AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson walked across the dew-soaked grass outside the Augusta National clubhouse to warm applause, and when they reached the first tee box shortly after sunrise Thursday, patrons who had staked out viewing spots with their green Masters folding chairs rose to their feet.

Then the three luminaries turned the traditional honorary tee shots that open&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/masters-augusta-national-hole-by-hole-6e198989ae990a3f928598624cf1d8a3">the Masters</a>&nbsp;into a comedy sketch about their aging bodies.

“The tee is yours,” Masters chairman Fred Ridley said to Nicklaus.

“Maybe,” Nicklaus said. “If I don’t fall down putting this (tee) in the ground.”

Nicklaus pumped his fist after successfully teeing up his golf ball, then felt the need to warn the spectators: “Oh boy. Woo! Watch out.”

The 85-year-old Nicklaus said later that a primary thought in his head was not to kill anyone with an errant shot. He hit it solidly enough and found the left edge of the wide fairway of Tea Olive, the scenic opening hole.

Player, 89, kicked his leg after his tee shot, and the 75-year-old Watson outdrove them both with a swing that has held up over time. Augusta National staffers positioned along the fairway scurried out to collect the three ceremonial golf balls, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/masters-augusta-national-mcilroy-scheffler-9f10537338b6d30e498ba0be18dfe212">the Masters was underway</a>. The first official pairing was Davis Riley and Patton Kizzire, going off in a twosome before groups of three the rest of the day.

Thirty-nine years after winning his last green jacket, Nicklaus was joined by his wife, Barbara, known widely as the First Lady of Golf. She was dressed in the traditional white caddie bib of the Masters, and toted along her husband’s small bag with the single club he needed for his ceremonial duties — a purple-shafted driver.

The tradition of honorary starters began in 1963, when club co-founder Bobby Jones asked Scottish pros Fred McLeod and Jock Hutchinson to lead off the opening round. They served in the role into the 1970s, when the custom was paused for a handful of years. In 1981, Gene Sarazen and Byron Nelson assumed the job. Sam Snead joined a few years later. And their opening tee shots became as much a part of the Masters experience as those pimento cheese sandwiches.

Arnold Palmer served as a starter from 2007 until his death in 2016. Nicklaus had joined him in 2010 and Player two years later. Watson made it a group of three again three years ago — a trio with a combined 11 green jackets and 35 major championships to their names.

After getting relief from the chilly morning air, the honorary starters donned their green jackets and took questions about a variety of topics at a freewheeling and occasionally awkward news conference.

“I’ve got a young girlfriend (who’s) changed my life. How about that, at 90, finding a girlfriend. Tom’s not as old as me, but he’s also found a new one,” Player said.

Asked if he wanted to weigh in on that subject, Watson lifted his hands, smiled and shook his head.

Player, Nicklaus and Watson agreed on two topics: They think Rory McIlroy is going to win this year’s Masters to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/masters-rory-mcilroy-augusta-national-grand-slam-ba7bc65dfbeedd8464c0164c875fcff9">complete the career Grand Slam</a>, and they believe players should always talk to the media after their rounds, even if they played poorly — something McIlroy didn’t do at Pinehurst No. 2 after his heartbreak at last year’s U.S. Open.

“He has the best swing in golf, without a question. He’s the fittest golfer. He does a deadlift of 400 pounds,” Player said. “It’s just the right time for him to win now, and the golf course, there’s no golf course that suits a man better than it does for Rory.”

Nicklaus said he had lunch with McIlroy last week and the world’s second-ranked player detailed how he planned to play every shot.

“He got done with the round. I didn’t open my mouth. I said, ‘Well: I wouldn’t change a thing. That’s exactly how I would try to play the golf course,’” Nicklaus said.

As for players talking to reporters — a subject that came up again this spring when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/collin-morikawa-pga-tour-winning-4177e6ec96092c39438b2a1766e9775a">Collin Morikawa</a>&nbsp;told the media, “I don’t owe anyone anything” — Nicklaus said players could choose not to speak after their rounds, but he can’t recall ever making that choice himself. Player said competitors should be required by the PGA Tour to talk.

“I think there should be a PGA rule, that if you’re requested to go after a round, it’s our obligation to do this,” Player said. “If you ask for somebody to go to the press room, whether you shoot 90 or you shoot 60, you should have to go there.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744298064394.jpeg" alt="From left: Honorary Starters Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tom Watson stand with their caddies as they pose on the first hole during the first round at the Masters golf tournament, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)" />
 <figcaption>From left: Honorary Starters Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tom Watson stand with their caddies as they pose on the first hole during the first round at the Masters golf tournament, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)</figcaption>
 </figure>AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson walked across the dew-soaked grass outside the Augusta National clubhouse to warm applause, and when they reached the first tee box shortly after sunrise Thursday, patrons who had staked out viewing spots with their green Masters folding chairs rose to their feet.Then the three luminaries turned the traditional honorary tee shots that open&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/masters-augusta-national-hole-by-hole-6e198989ae990a3f928598624cf1d8a3">the Masters</a>&nbsp;into a comedy sketch about their aging bodies.“The tee is yours,” Masters chairman Fred Ridley said to Nicklaus.“Maybe,” Nicklaus said. “If I don’t fall down putting this (tee) in the ground.”Nicklaus pumped his fist after successfully teeing up his golf ball, then felt the need to warn the spectators: “Oh boy. Woo! Watch out.”The 85-year-old Nicklaus said later that a primary thought in his head was not to kill anyone with an errant shot. He hit it solidly enough and found the left edge of the wide fairway of Tea Olive, the scenic opening hole.Player, 89, kicked his leg after his tee shot, and the 75-year-old Watson outdrove them both with a swing that has held up over time. Augusta National staffers positioned along the fairway scurried out to collect the three ceremonial golf balls, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/masters-augusta-national-mcilroy-scheffler-9f10537338b6d30e498ba0be18dfe212">the Masters was underway</a>. The first official pairing was Davis Riley and Patton Kizzire, going off in a twosome before groups of three the rest of the day.Thirty-nine years after winning his last green jacket, Nicklaus was joined by his wife, Barbara, known widely as the First Lady of Golf. She was dressed in the traditional white caddie bib of the Masters, and toted along her husband’s small bag with the single club he needed for his ceremonial duties — a purple-shafted driver.The tradition of honorary starters began in 1963, when club co-founder Bobby Jones asked Scottish pros Fred McLeod and Jock Hutchinson to lead off the opening round. They served in the role into the 1970s, when the custom was paused for a handful of years. In 1981, Gene Sarazen and Byron Nelson assumed the job. Sam Snead joined a few years later. And their opening tee shots became as much a part of the Masters experience as those pimento cheese sandwiches.Arnold Palmer served as a starter from 2007 until his death in 2016. Nicklaus had joined him in 2010 and Player two years later. Watson made it a group of three again three years ago — a trio with a combined 11 green jackets and 35 major championships to their names.After getting relief from the chilly morning air, the honorary starters donned their green jackets and took questions about a variety of topics at a freewheeling and occasionally awkward news conference.“I’ve got a young girlfriend (who’s) changed my life. How about that, at 90, finding a girlfriend. Tom’s not as old as me, but he’s also found a new one,” Player said.Asked if he wanted to weigh in on that subject, Watson lifted his hands, smiled and shook his head.Player, Nicklaus and Watson agreed on two topics: They think Rory McIlroy is going to win this year’s Masters to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/masters-rory-mcilroy-augusta-national-grand-slam-ba7bc65dfbeedd8464c0164c875fcff9">complete the career Grand Slam</a>, and they believe players should always talk to the media after their rounds, even if they played poorly — something McIlroy didn’t do at Pinehurst No. 2 after his heartbreak at last year’s U.S. Open.“He has the best swing in golf, without a question. He’s the fittest golfer. He does a deadlift of 400 pounds,” Player said. “It’s just the right time for him to win now, and the golf course, there’s no golf course that suits a man better than it does for Rory.”Nicklaus said he had lunch with McIlroy last week and the world’s second-ranked player detailed how he planned to play every shot.“He got done with the round. I didn’t open my mouth. I said, ‘Well: I wouldn’t change a thing. That’s exactly how I would try to play the golf course,’” Nicklaus said.As for players talking to reporters — a subject that came up again this spring when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/collin-morikawa-pga-tour-winning-4177e6ec96092c39438b2a1766e9775a">Collin Morikawa</a>&nbsp;told the media, “I don’t owe anyone anything” — Nicklaus said players could choose not to speak after their rounds, but he can’t recall ever making that choice himself. Player said competitors should be required by the PGA Tour to talk.“I think there should be a PGA rule, that if you’re requested to go after a round, it’s our obligation to do this,” Player said. “If you ask for somebody to go to the press room, whether you shoot 90 or you shoot 60, you should have to go there.”

