Courtesy of Kansas State Athletics

MANHATTAN, Kan. – K-State is prepped for the final stretch of Big 12 action as No. 14 Texas Tech visits Tointon Family Stadium for a three-game series starting Friday at 6 p.m. 

The second game of the series is set for Saturday at 4 p.m. with the finale slated at 1 p.m. Sunday. K-State (26-16, 9-6 Big 12) ranks third in the conference standings. Texas Tech (29-13, 8-7 Big 12) enters the weekend with a one-game losing streak after Tuesday's nightcap was suspended due to weather. Sophomore pitcher&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/tyson-neighbors/10958">Tyson Neighbors</a>&nbsp;was named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Stopper of the Year Midseason Watch List following the office's announcement on Wednesday. Left-hander&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/owen-boerema/10978">Owen Boerema</a>, who ranks second in the league in strikeouts with 69, will head to the hill Friday night.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/german-fajardo/10949">German Fajardo</a>&nbsp;will get his 12th&nbsp;start of the season Saturday while&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/collin-rothermel/10962">Collin Rothermel</a>&nbsp;will get the call Sunday. Texas Tech leads the all-time series between the two programs, 50-32-1, while K-State is 19-17 when playing at home. The Cats last series win over the Red Raiders came in 2021 inside Tointon Family Stadium where K-State claimed the rubber match, 10-4. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The entire series can be seen on the Big 12 Now on ESPN+ and the ESPN app with radio coverage available on News Radio KMAN (93.3 FM, 1350 AM). Live streaming audio is available for the three-game series at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/watch/?Live=3268&amp;type=Archive">KStateSports.com/watch</a>&nbsp;and on the K-State Sports app. With construction ongoing on the new Morgan Family Arena, parking for baseball games at Tointon Family Stadium will be impacted during the 2023 season. Fans are advised to park in the west parking lot of Bill Snyder&nbsp;Stadium and do so by entering through Gate 3 via College Avenue across from Ascension Via Christi Hospital. Gate 1 and Gate 2 will be closed for the duration of the 2023 baseball season. When proceeding to the stadium on foot, fans are advised to exit the west parking lot along the pedestrian path between Gate 1 and Gate 2 and then proceed to the stadium via the sidewalk along College Avenue.

⚾ Wildcats to host No. 14 Texas Tech this weekend

Courtesy of Wichita State Athletics&nbsp;

#19/21&nbsp;Wichita State at Tulsa Friday, April 28 | 5 PM Saturday, April 29 | 2 PM Sunday, April 30 | 1 PM Tulsa, Okla. | Collins Family Softball Complex ESPN+ | StatBroadcast.com QUICK HITS • A series win at Tulsa clinches at least a share of the 2023 AAC regular season title; a sweep clinches it outright. • Wichita State is ranked in all four polls: NFCA (#19), USA Softball (#21), Softball America (#21) and D1 Softball (#20). Wichita State's #19 ranking in NFCA is the highest in school history. • Wichita State's RPI is 21 entering the week. • Wichita State's 40-8 record is the best start through 48 games in school history. • Wichita State has its third 40-win season in school history. • Wichita State is 9-1 in its last 10 games. • Wichita State has three Top 10 wins this season - #9 Arkansas, #2 Oklahoma State and #3 Oklahoma State. • Wichita State's win at #3 Oklahoma State was the highest ranked road win in school history. • Wichita State's win over #2 Oklahoma State was the highest ranked win in school history. • Wichita State has 10 shutouts in 2023. The 2022 Shockers had five all season. • After playing just 11 home games in 2022, Wichita State had 27 games at Wilkins Stadium in 2023. • Wichita State received three first place votes in the AAC Preseason Poll and was picked to finish 2nd, just one point behind UCF. •&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/alex-aguilar/7249">Alex Aguilar</a>&nbsp;is a 3-time AAC Pitcher of the Week (Mar. 20, Apr. 10, Apr. 24). •&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/sydney-mckinney/7236">Sydney McKinney</a>&nbsp;has been awarded AAC Player of the Week honors three times in 2023 (Feb. 20, April 3, April 10). •&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/zoe-jones/7234">Zoe Jones</a>&nbsp;was American Player of the Week on March 27. •&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/lauren-howell/7244">Lauren Howell</a>&nbsp;has been named the American Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week twice (Feb. 20, March 6). • McKinney was also named the Louisville Slugger/NFCA National Player of the Week on Feb. 21. • McKinney leads the country in hits and ranks 2nd in average. • McKinney led the nation in hits and batting average in 2022. • McKinney is the NCAA DI active leader in hits and at bats. • McKinney became the first Shocker with 300 career hits on Feb. 19 vs. FDU. • McKinney is the program's all-time hits, batting average, runs and total bases leader, while also owning single season records for those categories. • McKinney is one of 25 finalists for USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year. •&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/addison-barnard/7228">Addison Barnard</a>&nbsp;has 68 career home runs, the most all time at Wichita State and in American Athletic Conference history. • Barnard finished the 2022 season leading the nation in home runs per game and RBI per game, and ranked second in home runs, RBI and slugging percentage. • Barnard's 33 home runs broke her own single season record. • Barnard became the first known player in NCAA history with 30+ home runs and 25+ stolen bases. • Barnard is the only active DI player with 60+ HR and 50+ SB. • Barnard ranks 2nd among NCAA DI active players in career home runs. SERIES HISTORY VS. TULSA Wichita State and Tulsa first met in March of 1994 and have faced off a total of 61 times. The Shockers hold a 34-27 lead in the all-time series, and have won the last four meetings. Since 1994, Wichita State and Tulsa have played every year with the exception of a two-year gap in 2012 and 2013. LAST MEETING WITH THE GOLDEN HURRICANE Wichita State completed the regular season sweep of Tulsa in 2022 with a 15-7 run-rule in 5.0 innings on April 3, 2022. The Shockers took the series opener, 10-8, and then won games 2-3 in run-rule affairs. In the finale,&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/addison-barnard/7228">Addison Barnard</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/neleigh-herring/6006">Neleigh Herring</a>&nbsp;both homered twice and combined for 10 RBI. 40 WIN SEASON Wichita State recorded its 40th win of the season on Sunday, April 23 vs. East Carolina. It marks only the third 40-win season in school history, joining the 2005 and 2021 teams. The 2005 team holds the current school record with 46 wins. PITCHING PROWESS The pitching staff was a question mark entering the season in 2023, but those questions have since disappeared. Wichita State's trio of&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/lauren-howell/7244">Lauren Howell</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/alex-aguilar/7249">Alex Aguilar</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/alison-cooper/7231">Alison Cooper</a>&nbsp;have accomplished something already that no other team in school history has done. All three have double digit wins in 2023. Howell (16-2), Aguilar (13-2) and Cooper (11-4) have combined for all 40 wins so far this season, making them the first trio of teammates to have 10 or more wins in a single season in the circle. AGUILAR NAMED AAC PITCHER OF THE WEEK FOR THIRD TIME Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/alex-aguilar/7249">Alex Aguilar</a>&nbsp;picked up her third American Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week honor on April 24. Aguilar was spectacular in three appearances. She was 3-0 with a sparkling 0.37 ERA in 19.0 innings, including two complete games, allowing only one earned run, while striking out eight.&nbsp;Aguilar opened the week with a standout performance at No. 3 Oklahoma State. She allowed only one run against a top 10 offense in the eight-inning, complete game victory. DON'T LET ADDIE GET HOT One of the nation's premiere home run hitters got off to a slow start in 2023, but seems to be getting into a groove. In her first 17 games of the season,&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/addison-barnard/7228">Addison Barnard</a>&nbsp;had just two home runs. She has 11 in her last 27 games, including her first multi-home run game of 2023 vs. Northern Colorado. In conference play, Barnard is hitting .413 with 6 doubles, 7 home runs and 17 RBI. RPI - WEEK EIGHT Wichita State checked in at No. 21 in the week eight RPI rankings on April 24. The Shockers have already faced 12 teams in the Top 65, including No. 3 Oklahoma State (twice), No. 4 Stanford, No. 15 Arkansas, No. 31 Nebraska, No. 34 UCF, No. 38 Minnesota, No. 39 Boise State, No. 41 San Diego State, No. 48 Texas State, No. 53 South Dakota State, No. 56 South Florida and No. 61 Kansas. Wichita State still has a game against No. 61 Kansas. TOP 10 WINS Wichita State owns a trio of Top 10 wins in 2023 after taking down No. 3 Oklahoma State on April 18 in Stillwater. The Shockers completed the regular season sweep of Oklahoma State with wins in Stillwater and Wichita. The win over the Cowgirls in Wichita marked the highest ranked win in program history, having never beaten a Top 5 team before the matchup. The road win over OSU marked the highest ranked win on the road in school history. Wichita State's resume now includes wins over No. 2/3 Oklahoma State (twice) and No. 9 Arkansas (March 14), making it the first season in school history with multiple Top 10 victories. Wichita State has four Top 10 wins under head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/coaches/kristi-bredbenner/1072">Kristi Bredbenner</a>, all four coming in the last three seasons. TOP 25 FINALIST Wichita State senior&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/sydney-mckinney/7236">Sydney McKinney</a>&nbsp;was named one of 25 finalists for USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year on April 19. A top 10 finalist a season ago, McKinney is once again putting the nation on notice. McKinney was named to the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Top 50 Watch List prior to the season before making the cut at 25. Considered the most distinguished individual honor in Division I college softball, the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award recognizes outstanding athletic achievement by Division I female collegiate softball players from across the country. The Top 25 Finalists will be narrowed down to 10 athletes on May 3, followed by the Top 3 Finalists set to be released on May 17. SHOCKER SLUGGERS RETURN Wichita State returns 100 of the 121 home runs hit from the 2022 team. Led by&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/addison-barnard/7228">Addison Barnard</a>&nbsp;(33), Wichita State brings back one of the nation's best offenses in 2023.&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/lauren-mills/7237">Lauren Mills</a>&nbsp;(16),&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/zoe-jones/7234">Zoe Jones</a>&nbsp;(15),&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/sydney-mckinney/7236">Sydney McKinney</a>&nbsp;(13),&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/lauren-lucas/7235">Lauren Lucas</a>&nbsp;(10),&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/jessica-garcia/7233">Jessica Garcia</a>&nbsp;(5),&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/lainee-brown/7229">Lainee Brown</a>&nbsp;(4),&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/bailey-urban/7242">Bailey Urban</a>&nbsp;(3) and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/krystin-nelson/7238">Krystin Nelson</a>&nbsp;(1) combined to hit the century mark in homers. PITCHERS BEWARE Wichita State obliterated the single season home run record for the second straight season in 2022. The Shockers crushed 103 in 2021, only to see the 2022 team set a new mark of 121. It only took 42 games for the 2022 team to match that number of 103. Wichita State has finished second nationally in home runs each of the last two seasons, behind only Oklahoma. ALL HAIL THE HIT QUEEN •&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/sydney-mckinney/7236">Sydney McKinney</a>&nbsp;is Wichita State's all-time hits leader with 364 in her career. She passed Britnee Barnett on April 29, 2022 vs. ECU with No. 251. • McKinney is the NCAA DI active career leader in hits (364) and at bats (810). She ranks 2nd in runs scored (239), third in batting average (.449) and total bases (524) and 5th in triples (16). • McKinney's career batting average of .449 17th all-time in NCAA history. • McKinney became the first Shocker with 300 career hits on Feb. 19 vs. FDU. • McKinney's 239 career runs scored are the most in school history. • McKinney shattered her own single season record for batting average. She set it at .439 in 2021 and hit a nation-leading .522 in 2022. • With a career OBP of .499, McKinney currently holds the top spot in that category as well at Wichita State. • She ranks second with 16 career triples. • Her 44 career doubles place her in 5th on the school's all-time list. ONE OF THREE Wichita State is one of only three schools in the country, joining Oklahoma and Arkansas, to return multiple NFCA All-Americans from a season ago. The Shockers of course bring back NFCA Second Team All-Americans&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/addison-barnard/7228">Addison Barnard</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/sydney-mckinney/7236">Sydney McKinney</a>. THE AMERICAN STANDARD Since Wichita State entered the American Athletic Conference in 2018, the Shockers have been the league's top offensive team in the league. Not counting the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season, Wichita State has led the American in batting average (2021, 2022), slugging percentage (2018-22), on base percentage (2019-22), runs (2019-22), hits (2022), RBI (2019-22), doubles (2018, 2021-22), home runs (2018-22), total bases (2018-22) and walks (2019, 2021). HOME SWEET HOME Just a season ago Wichita State took on the role of road warrior. The Shockers have 27 home games at Wilkins Stadium compared to only 11 in 2022. During the month of March Wichita State only leaves Wichita once. Seventeen of those 27 home games take place in the month of March, including matchups against 2022 NCAA Regional teams: Stanford, Nebraska, Missouri State, Arkansas, Minnesota and South Florida. IN THE AMERICAN RECORD BOOKS Wichita State is well-represented in the American Athletic Conference record books. Currently&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/sydney-mckinney/7236">Sydney McKinney</a>&nbsp;holds the single-season record for batting average, hits, on base percentage and runs.&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/addison-barnard/7228">Addison Barnard</a>&nbsp;is the single-season record holder for home runs, RBI, slugging percentage and total bases. On the career charts, McKinney already enters her final season holding the top spot in batting average, on base percentage, runs, total bases and hits. Barnard is the all-time home run leader and needs 14 RBI to surpass Wichita State's own Madison Perrigan for the most all-time in American history. UP NEXT Wichita State closes out the regular season at Kansas on Wednesday, May 3 at 5 p.m. on ESPN+.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682609942570.jpeg" alt="" />
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 </figure>Courtesy of Wichita State Athletics&nbsp; #19/21&nbsp;Wichita State at Tulsa Friday, April 28 | 5 PM Saturday, April 29 | 2 PM Sunday, April 30 | 1 PM Tulsa, Okla. | Collins Family Softball Complex ESPN+ | StatBroadcast.com QUICK HITS • A series win at Tulsa clinches at least a share of the 2023 AAC regular season title; a sweep clinches it outright. • Wichita State is ranked in all four polls: NFCA (#19), USA Softball (#21), Softball America (#21) and D1 Softball (#20). Wichita State's #19 ranking in NFCA is the highest in school history. • Wichita State's RPI is 21 entering the week. • Wichita State's 40-8 record is the best start through 48 games in school history. • Wichita State has its third 40-win season in school history. • Wichita State is 9-1 in its last 10 games. • Wichita State has three Top 10 wins this season - #9 Arkansas, #2 Oklahoma State and #3 Oklahoma State. • Wichita State's win at #3 Oklahoma State was the highest ranked road win in school history. • Wichita State's win over #2 Oklahoma State was the highest ranked win in school history. • Wichita State has 10 shutouts in 2023. The 2022 Shockers had five all season. • After playing just 11 home games in 2022, Wichita State had 27 games at Wilkins Stadium in 2023. • Wichita State received three first place votes in the AAC Preseason Poll and was picked to finish 2nd, just one point behind UCF. •&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/alex-aguilar/7249">Alex Aguilar</a>&nbsp;is a 3-time AAC Pitcher of the Week (Mar. 20, Apr. 10, Apr. 24). •&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/sydney-mckinney/7236">Sydney McKinney</a>&nbsp;has been awarded AAC Player of the Week honors three times in 2023 (Feb. 20, April 3, April 10). •&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/zoe-jones/7234">Zoe Jones</a>&nbsp;was American Player of the Week on March 27. •&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/lauren-howell/7244">Lauren Howell</a>&nbsp;has been named the American Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week twice (Feb. 20, March 6). • McKinney was also named the Louisville Slugger/NFCA National Player of the Week on Feb. 21. • McKinney leads the country in hits and ranks 2nd in average. • McKinney led the nation in hits and batting average in 2022. • McKinney is the NCAA DI active leader in hits and at bats. • McKinney became the first Shocker with 300 career hits on Feb. 19 vs. FDU. • McKinney is the program's all-time hits, batting average, runs and total bases leader, while also owning single season records for those categories. • McKinney is one of 25 finalists for USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year. •&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/addison-barnard/7228">Addison Barnard</a>&nbsp;has 68 career home runs, the most all time at Wichita State and in American Athletic Conference history. • Barnard finished the 2022 season leading the nation in home runs per game and RBI per game, and ranked second in home runs, RBI and slugging percentage. • Barnard's 33 home runs broke her own single season record. • Barnard became the first known player in NCAA history with 30+ home runs and 25+ stolen bases. • Barnard is the only active DI player with 60+ HR and 50+ SB. • Barnard ranks 2nd among NCAA DI active players in career home runs. SERIES HISTORY VS. TULSA Wichita State and Tulsa first met in March of 1994 and have faced off a total of 61 times. The Shockers hold a 34-27 lead in the all-time series, and have won the last four meetings. Since 1994, Wichita State and Tulsa have played every year with the exception of a two-year gap in 2012 and 2013. LAST MEETING WITH THE GOLDEN HURRICANE Wichita State completed the regular season sweep of Tulsa in 2022 with a 15-7 run-rule in 5.0 innings on April 3, 2022. The Shockers took the series opener, 10-8, and then won games 2-3 in run-rule affairs. In the finale,&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/addison-barnard/7228">Addison Barnard</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/neleigh-herring/6006">Neleigh Herring</a>&nbsp;both homered twice and combined for 10 RBI. 40 WIN SEASON Wichita State recorded its 40th win of the season on Sunday, April 23 vs. East Carolina. It marks only the third 40-win season in school history, joining the 2005 and 2021 teams. The 2005 team holds the current school record with 46 wins. PITCHING PROWESS The pitching staff was a question mark entering the season in 2023, but those questions have since disappeared. Wichita State's trio of&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/lauren-howell/7244">Lauren Howell</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/alex-aguilar/7249">Alex Aguilar</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/alison-cooper/7231">Alison Cooper</a>&nbsp;have accomplished something already that no other team in school history has done. All three have double digit wins in 2023. Howell (16-2), Aguilar (13-2) and Cooper (11-4) have combined for all 40 wins so far this season, making them the first trio of teammates to have 10 or more wins in a single season in the circle. AGUILAR NAMED AAC PITCHER OF THE WEEK FOR THIRD TIME Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/alex-aguilar/7249">Alex Aguilar</a>&nbsp;picked up her third American Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week honor on April 24. Aguilar was spectacular in three appearances. She was 3-0 with a sparkling 0.37 ERA in 19.0 innings, including two complete games, allowing only one earned run, while striking out eight.&nbsp;Aguilar opened the week with a standout performance at No. 3 Oklahoma State. She allowed only one run against a top 10 offense in the eight-inning, complete game victory. DON'T LET ADDIE GET HOT One of the nation's premiere home run hitters got off to a slow start in 2023, but seems to be getting into a groove. In her first 17 games of the season,&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/addison-barnard/7228">Addison Barnard</a>&nbsp;had just two home runs. She has 11 in her last 27 games, including her first multi-home run game of 2023 vs. Northern Colorado. In conference play, Barnard is hitting .413 with 6 doubles, 7 home runs and 17 RBI. RPI - WEEK EIGHT Wichita State checked in at No. 21 in the week eight RPI rankings on April 24. The Shockers have already faced 12 teams in the Top 65, including No. 3 Oklahoma State (twice), No. 4 Stanford, No. 15 Arkansas, No. 31 Nebraska, No. 34 UCF, No. 38 Minnesota, No. 39 Boise State, No. 41 San Diego State, No. 48 Texas State, No. 53 South Dakota State, No. 56 South Florida and No. 61 Kansas. Wichita State still has a game against No. 61 Kansas. TOP 10 WINS Wichita State owns a trio of Top 10 wins in 2023 after taking down No. 3 Oklahoma State on April 18 in Stillwater. The Shockers completed the regular season sweep of Oklahoma State with wins in Stillwater and Wichita. The win over the Cowgirls in Wichita marked the highest ranked win in program history, having never beaten a Top 5 team before the matchup. The road win over OSU marked the highest ranked win on the road in school history. Wichita State's resume now includes wins over No. 2/3 Oklahoma State (twice) and No. 9 Arkansas (March 14), making it the first season in school history with multiple Top 10 victories. Wichita State has four Top 10 wins under head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/coaches/kristi-bredbenner/1072">Kristi Bredbenner</a>, all four coming in the last three seasons. TOP 25 FINALIST Wichita State senior&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/sydney-mckinney/7236">Sydney McKinney</a>&nbsp;was named one of 25 finalists for USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year on April 19. A top 10 finalist a season ago, McKinney is once again putting the nation on notice. McKinney was named to the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Top 50 Watch List prior to the season before making the cut at 25. Considered the most distinguished individual honor in Division I college softball, the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award recognizes outstanding athletic achievement by Division I female collegiate softball players from across the country. The Top 25 Finalists will be narrowed down to 10 athletes on May 3, followed by the Top 3 Finalists set to be released on May 17. SHOCKER SLUGGERS RETURN Wichita State returns 100 of the 121 home runs hit from the 2022 team. Led by&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/addison-barnard/7228">Addison Barnard</a>&nbsp;(33), Wichita State brings back one of the nation's best offenses in 2023.&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/lauren-mills/7237">Lauren Mills</a>&nbsp;(16),&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/zoe-jones/7234">Zoe Jones</a>&nbsp;(15),&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/sydney-mckinney/7236">Sydney McKinney</a>&nbsp;(13),&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/lauren-lucas/7235">Lauren Lucas</a>&nbsp;(10),&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/jessica-garcia/7233">Jessica Garcia</a>&nbsp;(5),&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/lainee-brown/7229">Lainee Brown</a>&nbsp;(4),&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/bailey-urban/7242">Bailey Urban</a>&nbsp;(3) and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/krystin-nelson/7238">Krystin Nelson</a>&nbsp;(1) combined to hit the century mark in homers. PITCHERS BEWARE Wichita State obliterated the single season home run record for the second straight season in 2022. The Shockers crushed 103 in 2021, only to see the 2022 team set a new mark of 121. It only took 42 games for the 2022 team to match that number of 103. Wichita State has finished second nationally in home runs each of the last two seasons, behind only Oklahoma. ALL HAIL THE HIT QUEEN •&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/sydney-mckinney/7236">Sydney McKinney</a>&nbsp;is Wichita State's all-time hits leader with 364 in her career. She passed Britnee Barnett on April 29, 2022 vs. ECU with No. 251. • McKinney is the NCAA DI active career leader in hits (364) and at bats (810). She ranks 2nd in runs scored (239), third in batting average (.449) and total bases (524) and 5th in triples (16). • McKinney's career batting average of .449 17th all-time in NCAA history. • McKinney became the first Shocker with 300 career hits on Feb. 19 vs. FDU. • McKinney's 239 career runs scored are the most in school history. • McKinney shattered her own single season record for batting average. She set it at .439 in 2021 and hit a nation-leading .522 in 2022. • With a career OBP of .499, McKinney currently holds the top spot in that category as well at Wichita State. • She ranks second with 16 career triples. • Her 44 career doubles place her in 5th on the school's all-time list. ONE OF THREE Wichita State is one of only three schools in the country, joining Oklahoma and Arkansas, to return multiple NFCA All-Americans from a season ago. The Shockers of course bring back NFCA Second Team All-Americans&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/addison-barnard/7228">Addison Barnard</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/sydney-mckinney/7236">Sydney McKinney</a>. THE AMERICAN STANDARD Since Wichita State entered the American Athletic Conference in 2018, the Shockers have been the league's top offensive team in the league. Not counting the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season, Wichita State has led the American in batting average (2021, 2022), slugging percentage (2018-22), on base percentage (2019-22), runs (2019-22), hits (2022), RBI (2019-22), doubles (2018, 2021-22), home runs (2018-22), total bases (2018-22) and walks (2019, 2021). HOME SWEET HOME Just a season ago Wichita State took on the role of road warrior. The Shockers have 27 home games at Wilkins Stadium compared to only 11 in 2022. During the month of March Wichita State only leaves Wichita once. Seventeen of those 27 home games take place in the month of March, including matchups against 2022 NCAA Regional teams: Stanford, Nebraska, Missouri State, Arkansas, Minnesota and South Florida. IN THE AMERICAN RECORD BOOKS Wichita State is well-represented in the American Athletic Conference record books. Currently&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/sydney-mckinney/7236">Sydney McKinney</a>&nbsp;holds the single-season record for batting average, hits, on base percentage and runs.&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/addison-barnard/7228">Addison Barnard</a>&nbsp;is the single-season record holder for home runs, RBI, slugging percentage and total bases. On the career charts, McKinney already enters her final season holding the top spot in batting average, on base percentage, runs, total bases and hits. Barnard is the all-time home run leader and needs 14 RBI to surpass Wichita State's own Madison Perrigan for the most all-time in American history. UP NEXT Wichita State closes out the regular season at Kansas on Wednesday, May 3 at 5 p.m. on ESPN+.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🥎 Shockers close out AAC play at Tulsa

