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

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Talented freshmen Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark wouldn't mind having the option to enter the WNBA draft this year. Right now, they can't go pro because of the league's longstanding eligibility rules for the draft that haven't really been a major part of WNBA Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations. The draft eligibility rules have been in place since the start of the WNBA in 1997. American-born players would have to either have graduated or be on track to graduate the year of the draft. They also would be eligible if they turned 22 in the year of the draft or be four years removed from high school and have renounced any remaining NCAA eligibility.

UNDATED (AP) — Lucas Giolito, Max Fried and Jack Flaherty were teammates nine years ago at Harvard-Westlake, a prestigious prep school in Los Angeles. On Thursday, all three will be opening day starting pitchers in the major leagues. And they didn't even win a California state title the year they all played together. Giolito will throw the season's first pitch for the Chicago White Sox, Flaherty for the St. Louis Cardinals and Fried for the Atlanta Braves.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Oft-injured Kansas City Royals shortstop Adalberto Mondesi will begin the season on the injured list with a right oblique strain. That leaves the Royals without one of their most exciting players when they open the season against the Texas Rangers on Thursday. Mondesi was put on the injured list Wednesday retroactive to the previous day. Nicky Lopez was recalled from the club's alternate training site in Arkansas after he was sent there following a poor spring training at the plate.

UNDATED (AP) — The spotlight is on Jordan Burroughs and Kyle Dake heading into the U.S. Olympic wrestling trials. Burroughs has been the standard bearer for American wrestling since winning gold in London in 2012 and four world titles since. Dake is a two-time defending world champ and the biggest threat to Burroughs' supremacy at 74 kilograms. The two are expected to meet Saturday night in the best-of-three finals of the rescheduled trials at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. The women's competition features a deep talent pool headed by 2016 Olympic champion Helen Maroulis.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — he Southeastern Conference is changing the format of its annual spring meetings normally held in Destin, Florida because of the pandemic. The SEC said Wednesday it will hold a number of meetings throughout the spring and summer, either virtually or in person with smaller groups. The meetings usually are a gathering of the league's university presidents and chancellors, athletic directors, athletes, and other school administrators, along with the head coaches in football and men's and women's basketball..

Detectives find cause of Tiger Woods crash but won't reveal

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles County sheriff says detectives have determined what caused Tiger Woods to crash his SUV last month in Southern California but would not release details, citing unspecified privacy concerns for the golf star.

Woods suffered serious injuries in the Feb. 23 crash just outside Los Angeles. He is in Florida recovering from multiple surgeries.

Sheriff Alex Villanueva on Wednesday said detectives have determined what caused the collision but claimed investigators need permission from Woods — who previously named his yacht "Privacy" — to release information about the crash. A police expert refuted Villanueva's privacy claims.

Nets lose Harden but beat Rockets, move into first in East

UNDATED (AP) — Kyrie Irving had 31 points and a season-high 12 assists, and the Brooklyn Nets overcame the loss of James Harden to beat the Houston Rockets 120-108 and move into first place in the Eastern Conference. 

Harden sat out the fourth quarter against his former team with right hamstring tightness, finishing with 17 points, eight rebounds and six assists. 

The Nets put together the pivotal run without him, scoring 12 straight midway through the final period to turn a six-point deficit into a 107-101 lead, winning a game they trailed by 18 points. 

— Andre Drummond left his Lakers debut with a bruised right toe, and Jrue Holiday scored 28 points in the Milwaukee Bucks' 112-97 victory over Los Angeles. Giannis Antetokounmpo had 25 points and 10 rebounds, and Khris Middleton added 17 points and eight assists as the Bucks snapped their three-game losing streak with a workmanlike victory over the depleted defending NBA champions, who are still without LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Drummond scored four points in 14 minutes before limping off the court early in the third quarter. X-rays were negative on Los Angeles' new center.

— Devin Booker scored a season-high 45 points, Chris Paul added 19 points and 14 assists, and the Phoenix Suns held on to beat the Chicago Bulls 121-116. Booker made 17 of 24 shots from the field and 9 of 10 free throws. Dario Saric added 16 points off the bench. Phoenix has won four straight while Chicago has lost five in a row. Chicago was led by Nikola Vujecic's 24 points and 10 rebounds. Thaddeus Young added 19 points and 10 rebounds, and Denzel Valentine also scored 19 points.

— Mike Conley scored 13 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter, Jordan Clarkson added 24 points and the Utah Jazz beat the Memphis Grizzlies 111-107 for their seventh straight victory. Bojan Bogdanovic (BOY'-ahn bahg-DAH'-noh-vich) added 23 points for Utah, which defeated Memphis for the third time in a week, this time overcoming 36 points from Grizzlies guard Ja Morant. Kyle Anderson had 18 points and 11 rebounds for Memphis, and Dillon Brooks finished with 17 points. Jonas Valanciunas added 16 points and 14 rebounds. Leading scorer Donovan Mitchell was not with the Jazz for personal reasons. 

— Luka Doncic had 36 points and eight rebounds and the Dallas Mavericks held on to beat the Boston Celtics 113-108. Jalen Brunson added 21 points, including two late free throws, and Kristaps Porzingis finished with 19 points as the Mavericks won their second straight. Dallas led by as many as 23 points in the third quarter before the Celtics rallied to within single digits in the fourth. Jayson Tatum had 25 points and nine rebounds to lead Boston. Jaylen Brown added 24 points for Boston, which has lost its last two.

— Svi Mykhailiuk (svee mih-KAH'-lehk) scored 10 of his season-high 22 points in the fourth quarter and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Toronto Raptors 113-103. Mykhailiuk made 9 of 14 shots and had a career-high nine rebounds. Moses Brown had 20 points and 11 rebounds, and Isaiah Roby added 17 points and 10 rebounds for Oklahoma City. The Thunder outrebounded the Raptors 64-35 to snap a three-game losing streak. Toronto has dropped 13 of its last 14 games.

— Damian Lillard had 33 points and nine assists and the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Detroit Pistons 124-101. CJ McCollum added 24 points and Carmelo Anthony and Robert Covington each scored 16 in Portland's fourth straight win. Jerami Grant scored 30 points for Detroit, which lost for the fifth time in six games. 

— Duncan Robinson and Jimmy Butler helped Miami rally from a 13-point first-half deficit by spurring a decisive eight-point fourth-quarter run to give the Heat a 92-87 victory over the Indiana Pacers. Robinson finished with 20 points and Butler added 18 as Miami avoided getting swept in the three-game season series with the Pacers. The Heat have won two straight since ending a four-game losing streak. 

— Anthony Edwards scored 11 of his 24 points over the final eight minutes to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves' rally for a 102-101 victory over the New York Knicks. Malik Beasley highlighted his 20 points with the go-ahead 3-pointer with 37 seconds left for the Timberwolves. They outscored the Knicks 22-9 over the final 7:50. Julius Randle had 26 points for the Knicks, who led by 18 points in the second quarter. R.J. Barrett's jumper at the buzzer was short for the chance to win. 

— DeMar DeRozan scored 26 points and the San Antonio Spurs snapped Sacramento's five-game winning streak, beating the Kings 120-106 on Wednesday night. Derrick White added 18 points, Rudy Gay had 16 and Jakob Poeltl finished with 12 points and 14 rebounds for San Antonio. De'Aaron Fox scored 20 points and Tyrese Haliburton added 16 to lead Sacramento, which had not lost since March 20. 

Matthews scores 24th goal as Leafs earn 3-1 win over Jets

UNDATED (AP) — Auston Matthews scored his league-leading 24th goal and goaltender Jack Campbell stayed unbeaten this season and the Toronto Maple Leafs downed the Winnipeg Jets 3-1 to extend their lead atop the North Division to three points. 

Zach Hyman and Alex Kerfoot also scored for Toronto. Mitch Marner, with two assists, earned his13th multi-point game of the season. 

Campbell, who missed the Edmonton game Monday with a lower-body injury, made 26 saves for the win. He improved to 7-0-0 on the season.

— Rudolfs Balcers and Ryan Donato scored in the second period and the San Jose Sharks completed a two-game sweep of the Minnesota Wild with a 4-2 victory. The Sharks followed a shootout win on Monday with another strong performance against a team they are chasing in the standings. Nikolai Knyzhov also scored his first career goal and Evander Kane had an empty-netter for the Sharks. Martin Jones made 26 saves for San Jose. Kirill Kaprizov and Mats Zuccarello scored for Minnesota, and Kaapo Kahkonen made 29 saves. The Wild are winless in their last five road games.

— Joonas Donskoi scored three times during Colorado's five-goal first period, and the Avalanche beat the Arizona Coyotes 9-3 in front of home fans for the first time this season. The team invited health-care workers, first responders, players' families and employees into Ball Arena. Gabriel Landeskog and Andre Burakovsky each added two goals, while Mikko Rantanen and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare both added another. There were 14 different Avalanche players who had at least a point. Michael Bunting, Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Conor Garland scored for the Coyotes. 

— Lias Andersson scored a goal in his first game back after missing more than a month and the Los Angeles Kings defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 4-2. The Kings snapped their three-game skid and a three-game losing streak in Las Vegas. Vegas had its six-game home winning streak snapped, and dropped just its third home game in regulation this season. Andreas Athanasiou, Jaret Anderson-Dolan and Alex Iafallo also scored for the Kings, while Cal Petersen improved to 4-1-0 against Vegas after stopping 40 shots. Peterson has both of Los Angeles' wins over Vegas this season.

— Linus Ullmark stopped 31 shots and the Buffalo Sabres snapped an 18-game skid with a 6-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. Defenseman Rasmus Dahlin was the first off the bench as the final horn sounded and led a line of Sabres players high-fiving Ullmark in an arena without fans. It was the first win for Buffalo since a 4-1 victory at New Jersey on Feb. 23, and ended an 0-15-3 streak. The slump was tied for the league's 14th longest, and worst since the Pittsburgh Penguins had a 0-17-1 stretch during the 2003-04 season.

UNDATED (AP) — The Vancouver Canucks' game against the Calgary Flames has been postponed by the NHL because of the league's COVID-19 protocol. Vancouver had two players and a member of its coaching staff enter the NHL's COVID-19 protocol list. The league says it will provide another update on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Canucks have signed goaltender Thatcher Demko to a five-year contract extension. No financial terms have been released. Demko took over as the No. 1 goaltender for the Canucks after Jacob Markstrom went to the Calgary Flames in free agency. The 25-year-old Demko is 12-12-1 with a 2.77 goals-against average and .917 save percentage this season.

UNDATED (AP) — Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo says a player for the team has tested positive for COVID-19. Rizzo says four teammates and a staff member have been quarantined on the eve of the start of the regular season after contact tracing. 

The club is scheduled to host the New York Mets on Thursday night for opening day. Rizzo said the players involved will not be available to play in that game.

— President Joe Biden tells ESPN it was a mistake for the Texas Rangers to allow full capacity at their ballpark for their first game. Speaking on the eve of opening day, Biden also says he supports discussions between Major League Baseball and the players' union on moving the All-Star Game from Atlanta over concern about legislation adopted in Georgia restricting voting rights. 

— George Springer's Toronto Blue Jays debut will be delayed while he starts the season on the injured list with a strained oblique muscle. Springer left the Houston Astros to sign a $150 million, six-year contract with the Blue Jays. The 2017 World Series MVP with 

— Spectators will be allowed in Major League ballparks when the baseball season opens Thursday. Attendance will be limited. All 30 teams are scheduled to play Thursday.

— The Royals will be without often-injured Kansas City Royals shortstop Adalberto Mondesi who will begin the season on the injured list with a right oblique strain for their season opener against the Texas Rangers. Nicky Lopez was recalled from the club's alternate training site in Arkansas.