⛳ Player, Nicklaus and Watson hit ceremonial shots and joke about aging bodies to start the Masters

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701263164849.png" alt="Early Morning Sports with Rob Dreher" />
 <figcaption>Early Morning Sports with Rob Dreher</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="Early Morning Sports for Thursday, April 10" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=5625y-18787ab-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=60a0c8&font-color=&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=ff6d00" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

🎧 LISTEN: ⚾ Royals shutout by Twins, ⚾ Wind Surge shutout by RockHounds, 🏀 HutchCC's Jackson named All-American

By DAVID SMALE Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Joe Ryan continued his mastery over Kansas City, giving up just two hits over seven scoreless innings in the Minnesota Twins' 4-0 victory over the Royals on Wednesday night.

Ryan (1-1), who struck out four and did not give up a walk, is now 7-0 in nine career starts against the Royals with a 1.30 ERA in 55 1/3 innings.

Seth Lugo (1-1) threw 109 pitches for the Royals, allowing two runs on five hits in 5 2/3 innings.

The Twins got a run in the fourth on Edouard Julien's RBI single to right. Lugo walked Carlos Correa and Trevor Larnach with one out. After Ty France lined one back to Lugo, Julien drove in Correa.

France's two-out single in the sixth drove in Correa for a 2-0 lead.

The Twins got runs in the eighth and ninth, as Matt Wallner and France, respectively, each hit his first home run of the season.

After the Twins took a 1-0 lead in the fourth, the Royals had a chance to tie the game in the bottom of the inning. Bobby Witt Jr. led off with a double, but he was doubled up after attempting to steal third and not getting back to second when Salvador Perez lined out to center.

France was 3 of 4 Wednesday with a home run and two RBIs. In 30 career games against Kansas City, he's hitting .412, with a 1.154 OPS, his best against any opponent.

The teams will complete a four-game series on Thursday. The Twins will send RHP Bailey Ober (0-1, 12.15 ERA) to the mound to face Kansas City RHP Michael Wacha (0-2, 4.66 ERA).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744280627742.jpeg" alt="Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Joe Ryan throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)" />
 <figcaption>Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Joe Ryan throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)</figcaption>
 </figure>By DAVID SMALE Associated PressKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Joe Ryan continued his mastery over Kansas City, giving up just two hits over seven scoreless innings in the Minnesota Twins' 4-0 victory over the Royals on Wednesday night.Ryan (1-1), who struck out four and did not give up a walk, is now 7-0 in nine career starts against the Royals with a 1.30 ERA in 55 1/3 innings.Seth Lugo (1-1) threw 109 pitches for the Royals, allowing two runs on five hits in 5 2/3 innings.The Twins got a run in the fourth on Edouard Julien's RBI single to right. Lugo walked Carlos Correa and Trevor Larnach with one out. After Ty France lined one back to Lugo, Julien drove in Correa.France's two-out single in the sixth drove in Correa for a 2-0 lead.The Twins got runs in the eighth and ninth, as Matt Wallner and France, respectively, each hit his first home run of the season.<h2>Key Moment</h2>After the Twins took a 1-0 lead in the fourth, the Royals had a chance to tie the game in the bottom of the inning. Bobby Witt Jr. led off with a double, but he was doubled up after attempting to steal third and not getting back to second when Salvador Perez lined out to center.<h2>Key Stat</h2>France was 3 of 4 Wednesday with a home run and two RBIs. In 30 career games against Kansas City, he's hitting .412, with a 1.154 OPS, his best against any opponent.<h2>Up Next</h2>The teams will complete a four-game series on Thursday. The Twins will send RHP Bailey Ober (0-1, 12.15 ERA) to the mound to face Kansas City RHP Michael Wacha (0-2, 4.66 ERA).

⚾ Joe Ryan pitches 7 scoreless innings as Twins shut out the Royals

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744255105747.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy Wichita Wind Surge" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Wichita Wind Surge</figcaption>
 </figure><div>Wichita Wind Surge
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

WICHITA, Kan. (April 9, 2025)&mdash;The Wichita Wind Surge showed fight but couldn&rsquo;t rally in an 8-4 loss to the Midland RockHounds at Equity Bank Park. Despite erasing a 3-0 deficit in the bottom of the first, Midland kept them off the scoreboard for the rest of the night while continuing to score throughout the contest.
The RockHounds struck first on an RBI single to right field from Colby Halter in the top of the first. After Junior Perez walked to load the bases, Euribiel Angeles sliced a bloop single over <a href="https://www.milb.com/player/ben-ross-805346">Ben Ross</a> in shallow left field to bring home two more runs for a 3-0 Midland lead, which wouldn&rsquo;t last for long, as after Wichita loaded the bases in the bottom half of the frame, <a href="https://www.milb.com/player/rubel-cespedes-686438">Rubel Cespedes</a> yanked a go-ahead grand slam to right field.
<div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" class="" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?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=1910122945042653596&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.milb.com%2Fnews%2Fwichita-falls-to-midland&amp;sessionId=e1577f239caebe05658f514699a3b14151af6be4&amp;siteScreenName=milb&amp;theme=light&amp;widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&amp;width=550px" width="300" height="150" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-tweet-id="1910122945042653596"></iframe></div>
Luke Mann didn&rsquo;t waste any time responding with a long ball of his own, a two-run shot, out to right center in the top of the second to give the RockHounds their second lead of the night at 5-4. Lyle Lin would improve that advantage to two on a long RBI single that dropped in fair next to the line in the opening part of the third.
<a href="https://www.milb.com/player/mike-paredes-702474">Mike Paredes</a> and <a href="https://www.milb.com/player/jaylen-nowlin-701549">Jaylen Nowlin</a> stymied Midland throughout the next five and a third innings, combining for five strikeouts against just two hits and two walks while maintaining the 6-4 game. The Wind Surge put men in scoring position in both the seventh and eighth frames but stranded them there to end the chances.

