KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Cole Ragans struck out 11 in six crisp innings, and the Kansas City Royals beat the sloppy Minnesota Twins 2-1. Kansas City won for the fourth time in five games despite managing just two unearned runs and three hits. Bobby Witt Jr. scored the go-ahead run on Vinnie Pasquantino's soft grounder in the eighth. Witt reached when he went all the way to third on a throwing error on Griffin Jax. Ragans was charged with one run and four hits. John Schreiber escaped a jam in the eighth, and Daniel Lynch IV got one out for his first save.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Cole Ragans struck out 11 in six crisp innings, and the Kansas City Royals beat the sloppy Minnesota Twins 2-1 on Tuesday night.

Kansas City won for the fourth time in five games despite managing just two unearned runs and three hits.

Bobby Witt Jr. scored the go-ahead run on Vinnie Pasquantino's soft grounder in the eighth. Witt reached when he went all the way to third on a throwing error on Griffin Jax (0-1).

Ragans was charged with one run and four hits. John Schreiber (1-0) escaped a jam in the eighth, and Daniel Lynch IV got one out for his first save.

Minnesota had runners on the corners in the top of the eighth when Carlos Correa bounced into an inning-ending double play.

Twins right-hander Pablo López pitched 4 2/3 innings of three-hit ball before departing because of right hamstring tightness. López struck out six and walked one.

The Royals jumped in front in the fourth. Witt hit a one-out double and Pasquantino reached on an error on second baseman Micky Gasper. Witt then scampered home on Salvador Perez's grounder.

The Twins responded in the fifth. Ty France doubled and scored on Harrison Bader's single off left fielder Mark Canha's glove at the top of the wall.

After walking Jonathan India, López grabbed the back of his right leg and was removed after a short visit from Twins trainer Nick Paparesta.

Twins batters are hitting .103 against left-handed pitching this season.

Twins right-hander Joe Ryan (0-1, 4.50 ERA) and Royals right-hander Seth Lugo (1-0, 3.27 ERA) take the mound on Wednesday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744165473262.jpeg" alt="Bobby Witt Jr. dives into third base following an error in the eighth inning in the Kansas City Royals game vs. Minnesota on Tuesday, April 8, 2024 in Kansas City, Mo. (Photo Kansas City Royals)" />
 <figcaption>Bobby Witt Jr. dives into third base following an error in the eighth inning in the Kansas City Royals game vs. Minnesota on Tuesday, April 8, 2024 in Kansas City, Mo. (Photo Kansas City Royals)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Cole Ragans struck out 11 in six crisp innings, and the Kansas City Royals beat the sloppy Minnesota Twins 2-1. Kansas City won for the fourth time in five games despite managing just two unearned runs and three hits. Bobby Witt Jr. scored the go-ahead run on Vinnie Pasquantino's soft grounder in the eighth. Witt reached when he went all the way to third on a throwing error on Griffin Jax. Ragans was charged with one run and four hits. John Schreiber escaped a jam in the eighth, and Daniel Lynch IV got one out for his first save.KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Cole Ragans struck out 11 in six crisp innings, and the Kansas City Royals beat the sloppy Minnesota Twins 2-1 on Tuesday night.Kansas City won for the fourth time in five games despite managing just two unearned runs and three hits.Bobby Witt Jr. scored the go-ahead run on Vinnie Pasquantino's soft grounder in the eighth. Witt reached when he went all the way to third on a throwing error on Griffin Jax (0-1).<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744194685852.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez, left, and relief pitcher Daniel Lynch IV celebrate after their baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez, left, and relief pitcher Daniel Lynch IV celebrate after their baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)</figcaption>
 </figure>Ragans was charged with one run and four hits. John Schreiber (1-0) escaped a jam in the eighth, and Daniel Lynch IV got one out for his first save.Minnesota had runners on the corners in the top of the eighth when Carlos Correa bounced into an inning-ending double play.Twins right-hander Pablo López pitched 4 2/3 innings of three-hit ball before departing because of right hamstring tightness. López struck out six and walked one.The Royals jumped in front in the fourth. Witt hit a one-out double and Pasquantino reached on an error on second baseman Micky Gasper. Witt then scampered home on Salvador Perez's grounder.The Twins responded in the fifth. Ty France doubled and scored on Harrison Bader's single off left fielder Mark Canha's glove at the top of the wall.Key momentAfter walking Jonathan India, López grabbed the back of his right leg and was removed after a short visit from Twins trainer Nick Paparesta.Key statTwins batters are hitting .103 against left-handed pitching this season.Up nextTwins right-hander Joe Ryan (0-1, 4.50 ERA) and Royals right-hander Seth Lugo (1-0, 3.27 ERA) take the mound on Wednesday.___

⚾ Ragans strikes out 11 as the Royals beat the sloppy Twins 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744206509564.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy ESPN+" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy ESPN+</figcaption>
 </figure><div>Kansas State Athletics
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MANHATTAN, Kan. &ndash;&nbsp;K-State's five home runs, including two by&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/bear-madliak/12309" rel="smarttag" rev="12309">Bear Madliak</a></dfn>, powered the Wildcats to a 12-2 seven-inning victory over Missouri State at Tointon Family Stadium on Tuesday night.&nbsp; "Just what the doctor ordered in a bounce-back game for our team &ndash; a high character win with a resilient group after a disappointing weekend," said&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/coaches/pete-hughes/2603" rel="smarttag" rev="2603">Pete Hughes</a></dfn>, now in his seventh season at the helm of the K-State baseball program. "We came up with energy, played a tough and scrappy team, and performed well in every phase of the game. More importantly, we played with energy and played fundamental baseball." With the win, the Wildcats (21-11) extended their home winning streak to 11, marking the first 11-0 start at home since 2014. Missouri State, which had picked up consecutive midweek Power 4 wins over then-No. 2 Arkansas and Oklahoma State, moved to 16-15 on the year as it dropped its fifth straight game against K-State. Four different Wildcats belted a home run led by Madliak, who became the fourth player to hit multiple in a game this season after blasting a no-doubter in the second and seventh.&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/sam-flores/12310" rel="smarttag" rev="12310">Sam Flores</a></dfn>,&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/dee-kennedy/12308" rel="smarttag" rev="12308">Dee Kennedy</a></dfn>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/cayden-phillips/12299" rel="smarttag" rev="12299">Cayden Phillips</a></dfn>&nbsp;each homered, while Phillips delivered a two-run blast in the seventh to clinch the walk-off victory. &nbsp; Flores, who earned his sixth start of the season, became the 13th&nbsp;player to homer for K-State this season.&nbsp; "We got a great start from&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/tanner-duke/12334" rel="smarttag" rev="12334">Tanner Duke</a></dfn>&nbsp;against a super high-powered offense and got to play some guys that we need to play well to have depth in our program. So, top to bottom all around, it was a really good win. A win that will get us going and feeling good about ourselves heading into a conference weekend against UCF." In his debut at Tointon Family Stadium,&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/tanner-duke/12334" rel="smarttag" rev="12334">Tanner Duke</a></dfn>&nbsp;retired 16 of the 22 batters he faced. He ended the night surrendering two earned runs on four hits and matched a season-high six strikeouts over five complete innings &ndash; his longest outing of the year. K-State reliever&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/jj-slack/12304" rel="smarttag" rev="12304">JJ Slack</a></dfn>&nbsp;took over for Duke and fired two scoreless innings, as the left-hander scattered one hit and struck out three in his seventh relief appearance. On the year, K-State has registered a home run in 25 of its 32 games, that includes 18 games with two or more. In the second, Madliak and Flores turned in the team's seventh back-to-back home run performance. HOW IT HAPPENED After a scoreless first, the Wildcats erupted for eight runs over a three-inning span, before clinching the run-rule victory with a four-run seventh inning. Madliak, who served as the designated hitter, put K-State on the board with a solo shot into left center and was immediately followed with Flores' first homer at K-State. The Cats doubled their lead, 4-0, with a two-run double by Kennedy. Missouri State closed the gap to two in the third with a pair of solo blasts. The Wildcats recovered the runs handed over in the top of the inning, as&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/aj-evasco/12312" rel="smarttag" rev="12312">AJ Evasco</a></dfn>&nbsp;singled through the left side and advanced to third on a throwing error to first. With runners on first and third, Flores doubled into right field to stretch the Cats lead to four. Leading 4-2 heading into the bottom of the fourth, Kennedy launched his seventh homer of the year to opposite field before Madliak delivered a two-out RBI double to left center. The Wildcats put the game away in the seventh led by the Cats' fourth homer, as Madliak barreled his second no-doubter of the night to force the Bears to make their sixth call to the bullpen. Pinch hitter&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/micah-dean/12291" rel="smarttag" rev="12291">Micah Dean</a></dfn>&nbsp;doubled into left field and came across the plate in the next at bat on&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/shintaro-inoue/12311" rel="smarttag" rev="12311">Shintaro Inoue's</a></dfn>&nbsp;single through the right side. With two outs and Inoue on first, Phillips shelled a 3-1 pitch 396-feet over the left-field wall to secure the run-rule win. INSIDE THE BOX
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<li>K-State scored 12 runs on 12 hits, committed one error and stranded four on base.</li>
<li>MoState scored two runs on five hits with one error and leaving six runners on base.</li>
<li>Four different Wildcats homered &ndash; Madliak (2), Flores, Kennedy, Phillips.</li>
<li>Phillips delivered a walk-off two-run homer in the seventh.</li>
<li>Duke (1-1) picked up his first win, surrendering two earned runs on four hits and matching a season-high six strikeouts.</li>
<li>Slack fired two scoreless innings in relief of Duke.</li>
<li>Smith (0-1) suffered the loss, allowing four earned runs in the second on four hits.</li>
<li>Madliak went 3-for-4 with three RBI &ndash; matching a season-best in both categories. He finished with a double and his first multi-home run game.</li>
<li>Four players had multi-hit efforts &ndash; Madliak (3), Flores (2), Kennedy (2), Phillips (2).</li>
<li>Flores drove in a season-high three RBI on two hits.</li>
<li>The Cats went 3-for-7 with runners in scoring position and 4-for-9 with two outs, driving in four RBIs with two-outs.</li>
<li>MoState was 1-for-10 with men on base and went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position.</li>
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TEAM NOTES
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<li>K-State remains undefeated at home with a perfect 11-0 record &ndash; marking the first 11-0 home start since 2014.</li>
<li>K-State leads the all-time series 19-11, including a 12-4 advantage in games played in Manhattan while extending its winning streak to five.</li>
<li>The Cats have won six of the last seven contests played in Manhattan.</li>
<li>Madliak became the fourth player to produce a multi-home run game.</li>
<li>Phillips delivered a two-run walk-off homer to capture the Cats' fifth walk-off of the season &ndash; third by a home run. &nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li>Flores became the 13th&nbsp;Wildcat to homer this season.&nbsp;</li>
<li>K-State has homered in 25 of 35 games, including 18 with two or more (17-1).</li>
<li>Madliak and Flores turned in the team's seventh back-to-back home run effort. &nbsp;</li>
<li>In three starts, Duke has surrendered four runs and scattered nine hits over 13 innings.</li>
</ul>
UP NEXT The Wildcats host UCF (18-14, 3-9 Big 12) for a three-game Big 12 series, starting Friday at 6 p.m. at Tointon Family Stadium. The entire Big 12 series can be seen on ESPN+ and the ESPN app, while radio coverage is available on KMAN. A free live audio can be found for all K-State baseball games at kstatesports.com/watch. K-State baseball single-game tickets are available, and can be purchased by visiting&nbsp;<a name="_Hlk192492882"></a>KStateSports.com, call 1-800-221-CATS (2287), or stopping by the K-State Athletics Ticket Office in Bramlage Coliseum.</div>

⚾ K-State cruises to win over Missouri State

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744206185126.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy Wichita State Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Wichita State Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure><div>Wichita State Athletics
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WICHITA, Kan. --&nbsp;Wichita State scored in each of the first five innings on their way to a 14-2 win over Newman on Tuesday afternoon at Eck Stadium. The game was called after seven innings due to the 10-run rule. The Shockers (12-20) sprinted to a 7-0 lead in the first two innings. A&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/jaden-gustafson/9178" rel="smarttag" rev="9178">Jaden Gustafson</a></dfn>&nbsp;RBI single opened the scoring in the bottom of the first, followed by a&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/jordan-rogers/9191" rel="smarttag" rev="9191">Jordan Rogers</a></dfn>&nbsp;two-run homer for a 3-0 lead. Two run-scoring wild pitches, another Gustafson RBI single and&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/ryan-callahan/9175" rel="smarttag" rev="9175">Ryan Callahan's</a></dfn>&nbsp;bases-loaded hit by pitch swelled the lead to seven while the Shocker pitching staff kept the Jets (8-27) at bay.&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/jeremiah-arnett/9174" rel="smarttag" rev="9174">Jeremiah Arnett</a></dfn>&nbsp;retired all six men he faced over two scoreless innings, followed by another two shutout frames from&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/tyler-dobbs/9176" rel="smarttag" rev="9176">Tyler Dobbs</a></dfn>&nbsp;(1-2). Lefties&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/arnad-mulamekic/9398" rel="smarttag" rev="9398">Arnad Mulamekic</a></dfn>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/drew-iverson/9182" rel="smarttag" rev="9182">Drew Iverson</a></dfn>&nbsp;worked 1-2-3 innings while combining for three strikeouts before&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/jack-mount/9187" rel="smarttag" rev="9187">Jack Mount</a></dfn>&nbsp;allowed a pair of unearned runs in working the top of the seventh. Wichita State eventually build their lead to 14-0 as Gustafson lined a sacrifice fly in the third inning and&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/josh-livingston/9185" rel="smarttag" rev="9185">Josh Livingston</a></dfn>&nbsp;launched a solo homer in the fourth.&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/cole-dillon/9411" rel="smarttag" rev="9411">Cole Dillon</a></dfn>&nbsp;came off the bench to slap an RBI single that increased to margin to 10-0, then four more came home in the fifth inning via a&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/kam-durnin/9177" rel="smarttag" rev="9177">Kam Durnin</a></dfn>&nbsp;sacrifice fly,&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/gannon-snyder/9192" rel="smarttag" rev="9192">Gannon Snyder</a></dfn>&nbsp;RBI double and a throwing error from Newman shortstop Hunter Brown. Gustafson finished 2-for-3 with a career-high-tying three RBI and Snyder banged two doubles in addition to a walk.&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/camden-johnson/9183" rel="smarttag" rev="9183">Camden Johnson</a></dfn>&nbsp;walked a career-high four times and scored three runs. Starter Brycen Schoenhofer (0-3) took the loss for the Jets, allowing three runs in his inning of work. Newman used seven pitchers on the day, handing out six walks, five wild pitches and five hit by pitches, one shy of the single-game Wichita State record set last season. The Shockers are back in action this Friday as they host conference-leading UTSA. First pitch of Friday's series opener is scheduled for 6:00 pm CT.</div>

⚾ Shockers rout Jets on Kids Day

DERBY, Kan. — The Hutchinson High School baseball team picked up a pair of wins on Tuesday evening in Derby, 8-3 and 7-2, to complete the sweep of the Panthers in back-to-back seasons.

