LAWRENCE, Kan.&nbsp;— The Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball team received big news on Wednesday morning, as it was announced Kevin McCullar will be returning to the hardwood next season in the crimson and blue.

McCullar entered the NBA Draft process following the 2022-23 season, but will return to Kansas for a fifth year.&nbsp;

McCullar was named to the Big 12 All Defensive Team and All-Big 12 Third Team after his performance this past winter. He finished third on the team in scoring at 10.7 points per game and was second on the team and fourth in the Big 12 in rebounds per game at 7.0.&nbsp;

“How about one more year Jayhawk nation,” McCullar said in a release. “To be able to play in front of the best fans in the country; to play for the best coach in the nation, I truly believe we have the pieces to hang another banner in the Phog. Rock Chalk! Let’s do it!”

Possibly the happiest about the news is head coach Bill Self.

“This is a big day for Kansas basketball,” Bill Self added in the release. “We’ve had a lot of good things happen through recruiting this offseason, but nothing that has transpired this offseason was bigger for KU basketball than having a seasoned veteran like Kevin McCullar return to our program.”

With McCullar back, KU will now have 11 scholarship players on the roster. The Jayhawks will have three returners, three incoming transfers and four incoming freshman on the 2023-24 roster.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678410958158.png" alt="Kansas guard Kevin McCullar Jr. celebrates after making a basket in an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Big 12 Conference tournament Thursday, March 9, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (Kansas Athletics photo)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas guard Kevin McCullar Jr. celebrates after making a basket in an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Big 12 Conference tournament Thursday, March 9, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (Kansas Athletics photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan.&nbsp;— The Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball team received big news on Wednesday morning, as it was announced Kevin McCullar will be returning to the hardwood next season in the crimson and blue.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">1️⃣5️⃣ is BACK baby 🔴🔵 <a href="https://twitter.com/Kevin_McCullar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Kevin_McCullar</a> <a href="https://t.co/d5kihcNl7r">pic.twitter.com/d5kihcNl7r</a>&mdash; Kansas Men’s Basketball (@KUHoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/KUHoops/status/1661371696836669442?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 24, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>McCullar entered the NBA Draft process following the 2022-23 season, but will return to Kansas for a fifth year.&nbsp;McCullar was named to the Big 12 All Defensive Team and All-Big 12 Third Team after his performance this past winter. He finished third on the team in scoring at 10.7 points per game and was second on the team and fourth in the Big 12 in rebounds per game at 7.0.&nbsp;“How about one more year Jayhawk nation,” McCullar said in a release. “To be able to play in front of the best fans in the country; to play for the best coach in the nation, I truly believe we have the pieces to hang another banner in the Phog. Rock Chalk! Let’s do it!”Possibly the happiest about the news is head coach Bill Self.“This is a big day for Kansas basketball,” Bill Self added in the release. “We’ve had a lot of good things happen through recruiting this offseason, but nothing that has transpired this offseason was bigger for KU basketball than having a seasoned veteran like Kevin McCullar return to our program.”With McCullar back, KU will now have 11 scholarship players on the roster. The Jayhawks will have three returners, three incoming transfers and four incoming freshman on the 2023-24 roster.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 MBB: McCullar opts out of NBA Draft process, returns to KU

By DAVID SMALE Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Maikel Garcia had three hits, an RBI and a run and the Kansas City Royals beat the Detroit Tigers 4-1 on Tuesday night to snap a four-game losing streak.

Mike Mayers allowed one run on six hits in 4 2/3 innings in his first start for the Royals. He struck out a career-high eight and walked one.

Jose Cuas (3-0) was the winner, and Aroldis Chapman pitched a scoreless ninth for his second save.

Eduardo Rodriguez (4-4) took the loss. He allowed four runs — two earned — on eight hits in five innings. He struck out nine and walked two.

The Tigers threatened in the fourth, loading the bases with two outs on two infield singles and a walk, but Mayers induced a groundball from Miguel Cabrera.

The Royals got to Rodriguez in the fourth. Edward Olivares reached on shortstop Javier Baez's error and scored on a double by Michael Massey. Massey then came in on a single by Garcia. Garcia scored the third run of the inning on a sacrifice fly by Salvador Perez. Only one of the runs was earned.

Mayers labored in the fifth and left with the bases loaded and two outs. One of those runners scored on a single by Baez. Olivares singled with one out in the bottom of the fifth, scoring Bobby Witt Jr. with Kansas City's fourth run.

Royals RHP Nick Wittgren was selected from Triple-A Omaha. Wittgren, who pitched for Royals' pitching coach Brian Sweeney with Cleveland from 2019-21, had a 1.25 ERA with five saves in 17 appearances with Omaha. In a corresponding move, RHP Max Castillo was optioned to Triple-A Omaha.

The Tigers and Royals will complete the three-game series Wenesday. Detroit LHP Matthew Boyd (3-3, 6.21 ERA) will face RHP Zack Greinke (1-5, 4.82 ERA).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684896080810.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. slides home to score on a single by Edward Olivares during the fifth inning of the game against the Detroit Tigers Tuesday in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. slides home to score on a single by Edward Olivares during the fifth inning of the game against the Detroit Tigers Tuesday in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)</figcaption>
 </figure>By DAVID SMALE Associated PressKANSAS CITY, Mo. — Maikel Garcia had three hits, an RBI and a run and the Kansas City Royals beat the Detroit Tigers 4-1 on Tuesday night to snap a four-game losing streak.Mike Mayers allowed one run on six hits in 4 2/3 innings in his first start for the Royals. He struck out a career-high eight and walked one.Jose Cuas (3-0) was the winner, and Aroldis Chapman pitched a scoreless ninth for his second save.Eduardo Rodriguez (4-4) took the loss. He allowed four runs — two earned — on eight hits in five innings. He struck out nine and walked two.The Tigers threatened in the fourth, loading the bases with two outs on two infield singles and a walk, but Mayers induced a groundball from Miguel Cabrera.The Royals got to Rodriguez in the fourth. Edward Olivares reached on shortstop Javier Baez's error and scored on a double by Michael Massey. Massey then came in on a single by Garcia. Garcia scored the third run of the inning on a sacrifice fly by Salvador Perez. Only one of the runs was earned.Mayers labored in the fifth and left with the bases loaded and two outs. One of those runners scored on a single by Baez. Olivares singled with one out in the bottom of the fifth, scoring Bobby Witt Jr. with Kansas City's fourth run.TRANSACTIONSRoyals RHP Nick Wittgren was selected from Triple-A Omaha. Wittgren, who pitched for Royals' pitching coach Brian Sweeney with Cleveland from 2019-21, had a 1.25 ERA with five saves in 17 appearances with Omaha. In a corresponding move, RHP Max Castillo was optioned to Triple-A Omaha.UP NEXTThe Tigers and Royals will complete the three-game series Wenesday. Detroit LHP Matthew Boyd (3-3, 6.21 ERA) will face RHP Zack Greinke (1-5, 4.82 ERA).

Royals snap 4-game skid with 4-1 win over Tigers

By TYLER HENRY Little Apple Post contributor

After a brief absence from the 4A state tournament, the Rock Creek baseball dynasty is back, and will enter this year’s bracket in Salina as the 2-seed.

The Mustangs, who won the state title in 2021 and who prior to last season hadn’t missed the tournament since 2013, decimated Coffeyville 10-0, before coming back to knock off Wamego 5-1 in the regional final.

“In that first regional game we felt like we took care of business,” Mustang head coach Shane Sieben said. “It’s hard to beat a team three times in one year especially a team that knows you as well as Wamego but we competed and we were able to battle back.”

At 21-1, Rock Creek boasts the best overall record in all of Class 4A, outscoring their opponents by an unheard of 220 runs on the year, including seven shutouts.

The only team to defeat the Mustangs this season is the 1-seed in Clay Center, who split their season series in Tiger country to finish 21-1 themselves.

“Our pitching and defense have been our biggest strengths this season but I also don’t feel like we have an easy out anywhere in our lineup,” Sieben said. “Everybody fights at the plate, we’ve been really good on the hill and we’ve been really good in the field.”

Those stats and accolades have been all the more impressive in the absence of the kind of singular elite talent that some other teams in this field have leaned heavily on in 2023.

“Just seeing how everybody has played together this year has been the best thing with this team,” he said. We don’t have a superstar or a player of the year type of guy but we have a bunch of kids who work their tails off, compete hard, and love each other.”

In Rock Creek, teams across the board have found success not by focusing on what they might be up against, but on what they need to do to look within and get the job done.

On Thursday against a strong Paola team, that internal mindset will not change.

“They’ve got a really good left-handed arm and they’re tough at the plate but we’ve talked all year about nameless, faceless opponents,” Sieben said. “All we can do is throw strikes, play defense, and battle at the plate, it doesn’t matter who’s in the other dugout.”

Many remnants of that 2021 state championship team still loom within the Mustang's lineup, and those veterans know better than anyone that anything can happen come gameday in Salina.

“For us, it was about finding a way to get to the big tournament, we know that once you get here crazy stuff can happen,” he said. “There are a lot of things you can’t control and seeding means nothing this time of year, everybody here is good and now it’s about finding a way to go 1-0 against a good Paola team.”

First pitch between the Mustangs and Panthers is scheduled for 11 am at Dean Evans Stadium in Salina.

For continuing coverage of Rock Creek baseball all postseason long, stay tuned to the Little Apple Post.

By TYLER HENRY Little Apple Post contributorAfter a brief absence from the 4A state tournament, the Rock Creek baseball dynasty is back, and will enter this year’s bracket in Salina as the 2-seed.The Mustangs, who won the state title in 2021 and who prior to last season hadn’t missed the tournament since 2013, decimated Coffeyville 10-0, before coming back to knock off Wamego 5-1 in the regional final.“In that first regional game we felt like we took care of business,” Mustang head coach Shane Sieben said. “It’s hard to beat a team three times in one year especially a team that knows you as well as Wamego but we competed and we were able to battle back.”At 21-1, Rock Creek boasts the best overall record in all of Class 4A, outscoring their opponents by an unheard of 220 runs on the year, including seven shutouts.The only team to defeat the Mustangs this season is the 1-seed in Clay Center, who split their season series in Tiger country to finish 21-1 themselves.“Our pitching and defense have been our biggest strengths this season but I also don’t feel like we have an easy out anywhere in our lineup,” Sieben said. “Everybody fights at the plate, we’ve been really good on the hill and we’ve been really good in the field.”Those stats and accolades have been all the more impressive in the absence of the kind of singular elite talent that some other teams in this field have leaned heavily on in 2023.“Just seeing how everybody has played together this year has been the best thing with this team,” he said. We don’t have a superstar or a player of the year type of guy but we have a bunch of kids who work their tails off, compete hard, and love each other.”In Rock Creek, teams across the board have found success not by focusing on what they might be up against, but on what they need to do to look within and get the job done.On Thursday against a strong Paola team, that internal mindset will not change.“They’ve got a really good left-handed arm and they’re tough at the plate but we’ve talked all year about nameless, faceless opponents,” Sieben said. “All we can do is throw strikes, play defense, and battle at the plate, it doesn’t matter who’s in the other dugout.”Many remnants of that 2021 state championship team still loom within the Mustang's lineup, and those veterans know better than anyone that anything can happen come gameday in Salina.“For us, it was about finding a way to get to the big tournament, we know that once you get here crazy stuff can happen,” he said. “There are a lot of things you can’t control and seeding means nothing this time of year, everybody here is good and now it’s about finding a way to go 1-0 against a good Paola team.”First pitch between the Mustangs and Panthers is scheduled for 11 am at Dean Evans Stadium in Salina.For continuing coverage of Rock Creek baseball all postseason long, stay tuned to the Little Apple Post.