Courtesy of Wichita State Athletics&nbsp;

WICHITA, Kan. –&nbsp;Wichita State first year head women's basketball coach Terry Nooner officially announced his first staff Wednesday afternoon. Antwain Scales, Brooke Costley and Nick Bradford fill out the coaching staff as Nooner's assistant coaches, while D'Anthony Knight comes aboard as the strength and conditioning coach.&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/staff/erica-yancey/100">Erica Yancey</a>&nbsp;will remain on staff as the director of operations. Antwain Scales A familiar face returns to Wichita. The Wichita native recently completed his third season as the head women's basketball coach at Garden City Community College. He compiled a 42-44 record in his three-year stint in Garden City. He spent seven illustrious seasons as the head girls coach at Wichita South High School. There, he turned a program that had won just two games in three seasons prior to his arrival, into a juggernaut. He compiled a record of 152-18 (.894) while leading the Titans to four straight 6A state championships, becoming the first program in history to accomplish that feat. During that stretch, Wichita South won 53 straight games before that streak ended in the 2017 state quarterfinals. Scales left Wichita South following the 2017 campaign to take the reins at Colby Community College. In his first season, Colby finished 8-22. But in year two, the Trojans turned a major corner, winning 19 games while posting a winning record for the first time since 2006. They began the year 11-1, their best start since 2003-2004. Nooner on Scales:&nbsp;"Antwain Scales, or as I like to refer, "Mr. Wichita", is a staple in the Wichita community. A natural leader and former USA Today High School Coach of the Year, Antwain brings a winning attitude to a city he loves so much. An elite recruiter with deep ties in Kansas and the region, I couldn't be more excited to bring Antwain home and make him a vital part of our program moving forward." Brooke Costley Another assistant coach with Kansas ties returns to the Sunflower State. Brooke Costley got her coaching start at Emporia State after completing her playing career for the Hornets. A native of Mexico, Mo., Costley recently completed a stint as an assistant coach for Texas A&amp;M Commerce. Costley was instrumental in the Lions' first season as a Division I program, helping TAMUC advance to the semifinal of the Southland Conference Tournament in 2022-23. In her time at TAMUC, Costley played a large role in the development of DesiRay Kernal who earned Second Team All-Southland Conference honors and landed on the Southland All-Tournament team after leading the Lions in assists and being second in scoring and rebounding. Prior to arriving at Commerce, Costley spent three seasons North Dakota State where she helped the Bison advance to the Semifinal of the Summit League Tournament two times. In just three seasons at NDSU, Costley coached a total of five all-conference honorees as well as three Summit All-Academic Team selections. Costley began her coaching career at her alma mater, Emporia State where she spent a total of six seasons. She spent two seasons as a graduate assistant, two years as a student assistant and two years as a student-athlete. In six seasons, she was part of four MIAA Tournament Championship teams at Emporia State and five teams that played in the NCAA Tournament. The Hornets advanced to the Sweet 16 four times, including a trip to the National Semifinals at Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in 2014-15, falling to eventual national champion, California (Pa.) by five points. Costley received her bachelor's degree in health promotion and health and wellness from Emporia State in 2017. Nooner on Costley:&nbsp;"As a Missouri native, Brooke Costley is uniquely suited to help our basketball program by bringing to our staff excellent Division I coaching experience and direct ties to the region. A former Missouri Phenom AAU Assistant Coach, Brooke played for and began her coaching career at Emporia State, and comes from a coaching family. Her energy, knowledge of the area and ability to connect with young women all over the country will make her a great asset to the Wichita community." Nick Bradford A former teammate of Nooner's at Kansas, Nick Bradford rounds out the coaching staff after spending the last four years as the associate head coach boys coach for Fayetteville High School in Fayetteville, Ark. Since 2015, Bradford has also doubled as the Missouri Phenom girls head coach, a Nike EYBL AAU program. Prior to making the move to Fayetteville, Bradford spent two years as the head girls coach at Olathe North High School and one year as the head boys coach for Mexico High School in Mexico, Mo. Bradford got his start in coaching at Labette Community College as an assistant men's basketball coach from 2011-13. He then moved to the DII level from 2013-15 as the assistant men's basketball coach for Missouri Southern State. He graduated from Kansas in 2001 with a bachelor's degree in general studies, following a decorated four-year career under hall of fame head coach Roy Williams. &nbsp;A team captain in 1999-00, Bradford was a four-year letterwinner and three-time Big 12 Champion. When he left KU, he ranked in the top five on the career charts in games played and steals. He is married to Brittani, and has two children Quenci and Isaiah. Nooner on Bradford:&nbsp;"As a former teammate of mine and fellow captain at KU, I know the work ethic and commitment Nick Bradford will bring daily to continue building upon the success of Shocker women's basketball. Nick has coached some of the top players in the country as an AAU Coach with the Missouri Phenom, where he developed high-caliber players and has formed great relationships with many players and programs across the Midwest region. His vast connections and deep knowledge of the game will be valuable as we build the Wichita State Women's Basketball program." D'Anthony Knight D'Anthony Knight comes to the Sunflower State after spending the last few months as the associate football strength and conditioning coach at Washington State. Prior to making the move to Pullman, Knight spent the 2022 season at Akron as the assistant football strength and conditioning coach. Prior to Akron, Knight spent the 2021 campaign on the strength and conditioning football staff at Kansas. He began his professional career serving on the strength and conditioning football staff at Wyoming, spending the 2019 season as a strength and conditioning intern before moving into a full-time role the following season. Knight spent five seasons as a defensive back at Truman State, totaling 141 tackles, four tackles-for-loss, and three interceptions. In 2016 he was named all-Great Lakes Valley Conference honorable mention honor and concluded his career following the 2018 season by being named the Defensive MVP at the Gateway All-American Bowl. Knight graduated from Truman State in 2019 earning a bachelor's degree in exercise science.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682603682941.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Courtesy of Wichita State Athletics&nbsp;WICHITA, Kan. –&nbsp;Wichita State first year head women's basketball coach Terry Nooner officially announced his first staff Wednesday afternoon. Antwain Scales, Brooke Costley and Nick Bradford fill out the coaching staff as Nooner's assistant coaches, while D'Anthony Knight comes aboard as the strength and conditioning coach.&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/staff/erica-yancey/100">Erica Yancey</a>&nbsp;will remain on staff as the director of operations. Antwain Scales A familiar face returns to Wichita. The Wichita native recently completed his third season as the head women's basketball coach at Garden City Community College. He compiled a 42-44 record in his three-year stint in Garden City. He spent seven illustrious seasons as the head girls coach at Wichita South High School. There, he turned a program that had won just two games in three seasons prior to his arrival, into a juggernaut. He compiled a record of 152-18 (.894) while leading the Titans to four straight 6A state championships, becoming the first program in history to accomplish that feat. During that stretch, Wichita South won 53 straight games before that streak ended in the 2017 state quarterfinals. Scales left Wichita South following the 2017 campaign to take the reins at Colby Community College. In his first season, Colby finished 8-22. But in year two, the Trojans turned a major corner, winning 19 games while posting a winning record for the first time since 2006. They began the year 11-1, their best start since 2003-2004. Nooner on Scales:&nbsp;"Antwain Scales, or as I like to refer, "Mr. Wichita", is a staple in the Wichita community. A natural leader and former USA Today High School Coach of the Year, Antwain brings a winning attitude to a city he loves so much. An elite recruiter with deep ties in Kansas and the region, I couldn't be more excited to bring Antwain home and make him a vital part of our program moving forward." Brooke Costley Another assistant coach with Kansas ties returns to the Sunflower State. Brooke Costley got her coaching start at Emporia State after completing her playing career for the Hornets. A native of Mexico, Mo., Costley recently completed a stint as an assistant coach for Texas A&amp;M Commerce. Costley was instrumental in the Lions' first season as a Division I program, helping TAMUC advance to the semifinal of the Southland Conference Tournament in 2022-23. In her time at TAMUC, Costley played a large role in the development of DesiRay Kernal who earned Second Team All-Southland Conference honors and landed on the Southland All-Tournament team after leading the Lions in assists and being second in scoring and rebounding. Prior to arriving at Commerce, Costley spent three seasons North Dakota State where she helped the Bison advance to the Semifinal of the Summit League Tournament two times. In just three seasons at NDSU, Costley coached a total of five all-conference honorees as well as three Summit All-Academic Team selections. Costley began her coaching career at her alma mater, Emporia State where she spent a total of six seasons. She spent two seasons as a graduate assistant, two years as a student assistant and two years as a student-athlete. In six seasons, she was part of four MIAA Tournament Championship teams at Emporia State and five teams that played in the NCAA Tournament. The Hornets advanced to the Sweet 16 four times, including a trip to the National Semifinals at Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in 2014-15, falling to eventual national champion, California (Pa.) by five points. Costley received her bachelor's degree in health promotion and health and wellness from Emporia State in 2017. Nooner on Costley:&nbsp;"As a Missouri native, Brooke Costley is uniquely suited to help our basketball program by bringing to our staff excellent Division I coaching experience and direct ties to the region. A former Missouri Phenom AAU Assistant Coach, Brooke played for and began her coaching career at Emporia State, and comes from a coaching family. Her energy, knowledge of the area and ability to connect with young women all over the country will make her a great asset to the Wichita community." Nick Bradford A former teammate of Nooner's at Kansas, Nick Bradford rounds out the coaching staff after spending the last four years as the associate head coach boys coach for Fayetteville High School in Fayetteville, Ark. Since 2015, Bradford has also doubled as the Missouri Phenom girls head coach, a Nike EYBL AAU program. Prior to making the move to Fayetteville, Bradford spent two years as the head girls coach at Olathe North High School and one year as the head boys coach for Mexico High School in Mexico, Mo. Bradford got his start in coaching at Labette Community College as an assistant men's basketball coach from 2011-13. He then moved to the DII level from 2013-15 as the assistant men's basketball coach for Missouri Southern State. He graduated from Kansas in 2001 with a bachelor's degree in general studies, following a decorated four-year career under hall of fame head coach Roy Williams. &nbsp;A team captain in 1999-00, Bradford was a four-year letterwinner and three-time Big 12 Champion. When he left KU, he ranked in the top five on the career charts in games played and steals. He is married to Brittani, and has two children Quenci and Isaiah. Nooner on Bradford:&nbsp;"As a former teammate of mine and fellow captain at KU, I know the work ethic and commitment Nick Bradford will bring daily to continue building upon the success of Shocker women's basketball. Nick has coached some of the top players in the country as an AAU Coach with the Missouri Phenom, where he developed high-caliber players and has formed great relationships with many players and programs across the Midwest region. His vast connections and deep knowledge of the game will be valuable as we build the Wichita State Women's Basketball program." D'Anthony Knight D'Anthony Knight comes to the Sunflower State after spending the last few months as the associate football strength and conditioning coach at Washington State. Prior to making the move to Pullman, Knight spent the 2022 season at Akron as the assistant football strength and conditioning coach. Prior to Akron, Knight spent the 2021 campaign on the strength and conditioning football staff at Kansas. He began his professional career serving on the strength and conditioning football staff at Wyoming, spending the 2019 season as a strength and conditioning intern before moving into a full-time role the following season. Knight spent five seasons as a defensive back at Truman State, totaling 141 tackles, four tackles-for-loss, and three interceptions. In 2016 he was named all-Great Lakes Valley Conference honorable mention honor and concluded his career following the 2018 season by being named the Defensive MVP at the Gateway All-American Bowl. Knight graduated from Truman State in 2019 earning a bachelor's degree in exercise science.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 Nooner finalizes first staff at WSU

PHOENIX (AP) — Zac Gallen struck out 12 over 6 1/3 innings and stretched his scoreless streak to 28 innings, leading the Arizona Diamondbacks over the Kansas City Royals 2-0. The D-backs took two of three games from the Royals and finished 3-4 on their homestand. Gallen (4-1) had another stellar outing, giving up just four hits and walking none. The right-hander — who finished fifth in the NL Cy Young Award voting last season — hasn’t given up a run since April 4th against San Diego.