— The Chicago Cubs have agreed to a one-year deal with catcher Tony Wolters and designated right-hander James Norwood for assignment. 

— Indians' manager Terry Francona says he could use a rotation of relievers to close games in the first few weeks. Veteran Nick Wittgren will likely be the first to get a chance to close with James Karinchak and Emmanuel Clase also in the mix. 

— Indians fans won't be allowed inside Progressive Field wearing Native American headdresses or face paint this season. The team said fans will either be ejected or denied admission for behavior that includes wearing headdresses or "face paint styled in a way that references or appropriates American Indian cultures and traditions." 

— Marlins Park will be renamed LoanDepot Park in a multiyear naming rights agreement. The deal provides additional revenue for the Marlins, who have operated with budget constraints and a small payroll for most of their history. 

— The Seattle Mariners have placed center fielder Kyle Lewis on the 10-day injured list due to a bone bruise in his right knee, sidelining the reigning American League Rookie of the Year for opening day. 

— A bat Lou Gehrig used late in his career and the original home plate from Yankee Stadium when it opened in 1923 are among the items up for bidding in an online auction this week. SCP Auctions said the Gehrig bat dates to 1938, his next-to-last season in the majors. The home plate is from the original Yankee Stadium and the year the team won its first World Series championship. 

AP Source: Seahawks, Lockett reach 4-year contract extension

UNDATED (AP) — The Seattle Seahawks and veteran wide receiver Tyler Lockett have agreed to a four-year contract extension that includes $37 million guaranteed. 

The deal locks up Russell Wilson's favorite target for the foreseeable future and will likely help Seattle in its attempts to ease a salary cap crunch for the 2021 season. Lockett's current contract was set to expire after this season and carried a salary cap charge of just under $15 million.

— The NFL has plans to eliminate some restrictions from its current COVID-19 protocols for vaccinated players, coaches and personnel such as the need to participate in daily testing; quarantine periods due to close contact with an infected individual; and/or refraining from social gatherings among other vaccinated individuals.

— The Buffalo Bills added linebacker depth by signing Tyrell Adams and Marquel Lee to one-year contracts. 

UConn's Paige Bueckers is AP women's player of the year

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — UConn star Paige Bueckers is the first freshman ever to win The Associated Press women's basketball player of the year. 

Bueckers received 21 votes from the 30-member national media panel that chooses the weekly AP Top 25. Dana Evans of Louisville was second with four votes. 

Maryland coach Brenda Frese is The Associated Press women's basketball coach of the year for the second time in her career. 

UConn's Bouknight says he'll enter the NBA draft

UNDATED (AP) — UConn sophomore James Bouknight has announced his intention to enter the NBA draft. 

Bouknight averaged 18.7 points per game this season, but played in just 15 contests, missing eight games after undergoing elbow surgery in early January. He struggled in his final three games and made just 6 of 16 shots in the Huskies' loss to Maryland in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.

— Forward Omar Payne entered the transfer portal Tuesday and became the fifth player to leave coach Mike White's program since the end of the season. Payne joined shooting guard Noah Locke, backup point guard Ques Glover and reserve forward Osayi Osifo in looking to play elsewhere next season. Star point guard and leading scorer Tre Mann entered the NBA draft with plans of hiring an agent. That means Mann has no intention of returning to school for his junior season.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday in a dispute over NCAA rules limiting education-related compensation for college athletes.

Under current rules, students cannot be paid, and the scholarship money colleges can offer is capped at the cost of attending the school. 

A ruling for the former players would not necessarily mean an immediate infusion of cash to current college athletes. It would mean that the NCAA could not bar schools from sweetening their offers to Division I basketball and football athletes with additional education-related benefits. Individual athletic conferences could still set limits. 

MIAMI (AP) — Naomi Osaka's 23-match winning streak has ended. No. 2 Osaka lost to Maria Sakkari of Greece Wednesday in the quarterfinals of the Miami Open, 6-0, 6-4. 

The defeat was Osaka's first since February 2020 and ended any chance of reclaiming the No. 1 ranking this week from Ash Barty, who is in the semifinals. 

Sakkari will next play Bianca Andreescu of Canada, who dropped serve eight times but still outlasted unseeded Sara Sorribes Tormo in three sets. 

