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The Hutchinson Community College softball team’s high-scoring offense lived up to its reputation on Thursday in a Jayhawk Conference doubleheader sweep of the Seward County Saints.

The Blue Dragons combined for 22 runs and 28 hits as Hutchinson run-ruled the Saints twice – 12-4 in six innings and 10-1 in five innings – at Fun Valley.

The Blue Dragons have won a season-high eight games in a row and reach the 20-win plateau with a 20-12 overall record. The Dragons are in second place in the Jayhawk East at 10-6 with six-straight KJCCC wins. Hutchinson travels to Barton on Saturday for a KJCCC doubleheader in Great Bend.

Noteworthy in the offensive onslaught on Thursday, Blue Dragon freshman shortstop Madison Grimes went 5 for 6 with a pair of home runs. That performance moved Grimes’ season batting average to .594 for the season. Grimes now leads the NJCAA in batting average.

Hutchinson’s 3-4-5 hitters – Grimes, Natalie Bevan and Carley Sterneker – all had multi-hit games and combined to go 8 for 10 with five extra-base hits, including two homers, eight RBIs and nine runs scored as Hutchinson produced 17 total hits in the first game.

Grimes went 2 for 3 with a double and home run. She drove in three runs with a single in the first, solo homer in the third and double in the fourth. Grimes’ double in the fourth broke a 4-all tie

Bevan was 2 for 3 with a pair of doubles that produced runs in the first and fourth innings. She also scored two runs.

Sterneker capped a four-run fourth with a two-run home run. She also singled home a run in Hutch’s three-run sixth that brought the game to a run-rule finish. Sterneker had her second game of the season with three or more hits, going 3 for 4. She tied a season high with three RBIs.

Haley Miller was 2 for 4 with a pair of bunt singles. Kylee Dunn and Alexis Way also had two-hit games. Way’s second inning double was one of six extra-base hits by the Blue Dragons in Game 1.

Blue Dragon pitcher Jordan Galliher (9-2) earned her ninth victory with her third complete game of the season. She struck out five and walked two with five hits and four runs allowed.

Seward County took an early 1-0 lead with a run in the top of the first. That quickly changed when Grimes launched a two-run home run to right-center in the bottom of the first for a 2-1 Dragon lead. Grimes now has a team-high eight home runs.

The Blue Dragons led 3-1 through three innings and then broke the game up with a seven-run fourth inning. Miller’s bases-loaded triple was the big hit of the inning and gave Hutchinson a 6-1 lead. Sterneker also had an RBI single and Way doubled in two runs with an opposite-field hit down the right-field line.

Hutchinson had 11 hits in the second game. Miller, Grimes and Sterneker had two hits each. Lexi Williams and Bailey Pennycuff both had doubles.

Samarah Bailey came out of the bullpen to pitch 3 1-3 innings of scoreless relief and earn her seventh pitching victory of the season. She struck out two and walked one while allowing just two singles and no runs.

STEVE CARPENTERHutchinson CC Sports InformationThursday, April 15, 2021The Hutchinson Community College softball team’s high-scoring offense lived up to its reputation on Thursday in a Jayhawk Conference doubleheader sweep of the Seward County Saints.The Blue Dragons combined for 22 runs and 28 hits as Hutchinson run-ruled the Saints twice – 12-4 in six innings and 10-1 in five innings – at Fun Valley.The Blue Dragons have won a season-high eight games in a row and reach the 20-win plateau with a 20-12 overall record. The Dragons are in second place in the Jayhawk East at 10-6 with six-straight KJCCC wins. Hutchinson travels to Barton on Saturday for a KJCCC doubleheader in Great Bend.Noteworthy in the offensive onslaught on Thursday, Blue Dragon freshman shortstop Madison Grimes went 5 for 6 with a pair of home runs. That performance moved Grimes’ season batting average to .594 for the season. Grimes now leads the NJCAA in batting average.GAME 1 RECAPHutchinson’s 3-4-5 hitters – Grimes, Natalie Bevan and Carley Sterneker – all had multi-hit games and combined to go 8 for 10 with five extra-base hits, including two homers, eight RBIs and nine runs scored as Hutchinson produced 17 total hits in the first game.Grimes went 2 for 3 with a double and home run. She drove in three runs with a single in the first, solo homer in the third and double in the fourth. Grimes’ double in the fourth broke a 4-all tieBevan was 2 for 3 with a pair of doubles that produced runs in the first and fourth innings. She also scored two runs.Sterneker capped a four-run fourth with a two-run home run. She also singled home a run in Hutch’s three-run sixth that brought the game to a run-rule finish. Sterneker had her second game of the season with three or more hits, going 3 for 4. She tied a season high with three RBIs.Haley Miller was 2 for 4 with a pair of bunt singles. Kylee Dunn and Alexis Way also had two-hit games. Way’s second inning double was one of six extra-base hits by the Blue Dragons in Game 1.Blue Dragon pitcher Jordan Galliher (9-2) earned her ninth victory with her third complete game of the season. She struck out five and walked two with five hits and four runs allowed.GAME 2 RECAPSeward County took an early 1-0 lead with a run in the top of the first. That quickly changed when Grimes launched a two-run home run to right-center in the bottom of the first for a 2-1 Dragon lead. Grimes now has a team-high eight home runs.The Blue Dragons led 3-1 through three innings and then broke the game up with a seven-run fourth inning. Miller’s bases-loaded triple was the big hit of the inning and gave Hutchinson a 6-1 lead. Sterneker also had an RBI single and Way doubled in two runs with an opposite-field hit down the right-field line.Hutchinson had 11 hits in the second game. Miller, Grimes and Sterneker had two hits each. Lexi Williams and Bailey Pennycuff both had doubles.Samarah Bailey came out of the bullpen to pitch 3 1-3 innings of scoreless relief and earn her seventh pitching victory of the season. She struck out two and walked one while allowing just two singles and no runs.

Dragon bats relentless in sweep of Saints

CONCORDIA – Pitcher Sammy Sanchez earned his sixth victory of the season and outfielder Jack Torosian had a four-hit day to lead the Hutchinson Community College baseball team to a Jayhawk West split with the Cloud County Thunderbirds on Thursday at Doyen Field.

After dropping the series opener 6-2, Sanchez and Torosian played key roles in a 6-4 victory in Game 2.

The Blue Dragons, now receiving votes in the NJCAA Division I National Rankings, are 24-10 overall and maintained their hold on first place in the Jayhawk West at 18-4. Cloud County is 21-13 overall and 11-7 in the league.

Games 3 and 4 of the series will be played on Saturday at Hobart-Detter Field beginning at 1 p.m.

The Thunderbirds had Sanchez (6-1) on the ropes throughout his five innings of work, but the Blue Dragon starter never allowed a big inning to occur. Only once, the third inning, did Sanchez retire Cloud County in order.

Cloud County started the game by loading the bases with no out. Sanchez responded with a pair of strikeouts and a pop-up to get out of the inning. Sanchez got some defensive help in the second when –

Cloud’s Adler Pierson – he was trying to score from first on a double to right field, was thrown out at the plate by the relay throw of Drew Reetz.

Staked to a 5-0 lead after three innings, Sanchez announced two unearned runs in the fourth and a single run in the fifth.

For the game, Sanchez worked five innings with six hits and three runs allowed, only one was earned. He struck out four and walked none.

Josh Mitchell allowed a run in the sixth. Tyler Delong worked the final three innings for his fourth save of the season. He gave up two hits and hit a batter.

Offensively, the Blue Dragons had just seven hits in Game 2. Three of those hits belonged to Torosian, who returned to the starting lineup after missing extended time with an injury.

Tororsian went 3 for 3 with two doubles and was on base all four times in Game 2. His two-out RBI double scored Ben McLaughlin and capped a three-run first inning. Torosian walked in the third, led off the fifth with a single and delivered with two out again in the seventh with an RBI double to score Austin Callahan with a big insurance run for a 6-4 Blue Dragon lead.

Callahan went 2 for 5 with a triple and three runs scored. Jenner Steele and McLaughlin had the only other Hutchinson hits off four Cloud County pitchers. The Blue Dragons struck out 10 times in the game.

Hutchinson had its eight-game winning streak snapped in Game 1 as the Blue Dragons mustered only four hits against Cloud County starter Kolby Dougan, who struck out eight in a seven-inning complete-game performance.

Hutch’s only offense in Game 1 came from a third-inning solo home run by Cole Cosman and a Drew Reetz RBI single in the fourth that plated Will Reetz. That Drew Reetz hit was the last hit of the game for the Dragons. The only baserunners in the fifth through seventh innings were walked to Cosman and Sterling Sutcliffe in the seventh.

Cloud County touched Blue Dragon starter Zach Firmature for four runs in the second inning. The big hit was the three-run double by Pierson. Cloud followed with single runs in the third and fourth innings.

Firmature (6-3) had his personal four-game winning streak snapped with six earned runs and five hits allowed over five innings. He struck out one and walked four. Zane Covey pitched a scoreless sixth for the Blue Dragons.