In the top of the eighth, the RockHounds loaded the bases on a pair of singles and a hit-by-pitch. Henry Bolte laced a single out to right field to give Midland an insurance run, with a second following on an infield fielder&rsquo;s choice in the next at-bat. Wichita had men on second and third down to their final out in the ninth, but a flyout on the warning track in left field ended the night with an 8-4 losing score. Wind Surge starter <a href="https://www.milb.com/player/ricky-castro-690462">Ricky Castro</a> took the loss, giving up six earned runs on five hits with three walks and two strikeouts over two and two-thirds innings.
POSTGAME NOTES
<ul>
<li>Before the game, Walker Jenkins got sent to the 7-Day Injured List. Tyler Dearden was activated from the development list as the corresponding move.</li>
<li>The five and a third innings of consecutive shutout baseball was the most in a stretch thrown by the bullpen this season.</li>
<li>Ricky Castro becomes the third Wind Surge pitcher to make his Double-A debut with the team as a starter this season (Connor Prielipp, April 4 / Darren Bowen, April 8).</li>
<li>Halter&rsquo;s RBI single in the first made it the first time that Wichita had trailed in a game since the Game 1 of the doubleheader on Sunday, April 6, in Springfield.</li>
<li>Rubel Cespedes&rsquo;s Grand Slam was the first Wind Surge Grand Slam since Noah Cardenas on July 12, 2024, at Springfield.</li>
</ul>
The Wind Surge continue their series against the Midland RockHounds tomorrow, Thursday, April 10, at 6:35 PM, on Thirsty Thursday. Come on down to Equity Bank Park for a variety of discounted drinks! You can listen to Wind Surge games on ESPN Wichita 92.3 FM and <a href="https://www.milb.com/windsurge.com">windsurge.com</a> or watch online at <a href="https://www.milb.com/MiLB.TV">MiLB.TV</a> and Bally Live. For ticket information, please visit <a href="https://www.milb.com/windsurge.com/tickets">windsurge.com/tickets</a>.</div>

⚾️ Wind Surge falls to RockHounds

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — At Augusta National Golf Club

7:40 a.m.-10:48 a.m. — Davis Riley, United States; Patton Kizzire, United States.

7:51 a.m.-10:59 a.m. — Kevin Yu, Taiwan; Jhonattan Vegas, Venezuela; Nicolai Hojgaard, Denmark.

8:02 a.m.-11:10 a.m. — Mike Weir, Canada; Michael Kim, United States; Cameron Young, United States.

8:13 a.m.-11:21 a.m. — Zach Johnson, United States; Joe Highsmith, United States; Chris Kirk, United States.

8:24 a.m.-11:38 a.m. — Danny Willett, England; Nico Echavarria, Colombia; Davis Thompson, United States.

8:35 a.m.-11:49 a.m. — Bernhard Langer, Germany; Will Zalatoris, United States; a-Noah Kent, United States.

8:52 a.m.-noon — Cameron Smith, Australia; J.T. Poston, United States; Aaron Rai, England.

9:03 a.m.-12:11 p.m. — Fred Couples, United States; Harris English, United States; Taylor Pendrith, Canada.

9:14 a.m.-12:22 p.m. — Corey Conners, Canada; Brian Harman, United States; Stephan Jaeger, Germany.

9:25 a.m.-12:33 p.m. — Patrick Reed, United States; Max Greyserman, United States; Byeong Hun An, South Korea.

9:36 a.m.-12:50 p.m. — Robert MacIntyre, Scotland; Billy Horschel, United States; Nick Dunlap, United States.

9:47 a.m.-1:01 p.m. — Collin Morikawa, United States; Joaquin Niemann, Chile; Min Woo Lee, Australia.

9:58 a.m.-1:12 p.m. — Phil Mickelson, United States; Jason Day, Australia; Keegan Bradley, United States.

10:15 a.m.-1:23 p.m. — Scottie Scheffler, United States; Justin Thomas, United States; a-Jose Luis Ballester, Spain.

10:26 a.m.-1:34 p.m. — Jordan Spieth, United States; Tom Kim, South Korea; Tyrrell Hatton, England.

10:37 a.m.-1:45 p.m. — Tony Finau, United States; Maverick McNealy, United States; Thomas Detry, Belgium.

10:48 a.m.-7:40 a.m. — Cameron Davis, Australia; Rafael Campos, Puerto Rico; Austin Eckroat, United States.

10:59 a.m.-7:51 a.m. — Angel Cabrera, Argentina; Laurie Canter, England; Adam Schenk, United States.

11:10 a.m.-8:02 a.m. — Jose Maria Olazabal, Spain; Thriston Lawrence, South Africa; Brian Campbell, United States.

11:21 a.m.-8:13 a.m. — Bubba Watson, United States; Matthieu Pavon, France; a-Evan Beck, United States.

11:38 a.m.-8:24 a.m. — Tom Hoge, United States; Matt McCarty, United States; Christiaan Bezuidenhout, South Africa.

11:49 a.m.-8:35 a.m. — Charl Schwartzel, South Africa); Denny McCarthy, United States; a-Hiroshi Tai, Singapore.

Noon-8:52 a.m. — Max Homa, United States; Justin Rose, England; J.J. Spaun, United States.

12:11 p.m.-9:03 a.m. — Dustin Johnson, United States; Nick Taylor, Canada; a-Justin Hastings, Cayman Islands.

12:22 p.m.-9:14 a.m. — Sergio Garcia, Spain; Lucas Glover, United States; Daniel Berger, United States.

12:33 p.m.-9:25 a.m. — Patrick Cantlay, United States; Rasmus Hojgaard, Denmark; Matt Fitzpatrick, England.

12:50 p.m.-9:36 a.m. — Brooks Koepka, United States; Russell Henley, United States; Sungjae Im, South Korea.

1:01 p.m.-9:47 a.m. — Adam Scott, Australia; Xander Schauffele, United States; Viktor Hovland, Norway.

1:12 p.m.-9:58 a.m. — Rory McIlroy, Northern Ireland; Ludvig Aberg, Sweden; Akshay Bhatia, United States.

1:23 p.m.-10:15 a.m. — Hideki Matsuyama, Japan; Bryson DeChambeau, United States; Shane Lowry, Ireland.