<h2>Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press</h2>SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Talented freshmen Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark wouldn't mind having the option to enter the WNBA draft this year. Right now, they can't go pro because of the league's longstanding eligibility rules for the draft that haven't really been a major part of WNBA Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations. The draft eligibility rules have been in place since the start of the WNBA in 1997. American-born players would have to either have graduated or be on track to graduate the year of the draft. They also would be eligible if they turned 22 in the year of the draft or be four years removed from high school and have renounced any remaining NCAA eligibility.UNDATED (AP) — Lucas Giolito, Max Fried and Jack Flaherty were teammates nine years ago at Harvard-Westlake, a prestigious prep school in Los Angeles. On Thursday, all three will be opening day starting pitchers in the major leagues. And they didn't even win a California state title the year they all played together. Giolito will throw the season's first pitch for the Chicago White Sox, Flaherty for the St. Louis Cardinals and Fried for the Atlanta Braves.KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Oft-injured Kansas City Royals shortstop Adalberto Mondesi will begin the season on the injured list with a right oblique strain. That leaves the Royals without one of their most exciting players when they open the season against the Texas Rangers on Thursday. Mondesi was put on the injured list Wednesday retroactive to the previous day. Nicky Lopez was recalled from the club's alternate training site in Arkansas after he was sent there following a poor spring training at the plate.UNDATED (AP) — The spotlight is on Jordan Burroughs and Kyle Dake heading into the U.S. Olympic wrestling trials. Burroughs has been the standard bearer for American wrestling since winning gold in London in 2012 and four world titles since. Dake is a two-time defending world champ and the biggest threat to Burroughs' supremacy at 74 kilograms. The two are expected to meet Saturday night in the best-of-three finals of the rescheduled trials at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. The women's competition features a deep talent pool headed by 2016 Olympic champion Helen Maroulis.BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — he Southeastern Conference is changing the format of its annual spring meetings normally held in Destin, Florida because of the pandemic. The SEC said Wednesday it will hold a number of meetings throughout the spring and summer, either virtually or in person with smaller groups. The meetings usually are a gathering of the league's university presidents and chancellors, athletic directors, athletes, and other school administrators, along with the head coaches in football and men's and women's basketball..<h2>Update on the latest sports</h2>TIGER WOODS-CRASHDetectives find cause of Tiger Woods crash but won't revealLOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles County sheriff says detectives have determined what caused Tiger Woods to crash his SUV last month in Southern California but would not release details, citing unspecified privacy concerns for the golf star.Woods suffered serious injuries in the Feb. 23 crash just outside Los Angeles. He is in Florida recovering from multiple surgeries.Sheriff Alex Villanueva on Wednesday said detectives have determined what caused the collision but claimed investigators need permission from Woods — who previously named his yacht "Privacy" — to release information about the crash. A police expert refuted Villanueva's privacy claims.NBA-SCHEDULENets lose Harden but beat Rockets, move into first in EastUNDATED (AP) — Kyrie Irving had 31 points and a season-high 12 assists, and the Brooklyn Nets overcame the loss of James Harden to beat the Houston Rockets 120-108 and move into first place in the Eastern Conference. Harden sat out the fourth quarter against his former team with right hamstring tightness, finishing with 17 points, eight rebounds and six assists. The Nets put together the pivotal run without him, scoring 12 straight midway through the final period to turn a six-point deficit into a 107-101 lead, winning a game they trailed by 18 points. Elsewhere in the NBA:— Andre Drummond left his Lakers debut with a bruised right toe, and Jrue Holiday scored 28 points in the Milwaukee Bucks' 112-97 victory over Los Angeles. Giannis Antetokounmpo had 25 points and 10 rebounds, and Khris Middleton added 17 points and eight assists as the Bucks snapped their three-game losing streak with a workmanlike victory over the depleted defending NBA champions, who are still without LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Drummond scored four points in 14 minutes before limping off the court early in the third quarter. X-rays were negative on Los Angeles' new center.— Devin Booker scored a season-high 45 points, Chris Paul added 19 points and 14 assists, and the Phoenix Suns held on to beat the Chicago Bulls 121-116. Booker made 17 of 24 shots from the field and 9 of 10 free throws. Dario Saric added 16 points off the bench. Phoenix has won four straight while Chicago has lost five in a row. Chicago was led by Nikola Vujecic's 24 points and 10 rebounds. Thaddeus Young added 19 points and 10 rebounds, and Denzel Valentine also scored 19 points.— Mike Conley scored 13 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter, Jordan Clarkson added 24 points and the Utah Jazz beat the Memphis Grizzlies 111-107 for their seventh straight victory. Bojan Bogdanovic (BOY'-ahn bahg-DAH'-noh-vich) added 23 points for Utah, which defeated Memphis for the third time in a week, this time overcoming 36 points from Grizzlies guard Ja Morant. Kyle Anderson had 18 points and 11 rebounds for Memphis, and Dillon Brooks finished with 17 points. Jonas Valanciunas added 16 points and 14 rebounds. Leading scorer Donovan Mitchell was not with the Jazz for personal reasons. — Luka Doncic had 36 points and eight rebounds and the Dallas Mavericks held on to beat the Boston Celtics 113-108. Jalen Brunson added 21 points, including two late free throws, and Kristaps Porzingis finished with 19 points as the Mavericks won their second straight. Dallas led by as many as 23 points in the third quarter before the Celtics rallied to within single digits in the fourth. Jayson Tatum had 25 points and nine rebounds to lead Boston. Jaylen Brown added 24 points for Boston, which has lost its last two.— Svi Mykhailiuk (svee mih-KAH'-lehk) scored 10 of his season-high 22 points in the fourth quarter and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Toronto Raptors 113-103. Mykhailiuk made 9 of 14 shots and had a career-high nine rebounds. Moses Brown had 20 points and 11 rebounds, and Isaiah Roby added 17 points and 10 rebounds for Oklahoma City. The Thunder outrebounded the Raptors 64-35 to snap a three-game losing streak. Toronto has dropped 13 of its last 14 games.— Damian Lillard had 33 points and nine assists and the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Detroit Pistons 124-101. CJ McCollum added 24 points and Carmelo Anthony and Robert Covington each scored 16 in Portland's fourth straight win. Jerami Grant scored 30 points for Detroit, which lost for the fifth time in six games. — Duncan Robinson and Jimmy Butler helped Miami rally from a 13-point first-half deficit by spurring a decisive eight-point fourth-quarter run to give the Heat a 92-87 victory over the Indiana Pacers. Robinson finished with 20 points and Butler added 18 as Miami avoided getting swept in the three-game season series with the Pacers. The Heat have won two straight since ending a four-game losing streak. — Anthony Edwards scored 11 of his 24 points over the final eight minutes to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves' rally for a 102-101 victory over the New York Knicks. Malik Beasley highlighted his 20 points with the go-ahead 3-pointer with 37 seconds left for the Timberwolves. They outscored the Knicks 22-9 over the final 7:50. Julius Randle had 26 points for the Knicks, who led by 18 points in the second quarter. R.J. Barrett's jumper at the buzzer was short for the chance to win. — DeMar DeRozan scored 26 points and the San Antonio Spurs snapped Sacramento's five-game winning streak, beating the Kings 120-106 on Wednesday night. Derrick White added 18 points, Rudy Gay had 16 and Jakob Poeltl finished with 12 points and 14 rebounds for San Antonio. De'Aaron Fox scored 20 points and Tyrese Haliburton added 16 to lead Sacramento, which had not lost since March 20. NHL-SCHEDULEMatthews scores 24th goal as Leafs earn 3-1 win over JetsUNDATED (AP) — Auston Matthews scored his league-leading 24th goal and goaltender Jack Campbell stayed unbeaten this season and the Toronto Maple Leafs downed the Winnipeg Jets 3-1 to extend their lead atop the North Division to three points. Zach Hyman and Alex Kerfoot also scored for Toronto. Mitch Marner, with two assists, earned his13th multi-point game of the season. Josh Morrissey scored for the Jets. Campbell, who missed the Edmonton game Monday with a lower-body injury, made 26 saves for the win. He improved to 7-0-0 on the season.In other ice action:— Rudolfs Balcers and Ryan Donato scored in the second period and the San Jose Sharks completed a two-game sweep of the Minnesota Wild with a 4-2 victory. The Sharks followed a shootout win on Monday with another strong performance against a team they are chasing in the standings. Nikolai Knyzhov also scored his first career goal and Evander Kane had an empty-netter for the Sharks. Martin Jones made 26 saves for San Jose. Kirill Kaprizov and Mats Zuccarello scored for Minnesota, and Kaapo Kahkonen made 29 saves. The Wild are winless in their last five road games.— Joonas Donskoi scored three times during Colorado's five-goal first period, and the Avalanche beat the Arizona Coyotes 9-3 in front of home fans for the first time this season. The team invited health-care workers, first responders, players' families and employees into Ball Arena. Gabriel Landeskog and Andre Burakovsky each added two goals, while Mikko Rantanen and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare both added another. There were 14 different Avalanche players who had at least a point. Michael Bunting, Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Conor Garland scored for the Coyotes. — Lias Andersson scored a goal in his first game back after missing more than a month and the Los Angeles Kings defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 4-2. The Kings snapped their three-game skid and a three-game losing streak in Las Vegas. Vegas had its six-game home winning streak snapped, and dropped just its third home game in regulation this season. Andreas Athanasiou, Jaret Anderson-Dolan and Alex Iafallo also scored for the Kings, while Cal Petersen improved to 4-1-0 against Vegas after stopping 40 shots. Peterson has both of Los Angeles' wins over Vegas this season.— Linus Ullmark stopped 31 shots and the Buffalo Sabres snapped an 18-game skid with a 6-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. Defenseman Rasmus Dahlin was the first off the bench as the final horn sounded and led a line of Sabres players high-fiving Ullmark in an arena without fans. It was the first win for Buffalo since a 4-1 victory at New Jersey on Feb. 23, and ended an 0-15-3 streak. The slump was tied for the league's 14th longest, and worst since the Pittsburgh Penguins had a 0-17-1 stretch during the 2003-04 season.NHL-NEWSFlames, Canucks' game canceledUNDATED (AP) — The Vancouver Canucks' game against the Calgary Flames has been postponed by the NHL because of the league's COVID-19 protocol. Vancouver had two players and a member of its coaching staff enter the NHL's COVID-19 protocol list. The league says it will provide another update on Thursday.Meanwhile, Canucks have signed goaltender Thatcher Demko to a five-year contract extension. No financial terms have been released. Demko took over as the No. 1 goaltender for the Canucks after Jacob Markstrom went to the Calgary Flames in free agency. The 25-year-old Demko is 12-12-1 with a 2.77 goals-against average and .917 save percentage this season.MLB-NEWS5 Nats player to miss opening dayUNDATED (AP) — Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo says a player for the team has tested positive for COVID-19. Rizzo says four teammates and a staff member have been quarantined on the eve of the start of the regular season after contact tracing. The club is scheduled to host the New York Mets on Thursday night for opening day. Rizzo said the players involved will not be available to play in that game.In other baseball news: — President Joe Biden tells ESPN it was a mistake for the Texas Rangers to allow full capacity at their ballpark for their first game. Speaking on the eve of opening day, Biden also says he supports discussions between Major League Baseball and the players' union on moving the All-Star Game from Atlanta over concern about legislation adopted in Georgia restricting voting rights. — George Springer's Toronto Blue Jays debut will be delayed while he starts the season on the injured list with a strained oblique muscle. Springer left the Houston Astros to sign a $150 million, six-year contract with the Blue Jays. The 2017 World Series MVP with — Spectators will be allowed in Major League ballparks when the baseball season opens Thursday. Attendance will be limited. All 30 teams are scheduled to play Thursday.— The Royals will be without often-injured Kansas City Royals shortstop Adalberto Mondesi who will begin the season on the injured list with a right oblique strain for their season opener against the Texas Rangers. Nicky Lopez was recalled from the club's alternate training site in Arkansas.— The Chicago Cubs have agreed to a one-year deal with catcher Tony Wolters and designated right-hander James Norwood for assignment. — Indians' manager Terry Francona says he could use a rotation of relievers to close games in the first few weeks. Veteran Nick Wittgren will likely be the first to get a chance to close with James Karinchak and Emmanuel Clase also in the mix. — Indians fans won't be allowed inside Progressive Field wearing Native American headdresses or face paint this season. The team said fans will either be ejected or denied admission for behavior that includes wearing headdresses or "face paint styled in a way that references or appropriates American Indian cultures and traditions." — Marlins Park will be renamed LoanDepot Park in a multiyear naming rights agreement. The deal provides additional revenue for the Marlins, who have operated with budget constraints and a small payroll for most of their history. — The Seattle Mariners have placed center fielder Kyle Lewis on the 10-day injured list due to a bone bruise in his right knee, sidelining the reigning American League Rookie of the Year for opening day. — A bat Lou Gehrig used late in his career and the original home plate from Yankee Stadium when it opened in 1923 are among the items up for bidding in an online auction this week. SCP Auctions said the Gehrig bat dates to 1938, his next-to-last season in the majors. The home plate is from the original Yankee Stadium and the year the team won its first World Series championship. NFL-NEWSAP Source: Seahawks, Lockett reach 4-year contract extensionUNDATED (AP) — The Seattle Seahawks and veteran wide receiver Tyler Lockett have agreed to a four-year contract extension that includes $37 million guaranteed. The deal locks up Russell Wilson's favorite target for the foreseeable future and will likely help Seattle in its attempts to ease a salary cap crunch for the 2021 season. Lockett's current contract was set to expire after this season and carried a salary cap charge of just under $15 million.In other NFL news:— The NFL has plans to eliminate some restrictions from its current COVID-19 protocols for vaccinated players, coaches and personnel such as the need to participate in daily testing; quarantine periods due to close contact with an infected individual; and/or refraining from social gatherings among other vaccinated individuals.— The Buffalo Bills added linebacker depth by signing Tyrell Adams and Marquel Lee to one-year contracts. NCAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL-AWARDSUConn's Paige Bueckers is AP women's player of the yearSAN ANTONIO (AP) — UConn star Paige Bueckers is the first freshman ever to win The Associated Press women's basketball player of the year. Bueckers received 21 votes from the 30-member national media panel that chooses the weekly AP Top 25. Dana Evans of Louisville was second with four votes. Maryland coach Brenda Frese is The Associated Press women's basketball coach of the year for the second time in her career. COLLEGE BASKETBALL-NEWSUConn's Bouknight says he'll enter the NBA draftUNDATED (AP) — UConn sophomore James Bouknight has announced his intention to enter the NBA draft. Bouknight averaged 18.7 points per game this season, but played in just 15 contests, missing eight games after undergoing elbow surgery in early January. He struggled in his final three games and made just 6 of 16 shots in the Huskies' loss to Maryland in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.In other college basketball news: — Forward Omar Payne entered the transfer portal Tuesday and became the fifth player to leave coach Mike White's program since the end of the season. Payne joined shooting guard Noah Locke, backup point guard Ques Glover and reserve forward Osayi Osifo in looking to play elsewhere next season. Star point guard and leading scorer Tre Mann entered the NBA draft with plans of hiring an agent. That means Mann has no intention of returning to school for his junior season.NCAA-SUPREME COURTHigh court takes up NCAA restrictionsWASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday in a dispute over NCAA rules limiting education-related compensation for college athletes.Under current rules, students cannot be paid, and the scholarship money colleges can offer is capped at the cost of attending the school. A ruling for the former players would not necessarily mean an immediate infusion of cash to current college athletes. It would mean that the NCAA could not bar schools from sweetening their offers to Division I basketball and football athletes with additional education-related benefits. Individual athletic conferences could still set limits. TENNIS-MIAMI OPEN23-match win streak ends for OsakaMIAMI (AP) — Naomi Osaka's 23-match winning streak has ended. No. 2 Osaka lost to Maria Sakkari of Greece Wednesday in the quarterfinals of the Miami Open, 6-0, 6-4. The defeat was Osaka's first since February 2020 and ended any chance of reclaiming the No. 1 ranking this week from Ash Barty, who is in the semifinals. Sakkari will next play Bianca Andreescu of Canada, who dropped serve eight times but still outlasted unseeded Sara Sorribes Tormo in three sets.

Sports Headlines for Thursday

SASKATCHEWAN, Canada.—The
Saskatchewan Rattlers, member club of the Canadian Elite Basketball League
(CEBL), have announced the signing of Canadian guard, Devontè Bandoo, ahead of
the 2021 CEBL season.

The combo
guard will make his professional debut for the Rattlers when they kick off
their season on June 7 against the Edmonton Stingers. 

Bandoo joins the Rattlers after a
stellar collegiate career that culminated with him playing his final two years
of eligibility at Baylor University. In his senior year with the Bears, Bandoo
was named the Big 12 Conference Sixth Man of the Year due to his impressive
play coming off the bench. During the 2019-20 season, Bandoo helped the Bears
achieve a school-record 23-game winning streak which earned Baylor a No. 1
ranking for five-straight weeks. In his final year with the Bears, Bandoo shot
a team-leading 38.5 percent from three-point range and averaged 7.6 points and
3.6 rebounds during a shortened season. Over the course of his two years with
Baylor University, the Mississauga, ON-native averaged 8.1 points, 2.8 rebounds
and 1.4 assists. Prior to transferring to Baylor, Bandoo played two years for
Hutchinson Community College in Kansas. The 6-foot-3 guard helped Hutchinson
Community College claim the 2017 NJCAA Division 1 national championship, where
he scored a season-high and team-leading 22 points in the championship game
against Eastern Florida State College. 

“Devontè is
someone we are really looking forward to having join our team for the upcoming
season”, said Rattlers General Manager Barry Rawylk. “In Devontè we have
another weapon that can open up opposing defences not only with his impressive
three-point shooting rate, but also with his ability to get to the basket. He
will not only bring incredible athleticism and shot-making ability to our team,
but he is also someone who will integrate nicely into the community. We are
excited to see Devontè take the next step in his career here in Saskatchewan
with the Rattlers.” 

“I’m excited
to be a part of the Rattlers organization”, said Devontè Bandoo. “I can’t wait
to play and learn from the coaching staff and my teammates. I look forward to
competing for a CEBL Championship with the Ratters.”

SASKATCHEWAN, Canada.—The
Saskatchewan Rattlers, member club of the Canadian Elite Basketball League
(CEBL), have announced the signing of Canadian guard, Devontè Bandoo, ahead of
the 2021 CEBL season.The combo
guard will make his professional debut for the Rattlers when they kick off
their season on June 7 against the Edmonton Stingers. Bandoo joins the Rattlers after a
stellar collegiate career that culminated with him playing his final two years
of eligibility at Baylor University. In his senior year with the Bears, Bandoo
was named the Big 12 Conference Sixth Man of the Year due to his impressive
play coming off the bench. During the 2019-20 season, Bandoo helped the Bears
achieve a school-record 23-game winning streak which earned Baylor a No. 1
ranking for five-straight weeks. In his final year with the Bears, Bandoo shot
a team-leading 38.5 percent from three-point range and averaged 7.6 points and
3.6 rebounds during a shortened season. Over the course of his two years with
Baylor University, the Mississauga, ON-native averaged 8.1 points, 2.8 rebounds
and 1.4 assists. Prior to transferring to Baylor, Bandoo played two years for
Hutchinson Community College in Kansas. The 6-foot-3 guard helped Hutchinson
Community College claim the 2017 NJCAA Division 1 national championship, where
he scored a season-high and team-leading 22 points in the championship game
against Eastern Florida State College. “Devontè is
someone we are really looking forward to having join our team for the upcoming
season”, said Rattlers General Manager Barry Rawylk. “In Devontè we have
another weapon that can open up opposing defences not only with his impressive
three-point shooting rate, but also with his ability to get to the basket. He
will not only bring incredible athleticism and shot-making ability to our team,
but he is also someone who will integrate nicely into the community. We are
excited to see Devontè take the next step in his career here in Saskatchewan
with the Rattlers.” “I’m excited
to be a part of the Rattlers organization”, said Devontè Bandoo. “I can’t wait
to play and learn from the coaching staff and my teammates. I look forward to
competing for a CEBL Championship with the Ratters.”

