<a href="https://kuathletics.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3846a6408b9536a51afeabac1&amp;id=07564778ea&amp;e=33e05464a3" target="_blank">Box Score</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3846a6408b9536a51afeabac1&amp;id=5899937ced&amp;e=33e05464a3" target="_blank">Season Statistics</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3846a6408b9536a51afeabac1&amp;id=335ca67af7&amp;e=33e05464a3" target="_blank">Conference Statistics</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3846a6408b9536a51afeabac1&amp;id=0ac5786ce4&amp;e=33e05464a3" target="_blank">Gallery</a>

LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;On Friday evening at Hoglund Ballpark, the No. 24-ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys defeated the Kansas Jayhawks, 15-10. Senior Cole Elvis and sophomore Chase Jans each had home runs and multi-hit games. Kansas held a 4-3 lead after three innings, but that was the last time the Jayhawks were ahead.

Kansas opened the scoring in the first inning. After loading the bases via an error and two walks, junior Janson Reeder hit a sacrifice fly to center field to score Jans. The Jayhawks led 1-0 after an inning.

Oklahoma State (26-13, 9-7 Big 12) took advantage of an error in the second and scored two unearned runs. With two outs, a fielding error set up Colin Brueggemann for a two-run home run to center field. The homer gave the Cowboys a 2-1 lead.

The third inning featured home runs from both teams. Carson Benge hit a solo shot in the top of the third to give OSU a 3-1 advantage. Then, in the bottom of the third Kansas hit two home runs of its own.

Jans led off the inning with a solo home run for his sixth homer of the season. A walk to freshman Kodey Shojinaga set up Elvis for his team-high ninth home run of the season. The two-run blast gave Kansas a 4-3 lead.

The Cowboys then scored eight runs over the next three innings to take a commanding lead. Two runs in the fourth, two runs in the fifth and four runs in the sixth gave Oklahoma State an 11-4 edge.

The Jayhawks put together a mini rally in the sixth inning when they loaded the bases with one out. Shojinaga hit a two-run double into the left-center gap to tighten the game to 11-6. Kansas was unable to add any more runs and left baserunners on second and third.

In the seventh, the teams traded runs as Oklahoma State scored on a failed pickoff attempt at second base that went into center field. Then, KU scored on a bases-loaded RBI groundout by redshirt sophomore Mike Koszewski.

OSU added two more runs in the eighth inning on a home run by David Mendham. The Jayhawks got one of those runs back in the bottom of the eighth with a sacrifice fly from Jake English.

The Cowboys scored another unearned run in the ninth on a fielding error. KU scored two in the bottom of the ninth on an RBI single by Jans and a sacrifice fly from Elvis to end the night with a score of 15-10.

Graduate Collin Baumgartner started for Kansas and suffered his first loss of the season. Baumgartner threw 4.0 innings for the third straight start and gave up seven runs, four of which were earned, on five hits and four walks along, with three strikeouts.

PITCHERS OF RECORD Win: Evan O’Toole (5-1) Final line: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 SO Loss: Collin Baumgartner (3-1) Final line: 4.0 IP, 5 H, 7 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 3 SO

NOTES • Kansas has scored at least 10 runs in four-straight games. That marks the first time with four-straight contests scoring double-digit runs since May 13-20, 2011 (five games). • Elvis extended his hitting streak to 15 games. The home run was his ninth of the season, which is the most on the team. He has homered in back-to-back games for the third time this season. Elvis posted his team-best 14th multi-hit game of the season. • Jans tallied his 12th multi-hit game of the season after going 4-for-6 with a home run, two RBIs and two runs scored. The home run was the sixth of the season for Jans, which is double his total from last season. • Shojinaga also recorded his 12th multi-hit game this season. He finished 2-for-4 with a double, two walks, two RBIs and two runs scored. • English extended his on-base streak to 14 games.

UP NEXT Kansas (19-19, 5-8 Big 12) plays game two against No. 24 Oklahoma State on Saturday afternoon at Hoglund Ballpark. Saturday’s game is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. CT.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682162462858.jpeg" alt="KuBaseball.jpg" />
 <figcaption>KuBaseball.jpg</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://kuathletics.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3846a6408b9536a51afeabac1&amp;id=07564778ea&amp;e=33e05464a3" target="_blank">Box Score</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3846a6408b9536a51afeabac1&amp;id=5899937ced&amp;e=33e05464a3" target="_blank">Season Statistics</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3846a6408b9536a51afeabac1&amp;id=335ca67af7&amp;e=33e05464a3" target="_blank">Conference Statistics</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3846a6408b9536a51afeabac1&amp;id=0ac5786ce4&amp;e=33e05464a3" target="_blank">Gallery</a>LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;On Friday evening at Hoglund Ballpark, the No. 24-ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys defeated the Kansas Jayhawks, 15-10. Senior Cole Elvis and sophomore Chase Jans each had home runs and multi-hit games. Kansas held a 4-3 lead after three innings, but that was the last time the Jayhawks were ahead.Kansas opened the scoring in the first inning. After loading the bases via an error and two walks, junior Janson Reeder hit a sacrifice fly to center field to score Jans. The Jayhawks led 1-0 after an inning.Oklahoma State (26-13, 9-7 Big 12) took advantage of an error in the second and scored two unearned runs. With two outs, a fielding error set up Colin Brueggemann for a two-run home run to center field. The homer gave the Cowboys a 2-1 lead.The third inning featured home runs from both teams. Carson Benge hit a solo shot in the top of the third to give OSU a 3-1 advantage. Then, in the bottom of the third Kansas hit two home runs of its own.Jans led off the inning with a solo home run for his sixth homer of the season. A walk to freshman Kodey Shojinaga set up Elvis for his team-high ninth home run of the season. The two-run blast gave Kansas a 4-3 lead.The Cowboys then scored eight runs over the next three innings to take a commanding lead. Two runs in the fourth, two runs in the fifth and four runs in the sixth gave Oklahoma State an 11-4 edge.The Jayhawks put together a mini rally in the sixth inning when they loaded the bases with one out. Shojinaga hit a two-run double into the left-center gap to tighten the game to 11-6. Kansas was unable to add any more runs and left baserunners on second and third.In the seventh, the teams traded runs as Oklahoma State scored on a failed pickoff attempt at second base that went into center field. Then, KU scored on a bases-loaded RBI groundout by redshirt sophomore Mike Koszewski.OSU added two more runs in the eighth inning on a home run by David Mendham. The Jayhawks got one of those runs back in the bottom of the eighth with a sacrifice fly from Jake English.The Cowboys scored another unearned run in the ninth on a fielding error. KU scored two in the bottom of the ninth on an RBI single by Jans and a sacrifice fly from Elvis to end the night with a score of 15-10.Graduate Collin Baumgartner started for Kansas and suffered his first loss of the season. Baumgartner threw 4.0 innings for the third straight start and gave up seven runs, four of which were earned, on five hits and four walks along, with three strikeouts.PITCHERS OF RECORD Win: Evan O’Toole (5-1) Final line: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 SO Loss: Collin Baumgartner (3-1) Final line: 4.0 IP, 5 H, 7 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 3 SONOTES • Kansas has scored at least 10 runs in four-straight games. That marks the first time with four-straight contests scoring double-digit runs since May 13-20, 2011 (five games). • Elvis extended his hitting streak to 15 games. The home run was his ninth of the season, which is the most on the team. He has homered in back-to-back games for the third time this season. Elvis posted his team-best 14th multi-hit game of the season. • Jans tallied his 12th multi-hit game of the season after going 4-for-6 with a home run, two RBIs and two runs scored. The home run was the sixth of the season for Jans, which is double his total from last season. • Shojinaga also recorded his 12th multi-hit game this season. He finished 2-for-4 with a double, two walks, two RBIs and two runs scored. • English extended his on-base streak to 14 games.UP NEXT Kansas (19-19, 5-8 Big 12) plays game two against No. 24 Oklahoma State on Saturday afternoon at Hoglund Ballpark. Saturday’s game is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. CT.

⚾️ Kansas drops game one to Oklahoma State

TULSA, Ok –&nbsp;The largest crowd at ONEOK Field in over five years turned out Friday night, and the fans were treated to the first walk-off victory of the season for the Tulsa Drillers. With the score tied in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Drillers loaded the bases with one out to set up a sacrifice fly from Diego Cartaya that scored Jonny DeLuca with the winning run in an exciting 6-5 win for the Drillers.

Tulsa twice had to overcome Wichita leads in the back-and-forth contest that featured a combined five home runs from the two teams. The victory extended the Drillers winning streak to three straight games, one short of matching the season high four-game streak.

For the second straight night, DeLuca opened the scoring for the Drillers with a lead-off home run in the bottom of the first inning. He deposited a 2-0 pitch into the Budweiser Terrace for his third homer of the season and his second in as many games.

Wichita’s Armani Smith answered with his first homer of the season in the top of the second to tie the game at 1-1. The run was the first scored against Drillers pitchers in 20 innings.

The home run theme continued into the third when Josh Stowers belted Tulsa’s second homer of the game. The solo blast, the first of the season for Stowers, gave the Drillers a 2-1 lead.

The Wind Surge took its first lead of the night in the fifth with three runs against reliever Alec Gamboa. Jake Rucker tied the score with a solo homer before Will Holland singled in a pair of runs to put Wichita in front 4-2.&nbsp;

Tulsa’s third homer of the night in the sixth inning tied the score once again. After Jose Ramos drew a one-out walk, Imanol Vargas lined a full-count pitch over the right field fence and just inside the foul pole for a two-run homer that evened the score at 4-4.

The Wind Surge quickly went back in front in the seventh when Anthony Prato was hit by a pitch from Cole Percival, stole second base and scored on a two-out single from Smith.

Trailing 5-4, the Drillers would score the final two runs of the game to claim the victory. In the eighth, Cartaya singled and Ramos and Vargas drew walks to load the bases. Brandon Lewis hit an infield chopper that left second baseman Prato with only a play at first base. His throw retired Lewis, but Cartaya raced home with the tying run that set up the walk-off win in the ninth.

With the score tied at 5-5, the winning rally began with one out when DeLuca beat out an infield hit. Jorbit Vivas followed with a lined double down the right field line that put the winning run just 90 feet from home. After Andy Pages was intentionally walked to load the bases, Cartaya delivered when he lofted a 2-2 pitch into centerfield. Will Holland made the catch in medium-depth center, but he had no chance to throw out the speedy DeLuca at the plate as the Drillers rushed onto the field to celebrate their first ninth-inning win of the year.&nbsp;

*Paid attendance for the game totaled 8,379, making it the largest attendance for a Drillers home game since opening night of the 2018 season.

*Vivas extended his hitting streak to 13 straight games when he doubled on the first pitch he saw in the bottom of the first inning. He finished 2-4 in the game and is now batting .377 for the season.

*DeLuca had his first three-hit game of the season, finishing 3-5.

*It was the third homer of the season for Vargas, who is now hitting .345.

*The Drillers won despite going 0-7 at the plate with runners in scoring position.

*Tulsa starting pitcher River Ryan labored through his shortest outing of the season, using 61 pitches to get through 2.1 innings, but he allowed just one run. Ryan walked three batters and gave up six hits while striking out a season high five batters.&nbsp;

*Pitcher Ryan Sublette, who was activated earlier in the day, worked a scoreless eighth inning in his Double-A debut.

*Jordan Leasure worked a scoreless top of the ninth to gain the victory and even his record at 1-1.

*The win gave the Drillers a 3-1 advantage in the 2023 Coors Light Propeller Series.

*The game took 2 hours and 48 minutes to play, making it the longest game at ONEOK Field this season by 26 minutes.