Mason Lowe had a career-long 10-game hitting streak snapped on Thursday.

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 </figure>STEVE CARPENTERHutchinson CC Sports InformationThursday, April 15, 2021CONCORDIA – Pitcher Sammy Sanchez earned his sixth victory of the season and outfielder Jack Torosian had a four-hit day to lead the Hutchinson Community College baseball team to a Jayhawk West split with the Cloud County Thunderbirds on Thursday at Doyen Field.After dropping the series opener 6-2, Sanchez and Torosian played key roles in a 6-4 victory in Game 2.The Blue Dragons, now receiving votes in the NJCAA Division I National Rankings, are 24-10 overall and maintained their hold on first place in the Jayhawk West at 18-4. Cloud County is 21-13 overall and 11-7 in the league.Games 3 and 4 of the series will be played on Saturday at Hobart-Detter Field beginning at 1 p.m.GAME 2 RECAPThe Thunderbirds had Sanchez (6-1) on the ropes throughout his five innings of work, but the Blue Dragon starter never allowed a big inning to occur. Only once, the third inning, did Sanchez retire Cloud County in order.Cloud County started the game by loading the bases with no out. Sanchez responded with a pair of strikeouts and a pop-up to get out of the inning. Sanchez got some defensive help in the second when –Cloud’s Adler Pierson – he was trying to score from first on a double to right field, was thrown out at the plate by the relay throw of Drew Reetz.Staked to a 5-0 lead after three innings, Sanchez announced two unearned runs in the fourth and a single run in the fifth.For the game, Sanchez worked five innings with six hits and three runs allowed, only one was earned. He struck out four and walked none.Josh Mitchell allowed a run in the sixth. Tyler Delong worked the final three innings for his fourth save of the season. He gave up two hits and hit a batter.Offensively, the Blue Dragons had just seven hits in Game 2. Three of those hits belonged to Torosian, who returned to the starting lineup after missing extended time with an injury.Tororsian went 3 for 3 with two doubles and was on base all four times in Game 2. His two-out RBI double scored Ben McLaughlin and capped a three-run first inning. Torosian walked in the third, led off the fifth with a single and delivered with two out again in the seventh with an RBI double to score Austin Callahan with a big insurance run for a 6-4 Blue Dragon lead.Callahan went 2 for 5 with a triple and three runs scored. Jenner Steele and McLaughlin had the only other Hutchinson hits off four Cloud County pitchers. The Blue Dragons struck out 10 times in the game.GAME 1 RECAPHutchinson had its eight-game winning streak snapped in Game 1 as the Blue Dragons mustered only four hits against Cloud County starter Kolby Dougan, who struck out eight in a seven-inning complete-game performance.Hutch’s only offense in Game 1 came from a third-inning solo home run by Cole Cosman and a Drew Reetz RBI single in the fourth that plated Will Reetz. That Drew Reetz hit was the last hit of the game for the Dragons. The only baserunners in the fifth through seventh innings were walked to Cosman and Sterling Sutcliffe in the seventh.Cloud County touched Blue Dragon starter Zach Firmature for four runs in the second inning. The big hit was the three-run double by Pierson. Cloud followed with single runs in the third and fourth innings.Firmature (6-3) had his personal four-game winning streak snapped with six earned runs and five hits allowed over five innings. He struck out one and walked four. Zane Covey pitched a scoreless sixth for the Blue Dragons.Mason Lowe had a career-long 10-game hitting streak snapped on Thursday.

Dragons, T-Birds split first two games of KJCCC series

Game 1: Hesston 9, Nickerson 6 Game 2: Hesston 14, Nickerson 1

Game 1: Ark City 3, Hutchinson 2 Game 2: Ark City 16, Hutchinson 7

Scoreboard for Thursday, April 15Baseball:Game 1: Hesston 9, Nickerson 6 Game 2: Hesston 14, Nickerson 1Game 1: Ark City 3, Hutchinson 2 Game 2: Ark City 16, Hutchinson 7Girls Soccer:Buhler 3, Haysville Campus 1Goddard Eisenhower 7, Hutchinson 0

Scoreboard for Thursday, April 15

Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jakob Junis ran his scoreless streak to 14 innings and the Kansas City Royals staked him to a seven-run lead before their bullpen gave most of it back in a 7-5 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. Scott Barlow put two on with one out in the ninth for Kansas City before getting Bo Bichette to pop out and striking out Vladimir Guerrero Jr. for his first save of the season. Guerrero finished a triple shy of the cycle. Anthony Kay took the loss after giving up five runs over 3 1/3 innings in a spot start for Toronto.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Creighton 3-point sharpshooter Mitch Ballock will not return to the Bluejays in 2021-22. The school confirmed Ballock had signed with an agent and will pursue pro opportunities. Ballock is on track to graduate in May. He ranks No. 3 on the school career 3-point chart with 308 behind Kyle Korver and Ethan Wragge. Ballock is the fifth starter who will not take advantage of another season of eligibility granted by the NCAA because of the pandemic. Marcus Zegarowski, Damien Jefferson and Denzel Mahoney have declared for the NBA draft and Christian Bishop plans to transfer.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A jury has acquitted former Nebraska football player Katerian LeGrone of first-degree sexual assault a 19-year-old fellow student in 2019. The Lincoln Journal Star reports that the Lancaster County jury returned the verdict Thursday. LaGrone was a redshirt freshman tight end from Atlanta when he and another Nebraska player, Andre Hunt, were accused of sexually assaulting the woman at their apartment. Prosecutors said Hunt had been in bed with the woman when LeGrone switched places with Hunt and raped her. LeGrone's attorney argued that the woman did nothing to indicate she did not consent to the sexual contact.

UNDATED (AP) — Purdue football star Leroy Keyes has died. His family says he died at his home Thursday in Indiana. Keyes was a two-time All-American and one of the greatest players in school history. He finished his career as the school record-holder for touchdowns, points and all-purpose yards. He was named the Boilermakers' greatest player in 1987, as the program celebrated its 100th year of football. The Philadelphia Eagles drafted Keyes with the third overall pick in 1969, and Keyes was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1990. Leroy Keyes was 74 years old.

NEW YORK (AP) — Nolan Arenado's contract was amended when the All-Star third baseman was traded to the Cardinals by the Colorado Rockies, adding a $15 million salary for 2027 to leave him owed $214 million over seven seasons by St. Louis. As part of the amended contract, $50 million of that $214 million will be deferred and payable through 2041, according to details obtained by The Associated Press. Colorado would pay St. Louis $51 million, if Arenado decides to keep his entire contract and not opt out early. Arenado is batting .314 with three homers and eight RBIs through his first 12 games.

UNDATED (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo (YAH'-nihs an-teh-toh-KOON'-poh) returned to the Milwaukee Bucks' lineup after a six-game absence due to a left knee injury. His teammates made sure he didn't need to perform any heavy lifting.

Antetokounmpo was among seven Bucks to score in double figures in a 120-109 win over the Hawks. The NBA's two-time reigning MVP played 25 minutes and delivered 15 points on 7 of 12 shooting to go with five rebounds, three steals, two assists and a block.

Jrue Holiday led Milwaukee's scoresheet with 23 points, while Brook Lopez provided 19 with 12 rebounds.

Bogdan Bogdanovic drained six 3-pointers and had a game-high 28 points, but the Hawks lost for only the fifth time in 22 games since Nate McMillan became head coach. 

Checking out Thursday's other completed NBA action:

— The Suns earned their 10th straight home win as Deandre Ayton had 26 points and 11 rebounds in a 122-114 downing of the Kings. Devin Booker furnished 23 points as Phoenix improved to 40-15 for the season, hitting 40 wins for the first time since 2014. De'Aaron Fox had a team-high 27 points for the Kings, losers of nine straight.

— The Celtics squandered most of a 27-point lead in the fourth quarter before Jaylen Brown scored four of his 40 points in the final minute to help them secure a 121-113 victory over the Lakers. Brown made 13 of his first 14 shots and hit three 3-pointers in Boston's fifth win in a row. Talen Horton-Tucker led a 24-2 run by the Lakers that forced Brown and the Boston starters back into the game. 

— Stephen Curry reached 30 points for a career-high ninth straight time as he finished with 33 in the Warriors' 119-101 victory against the Cavaliers. Curry made an NBA-record 29 3-pointers over the previous three games and is averaging 38.2 points during his run. Andrew Wiggins scored 23 points and Juan Toscano-Anderson had 20 for Golden State.

Nets' Aldridge retires at 35 due to irregular heartbeat

NEW YORK (AP) — LaMarcus Aldridge has retired from the NBA after 15 seasons, saying he experienced an irregular heartbeat during his final game with the Brooklyn Nets. 

The 35-year-old Aldridge called it one of the scariest things he had ever experienced but says he feels better now after getting it checked out.

The seven-time All-Star signed with the Nets on March 28 and became their starting center. He previously played for San Antonio and Portland.

NBA says injury rate this season down slightly from normal

UNDATED (AP) — The NBA says the rate of players needing to miss games because of injuries is down 6% from last season and within the normal range for what the league has seen over the last five seasons. 

