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

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Hutchinson CC Sports Information Article from April 1, 2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

🥎 Jayhawk Conference leader HutchCC receiving votes in NJCAA Top 25

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

⚾️ Wind Surge announce Opening Day roster

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

⚾ KABC releases first rankings of high school season

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

⚾ Shocker rally comes up short in loss to Blazers

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

🥎 Shockers and Bulls series finale ends in tie

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mazardo's home run traveled 417 feet nearly into the right field fountains off Sam Long to give the Guardians a 3-0 lead. It was his second home run of the series.

Arias' homer in the sixth made it 4-0. He started in place of six-time All-Star José Ramírez, who missed the game due to a sprained right wrist he suffered on a slide in Saturday’s game.

Cleveland took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on Arias' sacrifice fly that scored Carlos Santana.

Schneemann's homer in the eighth extended the Guardians' lead to 6-0.

Bobby Witt Jr. hit an RBI single and Hunter Renfroe drew a bases-loaded walk in the eighth for the Royals.

The Royals had the tying run at the plate in the eighth, but Hunter Gaddis forced a groundout to first to end the rally.

Steven Kwan went 3 for 5, all of those hits being singles, and had six hits over the series.

The Guardians send RHP Luis Ortiz to the mound to start a three-game series at San Diego on Monday. Kansas City travels to Milwaukee on Monday with LHP Kris Bubic on the hill.

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

⚾ Bibee throws shutout ball into the 7th as Guardians defeat Royals

SPOKANE, Ore. (AP) — Kennedy Smith stepped into the void left by injured star JuJu Watkins, scoring 19 points to help Southern California hold off Kansas State 67-61 in the Sweet 16 of the women's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness">NCAA Tournament</a>&nbsp;on Saturday.

The top-seeded Trojans (31-3) were considered title contenders before&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-juju-watkins-hurt-usc-12f286a14edad1e632dd1a4938132a88">Watkins tore her right ACL</a>&nbsp;during&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-usc-mississippi-state-score-371f2453968abdf9d3416f1beead058d">a second-round victory</a>&nbsp;over Mississippi State. Now they’ll be underdogs in an Elite Eight rematch on Monday with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-oklahoma-uconn-score-917699e45b6d7619e93530c3d0415a58">Paige Bueckers</a>&nbsp;and second-seeded UConn. The Huskies knocked the Trojans out of last year’s March Madness in Watkins’ first season.

Avery Howell, another freshman, scored 18 points for USC, which went on a 12-0 run during the third quarter to take a 46-39 lead, matching its biggest advantage of the day.

Kansas State (28-8) kept pushing, though, and tied it at 51-all early in the fourth on a layup by Ayoka Lee. Rayah Marshall responded with two straight buckets for USC.

A layup by Serena Sundell got the Wildcats within 60-59. Smith responded with a pair of free throws, and USC was solid enough at the foul line to close it out.

Sundell scored 22 points and Lee had 12 for the fifth-seeded Wildcats (28-8), who fell short of the program’s second Elite Eight appearance and first since 1982. They beat Kentucky&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-kansas-state-kentucky-women-score-bda945b0046c0fee4943a2d0b733cd9d">80-79 in overtime</a>&nbsp;to reach their first Sweet 16 since 2002.

Smith had 11 points in the opening quarter as the Trojans built 19-9 lead.

The Wildcats pulled ahead 19-16 after Sundell's layup and free throw. USC answered with a pair of 3-pointers from Howell and Malia Samuels.

Sundell hit a jumper and two free throws down the stretch to help Kansas State to a 30-28 advantage at the half.

USC arrived at Spokane Arena wearing Nike T-shirts emblazoned with Watkins’ face.

Players passed around a small Watkins bobblehead, complete with her trademark “JuJu Bun” hairstyle, on the sidelines during the game.

A day earlier, coach Lindsay Gottlieb said her team was playing for its inured star: “I think the prevailing feeling is that we can still do something together, and that’s what JuJu wants us to do.”

Watkins was hoping to lead USC to its first national title since it won back to back in 2002 and '03.

SPOKANE, Ore. (AP) — Kennedy Smith stepped into the void left by injured star JuJu Watkins, scoring 19 points to help Southern California hold off Kansas State 67-61 in the Sweet 16 of the women's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness">NCAA Tournament</a>&nbsp;on Saturday.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Thank you, K-State Family. 💜 <a href="https://t.co/A0E4LQqvZe">pic.twitter.com/A0E4LQqvZe</a>&mdash; K-State Women&#39;s Basketball (@KStateWBB) <a href="https://twitter.com/KStateWBB/status/1906166043267207186?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The top-seeded Trojans (31-3) were considered title contenders before&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-juju-watkins-hurt-usc-12f286a14edad1e632dd1a4938132a88">Watkins tore her right ACL</a>&nbsp;during&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-usc-mississippi-state-score-371f2453968abdf9d3416f1beead058d">a second-round victory</a>&nbsp;over Mississippi State. Now they’ll be underdogs in an Elite Eight rematch on Monday with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-oklahoma-uconn-score-917699e45b6d7619e93530c3d0415a58">Paige Bueckers</a>&nbsp;and second-seeded UConn. The Huskies knocked the Trojans out of last year’s March Madness in Watkins’ first season.Avery Howell, another freshman, scored 18 points for USC, which went on a 12-0 run during the third quarter to take a 46-39 lead, matching its biggest advantage of the day.Kansas State (28-8) kept pushing, though, and tied it at 51-all early in the fourth on a layup by Ayoka Lee. Rayah Marshall responded with two straight buckets for USC.A layup by Serena Sundell got the Wildcats within 60-59. Smith responded with a pair of free throws, and USC was solid enough at the foul line to close it out.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">From all of us, thank you.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NCAAWBB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NCAAWBB</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MarchMadness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MarchMadness</a> <a href="https://t.co/4UB4ezbRP2">pic.twitter.com/4UB4ezbRP2</a>&mdash; NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarchMadnessWBB/status/1906167071911575761?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Sundell scored 22 points and Lee had 12 for the fifth-seeded Wildcats (28-8), who fell short of the program’s second Elite Eight appearance and first since 1982. They beat Kentucky&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-kansas-state-kentucky-women-score-bda945b0046c0fee4943a2d0b733cd9d">80-79 in overtime</a>&nbsp;to reach their first Sweet 16 since 2002.Smith had 11 points in the opening quarter as the Trojans built 19-9 lead.The Wildcats pulled ahead 19-16 after Sundell's layup and free throw. USC answered with a pair of 3-pointers from Howell and Malia Samuels.Sundell hit a jumper and two free throws down the stretch to help Kansas State to a 30-28 advantage at the half.<h2>Honoring JuJu</h2>USC arrived at Spokane Arena wearing Nike T-shirts emblazoned with Watkins’ face.Players passed around a small Watkins bobblehead, complete with her trademark “JuJu Bun” hairstyle, on the sidelines during the game.A day earlier, coach Lindsay Gottlieb said her team was playing for its inured star: “I think the prevailing feeling is that we can still do something together, and that’s what JuJu wants us to do.”Watkins was hoping to lead USC to its first national title since it won back to back in 2002 and '03.___

