(AP) — The one-year trial version of the dynamic kickoff in the NFL led to an uptick in the return rate that wasn’t quite as much as the league had hoped.

Now the new form of the kickoff that is more like a scrimmage play is permanent with a change for 2025 that the league hopes will lead to a significant increase in returns.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tush-push-kickoff-nfl-meetings-42c9a19837b908320d5b44e1da79a64b">Owners voted Tuesday</a>&nbsp;to move touchbacks on kicks from the 30 to the 35 in hopes that more teams will kick the ball in play instead of giving up an extra 5 yards of field position.

The league also approved changes to the overtime rule, expanded replay assist and made a few other technical changes at the league meetings in Palm Beach, Florida.

Here’s an explanation of some of the new rules that will be in place.

The league was mostly pleased with the experimental kickoff put in place for 2024 that led to the rate of kickoff returns increasing from a record-low 21.8% in 2023 to 32.8% last season, while reducing the rate of injuries on what had been the game’s most dangerous play.

The rule made kickoffs more like scrimmage plays by placing the coverage players and blockers close together to eliminate the high-speed collisions that had contributed to so many injuries on the play. The league said the rate of concussions dropped 43% on returns with a significant reduction as well on lower-body injuries.

The problem last season was many teams still opted to kick the ball in the end zone because the touchback wasn’t punitive enough with the average starting field position on a touchback being only 2.4 further than the average starting position after returns that was the 27.6-yard line.

By moving the touchback to the 35, the league projects that the return rate will rise to somewhere between 60% and 70% with a similar increase in long returns, adding more excitement to the game.

The league also approved a small tweak to how how blockers on the return team are allowed to line up in the setup zone that could lead to longer returns.

The league approved a proposal to make regular season overtime more like the postseason with both teams getting a chance at a possession, even if the team that got the ball first scored a touchdown.

The NFL added regular season overtime in 1974, adding a 15-minute sudden death period that ended on any score. In 2010, the rule was tweaked to a “modified” sudden death that required an opening possession touchdown to immediately end the game instead of only a field goal in both the regular season and playoffs.

Overtime then was shortened for the regular season to only 10 minutes in 2017. A rule change in 2022 for the playoffs only gave both teams the chance to score even with a touchdown on the opening possession.

Now that will be the case in the playoffs, after the improved field position on kickoffs made winning in OT on an opening possession TD easier.

According to Sportradar, six of the 16 overtime games last season ended on an opening drive TD for the most overtime games ended on the first drive since the rule change went into effect in 2010.

In all, teams that won the overtime toss won 75% of the time last season, according to Sportradar, and have a .606 winning percentage in overtime since it was cut to 10 minutes.

The league kept the 10-minute overtime period instead of expanding it back to 15 minutes like was originally proposed by Philadelphia, which could lead teams opting to go for 2 and a win if they match an opening drive TD with one of their own since there might not be time for another possession.

The NFL expanded its replay assist system to overturn objective calls such as facemask penalties, whether there was forcible contact to the head or neck area, horse-collar tackles, tripping if there was “clear and obvious” evidence that a foul didn’t occur. Replay also would be able to overturn a roughing-the-kicker or running-into-the-kicker penalty if video showed the defender made contact with the ball.

The league has been using replay assist in recent years to overturn obvious errors on aspects like whether a pass is caught or where the ball should be spotted without the referee needing to stop the game for a review.

The Competition Committee says there’s no interest in allowing replay assists to call penalties on plays missed by officials on the field.

There were a few procedural rules changed. Teams will now by able to conduct Zoom or phone meetings with prospective free agents during the so-called legal tampering period.

Teams can place two players on injured reserve with the designation to return when rosters are reduced to 53 players instead of after. Playoff teams also will be granted two additional return from IR designations.

A proposal by Green Bay to outlaw the tush push that Philadelphia has used so successfully was tabled until the May meetings. A vote on a proposal to tweak the onside kick rule also was delayed until May, along with a proposal by Detroit to change the playoff seeding to place wild-card teams ahead of a division winner with a worse record.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743618292825.jpeg" alt="The Kansas City Chiefs kickoff to the Philadelphia Eagles at the start of the NFL Super Bowl 59 football game, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillips, File)" />
 <figcaption>The Kansas City Chiefs kickoff to the Philadelphia Eagles at the start of the NFL Super Bowl 59 football game, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillips, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>(AP) — The one-year trial version of the dynamic kickoff in the NFL led to an uptick in the return rate that wasn’t quite as much as the league had hoped.Now the new form of the kickoff that is more like a scrimmage play is permanent with a change for 2025 that the league hopes will lead to a significant increase in returns.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tush-push-kickoff-nfl-meetings-42c9a19837b908320d5b44e1da79a64b">Owners voted Tuesday</a>&nbsp;to move touchbacks on kicks from the 30 to the 35 in hopes that more teams will kick the ball in play instead of giving up an extra 5 yards of field position.The league also approved changes to the overtime rule, expanded replay assist and made a few other technical changes at the league meetings in Palm Beach, Florida.Here’s an explanation of some of the new rules that will be in place.<h2>What’s new with the kickoff?</h2>The league was mostly pleased with the experimental kickoff put in place for 2024 that led to the rate of kickoff returns increasing from a record-low 21.8% in 2023 to 32.8% last season, while reducing the rate of injuries on what had been the game’s most dangerous play.The rule made kickoffs more like scrimmage plays by placing the coverage players and blockers close together to eliminate the high-speed collisions that had contributed to so many injuries on the play. The league said the rate of concussions dropped 43% on returns with a significant reduction as well on lower-body injuries.The problem last season was many teams still opted to kick the ball in the end zone because the touchback wasn’t punitive enough with the average starting field position on a touchback being only 2.4 further than the average starting position after returns that was the 27.6-yard line.By moving the touchback to the 35, the league projects that the return rate will rise to somewhere between 60% and 70% with a similar increase in long returns, adding more excitement to the game.The league also approved a small tweak to how how blockers on the return team are allowed to line up in the setup zone that could lead to longer returns.<h2>How will overtime change?</h2>The league approved a proposal to make regular season overtime more like the postseason with both teams getting a chance at a possession, even if the team that got the ball first scored a touchdown.The NFL added regular season overtime in 1974, adding a 15-minute sudden death period that ended on any score. In 2010, the rule was tweaked to a “modified” sudden death that required an opening possession touchdown to immediately end the game instead of only a field goal in both the regular season and playoffs.Overtime then was shortened for the regular season to only 10 minutes in 2017. A rule change in 2022 for the playoffs only gave both teams the chance to score even with a touchdown on the opening possession.Now that will be the case in the playoffs, after the improved field position on kickoffs made winning in OT on an opening possession TD easier.According to Sportradar, six of the 16 overtime games last season ended on an opening drive TD for the most overtime games ended on the first drive since the rule change went into effect in 2010.In all, teams that won the overtime toss won 75% of the time last season, according to Sportradar, and have a .606 winning percentage in overtime since it was cut to 10 minutes.The league kept the 10-minute overtime period instead of expanding it back to 15 minutes like was originally proposed by Philadelphia, which could lead teams opting to go for 2 and a win if they match an opening drive TD with one of their own since there might not be time for another possession.<h2>Replay assist</h2>The NFL expanded its replay assist system to overturn objective calls such as facemask penalties, whether there was forcible contact to the head or neck area, horse-collar tackles, tripping if there was “clear and obvious” evidence that a foul didn’t occur. Replay also would be able to overturn a roughing-the-kicker or running-into-the-kicker penalty if video showed the defender made contact with the ball.The league has been using replay assist in recent years to overturn obvious errors on aspects like whether a pass is caught or where the ball should be spotted without the referee needing to stop the game for a review.The Competition Committee says there’s no interest in allowing replay assists to call penalties on plays missed by officials on the field.<h2>Other changes</h2>There were a few procedural rules changed. Teams will now by able to conduct Zoom or phone meetings with prospective free agents during the so-called legal tampering period.Teams can place two players on injured reserve with the designation to return when rosters are reduced to 53 players instead of after. Playoff teams also will be granted two additional return from IR designations.<h2>What’s up with the tush push?</h2>A proposal by Green Bay to outlaw the tush push that Philadelphia has used so successfully was tabled until the May meetings. A vote on a proposal to tweak the onside kick rule also was delayed until May, along with a proposal by Detroit to change the playoff seeding to place wild-card teams ahead of a division winner with a worse record.

🏈 Here’s how the new NFL rules on kickoffs and overtime will work

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Brice Turang dropped a perfect bunt to score Oliver Dunn in the 11th inning and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Kansas City Royals 3-2 on Wednesday.

Pinch-runner Dunn advanced from second base on Garett Mitchell’s groundout off Sam Long (0-2). Joey Ortiz walked. Turang, who was 0 for 5 for the game, laid down a bunt in front of the plate and raced to first as Dunn scored.

Jared Koenig (1-0) picked up the win with a scoreless 11th.

Jackson Chourio doubled off Royals reliever Carlos Estévez in the bottom of the 10th and drove in Turang to tie the game at 2.

Chourio crushed a 85-mph changeup from starter Cole Ragan in the first inning for his first home run of the season. Cavan Biggio tied the game with an RBI single in the second off Milwaukee starter Freddy Peralta. After that, it was a pitcher’s duel.

Peralta allowed just two hits, struck out eight and tied his career high with eight innings.

Ragan allowed one run over five innings, struck out 10 and walked two. It was his sixth career start with 10 strikeouts.

With Royals pinch-runner Tyler Tolbert on second in the 10th, Michael Massey lined a hit off the glove of first baseman Jake Bauers that scored Tolbert. Kansas City’s 2-1 lead was brief.

The Brewers were 2 for 14 with runners in scoring position. The Royals were 2 for 8.

Royals: After a day off Thursday, RHP Seth Lugo (0-0, 5.40 ERA) takes on the visiting Baltimore Orioles.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743676004970.jpeg" alt="Milwaukee Brewers' Brice Turang celebrates with teammates after driving in the game-winning run with a bunt in the 11th inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)" />
 <figcaption>Milwaukee Brewers' Brice Turang celebrates with teammates after driving in the game-winning run with a bunt in the 11th inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)</figcaption>
 </figure>MILWAUKEE (AP) — Brice Turang dropped a perfect bunt to score Oliver Dunn in the 11th inning and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Kansas City Royals 3-2 on Wednesday.Pinch-runner Dunn advanced from second base on Garett Mitchell’s groundout off Sam Long (0-2). Joey Ortiz walked. Turang, who was 0 for 5 for the game, laid down a bunt in front of the plate and raced to first as Dunn scored.Jared Koenig (1-0) picked up the win with a scoreless 11th.Jackson Chourio doubled off Royals reliever Carlos Estévez in the bottom of the 10th and drove in Turang to tie the game at 2.Chourio crushed a 85-mph changeup from starter Cole Ragan in the first inning for his first home run of the season. Cavan Biggio tied the game with an RBI single in the second off Milwaukee starter Freddy Peralta. After that, it was a pitcher’s duel.Peralta allowed just two hits, struck out eight and tied his career high with eight innings.Ragan allowed one run over five innings, struck out 10 and walked two. It was his sixth career start with 10 strikeouts.<h2>Key moment</h2>With Royals pinch-runner Tyler Tolbert on second in the 10th, Michael Massey lined a hit off the glove of first baseman Jake Bauers that scored Tolbert. Kansas City’s 2-1 lead was brief.<h2>Key stat</h2>The Brewers were 2 for 14 with runners in scoring position. The Royals were 2 for 8.<h2>Up next</h2>Royals: After a day off Thursday, RHP Seth Lugo (0-0, 5.40 ERA) takes on the visiting Baltimore Orioles.

⚾ Turang's bunt drives in winning run in the 11th, Brewers beat the Royals 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Seven years ago, when a joint bid by the United States, Canada and Mexico was awarded the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup">2026 World Cup</a>, rifts created by tariffs — yes, back then, too! — and a proposed border wall were glossed over because of the neighbors’ longstanding political and economic alliances.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/71e70169ac9343839436613b7d8dbb31">“The unity of the three nations″</a>&nbsp;was the overriding theme articulated by Carlos Cordeiro, then-president of the U.S. Soccer Federation. “A powerful message,” he called it.

Well, here we are now, with the soccer showcase arriving in North America in about 15 months, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;back in office — inciting trade wars between the neighbors, not to mention across the globe, by levying&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tariffs-timeline-trade-war-trump-canada-mexico-china-97819f94e424c0e7bba2812e09a721a7">tariffs</a>&nbsp;that come, then go, then return,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-eu-whiskey-cb259623a25ca1bfdb4673262ceef85b">with more promised</a>, including what the Republican calls “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-reciprocal-tariff-trade-deficit-4329a37b5a41ac944dcc74093410a126">reciprocal tariffs</a>&nbsp;” starting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-new-tariffs-liberation-day-import-taxes-118d73f50e5133ef3d9598aed6661a6c">Wednesday</a>.

It’s hard to know how, exactly, the current geopolitical fissures, made all the more stark every time Trump or those in his administration talk provocatively about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/how-canada-could-become-us-state-42360e10ded96c0046fd11eaaf55ab88">making Canada the 51st state</a>, might affect the World Cup, its organization and coordination, fans’ travel plans and more.