Tulsa and Wichita will play the fifth game of their six-game series on Saturday night at ONEOK Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. and the starting pitchers are slated to be:&nbsp;

Wichita – RHP Chad Donato (0-1, 27.00 ERA)

Tulsa – RHP Emmet Sheehan (1-1, 3.09 ERA)

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682162145759.jpeg" alt="Tulsa Drillers get walk-off win over Wind Surge" />
 <figcaption>Tulsa Drillers get walk-off win over Wind Surge</figcaption>
 </figure>TULSA, Ok –&nbsp;The largest crowd at ONEOK Field in over five years turned out Friday night, and the fans were treated to the first walk-off victory of the season for the Tulsa Drillers. With the score tied in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Drillers loaded the bases with one out to set up a sacrifice fly from Diego Cartaya that scored Jonny DeLuca with the winning run in an exciting 6-5 win for the Drillers.Tulsa twice had to overcome Wichita leads in the back-and-forth contest that featured a combined five home runs from the two teams. The victory extended the Drillers winning streak to three straight games, one short of matching the season high four-game streak.For the second straight night, DeLuca opened the scoring for the Drillers with a lead-off home run in the bottom of the first inning. He deposited a 2-0 pitch into the Budweiser Terrace for his third homer of the season and his second in as many games.Wichita’s Armani Smith answered with his first homer of the season in the top of the second to tie the game at 1-1. The run was the first scored against Drillers pitchers in 20 innings.The home run theme continued into the third when Josh Stowers belted Tulsa’s second homer of the game. The solo blast, the first of the season for Stowers, gave the Drillers a 2-1 lead.The Wind Surge took its first lead of the night in the fifth with three runs against reliever Alec Gamboa. Jake Rucker tied the score with a solo homer before Will Holland singled in a pair of runs to put Wichita in front 4-2.&nbsp;Tulsa’s third homer of the night in the sixth inning tied the score once again. After Jose Ramos drew a one-out walk, Imanol Vargas lined a full-count pitch over the right field fence and just inside the foul pole for a two-run homer that evened the score at 4-4.The Wind Surge quickly went back in front in the seventh when Anthony Prato was hit by a pitch from Cole Percival, stole second base and scored on a two-out single from Smith.Trailing 5-4, the Drillers would score the final two runs of the game to claim the victory. In the eighth, Cartaya singled and Ramos and Vargas drew walks to load the bases. Brandon Lewis hit an infield chopper that left second baseman Prato with only a play at first base. His throw retired Lewis, but Cartaya raced home with the tying run that set up the walk-off win in the ninth.With the score tied at 5-5, the winning rally began with one out when DeLuca beat out an infield hit. Jorbit Vivas followed with a lined double down the right field line that put the winning run just 90 feet from home. After Andy Pages was intentionally walked to load the bases, Cartaya delivered when he lofted a 2-2 pitch into centerfield. Will Holland made the catch in medium-depth center, but he had no chance to throw out the speedy DeLuca at the plate as the Drillers rushed onto the field to celebrate their first ninth-inning win of the year.&nbsp;HIGHLIGHTS AND HAPPENINGS:*Paid attendance for the game totaled 8,379, making it the largest attendance for a Drillers home game since opening night of the 2018 season.*Vivas extended his hitting streak to 13 straight games when he doubled on the first pitch he saw in the bottom of the first inning. He finished 2-4 in the game and is now batting .377 for the season.*DeLuca had his first three-hit game of the season, finishing 3-5.*It was the third homer of the season for Vargas, who is now hitting .345.*The Drillers won despite going 0-7 at the plate with runners in scoring position.*Tulsa starting pitcher River Ryan labored through his shortest outing of the season, using 61 pitches to get through 2.1 innings, but he allowed just one run. Ryan walked three batters and gave up six hits while striking out a season high five batters.&nbsp;*Pitcher Ryan Sublette, who was activated earlier in the day, worked a scoreless eighth inning in his Double-A debut.*Jordan Leasure worked a scoreless top of the ninth to gain the victory and even his record at 1-1.*The win gave the Drillers a 3-1 advantage in the 2023 Coors Light Propeller Series.*The game took 2 hours and 48 minutes to play, making it the longest game at ONEOK Field this season by 26 minutes.UP NEXT:Tulsa and Wichita will play the fifth game of their six-game series on Saturday night at ONEOK Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. and the starting pitchers are slated to be:&nbsp;Wichita – RHP Chad Donato (0-1, 27.00 ERA)Tulsa – RHP Emmet Sheehan (1-1, 3.09 ERA)

⚾ Tulsa Drillers edge Wichita Wind Surge with walk-off victory

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani&nbsp;struck out the side on 12 pitches in the first inning Friday night, throwing sweepers that broke horizontally like Frisbees and punctuating them with a 98.7-mph fastball. Angels manager Phil Nevin said he had never seen an inning more dominant during his nearly three decades in the big leagues.

Ohtani remained far too much for the&nbsp;Kansas City Royals&nbsp;to handle in his latest outstanding start.

Ohtani struck out a season-high 11 and allowed two hits over seven innings, and fill-in catcher&nbsp;Chad Wallach&nbsp;hit a two-run homer in Los Angeles' 2-0 victory.

Ohtani (3-0) returned to the mound just four days after a lengthy rain delay limited him to two innings in Boston, and the two-way superstar didn't miss a beat in his spectacular season on the mound. After fanning the side in that incredible first, Ohtani also struck out his final six batters — and in between, Kansas City managed two singles and two walks while getting just one runner to second base.

“From a hitter's standpoint, I would have no idea what to prepare for,” Nevin said. “Because he's got 98 in there, but he doesn't usually throw the fastball a lot. The sweeper is kind of unhittable when he's throwing it for strikes. I'm glad I don't have to face him. I'm glad he's on my side.”

Ohtani has given up two runs and eight hits over 28 innings with 38 strikeouts while lowering his ERA to 0.64 — the lowest in franchise history through a pitcher's first five starts. Ohtani also extended his franchise record with his 12th consecutive start allowing two runs or fewer.

Wallach stepped up impressively in the absence of injured rookie catcher Logan O’Hoppe, helping Ohtani behind the plate and also delivering the decisive homer in his first major league at-bat of the season.

“I love catching him,” Wallach said. “Probably the best stuff I've ever seen, so it's fun for me to be back there and just catch pitches. ... (The first inning) was the best I've ever seen. He was throwing it exactly where he wanted to, and just all the pitches were nasty.”

After issuing a leadoff walk in the sixth, Ohtani fanned six in a row to secure his major league-best 12th double-digit strikeout game since the start of 2022.

Carlos Estévez and&nbsp;Jose Quijada&nbsp;completed a three-hit shutout, with Quijada giving up a one-out single to&nbsp;Bobby Witt Jr. before finishing his fourth save in front of Angel Stadium's third sellout crowd of the year.

Kansas City opened a 10-game trip with its seventh consecutive loss and its 10th in 11 games.

“He’s special pretty much any night he takes the field,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said of Ohtani. “He came out, struck out the side in the first, and then I think our at-bats got better over the next four innings or so, and then he introduced that curveball late. We hadn’t seen that, and it kept us off balance. He’s got a huge arsenal. Overall, the at-bats were pretty good, considering we were facing him. But it wasn’t good enough. … (Ohtani) seems like somebody who can do whatever he sets out to do.”

Wallach, who joined the Angels earlier Friday from Triple-A Salt Lake, drove a changeup from&nbsp;Ryan Yarbrough&nbsp;(0-2) 424 feet in the third inning for just his second big league homer since 2020.

Kansas City pitched a bullpen game in the rotation slot of injured left-hander Kris Bubic, with opener&nbsp;Taylor Clarke&nbsp;throwing two scoreless innings.

Mike Trout&nbsp;got the night off for the Angels in their return from a disappointing seven-game East Coast trip.

Angels rookie shortstop&nbsp;Zach Neto&nbsp;was hit by a pitch in each of his first two at-bats. He already has been hit by five pitches in his first seven games in the majors.

Royals: Bubic will have Tommy John surgery next week. He made three starts this season and showed improved form before his elbow ligament woes were diagnosed.

Angels: O'Hoppe went on the 10-day injured list with a shoulder problem. The promising rookie hurt himself on swings Monday and again Thursday, but the team hasn't revealed much about the nature of his injury. Wallach and&nbsp;Matt Thaiss&nbsp;are the Angels' two remaining catchers, with&nbsp;Max Stassi&nbsp;yet to make his season debut.

Tyler Anderson&nbsp;(1-0, 6.75 ERA) makes the fourth start of his Angels career in search of his first victory over the Royals, who counter with former Angels right-hander&nbsp;Zack Greinke&nbsp;(0-3. 4.03).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1675161818500.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani&nbsp;struck out the side on 12 pitches in the first inning Friday night, throwing sweepers that broke horizontally like Frisbees and punctuating them with a 98.7-mph fastball. Angels manager Phil Nevin said he had never seen an inning more dominant during his nearly three decades in the big leagues.Ohtani remained far too much for the&nbsp;Kansas City Royals&nbsp;to handle in his latest outstanding start.Ohtani struck out a season-high 11 and allowed two hits over seven innings, and fill-in catcher&nbsp;Chad Wallach&nbsp;hit a two-run homer in Los Angeles' 2-0 victory.Ohtani (3-0) returned to the mound just four days after a lengthy rain delay limited him to two innings in Boston, and the two-way superstar didn't miss a beat in his spectacular season on the mound. After fanning the side in that incredible first, Ohtani also struck out his final six batters — and in between, Kansas City managed two singles and two walks while getting just one runner to second base.“From a hitter's standpoint, I would have no idea what to prepare for,” Nevin said. “Because he's got 98 in there, but he doesn't usually throw the fastball a lot. The sweeper is kind of unhittable when he's throwing it for strikes. I'm glad I don't have to face him. I'm glad he's on my side.”Ohtani has given up two runs and eight hits over 28 innings with 38 strikeouts while lowering his ERA to 0.64 — the lowest in franchise history through a pitcher's first five starts. Ohtani also extended his franchise record with his 12th consecutive start allowing two runs or fewer.Wallach stepped up impressively in the absence of injured rookie catcher Logan O’Hoppe, helping Ohtani behind the plate and also delivering the decisive homer in his first major league at-bat of the season.“I love catching him,” Wallach said. “Probably the best stuff I've ever seen, so it's fun for me to be back there and just catch pitches. ... (The first inning) was the best I've ever seen. He was throwing it exactly where he wanted to, and just all the pitches were nasty.”After issuing a leadoff walk in the sixth, Ohtani fanned six in a row to secure his major league-best 12th double-digit strikeout game since the start of 2022.Carlos Estévez and&nbsp;Jose Quijada&nbsp;completed a three-hit shutout, with Quijada giving up a one-out single to&nbsp;Bobby Witt Jr. before finishing his fourth save in front of Angel Stadium's third sellout crowd of the year.Kansas City opened a 10-game trip with its seventh consecutive loss and its 10th in 11 games.“He’s special pretty much any night he takes the field,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said of Ohtani. “He came out, struck out the side in the first, and then I think our at-bats got better over the next four innings or so, and then he introduced that curveball late. We hadn’t seen that, and it kept us off balance. He’s got a huge arsenal. Overall, the at-bats were pretty good, considering we were facing him. But it wasn’t good enough. … (Ohtani) seems like somebody who can do whatever he sets out to do.”Wallach, who joined the Angels earlier Friday from Triple-A Salt Lake, drove a changeup from&nbsp;Ryan Yarbrough&nbsp;(0-2) 424 feet in the third inning for just his second big league homer since 2020.Kansas City pitched a bullpen game in the rotation slot of injured left-hander Kris Bubic, with opener&nbsp;Taylor Clarke&nbsp;throwing two scoreless innings.Mike Trout&nbsp;got the night off for the Angels in their return from a disappointing seven-game East Coast trip.KERPLUNKAngels rookie shortstop&nbsp;Zach Neto&nbsp;was hit by a pitch in each of his first two at-bats. He already has been hit by five pitches in his first seven games in the majors.TRAINER'S ROOMRoyals: Bubic will have Tommy John surgery next week. He made three starts this season and showed improved form before his elbow ligament woes were diagnosed.Angels: O'Hoppe went on the 10-day injured list with a shoulder problem. The promising rookie hurt himself on swings Monday and again Thursday, but the team hasn't revealed much about the nature of his injury. Wallach and&nbsp;Matt Thaiss&nbsp;are the Angels' two remaining catchers, with&nbsp;Max Stassi&nbsp;yet to make his season debut.UP NEXTTyler Anderson&nbsp;(1-0, 6.75 ERA) makes the fourth start of his Angels career in search of his first victory over the Royals, who counter with former Angels right-hander&nbsp;Zack Greinke&nbsp;(0-3. 4.03).

⚾ Shohei Ohtani strikes out 11, Angels beat Royals 2-0

Courtesy of Kansas State Athletics

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Legendary K-State Athletics figure&nbsp;Ernie Barrett, affectionately known as ‘Mr. K-State,’ with his trademark firm handshake, passed away on Friday morning (April 21) at the age of 93 in Manhattan, Kan.