🏀 K-State women's basketball season ends in Sweet 16

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Bobby Witt Jr. hit a go-ahead RBI double in the seventh inning after Maikel Garcia tied it with a homer four batters earlier to help lead the Kansas City Royals over the Cleveland Guardians 4-3 on Saturday.

Garcia led off the seventh with a 405-foot homer off Paul Sewald (0-1). Cavan Biggio followed with a single and was replaced by pinch-runner Dairon Blanco, who stole second. With two outs, Witt lined a double to left to score Blanco with the go-ahead run.

Guardians six-time All-Star José Ramírez left in the sixth inning with a sprained right wrist after he was hurt in the third inning while attempting to steal second base. Gabriel Arias replaced Ramírez at third base.

Bo Naylor gave the Indians a 1-0 lead on an RBI single in the second, and Carlos Santana scored Steven Kwan on a sacrifice fly in the third.

Kwan’s solo homer in the fifth put Cleveland up 3-1.

Royals starter Seth Lugo threw five innings and allowed three earned runs and four hits and struck out four with three walks. Daniel Lynch IV (1-0) followed Lugo and threw two perfect innings for the win. Carlos Estévez walked one and struck out one in the ninth to earn his first save for Kansas City.

Guardians starter Gavin Williams allowed two runs and four hits in five innints with one walk and two strikeouts.

Salvador Perez had RBI singles in the fourth and sixth innings.

The Royals’ comeback in the bottom of the seventh inning was powered by Garcia’s homer and Witt’s double.

The top four hitters for Kansas City — Jonathan India, Witt, Vinnie Pasquantino and Perez — went 5 for 14 with five RBIs.

The Guardians send RHP Tanner Bibee to the mound against RHP Michael Wacha for Kansas City in Sunday’s series finale.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743292281679.jpeg" alt="Cleveland Guardians' Brayan Rocchio, right, is caught stealing second by Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., left, during the second inning of a baseball game, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Cleveland Guardians' Brayan Rocchio, right, is caught stealing second by Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., left, during the second inning of a baseball game, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Bobby Witt Jr. hit a go-ahead RBI double in the seventh inning after Maikel Garcia tied it with a homer four batters earlier to help lead the Kansas City Royals over the Cleveland Guardians 4-3 on Saturday.Garcia led off the seventh with a 405-foot homer off Paul Sewald (0-1). Cavan Biggio followed with a single and was replaced by pinch-runner Dairon Blanco, who stole second. With two outs, Witt lined a double to left to score Blanco with the go-ahead run.Guardians six-time All-Star José Ramírez left in the sixth inning with a sprained right wrist after he was hurt in the third inning while attempting to steal second base. Gabriel Arias replaced Ramírez at third base.Bo Naylor gave the Indians a 1-0 lead on an RBI single in the second, and Carlos Santana scored Steven Kwan on a sacrifice fly in the third.Kwan’s solo homer in the fifth put Cleveland up 3-1.Royals starter Seth Lugo threw five innings and allowed three earned runs and four hits and struck out four with three walks. Daniel Lynch IV (1-0) followed Lugo and threw two perfect innings for the win. Carlos Estévez walked one and struck out one in the ninth to earn his first save for Kansas City.Guardians starter Gavin Williams allowed two runs and four hits in five innints with one walk and two strikeouts.Salvador Perez had RBI singles in the fourth and sixth innings.<h2>Key moment</h2>The Royals’ comeback in the bottom of the seventh inning was powered by Garcia’s homer and Witt’s double.<h2>Key stat</h2>The top four hitters for Kansas City — Jonathan India, Witt, Vinnie Pasquantino and Perez — went 5 for 14 with five RBIs.<h2>Up next</h2>The Guardians send RHP Tanner Bibee to the mound against RHP Michael Wacha for Kansas City in Sunday’s series finale.

⚾ Royals grab first win of 2025 season

By Trinity Valley CC Sports Information

HUTCHINSON, Kan. -&nbsp;If the crown fits …

Not to worry, it fits just fine and the Cardinals will be wearing it for the next year as 2025 NJCAA D1 MBB champion after a 69-61 win Saturday afternoon against the Connors State Cowboys in their first-ever championship game appearance at Hutchinson Sports Arena in Hutchinson, Kan.

