KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Bobby Witt Jr. had four hits, including two home runs, and five RBIs and the Kansas City Royals used a nine-run first inning to defeat the Houston Astros 13-3 Thursday to complete a three-game sweep and extend their winning streak to seven games.

Vinnie Pasquantino, who came into Wednesday's game hitting .108 with no RBIs, was 3-for-5 with three RBIs and now is hitting .222 with eight RBIs.

“To go from zero to eight in two days is pretty good,” Pasquantino said. “Hopefully we keep it up. If I could stay at this pace, we’d be in a really good spot.

"It feels good to be a part of the winning.”

The Royals completed a perfect seven-game homestand against the White Sox and Astros. It's just the third time in franchise history they've played at least seven games on a homestand without a loss. The other two: seven games in 1988 and eight games in 1985, the year they won their first World Series.

“It’s a great feeling,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “I’m really happy for those guys. They’ve put in a ton of work. And to get off to that kind of start and sustain it for a full week is really challenging and really rewarding.”

Brady Singer (2-0) allowed one run and five hits in five innings.

Hunter Brown (0-2) got only two outs, but allowed nine runs and 11 hits.

“For the most part, I was generally over the middle of the dish,” Brown said. “I’m definitely not happy about it. I gotta look into it deeper. I've got to sit down with the staff and see what I can do.”

The Royals sent 15 men to the plate in the first inning, tying a club record with 11 hits in the inning (also set in 1986 and 2006). It was the second straight game they've batted around in an inning, sending 11 men to the plate in a seven-run inning Wednesday night.

“As a team we're just coming into the clubhouse each and every day having that feeling of, ‘We’re gonna win,’" Witt said.

The feeling was more demure in the other clubhouse.

“We’ve been tested early, and this team has been tested before,” Houston manager Joe Espada said. “This is going to make us better. It’s hard to swallow those losses, but (I have) faith in that group in there. We’ll figure it out. When things are just not going your way, that’s the stuff that happens.”

Maikel Garcia (two singles), Witt (a single and a homer) and Pasquantino (two singles) each had two hits and two RBIs in the first inning. Everyone in the starting lineup had at least one hit in the inning except Kyle Isbel.

The Astros had baserunners in nearly every inning, but got only a solo home run in the fourth from Yainer Diaz and a pair of runs in the sixth, snapping a 19 1/3-inning scoreless streak by the Royals bullpen.

Astros: RHP Justin Verlander is scheduled for another rehab start this weekend prior to his potential return to the rotation. He's been on the injured list with a right shoulder issue. ... Manager Joe Espada said LHP Framber Valdez averted the worst-case scenario with elbow soreness that put him on the IL on Monday. “The soreness is pretty much all gone,” Espada said. “Now it’s time to let him play catch in the next few days and get him built up.”

Astros: return to Houston for a six-game homestand against Texas and Atlanta. RHP J.P. Franco (0-1, 4.78 ERA) will take the mound Friday against RHP Dane Dunning (1-1, 4.15 ERA) for Texas.

Royals: go on a six-game road trip to New York and Chicago. RHP Michael Wacha (1-0, 2.25 ERA) will start Friday against the Mets' RHP Luis Severino (0-1, 3.60 ERA).

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Bobby Witt Jr. had four hits, including two home runs, and five RBIs and the Kansas City Royals used a nine-run first inning to defeat the Houston Astros 13-3 Thursday to complete a three-game sweep and extend their winning streak to seven games.Vinnie Pasquantino, who came into Wednesday's game hitting .108 with no RBIs, was 3-for-5 with three RBIs and now is hitting .222 with eight RBIs.“To go from zero to eight in two days is pretty good,” Pasquantino said. “Hopefully we keep it up. If I could stay at this pace, we’d be in a really good spot."It feels good to be a part of the winning.”The Royals completed a perfect seven-game homestand against the White Sox and Astros. It's just the third time in franchise history they've played at least seven games on a homestand without a loss. The other two: seven games in 1988 and eight games in 1985, the year they won their first World Series.“It’s a great feeling,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “I’m really happy for those guys. They’ve put in a ton of work. And to get off to that kind of start and sustain it for a full week is really challenging and really rewarding.”Brady Singer (2-0) allowed one run and five hits in five innings.Hunter Brown (0-2) got only two outs, but allowed nine runs and 11 hits.“For the most part, I was generally over the middle of the dish,” Brown said. “I’m definitely not happy about it. I gotta look into it deeper. I've got to sit down with the staff and see what I can do.”The Royals sent 15 men to the plate in the first inning, tying a club record with 11 hits in the inning (also set in 1986 and 2006). It was the second straight game they've batted around in an inning, sending 11 men to the plate in a seven-run inning Wednesday night.“As a team we're just coming into the clubhouse each and every day having that feeling of, ‘We’re gonna win,’" Witt said.The feeling was more demure in the other clubhouse.“We’ve been tested early, and this team has been tested before,” Houston manager Joe Espada said. “This is going to make us better. It’s hard to swallow those losses, but (I have) faith in that group in there. We’ll figure it out. When things are just not going your way, that’s the stuff that happens.”Maikel Garcia (two singles), Witt (a single and a homer) and Pasquantino (two singles) each had two hits and two RBIs in the first inning. Everyone in the starting lineup had at least one hit in the inning except Kyle Isbel.The Astros had baserunners in nearly every inning, but got only a solo home run in the fourth from Yainer Diaz and a pair of runs in the sixth, snapping a 19 1/3-inning scoreless streak by the Royals bullpen.TRAINING ROOMAstros: RHP Justin Verlander is scheduled for another rehab start this weekend prior to his potential return to the rotation. He's been on the injured list with a right shoulder issue. ... Manager Joe Espada said LHP Framber Valdez averted the worst-case scenario with elbow soreness that put him on the IL on Monday. “The soreness is pretty much all gone,” Espada said. “Now it’s time to let him play catch in the next few days and get him built up.”UP NEXTAstros: return to Houston for a six-game homestand against Texas and Atlanta. RHP J.P. Franco (0-1, 4.78 ERA) will take the mound Friday against RHP Dane Dunning (1-1, 4.15 ERA) for Texas.Royals: go on a six-game road trip to New York and Chicago. RHP Michael Wacha (1-0, 2.25 ERA) will start Friday against the Mets' RHP Luis Severino (0-1, 3.60 ERA).

How sweep it is: Royals use 9-run first to cruise past Astros 13-3

Two years ago, our nation celebrated the 50th anniversary of Title IX, which played a significant role in opening doors for girls’ participation opportunities in sports.

Throughout the 2021-22 year, the NFHS led the way in promoting the accomplishments and growth of girls sports at the high school level. From a meager 294,000 participants in 1972 before Title IX’s implementation, that number reached 3.2 million by the 50-year mark.

Beyond continual growth in sports like basketball, volleyball, track and field, softball, cross country and soccer, opportunities also arose for girls during those first 50 years in swimming, golf, tennis, spirit, lacrosse, gymnastics, field hockey, ice hockey and others.

The 50-year celebration, however, was just the beginning – and merely a springboard into the next half century of opportunities for girls in school-based sports – both at the junior high and high school levels. And while sports like basketball and volleyball continue to thrive, all eyes are on flag football as the next emerging sport.

Although the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) started flag football for girls about 20 years ago, most of the sport’s growth across the country has come in the past five to seven years. Currently, nine states have sanctioned the sport for girls (Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Nevada, Alaska, New York, Arizona, Illinois and California), two others are expected to sanction flag this year (Colorado, Montana) and 17 other states are in various stages of pilot programs. That a total of 28 states off and running with this new opportunity for girls.

As a result of this recent growth, the NFHS – the rules-writing organization for high school sports for more than 100 years – has been asked by its member associations to consider publishing national playing rules for flag football, which is currently played under a number of rules codes. A task force is currently being assembled to formulate plans, including appointment of a rules committee and a timetable for implementation. This would be the 18th sport for which the NFHS writes national playing rules.

The NFHS is excited about this new sports opportunity – particularly for girls. Flag is a sport of inclusivity, can be played in any season (weather dependent), is fast-paced and offers the excitement of tackle football with a reduced risk of injury. Costs are also minimal since students need little more than a uniform, pair of cleats or athletic shoes. 

Girls flag football has been a huge success in the aforementioned states, led by Florida’s longest-standing program which now has more than 360 schools and almost 10,000 participants. Georgia reported almost 5,000 participants last year, and the Georgia High School Association, which has received tremendous support from the Atlanta Falcons, held its third state championship last December – and the girls play alongside the boys in Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

After starting as a pilot program in 2013, the Nevada Interscholastic Athletic Association has offered a girls flag football championship since 2017, and interest continues to grow with more than 1,600 participants and three classes of championships.

The Alabama High School Athletic Association held its first state championship this past December in conjunction with the boys state football championships at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa.

Likewise, the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) staged its first event this past November. A total of 54 schools competed in the first championship, and the AIA expects another 40-50 schools in 2024, with rosters filled with athletes from other sports as well as students who have not previously played sports.   

In New York, the New York State Public High School Athletic Association will hold its first girls flag championship June 1-2 after several years as a pilot program. And Illinois and California are sanctioning the sport for the first time in 2024. Although the California Interscholastic Federation is not conducting a state championship yet, schools will begin offering the sport, thanks to support from the Los Angeles Rams and USA Football.

The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) will offer girls flag as a fall sport in 2024 and conduct its first state championship October 18-19. Craig Anderson, IHSA executive director, said the addition of girls flag football furthers the IHSA mission of creating participation opportunities for high school students in Illinois.