A memorial service is planned for 1 p.m., CT on Thursday, April 27 at Bramlage Coliseum with a reception to follow in the Shamrock Zone. The service and reception are open to the public.

Barrett is survived by his wife of 72 years,&nbsp;Bonnie, his son&nbsp;Brad&nbsp;and a grandson&nbsp;Ryan&nbsp;and wife,&nbsp;Lauren. He was preceded in death by his parents (Ernie&nbsp;and&nbsp;Ruby Barrett) and son&nbsp;Duane.

Born in Pratt, Kan., on August 27, 1929, Barrett called Wellington, Kan., his home, where he led Wellington High School to its only state championship in 1947 as an all-state basketball player. Recruited by the likes of Kansas’ Phog Allen and Oklahoma State’s Henry Iba out of high school, Barrett chose Kansas State, beginning a long association in 1948 when he entered the university as a freshman basketball player for Hall of Fame head coach&nbsp;Jack Gardner&nbsp;and then freshman coach and future Hall of Famer&nbsp;Fred “Tex” Winter.

Barrett was a two-time graduate of the university, earning a bachelor’s degree in physical education in 1951 and a master’s degree in journalism in 1956.

During his near 75-year association with K-State, Barrett served the university as a student-athlete (1948-51), assistant basketball coach (1958-64), assistant athletics director (1963-69), director of athletics (1969-75), university consultant (1988-91) and director of development (1991-2007). His list of accolades and achievements are nearly endless. As a student-athlete, he captained the 1950-51 team that opened venerable Ahearn Field House while guiding the Wildcats to the Final Four as the school’s first consensus All-American. As an assistant coach to Winter, he was part of two Final Fours (1959 and 1964) and five Big Eight titles from 1958-64. Later as athletics director and fundraiser, he was instrumental in the hiring of legendary coach&nbsp;Jack Hartman&nbsp;as men’s basketball coach in 1970 and helped spearhead numerous athletics facilities, including Bill Snyder Family Stadium, Colbert Hills Golf Course, Tointon Family Stadium and R.V. Christian Track and Field Complex.

Barrett was a charter member of the K-State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1990, while the university erected a statue of him in front of Bramlage Coliseum in 1999 as a tribute to his many contributions. He was named to the State of Kansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1996. He was selected to the school’s 13-member All-Century Basketball Team in 2003. His number 22 jersey hangs in the rafters of Bramlage Coliseum after he was honored by the school in 2005.

Barrett was associated with three of K-State’s four all-time Final Four appearances, including the first in 1951 as a player and two as an assistant coach in 1959 and 1964, while he was part of teams that won a combined seven Big Seven or Big Eight Conference titles (1950, 1951, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1963, 1964).

As a basketball player, Barrett famously led the Wildcats to their first and only NCAA Championship game during his storybook senior season in 1950-51, while earning First Team All-America honors on the team that opened historic Ahearn Field House. He averaged a team-leading 10.3 points as a senior en route to helping K-State to a 25-4 overall record, which included the Big Seven Holiday Tournament and Big Seven regular-season titles and the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. In the tournament, the Wildcats defeated No. 12 Arizona, No. 11 BYU and No. 2 Oklahoma State to set up a matchup with Kentucky in the NCAA title. Due to a shoulder injury, he was limited to just 4 points in the championship game, which the Wildcats lost 68-58.

Overall, the Wildcats were 54-22 (.711) during Barrett’s 3-year playing career, which included a pair of Big Seven Conference titles in 1950 and 1951. He scored 675 points in 77 career games.

As a senior, Barrett earned First Team All-America honors from the Helms Foundation,&nbsp;The Sporting News&nbsp;and International News Service, while he was selected for second team honors by Converse Yearbook and Look magazine as well as third team honors from the UPI. He was also unanimous First Team All-Big Seven.

Upon graduating from K-State, Barrett was one of his four Wildcats taken in the 1951 NBA Draft, as the Boston Celtics took him with the seventh pick of the first round. Due to his service in the U.S. Air Force from 1951-53, he deferred his commitment with the Celtics until 1953, playing two seasons (1953-54 and 1955-56) for the legendary&nbsp;Red Auerbach&nbsp;and alongside Hall of Fame player&nbsp;Bob Cousy, helping the Celtics to the Eastern Division finals twice.

Barrett returned to his alma mater as assistant alumni secretary for the K-State Alumni Association in 1955 before becoming an assistant coach for Winter in 1958. He spent six seasons (1958-64) on Winter’s staff, helping the Wildcats to a 123-36 (.774) record cumulating in the 1964 Final Four. The team shared or won the Big Eight regular-season title five times in his six seasons on the coaching staff, boasting a 72-12 (.857) mark in conference play, with Final Four appearances in 1959 and 1964.&nbsp;

Barrett moved full-time into the administrative ranks in the fall of 1964 before succeeding&nbsp;Bebe Lee&nbsp;as the school’s director of athletics on March 10, 1969. He was the first Kansas-born athlete to lead the department. He spent seven years (1969-75) leading the athletics department, in which, he hired the school’s all-time winningest coach&nbsp;Jack Hartman&nbsp;while leading fundraising campaigns for KSU Stadium (now Bill Snyder Family Stadium), the athletic dormitory and the R.V. Christian Track and Field Complex.

After leaving for the private sector, Barrett returned to his alma mater in 1991 as the department’s director of development for which he served until his retirement in 2007.

University statements on the passing of&nbsp;Ernie Barrett:

University President&nbsp;Dr. Richard Linton

“Ernie Barrett has always been a shining example of what it means to be a K-Stater. From his storied success at K-State — both on and off the court — to his achievements in the NBA, and later, his transformative time as an athletics administrator for the university, Ernie embodied the work ethic, dedication and tenacity that are hallmarks of the Wildcat spirit. We will always celebrate and hold dear the legacy of Mr. K-State and all he accomplished for our great university.”

Director of Athletics&nbsp;Gene Taylor

"Today is a sad day for Kansas State University. Ernie Barrett poured his heart and soul into K-State for an amazing 75-plus years, and we would not be where we are today as an institution and athletics program without him. As a former athletics director, he was always supportive of me and the decisions I made, and that meant the world to me. His&nbsp;symbolic handshake will forever be remembered as a symbol of his care and love for both people and Kansas State. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bonnie and the entire Barrett family."

President and CEO of the K-State Alumni Association&nbsp;Amy Button Renz

“I will always be grateful to Ernie for his support and friendship. When I became president and CEO of the Alumni Association, Ernie provided valuable insight into the world of athletics and helped the association establish a new elevated partnership with the athletics department.&nbsp;When we started the campaign to build the K-State Alumni Center, he helped us raise funds and then Ernie and his family personally donated. The Barrett Wildcat Den is named in their honor. I have so many wonderful memories of him and his love for K-State. I was so excited when he received the Association’s Wildcat Pride Award, but my favorite memory is sitting next to him when the 2018 men’s basketball team defeated Kentucky to advance to the Elite Eight. Ernie was so excited!&nbsp;There will never be another Mr. K-State. My thoughts and prayers are with Bonnie, Brad, and all of Ernie's loved ones.”

Head Men’s Basketball Coach&nbsp;Jerome Tang

“Known for his firm handshakes and his neck hugs, Ernie enjoyed an incredibly well-lived life that I was blessed to be part of as the men’s basketball coach at his alma mater. He might be the greatest Wildcat of all-time. In his near 75-year association with this great school, he accomplished nearly everything you can imagine from playing Final Fours to hiring Hall of Fame coaches to helping build the very building our teams play in today. He came to visit me before every home game and was incredibly welcoming to me and my staff in our first year. No one loved this university and its basketball team more than him. I’m sending love and prayers to his wife Bonnie, son Brad and the rest of their family. What a remarkable life.”

Head Football Coach&nbsp;Chris Klieman

“Ernie cared so deeply about Kansas State, and I appreciated our friendship and his personal interest in our football program. Everyone knows Ernie for his figurative handshake, but what I will remember most is a person who spent nearly three-quarters of a century trying to make his alma mater a better place. He is the true definition of a K-Stater, and Bonnie and the rest of the Barrett family will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers.”

Hall of Fame football coach&nbsp;Bill Snyder

“Ernie was the dearest of friends, one of the greatest K-Staters in the world, and a special, special man and husband. He was one of the first individuals I met when I visited Manhattan and was significant as anyone in formulating my decision to come to Kansas State. Never in my 40-plus years here have I met anyone who meant more or did more for a university than Ernie. He sought out opportunities to promote Kansas State University and the athletics program everywhere he was. While he was truly one of the most recognizable K-Staters across the state, Ernie was amazingly received in our Western Kansas communities and was embraced in an astounding way. It was astonishing to witness people bring their children and family members just to meet Ernie and shake his hand. He and Bonnie have been so meaningful to Manhattan, Kansas State University and the entire state of Kansas, and he will be dearly missed.”

Other notable figures on the passing of&nbsp;Ernie Barrett:

President of Interim HealthCare Topeka and family friend&nbsp;Jill Stehley Harrison

“Ernie developed the relationships that truly transformed K-State.&nbsp;He built those with a&nbsp;firm handshake, a handwritten note, a personal passion for a project, and the trust that goes along with that.&nbsp;There will never be another Mr. K-State.&nbsp;We were all fortunate to have him in our lives.”

Longtime athletics donor&nbsp;Mary Vanier

“Ernie Barrett had a passion for Kansas State University and the Athletics Programs that is unmatched.&nbsp; Starting as a player, then administrator, fund raiser and constant supporter, I really can’t name anyone who has had more of an impact on K-State Athletics than Ernie.&nbsp;Together with his wife Bonnie, they are the patriarch and matriarch of the K-State Family.&nbsp;Ernie’s friendship, humor and bone crushing handshake will be greatly missed.”&nbsp;

Longtime athletics donors&nbsp;Howard&nbsp;and&nbsp;Patricia Sherwood

“There will no longer or ever will be the handshake that Ernie shared with thousands over the 75 years of his life as a Wildcat. The purple will fade a bit without our Ernie. The MAN and Bonnie will always be loved and never forgotten.”

Longtime athletics donor and professional golfer&nbsp;Jim Colbert

“Ernie was Mr. K-State. He devoted all of his adult life to the betterment and development of the University. There would be no Colbert Hills without Ernie. There would be no Bramlage Coliseum, Bill Snyder Family Stadium and many other facilities on campus. There will never be another Ernie. The relationships he developed and friendships he made stretch all across the country.” &nbsp;

Former University Chief of Staff&nbsp;Jackie Hartman Borck&nbsp;(daughter of the late Jack Hartman)

“A force of nature, Ernie Barrett is recognized by all. Whether it be his handshake, his fist pump, or his persuasive efforts, he loves and is loyal to Kansas State University.&nbsp;The Jack and Pat Hartman family is forever indebted to Ernie for bringing us to Manhattan.&nbsp;He introduced us to the power of purple and the K-State Family which we love as well.”

Former athletics director and current Big 12 Deputy Commissioner&nbsp;Tim Weiser

“Ernie represents a bygone era of K-State Athletics. I think he is the only AD that K-State has had that was a former student-athlete which would also be a unique piece of history that you rarely see today. He was an important person for me personally as he could open many doors and connect me with so many people that were essential to the future growth of K-State. His knowledge and understanding about K-State basketball was second to none. He will be sorely missed as there will never be another Ernie Barrett.”

Former athletics director and current Wake Forest athletics director&nbsp;John Currie

“Ernie Barrett’s competitive spirit, loyalty and passion for K-State was unmatched. I’ll remember him fondly, including my initial meeting with him and Bonnie in their home, where he coached up this rookie AD on all things K-State from a yellow legal pad to-do-list. Godspeed to Mr. K-State!”

Oklahoma State Director of Athletics and former K-State assistant AD&nbsp;Chad Weiberg

“Like so many others, I will be forever grateful for Ernie. He took me under his wing when I first came to K-State Athletics and introduced me to everyone he knew. I will cherish the memories of our trips to Western Kansas. On those drives I heard stories about the people and places he loved so much. And people loved him. To have Mr. K-State take a new, unknown fundraiser under his wing changed everything for me. And I hope I was able to take that and play a small role in doing good for the school he dedicated his life to and make him proud. Thank you, Mr. K-State! Love you, Ernie.”