Rattlers sign 2020 Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year and former Blue Dragon, Devontè Bandoo

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Kansas City Royals announced today that they have placed Adalberto Mondesi on the 10-day Injured List with a right oblique strain, retroactive to March 30. In a corresponding move, Nicky Lopez has been recalled from the alternate site.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Kansas City Royals announced today that they have placed Adalberto Mondesi on the 10-day Injured List with a right oblique strain, retroactive to March 30. In a corresponding move, Nicky Lopez has been recalled from the alternate site.

Royals place Mondesi on IL; Recall Lopez

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs and defensive tackle Jarran Reed have agreed to a $5 million, one-year contract that could be worth up to $7 million. That gives the AFC champions another interior pass rusher to play alongside Chris Jones. The deal was reached late Sunday and represents another big step toward improving the Chiefs' meager pass rush. The 28-year-old Reed was a second-round pick by the Seahawks in the 2016 draft. He's spent his entire career in Seattle, where he had a reputation as a run-stuffer but showed he could get to the quarterback.&nbsp;

ST. LOUIS (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals plan to start the season Thursday in Cincinnati with pitchers Kwang Hyun Kim, Dakota Hudson and Miles Mikolas on the injured list along with outfielder Harrison Bader. Hudson always planned to begin on the season on the injured list as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. Kim is dealing with a back injury, Mikolas with a sore shoulder and Bader has a strained right foreman that could keep him out a month.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Officials have recovered the body of an Iowa State University student who had been missing after a school crew club boat capsized during practice on a lake. The accident also killed another student crew member. The university says the students were practicing Sunday morning at Little Wall Lake in Hamilton County when the scull capsized. Three were rescued and a dive team recovered the body of one student later in the day. The search for the missing student was called off Sunday night, but resumed Monday morning. The names of the students have not been released. The students were part of the Iowa State Crew Club, a recognized student organization. Little Wall Lake is about 15 miles north of Ames.

UNDATED (AP) — Iowa's Spencer Lee and Minnesota's Gable Steveson have been named winners of the Dan Hodge Trophy as the most dominant college wrestlers in 2020-21. It marks the first time in the award's 20-year history that two wrestlers shared the honor. Lee won the Hodge last year and last week he became a three-time NCAA champion at 125 pounds. Steveson won his first heavyweight national title. The winner of the award is determined by fan vote and a committee made up of past winners, retired coaches and select media.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The couple who own a massive Interstate 80 travel center in eastern Iowa have donated $10 million to support the Iowa football program and other athletic department projects. The Will and Renee Moon Excellence Fund will endow the head football coaching position in perpetuity. Kirk Ferentz and those who follow him will hold the formal title of Moon Family Head Football Coach.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Gonzaga's bid for a perfect season will continue into the Final Four of the NCAA men's basketball tournament. Meanwhile, UCLA's unexpected run through the tournament continues.

Drew Timme (TIH'-mee) provided 15 of his 23 points while the Bulldogs outscored Southern Cal, 49-30 in the first half of an 85-66 win over the Trojans. Jalen Suggs just missed a triple-double for the 30-0 Zags, delivering 18 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists as Gonzaga captured the West Region.

All-American Corey Kispert had 18 points and eight boards on an "off" night, hitting just six of his 19 shots from the floor. Gonzaga still finished at 50% shooting despite Kispert's struggles.

Isaiah Mobley delivered 19 points and seven rebounds for the Trojans, who finished the year 25-8.

UCLA survived a series of nail-biting misses by top-seeded Michigan in the closing seconds for a 51-49 victory that made the Bruins the fifth No. 11 seed ever to reach the Final Four.

Johnny Juzang (JOO'-zang) poured in 28 points despite playing most of the second half on a sore ankle. 

Tyger Campbell added 11 points for the Bruins, who will Gonzaga in the national semifinals.

Franz Wagner missed a pair of 3-point attempts over the final 19 seconds, including one at the buzzer to bounce the top-seeded Wolverines from the tournament.

Hunter Dickinson had a team-high 11 points for Michigan, which shot 39% overall and was 3-for-11 from beyond the arc.

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — The Stanford and South Carolina women's basketball team will be spending the weekend in San Antonio.

Zia Cooke scored 16 points and the Gamecocks used their stifling defense to advance to the Final Four for the third time, shutting down Texas, 62-34.

Top-seeded South Carolina blocked 14 shots, nine by Laeticia Amihere. The Gamecocks also held the sixth-seeded Longhorns to 23% shooting and outscored them, 10-0 in the fourth quarter.

Destanni Henderson and Victaria Saxton each scored 12 for the Gamecocks.

Lexie Hull scored 21 points and Stanford reached the Final Four by rallying for a 78-63 victory over Louisville. Stanford trailed by 12 midway through the third quarter before scoring 13 consecutive points to take its first lead since early in the game.

Kiana Williams finished with 14 points for the Cardinal, including a pair of big 3-pointers while Stanford pulled away.

The Cardinal have reached a 14th Final Four as they seek their third national championship and first since 1992.

UNDATED (AP) — The Los Angeles Clippers' six-game winning streak has been stopped by an unlikely source.

Chuma Okeke (CHOO'-muh oh-KEE'-kee) scored 18 points and the rebuilding Orlando Magic rallied in the fourth quarter to defeat the Clippers, 101-96.

The Magic didn't have the lead until late in the fourth quarter and went on a 16-3 run to close the game. Kawhi Leonard made a pair of free throws to give the Clippers a 93-86 lead with 2:36 remaining before the Magic scored 11 straight points to take the lead. 

Leonard had 28 for the Clippers, who led 51-37 at halftime.

Checking out the rest of Tuesday's NBA action:

— The Nuggets raced out to a 25-point lead on their way to a 104-95 win over the slow-starting 76ers. Murray scored 30 points, Michael Porter Jr. added 27 while Denver played in front of a home crowd for the first time since last March. Nikola Jokic (nih-KOH'-lah YOH'-kihch) added 21 points for the Nuggets, who dropped Philadelphia in a first-place tie with Brooklyn in the Eastern Conference.

— Devin Booker contributed 21 points, Dario Saric added 20 and the Suns held on in the final minutes to beat the Hawks, 117-110. Phoenix's Jae Crowder added 19 points and made 5 of 8 of his 3-point attempts. The Suns have won six of their past seven games, while the Hawks have dropped four of five. 

— Terry Rozier scored 27 points and Gordon Hayward added 26 with a season-high 11 rebounds in the Hornets' fourth win in five games, 114-104 at Washington. The Hornets went on a 16-2 run to take a 50-39 lead midway in the second quarter. After Washington got within 98-95 with 4:12 to play, Charlotte pulled away and improved to 24-22. 

Jazz charter turns back after striking birds on takeoff

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The Utah Jazz have confirmed that their charter flight headed to Memphis had to return to Salt Lake City after the plane struck a flock of birds on takeoff. 

No injuries were reported, and several players expressed gratitude for the safe landing. Donovan Mitchell posted a praying hands emoji on Twitter, while Rudy Gobert (goh-BEHR') wrote "It's a beautiful day!"

The Jazz were scheduled to play the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night. 

UNDATED (AP) — Just one point separates the top three teams in the NHL's Central Division following Florida's victory and losses by Tampa Bay and Carolina.

Carter Verhaeghe (vur-HAY'-gee) scored twice and Brett Connolly netted his 100th NHL goal as the Panthers dumped the Red Wings, 4-1. Jonathan Huberdeau (HOO'-bur-doh) also tallied and Sergei Bobrovsky (boh-BRAHV'-skee) made 35 saves in Florida's third win in a row.

The Panthers moved into a first-place tie with the Lightning at 50 points, one ahead of the Hurricanes.

The Bolts have their first three-game pointless streak of the season following a 3-1 loss to the Blue Jackets. David Savard scored his first goal in two years to help Columbus snap a four-game winless streak. 

Oliver Bjorkstrand and Cam Atkinson also scored for the Jackets to support Elvis Merzlikins (murz-LEE'-kihns), who stopped 37 shots.

Dylan Strome (strohm) and Alex DeBrincat (deh-BRIHN'-kat) scored in a 3:33 span early in the second period to send the Blackhawks past the Hurricanes, 2-1. Kevin Lankinen made 31 saves and Chicago ended Carolina's three-game winning streak. Andrei Svechnikov (SVEHCH'-nih-kahv) scored for Carolina, which fell to 11-2-2 in its last 15 games.

— Artemi Panarin (ahr-TEH'-mee pah-NAH'-rihn) had a goal and two assists while the Rangers scored five straight to beat the Capitals, 5-2. Kaapo Kakko, (KAH'-poh KAH'-koh) Adam Fox, Filip Chytil (HEE'-tul), and Pavel Buchnevich (booch-NEH'-vihch) also scored for the Blueshirts, who prevented the Caps from expanding their two-point lead in the East. Igor Shesterkin (shehs-TUR'-kihn) made 30 saves as New York handed Washington just the third loss in its last 14 games.

— Charlie Coyle and David Pastrnak (PAHS'-tur-nahk) each scored in the shootout to cap the Bruins' rally in a 5-4 triumph over the Devils. Brad Marchand, Charlie McAvoy, Nick Ritchie and Matt Grzelcyk (GRIHZ'-lehk) scored in regulation for the Bruins, who rallied with two goals in the final 9:38 of the third period. Jaroslav Halak stopped 31 shots as the Bruins beat the Devils for just the second time in six games this season.

— Eeli Tolvanen (EH'-lee TOHL'-vah-nehn) scored at 1:29 of overtime to give the Predators a 3-2 victory over the Stars. Calle Jarnkrok had a goal and an assist as Nashville stretched its winning streak to a season-best six games. Juuse Saros (YOO'-see SAH'-rohs) stopped 33 shots in winning for the fourth consecutive start.

— Brendan Gallagher and Artturi Lehkonen (ahr-TOOR'-ee LEH'-koh-nehn) each had a goal and an assist for the Canadiens in a 4-0 shutout of the Oilers. Carey Price stopped 16 shots in his first shutout of the season and 49th of his career. Montreal was playing for the first time since March 20, two days before two Canadiens went on the COVID-19 list to force the postponement of four games.

Flyers place Shayne Gostisbehere on waivers

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The Philadelphia Flyers have placed defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere (GAHS'-tihs-behr) on waivers. 

The surprising move comes as the Flyers are attempting to stay in the playoff hunt. Gostisberhere has five goals and six assists in 25 games and was benched for a three-game stretch two weeks ago. 

The 27-year-old's production has dropped off since scoring 13 goals and adding 52 assists for a career-best 65 points in 78 games in 2017-18.

UNDATED (AP) — The NFL is increasing the regular season to 17 games and reducing the preseason to three games. 

Team owners on Tuesday approved the 17th game, marking the first time in 43 years the regular season has been increased. It went from 14 to 16 games in 1978. 

