KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kevin Gausman pitched six scoreless innings, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Cavan Biggio hit home runs and the Toronto Blue Jays won their third straight game, 6-3, over the Kansas City Royals to take the four-game series. Gausman gave up just four hits to the struggling Royals, striking out seven and walking two. Kansas City did not have a runner reach second base until the sixth inning. The Royals scored three runs in the eighth to avoid their fourth shutout of the season. Adam Cimber earned his first save. Jordan Lyles took the loss. He allowed five runs on eight hits in 5 2/3 innings.

DENVER (AP) — Denver native Kyle Freeland began the show and fellow Mile High City product Pierce Johnson wrapped it up. From start to finish, the pitchers who grew up going to games at Coors Field shined. Freeland pitched four-hit ball over 6 2/3 innings, Johnson threw a perfect ninth and the Colorado Rockies won their home opener 1-0 over the Washington Nationals on Thursday. Kris Bryant drove in the only run with a single in the fifth. It was the 12th 1-0 game in Denver — the 11th at Coors Field — and first since July 4, 2018, when Colorado beat San Francisco.

UNDATED (AP) — A San Francisco Giants minor leaguer called Fernando Tatis Jr. a “cheater” on Twitter after the suspended San Diego Padres superstar hit a mammoth homer in a Triple-A game while on a rehab assignment. Kade McClure of the Sacramento River Cats responded to a tweet that included video of the homer by saying, “cheater hits a homerun on a rehab assignment during a steroid suspension.” Tatis is playing for the El Paso Chihuahuas on a rehab assignment while finishing the 80-game suspension he received Aug. 12 after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug. He’ll be eligible to join the active roster on April 20.

UNDATED (AP) — The past two national champions will meet when Connecticut visits Kansas as part of the Big East-Big 12 Battle next season. The announcement of the fifth year in the scheduling alliance comes four days after the Huskies beat San Diego State for the NCAA Tournament title. Kansas, the 2022 champ, lost in the second round in a record 33rd consecutive tournament appearance. The Huskies-Jayhawks meeting highlights the Dec. 1 slate of games. Texas and Oklahoma are part of the schedule in their final Big 12 season before joining the Southeastern Conference.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Brooks Koepka is in a three-way share of the lead at the Masters with Jon Rahm and Viktor Hovland. Koepka is trying to regain his reputation as a major player. Right now he gets attention as a surprise defector to Saudi-based LIV Golf. All he cares about his having healthy legs. He opened with a 65. Rahm was even more spectacular in his round of 65. That's because he four-putted for double bogey on the first hole. He followed with seven birdies and an eagle. Hovland played bogey-free. Tiger Woods limped his way to a 74 and was nine back.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A new rule proposed by the Biden administration would prevent schools and colleges from enacting outright bans on transgender athletes, but it would allow certain exceptions to promote fairness or reduce injuries. The proposal sends a political counterpunch toward a wave of Republican-led states that have sought to ban trans athletes from competing in school sports. If finalized, it would become enshrined as a provision of Title IX, the landmark gender equity legislation enacted in 1972. It must undergo a lengthy approval process, however, and it’s almost certain to face challenges from opponents.

Final San Francisco 16 Chicago White Sox 6

N-Y Yankees at Baltimore 3:05 p.m. (Postponed)

Houston at Minnesota 4:10 p.m. (Postponed)

Cincinnati at Philadelphia 3:05 p.m. (Postponed)

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680863540080.jpeg" alt="Sports Headlines for Friday Morning" />
 <figcaption>Sports Headlines for Friday Morning</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kevin Gausman pitched six scoreless innings, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Cavan Biggio hit home runs and the Toronto Blue Jays won their third straight game, 6-3, over the Kansas City Royals to take the four-game series. Gausman gave up just four hits to the struggling Royals, striking out seven and walking two. Kansas City did not have a runner reach second base until the sixth inning. The Royals scored three runs in the eighth to avoid their fourth shutout of the season. Adam Cimber earned his first save. Jordan Lyles took the loss. He allowed five runs on eight hits in 5 2/3 innings.DENVER (AP) — Denver native Kyle Freeland began the show and fellow Mile High City product Pierce Johnson wrapped it up. From start to finish, the pitchers who grew up going to games at Coors Field shined. Freeland pitched four-hit ball over 6 2/3 innings, Johnson threw a perfect ninth and the Colorado Rockies won their home opener 1-0 over the Washington Nationals on Thursday. Kris Bryant drove in the only run with a single in the fifth. It was the 12th 1-0 game in Denver — the 11th at Coors Field — and first since July 4, 2018, when Colorado beat San Francisco.UNDATED (AP) — A San Francisco Giants minor leaguer called Fernando Tatis Jr. a “cheater” on Twitter after the suspended San Diego Padres superstar hit a mammoth homer in a Triple-A game while on a rehab assignment. Kade McClure of the Sacramento River Cats responded to a tweet that included video of the homer by saying, “cheater hits a homerun on a rehab assignment during a steroid suspension.” Tatis is playing for the El Paso Chihuahuas on a rehab assignment while finishing the 80-game suspension he received Aug. 12 after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug. He’ll be eligible to join the active roster on April 20.UNDATED (AP) — The past two national champions will meet when Connecticut visits Kansas as part of the Big East-Big 12 Battle next season. The announcement of the fifth year in the scheduling alliance comes four days after the Huskies beat San Diego State for the NCAA Tournament title. Kansas, the 2022 champ, lost in the second round in a record 33rd consecutive tournament appearance. The Huskies-Jayhawks meeting highlights the Dec. 1 slate of games. Texas and Oklahoma are part of the schedule in their final Big 12 season before joining the Southeastern Conference.AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Brooks Koepka is in a three-way share of the lead at the Masters with Jon Rahm and Viktor Hovland. Koepka is trying to regain his reputation as a major player. Right now he gets attention as a surprise defector to Saudi-based LIV Golf. All he cares about his having healthy legs. He opened with a 65. Rahm was even more spectacular in his round of 65. That's because he four-putted for double bogey on the first hole. He followed with seven birdies and an eagle. Hovland played bogey-free. Tiger Woods limped his way to a 74 and was nine back.WASHINGTON (AP) — A new rule proposed by the Biden administration would prevent schools and colleges from enacting outright bans on transgender athletes, but it would allow certain exceptions to promote fairness or reduce injuries. The proposal sends a political counterpunch toward a wave of Republican-led states that have sought to ban trans athletes from competing in school sports. If finalized, it would become enshrined as a provision of Title IX, the landmark gender equity legislation enacted in 1972. It must undergo a lengthy approval process, however, and it’s almost certain to face challenges from opponents.THURSAY SCORESINTERLEAGUEFinal San Francisco 16 Chicago White Sox 6AMERICAN LEAGUEN-Y Yankees at Baltimore 3:05 p.m. (Postponed)Houston at Minnesota 4:10 p.m. (Postponed)Final Boston 6 Detroit 3Final Toronto 6 Kansas City 3NATIONAL LEAGUEMiami at N-Y Mets 1:10 p.m. (Postponed)Cincinnati at Philadelphia 3:05 p.m. (Postponed)Final Colorado 1 Washington 0Final Atlanta 7 San Diego 6Final L.A. Dodgers 5 Arizona 2NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATIONFinal Cleveland 118 Orlando 94Final Miami 129 Philadelphia 101Final San Antonio 129 Portland 127Final Oklahoma City 114 Utah 98Final Phoenix 119 Denver 115NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUEFinal New Jersey 8 Columbus 1Final Pittsburgh 4 Minnesota 1Final OT Boston 2 Toronto 1Final Montreal 6 Washington 2Final SO Buffalo 7 Detroit 6Final Florida 7 Ottawa 2Final N-Y Islanders 6 Tampa Bay 1Final OT St. Louis 3 N-Y Rangers 2Final Nashville 3 Carolina 0Final Dallas 4 Philadelphia 1Final Vancouver 3 Chicago 0Final Vegas 5 Los Angeles 2Final Colorado 6 San Jose 2Final Seattle 4 Arizona 2

📢📰 Sports Headlines for Friday

<a href="https://kuathletics.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3846a6408b9536a51afeabac1&amp;id=1fea3c369b&amp;e=33e05464a3" target="_blank">Box Score</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3846a6408b9536a51afeabac1&amp;id=af800d0575&amp;e=33e05464a3" target="_blank">Season Stats</a>

LAWRENCE, Kan. —&nbsp;The Kansas softball team (19-15, 1-3 Big 12) fell to No. 2 Oklahoma State 7-5 Thursday night at Arrocha Ballpark.

The Jayhawks outhit the Cowgirls 10-7, which marked the first time Oklahoma State has been outhit this season. However, a go-ahead home run in the top of the seventh lifted OSU to the win.

Oklahoma State (33-3, 4-0 Big 12) scored first, getting four runs across in the top of the second thanks to two doubles and a single.

Junior Savanna DesRochers entered the game in relief in the second inning. DesRochers pitched 4.1 innings, only allowing two hits and one run, and keeping OSU scoreless for three straight innings.

The Jayhawks cut into the lead in the bottom of the fifth. After junior Sophia Buzard drew a walk and senior Haleigh Harper put down a sacrifice bunt, senior Shayna Espy singled through the right side to score Buzard from second to give Kansas its first run.

In the next at-bat, freshman Presley Limbaugh singled to short and advanced to second on a throwing error. Espy came in to score and cut the deficit to two runs at 4-2.

The Cowgirls would add to their lead in the sixth. A sacrifice-fly with a runner on second and third scored the run and made the score 5-2.

However, Kansas would respond in the bottom half of the sixth. DesRochers would add to her stellar game. Junior Lyric Moore and freshman Aynslee Linduff singled to put runners on first and second. Following the single from Linduff, DesRochers doubled down the right-field line, scoring Moore and putting two runners in scoring position.

Harper notched her first hit of the evening in a clutch way, tripling down the right-field line amd clearing the bases and tying the game at 5-5.

Freshman Lizzy Ludwig came into the circle in the seventh. With two outs in the top of the seventh, Oklahoma State hit a go-ahead two-run homer to left, giving them a two-run lead. The Jayhawks were unable to come back again in the bottom of the seventh.

Junior Addison Purvis got the start in the circle, throwing just 1.2 innings. Purvis walked one batter and allowed four runs on four hits.

The Jayhawks will continue their series against Oklahoma State Friday night, April 7, at 5 p.m. CT at Arrocha Ballpark. The first 500 fans through the gate will receive a Kansas softball rally towel!

<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/2023/4/1680865476344.jpeg" alt="KU Softball comes up short vs OSU. Via KU Sports." />
 <figcaption>KU Softball comes up short vs OSU. Via KU Sports.</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://kuathletics.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3846a6408b9536a51afeabac1&amp;id=1fea3c369b&amp;e=33e05464a3" target="_blank">Box Score</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3846a6408b9536a51afeabac1&amp;id=af800d0575&amp;e=33e05464a3" target="_blank">Season Stats</a>LAWRENCE, Kan. —&nbsp;The Kansas softball team (19-15, 1-3 Big 12) fell to No. 2 Oklahoma State 7-5 Thursday night at Arrocha Ballpark.The Jayhawks outhit the Cowgirls 10-7, which marked the first time Oklahoma State has been outhit this season. However, a go-ahead home run in the top of the seventh lifted OSU to the win.Oklahoma State (33-3, 4-0 Big 12) scored first, getting four runs across in the top of the second thanks to two doubles and a single.Junior Savanna DesRochers entered the game in relief in the second inning. DesRochers pitched 4.1 innings, only allowing two hits and one run, and keeping OSU scoreless for three straight innings.The Jayhawks cut into the lead in the bottom of the fifth. After junior Sophia Buzard drew a walk and senior Haleigh Harper put down a sacrifice bunt, senior Shayna Espy singled through the right side to score Buzard from second to give Kansas its first run.In the next at-bat, freshman Presley Limbaugh singled to short and advanced to second on a throwing error. Espy came in to score and cut the deficit to two runs at 4-2.The Cowgirls would add to their lead in the sixth. A sacrifice-fly with a runner on second and third scored the run and made the score 5-2.However, Kansas would respond in the bottom half of the sixth. DesRochers would add to her stellar game. Junior Lyric Moore and freshman Aynslee Linduff singled to put runners on first and second. Following the single from Linduff, DesRochers doubled down the right-field line, scoring Moore and putting two runners in scoring position.Harper notched her first hit of the evening in a clutch way, tripling down the right-field line amd clearing the bases and tying the game at 5-5.Freshman Lizzy Ludwig came into the circle in the seventh. With two outs in the top of the seventh, Oklahoma State hit a go-ahead two-run homer to left, giving them a two-run lead. The Jayhawks were unable to come back again in the bottom of the seventh.Junior Addison Purvis got the start in the circle, throwing just 1.2 innings. Purvis walked one batter and allowed four runs on four hits.UP NEXTThe Jayhawks will continue their series against Oklahoma State Friday night, April 7, at 5 p.m. CT at Arrocha Ballpark. The first 500 fans through the gate will receive a Kansas softball rally towel!<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;

🥎 SB: Jayhawks fall short in comeback attempt

<a href="https://kuathletics.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3846a6408b9536a51afeabac1&amp;id=66eb48b1b4&amp;e=33e05464a3" target="_blank">Watch</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3846a6408b9536a51afeabac1&amp;id=cbadeb3c3f&amp;e=33e05464a3" target="_blank">Listen</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3846a6408b9536a51afeabac1&amp;id=17bdca6825&amp;e=33e05464a3" target="_blank">Live Stats</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3846a6408b9536a51afeabac1&amp;id=0679ef470e&amp;e=33e05464a3" target="_blank">Kansas Notes</a>

LAWRENCE, Kan. —&nbsp;The Kansas softball team continues its conference play this weekend against No. 2 Oklahoma State at Arrocha Ballpark. All three games will be streamed via Big 12 Now on ESPN+ with the April 6 and 7 games starting at 5 p.m. CT and the April 8 battle starting at 12 p.m.