Former men’s basketball player, assistant coach, and head coach&nbsp;Lon Kruger

“Certainly, the tag “Mr. K-State” sums up Ernie Barrett perfectly. There is no one in the history of Kansas State University that had a genuine love and devotion to the institution like Ernie. Through his association and service to K-State as a basketball player, coach, athletics director, and fundraiser he touched thousands of lives. He will be dearly missed by all those who love K-State. My prayers are with Bonnie, son Brad and the rest of his family.”

Former men’s basketball coach&nbsp;Bruce Weber

“All of us will remember Ernie for his bone crushing handshakes and enormous hugs! However, Megan and I will always appreciate Ernie’s kind heart and true friendship!! It was our honor and privilege to have Ernie and Bonnie as our dear friends and neighbors!!”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682092214295.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Courtesy of Kansas State AthleticsMANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;– Legendary K-State Athletics figure&nbsp;Ernie Barrett, affectionately known as ‘Mr. K-State,’ with his trademark firm handshake, passed away on Friday morning (April 21) at the age of 93 in Manhattan, Kan.A memorial service is planned for 1 p.m., CT on Thursday, April 27 at Bramlage Coliseum with a reception to follow in the Shamrock Zone. The service and reception are open to the public.Barrett is survived by his wife of 72 years,&nbsp;Bonnie, his son&nbsp;Brad&nbsp;and a grandson&nbsp;Ryan&nbsp;and wife,&nbsp;Lauren. He was preceded in death by his parents (Ernie&nbsp;and&nbsp;Ruby Barrett) and son&nbsp;Duane.Born in Pratt, Kan., on August 27, 1929, Barrett called Wellington, Kan., his home, where he led Wellington High School to its only state championship in 1947 as an all-state basketball player. Recruited by the likes of Kansas’ Phog Allen and Oklahoma State’s Henry Iba out of high school, Barrett chose Kansas State, beginning a long association in 1948 when he entered the university as a freshman basketball player for Hall of Fame head coach&nbsp;Jack Gardner&nbsp;and then freshman coach and future Hall of Famer&nbsp;Fred “Tex” Winter.Barrett was a two-time graduate of the university, earning a bachelor’s degree in physical education in 1951 and a master’s degree in journalism in 1956.During his near 75-year association with K-State, Barrett served the university as a student-athlete (1948-51), assistant basketball coach (1958-64), assistant athletics director (1963-69), director of athletics (1969-75), university consultant (1988-91) and director of development (1991-2007). His list of accolades and achievements are nearly endless. As a student-athlete, he captained the 1950-51 team that opened venerable Ahearn Field House while guiding the Wildcats to the Final Four as the school’s first consensus All-American. As an assistant coach to Winter, he was part of two Final Fours (1959 and 1964) and five Big Eight titles from 1958-64. Later as athletics director and fundraiser, he was instrumental in the hiring of legendary coach&nbsp;Jack Hartman&nbsp;as men’s basketball coach in 1970 and helped spearhead numerous athletics facilities, including Bill Snyder Family Stadium, Colbert Hills Golf Course, Tointon Family Stadium and R.V. Christian Track and Field Complex.Barrett was a charter member of the K-State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1990, while the university erected a statue of him in front of Bramlage Coliseum in 1999 as a tribute to his many contributions. He was named to the State of Kansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1996. He was selected to the school’s 13-member All-Century Basketball Team in 2003. His number 22 jersey hangs in the rafters of Bramlage Coliseum after he was honored by the school in 2005.Barrett was associated with three of K-State’s four all-time Final Four appearances, including the first in 1951 as a player and two as an assistant coach in 1959 and 1964, while he was part of teams that won a combined seven Big Seven or Big Eight Conference titles (1950, 1951, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1963, 1964).As a basketball player, Barrett famously led the Wildcats to their first and only NCAA Championship game during his storybook senior season in 1950-51, while earning First Team All-America honors on the team that opened historic Ahearn Field House. He averaged a team-leading 10.3 points as a senior en route to helping K-State to a 25-4 overall record, which included the Big Seven Holiday Tournament and Big Seven regular-season titles and the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. In the tournament, the Wildcats defeated No. 12 Arizona, No. 11 BYU and No. 2 Oklahoma State to set up a matchup with Kentucky in the NCAA title. Due to a shoulder injury, he was limited to just 4 points in the championship game, which the Wildcats lost 68-58.Overall, the Wildcats were 54-22 (.711) during Barrett’s 3-year playing career, which included a pair of Big Seven Conference titles in 1950 and 1951. He scored 675 points in 77 career games.As a senior, Barrett earned First Team All-America honors from the Helms Foundation,&nbsp;The Sporting News&nbsp;and International News Service, while he was selected for second team honors by Converse Yearbook and Look magazine as well as third team honors from the UPI. He was also unanimous First Team All-Big Seven.Upon graduating from K-State, Barrett was one of his four Wildcats taken in the 1951 NBA Draft, as the Boston Celtics took him with the seventh pick of the first round. Due to his service in the U.S. Air Force from 1951-53, he deferred his commitment with the Celtics until 1953, playing two seasons (1953-54 and 1955-56) for the legendary&nbsp;Red Auerbach&nbsp;and alongside Hall of Fame player&nbsp;Bob Cousy, helping the Celtics to the Eastern Division finals twice.Barrett returned to his alma mater as assistant alumni secretary for the K-State Alumni Association in 1955 before becoming an assistant coach for Winter in 1958. He spent six seasons (1958-64) on Winter’s staff, helping the Wildcats to a 123-36 (.774) record cumulating in the 1964 Final Four. The team shared or won the Big Eight regular-season title five times in his six seasons on the coaching staff, boasting a 72-12 (.857) mark in conference play, with Final Four appearances in 1959 and 1964.&nbsp;Barrett moved full-time into the administrative ranks in the fall of 1964 before succeeding&nbsp;Bebe Lee&nbsp;as the school’s director of athletics on March 10, 1969. He was the first Kansas-born athlete to lead the department. He spent seven years (1969-75) leading the athletics department, in which, he hired the school’s all-time winningest coach&nbsp;Jack Hartman&nbsp;while leading fundraising campaigns for KSU Stadium (now Bill Snyder Family Stadium), the athletic dormitory and the R.V. Christian Track and Field Complex.After leaving for the private sector, Barrett returned to his alma mater in 1991 as the department’s director of development for which he served until his retirement in 2007.University statements on the passing of&nbsp;Ernie Barrett:University President&nbsp;Dr. Richard Linton“Ernie Barrett has always been a shining example of what it means to be a K-Stater. From his storied success at K-State — both on and off the court — to his achievements in the NBA, and later, his transformative time as an athletics administrator for the university, Ernie embodied the work ethic, dedication and tenacity that are hallmarks of the Wildcat spirit. We will always celebrate and hold dear the legacy of Mr. K-State and all he accomplished for our great university.”Director of Athletics&nbsp;Gene Taylor"Today is a sad day for Kansas State University. Ernie Barrett poured his heart and soul into K-State for an amazing 75-plus years, and we would not be where we are today as an institution and athletics program without him. As a former athletics director, he was always supportive of me and the decisions I made, and that meant the world to me. His&nbsp;symbolic handshake will forever be remembered as a symbol of his care and love for both people and Kansas State. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bonnie and the entire Barrett family."President and CEO of the K-State Alumni Association&nbsp;Amy Button Renz“I will always be grateful to Ernie for his support and friendship. When I became president and CEO of the Alumni Association, Ernie provided valuable insight into the world of athletics and helped the association establish a new elevated partnership with the athletics department.&nbsp;When we started the campaign to build the K-State Alumni Center, he helped us raise funds and then Ernie and his family personally donated. The Barrett Wildcat Den is named in their honor. I have so many wonderful memories of him and his love for K-State. I was so excited when he received the Association’s Wildcat Pride Award, but my favorite memory is sitting next to him when the 2018 men’s basketball team defeated Kentucky to advance to the Elite Eight. Ernie was so excited!&nbsp;There will never be another Mr. K-State. My thoughts and prayers are with Bonnie, Brad, and all of Ernie's loved ones.”Head Men’s Basketball Coach&nbsp;Jerome Tang“Known for his firm handshakes and his neck hugs, Ernie enjoyed an incredibly well-lived life that I was blessed to be part of as the men’s basketball coach at his alma mater. He might be the greatest Wildcat of all-time. In his near 75-year association with this great school, he accomplished nearly everything you can imagine from playing Final Fours to hiring Hall of Fame coaches to helping build the very building our teams play in today. He came to visit me before every home game and was incredibly welcoming to me and my staff in our first year. No one loved this university and its basketball team more than him. I’m sending love and prayers to his wife Bonnie, son Brad and the rest of their family. What a remarkable life.”Head Football Coach&nbsp;Chris Klieman“Ernie cared so deeply about Kansas State, and I appreciated our friendship and his personal interest in our football program. Everyone knows Ernie for his figurative handshake, but what I will remember most is a person who spent nearly three-quarters of a century trying to make his alma mater a better place. He is the true definition of a K-Stater, and Bonnie and the rest of the Barrett family will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers.”Hall of Fame football coach&nbsp;Bill Snyder“Ernie was the dearest of friends, one of the greatest K-Staters in the world, and a special, special man and husband. He was one of the first individuals I met when I visited Manhattan and was significant as anyone in formulating my decision to come to Kansas State. Never in my 40-plus years here have I met anyone who meant more or did more for a university than Ernie. He sought out opportunities to promote Kansas State University and the athletics program everywhere he was. While he was truly one of the most recognizable K-Staters across the state, Ernie was amazingly received in our Western Kansas communities and was embraced in an astounding way. It was astonishing to witness people bring their children and family members just to meet Ernie and shake his hand. He and Bonnie have been so meaningful to Manhattan, Kansas State University and the entire state of Kansas, and he will be dearly missed.”Other notable figures on the passing of&nbsp;Ernie Barrett:President of Interim HealthCare Topeka and family friend&nbsp;Jill Stehley Harrison“Ernie developed the relationships that truly transformed K-State.&nbsp;He built those with a&nbsp;firm handshake, a handwritten note, a personal passion for a project, and the trust that goes along with that.&nbsp;There will never be another Mr. K-State.&nbsp;We were all fortunate to have him in our lives.”Longtime athletics donor&nbsp;Mary Vanier“Ernie Barrett had a passion for Kansas State University and the Athletics Programs that is unmatched.&nbsp; Starting as a player, then administrator, fund raiser and constant supporter, I really can’t name anyone who has had more of an impact on K-State Athletics than Ernie.&nbsp;Together with his wife Bonnie, they are the patriarch and matriarch of the K-State Family.&nbsp;Ernie’s friendship, humor and bone crushing handshake will be greatly missed.”&nbsp;Longtime athletics donors&nbsp;Howard&nbsp;and&nbsp;Patricia Sherwood“There will no longer or ever will be the handshake that Ernie shared with thousands over the 75 years of his life as a Wildcat. The purple will fade a bit without our Ernie. The MAN and Bonnie will always be loved and never forgotten.”Longtime athletics donor and professional golfer&nbsp;Jim Colbert“Ernie was Mr. K-State. He devoted all of his adult life to the betterment and development of the University. There would be no Colbert Hills without Ernie. There would be no Bramlage Coliseum, Bill Snyder Family Stadium and many other facilities on campus. There will never be another Ernie. The relationships he developed and friendships he made stretch all across the country.” &nbsp;Former University Chief of Staff&nbsp;Jackie Hartman Borck&nbsp;(daughter of the late Jack Hartman)“A force of nature, Ernie Barrett is recognized by all. Whether it be his handshake, his fist pump, or his persuasive efforts, he loves and is loyal to Kansas State University.&nbsp;The Jack and Pat Hartman family is forever indebted to Ernie for bringing us to Manhattan.&nbsp;He introduced us to the power of purple and the K-State Family which we love as well.”Former athletics director and current Big 12 Deputy Commissioner&nbsp;Tim Weiser“Ernie represents a bygone era of K-State Athletics. I think he is the only AD that K-State has had that was a former student-athlete which would also be a unique piece of history that you rarely see today. He was an important person for me personally as he could open many doors and connect me with so many people that were essential to the future growth of K-State. His knowledge and understanding about K-State basketball was second to none. He will be sorely missed as there will never be another Ernie Barrett.”Former athletics director and current Wake Forest athletics director&nbsp;John Currie“Ernie Barrett’s competitive spirit, loyalty and passion for K-State was unmatched. I’ll remember him fondly, including my initial meeting with him and Bonnie in their home, where he coached up this rookie AD on all things K-State from a yellow legal pad to-do-list. Godspeed to Mr. K-State!”Oklahoma State Director of Athletics and former K-State assistant AD&nbsp;Chad Weiberg“Like so many others, I will be forever grateful for Ernie. He took me under his wing when I first came to K-State Athletics and introduced me to everyone he knew. I will cherish the memories of our trips to Western Kansas. On those drives I heard stories about the people and places he loved so much. And people loved him. To have Mr. K-State take a new, unknown fundraiser under his wing changed everything for me. And I hope I was able to take that and play a small role in doing good for the school he dedicated his life to and make him proud. Thank you, Mr. K-State! Love you, Ernie.”Former men’s basketball player, assistant coach, and head coach&nbsp;Lon Kruger“Certainly, the tag “Mr. K-State” sums up Ernie Barrett perfectly. There is no one in the history of Kansas State University that had a genuine love and devotion to the institution like Ernie. Through his association and service to K-State as a basketball player, coach, athletics director, and fundraiser he touched thousands of lives. He will be dearly missed by all those who love K-State. My prayers are with Bonnie, son Brad and the rest of his family.”Former men’s basketball coach&nbsp;Bruce Weber“All of us will remember Ernie for his bone crushing handshakes and enormous hugs! However, Megan and I will always appreciate Ernie’s kind heart and true friendship!! It was our honor and privilege to have Ernie and Bonnie as our dear friends and neighbors!!”