In claiming their first title, the Cardinals set a school record for wins in a season. They finished 34-3 to better the previous mark of 33 wins set by the Cardinal teams in 1982 and 2016.

"The season was a process and a long grind," first-year Cardinal coach Greg Heiar said afterwards. "These kids bought in and is one special group.

"I just can't say enough good things about them or how much they mean to me, and always will."

The title was the second for Heiar, who led Northwest Florida State to a championship in 2022. It was his fourth appearance in the title game, having also finished twice as national runnerup at Chipola.

Connors State, which made an amazing run to the title game as the No. 17 seed, including a 63-62 win against No. 1 Snow, ended the year 32-4.

After a tightly-contested first half, which resulted in a 32-32 tie at halftime, the seventh-seeded Cardinals slowly began to wrestle control in the second half. That was large in part to never letting up with their intense defensive approach and sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tvccsports.com/sports/mbkb/2024-25/bios/nuckolls_garrett_8i7t">Garrett Nuckolls</a>&nbsp;heating up. Nuckolls scored the Cardinals' first 11 points after intermission.

By the time there was 6:07 left in the game, the Cardinals had opened to a 51-41 lead. Connors State did not go away quietly, pulling with six, 57-51, with 1:01 to go.

The question then became, could the Cardinals be successful at free throw line?

The Cardinals were 10-of-13 from the stripe in the remaining time to close things out. They were 22-of-30 for the game.

Tournament MVP&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tvccsports.com/sports/mbkb/2024-25/bios/loubaki_zati_6naz">Zati Loubaki</a>, who matched Nuckolls' 17 points, was 7-of-8 at the line.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tvccsports.com/sports/mbkb/2024-25/bios/marlow_m.j._m05p">M.J. Wardlow</a>&nbsp;was as well.

Loubaki also had four rebounds, three blocked shots and a pair of steals.

Along with Nuckolls,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tvccsports.com/sports/mbkb/2024-25/bios/smith_tyler_obhm">Tyler Smith</a>&nbsp;was named to the all-tournament team. Smith had six points, four assists and three steals.

With just over 30 seconds to go, Heiar looked at his assistant coaches with a smile, as to say "we've got this."

Yes, they did. And they will have it forever.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743415706142.jpeg" alt="Trinity Valley NJCAA Champs for 2025" />
 <figcaption>Trinity Valley NJCAA Champs for 2025</figcaption>
 </figure>By Trinity Valley CC Sports InformationHUTCHINSON, Kan. -&nbsp;If the crown fits …Not to worry, it fits just fine and the Cardinals will be wearing it for the next year as 2025 NJCAA D1 MBB champion after a 69-61 win Saturday afternoon against the Connors State Cowboys in their first-ever championship game appearance at Hutchinson Sports Arena in Hutchinson, Kan.In claiming their first title, the Cardinals set a school record for wins in a season. They finished 34-3 to better the previous mark of 33 wins set by the Cardinal teams in 1982 and 2016."The season was a process and a long grind," first-year Cardinal coach Greg Heiar said afterwards. "These kids bought in and is one special group."I just can't say enough good things about them or how much they mean to me, and always will."The title was the second for Heiar, who led Northwest Florida State to a championship in 2022. It was his fourth appearance in the title game, having also finished twice as national runnerup at Chipola.Connors State, which made an amazing run to the title game as the No. 17 seed, including a 63-62 win against No. 1 Snow, ended the year 32-4.After a tightly-contested first half, which resulted in a 32-32 tie at halftime, the seventh-seeded Cardinals slowly began to wrestle control in the second half. That was large in part to never letting up with their intense defensive approach and sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tvccsports.com/sports/mbkb/2024-25/bios/nuckolls_garrett_8i7t">Garrett Nuckolls</a>&nbsp;heating up. Nuckolls scored the Cardinals' first 11 points after intermission.By the time there was 6:07 left in the game, the Cardinals had opened to a 51-41 lead. Connors State did not go away quietly, pulling with six, 57-51, with 1:01 to go.The question then became, could the Cardinals be successful at free throw line?Short answer: Yes.The Cardinals were 10-of-13 from the stripe in the remaining time to close things out. They were 22-of-30 for the game.Tournament MVP&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tvccsports.com/sports/mbkb/2024-25/bios/loubaki_zati_6naz">Zati Loubaki</a>, who matched Nuckolls' 17 points, was 7-of-8 at the line.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tvccsports.com/sports/mbkb/2024-25/bios/marlow_m.j._m05p">M.J. Wardlow</a>&nbsp;was as well.Loubaki also had four rebounds, three blocked shots and a pair of steals.Along with Nuckolls,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tvccsports.com/sports/mbkb/2024-25/bios/smith_tyler_obhm">Tyler Smith</a>&nbsp;was named to the all-tournament team. Smith had six points, four assists and three steals.With just over 30 seconds to go, Heiar looked at his assistant coaches with a smile, as to say "we've got this."Yes, they did. And they will have it forever.

🏀 Trinity Valley CC Cardinals claim first-ever NJCAA title

<a href="https://www.njcaa.org/links/nrd6iq">BOX SCORE</a>

CASPER, Wyo. — The Hutchinson Community College women's basketball season came to a close in the second round of the national tournament on Friday, falling to Three Rivers (Mo.), 50-48.

Hailey Jackson had a chance to tie the game up in the final seconds, but a shot attempt from the right baseline fell just short as the horn sounded.&nbsp;

Jackson finished with a team-high 20 points and 12 rebounds for her 14th double-double of the season and 17th of her career. She'll forever be one of the greatest players to ever where a Blue Dragon uniform. She finishes third on the all-time scoring list with 1,100 career points in 71 games played.&nbsp;

The Blue Dragons finish the 2024-25 season with a 29-5 record. The four sophomores that spent two seasons in a HutchCC uniform finished with a 66-5 record, a national title, two national tournament appearances and a 50-game winning streak.