The popularity of flag football – for boys and girls – has been growing at the youth levels for the past 10 years. In 2023, about 500,000 girls ages 6-17 played flag football – a 63 percent increase since 2019. At a higher level of competition, more universities are beginning to offer flag football for girls, which will certainly enhance the appeal for girls playing the sport at the high school level. And internationally, the sport received a huge boost with the announcement recently of flag football as an Olympic sport for men and women at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643235301160.jpeg" alt="Dr. Karissa L. Niehoff is in her sixth year as chief executive officer of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) in Indianapolis, Indiana." />
 <figcaption>Dr. Karissa L. Niehoff is in her sixth year as chief executive officer of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) in Indianapolis, Indiana.</figcaption>
 </figure>Two years ago, our nation celebrated the 50th anniversary of Title IX, which played a significant role in opening doors for girls’ participation opportunities in sports.Throughout the 2021-22 year, the NFHS led the way in promoting the accomplishments and growth of girls sports at the high school level. From a meager 294,000 participants in 1972 before Title IX’s implementation, that number reached 3.2 million by the 50-year mark.Beyond continual growth in sports like basketball, volleyball, track and field, softball, cross country and soccer, opportunities also arose for girls during those first 50 years in swimming, golf, tennis, spirit, lacrosse, gymnastics, field hockey, ice hockey and others.The 50-year celebration, however, was just the beginning – and merely a springboard into the next half century of opportunities for girls in school-based sports – both at the junior high and high school levels. And while sports like basketball and volleyball continue to thrive, all eyes are on flag football as the next emerging sport.Although the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) started flag football for girls about 20 years ago, most of the sport’s growth across the country has come in the past five to seven years. Currently, nine states have sanctioned the sport for girls (Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Nevada, Alaska, New York, Arizona, Illinois and California), two others are expected to sanction flag this year (Colorado, Montana) and 17 other states are in various stages of pilot programs. That a total of 28 states off and running with this new opportunity for girls.As a result of this recent growth, the NFHS – the rules-writing organization for high school sports for more than 100 years – has been asked by its member associations to consider publishing national playing rules for flag football, which is currently played under a number of rules codes. A task force is currently being assembled to formulate plans, including appointment of a rules committee and a timetable for implementation. This would be the 18th sport for which the NFHS writes national playing rules.The NFHS is excited about this new sports opportunity – particularly for girls. Flag is a sport of inclusivity, can be played in any season (weather dependent), is fast-paced and offers the excitement of tackle football with a reduced risk of injury. Costs are also minimal since students need little more than a uniform, pair of cleats or athletic shoes. Girls flag football has been a huge success in the aforementioned states, led by Florida’s longest-standing program which now has more than 360 schools and almost 10,000 participants. Georgia reported almost 5,000 participants last year, and the Georgia High School Association, which has received tremendous support from the Atlanta Falcons, held its third state championship last December – and the girls play alongside the boys in Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.After starting as a pilot program in 2013, the Nevada Interscholastic Athletic Association has offered a girls flag football championship since 2017, and interest continues to grow with more than 1,600 participants and three classes of championships.The Alabama High School Athletic Association held its first state championship this past December in conjunction with the boys state football championships at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa.Likewise, the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) staged its first event this past November. A total of 54 schools competed in the first championship, and the AIA expects another 40-50 schools in 2024, with rosters filled with athletes from other sports as well as students who have not previously played sports. In New York, the New York State Public High School Athletic Association will hold its first girls flag championship June 1-2 after several years as a pilot program. And Illinois and California are sanctioning the sport for the first time in 2024. Although the California Interscholastic Federation is not conducting a state championship yet, schools will begin offering the sport, thanks to support from the Los Angeles Rams and USA Football.The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) will offer girls flag as a fall sport in 2024 and conduct its first state championship October 18-19. Craig Anderson, IHSA executive director, said the addition of girls flag football furthers the IHSA mission of creating participation opportunities for high school students in Illinois.The popularity of flag football – for boys and girls – has been growing at the youth levels for the past 10 years. In 2023, about 500,000 girls ages 6-17 played flag football – a 63 percent increase since 2019. At a higher level of competition, more universities are beginning to offer flag football for girls, which will certainly enhance the appeal for girls playing the sport at the high school level. And internationally, the sport received a huge boost with the announcement recently of flag football as an Olympic sport for men and women at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

Flag Football Expanding Nationwide as Next Emerging High School Sport

DALLAS (AP) — Dallas police said Wednesday that Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice faces charges including aggravated assault after he and another speeding driver of a sports car caused a chain-reaction crash on a Dallas highway.

Police said that arrest warrants have been issued for the 23-year-old for one count of aggravated assault, one count of collision involving serious bodily injury and six counts of collision involving injury. Rice's attorney, state Sen. Royce West, said last week that Rice had been driving a Lamborghini sport utility vehicle when the crash occurred.

Arrest warrants were also issued for Theodore Knox, 21, who was driving the other speeding sports car, a Corvette, police said. Police said that arrest warrants have been issued for Knox for one count of aggravated assault, one count of collision involving serious bodily injury and six counts of collision involving injury.

Police said that Rice and Knox were not currently in custody. West had no immediate comment on Rice's behalf, and it was not clear whether Knox had an attorney.

The crash involved the Lamborghini, a Corvette and four other vehicles and left four people with minor injuries, police have said.

Police have said the drivers of the Corvette and Lamborghini were speeding in the far left lane when they lost control and the Lamborghini traveled onto the shoulder and hit the center median wall, causing the chain collision. Police said the drivers of the Corvette and Lamborghini left following the crash without determining whether anyone needed medical attention or providing their information.

Police said the passengers in two speeding sports cars who left the scene will not be charged.

Rice last week posted to his Instagram Story that he was taking “full responsibility” for his part in the wreck.

Aggravated assault, a second-degree felony, is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Collision involving serious bodily injury, a third-degree felony, is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, and collision involving injury is punishable by up to five years in prison.

Rice was leasing the Lamborghini from The Classic Lifestyle, said Kyle Coker, an attorney for the Dallas-based exotic car rental company. And West has said the Corvette belonged to Rice.

Rice was born in Philadelphia but grew up in the Fort Worth, Texas, suburb of North Richland Hills. He played college football at nearby Southern Methodist University, where a breakout senior season in 2022 put the wide receiver on the radar of NFL teams.

DALLAS (AP) — Dallas police said Wednesday that Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice faces charges including aggravated assault after he and another speeding driver of a sports car caused a chain-reaction crash on a Dallas highway.Police said that arrest warrants have been issued for the 23-year-old for one count of aggravated assault, one count of collision involving serious bodily injury and six counts of collision involving injury. Rice's attorney, state Sen. Royce West, said last week that Rice had been driving a Lamborghini sport utility vehicle when the crash occurred.Arrest warrants were also issued for Theodore Knox, 21, who was driving the other speeding sports car, a Corvette, police said. Police said that arrest warrants have been issued for Knox for one count of aggravated assault, one count of collision involving serious bodily injury and six counts of collision involving injury.Police said that Rice and Knox were not currently in custody. West had no immediate comment on Rice's behalf, and it was not clear whether Knox had an attorney.The Chiefs had no immediate comment.The crash involved the Lamborghini, a Corvette and four other vehicles and left four people with minor injuries, police have said.Police have said the drivers of the Corvette and Lamborghini were speeding in the far left lane when they lost control and the Lamborghini traveled onto the shoulder and hit the center median wall, causing the chain collision. Police said the drivers of the Corvette and Lamborghini left following the crash without determining whether anyone needed medical attention or providing their information.Police said the passengers in two speeding sports cars who left the scene will not be charged.Rice last week posted to his Instagram Story that he was taking “full responsibility” for his part in the wreck.Aggravated assault, a second-degree felony, is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Collision involving serious bodily injury, a third-degree felony, is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, and collision involving injury is punishable by up to five years in prison.Rice was leasing the Lamborghini from The Classic Lifestyle, said Kyle Coker, an attorney for the Dallas-based exotic car rental company. And West has said the Corvette belonged to Rice.Rice was born in Philadelphia but grew up in the Fort Worth, Texas, suburb of North Richland Hills. He played college football at nearby Southern Methodist University, where a breakout senior season in 2022 put the wide receiver on the radar of NFL teams.

Chiefs' Rashee Rice facing aggravated assault charge

By TODD MOORE Barton Sports Info

The Barton Community College softball team dropped a pair of conference contests Wednesday at Seward County Community College as the Saints connected on twelve extra base hits in winning 11-8 and 13-3.

A six run lead in the opener wasn't enough to hold off the Saints as Seward County sent three out of the park in plating ten runs in their final four frames to win by three. Continuing the plate crosser trend into game two, Seward County scored in all four of their at-bats to register the five inning victory to take the season series over the Cougars.

The pair of losses drops Barton into fourth place of the KJCCC standings at 15-9 and 18-16 on the season while Seward County moves into the third spot at 14-6 and 20-14 overall.

Barton returns home for its next contest coming up on Saturday in hosting Garden City Community College (3-19, 5-31) in a 1:00 p.m. first pitch doubleheader.

Seward County only outhit the Cougars by five in the twin bill but 12 of their 22 hits were for extra bases including the three home runs coming in game one with another delivering a three-run dagger in the nightcap.

Barton's seventeen hits were led by the trio of connections from Laci Dryden, Allyson McDougal, and Elina Bartlett. Dryden opened the day with a 3-of-4 performance with two RBI, driving in both runs in the third frame building Barton's lead to 7-1. McDougal was also the same from the plate in the opener but had her 12-game hit streak end in game two. Of the trio, Bartlett spread her hits across the double header with the first of her two hits in game one driving in the second of the Cougars' runs in the first inning.

Joining Dryden with two RBI on the day, Mia Mascarenas got the game two start at first base going 1-for-2 driving in a run in the second frame on groundout before a fourth inning single put the second of just three Barton runs on the board.

Brooklynn Angielski left game one with the Cougars leading 7-5 with a runner at third with one out in the fourth inning with Alicia Goseland getting out the frame on just a Saints double closing to within one.

The Saints pulled ahead in the ensuing fifth inning scoring on a one-out hit to tie it up before a three-run home run put Seward County in front sending Goseland to 1-4 on the year.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712832359136.jpeg" alt="Barton Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Barton Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>By TODD MOORE Barton Sports InfoThe Barton Community College softball team dropped a pair of conference contests Wednesday at Seward County Community College as the Saints connected on twelve extra base hits in winning 11-8 and 13-3.A six run lead in the opener wasn't enough to hold off the Saints as Seward County sent three out of the park in plating ten runs in their final four frames to win by three. Continuing the plate crosser trend into game two, Seward County scored in all four of their at-bats to register the five inning victory to take the season series over the Cougars.The pair of losses drops Barton into fourth place of the KJCCC standings at 15-9 and 18-16 on the season while Seward County moves into the third spot at 14-6 and 20-14 overall.Barton returns home for its next contest coming up on Saturday in hosting Garden City Community College (3-19, 5-31) in a 1:00 p.m. first pitch doubleheader.Seward County only outhit the Cougars by five in the twin bill but 12 of their 22 hits were for extra bases including the three home runs coming in game one with another delivering a three-run dagger in the nightcap.Barton's seventeen hits were led by the trio of connections from Laci Dryden, Allyson McDougal, and Elina Bartlett. Dryden opened the day with a 3-of-4 performance with two RBI, driving in both runs in the third frame building Barton's lead to 7-1. McDougal was also the same from the plate in the opener but had her 12-game hit streak end in game two. Of the trio, Bartlett spread her hits across the double header with the first of her two hits in game one driving in the second of the Cougars' runs in the first inning.Joining Dryden with two RBI on the day, Mia Mascarenas got the game two start at first base going 1-for-2 driving in a run in the second frame on groundout before a fourth inning single put the second of just three Barton runs on the board.Brooklynn Angielski left game one with the Cougars leading 7-5 with a runner at third with one out in the fourth inning with Alicia Goseland getting out the frame on just a Saints double closing to within one.The Saints pulled ahead in the ensuing fifth inning scoring on a one-out hit to tie it up before a three-run home run put Seward County in front sending Goseland to 1-4 on the year.

Lady Cougars swept at Seward County

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Vinnie Pasquantino broke out of an early season slump with a home run and a career-high five RBIs to lead the Kansas City Royals to an 11-2 win over the Houston Astros on Wednesday night for their sixth straight victory.

Pasquantino went 3 for 3 with a single, double, homer and a walk with two runs scored after entering the game 4 for 37 with four singles and no RBIs.

“I try not to consider it slumps or highs and lows,” he said. “I just try to consider it that you’re riding this roller coaster and you try to keep it as as much of a kiddie ride as you can. Obviously, the first week and a half wasn’t what I wanted statistically, but tonight felt good.

"The happiest person is probably going to be my wife because I probably won’t be tossing and turning all night. I imagine I’ll sleep a little bit better tonight. Some frustration set in for me. The beautiful thing is when you’re winning, it doesn’t matter.”

The Royals scored seven times in the third inning, jumpstarted by Pasquantino's two-run double. Kansas City, which had eight runs in the seventh against the Chicago White Sox on April 4, have multiple innings of seven or more runs in April for the first time since 2000.