K-State mourns the passing of Mr. K-State Ernie Barrett

GODDARD, Kan.&nbsp;— The Hutchinson Salthawks baseball team will travel to Goddard on Friday, April 21st to take on the Lions. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 4 p.m.

The Salthawks are off to an 0-10 start following two road losses at Salina South last Tuesday , while the Goddard Lions are 8-5 on the season and come in to today's games after splitting a doubleheader with Andover Central on Tuesday.&nbsp;

Catch the action with Sean Boston at 3:55 p.m. on the <a href="https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/hutchinson-high-school-hutchinson-ks/gam48f2e53bd6">NFHSNetwork Hutch High Channel</a>.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682069591674.png" alt="Gameday @ Goddard High @ 4pm on hutchpost.com" />
 <figcaption>Gameday @ Goddard High @ 4pm on hutchpost.com</figcaption>
 </figure>GODDARD, Kan.&nbsp;— The Hutchinson Salthawks baseball team will travel to Goddard on Friday, April 21st to take on the Lions. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 4 p.m.The Salthawks are off to an 0-10 start following two road losses at Salina South last Tuesday , while the Goddard Lions are 8-5 on the season and come in to today's games after splitting a doubleheader with Andover Central on Tuesday.&nbsp;Catch the action with Sean Boston at 3:55 p.m. on the <a href="https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/hutchinson-high-school-hutchinson-ks/gam48f2e53bd6">NFHSNetwork Hutch High Channel</a>.<div><iframe src="https://player.nfhsnetwork.com/#/events/hutchinson-high-school-hutchinson-ks/gam48f2e53bd6" 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;

⚾🎙 LISTEN: Salthawk Baseball travels to Goddard

Courtesy of Wichita State Athletics

#7 East Carolina (29-8, 7-2 American) vs. Wichita State (21-15, 5-4 American) Friday, April 21&nbsp;| 6:00&nbsp;pm CT | Wichita, Kansas (Eck&nbsp;Stadium, Home of&nbsp;Tyler Field) TV: ESPN+&nbsp;| Radio:&nbsp;KFH 97.5&nbsp;FM/1240&nbsp;AM RHP Trey Yesavage&nbsp;(6-0, 2.83) vs. RHP&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/clark-candiotti/7475">Clark Candiotti</a>&nbsp;(5-2, 3.83) Saturday, April 22&nbsp;| 2:00&nbsp;pm CT | Wichita, Kansas (Eck&nbsp;Stadium, Home of&nbsp;Tyler Field) TV: ESPN+&nbsp;| Radio:&nbsp;KFH 97.5&nbsp;FM/1240&nbsp;AM RHP Carter Spivey (4-1, 3.05) vs. LHP&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/payton-tolle/7456">Payton Tolle</a>&nbsp;(6-1, 4.26) Sunday, April 23&nbsp;| 1:00&nbsp;pm CT | Wichita, Kansas (Eck&nbsp;Stadium, Home of&nbsp;Tyler Field) TV: ESPN+&nbsp;| Radio:&nbsp;KFH 97.5&nbsp;FM/1240&nbsp;AM RHP Josh Grosz (4-0, 2.32) vs. RHP&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/grant-adler/7467">Grant Adler</a>&nbsp;(3-2, 3.02)&nbsp;&nbsp;

SCENE SETTER:&nbsp;Wichita State returns to the friendly confines of Eck Stadium for a three-game American Athletic Conference series against #7-ranked East Carolina, with games Friday at 6:00 pm, Saturday at 2:00 and Sunday at 1:00. This will be the second consecutive series in which the Pirates have come to Wichita as a top-10 team; ECU was ranked #8 during a four-game set at Eck in 2021 that resulted in a 2-2 split. The Shockers are looking for their first series win against the Pirates, going 0-3-1 in four previous attempts. Wichita State is coming off a 10-4 win at Kansas State on Tuesday, the Shockers first win in Manhattan since 2012. The victory also matched Wichita State's 2022 win total with 19 games still to play.

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 Pirates. 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.

SERIES HISTORY:&nbsp;The Shockers and Pirates have met 16 times in the all-time series, with the series record even at 8-8. East Carolina took two of three games in Greenville last season, and have won or split each of the four regular season series between the clubs. In 2019, the Shockers knocked the top-seeded Pirates out of the American Athletic Conference tournament, defeating them twice in the span of three days down in Clearwater. The only matchup prior to 2018 came in the 1991 Midwest Regional in Wichita, when the Shockers opened the regional with a 10-5 victory over the Pirates.

SCOUTING EAST CAROLINA:&nbsp;The Pirates roll into Wichita with a 29-8 overall record and 7-2 mark in American Athletic Conference play, winners of nine consecutive games entering action on Friday. After dropping their opening AAC series on the road at Houston, East Carolina swept UCF and Cincinnati the past two weekends, including three run-rule victories. The Pirates are one of the nation's most well-rounded teams, but the strength of the club is a pitching staff that ranks among college baseball's elite in several major categories. ECU checks in at #4 in WHIP (1.18), #6 in strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.34), #7 in earned run average (3.50), and #8 in hits allowed per nine innings (7.42). Friday night starter Trey Yesavage ranks fourth in the country with 82 strikeouts, and Sunday starter Josh Grosz has allowed the third-fewest hits per nine innings in the nation at 4.83. A balanced offensive lineup has eight regulars hitting .299 or better, led by a resurgent season from first baseman Josh Moylan (.323/.435/.614, 8 home runs). The Pirates played the entirety of their pre-conference schedule in the state of North Carolina, opening with 25 consecutive games in the Tar Heel State. Head coach Cliff Godwin (333-159-1) is now in his ninth season at the helm of the Pirates, returning to his alma mater after a stellar playing career as a catcher at ECU.

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

NO MINER ACCOMPLISHMENT:&nbsp;The Shockers got arguably their best relief performance of the season on Tuesday, as left-hander&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/jace-miner/7449">Jace Miner</a>&nbsp;entered a high-scoring game in the fourth inning and went on to retire the first 13 Kansas State hitters he faced. The sophomore ultimately earned the win with 4.1 scoreless innings, the longest relief appearance of his career, allowing just one baserunner on a walk.

SHOCKERS IN THE RPI:&nbsp;Wichita State heads into the weekend ranked 129 in the last edition of the RPI, good for fifth in the American Athletic Conference behind East Carolina (9), Houston (108), UCF (118), and South Florida (123). Cincinnati (177), Tulane (185) and Memphis (193) round out the conference standings.

INGRAM IN A GROOVE:&nbsp;Junior outfielder&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/chuck-ingram/7448">Chuck Ingram</a>&nbsp;had perhaps the best the best three-game stretch of his collegiate career last weekend against Tulane. The native of Kansas City went 10-for-14 (.714) against the Green Wave with six extra-base hits, including his first career multi-homer game in the nightcap of Friday's doubleheader and a career-high three doubles in Sunday's series finale win. With a leadoff double on Tuesday against Kansas State, seven of Ingram's last eight hits have gone for extra bases.

STARTING WITH A BANG:&nbsp;Ingram also grabbed national headlines last Friday with a leadoff home run that traveled a Trackman-confirmed 501 feet, easily the longest by any Shocker this season. Video of the prodigious blast was shared on the NCAA Baseball Instagram account, and as of Thursday night had accumulated more than 150,000 views. Ingram's homer was the first leadoff round-tripper for the Shockers since David VanVooren opened a game against Texas Tech with a solo shot on March 9, 2019.

DOUBLE UP:&nbsp;Head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/coaches/loren-hibbs/1122">Loren Hibbs</a>&nbsp;made no secret of his desire for the Shockers to hit more doubles in 2023, believing the stat represents a good offensive approach and aggressive baserunning. The Shockers have lived up to that expectation this season, leading the American Athletic Conference and ranking 26th nationally with 81 team two-baggers. WSU banged out a season-high seven doubles in last Sunday's series finale, and have seven players with five or more for the season.

REVERSAL OF FORTUNE:&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 a hallmark of consistency this season, but the trio was largely roughed up over the course of three days in New Orleans. Candiotti and Tolle were each tagged for a career-high seven runs, while Adler gave up four (albeit just one earned). The three arms combined for just eight strikeouts in a combined 15.2 innings.

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 56-for-76 in stolen base attempts through 36 games (1.6 per game), and have improved their success rate from 63.1% to 73.7%. The Shockers have stolen 36 bases over the last 16 games, highlighted by a season-high six against Cincinnati on April 2.

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. Catcher&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/mauricio-millan/7461">Mauricio Millan</a>&nbsp;has caught all but two games this season.

