the plate. For a second-straight season, Henderson reached double figures with 10 home runs and hit drove in 51 runs while scoring 41 runs.

Henderson had two-home run, four-RBI game against Pratt on March 17. During that Pratt doubleheader, Henderson was 6 for 7 with three home runs and eight RBIs. He had career highs with a 4 for 5 game with six RBIs, including a double and home run against Garden City on April 20.

Henderson steadily became one of the top defensive first baseman in the KJCCC this season with a .989 fielding percentage. He had four errors in 354 total defensive chances this season.

With 20 career home runs, Henderson is only the 16th Blue Dragon with 20 career homers. He also became the 50th Blue Dragon in program history to reach 100 hits, closing his career with 110 hits.

A.J. MUSTOW – HONORABLE MENTION A freshman outfielder from Sydney, Australia, Mustow was the Blue Dragons' third-leading hitter with a .331 batting average this season.

Mustow was 49 for 148 with 12 doubles, three triples and six home runs. Mustow drove in 44 runs and scored 34 in 47 games played this season.

Mustow had 15 multi-hit games and 16 multi-RBI games this season. He had a season's best four hits against Garden City on April 20 and four RBIs against the Sterling College JV on April 17. Mustow had two two-home run games, doing so against the Sterling JV and Barton on April 29.

Mustow led the Blue Dragons with six outfield assists this season from left field.

ETHAN GIESBRECHT – HONORABLE MENTION A freshman right-handed pitcher from Altona, Manitoba, Canada, Giesbrecht settled into a weekend rotation spot early in the season.

Giesbrecht posted a 4-2 record with a 5.43 earned-run average in 10 starts and 13 overall appearances this season. In league games, Giesbrecht was 4-1 with a 5.58 ERA. He had three complete games and a pair of shutouts against Garden City on April 22 and Colby on May 6.

Over 53 innings pitched, the Blue Dragon right-hander struck out 40 and walked only 14. He allowed 64 hits and 32 earned runs with opponents hitting .299 against him.

Giesbrecht struck out a season-high seven against Cloud County on April 8 in a no-decision. He had six strikeouts in his five-inning complete game against Colby on May 6. Giesbrecht allowed just two hits in game May 6 game, a season-low for hit allowed.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684928360664.jpeg" alt="Will Edmunson becomes the first Blue Dragon baseball player since 2019 to win Jayhawk West Most Valuable Player honors. (Sammi Carpenter/Blue Dragon Sports Information) " />
 <figcaption>Will Edmunson becomes the first Blue Dragon baseball player since 2019 to win Jayhawk West Most Valuable Player honors. (Sammi Carpenter/Blue Dragon Sports Information) </figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2022-23/files/2023_All-KJCCC_West_Baseball.pdf">CLICK FOR 2023 ALL-JAYHAWK WEST BASEBALL TEAM</a>Hutchinson CC Sports InformationHutchinson Community College baseball sophomore outfielder&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2022-23/bios/edmunson_will_rdcc">Will Edmunson</a>&nbsp;led five Blue Dragon players on the 2023 All-Jayhawk West team and was named the league's Most Valuable Player on Tuesday.The sophomore from Luther, Oklahoma, and recent University of Arkansas commit, led the Jayhawk Conference in hitting and was eighth in the nation with a .454 batting average.Edmunson was the only first-team selection for the Blue Dragons following a 30-28 season in 2023.Freshman catcher/designated hitter&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2022-23/bios/gunderson_cody_4bzo">Cody Gunderson</a>&nbsp;was a second-team selection. First baseman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2022-23/bios/henderson_ryan_sab3">Ryan Henderson</a>, outfielder A.J. Mustow and pitcher&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2022-23/bios/giesbrecht_ethan_uono">Ethan Giesbrecht</a>&nbsp;were named all-Jayhawk West honorable mention this season.Edmunson is the first Blue Dragon to be named Jayhawk West MVP since Zane Schmidt in 2019. He is the fifth Blue Dragon MVP in head coach Ryan Schmidt's tenure.WILL EDMUNSON – MVP/1ST TEAM Edmunson became the first Blue Dragon to win the Jayhawk Conference batting championship since Michael Helman in 2017.The Blue Dragon outfielder hit .454 with 93 total hits, 17 doubles, four triples and 51 RBIs, hitting primarily out of the No. 2 slot in the batting order. Edmunson scored 78 runs, walked 23 times, was hit with pitches 16 times and had a team-high 15 stolen bases this season.Edmunson started the season with a 16-game hitting streak, which tied Brock Schaffer and Ben McLaughlin for the fifth-longest hitting streak in program history. Edmunson also put together hitting streaks of 12 and 10 games this season.Edmunson had 33 multi-hit games, including five three-hit games, a four-hit game against Pratt on March 19 and a five-hit game against Southeast Nebraska on February 11.In addition to Edmunson leading the KJCCC in batting, he also led the league and was sixth in the NJCAA in total hits. He was second in the KJCCC runs scored and on-base percentage (.532) and was sixth in the Jayhawk in slugging percentage (.737). Edmunson had a team-high 23-game streak of reaching base this season.Edmunson's .454 batting average and 93 total hits both ranked fourth in Blue Dragon single-season history. His 78 runs scored tied Logan Sartori and Shane Cooper for second on the single-season list. He 151 total baes were seventh most in team single-season history.Edmunson's .424 career batting average ranks No. 4 in Blue Dagon career statistical history.He became the 51st Blue Dragon in program history to reach 100 career hits, closing his career with 106.CODY GUNDERSON – 2ND TEAM Despite missing 13 games because of injury, the freshman from St. Malo, Manitoba, Canada had a strong season behind the plate and as a designated hitter.Gunderson hit .367 this season, going 55 for 150 in 45 games.Gunderson had 14 doubles and 10 home runs while scoring 44 runs and driving in 38 runs.Gunderson went a season-high 4 for 5 with a double and home run on April 27 against eventual Jayhawk West champion Barton. He had a five-RBI game against Pratt on March 19 and drove in four runs against Seward County on March 26.Defensively, Gunderson had a .962 fielding percentage and threw out 8 of 27 base stealers this season.RYAN HENDERSON – HONORABLE MENTION A sophomore first baseman from Buhler, Henderson hit .271 in 57 games played, going 54 for 199 at the plate. For a second-straight season, Henderson reached double figures with 10 home runs and hit drove in 51 runs while scoring 41 runs.Henderson had two-home run, four-RBI game against Pratt on March 17. During that Pratt doubleheader, Henderson was 6 for 7 with three home runs and eight RBIs. He had career highs with a 4 for 5 game with six RBIs, including a double and home run against Garden City on April 20.Henderson steadily became one of the top defensive first baseman in the KJCCC this season with a .989 fielding percentage. He had four errors in 354 total defensive chances this season.With 20 career home runs, Henderson is only the 16th Blue Dragon with 20 career homers. He also became the 50th Blue Dragon in program history to reach 100 hits, closing his career with 110 hits.A.J. MUSTOW – HONORABLE MENTION A freshman outfielder from Sydney, Australia, Mustow was the Blue Dragons' third-leading hitter with a .331 batting average this season.Mustow was 49 for 148 with 12 doubles, three triples and six home runs. Mustow drove in 44 runs and scored 34 in 47 games played this season.Mustow had 15 multi-hit games and 16 multi-RBI games this season. He had a season's best four hits against Garden City on April 20 and four RBIs against the Sterling College JV on April 17. Mustow had two two-home run games, doing so against the Sterling JV and Barton on April 29.Mustow led the Blue Dragons with six outfield assists this season from left field.ETHAN GIESBRECHT – HONORABLE MENTION A freshman right-handed pitcher from Altona, Manitoba, Canada, Giesbrecht settled into a weekend rotation spot early in the season.Giesbrecht posted a 4-2 record with a 5.43 earned-run average in 10 starts and 13 overall appearances this season. In league games, Giesbrecht was 4-1 with a 5.58 ERA. He had three complete games and a pair of shutouts against Garden City on April 22 and Colby on May 6.Over 53 innings pitched, the Blue Dragon right-hander struck out 40 and walked only 14. He allowed 64 hits and 32 earned runs with opponents hitting .299 against him.Giesbrecht struck out a season-high seven against Cloud County on April 8 in a no-decision. He had six strikeouts in his five-inning complete game against Colby on May 6. Giesbrecht allowed just two hits in game May 6 game, a season-low for hit allowed.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

 ⚾ Blue Dragons' Edmunson named Jayhawk West MVP

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Maikel Garcia had three hits, an RBI and a run and the Kansas City Royals beat the Detroit Tigers 4-1 on Tuesday night to snap a four-game losing streak. Mike Mayers allowed one run on six hits in 4 2/3 innings in his first start for the Royals. He struck out a career-high eight and walked one. Jose Cuas (3-0) was the winner, and Aroldis Chapman pitched a scoreless ninth for his second save. Eduardo Rodriguez (4-4) took the loss. He allowed four runs — two earned — on eight hits in five innings. He struck out nine and walked two.

DENVER (AP) — Charlie Blackmon doubled in a four-run fifth inning, Jurickson Profar extended his on-base streak to 31 games and the Colorado Rockies spoiled 20-year-old Eury Pérez’s road debut with a 5-4 victory over the Miami Marlins on Tuesday night. Elías Díaz had three hits for Colorado. The Rockies have won the first two of the four-game set between the 1993 expansion franchises. The 6-foot-8 Pérez made his major league debut against Cincinnati on May 12 and beat Washington on Thursday for his first victory. The right-hander pitched well for three innings Tuesday at hitter-friendly Coors Field, allowing one unearned run, but faltered in the fifth.