PHOENIX (AP) — Kansas City’s Freddy Fermin knocked the cover off the ball during Wednesday’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Royals catcher was facing Zac Gallen in the second inning when he swung early on an off-speed pitch. Fermin’s bat just knicked the baseball, sending it bouncing softly into foul ground close to the on-deck circle. As it came to a stop, it was clear that the cover had been partially torn from the ball. The Diamondbacks beat the Royals 2-0 on Wednesday. Fermin wasn’t the only Royals hitter fooled by one of Gallen’s pitches. The Arizona right-hander struck out 12, running his scoreless streak to 28 innings.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Mitch Haniger scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch in the fifth inning following a dropped fly ball by Cardinals center fielder Lars Nootbaar, helping the Giants overcome a big night from slugger Paul Goldschmidt and beat St. Louis 7-3 on Wednesday.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Tanner Bibee struck out eight and allowed one run over 5 2/3 innings in his major league debut and the Cleveland Guardians defeated the Colorado Rockies 4-1 on Wednesday to avoid a three-game sweep. Bibee, a 24-year-old right-hander, was called up from Triple-A Columbus before the game and became the second Cleveland pitcher in four days to win his major league debut. Logan Allen won his debut Sunday against Miami.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Pirates utility player Drew Maggi made his majo -league debut Wednesday night after playing 13 seasons and 1,154 games in the minor leagues. The 33-year-old struck out as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning in the Pirates' 8-1 victory over the the Los Angeles Dodgers. Maggi had been called up from Double-A Altoona on Sunday when star outfielder Bryan Reynolds was placed on the bereavement list.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Bryce Young wrapped up in a blanket, fighting off the cold on a crisp morning in downtown Kansas City, where 24 hours later he is expected to be the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft. All around the Alabama quarterback, workers in hard hats and publicists and myriad others hurried about Wednesday, putting the last touches on the league’s second-biggest spectacle behind only the Super Bowl. The city is hosting the draft just two months after the Chiefs celebrated their third Lombardi Trophy with a parade that also ended at Union Station.

UPDATED (AP) — It took the Carolina Panthers until Monday to decide which quarterback they’ll select with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft. They’re not saying but oddsmakers believe it’ll be Alabama’s Bryce Young. The 2021 Heisman Trophy winner is an overwhelming favorite to go first. Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud has dropped from favorite to having the third-best odds behind Kentucky’s Will Levis. Florida’s Anthony Richardson is a longshot. The Panthers traded four picks along with wide receiver DJ Moore to give new coach Frank Reich a quarterback to build around.

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers believes he’s where he needs to be. And the New York Jets’ new quarterback thinks they can do big things together. The four-time NFL MVP was introduced by the team Wednesday to much fanfare in the team’s auditorium. Rodgers said it's a surreal day for him and he's looking forward to the new adventure in New York. The Jets received Rodgers, the No. 15 overall pick and a fifth-rounder this year from the Packers. In exchange, Green Bay got the 13th overall selection, a second-rounder, a sixth-rounder and a conditional 2024 second-round pick that could become a first-rounder if Rodgers plays 65% of New York’s plays this season. Rodgers spent his first 18 seasons in Green Bay.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Jalen Brunson scored 23 points, RJ Barrett added 21 and the New York Knicks beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 106-95 in Game 5 to advance to the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs for the first time since 2013. The Knicks controlled a series that was more one-sided than expected. New York won the opener at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, dominated the Cavs twice at noisy Madison Square Garden and then returned to Cleveland to finish the job. Brunson ir attempt to acquire Donovan Mitchell fell apart and he landed in Cleveland. Mitchell Robinson added 18 rebounds for New York. Donovan Mitchell scored 28 to pace the Cavs, whose postseason inexperience showed throughout the series.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Desmond Bane had 33 points and 10 rebounds, Ja Morant added 31 points and 10 boards, and the Memphis Grizzlies staved off elimination, beating the Lakers 116-99 to force their first-round Western Conference series back to Los Angeles. Jaren Jackson Jr. had 18 points and 10 rebounds. The Grizzlies improved to 5-0 in Game 5s played in Memphis. They earned a second straight No. 2 seed by posting the NBA’s best home record at 35-6. Game 6 is Friday night in Los Angeles. LeBron James started 1 of 7 from the field but finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Anthony Davis had 31 points and 19 rebounds for the Lakers.

BOSTON (AP) — Trae Young's 30-foot 3-pointer in the closing seconds of the Hawks 119-117 Game 5 victory over the Celtics changed everything about the first-round playoff matchup. Boston's series lead is now down to 3-2 and headed back to Atlanta. Though still on the verge of a second straight opening round exit, the Hawks have reason to be confident heading home because they will get back Dejounte Murray, who served a one-game suspension for bumping an official after the end of Game 4. The extension of the series is good news for the awaiting Philadelphia 76ers, who will have even more time to rest before the start of the second round.

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;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681297613631.jpeg" alt="Sports Headlines for Thursday, April 27th, 2023" />
 <figcaption>Sports Headlines for Thursday, April 27th, 2023</figcaption>
 </figure>PHOENIX (AP) — Zac Gallen struck out 12 over 6 1/3 innings and stretched his scoreless streak to 28 innings, leading the Arizona Diamondbacks over the Kansas City Royals 2-0. The D-backs took two of three games from the Royals and finished 3-4 on their homestand. Gallen (4-1) had another stellar outing, giving up just four hits and walking none. The right-hander — who finished fifth in the NL Cy Young Award voting last season — hasn’t given up a run since April 4th against San Diego.PHOENIX (AP) — Kansas City’s Freddy Fermin knocked the cover off the ball during Wednesday’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Royals catcher was facing Zac Gallen in the second inning when he swung early on an off-speed pitch. Fermin’s bat just knicked the baseball, sending it bouncing softly into foul ground close to the on-deck circle. As it came to a stop, it was clear that the cover had been partially torn from the ball. The Diamondbacks beat the Royals 2-0 on Wednesday. Fermin wasn’t the only Royals hitter fooled by one of Gallen’s pitches. The Arizona right-hander struck out 12, running his scoreless streak to 28 innings.SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Mitch Haniger scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch in the fifth inning following a dropped fly ball by Cardinals center fielder Lars Nootbaar, helping the Giants overcome a big night from slugger Paul Goldschmidt and beat St. Louis 7-3 on Wednesday.CLEVELAND (AP) — Tanner Bibee struck out eight and allowed one run over 5 2/3 innings in his major league debut and the Cleveland Guardians defeated the Colorado Rockies 4-1 on Wednesday to avoid a three-game sweep. Bibee, a 24-year-old right-hander, was called up from Triple-A Columbus before the game and became the second Cleveland pitcher in four days to win his major league debut. Logan Allen won his debut Sunday against Miami.PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Pirates utility player Drew Maggi made his majo -league debut Wednesday night after playing 13 seasons and 1,154 games in the minor leagues. The 33-year-old struck out as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning in the Pirates' 8-1 victory over the the Los Angeles Dodgers. Maggi had been called up from Double-A Altoona on Sunday when star outfielder Bryan Reynolds was placed on the bereavement list.KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Bryce Young wrapped up in a blanket, fighting off the cold on a crisp morning in downtown Kansas City, where 24 hours later he is expected to be the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft. All around the Alabama quarterback, workers in hard hats and publicists and myriad others hurried about Wednesday, putting the last touches on the league’s second-biggest spectacle behind only the Super Bowl. The city is hosting the draft just two months after the Chiefs celebrated their third Lombardi Trophy with a parade that also ended at Union Station.UPDATED (AP) — It took the Carolina Panthers until Monday to decide which quarterback they’ll select with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft. They’re not saying but oddsmakers believe it’ll be Alabama’s Bryce Young. The 2021 Heisman Trophy winner is an overwhelming favorite to go first. Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud has dropped from favorite to having the third-best odds behind Kentucky’s Will Levis. Florida’s Anthony Richardson is a longshot. The Panthers traded four picks along with wide receiver DJ Moore to give new coach Frank Reich a quarterback to build around.FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers believes he’s where he needs to be. And the New York Jets’ new quarterback thinks they can do big things together. The four-time NFL MVP was introduced by the team Wednesday to much fanfare in the team’s auditorium. Rodgers said it's a surreal day for him and he's looking forward to the new adventure in New York. The Jets received Rodgers, the No. 15 overall pick and a fifth-rounder this year from the Packers. In exchange, Green Bay got the 13th overall selection, a second-rounder, a sixth-rounder and a conditional 2024 second-round pick that could become a first-rounder if Rodgers plays 65% of New York’s plays this season. Rodgers spent his first 18 seasons in Green Bay.CLEVELAND (AP) — Jalen Brunson scored 23 points, RJ Barrett added 21 and the New York Knicks beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 106-95 in Game 5 to advance to the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs for the first time since 2013. The Knicks controlled a series that was more one-sided than expected. New York won the opener at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, dominated the Cavs twice at noisy Madison Square Garden and then returned to Cleveland to finish the job. Brunson ir attempt to acquire Donovan Mitchell fell apart and he landed in Cleveland. Mitchell Robinson added 18 rebounds for New York. Donovan Mitchell scored 28 to pace the Cavs, whose postseason inexperience showed throughout the series.MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Desmond Bane had 33 points and 10 rebounds, Ja Morant added 31 points and 10 boards, and the Memphis Grizzlies staved off elimination, beating the Lakers 116-99 to force their first-round Western Conference series back to Los Angeles. Jaren Jackson Jr. had 18 points and 10 rebounds. The Grizzlies improved to 5-0 in Game 5s played in Memphis. They earned a second straight No. 2 seed by posting the NBA’s best home record at 35-6. Game 6 is Friday night in Los Angeles. LeBron James started 1 of 7 from the field but finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Anthony Davis had 31 points and 19 rebounds for the Lakers.BOSTON (AP) — Trae Young's 30-foot 3-pointer in the closing seconds of the Hawks 119-117 Game 5 victory over the Celtics changed everything about the first-round playoff matchup. Boston's series lead is now down to 3-2 and headed back to Atlanta. Though still on the verge of a second straight opening round exit, the Hawks have reason to be confident heading home because they will get back Dejounte Murray, who served a one-game suspension for bumping an official after the end of Game 4. The extension of the series is good news for the awaiting Philadelphia 76ers, who will have even more time to rest before the start of the second round.WEDNESDAY SCORESINTERLEAGUEFinal Cincinnati 5 Texas 3Final Cleveland 4 Colorado 1Final Milwaukee 6 Detroit 2Final Arizona 2 Kansas City 0Final Philadelphia 6 Seattle 5AMERICAN LEAGUEFinal N.Y. Yankees 12 Minnesota 6Final Toronto 8 Chicago White Sox 0Final Baltimore 6 Boston 2Final Houston 1 Tampa Bay 0Final L.A. Angels 11 Oakland 3NATIONAL LEAGUEFinal Pittsburgh 8 L.A. Dodgers 1Final Atlanta 6 Miami 4Final Washington 4 N.Y. Mets 1Final San Diego 5 Chicago Cubs 3Final San Francisco 7 St. Louis 3NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PLAYOFFSFinal New York 106 Cleveland 95Final Memphis 116 L.A. Lakers 99Final OT Miami 128 Milwaukee 126Final Golden State 123 Sacramento 116NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFSFinal OT Florida 4 Boston 3Final Seattle 3 Colorado 2<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;

📢📰 Sports Headlines for Thursday

PHOENIX (AP) — Bob Melvin was talking about the improvement of Padres reliever Steven Wilson, when the San Diego skipper dropped in some cool-kid lingo that's making the rounds in Major League Baseball these days.

“The sweeper's ended up being a really big pitch for him,” Melvin said.

A few seconds later, Melvin was asked a simple question: What exactly is a sweeper?

“I don't know,” Melvin said, laughing. “It's new-age baseball talk. A slider's probably got a little more depth and the sweeper probably comes across a little more. I've made that joke, too. I still write it down as a slider.”

Move over slider, curve, slurve and screwball, there's a new (ish) breaking ball that's all the rage in MLB: the sweeper. Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani uses it, as do Padres starter Yu Darvish, Yankees lefty Nestor Cortes and dozens of other pitchers.

To be truthful, it's not really a new pitch, but a new term to describe a certain type of breaking ball that's been around a long time. And it's one fans are surely noticing more this season, after MLB's Statcast created a new classification for the pitch — meaning the “sweeper” is showing up on broadcasts and scoreboards just like “curveball” and “slider.”

The 61-year-old Melvin might joke that he doesn't understand the “new-age baseball talk," but the veteran manager has a pretty good grasp of what makes a good sweeper. Its main movement is side-to-side, and it doesn't plunge downward like the normal slider or curveball.

Ohtani's sweeper is considered one of the best in today's game, with a good one producing around 20 inches of horizontal movement. But there are dozens of hurlers experimenting with the pitch, including Mets reliever Adam Ottavino.

The 37-year-old is actually one of the O.G.'s in the current sweeper world, throwing a variation of the pitch for the better part of 15 years.

Ottavino grew up in New York City idolizing breaking-ball pitchers like David Cone and Orlando Hernandez on the Yankees, and wanted to have his own big bender. The right-hander already had a conventional curveball, but because the ball would first rise out of his hand before dropping, it was easier for hitters to differentiate it from his other pitches.

“Some of the hitters I roomed with in the minors said if it didn't do that, maybe it would be more effective,” Ottavino said. “So I tried to keep it low, changing the break from up to down to more right to left.”

Ottavino also credited former Giants reliever Sergio Romo for his sweeper, saying it provided some inspiration.

“I tried to make it as big as I could and I think I stumbled onto something there,” Ottavino said. “Now you see a lot more people doing it.”

Ottavino's description of the sweeper is a good example of why it's such a coveted pitch. Sometimes, big breaking balls are easier for hitters to detect, so a tighter spin that looks more like a fastball is useful. Pitchers also have more advanced tools than ever to help them fine-tune the angle of the break on their pitches, including high-speed cameras that can measure the amount of spin and the axis of rotation for each pitch.

Wilson said the analytics he's seen indicate there's more swing-and-miss with the slider, but the sweeper produces more soft contact.

“It's a little bit risk vs. reward,” Wilson said. “But I think it works for me.”

Orioles starter Kyle Gibson was playing for the Phillies last season when pitching coach Caleb Cotham asked the right-hander if he wanted to mess around with his slider grip. The goal was to make the pitch move more left, instead of down.

Gibson proved to be a quick study. By his next game, he had a new pitch. The veteran said the grip wasn't that much different from his original slider — he moved his fingers about an inch on the baseball.

“I told the catcher, warming up against the Braves, that next start, I said, 'Hey, I’m going to throw them warming up here, and I’m going to throw them when I take the mound for the first inning. If I throw a couple good ones, then we’ll throw it," Gibson said.

The pitch felt good on the mound, so he included it in his arsenal. He even struck out the first batter of the game on — you guessed it — a sweeper.

Is it that much different from a slider? That's debatable.

But if it works, Gibson doesn't really care about its name.

“Why it’s called a sweeper, I have no idea," Gibson said. "I think maybe just because people don’t want to say it’s a slider with more side-to-side.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682587647008.jpeg" alt="Sweeper is new pitch taking over MLB" />
 <figcaption>Sweeper is new pitch taking over MLB</figcaption>
 </figure>PHOENIX (AP) — Bob Melvin was talking about the improvement of Padres reliever Steven Wilson, when the San Diego skipper dropped in some cool-kid lingo that's making the rounds in Major League Baseball these days.“The sweeper's ended up being a really big pitch for him,” Melvin said.A few seconds later, Melvin was asked a simple question: What exactly is a sweeper?Busted.“I don't know,” Melvin said, laughing. “It's new-age baseball talk. A slider's probably got a little more depth and the sweeper probably comes across a little more. I've made that joke, too. I still write it down as a slider.”Move over slider, curve, slurve and screwball, there's a new (ish) breaking ball that's all the rage in MLB: the sweeper. Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani uses it, as do Padres starter Yu Darvish, Yankees lefty Nestor Cortes and dozens of other pitchers.To be truthful, it's not really a new pitch, but a new term to describe a certain type of breaking ball that's been around a long time. And it's one fans are surely noticing more this season, after MLB's Statcast created a new classification for the pitch — meaning the “sweeper” is showing up on broadcasts and scoreboards just like “curveball” and “slider.”The 61-year-old Melvin might joke that he doesn't understand the “new-age baseball talk," but the veteran manager has a pretty good grasp of what makes a good sweeper. Its main movement is side-to-side, and it doesn't plunge downward like the normal slider or curveball.Ohtani's sweeper is considered one of the best in today's game, with a good one producing around 20 inches of horizontal movement. But there are dozens of hurlers experimenting with the pitch, including Mets reliever Adam Ottavino.The 37-year-old is actually one of the O.G.'s in the current sweeper world, throwing a variation of the pitch for the better part of 15 years.Ottavino grew up in New York City idolizing breaking-ball pitchers like David Cone and Orlando Hernandez on the Yankees, and wanted to have his own big bender. The right-hander already had a conventional curveball, but because the ball would first rise out of his hand before dropping, it was easier for hitters to differentiate it from his other pitches.“Some of the hitters I roomed with in the minors said if it didn't do that, maybe it would be more effective,” Ottavino said. “So I tried to keep it low, changing the break from up to down to more right to left.”Ottavino also credited former Giants reliever Sergio Romo for his sweeper, saying it provided some inspiration.“I tried to make it as big as I could and I think I stumbled onto something there,” Ottavino said. “Now you see a lot more people doing it.”Ottavino's description of the sweeper is a good example of why it's such a coveted pitch. Sometimes, big breaking balls are easier for hitters to detect, so a tighter spin that looks more like a fastball is useful. Pitchers also have more advanced tools than ever to help them fine-tune the angle of the break on their pitches, including high-speed cameras that can measure the amount of spin and the axis of rotation for each pitch.Wilson said the analytics he's seen indicate there's more swing-and-miss with the slider, but the sweeper produces more soft contact.“It's a little bit risk vs. reward,” Wilson said. “But I think it works for me.”Orioles starter Kyle Gibson was playing for the Phillies last season when pitching coach Caleb Cotham asked the right-hander if he wanted to mess around with his slider grip. The goal was to make the pitch move more left, instead of down.Gibson proved to be a quick study. By his next game, he had a new pitch. The veteran said the grip wasn't that much different from his original slider — he moved his fingers about an inch on the baseball.“I told the catcher, warming up against the Braves, that next start, I said, 'Hey, I’m going to throw them warming up here, and I’m going to throw them when I take the mound for the first inning. If I throw a couple good ones, then we’ll throw it," Gibson said.The pitch felt good on the mound, so he included it in his arsenal. He even struck out the first batter of the game on — you guessed it — a sweeper.Is it that much different from a slider? That's debatable.But if it works, Gibson doesn't really care about its name.“Why it’s called a sweeper, I have no idea," Gibson said. "I think maybe just because people don’t want to say it’s a slider with more side-to-side.”