“Oh, I think it’s going to make it more exciting,” was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-fifa-world-cup-task-force-dba6def9a56cd1c48be592e1725d4a6a">Trump’s take</a>&nbsp;during&nbsp;<a href="https://youtu.be/INDwnNAkTLI?si=fHBRHnggEextYnIZ" target="_blank">an Oval Office appearance with FIFA President Gianni Infantino</a>&nbsp;last month. “Tension’s a good thing.”

Will the world come to the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics?

Given that the U.S. also is preparing to welcome the world for FIFA’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fifa-club-world-cup-prize-money-real-madrid-0cdee232b9a3670c77b62cd7dc3b53cb">Club World Cup</a>&nbsp;in June, golf’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ryder-cup-pay-pga-tour-europe-e287158b848e8d447302df31da36a79a">Ryder Cup</a>&nbsp;in September and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/43833244a74643b3a1fd0b2787c2e38d">Los Angeles Olympics</a>&nbsp;in 2028, the question becomes: Will the world want to come?

And, taking&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/border-tourists-german-canadian-detention-immigration-408cd27338e8065268fabc835f8b0c34">Trump’s border and visa policies</a>&nbsp;into account, will the world be able to?

Alan Rothenberg, who ran the 1994 World Cup and successfully oversaw the bid to host the 1999 Women’s World Cup as then-president of U.S. Soccer, thinks the answers to those questions are “Yes.” Pointing to concerns about the last two World Cups, in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-260baf7eaa624cf4b39e9ec988ba9114">Russia in 2018</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-soccer-sports-business-discrimination-ee9a8b506525341927b02c97cb19993d">Qatar in 2022</a>, he noted those still attracted attendance totals above 3 million apiece.

“People love the United States around the world — frankly, we wouldn’t have the immigration issue that we’re dealing with if that weren’t the case — so a lot of this is government-to-government,” Rothenberg said. “A passionate soccer fan is not going to be held up by that.”

He doesn’t think one of the host nations would drop out of the World Cup, say, or that other countries might&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jimmy-carter-olympics-boycott-9ba0aad38e01013bd0f40ce554317caf">boycott</a>, as happened at the 1976, 1980 and 1984 Summer Olympics.

“More than anything, they’ll see it as an opportunity for, perhaps, rapprochement, rather than escalating the tensions,” Rothenberg said.

“Besides, from an organizing standpoint, if either Canada or Mexico withdrew” from the World Cup, he said, “the U.S. would pick up the games in a heartbeat.”

Spectators booing the U.S. national anthem

Still, as the White House stance on tariffs and Russia’s war in Ukraine have put&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-ukraine-russia-war-putin-zelenskyy-europe-7940f9c5828fc46431928bc073170bc2">Europe on edge</a>, and relations with other countries have become fraught, it might not be a surprise if soccer stadiums for the U.S. games at the World Cup offer the same sort of anti-American sentiment heard when spectators&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-anthem-booed-montreal-hockey-9265bda34c95a1ed0ca2e1f90e7da1b1">in Canada booed “The Star-Spangled Banner”</a>&nbsp;during hockey’s 4 Nations Face-Off in February.

FIFA, soccer’s governing body, did not respond to Associated Press requests for comment, but Infantino has never hidden his admiration for Trump, which he often demonstrates via&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DFCCe0sIRF8/?igsh=MXN1OGZ0ZDhkbGU3OQ%3D%3D&amp;img_index=1" target="_blank">social media</a>. They have met at least five times since the U.S. election in November.

Last week, when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ioc-olympics-president-election-coventry-coe-samaranch-762f3442ff2a01be9e822cd017b89a59">Kirsty Coventry</a>&nbsp;was elected president of the International Olympic Committee — becoming the first woman in that position — she was asked how she would work with Trump and what she would tell athletes about traveling to the U.S. for the next Games.

“I have been dealing with, let’s say, difficult men, in high positions since I was 20 years old,” Coventry said with a chuckle, “and first and foremost, what I have learned is that communication will be key. That is something that will happen early on. And my firm belief is that President Trump is a huge lover of sports. He will want these Games to be significant. He will want them to be a success.”

Referring to concerns about whether the administration might deny some athletes visas, she added: “We will not waver from our values … of solidarity in ensuring that every athlete that qualifies for the Olympic Games has the possibility to attend the Olympic Games and be safe during the Olympic Games.”

The overriding assumption among those involved in the Olympics is that Trump will assure the 2028 Games are a success.

As U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee chairman&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/winter-olympics-sports-8a89eac6ffd68f3e809cda0ec01ce4ac">Gene Sykes</a>&nbsp;put it: “I can’t speak for him, but I think he’s the kind of person who probably believes that having these go very, very well is a reflection of his leadership.”

Will Trump’s tariffs and other policies affect soccer’s World Cup?

“The most likely outcome is that Trump’s nonsense won’t have an impact,” said Smith College professor Andrew Zimbalist, an expert on the economics of sports.

“My guess is that if relations between Canada and the U.S. deteriorate to the point that there are travel restrictions and spending restrictions,” Zimbalist said, “Trump would — just like he’s making exceptions all the time on his tariffs policies — make an exception for a month or six weeks.”

The U.S. and Canadian soccer federations declined AP requests for comment on how White House policies might affect the 2026 World Cup.

Gabriela Cuevas, who represents Mexico’s government in meetings with FIFA, said she considers the tariffs and the soccer event “separate issues,” adding that she believes “the World Cup could be a route to engage in a conversation.”

Observers tend to agree, saying logistics such as security cooperation or team transportation from city to city — or country to country — should not be hampered when it comes to the World Cup, scheduled to take place in 16 cities across the U.S., Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

The borders might become an issue, though.

“The main thing FIFA needs to move for this event is not car parts, and it’s not wheat, and it’s not electricity. It’s people. That’s your real concern,” said Victor Matheson, an economics professor at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts.

“What were previously pretty reasonable border crossings could become much more challenging, simply because both sides amp up their level of inspections and the United States, in particular, cuts down government services that allow people to move effectively between countries.”

As for the fans, 29-year-old Mexican businessman German Camacho Pacheco said “soccer is religion” in his country, so when it comes to the World Cup, “I don’t think they care about tariffs.”

Camacho, wearing the Monterrey club jersey of defender Sergio Ramos while on the way to watch a game at a sports bar in Mexico City, said he doesn’t expect there to be any effect at all on the World Cup “unless this goes from a trade war to an actual war.”

AP writers Greg Beacham in Inglewood, California; Nancy Benac in Washington; Ronald Blum in New York; Graham Dunbar in Costa Navarino, Greece; Eddie Pells in Denver; Anne M. Peterson in Portland, Oregon, and Carlos Rodriguez in Mexico City contributed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741521131212.png" alt="-President Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino unveil the official trophy of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup" />
 <figcaption>-President Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino unveil the official trophy of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Seven years ago, when a joint bid by the United States, Canada and Mexico was awarded the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup">2026 World Cup</a>, rifts created by tariffs — yes, back then, too! — and a proposed border wall were glossed over because of the neighbors’ longstanding political and economic alliances.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/71e70169ac9343839436613b7d8dbb31">“The unity of the three nations″</a>&nbsp;was the overriding theme articulated by Carlos Cordeiro, then-president of the U.S. Soccer Federation. “A powerful message,” he called it.Well, here we are now, with the soccer showcase arriving in North America in about 15 months, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;back in office — inciting trade wars between the neighbors, not to mention across the globe, by levying&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tariffs-timeline-trade-war-trump-canada-mexico-china-97819f94e424c0e7bba2812e09a721a7">tariffs</a>&nbsp;that come, then go, then return,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-eu-whiskey-cb259623a25ca1bfdb4673262ceef85b">with more promised</a>, including what the Republican calls “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-reciprocal-tariff-trade-deficit-4329a37b5a41ac944dcc74093410a126">reciprocal tariffs</a>&nbsp;” starting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-new-tariffs-liberation-day-import-taxes-118d73f50e5133ef3d9598aed6661a6c">Wednesday</a>.It’s hard to know how, exactly, the current geopolitical fissures, made all the more stark every time Trump or those in his administration talk provocatively about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/how-canada-could-become-us-state-42360e10ded96c0046fd11eaaf55ab88">making Canada the 51st state</a>, might affect the World Cup, its organization and coordination, fans’ travel plans and more.“Oh, I think it’s going to make it more exciting,” was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-fifa-world-cup-task-force-dba6def9a56cd1c48be592e1725d4a6a">Trump’s take</a>&nbsp;during&nbsp;<a href="https://youtu.be/INDwnNAkTLI?si=fHBRHnggEextYnIZ" target="_blank">an Oval Office appearance with FIFA President Gianni Infantino</a>&nbsp;last month. “Tension’s a good thing.”<h2>Will the world come to the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics?</h2>Given that the U.S. also is preparing to welcome the world for FIFA’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fifa-club-world-cup-prize-money-real-madrid-0cdee232b9a3670c77b62cd7dc3b53cb">Club World Cup</a>&nbsp;in June, golf’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ryder-cup-pay-pga-tour-europe-e287158b848e8d447302df31da36a79a">Ryder Cup</a>&nbsp;in September and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/43833244a74643b3a1fd0b2787c2e38d">Los Angeles Olympics</a>&nbsp;in 2028, the question becomes: Will the world want to come?And, taking&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/border-tourists-german-canadian-detention-immigration-408cd27338e8065268fabc835f8b0c34">Trump’s border and visa policies</a>&nbsp;into account, will the world be able to?Alan Rothenberg, who ran the 1994 World Cup and successfully oversaw the bid to host the 1999 Women’s World Cup as then-president of U.S. Soccer, thinks the answers to those questions are “Yes.” Pointing to concerns about the last two World Cups, in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-260baf7eaa624cf4b39e9ec988ba9114">Russia in 2018</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-soccer-sports-business-discrimination-ee9a8b506525341927b02c97cb19993d">Qatar in 2022</a>, he noted those still attracted attendance totals above 3 million apiece.“People love the United States around the world — frankly, we wouldn’t have the immigration issue that we’re dealing with if that weren’t the case — so a lot of this is government-to-government,” Rothenberg said. “A passionate soccer fan is not going to be held up by that.”He doesn’t think one of the host nations would drop out of the World Cup, say, or that other countries might&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jimmy-carter-olympics-boycott-9ba0aad38e01013bd0f40ce554317caf">boycott</a>, as happened at the 1976, 1980 and 1984 Summer Olympics.“More than anything, they’ll see it as an opportunity for, perhaps, rapprochement, rather than escalating the tensions,” Rothenberg said.“Besides, from an organizing standpoint, if either Canada or Mexico withdrew” from the World Cup, he said, “the U.S. would pick up the games in a heartbeat.”<h2>Spectators booing the U.S. national anthem</h2>Still, as the White House stance on tariffs and Russia’s war in Ukraine have put&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-ukraine-russia-war-putin-zelenskyy-europe-7940f9c5828fc46431928bc073170bc2">Europe on edge</a>, and relations with other countries have become fraught, it might not be a surprise if soccer stadiums for the U.S. games at the World Cup offer the same sort of anti-American sentiment heard when spectators&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-anthem-booed-montreal-hockey-9265bda34c95a1ed0ca2e1f90e7da1b1">in Canada booed “The Star-Spangled Banner”</a>&nbsp;during hockey’s 4 Nations Face-Off in February.FIFA, soccer’s governing body, did not respond to Associated Press requests for comment, but Infantino has never hidden his admiration for Trump, which he often demonstrates via&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DFCCe0sIRF8/?igsh=MXN1OGZ0ZDhkbGU3OQ%3D%3D&amp;img_index=1" target="_blank">social media</a>. They have met at least five times since the U.S. election in November.Last week, when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ioc-olympics-president-election-coventry-coe-samaranch-762f3442ff2a01be9e822cd017b89a59">Kirsty Coventry</a>&nbsp;was elected president of the International Olympic Committee — becoming the first woman in that position — she was asked how she would work with Trump and what she would tell athletes about traveling to the U.S. for the next Games.“I have been dealing with, let’s say, difficult men, in high positions since I was 20 years old,” Coventry said with a chuckle, “and first and foremost, what I have learned is that communication will be key. That is something that will happen early on. And my firm belief is that President Trump is a huge lover of sports. He will want these Games to be significant. He will want them to be a success.”Referring to concerns about whether the administration might deny some athletes visas, she added: “We will not waver from our values … of solidarity in ensuring that every athlete that qualifies for the Olympic Games has the possibility to attend the Olympic Games and be safe during the Olympic Games.”The overriding assumption among those involved in the Olympics is that Trump will assure the 2028 Games are a success.As U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee chairman&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/winter-olympics-sports-8a89eac6ffd68f3e809cda0ec01ce4ac">Gene Sykes</a>&nbsp;put it: “I can’t speak for him, but I think he’s the kind of person who probably believes that having these go very, very well is a reflection of his leadership.”<h2>Will Trump’s tariffs and other policies affect soccer’s World Cup?</h2>“The most likely outcome is that Trump’s nonsense won’t have an impact,” said Smith College professor Andrew Zimbalist, an expert on the economics of sports.“My guess is that if relations between Canada and the U.S. deteriorate to the point that there are travel restrictions and spending restrictions,” Zimbalist said, “Trump would — just like he’s making exceptions all the time on his tariffs policies — make an exception for a month or six weeks.”The U.S. and Canadian soccer federations declined AP requests for comment on how White House policies might affect the 2026 World Cup.Gabriela Cuevas, who represents Mexico’s government in meetings with FIFA, said she considers the tariffs and the soccer event “separate issues,” adding that she believes “the World Cup could be a route to engage in a conversation.”Observers tend to agree, saying logistics such as security cooperation or team transportation from city to city — or country to country — should not be hampered when it comes to the World Cup, scheduled to take place in 16 cities across the U.S., Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.The borders might become an issue, though.“The main thing FIFA needs to move for this event is not car parts, and it’s not wheat, and it’s not electricity. It’s people. That’s your real concern,” said Victor Matheson, an economics professor at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts.“What were previously pretty reasonable border crossings could become much more challenging, simply because both sides amp up their level of inspections and the United States, in particular, cuts down government services that allow people to move effectively between countries.”As for the fans, 29-year-old Mexican businessman German Camacho Pacheco said “soccer is religion” in his country, so when it comes to the World Cup, “I don’t think they care about tariffs.”Camacho, wearing the Monterrey club jersey of defender Sergio Ramos while on the way to watch a game at a sports bar in Mexico City, said he doesn’t expect there to be any effect at all on the World Cup “unless this goes from a trade war to an actual war.”<h2>___</h2>AP writers Greg Beacham in Inglewood, California; Nancy Benac in Washington; Ronald Blum in New York; Graham Dunbar in Costa Navarino, Greece; Eddie Pells in Denver; Anne M. Peterson in Portland, Oregon, and Carlos Rodriguez in Mexico City contributed.