Hutchinson fell behind early 5-0 before scoring the next 12 points of the game to lead 14-9 after the first period. The Blue Dragons were outscored by three in the second quarter, but still led at halftime 26-24.

Three Rivers (29-3) and Hutchinson each scored 12 points in the third quarter for a two-point lead for the Blue Dragons after the third period. The Raiders outscored the Blue Dragons by four in the final frame to earn the win and advance to the quarterfinals to face No. 3 Northwest Florida State on Saturday afternoon.

Hutchinson shot 40% from the floor, while Three Rivers only shot 29%, but the Raiders got up 25 more shot attempts, thanks to 17 offensive rebounds.&nbsp;

The Blue Dragons gave up 17 second chance points, while also turning the ball over 18 times, compared to eight by the Raiders.

The seven Blue Dragon sophomores that played their final game in a Hutchinson uniform are Kahlen Norris, Jackson, Landon Forbes, Madi Denison, Jada Pleasant, Brynne Katcher and Zhane Singer.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743214349525.jpeg" alt="Hutch Post Photo/Sean Boston" />
 <figcaption>Hutch Post Photo/Sean Boston</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="2025 NJCAA WBB Tournament: Hutchinson CC vs. Three Rivers" 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=aqquw-1865fb3-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><a href="https://www.njcaa.org/links/nrd6iq">BOX SCORE</a>CASPER, Wyo. — The Hutchinson Community College women's basketball season came to a close in the second round of the national tournament on Friday, falling to Three Rivers (Mo.), 50-48.Hailey Jackson had a chance to tie the game up in the final seconds, but a shot attempt from the right baseline fell just short as the horn sounded.&nbsp;Jackson finished with a team-high 20 points and 12 rebounds for her 14th double-double of the season and 17th of her career. She'll forever be one of the greatest players to ever where a Blue Dragon uniform. She finishes third on the all-time scoring list with 1,100 career points in 71 games played.&nbsp;The Blue Dragons finish the 2024-25 season with a 29-5 record. The four sophomores that spent two seasons in a HutchCC uniform finished with a 66-5 record, a national title, two national tournament appearances and a 50-game winning streak.Hutchinson fell behind early 5-0 before scoring the next 12 points of the game to lead 14-9 after the first period. The Blue Dragons were outscored by three in the second quarter, but still led at halftime 26-24.Three Rivers (29-3) and Hutchinson each scored 12 points in the third quarter for a two-point lead for the Blue Dragons after the third period. The Raiders outscored the Blue Dragons by four in the final frame to earn the win and advance to the quarterfinals to face No. 3 Northwest Florida State on Saturday afternoon.Hutchinson shot 40% from the floor, while Three Rivers only shot 29%, but the Raiders got up 25 more shot attempts, thanks to 17 offensive rebounds.&nbsp;The Blue Dragons gave up 17 second chance points, while also turning the ball over 18 times, compared to eight by the Raiders.The seven Blue Dragon sophomores that played their final game in a Hutchinson uniform are Kahlen Norris, Jackson, Landon Forbes, Madi Denison, Jada Pleasant, Brynne Katcher and Zhane Singer.

🏀 Hutchinson ends season with second round loss to Three Rivers

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743217366974.png" alt="Photo Courtesy Kansas Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Kansas Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure><div>Kansas Athletics
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Lawrence, Kan. &ndash; Kansas softball fell to No.13 Texas Tech 9-0 in five innings Friday night in the series opener at Arrocha Ballpark.&nbsp; NiJaree Canady, the USA Collegiate Softball Player of the Year in 2024, tossed a five-inning no-hitter, striking out 12 batters and walking three. The Topeka High School product improved to 11-4 and lowered her ERA to 0.57.&nbsp; Kansas (15-13, 3-4 Big 12 Conference) started on defense with junior pitcher&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/lizzy-ludwig/6881">Lizzy Ludwig</a>&nbsp;(3-4) getting the start in the circle. Texas Tech struck early, scoring on a double steal,, but Ludwig responded with a strikeout to retire the side.&nbsp; Texas Tech extended its lead to 5-0 in the second inning with four runs. The Jayhawks had extended at-bats against Canady and got a baserunner via a walk but couldn't muster a run. In the third inning, Kansas kept Tech from crossing home from a strikeout from Ludwig and two flyouts, keeping the game unchanged from the previous inning.&nbsp; To start the bottom of the fourth,&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/hailey-cripe/6977">Hailey Cripe</a>&nbsp;battled through a nine-pitch at-bat in an effort to spark some offense but was ultimately unsuccessful, and the Jayhawks&nbsp;went into the fifth, trailing 8-0.&nbsp; The Red Raiders plated a run in the fifth inning, but a great extended catch by Cripe ended the inning.&nbsp; Up Next&nbsp; The two teams will play a doubleheader Saturday, beginning at 2 p.m. The second game will follow approximately 35 minutes after the opener. Fans can stay updated by following Kansas softball on&nbsp;<a style="font-weight: 400;" href="https://x.com/KUSoftball?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor">X</a>&nbsp;(Twitter), tracking&nbsp;<a style="font-weight: 400;" href="https://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=570968#google_vignette">live stats</a>, and watching the games live on ESPN+. Pitchers of Record Win: NiJaree Canady (11-4) Line: 5.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 12 SO Loss:&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/lizzy-ludwig/6881">Lizzy Ludwig</a>&nbsp;(3-4) Line: 5.0 IP, 9 R, 9 H, 2 BB, 2 SO</div>