Several marquee players have dealt with injuries in recent weeks, including LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid (joh-EHL' ehm-BEED'), James Harden and most recently Jamal Murray.

NBA teams are playing 3.6 games per week, up 5% from last year. This year's schedule compressed 72 games into 146 days, as opposed to the usual 82 games into 170 days.

Machado homers, Padres earn split with Pirates in 8-3 win

UNDATED (AP) — The San Diego Padres have left Pittsburgh after finishing 5-2 on their road trip.

The Padres cruised to an 8-3 win over the Pirates as Manny Machado hit his third home run of the season and drove in three runs. Eric Hosmer added two hits and two RBIs to help the Padres gain a split of their four-game set with the Bucs. Chris Paddock labored over five innings and Craig Stammen worked three frames to pick up just the sixth save of his 12-year big league career and first since 2019.

— The Dodgers have a six-game winning streak after Max Muncy clubbed a go-ahead, three-run homer in the seventh inning of a 7-5 decision over the Rockies. Justin Turner also smacked a three-run shot after homers by Ryan McMahon and Garrett Hampson gave Colorado an early 2-0 lead. The Dodgers own the majors' best record at 11-2, while the Rockies own the worst at 3-10.

— The Braves ended a four-game losing streak by scoring twice in the bottom of the ninth to beat Miami, 7-6. Ozzie Albies (AL'-beez) walked with the bases loaded before Dansby Swanson swatted a walk-off single. Ronald Acuña (ah-KOON'-yah) Jr. hit a two-run homer for Atlanta's only runs off Trevor Rogers, but Pablo Sandoval smacked a three-run shot for the Marlins. 

— Andrew Young delivered a grand slam while the Diamondbacks exploded for seven runs in the second inning of an 11-6 rout of the Nationals. Carson Kelly and Eduardo Escobar hit back-to-back homers in the first inning off Patrick Corbin, who was rocked for nine earned runs over the first two frames before leaving. Corbin owns an 0-2 record and a 21.32 ERA while in the third season of a six-year, $140 million contract.

— Max Kepler's bloop RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning gave Minnesota a 4-3 victory over Boston, stopping the Twins' five-game skid and breaking a nine-game winning string for the Red Sox. Michael Pineda allowed only two singles over seven scoreless innings for the Twins, who had a home run by slump-ridden slugger Miguel Sanó (sah-NOH') in the sixth. Pineda left with a 3-0 lead but the Red Sox tied it on Alex Verdugo's (vur-DOO'-gohz) three-run double in the eighth.

— Adolis Garcia's first major league homer was a two-run shot in the 10th inning, giving the Rangers a 6-4 triumph over the Rays. Nick Solak and Charlie Culberson also homered for the Rangers, who have won three straight following a four-game losing streak. Solak had a solo homer in the second and an RBI single off Andrew Kittredge to drive in the final run charged to Rays starter Rich Hill in the fifth.

— José Ramírez connected for a go-ahead, two-run homer off Lance Lynn in the sixth inning of the Indians' 4-2 win over the White Sox in Chicago. Lynn was nursing a 1-0 lead when Ramírez launched a full-count pitch with two outs deep to right for his third home run. Anthony Civale (sih-VAH'-lee) allowed only a first-inning run and five hits through six frames in his third straight strong start. 

— Jakob Junis ran his consecutive scoreless streak to 14 innings as the Royals staked him to a seven-run lead before the Kansas City bullpen held on for a 7-5 win against the Blue Jays. Junis was charged with two runs on five hits and a walk while pitching into the sixth, but both runs scored with reliever Jake Newberry on the mound. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. finished a triple shy of the cycle for the Blue Jays, including a solo blast that went an estimated 456 feet.

— Stephen Piscotty and Matt Olson each homered to back Sean Manaea's (mah-NY'-ahz) first victory of the season, an 8-4 trouncing by the Athletics over the Tigers. Manaea allowed two runs on five hits over six innings, striking out seven without a walk. Matt Chapman had a two-run double and the defending AL West champs have won six of seven since an 0-6 start.

— Mitch Haniger became the first Mariner to homer out of the leadoff spot in both ends of a doubleheader, hitting a tiebreaking drive in the second game that led Seattle over the Orioles, 2-1 for a sweep. J.P. Crawford hit a tiebreaking, two-run double in the sixth inning that lifted The M's to a 4-2 win in the opener. The Orioles managed just seven hits in the twinbill and have lost eight of 10 following an opening three-game sweep at Boston.

— The finale of the four-game series between the Mets and Phillies was postponed because of rain. It was New York's third washout in five days. 

UNDATED (AP) — Giants right-hander Johnny Cueto (KWAY'-toh) has been placed on the 10-day injured list with a strained lat muscle.

The team says Cueto has a Grade 1 strain beneath his pitching shoulder. Cueto exited in the sixth inning of his start Wednesday against Cincinnati. 

— Cubs pitcher Ryan Tepera was suspended for three games by MLB, which concluded he intentionally threw at Milwaukee's Brandon Woodruff this week. Tepera appealed the penalty and will not serve any discipline until after his hearing. Cubs manager David Ross was suspended for one game and fined because of Tepera's actions.

— A diversity study finds Major League Baseball with slightly lower scores for racial and gender hiring but earning bonuses for social-justice initiatives and hiring milestones. Thursday's report card from The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport issued an overall grade of C-plus for MLB. That included a B-plus for racial hiring and a C for gender hiring for the 2021 season.

UNDATED (AP) — The Washington Capitals were unable to increase their lead in the NHL's East Division. The Capitals are two points ahead of the Islanders and three ahead of the Penguins.

Anders Bjork (byorhk) scored his first goal with his new team and added an assist as the Sabres surprised the Capitals, 5-2. Sam Reinhart scored his 15th goal and Victor Olofsson added his 12th for Buffalo, which has won five of its last nine following an 18-game winless streak.

Nicklas Backstrom picked up his 31st assist of the season and became the second player to reach the 1,000-game mark for the Capitals, joining teammate Alex Ovechkin.

The Islanders were 4-1 losers in Boston as Taylor Hall scored his first goal as a Bruin. Tuukka (TOO'-kah) Rask stopped 22 shots to earn his first victory since February as the goaltender played for just the second time since March 7 due to a back injury. 

Brad Marchand scored twice for the Bruins, who were 0-3-2 in their previous five games with the Isles this season.

The Isles are one point ahead of third-place Pittsburgh following the Penguins' 2-1 shootout loss to the Flyers. Claude Giroux and Sean Couturier did the scoring in the shootout before Carter Hart stopped Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang (leh-TANG') to seal the win.

Jakub Voracek (VOHR'-ah-chehk) scored his eighth in regulation for the Flyers, who snapped a two-game skid and won for just the ninth time in their last 25 games.

— The Hurricanes scored three times in an eight-minute span to beat the Predators, 4-1. Warren Foegele (FOH'-gul) opened the scoring late in the first period before Andrei Svechnikov and Vincent Trochek tallied in the first 5 ½ minutes of the second. Petr Mrazek (mah-RA'-zehk) made 19 saves for Carolina, improving to 3-0-1 since returning from a thumb injury that sidelined him for more than two months.

— The Canes and Lightning continue to share the Central Division lead after Victor Hedman scored 54 seconds into overtime to give Tampa Bay a 3-2 victory against the Panthers. Andrei Vasilevskiy (va-sih-LEHV'-skee) finished with 36 saves for his league-leading 26th victory of the season and added an assist. Alex Killorn had a goal and an assist for the Bolts.

— The Stars played to a 4-1 victory over the Blue Jackets as Denis Gurianov (gur-ee-AH'-nahv) had his first two-goal game of the season. Miro Heiskanen and Joe Pavelski also scored for the Stars, who took the lead when Jason Dickinson assisted on goals by Gurianov and Heiskanen just more than a minute apart late in the second period. Columbus scored on its first shot, but Jake Oettinger (AH'-tihn-jur) stopped the final 17 shots he faced. 

— Igor Shesterkin (shehs-TUR'-kihn) got his second straight shutout by making 16 saves in the Rangers' 4-0 win over the Devils. Artemi Panarin (ahr-TEH'-mee pah-NAR'-ihn) had two goals and an assist for the Blueshirts, also also got goals from Jacob Trouba (TROO'-bah) and Ryan Lindgren ni their sixth win in nine games. Colin Blackwell had a career-high three assists and Ryan Strome (strohm) added two.

— Jakub Vrana (vah-RAH'-nah) scored in his Detroit debut and Troy Stecher added two goals in a 4-1 victory over the Blackhawks. Thomas Greiss (grys) had 24 saves for the Red Wings, who have a three-game winning streak for the first time this season. Chicago remains four points behind Nashville for the fourth spot in the Central Division.

— Nikolaj Ehlers (EE'-lurz) and Kyle Connor scored twice for the Jets in a 5-1 downing of the Maple Leafs. Winnipeg trailed, 1-0 until Ehlers, Connor and Mark Scheffele (SHY'-flee) scored in a 3:09 span of the first period. Scheffele also had two assists and Connor collected three points in the Jets' fifth win in six games, which puts them three points behind the North Division-leading Leafs.