Seth Lugo (2-0) allowed two runs and seven hits in six innings. It was the Royals’ ninth quality start in 12 games, the most in the majors.

“If we keep the right mindset, we could do it all season,” Lugo said of the success of the starting pitching. “There’s no reason not to. Just make sure after a good game (or) a bad game flush it and move on (and) keep working.”

The Royals' six-game winning streak is their longest since last September, when they also won six straight — including a three-game sweep of the Astros in Houston. The Royals will go for a 7-0 homestand in Thursday's finale.

The Royals are 7-1 in their last eight games against the Astros.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said he had seen Pasquantino pressing this season, but he had confidence his slugging first baseman would come around.

“We really feel Vinnie is a really quality major league hitter,” he said. “He’s played in 10 games or whatever prior to tonight. That’s a really small sample. He’s done it at this level before. We know he’s going to continue to do it.”

Spencer Arrighetti (0-1) made his big league debut and worked around trouble in his first two innings before giving up seven runs in his third and final inning. The Astros' top pitching prospect said his nerves and emotions were part of his struggle.

“When you want something that bad your whole life, you want it to be perfect," Arrighetti said. "You want it to go really smoothly and you want everything to feel good.

"But the reality is before the game I was a little bit of an anxious mess. I feel like I had to work harder to get my emotions down.”

The Royals batted around in the third. Pasquantino recorded his first extra-base hit and first two RBIs of the season with a two-run double. Salvador Perez single and MJ Melendez walked to load the bases before Nelson Velázquez stroked a two-run single to right.

Adam Frazier drove in Melendez with a single. Hunter Renfroe capped the scoring with a two-run double.

The Astros got a pair of runs in the fourth on a double by Yainer Diaz and a sacrifice fly by José Abreu.

But Pasquantino answered with his first homer of the season in the bottom of the fourth and drove in his fourth run on a sacrifice fly in the sixth. The Royals added two runs in the eighth, including an RBI single by Pasquantino.

Astros: RHP Wander Suero was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land to make room for Arrighetti.

The Astros will send RHP Hunter Brown (0-1, 6.43 ERA) to the mound to face RHP Brady Singer (1-0, 0.68).

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Vinnie Pasquantino broke out of an early season slump with a home run and a career-high five RBIs to lead the Kansas City Royals to an 11-2 win over the Houston Astros on Wednesday night for their sixth straight victory.Pasquantino went 3 for 3 with a single, double, homer and a walk with two runs scored after entering the game 4 for 37 with four singles and no RBIs.“I try not to consider it slumps or highs and lows,” he said. “I just try to consider it that you’re riding this roller coaster and you try to keep it as as much of a kiddie ride as you can. Obviously, the first week and a half wasn’t what I wanted statistically, but tonight felt good."The happiest person is probably going to be my wife because I probably won’t be tossing and turning all night. I imagine I’ll sleep a little bit better tonight. Some frustration set in for me. The beautiful thing is when you’re winning, it doesn’t matter.”The Royals scored seven times in the third inning, jumpstarted by Pasquantino's two-run double. Kansas City, which had eight runs in the seventh against the Chicago White Sox on April 4, have multiple innings of seven or more runs in April for the first time since 2000.Seth Lugo (2-0) allowed two runs and seven hits in six innings. It was the Royals’ ninth quality start in 12 games, the most in the majors.“If we keep the right mindset, we could do it all season,” Lugo said of the success of the starting pitching. “There’s no reason not to. Just make sure after a good game (or) a bad game flush it and move on (and) keep working.”The Royals' six-game winning streak is their longest since last September, when they also won six straight — including a three-game sweep of the Astros in Houston. The Royals will go for a 7-0 homestand in Thursday's finale.The Royals are 7-1 in their last eight games against the Astros.Royals manager Matt Quatraro said he had seen Pasquantino pressing this season, but he had confidence his slugging first baseman would come around.“We really feel Vinnie is a really quality major league hitter,” he said. “He’s played in 10 games or whatever prior to tonight. That’s a really small sample. He’s done it at this level before. We know he’s going to continue to do it.”Spencer Arrighetti (0-1) made his big league debut and worked around trouble in his first two innings before giving up seven runs in his third and final inning. The Astros' top pitching prospect said his nerves and emotions were part of his struggle.“When you want something that bad your whole life, you want it to be perfect," Arrighetti said. "You want it to go really smoothly and you want everything to feel good."But the reality is before the game I was a little bit of an anxious mess. I feel like I had to work harder to get my emotions down.”The Royals batted around in the third. Pasquantino recorded his first extra-base hit and first two RBIs of the season with a two-run double. Salvador Perez single and MJ Melendez walked to load the bases before Nelson Velázquez stroked a two-run single to right.Adam Frazier drove in Melendez with a single. Hunter Renfroe capped the scoring with a two-run double.The Astros got a pair of runs in the fourth on a double by Yainer Diaz and a sacrifice fly by José Abreu.But Pasquantino answered with his first homer of the season in the bottom of the fourth and drove in his fourth run on a sacrifice fly in the sixth. The Royals added two runs in the eighth, including an RBI single by Pasquantino.TRANSACTIONSAstros: RHP Wander Suero was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land to make room for Arrighetti.UP NEXTThe Astros will send RHP Hunter Brown (0-1, 6.43 ERA) to the mound to face RHP Brady Singer (1-0, 0.68).

Pasquantino breaks out with 5 RBIs as Royals trounce Astros 11-2

KANSAS CITY, Mo.
(AP) — Vinnie Pasquantino broke out of an early season slump with a
home run and a career-high five RBIs to lead the Kansas City Royals
to an 11-2 win over the Houston Astros for their sixth straight
victory. Pasquantino went 3 for 3 with a single, double, homer and a
walk with two runs scored after entering the game 4 for 37 with four
singles and no RBIs. The Royals scored seven times in the third
inning. Seth Lugo allowed two runs and seven hits in six innings. The
Royals’ six-game winning streak is their longest since last
September. Spencer Arrighetti took the loss for Houston in his big
league debut.

ST. LOUIS (AP) —
J.T. Realmuto had two hits and scored two runs and Aaron Nola pitched
six innings, leading the Philadelphia Phillies to a 4-3 victory over
the St. Louis Cardinals. Realmuto was back in the starting lineup,
hitting cleanup. He left Tuesday’s game after he was hit in the
throat area on a Zack Wheeler wild pitch in the seventh inning.
Brandon Marsh and Nick Castellanos each drove in a run in the sixth
to break a 2-2 tie.

DALLAS (AP) —
Dallas police say Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice faces
charges including aggravated assault after he and another speeding
driver of a sports car caused a chain-reaction crash on a Dallas
highway last month. Police said that arrest warrants have been issued
for the 23-year-old for one count of aggravated assault, one count of
collision involving serious bodily injury and six counts of collision
involving injury. Rice’s attorney, state Sen. Royce West, said last
week that Rice had been driving a Lamborghini sport utility vehicle
when the crash occurred.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) —
The Masters is more than just the first major of the year. It's the
first time the whole gang is back together. The question is for how
much longer. The 13 players from LIV Golf join the rest of the
players in an 89-man field at Augusta National. Masters Chairman Fred
Ridley is leaning on invitations in his belief they can get the right
players. He believes the Official World Golf Ranking is legitimate.
The Masters always reviews the criteria. Ridley did not announce any
changes in his news conference. For now, the focus is on winning a
green jacket.

NEW YORK (AP) —
Toronto’s Jontay Porter could face expulsion from the league if the
gambling-related accusations against him are found to be true, NBA
Commissioner Adam Silver said Wednesday. Silver, speaking after a
two-day meeting of the league’s Board of Governors, did not reveal
any specifics about the investigation surrounding Porter, other than
saying the probe is ongoing. Porter has not played since the league
said it was looking into betting patterns surrounding his on-court
performance.

N-Y
Mets	at	Atlanta	7:20 p.m.	(Postponed)

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712497619824.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo.
(AP) — Vinnie Pasquantino broke out of an early season slump with a
home run and a career-high five RBIs to lead the Kansas City Royals
to an 11-2 win over the Houston Astros for their sixth straight
victory. Pasquantino went 3 for 3 with a single, double, homer and a
walk with two runs scored after entering the game 4 for 37 with four
singles and no RBIs. The Royals scored seven times in the third
inning. Seth Lugo allowed two runs and seven hits in six innings. The
Royals’ six-game winning streak is their longest since last
September. Spencer Arrighetti took the loss for Houston in his big
league debut.ST. LOUIS (AP) —
J.T. Realmuto had two hits and scored two runs and Aaron Nola pitched
six innings, leading the Philadelphia Phillies to a 4-3 victory over
the St. Louis Cardinals. Realmuto was back in the starting lineup,
hitting cleanup. He left Tuesday’s game after he was hit in the
throat area on a Zack Wheeler wild pitch in the seventh inning.
Brandon Marsh and Nick Castellanos each drove in a run in the sixth
to break a 2-2 tie.DALLAS (AP) —
Dallas police say Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice faces
charges including aggravated assault after he and another speeding
driver of a sports car caused a chain-reaction crash on a Dallas
highway last month. Police said that arrest warrants have been issued
for the 23-year-old for one count of aggravated assault, one count of
collision involving serious bodily injury and six counts of collision
involving injury. Rice’s attorney, state Sen. Royce West, said last
week that Rice had been driving a Lamborghini sport utility vehicle
when the crash occurred.AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) —
The Masters is more than just the first major of the year. It's the
first time the whole gang is back together. The question is for how
much longer. The 13 players from LIV Golf join the rest of the
players in an 89-man field at Augusta National. Masters Chairman Fred
Ridley is leaning on invitations in his belief they can get the right
players. He believes the Official World Golf Ranking is legitimate.
The Masters always reviews the criteria. Ridley did not announce any
changes in his news conference. For now, the focus is on winning a
green jacket.NEW YORK (AP) —
Toronto’s Jontay Porter could face expulsion from the league if the
gambling-related accusations against him are found to be true, NBA
Commissioner Adam Silver said Wednesday. Silver, speaking after a
two-day meeting of the league’s Board of Governors, did not reveal
any specifics about the investigation surrounding Porter, other than
saying the probe is ongoing. Porter has not played since the league
said it was looking into betting patterns surrounding his on-court
performance.WEDNESDAY SCORESMAJOR LEAGUE
BASEBALLINTERLEAGUEFinal	Minnesota	3	L.A.
Dodgers	2	Final	Miami	5	N.Y.
Yankees	2	AMERICAN LEAGUEFinal	Seattle	6	Toronto	1	Final	Tampa
Bay	4	L.A. Angels	2	Final	Cleveland	7	Chicago
White Sox	6	Final	Baltimore	7	Boston	5	Final	Kansas
City	11	Houston	2	Final	Texas	6	Oakland	2	NATIONAL LEAGUEN-Y
Mets	at	Atlanta	7:20 p.m.	(Postponed)Final	Philadelphia	4	St.
Louis	3	Final	San
Francisco	7	Washington	1	Final	Arizona	5	Colorado	3	Final	Milwaukee	7	Cincinnati	2	Final	San
Diego	10	Chicago Cubs	2	NATIONAL
BASKETBALL ASSOCIATIONFinal	Cleveland	110	Memphis	98	Final	Charlotte	115	Atlanta	114	Final	Dallas	111	Miami	92	Final	Brooklyn	106	Toronto	102	Final	Oklahoma
City	127	San Antonio	89	Final	Milwaukee	117	Orlando	99	Final	Denver	116	Minnesota	107	Final	Phoenix	124	L.A.
Clippers	108	NATIONAL HOCKEY
LEAGUEFinal	St.
Louis	5	Chicago	2	Final	Edmonton	5	Vegas	1

Thursday Sports Headlines and Scores presented by Barton Community College

DALLAS (AP) — Dallas police said Wednesday that Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice faces charges including aggravated assault after he and another speeding driver of a sports car caused a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rashee-rice-sports-car-crash-24b9e3281d0bca8c0c13a0cedda57b93">chain-reaction crash</a>&nbsp;on a Dallas highway.