1:34 p.m.-10:26 a.m. — Jon Rahm, Spain; Wyndham Clark, United States; Tommy Fleetwood, England.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744206751347.jpeg" alt="The clubhouse of the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., is seen in this Sunday, April 3, 2005, file photo. (AP Photo/Dave Martin, File)2005" />
 <figcaption>The clubhouse of the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., is seen in this Sunday, April 3, 2005, file photo. (AP Photo/Dave Martin, File)2005</figcaption>
 </figure>AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — At Augusta National Golf ClubAugusta, GeorgiaAll Times EDTa-amateurThursday-Friday7:40 a.m.-10:48 a.m. — Davis Riley, United States; Patton Kizzire, United States.7:51 a.m.-10:59 a.m. — Kevin Yu, Taiwan; Jhonattan Vegas, Venezuela; Nicolai Hojgaard, Denmark.8:02 a.m.-11:10 a.m. — Mike Weir, Canada; Michael Kim, United States; Cameron Young, United States.8:13 a.m.-11:21 a.m. — Zach Johnson, United States; Joe Highsmith, United States; Chris Kirk, United States.8:24 a.m.-11:38 a.m. — Danny Willett, England; Nico Echavarria, Colombia; Davis Thompson, United States.8:35 a.m.-11:49 a.m. — Bernhard Langer, Germany; Will Zalatoris, United States; a-Noah Kent, United States.8:52 a.m.-noon — Cameron Smith, Australia; J.T. Poston, United States; Aaron Rai, England.9:03 a.m.-12:11 p.m. — Fred Couples, United States; Harris English, United States; Taylor Pendrith, Canada.9:14 a.m.-12:22 p.m. — Corey Conners, Canada; Brian Harman, United States; Stephan Jaeger, Germany.9:25 a.m.-12:33 p.m. — Patrick Reed, United States; Max Greyserman, United States; Byeong Hun An, South Korea.9:36 a.m.-12:50 p.m. — Robert MacIntyre, Scotland; Billy Horschel, United States; Nick Dunlap, United States.9:47 a.m.-1:01 p.m. — Collin Morikawa, United States; Joaquin Niemann, Chile; Min Woo Lee, Australia.9:58 a.m.-1:12 p.m. — Phil Mickelson, United States; Jason Day, Australia; Keegan Bradley, United States.10:15 a.m.-1:23 p.m. — Scottie Scheffler, United States; Justin Thomas, United States; a-Jose Luis Ballester, Spain.10:26 a.m.-1:34 p.m. — Jordan Spieth, United States; Tom Kim, South Korea; Tyrrell Hatton, England.10:37 a.m.-1:45 p.m. — Tony Finau, United States; Maverick McNealy, United States; Thomas Detry, Belgium.10:48 a.m.-7:40 a.m. — Cameron Davis, Australia; Rafael Campos, Puerto Rico; Austin Eckroat, United States.10:59 a.m.-7:51 a.m. — Angel Cabrera, Argentina; Laurie Canter, England; Adam Schenk, United States.11:10 a.m.-8:02 a.m. — Jose Maria Olazabal, Spain; Thriston Lawrence, South Africa; Brian Campbell, United States.11:21 a.m.-8:13 a.m. — Bubba Watson, United States; Matthieu Pavon, France; a-Evan Beck, United States.11:38 a.m.-8:24 a.m. — Tom Hoge, United States; Matt McCarty, United States; Christiaan Bezuidenhout, South Africa.11:49 a.m.-8:35 a.m. — Charl Schwartzel, South Africa); Denny McCarthy, United States; a-Hiroshi Tai, Singapore.Noon-8:52 a.m. — Max Homa, United States; Justin Rose, England; J.J. Spaun, United States.12:11 p.m.-9:03 a.m. — Dustin Johnson, United States; Nick Taylor, Canada; a-Justin Hastings, Cayman Islands.12:22 p.m.-9:14 a.m. — Sergio Garcia, Spain; Lucas Glover, United States; Daniel Berger, United States.12:33 p.m.-9:25 a.m. — Patrick Cantlay, United States; Rasmus Hojgaard, Denmark; Matt Fitzpatrick, England.12:50 p.m.-9:36 a.m. — Brooks Koepka, United States; Russell Henley, United States; Sungjae Im, South Korea.1:01 p.m.-9:47 a.m. — Adam Scott, Australia; Xander Schauffele, United States; Viktor Hovland, Norway.1:12 p.m.-9:58 a.m. — Rory McIlroy, Northern Ireland; Ludvig Aberg, Sweden; Akshay Bhatia, United States.1:23 p.m.-10:15 a.m. — Hideki Matsuyama, Japan; Bryson DeChambeau, United States; Shane Lowry, Ireland.1:34 p.m.-10:26 a.m. — Jon Rahm, Spain; Wyndham Clark, United States; Tommy Fleetwood, England.

⛳ Starting times for the opening two rounds of the Masters

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Longtime Reno County resident Jim Preston is retiring after 21 seasons as the head boys basketball coach at Prairie Hills Middle School.

"I started the seventh grade program back in 2004-2005," Preston said.

A 1974 graduate of Hutchinson High School, Preston has dedicated much of his life to mentoring young athletes across Reno County. He played baseball at Hutchinson Community College and Kansas State before graduating from K-State in 1978. That same year, he began his coaching career as an assistant with the Blue Dragons baseball team, a position he held until 1980.

Preston said it was a difficult decision to step away from basketball, but the timing felt right.

"I believe the timing is right. I've got some older grandkids now, and I need to try and see their activities more than I could have coaching middle school basketball," he said.

Preston leaves behind a legacy of success and connection.

"There were some great memories and we had some great teams," he said. "What stands out to me the most is the kids I was able to coach and a lot of the relationships I was able to build through the years—not only with the kids, but with the parents and the administration I worked for there at Buhler USD 313."

As a coach, Preston said his approach evolved over time.

"Through the years, I think my wife (Beth) would tell me that I've probably mellowed a lot," he said. "Those first few years I was pretty tough, and I've always held kids accountable and will continue to do that as long as I coach."

Under his leadership, Prairie Hills won several league titles.

"We had several league championships," Preston said. "I believe we had seven and also believe we had two second-place finishes in those years I coached the eighth grade. So yes, very successful—high expectations there—and I know whoever comes in will carry those on to bigger and better things."

Even though he’s stepping away, Preston’s love for coaching remains strong.

"I loved coaching middle school basketball," he said. "It was a really, really, really tough decision, but like I said, the timing was right. I'll miss the everyday practice. What I miss is the practice and the teaching of the fundamentals—that I think is becoming a lost art. I'm kind of becoming a dinosaur in my old age. We're not teaching the jump stops, some of the stuff on the defensive side of the ball that I think needs to be taught at the middle school level."

Throughout his years at Prairie Hills, Preston worked closely with a number of Buhler High School coaches to align the program from the ground up.

"We always worked with the high school coaches and I was involved with about six of them, from Don Cameron to now the new coach over there," Preston said. "I think it's very important that you incorporate your middle school program to try and do as much as you can to try and get them ready for the high school level."