2-Seeded Mustangs make triumphant return to 4A state tournament

IRVING, Texas –&nbsp;Seven K-State baseball players received All-Big 12 Conference recognition Tuesday as the conference unveiled the 2023 All-Big 12 Baseball Awards. Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/tyson-neighbors/10958">Tyson Neighbors</a>&nbsp;was voted First Team All-Big 12 while senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/owen-boerema/10978">Owen Boerema</a>&nbsp;earned Second Team honors. Additionally,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/nick-goodwin/10950">Nick Goodwin</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/brady-day/10948">Brady Day</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/raphael-pelletier/10960">Raphael Pelletier</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/kaelen-culpepper/10947">Kaelen Culpepper</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/brendan-jones/10954">Brendan Jones</a>&nbsp;received honorable mention accolades. Neighbors, a sophomore from Royse City, Texas, receives All-Big 12 accolades for the first time in his career as he leads the Big 12 in saves (10) while ranking sixth in strikeouts (78). The right-hander was ranked as the nation's No. 1 reliever by D1Baseball.com and boasts a team-low 2.01 ERA, picking up a decision in 16 of his 24 appearances with a 5-1 record. Neighbors is the first Wildcat to earn First Team honors since Jordan Wicks, who became the program's first-ever first-round draft pick in 2021 after he was selected 21st&nbsp;overall by the Chicago Cubs. Neighbors was invited to the 2023 USA Baseball National Collegiate Team Training Camp and will compete for an opportunity to represent the United States in a series against Chinese Taipei and Japan this July. In his first season as a Wildcat, Boerema collected Big 12 accolades as the senior is the fourth player to earn Second Team honors under&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/coaches/pete-hughes/1939">Pete Hughes</a>. Boerema, a senior from Litchfield, Minn., ranks third in the league with 90 total strikeouts which ties sixth in the program's single-season records. The left-handed starter is 7-1 on the hill and is one of six pitchers to strikeout out 12-plus batters in a single appearance after he fanned 12 in the series opener against Texas. Goodwin, a Brooks Wallace Award Semifinalist, earns honorable mention honors for the second consecutive season as the junior leads the league and ranks fourth in Division I in sacrifice flies. The Overland Park., Kan., product has put together a slash line of .285/.393/.517 to go with a career-high 53 runs batted in. Goodwin has sent out 12 home runs this season, bringing his career total to 33 to rank fourth all-time. A year after hitting .284., Day has had an explosive season slashing .354/.489/.459 with eight doubles, one triple and three home runs. Day leads the Wildcats during Big 12 action with his .391 average that ranks ninth in the league. A native of Hampstead, N.H., he has generated a team-high 18 multi-hit games and has reached base in 35 consecutive contests. Day is also the third toughest player in the league to strikeout, striking out just 20 times in 181 at-bats (9.0 at-bats per strikeout). Pelletier, a member of the Buster Posey Catcher of the Year Watch List, received honorable mention honors as Quebec, Canada product has gunned down a league-high 16 runners this season for a .590 stolen bases allowed percentage. Pelletier has caught 49 games this season while producing five doubles and five home runs to go with 26 RBI and 28 runs. Culpepper, an all-freshman team selection a season ago, enters the Big 12 Championship with a slash line of .311/.418/.570 that includes eight doubles and career-high nine home runs with 36 RBI. A product of Memphis, Tenn., Culpepper has produced 13 multi-hit games since returning to the field from his pre-conference injury. Jones, a product of Greenbrier, Tenn., is one of just five players in the league to field a perfect 1.000 as the sophomore has started in all 55 games in centerfield with 113 putouts and two assists. He is hitting .239 with 11 doubles, three triples, seven home runs and 30 RBI. He's scored a team-high 50 runs and ranks second in the Big 12 with 26 stolen bases on the year which ranks seventh in the Cats' single-season records. The 2023 All-Big 12 Baseball Teams were selected by a vote of the league's nine head coaches. Coaches were not permitted to vote for themselves of their own players. K-State enters the 2023 Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championship as the No. 5 seed and will face fourth-seeded TCU on Wednesday at 9 a.m. at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Wednesday's contest between the Wildcats and Horned Frogs will be broadcast on ESPNU and the ESPN app. Radio coverage for the tournament will be available on the K-State Sports Radio Network with free audio streaming at <a href="http://kstatesports.com/watch">kstatesports.com/watch</a>.

K-State SportsIRVING, Texas –&nbsp;Seven K-State baseball players received All-Big 12 Conference recognition Tuesday as the conference unveiled the 2023 All-Big 12 Baseball Awards. Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/tyson-neighbors/10958">Tyson Neighbors</a>&nbsp;was voted First Team All-Big 12 while senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/owen-boerema/10978">Owen Boerema</a>&nbsp;earned Second Team honors. Additionally,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/nick-goodwin/10950">Nick Goodwin</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/brady-day/10948">Brady Day</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/raphael-pelletier/10960">Raphael Pelletier</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/kaelen-culpepper/10947">Kaelen Culpepper</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/brendan-jones/10954">Brendan Jones</a>&nbsp;received honorable mention accolades. Neighbors, a sophomore from Royse City, Texas, receives All-Big 12 accolades for the first time in his career as he leads the Big 12 in saves (10) while ranking sixth in strikeouts (78). The right-hander was ranked as the nation's No. 1 reliever by D1Baseball.com and boasts a team-low 2.01 ERA, picking up a decision in 16 of his 24 appearances with a 5-1 record. Neighbors is the first Wildcat to earn First Team honors since Jordan Wicks, who became the program's first-ever first-round draft pick in 2021 after he was selected 21st&nbsp;overall by the Chicago Cubs. Neighbors was invited to the 2023 USA Baseball National Collegiate Team Training Camp and will compete for an opportunity to represent the United States in a series against Chinese Taipei and Japan this July. In his first season as a Wildcat, Boerema collected Big 12 accolades as the senior is the fourth player to earn Second Team honors under&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/coaches/pete-hughes/1939">Pete Hughes</a>. Boerema, a senior from Litchfield, Minn., ranks third in the league with 90 total strikeouts which ties sixth in the program's single-season records. The left-handed starter is 7-1 on the hill and is one of six pitchers to strikeout out 12-plus batters in a single appearance after he fanned 12 in the series opener against Texas. Goodwin, a Brooks Wallace Award Semifinalist, earns honorable mention honors for the second consecutive season as the junior leads the league and ranks fourth in Division I in sacrifice flies. The Overland Park., Kan., product has put together a slash line of .285/.393/.517 to go with a career-high 53 runs batted in. Goodwin has sent out 12 home runs this season, bringing his career total to 33 to rank fourth all-time. A year after hitting .284., Day has had an explosive season slashing .354/.489/.459 with eight doubles, one triple and three home runs. Day leads the Wildcats during Big 12 action with his .391 average that ranks ninth in the league. A native of Hampstead, N.H., he has generated a team-high 18 multi-hit games and has reached base in 35 consecutive contests. Day is also the third toughest player in the league to strikeout, striking out just 20 times in 181 at-bats (9.0 at-bats per strikeout). Pelletier, a member of the Buster Posey Catcher of the Year Watch List, received honorable mention honors as Quebec, Canada product has gunned down a league-high 16 runners this season for a .590 stolen bases allowed percentage. Pelletier has caught 49 games this season while producing five doubles and five home runs to go with 26 RBI and 28 runs. Culpepper, an all-freshman team selection a season ago, enters the Big 12 Championship with a slash line of .311/.418/.570 that includes eight doubles and career-high nine home runs with 36 RBI. A product of Memphis, Tenn., Culpepper has produced 13 multi-hit games since returning to the field from his pre-conference injury. Jones, a product of Greenbrier, Tenn., is one of just five players in the league to field a perfect 1.000 as the sophomore has started in all 55 games in centerfield with 113 putouts and two assists. He is hitting .239 with 11 doubles, three triples, seven home runs and 30 RBI. He's scored a team-high 50 runs and ranks second in the Big 12 with 26 stolen bases on the year which ranks seventh in the Cats' single-season records. The 2023 All-Big 12 Baseball Teams were selected by a vote of the league's nine head coaches. Coaches were not permitted to vote for themselves of their own players. K-State enters the 2023 Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championship as the No. 5 seed and will face fourth-seeded TCU on Wednesday at 9 a.m. at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Wednesday's contest between the Wildcats and Horned Frogs will be broadcast on ESPNU and the ESPN app. Radio coverage for the tournament will be available on the K-State Sports Radio Network with free audio streaming at <a href="http://kstatesports.com/watch">kstatesports.com/watch</a>.