CINCINNATI (AP) — Paul Goldschmidt homered in his first two at-bats and Adam Wainwright earned his first victory over Cincinnati since 2019 as the Cardinals defeated the Reds 8-5. Since starting the season 10-24, the Cardinals have won 12 of their last 16 games. Goldschmidt hit solo homers in the first and third innings off Reds starter Graham Ashcraft. Wainwright (2-0) earned his first victory over the Reds since Aug. 16, 2019, also at Great American Ball Park. He had two strikeouts and a walk in 5 2/3 innings. Ashcraft gave up 10 hits and seven earned runs in five innings. He struck out five and didn’t allow a walk.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had six RBIs and the Toronto Blue Jays stopped a five-game losing streak with a 20-1 rout of the Tampa Bay Rays, scoring their last 10 runs off position players. Guerrero put Toronto ahead with an RBI single off Taj Bradley in the first, had a run-scoring single in the fifth that opened a 10-0 lead and hit a 423-foot grand slam in a nine-run ninth against Luke Raley. All 12 Toronto batters in the game had hits, and the Blue Jays finished with 27 hits.

UNDATED (AP) — Oklahoma must go through one of the nation’s best players in Clemson’s Valerie Cagle to make softball history. The top-seeded Sooners are on a 46-game win streak heading into their super regional opener. That is one victory short of matching Arizona’s Division I record set during the 1996-97 season. If the Sooners win two straight against Clemson, they will have the record to themselves and will advance to the Women’s College World Series.

MIAMI (AP) — Jayson Tatum scored 33 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, Jaylen Brown added 17 points and the Boston Celtics staved off elimination in the Eastern Conference finals by running away in the second half to beat the Miami Heat 116-99 in Game 4 on Tuesday night. Derrick White had 16 points, Grant Williams scored 14, Al Horford added 12 and Marcus Smart scored 11 for the Celtics, who still trail the series 3-1 — but sent it back to Boston for a Game 5 on Thursday. Jimmy Butler scored 29 for Miami, which led by nine in the second half before getting outscored 48-22 in a 14-minute stretch that turned the game and perhaps the series completely around.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James didn’t meet with the media on the day after the top scorer in NBA history said he needed time to think about his basketball future following the Los Angeles Lakers’ elimination from the Western Conference finals. James has skipped his team’s postseason media exit interviews before, but his decision Tuesday left Lakers fans hanging about his intentions with his enigmatic comments following a four-game sweep by the Denver Nuggets. General manager Rob Pelinka and head coach Darvin Ham say they’ll speak with James soon about his future.

DALLAS (AP) — Jonathan Marchessault and the Vegas Golden Knights are one more win from reaching another Stanley Cup Final. Marchessault had the first of three goals in the game's first 7 1/2 minutes for Vegas in a 4-0 win over the Dallas Stars to take a 3-0 series lead in Western Conference Final. Game 4 is Thursday night. The Knights are looking to advance to their second Cup final in the franchise's six seasons. Adin Hill stopped 34 shots for his first career playoff shutout. The Knights knocked Jake Oettinger out with three goals on their first five shots.

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The NFL has pushed the kickoff return further toward irrelevance with a priority on player safety. League owners voted for a one-year trial of an enhanced touchback rule that will give the receiving team the ball at its own 25 with a fair catch of a kickoff anywhere behind that yard line. The proposal passed despite coaches and players across the league saying they didn't like it. They argued that it will create uglier plays with squib and corner kicks that are impossible for fair catches.

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers never made it past warmups in his first New York Jets practice in front of the media. The 39-year-old quarterback strained a calf while participating in conditioning drills Tuesday. Rodgers watched quarterback drills and remained on the field during practice, but was without his helmet and threw no passes. Rodgers downplayed the injury and said it's not too serious. New York acquired Rodgers from Green Bay on April 26. Organized team activities began Monday and Rodgers participated. The session Tuesday marked the first with media in attendance.

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin eased his way back onto the practice field by taking part in individual drills and stretching sessions during the team's voluntary minicamp some five months after having a near-death experience on the field. Coach Sean McDermott said the team is taking things one day at a time when asked of Hamlin’s status. McDermott did not provide any timetable as to when Hamlin can begin on-field sessions a month after being cleared to resume his career. The 25-year-old Hamlin went into cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated on the field during a game at Cincinnati on Jan. 2.

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Commissioner Roger Goodell and the NFL have agreed on the framework of a three-year contract extension that will keep him in place until 2027. Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay confirmed the development on Tuesday at the league meetings in Minnesota. Goodell’s current deal expires in 2024. He has been commissioner of the league since replacing Paul Tagliabue in 2006. Irsay says he’s under the impression Goodell will retire after the extended contract expires and be involved in the development of his successor.

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PLAYOFFS

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683366121627.jpeg" alt="Sports Headlines for Wednesday Morning, May 24th" />
 <figcaption>Sports Headlines for Wednesday Morning, May 24th</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Maikel Garcia had three hits, an RBI and a run and the Kansas City Royals beat the Detroit Tigers 4-1 on Tuesday night to snap a four-game losing streak. Mike Mayers allowed one run on six hits in 4 2/3 innings in his first start for the Royals. He struck out a career-high eight and walked one. Jose Cuas (3-0) was the winner, and Aroldis Chapman pitched a scoreless ninth for his second save. Eduardo Rodriguez (4-4) took the loss. He allowed four runs — two earned — on eight hits in five innings. He struck out nine and walked two.DENVER (AP) — Charlie Blackmon doubled in a four-run fifth inning, Jurickson Profar extended his on-base streak to 31 games and the Colorado Rockies spoiled 20-year-old Eury Pérez’s road debut with a 5-4 victory over the Miami Marlins on Tuesday night. Elías Díaz had three hits for Colorado. The Rockies have won the first two of the four-game set between the 1993 expansion franchises. The 6-foot-8 Pérez made his major league debut against Cincinnati on May 12 and beat Washington on Thursday for his first victory. The right-hander pitched well for three innings Tuesday at hitter-friendly Coors Field, allowing one unearned run, but faltered in the fifth.CINCINNATI (AP) — Paul Goldschmidt homered in his first two at-bats and Adam Wainwright earned his first victory over Cincinnati since 2019 as the Cardinals defeated the Reds 8-5. Since starting the season 10-24, the Cardinals have won 12 of their last 16 games. Goldschmidt hit solo homers in the first and third innings off Reds starter Graham Ashcraft. Wainwright (2-0) earned his first victory over the Reds since Aug. 16, 2019, also at Great American Ball Park. He had two strikeouts and a walk in 5 2/3 innings. Ashcraft gave up 10 hits and seven earned runs in five innings. He struck out five and didn’t allow a walk.ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had six RBIs and the Toronto Blue Jays stopped a five-game losing streak with a 20-1 rout of the Tampa Bay Rays, scoring their last 10 runs off position players. Guerrero put Toronto ahead with an RBI single off Taj Bradley in the first, had a run-scoring single in the fifth that opened a 10-0 lead and hit a 423-foot grand slam in a nine-run ninth against Luke Raley. All 12 Toronto batters in the game had hits, and the Blue Jays finished with 27 hits.UNDATED (AP) — Oklahoma must go through one of the nation’s best players in Clemson’s Valerie Cagle to make softball history. The top-seeded Sooners are on a 46-game win streak heading into their super regional opener. That is one victory short of matching Arizona’s Division I record set during the 1996-97 season. If the Sooners win two straight against Clemson, they will have the record to themselves and will advance to the Women’s College World Series.MIAMI (AP) — Jayson Tatum scored 33 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, Jaylen Brown added 17 points and the Boston Celtics staved off elimination in the Eastern Conference finals by running away in the second half to beat the Miami Heat 116-99 in Game 4 on Tuesday night. Derrick White had 16 points, Grant Williams scored 14, Al Horford added 12 and Marcus Smart scored 11 for the Celtics, who still trail the series 3-1 — but sent it back to Boston for a Game 5 on Thursday. Jimmy Butler scored 29 for Miami, which led by nine in the second half before getting outscored 48-22 in a 14-minute stretch that turned the game and perhaps the series completely around.LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James didn’t meet with the media on the day after the top scorer in NBA history said he needed time to think about his basketball future following the Los Angeles Lakers’ elimination from the Western Conference finals. James has skipped his team’s postseason media exit interviews before, but his decision Tuesday left Lakers fans hanging about his intentions with his enigmatic comments following a four-game sweep by the Denver Nuggets. General manager Rob Pelinka and head coach Darvin Ham say they’ll speak with James soon about his future.DALLAS (AP) — Jonathan Marchessault and the Vegas Golden Knights are one more win from reaching another Stanley Cup Final. Marchessault had the first of three goals in the game's first 7 1/2 minutes for Vegas in a 4-0 win over the Dallas Stars to take a 3-0 series lead in Western Conference Final. Game 4 is Thursday night. The Knights are looking to advance to their second Cup final in the franchise's six seasons. Adin Hill stopped 34 shots for his first career playoff shutout. The Knights knocked Jake Oettinger out with three goals on their first five shots.EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The NFL has pushed the kickoff return further toward irrelevance with a priority on player safety. League owners voted for a one-year trial of an enhanced touchback rule that will give the receiving team the ball at its own 25 with a fair catch of a kickoff anywhere behind that yard line. The proposal passed despite coaches and players across the league saying they didn't like it. They argued that it will create uglier plays with squib and corner kicks that are impossible for fair catches.FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers never made it past warmups in his first New York Jets practice in front of the media. The 39-year-old quarterback strained a calf while participating in conditioning drills Tuesday. Rodgers watched quarterback drills and remained on the field during practice, but was without his helmet and threw no passes. Rodgers downplayed the injury and said it's not too serious. New York acquired Rodgers from Green Bay on April 26. Organized team activities began Monday and Rodgers participated. The session Tuesday marked the first with media in attendance.ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin eased his way back onto the practice field by taking part in individual drills and stretching sessions during the team's voluntary minicamp some five months after having a near-death experience on the field. Coach Sean McDermott said the team is taking things one day at a time when asked of Hamlin’s status. McDermott did not provide any timetable as to when Hamlin can begin on-field sessions a month after being cleared to resume his career. The 25-year-old Hamlin went into cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated on the field during a game at Cincinnati on Jan. 2.EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Commissioner Roger Goodell and the NFL have agreed on the framework of a three-year contract extension that will keep him in place until 2027. Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay confirmed the development on Tuesday at the league meetings in Minnesota. Goodell’s current deal expires in 2024. He has been commissioner of the league since replacing Paul Tagliabue in 2006. Irsay says he’s under the impression Goodell will retire after the extended contract expires and be involved in the development of his successor.TUESDAY SCORESINTERLEAGUEFinal Texas 6 Pittsburgh 1Final Milwaukee 6 Houston 0Final San Francisco 4 Minnesota 3AMERICAN LEAGUEFinal Chicago White Sox 4 Cleveland 2Final Toronto 20 Tampa Bay 1Final Kansas City 4 Detroit 1Final N.Y. Yankees 6 Baltimore 5Final L.A. Angels 4 Boston 0Final Seattle 3 Oakland 2NATIONAL LEAGUEFinal St. Louis 8 Cincinnati 5Final Arizona 4 Philadelphia 3Final L.A. Dodgers 8 Atlanta 1Final San Diego 7 Washington 4Final Chicago Cubs 7 N.Y. Mets 2Final Colorado 5 Miami 4NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PLAYOFFSFinal Boston 116 Miami 99NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFSFinal Vegas 4 Dallas 0<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