US-Canada-Mexico joint World Cup goes from unity to acrimony thanks to tariffs

<a href="https://www.mcdonaldsallamerican.com/content/dam/sites/allamerican/2025-media-resources-/Box%20Score%20West%20at%20East%2002%20April%20Boys.pdf">BOX SCORE</a>

KU signee Darryn Peterson scored 18 points and was named the game's co-MVP of the McDonald's All-American boys game at Barclays Center on Tuesday., leading the West over the East 105-92 on Tuesday night in the McDonald’s All-American boys game at Barclays Center.

Peterson helped lead the West to the 105-92 win over the East.

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/c817ba15-6831-4c90-b694-43d9d0af17e7">He was recently named the 2025 Naismith Boys' High School Player of the Year.</a>

Peterson becomes the fourth future Jayhawk to win the MVP of the all-star game, joining Jacque Vaughn, Josh Jackson and Check Diallo.&nbsp;

He finished with a team-high 18 points on 7-of-14 shooting, including 1-of-6 from behind the arc. He also brought down seven rebounds, three assists and three steals.&nbsp;

Peterson is a 6-foot-5 guard that plays at Prolific Prep in Napa, Calif.&nbsp; He averaged 23.1 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.9 steals in his senior campaign.

Although there are several Jayhawks that have entered the transfer portal, Peterson told KU head coach Bill Self not to be worried, that he plans to play next winter for the Jayhawks.

Peterson is the 52nd KU signee to play in the annual high school all-star game.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741369343910.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy Kansas Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Kansas Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.mcdonaldsallamerican.com/content/dam/sites/allamerican/2025-media-resources-/Box%20Score%20West%20at%20East%2002%20April%20Boys.pdf">BOX SCORE</a>KU signee Darryn Peterson scored 18 points and was named the game's co-MVP of the McDonald's All-American boys game at Barclays Center on Tuesday., leading the West over the East 105-92 on Tuesday night in the McDonald’s All-American boys game at Barclays Center.Peterson helped lead the West to the 105-92 win over the East.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/c817ba15-6831-4c90-b694-43d9d0af17e7">He was recently named the 2025 Naismith Boys' High School Player of the Year.</a>Peterson becomes the fourth future Jayhawk to win the MVP of the all-star game, joining Jacque Vaughn, Josh Jackson and Check Diallo.&nbsp;He finished with a team-high 18 points on 7-of-14 shooting, including 1-of-6 from behind the arc. He also brought down seven rebounds, three assists and three steals.&nbsp;Peterson is a 6-foot-5 guard that plays at Prolific Prep in Napa, Calif.&nbsp; He averaged 23.1 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.9 steals in his senior campaign.Although there are several Jayhawks that have entered the transfer portal, Peterson told KU head coach Bill Self not to be worried, that he plans to play next winter for the Jayhawks.Peterson is the 52nd KU signee to play in the annual high school all-star game.

🏀 KU signee Peterson named McDonald's All-American game MVP

🎧 LISTEN: ⚾ Royals lose to Brewers, 🏈 NFL rule changes

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Eric Haase and Christian Yelich hit solo home runs to back a strong start by Chad Patrick and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Kansas City Royals 5-0 on Tuesday night for their first win of the season.

Patrick gave the Brewers something they hadn't had thus far — three scoreless innings to begin the game. Milwaukee surrendered 24 runs in the first three innings of its first four games.

Haase homered from the ninth spot in the order to put the Brewers up 1-0 in the third. Brice Turang and Jackson Chourio followed with singles and Turang scored on a force-out at second on Yelich's grounder to make it 2-0.

Patrick fell an out short of qualifying for the win in his first career start, giving up three hits and three walks with five strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings.

Rhys Hoskins had an RBI single in a two-run sixth to up the lead to 4-0, and Yelich hit his first home run to cap the scoring in the eighth.

Jared Koenig pitched an inning, Abner Uribe (1-0) got four outs to get the win, Joel Payamps pitched the eighth and Trevor Megill got the last three outs.

Michael Lorenzen (0-1) allowed four runs — three earned — in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out seven.

Koenig entered with two outs and two on in the top of the fifth inning. He retired Michael Massey on a grounder to first to preserve a 2-0 lead.

The Brewers began the day with an ERA of 12.27 through four games and that includes two scoreless innings from first baseman Jake Bauers. The staff tied the record set by the 1954 Cardinals for the most runs allowed through four games with 47.

Cole Ragans (0-0) makes his second start for Kansas City in Wednesday's series finale. Freddy Peralta (0—1) starts for the second time for Milwaukee.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743590051920.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Royals' Michael Lorenzen pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Tuesday, April 1, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Royals' Michael Lorenzen pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Tuesday, April 1, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)</figcaption>
 </figure>MILWAUKEE (AP) — Eric Haase and Christian Yelich hit solo home runs to back a strong start by Chad Patrick and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Kansas City Royals 5-0 on Tuesday night for their first win of the season.Patrick gave the Brewers something they hadn't had thus far — three scoreless innings to begin the game. Milwaukee surrendered 24 runs in the first three innings of its first four games.Haase homered from the ninth spot in the order to put the Brewers up 1-0 in the third. Brice Turang and Jackson Chourio followed with singles and Turang scored on a force-out at second on Yelich's grounder to make it 2-0.Patrick fell an out short of qualifying for the win in his first career start, giving up three hits and three walks with five strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings.Rhys Hoskins had an RBI single in a two-run sixth to up the lead to 4-0, and Yelich hit his first home run to cap the scoring in the eighth.Jared Koenig pitched an inning, Abner Uribe (1-0) got four outs to get the win, Joel Payamps pitched the eighth and Trevor Megill got the last three outs.Michael Lorenzen (0-1) allowed four runs — three earned — in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out seven.<h2>Key moment</h2>Koenig entered with two outs and two on in the top of the fifth inning. He retired Michael Massey on a grounder to first to preserve a 2-0 lead.<h2>Key stat</h2>The Brewers began the day with an ERA of 12.27 through four games and that includes two scoreless innings from first baseman Jake Bauers. The staff tied the record set by the 1954 Cardinals for the most runs allowed through four games with 47.<h2>Up next</h2>Cole Ragans (0-0) makes his second start for Kansas City in Wednesday's series finale. Freddy Peralta (0—1) starts for the second time for Milwaukee.

⚾ Haase, Yelich homer as Brewers blank Royals 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743537264620.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy Wichita State Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Wichita State Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure><div>Wichita State Athletics
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
WICHITA &ndash;&nbsp;Wichita State's&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/track-and-field/roster/destiny-masters/9239" rel="smarttag" rev="9239">Destiny Masters</a></dfn>&nbsp;was tabbed the American Athletic Conference Women's Field Athlete of the Week, the conference announced Tuesday afternoon. &nbsp; The senior from El Dorado, Kan. put up an NCAA-leading heptathlon score of 5,604 points to win the ESU Relays. In the heptathlon, she cleared for the 23rd-best high jump mark in the NCAA and third-best in the conference, ran the seventh-fastest 100-meter hurdles time in the AAC, jumped the seventh-farthest long jump mark in the AAC, and threw the 10th-best shot put mark and sixth-best javelin mark in the AAC. &nbsp; This marks the third time in Masters' career that she has earned an outdoor weekly award and the third time a Shocker woman has been named AAC Field Athlete of the Week.
<hr />
Men's Track Athlete of the Week Hugo Menin, Gr., UTSA &nbsp; Men's Field Athlete of the Week Sascha Schmidt, Jr., Memphis &nbsp; Women's Track Athlete of the Week Janae Dean, Gr., Tulane &nbsp; Women's Field Athletes of the Week Mckyla Van der Westhuizen, Jr., Rice <dfn><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/track-and-field/roster/destiny-masters/9239" rel="smarttag" rev="9239">Destiny Masters</a></dfn>, Sr., Wichita State</div>

👟 WSU's Masters named AAC Field Athlete of the Week

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743537473609.png" alt="Photo Courtesy HutchCC Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy HutchCC Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure><div>KJCCC
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
COLBY, Kan. &ndash; Extending their winning streak to 14 straight games with another four wins last week, Hutchinson Community College has swept the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference Division 1 Softball Player of the Week awards with Bailey Backhaus and Aubree Thomas picking up their second and third awards of the season.
Bailey Backhaus &ndash; Hutchinson (KJCCC Division 1 Softball Player of the Week) Blue Dragon leadoff hitter Bailey Backhaus hit .667 and posted a .667 on-base percentage in four wins last week. In a battle for first place with Barton, Backhaus was a combined 5 for 8 with four runs scored. For the week, Backhaus was 12 of 18 with two doubles, two triples, four RBI, and 12 runs scored. Backhaus was also a perfect four of four on the base paths in stolen base attempts.
Aubree Thomas - Hutchinson (KJCCC Division 1 Softball Pitcher of the Week) Blue Dragon freshman pitcher Aubree Thomas earned a pair of pitching victories to lead the first-place Blue Dragons to a 14-game winning streak. Thomas had eight total strikeouts over nine innings pitched while allowing only eight hits and two earned runs over the span.
Other Players Nominated: Chloe Enslinger - Barton Sofia Valenti &ndash; Colby Karen Galaviz &ndash; Dodge City Alyssa Morgan &ndash; Seward County
Other Pitchers Nominated: Alicia Goseland - Barton Chloe Odle - Butler Giovana Villalobos Carillo - Colby Shyann Clark &ndash; Dodge City
&nbsp;</div>

🥎 HutchCC sweeps KJCCC weekly honors

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743537384242.png" alt="Photo Courtesy KJCCC" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy KJCCC</figcaption>
 </figure><div>KJCCC
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
COLBY, Kan. &ndash; A series victory for Cloud County Community College over Seward County and a series sweep for Hutchinson Community College over Allen saw both teams led by this week&rsquo;s Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference West Division baseball Players of the Week Nolan Freund and Trenton Roehler. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Nolan Freund &ndash; Cloud County (KJCCC Baseball West Division Player of the Week) Cloud County sophomore infielder Nolan Freund hit .700 for the week, helping to lead the T-Birds to its third Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference series win of the season by taking three games against Seward County Community College. Freund hit over .800 at the plate in two different games against the Saints, ending the week with 14 hits, including five doubles and two home runs, while tallying 13 RBI. Freund had a .739 on-base percentage and a 1.250 slugging percentage. For the season, Freund leads the conference with 54 total hits and currently ranks third in the conference in batting average at .474.
Trenton Roehler &ndash; Hutchinson (KJCCC Baseball West Division Pitcher of the Week) Blue Dragon sophomore right-handed starting pitcher Trenton Roehler tossed a career-high 11 strikeouts in an 11-1 victory over Allen last Thursday at Hobart-Detter Field. Roehler allowed just two hits and one earned run over his five innings for his second win of the season and 10th of his career.
Other Players Nominated: Kyle Walker - Barton Cooper Rasmussen &ndash; Butler Isaiah Padilla &ndash; Colby Quinn Maher &ndash; Hutchinson Kyle Reese &ndash; Pratt Blaine Chancy &ndash; Seward County
Other Pitchers Nominated: Cole Linton &ndash; Cloud County</div>

⚾ HutchCC's Roehler named KJCCC West Player of the Week

The Hutchinson High School girls varsity swim invitational scheduled for April 1 has been postponed due to HVAC issues within the Hutchinson YMCA.&nbsp;

The event was scheduled to have student-athletes from Buhler, Dodge City, Garden City, Holcomb, Hutchinson, Liberal and Marion.