The Jayhawks have a 19-14 (1-2 Big 12) record so far this season, after going 1-2 at No. 21 Baylor last weekend, their first win over a NFCA top-25 team this season. Oklahoma State 32-3 (3-0 Big 12) and ranked No. 2 in the NFCA Coaches Poll. The Cowgirls had their Big 12 bye week last weekend, sweeping Baylor the weekend prior.

At Baylor, the Kansas pitching staff finished with an ERA of 1.47, only allowing eight runs in three games. Freshman reliever Lizzy Ludwig leads the way with an ERA of 1.35 and her three saves are tied for the second-most in the Big 12.

Senior center fielder Shayna Espy has a team-high .306 batting average and junior catcher Lyric Moore leads the team with 27 hits and nine doubles.

Bruno has been an on-base machine this year, with an on-base percentage of .457. She is currently on an 11-game on-base streak. After being named a unanimous Preseason All-Big 12 selection prior to the season, Bruno leads the team with five home runs.

Two freshmen, Presley Limbaugh and Aynslee Linduff, have both started in at least 20 games in the outfield this season and have batting averages just below .300 (Limbaugh at .289 and Linduff at .294).

All three games will be streamed via&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3846a6408b9536a51afeabac1&amp;id=16b72be14d&amp;e=33e05464a3" target="_blank">Big 12 Now on ESPN+</a>, while live stats will also be available on&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3846a6408b9536a51afeabac1&amp;id=f90e8f9039&amp;e=33e05464a3" target="_blank">kuathletics.com</a>. Fans can also follow the official&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3846a6408b9536a51afeabac1&amp;id=d6f835c7c5&amp;e=33e05464a3" target="_blank">Kansas Softball Twitter</a>&nbsp;account for live updates.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680779958658.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://kuathletics.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3846a6408b9536a51afeabac1&amp;id=66eb48b1b4&amp;e=33e05464a3" target="_blank">Watch</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3846a6408b9536a51afeabac1&amp;id=cbadeb3c3f&amp;e=33e05464a3" target="_blank">Listen</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3846a6408b9536a51afeabac1&amp;id=17bdca6825&amp;e=33e05464a3" target="_blank">Live Stats</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3846a6408b9536a51afeabac1&amp;id=0679ef470e&amp;e=33e05464a3" target="_blank">Kansas Notes</a>LAWRENCE, Kan. —&nbsp;The Kansas softball team continues its conference play this weekend against No. 2 Oklahoma State at Arrocha Ballpark. All three games will be streamed via Big 12 Now on ESPN+ with the April 6 and 7 games starting at 5 p.m. CT and the April 8 battle starting at 12 p.m.The Jayhawks have a 19-14 (1-2 Big 12) record so far this season, after going 1-2 at No. 21 Baylor last weekend, their first win over a NFCA top-25 team this season. Oklahoma State 32-3 (3-0 Big 12) and ranked No. 2 in the NFCA Coaches Poll. The Cowgirls had their Big 12 bye week last weekend, sweeping Baylor the weekend prior.At Baylor, the Kansas pitching staff finished with an ERA of 1.47, only allowing eight runs in three games. Freshman reliever Lizzy Ludwig leads the way with an ERA of 1.35 and her three saves are tied for the second-most in the Big 12.Senior center fielder Shayna Espy has a team-high .306 batting average and junior catcher Lyric Moore leads the team with 27 hits and nine doubles.Bruno has been an on-base machine this year, with an on-base percentage of .457. She is currently on an 11-game on-base streak. After being named a unanimous Preseason All-Big 12 selection prior to the season, Bruno leads the team with five home runs.Two freshmen, Presley Limbaugh and Aynslee Linduff, have both started in at least 20 games in the outfield this season and have batting averages just below .300 (Limbaugh at .289 and Linduff at .294).HOW TO FOLLOW ALONGAll three games will be streamed via&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3846a6408b9536a51afeabac1&amp;id=16b72be14d&amp;e=33e05464a3" target="_blank">Big 12 Now on ESPN+</a>, while live stats will also be available on&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3846a6408b9536a51afeabac1&amp;id=f90e8f9039&amp;e=33e05464a3" target="_blank">kuathletics.com</a>. Fans can also follow the official&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3846a6408b9536a51afeabac1&amp;id=d6f835c7c5&amp;e=33e05464a3" target="_blank">Kansas Softball Twitter</a>&nbsp;account for live updates.

🥎 SB: Kansas hosts No. 2 Oklahoma State in Big 12 play this weekend

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650996868984.jpeg" alt="Eagle MEDIA Sports for April 6th" />
 <figcaption>Eagle MEDIA Sports for April 6th</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="Eagle Media Sports for Thursday, April 6th, 2023" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=yzu8f-13d93a1-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=1&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=7"></iframe></div><a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile&nbsp;app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

🎙 Eagle Media Sports for Thursday, April 6th

IRVING, Texas — The Big 12 and BIG EAST Conferences have announced the 2023 schedule for the BIG EAST-Big 12 Battle, the men's basketball non-conference scheduling alliance that is in its fifth year. Games this season will be played from Nov. 30 to Dec. 5. With each conference adding member schools since the start of the original agreement, the Battle will increase from 10 to 11 matchups for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons. The Big 12 will host six games in 2023-24 while the BIG EAST will host six the following season. The Battle matchups are jointly determined by the two conferences, with the home team choosing the venue of its game. Broadcast arrangements for the contests will be determined by the national television rights holder of the home team, which is ESPN for the Big 12 and FOX Sports for the BIG EAST. Game times and television networks will be announced when available.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678363413755.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRVING, Texas — The Big 12 and BIG EAST Conferences have announced the 2023 schedule for the BIG EAST-Big 12 Battle, the men's basketball non-conference scheduling alliance that is in its fifth year. Games this season will be played from Nov. 30 to Dec. 5. With each conference adding member schools since the start of the original agreement, the Battle will increase from 10 to 11 matchups for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons. The Big 12 will host six games in 2023-24 while the BIG EAST will host six the following season. The Battle matchups are jointly determined by the two conferences, with the home team choosing the venue of its game. Broadcast arrangements for the contests will be determined by the national television rights holder of the home team, which is ESPN for the Big 12 and FOX Sports for the BIG EAST. Game times and television networks will be announced when available.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 MBB: 2023 BIG EAST-Big 12 Battle schedule announced

LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;Following back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances and a Sweet 16 run in 2021, Kansas Volleyball Coach Ray Bechard has signed a three-year contract extension through the 2025 season, Director of Athletics Travis Goff announced Thursday. &nbsp; Bechard just concluded his 25th&nbsp;season as head coach of Kansas and has amassed a record of 446-301 with 11 NCAA Tournament appearances leading the Jayhawks. Last season, after a 3-0 sweep of West Virginia, Bechard moved into second all-time in the Big 12 Conference in league wins with 209. He also guided the Jayhawks to the NCAA Final Four and a 30-3 season in 2015. &nbsp; “Coach Bechard has long been a national leader in the sport of volleyball, a key fixture for Kansas Athletics and in our community, and has elevated our entire department on a daily basis,” Goff said. “He is an exceptional mentor and embodies what it means to be a Jayhawk. As much success as the program has already experienced over the past 25 years, I am incredibly excited about the future of Kansas Volleyball with Ray remaining at the helm.” &nbsp; Bechard is a four-time Big 12 Coach of the Year and has led the Jayhawks to eight of the last 11 NCAA Tournaments. Last year’s squad went 19-11, beating seventh-seeded Miami (Fla.) in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, before a second-round loss to second-seeded Nebraska in Lincoln in four sets. Kansas had four players – redshirt freshman Ayah Elnady, sophomore Camryn Turner, super-senior Anezka Szabo and graduate transfer Lauren Dooley – named All-Big 12 Second Team following the season. &nbsp; “I’m extremely grateful for my continued association with an athletic program that is exceptionally supported and creates a first-class experience for its student-athletes,” Bechard said. “I’m thankful for the working relationship I have with the other head coaches and the synergy and support that exists between Chancellor Doug Girod, Athletics Director Travis Goff and our sport administrator, Nicole Corcoran. &nbsp; “I am blessed with hard-working and gifted assistant coaches, along with an outstanding support staff. We are very enthusiastic about the current trajectory of the Kansas Volleyball program and what is ahead.” &nbsp; Bechard, who has coached 10 AVCA All-Americans during his tenure at Kansas, will welcome back key contributors from last year’s squad, including Elnady, Turner, Caroline Bien, Kennedy Farris, London Davis, Molly Schultz and Brynn Kirsch. The Jayhawks also recently announced the addition of two graduate transfers – both from within the Big 12 – to the roster for the upcoming season; Reagan Cooper (Texas Tech) and Mykayla Myers (TCU), along with three high school signees set to join KU this summer. &nbsp; Under Bechard, the Jayhawks have posted winning seasons in 13 of the last 14 years, reaching at least 18 wins in eight of those seasons. Bechard, who served as the head coach of Barton County Community College in Great Bend, Kansas, before his time at KU, has a career record of 1,163-361 in 38 total seasons.

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 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;Following back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances and a Sweet 16 run in 2021, Kansas Volleyball Coach Ray Bechard has signed a three-year contract extension through the 2025 season, Director of Athletics Travis Goff announced Thursday. &nbsp; Bechard just concluded his 25th&nbsp;season as head coach of Kansas and has amassed a record of 446-301 with 11 NCAA Tournament appearances leading the Jayhawks. Last season, after a 3-0 sweep of West Virginia, Bechard moved into second all-time in the Big 12 Conference in league wins with 209. He also guided the Jayhawks to the NCAA Final Four and a 30-3 season in 2015. &nbsp; “Coach Bechard has long been a national leader in the sport of volleyball, a key fixture for Kansas Athletics and in our community, and has elevated our entire department on a daily basis,” Goff said. “He is an exceptional mentor and embodies what it means to be a Jayhawk. As much success as the program has already experienced over the past 25 years, I am incredibly excited about the future of Kansas Volleyball with Ray remaining at the helm.” &nbsp; Bechard is a four-time Big 12 Coach of the Year and has led the Jayhawks to eight of the last 11 NCAA Tournaments. Last year’s squad went 19-11, beating seventh-seeded Miami (Fla.) in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, before a second-round loss to second-seeded Nebraska in Lincoln in four sets. Kansas had four players – redshirt freshman Ayah Elnady, sophomore Camryn Turner, super-senior Anezka Szabo and graduate transfer Lauren Dooley – named All-Big 12 Second Team following the season. &nbsp; “I’m extremely grateful for my continued association with an athletic program that is exceptionally supported and creates a first-class experience for its student-athletes,” Bechard said. “I’m thankful for the working relationship I have with the other head coaches and the synergy and support that exists between Chancellor Doug Girod, Athletics Director Travis Goff and our sport administrator, Nicole Corcoran. &nbsp; “I am blessed with hard-working and gifted assistant coaches, along with an outstanding support staff. We are very enthusiastic about the current trajectory of the Kansas Volleyball program and what is ahead.” &nbsp; Bechard, who has coached 10 AVCA All-Americans during his tenure at Kansas, will welcome back key contributors from last year’s squad, including Elnady, Turner, Caroline Bien, Kennedy Farris, London Davis, Molly Schultz and Brynn Kirsch. The Jayhawks also recently announced the addition of two graduate transfers – both from within the Big 12 – to the roster for the upcoming season; Reagan Cooper (Texas Tech) and Mykayla Myers (TCU), along with three high school signees set to join KU this summer. &nbsp; Under Bechard, the Jayhawks have posted winning seasons in 13 of the last 14 years, reaching at least 18 wins in eight of those seasons. Bechard, who served as the head coach of Barton County Community College in Great Bend, Kansas, before his time at KU, has a career record of 1,163-361 in 38 total seasons.<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;

🏐 VB: KU's Bechard signs contract extension

Courtesy of Wichita State Athletics

WICHITA, Kan.&nbsp;-- Thursday night's scheduled series-opening game against Houston has been postponed due to travel issues for the Cougars. The two teams will play a doubleheader on Friday beginning at 1:00 pm, with a one-hour break between games one and two. Friday's scheduled fireworks show will begin at 8:15 at the earliest, depending on the duration of the second game.

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 </figure>Courtesy of Wichita State AthleticsWICHITA, Kan.&nbsp;-- Thursday night's scheduled series-opening game against Houston has been postponed due to travel issues for the Cougars. The two teams will play a doubleheader on Friday beginning at 1:00 pm, with a one-hour break between games one and two. Friday's scheduled fireworks show will begin at 8:15 at the earliest, depending on the duration of the second game.