⚾ What is a sweeper? A look at the pitch taking over MLB

PHOENIX (AP) — Manager Torey Lovullo admitted the Arizona Diamondbacks might have had a little hangover on Wednesday following a frustrating one-run loss.

Sending Zac Gallen to the mound cleared those bad feelings up in a hurry.

Gallen struck out 12 over 6 1/3 innings and stretched his scoreless streak to 28 innings, leading the Diamondbacks over the Kansas City Royals 2-0.

“It's always nice knowing Zac is stepping on the mound for us,” Lovullo said. “He sets an unbelieveable tone for us, goes 6 1/3, no runs, allows us to get ahead and stay ahead.”

Arizona took two of three games from the Royals and finished a 3-4 homestand.

Gallen (4-1) gave up four hits and walked none. He struck out six straight batters in the fourth and fifth innings, one shy of the franchise record accomplished by Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling, both in 2001.

The right-hander — who finished fifth in the NL Cy Young Award voting last season — hasn't given up a run since April 4 against San Diego. He's no stranger to long scoreless streaks as the D-backs just celebrated his 44 1/3 inning scoreless streak from 2022 with a bobblehead giveaway last weekend.

“Would you believe me if I said I didn't feel great?” Gallen said. “You know the cliché saying — you have your best stuff maybe five times (in a season), so the other 20 times, you've got to make it up.”

Even without his best stuff, Gallen's only minor trouble came in the first inning when Vinnie Pasquantino and MJ Melendez singled with one out. Gallen struck out Edward Olivares and Michael Massey to end the threat.

Miguel Castro handled the eighth and Andrew Chafin threw the ninth for his fourth save in five chances. The first two Royals batters reached base on Chafin, but the lefty retired the next three, including Freddy Fermin on a strikeout to end the game.

Arizona has pitched four shutouts. Kansas City has been blanked six times.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Gallen's ability to throw four pitches for strikes in any count makes him a tough matchup. Pasquantino said Gallen “does what a lot of people try to do and he does it really well.”

“He's playing chess and he's really good at it,” Pasquantino said. “He's setting you up, not just for the next pitch, but for the following pitch after that. He's moving your eyes around and he did a really nice job today.”

The D-backs didn't do much on offense, but with Gallen on the mound, didn't need much. Evan Longoria put Arizona ahead in the fourth on a broken-bat single into left field that scored Emmanuel Rivera.

Rivera, recalled Tuesday from Triple-A, had an RBI single in the fifth.

Ryan Yarbrough (0-3) gave up one run over four innings as Kansas City fell to 6-19.

Diamondbacks: Four-time All-Star Madison Bumgarner cleared waivers and was released. The left-hander was designated for assignment last week after starting the season with an 0-3 record and 10.26 ERA.

Royals: Start a four-game series at Minnesota on Thursday. Kansas City will start RHP Zack Greinke (0-3, 4.61 ERA) in the opening game while Minnesota counters with RHP Tyler Mahle (1-2, 3.32 ERA).

Diamondbacks: Open a three-game series at Colorado on Friday. Arizona will start RHP Merrill Kelly (1-3, 3.42 ERA) against Colorado LHP Kyle Freeland (2-2, 4.28 ERA).

PHOENIX (AP) — Manager Torey Lovullo admitted the Arizona Diamondbacks might have had a little hangover on Wednesday following a frustrating one-run loss.Sending Zac Gallen to the mound cleared those bad feelings up in a hurry.Gallen struck out 12 over 6 1/3 innings and stretched his scoreless streak to 28 innings, leading the Diamondbacks over the Kansas City Royals 2-0.“It's always nice knowing Zac is stepping on the mound for us,” Lovullo said. “He sets an unbelieveable tone for us, goes 6 1/3, no runs, allows us to get ahead and stay ahead.”Arizona took two of three games from the Royals and finished a 3-4 homestand.Gallen (4-1) gave up four hits and walked none. He struck out six straight batters in the fourth and fifth innings, one shy of the franchise record accomplished by Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling, both in 2001.The right-hander — who finished fifth in the NL Cy Young Award voting last season — hasn't given up a run since April 4 against San Diego. He's no stranger to long scoreless streaks as the D-backs just celebrated his 44 1/3 inning scoreless streak from 2022 with a bobblehead giveaway last weekend.“Would you believe me if I said I didn't feel great?” Gallen said. “You know the cliché saying — you have your best stuff maybe five times (in a season), so the other 20 times, you've got to make it up.”Even without his best stuff, Gallen's only minor trouble came in the first inning when Vinnie Pasquantino and MJ Melendez singled with one out. Gallen struck out Edward Olivares and Michael Massey to end the threat.Miguel Castro handled the eighth and Andrew Chafin threw the ninth for his fourth save in five chances. The first two Royals batters reached base on Chafin, but the lefty retired the next three, including Freddy Fermin on a strikeout to end the game.Arizona has pitched four shutouts. Kansas City has been blanked six times.Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Gallen's ability to throw four pitches for strikes in any count makes him a tough matchup. Pasquantino said Gallen “does what a lot of people try to do and he does it really well.”“He's playing chess and he's really good at it,” Pasquantino said. “He's setting you up, not just for the next pitch, but for the following pitch after that. He's moving your eyes around and he did a really nice job today.”The D-backs didn't do much on offense, but with Gallen on the mound, didn't need much. Evan Longoria put Arizona ahead in the fourth on a broken-bat single into left field that scored Emmanuel Rivera.Rivera, recalled Tuesday from Triple-A, had an RBI single in the fifth.Ryan Yarbrough (0-3) gave up one run over four innings as Kansas City fell to 6-19.TRAINER'S ROOMDiamondbacks: Four-time All-Star Madison Bumgarner cleared waivers and was released. The left-hander was designated for assignment last week after starting the season with an 0-3 record and 10.26 ERA.UP NEXTRoyals: Start a four-game series at Minnesota on Thursday. Kansas City will start RHP Zack Greinke (0-3, 4.61 ERA) in the opening game while Minnesota counters with RHP Tyler Mahle (1-2, 3.32 ERA).Diamondbacks: Open a three-game series at Colorado on Friday. Arizona will start RHP Merrill Kelly (1-3, 3.42 ERA) against Colorado LHP Kyle Freeland (2-2, 4.28 ERA).

Gallen's scoreless streak at 28 innings, D-backs top Royals

WICHITA, Kan.&nbsp;-- Wichita State battled back from a ninth inning deficit to send the game to extras, but Kansas scored twice in the top of the tenth for a 7-5 win on Wednesday night at Eck Stadium. The Shockers (24-16) had their six-game winning streak snapped in a back-and-forth game that was played through a steady rainfall. Kansas (20-21) led 5-4 into the bottom of the ninth and was one strike away from nailing down the victory when&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/jack-little/7464">Jack Little</a>&nbsp;tied the game with an RBI single to score&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/kyte-mcdonald/7459">Kyte McDonald</a>, who had doubled with one out in the inning. The Shockers then loaded the bases on two walks, but&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/garrett-pennington/7468">Garrett Pennington's</a>&nbsp;hard line drive was caught in left field to send the game to extra innings. In the top of the tenth, Kansas loaded the bases with two outs via two walks and an infield single. Michael Brooks worked the count to 3-2 against Shocker reliever&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/matt-wilkinson/7476">Matt Wilkinson</a>&nbsp;(1-1), then lined the full count pitch into left field for a go-ahead, two-run single that proved to be the difference. Jayhawks reliever Kolby Dougan pitched around a two-out walk in the bottom of the tenth to secure his first save of the season. Wichita State took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second when McDonald hit a one-out triple and came in to score on an RBI groundout from&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/sawyre-thornhill/7455">Sawyre Thornhill</a>. But Kansas answered right back with two runs of their own in the third, getting an RBI double from Chase Jans and a wild pitch to seize a 2-1 lead. It was Wichita State's turn to plate two runs in the bottom of the third, courtesy of a two-out, two-run single from&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/mauricio-millan/7461">Mauricio Millan</a>&nbsp;that extended his hitting streak to 16 games and gave the Shockers a 3-2 edge. That's the way the game stayed until the sixth, as WSU reliever&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/robert-cranz/7445">Robert Cranz</a>&nbsp;turned in 2.2 scoreless innings with five strikeouts. In the sixth, however, Kansas regained the lead on a two-out, two-run double from Cooper Kelly that made it 4-3 Jayhawks. Kodey Shojinaga extended the lead in the seventh with a two-out RBI single of his own. <a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/chuck-ingram/7448">Chuck Ingram</a>&nbsp;pulled the Shockers back within a run in the seventh with a sacrifice fly, setting the stage for the late inning drama. Thaniel Trumper (3-3) picked up the win for Kansas despite blowing the save, going 2.0 innings while allowing two hits and one run. Wichita State starter&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/matt-boyer/7443">Matt Boyer</a>&nbsp;turned in two scoreless innings to open the game, allowing just one hit while striking out one. The Shockers are back in action on Friday night against Memphis. First pitch from Eck Stadium is scheduled for 6:00 pm.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682603874470.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Courtesy of Wichita State Athletics&nbsp;WICHITA, Kan.&nbsp;-- Wichita State battled back from a ninth inning deficit to send the game to extras, but Kansas scored twice in the top of the tenth for a 7-5 win on Wednesday night at Eck Stadium. The Shockers (24-16) had their six-game winning streak snapped in a back-and-forth game that was played through a steady rainfall. Kansas (20-21) led 5-4 into the bottom of the ninth and was one strike away from nailing down the victory when&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/jack-little/7464">Jack Little</a>&nbsp;tied the game with an RBI single to score&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/kyte-mcdonald/7459">Kyte McDonald</a>, who had doubled with one out in the inning. The Shockers then loaded the bases on two walks, but&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/garrett-pennington/7468">Garrett Pennington's</a>&nbsp;hard line drive was caught in left field to send the game to extra innings. In the top of the tenth, Kansas loaded the bases with two outs via two walks and an infield single. Michael Brooks worked the count to 3-2 against Shocker reliever&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/matt-wilkinson/7476">Matt Wilkinson</a>&nbsp;(1-1), then lined the full count pitch into left field for a go-ahead, two-run single that proved to be the difference. Jayhawks reliever Kolby Dougan pitched around a two-out walk in the bottom of the tenth to secure his first save of the season. Wichita State took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second when McDonald hit a one-out triple and came in to score on an RBI groundout from&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/sawyre-thornhill/7455">Sawyre Thornhill</a>. But Kansas answered right back with two runs of their own in the third, getting an RBI double from Chase Jans and a wild pitch to seize a 2-1 lead. It was Wichita State's turn to plate two runs in the bottom of the third, courtesy of a two-out, two-run single from&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/mauricio-millan/7461">Mauricio Millan</a>&nbsp;that extended his hitting streak to 16 games and gave the Shockers a 3-2 edge. That's the way the game stayed until the sixth, as WSU reliever&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/robert-cranz/7445">Robert Cranz</a>&nbsp;turned in 2.2 scoreless innings with five strikeouts. In the sixth, however, Kansas regained the lead on a two-out, two-run double from Cooper Kelly that made it 4-3 Jayhawks. Kodey Shojinaga extended the lead in the seventh with a two-out RBI single of his own. <a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/chuck-ingram/7448">Chuck Ingram</a>&nbsp;pulled the Shockers back within a run in the seventh with a sacrifice fly, setting the stage for the late inning drama. Thaniel Trumper (3-3) picked up the win for Kansas despite blowing the save, going 2.0 innings while allowing two hits and one run. Wichita State starter&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/matt-boyer/7443">Matt Boyer</a>&nbsp;turned in two scoreless innings to open the game, allowing just one hit while striking out one. The Shockers are back in action on Friday night against Memphis. First pitch from Eck Stadium is scheduled for 6:00 pm.&nbsp;&nbsp;

⚾ Shockers downed by Kansas in extras

LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;The Big 12 Conference announced the Winter Academic All-Big 12 Teams on Tuesday. Kansas placed 32 total student-athletes on the squads, with 29 on the first team and three on the second team. The winter teams consist of student-athletes from men’s and women’s basketball and swim and dive.

Kansas had four members of the swim and dive program achieve a perfect 4.0 grade point average in Addi Barnes, Mackenzie Bravence, Lauren Gryboski and Ellie Howe.

Nominated by each institution’s director of student-athlete support services, student-athletes must maintain a 3.00 GPA or higher either cumulative or the two previous semesters and must have participated in 20 percent of their team’s scheduled contests. Freshmen and transfers are not eligible in their first year of academic residence. Senior student-athletes who have participated for a minimum of two years and meet all the criteria except percent of participation are also eligible.

First team members consist of those who have maintained a 3.20 or better GPA while the second team selections hold a 3.00 to 3.19 GPA.

Men’s Basketball placed six members on the first team, while women’s basketball had five and swim and dive had 18. Women’s basketball also placed two on the second team, while swim and dive had one.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645635379734.jpeg" alt="KU mbb academic all Big 12.jpg" />
 <figcaption>KU mbb academic all Big 12.jpg</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;The Big 12 Conference announced the Winter Academic All-Big 12 Teams on Tuesday. Kansas placed 32 total student-athletes on the squads, with 29 on the first team and three on the second team. The winter teams consist of student-athletes from men’s and women’s basketball and swim and dive.Kansas had four members of the swim and dive program achieve a perfect 4.0 grade point average in Addi Barnes, Mackenzie Bravence, Lauren Gryboski and Ellie Howe.Nominated by each institution’s director of student-athlete support services, student-athletes must maintain a 3.00 GPA or higher either cumulative or the two previous semesters and must have participated in 20 percent of their team’s scheduled contests. Freshmen and transfers are not eligible in their first year of academic residence. Senior student-athletes who have participated for a minimum of two years and meet all the criteria except percent of participation are also eligible.First team members consist of those who have maintained a 3.20 or better GPA while the second team selections hold a 3.00 to 3.19 GPA.Men’s Basketball placed six members on the first team, while women’s basketball had five and swim and dive had 18. Women’s basketball also placed two on the second team, while swim and dive had one.

32 Jayhawks named to winter academic All-Big 12 Teams

⚾ Wichita Wind Surge shut out by Cards

HUTCHINSON, Kan.&nbsp;— The Big 12 Men's Golf Championship wrapped up on Wednesday afternoon at Prairie Dunes Country Club, and the team and individual titles were both familiar foes.

The Oklahoma Sooners repeated as the team champions, while Texas Tech's Ludvig Aberg finished as the back-to-back individual champion. Aberg finished with the lowest scoring total ever recorded in the Big 12 championship.

The Sooners finished the 72-hole tournament with an 1119, followed by TCU with an 1137. Oklahoma finished with three in the Top 10, led by Patrick Welch in 4th Place.

Team Leaderboard 1 Oklahoma, 1119 (-1) 2 TCU, 1137 (+17) 3 Texas Tech, 1141 (+21) 4 Texas, 1143 (+23) 5 Oklahoma State, 1144 (+24) 6 Baylor, 1160 (+40) 7 Kansas State, 1161 (+41) 8 Kansas, 1163 (+43) 9 West Virginia, 1183 (+63) 10 Iowa State, 1190 (+70)

Individual Leaderboard 1 Ludvig Aberg, Texas Tech, 265 (-15) 2 Jonas Baumgartner, Oklahoma State, 273 (-7) 3 Brian Stark, Texas, 274 (-6) 4 Patrick Welch, Oklahoma, 278 (-2) 5 Drew Goodman, Oklahoma, 280 (E) T6 Maxence Giboudot, TCU, 282 (+2) T6 Drew Wrightson, Baylor, 282 (+2) T6 Ben Lorenz, Oklahoma,&nbsp;282 (+2) T9 Gustav Frimodt, TCU, 283 (+3) T9 Jacob Skov Olesen, TCU,&nbsp;283 (+3)

Full results can be found on <a href="https://results.golfstat.com/public/leaderboards/gsnav.cfm?pg=team&amp;tid=26021">GolfStat.com</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682542736118.jpeg" alt="Texas Tech senior Ludvig Aberg was crowned the individual Big 12 champion on Wednesday at Prairie Dunes Country Club. (Photo courtesy of Sean Boston)" />
 <figcaption>Texas Tech senior Ludvig Aberg was crowned the individual Big 12 champion on Wednesday at Prairie Dunes Country Club. (Photo courtesy of Sean Boston)</figcaption>
 </figure>SEAN BOSTON&nbsp; Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan.&nbsp;— The Big 12 Men's Golf Championship wrapped up on Wednesday afternoon at Prairie Dunes Country Club, and the team and individual titles were both familiar foes.The Oklahoma Sooners repeated as the team champions, while Texas Tech's Ludvig Aberg finished as the back-to-back individual champion. Aberg finished with the lowest scoring total ever recorded in the Big 12 championship.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682552803255.jpeg" alt="The Oklahoma Sooners claimed their second straight Big 12 team championship on Wednesday at Prairie Dunes Country Club. (Photo courtesy of Oklahoma Athletics)" />
 <figcaption>The Oklahoma Sooners claimed their second straight Big 12 team championship on Wednesday at Prairie Dunes Country Club. (Photo courtesy of Oklahoma Athletics)</figcaption>
 </figure>The Sooners finished the 72-hole tournament with an 1119, followed by TCU with an 1137. Oklahoma finished with three in the Top 10, led by Patrick Welch in 4th Place.Team Leaderboard 1 Oklahoma, 1119 (-1) 2 TCU, 1137 (+17) 3 Texas Tech, 1141 (+21) 4 Texas, 1143 (+23) 5 Oklahoma State, 1144 (+24) 6 Baylor, 1160 (+40) 7 Kansas State, 1161 (+41) 8 Kansas, 1163 (+43) 9 West Virginia, 1183 (+63) 10 Iowa State, 1190 (+70)Individual Leaderboard 1 Ludvig Aberg, Texas Tech, 265 (-15) 2 Jonas Baumgartner, Oklahoma State, 273 (-7) 3 Brian Stark, Texas, 274 (-6) 4 Patrick Welch, Oklahoma, 278 (-2) 5 Drew Goodman, Oklahoma, 280 (E) T6 Maxence Giboudot, TCU, 282 (+2) T6 Drew Wrightson, Baylor, 282 (+2) T6 Ben Lorenz, Oklahoma,&nbsp;282 (+2) T9 Gustav Frimodt, TCU, 283 (+3) T9 Jacob Skov Olesen, TCU,&nbsp;283 (+3)Full results can be found on <a href="https://results.golfstat.com/public/leaderboards/gsnav.cfm?pg=team&amp;tid=26021">GolfStat.com</a>