The invitational will be rescheduled to a later date, but that has not been set yet.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743521606662.png" alt="Photo Courtesy Hutchinson High School" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Hutchinson High School</figcaption>
 </figure>The Hutchinson High School girls varsity swim invitational scheduled for April 1 has been postponed due to HVAC issues within the Hutchinson YMCA.&nbsp;The event was scheduled to have student-athletes from Buhler, Dodge City, Garden City, Holcomb, Hutchinson, Liberal and Marion.The invitational will be rescheduled to a later date, but that has not been set yet.

🏊‍♀️ Hutch High swim invitational postponed

The annual league meeting for NFL coaches and owners is ongoing at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Fla. There are several different topics and possible rule changes discussed and voted on.&nbsp;

One of the biggest topics was possibly banning&nbsp;the Green Bay Packers' proposal to ban the push sneak, popularly known as the tush push. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the NFL owners have tabled the tush push conversation, saying there will not be a decision made at this league meeting.

Some of the other notables from Schefter below.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719524116479.png" alt="FILE – The NFL logo is seen during the NFL Super Bowl 58 football game Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Las Vegas. Opening arguments are expected to begin Thursday, June 6, 2024, in federal court in a class-action lawsuit filed by “Sunday Ticket” subscribers claiming the NFL broke antitrust laws. The lawsuit was filed in 2015 and has withstood numerous challenges, including a dismissal that was overturned. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)" />
 <figcaption>FILE – The NFL logo is seen during the NFL Super Bowl 58 football game Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Las Vegas. Opening arguments are expected to begin Thursday, June 6, 2024, in federal court in a class-action lawsuit filed by “Sunday Ticket” subscribers claiming the NFL broke antitrust laws. The lawsuit was filed in 2015 and has withstood numerous challenges, including a dismissal that was overturned. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>The annual league meeting for NFL coaches and owners is ongoing at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Fla. There are several different topics and possible rule changes discussed and voted on.&nbsp;One of the biggest topics was possibly banning&nbsp;the Green Bay Packers' proposal to ban the push sneak, popularly known as the tush push. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the NFL owners have tabled the tush push conversation, saying there will not be a decision made at this league meeting.Some of the other notables from Schefter below.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">NFL owners now have passed a rule that both teams will be allowed to possess the ball in overtime in the regular season. The original proposal was for a 15 minute OT; that now has been amended to 10 minutes.&mdash; Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1907063882767593837?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">NFL owners also now have approved proposals to expand the league’s replay-assist system.&mdash; Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1907064365074825610?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Detroit’s proposal to eliminate an automatic first down as a penalty imposed for defensive holding and illegal contact did not pass, despite the Lions’ pleas.&mdash; Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1907064713713770925?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">NFL’s kickoff proposal was separated into two votes today, one that passed, one that was tabled. 1) The football now moves to the 35 after a touchback - that passed. 2) No vote at this time on the onside kick modification. It will pick back up at the May meeting.&mdash; Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1907074423120670828?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🏈 Takeaways from annual NFL owners meeting

It has been 365 days since the Hutchinson Community College women's basketball team won it's first national title in program history, an 88-80 win over Northwest Florida State in Casper, Wyo.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Hutchinson CC Sports Information Article from April 1, 2024

CASPER, Wyoming – Hutchinson Community College women's basketball was indeed golden on Monday night.

Trailing by six points with 2:32 to play in the fourth quarter, the top-seeded Blue Dragons were able to force overtime and then dominate the extra session, outscoring defending national champion Northwest Florida State 19-11 in overtime and winning the program's first national championship with an 88-80 victory in the 2024 NJCAA Division I Women's Tournament championship game at the Ford Wyoming Center.

The Blue Dragons complete their 50th season with an undefeated 37-0 record – a school record for wins, longest winning streak (37) and best start to a season (37-0).

This was Hutchinson's fourth attempt to win a women's basketball national championship, coming up short in 2012, 2014 and 2015. The Blue Dragon won their second women's national championship (women's cross country in 2001) and 10th overall team national championship (Men's basketball – 1988, 1994, 2017; Men's Golf – 2021, 2022; Football – 2020-21; and men's track and field – 1954, 1959).

Freshman guard&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2023-24/bios/smith_kiki_x1vf">Kiki Smith</a>&nbsp;was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player. She scored 23 points on Monday night to finish with a four-game scoring total of 68 points. Smith broke the freshman season scoring record and finished second in single-season scoring with 652 points.

Both freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2023-24/bios/jackson_hailey_x66o">Hailey Jackson</a>&nbsp;and sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2023-24/bios/armstead_journey_w1mg">Journey Armstead</a>&nbsp;were named to the all-tournament team on Monday. Jackson had a postseason-high and team-high 25 points to lead the Blue Dragons. She hit three critical free throws with 0.7 seconds left in regulation to force overtime. Jackson finished seventh on the freshman season scoring list with 478 points, including 65 points in the tournament.

Armstead had 11 points and three assists before fouling out with 5:09 to play in the fourth quarter.

Blue Dragon head coach John Ontjes was named the Coach of the Tournament

<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2023-24/bios/duffy_monae_og8s">Monae Duffy</a>&nbsp;had 10 points and 9 rebounds for the Blue Dragons.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2023-24/bios/muggeridge_akaysha_rpaz">Akaysha Muggeridge</a>&nbsp;scored six of her eight points in overtime. Muggeridge added seven rebounds and four assists.

The Blue Dragons led by as many as 13 points in the third quarter, but Northwest Florida State rallied to take a 57-55 lead after three quarters and led 68-62 with 2:27 to play in regulation.

The Dragons rallied back, closing with a 7-1 run, getting three free throws from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2023-24/bios/jackson_hailey_x66o">Hailey Jackson</a>&nbsp;with 0.7 seconds to play to tie the game at 69-all. Trailing 69-66, Jackson was fouled with 0.7 seconds left in regulation. The freshman from Tulsa, Oklahoma, hit all three free throws to force overtime.

In overtime, Muggeridge, Jackson and Smith scored on consecutive possessions for a 77-71 lead and upped the lead to eight at 81-73 on a Muggeridge hoop with 1:18 to go. The Blue Dragons were 6 of 6 shooting from the floor and 7 of 10 from the foul line in overtime. Northwest Florida State was 5 of 12.

The Blue Dragons had to overcome the 30-point performance of Northwest Florida State's Destiney McPhaul, who was 10 of 20 shooting and 10 of 12 from the free-throw line. Nevaeh Scott had 13 points and Celia Riviere had 10 points.

After shooting 52.2 percent in the first half, the Blue Dragons shot 49.2 percent for the game (30 of 61). The Blue Dragons were 3 of 16 from 3-point range and 25 of 33 from the free-throw line. The Dragons out-rebounded the Raiders 36-29, but committed an NJCAA-Tournament high 19 turnovers.

Northwest Florida State shot 51.7 percent for the game – just the 15th time in Ontjes' 578 games coached an opponent shot 50 percent or better. The Raiders were 1 of 8 from 3-point range and 17 of 23 from the free-throw line.

Both teams came out on fire – Northwest Florida State shot 63.6 percent and the Blue Dragons shot 53.8 percent – in an opening quarter that had three lead changes and four ties. The Dragons built a 6-3 lead on a Smith jumper with 7:56 to play in the first quarter. The Raiders answered with six unanswered to take a 9-6 lead after a McPhaul bucket at the 5:48 mark. The Dragons took an 11-9 lead after an Armstead transition basket with 3:34 to go. Smith's steal and layup bumped the lead to 15-11 with 2:28 to go. Northwest rallied to tie the game at 15-all, but Jackson hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key for an 18-15 Hutchinson lead after one quarter.

The Dragons opened a six-point lead when Armstead had a strong drive to the hoop for a 23-17 lead with 8:22 to play in the second quarter. The Dragons then went on a 10-2 run to build its first double-digit lead of 33-22 on a Jackson 15-footer with 4:57 to play. Smith hit a pull-up jumper with 1:51 left to build a 37-24 lead. The Dragons led 39-28 at halftime.

The Blue Dragons led 48-35 after a Jackson inside basket with 7:21 remaining in the third quarter. Turnovers started to become an issue. Seven Dragon miscued led to 14 Northwest points off turnovers as the Raiders outscored the Blue Dragons 22-10 over the final 7 minutes to take a 57-55 lead heading to the fourth quarter, closing the period on an 8-0 run.

Facing major foul trouble in the fourth quarter, the Blue Dragons trailed 68-62 with 2:37 to play in regulation. Jackson hit two free throws with 1:37 left and Smith had a steal and layup with 1:37 left to cut the deficit to 68-66. The Raiders had a chance to put the game away with 2.6 seconds left, but Riviere missed the second of two free throws and the Dragons corralled the rebound and called timeout to advance the ball. On the inbound, Jackson was fouled attempting a 3-pointer and she made all three free throws to give the Blue Dragons new life, tied at 69-all at the end of regulation.

Trading buckets on the first two possessions of overtime, Muggeridge, Jackson and Smith scored on consecutive possessions to build a 77-71 lead with 2:44 to go. After Northwest hit a 3-pointer to cut the Dragon lead to 82-78 with 42 seconds left,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2023-24/bios/norris_kahlen_azmu">Kahlen Norris</a>&nbsp;had a strong take to the hoop to score for an 84-78 lead with 33 seconds left.

GAME NOTES&nbsp;– The Blue Dragons are now 24-12 all-time in the NJCAA Tournament, 22-10 under head coach John Ontjes. … The Blue Dragons are now 3-0 all-time against Northwest Florida State, all three wins coming in the NJCAA Tournament. … The Blue Dragons have a 50-year record of 1,112-405, including 94-50 all-time in postseason play. … The Blue Dragons were 4-0 when trailing after three quarters this season. … This was Hutchinson's first overtime game of the season. … This was Hutchinson's second win this season over a Top-5 ranked opponent, also defeating No. 3 Butler in January.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743517518738.jpeg" alt="The Blue Dragon women win the 2024 national championship with an 88-80 overtime victory over Northwest Florida State on Monday night in Casper, WY. (FILE Photo)" />
 <figcaption>The Blue Dragon women win the 2024 national championship with an 88-80 overtime victory over Northwest Florida State on Monday night in Casper, WY. (FILE Photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>It has been 365 days since the Hutchinson Community College women's basketball team won it's first national title in program history, an 88-80 win over Northwest Florida State in Casper, Wyo.-----------------------------------------------------------------------Hutchinson CC Sports Information Article from April 1, 2024CASPER, Wyoming – Hutchinson Community College women's basketball was indeed golden on Monday night.Trailing by six points with 2:32 to play in the fourth quarter, the top-seeded Blue Dragons were able to force overtime and then dominate the extra session, outscoring defending national champion Northwest Florida State 19-11 in overtime and winning the program's first national championship with an 88-80 victory in the 2024 NJCAA Division I Women's Tournament championship game at the Ford Wyoming Center.The Blue Dragons complete their 50th season with an undefeated 37-0 record – a school record for wins, longest winning streak (37) and best start to a season (37-0).This was Hutchinson's fourth attempt to win a women's basketball national championship, coming up short in 2012, 2014 and 2015. The Blue Dragon won their second women's national championship (women's cross country in 2001) and 10th overall team national championship (Men's basketball – 1988, 1994, 2017; Men's Golf – 2021, 2022; Football – 2020-21; and men's track and field – 1954, 1959).Freshman guard&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2023-24/bios/smith_kiki_x1vf">Kiki Smith</a>&nbsp;was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player. She scored 23 points on Monday night to finish with a four-game scoring total of 68 points. Smith broke the freshman season scoring record and finished second in single-season scoring with 652 points.Both freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2023-24/bios/jackson_hailey_x66o">Hailey Jackson</a>&nbsp;and sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2023-24/bios/armstead_journey_w1mg">Journey Armstead</a>&nbsp;were named to the all-tournament team on Monday. Jackson had a postseason-high and team-high 25 points to lead the Blue Dragons. She hit three critical free throws with 0.7 seconds left in regulation to force overtime. Jackson finished seventh on the freshman season scoring list with 478 points, including 65 points in the tournament.Armstead had 11 points and three assists before fouling out with 5:09 to play in the fourth quarter.Blue Dragon head coach John Ontjes was named the Coach of the Tournament<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2023-24/bios/duffy_monae_og8s">Monae Duffy</a>&nbsp;had 10 points and 9 rebounds for the Blue Dragons.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2023-24/bios/muggeridge_akaysha_rpaz">Akaysha Muggeridge</a>&nbsp;scored six of her eight points in overtime. Muggeridge added seven rebounds and four assists.The Blue Dragons led by as many as 13 points in the third quarter, but Northwest Florida State rallied to take a 57-55 lead after three quarters and led 68-62 with 2:27 to play in regulation.The Dragons rallied back, closing with a 7-1 run, getting three free throws from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2023-24/bios/jackson_hailey_x66o">Hailey Jackson</a>&nbsp;with 0.7 seconds to play to tie the game at 69-all. Trailing 69-66, Jackson was fouled with 0.7 seconds left in regulation. The freshman from Tulsa, Oklahoma, hit all three free throws to force overtime.In overtime, Muggeridge, Jackson and Smith scored on consecutive possessions for a 77-71 lead and upped the lead to eight at 81-73 on a Muggeridge hoop with 1:18 to go. The Blue Dragons were 6 of 6 shooting from the floor and 7 of 10 from the foul line in overtime. Northwest Florida State was 5 of 12.The Blue Dragons had to overcome the 30-point performance of Northwest Florida State's Destiney McPhaul, who was 10 of 20 shooting and 10 of 12 from the free-throw line. Nevaeh Scott had 13 points and Celia Riviere had 10 points.After shooting 52.2 percent in the first half, the Blue Dragons shot 49.2 percent for the game (30 of 61). The Blue Dragons were 3 of 16 from 3-point range and 25 of 33 from the free-throw line. The Dragons out-rebounded the Raiders 36-29, but committed an NJCAA-Tournament high 19 turnovers.Northwest Florida State shot 51.7 percent for the game – just the 15th time in Ontjes' 578 games coached an opponent shot 50 percent or better. The Raiders were 1 of 8 from 3-point range and 17 of 23 from the free-throw line.Both teams came out on fire – Northwest Florida State shot 63.6 percent and the Blue Dragons shot 53.8 percent – in an opening quarter that had three lead changes and four ties. The Dragons built a 6-3 lead on a Smith jumper with 7:56 to play in the first quarter. The Raiders answered with six unanswered to take a 9-6 lead after a McPhaul bucket at the 5:48 mark. The Dragons took an 11-9 lead after an Armstead transition basket with 3:34 to go. Smith's steal and layup bumped the lead to 15-11 with 2:28 to go. Northwest rallied to tie the game at 15-all, but Jackson hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key for an 18-15 Hutchinson lead after one quarter.The Dragons opened a six-point lead when Armstead had a strong drive to the hoop for a 23-17 lead with 8:22 to play in the second quarter. The Dragons then went on a 10-2 run to build its first double-digit lead of 33-22 on a Jackson 15-footer with 4:57 to play. Smith hit a pull-up jumper with 1:51 left to build a 37-24 lead. The Dragons led 39-28 at halftime.The Blue Dragons led 48-35 after a Jackson inside basket with 7:21 remaining in the third quarter. Turnovers started to become an issue. Seven Dragon miscued led to 14 Northwest points off turnovers as the Raiders outscored the Blue Dragons 22-10 over the final 7 minutes to take a 57-55 lead heading to the fourth quarter, closing the period on an 8-0 run.Facing major foul trouble in the fourth quarter, the Blue Dragons trailed 68-62 with 2:37 to play in regulation. Jackson hit two free throws with 1:37 left and Smith had a steal and layup with 1:37 left to cut the deficit to 68-66. The Raiders had a chance to put the game away with 2.6 seconds left, but Riviere missed the second of two free throws and the Dragons corralled the rebound and called timeout to advance the ball. On the inbound, Jackson was fouled attempting a 3-pointer and she made all three free throws to give the Blue Dragons new life, tied at 69-all at the end of regulation.Trading buckets on the first two possessions of overtime, Muggeridge, Jackson and Smith scored on consecutive possessions to build a 77-71 lead with 2:44 to go. After Northwest hit a 3-pointer to cut the Dragon lead to 82-78 with 42 seconds left,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2023-24/bios/norris_kahlen_azmu">Kahlen Norris</a>&nbsp;had a strong take to the hoop to score for an 84-78 lead with 33 seconds left.GAME NOTES&nbsp;– The Blue Dragons are now 24-12 all-time in the NJCAA Tournament, 22-10 under head coach John Ontjes. … The Blue Dragons are now 3-0 all-time against Northwest Florida State, all three wins coming in the NJCAA Tournament. … The Blue Dragons have a 50-year record of 1,112-405, including 94-50 all-time in postseason play. … The Blue Dragons were 4-0 when trailing after three quarters this season. … This was Hutchinson's first overtime game of the season. … This was Hutchinson's second win this season over a Top-5 ranked opponent, also defeating No. 3 Butler in January.