With the win, the Salthawks are now 5-3 on the season, while the Panthers drop to 0-8. Hutchinson will host Valley Center on Friday at Hobart-Detter Field, while Derby will host Salina South.

The Salthawks opened the scoring in the second inning when a wild pitch brought home one run. Derby answered in the bottom of the inning on a groundout by Connor Burget to tie the game, 1-1.

In the third, Derby pulled ahead after an error scored one run, and Hudson Halstead added an RBI single to make it 3-1.

Hutchinson responded in the fifth inning. Gabe Valadez singled to center field, Jack Davis walked, Derby committed an error, JuJu Lyons singled, and Jack Yoder was hit by a pitch — all contributing to Hutchinson regaining the lead, with each sequence scoring a run.

Valadez earned the win for Hutchinson, allowing five hits and three runs (two earned) over 5 2/3 innings. He struck out three and walked none. Jace Hambleton took the loss for Derby, giving up five runs on eight hits over 4 1/3 innings. He struck out four and walked one. Landon Parks recorded the four-out save. The Salthawks pitching staff retired 11 of 12 faced in the third, fourth, fifth and sixth frames.

The Salthawks collected 11 hits in the game. Lyons led the way with two RBIs from the ninth spot in the order, going 2-for-3. Carter Morgan and Valadez each had three hits, while Caiden Beavers added two hits in five at-bats.

Hutchinson scored five runs in the fifth inning to pull away for a 7-2 win over Derby on Tuesday night.

The Salthawks took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first when Caiden Beavers delivered an RBI single. They extended the lead to 2-0 in the third after an error by the Panthers.

Hutchinson broke the game open in the fifth, recording five runs on five hits. JuJu Lyons tripled to drive in a run, Carter Morgan followed with an RBI double, and Jack Yoder brought in a run with a sacrifice fly. Gabe Valadez and Cole Bleything each added RBI singles to cap the inning.

Morgan earned the win on the mound, allowing just two hits and one run over five innings. He struck out five and walked four. Rowan Foster took the loss for Derby, giving up seven runs — only two of them earned — on seven hits over 4 2/3 innings. He struck out four and walked two. Landon Parks recorded the save, and Beavers pitched in relief for Hutchinson.

Beavers and Morgan each collected two hits for the Salthawks. Bleything, Yoder, Morgan, Beavers, Lyons, and Valadez all drove in one run. Beavers also stole three bases, as Hutchinson swiped six in total. The Salthawks also turned one double play defensively.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744154055968.jpeg" alt="Hutchinson High School junior Gabe Valadez delivers a pitch in an 8-3 win over Derby in Game 1 on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at Panther Field. (Hutch Post Photo/Sean Boston)" />
 <figcaption>Hutchinson High School junior Gabe Valadez delivers a pitch in an 8-3 win over Derby in Game 1 on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at Panther Field. (Hutch Post Photo/Sean Boston)</figcaption>
 </figure>SEAN BOSTON Hutch PostDERBY, Kan. — The Hutchinson High School baseball team picked up a pair of wins on Tuesday evening in Derby, 8-3 and 7-2, to complete the sweep of the Panthers in back-to-back seasons.With the win, the Salthawks are now 5-3 on the season, while the Panthers drop to 0-8. Hutchinson will host Valley Center on Friday at Hobart-Detter Field, while Derby will host Salina South.Game 1 — Hutchinson 8, Derby 3The Salthawks opened the scoring in the second inning when a wild pitch brought home one run. Derby answered in the bottom of the inning on a groundout by Connor Burget to tie the game, 1-1.In the third, Derby pulled ahead after an error scored one run, and Hudson Halstead added an RBI single to make it 3-1.Hutchinson responded in the fifth inning. Gabe Valadez singled to center field, Jack Davis walked, Derby committed an error, JuJu Lyons singled, and Jack Yoder was hit by a pitch — all contributing to Hutchinson regaining the lead, with each sequence scoring a run.Valadez earned the win for Hutchinson, allowing five hits and three runs (two earned) over 5 2/3 innings. He struck out three and walked none. Jace Hambleton took the loss for Derby, giving up five runs on eight hits over 4 1/3 innings. He struck out four and walked one. Landon Parks recorded the four-out save. The Salthawks pitching staff retired 11 of 12 faced in the third, fourth, fifth and sixth frames.The Salthawks collected 11 hits in the game. Lyons led the way with two RBIs from the ninth spot in the order, going 2-for-3. Carter Morgan and Valadez each had three hits, while Caiden Beavers added two hits in five at-bats.Game 2 — Hutchinson 7, Derby 2Hutchinson scored five runs in the fifth inning to pull away for a 7-2 win over Derby on Tuesday night.The Salthawks took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first when Caiden Beavers delivered an RBI single. They extended the lead to 2-0 in the third after an error by the Panthers.Hutchinson broke the game open in the fifth, recording five runs on five hits. JuJu Lyons tripled to drive in a run, Carter Morgan followed with an RBI double, and Jack Yoder brought in a run with a sacrifice fly. Gabe Valadez and Cole Bleything each added RBI singles to cap the inning.Morgan earned the win on the mound, allowing just two hits and one run over five innings. He struck out five and walked four. Rowan Foster took the loss for Derby, giving up seven runs — only two of them earned — on seven hits over 4 2/3 innings. He struck out four and walked two. Landon Parks recorded the save, and Beavers pitched in relief for Hutchinson.Beavers and Morgan each collected two hits for the Salthawks. Bleything, Yoder, Morgan, Beavers, Lyons, and Valadez all drove in one run. Beavers also stole three bases, as Hutchinson swiped six in total. The Salthawks also turned one double play defensively.

⚾ Salthawks sweep Panthers for second straight season

The Hutchinson High School baseball team travels to Derby to face the Panthers in an AVCTL Division I doubleheader this afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. for Game 1, with Game 2 to follow.

The Salthawks enter the doubleheader with a 3-3 record and are fresh off a sweep of Andover on Friday. The Panthers are 0-6, but have played one of the tougher schedules in the state.&nbsp;

Click below to listen to the broadcast of both games.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744144543276.png" alt="Hutch High Baseball @ Derby - Games at 4pm and 6pm" />
 <figcaption>Hutch High Baseball @ Derby - Games at 4pm and 6pm</figcaption>
 </figure>The Hutchinson High School baseball team travels to Derby to face the Panthers in an AVCTL Division I doubleheader this afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. for Game 1, with Game 2 to follow.The Salthawks enter the doubleheader with a 3-3 record and are fresh off a sweep of Andover on Friday. The Panthers are 0-6, but have played one of the tougher schedules in the state.&nbsp;Click below to listen to the broadcast of both games.<div><iframe src="https://eagle-media-sports-hutch.mixlr.com/embed" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" height="200px" width="100%"></iframe><a href="https://mixlr.com/" style="color:#1a1a1a;display:block;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:left;padding: 4px 0;">Eagle Media Sports - Hutchpost Sports is on Mixlr</a></div>

🎧⚾ Hutch High travels to Derby for AVCTL doubleheader

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744118418494.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy Kansas Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Kansas Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure><div>Kansas Athletics
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IRVING, Texas &ndash;&nbsp;Sophomore infielder&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/brady-ballinger/16147" rel="smarttag" rev="16147">Brady Ballinger</a></dfn>&nbsp;was named Big 12 Player of the Week, the conference office announced on Monday. The Big 12 weekly honor is the first of his career. &nbsp; Ballinger hit .444/.524/1.056 (8-for-18), with two doubles, three home runs, six RBIs, eight runs scored, three walks and a 1.580 OPS in four games last week. He had his second multi-homer game of the season on Friday at UCF. &nbsp; Five of Ballinger's eight hits were extra-base hits and that included three home runs over the weekend at UCF. Ballinger scored multiple runs in three of the four games and also drove in at least one RBI in three contests. &nbsp; The Las Vegas, Nevada, native currently has a 13-game hitting streak and is ranked nationally in multiple statistical categories. Ballinger is first in the conference in walks (39, second nationally), runs scored (46, tied for seventh nationally), total bases (99, tied for 13th nationally), slugging percentage (.792, 18th nationally) and hits (51, tied for 22nd nationally). He is also seventh in the country with a .562 on-base percentage. &nbsp; Ballinger is the 23rd player in Kansas history to win Big 12 Player of the Week. He joins&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/tommy-barth/16141" rel="smarttag" rev="16141">Tommy Barth</a></dfn>,&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/jackson-hauge/16155" rel="smarttag" rev="16155">Jackson Hauge</a></dfn>,&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/michael-brooks/16122" rel="smarttag" rev="16122">Michael Brooks</a></dfn>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/dominic-voegele/16130" rel="smarttag" rev="16130">Dominic Voegele</a></dfn>&nbsp;as a recipient of&nbsp;a Big 12 weekly award this season. &nbsp; No. 19 Kansas (27-6, 9-3 Big 12) sits in sole possession of first place in the Big 12 standings. The Jayhawks have won a season-high nine consecutive games, including a sweep at UCF this past weekend. The 27-6 overall record is the best record through the first 33 games in program history and the 9-3 start to conference play is also the best start to a Big 12 season in school history. &nbsp; The Jayhawks will have four games this week, beginning on Tuesday with Nebraska at Hoglund Ballpark at 6 p.m. CT. Then, Kansas will go on the road to play No. 24 TCU in a three-game conference series this weekend.</div>

⚾ KU's Ballinger named Big 12 Player of the Week

🎧 LISTEN: 🏀 Florida claims title, ⚾ Royals win, ⚾ Hutch High travels to Derby

EL DORADO – After dropping Game 1 in extra innings to No. 17 Butler on Monday, the Hutchinson Community College softball team answered the challenge and maintained its hold on first place in the Jayhawk Conference.

Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/kruger_kaibryn_wwcp">Kaibryn Kruger</a>&nbsp;hit two home runs in Game 2 as the Blue Dragons defeated the Grizzlies 9-7 to earn the doubleheader and season-series split. Butler rallied to force extra innings and then walk off for an 8-6 win in the opening game.

The Blue Dragons are now 28-6 overall and are 20-2 in first place in the KJCCC. Butler is now 24-6 overall and 13-5 in the Jayhawk. The Blue Dragons are off until Sunday when they travel to play Seward County in Liberal.

GAME 2 RECAP – Hutchinson 9, Butler 7 <a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/kruger_kaibryn_wwcp">Kaibryn Kruger</a>&nbsp;went 3 for 4 with two home runs and four RBIs to lead the Blue Dragons in Game 2. She hit solo home runs in the second and fifth innings and she had a key two-run single in a three-run third inning that gave the Blue Dragons an 8-3 lead.

The Blue Dragons struck first with a four-run first inning.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/stauffer_gabby_t8qf">Gabby Stauffer</a>'s 20th double of the season was an RBI hit down the left-field line that scored&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/backhaus_bailey_44zk">Bailey Backhaus</a>. The Dragons took a 2-0 lead on a bases-loaded walk to Addi Lutz, then&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/kruger_haley_h3bo">Haley Kruger</a>&nbsp;laced a two-run single up the middle to score&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/backhaus_brooke_ngsp">Brooke Backhaus</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/brawner_brie_hldl">Brie Brawner</a>&nbsp;for a 4-0 lead. Butler answered with three runs in the bottom of the first to cut the Dragon lead to 4-3.

Kruger homered to lead off the second, and then after a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/backhaus_bailey_44zk">Bailey Backhaus</a>&nbsp;RBI single in the third, Kruger hit a two-run single to give the Dragons an 8-3 lead. Butler cut the Dragon lead to 8-7 after a three-run fourth. Kruger then hit a one-out solo home run in the fifth to give the Dragons a 9-7 lead.

With the Dragons leading 9-7 in the bottom of the seventh with a runner at first and two out, Butler shortstop Kory Schoenfeld singled to left, but was called out for stepping out of the batter's box for the final out of the game.