UNDATED (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons have signed safety Duron Harmon and four-time All-Pro return specialist Cordarrelle Patterson to one-year contracts. 

Harmon started all 16 games for Detroit in 2020 and set a career high with 73 tackles. Patterson earned first-team All-Pro honors as a kick returner in 2013, 2016 and 2019-20 with Minnesota and Chicago. 

— The Steelers have re-signed the veteran inside linebacker Vince Williams to a one-year deal. The signing comes a month after the Steelers released Williams in a cost-cutting measure. 

— The Raiders have cut defensive linemen Maurice Hurst and Arden Key before their fourth seasons with the team. 

— The Cardinals have re-signed linebackers Dennis Gardeck and Kylie Fitts to one-year contracts. 

— The Browns are the latest NFL team to say they'll skip mandated in-person workouts. 

— The NFL has announced deals with Caesars Entertainment, DraftKings and FanDuel to become official sports betting partners. The three will get the use of NFL trademarks and official league data, and will integrate their own betting content into media properties including NFL.com and the league's official app.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — The Vancouver Canucks' return to competition has been delayed by the NHL.

The league has announced the team won't resume its schedule on Friday against visiting Edmonton as expected. The Canucks haven't played a game since March 24 due to a COVID-19 outbreak. Vancouver forward J.T. Miller said it would be "very challenging and not very safe" to play Friday night because the pandemic-hit team has not had enough time to recover and get back in shape.

The NHL said the decision was made with input from the NHL Players' Association and medical staff from teams.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The NCAA has hit the Southern California men's basketball program with two years' probation because of a former assistant who violated NCAA ethical conduct rules when he accepted a bribe to steer players to a business management company. The Division I Committee on Infractions announced the penalties, which include a $5,000 fine and a 1% loss of the school's basketball budget. 

Tony Bland, the former associate head coach under coach Andy Enfield, was fired in January 2018. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery and received two years' probation.

Cincinnati hires UNC Greensboro basketball coach Wes Miller

CINCINNATI (AP) — The University of Cincinnati has hired UNC Greensboro coach Wes Miller to be the new head basketball coach. Miller replaces John Brannen, who was fired after six players decided to transfer following last season.

Miller won 185 games in 10 seasons at UNC Greensboro. 

UNDATED (AP) — LSU freshman Cameron Thomas says he is declaring for the NBA draft and intends to sign with an agent.

The 6-foot-4 guard led all Division 1 freshmen in scoring last season at 23 points a game while helping LSU advance to the finals of the SEC Tournament and the second round of the NCAA tourney.

— Michigan has confirmed that senior Isaiah Livers is not returning for an extra year of eligibility. The Wolverines lose Livers, guard Mike Smith, guard Chaundee Brown and forward Austin Davis from this year's team that won the Big Ten title and reached the Elite Eight. The Wolverines also await NBA draft decisions from sophomore guard Franz Wagner and freshman center Hunter Dickinson.

UNDATED (AP) — An NCAA rule change will allow football players to transfer once as undergraduates without sitting out a season. 

The change goes into effect for the 2021 season. It was not unexpected, but now that it is official a bevy of players are assured of being on the field this fall.

Leroy Keyes, gold standard of Purdue football, dies at 74

Sports Headlines for Friday

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jakob Junis ran his scoreless streak to 14 innings and the Kansas City Royals staked him to a seven-run lead before their bullpen gave most of it back in a 7-5 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. 

Scott Barlow put two on with one out in the ninth for Kansas City before getting Bo Bichette to pop out and striking out Vladimir Guerrero Jr. for his first save of the season. Guerrero finished a triple shy of the cycle. 

Anthony Kay took the loss after giving up five runs over 3 1/3 innings in a spot start for Toronto.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617874759834.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jakob Junis ran his scoreless streak to 14 innings and the Kansas City Royals staked him to a seven-run lead before their bullpen gave most of it back in a 7-5 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. Scott Barlow put two on with one out in the ninth for Kansas City before getting Bo Bichette to pop out and striking out Vladimir Guerrero Jr. for his first save of the season. Guerrero finished a triple shy of the cycle. Anthony Kay took the loss after giving up five runs over 3 1/3 innings in a spot start for Toronto.

Royals win over Toronto Thursday

Hutchinson High School Baseball and Softball will travel to Arkansas City to play in double headers today.

Hutchpost.com will not stream the baseball games due to a conflict in scheduling.&nbsp; This game was originally set to be played Friday, April 16th but was moved up due to weather expected to move in tomorrow.

You can go to gamechanger.com to follow the game if you wish, but there is a membership fee.

Hutchinson High School Baseball and Softball will travel to Arkansas City to play in double headers today.Hutchpost.com will not stream the baseball games due to a conflict in scheduling.&nbsp; This game was originally set to be played Friday, April 16th but was moved up due to weather expected to move in tomorrow.You can go to gamechanger.com to follow the game if you wish, but there is a membership fee.

Hutch High Baseball Softball @ Ark City for double-header

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Salvador Pérez homered and doubled to cap off an impressive series, leading Brad Keller and the Kansas City Royals over the Los Angeles Angels 6-1. 

A day after picking off David Fletcher at third base to end a 3-2 win,  Pérez drove in two runs. The All-Star catcher went 8 for 12 with four RBIs this week against Los Angeles. Carlos Santana also homered as the Royals took two of three from the Angels. 

It was the Royals’ second series win of the year — it took them 14 tries to do that during the pandemic-shortened season.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617874759834.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Salvador Pérez homered and doubled to cap off an impressive series, leading Brad Keller and the Kansas City Royals over the Los Angeles Angels 6-1. A day after picking off David Fletcher at third base to end a 3-2 win, Pérez drove in two runs. The All-Star catcher went 8 for 12 with four RBIs this week against Los Angeles. Carlos Santana also homered as the Royals took two of three from the Angels. It was the Royals’ second series win of the year — it took them 14 tries to do that during the pandemic-shortened season.

Royals win second series of the year

AUDIO: Eagle Radio Sports for Wednesday

HUTCHINSON, Kan.—The Hutchinson Salthawk Baseball team will host Salina South at the Hobart-Detter Field in Hutchinson with a double header beginning at 4pm.

Hutchpost.com will video stream both games beginning at 3:50pm on hutchpost.com.&nbsp; 

Eagle Sports Director Glen Grunwald will be on the call throughout this baseball season including home and away contests.

Click the individual links below for each game.

<a href="https://youtu.be/TYw9mC4YP2k">GAME #1: &nbsp;Hutch vs Salina South @ 4pm&nbsp;</a>

<a href="https://youtu.be/IAjchuNIywQ">GAME #2: &nbsp;Hutch vs Salina South @ 6pm</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

HUTCHINSON, Kan.—The Hutchinson Salthawk Baseball team will host Salina South at the Hobart-Detter Field in Hutchinson with a double header beginning at 4pm.Hutchpost.com will video stream both games beginning at 3:50pm on hutchpost.com.&nbsp; Eagle Sports Director Glen Grunwald will be on the call throughout this baseball season including home and away contests.Click the individual links below for each game.<a href="https://youtu.be/TYw9mC4YP2k">GAME #1: &nbsp;Hutch vs Salina South @ 4pm&nbsp;</a><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TYw9mC4YP2k" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><a href="https://youtu.be/IAjchuNIywQ">GAME #2: &nbsp;Hutch vs Salina South @ 6pm</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Vfhz3Bzvfkk" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

Hutch High hosts Salina South for baseball double-header with the Cougars

KANSAS CITY, MO (April 13, 2021) – The Kansas City Royals announced several roster moves ahead of tonight’s game against the Los Angeles Angels. The club has selected right-handed pitcher Ervin Santana and recalled right-handed pitcher Tyler Zuber from the Alternate Training Site. 

In corresponding moves, the Royals have optioned infielder/outfielder Ryan McBroom to the Alternate Training Site and placed right-handed pitcher Josh Staumont on the Injured List.

Santana, 38, signed with the Royals as a minor league free agent on Dec. 29, 2020, after most recently pitching for Tigres del Licey in the Dominican Winter League this offseason, posting a 2.61 ERA (6 ER in 20.1 IP) and collecting 25 strikeouts (11.07 K/9). A member of the Royals in 2013, Santana last pitched in the Major Leagues with the Chicago White Sox, making three starts in 2019.

Zuber, 25, made 23 appearances with Kansas City a year ago, going 1-2 with a 4.09 ERA (10 ER in 22.0 IP), while recording 30 strikeouts (12.27 K/9). The right-hander pitched to a 0.96 ERA (1 ER in 9.1 IP) in his nine September outings, recording multiple strikeouts in seven of those appearances.