🏀 This Date in Basketball - HutchCC women win first national title

The Hutchinson Community College softball team is receiving votes in the latest NJCAA Top 25 poll released on Monday afternoon.

The Blue Dragons are 23-5 overall, 17-1 in Jayhawk Conference play. HutchCC maintains a two-game lead on Barton in the conference standings beginning the month of April.

Hutchinson will host Fort Hays Tech Northwest (0-24, 0-16) on Wednesday at Fun Valley with the doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m.

The Blue Dragons will travel to El Dorado on Friday for a doubleheader against No. 17 Butler (23-5, 12-4) beginning at 1 p.m.

Hutch has 16 games remaining in the regular season, but only four of them will be played at Fun Valley, the other 12 will all be on the road.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711745558543.png" alt="Photo Courtesy NJCAA" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy NJCAA</figcaption>
 </figure>The Hutchinson Community College softball team is receiving votes in the latest NJCAA Top 25 poll released on Monday afternoon.The Blue Dragons are 23-5 overall, 17-1 in Jayhawk Conference play. HutchCC maintains a two-game lead on Barton in the conference standings beginning the month of April.Hutchinson will host Fort Hays Tech Northwest (0-24, 0-16) on Wednesday at Fun Valley with the doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m.The Blue Dragons will travel to El Dorado on Friday for a doubleheader against No. 17 Butler (23-5, 12-4) beginning at 1 p.m.Hutch has 16 games remaining in the regular season, but only four of them will be played at Fun Valley, the other 12 will all be on the road.&nbsp;

🥎 Jayhawk Conference leader HutchCC receiving votes in NJCAA Top 25

🎧 LISTEN: ⚽⚾🥎 Area results, ⚾ Royals win opener in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Kris Bubic struck out eight in six shutout innings in his first start in nearly two years, and the Kansas City Royals spoiled Milwaukee's home opener with an 11-1 victory over the winless Brewers on Monday.

Maikel Garcia and Salvador Perez homered for the Royals. Jonathan India had three hits and drove in two runs one day after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/royals-jonathan-india-21ca211a9ceab0a802ad3e0161c98cd7">he was struck</a>&nbsp;on the left side of his face by a 98.9-mph pitch from Cleveland's Emmanuel Clase.

Bubic (1-0) allowed three hits and walked two in his first start since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/braves-royals-0901437988ea02e1d63792b0b8fcbcb7">April 15, 2023.</a>&nbsp;The 27-year-old left-hander had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/royals-kris-bubic-e784a60aeb5aa900ac518966b0a6446b">Tommy John surgery</a>&nbsp;later that month, and he filled a relief role in all 27 of his appearances last season, going 1-1 with a 2.67 ERA.

The two-time&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/milwaukee-brewers-984ada478789a7727c5f1333df7afddd">defending NL Central champion</a>&nbsp;Brewers are 0-4 for the first time since 2015, when they finished 68-94.

Garcia connected for a 428-foot drive to center on a 2-1 fastball from Elvin Rodriguez (0-1) in the second. Perez went deep on a 2-2 slider from Elvis Peguero in the seventh, sending a 418-foot drive just inside the left-field foul pole.

Brewers associate manager Rickie Weeks was ejected from the game by home plate umpire Brennan Miller after arguing a ball-strike call from the dugout in the seventh.

After India and Bobby Witt opened the game with back-to-back singles, Rodríguez retired the next two batters and seemed on the verge of getting out of the inning until Michael Massey ripped a 1-1 fastball that bounced over the left-field wall for a ground-rule RBI double. Hunter Renfroe followed with a two-run single.

The Brewers have been outscored 47-15 through their first four games. They opened their season by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/torpedo-bats-yankees-6ac6c797ea935941ed1c0d0e51a7d870">getting swept</a>&nbsp;in a three-game series at Yankee Stadium.

Right-hander Michael Lorenzen starts for the Royals as the three-game series continues Tuesday. The Brewers haven't announced their starting pitcher.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743508996698.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Royals pitcher Kris Bubic (50) throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Monday, March 31, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Royals pitcher Kris Bubic (50) throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Monday, March 31, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)</figcaption>
 </figure>MILWAUKEE (AP) — Kris Bubic struck out eight in six shutout innings in his first start in nearly two years, and the Kansas City Royals spoiled Milwaukee's home opener with an 11-1 victory over the winless Brewers on Monday.Maikel Garcia and Salvador Perez homered for the Royals. Jonathan India had three hits and drove in two runs one day after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/royals-jonathan-india-21ca211a9ceab0a802ad3e0161c98cd7">he was struck</a>&nbsp;on the left side of his face by a 98.9-mph pitch from Cleveland's Emmanuel Clase.Bubic (1-0) allowed three hits and walked two in his first start since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/braves-royals-0901437988ea02e1d63792b0b8fcbcb7">April 15, 2023.</a>&nbsp;The 27-year-old left-hander had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/royals-kris-bubic-e784a60aeb5aa900ac518966b0a6446b">Tommy John surgery</a>&nbsp;later that month, and he filled a relief role in all 27 of his appearances last season, going 1-1 with a 2.67 ERA.The two-time&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/milwaukee-brewers-984ada478789a7727c5f1333df7afddd">defending NL Central champion</a>&nbsp;Brewers are 0-4 for the first time since 2015, when they finished 68-94.Garcia connected for a 428-foot drive to center on a 2-1 fastball from Elvin Rodriguez (0-1) in the second. Perez went deep on a 2-2 slider from Elvis Peguero in the seventh, sending a 418-foot drive just inside the left-field foul pole.Brewers associate manager Rickie Weeks was ejected from the game by home plate umpire Brennan Miller after arguing a ball-strike call from the dugout in the seventh.<h2>Key moment</h2>After India and Bobby Witt opened the game with back-to-back singles, Rodríguez retired the next two batters and seemed on the verge of getting out of the inning until Michael Massey ripped a 1-1 fastball that bounced over the left-field wall for a ground-rule RBI double. Hunter Renfroe followed with a two-run single.<h2>Key stat</h2>The Brewers have been outscored 47-15 through their first four games. They opened their season by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/torpedo-bats-yankees-6ac6c797ea935941ed1c0d0e51a7d870">getting swept</a>&nbsp;in a three-game series at Yankee Stadium.<h2>Up next</h2>Right-hander Michael Lorenzen starts for the Royals as the three-game series continues Tuesday. The Brewers haven't announced their starting pitcher.

⚾ Bubic sparkles in first start since April 2023 as Royals trounce Brewers

Wichita Wind Surge WICHITA, Kan.—In conjunction with the Minnesota Twins, the Wichita Wind Surge is pleased to announce its 2025 Opening Day Roster, including four members of the Twins Top 30 Prospects list, courtesy of MLB.com.

Leading those four is Walker Jenkins, Minnesota’s leading and the third-best prospect in all of baseball. Less than six weeks removed from his 20th birthday, Jenkins is the youngest name among the top-15 on the MLB.com list. He also is the highest-ranked farmhand beginning a season in Wichita in the history of the Wind Surge. Alongside Jenkins is southpaw hurler Connor Prielipp (#5 Twins), backstopper/outfielder Ricardo Olivar (#17 Twins), and fellow outfielder Kala’i Rosario (#21 Twins).

Including Prielipp, 15 pitchers are on Wichita’s Opening Day roster, including six returning Wind Surge arms: RHP Darren Bowen, RHP Trent Baker, RHP Ricky Castro, RHP Joel Cesar, RHP Chase Chaney, RHP John Klein, RHP Cody Laweryson, RHP Angel Macuare, RHP Michael Martinez, LHP Jaylen Nowlin, RHP Mike Paredes, LHP Connor Prielipp, LHP Aaron Rozek, RHP John Stankiewicz, RHP Jarret Whorff.

Rounding out the roster, 14 position players will start the year in the ICT. 12 of the 14 donned a Wind Surge uniform last season, including the trio in the catchers room: C Noah Cardenas, C Andrew Cossetti, C/OF Ricardo Olivar, INF Rubel Cespedes, INF/OF Jorel Ortega, INF/OF Ben Ross, INF Jake Rucker, INF Tanner Schobel, INF/OF Dalton Shuffield, OF Allan Cerda, OF Tyler Dearden, OF Kyler Fedko, OF Walker Jenkins, OF Kala’i Rosario.