<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/backhaus_bailey_44zk">Bailey Backhaus</a>&nbsp;went 2 for 4 with two runs and an RBI. She also moved past Olivia Sandoval for second place on the Blue Dragon career hits list with 175 hits.

<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/kruger_haley_h3bo">Haley Kruger</a>&nbsp;was 2 for 4 with two RBIs.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/dice_emily_75aj">Emily Dice</a>&nbsp;was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/tomlinson_morgan_0v0v">Morgan Tomlinson</a>, who took the Game 1 loss, pitched 3 1-3 innings in relief to earn the win. Tomlinson (14-3) allowed four hits and no runs with one strikeout.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/schmidt_jessica_edec">Jessica Schmidt</a>&nbsp;earned her second save of the season.

GAME 1 RECAP – Butler 8, Hutchinson 6 (8 innings) Hutchinson led 5-3 entering the seventh inning when the Grizzlies scored two runs to tie the game and force extra innings.

<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/kruger_haley_h3bo">Haley Kruger</a>&nbsp;singled home Brawner with the go-ahead run in the eighth, but Gracie Hock hit a two-run walk-off home run to right-center to snap the Blue Dragons' 18-game winning streak.

<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/kruger_haley_h3bo">Haley Kruger</a>&nbsp;went 3 for 4 with a double and three RBIs to lead the Blue Dragons' 10-hit attack.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/kruger_kaibryn_wwcp">Kaibryn Kruger</a>&nbsp;was 2 for 3 and Brawner was 2 for 4.

The Blue Dragons took a 3-0 lead in the second when&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/kruger_haley_h3bo">Haley Kruger</a>&nbsp;singled home&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/stauffer_gabby_t8qf">Gabby Stauffer</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/backhaus_brooke_ngsp">Brooke Backhaus</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/dice_emily_75aj">Emily Dice</a>'s infield single plated Browner for a 3-0 lead.

With the game tied at 3-all in the fourth, Dice gave the lead back to the Dragons scoring on a wild pitch and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/backhaus_bailey_44zk">Bailey Backhaus</a>&nbsp;scored on a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/golly_taylor_l19d">Tailor Golly</a>&nbsp;sacrifice fly to center.

Tomlinson started and re-entered the game in relief. She worked 4 2-3 innings, allowing seven hits and six runs with two strikeouts and two walks.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/schmidt_jessica_edec">Jessica Schmidt</a>&nbsp;went 3.0 innings with five hits and two runs allowed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744118554780.jpeg" alt="Blue Dragon teammates celebrate Kaibryn Kruger's second home run of Game 2 against Butler on Monday in El Dorado. The Dragons won the game 9-7 to split the doubleheader. (Photo courtesy Ed Bailey)" />
 <figcaption>Blue Dragon teammates celebrate Kaibryn Kruger's second home run of Game 2 against Butler on Monday in El Dorado. The Dragons won the game 9-7 to split the doubleheader. (Photo courtesy Ed Bailey)</figcaption>
 </figure>Hutchinson CC Sports InformationEL DORADO – After dropping Game 1 in extra innings to No. 17 Butler on Monday, the Hutchinson Community College softball team answered the challenge and maintained its hold on first place in the Jayhawk Conference.Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/kruger_kaibryn_wwcp">Kaibryn Kruger</a>&nbsp;hit two home runs in Game 2 as the Blue Dragons defeated the Grizzlies 9-7 to earn the doubleheader and season-series split. Butler rallied to force extra innings and then walk off for an 8-6 win in the opening game.The Blue Dragons are now 28-6 overall and are 20-2 in first place in the KJCCC. Butler is now 24-6 overall and 13-5 in the Jayhawk. The Blue Dragons are off until Sunday when they travel to play Seward County in Liberal.GAME 2 RECAP – Hutchinson 9, Butler 7 <a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/kruger_kaibryn_wwcp">Kaibryn Kruger</a>&nbsp;went 3 for 4 with two home runs and four RBIs to lead the Blue Dragons in Game 2. She hit solo home runs in the second and fifth innings and she had a key two-run single in a three-run third inning that gave the Blue Dragons an 8-3 lead.The Blue Dragons struck first with a four-run first inning.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/stauffer_gabby_t8qf">Gabby Stauffer</a>'s 20th double of the season was an RBI hit down the left-field line that scored&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/backhaus_bailey_44zk">Bailey Backhaus</a>. The Dragons took a 2-0 lead on a bases-loaded walk to Addi Lutz, then&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/kruger_haley_h3bo">Haley Kruger</a>&nbsp;laced a two-run single up the middle to score&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/backhaus_brooke_ngsp">Brooke Backhaus</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/brawner_brie_hldl">Brie Brawner</a>&nbsp;for a 4-0 lead. Butler answered with three runs in the bottom of the first to cut the Dragon lead to 4-3.Kruger homered to lead off the second, and then after a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/backhaus_bailey_44zk">Bailey Backhaus</a>&nbsp;RBI single in the third, Kruger hit a two-run single to give the Dragons an 8-3 lead. Butler cut the Dragon lead to 8-7 after a three-run fourth. Kruger then hit a one-out solo home run in the fifth to give the Dragons a 9-7 lead.With the Dragons leading 9-7 in the bottom of the seventh with a runner at first and two out, Butler shortstop Kory Schoenfeld singled to left, but was called out for stepping out of the batter's box for the final out of the game.<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/backhaus_bailey_44zk">Bailey Backhaus</a>&nbsp;went 2 for 4 with two runs and an RBI. She also moved past Olivia Sandoval for second place on the Blue Dragon career hits list with 175 hits.<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/kruger_haley_h3bo">Haley Kruger</a>&nbsp;was 2 for 4 with two RBIs.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/dice_emily_75aj">Emily Dice</a>&nbsp;was 2 for 4 with a run scored.<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/tomlinson_morgan_0v0v">Morgan Tomlinson</a>, who took the Game 1 loss, pitched 3 1-3 innings in relief to earn the win. Tomlinson (14-3) allowed four hits and no runs with one strikeout.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/schmidt_jessica_edec">Jessica Schmidt</a>&nbsp;earned her second save of the season.GAME 1 RECAP – Butler 8, Hutchinson 6 (8 innings) Hutchinson led 5-3 entering the seventh inning when the Grizzlies scored two runs to tie the game and force extra innings.<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/kruger_haley_h3bo">Haley Kruger</a>&nbsp;singled home Brawner with the go-ahead run in the eighth, but Gracie Hock hit a two-run walk-off home run to right-center to snap the Blue Dragons' 18-game winning streak.<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/kruger_haley_h3bo">Haley Kruger</a>&nbsp;went 3 for 4 with a double and three RBIs to lead the Blue Dragons' 10-hit attack.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/kruger_kaibryn_wwcp">Kaibryn Kruger</a>&nbsp;was 2 for 3 and Brawner was 2 for 4.The Blue Dragons took a 3-0 lead in the second when&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/kruger_haley_h3bo">Haley Kruger</a>&nbsp;singled home&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/stauffer_gabby_t8qf">Gabby Stauffer</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/backhaus_brooke_ngsp">Brooke Backhaus</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/dice_emily_75aj">Emily Dice</a>'s infield single plated Browner for a 3-0 lead.With the game tied at 3-all in the fourth, Dice gave the lead back to the Dragons scoring on a wild pitch and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/backhaus_bailey_44zk">Bailey Backhaus</a>&nbsp;scored on a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/golly_taylor_l19d">Tailor Golly</a>&nbsp;sacrifice fly to center.Tomlinson started and re-entered the game in relief. She worked 4 2-3 innings, allowing seven hits and six runs with two strikeouts and two walks.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/bios/schmidt_jessica_edec">Jessica Schmidt</a>&nbsp;went 3.0 innings with five hits and two runs allowed.

🥎 HutchCC earns road split at No. 17 Butler

MAYETTA – Led by sophomores&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2024-25/bios/razinskas_david_xbtl">David Razinskas</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2024-25/bios/box_charlie_0808">Charlie Box</a>, the Hutchinson Community College men's golf team is seven strokes off the pace at the Washburn Firekeeper Open after play on Monday.

The second round of the 54-hole tournament was suspended by darkness on Monday evening. The Blue Dragons have two holes to complete before the final round begins with a 10 a.m. shotgun start at Firekeeper Golf Club.

The Blue Dragons opened strong Monday morning playing the front nine holes at 7-under par. The Dragons closed the first round at 1-over 289 and was tied with NCAA Division II Central Oklahoma for third place after 18 holes.

The Dragons were 3-over for the second round and are 4-over par as a team for the tournament. Concordia University (MN) is leading the team standings at 3-under par. Concordia has two holes to play. Central Oklahoma is second at 1-over par. Oklahoma Christian completed its second round and is third at 3-over 590 after rounds of 289 and 291. The Dragons are fourth at 4-over par.

Razinskas and Box are tied for 12th individually at 1-over par.

Razinskas shot a 71 in the opening round and is 2-over par with one hole to play.

Box opened with a 69, but is 4-over in the second round with two holes to play.

<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2024-25/bios/northgraves_jack_mp7b">Jack Northgraves</a>&nbsp;is tied for 19th. He completed his two rounds on Monday, posting scores of 74 and 72 and is at 146 through 36 holes.

<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2024-25/bios/caruthers_jaydon_5jz1">Jaydon Carruthers</a>&nbsp;opened with a 77 in the first round, but was 1-under in the second round with one hole to play. He is tied for 28th individually.

<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2024-25/bios/ross_louis_6g3i">Louis Ross</a>&nbsp;shot 75 in the opening round and is 2-over for the second round with one hole to play. Ross is tied for 33rd.

Individual player Corey Scullion is tied for 75th after back-to-back rounds of 77 for a 36-hole total of 154.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744118501365.jpeg" alt="Jack Northgraves is one of three Blue Dragons in the individual Top 20 in the suspended Firekeeper Open on Monday in Mayetta, KS" />
 <figcaption>Jack Northgraves is one of three Blue Dragons in the individual Top 20 in the suspended Firekeeper Open on Monday in Mayetta, KS</figcaption>
 </figure>Hutchinson CC Sports InformationMAYETTA – Led by sophomores&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2024-25/bios/razinskas_david_xbtl">David Razinskas</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2024-25/bios/box_charlie_0808">Charlie Box</a>, the Hutchinson Community College men's golf team is seven strokes off the pace at the Washburn Firekeeper Open after play on Monday.The second round of the 54-hole tournament was suspended by darkness on Monday evening. The Blue Dragons have two holes to complete before the final round begins with a 10 a.m. shotgun start at Firekeeper Golf Club.The Blue Dragons opened strong Monday morning playing the front nine holes at 7-under par. The Dragons closed the first round at 1-over 289 and was tied with NCAA Division II Central Oklahoma for third place after 18 holes.The Dragons were 3-over for the second round and are 4-over par as a team for the tournament. Concordia University (MN) is leading the team standings at 3-under par. Concordia has two holes to play. Central Oklahoma is second at 1-over par. Oklahoma Christian completed its second round and is third at 3-over 590 after rounds of 289 and 291. The Dragons are fourth at 4-over par.Razinskas and Box are tied for 12th individually at 1-over par.Razinskas shot a 71 in the opening round and is 2-over par with one hole to play.Box opened with a 69, but is 4-over in the second round with two holes to play.<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2024-25/bios/northgraves_jack_mp7b">Jack Northgraves</a>&nbsp;is tied for 19th. He completed his two rounds on Monday, posting scores of 74 and 72 and is at 146 through 36 holes.<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2024-25/bios/caruthers_jaydon_5jz1">Jaydon Carruthers</a>&nbsp;opened with a 77 in the first round, but was 1-under in the second round with one hole to play. He is tied for 28th individually.<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2024-25/bios/ross_louis_6g3i">Louis Ross</a>&nbsp;shot 75 in the opening round and is 2-over for the second round with one hole to play. Ross is tied for 33rd.Individual player Corey Scullion is tied for 75th after back-to-back rounds of 77 for a 36-hole total of 154.

⛳ Dragons 4th at suspended Firekeeper Open

By EDDIE PELLS AP National Writer

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Florida's Walter Clayton Jr. came up with the perfect going-away present for that spirit-crushing Houston defense that bullied, battered and bedeviled him all night.

It was a defensive gem of his own. Right before the buzzer. For the win and the national title.

The Gators and Clayton somehow overcame Houston's lockdown intensity, along with a 12-point deficit Monday night to will out a 65-63 victory in an NCAA title-game thriller decided when the Florida senior's own D stopped the Cougars from even taking a game-winning shot at the buzzer.

Clayton finished with 11 points, all in the second half. What he'll be remembered for most was getting Houston's Emanuel Sharp to stop in the middle of his motion as he tried to go up for the game-winning 3 in the final seconds.

"Just go 100 percent," Clayton said when asked what he was trying to do at the finish. "We were just trying to get a stop, and we happened to get it. I'm happy we got it done."

With Sharp looking for room, Clayton ran at him. The Houston guard dropped the ball and, unable to pick it up lest he get called for traveling, watched it bounce.

Alex Condon dived on the ball, then flipped it to Clayton, who ran to the opposite free-throw line with the buzzer sounding and tugged his jersey out of his shorts. Next, the court was awash in Gator chomps and orange and blue confetti.

"We guarded them hard and then I saw the ball loose and I just hoped we beat them to the ball," Florida coach Todd Golden said.

This marked the fourth comeback in six March Madness wins for the Gators (36-4). They led this game for a total of 64 seconds, including the last 46 ticks of a contest that was in limbo until the final shot that never came.