⚾️ BSB: Shockers series opener postponed

#22&nbsp;Wichita State at Memphis Thursday, April 6 | 6 PM Friday, April 7 | 2 PM Saturday, April 8 | 12 PM Memphis, Tenn. | Tigers Softball Complex ESPN+ (Friday and Saturday)&nbsp;| StatBroadcast.com QUICK HITS • Wichita State is ranked in all four polls: NFCA (#22), D1 Softball (#23), Softball America (#23) and USA Softball (#25). • Wichita State's 31-7 record is the best 38-game start since 2021 when the Shockers started 32-5-1, which was the best in school history. • Wichita State is 9-1 in its last 10 games. • Wichita State has two Top 10 wins this season - #9 Arkansas and #2 Oklahoma State. • Wichita State's win over #2 Oklahoma State was the highest ranked win in school history. • Wichita State has eight shutouts through 37 games. The 2022 Shockers had five all season. • After playing just 11 home games in 2022, Wichita State has 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/sydney-mckinney/7236">Sydney McKinney</a>&nbsp;has been awarded AAC Player of the Week honors twice in 2023 (April 3 &amp; Feb. 20). •&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/alex-aguilar/7249">Alex Aguilar</a>&nbsp;recorded her first career weekly honor on March 20 as the American Pitcher of the Week. •&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 named the Softball America Player of the Month for February. • McKinney was also named the Louisville Slugger/NFCA National Player of the Week on Feb. 21. • McKinney leads the country in hits and batting 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. •&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/lauren-lucas/7235">Lauren Lucas</a>&nbsp;leads the nation in doubles. • Lucas was named AAC Player of the Week on Feb. 13. •&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/addison-barnard/7228">Addison Barnard</a>&nbsp;has 65 career home runs, the most all time on the Wichita State home run list. • 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 ranks 4th among NCAA DI active players in career home runs. • McKinney and Barnard were named to the USA Softball Top 50 Collegiate Player of the Year Watch List. SERIES HISTORY VS. MEMPHIS Fourteen of the 16 meetings between Wichita State and Memphis have come since the Shockers joined the American Athletic Conference in 2018. Wichita State has won 13 of the 16 meetings all time, including the last 11 in a row. Wichita State is 8-1 against the Tigers in Memphis. LAST MEETING WITH THE TIGERS Wichita State swept the regular season series with Memphis in 2022, and then eliminated the TIgers from the American Athletic Conference Championship in the quarterfinals. The Shockers needed only 5.0 innings to put up 22 runs in a 22-0 run-rule.&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/lauren-mills/7237">Lauren Mills</a>&nbsp;homered twice apiece and combined for 13 RBI. Mills hit two grand slams, finishing with a career-high eight RBI.&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/erin-mcdonald/6010">Erin McDonald</a>&nbsp;tossed 3.0 innings to record the win, while&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/caitlin-bingham/6000">Caitlin Bingham</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/kenzie-schopfer/7240">Kenzie Schopfer</a>&nbsp;threw an inning each. TOP 10 WINS Wichita State owns a pair of Top 10 wins in 2023 after taking down No. 2 Oklahoma State on April 4. The win over the Cowgirls marked the highest ranked win in program history, having never beaten a Top 5 team before the matchup. Wichita State's resume now includes wins over No. 2 Oklahoma State and No. 9 Arkansas (March 14), making it the first season in school history with multiple Top 10 victories. Wichita State has three Top 10 wins under head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/coaches/kristi-bredbenner/1072">Kristi Bredbenner</a>, all three coming in the last three seasons. MCKINNEY RACKS UP SECOND PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONOR <a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/sydney-mckinney/7236">Sydney McKinney</a>&nbsp;was named the American Athletic Conference Player of the Week for a second time this season on April 3. The Norborne, Mo., native hit .571 in four games, racking up a home run, two doubles, four RBI and nine runs scored. McKinney had back-to-back games with three hits, and recorded her first career grand slam in Wichita State's 14-0 win vs. South Florida on Saturday. JONES COLLECTS PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS AFTER BIG WEEKEND <a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/zoe-jones/7234">Zoe Jones</a>&nbsp;picked up her first career Player of the Week honors on March 27. Jones was 6-for-11 at the plate in Orlando vs. UCF, including a double, two home runs, five runs scored and seven RBI. She smashed her first career grand slam in the finale on Sunday. AAC NAMES AGUILAR PITCHER OF THE WEEK <a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/alex-aguilar/7249">Alex Aguilar</a>&nbsp;was named the American Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week on March 20, her first career accolade. Aguilar appeared in two games, making one start and didn't allow an earned run in 9.0 innings. Opponents recorded just three hits against her and struck out seven times. She threw 3.0 innings of hitless, shutout relief against Northern Colorado on March 17 to go with five strikeouts. In the start against the Bears on Sunday, Aguilar threw a complete game and surrendered just one unearned run on three hits. 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 eight in her last 17 games, including her first multi-home run game of 2023 vs. Northern Colorado. On March 17 vs. Northern Colorado, Barnard became the school's all-time home run leader with her 59th career round-tripper, passing Madison Perrigan's previous mark of 58. She also sits at the top of the list in American Athletic Conference history. HIT STREAK <a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/sydney-mckinney/7236">Sydney McKinney</a>&nbsp;saw her incredible hit streak come to an end on March 4 vs. Bradley. McKinney hit safely in 34 straight games after finishing the 2022 season with hits in her final 18 games. The streak started on April 14, 2022 at Houston. The 34-game hit streak is the 6th longest in NCAA history. McKinney became just the 11th player ever to record a hit in 30 straight games. No.Player, TeamDates43Sara Graziano, Coastal CarolinaApril 8, 1993-March 24, 199442Cathy Frohnheiser, FurmanMarch 4-April 17, 199336Stephanie Tofft, NIUMarch 4-May 1, 201135Kelly Kretschman, AlabamaFeb. 27-April 4, 199835Robyn Yorke, Fresno StateFeb. 12-April 1, 199534<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/sydney-mckinney/7236">Sydney McKinney</a>, Wichita StateApril 14, 2022-March&nbsp;4, 2023 RPI - WEEK FIVE Wichita State checked in at No. 21 in the fifth RPI rankings on April 3. The Shockers have already faced 12 teams in the Top 75, including No. 3 Oklahoma State, No. 4 Stanford, No. 16 Arkansas, No. 34 Minnesota, No. 35 UCF, No. 39 Boise State, No. 40 San Diego State, No. 41 Texas State, No. 42 Nebraska, No. 54 South Dakota State, No. 57 South Florida and No. 68 Kansas. Wichita State still has games against No. 1 Oklahoma, No. 3 Oklahoma State and No. 68 Kansas. 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 347 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 (347) and at bat (773). She ranks 2nd in batting average (.449), runs scored (223), 3rd in total bases (500) and 5th in triples (15). • McKinney became the first Shocker with 300 career hits on Feb. 19 vs. FDU. • McKinney's 223&nbsp;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 .498, McKinney currently holds the top spot in that category as well at Wichita State. • She ranks second with 15 career triples. • Her 42 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 27 RBI to surpass Wichita State's own Madison Perrigan for the most all-time in American history. UP NEXT Wichita State hosts Houston for a three-game series at Wilkins Stadium, April 14-16.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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 </figure>Courtesy of Wichita State Athletics#22&nbsp;Wichita State at Memphis Thursday, April 6 | 6 PM Friday, April 7 | 2 PM Saturday, April 8 | 12 PM Memphis, Tenn. | Tigers Softball Complex ESPN+ (Friday and Saturday)&nbsp;| StatBroadcast.com QUICK HITS • Wichita State is ranked in all four polls: NFCA (#22), D1 Softball (#23), Softball America (#23) and USA Softball (#25). • Wichita State's 31-7 record is the best 38-game start since 2021 when the Shockers started 32-5-1, which was the best in school history. • Wichita State is 9-1 in its last 10 games. • Wichita State has two Top 10 wins this season - #9 Arkansas and #2 Oklahoma State. • Wichita State's win over #2 Oklahoma State was the highest ranked win in school history. • Wichita State has eight shutouts through 37 games. The 2022 Shockers had five all season. • After playing just 11 home games in 2022, Wichita State has 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/sydney-mckinney/7236">Sydney McKinney</a>&nbsp;has been awarded AAC Player of the Week honors twice in 2023 (April 3 &amp; Feb. 20). •&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/alex-aguilar/7249">Alex Aguilar</a>&nbsp;recorded her first career weekly honor on March 20 as the American Pitcher of the Week. •&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 named the Softball America Player of the Month for February. • McKinney was also named the Louisville Slugger/NFCA National Player of the Week on Feb. 21. • McKinney leads the country in hits and batting 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. •&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/lauren-lucas/7235">Lauren Lucas</a>&nbsp;leads the nation in doubles. • Lucas was named AAC Player of the Week on Feb. 13. •&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/addison-barnard/7228">Addison Barnard</a>&nbsp;has 65 career home runs, the most all time on the Wichita State home run list. • 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 ranks 4th among NCAA DI active players in career home runs. • McKinney and Barnard were named to the USA Softball Top 50 Collegiate Player of the Year Watch List. SERIES HISTORY VS. MEMPHIS Fourteen of the 16 meetings between Wichita State and Memphis have come since the Shockers joined the American Athletic Conference in 2018. Wichita State has won 13 of the 16 meetings all time, including the last 11 in a row. Wichita State is 8-1 against the Tigers in Memphis. LAST MEETING WITH THE TIGERS Wichita State swept the regular season series with Memphis in 2022, and then eliminated the TIgers from the American Athletic Conference Championship in the quarterfinals. The Shockers needed only 5.0 innings to put up 22 runs in a 22-0 run-rule.&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/lauren-mills/7237">Lauren Mills</a>&nbsp;homered twice apiece and combined for 13 RBI. Mills hit two grand slams, finishing with a career-high eight RBI.&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/erin-mcdonald/6010">Erin McDonald</a>&nbsp;tossed 3.0 innings to record the win, while&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/caitlin-bingham/6000">Caitlin Bingham</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/kenzie-schopfer/7240">Kenzie Schopfer</a>&nbsp;threw an inning each. TOP 10 WINS Wichita State owns a pair of Top 10 wins in 2023 after taking down No. 2 Oklahoma State on April 4. The win over the Cowgirls marked the highest ranked win in program history, having never beaten a Top 5 team before the matchup. Wichita State's resume now includes wins over No. 2 Oklahoma State and No. 9 Arkansas (March 14), making it the first season in school history with multiple Top 10 victories. Wichita State has three Top 10 wins under head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/coaches/kristi-bredbenner/1072">Kristi Bredbenner</a>, all three coming in the last three seasons. MCKINNEY RACKS UP SECOND PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONOR <a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/sydney-mckinney/7236">Sydney McKinney</a>&nbsp;was named the American Athletic Conference Player of the Week for a second time this season on April 3. The Norborne, Mo., native hit .571 in four games, racking up a home run, two doubles, four RBI and nine runs scored. McKinney had back-to-back games with three hits, and recorded her first career grand slam in Wichita State's 14-0 win vs. South Florida on Saturday. JONES COLLECTS PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS AFTER BIG WEEKEND <a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/zoe-jones/7234">Zoe Jones</a>&nbsp;picked up her first career Player of the Week honors on March 27. Jones was 6-for-11 at the plate in Orlando vs. UCF, including a double, two home runs, five runs scored and seven RBI. She smashed her first career grand slam in the finale on Sunday. AAC NAMES AGUILAR PITCHER OF THE WEEK <a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/alex-aguilar/7249">Alex Aguilar</a>&nbsp;was named the American Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week on March 20, her first career accolade. Aguilar appeared in two games, making one start and didn't allow an earned run in 9.0 innings. Opponents recorded just three hits against her and struck out seven times. She threw 3.0 innings of hitless, shutout relief against Northern Colorado on March 17 to go with five strikeouts. In the start against the Bears on Sunday, Aguilar threw a complete game and surrendered just one unearned run on three hits. 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 eight in her last 17 games, including her first multi-home run game of 2023 vs. Northern Colorado. On March 17 vs. Northern Colorado, Barnard became the school's all-time home run leader with her 59th career round-tripper, passing Madison Perrigan's previous mark of 58. She also sits at the top of the list in American Athletic Conference history. HIT STREAK <a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/sydney-mckinney/7236">Sydney McKinney</a>&nbsp;saw her incredible hit streak come to an end on March 4 vs. Bradley. McKinney hit safely in 34 straight games after finishing the 2022 season with hits in her final 18 games. The streak started on April 14, 2022 at Houston. The 34-game hit streak is the 6th longest in NCAA history. McKinney became just the 11th player ever to record a hit in 30 straight games. No.Player, TeamDates43Sara Graziano, Coastal CarolinaApril 8, 1993-March 24, 199442Cathy Frohnheiser, FurmanMarch 4-April 17, 199336Stephanie Tofft, NIUMarch 4-May 1, 201135Kelly Kretschman, AlabamaFeb. 27-April 4, 199835Robyn Yorke, Fresno StateFeb. 12-April 1, 199534<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/sydney-mckinney/7236">Sydney McKinney</a>, Wichita StateApril 14, 2022-March&nbsp;4, 2023 RPI - WEEK FIVE Wichita State checked in at No. 21 in the fifth RPI rankings on April 3. The Shockers have already faced 12 teams in the Top 75, including No. 3 Oklahoma State, No. 4 Stanford, No. 16 Arkansas, No. 34 Minnesota, No. 35 UCF, No. 39 Boise State, No. 40 San Diego State, No. 41 Texas State, No. 42 Nebraska, No. 54 South Dakota State, No. 57 South Florida and No. 68 Kansas. Wichita State still has games against No. 1 Oklahoma, No. 3 Oklahoma State and No. 68 Kansas. 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 347 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 (347) and at bat (773). She ranks 2nd in batting average (.449), runs scored (223), 3rd in total bases (500) and 5th in triples (15). • McKinney became the first Shocker with 300 career hits on Feb. 19 vs. FDU. • McKinney's 223&nbsp;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 .498, McKinney currently holds the top spot in that category as well at Wichita State. • She ranks second with 15 career triples. • Her 42 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 27 RBI to surpass Wichita State's own Madison Perrigan for the most all-time in American history. UP NEXT Wichita State hosts Houston for a three-game series at Wilkins Stadium, April 14-16.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🥎 SB: Shockers take 7-game win streak to Memphis