KANSAS CITY, MO (April 13, 2021) – The Kansas City Royals announced several roster moves ahead of tonight’s game against the Los Angeles Angels. The club has selected right-handed pitcher Ervin Santana and recalled right-handed pitcher Tyler Zuber from the Alternate Training Site. In corresponding moves, the Royals have optioned infielder/outfielder Ryan McBroom to the Alternate Training Site and placed right-handed pitcher Josh Staumont on the Injured List.Santana, 38, signed with the Royals as a minor league free agent on Dec. 29, 2020, after most recently pitching for Tigres del Licey in the Dominican Winter League this offseason, posting a 2.61 ERA (6 ER in 20.1 IP) and collecting 25 strikeouts (11.07 K/9). A member of the Royals in 2013, Santana last pitched in the Major Leagues with the Chicago White Sox, making three starts in 2019.Zuber, 25, made 23 appearances with Kansas City a year ago, going 1-2 with a 4.09 ERA (10 ER in 22.0 IP), while recording 30 strikeouts (12.27 K/9). The right-hander pitched to a 0.96 ERA (1 ER in 9.1 IP) in his nine September outings, recording multiple strikeouts in seven of those appearances.

Royals make roster moves

UPDATE: Kapaun Mt. Carmel High School announced Steve Eck as their next boys basketball coach on Tuesday. 

The HutchCC Blue Dragons will still have Eck on the sidelines for any run they might make at the NJCAA tournament. Their first round matchup will be at 10 a.m. Monday, as they take on Kilgore (TX).&nbsp;

"I didn't want to get out of coaching all together," Eck told Hutch Post's Glen Grunwald. "I won't be teaching, coaching only, so I can sleep in a little bit now. After 40 some years, I don't have to get up at 6 a.m. every day. "

Eck coached two teams to NJCAA titles, Redlands in 2001 and HutchCC in 2017. He's been runner-up two other times. Eck's overall head coaching record is 977-162, an 86% average.


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
When the Hutchinson Community College men’s basketball team’s run at the 2021 NJCAA Tournament ultimately ends, the Steve Eck era with the Blue Dragons will come to a close.

Blue Dragon men’s basketball’s all-time winningest coach, Eck announced on Monday that he will step down as Hutchinson’s head coach after the conclusion of the 2021 season.

“I am very humbled to have been the head coach at Hutchinson Community College for the last 12 years,” Eck said. “The administration and all of Blue Dragon Nation has been very supportive.

“My assistant coaches, former players and managers have been the backbone of this program. Without them, the success at HutchCC would not have been possible.”

Eck’s final team at Hutchinson earned the program’s 37th Jayhawk Conference championship and its 22nd all-time appearance in the NJCAA Tournament. The Blue Dragons learned on Sunday night that they received an at-large bid to the 2021 NJCAA Tournament. The 2021 Blue Dragons take an 18-6 record into the NJCAA Tournament and was tapped as the No. 16 overall seed.

That means Eck’s storied collegiate coaching career will be completed at a place he grew up at … the Hutchinson Sports Arena.

“Growing up in Haven, the Hutchinson Community College head basketball job was a dream for me,” Eck said. “To actually be able to fulfill that dream was incredible. Thank you to all of the boosters and fans for their support.”

Hired as Blue Dragon men’s basketball’s 14th head coach on March 18, 2009, Eck snapped a 16-year drought of not playing in the NJCAA Tournament in 2013 when Hutchinson won its first Region VI Tournament championship since 1997.

That was the first of what became two Region VI titles (2013, 2015) and six NJCAA Tournament berths (2013, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21) for the Blue Dragons under Eck.

The 2015-16 season brought the Blue Dragons to a brink of a national championship. After a scintillating 84-81 overtime NJCAA Tournament semifinal victory over No. 10 Ranger, the Blue Dragons fell short in the championship game, losing to Salt Lake 74-64. That was Hutch’s first NJCAA championship game appearance since 1994.

One year later, the Blue Dragons were cutting down the nets at the Sports Arena.

Led by 2017 National Player of the Year Shakur Juiston, the Blue Dragons captured the program’s third national championship with a dominant 84-58 victory over Eastern Florida State in the championship game. To get to the finals, the Blue Dragons had to rally from 17 points down to defeat Odessa in the quarterfinals and win an intense semifinal battle with Northwest Florida State.

“The Steve Eck era brought so much excitement back into Blue Dragon men’s basketball,” said HutchCC Athletic Director Josh Gooch. “His record and accolades speak for themselves as a national championship and hall of fame coach.&nbsp;

“The players, coaches, administration and all of Blue Dragon Nation were fortunate to have Coach Eck lead the program for 12 years.&nbsp;&nbsp;We wish coach well as he starts a new chapter.”

With Hutchinson’s 2018 NJCAA Tournament opening-round victory over Cape Fear, Eck surpassed Charles Sesher as the program’s all-time leader in coaching victories with win No. 260. Eck is now 326-76 all-time in 12 seasons with the Blue Dragons.

Hutchinson is Eck’s fourth junior college head coaching job. Also having coached at Butler County, Redlands and Cowley, Eck amassed an NJCAA coaching record of 648-128 over 24 seasons. His 467 Jayhawk Conference/Region VI wins rank the Haven native in a tie for third on the all-time conference coaching wins’ list and a tie for fifth on the all-time Region VI wins’ list.

Eck was named the 2017 NJCAA Coach of the Year following the Blue Dragons’ national championship. The national honors were even bigger in 2019 when Eck was inducted into the NJCAA Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Eck’s accomplishments over 12 seasons with the Blue Dragons were numerous. The most notable were:

+ Eck’s teams won Jayhawk Conference/Jayhawk West titles in 2016, 2017 and 2021.

+ Eck is the only coach in NJCAA history to take four schools to No. 1 in the NJCAA national rankings.

+ The Blue Dragons made 8 of 9 Region VI championship game appearances, including seven straight from 2013 to 2019.

+ 2 NJCAA National Players of the Year – Kadeem Allen in 2014 and Shakur Juiston in 2017.

+ 6 KJCCC Most Valuable Players (Allen, 2013 and 2014; Bashir Ahmed in 2016, Juiston in 2017, J.J. Rhymes in 2018 and James Rojas in 2019 – Note the 2021 all-KJCCC teams haven’t been released yet).

+ 9 NJCAA All-Americans, including six first-team selections.

+ 31 All-KJCCC performers, including 16 first-team selections.

+ 2 KJCCC Coach of the Year awards (2016-2017).

+ A 25-21 record at Hutchinson against nationally ranked opponents.

+ A 22-6 record at Hutchinson in overtime games.

+ 1 drafted NBA player – Kadeem Allen to Boston in 2016.