Police said that arrest warrants have been issued for the 23-year-old for one count of aggravated assault, one count of collision involving serious bodily injury and six counts of collision involving injury. Rice's attorney, state Sen. Royce West, said last week that Rice had been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rashee-rice-sports-car-crash-dallas-lamborghini-d36bee33712ebb41c4b78f7c3b54b833">driving a Lamborghini sport utility vehicle</a>&nbsp;when the crash occurred.

Arrest warrants were also issued Theodore Knox, 21, who was driving the other speeding sports car, a Corvette, police said. Police said that arrest warrants have been issued for Knox for one count of aggravated assault, one count of collision involving serious bodily injury and six counts of collision involving injury.

Police said that the passengers in two speeding sports cars who left the scene will not be charged. Police said that Rice and Knox were not currently in custody. West had no immediate comment on Rice's behalf, and it was not clear whether Knox had an attorney.

The crash involved the Lamborghini, a Corvette and four other vehicles and left four people with minor injuries, police have said. Police said the drivers of the Corvette and Lamborghini left following the crash without determining whether anyone needed medical attention or providing their information.

Rice last week&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/stories/doub11e_r/">posted to his Instagram Story</a>&nbsp;that he was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-kansas-city-rashee-rice-car-crash-dallas-bbc86e5cccc79d7bbce5103070995994">taking “full responsibility”</a>&nbsp;for his part in the wreck.

Aggravated assault, a second-degree felony, is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Collision involving bodily injury, a third-degree felony, is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, and collision involving injury is punishable by up to five years in prison.

Police have said the drivers of the Corvette and Lamborghini were speeding in the far left lane when they lost control and the Lamborghini traveled onto the shoulder and hit the center median wall, causing the chain collision.

Rice was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rashee-rice-corvette-lamborghini-crash-dallas-2f3ac72c23b1d9ca4860f8cacc8b173e">leasing the Lamborghini</a>&nbsp;from The Classic Lifestyle, said Kyle Coker, an attorney for the Dallas-based exotic car rental company. And West has said the Corvette belonged to Rice.

The Chiefs selected him in the second round of last year's draft, and he quickly became one of the only dependable options in their passing game.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712789752508.png" alt="In this screen grab taken from dash camera video provided by Bill Nabors, two speeding sports cars, left and second from left, cause a chain-reaction crash on the North Central Expressway, in Dallas, Saturday, March 30, 2024. Dallas police said Wednesday, April 10, that Kansas City Chiefs' wide receiver Rashee Rice faces charges including aggravated assault after he and another speeding driver of a sports car caused a chain-reaction crash on a Dallas highway. (Bill Nabors via AP)" />
 <figcaption>In this screen grab taken from dash camera video provided by Bill Nabors, two speeding sports cars, left and second from left, cause a chain-reaction crash on the North Central Expressway, in Dallas, Saturday, March 30, 2024. Dallas police said Wednesday, April 10, that Kansas City Chiefs' wide receiver Rashee Rice faces charges including aggravated assault after he and another speeding driver of a sports car caused a chain-reaction crash on a Dallas highway. (Bill Nabors via AP)</figcaption>
 </figure>DALLAS (AP) — Dallas police said Wednesday that Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice faces charges including aggravated assault after he and another speeding driver of a sports car caused a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rashee-rice-sports-car-crash-24b9e3281d0bca8c0c13a0cedda57b93">chain-reaction crash</a>&nbsp;on a Dallas highway.Police said that arrest warrants have been issued for the 23-year-old for one count of aggravated assault, one count of collision involving serious bodily injury and six counts of collision involving injury. Rice's attorney, state Sen. Royce West, said last week that Rice had been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rashee-rice-sports-car-crash-dallas-lamborghini-d36bee33712ebb41c4b78f7c3b54b833">driving a Lamborghini sport utility vehicle</a>&nbsp;when the crash occurred.Arrest warrants were also issued Theodore Knox, 21, who was driving the other speeding sports car, a Corvette, police said. Police said that arrest warrants have been issued for Knox for one count of aggravated assault, one count of collision involving serious bodily injury and six counts of collision involving injury.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712017870514.png" alt="Rice-photo KC Chiefs" />
 <figcaption>Rice-photo KC Chiefs</figcaption>
 </figure>Police said that the passengers in two speeding sports cars who left the scene will not be charged. Police said that Rice and Knox were not currently in custody. West had no immediate comment on Rice's behalf, and it was not clear whether Knox had an attorney.The Chiefs had no immediate comment.The crash involved the Lamborghini, a Corvette and four other vehicles and left four people with minor injuries, police have said. Police said the drivers of the Corvette and Lamborghini left following the crash without determining whether anyone needed medical attention or providing their information.Rice last week&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/stories/doub11e_r/">posted to his Instagram Story</a>&nbsp;that he was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-kansas-city-rashee-rice-car-crash-dallas-bbc86e5cccc79d7bbce5103070995994">taking “full responsibility”</a>&nbsp;for his part in the wreck.Aggravated assault, a second-degree felony, is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Collision involving bodily injury, a third-degree felony, is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, and collision involving injury is punishable by up to five years in prison.Police have said the drivers of the Corvette and Lamborghini were speeding in the far left lane when they lost control and the Lamborghini traveled onto the shoulder and hit the center median wall, causing the chain collision.Rice was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rashee-rice-corvette-lamborghini-crash-dallas-2f3ac72c23b1d9ca4860f8cacc8b173e">leasing the Lamborghini</a>&nbsp;from The Classic Lifestyle, said Kyle Coker, an attorney for the Dallas-based exotic car rental company. And West has said the Corvette belonged to Rice.Rice was born in Philadelphia but grew up in the Fort Worth, Texas, suburb of North Richland Hills. He played college football at nearby Southern Methodist University, where a breakout senior season in 2022 put the wide receiver on the radar of NFL teams.The Chiefs selected him in the second round of last year's draft, and he quickly became one of the only dependable options in their passing game.

Chiefs' Rice facing charges after high-speed crash in Dallas

- Barton Athletic Director Trevor Rolfs visits the Mayo Money Management Studio to continue the celebration of the school's first ever National Championship in Basketball. He'll also preview Wednesday's celebration event taking place at the Best Western Angus Inn Courtyard in Great Bend.

- Great Bend Lady Panther softball coach Carrie Minton is in to recap Tuesday's double header with Dodge City and preview Thursday's return to trip to Dodge to wrap up the WAC series with the Red Demons.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1693997740304.jpeg" alt="Wednesday show lineup with hosts Steve Webster, Mike Courson, Aaron Clark, and Mike Hesher" />
 <figcaption>Wednesday show lineup with hosts Steve Webster, Mike Courson, Aaron Clark, and Mike Hesher</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IoXA8A4Cbfk?si=Nt1qmkWrqoTnaaOW" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>- Barton Athletic Director Trevor Rolfs visits the Mayo Money Management Studio to continue the celebration of the school's first ever National Championship in Basketball. He'll also preview Wednesday's celebration event taking place at the Best Western Angus Inn Courtyard in Great Bend.- Great Bend Lady Panther softball coach Carrie Minton is in to recap Tuesday's double header with Dodge City and preview Thursday's return to trip to Dodge to wrap up the WAC series with the Red Demons.- Wednesday Sports Headlines- Sounds of the past 24-hours

Wednesday on Sports Day (Watch)

From the NJCAA, <a href="https://www.njcaa.org/sports/mbkb/2023-24/releases/20240409mmg73d">njcaa.org</a>

Charlotte, NC -&nbsp;Barton head coach Jeremy Coombs has been named the 2023-24 NJCAA Division I Men's Basketball Coach of the Year.&nbsp;

In just three seasons as the Cougars' head coach, Coombs led Barton to its first national title in program history.

Barton finished with a program record of 36-1 on the season, including 21-0 away from their home court, and finished with a program second-best 27-game winning streak. The Cougars went into the preseason ranked No. 19 and slowly transitioned into the No.1 team beginning in week thirteen. They took their lone loss of the season against Cowley in week four. After that week, the Cougars did not lose another game for the rest of the season.

Prior to his time at Barton, Coombs spent 14 seasons at Neosho County. Coombs left Neosho as the all-time winningest coach in program history with a record of 228-203. Under Coombs, the Neosho County men's basketball program produced six NJCAA All-Americans, two KJCCC Players of the Year, thirty NCAA Division I players, twenty-four All-Conference players, seventeen All-Region players, and thirteen former players playing professional basketball. Before his stint with Neosho County, Coombs also coached at Highland and Pratt as an assistant coach.

Under the leadership of third-year head coach Jeremy Coombs, the Barton Cougars went into the 2024 DI Men's Basketball national tournament as the No.1 seed. The Cougars held the No.1 spot all the way through the end, becoming the first team since 2004 to defeat its national tournament opponents by double-digits, including closing out the season with an 88-73 win against No.7 seeded Triton to bring home their first-ever national title.

Trevor Rolfs, Athletic Director-&nbsp; "Jeremy Coombs is one of the very best coaches in all of college basketball.&nbsp; From his ability to recruit talented players, and the investment he makes in those players once they have committed to his program, everything about how he manages people is top-notch.&nbsp; Everyone in his program from the players, assistant coaches, and managers know that Coach Coombs cares deeply about them, and will invest heavily in their development.&nbsp; The family atmosphere of his program leads to the players' unselfish nature on and off the court.&nbsp; Simply put, under his guidance, this family-first theme has been the recipe for his team's continued success throughout his career."

Austin Downing, Assistant Coach-&nbsp; "Coach Coombs is one of my favorite human beings in the world and I am just thankful for the opportunity to work alongside him daily. Ever since the first conversation I had with him in 2016 when he recruited me to Neosho County, I knew that he was a great coach who had nothing but love for all of his players. Beyond the basketball court, Coombs has been there for my family and I on multiple occasions and we can't thank him enough. To be a part of his first national championship team is a blessing to me because I know all the time and effort that he puts in every day behind the scenes. I know there's not another HC in the country that works harder than him and he deserves all the good that's happening in his life and then some!"

Tyson Downing, Assistant Coach-&nbsp;"Coach Coombs is a true players coach. He goes above and beyond to help out the players and assistant coaches reach their full potential on and off the court. Coombs preaches family and stands on business in all aspects of life. As a leader he is strong and compassionate, understanding everyone has different ways of learning and growing.&nbsp; His impact is unmeasurable because of all the players who come through his system who continue his legacy and life teachings.&nbsp; A remarkable Father, Son, and Coach."