Though he’s stepping away from the basketball court, Preston is still active in baseball. He coached various youth teams from 1993 to 2004 and led Inman High School to two Class 2-1A state tournament appearances between 2011 and 2016. He also coached Hutchinson High baseball from 2017 to 2022, leading the Salthawks to state in his first season. Now in his second year as head baseball coach at Moundridge High School, Preston isn’t ready to hang it up completely.

"I still enjoy coaching high school baseball," he said. "Somebody told me that I'll probably expire on the diamond. If so be that, that’d probably be a good way to go."

Looking ahead, Preston said he’s excited for more time with family.

"My grandson is in middle school now, so I get to watch him, and my granddaughter is in high school," he said. "My son, Andy, has three daughters, so I'm planning to watch them mature and grow in the game of basketball and softball."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744226692458.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy Rob Dreher" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Rob Dreher</figcaption>
 </figure>SEAN BOSTON Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — Longtime Reno County resident Jim Preston is retiring after 21 seasons as the head boys basketball coach at Prairie Hills Middle School."I started the seventh grade program back in 2004-2005," Preston said.A 1974 graduate of Hutchinson High School, Preston has dedicated much of his life to mentoring young athletes across Reno County. He played baseball at Hutchinson Community College and Kansas State before graduating from K-State in 1978. That same year, he began his coaching career as an assistant with the Blue Dragons baseball team, a position he held until 1980.Preston said it was a difficult decision to step away from basketball, but the timing felt right."I believe the timing is right. I've got some older grandkids now, and I need to try and see their activities more than I could have coaching middle school basketball," he said.Preston leaves behind a legacy of success and connection."There were some great memories and we had some great teams," he said. "What stands out to me the most is the kids I was able to coach and a lot of the relationships I was able to build through the years—not only with the kids, but with the parents and the administration I worked for there at Buhler USD 313."As a coach, Preston said his approach evolved over time."Through the years, I think my wife (Beth) would tell me that I've probably mellowed a lot," he said. "Those first few years I was pretty tough, and I've always held kids accountable and will continue to do that as long as I coach."Under his leadership, Prairie Hills won several league titles."We had several league championships," Preston said. "I believe we had seven and also believe we had two second-place finishes in those years I coached the eighth grade. So yes, very successful—high expectations there—and I know whoever comes in will carry those on to bigger and better things."Even though he’s stepping away, Preston’s love for coaching remains strong."I loved coaching middle school basketball," he said. "It was a really, really, really tough decision, but like I said, the timing was right. I'll miss the everyday practice. What I miss is the practice and the teaching of the fundamentals—that I think is becoming a lost art. I'm kind of becoming a dinosaur in my old age. We're not teaching the jump stops, some of the stuff on the defensive side of the ball that I think needs to be taught at the middle school level."Throughout his years at Prairie Hills, Preston worked closely with a number of Buhler High School coaches to align the program from the ground up."We always worked with the high school coaches and I was involved with about six of them, from Don Cameron to now the new coach over there," Preston said. "I think it's very important that you incorporate your middle school program to try and do as much as you can to try and get them ready for the high school level."Though he’s stepping away from the basketball court, Preston is still active in baseball. He coached various youth teams from 1993 to 2004 and led Inman High School to two Class 2-1A state tournament appearances between 2011 and 2016. He also coached Hutchinson High baseball from 2017 to 2022, leading the Salthawks to state in his first season. Now in his second year as head baseball coach at Moundridge High School, Preston isn’t ready to hang it up completely."I still enjoy coaching high school baseball," he said. "Somebody told me that I'll probably expire on the diamond. If so be that, that’d probably be a good way to go."Looking ahead, Preston said he’s excited for more time with family."My grandson is in middle school now, so I get to watch him, and my granddaughter is in high school," he said. "My son, Andy, has three daughters, so I'm planning to watch them mature and grow in the game of basketball and softball."

Preston hangs up whistle at Prairie Hills Middle School after 21 years

<a href="https://www.njcaa.org/sports/wbkb/2024-25/div1/all-americans/index">CLICK FOR COMPLETE 2025 NJCAAA DIVISION I ALL-AMERICA TEAM</a>

<a href="https://hutchinson.prestosports.com/sports/wbkb/2024-25/bios/jackson_hailey_q6t6">Hailey Jackson</a>&nbsp;earned more postseason accolades on Wednesday as the NJCAA named the Hutchinson Community College women's basketball sophomore forward as a first-team All-American.

Jackson, a 5-foot-11 sophomore from Tulsa, Oklahoma, became the 19th Blue Dragon Women's Basketball All-American and fifth first-team selection. She is the third Blue Dragon first-team All-America selection in the past four seasons joining Mya Williams (2022) and Kiki Smith (2024).

Previously this postseason, Jackson was named the Jayhawk Conference Division I Women's Basketball Player of the Year and she earned first-team all-KJCCC and all-Region 6 honors. Jackson was named KJCCC Player of the Week five times and was the NJCAA National Player of the Week twice this season.

The Blue Dragon sophomore forward was the Jayhawk Conference's leading scorer and ranked 15th in the NJCAA in scoring at 18.3 points per game. Her 622 points scored were sixth most in the nation this season.

Jackson scored in double figures in 32 of 34 games in leading the Blue Dragons to back-to-back KJCCC championships and consecutive NJCAA national tournament appearances.

The 2024-25 Blue Dragons finished 29-5 and Jackson was 66-5 in her two seasons with the Blue Dragons. The 2024 Blue Dragons won the program's first NJCAA Women's Basketball national championship. Jackson figured prominently in that national title game, hitting three clutch free throws with 0.7 seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime. Jackson went onto score 25 points in Hutchinson's 88-80 overtime win over Northwest Florida State.

During her sophomore season at Hutchinson, Jackson tallied 13 double-doubles, four 30-point games and 13 20-point games. She had a career-high 33 points on March 1 at Seward County and had a career-high 14 rebounds three different times this season.

Jackson became the program's single-season free-throw leader, making 194 or 242 free throws this season.

Jackson earned six overall Top 10 single-season statistical finishes this last season. Including her free-throw record, Jackson was fifth in scoring (622 points), seventh in scoring average (18.3 points per game), third in free-throw attempts (242), sixth in field-goal attempts (432) and tied for ninth in rebounds (294).

Over her Blue Dragon career, Jackson climbed to No. 3 on the Hutchinson women's basketball career scoring list with 1,100 points. She was No. 2 in free-throws made (296) and free-throws attempted (386), seventh in total rebounds (523), eighth in field goals (367) and ninth in career scoring average (15.5 points per game).

Jackson is just the third Blue Dragon ever to have 1,000 or more career points and 500 or more career rebounds in a career, joining Cian Carvalho and Kalani Purcell.