📢📰  Sports Headlines for Wednesday

SPRINGFIELD, MO- Jake Rucker had three hits and Alex Isola added two more but, the Springfield Cardinals hammered three home runs to defeat the Wind Surge 8-3 in the series opener. The Wind Surge five game road streak ended with the loss.

Chandler Redmond leads the Texas League with 14 home runs and on Tuesday added two more to add to his league leading total. He opened the second inning with a solo homer to give the Cards the early lead. Springfield tacked on three more runs in the third with a Nick Dunn home run.

The majority of the game was kept close by the Surge. Wichita’s offense showed some life in the fourth inning getting three runs on five hits. They responded to Springfield taking an early lead with a big fourth inning. Anthony Prato brought in two runs on a single to center field. Alerick Soularie then sent a sacrifice fly out to center-right field allowing Alex Isola to score easily from third.

The Cardinals added a run in the sixth inning and put the game away in the seventh with Redmond’s second home run. The Cardinals starter Kenny Hernandez earned the win. In his seventh Wind Surge start Carlos Luna pitched four complete innings gave up six hits and four runs. He earned the loss for the game as well bringing his record to (0-4).

NOTES – The Surge drop to 1-5 when facing a left-handed starting pitcher. Alerick Soularie ended his eight game hit streak on Tuesday, going zero for two with an RBI. The Wind Surge activated first basemen Aaron Sabato from injured list and placed Armani Smith on development roster. The Surge activated Soularie from temporary inactive list.

UPCOMING – The Wichita Wind Surge continue the road trip in Springfield on Wednesday night at 6:35. Surge will start RH Blayne Enlow against Cardinals RH Logan Gragg.

BROADCAST: ESPN Wichita 92.3 FM, Milb First Pitch App,&nbsp;<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fWindsurge.com&amp;c=E,1,dexWbEMmO2SNZFacaCKfVJIV48UFXNwoAwE4zyM2KXaD_HSgx84zoOHAglON-gUjtBR3aBrV7b7fNPJsxVGXCgYR5cYPta1xJgIbXkHri2NTnYdJ6WV7jsuz044,&amp;typo=1&amp;ancr_add=1">Windsurge.com</a>, MiLB.tv and Ballys Live app.

NEXT HOME GAME: The Wind Surge return home for a six game homestand on Tuesday, May 30 vs Tulsa Drillers. The Surge will offer $1 Hot Dogs and Dillons Two for Tuesday, buy one ticket and get a free ticket with your Dillons Shoppers Card or App.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684927619365.jpeg" alt="Via Wichita Wind Surge" />
 <figcaption>Via Wichita Wind Surge</figcaption>
 </figure>SPRINGFIELD, MO- Jake Rucker had three hits and Alex Isola added two more but, the Springfield Cardinals hammered three home runs to defeat the Wind Surge 8-3 in the series opener. The Wind Surge five game road streak ended with the loss.Chandler Redmond leads the Texas League with 14 home runs and on Tuesday added two more to add to his league leading total. He opened the second inning with a solo homer to give the Cards the early lead. Springfield tacked on three more runs in the third with a Nick Dunn home run.The majority of the game was kept close by the Surge. Wichita’s offense showed some life in the fourth inning getting three runs on five hits. They responded to Springfield taking an early lead with a big fourth inning. Anthony Prato brought in two runs on a single to center field. Alerick Soularie then sent a sacrifice fly out to center-right field allowing Alex Isola to score easily from third.The Cardinals added a run in the sixth inning and put the game away in the seventh with Redmond’s second home run. The Cardinals starter Kenny Hernandez earned the win. In his seventh Wind Surge start Carlos Luna pitched four complete innings gave up six hits and four runs. He earned the loss for the game as well bringing his record to (0-4).NOTES – The Surge drop to 1-5 when facing a left-handed starting pitcher. Alerick Soularie ended his eight game hit streak on Tuesday, going zero for two with an RBI. The Wind Surge activated first basemen Aaron Sabato from injured list and placed Armani Smith on development roster. The Surge activated Soularie from temporary inactive list.UPCOMING – The Wichita Wind Surge continue the road trip in Springfield on Wednesday night at 6:35. Surge will start RH Blayne Enlow against Cardinals RH Logan Gragg.BROADCAST: ESPN Wichita 92.3 FM, Milb First Pitch App,&nbsp;<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fWindsurge.com&amp;c=E,1,dexWbEMmO2SNZFacaCKfVJIV48UFXNwoAwE4zyM2KXaD_HSgx84zoOHAglON-gUjtBR3aBrV7b7fNPJsxVGXCgYR5cYPta1xJgIbXkHri2NTnYdJ6WV7jsuz044,&amp;typo=1&amp;ancr_add=1">Windsurge.com</a>, MiLB.tv and Ballys Live app.NEXT HOME GAME: The Wind Surge return home for a six game homestand on Tuesday, May 30 vs Tulsa Drillers. The Surge will offer $1 Hot Dogs and Dillons Two for Tuesday, buy one ticket and get a free ticket with your Dillons Shoppers Card or App.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

⚾ Wichita Wind Surge road win streak snapped

CLEARWATER, Fla. --&nbsp;Wichita State out-hit Memphis 11-8 but committed three costly defensive miscues, allowing the Tigers to claim a 10-6 win in the first round of the American Athletic Conference Championship. The game began at 10:30 pm local time and was not completed until early on Wednesday morning. Wichita State (30-24) struck first when&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/payton-tolle/7456">Payton Tolle</a>&nbsp;rolled an RBI single into center in the first inning against Memphis starter Luke Ellis. But the Tigers (29-26) answered back with three runs in the top of the second, getting a solo home run from Anthony Hansen, an RBI triple from Brennan DuBose, and a third run when Aaron Baskin's infield pop up was dropped. Memphis added two more unearned runs in the third. With two on and two out, DuBose hit a long fly ball to left-center that&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/kyte-mcdonald/7459">Kyte McDonald</a>&nbsp;could not squeeze, plating both runs for a 5-1 lead. All five runs were charged to Wichita State starter&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/grant-adler/7467">Grant Adler</a>&nbsp;(5-4), who struck out three and walked three over 3.0 innings of work. Tolle drove in his second run of the game with an RBI groundout in the third, cutting the Memphis lead back to 5-2. But Logan Kohler promptly restored the cushion in the next half inning with a solo home run for the Tigers. <a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/brock-rodden/7450">Brock Rodden</a>&nbsp;got the Shockers as close as they would come with a two-out, two-run double in the bottom of the fourth, pulling WSU back within 6-4. Rodden also homered in the bottom of the seventh as part of a three-hit day, but Memphis scored two more unearned runs in the top of the inning and two eighth inning runs to reestablish a five-run advantage. A wild pitch in the bottom of the eighth plated&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/jaden-gustafson/7472">Jaden Gustafson</a>, who had singled off the Wichita State bench, bringing in the final run of the game. David Warren (5-5) earned the win for Memphis, allowing four hits and two runs in 4.0 innings of work with five strikeouts. The Shockers now face #2 seed Houston in an elimination game on Wednesday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 47 minutes after the conclusion of the 2:00 pm CT game.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684927129678.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Courtesy of Wichita State Athletics&nbsp;CLEARWATER, Fla. --&nbsp;Wichita State out-hit Memphis 11-8 but committed three costly defensive miscues, allowing the Tigers to claim a 10-6 win in the first round of the American Athletic Conference Championship. The game began at 10:30 pm local time and was not completed until early on Wednesday morning. Wichita State (30-24) struck first when&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/payton-tolle/7456">Payton Tolle</a>&nbsp;rolled an RBI single into center in the first inning against Memphis starter Luke Ellis. But the Tigers (29-26) answered back with three runs in the top of the second, getting a solo home run from Anthony Hansen, an RBI triple from Brennan DuBose, and a third run when Aaron Baskin's infield pop up was dropped. Memphis added two more unearned runs in the third. With two on and two out, DuBose hit a long fly ball to left-center that&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/kyte-mcdonald/7459">Kyte McDonald</a>&nbsp;could not squeeze, plating both runs for a 5-1 lead. All five runs were charged to Wichita State starter&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/grant-adler/7467">Grant Adler</a>&nbsp;(5-4), who struck out three and walked three over 3.0 innings of work. Tolle drove in his second run of the game with an RBI groundout in the third, cutting the Memphis lead back to 5-2. But Logan Kohler promptly restored the cushion in the next half inning with a solo home run for the Tigers. <a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/brock-rodden/7450">Brock Rodden</a>&nbsp;got the Shockers as close as they would come with a two-out, two-run double in the bottom of the fourth, pulling WSU back within 6-4. Rodden also homered in the bottom of the seventh as part of a three-hit day, but Memphis scored two more unearned runs in the top of the inning and two eighth inning runs to reestablish a five-run advantage. A wild pitch in the bottom of the eighth plated&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/jaden-gustafson/7472">Jaden Gustafson</a>, who had singled off the Wichita State bench, bringing in the final run of the game. David Warren (5-5) earned the win for Memphis, allowing four hits and two runs in 4.0 innings of work with five strikeouts. The Shockers now face #2 seed Houston in an elimination game on Wednesday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 47 minutes after the conclusion of the 2:00 pm CT game.&nbsp;&nbsp;

⚾ Shockers downed by Memphis in first round

HUTCHINSON, Kan.&nbsp;— The Hutchinson High School athletic department announced two new hires on Tuesday, as Josie Armstrong was hired to coach volleyball for the Salthawks, while Kalen Hilst was hired as the next HHS girls basketball coach.