Houston coach Kelvin Sampson called it "incomprehensible" that the Cougars couldn't get a shot off on either of their last two possessions.

About the last one, Sampson said: "Clayton made a great play. But that's why you've got to shot fake and get into the paint. Two's fine."

Will Richard had 18 points to keep the Gators in it, and they won their third overall title and first since Billy Donovan went back-to-back in 2006-07.

This time, it's Golden, in his third year, bringing the title back to Gainesville, where the Gator faithful can celebrate a win on one of college sports' grandest stages for the first time since Tim Tebow was playing quarterback for the football team in 2008.

This was the first hoops title for the Southeastern Conference since Kentucky in 2012, and the outcome the power conference was hoping for (expecting?) after placing a record 14 teams in the tournament.

The Cougars (35-5) and Sampson were denied their first championship, and ended up in the same spot as the colorful Phi Slama Jama teams from the 1980s — oh-so-close in second place.

This was a defensive brawl — the Gators failed to crack 70 for only the second time all season — and for most of the night, Clayton got the worst of it.

He was 0 for 4 from the field without a point through the first half. Met at the top of the circle, then double-teamed and trapped when necessary, he didn't score until hitting two free throws with 14:57 left.

The player who scored at least 30 points in the last two games, who averaged 24.6 through the first five games of the tournament, who almost singlehandedly outscored UConn and Texas Tech down the stretch of those March Madness comebacks, finished with one 3-pointer. Before that, he had a pair of three-point plays off drives to the hoop that kept the Gators in striking range. He finished 3 for 10.

He also became part of not one, but two stops that put these Gators in the history book, and possibly cemented himself as the best basketball player to wear the orange and blue.

After Alijah Martin made two free throws to put Florida ahead 64-63 — its first lead since 8-6 — the Gators lured Sharp into a triple-team in the corner, where Clayton pressured him, and then Richard got him to dribble the ball off his leg and out of bounds.

Florida made one free throw on the next possession and that set up the finale.

The ball first went to L.J. Cryer, who led the Cougars with 19 points. Blanketed by Richard, he threw to Sharp, who was moving to spot up for a 3 when Clayton ran at him. That left him with no choice but to let the ball go.

"It was a great defensive play by Walter," Condon said. "I just dived on it, and hearing the buzzer go was a crazy feeling."

Instead of the 69-year-old Sampson becoming the oldest coach to win the title, the 39-year-old Golden becomes the youngest since N.C. State's Jim Valvano in 1983 to win it all.

This gut-wrenching loss came two nights after the Cougars fashioned a wild comeback of their own, from 14 down against Duke.

All three Final Four games were decided down the stretch, none by more than Florida's six-point win over Auburn on Saturday. Any thought that the men's game had been overtaken by the increasingly popular women will probably go on hold at least for a year.

The three women's Final Four games, capped by UConn's blowout of South Carolina on Sunday, were decided by an average of 24.7 points.

"When it gets down to the two best teams left," Sampson said of the thriller he barely lost, "it's not going to be easy for either team."

AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracket and coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744107751869.jpeg" alt="Florida celebrates after beating Houston in the national championship at the Final Four of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)" />
 <figcaption>Florida celebrates after beating Houston in the national championship at the Final Four of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)</figcaption>
 </figure>By EDDIE PELLS AP National WriterSAN ANTONIO (AP) — Florida's Walter Clayton Jr. came up with the perfect going-away present for that spirit-crushing Houston defense that bullied, battered and bedeviled him all night.It was a defensive gem of his own. Right before the buzzer. For the win and the national title.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">champion aura. <a href="https://t.co/r3WFWcunBG">pic.twitter.com/r3WFWcunBG</a>&mdash; Florida Gators Men’s Basketball (@GatorsMBK) <a href="https://twitter.com/GatorsMBK/status/1909475603356483633?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The Gators and Clayton somehow overcame Houston's lockdown intensity, along with a 12-point deficit Monday night to will out a 65-63 victory in an NCAA title-game thriller decided when the Florida senior's own D stopped the Cougars from even taking a game-winning shot at the buzzer.Clayton finished with 11 points, all in the second half. What he'll be remembered for most was getting Houston's Emanuel Sharp to stop in the middle of his motion as he tried to go up for the game-winning 3 in the final seconds."Just go 100 percent," Clayton said when asked what he was trying to do at the finish. "We were just trying to get a stop, and we happened to get it. I'm happy we got it done."With Sharp looking for room, Clayton ran at him. The Houston guard dropped the ball and, unable to pick it up lest he get called for traveling, watched it bounce.Alex Condon dived on the ball, then flipped it to Clayton, who ran to the opposite free-throw line with the buzzer sounding and tugged his jersey out of his shorts. Next, the court was awash in Gator chomps and orange and blue confetti."We guarded them hard and then I saw the ball loose and I just hoped we beat them to the ball," Florida coach Todd Golden said.This marked the fourth comeback in six March Madness wins for the Gators (36-4). They led this game for a total of 64 seconds, including the last 46 ticks of a contest that was in limbo until the final shot that never came.Houston coach Kelvin Sampson called it "incomprehensible" that the Cougars couldn't get a shot off on either of their last two possessions.About the last one, Sampson said: "Clayton made a great play. But that's why you've got to shot fake and get into the paint. Two's fine."Will Richard had 18 points to keep the Gators in it, and they won their third overall title and first since Billy Donovan went back-to-back in 2006-07.This time, it's Golden, in his third year, bringing the title back to Gainesville, where the Gator faithful can celebrate a win on one of college sports' grandest stages for the first time since Tim Tebow was playing quarterback for the football team in 2008.This was the first hoops title for the Southeastern Conference since Kentucky in 2012, and the outcome the power conference was hoping for (expecting?) after placing a record 14 teams in the tournament.The Cougars (35-5) and Sampson were denied their first championship, and ended up in the same spot as the colorful Phi Slama Jama teams from the 1980s — oh-so-close in second place.This was a defensive brawl — the Gators failed to crack 70 for only the second time all season — and for most of the night, Clayton got the worst of it.He was 0 for 4 from the field without a point through the first half. Met at the top of the circle, then double-teamed and trapped when necessary, he didn't score until hitting two free throws with 14:57 left.The player who scored at least 30 points in the last two games, who averaged 24.6 through the first five games of the tournament, who almost singlehandedly outscored UConn and Texas Tech down the stretch of those March Madness comebacks, finished with one 3-pointer. Before that, he had a pair of three-point plays off drives to the hoop that kept the Gators in striking range. He finished 3 for 10.He also became part of not one, but two stops that put these Gators in the history book, and possibly cemented himself as the best basketball player to wear the orange and blue.After Alijah Martin made two free throws to put Florida ahead 64-63 — its first lead since 8-6 — the Gators lured Sharp into a triple-team in the corner, where Clayton pressured him, and then Richard got him to dribble the ball off his leg and out of bounds.Florida made one free throw on the next possession and that set up the finale.The ball first went to L.J. Cryer, who led the Cougars with 19 points. Blanketed by Richard, he threw to Sharp, who was moving to spot up for a 3 when Clayton ran at him. That left him with no choice but to let the ball go."It was a great defensive play by Walter," Condon said. "I just dived on it, and hearing the buzzer go was a crazy feeling."Instead of the 69-year-old Sampson becoming the oldest coach to win the title, the 39-year-old Golden becomes the youngest since N.C. State's Jim Valvano in 1983 to win it all.This gut-wrenching loss came two nights after the Cougars fashioned a wild comeback of their own, from 14 down against Duke.All three Final Four games were decided down the stretch, none by more than Florida's six-point win over Auburn on Saturday. Any thought that the men's game had been overtaken by the increasingly popular women will probably go on hold at least for a year.The three women's Final Four games, capped by UConn's blowout of South Carolina on Sunday, were decided by an average of 24.7 points."When it gets down to the two best teams left," Sampson said of the thriller he barely lost, "it's not going to be easy for either team."___AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracket and coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here.

🏀 Florida rallies to beat Houston for its third NCAA basketball title

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kyle Isbel went 3 for 4 with a&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/Royals/status/1909416658638127141">home run</a>&nbsp;and two RBIs, Michael Lorenzen allowed one run in six innings and the Kansas City Royals beat the Minnesota Twins 4-2 on Monday night.

Vinnie Pasquantino had an early RBI double for the Royals. Lorenzen (1-1) permitted five hits with no walks and three strikeouts.

Carlos Estévez got three outs for his third save. He gave up a two-out RBI single to Harrison Bader before retiring pinch-hitter Edouard Julien on a grounder with two on to end it.

Pasquantino hit a high fly down the left-field line that dropped in front of Bader for a double that drove in Jonathan India — who doubled leading off the first — to give the Royals a 1-0 lead.

Willi Castro hit a&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/Twins/status/1909398585629671639">two-out RBI double</a>&nbsp;in the second for the Twins.

Isbel drove in a run with an infield single in the bottom half, and Maikel Garcia scored when Bobby Witt Jr. grounded out to give the Royals a 3-1 lead.

Isbel, batting ninth, added a solo shot in the sixth for his first homer this season.

Minnesota manager&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/baldelli-ejected-twins-cc55631a225496142e15c7a2a065c949">Rocco Baldelli was ejected</a>&nbsp;in the bottom of the sixth for arguing a pitch-clock violation — which came on a full count and resulted in a walk to India — against Twins starter Simeon Woods Richardson (0-1).

MJ Melendez doubled leading off the second, moved to third on a single by Garcia and scored on Isbel's infield single to put the Royals in front for good.

Richardson allowed four runs and eight hits with four walks in 5 2/3 innings. Only the New York Yankees have fewer quality starts (zero) than Minnesota (one) this season.

Twins RHP Pablo López (1-1, 2.25 ERA) makes his third start of the season Tuesday night against Royals LHP Cole Ragans (0-0, 3.60).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744098366624.png" alt="Photo Kansas City Royals" />
 <figcaption>Photo Kansas City Royals</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kyle Isbel went 3 for 4 with a&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/Royals/status/1909416658638127141">home run</a>&nbsp;and two RBIs, Michael Lorenzen allowed one run in six innings and the Kansas City Royals beat the Minnesota Twins 4-2 on Monday night.Vinnie Pasquantino had an early RBI double for the Royals. Lorenzen (1-1) permitted five hits with no walks and three strikeouts.Carlos Estévez got three outs for his third save. He gave up a two-out RBI single to Harrison Bader before retiring pinch-hitter Edouard Julien on a grounder with two on to end it.Pasquantino hit a high fly down the left-field line that dropped in front of Bader for a double that drove in Jonathan India — who doubled leading off the first — to give the Royals a 1-0 lead.Willi Castro hit a&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/Twins/status/1909398585629671639">two-out RBI double</a>&nbsp;in the second for the Twins.Isbel drove in a run with an infield single in the bottom half, and Maikel Garcia scored when Bobby Witt Jr. grounded out to give the Royals a 3-1 lead.Isbel, batting ninth, added a solo shot in the sixth for his first homer this season.Minnesota manager&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/baldelli-ejected-twins-cc55631a225496142e15c7a2a065c949">Rocco Baldelli was ejected</a>&nbsp;in the bottom of the sixth for arguing a pitch-clock violation — which came on a full count and resulted in a walk to India — against Twins starter Simeon Woods Richardson (0-1).<h2>Key moment</h2>MJ Melendez doubled leading off the second, moved to third on a single by Garcia and scored on Isbel's infield single to put the Royals in front for good.<h2>Key stat</h2>Richardson allowed four runs and eight hits with four walks in 5 2/3 innings. Only the New York Yankees have fewer quality starts (zero) than Minnesota (one) this season.<h2>Up next</h2>Twins RHP Pablo López (1-1, 2.25 ERA) makes his third start of the season Tuesday night against Royals LHP Cole Ragans (0-0, 3.60).

⚾ Kyle Isbel goes 3 for 4 with a home run as the Royals beat the Twins

The McPherson High School Bullpups are the No. 1 team in class 4A in the latest rankings revealed by the Kansas Association of Baseball Coaches on Monday afternoon.