Seven Wildcats receive All-Big 12 baseball recognition

IRVING, Texas –&nbsp;True freshman Kodey Shojinaga was named Big 12 Co-Freshman of the Year, the first in program history to receive the accolade, while five Jayhawks received conference honors Wednesday as announced by the league. Janson Reeder was selected to the All-Big 12 First Team, while Collin Baumgartner, Cole Elvis, Chase Jans and Shojinaga were voted to the All-Big 12 Second Team. Shojinaga also was an unanimous selection for the Big 12 All-Freshman Team. &nbsp; “I’m super proud of all the guys,” Head Coach Dan Fitzgerald said. They have been bought in since our first team meeting last August. They all trusted the process and stayed focused on the important things. They are a special group of Jayhawks.” &nbsp; Shojinaga highlighted the conference awards for the Jayhawks by being recognized as the Big 12 Co-Freshman of the Year, a member of the All-Big 12 Second Team and getting selected unanimously to the Big 12 All-Freshman Team. He shared Freshman of the Year honors with Oklahoma State’s Nolan Schubart. &nbsp; Shojinaga, originally recruited as a catcher and converted to an infielder, has been the most consistent hitter for Kansas in 2023. He is currently seventh in the nation amongst true freshman with a team-best .380 batting average this season, which ranks second in the conference. The Honolulu, Hawaii, native also posted a .418 average and 41 hits in conference games, which were both a league best. He led the team in hits (70), multi-hit games (19), on-base percentage (.424) and OPS (.962) as well. &nbsp; “Kodey has worked hard and played at a very high level since day one on campus,” Fitzgerald said. “He’s a winner in every way – a 4.0 student, a great teammate, and an elite worker. His success is not surprising, and I could not be more proud of Kodey.” &nbsp; Reeder earned a spot on the All-Big 12 First Team as a designated hitter. The junior transfer from Cowley Community College made his transition to Division I this season and led the Jayhawks in doubles and slugging percentage. He also was tied for the most extra-base hits on the roster and hit 11 home runs, the second most on the team. He recorded 15 multi-hit games and had 11 multi-RBI contests. Reeder posted a .614 slugging percentage in Big 12 play this season. &nbsp; Baumgartner, a sixth-year graduate transfer from SIU-Edwardsville, seized his opportunity to move up to the Power Five level and was rewarded with a spot on the All-Big 12 Second Team. Baumgartner spent his first five years alongside current Kansas pitching coach Brandon Scott. The Brighton, Illinois, native was the Friday starter for Kansas all season and went 5-1 with a 3.79 ERA. He allowed three runs or less in 10 of his 14 starts and led the team in wins, strikeouts, innings pitched and strikeout to walk ratio. His 73.2 innings pitched ranked fifth in the conference. &nbsp; Elvis, a senior transfer from Cal, was awarded a spot on the All-Big 12 Second Team as an infielder. Elvis was the only Kansas player to start every game this season and played two-thirds of those games at first base. He led the team with 14 home runs, 51 RBIs and 118 total bases. Ten of his 14 home runs this season have come in the sixth inning or later. Elvis hit a home run in four consecutive games from April 19-23, which made him the first Jayhawk to do so since at least 1993. The Vacaville, California, native hit 10 home runs in conference play, which was tied for the most in the Big 12. His 32 RBIs and 67 total bases in Big 12 play were both the most in conference games this season. Defensively, Elvis committed only four errors in 447 chances for a .991 fielding percentage. &nbsp; Jans, one of 10 returners from the 2022 roster, made a huge jump that landed him on the All-Big 12 Second Team. Jans was second on the team in slugging percentage, hits and RBIs. This season, Jans has hit 10 home runs compared to three in 2022. On April 16, he tied the program record of nine RBIs set in 1993 after going 5-for-7 with a double, grand slam, and four runs scored. The sophomore from Overland Park, Kansas, made some highlight-reel catches on defense this season, two of which ended up on SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays. &nbsp; All five players who received conference honors were developed over the last year under Fitzgerald, who is in his first year as head coach at Kansas, along with his assembled coaching staff of Scott, Tyler Hancock and Jon Coyne. &nbsp; “My staff did a great job with these guys,” Fitzgerald said. “We built a good foundation and map for them to follow - but ultimately - all the credit goes to the players. They are the ones who actually have to do it, and those guys have really done it at a high level all year.” &nbsp; Kansas (24-30, 8-16 Big 12) begins the Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championship against No. 13 Texas on Wednesday afternoon at 12:30 p.m. CT at Globe Life Field. The Jayhawks are making their first appearance in the tournament since 2021 and are seeking their first victory in the double-elimination tournament since 2019. &nbsp; AWARDS + STATISTICS INF&nbsp;Kodey Shojinaga, Big 12 Co-Freshman of the Year, All-Big 12 Second Team, Big 12 All-Freshman Team Overall: .380/.424/.538, 11 2B, 6 HR, 31 RBI, 40 R, 15 BB, 99 TB in 50 games (43 starts) Big 12: .418/.462/.500, 8 2B, 10 RBI, 20 R, 8 BB, 49 TB in 24 games (23 starts) &nbsp; DH&nbsp;Janson Reeder, All-Big 12 First Team Overall: .278/.374/.561, 16 2B, 2 3B, 11 HR, 41 RBI, 34 R, 21 BB, 105 TB in 51 games (49 starts) Conference: .295/.366/.614, 8 2B, 1 3B, 6 HR, 22 RBI, 10 R, 6 BB, 54 TB in 23 games (22 starts) &nbsp; RHP&nbsp;Collin Baumgartner, All-Big 12 Second Team Overall: 5-1, 3.79 ERA, 14 G, 14 GS, 73.2 IP, 21 BB, 69 SO in 14 starts Big 12: 3-1, 4.69 ERA, 8 G, 8 GS, 40.1 IP, 13 BB, 39 SO in eight starts &nbsp; INF&nbsp;Cole Elvis, All-Big 12 Second Team Overall: .275/.324/.532, 15 2B, 14 HR, 51 RBI, 36 R, 16 BB, 118 TB in 54 games Conference: .313/.387/.698, 7 2B, 10 HR, 32 RBI, 21 R, 11 BB, 67 TB in 24 starts &nbsp; OF&nbsp;Chase Jans, All-Big 12 Second Team Overall: .320/.390/.548, 13 2B, 1 3B, 10 HR, 49 RBI, 36 R, 22 BB, 108 TB in 50 games (47 starts) Conference: .304/.359/.511, 4 3B, 5 HR, 24 RBI, 18 R, 9 BB, 47 TB in 22 games (21 starts)

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684883893307.jpeg" alt="Kodey Shojinaga. Photo courtesy <a href="http://kuathletics.com">kuathletics.com</a>" />
 <figcaption>Kodey Shojinaga. Photo courtesy <a href="http://kuathletics.com">kuathletics.com</a></figcaption>
 </figure>KU AthleticsIRVING, Texas –&nbsp;True freshman Kodey Shojinaga was named Big 12 Co-Freshman of the Year, the first in program history to receive the accolade, while five Jayhawks received conference honors Wednesday as announced by the league. Janson Reeder was selected to the All-Big 12 First Team, while Collin Baumgartner, Cole Elvis, Chase Jans and Shojinaga were voted to the All-Big 12 Second Team. Shojinaga also was an unanimous selection for the Big 12 All-Freshman Team. &nbsp; “I’m super proud of all the guys,” Head Coach Dan Fitzgerald said. They have been bought in since our first team meeting last August. They all trusted the process and stayed focused on the important things. They are a special group of Jayhawks.” &nbsp; Shojinaga highlighted the conference awards for the Jayhawks by being recognized as the Big 12 Co-Freshman of the Year, a member of the All-Big 12 Second Team and getting selected unanimously to the Big 12 All-Freshman Team. He shared Freshman of the Year honors with Oklahoma State’s Nolan Schubart. &nbsp; Shojinaga, originally recruited as a catcher and converted to an infielder, has been the most consistent hitter for Kansas in 2023. He is currently seventh in the nation amongst true freshman with a team-best .380 batting average this season, which ranks second in the conference. The Honolulu, Hawaii, native also posted a .418 average and 41 hits in conference games, which were both a league best. He led the team in hits (70), multi-hit games (19), on-base percentage (.424) and OPS (.962) as well. &nbsp; “Kodey has worked hard and played at a very high level since day one on campus,” Fitzgerald said. “He’s a winner in every way – a 4.0 student, a great teammate, and an elite worker. His success is not surprising, and I could not be more proud of Kodey.” &nbsp; Reeder earned a spot on the All-Big 12 First Team as a designated hitter. The junior transfer from Cowley Community College made his transition to Division I this season and led the Jayhawks in doubles and slugging percentage. He also was tied for the most extra-base hits on the roster and hit 11 home runs, the second most on the team. He recorded 15 multi-hit games and had 11 multi-RBI contests. Reeder posted a .614 slugging percentage in Big 12 play this season. &nbsp; Baumgartner, a sixth-year graduate transfer from SIU-Edwardsville, seized his opportunity to move up to the Power Five level and was rewarded with a spot on the All-Big 12 Second Team. Baumgartner spent his first five years alongside current Kansas pitching coach Brandon Scott. The Brighton, Illinois, native was the Friday starter for Kansas all season and went 5-1 with a 3.79 ERA. He allowed three runs or less in 10 of his 14 starts and led the team in wins, strikeouts, innings pitched and strikeout to walk ratio. His 73.2 innings pitched ranked fifth in the conference. &nbsp; Elvis, a senior transfer from Cal, was awarded a spot on the All-Big 12 Second Team as an infielder. Elvis was the only Kansas player to start every game this season and played two-thirds of those games at first base. He led the team with 14 home runs, 51 RBIs and 118 total bases. Ten of his 14 home runs this season have come in the sixth inning or later. Elvis hit a home run in four consecutive games from April 19-23, which made him the first Jayhawk to do so since at least 1993. The Vacaville, California, native hit 10 home runs in conference play, which was tied for the most in the Big 12. His 32 RBIs and 67 total bases in Big 12 play were both the most in conference games this season. Defensively, Elvis committed only four errors in 447 chances for a .991 fielding percentage. &nbsp; Jans, one of 10 returners from the 2022 roster, made a huge jump that landed him on the All-Big 12 Second Team. Jans was second on the team in slugging percentage, hits and RBIs. This season, Jans has hit 10 home runs compared to three in 2022. On April 16, he tied the program record of nine RBIs set in 1993 after going 5-for-7 with a double, grand slam, and four runs scored. The sophomore from Overland Park, Kansas, made some highlight-reel catches on defense this season, two of which ended up on SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays. &nbsp; All five players who received conference honors were developed over the last year under Fitzgerald, who is in his first year as head coach at Kansas, along with his assembled coaching staff of Scott, Tyler Hancock and Jon Coyne. &nbsp; “My staff did a great job with these guys,” Fitzgerald said. “We built a good foundation and map for them to follow - but ultimately - all the credit goes to the players. They are the ones who actually have to do it, and those guys have really done it at a high level all year.” &nbsp; Kansas (24-30, 8-16 Big 12) begins the Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championship against No. 13 Texas on Wednesday afternoon at 12:30 p.m. CT at Globe Life Field. The Jayhawks are making their first appearance in the tournament since 2021 and are seeking their first victory in the double-elimination tournament since 2019. &nbsp; AWARDS + STATISTICS INF&nbsp;Kodey Shojinaga, Big 12 Co-Freshman of the Year, All-Big 12 Second Team, Big 12 All-Freshman Team Overall: .380/.424/.538, 11 2B, 6 HR, 31 RBI, 40 R, 15 BB, 99 TB in 50 games (43 starts) Big 12: .418/.462/.500, 8 2B, 10 RBI, 20 R, 8 BB, 49 TB in 24 games (23 starts) &nbsp; DH&nbsp;Janson Reeder, All-Big 12 First Team Overall: .278/.374/.561, 16 2B, 2 3B, 11 HR, 41 RBI, 34 R, 21 BB, 105 TB in 51 games (49 starts) Conference: .295/.366/.614, 8 2B, 1 3B, 6 HR, 22 RBI, 10 R, 6 BB, 54 TB in 23 games (22 starts) &nbsp; RHP&nbsp;Collin Baumgartner, All-Big 12 Second Team Overall: 5-1, 3.79 ERA, 14 G, 14 GS, 73.2 IP, 21 BB, 69 SO in 14 starts Big 12: 3-1, 4.69 ERA, 8 G, 8 GS, 40.1 IP, 13 BB, 39 SO in eight starts &nbsp; INF&nbsp;Cole Elvis, All-Big 12 Second Team Overall: .275/.324/.532, 15 2B, 14 HR, 51 RBI, 36 R, 16 BB, 118 TB in 54 games Conference: .313/.387/.698, 7 2B, 10 HR, 32 RBI, 21 R, 11 BB, 67 TB in 24 starts &nbsp; OF&nbsp;Chase Jans, All-Big 12 Second Team Overall: .320/.390/.548, 13 2B, 1 3B, 10 HR, 49 RBI, 36 R, 22 BB, 108 TB in 50 games (47 starts) Conference: .304/.359/.511, 4 3B, 5 HR, 24 RBI, 18 R, 9 BB, 47 TB in 22 games (21 starts)