Josie Armstrong, who many remember as Josie Williams who starred at Buhler High School, has been named the new head volleyball coach at Hutchinson High School according to athletic&nbsp;director Jon McLean.&nbsp; After graduating from Buhler, Armstrong became a 4-year player at Emporia State where she was a 2-time team captain and was 2nd team all-MIAA her senior year.&nbsp; She was also a grad assistant for one year at Emporia State.&nbsp; Her parents are Jason and Nancy Williams.

Kalen Hilst, a Hutchinson native returns to the Salt City as the next girls basketball coach for the Salthawks. Hilst returns to Hutchinson after most recently serving as an assistant coach and a math teacher in the Perry-Lecompton school district.

Hilst graduated from Hutchinson High School in 2014, and then attended the University of Kansas where he graduated in 2018.&nbsp;He obtained his teaching license from Fort Hays State University. 

After graduating from Kansas, Hilst spent two years at Newton High School teaching algebra and geometry.&nbsp;

Hilst is the nephew of former Eagle Radio sports director and longtime HHS teacher, Rusty Hilst.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648640359585.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan.&nbsp;— The Hutchinson High School athletic department announced two new hires on Tuesday, as Josie Armstrong was hired to coach volleyball for the Salthawks, while Kalen Hilst was hired as the next HHS girls basketball coach.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/mKFXYNcUBa">pic.twitter.com/mKFXYNcUBa</a>&mdash; Salthawk Athletics (@salthawkad) <a href="https://twitter.com/salthawkad/status/1661039503690149888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 23, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Josie Armstrong, who many remember as Josie Williams who starred at Buhler High School, has been named the new head volleyball coach at Hutchinson High School according to athletic&nbsp;director Jon McLean.&nbsp; After graduating from Buhler, Armstrong became a 4-year player at Emporia State where she was a 2-time team captain and was 2nd team all-MIAA her senior year.&nbsp; She was also a grad assistant for one year at Emporia State.&nbsp; Her parents are Jason and Nancy Williams.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/LkhBHGitX8">pic.twitter.com/LkhBHGitX8</a>&mdash; Salthawk Athletics (@salthawkad) <a href="https://twitter.com/salthawkad/status/1661039587316121600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 23, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Kalen Hilst, a Hutchinson native returns to the Salt City as the next girls basketball coach for the Salthawks. Hilst returns to Hutchinson after most recently serving as an assistant coach and a math teacher in the Perry-Lecompton school district.Hilst graduated from Hutchinson High School in 2014, and then attended the University of Kansas where he graduated in 2018.&nbsp;He obtained his teaching license from Fort Hays State University. After graduating from Kansas, Hilst spent two years at Newton High School teaching algebra and geometry.&nbsp;Hilst is the nephew of former Eagle Radio sports director and longtime HHS teacher, Rusty Hilst.

🏐🏀 Salthawks hire new volleyball coach, new girls basketball coach

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Maikel Garcia had three hits, an RBI and a run and the Kansas City Royals beat the Detroit Tigers 4-1 on Tuesday night to snap a four-game losing streak.

Mike Mayers allowed one run on six hits in 4 2/3 innings in his first start for the Royals. He struck out a career-high eight and walked one.

“I would have liked a couple more outs,” Mayers said. "We won — that's all that matters. The bullpen pitched really well. The adrenaline in the big leagues is a little more taxing than the adrenaline in Triple-A.”

His manager was impressed with his outing.

“He threw so many strikes and was efficient,” Matt Quatraro said. “Several times he had a three-pitch strikeout. He had a good cutter. He located his fastball and he threw several good breaking balls. He mixed it to the point where they weren't exactly sure what he was going to throw and he located it.”

Jose Cuas (3-0) was the winner, and Aroldis Chapman pitched a scoreless ninth for his second save.

Eduardo Rodriguez (4-4) took the loss. He allowed four runs — two earned — on eight hits in five innings. He struck out nine and walked two.

“I made, probably, two mistakes and I paid for it,” Rodriguez said. "But the rest I just tip my hat to them because they made good swings on it.”

The Tigers threatened in the fourth, loading the bases with two outs on two infield singles and a walk, but Mayers induced a groundball from Miguel Cabrera.

The Royals got to Rodriguez in the fourth. Edward Olivares reached on shortstop Javier Baez's error and scored on a double by Michael Massey. Massey then came in on a single by Garcia. Garcia scored the third run of the inning on a sacrifice fly by Salvador Perez. Only one of the runs was earned.

“We had good at-bats off Rodriguez in the fourth,” Quatraro said. “To string a few hits together and put up some runs was nice. I really do believe we have a deep lineup. It's just a matter of consistently doing it night in and night out.”

Mayers labored in the fifth and left with the bases loaded and two outs. One of those runners scored on a single by Baez. Olivares singled with one out in the bottom of the fifth, scoring Bobby Witt Jr. with Kansas City's fourth run. Witt reached on the first bunt base hit of his career.

Royals RHP Nick Wittgren was selected from Triple-A Omaha. Wittgren, who pitched for Royals' pitching coach Brian Sweeney with Cleveland from 2019-21, had a 1.25 ERA with five saves in 17 appearances with Omaha. In a corresponding move, RHP Max Castillo was optioned to Triple-A Omaha.

The Tigers and Royals will complete the three-game series Wenesday. Detroit LHP Matthew Boyd (3-3, 6.21 ERA) will face RHP Zack Greinke (1-5, 4.82 ERA).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680115673148.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Maikel Garcia had three hits, an RBI and a run and the Kansas City Royals beat the Detroit Tigers 4-1 on Tuesday night to snap a four-game losing streak.Mike Mayers allowed one run on six hits in 4 2/3 innings in his first start for the Royals. He struck out a career-high eight and walked one.“I would have liked a couple more outs,” Mayers said. "We won — that's all that matters. The bullpen pitched really well. The adrenaline in the big leagues is a little more taxing than the adrenaline in Triple-A.”His manager was impressed with his outing.“He threw so many strikes and was efficient,” Matt Quatraro said. “Several times he had a three-pitch strikeout. He had a good cutter. He located his fastball and he threw several good breaking balls. He mixed it to the point where they weren't exactly sure what he was going to throw and he located it.”Jose Cuas (3-0) was the winner, and Aroldis Chapman pitched a scoreless ninth for his second save.Eduardo Rodriguez (4-4) took the loss. He allowed four runs — two earned — on eight hits in five innings. He struck out nine and walked two.“I made, probably, two mistakes and I paid for it,” Rodriguez said. "But the rest I just tip my hat to them because they made good swings on it.”The Tigers threatened in the fourth, loading the bases with two outs on two infield singles and a walk, but Mayers induced a groundball from Miguel Cabrera.The Royals got to Rodriguez in the fourth. Edward Olivares reached on shortstop Javier Baez's error and scored on a double by Michael Massey. Massey then came in on a single by Garcia. Garcia scored the third run of the inning on a sacrifice fly by Salvador Perez. Only one of the runs was earned.“We had good at-bats off Rodriguez in the fourth,” Quatraro said. “To string a few hits together and put up some runs was nice. I really do believe we have a deep lineup. It's just a matter of consistently doing it night in and night out.”Mayers labored in the fifth and left with the bases loaded and two outs. One of those runners scored on a single by Baez. Olivares singled with one out in the bottom of the fifth, scoring Bobby Witt Jr. with Kansas City's fourth run. Witt reached on the first bunt base hit of his career.TRANSACTIONSRoyals RHP Nick Wittgren was selected from Triple-A Omaha. Wittgren, who pitched for Royals' pitching coach Brian Sweeney with Cleveland from 2019-21, had a 1.25 ERA with five saves in 17 appearances with Omaha. In a corresponding move, RHP Max Castillo was optioned to Triple-A Omaha.UP NEXTThe Tigers and Royals will complete the three-game series Wenesday. Detroit LHP Matthew Boyd (3-3, 6.21 ERA) will face RHP Zack Greinke (1-5, 4.82 ERA).