⛳ Sooners, Aberg repeat as Big 12 champions

MANHATTAN, Kansas –&nbsp;Kansas State women's basketball placed seven student-athletes on the 2023 Winters Academic All-Big 12 Teams in an announcement by the Big 12 Conference on Wednesday. &nbsp; Since the beginning of the Big 12 in 1996-97, K-State has earned a league-best 154 Academic All-Big 12 honors including 122 first team citations which also paces the Big 12. K-State student-athletes to earn Academic All-Big 12 First Team honors were: junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/rebekah-dallinger/8604">Rebekah Dallinger</a>&nbsp;(human development and family science), senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/emilee-ebert/8605">Emilee Ebert</a>&nbsp;(human development and family science), sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/brylee-glenn/8606">Brylee Glenn</a>&nbsp;(business management), junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/taylor-lauterbach/8609">Taylor Lauterbach</a>&nbsp;(psychology) and sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/serena-sundell/8612">Serena Sundell</a>&nbsp;(business management).&nbsp; This was the second career Academic All-Big 12 First Team honors for Ebert and Lauterbach, while Dallinger, Glenn and Sundell each collected their first honors. On the Academic All-Big 12 Second Team, sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jaelyn-glenn/8607">Jaelyn Glenn</a>&nbsp;(business management) and redshirt sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/heavenly-greer/8608">Heavenly Greer</a>&nbsp;(human development and family science). This was the first Academic All-Big 12 citations for Glenn and Greer.&nbsp; Nominated by each institution's director of student-athlete support services, the women's basketball academic all-league teams consisted of 44 team members.&nbsp; To qualify student-athletes must maintain a 3.00 GPA or higher either cumulative or the two previous semesters and must have participated in 60 percent of her team's scheduled contests. Freshmen and transfers are not eligible in their first year of academic residence. Senior student-athletes who have participated for a minimum of two years and meet all the criteria except percent of participation are also eligible. K-State concluded its 55th season of action with a 19-17 record and the 33rd postseason appearance in program history with its seventh bid into the WNIT. Earlier this season, the Wildcats became the 19th program in NCAA Division I history to surpass the 1,000-win mark.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682532008176.png" alt="" />
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 </figure>Courtesy of Kansas State AthleticsMANHATTAN, Kansas –&nbsp;Kansas State women's basketball placed seven student-athletes on the 2023 Winters Academic All-Big 12 Teams in an announcement by the Big 12 Conference on Wednesday. &nbsp; Since the beginning of the Big 12 in 1996-97, K-State has earned a league-best 154 Academic All-Big 12 honors including 122 first team citations which also paces the Big 12. K-State student-athletes to earn Academic All-Big 12 First Team honors were: junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/rebekah-dallinger/8604">Rebekah Dallinger</a>&nbsp;(human development and family science), senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/emilee-ebert/8605">Emilee Ebert</a>&nbsp;(human development and family science), sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/brylee-glenn/8606">Brylee Glenn</a>&nbsp;(business management), junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/taylor-lauterbach/8609">Taylor Lauterbach</a>&nbsp;(psychology) and sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/serena-sundell/8612">Serena Sundell</a>&nbsp;(business management).&nbsp; This was the second career Academic All-Big 12 First Team honors for Ebert and Lauterbach, while Dallinger, Glenn and Sundell each collected their first honors. On the Academic All-Big 12 Second Team, sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jaelyn-glenn/8607">Jaelyn Glenn</a>&nbsp;(business management) and redshirt sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/heavenly-greer/8608">Heavenly Greer</a>&nbsp;(human development and family science). This was the first Academic All-Big 12 citations for Glenn and Greer.&nbsp; Nominated by each institution's director of student-athlete support services, the women's basketball academic all-league teams consisted of 44 team members.&nbsp; To qualify student-athletes must maintain a 3.00 GPA or higher either cumulative or the two previous semesters and must have participated in 60 percent of her team's scheduled contests. Freshmen and transfers are not eligible in their first year of academic residence. Senior student-athletes who have participated for a minimum of two years and meet all the criteria except percent of participation are also eligible. K-State concluded its 55th season of action with a 19-17 record and the 33rd postseason appearance in program history with its seventh bid into the WNIT. Earlier this season, the Wildcats became the 19th program in NCAA Division I history to surpass the 1,000-win mark.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 WBB: Wildcats place seven on Academic All-Big 12 teams

Courtesy of&nbsp; Kansas State Athletics

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/markquis-nowell/9650">Markquis Nowell</a>&nbsp;was named to Winter Academic All-Big 12 Team on Wednesday (April 26), as the league honored 481 student-athletes on the First and Second Teams.

Nowell, who earned his undergraduate degree in communications in December, was selected to the 74-member Second Team, which honors student-athletes with a GPA of 3.0 to 3.19. He was one of 36 men's basketball players in the Big 12 to earn the distinction, while he was the first Wildcat since 2018. The Winter Academic All-Big 12 Team consisted of student-athletes in seven league-sponsored sports, including men's and women's basketball, equestrian, women's gymnastics, men's and women's swimming and diving and wrestling. Overall, K-State had eight honorees on the Academic All-Big 12 Team. The honor was yet another for the 5-foot-7, 160-pound point guard from Harlem, N.Y., who enjoyed a stellar senior season in guiding the Wildcats to a 26-win season and their 13th&nbsp;Elite Eight in 2022-23. The winner of the 2023 Bob Cousy Point Guard Award, Nowell finished second nationally in assists/game (8.3 apg.), total assists (297) and total steals (92), while he ranked among the top-15 in 4 other categories. He was named a Third Team All-American by The Associated Press,&nbsp;The Sporting News, NABC and USBWA, while he was selected to the All-Big 12 First Team by the league coaches and AP as well as Big 12 All-Defensive Team by the coaches. Nowell had a historic run through the 2023 NCAA Tournament, averaging 23.5 points, 13.5 assists and 4.0 steals en route to earning Most Outstanding Player honors for the NCAA East Regional. His 54 assists are the third-most in the tournament's history, while he dished out a tournament and school-record 19 assists in the win over Michigan State on March 23. He finished his college career with just the second 30-point, 10-assist game in school history, as he led the way with game-highs in points (30), assists (12) and steals (5) in playing all 40 minutes against FAU. For the season, Nowell averaged a team-best 17.6 points on 38.6 percent (180-of-466) from the field, including 35.5 percent (88-of-248) from 3-point range, and 88.9 percent (185-of-208) from the free throw line to go along with a Big 12-best 8.3 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 2.6 steals in 36.9 minutes per game. Nowell leaves K-State as the single-season leader in total assists and steals, assists/game as well as the career leader in assists/game (6.87), while he ranks in the top-5 single-season double-double scoring games (33/4th), 3-point field goals (88/5th), free throws (185/5th) and free throw percentage (88.9/5th). Nowell's 968 points in his 2-year career are the second-most by a Division I transfer in school history, while he is third in career assists (433) and fifth in career steals (151).&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682532072911.png" alt="" />
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 </figure>Courtesy of&nbsp; Kansas State AthleticsMANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/markquis-nowell/9650">Markquis Nowell</a>&nbsp;was named to Winter Academic All-Big 12 Team on Wednesday (April 26), as the league honored 481 student-athletes on the First and Second Teams. Nowell, who earned his undergraduate degree in communications in December, was selected to the 74-member Second Team, which honors student-athletes with a GPA of 3.0 to 3.19. He was one of 36 men's basketball players in the Big 12 to earn the distinction, while he was the first Wildcat since 2018. The Winter Academic All-Big 12 Team consisted of student-athletes in seven league-sponsored sports, including men's and women's basketball, equestrian, women's gymnastics, men's and women's swimming and diving and wrestling. Overall, K-State had eight honorees on the Academic All-Big 12 Team. The honor was yet another for the 5-foot-7, 160-pound point guard from Harlem, N.Y., who enjoyed a stellar senior season in guiding the Wildcats to a 26-win season and their 13th&nbsp;Elite Eight in 2022-23. The winner of the 2023 Bob Cousy Point Guard Award, Nowell finished second nationally in assists/game (8.3 apg.), total assists (297) and total steals (92), while he ranked among the top-15 in 4 other categories. He was named a Third Team All-American by The Associated Press,&nbsp;The Sporting News, NABC and USBWA, while he was selected to the All-Big 12 First Team by the league coaches and AP as well as Big 12 All-Defensive Team by the coaches. Nowell had a historic run through the 2023 NCAA Tournament, averaging 23.5 points, 13.5 assists and 4.0 steals en route to earning Most Outstanding Player honors for the NCAA East Regional. His 54 assists are the third-most in the tournament's history, while he dished out a tournament and school-record 19 assists in the win over Michigan State on March 23. He finished his college career with just the second 30-point, 10-assist game in school history, as he led the way with game-highs in points (30), assists (12) and steals (5) in playing all 40 minutes against FAU. For the season, Nowell averaged a team-best 17.6 points on 38.6 percent (180-of-466) from the field, including 35.5 percent (88-of-248) from 3-point range, and 88.9 percent (185-of-208) from the free throw line to go along with a Big 12-best 8.3 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 2.6 steals in 36.9 minutes per game. Nowell leaves K-State as the single-season leader in total assists and steals, assists/game as well as the career leader in assists/game (6.87), while he ranks in the top-5 single-season double-double scoring games (33/4th), 3-point field goals (88/5th), free throws (185/5th) and free throw percentage (88.9/5th). Nowell's 968 points in his 2-year career are the second-most by a Division I transfer in school history, while he is third in career assists (433) and fifth in career steals (151).&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 Nowell named to Academic All-Big 12 second team

Courtesy of Wichita State Athletics

WICHITA, Kan. –&nbsp;Wichita State athletics, in partnership with the Kansas Humane Society and Beauties &amp; Beasts, will host "Bark in the Park" at the Shocker baseball game against Memphis Saturday, April 29, at 2:00 pm&nbsp;at Eck Stadium, Home of Tyler Field.&nbsp;Gates for the contest will open at 12:30 pm. The Shocker Athletic Department will provide waste dispensers to the first 100 fans with a dog while Beauties and Beasts will be on-site providing pup cups and information about adoption. &nbsp; To ensure everyone has a fun and safe experience at the "Bark in the Park" event, please read and follow this important information:

All participants are required to execute a Release and Waiver. Wichita State reserves the right to reject any dog for any reason. For the waiver form, please&nbsp;<a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgoshockers.com%2Fdocuments%2F2016%2F5%2F5%2FBark_in_the_Park_Waiver.doc%3Fid%3D1166&amp;data=05%7C01%7Cdgerig%40goshockers.com%7Ca55881f3996542be25ca08db45d8f231%7Ce05b6b3f19804b248637580771f44dee%7C1%7C0%7C638180570308747999%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=RnT24%2FAALnY0uhca4ar4gO7MZ1EHHdTt%2FZ2GO5Oy5KM%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">click here</a>. &nbsp; For tickets visit GoShockers.com or call the WSU Ticket Office at (316) 978-FANS.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682531782145.png" alt="" />
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 </figure>Courtesy of Wichita State AthleticsWICHITA, Kan. –&nbsp;Wichita State athletics, in partnership with the Kansas Humane Society and Beauties &amp; Beasts, will host "Bark in the Park" at the Shocker baseball game against Memphis Saturday, April 29, at 2:00 pm&nbsp;at Eck Stadium, Home of Tyler Field.&nbsp;Gates for the contest will open at 12:30 pm. The Shocker Athletic Department will provide waste dispensers to the first 100 fans with a dog while Beauties and Beasts will be on-site providing pup cups and information about adoption. &nbsp; To ensure everyone has a fun and safe experience at the "Bark in the Park" event, please read and follow this important information:<ul>
 <li>Dogs will be allowed to check-in and play in the left field area.</li><li>Owners with dogs will have to buy a ticket at one of the ticket booths then proceed to the gate behind the batter's eye in centerfield for admission. They CANNOT enter through any other gate.</li><li>All dogs must be kept on a fixed length leash (no longer than 8 ft.) at ALL TIMES. No retractable leashes, no dogs off leash. Owners are responsible for their own messes.</li><li>Dog owner assumes responsibility for the action of their dog for the duration of the Bark in the Park event.</li>
 </ul>All participants are required to execute a Release and Waiver. Wichita State reserves the right to reject any dog for any reason. For the waiver form, please&nbsp;<a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgoshockers.com%2Fdocuments%2F2016%2F5%2F5%2FBark_in_the_Park_Waiver.doc%3Fid%3D1166&amp;data=05%7C01%7Cdgerig%40goshockers.com%7Ca55881f3996542be25ca08db45d8f231%7Ce05b6b3f19804b248637580771f44dee%7C1%7C0%7C638180570308747999%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=RnT24%2FAALnY0uhca4ar4gO7MZ1EHHdTt%2FZ2GO5Oy5KM%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">click here</a>. &nbsp; For tickets visit GoShockers.com or call the WSU Ticket Office at (316) 978-FANS.

⚾ Shocker baseball hosts Bark in the Park

Courtesy of Wichita State Athletics

Kansas (19-21, 5-10 Big 12) vs.&nbsp;#25&nbsp;Wichita State&nbsp;(24-15, 8-4&nbsp;American) Wednesday, April 26&nbsp;| 6:00&nbsp;pm CT | Wichita, Kansas (Eck Stadium) TV: ESPN+&nbsp;| Radio:&nbsp;KFH 97.5&nbsp;FM/1240&nbsp;AM RHP Hunter Cashero (2-0, 5.63) vs. RHP&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/matt-boyer/7443">Matt Boyer</a>&nbsp;(1-0, 7.71)

SCENE SETTER:&nbsp;Fresh off a three-game sweep of #7-ranked East Carolina, Wichita State puts their six-game winning streak on the line against in-state foe Kansas on Wednesday evening at Eck Stadium. The Shockers were scheduled to play Tuesday night at Oklahoma State, but the game was canceled due to rain and will not be rescheduled. Monday's edition of the Collegiate Baseball poll ranked the Shockers #25, the first time Wichita State has been nationally ranked by a major publication since April of 2018. With 16 games still to play, WSU has already bested their win total from a season ago when the Shockers went 21-36. 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 handle the play-by-play duties against the Jayhawks. The game will will also be streamed live on ESPN+ ($), with former Shocker pitcher (1991-94) and Pizza Hut Shocker Sports Hall of Famer Shane Dennis on the call. Live audio, in addition to live statistics, will be available for all games at GoShockers.com/listen and ShockerStats.com.

SERIES HISTORY:&nbsp;The Shockers and Jayhawks have met 86 times, with Wichita State holding 51-35 lead in the all-time series. From 2013-2016, Kansas won seven consecutive games in the series, and recently Wichita State put together a six-game winning streak from 2017-2022. The Shockers have claimed the last five meetings at Eck Stadium, including a 7-5 win in 10 innings last season that ended with a walk-off, two-run homer from&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/garrett-kocis/5988">Garrett Kocis</a>. Kansas took the return game in Lawrence and also won at Hoglund Ballpark this season, a 4-0 victory on March 8. Four Jayhawks pitchers combined to hold Wichita State to five hits in the shutout win.

SCOUTING KANSAS:&nbsp;The Jayhawks bring an overall record of 19-21 into play on Wednesday, including a 5-10 mark in Big 12 play. Kansas has won six consecutive midweek games (Creighton, Missouri State, Texas Southern 2x, Air Force 2x) but have dropped seven straight conference contests after taking the first two games of a series at West Virginia. As a team, the Jayhawks are slashing .280/.376/.472, a slugging percentage that is buoyed by 87 doubles, a top-30 mark in the country. Kansas is one of the least-aggressive base-stealing teams in the country, totaling just 23 steals. The pitching staff has logged a 6.14 ERA, and much like the Shockers deploy a closer-by-committee bullpen, with seven saves from four different relievers. Kansas boasts a roster loaded with Division I transfers, including Luke Leto and Collier Cranford (LSU), Sam Ireland (Minnesota), Cole Elvis (Cal), Michael Brooks (UCF) and Collin Baumgartner (SIU Edwardsville). Head coach Dan Fitzgerald is in his first season with the Jayhawks after one season as the recruiting coordinator at LSU. The Shockers are familiar with Fitzgerald, who previously spent nine seasons in the same capacity at Dallas Baptist, a former Missouri Valley Conference foe. Former Wichita State volunteer assistant coach Jon Coyne is a member of Fitzgerald's staff.

BREAKING OUT THE BROOMS:&nbsp;It was a historic weekend at Eck Stadium for Wichita State, who garnered their first sweep against a top-10 opponent since the 1991 season with three dominant wins against #7-ranked East Carolina. The Shockers outscored the Pirates 23-3, out-hit them 41-14, and got two complete game shutouts from&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/payton-tolle/7456">Payton Tolle</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/grant-adler/7467">Grant Adler</a>&nbsp;to bookend the series. East Carolina only produced one inning the entire series in which more than five batters came to the plate (first inning of game two), and managed just one runner to third base in 18 innings against Tolle and Adler. The three victories catapulted Wichita State into a tie atop the American Athletic Conference standings with Houston.

QUIET IN THE BULLPEN:&nbsp;Thanks in large part to shutouts from Tolle and Adler, plus some stellar long relief work, the Wichita State pitching staff has not had to reach deep into the bullpen as of late. In the last six games, the Shockers have used a total of 12 pitchers (four of whom made multiple appearances), meaning just eight individual arms have seen game action in that stretch. The WSU bullpen has yielded four relief outings of at least 2.1 innings over the last six games.

NO MINER ACCOMPLISHMENT:&nbsp;Left-hander&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/jace-miner/7449">Jace Miner</a>&nbsp;continues to cement his status as a versatile weapon out of the Wichita State bullpen. The sophomore southpaw turned in two brilliant outings over the last week, earning the win at Kansas State with 4.1 hitless, scoreless innings, before blanking East Carolina over 3.1 frames to nail down his second save of the season. Opponents are hitting just .147 against Miner in 28.0 innings this season.

SHOCKERS IN THE RPI:&nbsp;Wichita State heads into the week ranked 88 in the latest edition of the RPI, good for second in the American Athletic Conference behind East Carolina (15). The Shockers jumped a staggering 59 points last week, comfortably the largest increase in the country (next closest: Georgetown, +40 to 119). Oklahoma State checks in at 25, the highest-ranking opponent remaining on the regular season schedule for WSU. Only Houston (100) joins the Shockers in the top-100 among AAC teams.