At all levels of coaching, Eck’s overall record over 42 seasons is 977-162.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618261274812.jpeg" alt="Steve Eck coaches his team in the 2017 NJCAA National Tournament. Hutchinson won the national championship 84-58 over Eastern Florida State." />
 <figcaption>Steve Eck coaches his team in the 2017 NJCAA National Tournament. Hutchinson won the national championship 84-58 over Eastern Florida State.</figcaption>
 </figure>UPDATE: Kapaun Mt. Carmel High School announced Steve Eck as their next boys basketball coach on Tuesday. The HutchCC Blue Dragons will still have Eck on the sidelines for any run they might make at the NJCAA tournament. Their first round matchup will be at 10 a.m. Monday, as they take on Kilgore (TX).&nbsp;"I didn't want to get out of coaching all together," Eck told Hutch Post's Glen Grunwald. "I won't be teaching, coaching only, so I can sleep in a little bit now. After 40 some years, I don't have to get up at 6 a.m. every day. "Eck coached two teams to NJCAA titles, Redlands in 2001 and HutchCC in 2017. He's been runner-up two other times. Eck's overall head coaching record is 977-162, an 86% average.By STEVE CARPENTERBlue Dragon Sports Information
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
When the Hutchinson Community College men’s basketball team’s run at the 2021 NJCAA Tournament ultimately ends, the Steve Eck era with the Blue Dragons will come to a close.Blue Dragon men’s basketball’s all-time winningest coach, Eck announced on Monday that he will step down as Hutchinson’s head coach after the conclusion of the 2021 season.“I am very humbled to have been the head coach at Hutchinson Community College for the last 12 years,” Eck said. “The administration and all of Blue Dragon Nation has been very supportive.“My assistant coaches, former players and managers have been the backbone of this program. Without them, the success at HutchCC would not have been possible.”Eck’s final team at Hutchinson earned the program’s 37th Jayhawk Conference championship and its 22nd all-time appearance in the NJCAA Tournament. The Blue Dragons learned on Sunday night that they received an at-large bid to the 2021 NJCAA Tournament. The 2021 Blue Dragons take an 18-6 record into the NJCAA Tournament and was tapped as the No. 16 overall seed.That means Eck’s storied collegiate coaching career will be completed at a place he grew up at … the Hutchinson Sports Arena.“Growing up in Haven, the Hutchinson Community College head basketball job was a dream for me,” Eck said. “To actually be able to fulfill that dream was incredible. Thank you to all of the boosters and fans for their support.”Hired as Blue Dragon men’s basketball’s 14th head coach on March 18, 2009, Eck snapped a 16-year drought of not playing in the NJCAA Tournament in 2013 when Hutchinson won its first Region VI Tournament championship since 1997.That was the first of what became two Region VI titles (2013, 2015) and six NJCAA Tournament berths (2013, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21) for the Blue Dragons under Eck.The 2015-16 season brought the Blue Dragons to a brink of a national championship. After a scintillating 84-81 overtime NJCAA Tournament semifinal victory over No. 10 Ranger, the Blue Dragons fell short in the championship game, losing to Salt Lake 74-64. That was Hutch’s first NJCAA championship game appearance since 1994.One year later, the Blue Dragons were cutting down the nets at the Sports Arena.Led by 2017 National Player of the Year Shakur Juiston, the Blue Dragons captured the program’s third national championship with a dominant 84-58 victory over Eastern Florida State in the championship game. To get to the finals, the Blue Dragons had to rally from 17 points down to defeat Odessa in the quarterfinals and win an intense semifinal battle with Northwest Florida State.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618261507228.jpeg" alt="Coach Eck cuts down the net after Hutchinson's national championship victory over Eastern Florida State in 2017." />
 <figcaption>Coach Eck cuts down the net after Hutchinson's national championship victory over Eastern Florida State in 2017.</figcaption>
 </figure>“The Steve Eck era brought so much excitement back into Blue Dragon men’s basketball,” said HutchCC Athletic Director Josh Gooch. “His record and accolades speak for themselves as a national championship and hall of fame coach.&nbsp;“The players, coaches, administration and all of Blue Dragon Nation were fortunate to have Coach Eck lead the program for 12 years.&nbsp;&nbsp;We wish coach well as he starts a new chapter.”With Hutchinson’s 2018 NJCAA Tournament opening-round victory over Cape Fear, Eck surpassed Charles Sesher as the program’s all-time leader in coaching victories with win No. 260. Eck is now 326-76 all-time in 12 seasons with the Blue Dragons.Hutchinson is Eck’s fourth junior college head coaching job. Also having coached at Butler County, Redlands and Cowley, Eck amassed an NJCAA coaching record of 648-128 over 24 seasons. His 467 Jayhawk Conference/Region VI wins rank the Haven native in a tie for third on the all-time conference coaching wins’ list and a tie for fifth on the all-time Region VI wins’ list.Eck was named the 2017 NJCAA Coach of the Year following the Blue Dragons’ national championship. The national honors were even bigger in 2019 when Eck was inducted into the NJCAA Coaches Association Hall of Fame.Eck’s accomplishments over 12 seasons with the Blue Dragons were numerous. The most notable were:+ Eck’s teams won Jayhawk Conference/Jayhawk West titles in 2016, 2017 and 2021.+ Eck is the only coach in NJCAA history to take four schools to No. 1 in the NJCAA national rankings.+ The Blue Dragons made 8 of 9 Region VI championship game appearances, including seven straight from 2013 to 2019.+ 2 NJCAA National Players of the Year – Kadeem Allen in 2014 and Shakur Juiston in 2017.+ 6 KJCCC Most Valuable Players (Allen, 2013 and 2014; Bashir Ahmed in 2016, Juiston in 2017, J.J. Rhymes in 2018 and James Rojas in 2019 – Note the 2021 all-KJCCC teams haven’t been released yet).+ 9 NJCAA All-Americans, including six first-team selections.+ 31 All-KJCCC performers, including 16 first-team selections.+ 2 KJCCC Coach of the Year awards (2016-2017).+ A 25-21 record at Hutchinson against nationally ranked opponents.+ A 22-6 record at Hutchinson in overtime games.+ 1 drafted NBA player – Kadeem Allen to Boston in 2016.At all levels of coaching, Eck’s overall record over 42 seasons is 977-162.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the HutchPost mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily HutchPost email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Eck to step down after tournament, will be boys coach at Kapaun Mt. Carmel

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Avisaíl García homered for the second day in a row, Travis Shaw and Manny Piña also connected and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the St. Louis Cardinals 9-3. García, who homered and drove in five runs in a 9-5 win Saturday, and Shaw hit early drives that helped the Brewers build a 7-0 lead in the second inning. Brett Anderson tossed five effective innings for Milwaukee, which has won four of five. Austin Dean had a two-run double for the Cardinals, who have lost two in a row after a four-game winning streak.

CHICAGO (AP) — Michael A. Taylor scored when Garrett Crochet misplayed Andrew Benintendi's bunt in the 10th inning, sending the Kansas City Royals to a 4-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox. Taylor opened the 10th on second base and advanced on Nicky Lopez's sacrifice. After Whit Merrifield was walked intentionally, Benintendi bunted the ball right back to the mound. It looked as if Crochet had time to get Taylor at the plate, but he spiked his throw and catcher Zack Collins couldn't come up with it. It was Chicago's second error of the day and ninth overall in the first nine games.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Geno Hess ran for three touchdowns, Andrew Bunch accounted for two more, and Southeast Missouri State beat Tennessee State 46-23 in the season finale for both teams. Hess finished with 11 carries for 83 yards. Bunch was 12-of-22 passing for 182 yards, including a 7-yard touchdown pass to Zack Smith on the first play of the second quarter that made it 23-6, and added a 9-yard scoring run. Tennessee State (2-5, 2-5 Ohio Valley Conference) went and three-and-out on the opening series and, after a botched punt snap, Aaron Alston tackled Kamden Edwards in the end zone for a safety and Hess scored on runs of 16 and 19 yards in the first quarter. Southeast Missouri (4-4, 4-4), which won its last three games, finished with 507 total yards.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Ryan O'Reilly scored with two seconds left in overtime to give the St. Louis Blues a 3-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild on Saturday night. Mike Hoffman scored twice for the Blues, tying it with 41.6 seconds left in regulation after the Blues pulled goalie Ville Husso. O'Reilly skated around the net and stuffed a shot past Cam Talbot. Nico Sturm and Matt Dumba scored for Minnesota. The Blues have won three in a row — beating Minnesota 9-1 on Friday night — to move a point ahead of fourth-place Arizona for the last playoff spot in the West Division. The teams will meet for the third time in four nights on Monday in Minnesota. Husso stopped 28 shots, and Talbot made 27 saves.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Hideki Matsuyama (hih-DEH'-kee maht-soo-YAH'-mah) has become the first Japanese male to win a major championship.

Matsuyama has captured the Masters by closing with a 1-over 73, good enough for a one-stroke win over Will Zalatoris (zal-ah-TOHR'-ihs). A five-time winner on the PGA Tour, Matsuyama took control of the tournament with a brilliant 65 on Saturday, doing his best work after a rain delay softened the greens.

The new champion struggled to close it out. He carried a four-shot lead into the final round and was five ahead at the turn. Xander Schauffele (SHOW'-flee) got within two shots with three holes remaining following four straight birdies. But Schauffele's chances of catching up ended with the first triple-bogey of his major championship career, a 6 on the par-3 16.

Zalatoris stamped himself as a future star with a 9-under 279. He closed with a 2-under 70 to end up two ahead of Schauffele and Jordan Spieth (speeth).

Huge run allows Celtics to end Nuggets' win streak

UNDATED (AP) — The Denver Nuggets appeared on their way to a ninth straight victory as they took a 79-65 lead on a 3-pointer by Facundo Campazzo late in the third quarter. But the Boston Celtics immediately went on a 31-3 run and allowed just five more points after that in a 105-87 win at Denver.

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown led the Celtics' attack after both were questionable to play. Tatum finished with 28 points and Brown had 20 as Boston won for the fifth time in six games to stay one game behind Atlanta for fourth place in the NBA's Eastern Conference.

Michael Porter Jr. led the Nuggets with 20 points despite missing 11 of 12 from beyond the arc. Nikola Jokic (nih-KOH'-lah YOH'-kihch) had 17 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds in Denver's first loss since acquiring Aaron Gordon just before the trade deadline.

Checking out the rest of Sunday's NBA schedule:

— Marcus Morris Sr. scored 33 points to lead seven Clippers in double figures in a 131-124 win over the Pistons. Paul George registered 32 points and nine assists, giving him three straight 30-point games despite dealing with a nagging toe injury. Los Angeles picked up its fifth straight win by climbing out of a 93-81 hole against the worst team in the Eastern Conference.

— Khris Middleton scored 21 points and the Bucks ended a three-game losing streak by topping the Magic, 124-87. Middleton shot 8 of 13 from the field and added eight rebounds and five assists to help the Bucks lead wire to wire. Bobby Portis added 16 points, including four 3-pointers, and 10 rebounds off the bench. 

— Bam Adebayo (ad'-eh-BY'-oh) dropped in 22 points and Jimmy Butler added 20 to lead the Heat to a 107—98 victory over the Trail Blazers. Miami led by 20 early in the fourth quarter en route to its sixth win in seven games. CJ McCollum and Norman Powell each finished with 17 points for the Blazers, who were hurt by 17 turnovers. 

— DeMar DeRozan drained the tiebreaking jumper with 0.5 seconds left, giving him 27 of his 33 points in the second half and lifting the Spurs to a 119-117 victory over the Mavericks. Dejounte (deh-ZHAHN'-tay) Murray scored 25 points as San Antonio stopped a season-worst five-game losing streak and avoided the first season sweep by their Texas rival. Luka Doncic (DAHN'-chihch) scored 29 points, including a tying basket in the final minute of a game that had 10 deadlocks and 12 lead changes.