⚾ Royals snap 4-game skid

CLASS 5A at Turkey Creek Golf Course in McPherson Hutchinson sr. Ty Adkins; T3rd Place; (-5); 70 65 135 Hutchinson so. Mitchell Rice; dnp; (+10); 80 x 80 Hutchinson jr. Roman Kulick-Hart; dnp; (+15); 85 x 85 Hutchinson jr. Trae England; dnp; (+16); 86 x 86 Hutchinson jr. Winston Johnson; dnp; (+25); 95 x 95 Hutchinson jr. Garrison Hicks; dnp; +28; 98 x 98

CLASS 4A at Quail Ridge Golf Course in Winfield Buhler sr. Logan Day; 6th Place; (+12); 80 76 156

CLASS 3A at Mariah Hills Golf Course in Dodge City Hesston; 3rd Place; 323 319 642 Hesston sr. Camden Waterson; 3rd Place; (+5); 75 72 147 Hesston jr. Palmer Welsh; T25th Place; (+21); 80 83 163 Halstead sr. Spencer Johnson; T27th Place; (+22); 83 81 164 Hesston so. Grant Waterson; T27th Place; (+22); 80 84 164 Hesston sr. Eric Schmidt; T36th Place; (+30); 92 80 172 Hesston jr. Cooper Frey; T38th Place; (+31); 89 84 173 Lyons sr. Stone Starbuck; dnp; (+20); 91 x 91

CLASS 2A at Hesston Golf Course Hutchinson Trinity so. Lincoln Barnes; T17th; (+21); 88 75 163 Hutchinson Trinity jr. Ericson Armour; dnp; (+25); 96 x 96 Hesston jr. Cade Unruh; 42nd Place; (+36); 88 90 178

CLASS 1A at Emporia Municipal Golf Course Hutch Central Christian so. Nathan Reed; T8th; (+21); 77 86 163 Hutch Central Christian so. Ryland Kooiman; T12th; (+26) 88 80 168 Hutch Central Christian sr. Andrew Yoder; T12th; (+26); 84 84 168 Hutch Central Christian sr. Riley Barnes; 44th; (+59); 104 97 201 Hutch Central Christian jr. Tate Unruh; 47th; (+71); 105 108 213 Pretty Prairie jr. Brogan Stucky; dnp; (+31); 102 x 102

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684895930654.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>CLASS 5A at Turkey Creek Golf Course in McPherson Hutchinson sr. Ty Adkins; T3rd Place; (-5); 70 65 135 Hutchinson so. Mitchell Rice; dnp; (+10); 80 x 80 Hutchinson jr. Roman Kulick-Hart; dnp; (+15); 85 x 85 Hutchinson jr. Trae England; dnp; (+16); 86 x 86 Hutchinson jr. Winston Johnson; dnp; (+25); 95 x 95 Hutchinson jr. Garrison Hicks; dnp; +28; 98 x 98CLASS 4A at Quail Ridge Golf Course in Winfield Buhler sr. Logan Day; 6th Place; (+12); 80 76 156CLASS 3A at Mariah Hills Golf Course in Dodge City Hesston; 3rd Place; 323 319 642 Hesston sr. Camden Waterson; 3rd Place; (+5); 75 72 147 Hesston jr. Palmer Welsh; T25th Place; (+21); 80 83 163 Halstead sr. Spencer Johnson; T27th Place; (+22); 83 81 164 Hesston so. Grant Waterson; T27th Place; (+22); 80 84 164 Hesston sr. Eric Schmidt; T36th Place; (+30); 92 80 172 Hesston jr. Cooper Frey; T38th Place; (+31); 89 84 173 Lyons sr. Stone Starbuck; dnp; (+20); 91 x 91CLASS 2A at Hesston Golf Course Hutchinson Trinity so. Lincoln Barnes; T17th; (+21); 88 75 163 Hutchinson Trinity jr. Ericson Armour; dnp; (+25); 96 x 96 Hesston jr. Cade Unruh; 42nd Place; (+36); 88 90 178CLASS 1A at Emporia Municipal Golf Course Hutch Central Christian so. Nathan Reed; T8th; (+21); 77 86 163 Hutch Central Christian so. Ryland Kooiman; T12th; (+26) 88 80 168 Hutch Central Christian sr. Andrew Yoder; T12th; (+26); 84 84 168 Hutch Central Christian sr. Riley Barnes; 44th; (+59); 104 97 201 Hutch Central Christian jr. Tate Unruh; 47th; (+71); 105 108 213 Pretty Prairie jr. Brogan Stucky; dnp; (+31); 102 x 102<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

⛳ Area high school state recap

HUTCHINSON, Kan.&nbsp;— Kansas State head football coach Chris Klieman, associate head men's basketball coach Ulric Maligi, and other student-athletes made a stop at AJ's at The Alley on Tuesday afternoon.&nbsp;

The stop was one of 16 among the annual Catbacker Tour across the state of Kansas, highlighting accomplishments from the 2022-23 school year and previewing the upcoming season.

The event was emceed by the voice of the Wildcats, Wyatt Thompson, and also had appearances from Willie the Wildcat, and the K-State cheer team.

Head football coach Chris Klieman took the stage to a standing ovation after he led the Wildcats to the Big 12 title this past fall. K-State would come up short in the Sugar Bowl against No. 5 Alabama.&nbsp;

Klieman was asked by Thompson about winning the Big 12 title game over TCU, and what that felt like being apart of.

"Everybody keeps telling me that," Klieman said while laughing. "I didn't watch it, I lived it. I was never uptight, I was never nervous, I was just in the flow of the game."

Klieman also touched on watching his four former players get drafted in the NFL Draft this past month. Felix Anudike-Uzomah (31st overall, Chiefs), Julius Brents (44th overall, Colts), Josh Hayes (181st overall, Buccaneers), Deuce Vaughn (212th overall, Cowboys).

“To have all four guys
drafted by their ‘hometown’ teams was awesome,” Klieman said. “Think of it as a
mother, to get your sons to come home after all their journeys through college
and now they’re going to get to be pampered by their moms at home… what a
special feeling for those guys.”

Klieman was asked about hoisting the Big 12 championship trophy and what that meant to him.

"We talked about Gene Taylor and his faith in myself and this staff," Klieman said. "He took a chance on a guy from a small FCS school and believed in me and believed in my staff. For us to have that chance to raise that trophy, there probably isn't a better feeling. When nobody expects you to do that, it's what's happening on the field that's all that matters."

Although the Wildcats did have the four drafted and several other move on after graduating, Klieman is excited about the offense in particular coming to the field in the fall.

"Will Howard is one of the best quarterbacks in college football," Klieman said. "He's coming back, plus we return our top eight offensive linemen to protect him. We've got pretty good wide receivers, and then a guy that's probably forgotten a lot about is Will Sennett, a guy I think is the best tight end in college football."

Associate head men's basketball coach Ulric Maligi spoke on this past season and the trip to the Elite Eight. The same team had been picked dead last in the Big 12 preseason poll.

“When the predictions
came out, we laughed at it,” Maligi said. “We knew we had an NCAA tournament team.
The goal was to always have a parade in Manhattan, Kansas and win a national
championship. This team realized very quickly how good they really could be.”

The team was mostly formed from the transfer portal and came together rather quickly ahead of the season.

“I think all of this
journey really started with the recruiting,” Maligi said. “We are very
intentional about recruiting guys that have won before. We had eight guys from
this last team that won a state championship, and another five or six guys that
played in the NCAA tournament, and that wasn’t by accident.”

The goal for the men's basketball program is to improve and take that next step in the tournament this next season.

"We feel way better than we did this time last year," Maligi said of the 10 guys the Wildcats have on campus this spring. "We still want to get a couple more dudes. There are still a lot of moving parts, but we should be in a pretty good position come next season."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684871750854.jpeg" alt="Packed house at AJ's at The Alley in Hutchinson on Tuesday for the Catbacker Tour." />
 <figcaption>Packed house at AJ's at The Alley in Hutchinson on Tuesday for the Catbacker Tour.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEAN BOSTON Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan.&nbsp;— Kansas State head football coach Chris Klieman, associate head men's basketball coach Ulric Maligi, and other student-athletes made a stop at AJ's at The Alley on Tuesday afternoon.&nbsp;The stop was one of 16 among the annual Catbacker Tour across the state of Kansas, highlighting accomplishments from the 2022-23 school year and previewing the upcoming season.The event was emceed by the voice of the Wildcats, Wyatt Thompson, and also had appearances from Willie the Wildcat, and the K-State cheer team.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684871817076.jpeg" alt="Voice of the Wildcats Wyatt Thompson (left) visits with head football coach Chris Klieman (right)." />
 <figcaption>Voice of the Wildcats Wyatt Thompson (left) visits with head football coach Chris Klieman (right).</figcaption>
 </figure>Head football coach Chris Klieman took the stage to a standing ovation after he led the Wildcats to the Big 12 title this past fall. K-State would come up short in the Sugar Bowl against No. 5 Alabama.&nbsp;Klieman was asked by Thompson about winning the Big 12 title game over TCU, and what that felt like being apart of."Everybody keeps telling me that," Klieman said while laughing. "I didn't watch it, I lived it. I was never uptight, I was never nervous, I was just in the flow of the game."Klieman also touched on watching his four former players get drafted in the NFL Draft this past month. Felix Anudike-Uzomah (31st overall, Chiefs), Julius Brents (44th overall, Colts), Josh Hayes (181st overall, Buccaneers), Deuce Vaughn (212th overall, Cowboys).“To have all four guys
drafted by their ‘hometown’ teams was awesome,” Klieman said. “Think of it as a
mother, to get your sons to come home after all their journeys through college
and now they’re going to get to be pampered by their moms at home… what a
special feeling for those guys.”Klieman was asked about hoisting the Big 12 championship trophy and what that meant to him."We talked about Gene Taylor and his faith in myself and this staff," Klieman said. "He took a chance on a guy from a small FCS school and believed in me and believed in my staff. For us to have that chance to raise that trophy, there probably isn't a better feeling. When nobody expects you to do that, it's what's happening on the field that's all that matters."Although the Wildcats did have the four drafted and several other move on after graduating, Klieman is excited about the offense in particular coming to the field in the fall."Will Howard is one of the best quarterbacks in college football," Klieman said. "He's coming back, plus we return our top eight offensive linemen to protect him. We've got pretty good wide receivers, and then a guy that's probably forgotten a lot about is Will Sennett, a guy I think is the best tight end in college football."Associate head men's basketball coach Ulric Maligi spoke on this past season and the trip to the Elite Eight. The same team had been picked dead last in the Big 12 preseason poll.“When the predictions
came out, we laughed at it,” Maligi said. “We knew we had an NCAA tournament team.
The goal was to always have a parade in Manhattan, Kansas and win a national
championship. This team realized very quickly how good they really could be.”The team was mostly formed from the transfer portal and came together rather quickly ahead of the season.“I think all of this
journey really started with the recruiting,” Maligi said. “We are very
intentional about recruiting guys that have won before. We had eight guys from
this last team that won a state championship, and another five or six guys that
played in the NCAA tournament, and that wasn’t by accident.”The goal for the men's basketball program is to improve and take that next step in the tournament this next season."We feel way better than we did this time last year," Maligi said of the 10 guys the Wildcats have on campus this spring. "We still want to get a couple more dudes. There are still a lot of moving parts, but we should be in a pretty good position come next season."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684871929709.jpeg" alt="The K-State athletic bus parked outside of AJ's at The Alley in Hutchinson." />
 <figcaption>The K-State athletic bus parked outside of AJ's at The Alley in Hutchinson.</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Klieman highlights Catbacker Tour stop in Hutch on Tuesday