The Super Bowl now will move back a week to Feb. 13, which places it directly in the middle of the Winter Olympics in Beijing. Coincidentally, NBC has the broadcast rights to both. 

Each extra NFL game will be an interconference matchup based on where teams finished in the previous season. AFC teams will be hosting the 17th game in 2021.

— The Raiders have agreed to a contract extension with left tackle Kolton Miller that will keep him locked up through the 2025 season. ESPN first reported the deal and said it includes $42.6 million in guarantees and averages more than $18 million a year from 2023-25. Miller is the first member of the 2018 draft class that included quarterbacks Josh Allen, Baker Mayfield and Lamar Jackson to get an extension.

—The San Francisco 49ers have signed wide receiver Mohamed Sanu (sah-NOO') for a second stint with the team. Sanu played three games for San Francisco last season with one catch for nine yards.

—The Bills have signed offensive lineman Bobby Hart to a one-year contract. Hart is a sixth-year player who spent the previous three seasons starting at right tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals. 

—The Minnesota Vikings have re-signed left guard Dakota Dozier. He was the sixth starter at left guard in six seasons for the Vikings. 

—The Seattle Seahawks have signed veteran interior offensive lineman Gabe Jackson, who was deemed expendable by the Raiders after seven seasons. Jackson has started 99 of 100 career games and played in all 16 last season for the first time since 2016.

— The Titans have agreed to terms with safety Matthias Farley on a one-year contract. The five-year veteran has started 18 of his 66 NFL games and has 158 tackles, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and 28 special teams tackles. 

— Veteran tight end Marcedes Lewis is staying with the Packers, who also re-signed defensive end Tyler Lancaster. The 36-year-old Lewis has spent the last three seasons in Green Bay after playing 12 seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Lancaster has made 18 starts over the last three seasons.

UNDATED (AP) — The Toronto Blue Jays will play their third homestand of the season at their spring training ballpark in Dunedin, Fliorida, because of COVID-19 restrictions. Toronto had already announced that its first two homestands will be at TD Ballpark, and now it's added 10 games from May 14-24 against Philadelphia, Boston and Tampa Bay. Twenty-two of 81 home games have been switched to Florida from the Rogers Center. Toronto hopes to return home at some point in 2021. The TD Ballpark seats about 8,500 fans and had a major renovation in 2019-20. The Blue Jays intend to limit capacity to 15%.

— Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Ji-Man Choi will have arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and is expected to be sidelined at least three to five weeks. Manager Kevin Cash says the extent of the injury will be clearer after Wednesday's operation. 

— Pitcher Brandon Kintzler and outfielder Matt Joyce were selected to the major league roster by the Phillies. The 36-year-old Kintzler had a 1.86 ERA in 10 spring training games, striking out 11 and walking two in 9 2/3 innings. Joyce hit .310 with one homer and four RBIs in 29 spring training at-bats.

— Spring training took its toll on some of the Cincinnati Reds and some players won't be ready for opening day. Outfielder Shogo Akiyama and pitchers Sonny Gray and Michael Lorenzen will miss the opener Thursday but aren't expected to be sidelined for long after that. 

Olympic gold medalist charged with child sex abuse in Utah

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A sledding gold medalist at the 2002 Winter Olympics has been charged with sexual abuse of a child in Utah. Court documents show James "Jimmy" Shea made his first court appearance Monday. 

Shea's attorney said Tuesday that the charges are a result of a family dispute and a misunderstanding about what his client contends was loving and affectionate touching. The attorney says the 52-year-old Shea plans to plead not guilty. The Associated Press isn't identifying the relationship of the alleged victim to Shea to protect the child's identity. 

<h2>Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press</h2>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs and defensive tackle Jarran Reed have agreed to a $5 million, one-year contract that could be worth up to $7 million. That gives the AFC champions another interior pass rusher to play alongside Chris Jones. The deal was reached late Sunday and represents another big step toward improving the Chiefs' meager pass rush. The 28-year-old Reed was a second-round pick by the Seahawks in the 2016 draft. He's spent his entire career in Seattle, where he had a reputation as a run-stuffer but showed he could get to the quarterback.&nbsp;ST. LOUIS (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals plan to start the season Thursday in Cincinnati with pitchers Kwang Hyun Kim, Dakota Hudson and Miles Mikolas on the injured list along with outfielder Harrison Bader. Hudson always planned to begin on the season on the injured list as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. Kim is dealing with a back injury, Mikolas with a sore shoulder and Bader has a strained right foreman that could keep him out a month.AMES, Iowa (AP) — Officials have recovered the body of an Iowa State University student who had been missing after a school crew club boat capsized during practice on a lake. The accident also killed another student crew member. The university says the students were practicing Sunday morning at Little Wall Lake in Hamilton County when the scull capsized. Three were rescued and a dive team recovered the body of one student later in the day. The search for the missing student was called off Sunday night, but resumed Monday morning. The names of the students have not been released. The students were part of the Iowa State Crew Club, a recognized student organization. Little Wall Lake is about 15 miles north of Ames.UNDATED (AP) — Iowa's Spencer Lee and Minnesota's Gable Steveson have been named winners of the Dan Hodge Trophy as the most dominant college wrestlers in 2020-21. It marks the first time in the award's 20-year history that two wrestlers shared the honor. Lee won the Hodge last year and last week he became a three-time NCAA champion at 125 pounds. Steveson won his first heavyweight national title. The winner of the award is determined by fan vote and a committee made up of past winners, retired coaches and select media.IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The couple who own a massive Interstate 80 travel center in eastern Iowa have donated $10 million to support the Iowa football program and other athletic department projects. The Will and Renee Moon Excellence Fund will endow the head football coaching position in perpetuity. Kirk Ferentz and those who follow him will hold the formal title of Moon Family Head Football Coach.<h2>Update on the latest sports</h2>NCAA MEN'S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENTUnbeaten Zags reach Final FourINDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Gonzaga's bid for a perfect season will continue into the Final Four of the NCAA men's basketball tournament. Meanwhile, UCLA's unexpected run through the tournament continues.Drew Timme (TIH'-mee) provided 15 of his 23 points while the Bulldogs outscored Southern Cal, 49-30 in the first half of an 85-66 win over the Trojans. Jalen Suggs just missed a triple-double for the 30-0 Zags, delivering 18 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists as Gonzaga captured the West Region.All-American Corey Kispert had 18 points and eight boards on an "off" night, hitting just six of his 19 shots from the floor. Gonzaga still finished at 50% shooting despite Kispert's struggles.Isaiah Mobley delivered 19 points and seven rebounds for the Trojans, who finished the year 25-8.UCLA survived a series of nail-biting misses by top-seeded Michigan in the closing seconds for a 51-49 victory that made the Bruins the fifth No. 11 seed ever to reach the Final Four.Johnny Juzang (JOO'-zang) poured in 28 points despite playing most of the second half on a sore ankle. Tyger Campbell added 11 points for the Bruins, who will Gonzaga in the national semifinals.Franz Wagner missed a pair of 3-point attempts over the final 19 seconds, including one at the buzzer to bounce the top-seeded Wolverines from the tournament.Hunter Dickinson had a team-high 11 points for Michigan, which shot 39% overall and was 3-for-11 from beyond the arc.NCAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENTGamecocks reach Women's Final FourSAN ANTONIO (AP) — The Stanford and South Carolina women's basketball team will be spending the weekend in San Antonio.Zia Cooke scored 16 points and the Gamecocks used their stifling defense to advance to the Final Four for the third time, shutting down Texas, 62-34.Top-seeded South Carolina blocked 14 shots, nine by Laeticia Amihere. The Gamecocks also held the sixth-seeded Longhorns to 23% shooting and outscored them, 10-0 in the fourth quarter.Destanni Henderson and Victaria Saxton each scored 12 for the Gamecocks.Lexie Hull scored 21 points and Stanford reached the Final Four by rallying for a 78-63 victory over Louisville. Stanford trailed by 12 midway through the third quarter before scoring 13 consecutive points to take its first lead since early in the game.Kiana Williams finished with 14 points for the Cardinal, including a pair of big 3-pointers while Stanford pulled away.The Cardinal have reached a 14th Final Four as they seek their third national championship and first since 1992.NBA-SCHEDULEMagic trip up ClippersUNDATED (AP) — The Los Angeles Clippers' six-game winning streak has been stopped by an unlikely source.Chuma Okeke (CHOO'-muh oh-KEE'-kee) scored 18 points and the rebuilding Orlando Magic rallied in the fourth quarter to defeat the Clippers, 101-96.The Magic didn't have the lead until late in the fourth quarter and went on a 16-3 run to close the game. Kawhi Leonard made a pair of free throws to give the Clippers a 93-86 lead with 2:36 remaining before the Magic scored 11 straight points to take the lead. Leonard had 28 for the Clippers, who led 51-37 at halftime.Checking out the rest of Tuesday's NBA action:— The Nuggets raced out to a 25-point lead on their way to a 104-95 win over the slow-starting 76ers. Murray scored 30 points, Michael Porter Jr. added 27 while Denver played in front of a home crowd for the first time since last March. Nikola Jokic (nih-KOH'-lah YOH'-kihch) added 21 points for the Nuggets, who dropped Philadelphia in a first-place tie with Brooklyn in the Eastern Conference.— Devin Booker contributed 21 points, Dario Saric added 20 and the Suns held on in the final minutes to beat the Hawks, 117-110. Phoenix's Jae Crowder added 19 points and made 5 of 8 of his 3-point attempts. The Suns have won six of their past seven games, while the Hawks have dropped four of five. — Terry Rozier scored 27 points and Gordon Hayward added 26 with a season-high 11 rebounds in the Hornets' fourth win in five games, 114-104 at Washington. The Hornets went on a 16-2 run to take a 50-39 lead midway in the second quarter. After Washington got within 98-95 with 4:12 to play, Charlotte pulled away and improved to 24-22. NBA-JAZZ-CHARTER FLIGHTJazz charter turns back after striking birds on takeoffSALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The Utah Jazz have confirmed that their charter flight headed to Memphis had to return to Salt Lake City after the plane struck a flock of birds on takeoff. No injuries were reported, and several players expressed gratitude for the safe landing. Donovan Mitchell posted a praying hands emoji on Twitter, while Rudy Gobert (goh-BEHR') wrote "It's a beautiful day!"The Jazz were scheduled to play the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night. NHL-SCHEDULEPanthers grab piece of Central leadUNDATED (AP) — Just one point separates the top three teams in the NHL's Central Division following Florida's victory and losses by Tampa Bay and Carolina.Carter Verhaeghe (vur-HAY'-gee) scored twice and Brett Connolly netted his 100th NHL goal as the Panthers dumped the Red Wings, 4-1. Jonathan Huberdeau (HOO'-bur-doh) also tallied and Sergei Bobrovsky (boh-BRAHV'-skee) made 35 saves in Florida's third win in a row.The Panthers moved into a first-place tie with the Lightning at 50 points, one ahead of the Hurricanes.The Bolts have their first three-game pointless streak of the season following a 3-1 loss to the Blue Jackets. David Savard scored his first goal in two years to help Columbus snap a four-game winless streak. Oliver Bjorkstrand and Cam Atkinson also scored for the Jackets to support Elvis Merzlikins (murz-LEE'-kihns), who stopped 37 shots.Dylan Strome (strohm) and Alex DeBrincat (deh-BRIHN'-kat) scored in a 3:33 span early in the second period to send the Blackhawks past the Hurricanes, 2-1. Kevin Lankinen made 31 saves and Chicago ended Carolina's three-game winning streak. Andrei Svechnikov (SVEHCH'-nih-kahv) scored for Carolina, which fell to 11-2-2 in its last 15 games.Elsewhere on NHL ice:— Artemi Panarin (ahr-TEH'-mee pah-NAH'-rihn) had a goal and two assists while the Rangers scored five straight to beat the Capitals, 5-2. Kaapo Kakko, (KAH'-poh KAH'-koh) Adam Fox, Filip Chytil (HEE'-tul), and Pavel Buchnevich (booch-NEH'-vihch) also scored for the Blueshirts, who prevented the Caps from expanding their two-point lead in the East. Igor Shesterkin (shehs-TUR'-kihn) made 30 saves as New York handed Washington just the third loss in its last 14 games.— Charlie Coyle and David Pastrnak (PAHS'-tur-nahk) each scored in the shootout to cap the Bruins' rally in a 5-4 triumph over the Devils. Brad Marchand, Charlie McAvoy, Nick Ritchie and Matt Grzelcyk (GRIHZ'-lehk) scored in regulation for the Bruins, who rallied with two goals in the final 9:38 of the third period. Jaroslav Halak stopped 31 shots as the Bruins beat the Devils for just the second time in six games this season.— Eeli Tolvanen (EH'-lee TOHL'-vah-nehn) scored at 1:29 of overtime to give the Predators a 3-2 victory over the Stars. Calle Jarnkrok had a goal and an assist as Nashville stretched its winning streak to a season-best six games. Juuse Saros (YOO'-see SAH'-rohs) stopped 33 shots in winning for the fourth consecutive start.— Brendan Gallagher and Artturi Lehkonen (ahr-TOOR'-ee LEH'-koh-nehn) each had a goal and an assist for the Canadiens in a 4-0 shutout of the Oilers. Carey Price stopped 16 shots in his first shutout of the season and 49th of his career. Montreal was playing for the first time since March 20, two days before two Canadiens went on the COVID-19 list to force the postponement of four games.NHL-FLYERS-GOSTISBEHEREFlyers place Shayne Gostisbehere on waiversBUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The Philadelphia Flyers have placed defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere (GAHS'-tihs-behr) on waivers. The surprising move comes as the Flyers are attempting to stay in the playoff hunt. Gostisberhere has five goals and six assists in 25 games and was benched for a three-game stretch two weeks ago. The 27-year-old's production has dropped off since scoring 13 goals and adding 52 assists for a career-best 65 points in 78 games in 2017-18.NFL-OWNERS MEETINGNFL season will be 17 gamesUNDATED (AP) — The NFL is increasing the regular season to 17 games and reducing the preseason to three games. Team owners on Tuesday approved the 17th game, marking the first time in 43 years the regular season has been increased. It went from 14 to 16 games in 1978. The Super Bowl now will move back a week to Feb. 13, which places it directly in the middle of the Winter Olympics in Beijing. Coincidentally, NBC has the broadcast rights to both. Each extra NFL game will be an interconference matchup based on where teams finished in the previous season. AFC teams will be hosting the 17th game in 2021.In other NFL news:— The Raiders have agreed to a contract extension with left tackle Kolton Miller that will keep him locked up through the 2025 season. ESPN first reported the deal and said it includes $42.6 million in guarantees and averages more than $18 million a year from 2023-25. Miller is the first member of the 2018 draft class that included quarterbacks Josh Allen, Baker Mayfield and Lamar Jackson to get an extension.—The San Francisco 49ers have signed wide receiver Mohamed Sanu (sah-NOO') for a second stint with the team. Sanu played three games for San Francisco last season with one catch for nine yards.—The Bills have signed offensive lineman Bobby Hart to a one-year contract. Hart is a sixth-year player who spent the previous three seasons starting at right tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals. —The Minnesota Vikings have re-signed left guard Dakota Dozier. He was the sixth starter at left guard in six seasons for the Vikings. —The Seattle Seahawks have signed veteran interior offensive lineman Gabe Jackson, who was deemed expendable by the Raiders after seven seasons. Jackson has started 99 of 100 career games and played in all 16 last season for the first time since 2016.— The Titans have agreed to terms with safety Matthias Farley on a one-year contract. The five-year veteran has started 18 of his 66 NFL games and has 158 tackles, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and 28 special teams tackles. — Veteran tight end Marcedes Lewis is staying with the Packers, who also re-signed defensive end Tyler Lancaster. The 36-year-old Lewis has spent the last three seasons in Green Bay after playing 12 seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Lancaster has made 18 starts over the last three seasons.MLB-NEWSJays plan more home games for FloridaUNDATED (AP) — The Toronto Blue Jays will play their third homestand of the season at their spring training ballpark in Dunedin, Fliorida, because of COVID-19 restrictions. Toronto had already announced that its first two homestands will be at TD Ballpark, and now it's added 10 games from May 14-24 against Philadelphia, Boston and Tampa Bay. Twenty-two of 81 home games have been switched to Florida from the Rogers Center. Toronto hopes to return home at some point in 2021. The TD Ballpark seats about 8,500 fans and had a major renovation in 2019-20. The Blue Jays intend to limit capacity to 15%.In other major league moves:— Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Ji-Man Choi will have arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and is expected to be sidelined at least three to five weeks. Manager Kevin Cash says the extent of the injury will be clearer after Wednesday's operation. — Pitcher Brandon Kintzler and outfielder Matt Joyce were selected to the major league roster by the Phillies. The 36-year-old Kintzler had a 1.86 ERA in 10 spring training games, striking out 11 and walking two in 9 2/3 innings. Joyce hit .310 with one homer and four RBIs in 29 spring training at-bats.— Spring training took its toll on some of the Cincinnati Reds and some players won't be ready for opening day. Outfielder Shogo Akiyama and pitchers Sonny Gray and Michael Lorenzen will miss the opener Thursday but aren't expected to be sidelined for long after that. OLYMPIC MEDALIST-SEXUAL ABUSE CHARGESOlympic gold medalist charged with child sex abuse in UtahSALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A sledding gold medalist at the 2002 Winter Olympics has been charged with sexual abuse of a child in Utah. Court documents show James "Jimmy" Shea made his first court appearance Monday. Shea's attorney said Tuesday that the charges are a result of a family dispute and a misunderstanding about what his client contends was loving and affectionate touching. The attorney says the 52-year-old Shea plans to plead not guilty. The Associated Press isn't identifying the relationship of the alleged victim to Shea to protect the child's identity.