Five other Hutch Post-area schools are also ranked in their respective classifications.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712613050526.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy KABC" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy KABC</figcaption>
 </figure>The McPherson High School Bullpups are the No. 1 team in class 4A in the latest rankings revealed by the Kansas Association of Baseball Coaches on Monday afternoon.Five other Hutch Post-area schools are also ranked in their respective classifications.<div>CLASS 6A
1. Blue Valley West
2. Olathe West
3. Olathe East
4. Lawrence Free State
5. Mill Valley
6. Manhattan
7. Gardner-Edgerton
8. Olathe South
9. Shawnee Mission South
10. Lawrence
&nbsp;
CLASS 5A
1. St. Thomas Aquinas
2. Shawnee Heights
3. Maize South
4. Topeka Seaman
5. Bishop Carroll
6. Great Bend
7. Salina South
8. Blue Valley Southwest
9. Spring Hill
10. Pittsburg
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CLASS 4A
1. McPherson
2. Topeka Hayden
3. Hoisington
4. Paola
5. Fort Scott
6. Pratt
7. Louisburg
8. St. George-Rock Creek
9. Mulvane
10. Clearwater
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CLASS 3A
1. Wichita Trinity Academy
2. Bishop Ward
3. Haven
4. Cheney
5. Hesston
6. Silver Lake
7. Wichita Collegiate
8. Hoisington
9. Frontenac
10. Sabetha
&nbsp;
CLASS 2-1A
1. St. Mary's Colgan
2. Valley Falls
3. Central Heights
4. Colony-Crest
5. Hays-TMP
6. Sedgwick
7. Mission Valley
8. Ellis
9. Elkhart
10. Little River</div>

⚾ McPherson sits atop 4A, 5 other area schools ranked in KABC rankings

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744049026468.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy Kansas Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Kansas Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure><div>Kansas Athletics
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LAWRENCE, Kan. &mdash;&nbsp;Guard Anthony "Tre" White has signed a financial aid agreement to play basketball at Kansas for the 2025-26 season, KU head coach&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/bill-self/727" rel="smarttag" rev="727">Bill Self</a></dfn>&nbsp;announced today. White will be a senior and comes to KU after playing the 2024-25 season at Illinois. White is Kansas' second transfer signee, along with combo guard Jayden Dawson from Loyola-Chicago, who signed with KU on April 4. &nbsp; "We are so happy we signed Tre," Self said. "We've known him a long time and it's come full circle since he committed to us as a high school freshman. He's got good size at 6'7" and can play multiple spots, like a Swiss Army knife. We feel he's an immediate major contributor, a playmaker, and with his size can guard one through four." &nbsp; White, 6-foot-7, 210-pounds, started 31 of 32 games played in 2024-25, where he averaged 10.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per contest. The Dallas native shot 50.7 percent from the field and 82.4 percent from the free throw line as Illinois finished 22-13 and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. White had four games of 20-plus points, including a season-high 23 against Wisconsin on Dec. 10, 2024. &nbsp; White began his college career at USC where he was named to the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team in 2022-23. He averaged 9.0 points and 5.1 rebounds per game at USC which finished 22-11 and reached the NCAA Tournament. He then transferred to Louisville where he averaged 12.3 points and 5.9 rebounds per contest in 2023-24. He posted his career high with 29 points at Clemson on Jan. 30, 2024, while at Louisville.&nbsp; &nbsp; White played his senior season in high school at perennial powerhouse Prolific Prep in Napa, California. Prior to Prolific Prep, White played at Little Elm High School in Little Elm, Texas.</div>

🏀 KU signs Illinois transfer Tre White

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744048937853.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy Wichita State Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Wichita State Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure><div>Wichita State Athletics
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WICHITA, Kan. -&nbsp;Wichita State men's basketball landed its first signee from the transfer portal Monday with the signing of Karon Boyd to a financial aid agreement. A 6-foot-5 forward, Boyd will play his final season of collegiate basketball for the Shockers.&nbsp; "Karon is exactly what we were looking for when we thought about beginning this transfer class," said Wichita State head men's basketball coach&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/paul-mills/1241" rel="smarttag" rev="1241">Paul Mills</a></dfn>. "He's proven himself as the top defender in a difficult conference, possesses competitive integrity to influence a locker room in the right direction and has an extremely high motor on both sides of the ball. I'm excited about his potential and confident in his ability to add value the second he steps on campus this summer. Karon is a wonderful addition to our team." The 2024-25 SoCon Defensive Player of the Year averaged 8.7 points and 7.2 rebounds per game to go with 28 blocks and 28 steals this past season for East Tennessee State. He played in 31 games, making 27 starts for the Bucs, scoring 10 or more points 12 times. He scored a season-high 20 points on Nov. 24 vs. Queens and had a career-high 20 rebounds on Feb. 5 at VMI. Boyd posted 16 points and 5 rebounds on 5-of-8 shooting in a visit to the Roundhouse on Dec. 7. As a sophomore at ETSU, Boyd started 29 of the team's 30 games, averaging&nbsp;6.7 points and 6.7 rebounds in 30.4 minutes per game. Boyd began his college career at USC Aiken.&nbsp;In his one season at USC Aiken, he averaged 11.2 points and 5.6 rebounds in 27.5 minutes per game. Boyd started in all 33 games where he shot 48 percent from the field and was a 72 percent free throw shooter. He helped guide the Pacers to a 24-win season and trip to the NCAA Division II Sweet 16, marking the program's best finish in nearly 10 years. He was born in Queens, N.Y., and moved to Concord, N.C., at nine years old. He played at Cannon High School where he averaged 14.2 points, 12.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists his senior season, leading&nbsp;Cannon to the Class 4-A state title. Boyd was named all-state following his senior campaign and was a North Carolina Private School all-star selection. Boyd is the son of Thomas and Tiesha Boyd, and has four siblings, Jaren, Kyair, Ramal and Mekhi.</div>

🏀 Shockers ink SoCon Defensive Player of the Year

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Practice at the Masters was suspended late Monday morning and spectators were pulled off the golf course because of worsening rain and the threat of thunderstorms.

Augusta National had planned to close the course to fans earlier in the morning, but with only light rain falling, spectators were allowed onto the grounds for about 3 1/2 hours.

Forecasts called for storms throughout the afternoon, with the potential for severe weather, and 1 to 2 inches of rain. However, the forecast for the rest of the week looked promising, with mostly sunshine and high temperatures in the 70s Fahrenheit (low 20s Celsius).

Few players ventured out for practice rounds Monday, and those who did — Keegan Bradley, Matthieu Pavon and Thomas Detry, among them — played alone.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744041651171.jpeg" alt="Patrons along the eighth fairway during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)" />
 <figcaption>Patrons along the eighth fairway during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)</figcaption>
 </figure>AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Practice at the Masters was suspended late Monday morning and spectators were pulled off the golf course because of worsening rain and the threat of thunderstorms.Augusta National had planned to close the course to fans earlier in the morning, but with only light rain falling, spectators were allowed onto the grounds for about 3 1/2 hours.Forecasts called for storms throughout the afternoon, with the potential for severe weather, and 1 to 2 inches of rain. However, the forecast for the rest of the week looked promising, with mostly sunshine and high temperatures in the 70s Fahrenheit (low 20s Celsius).Few players ventured out for practice rounds Monday, and those who did — Keegan Bradley, Matthieu Pavon and Thomas Detry, among them — played alone.

⛳ Practice is suspended at the Masters because of rain and a threat of severe storms

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725282945901.png" alt="EAGLE Media" />
 <figcaption>EAGLE Media</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/ce/index.cfm?stationCallSign=KHMY2">KHMY-FM (93.1)</a> <a href="https://streamdb5web.securenetsystems.net/v5/KHUT">KHUT-FM (102.9)</a> <a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/v5/KWBW">KWBW-AM/FM (1450/98.5)</a><div><h2>Monday,&nbsp;April 7</h2>
&nbsp;Royals vs. Twins -&nbsp;6 p.m. pregame, 6:40 p.m. first pitch (KWBW)
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<h2>Tuesday,&nbsp;April 8</h2>
Hutch High baseball&nbsp;at Derby - 4 p.m. &amp; 6 p.m. (HutchPost.com)
Royals vs. Twins -&nbsp;6 p.m. pregame, 6:40 p.m. first pitch (KWBW)
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&nbsp;
<h2>Wednesday,&nbsp;April 9</h2>
Royals vs. Twins -&nbsp;6 p.m. pregame, 6:40 p.m. first pitch (KWBW)
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&nbsp;
<h2>Thursday,&nbsp;April 10</h2>
Reno County Coaches Show &amp; More - 6 p.m. (KWBW)
&nbsp;
<h2>Friday,&nbsp;April&nbsp;11</h2>
Hutch High baseball vs.&nbsp;Valley Center&nbsp;- 4 p.m. &amp; 6 p.m. (HutchPost.com)
Royals at Guardians - 4:30 p.m. pregame, 5:10 p.m. first pitch (KWBW)
&nbsp;
<h2>Saturday,&nbsp;April&nbsp;12</h2>
Royals at Guardians - 4:30 p.m. pregame, 5:10 p.m. first pitch (KWBW)
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<h2>Sunday,&nbsp;April&nbsp;13</h2>
Royals at Guardians -&nbsp;noon&nbsp;pregame, 12:40 p.m. first pitch (KWBW)</div>

🎧 EAGLE Media Sports Broadcast Calendar (April 7-April 14)

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Flory Bidunga, one of the top players in the transfer portal, has withdrawn his name and will return to Kansas, according to numerous sources.

The 6-foot-9 forward averaged 5.9 points and 5.4 rebounds as a freshman. His decision is a key win for head coach Bill Self as the Jayhawks reload for next season.

A former McDonald’s All American and two-time Indiana Player of the Year, Bidunga drew interest from schools like Indiana and Auburn before opting to stay in Lawrence. With Hunter Dickinson moving on, Bidunga is expected to take on a larger role next season.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737234388114.jpeg" alt="Kansas forward Flory Bidunga, left, and Kansas State guard C.J. Jones (3) go after a loose ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas forward Flory Bidunga, left, and Kansas State guard C.J. Jones (3) go after a loose ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan. — Flory Bidunga, one of the top players in the transfer portal, has withdrawn his name and will return to Kansas, according to numerous sources.The 6-foot-9 forward averaged 5.9 points and 5.4 rebounds as a freshman. His decision is a key win for head coach Bill Self as the Jayhawks reload for next season.A former McDonald’s All American and two-time Indiana Player of the Year, Bidunga drew interest from schools like Indiana and Auburn before opting to stay in Lawrence. With Hunter Dickinson moving on, Bidunga is expected to take on a larger role next season.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Sources: Coveted big-man Flory Bidunga, one of the top transfers in the portal, has agreed to a deal to stay at Kansas, he told ESPN. The move keeps <a href="https://twitter.com/FBidunga?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FBidunga</a> in Lawrence and represents a huge victory for Bill Self as he rebuilds the Kansas roster. <a href="https://t.co/rB0i9jdQcv">pic.twitter.com/rB0i9jdQcv</a>&mdash; Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteThamel/status/1908951428040622300?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🏀 Bidunga withdraws name from portal and will return to Kansas

CONCORDIA – The Hutchinson Community College baseball team had a rough Sunday offensively and the Cloud County Thunderbirds took full advantage to earn a Jayhawk West series win over the Blue Dragons.

The Blue Dragons were limited to just eight total hits in two games on Sunday at Doyen Field as Hutchinson lost 5-2 and 16-4 in eight innings to the Thunderbirds. Cloud County won the series 3-1 after a Thursday split at Hobart-Detter Field.

Hutchinson (26-11, 8-8 Jayhawk West) does not have a mid-week game scheduled this week and will open a four-game series with the Butler Grizzlies on Thursday at McDonald Stadium in El Dorado. The Blue Dragons and Grizzlies play at Hobart-Detter Field at 1 and 3:30 p.m. on Saturday. Cloud County is now 26-11 overall and 15-5 in the KJCCC.

GAME 1 RECAP – Cloud County 5, Hutchinson 2 The Blue Dragons got off to a great start. After an Anthony Mazza walk, he scored on a Quinn Maher triple. Maher later scored on a balk to give the Dragons a 2-0 lead.

The Blue Dragons had just one hit and four overall baserunners over the final six innings of the game. Cloud County pitcher Caden Marcum retired 14 Blue Dragons in a row before being lifted in the fifth inning. He had 10 strikeouts in the game.

Maher’s triple in the first inning and Taber Stokes single in the sixth were the only two hits in a season-low total for the Blue Dragons.

Hutchinson had its chances in the sixth and seventh innings. Jarrett Herrmann walked to lead off the sixth and Stokes singles, but the Dragons hit into a double play to end that threat. C.J. Reid and A.J. Mustow walks to lead off the seventh, but the Dragons had a strikeout and a game-ending double play to finish the game.

Cloud County scored one run in the third, two in the fourth to take a 3-2 lead and scored two sixth-inning insurance runs.

Lachlan Rosser (3-2) took the pitching loss for the Blue Dragons, going 5 1-3 innings with five strikeouts and two walks. He allowed eight hits and five earned runs.

GAME 2 RECAP – Cloud County 16, Hutchinson 4 (8 innings) Trailing 3-0 after three innings, but Blue Dragons rallied with a two-run fourth. Mazza scored on a Cloud County error and Leo Griffin singled home Nick Glantz to help the Dragons cut the Thunderbird lead to 3-2.

Cloud County then exploded for four runs in the bottom of the fourth and the Thunderbirds scored 13 runs in their final five at-bats to run-rule the Dragons.

Cloud County out-hit Hutchinson 16-6 in the game. Six different Blue Dragons had hits. C.J. Reid hit a solo home run in the sixth to cut the T-Bird lead to 8-3. Reid, Glantz, Griffin and Cael Hamrick all had RBIs.