KU's Shojinaga Big 12 Freshman of Year; 5 receive conference honors

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Javier Báez hit a bases-clearing double in the 10th inning for his third hit of the night to lift the Detroit Tigers to an 8-5 victory over the Kansas City Royals in the opener of a three-game series Monday night.

"It's the best feeling in the world," Báez said in an on-field interview after the game. "I'm just happy that I got good contact."

Báez had three hits in the game, but the first two combined for an exit velocity of about 112 mph and didn't leave the infield. His third hit was a line drive over the left-fielder's head.

"He probably got the softest hits tonight and he probably got the hardest hit tonight," Detroit manager AJ Hinch said. "I'll take them both."

Matt Vierling had three hits, including a home run, and four RBIs for the Tigers.

Alex Lange (2-0) earned the victory with two hitless innings of relief. Jose Cisnero picked up his first save.

"I think (Lange) was excellent tonight," Hinch said. "We talk to him over and over about the back end of the game. He can't just wait on the last three outs and a clean inning all the time. These were clean innings, but he's going to need to be ready in the eighth. Tonight we needed him to pitch in a different part of the game."

Scott Barlow (1-3) allowed Báez's winning hit and took the loss.

"(The bullpen) kept us in the game," Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro said. "They didn't give up a run until the 10th inning. So, we couldn't have asked for anything more."

Neither starter was effective. Detroit's Michael Lorenzen gave up five runs and five hits in 5 2/3 innings. Brady Singer allowed five runs and seven hits and four walks in 3 2/3 innings. Singer came into the game with a 6-0 record with a 2.44 ERA in 10 career starts against the Tigers.

Detroit batters walked 10 times, the first time the Tigers had eight or more walks in consecutive games since June 13-14, 2016.

The Tigers got three runs in the first inning without much solid contact. Zach McKinstry led off with a single in the hole at second. With one out, Báez singled over first base and Spencer Torkelson walked. Singer then walked Akil Baddoo on four pitches to send home the first run. Vierling lined a single through the hole at short for two more runs.

The Royals wasted no time in getting back into the game. Vinnie Pasquantino launched a 424-foot, two-run home run and Salvador Perez followed with a 419-foot shot to tie the score before Lorenzen recorded the first out. It was the first time this year the Royals hit back-to-back home runs.

Vierling then put the Tigers back in front with a two-run home run in the third, giving him four RBIs on the night.

"I feel good (and) relaxed," Vierling said. "Hitting is up and down sometimes. I feel like I'm seeing it well. I really like my approach right now. I'm just trying to stay with that as much as possible."

Jackie Bradley Jr. hit his first homer as a Royal to tie the game in the fifth. Nicky Lopez tripled leading off the inning before Bradley hit it into the Tigers bullpen in left. Bradley snapped an 0-for-26 skid.

Royals IF Nicky Lopez returned from rehab assignment at Triple-A Omaha and was reinstated from IL. He has been out since May 2 with an emergency appendectomy. In a corresponding move, IF/OF Hunter Dozier was designated for assignment. Dozier was hitting .183 with two home runs and nine RBIs in 29 games this season.

The Tigers and Royals will play the second game of a three-game series. The Tigers will send LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (4-3, 2.06 ERA) to the mound. The Royals have not announced a starter.

By DAVID SMALE Associated PressKANSAS CITY, Mo. — Javier Báez hit a bases-clearing double in the 10th inning for his third hit of the night to lift the Detroit Tigers to an 8-5 victory over the Kansas City Royals in the opener of a three-game series Monday night."It's the best feeling in the world," Báez said in an on-field interview after the game. "I'm just happy that I got good contact."Báez had three hits in the game, but the first two combined for an exit velocity of about 112 mph and didn't leave the infield. His third hit was a line drive over the left-fielder's head."He probably got the softest hits tonight and he probably got the hardest hit tonight," Detroit manager AJ Hinch said. "I'll take them both."Matt Vierling had three hits, including a home run, and four RBIs for the Tigers.Alex Lange (2-0) earned the victory with two hitless innings of relief. Jose Cisnero picked up his first save."I think (Lange) was excellent tonight," Hinch said. "We talk to him over and over about the back end of the game. He can't just wait on the last three outs and a clean inning all the time. These were clean innings, but he's going to need to be ready in the eighth. Tonight we needed him to pitch in a different part of the game."Scott Barlow (1-3) allowed Báez's winning hit and took the loss."(The bullpen) kept us in the game," Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro said. "They didn't give up a run until the 10th inning. So, we couldn't have asked for anything more."Neither starter was effective. Detroit's Michael Lorenzen gave up five runs and five hits in 5 2/3 innings. Brady Singer allowed five runs and seven hits and four walks in 3 2/3 innings. Singer came into the game with a 6-0 record with a 2.44 ERA in 10 career starts against the Tigers.Detroit batters walked 10 times, the first time the Tigers had eight or more walks in consecutive games since June 13-14, 2016.The Tigers got three runs in the first inning without much solid contact. Zach McKinstry led off with a single in the hole at second. With one out, Báez singled over first base and Spencer Torkelson walked. Singer then walked Akil Baddoo on four pitches to send home the first run. Vierling lined a single through the hole at short for two more runs.The Royals wasted no time in getting back into the game. Vinnie Pasquantino launched a 424-foot, two-run home run and Salvador Perez followed with a 419-foot shot to tie the score before Lorenzen recorded the first out. It was the first time this year the Royals hit back-to-back home runs.Vierling then put the Tigers back in front with a two-run home run in the third, giving him four RBIs on the night."I feel good (and) relaxed," Vierling said. "Hitting is up and down sometimes. I feel like I'm seeing it well. I really like my approach right now. I'm just trying to stay with that as much as possible."Jackie Bradley Jr. hit his first homer as a Royal to tie the game in the fifth. Nicky Lopez tripled leading off the inning before Bradley hit it into the Tigers bullpen in left. Bradley snapped an 0-for-26 skid.TRANSACTIONSRoyals IF Nicky Lopez returned from rehab assignment at Triple-A Omaha and was reinstated from IL. He has been out since May 2 with an emergency appendectomy. In a corresponding move, IF/OF Hunter Dozier was designated for assignment. Dozier was hitting .183 with two home runs and nine RBIs in 29 games this season.UP NEXTThe Tigers and Royals will play the second game of a three-game series. The Tigers will send LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (4-3, 2.06 ERA) to the mound. The Royals have not announced a starter.

Báez hits 3-run double in 10th to lift Tigers past Royals 8-5 in 10 innings

Despite entering their regional bracket as just the 12-seed, the Rock Creek softball team battled and overcame the odds to knock off Holton and Ottowa en route to a third-consecutive trip to the 4A state tournament.

Now, the Lady Mustangs find themselves in familiar territory, and will once again play the role of underdog as this year’s 8-seed, taking on a league opponent in Wamego for the third time in 2023.

The Rock Creek team that will enter this year’s 4A tournament in Salina is a far cry from the one that began the year 1-4, and multiple matchups with some of the best teams in the state have prepared the Lady Mustangs for this very moment.

“Our biggest strength has been in our resilience,” Rock Creek head coach Jeri Brummett said. “We play in a really tough league but this group has been committed to improvement from the beginning.”

Getting to grips with a new-look squad would have been difficult enough in an average league, but learning on the fly against opponents like Wamego, Clay Center, Rossville, Silver Lake, and St. Mary’s only made Rock Creek’s magical regional run all the more special.

“I was more proud of this team after that than I have been in a long time,” Brummett said. “We graduated five starters from last year’s team and we had to coach a little bit. Our schedule prepared us for those games with Holton and Ottowa and the kids competed their heinies off.”

With regionals in the rearview, the Lady Mustangs will look to stave off elimination at the hands of Wamego for a second-straight season, and are taking a ‘why not us’ approach to this year’s competition in Salina.

“It takes a good deal of skill and a good deal of luck to get here,” she said. “We feel fortunate but we know we played hard to get to where we are now. We rarely go into state as a top seed because of our schedule but we’ve knocked off top seeds before, we’re used to being the underdog.”

While recent success has put a renewed pep in the step of the Lady Mustangs, the team isn’t taking anyone lightly, and will be prepared for a real battle on Thursday with a Lady Raider team that got the better of them twice earlier this season.

“Wamego is a talented group of kids and we can’t give them any outs for free,” Brummett said. “Their pitching has given up very few runs this year and we’ve been working diligently on what we need to do to improve our hitting. We’re not the same team that we were when they played them earlier this season and we know that any team can beat any team on any given day.”

First pitch between the Lady Mustangs and Raiders is scheduled for 5:00 on Field A at Salina South High School on Thursday, with the semifinals and 4A state championship game slated for Friday.

For continuing coverage of Rock Creek softball all postseason long stay tuned to the Little Apple Post.