Jackson is one of five Jayhawk Conference players to earn All-America honors this season. Dodge City's Layla-J Cameron was a second-team selection. Barton's Vivian Onugha was named to the third team and Cowley's Elysa Martinez and Dodge City's Shorna Patterson were honorable mention selections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744224196395.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy HutchCC Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy HutchCC Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.njcaa.org/sports/wbkb/2024-25/div1/all-americans/index">CLICK FOR COMPLETE 2025 NJCAAA DIVISION I ALL-AMERICA TEAM</a>Hutchinson CC Sports Information<a href="https://hutchinson.prestosports.com/sports/wbkb/2024-25/bios/jackson_hailey_q6t6">Hailey Jackson</a>&nbsp;earned more postseason accolades on Wednesday as the NJCAA named the Hutchinson Community College women's basketball sophomore forward as a first-team All-American.Jackson, a 5-foot-11 sophomore from Tulsa, Oklahoma, became the 19th Blue Dragon Women's Basketball All-American and fifth first-team selection. She is the third Blue Dragon first-team All-America selection in the past four seasons joining Mya Williams (2022) and Kiki Smith (2024).Previously this postseason, Jackson was named the Jayhawk Conference Division I Women's Basketball Player of the Year and she earned first-team all-KJCCC and all-Region 6 honors. Jackson was named KJCCC Player of the Week five times and was the NJCAA National Player of the Week twice this season.The Blue Dragon sophomore forward was the Jayhawk Conference's leading scorer and ranked 15th in the NJCAA in scoring at 18.3 points per game. Her 622 points scored were sixth most in the nation this season.Jackson scored in double figures in 32 of 34 games in leading the Blue Dragons to back-to-back KJCCC championships and consecutive NJCAA national tournament appearances.The 2024-25 Blue Dragons finished 29-5 and Jackson was 66-5 in her two seasons with the Blue Dragons. The 2024 Blue Dragons won the program's first NJCAA Women's Basketball national championship. Jackson figured prominently in that national title game, hitting three clutch free throws with 0.7 seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime. Jackson went onto score 25 points in Hutchinson's 88-80 overtime win over Northwest Florida State.During her sophomore season at Hutchinson, Jackson tallied 13 double-doubles, four 30-point games and 13 20-point games. She had a career-high 33 points on March 1 at Seward County and had a career-high 14 rebounds three different times this season.Jackson became the program's single-season free-throw leader, making 194 or 242 free throws this season.Jackson earned six overall Top 10 single-season statistical finishes this last season. Including her free-throw record, Jackson was fifth in scoring (622 points), seventh in scoring average (18.3 points per game), third in free-throw attempts (242), sixth in field-goal attempts (432) and tied for ninth in rebounds (294).Over her Blue Dragon career, Jackson climbed to No. 3 on the Hutchinson women's basketball career scoring list with 1,100 points. She was No. 2 in free-throws made (296) and free-throws attempted (386), seventh in total rebounds (523), eighth in field goals (367) and ninth in career scoring average (15.5 points per game).Jackson is just the third Blue Dragon ever to have 1,000 or more career points and 500 or more career rebounds in a career, joining Cian Carvalho and Kalani Purcell.Jackson is one of five Jayhawk Conference players to earn All-America honors this season. Dodge City's Layla-J Cameron was a second-team selection. Barton's Vivian Onugha was named to the third team and Cowley's Elysa Martinez and Dodge City's Shorna Patterson were honorable mention selections.

🏀 HutchCC's Jackson named NJCAA All-American

Purse: To be determined ($20 million in 2024).

Last year: Scottie Scheffler won the Masters for the second time in three years by pulling away late with a 4-under 68 for a four-shot victory. Ludvig Aberg, making his Masters debut, Collin Morikawa and Max Homa each had a chance. Morikawa took two shots to get out of a bunker on No. 9, Aberg hit into the water on No. 11 and Homa made double bogey from the bushes behind the 12th green.

Tiger tales: Tiger Woods had surgery for a ruptured Achilles tendon on his left foot on March 11 and will miss the Masters for the first time since his car crash in 2021.

Grand Slam: Rory McIlroy for the first time in his career has two wins on the season leading to the Masters as he tries to get the final leg of the career Grand Slam.

The odds (BetMGM Sportsbook): Scottie Scheffler (+450), Rory McIlroy (+650), Collin Morikawa (+1400), Jon Rahm (+1400), Bryson DeChambeau (+1600), Ludvig Aberg (+2000), Justin Thomas and Xander Schauffele (both +2000).

Key statistic: Rory McIlroy is playing in his 17th Masters. Sergio Garcia (19) is the only player who had that many appearances before finally winning.

Noteworthy: The field has players from 26 countries and territories, the most ever for the Masters.

Quoteworthy: “It’s like a different place than the world just outside the gates. And you pull in, and everything else just kind of melts away.” — Scottie Scheffler on driving through the gates of Augusta National.

Television: Thursday-Friday, 3-7:30 p.m. (ESPN); Saturday-Sunday, noon to 2 p.m. (Paramount+), 2-7 p.m. (CBS).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744206751347.jpeg" alt="The clubhouse of the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., is seen in this Sunday, April 3, 2005, file photo. (AP Photo/Dave Martin, File)2005" />
 <figcaption>The clubhouse of the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., is seen in this Sunday, April 3, 2005, file photo. (AP Photo/Dave Martin, File)2005</figcaption>
 </figure>Facts and figures for the Masters:Tournament: The 89th Masters Tournament.Dates: April 10-13.Site: Augusta National Golf Club.Length: 7,555 yards.Par: 36-36—72.Purse: To be determined ($20 million in 2024).Field: 96 players (five amateurs).Cut: Top 50 and ties.Defending champion: Scottie Scheffler.Last year: Scottie Scheffler won the Masters for the second time in three years by pulling away late with a 4-under 68 for a four-shot victory. Ludvig Aberg, making his Masters debut, Collin Morikawa and Max Homa each had a chance. Morikawa took two shots to get out of a bunker on No. 9, Aberg hit into the water on No. 11 and Homa made double bogey from the bushes behind the 12th green.Tiger tales: Tiger Woods had surgery for a ruptured Achilles tendon on his left foot on March 11 and will miss the Masters for the first time since his car crash in 2021.Grand Slam: Rory McIlroy for the first time in his career has two wins on the season leading to the Masters as he tries to get the final leg of the career Grand Slam.The odds (BetMGM Sportsbook): Scottie Scheffler (+450), Rory McIlroy (+650), Collin Morikawa (+1400), Jon Rahm (+1400), Bryson DeChambeau (+1600), Ludvig Aberg (+2000), Justin Thomas and Xander Schauffele (both +2000).Key statistic: Rory McIlroy is playing in his 17th Masters. Sergio Garcia (19) is the only player who had that many appearances before finally winning.Noteworthy: The field has players from 26 countries and territories, the most ever for the Masters.Quoteworthy: “It’s like a different place than the world just outside the gates. And you pull in, and everything else just kind of melts away.” — Scottie Scheffler on driving through the gates of Augusta National.Television: Thursday-Friday, 3-7:30 p.m. (ESPN); Saturday-Sunday, noon to 2 p.m. (Paramount+), 2-7 p.m. (CBS).