INGRAM IN A GROOVE:&nbsp;Junior outfielder&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/chuck-ingram/7448">Chuck Ingram</a>&nbsp;had a ridiculous stretch of six games dating back to the end of the series at Tulane. In that time frame, Ingram went 17-for-28 (.607), which would be impressive enough in its own right. But among the 17 hits, the righty slugger rammed five doubles and four homers, including big flies in both games of Saturday's doubleheader sweep of East Carolina. Oddly enough, in the series finale against the Pirates every Shocker in the lineup had a hit except Ingram.

STARTING WITH A BANG:&nbsp;Ingram grabbed national headlines on April 14 at Tulane with a leadoff home run that traveled a Trackman-confirmed 501 feet, easily the longest by any Shocker this season. Ingram's homer was the first leadoff round-tripper for the Shockers since David VanVooren opened a game against Texas Tech with a solo shot on March 9, 2019.

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 27th nationally with 88 team two-baggers. WSU has eight players with five or more doubles for the season.

HISTORIC HOMERS:&nbsp;Wichita State powered up last Tuesday night at Kansas State, blasting a season-high six home runs in a 10-4 midweek victory.&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/garrett-pennington/7468">Garrett Pennington</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/brock-rodden/7450">Brock Rodden</a>&nbsp;each hit two, while&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/david-herring/7462">David Herring</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/payton-tolle/7456">Payton Tolle</a>&nbsp;contributed one apiece. The six round-trippers are the most for the Shockers in one game since April 26, 1998 against Indiana State, and Pennington and Rodden became the first Shockers with two multi-homer games in the same contest since future major leaguers&nbsp;Andy Dirks&nbsp;and&nbsp;Dusty Coleman&nbsp;accomplished the feat against Harvard on March 8, 2008.

BACK IN THE SADDLE:&nbsp;Interim head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/coaches/loren-hibbs/1122">Loren Hibbs</a>&nbsp;is in his first season leading the Shockers after taking over for Eric Wedge in December of 2022. Hibbs starred as a record-setting outfielder for the Shockers, helping WSU to the program's first-ever CWS appearance in 1982, and still holds the NCAA record for single-season runs scored with 125. He then served as an assistant under legendary Shocker head coach Gene Stephenson before moving on to Charlotte, where Hibbs guided the 49ers for 27 seasons and more than 800 wins. He returned to the Wichita State program following the 2019 season, joining the staff as Director of Baseball Operations.&nbsp;

HIGH PRAISE:&nbsp;The Shockers landed four players on the American Athletic Conference preseason all-conference team, most of any club in the league. Infielder&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/brock-rodden/7450">Brock Rodden</a>, outfielder&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/chuck-ingram/7448">Chuck Ingram</a>, designated hitter&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/payton-tolle/7456">Payton Tolle</a>&nbsp;and right-handed pitcher&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/cameron-bye/7444">Cameron Bye</a>&nbsp;were all selected, with Rodden tabbed as the conference's Preseason Player of the Year. Despite the league-best four honorees, Wichita State was picked fifth in the eight-team American Athletic Conference preseason poll.

RODDEN RETURN:&nbsp;&nbsp;Infielder&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/brock-rodden/7450">Brock Rodden</a>&nbsp;burst on to the scene as one of college baseball's most impactful players in 2022. The Seminole State transfer led the Shockers in batting average (.338), on-base percentage (.441) and slugging percentage (.653) while launching 17 home runs, the most by a Shocker since Drew Moffitt hit 26 long balls in 2004. He was selected by the Oakland Athletics in the 10th Round of the 2022 MLB Draft (pick 304 overall) but elected not to sign, one of just three players chosen in the top ten rounds to do so.

JUCO INFLUX:&nbsp;The Wichita State 2023 roster features eight junior college transfers, several of which have stepped in as immediate contributors. Former Mississippi State outfielder&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/kyte-mcdonald/7459">Kyte McDonald</a>&nbsp;brings elite speed out in centerfield, and former St. Mary's righty&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/clark-candiotti/7475">Clark Candiotti</a>&nbsp;has entrenched himself at the front of the weekend rotation. Two members of Cowley College's NJCAA runner-up team play major roles, as infielder&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/david-herring/7462">David Herring</a>&nbsp;is the everyday starter at shortstop and right-handed pitcher&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/grant-adler/7467">Grant Adler</a>&nbsp;has grabbed the Sunday starter role. Catcher&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/mauricio-millan/7461">Mauricio Millan</a>&nbsp;has caught all but two games this season.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682531835064.png" alt="" />
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 </figure>Courtesy of Wichita State AthleticsKansas (19-21, 5-10 Big 12) vs.&nbsp;#25&nbsp;Wichita State&nbsp;(24-15, 8-4&nbsp;American) Wednesday, April 26&nbsp;| 6:00&nbsp;pm CT | Wichita, Kansas (Eck Stadium) TV: ESPN+&nbsp;| Radio:&nbsp;KFH 97.5&nbsp;FM/1240&nbsp;AM RHP Hunter Cashero (2-0, 5.63) vs. RHP&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/matt-boyer/7443">Matt Boyer</a>&nbsp;(1-0, 7.71)SCENE SETTER:&nbsp;Fresh off a three-game sweep of #7-ranked East Carolina, Wichita State puts their six-game winning streak on the line against in-state foe Kansas on Wednesday evening at Eck Stadium. The Shockers were scheduled to play Tuesday night at Oklahoma State, but the game was canceled due to rain and will not be rescheduled. Monday's edition of the Collegiate Baseball poll ranked the Shockers #25, the first time Wichita State has been nationally ranked by a major publication since April of 2018. With 16 games still to play, WSU has already bested their win total from a season ago when the Shockers went 21-36. 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 handle the play-by-play duties against the Jayhawks. The game will will also be streamed live on ESPN+ ($), with former Shocker pitcher (1991-94) and Pizza Hut Shocker Sports Hall of Famer Shane Dennis on the call. Live audio, in addition to live statistics, will be available for all games at GoShockers.com/listen and ShockerStats.com.SERIES HISTORY:&nbsp;The Shockers and Jayhawks have met 86 times, with Wichita State holding 51-35 lead in the all-time series. From 2013-2016, Kansas won seven consecutive games in the series, and recently Wichita State put together a six-game winning streak from 2017-2022. The Shockers have claimed the last five meetings at Eck Stadium, including a 7-5 win in 10 innings last season that ended with a walk-off, two-run homer from&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/garrett-kocis/5988">Garrett Kocis</a>. Kansas took the return game in Lawrence and also won at Hoglund Ballpark this season, a 4-0 victory on March 8. Four Jayhawks pitchers combined to hold Wichita State to five hits in the shutout win.SCOUTING KANSAS:&nbsp;The Jayhawks bring an overall record of 19-21 into play on Wednesday, including a 5-10 mark in Big 12 play. Kansas has won six consecutive midweek games (Creighton, Missouri State, Texas Southern 2x, Air Force 2x) but have dropped seven straight conference contests after taking the first two games of a series at West Virginia. As a team, the Jayhawks are slashing .280/.376/.472, a slugging percentage that is buoyed by 87 doubles, a top-30 mark in the country. Kansas is one of the least-aggressive base-stealing teams in the country, totaling just 23 steals. The pitching staff has logged a 6.14 ERA, and much like the Shockers deploy a closer-by-committee bullpen, with seven saves from four different relievers. Kansas boasts a roster loaded with Division I transfers, including Luke Leto and Collier Cranford (LSU), Sam Ireland (Minnesota), Cole Elvis (Cal), Michael Brooks (UCF) and Collin Baumgartner (SIU Edwardsville). Head coach Dan Fitzgerald is in his first season with the Jayhawks after one season as the recruiting coordinator at LSU. The Shockers are familiar with Fitzgerald, who previously spent nine seasons in the same capacity at Dallas Baptist, a former Missouri Valley Conference foe. Former Wichita State volunteer assistant coach Jon Coyne is a member of Fitzgerald's staff.BREAKING OUT THE BROOMS:&nbsp;It was a historic weekend at Eck Stadium for Wichita State, who garnered their first sweep against a top-10 opponent since the 1991 season with three dominant wins against #7-ranked East Carolina. The Shockers outscored the Pirates 23-3, out-hit them 41-14, and got two complete game shutouts from&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/payton-tolle/7456">Payton Tolle</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/grant-adler/7467">Grant Adler</a>&nbsp;to bookend the series. East Carolina only produced one inning the entire series in which more than five batters came to the plate (first inning of game two), and managed just one runner to third base in 18 innings against Tolle and Adler. The three victories catapulted Wichita State into a tie atop the American Athletic Conference standings with Houston.QUIET IN THE BULLPEN:&nbsp;Thanks in large part to shutouts from Tolle and Adler, plus some stellar long relief work, the Wichita State pitching staff has not had to reach deep into the bullpen as of late. In the last six games, the Shockers have used a total of 12 pitchers (four of whom made multiple appearances), meaning just eight individual arms have seen game action in that stretch. The WSU bullpen has yielded four relief outings of at least 2.1 innings over the last six games.NO MINER ACCOMPLISHMENT:&nbsp;Left-hander&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/jace-miner/7449">Jace Miner</a>&nbsp;continues to cement his status as a versatile weapon out of the Wichita State bullpen. The sophomore southpaw turned in two brilliant outings over the last week, earning the win at Kansas State with 4.1 hitless, scoreless innings, before blanking East Carolina over 3.1 frames to nail down his second save of the season. Opponents are hitting just .147 against Miner in 28.0 innings this season.SHOCKERS IN THE RPI:&nbsp;Wichita State heads into the week ranked 88 in the latest edition of the RPI, good for second in the American Athletic Conference behind East Carolina (15). The Shockers jumped a staggering 59 points last week, comfortably the largest increase in the country (next closest: Georgetown, +40 to 119). Oklahoma State checks in at 25, the highest-ranking opponent remaining on the regular season schedule for WSU. Only Houston (100) joins the Shockers in the top-100 among AAC teams.INGRAM IN A GROOVE:&nbsp;Junior outfielder&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/chuck-ingram/7448">Chuck Ingram</a>&nbsp;had a ridiculous stretch of six games dating back to the end of the series at Tulane. In that time frame, Ingram went 17-for-28 (.607), which would be impressive enough in its own right. But among the 17 hits, the righty slugger rammed five doubles and four homers, including big flies in both games of Saturday's doubleheader sweep of East Carolina. Oddly enough, in the series finale against the Pirates every Shocker in the lineup had a hit except Ingram.STARTING WITH A BANG:&nbsp;Ingram grabbed national headlines on April 14 at Tulane with a leadoff home run that traveled a Trackman-confirmed 501 feet, easily the longest by any Shocker this season. Ingram's homer was the first leadoff round-tripper for the Shockers since David VanVooren opened a game against Texas Tech with a solo shot on March 9, 2019.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 27th nationally with 88 team two-baggers. WSU has eight players with five or more doubles for the season.HISTORIC HOMERS:&nbsp;Wichita State powered up last Tuesday night at Kansas State, blasting a season-high six home runs in a 10-4 midweek victory.&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/garrett-pennington/7468">Garrett Pennington</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/brock-rodden/7450">Brock Rodden</a>&nbsp;each hit two, while&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/david-herring/7462">David Herring</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/payton-tolle/7456">Payton Tolle</a>&nbsp;contributed one apiece. The six round-trippers are the most for the Shockers in one game since April 26, 1998 against Indiana State, and Pennington and Rodden became the first Shockers with two multi-homer games in the same contest since future major leaguers&nbsp;Andy Dirks&nbsp;and&nbsp;Dusty Coleman&nbsp;accomplished the feat against Harvard on March 8, 2008.BACK IN THE SADDLE:&nbsp;Interim head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/coaches/loren-hibbs/1122">Loren Hibbs</a>&nbsp;is in his first season leading the Shockers after taking over for Eric Wedge in December of 2022. Hibbs starred as a record-setting outfielder for the Shockers, helping WSU to the program's first-ever CWS appearance in 1982, and still holds the NCAA record for single-season runs scored with 125. He then served as an assistant under legendary Shocker head coach Gene Stephenson before moving on to Charlotte, where Hibbs guided the 49ers for 27 seasons and more than 800 wins. He returned to the Wichita State program following the 2019 season, joining the staff as Director of Baseball Operations.&nbsp;HIGH PRAISE:&nbsp;The Shockers landed four players on the American Athletic Conference preseason all-conference team, most of any club in the league. Infielder&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/brock-rodden/7450">Brock Rodden</a>, outfielder&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/chuck-ingram/7448">Chuck Ingram</a>, designated hitter&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/payton-tolle/7456">Payton Tolle</a>&nbsp;and right-handed pitcher&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/cameron-bye/7444">Cameron Bye</a>&nbsp;were all selected, with Rodden tabbed as the conference's Preseason Player of the Year. Despite the league-best four honorees, Wichita State was picked fifth in the eight-team American Athletic Conference preseason poll.RODDEN RETURN:&nbsp;&nbsp;Infielder&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/brock-rodden/7450">Brock Rodden</a>&nbsp;burst on to the scene as one of college baseball's most impactful players in 2022. The Seminole State transfer led the Shockers in batting average (.338), on-base percentage (.441) and slugging percentage (.653) while launching 17 home runs, the most by a Shocker since Drew Moffitt hit 26 long balls in 2004. He was selected by the Oakland Athletics in the 10th Round of the 2022 MLB Draft (pick 304 overall) but elected not to sign, one of just three players chosen in the top ten rounds to do so.JUCO INFLUX:&nbsp;The Wichita State 2023 roster features eight junior college transfers, several of which have stepped in as immediate contributors. Former Mississippi State outfielder&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/kyte-mcdonald/7459">Kyte McDonald</a>&nbsp;brings elite speed out in centerfield, and former St. Mary's righty&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/clark-candiotti/7475">Clark Candiotti</a>&nbsp;has entrenched himself at the front of the weekend rotation. Two members of Cowley College's NJCAA runner-up team play major roles, as infielder&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/david-herring/7462">David Herring</a>&nbsp;is the everyday starter at shortstop and right-handed pitcher&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/grant-adler/7467">Grant Adler</a>&nbsp;has grabbed the Sunday starter role. Catcher&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/mauricio-millan/7461">Mauricio Millan</a>&nbsp;has caught all but two games this season.

⚾ Shockers set to host Kansas

Wichita State has a big head start on two of its future non-conference men's basketball schedules. Head coach&nbsp;Paul Mills&nbsp;and Director of Athletics&nbsp;Kevin Saal&nbsp;announced today that the Shockers have booked a home-and-home series with DePaul of the BIG EAST conference. The teams will play in Chicago, Ill. at DePaul's Wintrust Arena during the 2024-25 season and at WSU's Charles Koch Arena in 2025-26. Game dates will be determined by July 1 of each respective year. The programs have split eight previous meetings. WSU won the most recent in the 2013 CBE Classic semifinals in Kansas City. The schools also faced off in the 2012 Cancun Challenge and in the 1988 NCAA tournament. These will be the first on-campus meetings since a home-and-home in the late 1970s. WSU is 2-0 against the Demons in Wichita (1939, 1978) but 0-3 in Chicago (1937, 1956, 1977). Wintrust Arena, a 10,387-seat venue in Chicago's Near South Side neighborhood, opened in 2017 and serves as the home of DePaul men's and women's basketball as well as the WNBA's Chicago Sky. The DePaul trip becomes the third contracted opponent on the Shockers' 2024-25 calendar along with Western Kentucky (away) and Kansas State (home). DePaul's visit to Charles Koch Arena is WSU's first confirmed matchup for the 2025-26 season. Wichita State All-Time Series vs. DePaul (4-4) Dec. 16, 1937 – Chicago, Ill. – L, 21-36 Feb. 20, 1939 – Wichita – W, 35-32 Dec. 18, 1956 – Chicago, Ill. – L, 61-71 Dec. 10, 1977 – Chicago, Ill. – L, 84-89 Dec. 9, 1978 – Wichita – W, 95-92 Mar. 17, 1988 – South Bend, Ind. – L, 62-83 # Nov. 20, 2012 – Cancun, Mexico – W, 72-62 ^ Nov. 25, 2013 – Kansas City, Mo. – W, 90-72 # = 1988 NCAA tournament, Round of 64 ^ = 2012 Cancun Challenge semifinals % = 2013 CBE Classic semifinals&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682531891412.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Courtesy of Wichita State Athletics&nbsp;Wichita State has a big head start on two of its future non-conference men's basketball schedules. Head coach&nbsp;Paul Mills&nbsp;and Director of Athletics&nbsp;Kevin Saal&nbsp;announced today that the Shockers have booked a home-and-home series with DePaul of the BIG EAST conference. The teams will play in Chicago, Ill. at DePaul's Wintrust Arena during the 2024-25 season and at WSU's Charles Koch Arena in 2025-26. Game dates will be determined by July 1 of each respective year. The programs have split eight previous meetings. WSU won the most recent in the 2013 CBE Classic semifinals in Kansas City. The schools also faced off in the 2012 Cancun Challenge and in the 1988 NCAA tournament. These will be the first on-campus meetings since a home-and-home in the late 1970s. WSU is 2-0 against the Demons in Wichita (1939, 1978) but 0-3 in Chicago (1937, 1956, 1977). Wintrust Arena, a 10,387-seat venue in Chicago's Near South Side neighborhood, opened in 2017 and serves as the home of DePaul men's and women's basketball as well as the WNBA's Chicago Sky. The DePaul trip becomes the third contracted opponent on the Shockers' 2024-25 calendar along with Western Kentucky (away) and Kansas State (home). DePaul's visit to Charles Koch Arena is WSU's first confirmed matchup for the 2025-26 season. Wichita State All-Time Series vs. DePaul (4-4) Dec. 16, 1937 – Chicago, Ill. – L, 21-36 Feb. 20, 1939 – Wichita – W, 35-32 Dec. 18, 1956 – Chicago, Ill. – L, 61-71 Dec. 10, 1977 – Chicago, Ill. – L, 84-89 Dec. 9, 1978 – Wichita – W, 95-92 Mar. 17, 1988 – South Bend, Ind. – L, 62-83 # Nov. 20, 2012 – Cancun, Mexico – W, 72-62 ^ Nov. 25, 2013 – Kansas City, Mo. – W, 90-72 # = 1988 NCAA tournament, Round of 64 ^ = 2012 Cancun Challenge semifinals % = 2013 CBE Classic semifinals&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 MBB: Shockers secure future series with DePaul

KANSAS CITY, Mo.—Once a fixture at Radio City Music Hall, the NFL draft has been an even bigger hit since it took to the road.

When NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell steps to the podium on the giant stage in front of Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri, and announces the No. 1 pick on Thursday night, it’ll be ninth draft since it left New York — and it's becoming a major boon for the league, teams and host cities.

“It’s the second-biggest thing that we do and it’s smack dab in the heart of our ‘offseason.’ There is no offseason," said Peter O’Reilly, the NFL’s executive vice president, club business, major events and international. "And that’s a testament to our fans and they’re the ones who made the draft so much bigger and more special.”

The NFL draft was in New York from 1965 to 2014. Radio City Music Hall, which hosted the draft nine times, saw the Rockettes' spring spectacular push the NFL draft into May in 2014. The league decided it wouldn't be kicked around again in 2015, so it moved the draft to Chicago for two years and saw tremendous results.

Philadelphia hosted the draft at the Art Museum in 2017, and Jerry’s Palace in Dallas (aka AT&amp;T Stadium) became the first stadium site in 2018. Nashville and its honky tonks on Broadway drew a record crowd of 600,000 people over three days in 2019.

After COVID-19 postponed the 2020 draft, Cleveland had its turn to shine in 2021 and the party was on in Las Vegas in 2022. Next year, it’ll be in Detroit, and the 2025 location will be decided at the league’s spring meetings in May.

“We’re most proud of the fact that we’ve been able to reach a lot more fans in different parts of the country, in many markets that have that aren’t necessarily going to host a Super Bowl," O’Reilly said. “That opportunity to reach more fans and create this, without overstating it, this pilgrimage of fans, you see it every year.”

O'Reilly also said that the drafts aren't "formulaic. You kind of start fresh every year because you get a new canvas and a new city.”

The league uses iconic local settings and fan festivals in each city to enhance the draft’s profile and boost the size of the crowds. There will be plenty of Kansas City's signature barbecue available — from food trucks — for people who come to the NFL draft and fan events being held at Union Station and the National WWI Museum and Memorial.

The Chiefs just celebrated another Super Bowl victory with a championship parade two months ago and now red-and-clad fans will be joined by thousands of people from all over for a three-day extravaganza.

“I’m excited for the city,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “Obviously, all these people that are coming in for this are excited to be in Kansas City. You better get the barbecue fired up and ready to go because we’ll have a lot of folks here.”

The first draft was held in a hotel in Philadelphia over two days in February 1936 after Eagles owner Bert Bell convinced the league’s other eight owners that teams should select players from college in reverse order of finish rather than sign them as free agents.

Eighty-one players were selected in the first one. Compare that to a record of 487 players chosen in 1976, when the draft was 17 rounds. Four years later, ESPN started broadcasting the draft.

It’s down to seven rounds now and has been spread over three days since moving into prime-time in 2010.

<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/2023/4/1682470460132.jpeg" alt="Work continues on the main stage for the NFL Draft Saturday, April 22, 2023, at Union Station in Kansas City, Mo. The draft will run from April 27-29. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)" />
 <figcaption>Work continues on the main stage for the NFL Draft Saturday, April 22, 2023, at Union Station in Kansas City, Mo. The draft will run from April 27-29. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo.—Once a fixture at Radio City Music Hall, the NFL draft has been an even bigger hit since it took to the road.When NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell steps to the podium on the giant stage in front of Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri, and announces the No. 1 pick on Thursday night, it’ll be ninth draft since it left New York — and it's becoming a major boon for the league, teams and host cities.“It’s the second-biggest thing that we do and it’s smack dab in the heart of our ‘offseason.’ There is no offseason," said Peter O’Reilly, the NFL’s executive vice president, club business, major events and international. "And that’s a testament to our fans and they’re the ones who made the draft so much bigger and more special.”The NFL draft was in New York from 1965 to 2014. Radio City Music Hall, which hosted the draft nine times, saw the Rockettes' spring spectacular push the NFL draft into May in 2014. The league decided it wouldn't be kicked around again in 2015, so it moved the draft to Chicago for two years and saw tremendous results.Philadelphia hosted the draft at the Art Museum in 2017, and Jerry’s Palace in Dallas (aka AT&amp;T Stadium) became the first stadium site in 2018. Nashville and its honky tonks on Broadway drew a record crowd of 600,000 people over three days in 2019.After COVID-19 postponed the 2020 draft, Cleveland had its turn to shine in 2021 and the party was on in Las Vegas in 2022. Next year, it’ll be in Detroit, and the 2025 location will be decided at the league’s spring meetings in May.“We’re most proud of the fact that we’ve been able to reach a lot more fans in different parts of the country, in many markets that have that aren’t necessarily going to host a Super Bowl," O’Reilly said. “That opportunity to reach more fans and create this, without overstating it, this pilgrimage of fans, you see it every year.”O'Reilly also said that the drafts aren't "formulaic. You kind of start fresh every year because you get a new canvas and a new city.”The league uses iconic local settings and fan festivals in each city to enhance the draft’s profile and boost the size of the crowds. There will be plenty of Kansas City's signature barbecue available — from food trucks — for people who come to the NFL draft and fan events being held at Union Station and the National WWI Museum and Memorial.The Chiefs just celebrated another Super Bowl victory with a championship parade two months ago and now red-and-clad fans will be joined by thousands of people from all over for a three-day extravaganza.“I’m excited for the city,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “Obviously, all these people that are coming in for this are excited to be in Kansas City. You better get the barbecue fired up and ready to go because we’ll have a lot of folks here.”The first draft was held in a hotel in Philadelphia over two days in February 1936 after Eagles owner Bert Bell convinced the league’s other eight owners that teams should select players from college in reverse order of finish rather than sign them as free agents.Eighty-one players were selected in the first one. Compare that to a record of 487 players chosen in 1976, when the draft was 17 rounds. Four years later, ESPN started broadcasting the draft.It’s down to seven rounds now and has been spread over three days since moving into prime-time in 2010.<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;

🏈 NFL draft a boon for cities, teams since it hit the road

PHOENIX (AP) — Scott Barlow got Christian Walker to hit into a game-ending groundout with runners on second and third, and the Kansas City Royals beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-4 for just their second win in 11 games. Brady Singer rebounded from three poor starts and the Royals tied their season high with 14 hits. Every starter except Franmil Reyes had at least one hit for the Royals. Kansas City is 6-18, including 5-6 on the road but just 1-12 at Kauffman Stadium. Corbin Carroll was a home run shy of the cycle for Arizona and stole two bases.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Blake Sabol hit a game-ending two-run homer in the ninth inning, and the San Francisco Giants rallied past the St. Louis Cardinals 5-4. With two outs and a runner on second, Sabol sent Ryan Helsley’s 1-2 offering over the wall in center field for his first career walk-off homer. Helsley blew his third save of the year. San Francisco trailed 4-2 entering the ninth. Joc Pederson reached on a fielding error by second baseman Tommy Edman, and Mike Yastrzemski followed with an RBI double to bring the Giants within one. Sean Hjelle pitched a scoreless ninth for the win. The Giants have won four straight.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Charlie Blackmon homered and drove in two runs, Brenton Doyle had his first three major league hits and the Colorado Rockies beat the Cleveland Guardians 5-1 on Tuesday night to clinch their first series win this season. Blackmon hit his 40th leadoff homer on the second pitch of the game and had an RBI double off Peyton Battenfield (0-2) in a three-run second that built a 4-0 lead. He ranks ninth on the career leadoff homer list, four behind Brady Anderson. Kris Bryant singled Blackmon home, allowing him to tie Hall of Famer Larry Walker for second in Rockies history with 892 runs.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Luis Garcia scattered three hits over six innings and the Houston Astros ended the Tampa Bay Rays' 14-game season-opening home winning streak, 5-0. Only three teams had a longer run than the Rays, who are 20-4 overall. The 1880 Chicago White Stockings, who became the Cubs, hold the MLB record for the longest season-opening home streak with 21. The 1886 Detroit Wolverines had an 18-game stretch, while the 1884 St. Louis Maroons of the Union Association won 16 in a row, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. The announced crowd for the game between the MLB-best Rays and the defending World Series champion Astros at Tropicana Field was just 9,916.

UNDATED (AP) — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will step to the podium on Thursday on a giant stage in front of Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri, to announce the No. 1 pick. It'll make it the ninth draft since it left New York, and the event is becoming a major boon for the league, teams and host cities. So far, the draft has been held in Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, Nashville, Cleveland and Las Vegas. Detroit is up in 2024. The Chiefs just celebrated another Super Bowl ring with a parade, and will welcome even more fans to the draft and events being held at Union Station and the National WWI Museum and Memorial.

CHARLOTTE. N.C. (AP) — Carolina Panthers coach Frank Reich says he and general manager Scott Fitterer have reached an agreement on which quarterback the team will take with the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft. But Reich says the team won’t say who that is until Thursday night, when the draft begins. The Panthers are choosing between Alabama’s Bryce Young, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, Kentucky’s Will Levis and Florida’s Anthony Richardson in an effort to upgrade a quarterback position that has been in transition for the last five seasons. Fitterer said last week he had waited to ask Reich who he preferred at No. 1 so that nothing would cloud either decision maker’s judgement.

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — The Jets' deal to acquire Aaron Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers is a franchise-altering move that brings the four-time NFL MVP to a team that has the league’s longest postseason drought at 12 years. General manager Joe Douglas called it an “honor” to have a player of Rodgers’ caliber to want to play for the franchise and credited the culture coach Robert Saleh has cultivated during his two-plus seasons with the team. Douglas said there are still details that need to be finalized before the deal is completed. But Douglas said it is a "historic trade for this franchise.”

UNDATED (AP) — Lawmakers in Arkansas, Texas and elsewhere are working to remove barriers between college athletes trying to cash in on their fame and the schools for which they play. The latest legislative maneuvering paves the way for schools and their fundraising arms to be directly involved in securing and paying for their athletes’ name, image and likeness deals. These amended laws are also trying to shield athletic departments from NCAA enforcement. Meanwhile, college athletic administrators are discovering the benefits of moving NIL activities in-house.

PHOENIX (AP) — Devin Booker scored 47 points, including 25 in a spectacular third quarter, to lead the Phoenix Suns past the Los Angeles Clippers 136-130 and win the Western Conference first-round playoff series. The Clippers didn’t go quietly, nearly coming back from a 20-point deficit early in the fourth. Los Angeles had multiple chances to tie in the final three minutes, but could never convert. Durant made a layup to push Phoenix’s lead to 134-130 and then made two free throws to put the Suns up six with 31.3 seconds left. The Suns play the Denver Nuggets in the second round. Game 1 is on Saturday in Denver.

DENVER (AP) — The top-seeded Denver Nuggets eliminated the Minnesota Timberwolves with a 112-109 win in Game 5 of their playoff series at Ball Arena on Tuesday night. The Nuggets got a triple-double from Nikola Jokic and 35 points from Jamal Murray to hand Michael Malone his 25th playoff win as Denver's head coach. That surpasses the 24 wins Doug Moe won in the playoffs with the Nuggets. The Wolves were led by Anthony Edwards' 29 points, but his 3-pointer at the buzzer that would have sent the game into overtime hit the back of the iron.

BOSTON (AP) — Trae Young had 38 points and drained a go-ahead 3-pointer from beyond the top of the key with 2.8 seconds left to help the Atlanta Hawks cap a late comeback and beat the Boston Celtics 119-117. The victory trims Boston’s lead in the first-round playoff series to 3-2 and sends the teams back to Atlanta for Game 6 on Thursday. John Collins added 22 points for Atlanta, who played without Dejounte Murray, who was suspended for one game for bumping official Gediminas Petraitis with his chest while walking off the court after the end of Game 4. Jaylen Brown scored 35 points and Jayson Tatum added 19 for the Celtics, who were outscored 37-25 in the fourth quarter.

UNDATED (AP) — The Milwaukee Bucks, Memphis Grizzlies and Cleveland Cavaliers are hoping there’s truly no place like home. The teams that earned home-court advantage risk having their seasons end Wednesday night on their home floors in the first round of the NBA playoffs. Only Sacramento is guaranteed of playing on among the four Game 5s on tap Wednesday night. Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said they just have to go home and win a game. The Bucks are trying to avoid becoming the fourth No. 1 overall seed in the NBA playoffs since 1984 to go out in Round 1. Memphis will lean on the NBA's best home record to stay alive against LeBron James and the Lakers.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681297613631.jpeg" alt="Sports Headlines for Wednesday, April 26th" />
 <figcaption>Sports Headlines for Wednesday, April 26th</figcaption>
 </figure>PHOENIX (AP) — Scott Barlow got Christian Walker to hit into a game-ending groundout with runners on second and third, and the Kansas City Royals beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-4 for just their second win in 11 games. Brady Singer rebounded from three poor starts and the Royals tied their season high with 14 hits. Every starter except Franmil Reyes had at least one hit for the Royals. Kansas City is 6-18, including 5-6 on the road but just 1-12 at Kauffman Stadium. Corbin Carroll was a home run shy of the cycle for Arizona and stole two bases.SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Blake Sabol hit a game-ending two-run homer in the ninth inning, and the San Francisco Giants rallied past the St. Louis Cardinals 5-4. With two outs and a runner on second, Sabol sent Ryan Helsley’s 1-2 offering over the wall in center field for his first career walk-off homer. Helsley blew his third save of the year. San Francisco trailed 4-2 entering the ninth. Joc Pederson reached on a fielding error by second baseman Tommy Edman, and Mike Yastrzemski followed with an RBI double to bring the Giants within one. Sean Hjelle pitched a scoreless ninth for the win. The Giants have won four straight.CLEVELAND (AP) — Charlie Blackmon homered and drove in two runs, Brenton Doyle had his first three major league hits and the Colorado Rockies beat the Cleveland Guardians 5-1 on Tuesday night to clinch their first series win this season. Blackmon hit his 40th leadoff homer on the second pitch of the game and had an RBI double off Peyton Battenfield (0-2) in a three-run second that built a 4-0 lead. He ranks ninth on the career leadoff homer list, four behind Brady Anderson. Kris Bryant singled Blackmon home, allowing him to tie Hall of Famer Larry Walker for second in Rockies history with 892 runs.ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Luis Garcia scattered three hits over six innings and the Houston Astros ended the Tampa Bay Rays' 14-game season-opening home winning streak, 5-0. Only three teams had a longer run than the Rays, who are 20-4 overall. The 1880 Chicago White Stockings, who became the Cubs, hold the MLB record for the longest season-opening home streak with 21. The 1886 Detroit Wolverines had an 18-game stretch, while the 1884 St. Louis Maroons of the Union Association won 16 in a row, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. The announced crowd for the game between the MLB-best Rays and the defending World Series champion Astros at Tropicana Field was just 9,916.UNDATED (AP) — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will step to the podium on Thursday on a giant stage in front of Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri, to announce the No. 1 pick. It'll make it the ninth draft since it left New York, and the event is becoming a major boon for the league, teams and host cities. So far, the draft has been held in Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, Nashville, Cleveland and Las Vegas. Detroit is up in 2024. The Chiefs just celebrated another Super Bowl ring with a parade, and will welcome even more fans to the draft and events being held at Union Station and the National WWI Museum and Memorial.CHARLOTTE. N.C. (AP) — Carolina Panthers coach Frank Reich says he and general manager Scott Fitterer have reached an agreement on which quarterback the team will take with the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft. But Reich says the team won’t say who that is until Thursday night, when the draft begins. The Panthers are choosing between Alabama’s Bryce Young, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, Kentucky’s Will Levis and Florida’s Anthony Richardson in an effort to upgrade a quarterback position that has been in transition for the last five seasons. Fitterer said last week he had waited to ask Reich who he preferred at No. 1 so that nothing would cloud either decision maker’s judgement.FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — The Jets' deal to acquire Aaron Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers is a franchise-altering move that brings the four-time NFL MVP to a team that has the league’s longest postseason drought at 12 years. General manager Joe Douglas called it an “honor” to have a player of Rodgers’ caliber to want to play for the franchise and credited the culture coach Robert Saleh has cultivated during his two-plus seasons with the team. Douglas said there are still details that need to be finalized before the deal is completed. But Douglas said it is a "historic trade for this franchise.”UNDATED (AP) — Lawmakers in Arkansas, Texas and elsewhere are working to remove barriers between college athletes trying to cash in on their fame and the schools for which they play. The latest legislative maneuvering paves the way for schools and their fundraising arms to be directly involved in securing and paying for their athletes’ name, image and likeness deals. These amended laws are also trying to shield athletic departments from NCAA enforcement. Meanwhile, college athletic administrators are discovering the benefits of moving NIL activities in-house.PHOENIX (AP) — Devin Booker scored 47 points, including 25 in a spectacular third quarter, to lead the Phoenix Suns past the Los Angeles Clippers 136-130 and win the Western Conference first-round playoff series. The Clippers didn’t go quietly, nearly coming back from a 20-point deficit early in the fourth. Los Angeles had multiple chances to tie in the final three minutes, but could never convert. Durant made a layup to push Phoenix’s lead to 134-130 and then made two free throws to put the Suns up six with 31.3 seconds left. The Suns play the Denver Nuggets in the second round. Game 1 is on Saturday in Denver.DENVER (AP) — The top-seeded Denver Nuggets eliminated the Minnesota Timberwolves with a 112-109 win in Game 5 of their playoff series at Ball Arena on Tuesday night. The Nuggets got a triple-double from Nikola Jokic and 35 points from Jamal Murray to hand Michael Malone his 25th playoff win as Denver's head coach. That surpasses the 24 wins Doug Moe won in the playoffs with the Nuggets. The Wolves were led by Anthony Edwards' 29 points, but his 3-pointer at the buzzer that would have sent the game into overtime hit the back of the iron.BOSTON (AP) — Trae Young had 38 points and drained a go-ahead 3-pointer from beyond the top of the key with 2.8 seconds left to help the Atlanta Hawks cap a late comeback and beat the Boston Celtics 119-117. The victory trims Boston’s lead in the first-round playoff series to 3-2 and sends the teams back to Atlanta for Game 6 on Thursday. John Collins added 22 points for Atlanta, who played without Dejounte Murray, who was suspended for one game for bumping official Gediminas Petraitis with his chest while walking off the court after the end of Game 4. Jaylen Brown scored 35 points and Jayson Tatum added 19 for the Celtics, who were outscored 37-25 in the fourth quarter.UNDATED (AP) — The Milwaukee Bucks, Memphis Grizzlies and Cleveland Cavaliers are hoping there’s truly no place like home. The teams that earned home-court advantage risk having their seasons end Wednesday night on their home floors in the first round of the NBA playoffs. Only Sacramento is guaranteed of playing on among the four Game 5s on tap Wednesday night. Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said they just have to go home and win a game. The Bucks are trying to avoid becoming the fourth No. 1 overall seed in the NBA playoffs since 1984 to go out in Round 1. Memphis will lean on the NBA's best home record to stay alive against LeBron James and the Lakers.TUESDAY SCORESINTERLEAGUEFinal Colorado 5 Cleveland 1Final Cincinnati 7 Texas 6Final Seattle 5 Philadelphia 3Final Detroit 4 Milwaukee 3Final Kansas City 5 Arizona 4AMERICAN LEAGUEFinal Boston 8 Baltimore 6Final Houston 5 Tampa Bay 0Final Toronto 7 Chicago White Sox 0Final Minnesota 6 N.Y. Yankees 2Final L.A. Angels 5 Oakland 3NATIONAL LEAGUEFinal L.A. Dodgers 8 Pittsburgh 7Final Washington 5 N.Y. Mets 0Final Atlanta 7 Miami 4Final Chicago Cubs 6 San Diego 0Final San Francisco 5 St. Louis 4NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PLAYOFFSFinal Atlanta 119 Boston 117Final Denver 112 Minnesota 109Final Phoenix 136 L.A. Clippers 130NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFSFinal N-Y Islanders 3 Carolina 2Final Dallas 4 Minnesota 0Final Edmonton 6 Los Angeles 3<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;

📢📰 Sports Headlines for Wednesday

Via Hutchinson CC Sports Information

Hutchinson Community College freshman outfielder A.J. Mustow played a big role in the Blue Dragon baseball team's 5-0 week last week and was named the Jayhawk West Player of the Week on Tuesday.