By TYLER HENRY Little Apple Post contributorDespite entering their regional bracket as just the 12-seed, the Rock Creek softball team battled and overcame the odds to knock off Holton and Ottowa en route to a third-consecutive trip to the 4A state tournament.Now, the Lady Mustangs find themselves in familiar territory, and will once again play the role of underdog as this year’s 8-seed, taking on a league opponent in Wamego for the third time in 2023.The Rock Creek team that will enter this year’s 4A tournament in Salina is a far cry from the one that began the year 1-4, and multiple matchups with some of the best teams in the state have prepared the Lady Mustangs for this very moment.“Our biggest strength has been in our resilience,” Rock Creek head coach Jeri Brummett said. “We play in a really tough league but this group has been committed to improvement from the beginning.”Getting to grips with a new-look squad would have been difficult enough in an average league, but learning on the fly against opponents like Wamego, Clay Center, Rossville, Silver Lake, and St. Mary’s only made Rock Creek’s magical regional run all the more special.“I was more proud of this team after that than I have been in a long time,” Brummett said. “We graduated five starters from last year’s team and we had to coach a little bit. Our schedule prepared us for those games with Holton and Ottowa and the kids competed their heinies off.”With regionals in the rearview, the Lady Mustangs will look to stave off elimination at the hands of Wamego for a second-straight season, and are taking a ‘why not us’ approach to this year’s competition in Salina.“It takes a good deal of skill and a good deal of luck to get here,” she said. “We feel fortunate but we know we played hard to get to where we are now. We rarely go into state as a top seed because of our schedule but we’ve knocked off top seeds before, we’re used to being the underdog.”While recent success has put a renewed pep in the step of the Lady Mustangs, the team isn’t taking anyone lightly, and will be prepared for a real battle on Thursday with a Lady Raider team that got the better of them twice earlier this season.“Wamego is a talented group of kids and we can’t give them any outs for free,” Brummett said. “Their pitching has given up very few runs this year and we’ve been working diligently on what we need to do to improve our hitting. We’re not the same team that we were when they played them earlier this season and we know that any team can beat any team on any given day.”First pitch between the Lady Mustangs and Raiders is scheduled for 5:00 on Field A at Salina South High School on Thursday, with the semifinals and 4A state championship game slated for Friday.For continuing coverage of Rock Creek softball all postseason long stay tuned to the Little Apple Post.

Lady Mustangs look to replicate regional magic at state

After handling their business in the 4A regionals last week, the Wamego softball team will get back to hunting, in search of their second state title in three years.

The Lady Raiders won it all back in 2021 but fell to Miege in the state semis a season ago, and were forced to settle for third place.

In front of an electric home crowd, Wamego exacted their revenge on the Lady Stags in a regional championship last week, holding on for a 4-2 victory to punch their ticket to state.

“We were very business-like going into regionals last week,” Raider head coach Luke Meyer said. “The girls were really focused on Tuesday and they were dialed in throughout both games. We knew Miege was going to be tough but we were able to push through and with Peyton on the rubber we always feel like we have a shot.”

When they needed her most, Peyton Hardenburger delivered yet another gem, epitomizing the 1-2 punch of herself and Holy Cross commit Maya Gallagher, who have had opposing lineups reeling all season long.

That dynamic duo has combined to toss 85 innings for a team ERA of 0.66, striking out 158 batters while issuing just seven walks all season long.

“Our pitching has been far and away our biggest strength,” Meyer said. “We have two of the best pitchers in the state in any class and a great defense backing them up.”&nbsp;

Thanks to those elite arms in the circle, this year’s Lady Raiders come into the 4A bracket as the 1-seed, boasting an overall record of 17-1, including 10 shutouts, and a run differential of +117.

All of this has been done despite incurring heavy losses over an offseason that saw Wamego graduate nearly 80 of their runs from the season prior.

“We had a lot of big pieces coming back from last year but we also lost a lot of talent in that 22’ class,” he said. “I’ve been very impressed with the growth that I’ve seen this year. We’ve had girls step up to fill those roles and that’s been great to see.”

The Lady Raider’s title chase will begin on Thursday when they take on a familiar foe in the Rock Creek Lady Mustangs, a team Wamego beat twice this year in league play by final scores of 16-0 and 15-7.

“We need to make routine plays look routine to have success this week,” Meyer said. “The teams who make the least mistakes are the ones who win this time of year. Our pitching needs to be on but they’ve been able to hit their spots all season and we’ll be prepared for the moment.”

First pitch between the Lady Raiders and Mustangs is scheduled for 5:00 on Field A at Salina South High School with the semifinals and state title game to be played on Friday.

For continuing coverage of Wamego softball all postseason long stay tuned to the Little Apple Post.

By TYLER HENRY Little Apple Post contributorAfter handling their business in the 4A regionals last week, the Wamego softball team will get back to hunting, in search of their second state title in three years.The Lady Raiders won it all back in 2021 but fell to Miege in the state semis a season ago, and were forced to settle for third place.In front of an electric home crowd, Wamego exacted their revenge on the Lady Stags in a regional championship last week, holding on for a 4-2 victory to punch their ticket to state.“We were very business-like going into regionals last week,” Raider head coach Luke Meyer said. “The girls were really focused on Tuesday and they were dialed in throughout both games. We knew Miege was going to be tough but we were able to push through and with Peyton on the rubber we always feel like we have a shot.”When they needed her most, Peyton Hardenburger delivered yet another gem, epitomizing the 1-2 punch of herself and Holy Cross commit Maya Gallagher, who have had opposing lineups reeling all season long.That dynamic duo has combined to toss 85 innings for a team ERA of 0.66, striking out 158 batters while issuing just seven walks all season long.“Our pitching has been far and away our biggest strength,” Meyer said. “We have two of the best pitchers in the state in any class and a great defense backing them up.”&nbsp;Thanks to those elite arms in the circle, this year’s Lady Raiders come into the 4A bracket as the 1-seed, boasting an overall record of 17-1, including 10 shutouts, and a run differential of +117.All of this has been done despite incurring heavy losses over an offseason that saw Wamego graduate nearly 80 of their runs from the season prior.“We had a lot of big pieces coming back from last year but we also lost a lot of talent in that 22’ class,” he said. “I’ve been very impressed with the growth that I’ve seen this year. We’ve had girls step up to fill those roles and that’s been great to see.”The Lady Raider’s title chase will begin on Thursday when they take on a familiar foe in the Rock Creek Lady Mustangs, a team Wamego beat twice this year in league play by final scores of 16-0 and 15-7.“We need to make routine plays look routine to have success this week,” Meyer said. “The teams who make the least mistakes are the ones who win this time of year. Our pitching needs to be on but they’ve been able to hit their spots all season and we’ll be prepared for the moment.”First pitch between the Lady Raiders and Mustangs is scheduled for 5:00 on Field A at Salina South High School with the semifinals and state title game to be played on Friday.For continuing coverage of Wamego softball all postseason long stay tuned to the Little Apple Post.

Lady Raiders enter state seeking second state title in three years

By MATT CARLSON Associated Press

CHICAGO — Luis Robert Jr. homered, Lance Lynn pitched six effective innings and the Chicago White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 5-2 on Sunday for a three-game series sweep.

Romy González went 3 for 3, including two-run triple that put the White Sox ahead for good as the Chicago won for the fifth time in six games. The White Sox also improved to 12-8 since an ugly 10-game slide.

Lynn (3-5) allowed two runs and four hits in his second straight win. The right-hander struck out six and walked two.

Lynn tossed the sixth straight quality start for the South Siders, whose rotation seems to be coalescing.

"The starters as a whole are doing what we're capable of," Lynn said. "If we do what we're supposed to, it puts the bullpen in a good spot and you've seen them really take off too."

Lynn kept dealing after giving up Michael Massey's deep two-run homer in the second that put the Royals ahead 2-0. Massey has three homers this year — all against Chicago.

"He just settled in and does what he does," manager Pedro Grifol said. "He just keeps us in games and knows who to navigate through that lineup three times."

Kansas City finished with just four hits as three Chicago relievers closed it out, with Joe Kelly pitching a perfect ninth for his first save. The last-place Royals have dropped seven of nine.

Royals right-hander Carlos Hernández pitched the first two innings, retiring his six batters and striking out the first three. Max Castillo (0-1) then allowed five runs and eight hits in 4 2/3 innings.

"(Hernández) was throwing the ball really well, challenged hitters and has really good stuff," said Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro said, who has no plans to stretch out Hernández beyond being an opener or reliever.

Robert hit a solo drive in the fourth for his 13th homer, and Chicago went ahead to stay with three runs in the fifth.

With one out and runners on second and third, González tripled to the base of the wall in right.

"It was definitely a good day and a huge gift," Gonzáles said. "It was just looking for something to drive. I had a good pitch and put a good swing on it."

Andrew Benintendi then made it 4-2 with a sacrifice fly on a foul ball to left.

Benintendi added an RBI single in the seventh, driving in Tim Anderson and helping Chicago close out its first winning homestand at 6-3.

González started at shortstop in place of Anderson, appearing in only his second game in May. Anderson entered batting .211 with no homers and two RBIs over 17 games this month.

Grifol said it was a maintenance day for Anderson. The two-time All-Star entered in the sixth after González moved to second base when Hanser Alberto departed with left shoulder soreness.

The White Sox promoted Clint Frazier from Triple-A Charlotte and cut fellow outfielder Jake Marisnick. Frazier went 1 for 3 and scored a run in his first big league game in almost a year.

The 24-year-old Massey, from the southwest Chicago suburb of Palos Park, Illinois, was a White Sox fan growing up. The Royals drafted him from the University of Illinois in 2019.

Massey also said he got engaged during the weekend homecoming

White Sox: RHP Mike Clevinger was placed on the 15-day injured list with right wrist inflammation. Clevinger is 3-3 with a 4.56 ERA in nine starts. ... OF/DH Eloy Jiménez will need a minor league rehab stint before returning, Grifol said.

Royals: RHP Brady Singer (3-4, 7.09 ERA) faces Detroit RHP Michael Lorenzen. (2-2, 3.44 ERA) on Monday as Kansas City opens a six-game homestand.

White Sox: Neither starter had been named for Chicago's game at Cleveland on Monday. Clevinger had been scheduled to start for the White Sox.