⛳ Facts and figures for the 89th edition of the Masters

🎧 LISTEN: ⚾ Royals win thriller, ⚾ Hutch High sweeps Derby, ⚾ Wind Surge win home opener

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744206249989.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy Kansas Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Kansas Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure><div>Kansas Athletics
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LAWRENCE, Kan.&nbsp;&ndash; No. 19 Kansas baseball had its nine-game winning streak snapped as Nebraska defeated Kansas 7-5 on Tuesday night at Hoglund Ballpark. Despite the loss,&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/jackson-hauge/16155" rel="smarttag" rev="16155">Jackson Hauge</a></dfn>&nbsp;hit his Big 12-leading 15th home run of the season. &nbsp; Kansas trailed 4-1 after four innings, but the Jayhawks jumped on Nebraska for three runs in the fifth, including Hauge's two-run homer to tie the game. Nebraska used back-to-back RBI singles in the eighth inning to pull ahead. The Jayhawks are now 27-7 overall this season. &nbsp; HOW IT HAPPENED &bull; Nebraska (15-18) got the first run of the game in the top of the first on an RBI groundout by Cayden Brumbaugh to give Nebraska an early 1-0 lead.&nbsp; &bull;&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/michael-brooks/16122" rel="smarttag" rev="16122">Michael Brooks</a></dfn>&nbsp;responded for the Jayhawks with an RBI double down the left field line to tie the game at 1-1 heading into the second inning.&nbsp; &bull; Nebraska got back on the scoreboard in the second inning, grabbing two runs on an RBI double from Max Buettenback and a solo homer by Will Jesske.&nbsp; &bull; Nebraska extended its lead in the fourth inning on a double down the right field line from Buettenback, to give the Cornhuskers a 4-1 advantage.&nbsp; &bull; The Jayhawks were able to tie the game at 4-4 in the bottom of the fifth inning.&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/brady-ballinger/16147" rel="smarttag" rev="16147">Brady Ballinger</a></dfn>&nbsp;delivered an RBI double to the gap in left-center field and Hauge came up next and crushed a two-run homer over the batter's eye in center field for his 15th home run of the season. &bull; Nebraska regained the lead in the top of the eighth with an RBI single from Buettenback and another RBI single by Cael Frost to make the score 6-4.&nbsp; &bull; Nebraska added an insurance run in the ninth inning on an RBI single from Brumbaugh to extend their lead to 7-4.&nbsp; &bull; The Jayhawks tried to rally in the bottom of the ninth as Hauge had a two-out RBI single to right field to make it 7-5. That brought the tying run to the plate but Kansas was unable to take advantage and the game ended at 7-5.&nbsp; &nbsp; PITCHERS OF RECORD Win: Pryce Bender (1-0) Final line: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 SO Loss:&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/manning-west/16160" rel="smarttag" rev="16160">Manning West</a></dfn>&nbsp;(2-1) Final line: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 SO Save: Luke Broderick (6) Final line: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 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=1909769664651001964&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fkuathletics.com%2Fnews%2F2025%2F4%2F8%2Fbaseball-no-19-kansas-drops-midweek-matchup-7-5-to-nebraska.aspx&amp;sessionId=1ddaaeb1d34e14df69de2bc588a20d3897627208&amp;theme=light&amp;widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&amp;width=550px" width="300" height="150" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-tweet-id="1909769664651001964"></iframe></div>
&nbsp; QUOTABLES &amp; NOTABLES "They did a nice job of scattering a bunch of hits. We picked up our walks but it was kind of spread out and then we just didn't have the big hit that kind of puts it away. Brady (Ballinger) came up there with bases loaded and had the check swing. He gaps a double right there and we clear it and go up three runs it's probably a different outcome. Good college baseball game. I think you see a lot of this midweek where you get full staff [games]. They pitched 10 guys and obviously we pitched a bunch too. Good opportunity for us to learn." &ndash; Head Coach&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/coaches/dan-fitzgerald/871" rel="smarttag" rev="871">Dan Fitzgerald</a></dfn> &nbsp; "I think we had a really good approach. We took close pitches and they pitched well. You got to tip your cap off to that. You can't always get the big hit and that's just baseball. It's not a perfect sport. You got a ton of one-on-one battles, but the unique thing about baseball is you can't just run out the clock, you have to come over the plate, you have to throw strikes, you have to do all those things. They got some really good hits in the back end of that ballgame and put it together. We were on the short end of the stick." &ndash;&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/jackson-hauge/16155" rel="smarttag" rev="16155">Jackson Hauge</a></dfn> &nbsp; "It's pretty cool [to be one of the home run leaders in college baseball]. I think you have the right to enjoy that, but it's been nothing but a blessing to be here and be a part of the KU baseball team and be a part of this offense. It's a phenomenal experience and I think that's just a byproduct of a lot of things that go along with it." &ndash;&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/jackson-hauge/16155" rel="smarttag" rev="16155">Jackson Hauge</a></dfn> &nbsp; &bull; Kansas had its season-long nine-game winning streak snapped. &bull; Hauge recorded his 15th home run of the season, with a shot to center field in the bottom of the fifth inning. The home run extended his hitting streak to 12 games and his on-base streak to 20 games. &bull; Brooks stretched his on-base streak to 23 games. That is the longest on-base streak by a Jayhawk since&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/chase-jans/159" rel="smarttag" rev="159">Chase Jans</a></dfn>&nbsp;had a 24-game on-base streak during the 2023 season. &bull; Ballinger extended his hitting streak to a team-high 14 games with a single to left field in his first at-bat. He finished with two hits and leads the team with 15 multi-hit efforts this season. &bull; Cerda pushed his on-base streak to 13 games. He finished with a career-high three walks. &bull;&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/sawyer-smith/16138" rel="smarttag" rev="16138">Sawyer Smith</a></dfn>&nbsp;has reached base safely in each of the last 11 games. UP NEXT Kansas will head to Fort Worth, Texas, to play a three-game series this weekend against No. 24 TCU. The series will begin on Friday at 6 p.m. CT and all three games will be broadcast on ESPN+.</div>