LAWRENCE, Kan.&nbsp;— Former Kansas forward and first team All-American Thomas Robinson is the third former Jayhawk to commit to play for the KU alumni team (Mass Street TBT) in The Basketball Tournament in July in Wichita.

The 6-foot-10 240-pound Robinson was selected as the No. 5 overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings. The 32-year-old Washington, D.C. native will join Tyshawn Taylor and Keith Langford on the KU roster.

Robinson played at KU from 2010 to 2012 and currently is playing professionally in Puerto Rico.

The KU alumni team <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/cbd8c31d-0875-46b7-8e72-d934f707e864">first announced</a> they would be playing in The Basketball Tournament in May.&nbsp;

TBT is a 64-team, $1 million winner-take-all event on ESPN will be held in Wichita July 20 through July 25 at Charles Koch Arena on the campus of Wichita State University.

More information regarding the TBT can be found&nbsp;<a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/e318b5ab-02ba-4105-b7a3-08ac33f841f6">here</a>.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684851223180.jpeg" alt="Jeff Gross/Getty Images" />
 <figcaption>Jeff Gross/Getty Images</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan.&nbsp;— Former Kansas forward and first team All-American Thomas Robinson is the third former Jayhawk to commit to play for the KU alumni team (Mass Street TBT) in The Basketball Tournament in July in Wichita.The 6-foot-10 240-pound Robinson was selected as the No. 5 overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings. The 32-year-old Washington, D.C. native will join Tyshawn Taylor and Keith Langford on the KU roster.Robinson played at KU from 2010 to 2012 and currently is playing professionally in Puerto Rico.The KU alumni team <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/cbd8c31d-0875-46b7-8e72-d934f707e864">first announced</a> they would be playing in The Basketball Tournament in May.&nbsp;TBT is a 64-team, $1 million winner-take-all event on ESPN will be held in Wichita July 20 through July 25 at Charles Koch Arena on the campus of Wichita State University.More information regarding the TBT can be found&nbsp;<a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/e318b5ab-02ba-4105-b7a3-08ac33f841f6">here</a>.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile&nbsp;app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

🏀 KU alumni team adds former All-American to TBT roster

Courtesy of Wichita State Athletics

#6 Memphis (28-26, 10-14) vs. #3 Wichita State&nbsp;(30-23, 13-10&nbsp;American) Tuesday, May 23&nbsp;| 47 minutes after the conclusion of 3:00&nbsp;pm CT game | Clearwater, Florida&nbsp;(BayCare Ballpark) TV: ESPN+&nbsp;| Radio:&nbsp;KFH 97.5&nbsp;FM/1240&nbsp;AM LHP Luke Ellis (3-3, 4.42) vs. RHP&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/grant-adler/7467">Grant Adler</a>&nbsp;(5-3, 2.41)

SCENE SETTER:&nbsp;Wichita State opens the American Athletic Conference Championship on Tuesday night against Memphis at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, Florida. The Shockers are the number three seed in the bracket, matched with the sixth-seeded Tigers in the opening round. WSU plays the final game of the day on Tuesday, with a first pitch time scheduled for 47 minutes after the conclusion of game three, which starts at 3:00 pm CT. Wichita State is on the same side of the bracket as #2 Houston and #7 Tulane; with a win the Shockers will play one of those two teams on Thursday. The Shockers matched their best finish since joining The American in 2018, earning third place by virtue of a comeback win at UCF on Friday. The Knights won the other two games in the series by a single run, including a walk-off 16-15 victory in the series opener that resumed Friday after just six pitches on Thursday. Wichita State is hunting their first appearance in the NCAA tournament since the 2013 season, a regional bid that was later vacated by the NCAA.

SHOCKER BASEBALL ON THE RADIO AND ESPN PLUS:&nbsp;KFH 97.5 FM/1240 AM will once again serve as the radio home for Wichita State baseball broadcasts in 2023. "The Voice of the Shockers" and Pizza Hut Shocker Sports Hall of Famer Mike Kennedy will have the call in Clearwater, with&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/staff/denning-gerig/113">Denning Gerig</a>&nbsp;joining the broadcast as color commentator. All games of the tournament will also be streamed live on ESPN+ ($). The championship game will air live on ESPN News. Live audio, in addition to live statistics, will be available for all games at GoShockers.com/listen and ShockerStats.com.&nbsp;

SERIES HISTORY:&nbsp;The Shockers and Tigers have met just 16 times in the all-time series history, with every game taking place after Wichita State joined the American Athletic Conference in 2018. The Shockers hold an 11-5 lead in the series, winning two of three games in Wichita earlier this season. Wichita State rolled to comfortable wins in the first two games by nine and seven runs, respectively, but Memphis bounced back to take the Sunday series finale, 6-3. Projected Tigers starter Luke Ellis went 3.1 innings and allowed two runs in the victory. WSU has won all five series against the Tigers, including a four-game set in Wichita in 2021.

SCOUTING MEMPHIS:&nbsp;The Tigers ended the regular season with a 28-26 overall record, including 10-14 in American Athletic Conference play. Memphis heads to Clearwater on the heels of a series win at Tulane, sandwiching a pair of run-rule wins around a Friday defeat. Even with the outburst against the Green Wave, Memphis still ranks at the bottom of the conference with just 5.4 runs per game largely due to a lack of extra-base power. The Tigers are slugging .420 as a team with just 55 home runs. Third baseman Logan Kohler is the most dangerous name in the lineup, hitting .328 with 12 doubles and 10 home runs. The pitching staff ranks third in the conference with a 5.30 ERA led by a pair of talented lefties; senior starter Dalton Fowler was named the conference's Pitcher of the Year on Monday after leading the league with 104 strikeouts. Junior closer Dalton Kendrick has racked up 12 saves, fifth-most in the country. Memphis is led by first-year head coach Kerrick Jackson, who returned to the collegiate ranks after a stint as president of the MLB Draft League. Jackson was previously the head coach at Southern for three seasons, and has also coached at Emporia State and Coffeyville Community College in Kansas.

BRINGING HOME THE HARDWARE:&nbsp;Wichita State was well-represented on Monday's all-conference honors, leading the league with five First Team selections among nine total honorees. Second baseman&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/brock-rodden/7450">Brock Rodden</a>&nbsp;highlighted the awards, recognized as the AAC's Player of the Year. Tuesday starter&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/grant-adler/7467">Grant Adler</a>&nbsp;was named the conference's Newcomer Pitcher of the Year. That pair was joined on the First Team by outfielder&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/chuck-ingram/7448">Chuck Ingram</a>, right-handed pitcher&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/clark-candiotti/7475">Clark Candiotti</a>&nbsp;and two-way player&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/payton-tolle/7456">Payton Tolle</a>. Lefty reliever&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/jace-miner/7449">Jace Miner</a>&nbsp;and outfielder&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/kyte-mcdonald/7459">Kyte McDonald</a>&nbsp;earned spots on the Second Team, while reliever&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/nate-snead/7469">Nate Snead</a>&nbsp;and third baseman&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/jack-little/7464">Jack Little</a>&nbsp;were voted All-Conference Freshmen. Interim head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/coaches/loren-hibbs/1122">Loren Hibbs</a>&nbsp;was named Coach of the Year, becoming the first Shocker head coach to win the award since Gene Stephenson in 1998.

NINTH INNING MAGIC:&nbsp;Wichita State put together two remarkable ninth inning rallies this past week in Orlando against UCF. In the completion of the suspended series opener, the Shockers entered the ninth trailing 15-8 but scored seven runs to tie the game, highlighted by a two-out grand slam from freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/jack-little/7464">Jack Little</a>. UCF went on to win the game 16-15, but the Shockers got revenge with another ninth inning rally later that day. Trailing 7-6 with just three outs left to play with, WSU scored six runs en route to a 12-7 victory. A bases-loaded walk to&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/seth-stroh/7454">Seth Stroh</a>&nbsp;put the Shockers in front, then Little and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/chuck-ingram/7448">Chuck Ingram</a>&nbsp;knocked in two runs apiece to complete the rally.

TOURNEY TRENDS:&nbsp;Over the course of four seasons in the American Athletic Conference, Wichita State has not faired well at the conference tournament. The Shockers best showing came in 2019, when they bested top-seeded East Carolina twice but also lost twice to UConn to finish 2-2. WSU won one game in 2018 and 2021, and lost to Houston and UCF as part of an 0-2 showing last season.