Houston (15-14, 2-1 American) vs. Wichita State (17-11, 2-1 American) Thursday, April 6&nbsp;| 6:00&nbsp;pm CT | Wichita, Kansas (Eck Stadium) TV: ESPN+&nbsp;| Radio:&nbsp;KFH 97.5&nbsp;FM/1240&nbsp;AM RHP Josh Ekness (1-2, 5.28) vs. RHP&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/clark-candiotti/7475">Clark Candiotti</a>&nbsp;(3-2, 3.38) Friday, April 7&nbsp;| 6:00&nbsp;pm CT | Wichita, Kansas (Eck Stadium) TV: ESPN+&nbsp;| Radio:&nbsp;KFH 97.5&nbsp;FM/1240&nbsp;AM RHP Paul Schmitz (1-2, 3.94) vs. LHP&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/payton-tolle/7456">Payton Tolle</a>&nbsp;(6-0, 3.07) Saturday, April 8&nbsp;| 12:00&nbsp;pm CT | Wichita, Kansas (Eck Stadium) TV: ESPN+&nbsp;| Radio:&nbsp;KFH 97.5&nbsp;FM/1240&nbsp;AM TBA vs. RHP&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/grant-adler/7467">Grant Adler</a>&nbsp;(3-1, 2.75)

SCENE SETTER:&nbsp;Wichita State returns to the friendly confines of Eck Stadium this week for a three-game American Athletic Conference series against Houston. The series will run Thursday through Saturday due to Easter Sunday. The Shockers have won seven of their last eight games, including a 13-6 road win over #16 Oklahoma State on Tuesday night in Stillwater. The victory snapped an eight-game losing streak to the Cowboys, and was the first time since 2018 the Shockers have defeated Oklahoma State on the road. The 13 runs is the most the Shockers have scored in Stillwater since the 1992 season. Over the last eight games, the Shockers have plated 80 runs, an average of 10 per contest.

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 Cougars. All three games 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.&nbsp;

SERIES HISTORY:&nbsp;&nbsp;The Shockers and Cougars have met 59 times, with Houston holding a 37-22 lead in the all-time series. Since Wichita State restarted the baseball program in 1978, the Cougars lead the series 16-14. Houston took two of three games in each of the two regular season series in 2022, plus a 10-7 win over the Shockers at The American conference tournament in Clearwater. All told, the Cougars claimed five of seven meetings a year ago. The two teams have had a series history littered with streaks; Houston won seven straight games from 2018 through the first meeting in 2021, then the Shockers answered with nine victories in a row from 2021 through the first game of last season's series. The Shockers and Cougars also played the first-ever game at Riverfront Stadium in downtown Wichita, a 10-1 win on April 10 in front of 7,509 fans.&nbsp;

SCOUTING HOUSTON:&nbsp;Houston enters play on Thursday with a 15-14 record, including a 2-1 mark in American Athletic Conference play after an opening weekend series win against preseason conference favorite East Carolina. The Cougars arrive in Wichita following a wild walk-off win over Rice on Tuesday, a 14-13 victory in which Houston trailed 11-5 entering the bottom of the sixth inning. The game featured a combined 14 pitchers and 32 total hits, including Cameron Nickens' walk-off infield single in the bottom of the ninth. The Cougars feature an athletic lineup with speed from top to bottom, racking up a league-best 53 steals that ranks 22nd nationally. Two-way talent Malachi Lott paces the offense with a .370 average and 10 extra-base hits. Houston is also solid defensively, with a .977 team fielding percentage that tops the circuit. The pitching staff has struggled to a 6.25 ERA, hampered by control issues that have resulted in an average of 5.3 walks per nine innings. Head coach Todd Whitting is in his 13th season leading his alma mater, with a 397-301 record at the helm of the Cougars.

OFF AND RUNNING:&nbsp;Wichita State stole just 36 bases in 57 attempts last season, an average of 0.6 swipes per contest. First-year head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/coaches/loren-hibbs/1122">Loren Hibbs</a>&nbsp;made it a point of emphasis for the Shockers to be more aggressive on the bases, and the numbers bear out that focus. In 2023, WSU is 42-for-56 in stolen base attempts through 28 games (1.5 per game), and have improved their success rate from 63.1% to 75.0%. The Shockers have stolen 22 bases over the last eight games, including three in Tuesday's win at Oklahoma State.

GRAND SALAMI(S):&nbsp;Wichita State had not recorded a grand slam through the first 26 games of the 2023 season, but has now connected for one each in each of the last two games.&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/garrett-pennington/7468">Garrett Pennington</a>&nbsp;cleared the bases in Sunday's series finale at Cincinnati, and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/brock-rodden/7450">Brock Rodden</a>&nbsp;repeated the feat with a fourth inning grand slam on Tuesday at Oklahoma State. The Shockers have never had three straight games with a grand slam.

YES HE CAM:&nbsp;After limping to an 11.91 ERA over the first six appearances of 2023, junior right-hander&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/cameron-bye/7444">Cameron Bye</a>&nbsp;has turned a corner since moving to the back-end of the Shocker bullpen. Bye has closed out three WSU victories over the last nine days, striking out eight over 3.1 scoreless innings while allowing just one hit.

EVERYBODY HITS:&nbsp;All nine Wichita State starters recorded at least one hit in Tuesday's victory at Oklahoma State, led by two hits apiece from&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/payton-tolle/7456">Payton Tolle</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/mauricio-millan/7461">Mauricio Millan</a>,&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/jack-little/7464">Jack Little</a>. Millan reached base in all five of his at-bats, adding three walks to go along with his two hits.

GET 'EM ON, GET 'EM OVER, GET 'EM IN:&nbsp;One major contributing factor to Wichita State's offensive resurgence in 2023 is the Shockers ability to get the leadoff man on base. When opening an inning this season, WSU hitters are 100-for-239, an incredible .418 batting average. The Shockers then score runners from third with less than two outs 66.3% of the time.

CLOSER COMMITTEE:&nbsp;By slamming the door with three scoreless innings in last Friday's win against Cincinnati, Wichita State reliever&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/caden-favors/7446">Caden Favors</a>&nbsp;joined the growing list of Shocker bullpen arms with a save in 2023. The Shockers now have five saves as a team this season from five different players, all five of which entered the season with no prior saves in their career (<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/cameron-bye/7444">Cameron Bye</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/robert-cranz/7445">Robert Cranz</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/jace-miner/7449">Jace Miner</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/nate-snead/7469">Nate Snead</a>).

WORKING ON THE WEEKEND:&nbsp;The Wichita State weekend rotation of&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/clark-candiotti/7475">Clark Candiotti</a>,&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;has been remarkably consistent through the first seven weekends of the 2023 season. The trio has combined for a 12-3 record, a 3.06 ERA, and a strikeout-to-walk ratio&nbsp;of 139:31 (4.5:1). The Shockers have had just two games in which a weekend starter has walked more than two batters.

WHO NEEDS A DH?:&nbsp;Two-way sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/payton-tolle/7456">Payton Tolle</a>&nbsp;is off to a phenomenal start to 2023, with a 6-0 record on the mound and a team-best .368&nbsp;batting average. His numbers go to another level on days in which the lefty is pitching; on his seven start days, Tolle is hitting .500&nbsp;(14-for-28) with three of his six home runs and 13&nbsp;runs batted in. Tolle did not hit and pitch on the same day last season in an effort to manage his workload.

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.

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. Righties&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/matt-wilkinson/7476">Matt Wilkinson</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/colton-vercoe/7473">Colton Vercoe</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/carter-rost/7474">Carter Rost</a>&nbsp;were added to solidify the bullpen, and catcher&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/mauricio-millan/7461">Mauricio Millan</a>&nbsp;is off to a strong start offensively.

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 </figure>Courtesy of Wichita State AthleticsHouston (15-14, 2-1 American) vs. Wichita State (17-11, 2-1 American) Thursday, April 6&nbsp;| 6:00&nbsp;pm CT | Wichita, Kansas (Eck Stadium) TV: ESPN+&nbsp;| Radio:&nbsp;KFH 97.5&nbsp;FM/1240&nbsp;AM RHP Josh Ekness (1-2, 5.28) vs. RHP&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/clark-candiotti/7475">Clark Candiotti</a>&nbsp;(3-2, 3.38) Friday, April 7&nbsp;| 6:00&nbsp;pm CT | Wichita, Kansas (Eck Stadium) TV: ESPN+&nbsp;| Radio:&nbsp;KFH 97.5&nbsp;FM/1240&nbsp;AM RHP Paul Schmitz (1-2, 3.94) vs. LHP&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/payton-tolle/7456">Payton Tolle</a>&nbsp;(6-0, 3.07) Saturday, April 8&nbsp;| 12:00&nbsp;pm CT | Wichita, Kansas (Eck Stadium) TV: ESPN+&nbsp;| Radio:&nbsp;KFH 97.5&nbsp;FM/1240&nbsp;AM TBA vs. RHP&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/grant-adler/7467">Grant Adler</a>&nbsp;(3-1, 2.75)SCENE SETTER:&nbsp;Wichita State returns to the friendly confines of Eck Stadium this week for a three-game American Athletic Conference series against Houston. The series will run Thursday through Saturday due to Easter Sunday. The Shockers have won seven of their last eight games, including a 13-6 road win over #16 Oklahoma State on Tuesday night in Stillwater. The victory snapped an eight-game losing streak to the Cowboys, and was the first time since 2018 the Shockers have defeated Oklahoma State on the road. The 13 runs is the most the Shockers have scored in Stillwater since the 1992 season. Over the last eight games, the Shockers have plated 80 runs, an average of 10 per contest.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 Cougars. All three games 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.&nbsp;SERIES HISTORY:&nbsp;&nbsp;The Shockers and Cougars have met 59 times, with Houston holding a 37-22 lead in the all-time series. Since Wichita State restarted the baseball program in 1978, the Cougars lead the series 16-14. Houston took two of three games in each of the two regular season series in 2022, plus a 10-7 win over the Shockers at The American conference tournament in Clearwater. All told, the Cougars claimed five of seven meetings a year ago. The two teams have had a series history littered with streaks; Houston won seven straight games from 2018 through the first meeting in 2021, then the Shockers answered with nine victories in a row from 2021 through the first game of last season's series. The Shockers and Cougars also played the first-ever game at Riverfront Stadium in downtown Wichita, a 10-1 win on April 10 in front of 7,509 fans.&nbsp;SCOUTING HOUSTON:&nbsp;Houston enters play on Thursday with a 15-14 record, including a 2-1 mark in American Athletic Conference play after an opening weekend series win against preseason conference favorite East Carolina. The Cougars arrive in Wichita following a wild walk-off win over Rice on Tuesday, a 14-13 victory in which Houston trailed 11-5 entering the bottom of the sixth inning. The game featured a combined 14 pitchers and 32 total hits, including Cameron Nickens' walk-off infield single in the bottom of the ninth. The Cougars feature an athletic lineup with speed from top to bottom, racking up a league-best 53 steals that ranks 22nd nationally. Two-way talent Malachi Lott paces the offense with a .370 average and 10 extra-base hits. Houston is also solid defensively, with a .977 team fielding percentage that tops the circuit. The pitching staff has struggled to a 6.25 ERA, hampered by control issues that have resulted in an average of 5.3 walks per nine innings. Head coach Todd Whitting is in his 13th season leading his alma mater, with a 397-301 record at the helm of the Cougars.OFF AND RUNNING:&nbsp;Wichita State stole just 36 bases in 57 attempts last season, an average of 0.6 swipes per contest. First-year head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/coaches/loren-hibbs/1122">Loren Hibbs</a>&nbsp;made it a point of emphasis for the Shockers to be more aggressive on the bases, and the numbers bear out that focus. In 2023, WSU is 42-for-56 in stolen base attempts through 28 games (1.5 per game), and have improved their success rate from 63.1% to 75.0%. The Shockers have stolen 22 bases over the last eight games, including three in Tuesday's win at Oklahoma State.GRAND SALAMI(S):&nbsp;Wichita State had not recorded a grand slam through the first 26 games of the 2023 season, but has now connected for one each in each of the last two games.&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/garrett-pennington/7468">Garrett Pennington</a>&nbsp;cleared the bases in Sunday's series finale at Cincinnati, and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/brock-rodden/7450">Brock Rodden</a>&nbsp;repeated the feat with a fourth inning grand slam on Tuesday at Oklahoma State. The Shockers have never had three straight games with a grand slam.YES HE CAM:&nbsp;After limping to an 11.91 ERA over the first six appearances of 2023, junior right-hander&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/cameron-bye/7444">Cameron Bye</a>&nbsp;has turned a corner since moving to the back-end of the Shocker bullpen. Bye has closed out three WSU victories over the last nine days, striking out eight over 3.1 scoreless innings while allowing just one hit.EVERYBODY HITS:&nbsp;All nine Wichita State starters recorded at least one hit in Tuesday's victory at Oklahoma State, led by two hits apiece from&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/payton-tolle/7456">Payton Tolle</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/mauricio-millan/7461">Mauricio Millan</a>,&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/jack-little/7464">Jack Little</a>. Millan reached base in all five of his at-bats, adding three walks to go along with his two hits.GET 'EM ON, GET 'EM OVER, GET 'EM IN:&nbsp;One major contributing factor to Wichita State's offensive resurgence in 2023 is the Shockers ability to get the leadoff man on base. When opening an inning this season, WSU hitters are 100-for-239, an incredible .418 batting average. The Shockers then score runners from third with less than two outs 66.3% of the time.CLOSER COMMITTEE:&nbsp;By slamming the door with three scoreless innings in last Friday's win against Cincinnati, Wichita State reliever&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/caden-favors/7446">Caden Favors</a>&nbsp;joined the growing list of Shocker bullpen arms with a save in 2023. The Shockers now have five saves as a team this season from five different players, all five of which entered the season with no prior saves in their career (<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/cameron-bye/7444">Cameron Bye</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/robert-cranz/7445">Robert Cranz</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/jace-miner/7449">Jace Miner</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/nate-snead/7469">Nate Snead</a>).WORKING ON THE WEEKEND:&nbsp;The Wichita State weekend rotation of&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/clark-candiotti/7475">Clark Candiotti</a>,&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;has been remarkably consistent through the first seven weekends of the 2023 season. The trio has combined for a 12-3 record, a 3.06 ERA, and a strikeout-to-walk ratio&nbsp;of 139:31 (4.5:1). The Shockers have had just two games in which a weekend starter has walked more than two batters.WHO NEEDS A DH?:&nbsp;Two-way sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/payton-tolle/7456">Payton Tolle</a>&nbsp;is off to a phenomenal start to 2023, with a 6-0 record on the mound and a team-best .368&nbsp;batting average. His numbers go to another level on days in which the lefty is pitching; on his seven start days, Tolle is hitting .500&nbsp;(14-for-28) with three of his six home runs and 13&nbsp;runs batted in. Tolle did not hit and pitch on the same day last season in an effort to manage his workload.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.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. Righties&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/matt-wilkinson/7476">Matt Wilkinson</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/colton-vercoe/7473">Colton Vercoe</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/carter-rost/7474">Carter Rost</a>&nbsp;were added to solidify the bullpen, and catcher&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/mauricio-millan/7461">Mauricio Millan</a>&nbsp;is off to a strong start offensively.