By MATT CARLSON Associated PressCHICAGO — Luis Robert Jr. homered, Lance Lynn pitched six effective innings and the Chicago White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 5-2 on Sunday for a three-game series sweep.Romy González went 3 for 3, including two-run triple that put the White Sox ahead for good as the Chicago won for the fifth time in six games. The White Sox also improved to 12-8 since an ugly 10-game slide.Lynn (3-5) allowed two runs and four hits in his second straight win. The right-hander struck out six and walked two.Lynn tossed the sixth straight quality start for the South Siders, whose rotation seems to be coalescing."The starters as a whole are doing what we're capable of," Lynn said. "If we do what we're supposed to, it puts the bullpen in a good spot and you've seen them really take off too."Lynn kept dealing after giving up Michael Massey's deep two-run homer in the second that put the Royals ahead 2-0. Massey has three homers this year — all against Chicago."He just settled in and does what he does," manager Pedro Grifol said. "He just keeps us in games and knows who to navigate through that lineup three times."Kansas City finished with just four hits as three Chicago relievers closed it out, with Joe Kelly pitching a perfect ninth for his first save. The last-place Royals have dropped seven of nine.Royals right-hander Carlos Hernández pitched the first two innings, retiring his six batters and striking out the first three. Max Castillo (0-1) then allowed five runs and eight hits in 4 2/3 innings."(Hernández) was throwing the ball really well, challenged hitters and has really good stuff," said Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro said, who has no plans to stretch out Hernández beyond being an opener or reliever.Robert hit a solo drive in the fourth for his 13th homer, and Chicago went ahead to stay with three runs in the fifth.With one out and runners on second and third, González tripled to the base of the wall in right."It was definitely a good day and a huge gift," Gonzáles said. "It was just looking for something to drive. I had a good pitch and put a good swing on it."Andrew Benintendi then made it 4-2 with a sacrifice fly on a foul ball to left.Benintendi added an RBI single in the seventh, driving in Tim Anderson and helping Chicago close out its first winning homestand at 6-3.González started at shortstop in place of Anderson, appearing in only his second game in May. Anderson entered batting .211 with no homers and two RBIs over 17 games this month.Grifol said it was a maintenance day for Anderson. The two-time All-Star entered in the sixth after González moved to second base when Hanser Alberto departed with left shoulder soreness.FRAZIER RETURNS TO MAJORSThe White Sox promoted Clint Frazier from Triple-A Charlotte and cut fellow outfielder Jake Marisnick. Frazier went 1 for 3 and scored a run in his first big league game in almost a year.HOMETOWN VISITThe 24-year-old Massey, from the southwest Chicago suburb of Palos Park, Illinois, was a White Sox fan growing up. The Royals drafted him from the University of Illinois in 2019.Massey also said he got engaged during the weekend homecomingTRAINER'S ROOMWhite Sox: RHP Mike Clevinger was placed on the 15-day injured list with right wrist inflammation. Clevinger is 3-3 with a 4.56 ERA in nine starts. ... OF/DH Eloy Jiménez will need a minor league rehab stint before returning, Grifol said.UP NEXTRoyals: RHP Brady Singer (3-4, 7.09 ERA) faces Detroit RHP Michael Lorenzen. (2-2, 3.44 ERA) on Monday as Kansas City opens a six-game homestand.White Sox: Neither starter had been named for Chicago's game at Cleveland on Monday. Clevinger had been scheduled to start for the White Sox.

Robert, Lynn star as White Sox beat Royals 5-2 for series sweep

By TYLER HENRY Salina Post contributor

The Salina Liberty exacted some revenge and handled their business at home on Saturday, defeating the Sioux City Bandits by a final score of 48-39.

With this win, the Liberty move to 7-2, sliding into a tie for second with Gillette, while the Bandits fall both to 5-4, and to fifth place, dropping below the Billings Outlaws.

Salina has now secured a top-three seed and will play in a head-to-head matchup with the Mustangs on Saturday, May 27th with a first-round bye and the right to host a semifinal on the line.

Meanwhile, the Bandits will hit the road for one final game with the first-place Omaha Beef, who remain undefeated at 9-0 and have secured the 1-seed in this year’s CIF playoffs.

This contest saw Salina fall behind early, but rally to take a 13-6 lead just after the first quarter of play.

Sioux City would rattle off back-to-back scores to re-assert an 18-13 advantage, but on the strength of an Ed Crouch scramble drill the Liberty reclaimed the lead and never looked back, outscoring the Bandits 35-21 the rest of the way.

Much of that damage was done during a stretch where Salina would not be stopped on offense, and completely shut the Bandits down on defense, culminating in a colossal 29-6 run in the heart of this game.

Both quarterbacks were surprisingly quiet, as Ed Crouch and Tasleem Wilson combined to toss just three touchdown passes and coughed up four picks on a day when many expected to see a shootout.

With the air taken out of the football, the Liberty went to work on the ground and proved just how dynamic the 1-2 punch of Crouch and Tracy Brooks can be as that duo racked up 158 yards and seven total touchdowns without the aid of a single pass.

The last of those rushing scores would prove to be a very special one indeed for Tracy Brooks, as it was the former league MVP’s 100th career CIF touchdown.

Salina will be back in action to close out the regular season at 7pm in Gillette Wyoming on Saturday, May 27th.

By TYLER HENRY Salina Post contributor<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617387097958.png" alt="Coverage of Liberty football is presented by Ryan Roofing" />
 <figcaption>Coverage of Liberty football is presented by Ryan Roofing</figcaption>
 </figure>The Salina Liberty exacted some revenge and handled their business at home on Saturday, defeating the Sioux City Bandits by a final score of 48-39.With this win, the Liberty move to 7-2, sliding into a tie for second with Gillette, while the Bandits fall both to 5-4, and to fifth place, dropping below the Billings Outlaws.Salina has now secured a top-three seed and will play in a head-to-head matchup with the Mustangs on Saturday, May 27th with a first-round bye and the right to host a semifinal on the line.Meanwhile, the Bandits will hit the road for one final game with the first-place Omaha Beef, who remain undefeated at 9-0 and have secured the 1-seed in this year’s CIF playoffs.This contest saw Salina fall behind early, but rally to take a 13-6 lead just after the first quarter of play.Sioux City would rattle off back-to-back scores to re-assert an 18-13 advantage, but on the strength of an Ed Crouch scramble drill the Liberty reclaimed the lead and never looked back, outscoring the Bandits 35-21 the rest of the way.Much of that damage was done during a stretch where Salina would not be stopped on offense, and completely shut the Bandits down on defense, culminating in a colossal 29-6 run in the heart of this game.Both quarterbacks were surprisingly quiet, as Ed Crouch and Tasleem Wilson combined to toss just three touchdown passes and coughed up four picks on a day when many expected to see a shootout.With the air taken out of the football, the Liberty went to work on the ground and proved just how dynamic the 1-2 punch of Crouch and Tracy Brooks can be as that duo racked up 158 yards and seven total touchdowns without the aid of a single pass.The last of those rushing scores would prove to be a very special one indeed for Tracy Brooks, as it was the former league MVP’s 100th career CIF touchdown.Salina will be back in action to close out the regular season at 7pm in Gillette Wyoming on Saturday, May 27th.

Big day on the ground allows Liberty to wrangle Bandits

ST. LOUIS (AP) -&nbsp;Indiana Vassilev scored his first two goals of the season — one in each half — and St. Louis City cruised to a 4-0 victory over Sporting Kansas City on Saturday night.

Eduard Löwen opened the scoring for St. Louis City (7-4-1) with his third goal of the season, finding the net on a penalty kick in the 19th minute.

Vassilev followed with a goal six minutes later — with an assist from Jared Stroud — and St. Louis led 2-0 at halftime.

Stroud picked up another assist on a goal by Nicholas Gioacchini — his fourth of the season — to up the lead to 3-0 in the 55th minute.

Vassilev completed the scoring in the 75th minute with an assist from Tomás Ostrák.

Sporting KC falls to 0-4-2 in its last six road matches against expansion teams. Its only win was a 2-0 victory over Los Angeles FC in 2018.

St. Louis City entered play on a three-match skid in all competitions, with the last two coming at the hands of the Chicago Fire. The club got back on track with four goals after being shut out in three of its last six matches. St. Louis City scored multiple goals in its first five matches this season.

Roman Bürki finished with six saves to earn the clean sheet for St. Louis City. It's the fifth time Bürki has made five or more saves in a match this season — tying him with the New England Revolution's Djordje Petrovic and Austin FC's Brad Stuver for the league lead.

Sporting KC entered play 2-0-1 in its previous three matches with two on the road. It was the longest unbeaten run for Sporting KC since a six-match run in 2021.

St. Louis City will host the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday. Sporting Kansas City returns home to host the Portland Timbers next Sunday.

ST. LOUIS (AP) -&nbsp;Indiana Vassilev scored his first two goals of the season — one in each half — and St. Louis City cruised to a 4-0 victory over Sporting Kansas City on Saturday night.Eduard Löwen opened the scoring for St. Louis City (7-4-1) with his third goal of the season, finding the net on a penalty kick in the 19th minute.Vassilev followed with a goal six minutes later — with an assist from Jared Stroud — and St. Louis led 2-0 at halftime.Stroud picked up another assist on a goal by Nicholas Gioacchini — his fourth of the season — to up the lead to 3-0 in the 55th minute.Vassilev completed the scoring in the 75th minute with an assist from Tomás Ostrák.Sporting KC falls to 0-4-2 in its last six road matches against expansion teams. Its only win was a 2-0 victory over Los Angeles FC in 2018.St. Louis City entered play on a three-match skid in all competitions, with the last two coming at the hands of the Chicago Fire. The club got back on track with four goals after being shut out in three of its last six matches. St. Louis City scored multiple goals in its first five matches this season.Roman Bürki finished with six saves to earn the clean sheet for St. Louis City. It's the fifth time Bürki has made five or more saves in a match this season — tying him with the New England Revolution's Djordje Petrovic and Austin FC's Brad Stuver for the league lead.Sporting KC entered play 2-0-1 in its previous three matches with two on the road. It was the longest unbeaten run for Sporting KC since a six-match run in 2021.St. Louis City will host the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday. Sporting Kansas City returns home to host the Portland Timbers next Sunday.

Vassilev leads St Louis City over Sporting KC 4-0

KANSAS CITY, Kan.&nbsp;— In the second-straight matchup between the Kansas City&nbsp;Current&nbsp;(2-6-0) and Racing Louisville FC (2-2-4) the home team fell 2-0 at Children’s Mercy Park. After a tough stretch of three games in seven days, the Current just could not find the back of the net despite 18 total shots with six on target for the night.&nbsp;

“We are very disappointed, and the overall performance today wasn’t good enough,” said Current interim head coach Caroline Sjöblom. “I think it speaks for itself why we lost today. It’s a tough loss but the performance wasn’t there.”&nbsp;

Racing Louisville scored both of their goals in the first half of play. Midfielder Savannah DeMelo took advantage of an errant back pass from Current defender Croix Soto to Cassie Miller and pounced on it for an easy shot to the back of the net in the 12th minute. In the 27th minute Louisville capitalized again with good passing and DeMelo found forward Kirsten Davis for the goal, giving Racing a 2-0 lead.&nbsp;

A bright spot for Kansas City was the return of forward Kristen Hamilton who made her season debut in the 81st&nbsp;minute after missing the entire season to this point due to injury. When her name was announced she was greeted with a deafening welcome and standing ovation from the KC Current supporters.&nbsp;

“It’s fantastic to have Hammy back on the pitch,” said Sjöblom. “She brings a lot of energy, and she is fantastic when she presses. She comes with a high speed, and she can read the defender where they put the ball and she’s also a goal scorer. We need that kind of player that can go in with one touch and score with the knee, a foot, or the head and Hammy is that kind of player.”&nbsp;

Hamilton said when she subbed onto the field and saw the standing ovation from the crowd of 10,603 fans at Children’s Mercy Park it was an emotional moment.&nbsp;

“It was so cool,” said Hamilton. “You could hear different groups of people chanting my name and I definitely did not expect that. I have so much love for the fans and so much love for this city. I’m so happy and proud to be representing the Current. It was such a good feeling to step back on the field.”&nbsp;

The Current had good chances in the final minutes of stoppage time, but some timely saves from Louisville goalkeeper Katie Lund would keep Kansas City from finding the back of the net.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;Current stay home for a matchup with the Houston Dash this Friday at Children’s Mercy Park at 7 p.m. CT.