Todd Moore, Sports Information Director-&nbsp;&nbsp;"Early in the season we could see this team had the potential for great things.&nbsp; It boiled down to Coach Coombs' (and assistant coaches Austin Downing and Tyson Downing) leadership and guidance, and credit to all the players' buy-in for goals above themselves and for the betterment of the team.&nbsp; Coach Coombs and his staff worked tireless hours to prepare while making on-court decisions and strategies other teams couldn't counter.&nbsp; Winning is great but Coach Coombs assembled a team of men that were just as good off the court with countless community interactions that made it easy to root for them regardless of the on-court success."

From the NJCAA, <a href="https://www.njcaa.org/sports/mbkb/2023-24/releases/20240409mmg73d">njcaa.org</a>Charlotte, NC -&nbsp;Barton head coach Jeremy Coombs has been named the 2023-24 NJCAA Division I Men's Basketball Coach of the Year.&nbsp;In just three seasons as the Cougars' head coach, Coombs led Barton to its first national title in program history.Barton finished with a program record of 36-1 on the season, including 21-0 away from their home court, and finished with a program second-best 27-game winning streak. The Cougars went into the preseason ranked No. 19 and slowly transitioned into the No.1 team beginning in week thirteen. They took their lone loss of the season against Cowley in week four. After that week, the Cougars did not lose another game for the rest of the season.Prior to his time at Barton, Coombs spent 14 seasons at Neosho County. Coombs left Neosho as the all-time winningest coach in program history with a record of 228-203. Under Coombs, the Neosho County men's basketball program produced six NJCAA All-Americans, two KJCCC Players of the Year, thirty NCAA Division I players, twenty-four All-Conference players, seventeen All-Region players, and thirteen former players playing professional basketball. Before his stint with Neosho County, Coombs also coached at Highland and Pratt as an assistant coach.Under the leadership of third-year head coach Jeremy Coombs, the Barton Cougars went into the 2024 DI Men's Basketball national tournament as the No.1 seed. The Cougars held the No.1 spot all the way through the end, becoming the first team since 2004 to defeat its national tournament opponents by double-digits, including closing out the season with an 88-73 win against No.7 seeded Triton to bring home their first-ever national title.Trevor Rolfs, Athletic Director-&nbsp; "Jeremy Coombs is one of the very best coaches in all of college basketball.&nbsp; From his ability to recruit talented players, and the investment he makes in those players once they have committed to his program, everything about how he manages people is top-notch.&nbsp; Everyone in his program from the players, assistant coaches, and managers know that Coach Coombs cares deeply about them, and will invest heavily in their development.&nbsp; The family atmosphere of his program leads to the players' unselfish nature on and off the court.&nbsp; Simply put, under his guidance, this family-first theme has been the recipe for his team's continued success throughout his career."Austin Downing, Assistant Coach-&nbsp; "Coach Coombs is one of my favorite human beings in the world and I am just thankful for the opportunity to work alongside him daily. Ever since the first conversation I had with him in 2016 when he recruited me to Neosho County, I knew that he was a great coach who had nothing but love for all of his players. Beyond the basketball court, Coombs has been there for my family and I on multiple occasions and we can't thank him enough. To be a part of his first national championship team is a blessing to me because I know all the time and effort that he puts in every day behind the scenes. I know there's not another HC in the country that works harder than him and he deserves all the good that's happening in his life and then some!"Tyson Downing, Assistant Coach-&nbsp;"Coach Coombs is a true players coach. He goes above and beyond to help out the players and assistant coaches reach their full potential on and off the court. Coombs preaches family and stands on business in all aspects of life. As a leader he is strong and compassionate, understanding everyone has different ways of learning and growing.&nbsp; His impact is unmeasurable because of all the players who come through his system who continue his legacy and life teachings.&nbsp; A remarkable Father, Son, and Coach."Todd Moore, Sports Information Director-&nbsp;&nbsp;"Early in the season we could see this team had the potential for great things.&nbsp; It boiled down to Coach Coombs' (and assistant coaches Austin Downing and Tyson Downing) leadership and guidance, and credit to all the players' buy-in for goals above themselves and for the betterment of the team.&nbsp; Coach Coombs and his staff worked tireless hours to prepare while making on-court decisions and strategies other teams couldn't counter.&nbsp; Winning is great but Coach Coombs assembled a team of men that were just as good off the court with countless community interactions that made it easy to root for them regardless of the on-court success."

Barton's Coombs named DI Men's Basketball Coach of the Year

The swim rivalry continues in the Western Athletic Conference. Tuesday, the Lady Panther swim team headed west to Garden City where the host Buffaloes scored 398 points for the win. Great Bend scored 315 points for second, followed by Holcomb in third with 209 points.

Josephine Mazouch again swam under state consideration time to win the 50-yard free by a third of a second in 27.95. Sydney Kruckenberg placed fifth in 29.96, and Elle Lutt finished eighth in 31.80.

The Lady Panthers also dominated the 100 butterfly. Emilee Hall swam more than a second under consideration time for the win in 1:00.74, followed by Mazouch in second in 1:01.58. Darcy Feist placed seventh in 1:07.33.

Hall swam another consideration time to win the 100 back by eight seconds in 1:09.74. Braylee Carper picked up the bronze in 1:19.87, and Meredith Mazouch finished fifth in 1:23.56.

The 200 free relay team of both Mazouchs, Feist, and Hall missed state qualification by less than a second and came in well under consideration time for the silver medal in 1:53.27. Garden City took the gold in 1:52.50. The team of Lutt, Kruckenberg, Madelynne Siefkes, and Ava Gregg placed fifth in 2:11.67.

The 200 medley relay team of Carper, Meredith Mazouch, Clarise Snapp, and Katelyn Mermis finished fourth in 2:29.26, less than two seconds behind the bronze. The squad of Gregg, Seifkes, Olivia Boone, and Avah Holden placed sixth in 2:40.12.

The 400 free relay team of Carper, Feist, Hall, and Josephine Mazouch finished third in 4:18.19, less than three seconds behind the silver. The team of Snapp, Holden, Kruckenberg, and Sidney Gilkison placed sixth in 4:54.33.

Feist led the team with a fourth-place finish in the 200 free in 2:32.54 to miss the bronze by six seconds. Snapp also had a fourth-place finish in the 100 breast in 1:26.21 to miss the bronze by just 0.05 seconds. Gregg finished behind her in 1:30.02, and Seifkes swam seventh in 1:33.21. Gregg placed sixth in the 200 IM in 2:58.68, 17 seconds off bronze pace. Snapp followed in 2:59.46, and Carper finished eighth in 3:00.23. Holden finished fifth in the 100 butterfly in 1:40.70 to miss the bronze by 18 seconds. Lutt placed fifth in the 500 free in 7:24.44 to miss the bronze by 33 seconds.&nbsp;

The Lady Panthers head to Buhler next Tuesday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673886582717.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Great Bend Post SportsThe swim rivalry continues in the Western Athletic Conference. Tuesday, the Lady Panther swim team headed west to Garden City where the host Buffaloes scored 398 points for the win. Great Bend scored 315 points for second, followed by Holcomb in third with 209 points.Josephine Mazouch again swam under state consideration time to win the 50-yard free by a third of a second in 27.95. Sydney Kruckenberg placed fifth in 29.96, and Elle Lutt finished eighth in 31.80.The Lady Panthers also dominated the 100 butterfly. Emilee Hall swam more than a second under consideration time for the win in 1:00.74, followed by Mazouch in second in 1:01.58. Darcy Feist placed seventh in 1:07.33.Hall swam another consideration time to win the 100 back by eight seconds in 1:09.74. Braylee Carper picked up the bronze in 1:19.87, and Meredith Mazouch finished fifth in 1:23.56.The 200 free relay team of both Mazouchs, Feist, and Hall missed state qualification by less than a second and came in well under consideration time for the silver medal in 1:53.27. Garden City took the gold in 1:52.50. The team of Lutt, Kruckenberg, Madelynne Siefkes, and Ava Gregg placed fifth in 2:11.67.The 200 medley relay team of Carper, Meredith Mazouch, Clarise Snapp, and Katelyn Mermis finished fourth in 2:29.26, less than two seconds behind the bronze. The squad of Gregg, Seifkes, Olivia Boone, and Avah Holden placed sixth in 2:40.12.The 400 free relay team of Carper, Feist, Hall, and Josephine Mazouch finished third in 4:18.19, less than three seconds behind the silver. The team of Snapp, Holden, Kruckenberg, and Sidney Gilkison placed sixth in 4:54.33.Feist led the team with a fourth-place finish in the 200 free in 2:32.54 to miss the bronze by six seconds. Snapp also had a fourth-place finish in the 100 breast in 1:26.21 to miss the bronze by just 0.05 seconds. Gregg finished behind her in 1:30.02, and Seifkes swam seventh in 1:33.21. Gregg placed sixth in the 200 IM in 2:58.68, 17 seconds off bronze pace. Snapp followed in 2:59.46, and Carper finished eighth in 3:00.23. Holden finished fifth in the 100 butterfly in 1:40.70 to miss the bronze by 18 seconds. Lutt placed fifth in the 500 free in 7:24.44 to miss the bronze by 33 seconds.&nbsp;The Lady Panthers head to Buhler next Tuesday.

Lady Panther swimmers finish second in Garden City

Baseball -Game 1- Hays 4 Great Bend 0 -Game 2- Hays 5 Great Bend 4

1. Great Bend Sports on 104 3 the Point sponsored by Venture Corporation, Advanced Truck &amp; Diesel, Mpire Reality, Nex-Tech, The 10th Street Eye Care Center, Damm Pipe Testing, Delgado's Mexican Restaurant, Comfort Pro, Haz Mat Response, American Plains Co-op, Marmie Auto Group, Sutherlands, Stone Sand Company &amp; Stone Waste Management, S&amp;J Trucking, Schroeder Homes &amp; Remodeling, Unruh Brothers Trash Service, Great Bend Pizza Hut, Advanced Therapy &amp; Sports Medicine, Keller Real Estate &amp; Insurance, Innovative Livestock Services, Beugelsdijk Chiropractic, Magna Dry Cleaning Services, People's Bank &amp; Trust, The Fieldhouse, Great Bend Rec, Insurance Planning, Farmer's Bank &amp; Trust, USD 428, Scott's Welding, University of Kansas Health Systems, Edward Jones Financial Services.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673886602159.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Baseball -Game 1- Hays 4 Great Bend 0 -Game 2- Hays 5 Great Bend 4<div><iframe width="100%" height="265" src="https://clyp.it/k03q5hje/widget" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>1. Great Bend Sports on 104 3 the Point sponsored by Venture Corporation, Advanced Truck &amp; Diesel, Mpire Reality, Nex-Tech, The 10th Street Eye Care Center, Damm Pipe Testing, Delgado's Mexican Restaurant, Comfort Pro, Haz Mat Response, American Plains Co-op, Marmie Auto Group, Sutherlands, Stone Sand Company &amp; Stone Waste Management, S&amp;J Trucking, Schroeder Homes &amp; Remodeling, Unruh Brothers Trash Service, Great Bend Pizza Hut, Advanced Therapy &amp; Sports Medicine, Keller Real Estate &amp; Insurance, Innovative Livestock Services, Beugelsdijk Chiropractic, Magna Dry Cleaning Services, People's Bank &amp; Trust, The Fieldhouse, Great Bend Rec, Insurance Planning, Farmer's Bank &amp; Trust, USD 428, Scott's Welding, University of Kansas Health Systems, Edward Jones Financial Services.