⚾ BSB: Shockers host Houston in AAC home opener

Courtesy of Kansas State Athletics

⚾ BSB: Wildcats travel to No. 21 Texas 

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Kansas State will host 3-time NCAA champion Villanova on Tuesday, Dec. 5 as part of the fifth edition of the BIG EAST/Big 12 Battle, the two conferences announced on Thursday (April 6).

The game will be broadcast on one of ESPN’s properties at a time to be determined later.

The 11 matchups were jointly determined by the two conferences and will be played on various campuses starting on Thursday, Nov. 30 and running through Tuesday, Dec. 5. The series will increase to 11 games in 2023-24 and 2024-25 due to increased membership for both leagues. The Big 12 will host six games in 2023-24 while the BIG EAST will host six the following season.

This will be just the second meeting between the programs and the first in more than 80 years since Villanova knocked off K-State, 51-34, on Dec. 27, 1940 in Philadelphia.

K-State is 0-3 all-time in the BIG EAST/Big 12 Battle following losses to Marquette in 2019 and 2021 and Butler in 2022. This past season, the Bulldogs posted a 76-64 win over the Wildcats at Hinkle Fieldhouse.

Overall, K-State is 24-27 all-time against BIG EAST opponents, including 11-4 at home. The last win against a BIG EAST foe came against Creighton in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament on March 16 in Charlotte.

Led by first-year head coach&nbsp;Kyle Neptune, Villanova posted a 17-17 overall record, including a 10-10 mark in the BIG EAST, and advanced to the NIT in 2022-23. Rocked by injuries early in the season, the Wildcats won 6 of their last 8 regular-season games, including notable victories over NCAA Tournament teams Xavier and Creighton, to earn a bid to the NIT, where they lost at Big South Champion Liberty, 62-57, in the first round.

Neptune replaced the legendary&nbsp;Jay Wright&nbsp;as the Wildcats’ head coach on April 20, 2022, after guiding Fordham to a 16-16 record in his first and only season in 2021-22. Neptune was a Villanova assistant coach from 2013-21, helping the school to 233 victories, 7 BIG EAST regular-season titles, 4 BIG EAST Tournament crowns and NCAA Championships in 2016 and 2018.

Led by Naismith National Coach of the Year&nbsp;Jerome Tang, the Wildcats compiled a 26-10 record in 2022-23, which included a tie for third place in the Big 12 and the school’s 13th&nbsp;trip to the Elite Eight. The 26 wins are the third-most in school history and the most since winning 27 in 2012-13.

The rest of the 2023-24 men’s basketball schedule will be released as it becomes official.

November 30 – Creighton at Oklahoma State

December 1 – St. John’s at West Virginia

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680383726346.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Courtesy of Kansas State AthleticsMANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Kansas State will host 3-time NCAA champion Villanova on Tuesday, Dec. 5 as part of the fifth edition of the BIG EAST/Big 12 Battle, the two conferences announced on Thursday (April 6).The game will be broadcast on one of ESPN’s properties at a time to be determined later.The 11 matchups were jointly determined by the two conferences and will be played on various campuses starting on Thursday, Nov. 30 and running through Tuesday, Dec. 5. The series will increase to 11 games in 2023-24 and 2024-25 due to increased membership for both leagues. The Big 12 will host six games in 2023-24 while the BIG EAST will host six the following season.This will be just the second meeting between the programs and the first in more than 80 years since Villanova knocked off K-State, 51-34, on Dec. 27, 1940 in Philadelphia.K-State is 0-3 all-time in the BIG EAST/Big 12 Battle following losses to Marquette in 2019 and 2021 and Butler in 2022. This past season, the Bulldogs posted a 76-64 win over the Wildcats at Hinkle Fieldhouse.Overall, K-State is 24-27 all-time against BIG EAST opponents, including 11-4 at home. The last win against a BIG EAST foe came against Creighton in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament on March 16 in Charlotte.Led by first-year head coach&nbsp;Kyle Neptune, Villanova posted a 17-17 overall record, including a 10-10 mark in the BIG EAST, and advanced to the NIT in 2022-23. Rocked by injuries early in the season, the Wildcats won 6 of their last 8 regular-season games, including notable victories over NCAA Tournament teams Xavier and Creighton, to earn a bid to the NIT, where they lost at Big South Champion Liberty, 62-57, in the first round.Neptune replaced the legendary&nbsp;Jay Wright&nbsp;as the Wildcats’ head coach on April 20, 2022, after guiding Fordham to a 16-16 record in his first and only season in 2021-22. Neptune was a Villanova assistant coach from 2013-21, helping the school to 233 victories, 7 BIG EAST regular-season titles, 4 BIG EAST Tournament crowns and NCAA Championships in 2016 and 2018.Led by Naismith National Coach of the Year&nbsp;Jerome Tang, the Wildcats compiled a 26-10 record in 2022-23, which included a tie for third place in the Big 12 and the school’s 13th&nbsp;trip to the Elite Eight. The 26 wins are the third-most in school history and the most since winning 27 in 2012-13.The rest of the 2023-24 men’s basketball schedule will be released as it becomes official.Big 12/BIG EAST ChallengeNovember 30 – Texas Tech at ButlerNovember 30 – Creighton at Oklahoma StateDecember 1 – Iowa State at DePaulDecember 1 – Houston at XavierDecember 1 – UConn at KansasDecember 1 – St. John’s at West VirginiaDecember 2 – TCU at GeorgetownDecember 5 – Texas at MarquetteDecember 5 – Providence at OklahomaDecember 5 – Seton Hall at BaylorDecember 5 – Villanova at K-State

🏀 MBB: K-State to host Villanova in Big 12/Big East Battle

LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;The Kansas women’s golf team heads into Big 12 play and continues the 2022-23 spring season at the Big 12 Women’s Match Play Tournament, April 7-9, at the Kierland Golf Resort in Phoenix, Arizona. This will be the first time the Big 12 hosts a women’s match play tournament.

In a nine-team field, the Big 12 Match Play Tournament will consist of three round-robin matches, followed by bracket play. Round one and round two will take place on April 7, at 9:30 a.m. CT and 3 p.m., respectively. Kansas is the seventh seed and will face #1 Texas and #4 Oklahoma State in round one followed by #3 Iowa State and #5 Texas Tech in round two. Round three will begin on April 8 at 9:30 a.m. CT, where KU will compete against #8 Oklahoma and #9 Kansas State. Following round-robin play, the teams will be seeded and begin bracket play on April 8 starting at 3 p.m. The top four teams will play in the Championship Bracket and the next four teams will play in the Consolation Bracket. The No. 9 seed will be done with the tournament.

The tournament will be played at the Kierland Golf Club. The course is 6,337 yards with a par 72. With three teams in each of the first three rounds, players will complete each hole rather than normal match play where a player can concede a hole.

We are so excited to compete in the Big 12 Match Play Tournament,” Kansas Head Coach Lindsay Kuhle said. “This is the first time our players have played a college tournament in match play and we’re looking forward to the different format that prepares us for the national championship.

Kansas will travel six student-athletes for the Big 12 Match Play Tournament with graduate transfer Esme Hamiliton, super-senior Abby Glynn, sophomores Jordan Rothman, Johanna Ebner and Lauren Clark, and freshmen Anna Wallin. Only five players will be competing in each round but the extra may sub in to start a round.

Clark is coming off of a top-20 finish at the PING/ASU Invitational, March 24-26, with a three-round score of 217, tallying two even-par rounds. Clark posted six birdies across the three rounds and tied for an 11th-place finish. Following behind Clark were Ebner and Rothman. Ebner finished tied for 27th and Rothman finished tied for 21st. Glynn and Hamilton have competed in every tournament this spring for the Jayhawks. Kansas has finished in the top 10 in every spring event and is ranked 48th&nbsp;nationally according to Golfstat.

Live scoring for the Big 12 Match Play Tournament will be via Goltstat.com and can be found&nbsp;<a href="https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresults.golfstat.com%2F%2Fpublic%2Fleaderboards%2Fgsnav.cfm%3Fpg%3Dparticipants%26tid%3D26041&amp;data=05%7C01%7Caubreybillig%40ku.edu%7C1ffcac54cd0f430da3d108db3623ce1e%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C638163299646438155%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=LcaiYlnDwMGvZaYlkyJMPgErCmgwy%2BPkqeQErmf97qo%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">here</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680796572728.png" alt="KU Womens Golf" />
 <figcaption>KU Womens Golf</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;The Kansas women’s golf team heads into Big 12 play and continues the 2022-23 spring season at the Big 12 Women’s Match Play Tournament, April 7-9, at the Kierland Golf Resort in Phoenix, Arizona. This will be the first time the Big 12 hosts a women’s match play tournament.In a nine-team field, the Big 12 Match Play Tournament will consist of three round-robin matches, followed by bracket play. Round one and round two will take place on April 7, at 9:30 a.m. CT and 3 p.m., respectively. Kansas is the seventh seed and will face #1 Texas and #4 Oklahoma State in round one followed by #3 Iowa State and #5 Texas Tech in round two. Round three will begin on April 8 at 9:30 a.m. CT, where KU will compete against #8 Oklahoma and #9 Kansas State. Following round-robin play, the teams will be seeded and begin bracket play on April 8 starting at 3 p.m. The top four teams will play in the Championship Bracket and the next four teams will play in the Consolation Bracket. The No. 9 seed will be done with the tournament.The tournament will be played at the Kierland Golf Club. The course is 6,337 yards with a par 72. With three teams in each of the first three rounds, players will complete each hole rather than normal match play where a player can concede a hole.We are so excited to compete in the Big 12 Match Play Tournament,” Kansas Head Coach Lindsay Kuhle said. “This is the first time our players have played a college tournament in match play and we’re looking forward to the different format that prepares us for the national championship.Kansas will travel six student-athletes for the Big 12 Match Play Tournament with graduate transfer Esme Hamiliton, super-senior Abby Glynn, sophomores Jordan Rothman, Johanna Ebner and Lauren Clark, and freshmen Anna Wallin. Only five players will be competing in each round but the extra may sub in to start a round.Clark is coming off of a top-20 finish at the PING/ASU Invitational, March 24-26, with a three-round score of 217, tallying two even-par rounds. Clark posted six birdies across the three rounds and tied for an 11th-place finish. Following behind Clark were Ebner and Rothman. Ebner finished tied for 27th and Rothman finished tied for 21st. Glynn and Hamilton have competed in every tournament this spring for the Jayhawks. Kansas has finished in the top 10 in every spring event and is ranked 48th&nbsp;nationally according to Golfstat.Live scoring for the Big 12 Match Play Tournament will be via Goltstat.com and can be found&nbsp;<a href="https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresults.golfstat.com%2F%2Fpublic%2Fleaderboards%2Fgsnav.cfm%3Fpg%3Dparticipants%26tid%3D26041&amp;data=05%7C01%7Caubreybillig%40ku.edu%7C1ffcac54cd0f430da3d108db3623ce1e%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C638163299646438155%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=LcaiYlnDwMGvZaYlkyJMPgErCmgwy%2BPkqeQErmf97qo%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">here</a>.

⛳️️ Kansas Women’s Golf heads to inaugural Big 12 Match Play Tournament

LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;Kansas football is set to host its annual Spring Showcase inside David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on Friday at 7 p.m. CT, giving fans their first look at the 2023 Kansas Jayhawks.