A mostly fresh-faced coaching staff surrounds Brian Dinkelman in his first season managing at the Double-A level. Dinkelman spent the previous five seasons as the manager of the Twins' High-A affiliate Cedar Rapids Kernels, posting a winning record each time and propelling the Kernels to four consecutive postseason berths, including a Midwest League Championship in 2023. Dinkelman will work alongside hitting coaches Andrew Cresci and Yeison Perez, with Perez being the lone returning coaching staff member from the 2024. Ryan Ricci and Jesus Sanchez are the pitching coaches in their respective first years coaching Double-A baseball.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743435536886.png" alt="Photo Courtesy Wichita Wind Surge" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Wichita Wind Surge</figcaption>
 </figure>Wichita Wind Surge WICHITA, Kan.—In conjunction with the Minnesota Twins, the Wichita Wind Surge is pleased to announce its 2025 Opening Day Roster, including four members of the Twins Top 30 Prospects list, courtesy of MLB.com.Leading those four is Walker Jenkins, Minnesota’s leading and the third-best prospect in all of baseball. Less than six weeks removed from his 20th birthday, Jenkins is the youngest name among the top-15 on the MLB.com list. He also is the highest-ranked farmhand beginning a season in Wichita in the history of the Wind Surge. Alongside Jenkins is southpaw hurler Connor Prielipp (#5 Twins), backstopper/outfielder Ricardo Olivar (#17 Twins), and fellow outfielder Kala’i Rosario (#21 Twins).Including Prielipp, 15 pitchers are on Wichita’s Opening Day roster, including six returning Wind Surge arms: RHP Darren Bowen, RHP Trent Baker, RHP Ricky Castro, RHP Joel Cesar, RHP Chase Chaney, RHP John Klein, RHP Cody Laweryson, RHP Angel Macuare, RHP Michael Martinez, LHP Jaylen Nowlin, RHP Mike Paredes, LHP Connor Prielipp, LHP Aaron Rozek, RHP John Stankiewicz, RHP Jarret Whorff.Rounding out the roster, 14 position players will start the year in the ICT. 12 of the 14 donned a Wind Surge uniform last season, including the trio in the catchers room: C Noah Cardenas, C Andrew Cossetti, C/OF Ricardo Olivar, INF Rubel Cespedes, INF/OF Jorel Ortega, INF/OF Ben Ross, INF Jake Rucker, INF Tanner Schobel, INF/OF Dalton Shuffield, OF Allan Cerda, OF Tyler Dearden, OF Kyler Fedko, OF Walker Jenkins, OF Kala’i Rosario.A mostly fresh-faced coaching staff surrounds Brian Dinkelman in his first season managing at the Double-A level. Dinkelman spent the previous five seasons as the manager of the Twins' High-A affiliate Cedar Rapids Kernels, posting a winning record each time and propelling the Kernels to four consecutive postseason berths, including a Midwest League Championship in 2023. Dinkelman will work alongside hitting coaches Andrew Cresci and Yeison Perez, with Perez being the lone returning coaching staff member from the 2024. Ryan Ricci and Jesus Sanchez are the pitching coaches in their respective first years coaching Double-A baseball.

⚾️ Wind Surge announce Opening Day roster

GREAT BEND, Kan.&nbsp;— The Central Kansas High School All-Star Basketball Classic took place Sunday at Barton Community College, showcasing senior basketball standouts from across central and western Kansas.

Two Hutchinson High School players, Kaia Smith and Grace Posch, competed for the South team in the girls’ game. Buhler’s&nbsp;Natalya Krafels also played in the game and was the game’s Most Valuable Player.&nbsp;

On the boys’ side, Haven High School’s Nash Wray and Dalton Bontrager represented the West team, which won a high-scoring matchup, 123-120. Bontrager finished with 10 points, while Wray added seven. The game’s leading scorer was Ty Romero of Elyria Christian, who tallied 31 points.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743435096613.jpeg" alt="Hutch Post Photo/John Brennan" />
 <figcaption>Hutch Post Photo/John Brennan</figcaption>
 </figure>GREAT BEND, Kan.&nbsp;— The Central Kansas High School All-Star Basketball Classic took place Sunday at Barton Community College, showcasing senior basketball standouts from across central and western Kansas.Two Hutchinson High School players, Kaia Smith and Grace Posch, competed for the South team in the girls’ game. Buhler’s&nbsp;Natalya Krafels also played in the game and was the game’s Most Valuable Player.&nbsp;On the boys’ side, Haven High School’s Nash Wray and Dalton Bontrager represented the West team, which won a high-scoring matchup, 123-120. Bontrager finished with 10 points, while Wray added seven. The game’s leading scorer was Ty Romero of Elyria Christian, who tallied 31 points.

🏀 Local student-athletes participate in All-Star Game Sunday

The Kansas Association of Baseball Coaches released their first rankings of the 2025 season. There are six area teams ranked in their respective classifications.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712613050526.jpeg" alt="KABC" />
 <figcaption>KABC</figcaption>
 </figure>The Kansas Association of Baseball Coaches released their first rankings of the 2025 season. There are six area teams ranked in their respective classifications.<div><table id="theTable" class="footable table outerBorder footable-1 breakpoint-small" dir="auto" data-paging="false" data-cascade="true" data-filter-min="3" data-paging-size="5" data-useparentwidth="true" data-filter-container="#filterBox" data-filter-connectors="false" data-use-parent-width="false" data-sorting="false" data-filtering="false" data-filter-filters="[]" data-filter-placeholder="Search" data-filter-position="right" data-show-header="true">
<tbody>
<tr class="footableEven">
<td class="wixColumns footable-first-visible">#</td>
<td class="wixColumns footable-first-visible">CLASS 6A</td>
<td class="wixColumns">CLASS 5A</td>
<td class="wixColumns">CLASS 4A</td>
<td class="wixColumns">CLASS 3A</td>
<td class="wixColumns footable-last-visible">CLASS 2-1A</td>
</tr>
<tr class="footableOdd">
<td class="wixColumns footable-first-visible">1</td>
<td class="wixColumns footable-first-visible">SM East&nbsp;</td>
<td class="wixColumns">ST Thomas Aquinas&nbsp;</td>
<td class="wixColumns">St George-Rock Creek&nbsp;</td>
<td class="wixColumns">Wichita Trinity&nbsp;</td>
<td class="wixColumns footable-last-visible">Pittsburg-St Mary's Colgan&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
<tr class="footableEven">
<td class="wixColumns footable-first-visible">2</td>
<td class="wixColumns footable-first-visible">Olathe West&nbsp;</td>
<td class="wixColumns">Blue Valley SW&nbsp;</td>
<td class="wixColumns">Topeka Hayden&nbsp;</td>
<td class="wixColumns">Bishop Ward&nbsp;</td>
<td class="wixColumns footable-last-visible">Hays-TMP Marion&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
<tr class="footableOdd">
<td class="wixColumns footable-first-visible">3</td>
<td class="wixColumns footable-first-visible">Blue Valley &nbsp;</td>
<td class="wixColumns">Spring Hill&nbsp;</td>
<td class="wixColumns">McPherson&nbsp;</td>
<td class="wixColumns">Frontenac&nbsp;</td>
<td class="wixColumns footable-last-visible">Medicine Lodge&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
<tr class="footableEven">
<td class="wixColumns footable-first-visible">4</td>
<td class="wixColumns footable-first-visible">Lawrence Free State&nbsp;</td>
<td class="wixColumns">Great Bend&nbsp;</td>
<td class="wixColumns">Paola&nbsp;</td>
<td class="wixColumns">Haven&nbsp;</td>
<td class="wixColumns footable-last-visible">Colony Crest&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
<tr class="footableOdd">
<td class="wixColumns footable-first-visible">5</td>
<td class="wixColumns footable-first-visible">Blue Valley West&nbsp;</td>
<td class="wixColumns">Topeka Seaman&nbsp;</td>
<td class="wixColumns">Mulvane&nbsp;</td>
<td class="wixColumns">Hesston&nbsp;</td>
<td class="wixColumns footable-last-visible">Valley Falls &nbsp;</td>
</tr>
<tr class="footableEven">
<td class="wixColumns footable-first-visible">6</td>
<td class="wixColumns footable-first-visible">Mill Valley&nbsp;</td>
<td class="wixColumns">Shawnee Heights&nbsp;</td>
<td class="wixColumns">Pratt&nbsp;</td>
<td class="wixColumns">Silver Lake&nbsp;</td>
<td class="wixColumns footable-last-visible">Sedgwick&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
<tr class="footableOdd">
<td class="wixColumns footable-first-visible">7</td>
<td class="wixColumns footable-first-visible">Olathe East&nbsp;</td>
<td class="wixColumns">Bishop Carroll&nbsp;</td>
<td class="wixColumns">Fort Scott&nbsp;</td>
<td class="wixColumns">Wichita Collegiate&nbsp;</td>
<td class="wixColumns footable-last-visible">Eskridge-Mission Valley&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
<tr class="footableEven">
<td class="wixColumns footable-first-visible">8</td>
<td class="wixColumns footable-first-visible">Maize&nbsp;</td>
<td class="wixColumns">Maize South&nbsp;</td>
<td class="wixColumns">Louisburg&nbsp;</td>
<td class="wixColumns">Hoisington&nbsp;</td>
<td class="wixColumns footable-last-visible">Belleville-Republic County&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
<tr class="footableOdd">
<td class="wixColumns footable-first-visible">9</td>
<td class="wixColumns footable-first-visible">Manhattan&nbsp;</td>
<td class="wixColumns">Goddard- Eisenhower&nbsp;</td>
<td class="wixColumns">Wakefield-Clay Center&nbsp;</td>
<td class="wixColumns">Sante Fe Trail&nbsp;</td>
<td class="wixColumns footable-last-visible">Moundridge&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
<tr class="footableEven">
<td class="wixColumns footable-first-visible">10</td>
<td class="wixColumns footable-first-visible">Blue Valley North&nbsp;</td>
<td class="wixColumns">Desoto&nbsp;</td>
<td class="wixColumns">&nbsp;</td>
<td class="wixColumns">Sabetha&nbsp;</td>
<td class="wixColumns footable-last-visible">Salina-Sacred Heart&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div>

⚾ KABC releases first rankings of high school season

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725282945901.png" alt="EAGLE Media" />
 <figcaption>EAGLE Media</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/ce/index.cfm?stationCallSign=KHMY2">KHMY-FM (93.1)</a> <a href="https://streamdb5web.securenetsystems.net/v5/KHUT">KHUT-FM (102.9)</a> <a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/v5/KWBW">KWBW-AM/FM (1450/98.5)</a><div><h2>Monday,&nbsp;March 31</h2>
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<h2>Tuesday,&nbsp;April 1</h2>
&nbsp;
<h2>Wednesday,&nbsp;April 2</h2>
&nbsp;
Royals at Brewers - 6 p.m. pregame, 6:40 p.m. first pitch (KWBW)
&nbsp;
<h2>Thursday,&nbsp;April 3</h2>
Reno County Coaches Show &amp; More - 6 p.m. (KWBW)
&nbsp;
<h2>Friday,&nbsp;April 4</h2>
&nbsp;
Hutch High baseball vs. Andover - 4 p.m. &amp; 6 p.m. (HutchPost.com)
Royals vs. Orioles - 6 p.m. pregame, 6:40 p.m. first pitch (KWBW)
&nbsp;
<h2>Saturday,&nbsp;April 5</h2>
Royals vs. Orioles - 2:30 p.m. pregame, 3:10 p.m. first pitch (KWBW)
&nbsp;
<h2>Sunday,&nbsp;April 6</h2>
Royals vs. Orioles - 12:30 p.m. pregame, 1:10 p.m. first pitch (KWBW)</div>

🎧 EAGLE Media Sports Broadcast Calendar (March 31-April 6)

HUTCHINSON, Kan. - You could sense that the tank was running on empty mid-way through the second half of the NJCAA Championship game Saturday afternoon at the Sports Arena. Bot that didn't take away from a very successful season and run in Hutchinson for the young, Cowboy team, that seemed to have a special purpose.

The Connors State warmups read “This one’s for Momma Muse” and that mantra was the rallying cry for three months.

Connors became the Cardiac Cowboys at the NJCAA Division I Men’s Basketball National Championships this past week but saw the ultimate dream escape in the title game with a 69-61 loss to Trinity Valley,Texas, Community College on Saturday in Hutchinson, Kansas. But what a run by the Cowboys.

Fueled by the unexpected December death of Connie Muse, wife of head coach Bill Muse, mother to assistant coach Bill Muse Jr. and the mother hen of Connors basketball for 33 years, this team put their grieving coaches on their shoulders. This was a team that featured 11 new players with no returners but found a higher purpose to come together and breeze through the conference and Region 2 tournament to give the elder Muse his 17th trip to the JUCO nationals.

Despite their 25-3 regular season record, the Cowboys were never ranked in the top 25 during the season and drew the 17th seed in the tournament. The first game was against 16th seeded John A Logan (IL) College. And this is where the fun begins.

The Cowboys trailed late in the game but went on a 19-5 run over the last six minutes and still trailed by 10 with 5:24 to play. Freshman Jermiah Johnson had three steals, five free throws and a tip-in in the final three minutes and DJ Dormu, who earned the Bud Obee Small Player of the Tournament Award, hit four charities in the last five seconds to seal an 80-75 win. Dormu had 25 points and big man Ed Daniels, who along with Dormu was named to the All-Tournament Team, recorded his first of five double doubles with 21 points and 15 rebounds.

The next game was against top-seeded and number one ranked Snow (UT) College and will be remembered for Dormu’s Immaculate Connection. The Cowboys started slow, but grabbed the lead at halftime and led most of the second half until Snow managed the first of four ties and seven lead changes in the final eight minutes. With the final tie at 60-all, the Badgers Mark Brown hit a pair of free throws with five seconds left for what looked like would be a Snow win. But Dormu got the ball just across mid-court and launched a 30-foot prayer at the buzzer that found nothing but net, and the Cowboys again pumped up the blood pressure with a 63-62 win. The Washington D.C. prep school product finished with 22 points and five assists while Daniel had 13 points and 18 rebounds.

The quarterfinal game against eighth seeded Daytona (Fl) State again saw Connors come from behind with a 14-0 run over the last three-and-a half minutes capped by a game-tying 3-pointer by Dormu with :38 left. Daniel hit the game-winning free throw with seven seconds left and grabbed a rebound off a missed charity to secure a 66-65 victory. The Cardiac Cowboys rally again.