Sports Headlines for Wednesday

By STEVE CARPENTER - Hutchinson CC Sports Information

MANHATTAN, Kan. – The NJCAA No. 2-ranked Hutchinson Community College men's golf team overcome the toughest scoring conditions this spring to win its fourth-straight Jayhawk Conference-designated tournament in a row on Monday.

With sustained southerly winds howling at 40 mph and gusting to better than 60 at Colbert Hills Country Club, the Blue Dragons defeated Garden City by three strokes to win the first of three league designated tournaments this season.

Hutchinson won its second-straight team title and third overall tournament championship this season. The Blue Dragons won the Texas A&amp;M-Commerce Lion Invitational two weeks ago. The conference winning streak dates back to last season when the Blue Dragons won all three conference-designated tournaments.

Hutchinson shot team rounds of 309 and 323 on Monday. The Dragons had an eight-stroke lead after one round. Garden City made up five strokes in the second round with an afternoon 318. Barton was third in the 36-hole event at 651.

Harry Crocket led the Blue Dragons in the opening round with a 3-under 69. The Dragons did have to use one score in the 80s. The Blue Dragons used three card with 80 or above in the afternoon round in shooting a wind-aided season high of 323.

<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2020-21/bios/partridge_ben_nliv">Ben Partridge</a>&nbsp;was the low scorer for Hutchinson. He was third overall on Monday at 154 after rounds of 79 and 75.

<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2020-21/bios/crockett_harry_uzwd">Harry Crockett</a>&nbsp;had a tough afternoon round after the opening-round 69. Crockett shot an 86 in the afternoon round and finished fourth overall at 155.

Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2020-21/bios/crockett_charlie_7tfw">Charlie Crockett</a>&nbsp;was seventh at 157 (78-81).

Individual golfer&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2020-21/bios/alonzo_addison_9qi0">Addison Alonzo</a>&nbsp;earned 0.75 conference points for a four-way tie for ninth place after shooting 163 (82-81).

<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2020-21/bios/mccrae_tradgon_n8mn">Trey McCrae</a>&nbsp;had rounds of 83 and 84 to finish at 167.&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2020-21/bios/rios-ceballos_cameron_hq9q">Cameron Rios-Ceballos</a>&nbsp;shot 172 with rounds of 89 and 83. Playing as an individual,&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2020-21/bios/hilton_charlie_zp4k">Charlie Hilton</a>&nbsp;tied for 12th at 164 (83-81).

The next Jayhawk Conference tournament will April 12 and 13 at Sand Creek Station in Newton.

By STEVE CARPENTER - Hutchinson CC Sports InformationMANHATTAN, Kan. – The NJCAA No. 2-ranked Hutchinson Community College men's golf team overcome the toughest scoring conditions this spring to win its fourth-straight Jayhawk Conference-designated tournament in a row on Monday.With sustained southerly winds howling at 40 mph and gusting to better than 60 at Colbert Hills Country Club, the Blue Dragons defeated Garden City by three strokes to win the first of three league designated tournaments this season.Hutchinson won its second-straight team title and third overall tournament championship this season. The Blue Dragons won the Texas A&amp;M-Commerce Lion Invitational two weeks ago. The conference winning streak dates back to last season when the Blue Dragons won all three conference-designated tournaments.Hutchinson shot team rounds of 309 and 323 on Monday. The Dragons had an eight-stroke lead after one round. Garden City made up five strokes in the second round with an afternoon 318. Barton was third in the 36-hole event at 651.Harry Crocket led the Blue Dragons in the opening round with a 3-under 69. The Dragons did have to use one score in the 80s. The Blue Dragons used three card with 80 or above in the afternoon round in shooting a wind-aided season high of 323.<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2020-21/bios/partridge_ben_nliv">Ben Partridge</a>&nbsp;was the low scorer for Hutchinson. He was third overall on Monday at 154 after rounds of 79 and 75.<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2020-21/bios/crockett_harry_uzwd">Harry Crockett</a>&nbsp;had a tough afternoon round after the opening-round 69. Crockett shot an 86 in the afternoon round and finished fourth overall at 155.Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2020-21/bios/crockett_charlie_7tfw">Charlie Crockett</a>&nbsp;was seventh at 157 (78-81).Individual golfer&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2020-21/bios/alonzo_addison_9qi0">Addison Alonzo</a>&nbsp;earned 0.75 conference points for a four-way tie for ninth place after shooting 163 (82-81).<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2020-21/bios/mccrae_tradgon_n8mn">Trey McCrae</a>&nbsp;had rounds of 83 and 84 to finish at 167.&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2020-21/bios/rios-ceballos_cameron_hq9q">Cameron Rios-Ceballos</a>&nbsp;shot 172 with rounds of 89 and 83. Playing as an individual,&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2020-21/bios/hilton_charlie_zp4k">Charlie Hilton</a>&nbsp;tied for 12th at 164 (83-81).The next Jayhawk Conference tournament will April 12 and 13 at Sand Creek Station in Newton.

Blue Dragon Golf scores 4th straight KJCCC Tournament win

The Hutchinson Community College volleyball team has lost four five-set matches this season, all seemingly with funny bounces off the net cord that went against the Blue Dragons in those decisive sets.

Call it poetic justice, but with the 2021 season on the brink of abruptly ending in the fifth set of their Region VI Tournament opening-round match against Garden City on Tuesday at the Sports Arena, the net cord finally favored the Blue Dragons in the fifth set.