TWO-WAY TALENT:&nbsp;Last week, sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/payton-tolle/7456">Payton Tolle</a>&nbsp;was named one of 12 semifinalists for the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award. The award is named for the former Washington State University standout who achieved success both as a first baseman and left-handed pitcher during the late 1980s and was inducted into the National College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007. As Wichita State's Saturday starter, Tolle has gone 9-2 with a 4.57 ERA in 82.2 innings; offensively, he is hitting .319 with 13 home runs and 48 RBI. Tolle is the lone representative on the list from the American Athletic Conference. ONE-MAN WRECKING CREW:&nbsp;Junior outfielder&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/chuck-ingram/7448">Chuck Ingram</a>&nbsp;has piled up 14 multi-hit games in the last 21 contests, raising his batting average to .366 to finish the regular season with the conference's best average. Ingram's BABIP (batting average on balls in play) is an incredible .517 (78-for-151), including a league-best 19 doubles. The right-handed hitter has almost tripled his walk rate in his junior season to go along with a career-high 16 stolen bases.

RUNNING INTO PROBLEMS:&nbsp;The Shockers do not allow a significant number of stolen base attempts (71 in 53 games, an average of 1.3 per game) but have had difficulties throwing out those runners. WSU has cut down just 10 of 71 baserunners, a caught-stealing rate of 14.1%.

JACE THE ACE:&nbsp;Left-hander&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/jace-miner/7449">Jace Miner</a>&nbsp;had his long scoreless inning streak snapped on Friday at UCF, allowing a run after working 20.2 shutout frames. Before giving up the run, Miner struck out a career-high seven batters over 4.0 innings of work, keying a WSU come-from-behind victory. For the season, Miner's ERA stands at 2.03, and the southpaw has held opposing batters to a .156 average (21 hits in 40.0 innings).

PITCHING TURNAROUND:&nbsp;Pitching coach&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/coaches/mike-pelfrey/1119">Mike Pelfrey</a>&nbsp;and interim head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/coaches/loren-hibbs/1122">Loren Hibbs</a>&nbsp;have completely revamped the Shocker arms in 2023, trimming nearly a run and a half off the Wichita State ERA as compared to a season ago (5.97 to 4.39). The Shockers enter play on Tuesday 26th in the country in ERA thanks to a pitching staff littered with strike-throwers; WSU ranks 13th nationally in walks per nine innings (3.31) and 9th in strikeout-to-walk ratio (2.90:1).

EVERYBODY RUNS:&nbsp;With 87 steals as a team, the Shockers are getting baserunning production from up and down the lineup.&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/kyte-mcdonald/7459">Kyte McDonald</a>&nbsp;(20),&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/chuck-ingram/7448">Chuck Ingram</a>&nbsp;(16),&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/brock-rodden/7450">Brock Rodden</a>&nbsp;(12),&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/garrett-pennington/7468">Garrett Pennington</a>&nbsp;(11) and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/jack-little/7464">Jack Little</a>&nbsp;(10) all have double-digit steals, the first time that five individual Shockers have recorded 10 or more steals in a season since 2008. McDonald became the first Shocker since Daniel Kihle in 2015 to steal 20 bases in a season.

DOUBLE UP:&nbsp;Head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/coaches/loren-hibbs/1122">Loren Hibbs</a>&nbsp;made no secret of his desire for the Shockers to hit more doubles in 2023, believing the stat represents a good offensive approach and aggressive baserunning. The Shockers have lived up to that expectation this season, leading the American Athletic Conference and ranking 34th nationally with 118 team two-baggers. WSU has ten players with six or more doubles.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684848447316.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Courtesy of Wichita State Athletics#6 Memphis (28-26, 10-14) vs. #3 Wichita State&nbsp;(30-23, 13-10&nbsp;American) Tuesday, May 23&nbsp;| 47 minutes after the conclusion of 3:00&nbsp;pm CT game | Clearwater, Florida&nbsp;(BayCare Ballpark) TV: ESPN+&nbsp;| Radio:&nbsp;KFH 97.5&nbsp;FM/1240&nbsp;AM LHP Luke Ellis (3-3, 4.42) vs. RHP&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/grant-adler/7467">Grant Adler</a>&nbsp;(5-3, 2.41)SCENE SETTER:&nbsp;Wichita State opens the American Athletic Conference Championship on Tuesday night against Memphis at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, Florida. The Shockers are the number three seed in the bracket, matched with the sixth-seeded Tigers in the opening round. WSU plays the final game of the day on Tuesday, with a first pitch time scheduled for 47 minutes after the conclusion of game three, which starts at 3:00 pm CT. Wichita State is on the same side of the bracket as #2 Houston and #7 Tulane; with a win the Shockers will play one of those two teams on Thursday. The Shockers matched their best finish since joining The American in 2018, earning third place by virtue of a comeback win at UCF on Friday. The Knights won the other two games in the series by a single run, including a walk-off 16-15 victory in the series opener that resumed Friday after just six pitches on Thursday. Wichita State is hunting their first appearance in the NCAA tournament since the 2013 season, a regional bid that was later vacated by the NCAA.SHOCKER BASEBALL ON THE RADIO AND ESPN PLUS:&nbsp;KFH 97.5 FM/1240 AM will once again serve as the radio home for Wichita State baseball broadcasts in 2023. "The Voice of the Shockers" and Pizza Hut Shocker Sports Hall of Famer Mike Kennedy will have the call in Clearwater, with&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/staff/denning-gerig/113">Denning Gerig</a>&nbsp;joining the broadcast as color commentator. All games of the tournament will also be streamed live on ESPN+ ($). The championship game will air live on ESPN News. Live audio, in addition to live statistics, will be available for all games at GoShockers.com/listen and ShockerStats.com.&nbsp;SERIES HISTORY:&nbsp;The Shockers and Tigers have met just 16 times in the all-time series history, with every game taking place after Wichita State joined the American Athletic Conference in 2018. The Shockers hold an 11-5 lead in the series, winning two of three games in Wichita earlier this season. Wichita State rolled to comfortable wins in the first two games by nine and seven runs, respectively, but Memphis bounced back to take the Sunday series finale, 6-3. Projected Tigers starter Luke Ellis went 3.1 innings and allowed two runs in the victory. WSU has won all five series against the Tigers, including a four-game set in Wichita in 2021.SCOUTING MEMPHIS:&nbsp;The Tigers ended the regular season with a 28-26 overall record, including 10-14 in American Athletic Conference play. Memphis heads to Clearwater on the heels of a series win at Tulane, sandwiching a pair of run-rule wins around a Friday defeat. Even with the outburst against the Green Wave, Memphis still ranks at the bottom of the conference with just 5.4 runs per game largely due to a lack of extra-base power. The Tigers are slugging .420 as a team with just 55 home runs. Third baseman Logan Kohler is the most dangerous name in the lineup, hitting .328 with 12 doubles and 10 home runs. The pitching staff ranks third in the conference with a 5.30 ERA led by a pair of talented lefties; senior starter Dalton Fowler was named the conference's Pitcher of the Year on Monday after leading the league with 104 strikeouts. Junior closer Dalton Kendrick has racked up 12 saves, fifth-most in the country. Memphis is led by first-year head coach Kerrick Jackson, who returned to the collegiate ranks after a stint as president of the MLB Draft League. Jackson was previously the head coach at Southern for three seasons, and has also coached at Emporia State and Coffeyville Community College in Kansas.BRINGING HOME THE HARDWARE:&nbsp;Wichita State was well-represented on Monday's all-conference honors, leading the league with five First Team selections among nine total honorees. Second baseman&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/brock-rodden/7450">Brock Rodden</a>&nbsp;highlighted the awards, recognized as the AAC's Player of the Year. Tuesday starter&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/grant-adler/7467">Grant Adler</a>&nbsp;was named the conference's Newcomer Pitcher of the Year. That pair was joined on the First Team by outfielder&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/chuck-ingram/7448">Chuck Ingram</a>, right-handed pitcher&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/clark-candiotti/7475">Clark Candiotti</a>&nbsp;and two-way player&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/payton-tolle/7456">Payton Tolle</a>. Lefty reliever&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/jace-miner/7449">Jace Miner</a>&nbsp;and outfielder&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/kyte-mcdonald/7459">Kyte McDonald</a>&nbsp;earned spots on the Second Team, while reliever&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/nate-snead/7469">Nate Snead</a>&nbsp;and third baseman&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/jack-little/7464">Jack Little</a>&nbsp;were voted All-Conference Freshmen. Interim head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/coaches/loren-hibbs/1122">Loren Hibbs</a>&nbsp;was named Coach of the Year, becoming the first Shocker head coach to win the award since Gene Stephenson in 1998.NINTH INNING MAGIC:&nbsp;Wichita State put together two remarkable ninth inning rallies this past week in Orlando against UCF. In the completion of the suspended series opener, the Shockers entered the ninth trailing 15-8 but scored seven runs to tie the game, highlighted by a two-out grand slam from freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/jack-little/7464">Jack Little</a>. UCF went on to win the game 16-15, but the Shockers got revenge with another ninth inning rally later that day. Trailing 7-6 with just three outs left to play with, WSU scored six runs en route to a 12-7 victory. A bases-loaded walk to&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/seth-stroh/7454">Seth Stroh</a>&nbsp;put the Shockers in front, then Little and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/chuck-ingram/7448">Chuck Ingram</a>&nbsp;knocked in two runs apiece to complete the rally.TOURNEY TRENDS:&nbsp;Over the course of four seasons in the American Athletic Conference, Wichita State has not faired well at the conference tournament. The Shockers best showing came in 2019, when they bested top-seeded East Carolina twice but also lost twice to UConn to finish 2-2. WSU won one game in 2018 and 2021, and lost to Houston and UCF as part of an 0-2 showing last season.TWO-WAY TALENT:&nbsp;Last week, sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/payton-tolle/7456">Payton Tolle</a>&nbsp;was named one of 12 semifinalists for the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award. The award is named for the former Washington State University standout who achieved success both as a first baseman and left-handed pitcher during the late 1980s and was inducted into the National College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007. As Wichita State's Saturday starter, Tolle has gone 9-2 with a 4.57 ERA in 82.2 innings; offensively, he is hitting .319 with 13 home runs and 48 RBI. Tolle is the lone representative on the list from the American Athletic Conference. ONE-MAN WRECKING CREW:&nbsp;Junior outfielder&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/chuck-ingram/7448">Chuck Ingram</a>&nbsp;has piled up 14 multi-hit games in the last 21 contests, raising his batting average to .366 to finish the regular season with the conference's best average. Ingram's BABIP (batting average on balls in play) is an incredible .517 (78-for-151), including a league-best 19 doubles. The right-handed hitter has almost tripled his walk rate in his junior season to go along with a career-high 16 stolen bases.RUNNING INTO PROBLEMS:&nbsp;The Shockers do not allow a significant number of stolen base attempts (71 in 53 games, an average of 1.3 per game) but have had difficulties throwing out those runners. WSU has cut down just 10 of 71 baserunners, a caught-stealing rate of 14.1%.JACE THE ACE:&nbsp;Left-hander&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/jace-miner/7449">Jace Miner</a>&nbsp;had his long scoreless inning streak snapped on Friday at UCF, allowing a run after working 20.2 shutout frames. Before giving up the run, Miner struck out a career-high seven batters over 4.0 innings of work, keying a WSU come-from-behind victory. For the season, Miner's ERA stands at 2.03, and the southpaw has held opposing batters to a .156 average (21 hits in 40.0 innings).PITCHING TURNAROUND:&nbsp;Pitching coach&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/coaches/mike-pelfrey/1119">Mike Pelfrey</a>&nbsp;and interim head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/coaches/loren-hibbs/1122">Loren Hibbs</a>&nbsp;have completely revamped the Shocker arms in 2023, trimming nearly a run and a half off the Wichita State ERA as compared to a season ago (5.97 to 4.39). The Shockers enter play on Tuesday 26th in the country in ERA thanks to a pitching staff littered with strike-throwers; WSU ranks 13th nationally in walks per nine innings (3.31) and 9th in strikeout-to-walk ratio (2.90:1).EVERYBODY RUNS:&nbsp;With 87 steals as a team, the Shockers are getting baserunning production from up and down the lineup.&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/kyte-mcdonald/7459">Kyte McDonald</a>&nbsp;(20),&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/chuck-ingram/7448">Chuck Ingram</a>&nbsp;(16),&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/brock-rodden/7450">Brock Rodden</a>&nbsp;(12),&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/garrett-pennington/7468">Garrett Pennington</a>&nbsp;(11) and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/jack-little/7464">Jack Little</a>&nbsp;(10) all have double-digit steals, the first time that five individual Shockers have recorded 10 or more steals in a season since 2008. McDonald became the first Shocker since Daniel Kihle in 2015 to steal 20 bases in a season.DOUBLE UP:&nbsp;Head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/coaches/loren-hibbs/1122">Loren Hibbs</a>&nbsp;made no secret of his desire for the Shockers to hit more doubles in 2023, believing the stat represents a good offensive approach and aggressive baserunning. The Shockers have lived up to that expectation this season, leading the American Athletic Conference and ranking 34th nationally with 118 team two-baggers. WSU has ten players with six or more doubles.