🥎 Jayhawks no-hit by No. 13 Red Raiders

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743221859684.png" alt="Photo Courtesy Kansas Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Kansas Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure><div>Kansas Athletics
&nbsp;
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LAWRENCE, Kan. &ndash;&nbsp;In front of the second sellout crowd in Hoglund Ballpark history, Kansas defeated Oklahoma State, 5-2, and set a new attendance record of 2,660 fans on Friday night. Sophomore&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/dominic-voegele/16130" rel="smarttag" rev="16130">Dominic Voegele</a></dfn>&nbsp;had one of his best starts at Kansas, tossing a career-high 8.0 innings and tying his career best of 10 strikeouts to earn the win. &nbsp; Voegele pitched into the ninth inning before wrapping up his night. He allowed only two runs on three hits, while walking only one batter. The only blemishes for Voegele on Friday were two solo home runs.&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/brady-ballinger/16147" rel="smarttag" rev="16147">Brady Ballinger</a></dfn>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/michael-brooks/16122" rel="smarttag" rev="16122">Michael Brooks</a></dfn>&nbsp;each hit home runs in the game to lead the Jayhawks offensively. Kansas improved to 21-6 on the year and 4-3 in conference play.&nbsp; &nbsp; HOW IT HAPPENED &bull; Ballinger got Kansas started in the bottom of the first with a two-run homer. The blast helped Kansas grab an early 2-0 lead.&nbsp; &bull; The next four innings were scoreless for both teams as each pitcher settled into the game. &bull; Kansas was able to break that scoreless drought with an RBI groundout from&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/ian-francis/16139" rel="smarttag" rev="16139">Ian Francis</a></dfn>&nbsp;in the sixth inning to score&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/dariel-osoria/16146" rel="smarttag" rev="16146">Dariel Osoria</a></dfn>&nbsp;and give Kansas a 3-0 lead..&nbsp; &bull; Oklahoma State (12-11, 1-4 Big 12) put up its first run of the night on a Brayden Smith solo home run in the top of the seventh to cut the Jayhawks lead to 3-1.&nbsp; &bull; In the eighth inning, Voegele recorded his eighth, ninth and 10th strikeouts as he sent Oklahoma State down in order. His final pitch of the inning hit 97 miles per hour. &bull; KU picked up two insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth. Brooks opened the inning with a solo home run to stretch the Kansas advantage back out to three runs at 4-1. Later in the inning, Ballinger drew a bases-loaded walk to score&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/brady-counsell/16135" rel="smarttag" rev="16135">Brady Counsell</a></dfn>&nbsp;to give KU a 5-1 edge heading into the final inning.&nbsp; &bull; The Cowboys continued to battle and got another solo home run in the top of the ninth from Alex Conover to cut it to a 5-2 KU advantage. OSU brought the tying run to the plate twice, but a strikeout and game-ending double play helped&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/eric-lin/16158" rel="smarttag" rev="16158">Eric Lin</a></dfn>&nbsp;secure the save. &nbsp; PITCHERS OF RECORD Win:&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/dominic-voegele/16130" rel="smarttag" rev="16130">Dominic Voegele</a></dfn>&nbsp;(4-2) Fine line: 8.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 10 SO Save:&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/eric-lin/16158" rel="smarttag" rev="16158">Eric Lin</a></dfn>&nbsp;(3) Fine line: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 SO Loss: Harrison Bodendorf (5-1) Fine line: 5.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 5 SO SOCIAL POST OF THE NIGHT
<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=1905786926738608463&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fkuathletics.com%2Fnews%2F2025%2F3%2F28%2Fbaseball-voegele-kansas-beat-oklahoma-state-5-2-break-hoglund-ballpark-attendance-record.aspx&amp;sessionId=16c1b9d77a2c2ef6e224dd3694105bf401ff66ad&amp;theme=light&amp;widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&amp;width=550px" width="300" height="150" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-tweet-id="1905786926738608463"></iframe></div>
&nbsp; QUOTABLES &amp; NOTABLES&nbsp; "I thought Dom was absolutely electric and it was all working. That's the best his changeup has ever been on top of really sharp breaking stuff&nbsp;and then obviously his fastball was electric, which is why we had total confidence to put him out in the ninth. He was 96 in the eighth. That's what big time number ones do and it couldn't happen to a better guy, a better teammate and a better worker." &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; "This has been an incredible two and a half years and there's so many special moments to mark different points of the build&hellip;I think one of the markers of the build that's been amazing is Jayhawk Nation and how they've shown up and how electric this place has been. I've said it a bunch, but I'm so blessed to have worked at some really cool places with some unbelievable crowds and I've never been in something like this where it's every single pitch. I'm hoarse for a number of reasons in this game, but one of them is just having to yell to get my players' attention. It is so loud. The fans have been incredible. The support is incredible, but it's not surprising either because I think people love to watch people compete, and that's what our guys do." &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; "It's probably the most confident I've ever been tonight. Having all four pitches and just being able to put it where I wanted to and throwing them whenever felt really good. Just staying confident and believing in the catcher, the defense and the bats picking me up on offense. Ian (Francis) and I, once we got our groove we just kept it rolling for eight innings and I'm glad to have him behind the plate." &ndash;&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/dominic-voegele/16130" rel="smarttag" rev="16130">Dominic Voegele</a></dfn>&nbsp; &nbsp; "I love the fans out here. I'm able to feed off them. They're awesome and I appreciate them always coming out and showing support. It's always cool to hear people chanting for you. The environment is definitely above what I expected when being recruited. I love that the fans are supporting baseball and it's great to be a part of." &ndash;&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/brady-ballinger/16147" rel="smarttag" rev="16147">Brady Ballinger</a></dfn>&nbsp; &nbsp; "Being here for three years, I never thought that this would have happened, especially the first year. It's awesome. I love it and they should come out to every game. We feed off that, I know they probably know that, but we love every second of it in the dugout." &ndash;&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/michael-brooks/16122" rel="smarttag" rev="16122">Michael Brooks</a></dfn> &nbsp; &bull; Kansas set a new attendance record with a sellout crowd of 2,660 fans. The sellout was the second in Hoglund Ballpark history (2,639 fans on May 17, 2009 vs. Kansas State). &bull; Kansas has hit 54 home runs this season through the first 26 games. The program record for home runs is 75 in 2006 and 2023. &bull; Voegele pitched a career-high 8.0 innings and matched his career high of 10 strikeouts (April 13, 2024 vs. Pacific). Voegele's previous career high was 7.0 innings pitched earlier this season in the 9-1 win over Baylor on March 14. &bull; Ballinger hit his eighth home run of the season in the bottom of the first inning. Ballinger extended his hitting streak to seven games and recorded his 12th multi-hit game and seventh multi-RBI effort of the season. &bull; Brooks connected on his fourth home run of the season and has homered in back-to-back games. Brooks has reached base safely in 16 consecutive games.&nbsp; &bull; Hauge has reached base safely in each of the last 13 games.&nbsp; &bull;&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://kuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/chase-diggins/16124" rel="smarttag" rev="16124">Chase Diggins</a></dfn>&nbsp;now has eight multi-hit games this season.&nbsp; &nbsp; UP NEXT Kansas and Oklahoma State will play the second game of the series at Hoglund Ballpark on Saturday. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. CT and the game will be broadcast on ESPN+..</div>