The Spring Showcase is the finale of Kansas’ Spring practices and will feature activities for the whole family. Admission to the Spring Showcase is free with no ticket needed for admission.

The festivities begin at 5 p.m. when the Campanile Hill opens to fans, featuring the Fun Zone with inflatables, mini golf course, the new football spring poster giveaway and more. There will also be food trucks and live music beginning at 5 p.m. and leading into the action on the field. The WNIT Champions, Kansas women’s basketball will be in the Fun Zone interacting with fans before kickoff. Fans will have an opportunity to take a photo with the Jayhawks with the WNIT trophy.

Friday’s Spring Showcase will feature on-field drills and scrimmages, with fan giveaways, competitions and activities taking place throughout the Showcase.

Coverage of the Spring Showcase can be found on the Jayhawk Radio Network beginning Friday at 6:30 p.m. CT. A televised broadcast will not be carried live but will be available on ESPN+ beginning next week.

In his second season at Kansas, head coach Lance Leipold led the Jayhawks to a breakthrough season in 2022. Leipold guided Kansas to its first 5-0 start since 2009 and its first bowl game since 2008 with an appearance in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. Kansas played in front of three sellout crowds at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium and posted the largest percentage attendance increase by a school that allowed full capacity the previous season. Lawrence was also the site of ESPN’s&nbsp;College Gameday&nbsp;for the first time on Oct. 8, 2022, for KU’s game against TCU.

The Jayhawks return 17-of-22 starters and seven players who earned All-Big 12 recognition last season, including first-team selection Cobee Bryant (defensive back) and second-team selections Jalon Daniels (quarterback), Mason Fairchild (tight end), and Mike Novitsky (center). Kansas has three players returning who were All-Big 12 Honorable Mention in defensive back Kenny Logan, Jr., running back Devin Neal and offensive lineman Dominick Puni.

Kansas will host seven games at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium during the 2023 season, beginning on Thursday, August 31, against Missouri State. Other home opponents for the Jayhawks include Illinois, BYU, UCF, Oklahoma, Texas Tech, and Kansas State.

New and renewal season tickets for the 2023 campaign are on sale starting at just $195. Seating options include bowl seating, family zone, the Meritrust Touchdown Club, Field Goal Club and more.

During the purchasing process, fans have the option to add a premium seatback to their order for less than $8 per game. For all season ticket information or to show interest in being contacted by our sales and service team to talk through all seating choices,&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/football-tickets/">click here</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680779709461.png" alt="KU Spring Showcase is Friday, April 7th.png" />
 <figcaption>KU Spring Showcase is Friday, April 7th.png</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;Kansas football is set to host its annual Spring Showcase inside David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on Friday at 7 p.m. CT, giving fans their first look at the 2023 Kansas Jayhawks.The Spring Showcase is the finale of Kansas’ Spring practices and will feature activities for the whole family. Admission to the Spring Showcase is free with no ticket needed for admission.The festivities begin at 5 p.m. when the Campanile Hill opens to fans, featuring the Fun Zone with inflatables, mini golf course, the new football spring poster giveaway and more. There will also be food trucks and live music beginning at 5 p.m. and leading into the action on the field. The WNIT Champions, Kansas women’s basketball will be in the Fun Zone interacting with fans before kickoff. Fans will have an opportunity to take a photo with the Jayhawks with the WNIT trophy.Friday’s Spring Showcase will feature on-field drills and scrimmages, with fan giveaways, competitions and activities taking place throughout the Showcase.Coverage of the Spring Showcase can be found on the Jayhawk Radio Network beginning Friday at 6:30 p.m. CT. A televised broadcast will not be carried live but will be available on ESPN+ beginning next week.In his second season at Kansas, head coach Lance Leipold led the Jayhawks to a breakthrough season in 2022. Leipold guided Kansas to its first 5-0 start since 2009 and its first bowl game since 2008 with an appearance in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. Kansas played in front of three sellout crowds at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium and posted the largest percentage attendance increase by a school that allowed full capacity the previous season. Lawrence was also the site of ESPN’s&nbsp;College Gameday&nbsp;for the first time on Oct. 8, 2022, for KU’s game against TCU.The Jayhawks return 17-of-22 starters and seven players who earned All-Big 12 recognition last season, including first-team selection Cobee Bryant (defensive back) and second-team selections Jalon Daniels (quarterback), Mason Fairchild (tight end), and Mike Novitsky (center). Kansas has three players returning who were All-Big 12 Honorable Mention in defensive back Kenny Logan, Jr., running back Devin Neal and offensive lineman Dominick Puni.Kansas will host seven games at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium during the 2023 season, beginning on Thursday, August 31, against Missouri State. Other home opponents for the Jayhawks include Illinois, BYU, UCF, Oklahoma, Texas Tech, and Kansas State.New and renewal season tickets for the 2023 campaign are on sale starting at just $195. Seating options include bowl seating, family zone, the Meritrust Touchdown Club, Field Goal Club and more.During the purchasing process, fans have the option to add a premium seatback to their order for less than $8 per game. For all season ticket information or to show interest in being contacted by our sales and service team to talk through all seating choices,&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/football-tickets/">click here</a>.

🏈 Kansas Football to host Spring Showcase on Friday

By DAVE SKRETTA AP Basketball Writer

Bill Self said he's doing well after a health scare kept him from coaching Kansas in the Big 12 and NCAA tournaments last month, and he reiterated Wednesday that he has no plans to step away from the Jayhawks any time soon.

Self spoke to reporters for the first time since March 8, when he went to an emergency room after a final shootaround for the conference tournament. He was complaining of chest tightness and concerns about his balance, and the 60-year-old had two stents placed to help treat blocked arteries at the University of Kansas Health System.

“To be honest,” Self said, “I haven't done a lot since the Big 12 Tournament. But I'm exercising almost daily. I don't know if you guys believe this: They told me that I need to improve my diet and exercise more.”

“But I feel fine,” the Hall of Fame coach continued. “My energy level is probably back to where it was prior to the episode but not where it's getting ready to go, I believe. I think sometimes we don't realize we don't feel well until we actually feel well and know the difference. And I'm in the process of feeling well again, so I'm excited about that.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-kansas-bill-self-norm-roberts-fbb2c52dc34fa02235d1dbc3177ced01">Longtime assistant Norm Roberts</a>&nbsp;guided the Jayhawks to the Big 12 title game, where they lost to Texas. They still received a No. 1 seed for the NCAA Tournament, thanks to their regular-season Big 12 championship and strong schedule, and easily beat Howard in the first round before losing a 72-71 nail-biter to eighth-seeded Arkansas in the second round.

Self helped to run practices during both of the NCAA tourney games but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-kansas-bill-self-4ad50feff4c6e12b4722de893edfc059">decided against coaching</a>&nbsp;on game day.

“I was never scared that I wasn't going to be OK. But it was a different feeling,” he said. “I'm sure many have had it, but it was kind of like an out-of-body type experience that you really don't know what's going on. You have no control over what is going on. So it was something that I'd never experienced before, but it was never to the point where I felt like I was in danger.”

Self did acknowledge that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-bill-self-hospital-ncaa-coach-jayhawks-2053ffeb102c7dfb418109215dab554b">the health scare</a>&nbsp;made him reevaluate his future in coaching.

“I think the last several weeks I've been able to reflect on a lot of things,” he said. “The one thing I can tell you without question: I missed my job. I love my job and I want to do my job for a long time. That's what is positive.”

"Now," Self said, “for me to be effective doing that, I think I have to wake up a little bit and maybe do some things from a lifestyle standpoint, a personal habit standpoint, that I've been very, very, very inconsistent with my entire adult life. And I said that jokingly earlier, can you imagine a doctor telling you to lose weight, eat right and exercise? I've been told that a long time, but I'm taking that serious for the first time I probably have in my life.”

The Jayhawks, who are holding their end-of-season banquet Thursday, are poised to look much different next season.

Star freshman Gradey Dick has declared for the NBA draft, All-American forward Jalen Wilson has likewise announced his intentions to go pro, and Kevin McCullar Jr. is expected to join them. The Jayhawks also have had forwards MJ Rice and Zach Clemence, big man Cam Martin and guards Joseph Yesufu and Bobby Pettiford Jr. enter the transfer portal.

The Jayhawks have four high-level freshmen arriving next season, but Self acknowledged the need to work the portal.

“We’ve got work to do before we’re a top-10 team, but I’m really hopeful within weeks everybody would say they should be ranked higher than a top-10 team,” Self said. “I feel like we're in on some good kids.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680777666670.png" alt="Kansas basketball coach Bill Self addresses the media on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 in Lawrence, Kan. (Kansas Athletics photo)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas basketball coach Bill Self addresses the media on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 in Lawrence, Kan. (Kansas Athletics photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>By DAVE SKRETTA AP Basketball WriterBill Self said he's doing well after a health scare kept him from coaching Kansas in the Big 12 and NCAA tournaments last month, and he reiterated Wednesday that he has no plans to step away from the Jayhawks any time soon.Self spoke to reporters for the first time since March 8, when he went to an emergency room after a final shootaround for the conference tournament. He was complaining of chest tightness and concerns about his balance, and the 60-year-old had two stents placed to help treat blocked arteries at the University of Kansas Health System.“To be honest,” Self said, “I haven't done a lot since the Big 12 Tournament. But I'm exercising almost daily. I don't know if you guys believe this: They told me that I need to improve my diet and exercise more.”“But I feel fine,” the Hall of Fame coach continued. “My energy level is probably back to where it was prior to the episode but not where it's getting ready to go, I believe. I think sometimes we don't realize we don't feel well until we actually feel well and know the difference. And I'm in the process of feeling well again, so I'm excited about that.”<a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-kansas-bill-self-norm-roberts-fbb2c52dc34fa02235d1dbc3177ced01">Longtime assistant Norm Roberts</a>&nbsp;guided the Jayhawks to the Big 12 title game, where they lost to Texas. They still received a No. 1 seed for the NCAA Tournament, thanks to their regular-season Big 12 championship and strong schedule, and easily beat Howard in the first round before losing a 72-71 nail-biter to eighth-seeded Arkansas in the second round.Self helped to run practices during both of the NCAA tourney games but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-kansas-bill-self-4ad50feff4c6e12b4722de893edfc059">decided against coaching</a>&nbsp;on game day.“I was never scared that I wasn't going to be OK. But it was a different feeling,” he said. “I'm sure many have had it, but it was kind of like an out-of-body type experience that you really don't know what's going on. You have no control over what is going on. So it was something that I'd never experienced before, but it was never to the point where I felt like I was in danger.”Self did acknowledge that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-bill-self-hospital-ncaa-coach-jayhawks-2053ffeb102c7dfb418109215dab554b">the health scare</a>&nbsp;made him reevaluate his future in coaching.“I think the last several weeks I've been able to reflect on a lot of things,” he said. “The one thing I can tell you without question: I missed my job. I love my job and I want to do my job for a long time. That's what is positive.”"Now," Self said, “for me to be effective doing that, I think I have to wake up a little bit and maybe do some things from a lifestyle standpoint, a personal habit standpoint, that I've been very, very, very inconsistent with my entire adult life. And I said that jokingly earlier, can you imagine a doctor telling you to lose weight, eat right and exercise? I've been told that a long time, but I'm taking that serious for the first time I probably have in my life.”The Jayhawks, who are holding their end-of-season banquet Thursday, are poised to look much different next season.Star freshman Gradey Dick has declared for the NBA draft, All-American forward Jalen Wilson has likewise announced his intentions to go pro, and Kevin McCullar Jr. is expected to join them. The Jayhawks also have had forwards MJ Rice and Zach Clemence, big man Cam Martin and guards Joseph Yesufu and Bobby Pettiford Jr. enter the transfer portal.The Jayhawks have four high-level freshmen arriving next season, but Self acknowledged the need to work the portal.“We’ve got work to do before we’re a top-10 team, but I’m really hopeful within weeks everybody would say they should be ranked higher than a top-10 team,” Self said. “I feel like we're in on some good kids.”

🏀 Kansas' Self feels good after scare, plans to keep coaching

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Alek Manoah allowed one hit over seven innings, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his first homer of the season and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Kansas City Royals 3-0. Manoah (1-0) held the Royals hitless until Jackie Bradley Jr. singled with one out in the fifth. Despite struggling to locate his off-speed pitches for strikes, Manoah struck out five with four walks. Guerrero and Daulton Varsho had three hits apiece. Zack Greinke (0-2) worked ahead of batters all night, throwing first-pitch strikes to 20-of-25 hitters.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Matt Olson homered and drove in three, and the Atlanta Braves completed a three-game sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals 5-2. Bryce Elder pitched six strong innings, giving up two hits, striking out six and walked three. The Braves won for the fifth time in their first six games. Cardinals rookie Jordan Walker hit his first career home run in the seventh. St. Louis has lost three straight games. Cardinals starter Miles Mikolas allowed five runs on nine hits. He struck out six and walked one. His six innings was the longest for a St. Louis starter this season.

UNDATED (AP) — A strong threat of rain and thunderstorms forced the New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies and Baltimore Orioles to postpone their home openers on Thursday. All three teams announced Wednesday the openers will be pushed back a day with the Mets playing host to the Miami Marlins, the Phillies taking on the Cincinnati Reds and the Orioles facing the New York Yankees on Friday. All three cities had weather forecasts calling for at least a 70% chance of rain and thunderstorms on Thursday, the National Weather Service reported on its website.