Four Blue Dragon pitchers allowed 16 hits and 16 runs with 10 strikeouts and six walks. Seth Ainsworth (3-1) suffered the loss, pitching 3 2-3 innings in his start.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743996522035.png" alt="Photo Courtesy HutchCC Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy HutchCC Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>Hutchinson CC Sports InformationCONCORDIA – The Hutchinson Community College baseball team had a rough Sunday offensively and the Cloud County Thunderbirds took full advantage to earn a Jayhawk West series win over the Blue Dragons.The Blue Dragons were limited to just eight total hits in two games on Sunday at Doyen Field as Hutchinson lost 5-2 and 16-4 in eight innings to the Thunderbirds. Cloud County won the series 3-1 after a Thursday split at Hobart-Detter Field.Hutchinson (26-11, 8-8 Jayhawk West) does not have a mid-week game scheduled this week and will open a four-game series with the Butler Grizzlies on Thursday at McDonald Stadium in El Dorado. The Blue Dragons and Grizzlies play at Hobart-Detter Field at 1 and 3:30 p.m. on Saturday. Cloud County is now 26-11 overall and 15-5 in the KJCCC.GAME 1 RECAP – Cloud County 5, Hutchinson 2 The Blue Dragons got off to a great start. After an Anthony Mazza walk, he scored on a Quinn Maher triple. Maher later scored on a balk to give the Dragons a 2-0 lead.The Blue Dragons had just one hit and four overall baserunners over the final six innings of the game. Cloud County pitcher Caden Marcum retired 14 Blue Dragons in a row before being lifted in the fifth inning. He had 10 strikeouts in the game.Maher’s triple in the first inning and Taber Stokes single in the sixth were the only two hits in a season-low total for the Blue Dragons.Hutchinson had its chances in the sixth and seventh innings. Jarrett Herrmann walked to lead off the sixth and Stokes singles, but the Dragons hit into a double play to end that threat. C.J. Reid and A.J. Mustow walks to lead off the seventh, but the Dragons had a strikeout and a game-ending double play to finish the game.Cloud County scored one run in the third, two in the fourth to take a 3-2 lead and scored two sixth-inning insurance runs.Lachlan Rosser (3-2) took the pitching loss for the Blue Dragons, going 5 1-3 innings with five strikeouts and two walks. He allowed eight hits and five earned runs.GAME 2 RECAP – Cloud County 16, Hutchinson 4 (8 innings) Trailing 3-0 after three innings, but Blue Dragons rallied with a two-run fourth. Mazza scored on a Cloud County error and Leo Griffin singled home Nick Glantz to help the Dragons cut the Thunderbird lead to 3-2.Cloud County then exploded for four runs in the bottom of the fourth and the Thunderbirds scored 13 runs in their final five at-bats to run-rule the Dragons.Cloud County out-hit Hutchinson 16-6 in the game. Six different Blue Dragons had hits. C.J. Reid hit a solo home run in the sixth to cut the T-Bird lead to 8-3. Reid, Glantz, Griffin and Cael Hamrick all had RBIs.Four Blue Dragon pitchers allowed 16 hits and 16 runs with 10 strikeouts and six walks. Seth Ainsworth (3-1) suffered the loss, pitching 3 2-3 innings in his start.&nbsp;&nbsp;

⚾ HutchCC swept at Cloud County Sunday

The Hutchinson Community College softball team tied and broke a 38-year program record for winning streaks on Sunday at Fun Valley.

Tailor Golly drove in three runs and Haley Kruger homered to finish off an 8-0 Blue Dragon win over the Friends University Junior Varsity in five innings in Game 1 on Sunday, tying the record for longest winning streak in program history.

Gabby Stauffer went 4 for 4 with a pair of doubles and seven different Blue Dragons drove in runs in a 9-1 victory in sixth inning for the Blue Dragons’ program-record 18th-consecutive victory.

Now 27-5 overall, the 2025 Blue Dragons surpassed the 1986 and 1987 Hutchinson teams, which both had 17-game win streaks in each of those seasons.

The Blue Dragons travel to play Butler at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Monday at East Park in El Dorado in a return to Jayhawk Conference action.

GAME 1 RECAP – Hutchinson 8, Friends JV 0 (5 innings) Sophomore pitcher Morgan Tomlinson earned her 28th career victory and improved her season record to 13-2 with four shutout innings. Tomlinson struck out four and allowed just one hit. Tomlinson moved past Amy Derischweiler into fifth place on the Blue Dragon career pitching wins list.

The Blue Dragons gave the Tomlinson plenty of run support.

Brooke Backhaus hit a two-run double to get the Blue Dragons on the board in the first inning. The Dragons scored three unearned runs in the second. Golly’s two-run double gave the Dragons a 5-0 lead after two innings.

Golly had another RBI double in the fourth and Brie Brawner singled her home for a 7-0 lead. Then Hailey Kruger led off the fifth with an opposite-field home run to right center to end the game by mercy rule.

Brooke Backhaus led the Blue Dragons’ 11-hit attack, going 3 for 3 with a double and two RBIs. Golly was 2 for 3 with two doubles and three RBIs. Kaibryn Kruger went 2 for 3 with two doubles and three runs scored.

Freshman pitcher Mia Williams pitched the fifth innings and had a strikeout and a hit allowed.

GAME 2 RECAP – Hutchinson 9, Friends JV 1 (6 innings) Pitchers Aubree Thomas and Jessica Schmidt teamed up to keep the Falcons off balance and the Dragons hammered out 15 hits as Hutchinson earned a six-inning run-rule win in Game 2.

Thomas (11-2) worked the first four innings to earn the pitching victory. Over her four innings, Thomas allowed only two hits and one run with three strikeouts and no walks. Schmidt retired all six Friends batters she faced with four strikeouts.

Offensively, Thomas had her first career four-hit game and her team-high 18th and 19th doubles this season. She scored two runs and drove in one run.

Bailey Backhaus, Kaibryn Kruger and Golly had two hits each. Bailey Backhaus had two stolen bases – she has 39 for the season – with two RBIs. Now with 172 career hits, she is third on Hutchinson’s career hits list and with 64 stolen bases, she is third in that career category.

All nine starters had at least one hit. Brawner had two RBIs in going 1 of 2 with a sacrifice fly.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743997171827.jpeg" alt="Second baseman Emily Dice makes the pivot on a 6-4-3 double play in Game 2 of a Blue Dragon Softball doubleheader week of the Friends University JV on Sunday at Fun Valley. (Andrew Carpenter/Digital Fox Photography)" />
 <figcaption>Second baseman Emily Dice makes the pivot on a 6-4-3 double play in Game 2 of a Blue Dragon Softball doubleheader week of the Friends University JV on Sunday at Fun Valley. (Andrew Carpenter/Digital Fox Photography)</figcaption>
 </figure>Hutchinson CC Sports InformationThe Hutchinson Community College softball team tied and broke a 38-year program record for winning streaks on Sunday at Fun Valley.Tailor Golly drove in three runs and Haley Kruger homered to finish off an 8-0 Blue Dragon win over the Friends University Junior Varsity in five innings in Game 1 on Sunday, tying the record for longest winning streak in program history.Gabby Stauffer went 4 for 4 with a pair of doubles and seven different Blue Dragons drove in runs in a 9-1 victory in sixth inning for the Blue Dragons’ program-record 18th-consecutive victory.Now 27-5 overall, the 2025 Blue Dragons surpassed the 1986 and 1987 Hutchinson teams, which both had 17-game win streaks in each of those seasons.The Blue Dragons travel to play Butler at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Monday at East Park in El Dorado in a return to Jayhawk Conference action.GAME 1 RECAP – Hutchinson 8, Friends JV 0 (5 innings) Sophomore pitcher Morgan Tomlinson earned her 28th career victory and improved her season record to 13-2 with four shutout innings. Tomlinson struck out four and allowed just one hit. Tomlinson moved past Amy Derischweiler into fifth place on the Blue Dragon career pitching wins list.The Blue Dragons gave the Tomlinson plenty of run support.Brooke Backhaus hit a two-run double to get the Blue Dragons on the board in the first inning. The Dragons scored three unearned runs in the second. Golly’s two-run double gave the Dragons a 5-0 lead after two innings.Golly had another RBI double in the fourth and Brie Brawner singled her home for a 7-0 lead. Then Hailey Kruger led off the fifth with an opposite-field home run to right center to end the game by mercy rule.Brooke Backhaus led the Blue Dragons’ 11-hit attack, going 3 for 3 with a double and two RBIs. Golly was 2 for 3 with two doubles and three RBIs. Kaibryn Kruger went 2 for 3 with two doubles and three runs scored.Freshman pitcher Mia Williams pitched the fifth innings and had a strikeout and a hit allowed.GAME 2 RECAP – Hutchinson 9, Friends JV 1 (6 innings) Pitchers Aubree Thomas and Jessica Schmidt teamed up to keep the Falcons off balance and the Dragons hammered out 15 hits as Hutchinson earned a six-inning run-rule win in Game 2.Thomas (11-2) worked the first four innings to earn the pitching victory. Over her four innings, Thomas allowed only two hits and one run with three strikeouts and no walks. Schmidt retired all six Friends batters she faced with four strikeouts.Offensively, Thomas had her first career four-hit game and her team-high 18th and 19th doubles this season. She scored two runs and drove in one run.Bailey Backhaus, Kaibryn Kruger and Golly had two hits each. Bailey Backhaus had two stolen bases – she has 39 for the season – with two RBIs. Now with 172 career hits, she is third on Hutchinson’s career hits list and with 64 stolen bases, she is third in that career category.All nine starters had at least one hit. Brawner had two RBIs in going 1 of 2 with a sacrifice fly.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🥎 Dragons extend record win streak to 18 games with sweep of Friends

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743992992368.png" alt="Photo Courtesy Wichita Wind Surge" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Wichita Wind Surge</figcaption>
 </figure><div>Wichita Wind Surge
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SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (April 6, 2025)&mdash;The Wichita Wind Surge split a doubleheader with a 5-0 loss and 10-2 win against the Springfield Cardinals at Hammons Field. Wichita&rsquo;s offense came alive in Game 2 after a quiet first two games of the season.
In Game 1, the Wind Surge were held to just one hit across seven innings, while the Cardinals put together a three-run second and tacked on two more across the third and sixth frames to cruise along to a shutout victory.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.milb.com/player/aaron-rozek-702065">Aaron Rozek</a>&nbsp;took the loss after giving up four runs on six hits with a walk and five strikeouts.
Game 2 went a little differently, and it all started in the top of the second.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.milb.com/player/noah-cardenas-681433">Noah Cardenas</a>&nbsp;lined an RBI single to right field, bringing around&nbsp;<a href="https://www.milb.com/player/rubel-cespedes-686438">Rubel Cespedes</a>&nbsp;to score. The next batter,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.milb.com/player/tanner-schobel-802355">Tanner Schobel</a>, followed that with a long double to left for two more runs. An infield single from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.milb.com/player/ricardo-olivar-691627">Ricardo Olivar</a>&nbsp;made it three straight at-bats with a run involved in the scoresheet. Then&nbsp;<a href="https://www.milb.com/player/kala-i-rosario-693850">Kala&rsquo;i Rosario</a>&nbsp;improved that tally to four by lining a two-run blast to right center for a six-run frame where Wichita batted around.
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After two more came in for the Wind Surge on a fielder&rsquo;s choice and a single to left by Schobel in the next inning,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.milb.com/player/ben-ross-805346">Ben Ross</a>&nbsp;left the yard on a solo homer to left center in the fourth for a 9-0 Wind Surge lead. Springfield made sure the shutout didn&rsquo;t last much longer by scoring twice in the bottom half of the fourth.
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Schobel brought Wichita to double-digit runs for the first time this season with an infield groundout in the top of the fifth, getting to four RBIs individually and a 10-2 score that remained the rest of the game.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.milb.com/player/joel-cesar-666802">Joel Cesar</a>&nbsp;earned the win with a hitless inning of relief with a strikeout.
POSTGAME NOTES
<ul>
<li>April 6, 2025, marks the earliest doubleheader in Wichita Wind Surge franchise history, beating last year&rsquo;s April 12, 2024, by six days, which also came at Hammons Field against the Springfield Cardinals.</li>
<li>Today&rsquo;s doubleheader was one of three doubleheaders across all of Double-A and one of two within the Texas League (Arkansas/Midland).</li>
<li>Game 2 was the first pitching appearance for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.milb.com/player/trent-baker-694536">Trent Baker</a>&nbsp;as a member of the Minnesota Twins organization. He had spent the last four seasons within the St. Louis Cardinals system, making five appearances (three starts) against the Wind Surge last year.</li>
<li>For the second consecutive season, Kala&rsquo;i Rosario connects on the first home run for the Wind Surge. He hit a three-run jack last year in the second game of Opening Weekend against the Frisco RoughRiders. Even more coincidentally, both long balls came on April 6.</li>
<li>All six Wichita runs in the second inning of Game 2 came with two outs. In the end, seven of the 10 total runs scored amidst two-out scenarios.</li>
</ul>
The Wind Surge kick off their home season at Equity Bank Park with the opener against the Midland RockHounds on Tuesday, April 8, at 6:35 PM. The first 5,000 fans through the gates will receive a Wichita Wind Surge Magnet Schedule courtesy of Coca-Cola, and fireworks will take place postgame. You can listen to Wind Surge games on ESPN Wichita 92.3 FM and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.milb.com/windsurge.com">windsurge.com</a>&nbsp;or watch online at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.milb.com/MiLB.TV">MiLB.TV</a>&nbsp;and Bally Live. For ticket information, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://windsurge.com/tickets">windsurge.com/tickets</a>.</div>