Hutchinson advanced to the Region VI Tournament semifinals for the 10th consecutive season with a thrilling 25-15, 19-25, 25-19, 21-25, 15-11 opening-round victory over the Broncbusters. The Blue Dragons, now 18-9, will take on 23-4 Barton in the semifinals of the Region VI Tournament at the Green House in Liberal. The match is set to begin 40 minutes after the conclusion of the Seward County-Colby match, slated for Noon. The Region VI championship match will be one hour after the completion of the Hutchinson-Barton match.

Garden City's Reagen Karlin had back-to-back kills to pull Garden City within 12-11 in the fifth set and forced a Blue Dragon timeout. After a slow offense start to the match, freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/briggs_shadee_xm04">Shadee Briggs</a>&nbsp;got the set on the next rally.

Taking her attack from the 10-foot line and trying to go high-hands off the Buster block, Briggs' attack was blocked and the ball rolled along the net cord with no Blue Dragon near to cover off the net. Somehow, the ball crawled on the cord long enough to go out, giving Briggs a kill and the Blue Dragons a 13-11 lead.&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/thorne_jenna_xncq">Jenna Thorne</a>&nbsp;served an ace for a 14-11 lead and Garden City's final attack went long on match point to finish the match.

Briggs, who had just two kills in the first two sets, had 13 kills over the final three – four kills in the fifth set – and finished with a double-double with 15 kills and 16 digs.

Thorne led the Blue Dragons with a match-high 21 kills with three total blocks and three aces.&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/head_kristina_5dlc">Kristina Head</a>&nbsp;had 16 kills and&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/larson_taegan_9xc6">Taegen Larsen</a>&nbsp;finished with nine kills.

The Blue Dragons had four players with 16 or more digs on a tremendous night for the Hutch back row. Libero&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/reeder_shelby_zpe9">Shelby Reeder</a>&nbsp;tallied 25 digs to lead the Dragons. Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/lane_kenna_obyd">Kenna Lane</a>&nbsp;had a career-high 17 digs as did setter&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/price_chloe_rbgs">Chloe Price</a>&nbsp;and Briggs had 16 digs.

Price finished with a career-high 59 assists as Hutchinson posted 71 total kills in the fifth-set match.

Karlin had 17 kills, Tauja Durham had 13 and Alli Meng had 11 kills and three service aces to lead the Busters.

The Blue Dragons trailed 11-8 in the opening set and turned things around with an 8-1 run, which was capped by Thorne ace for a 16-12 Hutchinson lead. Larsen came up with a pair of big first-set kills at 18-13 and 20-14 after pounding down an over-dig. The Dragons closed on a 5-0 run with a Price dump for a kill, back-to-back Thorne kills, a Reeder ace and Thorne's fifth kill of the opening stanza on set point for a 25-15 win.

Tied at 4-all in the second set, the Busters scored four in a row to force a Dragon timeout at 8-4. Trailing 11-5, Briggs had a kill, Larsen terminated twice in a row and Thorne had a solo block to pull the Dragons within 11-9. Unlike the first set, the Busters never led the Dragons catch them. Hutch had the set at 13-11, 15-13, 16-14 and a Head kill pulled the Dragons within 18-17. A Karlin kill on the next rally sparked the Busters to a set-clinching 7-2 run to knot the match a 1-1.

Leading the third set 11-10, the Dragons got kills from Head and&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/murrell_shelby_tlgr">Shelby Murrell</a>&nbsp;to take a three-point lead. Garden City scored on the next three rally to tie the set at 13-all. The Dragons answered that challenging with a 6-1 run to lead 19-14 after a&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/nelson_kersti_b4a9">Kersti Nelson</a>&nbsp;service ace, one of eight Dragon aces in the match. The Busters pulled within 19-17. Briggs stopped the surge with a tip over the block for a kill and a head kill. Hutchinson scored its final four points of the third set on Garden City errors for a 25-19 win and a 2-1 match lead.

With Briggs on fire, she had two early kills in the fourth set for an 8-4 lead. Garden City scored on 8 of the next 11 rallies to take a 12-11 lead on a Durham kill. Like the second set, the Dragons stayed close, but could never grab the lead. Trailing 22-18, Thorne had a kill, Murrell and Price had a double block and Garden City had an attack error to pull Hutch within 22-21. The Busters got two Angel Sherman solo blocks and a Remy Vargas ace to close out the set and take the match to the fifth set.

The Dragons trailed 5-3 and knotted the set at 5-all with a Briggs kill and Garden attack error. Down 6-4, Hutch had four consecutive points with kills from Briggs, Head, Larsen and Briggs again for a 9-6 lead. A Thorne kill made it 12-9 Hutchinson before Karlin's back-to-back kills pulled Garden City within 12-11 to force a Dragon timeout. The next point was Briggs' net-cord kill that made it 13-11.

By STEVE CARPENTER - Hutchinson CC Sports InformationThe Hutchinson Community College volleyball team has lost four five-set matches this season, all seemingly with funny bounces off the net cord that went against the Blue Dragons in those decisive sets.Call it poetic justice, but with the 2021 season on the brink of abruptly ending in the fifth set of their Region VI Tournament opening-round match against Garden City on Tuesday at the Sports Arena, the net cord finally favored the Blue Dragons in the fifth set.Hutchinson advanced to the Region VI Tournament semifinals for the 10th consecutive season with a thrilling 25-15, 19-25, 25-19, 21-25, 15-11 opening-round victory over the Broncbusters. The Blue Dragons, now 18-9, will take on 23-4 Barton in the semifinals of the Region VI Tournament at the Green House in Liberal. The match is set to begin 40 minutes after the conclusion of the Seward County-Colby match, slated for Noon. The Region VI championship match will be one hour after the completion of the Hutchinson-Barton match.Garden City's Reagen Karlin had back-to-back kills to pull Garden City within 12-11 in the fifth set and forced a Blue Dragon timeout. After a slow offense start to the match, freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/briggs_shadee_xm04">Shadee Briggs</a>&nbsp;got the set on the next rally.Taking her attack from the 10-foot line and trying to go high-hands off the Buster block, Briggs' attack was blocked and the ball rolled along the net cord with no Blue Dragon near to cover off the net. Somehow, the ball crawled on the cord long enough to go out, giving Briggs a kill and the Blue Dragons a 13-11 lead.&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/thorne_jenna_xncq">Jenna Thorne</a>&nbsp;served an ace for a 14-11 lead and Garden City's final attack went long on match point to finish the match.Briggs, who had just two kills in the first two sets, had 13 kills over the final three – four kills in the fifth set – and finished with a double-double with 15 kills and 16 digs.Thorne led the Blue Dragons with a match-high 21 kills with three total blocks and three aces.&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/head_kristina_5dlc">Kristina Head</a>&nbsp;had 16 kills and&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/larson_taegan_9xc6">Taegen Larsen</a>&nbsp;finished with nine kills.The Blue Dragons had four players with 16 or more digs on a tremendous night for the Hutch back row. Libero&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/reeder_shelby_zpe9">Shelby Reeder</a>&nbsp;tallied 25 digs to lead the Dragons. Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/lane_kenna_obyd">Kenna Lane</a>&nbsp;had a career-high 17 digs as did setter&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/price_chloe_rbgs">Chloe Price</a>&nbsp;and Briggs had 16 digs.Price finished with a career-high 59 assists as Hutchinson posted 71 total kills in the fifth-set match.Karlin had 17 kills, Tauja Durham had 13 and Alli Meng had 11 kills and three service aces to lead the Busters.The Blue Dragons trailed 11-8 in the opening set and turned things around with an 8-1 run, which was capped by Thorne ace for a 16-12 Hutchinson lead. Larsen came up with a pair of big first-set kills at 18-13 and 20-14 after pounding down an over-dig. The Dragons closed on a 5-0 run with a Price dump for a kill, back-to-back Thorne kills, a Reeder ace and Thorne's fifth kill of the opening stanza on set point for a 25-15 win.Tied at 4-all in the second set, the Busters scored four in a row to force a Dragon timeout at 8-4. Trailing 11-5, Briggs had a kill, Larsen terminated twice in a row and Thorne had a solo block to pull the Dragons within 11-9. Unlike the first set, the Busters never led the Dragons catch them. Hutch had the set at 13-11, 15-13, 16-14 and a Head kill pulled the Dragons within 18-17. A Karlin kill on the next rally sparked the Busters to a set-clinching 7-2 run to knot the match a 1-1.Leading the third set 11-10, the Dragons got kills from Head and&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/murrell_shelby_tlgr">Shelby Murrell</a>&nbsp;to take a three-point lead. Garden City scored on the next three rally to tie the set at 13-all. The Dragons answered that challenging with a 6-1 run to lead 19-14 after a&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/bios/nelson_kersti_b4a9">Kersti Nelson</a>&nbsp;service ace, one of eight Dragon aces in the match. The Busters pulled within 19-17. Briggs stopped the surge with a tip over the block for a kill and a head kill. Hutchinson scored its final four points of the third set on Garden City errors for a 25-19 win and a 2-1 match lead.With Briggs on fire, she had two early kills in the fourth set for an 8-4 lead. Garden City scored on 8 of the next 11 rallies to take a 12-11 lead on a Durham kill. Like the second set, the Dragons stayed close, but could never grab the lead. Trailing 22-18, Thorne had a kill, Murrell and Price had a double block and Garden City had an attack error to pull Hutch within 22-21. The Busters got two Angel Sherman solo blocks and a Remy Vargas ace to close out the set and take the match to the fifth set.The Dragons trailed 5-3 and knotted the set at 5-all with a Briggs kill and Garden attack error. Down 6-4, Hutch had four consecutive points with kills from Briggs, Head, Larsen and Briggs again for a 9-6 lead. A Thorne kill made it 12-9 Hutchinson before Karlin's back-to-back kills pulled Garden City within 12-11 to force a Dragon timeout. The next point was Briggs' net-cord kill that made it 13-11.

Blue Dragon Volleyball survive in 5 to advance in Region VI

HUTCHINSON, Kan.—Both the Hutch High Baseball and Softball opened the 2021 Spring seasons with big wins over Wichita South on Monday night.

Hutch High Softball won game 1 over the Titans 15-0, then took game 2 12-2.

Hutch High Baseball won game 1 of the doubleheader with a 17-2 run rule in 3 innings.&nbsp; Bennett Turner pitched the win with Nolan Cunningham coming on in relief.

In game 2 Hutch High scored 8 runs in the third inning all with 2 outs to coast to a 11-1 run rule win in 5 innings.&nbsp; Kanon Krol earned the win with Bobbie Garland coming on in relief.&nbsp; Myles Thompson doubled to score Kinser Newquest for the win in game 2.

HUTCHINSON, Kan.—Both the Hutch High Baseball and Softball opened the 2021 Spring seasons with big wins over Wichita South on Monday night.Hutch High Softball won game 1 over the Titans 15-0, then took game 2 12-2.Hutch High Baseball won game 1 of the doubleheader with a 17-2 run rule in 3 innings.&nbsp; Bennett Turner pitched the win with Nolan Cunningham coming on in relief.In game 2 Hutch High scored 8 runs in the third inning all with 2 outs to coast to a 11-1 run rule win in 5 innings.&nbsp; Kanon Krol earned the win with Bobbie Garland coming on in relief.&nbsp; Myles Thompson doubled to score Kinser Newquest for the win in game 2.

Salthhawk Baseball and Softball sweeps Wichita South

HUTCHINSON, Kan.—The Hutchinson Salthawk Baseball team under 5th year head coach Jim Preston will open their 2021 season today vs Wichita South High School at 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.