After a day off, the Cowboys played South Plains, Texas, College in the semifinals. This looked like it would be an easier game as Connors played well and the Texans struggled from the field with the Cowboys owning a 40-28 lead at the half. But South Plains took advantage of a 27-7 gap in second chance points to stay close and eventually made it 67-63 with 4:52 to play. Connors stretched it back out to 11 on a trey by Dormu with 3:26 left and the Texans would get no closer than five the rest of the way as Connors won 80-74.

Playing their fifth game of the tournament compared to just four for Trinity Valley, the Cowboys just ran out of gas in the second half scoring just 29 points as the seventh-seeded Cardinals played tough defense against Dormu limiting him to 16 points on 7-of-23 shooting while Daniel had 12 points and 12 rebounds before fouling out late.

As comedian Rodney Dangerfield used to complain “I just get no respect”, the Connors State Cowboys could make the same claim for the second year in a row with no ranking and low seeding. But this time they had a mission and surely some divine help from Momma Muse to gain that respect and send Papa Muse to his first ever championship game in what had to be the most challenging and maybe rewarding season of his long coaching career.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743501721706.jpeg" alt="Connors State vs Trinity Valley battle for NJCAA Title" />
 <figcaption>Connors State vs Trinity Valley battle for NJCAA Title</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. - You could sense that the tank was running on empty mid-way through the second half of the NJCAA Championship game Saturday afternoon at the Sports Arena. Bot that didn't take away from a very successful season and run in Hutchinson for the young, Cowboy team, that seemed to have a special purpose.The Connors State warmups read “This one’s for Momma Muse” and that mantra was the rallying cry for three months.Connors became the Cardiac Cowboys at the NJCAA Division I Men’s Basketball National Championships this past week but saw the ultimate dream escape in the title game with a 69-61 loss to Trinity Valley,Texas, Community College on Saturday in Hutchinson, Kansas. But what a run by the Cowboys.Fueled by the unexpected December death of Connie Muse, wife of head coach Bill Muse, mother to assistant coach Bill Muse Jr. and the mother hen of Connors basketball for 33 years, this team put their grieving coaches on their shoulders. This was a team that featured 11 new players with no returners but found a higher purpose to come together and breeze through the conference and Region 2 tournament to give the elder Muse his 17th trip to the JUCO nationals.Despite their 25-3 regular season record, the Cowboys were never ranked in the top 25 during the season and drew the 17th seed in the tournament. The first game was against 16th seeded John A Logan (IL) College. And this is where the fun begins.The Cowboys trailed late in the game but went on a 19-5 run over the last six minutes and still trailed by 10 with 5:24 to play. Freshman Jermiah Johnson had three steals, five free throws and a tip-in in the final three minutes and DJ Dormu, who earned the Bud Obee Small Player of the Tournament Award, hit four charities in the last five seconds to seal an 80-75 win. Dormu had 25 points and big man Ed Daniels, who along with Dormu was named to the All-Tournament Team, recorded his first of five double doubles with 21 points and 15 rebounds.The next game was against top-seeded and number one ranked Snow (UT) College and will be remembered for Dormu’s Immaculate Connection. The Cowboys started slow, but grabbed the lead at halftime and led most of the second half until Snow managed the first of four ties and seven lead changes in the final eight minutes. With the final tie at 60-all, the Badgers Mark Brown hit a pair of free throws with five seconds left for what looked like would be a Snow win. But Dormu got the ball just across mid-court and launched a 30-foot prayer at the buzzer that found nothing but net, and the Cowboys again pumped up the blood pressure with a 63-62 win. The Washington D.C. prep school product finished with 22 points and five assists while Daniel had 13 points and 18 rebounds.The quarterfinal game against eighth seeded Daytona (Fl) State again saw Connors come from behind with a 14-0 run over the last three-and-a half minutes capped by a game-tying 3-pointer by Dormu with :38 left. Daniel hit the game-winning free throw with seven seconds left and grabbed a rebound off a missed charity to secure a 66-65 victory. The Cardiac Cowboys rally again.After a day off, the Cowboys played South Plains, Texas, College in the semifinals. This looked like it would be an easier game as Connors played well and the Texans struggled from the field with the Cowboys owning a 40-28 lead at the half. But South Plains took advantage of a 27-7 gap in second chance points to stay close and eventually made it 67-63 with 4:52 to play. Connors stretched it back out to 11 on a trey by Dormu with 3:26 left and the Texans would get no closer than five the rest of the way as Connors won 80-74.Playing their fifth game of the tournament compared to just four for Trinity Valley, the Cowboys just ran out of gas in the second half scoring just 29 points as the seventh-seeded Cardinals played tough defense against Dormu limiting him to 16 points on 7-of-23 shooting while Daniel had 12 points and 12 rebounds before fouling out late.As comedian Rodney Dangerfield used to complain “I just get no respect”, the Connors State Cowboys could make the same claim for the second year in a row with no ranking and low seeding. But this time they had a mission and surely some divine help from Momma Muse to gain that respect and send Papa Muse to his first ever championship game in what had to be the most challenging and maybe rewarding season of his long coaching career.

🏀 Connors State just ran out of gas in NJCAA title game, but what a run it was

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743385114446.png" alt="Photo Courtesy Wichita State Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Wichita State Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure><div>Wichita State Athletics
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

WICHITA, Kan. -- Wichita State twice trimmed a seven-run deficit down to one but could never fully erase the margin, falling to UAB 11-9 in the series finale on Sunday afternoon at Eck Stadium.
The Shockers (10-17, 3-3) even had the potential winning run on base in the bottom of the ninth, loading the bases with nobody out against UAB reliever Braxton Shelton. But Shelton struck out Jordan Black for the first out and then got Gannon Snyder to hit a hard comebacker which resulted in a game-ending 1-2-3 double play for Shelton's second save of the season.
Wichita State dug themselves an early hole by allowing seven runs over the first two innings. Two WSU errors contributed to three unearned runs during the barrage against Shockers starter Brady Hamilton (1-3), who settled down to work through the third and fourth innings with no damage.
The Shockers began to chip away in the third. Mauricio Millan ripped his first career triple down the left field line, scoring two to get WSU on the board. Josh Livingston singled him home and Jordan Rogers kicked off a huge day offensively with a run-scoring double, inching the Shockers within 7-4.
Rogers then homered in the bottom of the sixth, an opposite-field bullet that scraped over the wall in right to trim the UAB lead to 7-6.
UAB (16-12, 2-4) restored some semblance of order with a two-run homer from Camden Hayslip in the top of the seventh, but the Shockers got the two runs right back in the bottom of the inning on a Blazers throwing error and Rogers RBI single.
Once again UAB pushed the advantage out to three in the top of the ninth, scoring twice via a Gavin Lewis Jr. RBI triple followed by a squeeze bunt. The Shockers made one last surge in the bottom of the ninth, putting their first four runners on including a Rogers RBI single, but Shelton escaped the jam to salvage the series finale.
Rogers finished with four hits and five RBI while Hayslip drove in four to lead UAB. Brendan Conner (1-1) picked up the win in relief, allowing two earned runs over three innings.
The Shockers are back in action on Wednesday night against Kansas State. First pitch from Eck Stadium is scheduled for 6:00 pm CT.</div>

⚾ Shocker rally comes up short in loss to Blazers

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743384991205.png" alt="Photo Courtesy Wichita State Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Wichita State Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure><div>Wichita State Athletics
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
WICHITA, Kan. &ndash;&nbsp;The series finale between Wichita State and South Florida finished in a 7-7 tie due to the drop dead time set before the game of 3:10 p.m. It's the first game to end in a tie for Wichita State (17-17-1, 5-6-1) since April 18, 2021 when the Shockers and UCF Knights finished in a 0-0 tie. South Florida scored five runs in the top of the seventh to tie the game at 7. After a scoreless bottom of the seventh for Wichita State, the game went into extra innings, but because the drop dead time was reached before the top of the eighth ended, the game ended in a 7-7 tie. The bottom of the order produced nearly all of the offensive output for the Shockers on Sunday, recording eight of the nine hits and driving in all seven runs.&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/jodie-epperson/9323" rel="smarttag" rev="9323">Jodie Epperson</a></dfn>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/sami-hood/9312" rel="smarttag" rev="9312">Sami Hood</a></dfn>&nbsp;both finished with three-hit days, while Hood added three RBIs.&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/gabby-scott/9324" rel="smarttag" rev="9324">Gabby Scott</a></dfn>&nbsp;drove in three runs to go with a single. <dfn><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/ryley-nihart/9325" rel="smarttag" rev="9325">Ryley Nihart</a></dfn>&nbsp;was one out away from tossing a complete game, but was pulled after allowing a two-run and three-run home run in the top of the seventh. She went 6.2 innings, allowing seven runs on 10 hits and seven walks. South Florida opened the scoring on a two-out, solo home run in the top of the second. Wichita State immediately answered with a run in the home half on Hood's RBI double. After the Bulls regained the lead 2-1 in the top of the third, Wichita State put four runs on the board in the bottom half to take a 5-2 lead. Scott drove in a pair on a single up the middle and then Hood and&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/krystin-nelson/9315" rel="smarttag" rev="9315">Krystin Nelson</a></dfn>&nbsp;recorded an RBI apiece. In the bottom of the fifth, Wichita State added two insurance runs on a Scott RBI groundout and Hood fielder's choice to make it 7-2. After a double play put the Shockers one out away from a series win, the Bulls responded with a two-run shot to make it 7-4. Back-to-back walks set the stage for DaNia Brooks who crushed a 2-0 pitch over the wall in left to complete the comeback, tying the game at 7. Up Next Wichita State travels to Birmingham for a weekend series against UAB, April 4-6.</div>