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 </figure>Courtesy of Wichita State Athletics#7 East Carolina (29-8, 7-2 American) vs. Wichita State (21-15, 5-4 American) Friday, April 21&nbsp;| 6:00&nbsp;pm CT | Wichita, Kansas (Eck&nbsp;Stadium, Home of&nbsp;Tyler Field) TV: ESPN+&nbsp;| Radio:&nbsp;KFH 97.5&nbsp;FM/1240&nbsp;AM RHP Trey Yesavage&nbsp;(6-0, 2.83) vs. RHP&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/clark-candiotti/7475">Clark Candiotti</a>&nbsp;(5-2, 3.83) Saturday, April 22&nbsp;| 2:00&nbsp;pm CT | Wichita, Kansas (Eck&nbsp;Stadium, Home of&nbsp;Tyler Field) TV: ESPN+&nbsp;| Radio:&nbsp;KFH 97.5&nbsp;FM/1240&nbsp;AM RHP Carter Spivey (4-1, 3.05) vs. LHP&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/payton-tolle/7456">Payton Tolle</a>&nbsp;(6-1, 4.26) Sunday, April 23&nbsp;| 1:00&nbsp;pm CT | Wichita, Kansas (Eck&nbsp;Stadium, Home of&nbsp;Tyler Field) TV: ESPN+&nbsp;| Radio:&nbsp;KFH 97.5&nbsp;FM/1240&nbsp;AM RHP Josh Grosz (4-0, 2.32) vs. RHP&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/grant-adler/7467">Grant Adler</a>&nbsp;(3-2, 3.02)&nbsp;&nbsp;SCENE SETTER:&nbsp;Wichita State returns to the friendly confines of Eck Stadium for a three-game American Athletic Conference series against #7-ranked East Carolina, with games Friday at 6:00 pm, Saturday at 2:00 and Sunday at 1:00. This will be the second consecutive series in which the Pirates have come to Wichita as a top-10 team; ECU was ranked #8 during a four-game set at Eck in 2021 that resulted in a 2-2 split. The Shockers are looking for their first series win against the Pirates, going 0-3-1 in four previous attempts. Wichita State is coming off a 10-4 win at Kansas State on Tuesday, the Shockers first win in Manhattan since 2012. The victory also matched Wichita State's 2022 win total with 19 games still to play.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 Pirates. 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.SERIES HISTORY:&nbsp;The Shockers and Pirates have met 16 times in the all-time series, with the series record even at 8-8. East Carolina took two of three games in Greenville last season, and have won or split each of the four regular season series between the clubs. In 2019, the Shockers knocked the top-seeded Pirates out of the American Athletic Conference tournament, defeating them twice in the span of three days down in Clearwater. The only matchup prior to 2018 came in the 1991 Midwest Regional in Wichita, when the Shockers opened the regional with a 10-5 victory over the Pirates.SCOUTING EAST CAROLINA:&nbsp;The Pirates roll into Wichita with a 29-8 overall record and 7-2 mark in American Athletic Conference play, winners of nine consecutive games entering action on Friday. After dropping their opening AAC series on the road at Houston, East Carolina swept UCF and Cincinnati the past two weekends, including three run-rule victories. The Pirates are one of the nation's most well-rounded teams, but the strength of the club is a pitching staff that ranks among college baseball's elite in several major categories. ECU checks in at #4 in WHIP (1.18), #6 in strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.34), #7 in earned run average (3.50), and #8 in hits allowed per nine innings (7.42). Friday night starter Trey Yesavage ranks fourth in the country with 82 strikeouts, and Sunday starter Josh Grosz has allowed the third-fewest hits per nine innings in the nation at 4.83. A balanced offensive lineup has eight regulars hitting .299 or better, led by a resurgent season from first baseman Josh Moylan (.323/.435/.614, 8 home runs). The Pirates played the entirety of their pre-conference schedule in the state of North Carolina, opening with 25 consecutive games in the Tar Heel State. Head coach Cliff Godwin (333-159-1) is now in his ninth season at the helm of the Pirates, returning to his alma mater after a stellar playing career as a catcher at ECU.HISTORIC HOMERS:&nbsp;Wichita State powered up on Tuesday night at Kansas State, blasting a season-high six home runs in a 10-4 midweek victory.&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/garrett-pennington/7468">Garrett Pennington</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/brock-rodden/7450">Brock Rodden</a>&nbsp;each hit two, while&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/david-herring/7462">David Herring</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/payton-tolle/7456">Payton Tolle</a>&nbsp;contributed one apiece. The six round-trippers are the most for the Shockers in one game since April 26, 1998 against Indiana State, and Pennington and Rodden became the first Shockers with two multi-homer games in the same contest since future major leaguers&nbsp;Andy Dirks&nbsp;and&nbsp;Dusty Coleman&nbsp;accomplished the feat against Harvard on March 8, 2008.NO MINER ACCOMPLISHMENT:&nbsp;The Shockers got arguably their best relief performance of the season on Tuesday, as left-hander&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/jace-miner/7449">Jace Miner</a>&nbsp;entered a high-scoring game in the fourth inning and went on to retire the first 13 Kansas State hitters he faced. The sophomore ultimately earned the win with 4.1 scoreless innings, the longest relief appearance of his career, allowing just one baserunner on a walk.SHOCKERS IN THE RPI:&nbsp;Wichita State heads into the weekend ranked 129 in the last edition of the RPI, good for fifth in the American Athletic Conference behind East Carolina (9), Houston (108), UCF (118), and South Florida (123). Cincinnati (177), Tulane (185) and Memphis (193) round out the conference standings.INGRAM IN A GROOVE:&nbsp;Junior outfielder&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/chuck-ingram/7448">Chuck Ingram</a>&nbsp;had perhaps the best the best three-game stretch of his collegiate career last weekend against Tulane. The native of Kansas City went 10-for-14 (.714) against the Green Wave with six extra-base hits, including his first career multi-homer game in the nightcap of Friday's doubleheader and a career-high three doubles in Sunday's series finale win. With a leadoff double on Tuesday against Kansas State, seven of Ingram's last eight hits have gone for extra bases.STARTING WITH A BANG:&nbsp;Ingram also grabbed national headlines last Friday with a leadoff home run that traveled a Trackman-confirmed 501 feet, easily the longest by any Shocker this season. Video of the prodigious blast was shared on the NCAA Baseball Instagram account, and as of Thursday night had accumulated more than 150,000 views. Ingram's homer was the first leadoff round-tripper for the Shockers since David VanVooren opened a game against Texas Tech with a solo shot on March 9, 2019.DOUBLE UP:&nbsp;Head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/coaches/loren-hibbs/1122">Loren Hibbs</a>&nbsp;made no secret of his desire for the Shockers to hit more doubles in 2023, believing the stat represents a good offensive approach and aggressive baserunning. The Shockers have lived up to that expectation this season, leading the American Athletic Conference and ranking 26th nationally with 81 team two-baggers. WSU banged out a season-high seven doubles in last Sunday's series finale, and have seven players with five or more for the season.REVERSAL OF FORTUNE:&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 a hallmark of consistency this season, but the trio was largely roughed up over the course of three days in New Orleans. Candiotti and Tolle were each tagged for a career-high seven runs, while Adler gave up four (albeit just one earned). The three arms combined for just eight strikeouts in a combined 15.2 innings.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 56-for-76 in stolen base attempts through 36 games (1.6 per game), and have improved their success rate from 63.1% to 73.7%. The Shockers have stolen 36 bases over the last 16 games, highlighted by a season-high six against Cincinnati on April 2.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. Catcher&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/mauricio-millan/7461">Mauricio Millan</a>&nbsp;has caught all but two games this season.

⚾ Shockers host No. 7 East Carolina

Tulsa, OK—The Tulsa Drillers pitching dominated the Wichita Wind Surge for the second consecutive game, dealing another shutout. Jonny DeLuca led the bottom of the first off with a line drive home run and Tulsa went on to defeat Wichita 3-0 to take a two games to one lead in the series.

Wichita had opportunities loading the bases in the second inning but failed to score. The Wind Surge left ten men on base during the game and finished the contest one for eleven hitting with runners in scoring position.

Tulsa added a run in the second when a Travis Adams wild pitch allowed Diego Cartaya to score from third. The game remained scoreless until Jorbit Vivas hit an RBI double in the fifth inning.

Travis Adams started and pitched four innings in the loss. He struck out four, walked two, allowed one home run and two runs and four hits. Seth Nordlin, Tyler Beck and Michael Boyle finished it out on the mound.

The winning pitcher was Tulsa’s Kyle Hurt who pitched two innings in relief. He struck out five, walked two and only allowed one hit.

The Wind Surge managed two ninth inning hits and sent the tying run to the plate but Brayden Fisher worked the final two innings for the save.

NOTES – Brooks Lee had no hits in his four at bats and reached on a walk, but his ten game hit streak to open the season ended. The streak was the second longest in the Texas League this season, Tulsa’s Jorbit Vivas extended his streak to 12 on Thursday. The Surge were shutout on back to back games for first time in franchise history, 269 games played. Yunior Severino’s hit streak ended at seven.

UPCOMING – Wichita will play against the Los Angeles Dodgers affiliate the Tulsa Drillers in game four of a six-game series Friday night at 7:05. RH Aaron Rozek will face RH River Ryan. RADIO: ESPN 92.3 FM and MiLB App and&nbsp;<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=http%3a%2f%2fwindsurge.com%2f&amp;c=E,1,tQnMbXbKGjGd_XbWZijt5b5-cOxiRn5WzBk28FG0UQkENRqaECorsuX7ZOU-Ukm2cmUOkH3ePkp-SzzJ3Tyvi-rFodXTwhQV8wpt3RnbwV_dEzGo8cij0Wepgw,,&amp;typo=1">windsurge.com</a>.

NEXT HOME GAME – Wichita will play against the St. Louis Cardinals affiliate the Springfield Cardinals on Tuesday, April 25 at 7:05 at Riverfront Stadium. Promotion: $5 domestic beers from when gates open until first pitch. Get two tickets for the price of one when you show your Dillons Shopper Card or Dillons app at the box office and $1 hot dogs.

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682072901711.jpeg" alt="Wind Surge shut out by Tulsa again. Via Wichita Wind Surge" />
 <figcaption>Wind Surge shut out by Tulsa again. Via Wichita Wind Surge</figcaption>
 </figure>Tulsa, OK—The Tulsa Drillers pitching dominated the Wichita Wind Surge for the second consecutive game, dealing another shutout. Jonny DeLuca led the bottom of the first off with a line drive home run and Tulsa went on to defeat Wichita 3-0 to take a two games to one lead in the series.Wichita had opportunities loading the bases in the second inning but failed to score. The Wind Surge left ten men on base during the game and finished the contest one for eleven hitting with runners in scoring position.Tulsa added a run in the second when a Travis Adams wild pitch allowed Diego Cartaya to score from third. The game remained scoreless until Jorbit Vivas hit an RBI double in the fifth inning.Travis Adams started and pitched four innings in the loss. He struck out four, walked two, allowed one home run and two runs and four hits. Seth Nordlin, Tyler Beck and Michael Boyle finished it out on the mound.The winning pitcher was Tulsa’s Kyle Hurt who pitched two innings in relief. He struck out five, walked two and only allowed one hit.The Wind Surge managed two ninth inning hits and sent the tying run to the plate but Brayden Fisher worked the final two innings for the save.NOTES – Brooks Lee had no hits in his four at bats and reached on a walk, but his ten game hit streak to open the season ended. The streak was the second longest in the Texas League this season, Tulsa’s Jorbit Vivas extended his streak to 12 on Thursday. The Surge were shutout on back to back games for first time in franchise history, 269 games played. Yunior Severino’s hit streak ended at seven.UPCOMING – Wichita will play against the Los Angeles Dodgers affiliate the Tulsa Drillers in game four of a six-game series Friday night at 7:05. RH Aaron Rozek will face RH River Ryan. RADIO: ESPN 92.3 FM and MiLB App and&nbsp;<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=http%3a%2f%2fwindsurge.com%2f&amp;c=E,1,tQnMbXbKGjGd_XbWZijt5b5-cOxiRn5WzBk28FG0UQkENRqaECorsuX7ZOU-Ukm2cmUOkH3ePkp-SzzJ3Tyvi-rFodXTwhQV8wpt3RnbwV_dEzGo8cij0Wepgw,,&amp;typo=1">windsurge.com</a>.NEXT HOME GAME – Wichita will play against the St. Louis Cardinals affiliate the Springfield Cardinals on Tuesday, April 25 at 7:05 at Riverfront Stadium. Promotion: $5 domestic beers from when gates open until first pitch. Get two tickets for the price of one when you show your Dillons Shopper Card or Dillons app at the box office and $1 hot dogs.<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;

 ⚾ Drillers shut out Wind Surge in second straight

COLUMBIA, Missouri—Iowa State transfer Caleb Grill announced his commitment to Missouri via his twitter account on Thursday..

The former Maize High Eagle began his career at Iowa State before transferring to UNLV but ended up back in Ames, following T.J. Otzelberger, who was named the Cyclone head coach in 2020. Throughout his four-year career, Grill has averaged 6.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game while shooting 38% from the field and 34% from three-point land.&nbsp;

He was dismissed from the program for “a failure to meet the program’s expectations.”

Grill was called for a technical foul during the February 27th game versus West Virginia for shoving, but it was something that he had said that was ultimately what led to his dismissal from the program.

“We hold our players to high standards and there are expectations that our student-athletes are held accountable for,” Iowa State head coach T.J. Otzelberger said in a statement.

“Unfortunately, I said something that I regret which has cost me the opportunity to finish out my dream at lowa State,” Grill tweeted. “I hope that all the players and lowa State fans can find it in their hearts to forgive me. In the end, I want to be remembered as a Cyclone no matter what my next step is. I love Ames and I love lowa State and I will hopefully become (a) booster or donor someday when I get older.”