⚾ Wind Surge split Sunday doubleheader with Cardinals

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743991840171.png" alt="Photo Courtesy Kansas Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Kansas Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure><div>Kansas Athletics
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ORLANDO, Fla. &ndash;&nbsp;No. 23 Kansas baseball extended its winning streak to nine games with a 13-4 victory at UCF to finish off a Big 12 series sweep on Sunday. Kansas hit two more home runs and is now 27-6 on the season and 9-3 in Big 12 play, both of which are the best marks in program history. &nbsp; Kansas jumped on UCF for 13 runs in the first four innings of the game. The Jayhawks sent all nine hitters to the plate in three of the first four innings.&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/jackson-hauge/16155" rel="smarttag" rev="16155">Jackson Hauge</a></dfn>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/brady-ballinger/16147" rel="smarttag" rev="16147">Brady Ballinger</a></dfn>&nbsp;each hit a long ball for the Jayhawks. &nbsp; <dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/cooper-moore/16136" rel="smarttag" rev="16136">Cooper Moore</a></dfn>&nbsp;started for Kansas and went a career-high eight innings despite UCF scoring three runs in the first inning. Moore was able to hold the Knights to four total runs over his eight innings, allowing eight hits and one walk while recording six strikeouts. &nbsp; HOW IT HAPPENED &bull; Kansas sprinted out to a 4-0 lead in the top of the first inning and sent all nine hitters to the plate. The first four Kansas batters recorded hits and all four came around to score.&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/derek-cerda/16140" rel="smarttag" rev="16140">Derek Cerda</a></dfn>&nbsp;and Ballinger got on base with singles and Hauge brought them home with a three-run homer, his Big 12-best 14th homer of the season.&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/michael-brooks/16122" rel="smarttag" rev="16122">Michael Brooks</a></dfn>&nbsp;came up next and hit a double. With two outs,&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/ian-francis/16139" rel="smarttag" rev="16139">Ian Francis</a></dfn>&nbsp;drove in Brooks with an RBI single. &bull; UCF (18-12, 3-8 Big 12) answered back in the bottom of the first with three runs of their own. Lex Boedicker hit a two-run double and Andrew Sundean had an RBI groundout to make it a 4-3 game. &bull; The Jayhawks were able to get one of those runs back in the top of the second inning. Ballinger hit a solo homer off the scoreboard in right-center field to give the Jayhawks a 5-3 advantage. &bull; Similar to the first inning, KU sent all nine hitters to the plate in the third and scored four runs once again.&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/tommy-barth/16141" rel="smarttag" rev="16141">Tommy Barth</a></dfn>&nbsp;scored the first run of the frame on a fielding error. Hauge came up two batters later and hit a two-run single. Brooks closed out the scoring in the inning with a sacrifice fly. That stretched the Kansas lead to 9-3. &bull; Kansas did the same thing in the fourth inning with nine hitters coming to the plate and four runs coming across. Francis and&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/sawyer-smith/16138" rel="smarttag" rev="16138">Sawyer Smith</a></dfn>&nbsp;each had RBI doubles, while Ballinger and&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/dariel-osoria/16146" rel="smarttag" rev="16146">Dariel Osoria</a></dfn>&nbsp;each brought in a run with an RBI single. Kansas held a 13-3 edge. &bull; The Knights closed out the scoring in the bottom of the fourth with an RBI single by DeAmez Ross to make it 13-4. &bull; There were no runs by either team over the final five innings. &nbsp; PITCHERS OF RECORD Win:&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/cooper-moore/16136" rel="smarttag" rev="16136">Cooper Moore</a></dfn>&nbsp;(3-0) Final line: 8.0 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 6 SO Loss: Dom Stagliano (1-2) Final line: 1.1 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 1 BB, 1 SO <iframe title="Video: Kansas at UCF Highlights - Game 3 - University of Kansas" src="https://kuathletics.com/showcase/embed.aspx?Archive=2142&amp;autoplay=false" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" align="" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> &nbsp; SOCIAL POST OF THE GAME
<div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" class="" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?creatorScreenName=%40KUBaseball&amp;dnt=false&amp;embedId=twitter-widget-0&amp;features=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%3D%3D&amp;frame=false&amp;hideCard=false&amp;hideThread=false&amp;id=1908931865429295174&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fkuathletics.com%2Fnews%2F2025%2F4%2F6%2Fbaseball-no-23-kansas-secures-series-sweep-of-ucf-with-13-4-victory.aspx&amp;sessionId=5341e2ed88904f9dfab41c6f905714db5d8fc097&amp;theme=light&amp;widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&amp;width=550px" width="300" height="150" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-twitter-extracted-i1743991737241549946="true">
3-RUN BOMB ??????<a href="https://twitter.com/JacksonHauge?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JacksonHauge</a>&nbsp;hits his 14th HR of the year to give the Jayhawks an early lead! TOP 1 | Kansas 3, UCF 0&nbsp;<a href="https://t.co/KkGpzdP9gr">pic.twitter.com/KkGpzdP9gr</a>
&mdash; Kansas Baseball (@KUBaseball)&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/KUBaseball/status/1908931865429295174?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2025</a></blockquote>
 QUOTABLES &amp; NOTABLES "It was a great day. A bunch of things were going well. One, we scored early and often and our guys did a great job at the plate. Then, Cooper after the first inning really settled in. He did not have a clean first and he was kind of feeling for it. For him to get back on the rails and get us through eight was really impressive. Great fight by the guys against a team that was leading the Big 12 in pitching and offense coming into the weekend. That's a really good UCF team, so that's a really big deal to sweep those guys." &ndash; Head Coach&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/coaches/dan-fitzgerald/871" rel="smarttag" rev="871">Dan Fitzgerald</a></dfn> &nbsp; "I was just competing. Not always going to have a clean inning to start the game. You have to give your team at least six innings. Going out there and knowing that my offense is always going to put up runs I know I have to fill up the zone. We have one of the best offenses in the country and knowing that in the back of my mind I just need to fill up the zone." &ndash;&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/cooper-moore/16136" rel="smarttag" rev="16136">Cooper Moore</a></dfn> &nbsp; "We had a lot of fun. It's fun to hit in our lineup and when we do our job someone ends up coming through. Ballinger came through the other night, Counsell had a big night the other night and I got to have a cool night tonight. We all love coming to the ballpark every day and just getting to see each other. When you have a really close team that competes for each other you're going to have ups and downs, but we just ride the wave and have a lot of fun." &ndash;&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/jackson-hauge/16155" rel="smarttag" rev="16155">Jackson Hauge</a></dfn> &nbsp; &bull; Kansas improved to 27-6 overall on the season, the best 33-game record in school history. &bull; Kansas is now 9-3 in conference play, which is the best Big 12 start in program history. The last time Kansas won at least six conference games in a row was the 2014 season when the Jayhawks won each of the last nine conference games. &bull; Kansas extended its winning streak to nine games. The nine-game winning streak is the longest in the&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/coaches/dan-fitzgerald/871" rel="smarttag" rev="871">Dan Fitzgerald</a></dfn>&nbsp;era. The last time Kansas won nine consecutive games was Feb. 24-March 12, 2019. &bull; Kansas has hit 73 home runs this season through the first 33 games. The program record for home runs is 75 in 2006 and 2023. Last season, Kansas finished with 68 home runs. Kansas is 24-3 this season when hitting a home run. &bull; Kansas has multiple home runs in 21 games this year. &bull; Kansas had seven different players hit a home run in the series (Ballinger, Cerda, Brooks, Smith, Hauge,&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/brady-counsell/16135" rel="smarttag" rev="16135">Brady Counsell</a></dfn>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/chase-diggins/16124" rel="smarttag" rev="16124">Chase Diggins</a></dfn>). The Jayhawks hit a total of 10 home runs on the weekend. &bull; Kansas recorded its first Big 12 series sweep on the road this season and the first since March 28-29, 2024 at BYU. &bull; Kansas now has five series sweeps this season (at Texas A&amp;M-Corpus Christi, at Tarleton State, vs. Milwaukee, vs. Oklahoma State). &bull; Kansas outscored UCF 32-15 in the series sweep. &bull; Seven Jayhawks had multi-hit games (Ballinger, Hauge, Brooks, Osoria, Barth, Francis, Smith) on Sunday. &bull; Kansas has scored at least 10 runs in 14 games this season, including in six of the last eight games. &bull; Kansas finished with 17 hits, its most in conference play since April 7, 2024 vs. West Virginia. The 17 hits are the most in a conference game on the road since April 30, 2010 at Oklahoma State (20 hits). &bull; Hauge hit his conference-high 14th home run of the season. He is tied for fifth in school history for home runs in a season. Hauge has reached base safely in each of the last 19 games. He finished with three hits and five RBIs. &bull; Ballinger crushed his 12th homer of the season. The home run extended his hitting streak to 13 games. Ballinger has 14 multi-hit games this season, which is tied for the most on the team. &bull; Cerda has hit safely in each of the last 12 games. &bull; Osoria recorded his 14th multi-hit game of the season and now has a 10-game on-base streak. &bull; Moore tossed a career-high eight innings and improved to 3-0 on the season. &bull; Barth has a 10-game on-base streak. &nbsp; UP NEXT Kansas will play Nebraska in a midweek contest at Hoglund Ballpark on Tuesday, April 8 at 6 p.m. CT. Fans can purchase tickets by clicking&nbsp;<a title="https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fkuathletics.evenue.net%2Fcgi-bin%2Fncommerce3%2FSEGetGroupList%3FgroupCode%3DBSB%26linkID%3Dkansas%26shopperContext%3D%26caller%3D%26appCode%3D%26utm_source%3Dnavbar%26utm_medium%3Dwebsite%" href="https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fkuathletics.evenue.net%2Fcgi-bin%2Fncommerce3%2FSEGetGroupList%3FgroupCode%3DBSB%26linkID%3Dkansas%26shopperContext%3D%26caller%3D%26appCode%3D%26utm_source%3Dnavbar%26utm_medium%3Dwebsite%26utm_campaign%3Dnavbar_website&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cdself%40ku.edu%7C26864e0ad5fa418efa0908dd72e3cebf%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C638793044934414680%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=JvFR8gMM2jIfRo6qhD6Y4WHDsdtvfaNzTe8ALFauEy4%3D&amp;reserved=0">here</a>.</div>

⚾ KU completes sweep of UCF to sit atop Big 12 standings

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743992251178.png" alt="Photo Courtesy Kansas State Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Kansas State Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure><div>Kansas State Athletics
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STILLWATER, Okla. &ndash;&nbsp;Oklahoma State claimed both games of a Sunday doubleheader with No. 22 K-State at O'Brate Stadium, taking the middle game 7-0 before a 10-2 win in the series finale. "Frustrating day for our program," said seventh-year head coach&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/coaches/pete-hughes/2603" rel="smarttag" rev="2603">Pete Hughes</a></dfn>. "We didn't pitch, play defense, or hit like we were capable." The Wildcats, who moved to 20-11 overall and 8-4 in Big 12 play, were held to two runs on the day as the Cowboys (15-14, 4-6 Big 12) handed the Cats their first series loss of the season. "We all played a part in today's losses, and I hold myself accountable. I made a defensive decision that really hurt us. We'll be better. I'll be better," added Hughes. "I do know this, our kids, they are tough and resilient and can handle the adversity that we've been dealt.&nbsp;A college baseball season is about managing the highs and lows. The highs are fun and easy, but the lows are only for the tough and we are K-State tough." Seven different Wildcats registered hit on the day, led by two in Game 1 by freshman&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/donte-lewis/12313" rel="smarttag" rev="12313">Donte Lewis</a></dfn>&nbsp;&ndash; his four game with two or more hits. <dfn><a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/aj-evasco/12312" rel="smarttag" rev="12312">AJ Evasco</a></dfn>&nbsp;recorded a game-tying home run in the third inning of Game 2. The true freshman is now one of four players to have six or more home runs on the year. GAME 1: OKLAHOMA STATE 7, K-STATE 0 Nolan Schubart, the Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year, spotted Quevedo for a solo homer in the opening frame. OSU expanded on its lead, 6-0, with the help of a three-run blast from Kolin Ritchie in the fourth. The Wildcats were left without a hit through five innings, as OSU's starter Sean Youngerman retired 17 consecutive batters with eight strikeouts. Freshman&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/donte-lewis/12313" rel="smarttag" rev="12313">Donte Lewis</a></dfn>&nbsp;singled into left field to break up Youngerman's perfect game attempt, but a chopper to second kept momentum in favor of OSU. K-State's best look to scoring came in the eighth when designated hitter&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/sam-flores/12310" rel="smarttag" rev="12310">Sam Flores</a></dfn>&nbsp;hit through the left side and moved into scoring position on Lewis' second hit of the game. The duo advanced 90-feet on the shortstop's attempt to make the play at first but were left stranded as Youngerman punched out his 11th&nbsp;batter of the game. INSIDE THE BOX&nbsp;(Game 1)
<ul>
<li>K-State was left scoreless and held to three hits, committed no errors and left four on base.</li>
<li>OSU scored seven runs on six hits with one error committed and three runners left on base.</li>
<li>Youngerman and Ure combined for the shutout.</li>
<li>Youngerman (1-1) earned the win, striking out 11 and scattering three hits in his eight-inning start.</li>
<li>Quevedo (4-1) was tagged for the loss, surrendering six earned runs) on five hits with four strikeouts and two walks.</li>
<li>Ruhl was spotted for one run, while striking out a career-high seven in his 4 1/3 innings of work.</li>
<li>Two Cats recorded a hit in the loss &ndash; Lewis (2), Flores.</li>
<li>Six different players registered a hit for the Cowboys, with Ritchie driving in a game-high three RBI followed by Smith (2).</li>
</ul>
GAME 2: OKLAHOMA STATE 10, K-STATE 2 OSU tagged two runs to the board in the first inning, led by an RBI single from Colin Brueggemann. After 11 scoreless innings on Saturday, K-State broke through with a two-out, two-run shot to right field by freshman&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/aj-evasco/12312" rel="smarttag" rev="12312">AJ Evasco</a></dfn>&nbsp;&ndash; his sixth of the season. The Cowboys broke up the 2-2 tie and scored eight unanswered runs in a three-inning span, highlighted by six in the sixth. INSIDE THE BOX&nbsp;(Game 2)
<ul>
<li>K-State scored two runs on five hits, committed two errors and stranded five on base.</li>
<li>OSU scored 10 runs on 11 hits, had no errors and left six runners on base.</li>
<li>The Cowboys scored eight unanswered runs in three innings to put the game away.</li>
<li>O'Connor recorded the first extra-base hit of the series for K-State with a two-out double in the first.</li>
<li>Evasco homered in the second, driving in two RBI.</li>
<li>Five different Cats recorded a hit in the game.</li>
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TEAM NOTES
<ul>
<li>OSU leads the all-time series 181-62, that includes a 105-18 record in games played in Stillwater.</li>
<li>Oklahoma State has won four straight matchups in the series and clinched their eighth consecutive series win over K-State in Stillwater.</li>
<li>The Wildcats have dropped a season-high three straight games, moving to 6-4 in their last 10.</li>
<li>Game 1 marked the first shut out loss for K-State this season.</li>
</ul>
UP NEXT K-State will host Missouri State on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Tointon Family Stadium. &nbsp;The midweek can be seen on ESPN+ and the ESPN app, while radio coverage is available on KMAN. A free live audio can be found for all K-State baseball games at kstatesports.com/watch. K-State baseball single-game tickets are available, and can be purchased by visiting&nbsp;<a name="_Hlk192492882"></a>KStateSports.com, call 1-800-221-CATS (2287), or stopping by the K-State Athletics Ticket Office in Bramlage Coliseum.</div>