Call it a baker's dozen. Lady Panther sophomore Braelyn Turner struck out 13 Dodge City batters in a 15-3 game-one win against the Red Demons Tuesday at the Sports Complex. Freshman Chayla Prendergast added 12 strikeouts as Great Bend took game two 8-0 to move to 10-1 on the season.

Great Bend scored in all four at-bats in game one, including six runs in the first inning and five more in the third to set up the run-rule in the fifth. Turner allowed three earned runs on four hits and walked one batter to go with the strikeouts.

The Lady Panthers took advantage of some errors and passed balls in the big first inning. Kya Behr doubled in a run in the third, and Denver Ringo added an RBI-single.&nbsp;

Ringo, Behr and DeShawnna Bryant each singled and doubled in the win. Ringo drove in three and scored once. Camdyn Post singled twice, driving in two and scoring twice. Paige Thexton tripled and walked to finish with an RBI and two runs. Kamryn Koelsch and Ava Kaiser each singled and walked twice.

Turner set the bar high in the circle and Prendergast kept it there in game two, allowing no runs on five hits with the dozen punchouts.

Game two remained competitive through five innings as the Lady Panthers scored a single run in the first and two more in the third to lead 3-0. Great Bend opened the floodgates with a 5-run fifth that included RBI-singles from Prendergast and Post.

Behr doubled twice and singled, coming around to score three times. Post added a single to finish with a pair of RBIs and a run scored. All nine Lady Panther batters in the lineup finished the game with at least one hit.

Great Bend travels to Dodge City for a single game on Thursday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673886492120.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Great Bend Post SportsCall it a baker's dozen. Lady Panther sophomore Braelyn Turner struck out 13 Dodge City batters in a 15-3 game-one win against the Red Demons Tuesday at the Sports Complex. Freshman Chayla Prendergast added 12 strikeouts as Great Bend took game two 8-0 to move to 10-1 on the season.Great Bend scored in all four at-bats in game one, including six runs in the first inning and five more in the third to set up the run-rule in the fifth. Turner allowed three earned runs on four hits and walked one batter to go with the strikeouts.The Lady Panthers took advantage of some errors and passed balls in the big first inning. Kya Behr doubled in a run in the third, and Denver Ringo added an RBI-single.&nbsp;Ringo, Behr and DeShawnna Bryant each singled and doubled in the win. Ringo drove in three and scored once. Camdyn Post singled twice, driving in two and scoring twice. Paige Thexton tripled and walked to finish with an RBI and two runs. Kamryn Koelsch and Ava Kaiser each singled and walked twice.Turner set the bar high in the circle and Prendergast kept it there in game two, allowing no runs on five hits with the dozen punchouts.Game two remained competitive through five innings as the Lady Panthers scored a single run in the first and two more in the third to lead 3-0. Great Bend opened the floodgates with a 5-run fifth that included RBI-singles from Prendergast and Post.Behr doubled twice and singled, coming around to score three times. Post added a single to finish with a pair of RBIs and a run scored. All nine Lady Panther batters in the lineup finished the game with at least one hit.Great Bend travels to Dodge City for a single game on Thursday.

Lady Panther softball outscores Dodge City 23-3 in sweep

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Salvador Perez hit a game-ending single in the 10th inning, and the Kansas City Royals beat the Houston Astros 4-3 on Tuesday night for their fifth consecutive victory.

Garrett Hampson began the Kansas City 10th on second as the automatic runner, replacing Vinnie Pasquantino. Hampson raced home when Perez led off the inning with a single to center against Wander Suero (0-1).

“We’re gonna play hard,” Perez said. “We’re gonna do our best, especially right now. We've got new comfort.”

James McArthur (1-0) pitched two scoreless innings for the win.

Perez and Nelson Velázquez each had two hits for the Royals. Bobby Witt Jr. and Maikel Garcia each drove in a run.

Nick Anderson, Chris Stratton, John Schreiber and McArthur combined for five scoreless innings of four-hit ball in relief of Royals starter Cole Ragans.

“These guys are incredible,” Ragans said of the bullpen. “They pitched incredible. They kept us right there. That’s really, really big.”

Witt's biggest contribution may have been a diving stop on a two-out single by Jeremy Peña in the top of the 10th. Had the ball gotten past the young shortstop, the Astros likely would have taken the lead.

“I thought it did have a chance of going through,” Peña said. “I’ll shout out to Bobby Witt. (He) made a nice play.”

Yordan Alvarez had four hits and two RBIs for Houston, which had won two in a row. Peña had two hits and scored a run.

The Astros loaded the bases with three straight singles to start the first inning, but Ragans limited the damage to a run-scoring fielder’s choice for Yainer Diaz.

“I don’t think (Ragans) had his best stuff,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “That’s a good lineup, and they made him work. (But) if we turn that double play in the first or he’s able to get Alvarez out one of those times with two strikes, he’s coming out of there with one or maybe no runs. Credit to him really."

Alvarez singled in Peña with two out in the second, and then doubled home Mauricio Dubón in the fourth.

Ragans surrendered 10 hits in five innings for Kansas City. He struck out five and walked one.

Houston went 5 for 18 with runners in scoring position and left 13 runners on base.

“We had some opportunities to get some guys in (with) less than two outs," Houston manager Joe Espada said. "We just couldn’t capitalize.”

Houston right-hander Cristian Javier was charged with three runs, two earned, and five hits in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out four and walked three.

Maikel Garcia’s sacrifice fly in the fifth stopped Javier’s scoreless streak at 15 innings to start the season. Witt drove in Hunter Renfroe with a two-out triple, and then scored on an error on third baseman Alex Bregman.

Astros: Placed LHP Framber Valdez on the 10-day injured list with left elbow inflammation. They selected the contract of Suero from Triple-A Sugar Land to take his place. The Astros also recalled LHP Parker Mushinski from Sugar Land and optioned RHP Blair Henley to the minors. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Astros transferred RHP Oliver Ortega to the 60-day IL.

Royals: Acquired RHP Colin Selby from Pittsburgh for minor league pitcher Connor Oliver. To make room on the 40-man roster for Selby, LHP Josh Taylor was moved to the 60-day IL. The Royals also signed RHP Zach Davies to a minor league deal.

The Astros and Royals continue their three-game series Wednesday. RHP Spencer Arrighetti will make his major league debut for Houston against Seth Lugo (1-0, 0.71 ERA).

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Salvador Perez hit a game-ending single in the 10th inning, and the Kansas City Royals beat the Houston Astros 4-3 on Tuesday night for their fifth consecutive victory.Garrett Hampson began the Kansas City 10th on second as the automatic runner, replacing Vinnie Pasquantino. Hampson raced home when Perez led off the inning with a single to center against Wander Suero (0-1).“We’re gonna play hard,” Perez said. “We’re gonna do our best, especially right now. We've got new comfort.”James McArthur (1-0) pitched two scoreless innings for the win.Perez and Nelson Velázquez each had two hits for the Royals. Bobby Witt Jr. and Maikel Garcia each drove in a run.Nick Anderson, Chris Stratton, John Schreiber and McArthur combined for five scoreless innings of four-hit ball in relief of Royals starter Cole Ragans.“These guys are incredible,” Ragans said of the bullpen. “They pitched incredible. They kept us right there. That’s really, really big.”Witt's biggest contribution may have been a diving stop on a two-out single by Jeremy Peña in the top of the 10th. Had the ball gotten past the young shortstop, the Astros likely would have taken the lead.“I thought it did have a chance of going through,” Peña said. “I’ll shout out to Bobby Witt. (He) made a nice play.”Yordan Alvarez had four hits and two RBIs for Houston, which had won two in a row. Peña had two hits and scored a run.The Astros loaded the bases with three straight singles to start the first inning, but Ragans limited the damage to a run-scoring fielder’s choice for Yainer Diaz.“I don’t think (Ragans) had his best stuff,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “That’s a good lineup, and they made him work. (But) if we turn that double play in the first or he’s able to get Alvarez out one of those times with two strikes, he’s coming out of there with one or maybe no runs. Credit to him really."Alvarez singled in Peña with two out in the second, and then doubled home Mauricio Dubón in the fourth.Ragans surrendered 10 hits in five innings for Kansas City. He struck out five and walked one.Houston went 5 for 18 with runners in scoring position and left 13 runners on base.“We had some opportunities to get some guys in (with) less than two outs," Houston manager Joe Espada said. "We just couldn’t capitalize.”Houston right-hander Cristian Javier was charged with three runs, two earned, and five hits in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out four and walked three.Maikel Garcia’s sacrifice fly in the fifth stopped Javier’s scoreless streak at 15 innings to start the season. Witt drove in Hunter Renfroe with a two-out triple, and then scored on an error on third baseman Alex Bregman.TRANSACTIONSAstros: Placed LHP Framber Valdez on the 10-day injured list with left elbow inflammation. They selected the contract of Suero from Triple-A Sugar Land to take his place. The Astros also recalled LHP Parker Mushinski from Sugar Land and optioned RHP Blair Henley to the minors. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Astros transferred RHP Oliver Ortega to the 60-day IL.Royals: Acquired RHP Colin Selby from Pittsburgh for minor league pitcher Connor Oliver. To make room on the 40-man roster for Selby, LHP Josh Taylor was moved to the 60-day IL. The Royals also signed RHP Zach Davies to a minor league deal.UP NEXTThe Astros and Royals continue their three-game series Wednesday. RHP Spencer Arrighetti will make his major league debut for Houston against Seth Lugo (1-0, 0.71 ERA).

Salvador Perez leads Royals past Astros 4-3

KANSAS CITY, Mo.
(AP) — Salvador Perez hit a game-ending single in the 10th inning,
and the Kansas City Royals beat the Houston Astros 4-3 for their
fifth consecutive victory. Garrett Hampson began the Kansas City 10th
on second as the automatic runner, replacing Vinnie Pasquantino.
Hampson raced home when Perez led off the inning with a single to
center against Wander Suero. James McArthur pitched two scoreless
innings for the win. Perez and Nelson Velázquez each had two hits
for the Royals. Bobby Witt Jr. and Maikel Garcia each drove in a run.

BALTIMORE (AP) —
The Baltimore Orioles are calling up top prospect Jackson Holliday,
according to a person with knowledge of the decision. The person
spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday night
because the move wasn't official yet. Holliday was the No. 1 pick in
the 2022 amateur draft out of high school in Oklahoma and breezed
through the minor leagues. He narrowly missed out on a spot on the
Orioles’ opening-day roster last month. The 20-year-old infielder
hit .333 with two home runs and five doubles in 42 at-bats during a
short stint with Triple-A Norfolk this season. Holliday is the game’s
top-ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline.