Grill will have one year of eligibility remaining.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682072516464.jpeg" alt="Via Missouri Sports" />
 <figcaption>Via Missouri Sports</figcaption>
 </figure>COLUMBIA, Missouri—Iowa State transfer Caleb Grill announced his commitment to Missouri via his twitter account on Thursday..The former Maize High Eagle began his career at Iowa State before transferring to UNLV but ended up back in Ames, following T.J. Otzelberger, who was named the Cyclone head coach in 2020. Throughout his four-year career, Grill has averaged 6.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game while shooting 38% from the field and 34% from three-point land.&nbsp;He was dismissed from the program for “a failure to meet the program’s expectations.”Grill was called for a technical foul during the February 27th game versus West Virginia for shoving, but it was something that he had said that was ultimately what led to his dismissal from the program.“We hold our players to high standards and there are expectations that our student-athletes are held accountable for,” Iowa State head coach T.J. Otzelberger said in a statement.“Unfortunately, I said something that I regret which has cost me the opportunity to finish out my dream at lowa State,” Grill tweeted. “I hope that all the players and lowa State fans can find it in their hearts to forgive me. In the end, I want to be remembered as a Cyclone no matter what my next step is. I love Ames and I love lowa State and I will hopefully become (a) booster or donor someday when I get older.”Grill will have one year of eligibility remaining.&nbsp;<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;

🏀Caleb Grill commits to Mizzou

Sports Headlines for Friday Morning, April 21st, 2023

Curry scores 36, Warriors beat Kings 114-97 without Green

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Stephen Curry scored 36 points, Kevon Looney matched his career high with 20 rebounds to go with nine assists, and the Golden State Warriors got right back in their first-round playoff series by thumping the Sacramento Kings 114-97 to pull to 2-1. As suspended star Draymond Green watched from home, the defending champions dominated without him as they have done so many times before. The fiery forward was suspended without pay for stepping on the chest of Domantas Sabonis in the fourth quarter of Monday's Game 2 at Golden 1 Center. The Warriors also were without key defensive stopper Gary Payton II after the guard became ill Wednesday.

Embiid gets late block as Maxey, 76ers take 3-0 lead on Nets

NEW YORK (AP) — Joel Embiid, limping throughout the game and perhaps lucky not to have been ejected for kicking a Nets player in the groin area, blocked a potential tying basket with 8.8 seconds left and the Philadelphia 76ers beat Brooklyn 102-97 to take a 3-0 lead in the first-round series. Tyrese Maxey made the tiebreaking 3-pointer with 44 seconds left for the 76ers, who can sweep their way into the second round with a victory Saturday in Brooklyn. Mikal Bridges scored 26 points and Spencer Dinwiddie had 20 for the Nets.

Harden ejected, but not Embiid for groin-area shots to Nets

NEW YORK (AP) — James Harden was thrown out for hitting a Brooklyn player in the groin area, after teammate Joel Embiid dodged an ejection for a kick near the same spot of another player Thursday night in Philadelphia's 102-97 victory in Game 3. Harden was dribbling while defended closely by Royce O'Neale when he swung out his arm and hit O'Neale, who fell to the court in pain. Referees reviewed the play and called Harden for a flagrant foul 2, an automatic ejection. Two quarters earlier, the 76ers were perhaps lucky the same penalty wasn't given to Embiid. He was given only a flagrant 1 after kicking his leg up toward Nets center Nic Claxton's groin.

Booker has 45 points, Suns top Leonard-less Clippers 129-124

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Devin Booker scored 45 points, Kevin Durant added 28 and the Phoenix Suns beat the Kawhi Leonard-less Los Angeles Clippers 129-124 to take a 2-1 lead in the Western Conference series. Leonard sat out because of a sprained right knee, the same injury that has sidelined fellow star Paul George since March 21. Leonard was hurt in Game 1, and played through it in Game 2, but afterward his condition didn't improve. Norman Powell led the Clippers, scoring a career playoff-high 42 points on 15-of-23 shooting. Russell Westbrook added 30 points and 11 assists. Game 4 is Saturday in Los Angeles.

Scherzer suspended 10 games for sticky substance ejection

NEW YORK (AP) — Mets pitcher Max Scherzer was suspended for 10 games by Major League Baseball on Thursday following his ejection for having a foreign substance on his hand during a game. Scherzer initially appealed the suspension but dropped his appeal hours later. In exchange, his fine was reduced from $10,000 to $5,000, according to a person familiar with negotiations between MLB and the players' union. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement hadn't been announced. Scherzer was ejected on Wednesday during the fourth inning of a game at Dodger Stadium. He claimed the stickiness was caused by rosin and sweat and not by a foreign substance.

Talor Gooch leads after 1st round of LIV Golf in Australia

ADELAIDE, Australia (AP) — Talor Gooch upstaged the more-fancied names on the LIV Golf tour by shooting a 10-under 62 to take a four-stroke lead after the first round of the inaugural Australian tournament in Adelaide. The 31-year-old American started with a par on his opening hole in the shotgun-start format but then had 10 birdies. That included five in a row. Richard Bland and Dean Burmester shot 66s and are tied for second. Danny Lee is among five players tied for fourth. He won the second LIV event in Arizona last month. British Open champion Cameron Smith and Brooks Koepka had 69s. Phil Mickelson and Bubba Watson shot 70.

Oakland A's purchase land for new stadium in Las Vegas

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Oakland Athletics have signed a binding agreement to purchase land for a new retractable roof ballpark in Las Vegas after being unable to build a new venue in the Bay Area. Team president Dave Kaval said Wednesday night that the team finalized the deal to buy the 49-acre site last week where the A's will plan to build the stadium that will seat between 30,000 and 35,000 fans close to the Las Vegas Strip. The A's will work with Nevada and Clark County on a public-private partnership to fund the stadium. Kaval said the A's hope to break ground on the stadium by next year and would look to hope to be able move into their new home by 2027.

A's break fans' hearts again with Vegas relocation news

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Many Oakland fans already were heartbroken about the state of their struggling team. The crowds have been small and the baseball has been bad. In the offseason, fans watch the team trade away top players or watch them walk in free agency year after year. Now, the greatest disappointment yet. The A's are leaving for Las Vegas. Longtime fan Ryan Thibodaux says he's "more saddened than I thought I would be." Jason Bressler says he was at Game 4 of the 1989 World Series and that the impending move feels like "a big piece of my childhood is going with them."

Grisham has 4 RBIs, Padres beat D-backs in Tatis' return

PHOENIX (AP) — Trent Grisham had two doubles and four RBIs, Xander Bogaerts added a two-run homer and the San Diego Padres beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 7-5 in Fernando Tatis Jr.'s return from a PED suspension. Tatis was 0 for 5 with two strikeouts in his first regular-season game since 2021. He batted leadoff and played right field. His highlight came on defense in the eighth, when he sprinted back and to his left before snagging a line drive and robbing Josh Rojas of an extra-base hit. The 24-year-old Tatis missed all of last season first because of a broken left wrist and then an 80-game PED suspension.

Chien leads Chevron after 1st round, Korda tied for 2nd

THE WOODLANDS, Texas (AP) — Peiyun Chien shot a 5-under 67 on a rainy Thursday in the transplanted Chevron Championship to take the first-round lead in the LPGA Tour's first major of the year. Unable to find a sponsor willing to add to the half-century run at Mission Hills, the tournament bolted the California desert for the woods of suburban Houston. The 32-year-old Chien, who is from Taiwan, had six birdies — including four in a five-hole span on Nos. 4-8 — at The Club at Carlton Woods. Second-ranked Nelly Korda was among six players and three Americans tied for second at 68. Korda is fully healthy after missing four months and a lot of momentum last year with a blood clot in her arm that required surgery.

N.Y. Yankees 3, L.A. Angels 2, 10 innings

Chicago White Sox (Kopech 0-2) at Tampa Bay (Faucher 0-0), 6:40 p.m.

Detroit (Lorenzen 0-0) at Baltimore (Wells 0-1), 7:05 p.m.

Toronto (Kikuchi 2-0) at N.Y. Yankees (Germán 1-1), 7:05 p.m.

Miami (Garrett 0-0) at Cleveland (Plesac 1-0), 7:10 p.m.

Houston (Brown 2-0) at Atlanta (Elder 2-0), 7:20 p.m.

Oakland (Sears 0-1) at Texas (Gray 1-1), 8:05 p.m.

Boston (Pivetta 0-1) at Milwaukee (Peralta 2-1), 8:10 p.m.

Washington (Williams 1-1) at Minnesota (Mahle 1-2), 8:10 p.m.

Kansas City (Clarke 1-0) at L.A. Angels (Ohtani 2-0), 9:38 p.m.

St. Louis (Matz 0-2) at Seattle (Kirby 1-1), 10:10 p.m.