⚾ Voegele shines in KU win over OSU

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743217814128.png" 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 six runs in the bottom of the second inning and then put the game away with a four-run seventh en route to a 11-1 win over UAB on Friday night at Eck Stadium. The game was called in the bottom of the seventh inning due to the conference's 10-run rule. The Shockers (9-16, 2-2) pounced on UAB starter Cole Cheatham (3-3) in the second, taking advantage of some UAB charity in the process. A leadoff walk followed by a single and a passed ball put runners at second and third with nobody out to start the inning;&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/logan-kreske/9184" rel="smarttag" rev="9184">Logan Kreske</a></dfn>&nbsp;got the scoring started with an RBI groundout&nbsp;ahead of a&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/kaleb-duncan/9419" rel="smarttag" rev="9419">Kaleb Duncan</a></dfn>&nbsp;sacrifice fly that made it 2-0. After a hit by pitch kept the inning alive, Wichita State strung together four consecutive two-out hits: a&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/mauricio-millan/9186" rel="smarttag" rev="9186">Mauricio Millan</a></dfn>&nbsp;RBI single,&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/jordan-rogers/9191" rel="smarttag" rev="9191">Jordan Rogers</a></dfn>&nbsp;two-run triple and&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/josh-livingston/9185" rel="smarttag" rev="9185">Josh Livingston</a></dfn>&nbsp;RBI single for a 6-0 lead. That was plenty of support for starter&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/grant-adler/9422" rel="smarttag" rev="9422">Grant Adler</a></dfn>&nbsp;(3-1), who did not allow a run until the top of the seventh and held the Blazers to just four hits. The redshirt senior lost the shutout with an unearned run in the top of the seventh, but still got credit for a complete game when WSU poured in four runs in the bottom of the inning.&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/jaden-gustafson/9178" rel="smarttag" rev="9178">Jaden Gustafson</a></dfn>&nbsp;singled home&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/gannon-snyder/9192" rel="smarttag" rev="9192">Gannon Snyder</a></dfn>&nbsp;to swell the advantage to 8-1, then&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/jordan-black/9414" rel="smarttag" rev="9414">Jordan Black</a></dfn>&nbsp;nearly cleared the wall in left but settled for an RBI triple. Duncan then got a 2-0 fastball from reliever Justin Hicks and slammed it out to left-center field for a game-ending, two-run homer.
<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=GoShockersBSB&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=1905798322469630259&amp;lang=en&amp;maxWidth=560px&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fgoshockers.com%2Fnews%2F2025%2F3%2F28%2Fbaseball-shockers-run-rule-uab-in-series-opener.aspx&amp;sessionId=020949249d3fb712b55e5d7ead71683c743f7cf9&amp;theme=light&amp;widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&amp;width=550px" width="300" height="150" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-tweet-id="1905798322469630259"></iframe></div>
Wichita State finished with 11 hits, getting two apiece from Millan, Rogers and&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/roster/gannon-snyder/9192" rel="smarttag" rev="9192">Gannon Snyder</a></dfn>&nbsp;and one from five others. All 10 Shockers who batted recorded either a hit, a run scored or an RBI. The Shockers will look to secure the series win on Saturday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 pm CT.</div>