🥎 Shockers and Bulls series finale ends in tie

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743384913783.png" alt="Photo Courtesy Kansas State Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Kansas State Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure><div>Kansas State Athletics
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
MANHATTAN, Kan. &ndash;&nbsp;K-State completed the series sweep of Texas Tech on Sunday afternoon, as&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/shintaro-inoue/12311" rel="smarttag" rev="12311">Shintaro Inoue's</a></dfn>&nbsp;two-run walk-off single lifted the Wildcats to a 5-4 victory at Tointon Family Stadium. "I love seeing our kids play at a high level and pressure situation," stated head coach&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/coaches/pete-hughes/2603" rel="smarttag" rev="2603">Pete Hughes</a></dfn>&nbsp;on his team's third Big 12 series win of the year. "The greatest thing a coach can do is watch that. It means they're prepared, they have confidence in their preparation, and they have a strong foundation. So that was awesome." The Wildcats (19-8, 8-1 Big 12) trailed 4-2 heading into the bottom of the ninth. Catcher&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/bear-madliak/12309" rel="smarttag" rev="12309">Bear Madliak</a></dfn>&nbsp;doubled to right field before a hit by pitch and clutch RBI-single from pinch hitter&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/sam-flores/12310" rel="smarttag" rev="12310">Sam Flores</a></dfn>&nbsp;brought the game within one. <dfn><a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/dee-kennedy/12308" rel="smarttag" rev="12308">Dee Kennedy</a></dfn>&nbsp;was hit by a pitch to load the bases and force TTU (8-16, 4-5 Big 12) to make a call to the bullpen. With no outs and bases loaded, Inoue laced a 2-2 pitch pass the diving efforts of the Red Raiders' second baseman to plate the tying- and game-winning runs, handing Wildcats their 10th&nbsp;consecutive victory at home. "Our bullpen really saved the day, specifically our two seniors,&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/ty-ruhl/12303" rel="smarttag" rev="12303">Ty Ruhl</a></dfn>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/jj-slack/12304" rel="smarttag" rev="12304">JJ Slack</a></dfn>. I'm just happy for guys like&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/sam-flores/12310" rel="smarttag" rev="12310">Sam Flores</a></dfn>, who hasn't played a whole lot of baseball this spring, but his mindset has never left the 'team first'. He's never caught up in himself. He puts himself in a really good place mentally when we call his number. Who knows when we're going to do it, but we did today, and he was ready. So, a heck of a role model for our younger players. It's just fun putting yourself in a situation in the ninth inning where you get a chance to win a game and sweep the series. It was a fun day." K-State utilized five pitchers in the win with Ruhl and Slack combining for 5 1/3 shutout innings in relief. Slack (1-2), who was awarded his first win of the season, struck out five of the seven batters he faced. The left-hander issued one walk before he struck out the side in the ninth, building momentum heading into the final frame. <dfn><a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/keegan-o-connor/12317" rel="smarttag" rev="12317">Keegan O'Connor</a></dfn>, who led the weekend with a .455 average (5-for-11), finished the day 2-for-3 with a double and his second home run of the series. In addition to O'Connor, Inoue also produced a multi-hit effort, going 2-for-4. The duo combined for four of the Wildcats' five RBI. With the win, the Wildcats recorded their third sweep over Texas Tech in program history and first since 2013.&nbsp;The victory also marks K-State's second consecutive 19-8 start. K-State hit .277 (26-for-94) in its third straight home series win against TTU, registering six doubles and six home runs. The Wildcats slugged .532 overall and hit .320 (8-for-25) with runners in scoring position with five two-out RBI. HOW IT HAPPENED TTU plated three runs in a three-inning span, led by a two-run blast by first baseman Robin Villeneuve in the first. The Red Raiders threatened to expand their lead after loading the bases with no outs, but reliever&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/ty-ruhl/12303" rel="smarttag" rev="12303">Ty Ruhl</a></dfn>&nbsp;retired three straight batters to keep the game within three. O'Connor ended TTU starter Zane Petty's no-hit bid in the fourth, doubling into right center and avoiding the diving efforts of the Red Raiders' center fielder. After five scoreless innings, the Wildcats broke through with a two-run blast from O'Connor, making it a 3-2 ballgame. TTU recovered one of the runs handed over in the bottom of the sixth with an RBI single. Trailing 4-2 in the eighth, Slack took the mound and inherited runners on first and second. The left-hander fanned the first two batters he faced before forcing a grounder to second and retired the Red Raiders in order. Behind scoreless ninth from Slack, Madliak doubled into right field before&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/kyan-lodice/12298" rel="smarttag" rev="12298">Kyan Lodice</a></dfn>&nbsp;was clipped to put runners on first and second. Pinch hitter&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/sam-flores/12310" rel="smarttag" rev="12310">Sam Flores</a></dfn>&nbsp;lined a singled to the wall in right field to bring the game within one. Down 4-3 with no outs, Kennedy was hit by a pitch to load the bases and force TTU to make a pitching change. Facing reliever Zach Crotchfelt, Inoue drove a 2-2 pitch pass the second baseman to score a pair of runs and complete the series sweep. INSIDE THE BOX
<ul>
<li>K-State scored five runs on seven hits with no errors committed and nine runners left on base.</li>
<li>TTU scored four runs on 12 hits, committed no errors and stranded 13 on base.</li>
<li>Inoue delivered the game-winning hit with a two-run single through the right side in the ninth.</li>
<li>O'Connor doubled in the fourth to break a no-hit bid and homered in the sixth to end the shutout.</li>
<li>Inoue and O'Connor each had two hits and drove in a pair of RBI.</li>
<li>K-State utilized five pitchers in the win.</li>
<li>Slack (1-2) was awarded the victory in relief, striking out five of the seven batters he faced.</li>
<li>Ruhl logged a team-high 3 1/3 innings, leaving TTU scoreless with five hits.</li>
<li>Parish (0-4) suffered the loss, allowing four earned runs in his 2 2/3 innings in relief.</li>
<li>Petty held the Cats to one run and two hits in his 5 1/3 inning start.</li>
</ul>
TEAM NOTES
<ul>
<li>The Wildcats are off to a 10-0 start at home for the first time since 2014.</li>
<li>K-State recorded its third sweep of the season &ndash; second in Big 12 action.</li>
<li>With the win, K-State recorded the program's third-ever sweep over TTU (2011, 2013, 2025).</li>
<li>The win marked the Cats' third come-from-behind victory of the year and fourth walk-off victory.</li>
<li>K-State has homered in 11 straight games, totaling 22 in the stretch &ndash; ranks second in the Big 12 with 49 total home runs.</li>
<li>TTU leads the all-time series 51-37-1, with a 43-33-1 lead in Big 12 play.</li>
<li>K-State is 24-18 when playing at home against TTU.</li>
<li>Under Hughes, K-State is 10-9 vs. TTU.</li>
</ul>
PLAYER NOTES
<ul>
<li>O'Connor hit his eighth homer and stretched his on-base streak to 19.</li>
<li>Evasco has reached safely in 18 straight games.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Inoue delivered his first game-winning RBI when the Cats' trailed.</li>
</ul>
UP NEXT K-State will face in-state rival Wichita State (10-17) on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Eck Stadium, before returning to conference play for a three-game series at Oklahoma State (12-13, 1-6 Big 12), starting Friday. K-State baseball single-game tickets are available, and can be purchased by visiting&nbsp;<a name="_Hlk192492882"></a>KStateSports.com, call 1-800-221-CATS (2287), or stopping by the K-State Athletics Ticket Office in Bramlage Coliseum.</div>

⚾ K-State sweeps Texas Tech after walk-off win Sunday

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743384728867.png" alt="Photo Courtesy Kansas Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Kansas Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure><div>Kansas Athletics
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
LAWRENCE, Kan. &ndash;&nbsp;Kansas baseball secured its first series sweep against&nbsp;Oklahoma State since 2009 as the Jayhawks won 11-2 on Sunday afternoon at Hoglund Ballpark. Kansas improved to 23-6 overall and 6-3 in conference play this season. The 6-3 start to Big 12 play is the best in program history. &nbsp; &nbsp; <dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/cooper-moore/16136" rel="smarttag" rev="16136">Cooper Moore</a></dfn>&nbsp;shined as he struck out a career-high nine batters and matched his career high of seven innings. He allowed only two runs on five hits to earn the win.&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/gavin-brasosky/16121" rel="smarttag" rev="16121">Gavin Brasosky</a></dfn>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/robbie-knowles/16161" rel="smarttag" rev="16161">Robbie Knowles</a></dfn>&nbsp;each pitched a scoreless and hitless inning of relief to close out the game. &nbsp; <dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/ian-francis/16139" rel="smarttag" rev="16139">Ian Francis</a></dfn>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/michael-brooks/16122" rel="smarttag" rev="16122">Michael Brooks</a></dfn>&nbsp;each hit a home run as the offense poured on a double-digit run effort for the second day in a row. Brooks finished with three hits, three RBIs, three runs scored and a walk, while Francis had two hits, two RBIs, two runs scored and a walk. &nbsp; HOW IT HAPPENED &bull; Oklahoma State (12-13, 1-6 Big 12) got out to a first inning lead on a sacrifice fly from Kollin Ritchie to give the Cowboys a 1-0 lead. &bull; Kansas was able to even up the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the third inning on a solo home run from Francis. &bull; The Cowboys were able to take back the lead in the top of the fourth inning on a solo blast by Colin Brueggemann. The homer gave Oklahoma State a 2-1 advantage. &bull; The Jayhawks took back the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning.&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/dariel-osoria/16146" rel="smarttag" rev="16146">Dariel Osoria</a></dfn>&nbsp;led off the inning with a single and then Brooks belted a two-run homer to left field to give the Jayhawks a 3-2 edge. &bull; KU was able to stretch out its lead with five runs in the fifth inning. Brooks and Francis each drew a bases-loaded walk,&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/brady-counsell/16135" rel="smarttag" rev="16135">Brady Counsell</a></dfn>&nbsp;hustled down the line for an RBI infield single and&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/sawyer-smith/16138" rel="smarttag" rev="16138">Sawyer Smith</a></dfn>&nbsp;had a two-run fielder's choice. That gave Kansas an 8-2 lead. &bull; In the seventh inning,&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/brady-ballinger/16147" rel="smarttag" rev="16147">Brady Ballinger</a></dfn>&nbsp;hit an RBI double to bring in another run and make it 9-2. &bull; The Jayhawks added two more runs in the eighth inning on a&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/tommy-barth/16141" rel="smarttag" rev="16141">Tommy Barth</a></dfn>&nbsp;RBI triple and Francis scored on a wild pitch to bring the score to 11-2. &nbsp; PITCHERS OF RECORD Win:&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/cooper-moore/16136" rel="smarttag" rev="16136">Cooper Moore</a></dfn>&nbsp;(2-0) Final line: 7.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 9 SO Loss: Ryan Ure (1-3) Final line: 3.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 3 SO &nbsp; SOCIAL POST OF THE GAME
<div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" class="" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?creatorScreenName=%40KUBaseball&amp;dnt=false&amp;embedId=twitter-widget-0&amp;features=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%3D%3D&amp;frame=false&amp;hideCard=false&amp;hideThread=false&amp;id=1906444948494508077&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fkuathletics.com%2Fnews%2F2025%2F3%2F30%2Fbaseball-kansas-sweeps-oklahoma-state-off-to-best-big-12-start-in-program-history.aspx&amp;sessionId=bd505ca1a7584972a6063222ce63e20f019fa9d4&amp;theme=light&amp;widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&amp;width=550px" width="300" height="150" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-tweet-id="1906444948494508077"></iframe></div>
&nbsp; QUOTABLES &amp; NOTABLES "Any game you win period is important, but conference games take on a little bit different life of their own when you talk about just stepping things forward. I think it obviously started with Cooper on the mound. Seven complete and he was in complete control and his stuff was really good at the end. Then, Gavin came in and did a fantastic job, which was great to see. Gavin is so tough on those lefties and they have that stretch at the top. Robbie was great minus the leadoff walk. I don't know what Coach Scott said to him, but it certainly worked. They jumped out to an early lead and we tied it up in the third, then they take the lead in the fourth and then we get it right back. Proud of how we competed and love the fight. Love how together the guys are." &ndash; Head Coach&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/coaches/dan-fitzgerald/871" rel="smarttag" rev="871">Dan Fitzgerald</a></dfn> &nbsp; "Filling up the zone early and often. Landing that punch out pitch was awesome. Had a lot of confidence in my defense to make the play if I missed a spot. [The offense scoring] adds everything. If you don't score runs, you can't win, and to get a little cushion from the offense makes me even more comfortable out there." &ndash;&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/cooper-moore/16136" rel="smarttag" rev="16136">Cooper Moore</a></dfn> &nbsp; &bull; Kansas has its best nine-game start ever in Big 12 play (6-3). The first season of the Big 12 was 1997. &bull; Kansas swept Oklahoma State for the first time since the 2009 season (April 10-12, 2009 in Lawrence). The Jayhawks outscored the Cowboys 28-15 in the series. &bull; Kansas has hit 61 home runs this season through the first 29 games. The program record for home runs is 75 in 2006 and 2023. Kansas is 21-2 this season when hitting a home run. &bull; Moore recorded a career-high nine strikeouts and matched his career high with seven innings. &bull; Francis hit his fifth home run of the season and has homered in back-to-back games. He has hit a home run in consecutive games twice this season (March 14-15 vs. Baylor). &bull; Brooks now has five home runs this season, with three coming in the last four games. Brooks has reached base safely in 18 consecutive games. &bull; Ballinger extended his hitting streak to nine games. &bull; Hauge finished the game with three hits and now has a 15-game on-base streak. &bull; Brasosky has not allowed a run in his eight appearances this season (10.1 innings). &bull; Cerda pushed his hitting streak to eight games. &bull; Osoria tallied his 11th multi-hit game of the season. &bull; Barth had two hits, one RBI and one run scored. His two hits marked his 10th multi-hit effort of the season. &nbsp; UP NEXT Kansas will wrap up its six-game homestand with a midweek game on Wednesday, April 2 at 6 p.m. CT against South Dakota State at Hoglund Ballpark. Fans can purchase tickets by clicking&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetGroupList?groupCode=BSB&amp;linkID=kansas&amp;shopperContext=&amp;caller=&amp;appCode=&amp;utm_source=navbar&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=navbar_website">here</a>.</div>

⚾ KU sweeps Oklahoma State, off to best Big 12 start in program history

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Tanner Bibee pitched shutout ball into the seventh inning, Kyle Mazardo hit a two-run homer and Gabriel Arias and Daniel Schneemann added solo shots as the Cleveland Guardians beat the Kansas City Royals 6-2 on Sunday.

Bibee (1-0) gave up no runs and two hits in 6 2/3 innings with two strikeouts and two walks. The right-hander bounced back after he was scheduled to make the opening day start for Cleveland on Thursday, but was scratched because of an illness.

Royals starter Michael Wacha (0-1) threw 87 pitches over four innings and allowed one run and four hits with two strikeouts and four walks. None of Kansas City's starting pitchers got past the fifth inning in any game during the three-game season-opening series.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743417602662.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Wacha throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Sunday, March 30, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Wacha throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Sunday, March 30, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Tanner Bibee pitched shutout ball into the seventh inning, Kyle Mazardo hit a two-run homer and Gabriel Arias and Daniel Schneemann added solo shots as the Cleveland Guardians beat the Kansas City Royals 6-2 on Sunday.Bibee (1-0) gave up no runs and two hits in 6 2/3 innings with two strikeouts and two walks. The right-hander bounced back after he was scheduled to make the opening day start for Cleveland on Thursday, but was scratched because of an illness.Royals starter Michael Wacha (0-1) threw 87 pitches over four innings and allowed one run and four hits with two strikeouts and four walks. None of Kansas City's starting pitchers got past the fifth inning in any game during the three-game season-opening series.Mazardo's home run traveled 417 feet nearly into the right field fountains off Sam Long to give the Guardians a 3-0 lead. It was his second home run of the series.Arias' homer in the sixth made it 4-0. He started in place of six-time All-Star José Ramírez, who missed the game due to a sprained right wrist he suffered on a slide in Saturday’s game.Cleveland took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on Arias' sacrifice fly that scored Carlos Santana.Schneemann's homer in the eighth extended the Guardians' lead to 6-0.Bobby Witt Jr. hit an RBI single and Hunter Renfroe drew a bases-loaded walk in the eighth for the Royals.<h2>Key moment</h2>The Royals had the tying run at the plate in the eighth, but Hunter Gaddis forced a groundout to first to end the rally.<h2>Key stat</h2>Steven Kwan went 3 for 5, all of those hits being singles, and had six hits over the series.<h2>Up next</h2>The Guardians send RHP Luis Ortiz to the mound to start a three-game series at San Diego on Monday. Kansas City travels to Milwaukee on Monday with LHP Kris Bubic on the hill.