Kansas City CurrentKANSAS CITY, Kan.&nbsp;— In the second-straight matchup between the Kansas City&nbsp;Current&nbsp;(2-6-0) and Racing Louisville FC (2-2-4) the home team fell 2-0 at Children’s Mercy Park. After a tough stretch of three games in seven days, the Current just could not find the back of the net despite 18 total shots with six on target for the night.&nbsp;“We are very disappointed, and the overall performance today wasn’t good enough,” said Current interim head coach Caroline Sjöblom. “I think it speaks for itself why we lost today. It’s a tough loss but the performance wasn’t there.”&nbsp;Racing Louisville scored both of their goals in the first half of play. Midfielder Savannah DeMelo took advantage of an errant back pass from Current defender Croix Soto to Cassie Miller and pounced on it for an easy shot to the back of the net in the 12th minute. In the 27th minute Louisville capitalized again with good passing and DeMelo found forward Kirsten Davis for the goal, giving Racing a 2-0 lead.&nbsp;A bright spot for Kansas City was the return of forward Kristen Hamilton who made her season debut in the 81st&nbsp;minute after missing the entire season to this point due to injury. When her name was announced she was greeted with a deafening welcome and standing ovation from the KC Current supporters.&nbsp;“It’s fantastic to have Hammy back on the pitch,” said Sjöblom. “She brings a lot of energy, and she is fantastic when she presses. She comes with a high speed, and she can read the defender where they put the ball and she’s also a goal scorer. We need that kind of player that can go in with one touch and score with the knee, a foot, or the head and Hammy is that kind of player.”&nbsp;Hamilton said when she subbed onto the field and saw the standing ovation from the crowd of 10,603 fans at Children’s Mercy Park it was an emotional moment.&nbsp;“It was so cool,” said Hamilton. “You could hear different groups of people chanting my name and I definitely did not expect that. I have so much love for the fans and so much love for this city. I’m so happy and proud to be representing the Current. It was such a good feeling to step back on the field.”&nbsp;The Current had good chances in the final minutes of stoppage time, but some timely saves from Louisville goalkeeper Katie Lund would keep Kansas City from finding the back of the net.&nbsp;The&nbsp;Current stay home for a matchup with the Houston Dash this Friday at Children’s Mercy Park at 7 p.m. CT.

Kansas City Current falls 2-0 to Racing Louisville

MANHATTAN –&nbsp;K-State's late ninth-inning rally wasn't enough as the Wildcats comeback bid fell short, 4-3, in the series' rubber match against TCU at Tointon Family Stadium. In the regular-season finale for both teams, K-State (33-22, 13-11) enters the upcoming Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championship as the No. 5 seed starting on Wednesday, May 24. The Cats will take on No. 4 seed TCU with first pitch slated for 9 a.m. at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas "You got to flush it," said head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/coaches/pete-hughes/1939">Pete Hughes</a>&nbsp;about his team heading into the Big 12 tournament. "We expect to play a little further along this postseason and beyond the Big 12 tournament. Feel bad about it for 24 hours then get locked and get to business and ready to roll in Arlington." "Obviously disappointing day and weekend, you can't expect to beat anyone when you score two runs in the previous 17 innings. The storyline of the weekend was there pitching was better then our offense this weekend," said Hughes. <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/ty-ruhl/10964">Ty Ruhl</a>&nbsp;(3-4) was credited the loss in his first start of the season as the sophomore allowed two earned runs over his 4 2/3 innings.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/tyson-neighbors/10958">Tyson Neighbors</a>&nbsp;struck out five during his 4 1/3 innings in relief. "We put them in roles they weren't accustomed to, stretched them out a little and they were super-efficient. They absolutely pitched good enough for our offense to build a lead, but credit to TCU's pitching." Senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/cash-rugely/10963">Cash Rugely</a>&nbsp;collected a game-high four hits going 4-for-4 in his final game at Tointon Family Stadium while scoring two of the Cats' three runs. The Cats honored Rugely,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/owen-boerema/10978">Owen Boerema</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/blake-corsentino/10946">Blake Corsentino</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/roberto-pena/10971">Roberto Pena</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/cole-johnson/10953">Cole Johnson</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/griffin-hassall/10951">Griffin Hassall</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/jared-henry/10985">Jared Henry</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/corey-cater/10983">Corey Cater</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/trae-robertson/11040">Trae Robertson</a>&nbsp;during the 2023 Senior Day Ceremony.&nbsp;&nbsp;

K-State SportsMANHATTAN –&nbsp;K-State's late ninth-inning rally wasn't enough as the Wildcats comeback bid fell short, 4-3, in the series' rubber match against TCU at Tointon Family Stadium. In the regular-season finale for both teams, K-State (33-22, 13-11) enters the upcoming Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championship as the No. 5 seed starting on Wednesday, May 24. The Cats will take on No. 4 seed TCU with first pitch slated for 9 a.m. at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas "You got to flush it," said head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/coaches/pete-hughes/1939">Pete Hughes</a>&nbsp;about his team heading into the Big 12 tournament. "We expect to play a little further along this postseason and beyond the Big 12 tournament. Feel bad about it for 24 hours then get locked and get to business and ready to roll in Arlington." "Obviously disappointing day and weekend, you can't expect to beat anyone when you score two runs in the previous 17 innings. The storyline of the weekend was there pitching was better then our offense this weekend," said Hughes. <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/ty-ruhl/10964">Ty Ruhl</a>&nbsp;(3-4) was credited the loss in his first start of the season as the sophomore allowed two earned runs over his 4 2/3 innings.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/tyson-neighbors/10958">Tyson Neighbors</a>&nbsp;struck out five during his 4 1/3 innings in relief. "We put them in roles they weren't accustomed to, stretched them out a little and they were super-efficient. They absolutely pitched good enough for our offense to build a lead, but credit to TCU's pitching." Senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/cash-rugely/10963">Cash Rugely</a>&nbsp;collected a game-high four hits going 4-for-4 in his final game at Tointon Family Stadium while scoring two of the Cats' three runs. The Cats honored Rugely,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/owen-boerema/10978">Owen Boerema</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/blake-corsentino/10946">Blake Corsentino</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/roberto-pena/10971">Roberto Pena</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/cole-johnson/10953">Cole Johnson</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/griffin-hassall/10951">Griffin Hassall</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/jared-henry/10985">Jared Henry</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/corey-cater/10983">Corey Cater</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/trae-robertson/11040">Trae Robertson</a>&nbsp;during the 2023 Senior Day Ceremony.&nbsp;&nbsp;

TCU holds off K-State in Saturday’s rubber game

CHICAGO — Jake Burger hit a three-run double in the sixth inning, helping Lucas Giolito and the Chicago White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 5-1 on Saturday.

Yoán Moncada had two RBIs as Chicago won for the fourth time in five games. Andrew Benintendi and Luis Robert Jr. each scored two runs.

Burger has hit safely in six games since returning from a strained left oblique, going 11 for 22 with three homers and nine RBIs. He came through again in this one, breaking open a tight game.

"For me, it's just controlling everything and slowing the game down," Burger said. "I feel like I did that in the last at-bat real well."

With Chicago ahead 2-1, its first three batters reached in the sixth before Royals starter Jordan Lyles was replaced by Jose Cuas. Benintendi walked and Robert reached on catcher interference before Moncada walked.

After Andrew Vaughn struck out swinging, Burger hit a liner into the gap in right-center. Burger's clutch swing gave the White Sox a 5-1 lead.

"It's a one-run game and you've got to have some extra focus, especially in that situation," Burger said. "Fortunately I got the right pitch and drove the ball to right-center."

Giolito (3-3) permitted one run and six hits in six innings. The right-hander has a 2.66 ERA his last eight starts.

"For me it's all about taking it one pitch at a time, executing and working well with Seby (catcher Zavala) on sequencing," Giolito said.

Salvador Pérez hit his 10th homer in Kansas City's sixth loss in eight games. Pérez finished with three hits, including a double, off Giolito.

"With Salvy, he's owned me over the course of my career," Gioloto said,. "Some days it's like I strike him out out two or three times in three at-bats. Other days it's like homer, double, double. Today was one of those days."

Pérez was a lone bright spot for the last-place Royals.

"He's a good ballplayer man," Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro said. "It's no accident he's been doing this for 12-13 years."

Royals right-hander Jordan Lyles (0-8) was charged with five runs, four earned, and four hits in five-plus innings.

Pérez drove a 3-2 slider just over the fence in left-center in the first for Kansas City

But the White Sox responded with two runs in the bottom half.

After Benintendi singled and Robert doubled, Moncada hit a two-run single to left.

White Sox closer Liam Hendriks, who is recovering from stage-4 non-Hodgkin lymphoma, is expected to throw another live batting practice session, possibly when the team is in Cleveland for a three-game series that starts Monday.

Manager Pedro Grifol said the team and Hendriks will evaluate his status afterward and "we'll see where we go from there."

The 34-year-old right-hander tossed live BP in Chicago on Friday and was back in the clubhouse on Saturday.

Kansas City reinstated left-hander Amir Garrett from the family medical emergency list and optioned right-hander Jackson Kowar to Triple-A Omaha. Kowar made his season debut in Friday's 2-0 loss at Chicago, pitching 2 1/3 scoreless innings.

White Sox: OF Gavin Sheets was scratched. He jammed a wrist sliding into second on Friday. ... C Yasmani Grandal (right hamstring) was available off the bench. He is expected to start Sunday. ... OF/DH Eloy Jiménez (appendectomy on May 6) has resumed all baseball activities and "is probably ahead of schedule," Grifol said. ... INF Elvis Andrus (oblique strain) has resumed batting practice.

White Sox right-hander Lance Lynn (2-5, 6.66 ERA) pitches in the series finale on Sunday. The Royals had not yet named their starter.