FINAL GAME: &nbsp;Hutch 17, Wichita South 2

Game 2 vs Wichita South @ approximately 5:50pm

HUTCHINSON, Kan.—The Hutchinson Salthawk Baseball team under 5th year head coach Jim Preston will open their 2021 season today vs Wichita South High School at 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.FINAL GAME: &nbsp;Hutch 17, Wichita South 2<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aWXSqwN9gOY" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Game 2 vs Wichita South @ approximately 5:50pm<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Olj1JOyykg8" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

 🎥 ⚾ LIVE TV: Salthawk Baseball opens today vs Wichita South

AUDIO: Eagle Radio Sports for Tuesday

Full game stories to follow:Final Scores:Women's Game:Barton 77, Hutch 58Men's Game:Barton 63, Hutch 59

Barton Sweeps Hutch in Great Bend

On Sept. 8, 2020, the Royals snapped a seven-game losing streak with an 8-6 win over Cleveland. The Royals would then win six consecutive games, going 12-6 from that day to the end of the season.

The Royals finished the pandemic-shortened 2020 season 26-34, their fourth consecutive season under .500, and finished fourth in the American League Central. But with the way the Royals felt at the end of the September, no one was ready to head home for the offseason. That was the energy Royals manager Mike Matheny wanted his team to feel heading into this year’s Spring Training in Surprise, Ariz.

“The group as a whole was getting better on a very consistent basis and clicking right when you were hoping they would click,” Matheny said on one of the first days of spring camp. “Unfortunately, we had to sit and watch other teams make the playoffs, and that gives you a little bit of an edge, especially after you’ve been playing well, and after 60 games, [we were not] tired. You’re watching us catch momentum. … You can’t help but sense the vibe of excitement now because of some of the momentum that we have.”

The Royals are entering the 2021 season after an offseason full of moves, adding key hitters to the lineup and veteran voices to the pitching staff. Those moves signaled Kansas City is ready to take the turn towards contending once again.

Here are a few things to keep an eye on and players to watch out for as the regular season opens this week:

The Royals were tied for 13th in the AL in runs scored in 2020 (248) and 14th in '19 (691). That number must increase for the Royals to compete in their division. Kansas City added first baseman&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/467793" target="_blank">Carlos Santana</a>&nbsp;via free agency and left fielder&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/643217" target="_blank">Andrew Benintendi</a>&nbsp;via trade over the offseason, believing the struggles they faced in '20 were not signs of things to come. In Spring Training, Santana showed he can be a tough at-bat in the middle of the lineup, always looking to get on base, but not shying away from the damage he can do. Benintendi will slot in at the top of the lineup, likely at No. 2, and figures to use his gap-to-gap style to get on base for those behind him.

Beyond just the two newcomers, the Royals are counting on third baseman&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/641531" target="_blank">Hunter Dozier</a>&nbsp;and designated hitter&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/624585" target="_blank">Jorge Soler</a>&nbsp;to return to their '19 forms, as well as shortstop&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/609275" target="_blank">Adalberto Mondesi</a>&nbsp;to stay healthy to really give the lineup the depth it needs.

Who will be the fifth starter? How will the Royals handle the workload question? Will the bullpen see its success in a 60-game season translate to a 162-game campaign? These are the questions greeting the Royals' pitching staff come Opening Day.

Kansas City doesn’t need a fifth starter until April 16, so they can hold off on the first question until then, allowing left-hander&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/663460" target="_blank">Kris Bubic</a>&nbsp;to work through his adjustments, or turning to long relievers like&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/596001" target="_blank">Jakob Junis</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/429722" target="_blank">Ervin Santana</a>. After April 16, the Royals won’t be ignoring the industry-wide uncertainty of how pitchers handle the transition from a shortened season to a full season. Junis and Santana could be used to bridge the gap in innings, too, as the Royals protect their young arms. They could also call on their depth with pitching prospects&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/663738" target="_blank">Daniel Lynch</a>&nbsp;(<a href="https://www.mlb.com/prospects/royals/daniel-lynch-663738" target="_blank">No. 2</a>) and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/663804" target="_blank">Jackson Kowar</a>&nbsp;(<a href="https://www.mlb.com/prospects/royals/jackson-kowar-663804" target="_blank">No. 4</a>).

Kansas City's bullpen was a strength in 2020, with a 3.84 bullpen ERA.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/518813" target="_blank">Greg Holland</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/622251" target="_blank">Josh Staumont</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/605130" target="_blank">Scott Barlow</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/534910" target="_blank">Jesse Hahn</a>&nbsp;are set to return, and a new -- but familiar -- face could join them in non-roster invite&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/451584" target="_blank">Wade Davis</a>. Will the Royals look to add a lefty in the ‘pen with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/663992" target="_blank">Richard Lovelady</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/641394" target="_blank">Jake Brentz</a>? How the Royals use their bullpen and its depth will also come into play with the workload question.

<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EudjkFKsHW4" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>On Sept. 8, 2020, the Royals snapped a seven-game losing streak with an 8-6 win over Cleveland. The Royals would then win six consecutive games, going 12-6 from that day to the end of the season.The Royals finished the pandemic-shortened 2020 season 26-34, their fourth consecutive season under .500, and finished fourth in the American League Central. But with the way the Royals felt at the end of the September, no one was ready to head home for the offseason. That was the energy Royals manager Mike Matheny wanted his team to feel heading into this year’s Spring Training in Surprise, Ariz.“The group as a whole was getting better on a very consistent basis and clicking right when you were hoping they would click,” Matheny said on one of the first days of spring camp. “Unfortunately, we had to sit and watch other teams make the playoffs, and that gives you a little bit of an edge, especially after you’ve been playing well, and after 60 games, [we were not] tired. You’re watching us catch momentum. … You can’t help but sense the vibe of excitement now because of some of the momentum that we have.”The Royals are entering the 2021 season after an offseason full of moves, adding key hitters to the lineup and veteran voices to the pitching staff. Those moves signaled Kansas City is ready to take the turn towards contending once again.Here are a few things to keep an eye on and players to watch out for as the regular season opens this week:What Needs to Go Right?The Royals were tied for 13th in the AL in runs scored in 2020 (248) and 14th in '19 (691). That number must increase for the Royals to compete in their division. Kansas City added first baseman&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/467793" target="_blank">Carlos Santana</a>&nbsp;via free agency and left fielder&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/643217" target="_blank">Andrew Benintendi</a>&nbsp;via trade over the offseason, believing the struggles they faced in '20 were not signs of things to come. In Spring Training, Santana showed he can be a tough at-bat in the middle of the lineup, always looking to get on base, but not shying away from the damage he can do. Benintendi will slot in at the top of the lineup, likely at No. 2, and figures to use his gap-to-gap style to get on base for those behind him.<figure>
 <img src="https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/ar_16:9,g_auto,q_auto:good,w_1024,c_fill,f_jpg,dpr_3.0/mlb/rbiunaamxdcgtlulauhb" alt="" />
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 </figure>Beyond just the two newcomers, the Royals are counting on third baseman&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/641531" target="_blank">Hunter Dozier</a>&nbsp;and designated hitter&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/624585" target="_blank">Jorge Soler</a>&nbsp;to return to their '19 forms, as well as shortstop&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/609275" target="_blank">Adalberto Mondesi</a>&nbsp;to stay healthy to really give the lineup the depth it needs.<figure>
 <img src="https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/ar_16:9,g_auto,q_auto:good,w_1024,c_fill,f_jpg,dpr_3.0/mlb/zealfumrjznyiqcqe5r1" alt="" />
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 </figure>Great Unknown:&nbsp;The pitchingWho will be the fifth starter? How will the Royals handle the workload question? Will the bullpen see its success in a 60-game season translate to a 162-game campaign? These are the questions greeting the Royals' pitching staff come Opening Day.Kansas City doesn’t need a fifth starter until April 16, so they can hold off on the first question until then, allowing left-hander&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/663460" target="_blank">Kris Bubic</a>&nbsp;to work through his adjustments, or turning to long relievers like&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/596001" target="_blank">Jakob Junis</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/429722" target="_blank">Ervin Santana</a>. After April 16, the Royals won’t be ignoring the industry-wide uncertainty of how pitchers handle the transition from a shortened season to a full season. Junis and Santana could be used to bridge the gap in innings, too, as the Royals protect their young arms. They could also call on their depth with pitching prospects&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/663738" target="_blank">Daniel Lynch</a>&nbsp;(<a href="https://www.mlb.com/prospects/royals/daniel-lynch-663738" target="_blank">No. 2</a>) and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/663804" target="_blank">Jackson Kowar</a>&nbsp;(<a href="https://www.mlb.com/prospects/royals/jackson-kowar-663804" target="_blank">No. 4</a>).Kansas City's bullpen was a strength in 2020, with a 3.84 bullpen ERA.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/518813" target="_blank">Greg Holland</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/622251" target="_blank">Josh Staumont</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/605130" target="_blank">Scott Barlow</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/534910" target="_blank">Jesse Hahn</a>&nbsp;are set to return, and a new -- but familiar -- face could join them in non-roster invite&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/451584" target="_blank">Wade Davis</a>. Will the Royals look to add a lefty in the ‘pen with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/663992" target="_blank">Richard Lovelady</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/641394" target="_blank">Jake Brentz</a>? How the Royals use their bullpen and its depth will also come into play with the workload question.•&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/royals/news/wade-davis-makes-royals-roster" target="_blank">Vintage Wade Davis makes Royals' roster</a>“I plan on it being better than it was last year, to be honest with you,” Holland said. “A lot of things have to line up, you got to stay healthy. But I think there’s more experience this year with a lot of guys getting an opportunity last year. We’ve got a lot of guys that are on the cusp of being in the big leagues. However it works out, you’re going to end up needing 15-20 pitchers deep down there when it’s all said and done, and I think we have the depth for that. I think we look forward to collectively going out there and getting the job done. I think that’s what’s exciting and that’s the main focus.”Team MVP Will Be:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/521692" target="_blank">Salvador Perez</a>Perez is coming off an excellent season, hitting .333/.353/.633 across 37 games one year after having Tommy John surgery. Despite missing some time in 2020, he didn’t miss a beat when he was playing, knocking 11 home runs and 12 doubles. After signing a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/royals/news/salvador-perez-royals-extension" target="_blank">four-year extension</a>&nbsp;this Spring Training, Perez continues his momentum into the regular season at a premium position, anchoring the Royals both at the plate and behind it.<figure>
 <img src="https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/ar_16:9,g_auto,q_auto:good,w_1024,c_fill,f_jpg,dpr_3.0/mlb/wtq86szcz63sefcbu3q5" alt="" />
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 </figure>The Royals reinforced Keller’s No. 1 status by naming him their Opening Day starter for the second time in his career. The right-hander will look to build on his 2.47 ERA in 2020, when he made nine starts and struck out 35 across 54 2/3 innings. The Royals are counting on Keller to be a workhorse, and he’s ready to take on that responsibility. This will be the year he does it for a full season -- and gets the results he and the Royals are expecting. But here’s a twist to this prediction: Young right-hander&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/663903" target="_blank">Brady Singer</a>&nbsp;won’t be far behind in his second season in the Majors.Bold Prediction:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/677951" target="_blank">Bobby Witt Jr.</a>&nbsp;will win AL Rookie of the YearFor Witt, the Royals’&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/prospects/royals/bobby-witt-jr-677951" target="_blank">top prospect</a>&nbsp;and baseball’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/prospects/top100/bobby-witt-jr-677951" target="_blank">No. 7 overall</a>&nbsp;per MLB Pipeline, to win the AL Rookie of the Year Award would mean a lot has to go right. The Royals have signaled the 20-year-old infielder&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/royals/news/bobby-witt-jr-minor-leagues" target="_blank">will not make the Opening Day roster</a>, so he would need the opportunity to come up in the early part of the season and stick with the Royals the rest of the way. Witt was knocking at the door of the Majors with his performance for most of Spring Training, and the Royals won’t hesitate to bring him up when he’s ready and there’s opportunity. He would be Kansas City’s first ROY since&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/407556" target="_blank">Angel Berroa</a>&nbsp;in 2003.