ARLINGTON, Texas
(AP) — Shea Langeliers hit three home runs, including a two-run
drive in the ninth inning that lifted the Oakland Athletics over the
Texas Rangers 4-3. Langeliers, a 26-year-old who entered with 29
career big league homers, hit solo drives in the second off Nathan
Eovaldi and in the seventh against David Robertson. Texas led 3-2 in
the ninth when Seth Brown walked with one out off José Leclerc (0-2)
and Langeliers sent a first-pitch fastball to left-center for his
fourth home run this season.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP)
— John Calipari says he is stepping down as Kentucky's men’s
basketball coach after 15 years. He say the “program probably needs
to hear another voice” amid reports that he’s closing in on a
deal with Arkansas. Calipari posted a video on X in which he said
that after talking with his wife, Ellen, he decided a change was
needed. He didn’t specifically mention the Arkansas opening. The
Hall of Famer simply said, “There have been opportunities that have
been presented to us, so we’re discussing them as a family.”
Calipari leaves a Wildcats program he guided to the 2012 NCAA
championship among four Final Four appearances.

UNDATED (AP) — The
women’s NCAA championship game drew a bigger television audience
than the men’s title game for the first time, with an average of
18.9 million viewers watching undefeated South Carolina beat Iowa and
superstar Caitlin Clark. The Sunday afternoon game on ABC and ESPN
outdrew Monday’s men’s final between UConn and Purdue by four
million. The Huskies’ 75-60 victory averaged 14.82 million on TBS
and TNT. The women's final was the second most-watched non-Olympic
women’s sporting event on U.S. television, trailing only the 2015
Women’s World Cup final between the United States and Japan.

STANFORD, Calif.
(AP) — Tara VanDerveer, the winningest basketball coach in NCAA
history, has announced her retirement after 38 seasons leading the
Stanford women’s team and 45 years overall. The 70-year-old
VanDerveer surpassed Mike Krzyzewski for the wins record earlier this
year. The Hall of Famer departs with 1,216 victories at Idaho, Ohio
State and Stanford. And as has been the plan for years, top Cardinal
assistant Kate Paye is set to take over the program, and the school
said negotiations with Paye are underway. Paye played for VanDerveer
from 1991-95 and has coached on her staff for 17 years.

MONACO (AP) —
Track and field is set to become the first sport to introduce prize
money at the Olympics, with World Athletics saying Wednesday it would
pay $50,000 to gold medalists in Paris. World Athletics said it was
setting aside $2.4 million to pay the gold medalists across the 48
events on the program for this year’s Paris Olympics. Relay teams
will split the $50,000 between their members. Payments for silver and
bronze medalists are planned to start from the 2028 Olympics in Los
Angeles.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP)
— Many other past Olympic hosts around the world have decided in
recent years that bringing back the Games isn’t worth the money or
hassle. But Salt Lake City remains one of the few places where
Olympic fever still burns strong even more than two decades after it
first hosted in 2002. The city’s enduring enthusiasm will be on
full display Wednesday when members of the International Olympic
Committee descend on northern Utah for their final site visits ahead
of a formal announcement expected this July to name Salt Lake City
the host for 2034. The state has spent millions to ensure its Olympic
facilities didn’t fall into disrepair in anticipation of hosting
again.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) —
Tiger Woods is 48 and coping with injuries that limit his practice
and how often he can play. What he hasn't lost is hope. Woods says he
still thinks he can win the Masters and match Jack Nicklaus with a
sixth green jacket. The evidence is stacked against him, most notably
that he has played only 24 holes in one tournament this year. Woods
has a chance this week to set the Masters record by making his 24th
consecutive cut. Fred Couples currently shares the record and he says
Woods isn't thinking about that. Couples says Woods is playing to
win.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) —
An Oklahoma judge is ordering a Kansas City Chiefs superfan known as
“ChiefsAholic” who admitted to robbing multiple banks to pay
$10.8 million to a bank teller he threatened with a gun. However,
attorneys say the teller may never be able to collect any money. A
judge in Tulsa handed down the order last week against 29-year-old
Xaviar Michael Bubudar. Former bank teller Payton Garcia alleged
Bubudar used a gun to assault her during a robbery of a Bixby,
Oklahoma, credit union in December 2022. Garcia was awarded $3.6
million for her injuries and loss of income and $7.2 million in
punitive damages.

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP)
— Prosecutors have dropped a felony rape case against former Kansas
basketball player Arterio Morris. They cited insufficient evidence on
Tuesday while filing a motion in Douglas County District Court to
seek its dismissal without prejudice. Morris was charged last August
and dismissed from the Jayhawks’ program after an incident report
came to light detailing an alleged rape that occurred at McCarthy
Hall, which houses the men’s basketball team along with other
residents. The criminal complaint alleged that a sexual assault
involving an 18-year-old victim occurred on Aug. 26. Morris was not
named in the incident report, but he was subsequently suspended from
the team and then dismissed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712497619824.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo.
(AP) — Salvador Perez hit a game-ending single in the 10th inning,
and the Kansas City Royals beat the Houston Astros 4-3 for their
fifth consecutive victory. Garrett Hampson began the Kansas City 10th
on second as the automatic runner, replacing Vinnie Pasquantino.
Hampson raced home when Perez led off the inning with a single to
center against Wander Suero. James McArthur pitched two scoreless
innings for the win. Perez and Nelson Velázquez each had two hits
for the Royals. Bobby Witt Jr. and Maikel Garcia each drove in a run.BALTIMORE (AP) —
The Baltimore Orioles are calling up top prospect Jackson Holliday,
according to a person with knowledge of the decision. The person
spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday night
because the move wasn't official yet. Holliday was the No. 1 pick in
the 2022 amateur draft out of high school in Oklahoma and breezed
through the minor leagues. He narrowly missed out on a spot on the
Orioles’ opening-day roster last month. The 20-year-old infielder
hit .333 with two home runs and five doubles in 42 at-bats during a
short stint with Triple-A Norfolk this season. Holliday is the game’s
top-ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline.ARLINGTON, Texas
(AP) — Shea Langeliers hit three home runs, including a two-run
drive in the ninth inning that lifted the Oakland Athletics over the
Texas Rangers 4-3. Langeliers, a 26-year-old who entered with 29
career big league homers, hit solo drives in the second off Nathan
Eovaldi and in the seventh against David Robertson. Texas led 3-2 in
the ninth when Seth Brown walked with one out off José Leclerc (0-2)
and Langeliers sent a first-pitch fastball to left-center for his
fourth home run this season.LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP)
— John Calipari says he is stepping down as Kentucky's men’s
basketball coach after 15 years. He say the “program probably needs
to hear another voice” amid reports that he’s closing in on a
deal with Arkansas. Calipari posted a video on X in which he said
that after talking with his wife, Ellen, he decided a change was
needed. He didn’t specifically mention the Arkansas opening. The
Hall of Famer simply said, “There have been opportunities that have
been presented to us, so we’re discussing them as a family.”
Calipari leaves a Wildcats program he guided to the 2012 NCAA
championship among four Final Four appearances.UNDATED (AP) — The
women’s NCAA championship game drew a bigger television audience
than the men’s title game for the first time, with an average of
18.9 million viewers watching undefeated South Carolina beat Iowa and
superstar Caitlin Clark. The Sunday afternoon game on ABC and ESPN
outdrew Monday’s men’s final between UConn and Purdue by four
million. The Huskies’ 75-60 victory averaged 14.82 million on TBS
and TNT. The women's final was the second most-watched non-Olympic
women’s sporting event on U.S. television, trailing only the 2015
Women’s World Cup final between the United States and Japan.STANFORD, Calif.
(AP) — Tara VanDerveer, the winningest basketball coach in NCAA
history, has announced her retirement after 38 seasons leading the
Stanford women’s team and 45 years overall. The 70-year-old
VanDerveer surpassed Mike Krzyzewski for the wins record earlier this
year. The Hall of Famer departs with 1,216 victories at Idaho, Ohio
State and Stanford. And as has been the plan for years, top Cardinal
assistant Kate Paye is set to take over the program, and the school
said negotiations with Paye are underway. Paye played for VanDerveer
from 1991-95 and has coached on her staff for 17 years.MONACO (AP) —
Track and field is set to become the first sport to introduce prize
money at the Olympics, with World Athletics saying Wednesday it would
pay $50,000 to gold medalists in Paris. World Athletics said it was
setting aside $2.4 million to pay the gold medalists across the 48
events on the program for this year’s Paris Olympics. Relay teams
will split the $50,000 between their members. Payments for silver and
bronze medalists are planned to start from the 2028 Olympics in Los
Angeles.SALT LAKE CITY (AP)
— Many other past Olympic hosts around the world have decided in
recent years that bringing back the Games isn’t worth the money or
hassle. But Salt Lake City remains one of the few places where
Olympic fever still burns strong even more than two decades after it
first hosted in 2002. The city’s enduring enthusiasm will be on
full display Wednesday when members of the International Olympic
Committee descend on northern Utah for their final site visits ahead
of a formal announcement expected this July to name Salt Lake City
the host for 2034. The state has spent millions to ensure its Olympic
facilities didn’t fall into disrepair in anticipation of hosting
again.AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) —
Tiger Woods is 48 and coping with injuries that limit his practice
and how often he can play. What he hasn't lost is hope. Woods says he
still thinks he can win the Masters and match Jack Nicklaus with a
sixth green jacket. The evidence is stacked against him, most notably
that he has played only 24 holes in one tournament this year. Woods
has a chance this week to set the Masters record by making his 24th
consecutive cut. Fred Couples currently shares the record and he says
Woods isn't thinking about that. Couples says Woods is playing to
win.OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) —
An Oklahoma judge is ordering a Kansas City Chiefs superfan known as
“ChiefsAholic” who admitted to robbing multiple banks to pay
$10.8 million to a bank teller he threatened with a gun. However,
attorneys say the teller may never be able to collect any money. A
judge in Tulsa handed down the order last week against 29-year-old
Xaviar Michael Bubudar. Former bank teller Payton Garcia alleged
Bubudar used a gun to assault her during a robbery of a Bixby,
Oklahoma, credit union in December 2022. Garcia was awarded $3.6
million for her injuries and loss of income and $7.2 million in
punitive damages.LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP)
— Prosecutors have dropped a felony rape case against former Kansas
basketball player Arterio Morris. They cited insufficient evidence on
Tuesday while filing a motion in Douglas County District Court to
seek its dismissal without prejudice. Morris was charged last August
and dismissed from the Jayhawks’ program after an incident report
came to light detailing an alleged rape that occurred at McCarthy
Hall, which houses the men’s basketball team along with other
residents. The criminal complaint alleged that a sexual assault
involving an 18-year-old victim occurred on Aug. 26. Morris was not
named in the incident report, but he was subsequently suspended from
the team and then dismissed.TUESDAY SCORESMAJOR LEAGUE
BASEBALLINTERLEAGUEFinal	Detroit	5	Pittsburgh	3	Final	N.Y.
Yankees	3	Miami	2	Final	L.A.
Dodgers	6	Minnesota	3	AMERICAN LEAGUEFinal	Baltimore	7	Boston	1	Final	Chicago White
Sox	7	Cleveland	5	Final	Toronto	5	Seattle	3	Final	Oakland	4	Texas	3	Final	Kansas
City	4	Houston	3	Final	Tampa
Bay	6	L.A. Angels	4	NATIONAL LEAGUEFinal	Milwaukee	9	Cincinnati	5	Final	Atlanta	6	N.Y.
Mets	5	Final	St.
Louis	3	Philadelphia	0	Final	Arizona	3	Colorado	2	Final	Washington	5	San
Francisco	3	Final	Chicago
Cubs	5	San Diego	1	NATIONAL
BASKETBALL ASSOCIATIONFinal	Dallas	130	Charlotte	104	Final	Philadelphia	120	Detroit	102	Final	Indiana	140	Toronto	123	Final	Milwaukee	104	Boston	91	Final	San
Antonio	102	Memphis	87	Final
2OT	Miami	117	Atlanta	111	Final	Houston	118	Orlando	106	Final	Minnesota	130	Washington	121	Final	New
York	128	Chicago	117	Final	Oklahoma
City	112	Sacramento	105	Final	Denver	111	Utah	95	Final	New
Orleans	110	Portland	100	Final	L.A.
Clippers	105	Phoenix	92	Final	Golden
State	134	L.A. Lakers	120	NATIONAL HOCKEY
LEAGUEFinal	Florida	2	Ottawa	0	Final	Toronto	5	New
Jersey	2	Final	Washington	2	Detroit	1	Final	Carolina	4	Boston	1	Final	Montreal	9	Philadelphia	3	Final	Tampa
Bay	5	Columbus	2	Final	N-Y
Islanders	4	N-Y Rangers	2	Final
OT	Winnipeg	4	Nashville	3	Final	Dallas	3	Buffalo	2	Final	Colorado	5	Minnesota	2	Final	Anaheim	3	Los
Angeles	1	Final	Seattle	5	Arizona	0	Final
OT	Calgary	3	San Jose	2

Wednesday Sports Headlines and Scores presented by Barton Community College

- Great Bend Panther Tennis coach Chris Manning

<figure>
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Tuesday on Sports Day (Watch)

Area track and field leaders through April 7

The Kansas City
Royals, on a five-game home winning streak, host the Houston Astros.