⚾ Shockers run-rule Blazers Friday

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743217638617.png" alt="Photo Courtesy Wichita State Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Wichita State Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure><div>Wichita State Athletics
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WICHITA, Kan. &ndash;&nbsp;Two home runs and a complete game from&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/ryley-nihart/9325" rel="smarttag" rev="9325">Ryley Nihart</a></dfn>&nbsp;lifted Wichita State to a 9-4 win over the South Florida Bulls on Friday evening at Wilkins Stadium. &nbsp; After a scoreless opening frame,&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/gabby-scott/9324" rel="smarttag" rev="9324">Gabby Scott</a></dfn>&nbsp;opened the scoring for Wichita State with an RBI single in the bottom of the second inning.&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/krystin-nelson/9315" rel="smarttag" rev="9315">Krystin Nelson</a></dfn>&nbsp;doubled the lead soon after with a sacrifice fly and&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/ellee-eck/9322" rel="smarttag" rev="9322">Ellee Eck</a></dfn>&nbsp;ripped a double off the wall, giving the Shockers a 3-0 lead through two. &nbsp; In the fourth, the Shocker bats returned to work as&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/brookelyn-livanec/9329" rel="smarttag" rev="9329">Brookelyn Livanec</a></dfn>&nbsp;fired a ball up the middle, driving in a run and putting the Shockers up 4-0. Later in the inning,&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/taylor-sedlacek/9318" rel="smarttag" rev="9318">Taylor Sedlacek</a></dfn>&nbsp;added to her power numbers with a rocket three-run shot to center field, nearly doubling the lead to 7-0.&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/camryn-compton/9311" rel="smarttag" rev="9311">Camryn Compton</a></dfn>&nbsp;followed up with an opposite-field solo homer, putting the Shockers up 8-0 through four innings. &nbsp; Facing a potential run-rule defeat, South Florida scratched a run across with a sacrifice fly, making it an 8-1 game, and went on to score two more, getting one on a steal home and another on an RBI single to cut the deficit to 8-3. &nbsp; In the Shocker fifth, Livanec got a run back for the home team with a sacrifice fly, putting the Shockers back up by six, 9-3. &nbsp; USF made it 9-4 with a two-out solo homer in the seventh, but Nihart held the Bulls off to get the final out. &nbsp; Eight Shockers recorded a hit in the game, with Eck and&nbsp;<dfn><a href="https://goshockers.com/sports/softball/roster/jodie-epperson/9323" rel="smarttag" rev="9323">Jodie Epperson</a></dfn>&nbsp;recording two each. &nbsp; Nihart's complete game victory came behind allowing only one earned run on four hits with two strikeouts. &nbsp; Next Up The Shockers begin game two of the series with the Bulls on Saturday at 2:00 PM at Wilkins Stadium.</div>

🥎 Shockers drop Bulls in series opener

CASPER, Wyoming - The Hutchinson Community College women's basketball team bids for its eighth all-time appearance in the quarterfinals of the NJCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament on Friday in Casper, Wyoming.

The No. 11-seeded Blue Dragons (29-4) take on sixth-seed Three Rivers (28-3) in the tournament's final second-round matchup at 5:45 p.m. CDT on Friday at the Ford Wyoming Center.

The game will be broadcast live on KHMY-FM (My93.1) beginning at 5:30 p.m. with Sean Boston (play-by-play) calling the action. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+, which is a pay-per-view/subscription service.

Friday's matchup will be the first ever between Hutchinson and Three Rivers. Last season when the Blue Dragons won the 2024 national championship, Three Rivers advanced to the quarterfinals.

Behind&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2024-25/bios/jackson_hailey_q6t6">Hailey Jackson</a>'s 13th double-double of the season of 17 points and 12 rebounds, the Blue Dragons advanced to the second round of the national tournament with a 61-58 win over South Georgia Tech on Wednesday. The Blue Dragons are now 7-2 in national tournament opening-round games.

Three Rivers was ranked No. 2 in the final NJCAA Tournament regular-season national rankings, but was upset by State Fair 73-70 in the Region 16 championship game on March 14. That loss snapped a 20-game winning streak by the Raiders.

While Hutchinson and Three Rivers have never played in women's basketball, the two schools have met in another significant game in NJCAA history. The Blue Dragon men defeated the Raider men 78-74 in the 1994 men's NJCAA Tournament championship game.

The Blue Dragons are currently in their 13th NJCAA Tournament appearance. The Dragons are 4-2 in second-round games in tournament history.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743170703407.jpeg" alt="Head coach John Ontjes and the Blue Dragon women's basketball team meet Three Rivers in the second round of the NJCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament at 5:45 p.m. Friday in Casper, WY. (Steve Carpenter/Blue Dragon Sports Information)" />
 <figcaption>Head coach John Ontjes and the Blue Dragon women's basketball team meet Three Rivers in the second round of the NJCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament at 5:45 p.m. Friday in Casper, WY. (Steve Carpenter/Blue Dragon Sports Information)</figcaption>
 </figure>Hutchinson CC Sports InformationCASPER, Wyoming - The Hutchinson Community College women's basketball team bids for its eighth all-time appearance in the quarterfinals of the NJCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament on Friday in Casper, Wyoming.The No. 11-seeded Blue Dragons (29-4) take on sixth-seed Three Rivers (28-3) in the tournament's final second-round matchup at 5:45 p.m. CDT on Friday at the Ford Wyoming Center.<div>BLUE DRAGON WOMEN'S BASKETBALL No. 11 Hutchinson (29-4) vs. No. 6 Three Rivers (28-3) 2025 NJCAA Women's Division I National Tournament - 2nd Round When: Friday, March 28, 2025 Where: Ford Casper Center, Casper, WY Tipoff: 5:45 p.m. CDT Radio:&nbsp;<a href="https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/ce/index.cfm?stationCallSign=KHMY2">KHMY-FM (93.1), 5:30 p.m. - Sean Boston (PBP)</a> Video:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.espn.com/espnplus/catalog/cd70a58e-a830-330c-93ed-52360b51b632/basketball#bucketId=29794&amp;sourceCollection=Browse_By_Sport_New" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ESPN+</a> X: @bluedragonsport <a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2024-25/files/Game_34_-_Three_Rivers_women.pdf">CLICK FOR FULL BLUE DRAGON GAME NOTES (PDF Format)</a></div>The game will be broadcast live on KHMY-FM (My93.1) beginning at 5:30 p.m. with Sean Boston (play-by-play) calling the action. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+, which is a pay-per-view/subscription service.Friday's matchup will be the first ever between Hutchinson and Three Rivers. Last season when the Blue Dragons won the 2024 national championship, Three Rivers advanced to the quarterfinals.Behind&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2024-25/bios/jackson_hailey_q6t6">Hailey Jackson</a>'s 13th double-double of the season of 17 points and 12 rebounds, the Blue Dragons advanced to the second round of the national tournament with a 61-58 win over South Georgia Tech on Wednesday. The Blue Dragons are now 7-2 in national tournament opening-round games.Three Rivers was ranked No. 2 in the final NJCAA Tournament regular-season national rankings, but was upset by State Fair 73-70 in the Region 16 championship game on March 14. That loss snapped a 20-game winning streak by the Raiders.While Hutchinson and Three Rivers have never played in women's basketball, the two schools have met in another significant game in NJCAA history. The Blue Dragon men defeated the Raider men 78-74 in the 1994 men's NJCAA Tournament championship game.The Blue Dragons are currently in their 13th NJCAA Tournament appearance. The Dragons are 4-2 in second-round games in tournament history.