By MATT CARLSON Associated PressCHICAGO — Jake Burger hit a three-run double in the sixth inning, helping Lucas Giolito and the Chicago White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 5-1 on Saturday.Yoán Moncada had two RBIs as Chicago won for the fourth time in five games. Andrew Benintendi and Luis Robert Jr. each scored two runs.Burger has hit safely in six games since returning from a strained left oblique, going 11 for 22 with three homers and nine RBIs. He came through again in this one, breaking open a tight game."For me, it's just controlling everything and slowing the game down," Burger said. "I feel like I did that in the last at-bat real well."With Chicago ahead 2-1, its first three batters reached in the sixth before Royals starter Jordan Lyles was replaced by Jose Cuas. Benintendi walked and Robert reached on catcher interference before Moncada walked.After Andrew Vaughn struck out swinging, Burger hit a liner into the gap in right-center. Burger's clutch swing gave the White Sox a 5-1 lead."It's a one-run game and you've got to have some extra focus, especially in that situation," Burger said. "Fortunately I got the right pitch and drove the ball to right-center."Giolito (3-3) permitted one run and six hits in six innings. The right-hander has a 2.66 ERA his last eight starts."For me it's all about taking it one pitch at a time, executing and working well with Seby (catcher Zavala) on sequencing," Giolito said.Salvador Pérez hit his 10th homer in Kansas City's sixth loss in eight games. Pérez finished with three hits, including a double, off Giolito."With Salvy, he's owned me over the course of my career," Gioloto said,. "Some days it's like I strike him out out two or three times in three at-bats. Other days it's like homer, double, double. Today was one of those days."Pérez was a lone bright spot for the last-place Royals."He's a good ballplayer man," Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro said. "It's no accident he's been doing this for 12-13 years."Royals right-hander Jordan Lyles (0-8) was charged with five runs, four earned, and four hits in five-plus innings.Pérez drove a 3-2 slider just over the fence in left-center in the first for Kansas CityBut the White Sox responded with two runs in the bottom half.After Benintendi singled and Robert doubled, Moncada hit a two-run single to left.HENDRIKS UPDATEWhite Sox closer Liam Hendriks, who is recovering from stage-4 non-Hodgkin lymphoma, is expected to throw another live batting practice session, possibly when the team is in Cleveland for a three-game series that starts Monday.Manager Pedro Grifol said the team and Hendriks will evaluate his status afterward and "we'll see where we go from there."The 34-year-old right-hander tossed live BP in Chicago on Friday and was back in the clubhouse on Saturday.ROYALS MOVEKansas City reinstated left-hander Amir Garrett from the family medical emergency list and optioned right-hander Jackson Kowar to Triple-A Omaha. Kowar made his season debut in Friday's 2-0 loss at Chicago, pitching 2 1/3 scoreless innings.TRAINER'S ROOMWhite Sox: OF Gavin Sheets was scratched. He jammed a wrist sliding into second on Friday. ... C Yasmani Grandal (right hamstring) was available off the bench. He is expected to start Sunday. ... OF/DH Eloy Jiménez (appendectomy on May 6) has resumed all baseball activities and "is probably ahead of schedule," Grifol said. ... INF Elvis Andrus (oblique strain) has resumed batting practice.UP NEXTWhite Sox right-hander Lance Lynn (2-5, 6.66 ERA) pitches in the series finale on Sunday. The Royals had not yet named their starter.

Hot-hitting Burger, Giolito lead White Sox past Royals 5-1

With just two weeks remaining in the regular season, the Salina Liberty will return to Tony’s Pizza Events Center one final time for a meeting with the Sioux City Bandits.

Salina comes into this game in third place at 6-2, with a chance to lock up at least the 3-seed if they can knock off the fourth-place Bandits who will enter this contest at 5-3.

When these two CIF titans clashed earlier this year in Sioux City the Liberty fell 45-39, but the team that takes to the field in this one will look much different from that earlier rendition.

“If you look at the personnel we have now we’ve added 15 different players that we didn’t have in that first Sioux City game,” Salina head coach Heron O’Neal said. “There are only ten guys that were on the roster the first time we played so they could have a tough time scouting us.”

A lot remains on the table for the Liberty, who could finish the year as high as the 2-seed with a first-round bye and the right to host a semifinal, or as low as the four-seed.

Despite these implications, Salina is approaching this game the same way they always do, and not a single hint of desperation looms in the Liberty locker room.

“When you talk about a ‘must win’ game you’re talking about something with a real consequence and we don’t believe in that in the regular season,” O’Neal said. “Make no mistake, these are big games. We’re still fighting for that number two seed and we really want to win both.”

In order to even the season series with Sioux City, Salina must find an answer for Bandit Gunslinger Tasleem Wilson, who sits second in the league with 989 passing yards, and leads the league by a wide margin with 29 touchdown passes.

“All you can do is contain Tas because you’re not going to stop him,” O’Neal said. “He’s a great football player and he has an arm from God. He’s going to make big plays but we can’t get discouraged and we have to keep pressure on him and keep his options covered.”

This time around, Wilson will find himself in a duel with rookie hotshot Ed Crouch, who has been electric since taking the helm under center, and leads a young core from Salina against one of the most experienced teams in the CIF. “Sioux City is the most veteran team in the league and they’ve got experience at every position,” he said. “They know how to play the game and they’re not going to beat themselves. This won’t be an easy game and we’re still learning some things with our rookies but we’ll have them ready come game time.”

Kickoff between the Liberty and Bandits is scheduled for 6:35 pm at Tony’s Pizza Events Center and as always the game can be heard on KINA (910 AM or 107.5 FM) courtesy of Eagle Radio.

By TYLER HENRY Salina Post contributor<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617387097958.png" alt="Coverage of Liberty football is presented by Ryan Roofing" />
 <figcaption>Coverage of Liberty football is presented by Ryan Roofing</figcaption>
 </figure>With just two weeks remaining in the regular season, the Salina Liberty will return to Tony’s Pizza Events Center one final time for a meeting with the Sioux City Bandits.Salina comes into this game in third place at 6-2, with a chance to lock up at least the 3-seed if they can knock off the fourth-place Bandits who will enter this contest at 5-3.When these two CIF titans clashed earlier this year in Sioux City the Liberty fell 45-39, but the team that takes to the field in this one will look much different from that earlier rendition.“If you look at the personnel we have now we’ve added 15 different players that we didn’t have in that first Sioux City game,” Salina head coach Heron O’Neal said. “There are only ten guys that were on the roster the first time we played so they could have a tough time scouting us.”A lot remains on the table for the Liberty, who could finish the year as high as the 2-seed with a first-round bye and the right to host a semifinal, or as low as the four-seed.Despite these implications, Salina is approaching this game the same way they always do, and not a single hint of desperation looms in the Liberty locker room. “When you talk about a ‘must win’ game you’re talking about something with a real consequence and we don’t believe in that in the regular season,” O’Neal said. “Make no mistake, these are big games. We’re still fighting for that number two seed and we really want to win both.”In order to even the season series with Sioux City, Salina must find an answer for Bandit Gunslinger Tasleem Wilson, who sits second in the league with 989 passing yards, and leads the league by a wide margin with 29 touchdown passes.“All you can do is contain Tas because you’re not going to stop him,” O’Neal said. “He’s a great football player and he has an arm from God. He’s going to make big plays but we can’t get discouraged and we have to keep pressure on him and keep his options covered.”This time around, Wilson will find himself in a duel with rookie hotshot Ed Crouch, who has been electric since taking the helm under center, and leads a young core from Salina against one of the most experienced teams in the CIF. “Sioux City is the most veteran team in the league and they’ve got experience at every position,” he said. “They know how to play the game and they’re not going to beat themselves. This won’t be an easy game and we’re still learning some things with our rookies but we’ll have them ready come game time.”Kickoff between the Liberty and Bandits is scheduled for 6:35 pm at Tony’s Pizza Events Center and as always the game can be heard on KINA (910 AM or 107.5 FM) courtesy of Eagle Radio.

Liberty look to even season series against Bandits

LUBBOCK, Texas –&nbsp;A windy Friday night that featured seven home runs combined between Kansas and Texas Tech ended with a walk-off homer as Texas Tech defeated Kansas 8-7 in 10 innings at Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park. Luke Leto, Collier Cranford, Michael Brooks and Cole Elvis all homered for Kansas.

KU AthleticsLUBBOCK, Texas –&nbsp;A windy Friday night that featured seven home runs combined between Kansas and Texas Tech ended with a walk-off homer as Texas Tech defeated Kansas 8-7 in 10 innings at Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park. Luke Leto, Collier Cranford, Michael Brooks and Cole Elvis all homered for Kansas.The Jayhawks battled all game, coming back from a four-run deficit early and a two-run deficit late. Leto and Cranford hit back-to-back home runs to help tie the game at 4-4 in the fourth. Then, Elvis hit a game-tying home run in the eighth that ultimately pushed the game to extra innings. Texas Tech’s Gavin Kash hit a walk-off home run to end it with two outs in the 10th.Texas Tech (36-19, 11-12 Big 12) took the lead first on Friday for a second straight day. Three runs in the second inning and one run in the third gave the Red Raiders a 4-0 advantage. Dillon Carter hit a solo home run in the second and Austin Green had a solo shot in the third.The deficit did not faze the Jayhawks. In the fourth inning, KU scored four runs to tie up the game. The inning began with singles from Elvis and Sam Hunt. Jake English drove in Elvis from third base on an RBI fielder’s choice for the first run of the inning. Leto was up next and crushed a 472-foot home run to right field to make it 4-3. Cranford followed Leto and went back-to-back with a solo homer to even the game at 4-4.The Red Raiders loaded the bases in the bottom of the fourth with no outs. They were able to get two runs in the inning on a pair of sacrifice flies. That made the score 6-4 in favor of Texas Tech.The teams exchanged runs in the fifth inning. Brooks launched a solo home run for his eighth blast of the season. The Red Raiders got the run back in the bottom half of the inning on an RBI single by Nolen Hester. After five innings, Texas Tech led 7-5.Neither team scored in the sixth or seventh innings, but Elvis had a big moment for a second straight night. In the eighth, Brooks led off the inning with a single. Elvis came up next and hit an opposite field home run to right to tie the game at 7-7. He hit a go-ahead home run in the ninth inning on Thursday.After a scoreless ninth inning, the game went to extras. Kansas left a runner stranded on first in the top half of the 10th. The Jayhawks were able to get the first two outs in the bottom of the 10th, but Kash sent a 3-2 pitch out to right field to win it.Hunter Cashero started for Kansas and allowed four runs over 2.2 innings. Ethan Bradford, Kolby Dougan, Steven Andrews and Stone Hewlett followed out of the bullpen for Kansas. Andrews threw a scoreless inning of relief. Hewlett suffered the loss after giving up the walk-off home run.