Houston Astros (4-7)
vs. Kansas City Royals (6-4)

Kansas City,
Missouri; Tuesday, 7:40 p.m. EDT

PITCHING
PROBABLES: Astros: Cristian Javier (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP,
nine strikeouts); Royals: Cole Ragans (0-1, 1.46 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 16
strikeouts)

FANDUEL
SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Astros -125, Royals +106; over/under is 8
1/2 runs

BOTTOM LINE:
The Kansas City Royals host the Houston Astros aiming to continue a
five-game home winning streak.

Kansas City has a
5-2 record in home games and a 6-4 record overall. Royals hitters
have a collective .435 slugging percentage to lead the AL.

Houston has gone 2-2
in road games and 4-7 overall. Astros hitters have a collective .327
on-base percentage, the fourth-ranked percentage in the AL.

Tuesday's game is
the first time these teams meet this season.

TOP PERFORMERS:
Maikel Garcia has two doubles, a triple, three home runs and nine RBI
for the Royals. MJ Melendez is 10-for-31 with four doubles and three
home runs over the last 10 games.

Yordan Alvarez has
two doubles and four home runs for the Astros. Jose Altuve is
14-for-39 with four doubles, three home runs and three RBI over the
past 10 games.

Royals: 6-4,
.248 batting average, 2.55 ERA, outscored opponents by 19 runs

Astros: 4-6,
.249 batting average, 3.89 ERA, outscored opponents by two runs

Royals: Josh
Taylor: 60-Day IL (biceps), Jake Brentz: 15-Day IL (hamstring),
Michael Massey: 10-Day IL (back), Carlos Hernandez: 15-Day IL
(shoulder), Kris Bubic: 60-Day IL (elbow), Kyle Wright: 60-Day IL
(shoulder)

By The Associated
PressThe Kansas City
Royals, on a five-game home winning streak, host the Houston Astros.Houston Astros (4-7)
vs. Kansas City Royals (6-4)Kansas City,
Missouri; Tuesday, 7:40 p.m. EDTPITCHING
PROBABLES: Astros: Cristian Javier (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP,
nine strikeouts); Royals: Cole Ragans (0-1, 1.46 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 16
strikeouts)FANDUEL
SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Astros -125, Royals +106; over/under is 8
1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE:
The Kansas City Royals host the Houston Astros aiming to continue a
five-game home winning streak.Kansas City has a
5-2 record in home games and a 6-4 record overall. Royals hitters
have a collective .435 slugging percentage to lead the AL.Houston has gone 2-2
in road games and 4-7 overall. Astros hitters have a collective .327
on-base percentage, the fourth-ranked percentage in the AL.Tuesday's game is
the first time these teams meet this season.TOP PERFORMERS:
Maikel Garcia has two doubles, a triple, three home runs and nine RBI
for the Royals. MJ Melendez is 10-for-31 with four doubles and three
home runs over the last 10 games.Yordan Alvarez has
two doubles and four home runs for the Astros. Jose Altuve is
14-for-39 with four doubles, three home runs and three RBI over the
past 10 games.LAST 10 GAMES:
Royals: 6-4,
.248 batting average, 2.55 ERA, outscored opponents by 19 runsAstros: 4-6,
.249 batting average, 3.89 ERA, outscored opponents by two runsINJURIES: 
Royals: Josh
Taylor: 60-Day IL (biceps), Jake Brentz: 15-Day IL (hamstring),
Michael Massey: 10-Day IL (back), Carlos Hernandez: 15-Day IL
(shoulder), Kris Bubic: 60-Day IL (elbow), Kyle Wright: 60-Day IL
(shoulder)

Royals host the Astros on 5-game home win streak

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP)
— UConn delivered the latest of its suffocating basketball
beatdowns, smothering Purdue for a 75-60 victory to become the first
team since 2007 to capture back-to-back national championships.
Tristen Newton scored 20 points for the Huskies, who won their 12th
straight March Madness game — not a single one of them decided by
fewer than 13 points. UConn was efficient on offense but won this
with defense. The Huskies limited the country’s second-best 3-point
shooting team to a mere seven shots behind the arc, and Purdue only
made one. Meanwhile, UConn allowed Zach Edey to go for 37 points on
25 shot attempts.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707734642080.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP)
— UConn delivered the latest of its suffocating basketball
beatdowns, smothering Purdue for a 75-60 victory to become the first
team since 2007 to capture back-to-back national championships.
Tristen Newton scored 20 points for the Huskies, who won their 12th
straight March Madness game — not a single one of them decided by
fewer than 13 points. UConn was efficient on offense but won this
with defense. The Huskies limited the country’s second-best 3-point
shooting team to a mere seven shots behind the arc, and Purdue only
made one. Meanwhile, UConn allowed Zach Edey to go for 37 points on
25 shot attempts.GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP)
— Purdue's Zach Edey finished with 37 points and 10 rebounds in a
huge individual effort in Monday night's loss to UConn in the
national title game. But Edey's big night wasn't enough to stop
UConn's run to becoming the first repeat men's champion in 17 years.
The 7-foot-4 Edey is the two-time Associated Press national player of
the year. And he had powered Purdue to its first trip to the NCAA
title game since a 1969 loss to UCLA. But Edey was largely
single-handed in this one, with only Braden Smith hitting double
figures with 12 points.GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP)
— UConn left Donovan Clingan on the loneliest island, stuck deep in
the paint to wrestle Purdue center Zach Edey. Even when Edey bulled
his way to shots at the rim, the Huskies refused to give their big
man help, knowing the two-time national player of the year would get
his points. UConn had a much bigger concern than the 7-foot-4 man in
the middle: Purdue’s perimeter shooters. And, boy, did the Huskies
shut them down. UConn held one of the nation’s best 3-point
shooting team to one made 3 and became the first team in 17 years to
repeat as national champions with a 75-60 win.GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP)
— NCAA President Charlie Baker says prop betting on college
athletes for their individual performances is “enormously
problematic.” Baker spoke to reporters shortly before the men's
NCAA championship game between UConn and Purdue in Glendale, Arizona.
The NCAA has already pushed for states with legal wagering to ban the
practice. But he pointed to hearing concerns from athletes about
harassment from bettors angry with their performances. Baker says the
NCAA is “kind of in the top of the first inning” on trying to
find ways to manage the issue.AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) —
Forget the azaleas and dogwoods at Augusta National. Players are
marveling over firm and fast conditions for the Masters. How long it
lasts depends on one day of rain expected later in the week. Xander
Schauffele says shots into par 5s are bouncing across the turf. Tony
Finau played a chip on the 11th hole he couldn't keep on the green.
Tiger Woods was out early with Will Zalatoris for nine holes. Among
those who used Monday as a day of rest was Akshay Bhatia. And for
good reason. He just got into the Masters by winning the Texas Open.AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) —
If anybody knows what Will Zalatoris has gone through as he tries to
return from back surgery to play competitive golf again, it just
might be his playing partner during Monday’s practice round for the
Masters. Five-time Masters champion Tiger Woods has undergone the
same procedure several times to alleviate pain caused by a herniated
disc. Zalatoris says most of Woods' advice has been about the
rehabilitation process and how to be patient in the recovery. But it
was somehow fitting that the two were first off the tee together one
year to the day that Zalatoris was on the operating table.ST. LOUIS (AP) —
Alec Bohm had an RBI double in the 10th inning and the Philadelphia
Phillies beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-3. Bohm’s hit off Ryan
Helsley (1-1) drove in automatic runner Cristian Pache, and Bryson
Stott followed with a sacrifice fly for the insurance run as the
Phillies won for the third time in their last four games. Gregory
Soto got the last three outs for his first save. The Cardinals
rallied for two in the bottom of the ninth off Jeff Hoffman (1-0) to
tie it. Jordan Walker scored the first with a sacrifice fly and Mason
Winn’s two-out single tied it 3-all.CLEVELAND (AP) —
Shane Bieber held it together as long as he could. Cleveland’s ace
became emotional when discussing the upcoming Tommy John elbow
surgery that will end his season. Bieber's voice cracked before the
Guardians' home opener as he talked about the decision to have the
operation. The 2020 Cy Young winner was dominant in two starts before
he succumbed to pain. The 28-year-old is in his final season under
contract with Cleveland, which has offered him a long-term deal in
the past. Bieber understands there are no certainties about his
future, but he is more focused on recovering and getting back on the
mound.UNDATED (AP) — The
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics has announced a
policy that all but bans transgender athletes from women’s sports.
The NAIA is the governing body for mostly small colleges, covering
about 83,000 athletes across the country. The NAIA’s Council of
Presidents approved the policy in a 20-0 vote. The NAIA is believed
to be the first college sports organization to take such a step. The
NCAA responded by saying it remains committed to “fair competition
for all student-athletes in all NCAA championships.”MONDAY SCORESTOP-25 COLLEGE
BASKETBALLFinal	(1)UConn	75	(3)Purdue	60	MAJOR LEAGUE
BASEBALLINTERLEAGUEFinal	N.Y.
Yankees	7	Miami	0	Final	Pittsburgh	7	Detroit	4	Final	L.A.
Dodgers	4	Minnesota	2	AMERICAN LEAGUEFinal	Cleveland	4	Chicago
White Sox	0	Final	Toronto	5	Seattle	2	Final	Houston	10	Texas	5	Final	L.A.
Angels	7	Tampa Bay	1	NATIONAL LEAGUEFinal	Cincinnati	10	Milwaukee	8	Final	Philadelphia	5	St.
Louis	3	Final	N.Y.
Mets	8	Atlanta	7	Final	Colorado	7	Arizona	5	Final	Washington	8	San
Francisco	1	Final	San
Diego	9	Chicago Cubs	8	NATIONAL HOCKEY
LEAGUEFinal
OT	Toronto	3	Pittsburgh	2