UNDATED (AP) — Bill Self said he’s doing well after a health scare kept him from coaching Kansas in the Big 12 and NCAA tournaments last month, and he reiterated Wednesday that he has no plans to step away from the Jayhawks any time soon. Self spoke to reporters for the first time since March 8, when he went to an emergency room after a final shootaround for the conference tournament. He was complaining of chest tightness and concerns about his balance, and the 60-year-old had two stents placed to help treat blocked arteries at the University of Kansas Health System.

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — Baltimore general manager Eric DeCosta says Lamar Jackson’s situation isn’t causing the Ravens to look at quarterbacks differently in the upcoming draft. However he did say the team could conceivably take a QB in the first round. DeCosta, coach John Harbaugh and director of player personnel Joe Hortiz hosted a pre-draft news conference. Reporters were told to keep questions focused on the draft. The Ravens put the franchise tag on Jackson last month. Jackson also announced recently that he’d requested a trade. DeCosta wouldn’t comment on the ramifications of that.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Masters chairman Fred Ridley is hopeful of a Masters just like any other. Ridley says the interaction with LIV players at the champions dinner made it feel like everything was normal in the golf world. But it's been all the chatter for the last 10 months. The Masters gets underway on Thursday. Tiger Woods is playing. Phil Mickelson is back in the field. Bad weather is in the forecast. Ridley believes the Masters is above it all. He says every player in the field wants the same thing. And that's to be wearing a green jacket on Sunday afternoon.

UNDATED (AP) — The road to the NBA Finals now goes through Milwaukee. The road out of the Western Conference goes through Denver, for the first time ever. And the rest of the top half of the Eastern Conference playoff bracket is now set as well. The Bucks will have the No. 1 overall seed and home-court advantage for the entirety of their time in the NBA playoffs, after defeating Chicago 105-92 on Wednesday night. Milwaukee is now 58-22 this season; no other team in the league can get to more than 57 wins. Denver's No. 1 seed out West was secured when New Orleans beat Memphis.

TOKYO (AP) — Sapporo’s bid for the 2030 Winter Olympics has been slowed by fallout from the still-developing corruption scandal around the 2020 Tokyo Games. The pursuit could resume if Sapporo Mayor Katsuhiro Akimoto is re-elected, as expected, against two anti-Olympic candidates. The Japanese city suspended actively promoting the bid three months ago and hoped damage from Tokyo’s scandal would fade from view. Sapporo was viewed as the favorite of the International Olympic Committee until arrests began last summer connected to bid-rigging, vote-buying, and bribery around the Tokyo Olympics. Without a clear candidate the IOC has pursued Stockholm, Sweden, which now appears as a favorite.

UNDATED (AP) — First lady Jill Biden’s walk-back of her suggestion that runner-up Iowa should join NCAA women’s basketball champion LSU for a visit to the White House doesn't sit well with Angel Reese. The Tigers star said on The Paper Route Podcast the Tigers should celebrate their title with Barack and Michelle Obama rather than with President Joe Biden and his wife. Jill Biden attended Sunday's 102-85 LSU victory. She said Monday that as part of the longstanding tradition of having champions visit the White House, the Hawkeyes should come as well because they played such a good game.

Final Chicago White Sox 7 San Francisco 3

Chi Cubs at Cincinnati 1:10 p.m. (Postponed)

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680779073213.jpeg" alt="Sports Headlines for Thursday Morning" />
 <figcaption>Sports Headlines for Thursday Morning</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Alek Manoah allowed one hit over seven innings, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his first homer of the season and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Kansas City Royals 3-0. Manoah (1-0) held the Royals hitless until Jackie Bradley Jr. singled with one out in the fifth. Despite struggling to locate his off-speed pitches for strikes, Manoah struck out five with four walks. Guerrero and Daulton Varsho had three hits apiece. Zack Greinke (0-2) worked ahead of batters all night, throwing first-pitch strikes to 20-of-25 hitters.ST. LOUIS (AP) — Matt Olson homered and drove in three, and the Atlanta Braves completed a three-game sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals 5-2. Bryce Elder pitched six strong innings, giving up two hits, striking out six and walked three. The Braves won for the fifth time in their first six games. Cardinals rookie Jordan Walker hit his first career home run in the seventh. St. Louis has lost three straight games. Cardinals starter Miles Mikolas allowed five runs on nine hits. He struck out six and walked one. His six innings was the longest for a St. Louis starter this season.UNDATED (AP) — A strong threat of rain and thunderstorms forced the New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies and Baltimore Orioles to postpone their home openers on Thursday. All three teams announced Wednesday the openers will be pushed back a day with the Mets playing host to the Miami Marlins, the Phillies taking on the Cincinnati Reds and the Orioles facing the New York Yankees on Friday. All three cities had weather forecasts calling for at least a 70% chance of rain and thunderstorms on Thursday, the National Weather Service reported on its website.UNDATED (AP) — Bill Self said he’s doing well after a health scare kept him from coaching Kansas in the Big 12 and NCAA tournaments last month, and he reiterated Wednesday that he has no plans to step away from the Jayhawks any time soon. Self spoke to reporters for the first time since March 8, when he went to an emergency room after a final shootaround for the conference tournament. He was complaining of chest tightness and concerns about his balance, and the 60-year-old had two stents placed to help treat blocked arteries at the University of Kansas Health System.OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — Baltimore general manager Eric DeCosta says Lamar Jackson’s situation isn’t causing the Ravens to look at quarterbacks differently in the upcoming draft. However he did say the team could conceivably take a QB in the first round. DeCosta, coach John Harbaugh and director of player personnel Joe Hortiz hosted a pre-draft news conference. Reporters were told to keep questions focused on the draft. The Ravens put the franchise tag on Jackson last month. Jackson also announced recently that he’d requested a trade. DeCosta wouldn’t comment on the ramifications of that.AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Masters chairman Fred Ridley is hopeful of a Masters just like any other. Ridley says the interaction with LIV players at the champions dinner made it feel like everything was normal in the golf world. But it's been all the chatter for the last 10 months. The Masters gets underway on Thursday. Tiger Woods is playing. Phil Mickelson is back in the field. Bad weather is in the forecast. Ridley believes the Masters is above it all. He says every player in the field wants the same thing. And that's to be wearing a green jacket on Sunday afternoon.UNDATED (AP) — The road to the NBA Finals now goes through Milwaukee. The road out of the Western Conference goes through Denver, for the first time ever. And the rest of the top half of the Eastern Conference playoff bracket is now set as well. The Bucks will have the No. 1 overall seed and home-court advantage for the entirety of their time in the NBA playoffs, after defeating Chicago 105-92 on Wednesday night. Milwaukee is now 58-22 this season; no other team in the league can get to more than 57 wins. Denver's No. 1 seed out West was secured when New Orleans beat Memphis.TOKYO (AP) — Sapporo’s bid for the 2030 Winter Olympics has been slowed by fallout from the still-developing corruption scandal around the 2020 Tokyo Games. The pursuit could resume if Sapporo Mayor Katsuhiro Akimoto is re-elected, as expected, against two anti-Olympic candidates. The Japanese city suspended actively promoting the bid three months ago and hoped damage from Tokyo’s scandal would fade from view. Sapporo was viewed as the favorite of the International Olympic Committee until arrests began last summer connected to bid-rigging, vote-buying, and bribery around the Tokyo Olympics. Without a clear candidate the IOC has pursued Stockholm, Sweden, which now appears as a favorite.UNDATED (AP) — First lady Jill Biden’s walk-back of her suggestion that runner-up Iowa should join NCAA women’s basketball champion LSU for a visit to the White House doesn't sit well with Angel Reese. The Tigers star said on The Paper Route Podcast the Tigers should celebrate their title with Barack and Michelle Obama rather than with President Joe Biden and his wife. Jill Biden attended Sunday's 102-85 LSU victory. She said Monday that as part of the longstanding tradition of having champions visit the White House, the Hawkeyes should come as well because they played such a good game.WEDNESDAY SCORESINTERLEAGUEFinal Miami 5 Minnesota 2Final N.Y. Yankees 4 Philadelphia 2Final Tampa Bay 7 Washington 2Final Pittsburgh 4 Boston 1Final Chicago White Sox 7 San Francisco 3AMERICAN LEAGUEFinal Texas 5 Baltimore 2Final Houston 8 Detroit 2Final Cleveland 6 Oakland 4Final L.A. Angels 4 Seattle 3Final Toronto 3 Kansas City 0NATIONAL LEAGUEChi Cubs at Cincinnati 1:10 p.m. (Postponed)Final Atlanta 5 St. Louis 2Final Milwaukee 7 N.Y. Mets 6NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATIONFinal Brooklyn 123 Detroit 108Final New York 138 Indiana 129Final Milwaukee 105 Chicago 92Final Boston 97 Toronto 93Final Atlanta 134 Washington 116Final OT New Orleans 138 Memphis 131Final Dallas 123 Sacramento 119Final L.A. Clippers 125 L.A. Lakers 118NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUEFinal N-Y Rangers 6 Tampa Bay 3Final Calgary 3 Winnipeg 1Final Edmonton 3 Anaheim 1

📢📰 Sports Headlines for Thursday

Via Hutchinson CC Sports Information

EL DORADO –&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2022-23/bios/goetz_aspen_qe50">Aspen Goetz</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2022-23/bios/wertz_riley_hm55">Riley Wertz</a>&nbsp;homered while&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2022-23/bios/munson_emily_vjqm">Emily Munson</a>&nbsp;and Wertz did the job in the pitching circle as the No. 15 Hutchinson Community College softball team earned a 7-2 victory over the No. 16 Butler Grizzlies in Game 1 of a Jayhawk Conference doubleheader on Wednesday at East Park.

The Grizzlies defeated Hutchinson 9-1 in six innings to earn a second doubleheader split between the top two teams in the KJCCC in Game 2.

The Blue Dragons are now 29-6 overall and 17-3 in the Jayhawk. Butler is now 28-8 and 19-3 in the Jayhawk. Hutchinson is off until next Wednesday when it plays at home for the first time since March 17 when the Dragons play host to Barton at Fun Valley.

GAME 1 RECAP Wertz hit her sixth home run of the season with one out in the second inning, a solo shot to center field, to give the Blue Dragons a 1-0 lead.

Then tied a 1-1 in the fifth, Goetz launched a three-run home run to left field to give the Dragons a 4-1 lead.

The Blue Dragons took advantage of two Butler errors and scored three runs in the sixth.&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2022-23/bios/darnell_jaeleigh_lirb">Jaeleigh Darnell</a>'s infield single to second base scored&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2022-23/bios/grimes_madison_371p">Madison Grimes</a>&nbsp;for a 5-2 lead. Wertz then hit a drive to right-center that was dropped and allowed Goetz and&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2022-23/bios/mastin_alexis_xhvz">Alexis Mastin</a>&nbsp;to score for a five-run lead.

That was more than enough for Munson and Wertz in the circle. Munson (4-0) earned her first pitching victory since March 8 by working 4 2-3 innings. She allowed three hits and two unearned runs with three walks and three strikeouts.

Wertz earned her sixth save of the season and 15th of her career throwing the final 2 1-3 innings. She struck out six and allowed three hits.

The Blue Dragons out-hit the Grizzlies 9-6 in Game 1.

Goetz was 2 for 4 with a home run, two runs scored and three RBIs to lead the Blue Dragons. Now with 56 RBIs for the season, Goetz jumps into the Top 5 Hutchinson season RBIs list. She is tied with Jenn Tanno and Jamie Tanno for fifth on the single-season list.

<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2022-23/bios/sandoval_olivia_qojo">Olivia Sandoval</a>&nbsp;was 2 for 4 with a pair of doubles and a run scored. Grimes was 2 for 3 with two walks and two runs scored.

GAME 2 RECAP The Blue Dragons were held to just three hits and committed a season-worst six errors as Butler battled back to earn a split. The Grizzlies scored two runs in the second, third and fifth innings and scored three runs in the sixth to close out the game.

The Dragons scored their only run of he game in the fifth inning when Grimes' sacrifice fly scored&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2022-23/bios/lies_korri_wryv">Korri Lies</a>&nbsp;to cut the Grizzly lead to 4-1.

Sandoval, Grimes and Lies had the only Dragon hits of Game 2.