Mustow, a 6-foot-4 freshman from Sydney, Australia, hit safely in all five games and drove in runs in 4 of 5 games to lead the Blue Dragons.

Mustow hit .550 for the week with four doubles, two home runs and 11 RBIs.

Mustow hit a key two-run home run in Hutchinson's 3-0 win in Game 3 of the Garden City series. He had a season-high four hits in the Dragons 19-9 win in Game 2 over the Busters.

Mustow had his first multi-home run game of the season with a pair of homers and four RBIs against the Sterling College JV. Mustow also had key outfield assist in throwing out a runner at the plate in the Dragons' 3-0 win over Garden City.

Mustow's weekly honor is the fourth time a Blue Dragon has been named a Jayhawk West Player of Pitcher of the Week this season.&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2022-23/bios/edmunson_will_rdcc">Will Edmunson</a>&nbsp;has been named the Player of the Week twice this season and&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2022-23/bios/mckee_gus_hrea">Gus McKay</a>&nbsp;was a Pitcher of the Week.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682531693372.png" alt="Freshman outfielder A.J. Mustow was named the Jayhawk West Player of the Week on Tuesday. (Billy Watson/Blue Dragon Sports Information)" />
 <figcaption>Freshman outfielder A.J. Mustow was named the Jayhawk West Player of the Week on Tuesday. (Billy Watson/Blue Dragon Sports Information)</figcaption>
 </figure>Via Hutchinson CC Sports InformationHutchinson Community College freshman outfielder A.J. Mustow played a big role in the Blue Dragon baseball team's 5-0 week last week and was named the Jayhawk West Player of the Week on Tuesday.Mustow, a 6-foot-4 freshman from Sydney, Australia, hit safely in all five games and drove in runs in 4 of 5 games to lead the Blue Dragons.Mustow hit .550 for the week with four doubles, two home runs and 11 RBIs.Mustow hit a key two-run home run in Hutchinson's 3-0 win in Game 3 of the Garden City series. He had a season-high four hits in the Dragons 19-9 win in Game 2 over the Busters.Mustow had his first multi-home run game of the season with a pair of homers and four RBIs against the Sterling College JV. Mustow also had key outfield assist in throwing out a runner at the plate in the Dragons' 3-0 win over Garden City.Mustow's weekly honor is the fourth time a Blue Dragon has been named a Jayhawk West Player of Pitcher of the Week this season.&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2022-23/bios/edmunson_will_rdcc">Will Edmunson</a>&nbsp;has been named the Player of the Week twice this season and&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2022-23/bios/mckee_gus_hrea">Gus McKay</a>&nbsp;was a Pitcher of the Week.<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;

⚾️ Blue Dragons Mustow named KJCCC West player of the week

With the potential of rain on both Wednesday and Friday in South-Central Kansas, the No. 14-ranked Hutchinson Community College softball team has announced an altered schedule for the final week of the 2023 season on Tuesday.

The original schedule had the Blue Dragons playing Seward County on Wednesday, the McPherson College JV on Friday and Pratt on Saturday, all games were to be at Fun Valley.

The altered schedule now has the Blue Dragons playing:

+ Seward County in a Jayhawk Conference doubleheader at 3 and 5 p.m. on Thursday at Fun Valley.

+ Pratt in a Jayhawk Conference doubleheader at 1 and 3 p.m. on Saturday at Fun Valley.

The McPherson College JV doubleheader has been cancelled.

Saturday's doubleheader with Pratt will also be Sophomore Recognition Day and Cancer Awareness Day.

The Blue Dragons enter the final week of the regular season in first place in the Jayhawk Conference at 37-6 overall and 25-3 in the KJCCC, one game ahead of second-place Butler.

<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/2023/4/1682531952478.png" alt="Blue Dragon Softball alters its schedule for the final week of the regular season, playing host to Seward County on Thursday and Pratt on Saturday. (Sammi Carpenter/Blue Dragon Sports Information)" />
 <figcaption>Blue Dragon Softball alters its schedule for the final week of the regular season, playing host to Seward County on Thursday and Pratt on Saturday. (Sammi Carpenter/Blue Dragon Sports Information)</figcaption>
 </figure>Via Hutchinson CC Sports InformationWith the potential of rain on both Wednesday and Friday in South-Central Kansas, the No. 14-ranked Hutchinson Community College softball team has announced an altered schedule for the final week of the 2023 season on Tuesday.The original schedule had the Blue Dragons playing Seward County on Wednesday, the McPherson College JV on Friday and Pratt on Saturday, all games were to be at Fun Valley.The altered schedule now has the Blue Dragons playing:+ Seward County in a Jayhawk Conference doubleheader at 3 and 5 p.m. on Thursday at Fun Valley.+ Pratt in a Jayhawk Conference doubleheader at 1 and 3 p.m. on Saturday at Fun Valley.The McPherson College JV doubleheader has been cancelled.Saturday's doubleheader with Pratt will also be Sophomore Recognition Day and Cancer Awareness Day.The Blue Dragons enter the final week of the regular season in first place in the Jayhawk Conference at 37-6 overall and 25-3 in the KJCCC, one game ahead of second-place Butler.<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 Dragon Softball alters this week's schedule

<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2022-23/files/District_-_Final_Team.pdf">CLICK FOR FINAL CENTRAL DISTRICT TEAM RESULTS</a> <a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2022-23/files/District_-_Final_Player.pdf">CLICK FOR FINAL CENTRAL DISTRICT PLAYER RESULTS</a>

WICHITA – After a huge rebound round on Tuesday, the streak is intact for the No. 2-ranked Hutchinson Community College men's golf team.

The Blue Dragons rallied with the best team round of the NJCAA Central District/Region VI Championship to finish third overall at Crestview Country Club's North Course and earn an automatic bid to nationals for the 22nd-straight season.

The Blue Dragons shot 3-under par 285 on Tuesday and jumped two spots in the team standings to third with a 54-hole total of 892.

The two-time defending national champion Blue Dragons will now play in their 25th overall national tournament on May 16-19 at Sand Creek Station in Newton.

After shooting 31 strokes over par through 36 holes on Monday, the Blue Dragons led Barton by four strokes for the fifth and final automatic qualifying spot.

Starting with a birdie and eagle from sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2022-23/bios/saffell_blake_2ov2">Blake Saffell</a>&nbsp;in the first nine holes, the Blue Dragons returned to form after a rough opening two rounds and the Dragons started to climb the team standings.

Counting scores of Saffell's 4-under 68, even par 72s from sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2022-23/bios/clemons_dominic_18vf">Dominic Clemons</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2022-23/bios/anderson_marco_z2pq">Marco Anderson</a>&nbsp;and 1-over 73 from&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2022-23/bios/lindstrom_alex_7wqw">Alex Lindstrom</a>, the Blue Dragons posted the best team round of the tournament at 285, moving past Iowa Western and Garden City to finish third in the district and second in the region.

Dodge City won both the district and team title at 13-over par 877 after a final round 292 on Tuesday. Indian Hills was second in the district after a Tuesday round of 295 and 54-hole total of 883. Garden City (896) and Iowa Western (899) were the other automatic qualifiers.

Lindstrom was the only Blue Dragon to finish in the Individual Top 10, tying for seventh place. Lindstrom struggled early in the final round reaching 4-over par through seven holes played. Lindstrom then played 3-under par over the remaining 11 holes to finish at 1-over 73 and tied for seventh at 4-over 220.

Anderson tied for 14th overall at 8-over 224. After rounds of 73 and 79 on Monday, Anderson had a steady final round of three birdies and three bogeys for an even-par 72. Anderson was 2-over through 15 holes, but had back-to-back birdies on his 16th and 17th holes to pull to level par for the round.

Both Saffell and Clemons tied for 17th at 226.

Saffell had the biggest recovery from the rough Monday where he posted back-to-back 79s. Starting his day on hole No. 6, Saffell birdied No. 11 and had an eagle on No. 14 to drop to 3-under for the round. Saffell had a bogey on No. 16, but erased that with a birdie on No. 18. Saffell added a birdie on No. 2 to post the best individual round and only sub-70 round of the tournament with a 68.

Clemons started the day with two bogeys over his first four holes, but carded birdies on Nos. 18 and No. 4 – Clemon's final hole of the tournament – to finish at 72 for the round.

Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2022-23/bios/svederman_kalle_hvj9">Kalle Svederman</a>&nbsp;shot a final round 2-over 74 on Tuesday and completed the tournament tied for 23rd at 228.

Blue Dragon individual player&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2022-23/bios/galvin_louis_mscz">Louis Galvin</a>&nbsp;shot a 74 on Tuesday and finished tied for 23rd at 228.&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2022-23/bios/sauder_brooks_5d71">Brooks Sauder</a>&nbsp;closed with an 82 on Tuesday and finished tied for 52nd at 253.

There was a three-way tie for the District individual championship between Garden City's Joshua Balson-Scales, Dodge City's Arthit Kruaprayong and Coffeyville's Braden Smith at 2-over 218.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682506457701.jpeg" alt="Marco Anderson chips onto the first green during the final round of the NJCAA Central District Championship on Tuesday at Crestview Country Club in Wichita. (Steve Carpenter/Blue Dragon Sports Information) " />
 <figcaption>Marco Anderson chips onto the first green during the final round of the NJCAA Central District Championship on Tuesday at Crestview Country Club in Wichita. (Steve Carpenter/Blue Dragon Sports Information) </figcaption>
 </figure>Via Hutchinson CC Sports Information<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2022-23/files/District_-_Final_Team.pdf">CLICK FOR FINAL CENTRAL DISTRICT TEAM RESULTS</a> <a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2022-23/files/District_-_Final_Player.pdf">CLICK FOR FINAL CENTRAL DISTRICT PLAYER RESULTS</a>WICHITA – After a huge rebound round on Tuesday, the streak is intact for the No. 2-ranked Hutchinson Community College men's golf team.The Blue Dragons rallied with the best team round of the NJCAA Central District/Region VI Championship to finish third overall at Crestview Country Club's North Course and earn an automatic bid to nationals for the 22nd-straight season.The Blue Dragons shot 3-under par 285 on Tuesday and jumped two spots in the team standings to third with a 54-hole total of 892.The two-time defending national champion Blue Dragons will now play in their 25th overall national tournament on May 16-19 at Sand Creek Station in Newton.After shooting 31 strokes over par through 36 holes on Monday, the Blue Dragons led Barton by four strokes for the fifth and final automatic qualifying spot.Starting with a birdie and eagle from sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2022-23/bios/saffell_blake_2ov2">Blake Saffell</a>&nbsp;in the first nine holes, the Blue Dragons returned to form after a rough opening two rounds and the Dragons started to climb the team standings.Counting scores of Saffell's 4-under 68, even par 72s from sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2022-23/bios/clemons_dominic_18vf">Dominic Clemons</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2022-23/bios/anderson_marco_z2pq">Marco Anderson</a>&nbsp;and 1-over 73 from&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2022-23/bios/lindstrom_alex_7wqw">Alex Lindstrom</a>, the Blue Dragons posted the best team round of the tournament at 285, moving past Iowa Western and Garden City to finish third in the district and second in the region.Dodge City won both the district and team title at 13-over par 877 after a final round 292 on Tuesday. Indian Hills was second in the district after a Tuesday round of 295 and 54-hole total of 883. Garden City (896) and Iowa Western (899) were the other automatic qualifiers.Lindstrom was the only Blue Dragon to finish in the Individual Top 10, tying for seventh place. Lindstrom struggled early in the final round reaching 4-over par through seven holes played. Lindstrom then played 3-under par over the remaining 11 holes to finish at 1-over 73 and tied for seventh at 4-over 220.Anderson tied for 14th overall at 8-over 224. After rounds of 73 and 79 on Monday, Anderson had a steady final round of three birdies and three bogeys for an even-par 72. Anderson was 2-over through 15 holes, but had back-to-back birdies on his 16th and 17th holes to pull to level par for the round.Both Saffell and Clemons tied for 17th at 226.Saffell had the biggest recovery from the rough Monday where he posted back-to-back 79s. Starting his day on hole No. 6, Saffell birdied No. 11 and had an eagle on No. 14 to drop to 3-under for the round. Saffell had a bogey on No. 16, but erased that with a birdie on No. 18. Saffell added a birdie on No. 2 to post the best individual round and only sub-70 round of the tournament with a 68.Clemons started the day with two bogeys over his first four holes, but carded birdies on Nos. 18 and No. 4 – Clemon's final hole of the tournament – to finish at 72 for the round.Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2022-23/bios/svederman_kalle_hvj9">Kalle Svederman</a>&nbsp;shot a final round 2-over 74 on Tuesday and completed the tournament tied for 23rd at 228.Blue Dragon individual player&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2022-23/bios/galvin_louis_mscz">Louis Galvin</a>&nbsp;shot a 74 on Tuesday and finished tied for 23rd at 228.&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2022-23/bios/sauder_brooks_5d71">Brooks Sauder</a>&nbsp;closed with an 82 on Tuesday and finished tied for 52nd at 253.There was a three-way tie for the District individual championship between Garden City's Joshua Balson-Scales, Dodge City's Arthit Kruaprayong and Coffeyville's Braden Smith at 2-over 218.<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;

⛳️ HutchCC Golfers qualify for Nationals for 22nd straight season

PHOENIX (AP) —&nbsp; Scott Barlow got Christian Walker to hit into a game-ending groundout with runners on second and third, and the Kansas City Royals beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-4 on Tuesday night for just their second win in 11 games.

Brady Singer (2-2) rebounded from three poor starts and the Royals tied their season high with 14 hits. Every starter except Franmil Reyes had at least one hit for the Royals. Kansas City is 6-18, including 5-6 on the road but just 1-12 at Kauffman Stadium.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1675161818500.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>PHOENIX (AP) —&nbsp; Scott Barlow got Christian Walker to hit into a game-ending groundout with runners on second and third, and the Kansas City Royals beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-4 on Tuesday night for just their second win in 11 games.Brady Singer (2-2) rebounded from three poor starts and the Royals tied their season high with 14 hits. Every starter except Franmil Reyes had at least one hit for the Royals. Kansas City is 6-18, including 5-6 on the road but just 1-12 at Kauffman Stadium.Corbin Carroll was a home run shy of the cycle for Arizona and stole two bases.After allowing 18 runs over 16 innings in his prior three outings, Singer gave up one run and five hits in six innings and lowered his ERA from 8.14 to 6.67.“I don't know if I've gotten through a first inning cleanly this year,” Singer said. "I wanted to set the tone early.“The slider was the difference. (There was) a lot better late break to that pitch. The changeup was really productive too.”“Really encouraging, obviously nice outing for him but also for the team," Royals manager Matt Quatraro said of Singer. "Those guys present a lot of challenges with their lineup, so I was really happy for him.”Kansas City opened a 5-2 lead on Anthony Misiewicz's run-scoring wild pitch in the eighth, but Arizona closed in the bottom half on Emmanuel Rivera's two-run single off Aroldis Chapman. Rivera moved to second on Bobby Witt Jr.'s throwing error, but Barlow relieved and struck out Gabriel Moreno and Alek Thomas.“He came in there in a huge spot and got those two strikeouts,” Matt Quatraro said.Geraldo Perdomo doubled leading off the ninth and took third on a groundout. Carroll walked with two outs and stole second, and Barlow retired Walker for his third save.Ryne Nelson (1-1) gave up four runs and 11 hits in five innings.“He was in a little bit of a fistfight all day,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “He was battling the command of his (offspeed pitches); I thought he got into a good rhythm with his fastball.“We had some opportunities and hit some balls hard, just had nothing to show for it.”Edward Olivares hit an RBI single in the first and Nicky Lopez doubled the lead with a run-scoring single in the fourth. Walker had an RBI groundout in the bottom half, but Kansas City opened a 4-1 lead in the fifth when Michael Massey hit a run-scoring single and Reyes followed with a sacrifice fly.Josh Rojas' sacrifice fly cut Arizona's deficit to 4-2 in the seventh.MOVESRivera was called up because OF Jake McCarthy was optioned to Triple-A Reno by Arizona after Monday’s game. McCarthy was batting .143 in 22 games after hitting .283 with 23 stolen bases as a rookie last year. “Things just weren’t trending in a positive direction,” Lovullo said.TRAINER’S ROOMRoyals: C MJ Melendez (lower back tightness) is “feeling better,” according to manager Matt Quatraro. Melendez left Sunday’s game against Toronto and sat out Monday. ... Quatraro aid LHP Daniel Lynch (rotator cuff strain) had a good bullpen session in nearby Surprise and could make a rehab start in a week.Diamondbacks: Walker (forearm) returned to the starting lineup after making a pinch hitting appearance Monday.NEXTKansas City LHP Ryan Yarbrough (0-2, 7.62) makes his first start of the season against Arizona ace Zac Gallen (3-1, 2.59) in Wednesday's series finale.