🏀 HutchCC faces Three Rivers in NJCAA Tournament second round 

Josh Dix, a 6-foot-6, 210-pound senior-to-be men’s basketball shooting guard from the University of Iowa, was slated to arrive in Lawrence on Thursday night for a two-day recruiting visit to Kansas, two sources close to Nix confirmed to The Kansas City Star.

Known as an accurate 3-point shooter, Dix, a native of Council Bluffs, Iowa, averaged 14.4 points a game this past season on 50.7% shooting.

As a junior he was 65-of-154 from 3 for 42.2%. A starter in 32 games for the Hawkeyes (17-16), Dix hit 36 of 47 free throws for 76.6%. Both Rivals.com and 247sports.com reported that KU coaches visited with Dix on Wednesday in Iowa in advance of his KU campus visit.

Dix, who announced he’d be entering the transfer portal on March 19, scored a career-high 31 points on 10-of-14 shooting (career-high 7 3s in 10 attempts) with seven assists in a 97-87 overtime win over Nebraska on Jan. 7 in Iowa City, Iowa. He played 45 minutes in that game. He had 27 points vs. Purdue on Feb. 4 in Iowa City and 26 points on Feb. 12 at Rutgers.

“Dix put on some incredible displays,” wrote Hawkcentral.com. “He drilled a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to beat Northwestern in December. He scored in double-figures in 27 of his 32 appearances as a junior. He scored at least 21 points in six games.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743170696592.jpeg" alt="Josh Dix (AP Photo, file) " />
 <figcaption>Josh Dix (AP Photo, file) </figcaption>
 </figure>GARY BEDORE Kansas City Star&nbsp;Josh Dix, a 6-foot-6, 210-pound senior-to-be men’s basketball shooting guard from the University of Iowa, was slated to arrive in Lawrence on Thursday night for a two-day recruiting visit to Kansas, two sources close to Nix confirmed to The Kansas City Star.Known as an accurate 3-point shooter, Dix, a native of Council Bluffs, Iowa, averaged 14.4 points a game this past season on 50.7% shooting.As a junior he was 65-of-154 from 3 for 42.2%. A starter in 32 games for the Hawkeyes (17-16), Dix hit 36 of 47 free throws for 76.6%. Both Rivals.com and 247sports.com reported that KU coaches visited with Dix on Wednesday in Iowa in advance of his KU campus visit.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/guKwZ3w5CZ">pic.twitter.com/guKwZ3w5CZ</a>&mdash; Josh Dix (@J0shDix) <a href="https://twitter.com/J0shDix/status/1902402435693375701?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Dix, who announced he’d be entering the transfer portal on March 19, scored a career-high 31 points on 10-of-14 shooting (career-high 7 3s in 10 attempts) with seven assists in a 97-87 overtime win over Nebraska on Jan. 7 in Iowa City, Iowa. He played 45 minutes in that game. He had 27 points vs. Purdue on Feb. 4 in Iowa City and 26 points on Feb. 12 at Rutgers.“Dix put on some incredible displays,” wrote Hawkcentral.com. “He drilled a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to beat Northwestern in December. He scored in double-figures in 27 of his 32 appearances as a junior. He scored at least 21 points in six games.”

Portal prospect Josh Dix visits KU 

<a href="https://www.njcaa.org/championships/sports/mbkb/div1/index">TOURNAMENT CENTRAL</a>&nbsp;| <a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/v5/KWBW">RADIO STREAM</a> | <a href="https://www.espn.com/espnplus/schedule/_/type/upcoming/channel/ESPN_PLUS/startDate/20250328">TV STREAM ($)</a>

5:30 p.m. - No. 4 South Plains (Texas) vs. No. 17 Connors State (Okla.)

8 p.m. - No. 6 Panola (Texas) vs. No. 7 Trinity Valley (Texas)

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742176424420.png" alt="Photo Courtesy NJCAA" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy NJCAA</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.njcaa.org/championships/sports/mbkb/div1/index">TOURNAMENT CENTRAL</a>&nbsp;| <a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/v5/KWBW">RADIO STREAM</a> | <a href="https://www.espn.com/espnplus/schedule/_/type/upcoming/channel/ESPN_PLUS/startDate/20250328">TV STREAM ($)</a>5:30 p.m. - No. 4 South Plains (Texas) vs. No. 17 Connors State (Okla.)8 p.m. - No. 6 Panola (Texas) vs. No. 7 Trinity Valley (Texas)