⚾ Oklahoma State finishes off sweep of K-State

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743992012733.png" alt="Photo Courtesy Kansas Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Kansas Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure><div>Kansas Athletics
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<a style="font-weight: 400;" href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/stats/2025/arizona-state/boxscore/19958">Box Score</a>&nbsp;TEMPE, Ariz. -&nbsp;Kansas mounted a late comeback with two solo home runs in the fifth inning, but the rally fell just short as the Jayhawks dropped a 4-3 battle to Arizona State, closing out the series in Tempe. The Jayhawks started at the plate, with junior&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/hailey-cripe/6977">Hailey Cripe</a>&nbsp;recording the first hit of the game&mdash;a single through the left side. However, Kansas was unable to capitalize, leaving the first inning scoreless.&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/kaelee-washington/15853">Kaelee Washington</a>&nbsp;took the mound and got the start for the Jayhawks. Arizona State responded quickly, hitting a home run to take an early 2-0 lead. Freshman. Washignton&nbsp; recorded her first strikeout of the day to end the inning.&nbsp; Both defenses tightened up in the second inning, and neither team put up any runs on the scoreboard. Arizona State got back on the scoreboard late in the third inning to extend the Sun Devils lead to 4-0 heading into the fourth inning.&nbsp; Kansas got their first run on the scoreboard in the top of the fourth inning, following an RBI single from sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/anna-soles/6934">Anna Soles</a>&nbsp;bringing home senior&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/olivia-bruno/6949">Olivia Bruno</a>&nbsp;to cut the Arizona State lead. Junior&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/lizzy-ludwig/6881">Lizzy Ludwig</a>&nbsp;replaced Washington on the mound for the Jayhawks in the bottom of the fourth inning. Kansas' defense held Arizona State scoreless for the second inning of the day and entered the fifth inning down 4-1.&nbsp; Kansas gained momentum in the fifth inning with two solo home runs from senior&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/natalie-marshall/6919">Natalie Marshall</a>&nbsp;and junior&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/aynslee-linduff/6968">Aynslee Linduff</a>, cutting the deficit to 4-3. Marshall's home run was the first of her career and season, bringing her hit total to 10. Linduff's home run was her second of the season, with her last coming against Utah on March 21, and the sixth of her career. In the bottom of the fifth, the Jayhawks went with their third pitcher of the day when Bruno replaced Ludwig on the mound. Bruno retired the first three batters faced, and the Jayhawk defense kept Arizona State scoreless for the second straight inning. Going into the sixth inning, the score was 4-3 in favor of Arizona State.&nbsp; The Kansas defense continued its strong performance in the sixth inning, allowing just one hit and no runs for the third straight frame. However, the Jayhawks couldn't generate any offense and entered the final inning trailing by one. Kansas fought to extend the game but was unable to bring in the game-tying run in the seventh, falling to Arizona State 4-3 and dropping the series 2-1.&nbsp; Pitchers of Record:&nbsp; Win: Kenzie Brown (14-4) Line: 7 IP, 3 R, 4 H, 2 BB, 12 SO Loss:&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/kaelee-washington/15853">Kaelee Washington</a>&nbsp;(3-5) Line: 3 IP, 4 R, 4 H, 1 BB, 1 SO Up Next Kansas concludes its series against Arizona State and returns home to host number 12th-ranked opponent Arizona from April 11-13.&nbsp; Notables&nbsp;
<ul style="font-weight: 400;">
<li>Junior&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/hailey-cripe/6977">Hailey Cripe</a>&nbsp;recorded her second successful stolen base of the season, making it her eighth stolen base of her career.&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/anna-soles/6934">Anna Soles</a>&nbsp;recorded her third stand-up double of the season, marking the fourth of her career.</li>
<li>Senior&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/natalie-marshall/6919">Natalie Marshall</a>&nbsp;earned herself a sol0&nbsp;home run, making it the first of the season and the first of her entire career</li>
<li><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/aynslee-linduff/6968">Aynslee Linduff</a>&nbsp;recorded a solo home run, her second of the season and sixth of her career, tying her career high for home runs in a single season</li>
</ul></div>

🥎 KU drops series finale in Tempe

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — During the final sweet moments of UConn’s 12th national title, Geno Auriemma and Paige Bueckers embraced after the star guard departed her final game with the Huskies.

“They’ve all been gratifying, don’t get me wrong,” Auriemma said. “But this one here, because of the way it came about and what’s been involved, it’s been a long time since I’ve been that emotional when a player has walked off the court.”

Bueckers, Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong led the way as UConn returned to the top of women’s college basketball by rolling to an 82-59 victory over defending champion South Carolina on Sunday.

Fudd, who was named the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-championship-2d717e7707b0eec193eb236ac2059ca9">Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four</a>, scored 24 points. Strong had 24 points and 15 rebounds, and Bueckers scored 17 points for UConn (37-3).

“Well, it’s amazing to have three players, three people like that on the same team,” said the 71-year-old Auriemma, who became the oldest coach in major college basketball to win a championship. “And Sarah, you would think Sarah was graduating the way she plays, right? All three of them complement each other so well. They all have such unique skill sets.”

Bueckers capped her stellar career with the Huskies’ first championship since 2016, ending a nine-year drought for the team. That was the longest period for Auriemma and his program without a title since Rebecca Lobo and Jen Rizzotti led the Huskies to their first championship in 1995.

Since then the Huskies have had dominant championship runs, including in the early 2000s led by Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi, 2009-10 with Maya Moore and finally the four straight from 2013-16 with Breanna Stewart. All were in attendance in Florida on Sunday to see the Huskies’ latest title.

“You just never know if you’ll ever be back in this situation again,” Auriemma said. “And there were so many times when I think we all questioned, ‘Have we been here too long? Has it been time?’ And we kept hanging in there and hanging in there and that’s because these players make me want to hang in there every day.”

Bueckers, the expected No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft on April 14, delivered for the Huskies throughout their championship season.

Winning a title was the only thing missing from an incredible UConn career that was slowed by injuries. She was the first freshman to win AP Player of the Year before missing a lot of her sophomore season with a tibial plateau fracture and meniscus tear. She then tore an ACL before the next season.

“It’s been a story of resilience, gratitude of overcoming adversity and responding to life’s challenges,” Bueckers said. “I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

UConn closed the first half up 10 points and then put the game away in the third quarter, with Fudd, Strong and Bueckers combining for 23 of the team’s 26 points in the period. UConn was up 50-39 with 3:21 left before closing with a 12-3 run.

Fudd and Strong got it started with back-to-back 3s, and the rout was on. Auriemma subbed Bueckers, Fudd and Strong out with 1:32 left in the game.

UConn’s leading trio finished the tourney with 368 points, including an NCAA freshman record 114 for Strong. It was the highest point total for three teammates in a single NCAA Tournament, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/OptaSTATS/status/1909013553547206852" target="_blank">Stats Perform</a>. Chamique Holdsclaw, Tamika Catchings and Semeka Randell scored 363 points for Tennessee in the 1998 women’s tournament, and Glen Rice led the way for a trio of Michigan men that had 366 points in 1989.

The UConn trio proved to be way too much for South Carolina.

Dawn Staley’s team was trying for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-south-carolina-uconn-6a653397d08048fdc7c1bcad36307efa">a third title in four years</a>&nbsp;and fourth overall. It would have tied her with Kim Mulkey for third most behind Auriemma and former Tennessee Hall of Fame coach Pat Summitt, who had eight.

“Our kids gave it all they had. When you can understand why you lost and when you’ve been on the other side of that three times, you understand it,” Staley said. “You can swallow it. We lost to a very good basketball team.”

UConn had reached the title game only once during its drought since 2016. The Huskies had been eliminated by heartbreaking last-second losses in the Final Four on buzzer-beaters. The Huskies’ last title game appearance came in 2022 when Staley’s team beat UConn to start the Gamecocks’ current run of success, a game that ended Auriemma’s perfect record in title games.

There seemed to be no nerves early for either team as the game got off to a fast start. The teams traded baskets for the first few minutes before the defenses started to clamp down. The Huskies led 19-14 after one quarter and then extended the advantage to 36-26 at the half. Fudd had 13 points and Strong added eight points and 11 rebounds.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743992759336.jpeg" alt="UConn head coach Geno Auriemma holds up the championship trophy after UConn defeated South Carolina in the NCAA women's national championship game, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/John Raoux)" />
 <figcaption>UConn head coach Geno Auriemma holds up the championship trophy after UConn defeated South Carolina in the NCAA women's national championship game, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/John Raoux)</figcaption>
 </figure>TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — During the final sweet moments of UConn’s 12th national title, Geno Auriemma and Paige Bueckers embraced after the star guard departed her final game with the Huskies.It was the moment they wanted all along.“They’ve all been gratifying, don’t get me wrong,” Auriemma said. “But this one here, because of the way it came about and what’s been involved, it’s been a long time since I’ve been that emotional when a player has walked off the court.”Bueckers, Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong led the way as UConn returned to the top of women’s college basketball by rolling to an 82-59 victory over defending champion South Carolina on Sunday.Fudd, who was named the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-championship-2d717e7707b0eec193eb236ac2059ca9">Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four</a>, scored 24 points. Strong had 24 points and 15 rebounds, and Bueckers scored 17 points for UConn (37-3).“Well, it’s amazing to have three players, three people like that on the same team,” said the 71-year-old Auriemma, who became the oldest coach in major college basketball to win a championship. “And Sarah, you would think Sarah was graduating the way she plays, right? All three of them complement each other so well. They all have such unique skill sets.”Bueckers capped her stellar career with the Huskies’ first championship since 2016, ending a nine-year drought for the team. That was the longest period for Auriemma and his program without a title since Rebecca Lobo and Jen Rizzotti led the Huskies to their first championship in 1995.Since then the Huskies have had dominant championship runs, including in the early 2000s led by Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi, 2009-10 with Maya Moore and finally the four straight from 2013-16 with Breanna Stewart. All were in attendance in Florida on Sunday to see the Huskies’ latest title.“You just never know if you’ll ever be back in this situation again,” Auriemma said. “And there were so many times when I think we all questioned, ‘Have we been here too long? Has it been time?’ And we kept hanging in there and hanging in there and that’s because these players make me want to hang in there every day.”Bueckers, the expected No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft on April 14, delivered for the Huskies throughout their championship season.Winning a title was the only thing missing from an incredible UConn career that was slowed by injuries. She was the first freshman to win AP Player of the Year before missing a lot of her sophomore season with a tibial plateau fracture and meniscus tear. She then tore an ACL before the next season.“It’s been a story of resilience, gratitude of overcoming adversity and responding to life’s challenges,” Bueckers said. “I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”UConn closed the first half up 10 points and then put the game away in the third quarter, with Fudd, Strong and Bueckers combining for 23 of the team’s 26 points in the period. UConn was up 50-39 with 3:21 left before closing with a 12-3 run.Fudd and Strong got it started with back-to-back 3s, and the rout was on. Auriemma subbed Bueckers, Fudd and Strong out with 1:32 left in the game.UConn’s leading trio finished the tourney with 368 points, including an NCAA freshman record 114 for Strong. It was the highest point total for three teammates in a single NCAA Tournament, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/OptaSTATS/status/1909013553547206852" target="_blank">Stats Perform</a>. Chamique Holdsclaw, Tamika Catchings and Semeka Randell scored 363 points for Tennessee in the 1998 women’s tournament, and Glen Rice led the way for a trio of Michigan men that had 366 points in 1989.The UConn trio proved to be way too much for South Carolina.Dawn Staley’s team was trying for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-south-carolina-uconn-6a653397d08048fdc7c1bcad36307efa">a third title in four years</a>&nbsp;and fourth overall. It would have tied her with Kim Mulkey for third most behind Auriemma and former Tennessee Hall of Fame coach Pat Summitt, who had eight.“Our kids gave it all they had. When you can understand why you lost and when you’ve been on the other side of that three times, you understand it,” Staley said. “You can swallow it. We lost to a very good basketball team.”UConn had reached the title game only once during its drought since 2016. The Huskies had been eliminated by heartbreaking last-second losses in the Final Four on buzzer-beaters. The Huskies’ last title game appearance came in 2022 when Staley’s team beat UConn to start the Gamecocks’ current run of success, a game that ended Auriemma’s perfect record in title games.There seemed to be no nerves early for either team as the game got off to a fast start. The teams traded baskets for the first few minutes before the defenses started to clamp down. The Huskies led 19-14 after one quarter and then extended the advantage to 36-26 at the half. Fudd had 13 points and Strong added eight points and 11 rebounds.