<h2>Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press</h2>ST. LOUIS (AP) — Avisaíl García homered for the second day in a row, Travis Shaw and Manny Piña also connected and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the St. Louis Cardinals 9-3. García, who homered and drove in five runs in a 9-5 win Saturday, and Shaw hit early drives that helped the Brewers build a 7-0 lead in the second inning. Brett Anderson tossed five effective innings for Milwaukee, which has won four of five. Austin Dean had a two-run double for the Cardinals, who have lost two in a row after a four-game winning streak.CHICAGO (AP) — Michael A. Taylor scored when Garrett Crochet misplayed Andrew Benintendi's bunt in the 10th inning, sending the Kansas City Royals to a 4-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox. Taylor opened the 10th on second base and advanced on Nicky Lopez's sacrifice. After Whit Merrifield was walked intentionally, Benintendi bunted the ball right back to the mound. It looked as if Crochet had time to get Taylor at the plate, but he spiked his throw and catcher Zack Collins couldn't come up with it. It was Chicago's second error of the day and ninth overall in the first nine games.NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Geno Hess ran for three touchdowns, Andrew Bunch accounted for two more, and Southeast Missouri State beat Tennessee State 46-23 in the season finale for both teams. Hess finished with 11 carries for 83 yards. Bunch was 12-of-22 passing for 182 yards, including a 7-yard touchdown pass to Zack Smith on the first play of the second quarter that made it 23-6, and added a 9-yard scoring run. Tennessee State (2-5, 2-5 Ohio Valley Conference) went and three-and-out on the opening series and, after a botched punt snap, Aaron Alston tackled Kamden Edwards in the end zone for a safety and Hess scored on runs of 16 and 19 yards in the first quarter. Southeast Missouri (4-4, 4-4), which won its last three games, finished with 507 total yards.ST. LOUIS (AP) — Ryan O'Reilly scored with two seconds left in overtime to give the St. Louis Blues a 3-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild on Saturday night. Mike Hoffman scored twice for the Blues, tying it with 41.6 seconds left in regulation after the Blues pulled goalie Ville Husso. O'Reilly skated around the net and stuffed a shot past Cam Talbot. Nico Sturm and Matt Dumba scored for Minnesota. The Blues have won three in a row — beating Minnesota 9-1 on Friday night — to move a point ahead of fourth-place Arizona for the last playoff spot in the West Division. The teams will meet for the third time in four nights on Monday in Minnesota. Husso stopped 28 shots, and Talbot made 27 saves.<h2>Update on the latest sports</h2>GOLF-THE MASTERSMatsuyama makes history at MastersAUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Hideki Matsuyama (hih-DEH'-kee maht-soo-YAH'-mah) has become the first Japanese male to win a major championship.Matsuyama has captured the Masters by closing with a 1-over 73, good enough for a one-stroke win over Will Zalatoris (zal-ah-TOHR'-ihs). A five-time winner on the PGA Tour, Matsuyama took control of the tournament with a brilliant 65 on Saturday, doing his best work after a rain delay softened the greens.The new champion struggled to close it out. He carried a four-shot lead into the final round and was five ahead at the turn. Xander Schauffele (SHOW'-flee) got within two shots with three holes remaining following four straight birdies. But Schauffele's chances of catching up ended with the first triple-bogey of his major championship career, a 6 on the par-3 16.Zalatoris stamped himself as a future star with a 9-under 279. He closed with a 2-under 70 to end up two ahead of Schauffele and Jordan Spieth (speeth).NBA-SCHEDULEHuge run allows Celtics to end Nuggets' win streakUNDATED (AP) — The Denver Nuggets appeared on their way to a ninth straight victory as they took a 79-65 lead on a 3-pointer by Facundo Campazzo late in the third quarter. But the Boston Celtics immediately went on a 31-3 run and allowed just five more points after that in a 105-87 win at Denver.Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown led the Celtics' attack after both were questionable to play. Tatum finished with 28 points and Brown had 20 as Boston won for the fifth time in six games to stay one game behind Atlanta for fourth place in the NBA's Eastern Conference.Michael Porter Jr. led the Nuggets with 20 points despite missing 11 of 12 from beyond the arc. Nikola Jokic (nih-KOH'-lah YOH'-kihch) had 17 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds in Denver's first loss since acquiring Aaron Gordon just before the trade deadline.Checking out the rest of Sunday's NBA schedule:— Marcus Morris Sr. scored 33 points to lead seven Clippers in double figures in a 131-124 win over the Pistons. Paul George registered 32 points and nine assists, giving him three straight 30-point games despite dealing with a nagging toe injury. Los Angeles picked up its fifth straight win by climbing out of a 93-81 hole against the worst team in the Eastern Conference.— Khris Middleton scored 21 points and the Bucks ended a three-game losing streak by topping the Magic, 124-87. Middleton shot 8 of 13 from the field and added eight rebounds and five assists to help the Bucks lead wire to wire. Bobby Portis added 16 points, including four 3-pointers, and 10 rebounds off the bench. — Bam Adebayo (ad'-eh-BY'-oh) dropped in 22 points and Jimmy Butler added 20 to lead the Heat to a 107—98 victory over the Trail Blazers. Miami led by 20 early in the fourth quarter en route to its sixth win in seven games. CJ McCollum and Norman Powell each finished with 17 points for the Blazers, who were hurt by 17 turnovers. — DeMar DeRozan drained the tiebreaking jumper with 0.5 seconds left, giving him 27 of his 33 points in the second half and lifting the Spurs to a 119-117 victory over the Mavericks. Dejounte (deh-ZHAHN'-tay) Murray scored 25 points as San Antonio stopped a season-worst five-game losing streak and avoided the first season sweep by their Texas rival. Luka Doncic (DAHN'-chihch) scored 29 points, including a tying basket in the final minute of a game that had 10 deadlocks and 12 lead changes.— The Hawks battled back from a 10-point, fourth quarter deficit to beat the Hornets, 105-101. Bogdan Bogdanovic (BOY'-ahn bahg-DAH'-noh-vich) scored 32 points on a career-high eight 3-pointers to help Atlanta win without Trae Young, who was out with a left calf injury. Clint Capela added 20 points and 15 rebounds in the Hawks' sixth win in seven games.— Julius Randle scored 26 points and the Knicks pulled out a 102-96 win over the Raptors after blowing an 18-point lead. RJ Barrett added 19 as the Knicks won their second straight to get back to .500 at 27-27. Nerlens Noel (NUR'-lehnz noh-EHL') finished with nine points, 13 rebounds and four blocked shots for New York.— Karl-Anthony Towns had 27 points and 12 rebounds, while D'Angelo Russell also contributed 27 points in the Timberwolves; 121-117 downing of the Bulls. Ricky Rubio connected on five of his six 3-point attempts and scored 17 points. Zach LaVine scored 21 of his 30 points in the second half as Chicago rallied before losing for the sixth time in nine games since the trade deadline.— Caris LeVert scored 34 points and two other Pacers just missed triple-doubles in a 132-125 victory over Memphis. Malcolm Brogdon had 29 points, matched his season-high with 11 assists and had nine rebounds. Domantas Sabonis (soh-MAHN'-tahs sah-BOH'-nihs) finished with 18 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists, part of the Pacers grabbing a season-high 53 rebounds en route to their third straight victory.— Zion Williamson provided 38 points and Brandon Ingram had 27 with eight assists in rallying the Pelicans to a 116-109 victory over the injury-plagued Cavaliers. Williamson scored 25 points in the first half and finished 16 of 22 from the field. He also grabbed a game-high nine rebounds as New Orleans pulled within one game of the final play-in tournament spot in the West.NBA-NETS-IRVINGIrving out again for personal reasonsNEW YORK (AP) — Kyrie Irving will miss Brooklyn's game in Minnesota on Monday night, leaving the Nets without two of their three All-Stars.The Nets said Irving was out for personal reasons/family matter. The point guard has missed eight games this season for personal reasons, including a three-game road trip last month.MLB-SCHEDULEMartinez carries red-hot BosoxUNDATED (AP) — It turned out that J.D. Martinez only had a cold, which was great news for the Boston Red Sox on Sunday.Martinez slammed three home runs and had four RBIs after coming off the COVID-19 list, highlighting the Red Sox's 14-9 thumping of the Orioles. Martinez went on the COVID-19 list after complaining of cold-like symptoms, but he was reactivated after testing negative twice before gametime.Rafael Devers (DEH'-vurz) homered twice and Alex Verdugo added a three-run shot in Boston's sixth consecutive win.Also around the majors:— Rougned Odor (ROOG'-nehd oh-DOHR') singled home the tiebreaking run while sparking a four-run 10th that gave the Yankees an 8-4 win over the Rays. Odor went 0-for-4 before his go-ahead hit allowed him to celebrate his first start as a Yankee. Gio Urshela (ur-SHEH'-lah) added a two-run homer and an RBI single as New York avoided a three-game sweep. — Kyle Seager's second homer of the game was a three-run drive in the ninth inning to complete the Mariners' rally in an 8-6 win over the Twins. Seager had four hits and Taylor Trammell also homered for Seattle, which trailed 6-0 going into the sixth. The Mariners won a road series for the first time since Sept. 11-13, 2019, at Arizona.