⚾ No. 19 KU drops midweek game to Nebraska

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744206076390.jpeg" alt="Charlie Box shot a 2-under 70 in the final round of the Firekeeper Open on Tuesday to place in an individual tie for seventh and lead the Blue Dragon men's golf team to a fourth-place finish. (Steve Carpenter/Blue Dragon Sports Information)" />
 <figcaption>Charlie Box shot a 2-under 70 in the final round of the Firekeeper Open on Tuesday to place in an individual tie for seventh and lead the Blue Dragon men's golf team to a fourth-place finish. (Steve Carpenter/Blue Dragon Sports Information)</figcaption>
 </figure><div>Hutchinson CC Sports Information
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MAYETTA &ndash; Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2024-25/bios/box_charlie_0808">Charlie Box</a>&nbsp;rallied from a rough second round to finish in the individual Top 10 and lead the No. 2-ranked Hutchinson Community College men's golf team to a fourth-place team finish at the Washburn Firekeeper Open on Tuesday at the Firekeeper Country Club.
The Blue Dragons posted the second-best team round of the final round on Tuesday with a 3-over 291. The Blue Dragons counted scored from Box (70),&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2024-25/bios/ross_louis_6g3i">Louis Ross</a>&nbsp;(73),&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2024-25/bios/northgraves_jack_mp7b">Jack Northgraves</a>&nbsp;(74) and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2024-25/bios/caruthers_jaydon_5jz1">Jaydon Carruthers</a>&nbsp;(74).
Only team champion Oklahoma Christian's final round of 280 topped the Blue Dragons on Tuesday. OCU won the team title by 10 strokes after a 54-hole total of 859. Central Oklahoma was second at 869, second-round leader Concordia University (MN) was third at 870, followed by the Blue Dragons a 874 and tournament host Washburn University at 882.
Box jumped five places from the second to the third round and was the only Blue Dragon to place in the individual top 10. Box finished tied for seventh at 215 after rounds of 69, 76 and 70.
Northgraves was a Top 20 placer, tying for 16th at 220. Northgraves posted rounds of 74, 72 and 74.
Ross tied for 25th at 222 with rounds of 75, 74 and 73. Carruthers tied for 29th at 223 (77-72-74).&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2024-25/bios/razinskas_david_xbtl">David Razinskas</a>&nbsp;shot 83 in the final round and tied for 74th at 230 (71-76-83).
Individual player Corey Scullion posted his tournament low of 74 on Tuesday and tied for 61st at 228 (77-77-74).
The Blue Dragons will play in the Jayhawk Conference Championship next Monday and Tuesday (54 holes) at Colbert Hills Country Club in Manhattan.
FIREKEEPER OPEN FINAL RESULTS Firekeeper CC, Mayetta, KS &ndash; Par 72 Team 1. Oklahoma Christian&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 289-290-280&mdash;859 2. Central Oklahoma&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 285-291-293&mdash;869 3. Concordia (MN)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 287-285-298&mdash;870 4. Hutchinson&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 289-294-291&mdash;874 5. Washburn&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 299-285-298&mdash;882
INDIVIDUAL TOP 10 1. Blake Saffell, Washburn&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 68-68-71&mdash;207 2. Josh Esterley, Concordia&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 67-73-69&mdash;209 T3. Oskari Nikku, Oklahoma Christian&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 70-72-69&mdash;211 T3. Leandro Mihaich, Oklahoma Christian&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 73-71-67&mdash;211 T3. Nicholas Canales, Central Oklahoma&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 69-74-68&mdash;211 6. Jose Manuel Peralta, Harding&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 72-67-72&mdash;213 T7.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2024-25/bios/box_charlie_0808">Charlie Box</a>, Hutchinson&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 69-76-70&mdash;215 T7. Rhys Nicholas, Dodge City&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 71-71-73&mdash;215 T7. Exequiel Rodriguez, Oklahoma Christian&nbsp; 70-74-71&mdash;215 T7. Bennett Baldwin, Central Oklahoma&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 70-70-75&mdash;215
OTHER BLUE DRAGON GOLFERS T16.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2024-25/bios/northgraves_jack_mp7b">Jack Northgraves</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 74-72-74&mdash;220 T25.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2024-25/bios/ross_louis_6g3i">Louis Ross</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 75-74-73&mdash;222 T29.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2024-25/bios/caruthers_jaydon_5jz1">Jaydon Carruthers</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 77-72-74&mdash;223 T74.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mgolf/2024-25/bios/razinskas_david_xbtl">David Razinskas</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 71-76-83&mdash;230 T61. Corey Scullion (I) &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 77-77-74&mdash;228</div>

⛳ Dragons finish 4th at Firekeeper Open

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744205997399.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy Wichita Wind Surge" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Wichita Wind Surge</figcaption>
 </figure><div>Wichita Wind Surge
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WICHITA, Kan. (April 8, 2025)&mdash;The Wichita Wind Surge held firm in a 3-1 victory in the Equity Bank Park Opening Day over the Midland RockHounds.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.milb.com/player/darren-bowen-804539">Darren Bowen</a>&nbsp;dazzled in his Wind Surge debut, striking out five while giving up just a run on three hits over five innings as the starter.
After three walks loaded the bases in the bottom of the second,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.milb.com/player/jake-rucker-696160">Jake Rucker</a>&nbsp;pushed a sac fly high in the air to left field.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.milb.com/player/allan-cerda-678323">Allan Cerda</a>&nbsp;followed with a line drive single to shallow left to bring across another run for a 2-0 Wind Surge lead.
<a href="https://www.milb.com/player/tanner-schobel-802355">Tanner Schobel</a>, who entered the game with a Wichita-leading four hits, smoked a solo homer, his first of the year, to the left field berm an inning later in the home half of the third. Midland soon found themselves responding on the scoreboard with a home run of their own courtesy of Henry Bolte, also #1 for him in 2025, with two outs in the top of the fourth for a 3-1 score in favor of the Wind Surge.
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For both sides, the bullpens set the tone for the rest of the night with five combined innings of shutout baseball and three total hits taking place in that span.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.milb.com/player/angel-macuare-672836">Angel Macuare</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.milb.com/player/jarret-whorff-806337">Jarret Whorff</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.milb.com/player/cody-laweryson-689520">Cody Laweryson</a>&nbsp;shut the door for Wichita, with Laweryson striking out Bolte looking to end the game and secure his first save of the season.
<div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" class="" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&amp;embedId=twitter-widget-1&amp;features=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%3D%3D&amp;frame=false&amp;hideCard=false&amp;hideThread=false&amp;id=1909791146110263533&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.milb.com%2Fnews%2Fwind-surge-win-home-opener-behind-schobel-souvenir-stout-stable&amp;sessionId=d1c5cec9745b144785b95a9841a751e7e54a1cc6&amp;siteScreenName=milb&amp;theme=light&amp;widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&amp;width=550px" width="300" height="150" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-tweet-id="1909791146110263533"></iframe></div>
POSTGAME NOTES
<ul>
<li>This win is Wichita&rsquo;s first home opener win since April 11, 2023, which was a 7-1 victory over the Northwest Arkansas Naturals.</li>
<li>Tonight&rsquo;s attendance for the first game at the newly named Equity Bank Park is 5,849.</li>
<li>The 10 strikeouts is a new season-high by Wind Surge pitching in 2025.</li>
</ul>
The Wind Surge continue their series against the Midland RockHounds tomorrow, Wednesday, April 9, at 6:35 PM, on the first Wet Nose Wednesday of the season. You can listen to Wind Surge games on ESPN Wichita 92.3 FM and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.milb.com/windsurge.com">windsurge.com</a>&nbsp;or watch online at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.milb.com/MiLB.TV">MiLB.TV</a>&nbsp;and Bally Live. For ticket information, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://windsurge.com/tickets">windsurge.com/tickets</a>.</div>

⚾ Wind Surge win home opener

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

⚾ K-State cruises to win over Missouri State

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

⚾ Shockers rout Jets on Kids Day

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

⚾ Salthawks sweep Panthers for second straight season

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

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

Click below to listen to the broadcast of both games.

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

🎧⚾ Hutch High travels to Derby for AVCTL doubleheader

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

🥎 HutchCC earns road split at No. 17 Butler

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

⛳ Dragons 4th at suspended Firekeeper Open

By EDDIE PELLS AP National Writer

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

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

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