⚾ Shockers prepare for AAC tournament

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Javier Báez hit a bases-clearing double in the 10th inning for his third hit of the night to lift the Detroit Tigers to an 8-5 victory over the Kansas City Royals in the opener of a three-game series Monday night.

“It's the best feeling in the world,” Báez said in an on-field interview after the game. “I'm just happy that I got good contact.”

Báez had three hits in the game, but the first two combined for an exit velocity of about 112 mph and didn't leave the infield. His third hit was a line drive over the left-fielder's head.

“He probably got the softest hits tonight and he probably got the hardest hit tonight,” Detroit manager AJ Hinch said. “I'll take them both.”

Matt Vierling had three hits, including a home run, and four RBIs for the Tigers.

Alex Lange (2-0) earned the victory with two hitless innings of relief. Jose Cisnero picked up his first save.

“I think (Lange) was excellent tonight,” Hinch said. “We talk to him over and over about the back end of the game. He can't just wait on the last three outs and a clean inning all the time. These were clean innings, but he's going to need to be ready in the eighth. Tonight we needed him to pitch in a different part of the game.”

Scott Barlow (1-3) allowed Báez's winning hit and took the loss.

“(The bullpen) kept us in the game," Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro said. "They didn’t give up a run until the 10th inning. So, we couldn’t have asked for anything more.”

Neither starter was effective. Detroit's Michael Lorenzen gave up five runs and five hits in 5 2/3 innings. Brady Singer allowed five runs and seven hits and four walks in 3 2/3 innings. Singer came into the game with a 6-0 record with a 2.44 ERA in 10 career starts against the Tigers.

Detroit batters walked 10 times, the first time the Tigers had eight or more walks in consecutive games since June 13-14, 2016.

The Tigers got three runs in the first inning without much solid contact. Zach McKinstry led off with a single in the hole at second. With one out, Báez singled over first base and Spencer Torkelson walked. Singer then walked Akil Baddoo on four pitches to send home the first run. Vierling lined a single through the hole at short for two more runs.

The Royals wasted no time in getting back into the game. Vinnie Pasquantino launched a 424-foot, two-run home run and Salvador Perez followed with a 419-foot shot to tie the score before Lorenzen recorded the first out. It was the first time this year the Royals hit back-to-back home runs.

Vierling then put the Tigers back in front with a two-run home run in the third, giving him four RBIs on the night.

“I feel good (and) relaxed,” Vierling said. “Hitting is up and down sometimes. I feel like I'm seeing it well. I really like my approach right now. I'm just trying to stay with that as much as possible.”

Jackie Bradley Jr. hit his first homer as a Royal to tie the game in the fifth. Nicky Lopez tripled leading off the inning before Bradley hit it into the Tigers bullpen in left. Bradley snapped an 0-for-26 skid.

Royals IF Nicky Lopez returned from rehab assignment at Triple-A Omaha and was reinstated from IL. He has been out since May 2 with an emergency appendectomy. In a corresponding move, IF/OF Hunter Dozier was designated for assignment. Dozier was hitting .183 with two home runs and nine RBIs in 29 games this season.

The Tigers and Royals will play the second game of a three-game series. The Tigers will send LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (4-3, 2.06 ERA) to the mound. The Royals have not announced a starter.

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 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Javier Báez hit a bases-clearing double in the 10th inning for his third hit of the night to lift the Detroit Tigers to an 8-5 victory over the Kansas City Royals in the opener of a three-game series Monday night.“It's the best feeling in the world,” Báez said in an on-field interview after the game. “I'm just happy that I got good contact.”Báez had three hits in the game, but the first two combined for an exit velocity of about 112 mph and didn't leave the infield. His third hit was a line drive over the left-fielder's head.“He probably got the softest hits tonight and he probably got the hardest hit tonight,” Detroit manager AJ Hinch said. “I'll take them both.”Matt Vierling had three hits, including a home run, and four RBIs for the Tigers.Alex Lange (2-0) earned the victory with two hitless innings of relief. Jose Cisnero picked up his first save.“I think (Lange) was excellent tonight,” Hinch said. “We talk to him over and over about the back end of the game. He can't just wait on the last three outs and a clean inning all the time. These were clean innings, but he's going to need to be ready in the eighth. Tonight we needed him to pitch in a different part of the game.”Scott Barlow (1-3) allowed Báez's winning hit and took the loss.“(The bullpen) kept us in the game," Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro said. "They didn’t give up a run until the 10th inning. So, we couldn’t have asked for anything more.”Neither starter was effective. Detroit's Michael Lorenzen gave up five runs and five hits in 5 2/3 innings. Brady Singer allowed five runs and seven hits and four walks in 3 2/3 innings. Singer came into the game with a 6-0 record with a 2.44 ERA in 10 career starts against the Tigers.Detroit batters walked 10 times, the first time the Tigers had eight or more walks in consecutive games since June 13-14, 2016.The Tigers got three runs in the first inning without much solid contact. Zach McKinstry led off with a single in the hole at second. With one out, Báez singled over first base and Spencer Torkelson walked. Singer then walked Akil Baddoo on four pitches to send home the first run. Vierling lined a single through the hole at short for two more runs.The Royals wasted no time in getting back into the game. Vinnie Pasquantino launched a 424-foot, two-run home run and Salvador Perez followed with a 419-foot shot to tie the score before Lorenzen recorded the first out. It was the first time this year the Royals hit back-to-back home runs.Vierling then put the Tigers back in front with a two-run home run in the third, giving him four RBIs on the night.“I feel good (and) relaxed,” Vierling said. “Hitting is up and down sometimes. I feel like I'm seeing it well. I really like my approach right now. I'm just trying to stay with that as much as possible.”Jackie Bradley Jr. hit his first homer as a Royal to tie the game in the fifth. Nicky Lopez tripled leading off the inning before Bradley hit it into the Tigers bullpen in left. Bradley snapped an 0-for-26 skid.TRANSACTIONS:Royals IF Nicky Lopez returned from rehab assignment at Triple-A Omaha and was reinstated from IL. He has been out since May 2 with an emergency appendectomy. In a corresponding move, IF/OF Hunter Dozier was designated for assignment. Dozier was hitting .183 with two home runs and nine RBIs in 29 games this season.UP NEXTThe Tigers and Royals will play the second game of a three-game series. The Tigers will send LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (4-3, 2.06 ERA) to the mound. The Royals have not announced a starter.