<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2022-23/bios/pennycuff_morgan_4wht">Morgan Pennycuff</a>&nbsp;(10-2) took the loss for the Dragons. She worked two-plus innings and allowed four runs and three hits with four strikeouts.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680778729187.jpeg" alt="Aspen Goetz hit her 11th home run of the season, a three-run blast in the fourth inning in Hutchinson's 7-2 victory over Butler in Game 1 of a KJCCC doubleheader on Wednesday in El Dorado. (Billy Watson/Blue Dragon Sports Information)" />
 <figcaption>Aspen Goetz hit her 11th home run of the season, a three-run blast in the fourth inning in Hutchinson's 7-2 victory over Butler in Game 1 of a KJCCC doubleheader on Wednesday in El Dorado. (Billy Watson/Blue Dragon Sports Information)</figcaption>
 </figure>Via Hutchinson CC Sports InformationEL DORADO –&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2022-23/bios/goetz_aspen_qe50">Aspen Goetz</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2022-23/bios/wertz_riley_hm55">Riley Wertz</a>&nbsp;homered while&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2022-23/bios/munson_emily_vjqm">Emily Munson</a>&nbsp;and Wertz did the job in the pitching circle as the No. 15 Hutchinson Community College softball team earned a 7-2 victory over the No. 16 Butler Grizzlies in Game 1 of a Jayhawk Conference doubleheader on Wednesday at East Park.The Grizzlies defeated Hutchinson 9-1 in six innings to earn a second doubleheader split between the top two teams in the KJCCC in Game 2.The Blue Dragons are now 29-6 overall and 17-3 in the Jayhawk. Butler is now 28-8 and 19-3 in the Jayhawk. Hutchinson is off until next Wednesday when it plays at home for the first time since March 17 when the Dragons play host to Barton at Fun Valley.GAME 1 RECAP Wertz hit her sixth home run of the season with one out in the second inning, a solo shot to center field, to give the Blue Dragons a 1-0 lead.Then tied a 1-1 in the fifth, Goetz launched a three-run home run to left field to give the Dragons a 4-1 lead.The Blue Dragons took advantage of two Butler errors and scored three runs in the sixth.&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2022-23/bios/darnell_jaeleigh_lirb">Jaeleigh Darnell</a>'s infield single to second base scored&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2022-23/bios/grimes_madison_371p">Madison Grimes</a>&nbsp;for a 5-2 lead. Wertz then hit a drive to right-center that was dropped and allowed Goetz and&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2022-23/bios/mastin_alexis_xhvz">Alexis Mastin</a>&nbsp;to score for a five-run lead.That was more than enough for Munson and Wertz in the circle. Munson (4-0) earned her first pitching victory since March 8 by working 4 2-3 innings. She allowed three hits and two unearned runs with three walks and three strikeouts.Wertz earned her sixth save of the season and 15th of her career throwing the final 2 1-3 innings. She struck out six and allowed three hits.The Blue Dragons out-hit the Grizzlies 9-6 in Game 1.Goetz was 2 for 4 with a home run, two runs scored and three RBIs to lead the Blue Dragons. Now with 56 RBIs for the season, Goetz jumps into the Top 5 Hutchinson season RBIs list. She is tied with Jenn Tanno and Jamie Tanno for fifth on the single-season list.<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2022-23/bios/sandoval_olivia_qojo">Olivia Sandoval</a>&nbsp;was 2 for 4 with a pair of doubles and a run scored. Grimes was 2 for 3 with two walks and two runs scored.GAME 2 RECAP The Blue Dragons were held to just three hits and committed a season-worst six errors as Butler battled back to earn a split. The Grizzlies scored two runs in the second, third and fifth innings and scored three runs in the sixth to close out the game.The Dragons scored their only run of he game in the fifth inning when Grimes' sacrifice fly scored&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2022-23/bios/lies_korri_wryv">Korri Lies</a>&nbsp;to cut the Grizzly lead to 4-1.Sandoval, Grimes and Lies had the only Dragon hits of Game 2.<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2022-23/bios/pennycuff_morgan_4wht">Morgan Pennycuff</a>&nbsp;(10-2) took the loss for the Dragons. She worked two-plus innings and allowed four runs and three hits with four strikeouts.

🥎 SB: HutchCC splits with Butler again

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Alek Manoah allowed one hit over seven innings, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his first homer of the season and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Kansas City Royals 3-0 on Wednesday night.

Manoah (1-0) held the Royals hitless until Jackie Bradley Jr. singled with one out in the fifth.

“I think we were able to attack them for the most part and force them to dig out of a hole,” Manoah said. "Just going out there and letting that defense work. I think I was able to do that, to go out there and command most of my pitches, limit damage and get some weak contact.

"The weather, a little gloomy, a little windy, little cold. I just kept trying to blow into my hand. Some of those balls can get a little bit slick. Still left some pitches that I felt like command-wise need to be a little bit better. But, it was a good day on the mound and we got a win.”

Despite struggling to locate his off-speed pitches for strikes, Manoah struck out five with four walks.

“He really buckled down when he needed to,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. “He’s a fiery competitor. He kind of has a different gear. You trust him in those spots. His competitive aspect really comes out.”

Toronto broke a scoreless tie in the sixth with a one-out grounder by Matt Chapman, plating Guerrero. With runners at the corners, Chapman appeared to ground into an inning-ending double play, but first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino was unable to handle Bobby Witt Jr.’s low relay after the force out.

The Blue Jays added a pair of runs in the eighth with Guerrero’s opposite-field leadoff homer and a run-producing single by Chapman. Guerrero and Daulton Varsho had three hits apiece.

“(Going opposite field is) tough to do in this ballpark, this weather,” Schneider said. “That’s impressive. That’s Vladdy being Vladdy right there."

Guerrero said the key was being more relaxed at the plate.

“I believe when you’re trying too hard, when you look for it, it’s going to be harder," he said. "So I feel relaxed. I got a good pitch and put good contact and it went well.”

Zack Greinke (0-2) worked ahead of batters all night, throwing first-pitch strikes to 20-of-25 hitters. He threw six innings, allowing a run on seven singles and a walk, striking out three.

“A pitcher like him with that experience, he goes out there every day and competes,” Guerrero said. “So when you face him you’ve got to do the same thing, you’ve got to compete. You’ve got to have good at-bats against him.”

Manoah also enjoyed the competition against Greinke.

“I thought it was great, his definition of pitching,” Manoah said. “Obviously a future Hall of Famer. It was great to be able to go zero-zero for five or six innings there. That was pretty fun.”

Jordan Romano closed out Kansas City with a scoreless ninth inning, collecting his third save in three chances.

The Royals were shut out for the third time in six games.

TRAINER’S ROOM Bench coach Paul Hoover served as Royals interim manager with Matt Quatraro out with COVID.

Royals OF Kyle Isbel has been placed on the paternity list, with 1B/OF Nick Pratto recalled from Triple-A Omaha.

Blue Jays RHP Kevin Gausman (0-1, 0.00 ERA) takes the mound opposite Royals RHP Jordan Lyles (0-1, 1.69) in the series finale Thursday afternoon.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Alek Manoah allowed one hit over seven innings, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his first homer of the season and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Kansas City Royals 3-0 on Wednesday night.Manoah (1-0) held the Royals hitless until Jackie Bradley Jr. singled with one out in the fifth.“I think we were able to attack them for the most part and force them to dig out of a hole,” Manoah said. "Just going out there and letting that defense work. I think I was able to do that, to go out there and command most of my pitches, limit damage and get some weak contact."The weather, a little gloomy, a little windy, little cold. I just kept trying to blow into my hand. Some of those balls can get a little bit slick. Still left some pitches that I felt like command-wise need to be a little bit better. But, it was a good day on the mound and we got a win.”Despite struggling to locate his off-speed pitches for strikes, Manoah struck out five with four walks.“He really buckled down when he needed to,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. “He’s a fiery competitor. He kind of has a different gear. You trust him in those spots. His competitive aspect really comes out.”Toronto broke a scoreless tie in the sixth with a one-out grounder by Matt Chapman, plating Guerrero. With runners at the corners, Chapman appeared to ground into an inning-ending double play, but first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino was unable to handle Bobby Witt Jr.’s low relay after the force out.The Blue Jays added a pair of runs in the eighth with Guerrero’s opposite-field leadoff homer and a run-producing single by Chapman. Guerrero and Daulton Varsho had three hits apiece.“(Going opposite field is) tough to do in this ballpark, this weather,” Schneider said. “That’s impressive. That’s Vladdy being Vladdy right there."Guerrero said the key was being more relaxed at the plate.“I believe when you’re trying too hard, when you look for it, it’s going to be harder," he said. "So I feel relaxed. I got a good pitch and put good contact and it went well.”Zack Greinke (0-2) worked ahead of batters all night, throwing first-pitch strikes to 20-of-25 hitters. He threw six innings, allowing a run on seven singles and a walk, striking out three.“A pitcher like him with that experience, he goes out there every day and competes,” Guerrero said. “So when you face him you’ve got to do the same thing, you’ve got to compete. You’ve got to have good at-bats against him.”Manoah also enjoyed the competition against Greinke.“I thought it was great, his definition of pitching,” Manoah said. “Obviously a future Hall of Famer. It was great to be able to go zero-zero for five or six innings there. That was pretty fun.”Jordan Romano closed out Kansas City with a scoreless ninth inning, collecting his third save in three chances.The Royals were shut out for the third time in six games.TRAINER’S ROOM Bench coach Paul Hoover served as Royals interim manager with Matt Quatraro out with COVID.TRANSACTIONSRoyals OF Kyle Isbel has been placed on the paternity list, with 1B/OF Nick Pratto recalled from Triple-A Omaha.UP NEXTBlue Jays RHP Kevin Gausman (0-1, 0.00 ERA) takes the mound opposite Royals RHP Jordan Lyles (0-1, 1.69) in the series finale Thursday afternoon.TRANSACTIONSRoyals OF Kyle Isbel has been placed on the paternity list, with 1B/OF Nick Pratto recalled from Triple-A Omaha.

⚾ Manoah, Blue Jays blank Royals 3-0, Guerrero hits first HR

HUTCHINSON, Kan.&nbsp;— The Hutchinson Salthawks baseball team dropped two games to the Newton Railers on Wednesday at Hobart-Detter Field. The Salthawks lost the opener 13-3, before falling in the night cap 6-3.

The Salthawks are now 0-4 on the season, while Newton improves their record to 5-1.

Hutch trailed 5-3 going into the top of the seventh inning before the Railers scored eight runs to put the game out of reach. Jack Yoder collected a pair of hits for the Salthawks who were held to just five hits total for the game. The defensive effort struggled, committing three errors in the contest.

Newton jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning after the Salthawks committed three errors helping lead to those runs. Although Hutch was held to just one hit (bunt single) through the first six innings, the Salthawks only found themselves down 4-3 after six complete. The Railers added on two more insurance runs in the top of the seventh to lead 6-3, before the Salthawks went down in order to end the game.

The Salthawks return to the diamond on Tuesday when they will travel to Maize South. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. and can be heard on Hutch Post and the NFHS Network.

GAME 1 - Newton 13, Hutchinson 3 Newton - 130 100 8 - 13 7 1 Hutchinson - 300 000 0 - 3 5 3 W: Myers. L: Eckhoff.&nbsp;

GAME 2 - Newton 6, Hutchinson 3 Newton - 400 000 2 - 6 10 3 Hutchinson - 012 000 0 - 3 2 3 W: Schultz. L: Beavers. S: Zerger.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680751625878.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan.&nbsp;— The Hutchinson Salthawks baseball team dropped two games to the Newton Railers on Wednesday at Hobart-Detter Field. The Salthawks lost the opener 13-3, before falling in the night cap 6-3.The Salthawks are now 0-4 on the season, while Newton improves their record to 5-1.Hutch trailed 5-3 going into the top of the seventh inning before the Railers scored eight runs to put the game out of reach. Jack Yoder collected a pair of hits for the Salthawks who were held to just five hits total for the game. The defensive effort struggled, committing three errors in the contest.Newton jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning after the Salthawks committed three errors helping lead to those runs. Although Hutch was held to just one hit (bunt single) through the first six innings, the Salthawks only found themselves down 4-3 after six complete. The Railers added on two more insurance runs in the top of the seventh to lead 6-3, before the Salthawks went down in order to end the game.The Salthawks return to the diamond on Tuesday when they will travel to Maize South. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. and can be heard on Hutch Post and the NFHS Network.GAME 1 - Newton 13, Hutchinson 3 Newton - 130 100 8 - 13 7 1 Hutchinson - 300 000 0 - 3 5 3 W: Myers. L: Eckhoff.&nbsp;GAME 2 - Newton 6, Hutchinson 3 Newton - 400 000 2 - 6 10 3 Hutchinson - 012 000 0 - 3 2 3 W: Schultz. L: Beavers. S: Zerger.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile&nbsp;app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

⚾ BSB: Salthawks drop two to Newton

Wichita State University senior guard Craig Porter Jr. has declared for the NBA Draft, announcing his plans through a post on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CqqdMwjO-oa/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>.

"I want to thank Shocker Nation for embracing me with open arms from day one," Porter posted.

Porter Jr. averaged 13.5 points per game for the Shockers last season.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680721310552.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Wichita State University senior guard Craig Porter Jr. has declared for the NBA Draft, announcing his plans through a post on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CqqdMwjO-oa/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Instagram</a>."I want to thank Shocker Nation for embracing me with open arms from day one," Porter posted.Porter Jr. averaged 13.5 points per game for the Shockers last season.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile&nbsp;app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

🏀 MBB: Porter declares for NBA Draft

HUTCHINSON, Kan.&nbsp;— The Hutchinson Salthawks baseball team will host the Newton Railers this afternoon at Hobart-Detter Field. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 4 p.m.

The Salthawks are off to an 0-2 start following two road losses at Great Bend last Friday, while the Railers are 3-1 on the season and come in to today's games after splitting with Andover Central on Friday.&nbsp;

All home and road games can be heard on Hutch Post, while all home games will also have live video on Hutch Post and on the NFHS Network Hutch Channel. Pregame coverage with Sean Boston begins at 3:55 p.m.

<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/2023/4/1680692140943.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan.&nbsp;— The Hutchinson Salthawks baseball team will host the Newton Railers this afternoon at Hobart-Detter Field. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 4 p.m.The Salthawks are off to an 0-2 start following two road losses at Great Bend last Friday, while the Railers are 3-1 on the season and come in to today's games after splitting with Andover Central on Friday.&nbsp;All home and road games can be heard on Hutch Post, while all home games will also have live video on Hutch Post and on the NFHS Network Hutch Channel. Pregame coverage with Sean Boston begins at 3:55 p.m.<div><iframe src="https://player.nfhsnetwork.com/#/events/hutchinson-high-school-hutchinson-ks/gam155c9c3980" allowfullscreen="true" frameborder="0" width="640" height="360"></iframe>

</div><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;