— Michael A. Taylor scored when Garrett Crochet misplayed Andrew Benintendi's bunt in the 10th inning, sending the Royals to a 4-3 victory over the White Sox. Kansas City forced extra innings on Carlos Santana's home run leading off the ninth. Greg Holland worked two scoreless innings for the win, and Kyle Zimmer tossed a perfect 10th for his first career save.— Logan Allen loaded the bases in the first inning but allowed just one run and two hits over five frames to lead the Indians to a 5-2 victory and a three-game sweep of the Tigers. Allen needed 33 pitches to get through the first but escaped major damage after hitting Robbie Grossman, walking two and giving up a bloop RBI single to Jeimer (JAY'-mur) Candelario. Detroit scored just six times in the series and played the finale without Miguel Cabrera, who was placed on the injured list with strained biceps.— Clayton Kershaw pitched six innings of five-hit ball while outpitching Max Scherzer in the Dodgers' 3-0 shutout of the Nationals. Rookie Zach McKinstry homered and drove in all three runs for the defending World Series champion Dodgers, who are off to a major league-best start of 8-2 after sweeping Washington. Scherzer threw six innings of three-hit ball with five strikeouts and a walk, but he left trailing 1-0 following McKinstry's double in the second.— The Padres completed a three-game sweep as Trent Grisham and Manny Machado homered in a 2-0 shutout of the Rangers. Craig Stammen led a parade of six effective San Diego relievers after starter Adrian Morejon (mohr-ee-HOHN') left early with an injury. Stammen took over and pitched through the fourth inning, his longest appearance since May 2017.— There also was a three-game sweep in San Francisco as Anthony DeSclafani and three relievers combined to scatter eight hits in the Giants' 4-0 shutout of the Rockies. DeSclafani struck out eight and gave up six hits in six innings. Brandon Belt and Alex Dickerson homered for the Giants, and Evan Longoria had two hits and two RBIs.— Luke Weaver retired the first 17 batters he faced and Eduardo Escobar homered for the fourth straight game as the pair carried the Diamondbacks to a 7-0 win against the Reds. Weaver took a no-hitter into the seventh inning before giving up a broken-bat single to Eugenio (ay-oo-HAY'-nee-oh) Suárez, whose ground ball found a hole up the middle. The right-hander hit Alex Blandino with a pitch with two out in the sixth, the first of three baserunners he allowed over seven innings of work.— The Brewers hammered the Cardinals, 9-3 as Avisaíl (av-ih-sah-EEL') García homered for the second day. Travis Shaw belted a three-run homer and Manny Piña added a two-run shot in Milwaukee's fourth win in five games. Brett Anderson allowed a run and five hits over five innings, but Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado singled off him to run his hitting streak to nine games.— JT Brubaker pitched into the sixth inning and had the first three RBIs of his career to lead the Pirates over the Cubs 7-1. Brubaker allowed one run and four hits in 5 1/3 innings and supplied a two-run single to cap a three-run second that gave the Pirates a 3-1 lead. Pittsburgh's Bryan Reynolds had the third four-hit game of his career.— Didi Gregorius (dee-dee greh-GOHR'-ee-uhs) crushed a three-run homer and had the go-ahead sacrifice fly in the ninth to help the Phillies snap the Braves' four-game winning streak, 7-6. Alec Bohm (bohm) doubled in the ninth and scored the tiebreaking run, although it appeared he didn't get his foot on the plate against catcher Travis d'Arnaud's (dahr-NOHZ') tag attempt. Bryce Harper and Rhys Hoskins homered for the Phillies, who had lost three of four.— The Mets and Marlins were postponed by rain in New York, as were the Blue Jays and Angels in Dunedin, Florida. Mets starter Marcus Stroman was particularly upset that his game actually started in a steady rain before it was stopped after nine pitches, potentially preventing him from pitching again until the weekend. Stroman was worried about the safety of his teammates.MLB-NEWSAngels' Fowler done for seasonUNDATED (AP) — Angels outfielder Dexter Fowler has a torn ACL in his left knee that requires season-ending surgery. Fowler was hurt when he took an awkward step on second base in Friday's game against Toronto. The Angels initially thought Fowler had avoided a serious injury until an MRI exam on Saturday found the tear. NHL-SCHEDULECaps, Isles still share East leadUNDATED (AP) — The Washington Capitals and New York Islanders continue to share the NHL's East Division lead following victories by both teams.TJ Oshie, Conor Sheary and Lars Eller each scored twice as the Capitals crushed the Bruins, 8-1.Tom Wilson and Nic Dowd each had one of the season-high goals scored by the Capitals in their first victory in regulation against Boston this season.Rookie Vitek Vanecek stopped 34 shots, but lost a chance for his second shutout when Craig Smith scored a power-play goal 3 minutes into the third.The Isles pulled out a 3-2 win over the Rangers on Ryan Pulock's (POO'-lahks) goal 73 seconds into overtime. The Islanders blew a 2-0 lead before Pulock netted his first goal of the season. Kyle Palmieri and JG Pageau (PA'-zhoh) scored in the first period for the Islanders, who have won eight of 11 and are 18-2-2 at home. Elsewhere on NHL ice:— Colton Sceviour (SEE'-vee-ur) scored two quick goals just hours after coming off waivers, helping the Penguins post a 5-2 win over the Devils. Bryan Rust scored a controversial goal and Jake Guenzel added two late ones as the Penguins won their third straight and improved to 9-2-1 in their last 12. Tristan Jarry was outstanding, making 28 saves.— Jeff Skinner and Rasmus Asplund scored 25 seconds apart before Buffalo added an empty-netter to complete the Sabres' 5-3 comeback win at Philadelphia. Shayne Gostisbehere (GAHS'-tihs-behr) scored early in the third period, and the lead held up until Skinner beat Carter Hart with 3:03 remaining.— Nathan MacKinnon stretched his point streak to nine games with a goal and an assist in Colorado's 4-1 victory over the Ducks. MacKinnon has seven goals and eight assists during his streak, the longest for the Avalanche this season. Gabriel Landeskog (LAN'-dehs-kahg) had a goal and two assists as the Avs won for the seventh time in eight games.— The Golden Knights came away with a 1-0 win over the Coyotes as Tomas Nosek (NOH'-shehk) scored the game's lone goal and Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 14 shots. Fleury snapped a season-high three-game losing streak and tied Ed Belfour for fourth in NHL history with 484 wins. Adin (AY'-dihn) Hill stopped 28 shots and blanked Vegas until Nosek beat him midway through the third period.— Ryan Johansen was the lone scorer in the shootout as the Predators posted a 3-2 win over the Stars. Ryan Ellis and Yakov Trenin tallied in regulation for Nashville, which has won four of five. Roope (ROO'-peh) Hintz and Jamie Oleksiak (oh-LEHK'-see-ak) lit the lamp for Dallas in its first loss in three games.NHL-MAPLE LEAFS/BLUE JACKETS TRADELeafs get Foligno from JacketsUNDATED (AP) — The Toronto Maple Leafs have added Nick Foligno (foh-LEE'-noh) before Monday's NHL trade deadline.The Blue Jackets have shipped Foligno to the Leafs for a 2021 first- and 2022 fourth-round pick, part of a three-team swap with the Sharks. Toronto also acquired forward Stefan Noesen from San Jose, which got a fourth-round pick in this year's draft for retaining 25% of Foligno's salary. The 33-year-old Foligno has seven goals and 16 points in 42 games this season. He was in his sixth season as the Columbus captain.NASCAR-MARTINSVILLETruex is NASCAR's first repeat Cup winner of seasonMARTINSVILLE, Va. (AP) — Martin Truex Jr. battled teammate Denny Hamlin for the lead before winning Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway. Truex nudged Hamlin repeatedly in the turns and tried to get to his inside on the straightaways without success. Truex, finally made the pass with 15 laps to go, ducking underneath Hamlin coming out of the second turn. Truex sailed off to victory without another challenge as Hamlin and Chase Elliott battled the rest of the way for second.It's the third victory in the last four races on the 0.526-mile oval for Truex, who also became the first repeat winner this season after seven different drivers posted victories.Elliott was second, followed by Hamlin, William Byron and Kyle Larson.COLLEGE BASKETBALL-TEXAS TECH-McCLUNGMcClung dipping toe in NBA draft watersLUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — Texas Tech junior guard Mac McClung intends to go through the NBA draft process while the team's leading scorer from last season also has his name in the NCAA transfer portal.The Georgetown transfer's decision is the latest in the potential exodus of key players since coach Chris Beard took the job at Texas. Texas Tech assistant Mark Adams was promoted to take Beard's place.McClung and fellow junior guard Kyler Edwards are in the transfer portal.