Chicago White Sox at Tampa Bay, 4:05 p.m.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681297613631.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Sports Headlines for Friday Morning, April 21st, 2023 AP Sports SummaryBrief at 4:48 a.m. EDTCurry scores 36, Warriors beat Kings 114-97 without GreenSAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Stephen Curry scored 36 points, Kevon Looney matched his career high with 20 rebounds to go with nine assists, and the Golden State Warriors got right back in their first-round playoff series by thumping the Sacramento Kings 114-97 to pull to 2-1. As suspended star Draymond Green watched from home, the defending champions dominated without him as they have done so many times before. The fiery forward was suspended without pay for stepping on the chest of Domantas Sabonis in the fourth quarter of Monday's Game 2 at Golden 1 Center. The Warriors also were without key defensive stopper Gary Payton II after the guard became ill Wednesday.Embiid gets late block as Maxey, 76ers take 3-0 lead on NetsNEW YORK (AP) — Joel Embiid, limping throughout the game and perhaps lucky not to have been ejected for kicking a Nets player in the groin area, blocked a potential tying basket with 8.8 seconds left and the Philadelphia 76ers beat Brooklyn 102-97 to take a 3-0 lead in the first-round series. Tyrese Maxey made the tiebreaking 3-pointer with 44 seconds left for the 76ers, who can sweep their way into the second round with a victory Saturday in Brooklyn. Mikal Bridges scored 26 points and Spencer Dinwiddie had 20 for the Nets.Harden ejected, but not Embiid for groin-area shots to NetsNEW YORK (AP) — James Harden was thrown out for hitting a Brooklyn player in the groin area, after teammate Joel Embiid dodged an ejection for a kick near the same spot of another player Thursday night in Philadelphia's 102-97 victory in Game 3. Harden was dribbling while defended closely by Royce O'Neale when he swung out his arm and hit O'Neale, who fell to the court in pain. Referees reviewed the play and called Harden for a flagrant foul 2, an automatic ejection. Two quarters earlier, the 76ers were perhaps lucky the same penalty wasn't given to Embiid. He was given only a flagrant 1 after kicking his leg up toward Nets center Nic Claxton's groin.Booker has 45 points, Suns top Leonard-less Clippers 129-124LOS ANGELES (AP) — Devin Booker scored 45 points, Kevin Durant added 28 and the Phoenix Suns beat the Kawhi Leonard-less Los Angeles Clippers 129-124 to take a 2-1 lead in the Western Conference series. Leonard sat out because of a sprained right knee, the same injury that has sidelined fellow star Paul George since March 21. Leonard was hurt in Game 1, and played through it in Game 2, but afterward his condition didn't improve. Norman Powell led the Clippers, scoring a career playoff-high 42 points on 15-of-23 shooting. Russell Westbrook added 30 points and 11 assists. Game 4 is Saturday in Los Angeles.Scherzer suspended 10 games for sticky substance ejectionNEW YORK (AP) — Mets pitcher Max Scherzer was suspended for 10 games by Major League Baseball on Thursday following his ejection for having a foreign substance on his hand during a game. Scherzer initially appealed the suspension but dropped his appeal hours later. In exchange, his fine was reduced from $10,000 to $5,000, according to a person familiar with negotiations between MLB and the players' union. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement hadn't been announced. Scherzer was ejected on Wednesday during the fourth inning of a game at Dodger Stadium. He claimed the stickiness was caused by rosin and sweat and not by a foreign substance.Talor Gooch leads after 1st round of LIV Golf in AustraliaADELAIDE, Australia (AP) — Talor Gooch upstaged the more-fancied names on the LIV Golf tour by shooting a 10-under 62 to take a four-stroke lead after the first round of the inaugural Australian tournament in Adelaide. The 31-year-old American started with a par on his opening hole in the shotgun-start format but then had 10 birdies. That included five in a row. Richard Bland and Dean Burmester shot 66s and are tied for second. Danny Lee is among five players tied for fourth. He won the second LIV event in Arizona last month. British Open champion Cameron Smith and Brooks Koepka had 69s. Phil Mickelson and Bubba Watson shot 70.Oakland A's purchase land for new stadium in Las VegasOAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Oakland Athletics have signed a binding agreement to purchase land for a new retractable roof ballpark in Las Vegas after being unable to build a new venue in the Bay Area. Team president Dave Kaval said Wednesday night that the team finalized the deal to buy the 49-acre site last week where the A's will plan to build the stadium that will seat between 30,000 and 35,000 fans close to the Las Vegas Strip. The A's will work with Nevada and Clark County on a public-private partnership to fund the stadium. Kaval said the A's hope to break ground on the stadium by next year and would look to hope to be able move into their new home by 2027.A's break fans' hearts again with Vegas relocation newsOAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Many Oakland fans already were heartbroken about the state of their struggling team. The crowds have been small and the baseball has been bad. In the offseason, fans watch the team trade away top players or watch them walk in free agency year after year. Now, the greatest disappointment yet. The A's are leaving for Las Vegas. Longtime fan Ryan Thibodaux says he's "more saddened than I thought I would be." Jason Bressler says he was at Game 4 of the 1989 World Series and that the impending move feels like "a big piece of my childhood is going with them."Grisham has 4 RBIs, Padres beat D-backs in Tatis' returnPHOENIX (AP) — Trent Grisham had two doubles and four RBIs, Xander Bogaerts added a two-run homer and the San Diego Padres beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 7-5 in Fernando Tatis Jr.'s return from a PED suspension. Tatis was 0 for 5 with two strikeouts in his first regular-season game since 2021. He batted leadoff and played right field. His highlight came on defense in the eighth, when he sprinted back and to his left before snagging a line drive and robbing Josh Rojas of an extra-base hit. The 24-year-old Tatis missed all of last season first because of a broken left wrist and then an 80-game PED suspension.Chien leads Chevron after 1st round, Korda tied for 2ndTHE WOODLANDS, Texas (AP) — Peiyun Chien shot a 5-under 67 on a rainy Thursday in the transplanted Chevron Championship to take the first-round lead in the LPGA Tour's first major of the year. Unable to find a sponsor willing to add to the half-century run at Mission Hills, the tournament bolted the California desert for the woods of suburban Houston. The 32-year-old Chien, who is from Taiwan, had six birdies — including four in a five-hole span on Nos. 4-8 — at The Club at Carlton Woods. Second-ranked Nelly Korda was among six players and three Americans tied for second at 68. Korda is fully healthy after missing four months and a lot of momentum last year with a blood clot in her arm that required surgery.<h2>Baseball Glance</h2>All Times EDTEast Division		W	L	Pct	GBTampa Bay	16	3	.842	_New York	12	7	.632	4Baltimore	11	7	.611	4½Toronto	11	8	.579	5Boston	10	10	.500	6½Central Division		W	L	Pct	GBMinnesota	11	8	.579	_Cleveland	10	9	.526	1Detroit	7	10	.412	3Chicago	7	12	.368	4Kansas City	4	15	.211	7West Division		W	L	Pct	GBTexas	12	6	.667	_Houston	9	10	.474	3½Los Angeles	9	10	.474	3½Seattle	8	11	.421	4½Oakland	3	16	.158	9½___East Division		W	L	Pct	GBAtlanta	14	5	.737	_New York	13	7	.650	1½Miami	10	9	.526	4Philadelphia	8	12	.400	6½Washington	5	13	.278	8½Central Division		W	L	Pct	GBMilwaukee	14	5	.737	_Pittsburgh	13	7	.650	1½Chicago	11	7	.611	2½St. Louis	8	11	.421	6Cincinnati	7	12	.368	7West Division		W	L	Pct	GBArizona	11	9	.550	_Los Angeles	10	10	.500	1San Diego	10	11	.476	1½San Francisco	6	12	.333	4Colorado	6	14	.300	5___AMERICAN LEAGUEWednesday's GamesTampa Bay 8, Cincinnati 0Cleveland 3, Detroit 2Philadelphia 5, Chicago White Sox 2Texas 12, Kansas City 3Chicago Cubs 12, Oakland 2Milwaukee 5, Seattle 3Baltimore 4, Washington 0Minnesota 10, Boston 4N.Y. Yankees 3, L.A. Angels 2, 10 inningsHouston 8, Toronto 1Thursday's GamesBoston 11, Minnesota 5N.Y. Yankees 9, L.A. Angels 3Friday's GamesChicago White Sox (Kopech 0-2) at Tampa Bay (Faucher 0-0), 6:40 p.m.Detroit (Lorenzen 0-0) at Baltimore (Wells 0-1), 7:05 p.m.Toronto (Kikuchi 2-0) at N.Y. Yankees (Germán 1-1), 7:05 p.m.Miami (Garrett 0-0) at Cleveland (Plesac 1-0), 7:10 p.m.Houston (Brown 2-0) at Atlanta (Elder 2-0), 7:20 p.m.Oakland (Sears 0-1) at Texas (Gray 1-1), 8:05 p.m.Boston (Pivetta 0-1) at Milwaukee (Peralta 2-1), 8:10 p.m.Washington (Williams 1-1) at Minnesota (Mahle 1-2), 8:10 p.m.Kansas City (Clarke 1-0) at L.A. Angels (Ohtani 2-0), 9:38 p.m.St. Louis (Matz 0-2) at Seattle (Kirby 1-1), 10:10 p.m.Saturday's GamesToronto at N.Y. Yankees, 1:05 p.m.Washington at Minnesota, 2:10 p.m.Chicago White Sox at Tampa Bay, 4:05 p.m.Miami at Cleveland, 6:10 p.m.Detroit at Baltimore, 7:05 p.m.Oakland at Texas, 7:05 p.m.Boston at Milwaukee, 7:10 p.m.Houston at Atlanta, 7:20 p.m.Kansas City at L.A. Angels, 9:07 p.m.St. Louis at Seattle, 9:40 p.m.___NATIONAL LEAGUEWednesday's GamesTampa Bay 8, Cincinnati 0St. Louis 14, Arizona 5Philadelphia 5, Chicago White Sox 2San Francisco 5, Miami 2, 11 inningsPittsburgh 14, Colorado 3N.Y. Mets 5, L.A. Dodgers 3San Diego 1, Atlanta 0Chicago Cubs 12, Oakland 2Milwaukee 5, Seattle 3Baltimore 4, Washington 0Thursday's GamesPittsburgh 4, Cincinnati 3Colorado 5, Philadelphia 0L.A. Dodgers 6, Chicago Cubs 2N.Y. Mets 9, San Francisco 4San Diego 7, Arizona 5Friday's GamesL.A. Dodgers (Urías 3-1) at Chicago Cubs (Smyly 1-1), 2:20 p.m.Cincinnati (Ashcraft 2-0) at Pittsburgh (Keller 1-0), 6:35 p.m.Colorado (Davis 0-0) at Philadelphia (Nola 1-2), 7:05 p.m.Miami (Garrett 0-0) at Cleveland (Plesac 1-0), 7:10 p.m.Houston (Brown 2-0) at Atlanta (Elder 2-0), 7:20 p.m.Boston (Pivetta 0-1) at Milwaukee (Peralta 2-1), 8:10 p.m.Washington (Williams 1-1) at Minnesota (Mahle 1-2), 8:10 p.m.San Diego (Lugo 2-0) at Arizona (Gallen 2-1), 9:40 p.m.St. Louis (Matz 0-2) at Seattle (Kirby 1-1), 10:10 p.m.N.Y. Mets (Lucchesi 0-0) at San Francisco (DeSclafani 1-0), 10:15 p.m.Saturday's GamesWashington at Minnesota, 2:10 p.m.L.A. Dodgers at Chicago Cubs, 2:20 p.m.Colorado at Philadelphia, 4:05 p.m.N.Y. Mets at San Francisco, 4:05 p.m.Miami at Cleveland, 6:10 p.m.Cincinnati at Pittsburgh, 6:35 p.m.Boston at Milwaukee, 7:10 p.m.Houston at Atlanta, 7:20 p.m.San Diego at Arizona, 8:10 p.m.St. Louis at Seattle, 9:40 p.m.<h2>NBA GLANCE</h2>

Thursday, April 20 Philadelphia 102, Brooklyn 97, Philadelphia leads series 3 - 0Golden State 114, Sacramento 97, Sacramento leads series 2 - 1Phoenix 129, L.A. Clippers 124, Phoenix leads series 2 - 1Friday, April 21 Boston at Atlanta, 7 p.m.Cleveland at New York, 8:30 p.m.Denver at Minnesota, 9:30 p.m.Saturday, April 22 Philadelphia at Brooklyn, 1 p.m.Phoenix at L.A. Clippers, 3:30 p.m.Milwaukee at Miami, 7:30 p.m.Memphis at L.A. Lakers, 10 p.m.Sunday, April 23 Cleveland at New York, 1 p.m.Sacramento at Golden State, 3:30 p.m.Boston at Atlanta, 7 p.m.Denver at Minnesota, 9:30 p.m.Monday, April 24 x-Brooklyn at Philadelphia, TBAMilwaukee at Miami, 7:30 p.m.Memphis at L.A. Lakers, 10 p.m.Tuesday, April 25 x-Atlanta at Boston, TBAL.A. Clippers at Phoenix, TBAx-Minnesota at Denver, TBAWednesday, April 26 New York at Cleveland, 7 p.m.L.A. Lakers at Memphis, 7:30 p.m.Miami at Milwaukee, 9:30 p.m.Golden State at Sacramento, 10 p.m.Thursday, April 27 x-Boston at Atlanta, TBAx-Philadelphia at Brooklyn, TBAx-Phoenix at L.A. Clippers, TBAx-Denver at Minnesota, TBAFriday, April 28 x-Milwaukee at Miami, TBAx-Cleveland at New York, TBAx-Sacramento at Golden State, TBAx-Memphis at L.A. Lakers, TBASaturday, April 29 x-Atlanta at Boston, TBAx-Brooklyn at Philadelphia, TBAx-L.A. Clippers at Phoenix, TBAx-Minnesota at Denver, TBASunday, April 30 x-Miami at Milwaukee, TBAx-New York at Cleveland, TBAx-Golden State at Sacramento, TBAx-L.A. Lakers at Memphis, TBA<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;

📢📰 Sports Headlines for Friday

COLBY, Kan. — Kenny Hernandez began his role as the Colby Community College athletic director this week. Hernandez fills the position vacated by Mike Saddler, who is leaving to become the commissioner of the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference.

"We are extremely excited to have Athletic Director Hernandez join the Colby Community College family," said President Dr. Seth Carter. "Kenny is enthusiastic about advancing the Trojans in the classroom and within their respective sports. He is dedicated to student success and a great fit."

Hernandez came to Colby after four years as the assistant athletic director for communications at Seward County Community College. He was the primary contact with all seven Saints athletic programs for media relations, gameday operations, on-site manager, and Student-Athlete Advisory Committee advisor. In the fall 2022 semester, he was the interim men's and women's tennis coach and guided the women's program to its first Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) singles national championship. His leadership in the conference was as a voting member in the KJCCC Player of the Week committee for Division I softball, women's basketball, and volleyball.

He was also active in the community as an ambassador with the Liberal Chamber of Commerce.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681914318885.jpeg" alt="Hernandez named AD at Colby CC" />
 <figcaption>Hernandez named AD at Colby CC</figcaption>
 </figure>COLBY, Kan. — Kenny Hernandez began his role as the Colby Community College athletic director this week. Hernandez fills the position vacated by Mike Saddler, who is leaving to become the commissioner of the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference."We are extremely excited to have Athletic Director Hernandez join the Colby Community College family," said President Dr. Seth Carter. "Kenny is enthusiastic about advancing the Trojans in the classroom and within their respective sports. He is dedicated to student success and a great fit."Hernandez came to Colby after four years as the assistant athletic director for communications at Seward County Community College. He was the primary contact with all seven Saints athletic programs for media relations, gameday operations, on-site manager, and Student-Athlete Advisory Committee advisor. In the fall 2022 semester, he was the interim men's and women's tennis coach and guided the women's program to its first Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) singles national championship. His leadership in the conference was as a voting member in the KJCCC Player of the Week committee for Division I softball, women's basketball, and volleyball.He was also active in the community as an ambassador with the Liberal Chamber of Commerce.The Minneapolis, Minn., native started at Colby on April 17."I want to thank the leadership at Colby Community College for this opportunity to lead the athletic department," Hernandez said. "The passion and excitement I have for Colby Community College will shine through my work, attitude, and involvement on campus."Before his time at Seward, Hernandez was involved with NJCAA athletics for four years as the voice of the Tetons at Williston State College in North Dakota. He also worked at radio stations in his hometown of Minneapolis and owned a mobile DJ service in multiple locations.Hernandez holds a bachelor's degree in communication studies with a minor in English and a certificate in leadership and public service from Iowa State University. In December, he will graduate with a master's degree in sports management from the University of Kansas.In his free time, he likes to attend sporting events and read.