KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association released its 2024 Preseason Polls for football on Tuesday, July 23 at its annual Football Media Day in Kansas City. The Tigers were picked fifth in both the in the Coaches Poll and Media Poll. Central Missouri, co-champion of the MIAA in 2023, was picked first in both polls.

FHSU tied for fifth in the MIAA standings in 2023, finishing with an overall record of 7-4. All of the Tigers' losses in 2023 were to the teams that finished in front of them in the conference standings. The Tigers had a strong bounce-back season from a tough 2022, reaching the seven-win mark in a season for the seventh time under head coach Chris Brown.

The conference will consist of only 10 teams in 2024 after Lincoln's departure to the Great Lakes Valley Conference and Northeastern State electing to play as an independent in football. The Tigers will have two non-conference games on their schedule this year, which includes a solid Angelo State team for the season opener in Hays in late August and then a meeting with Northeastern State in mid-September in Hays. Angelo State was an NCAA Playoffs team in 2021 and 2022 and finished 7-3 in 2023.

Both polls were nearly the same, with the only difference being Emporia State picked fourth in the coaches poll and sixth in the media poll, while Missouri Western was picked fourth in the media poll and sixth in the coaches poll. Central Missouri (1st), Pittsburg State (2nd), and Northwest Missouri State (3rd) were the top three teams in both polls. Central Missouri and Pittsburg State tied for the MIAA regular season title last year and both played in the NCAA Playoffs.

The Tigers return 20 of their 22 starters from the 2023 season, which includes all 11 on offense and nine on defense. The Tigers also boast 16 of their 17 all-conference players returning from a season ago. John Johnson, Myles Menges, Mason Perez, Kobe Rome, Parrish Terry, Makel Williams, Trevion Mitchell, and Sam Brandt were all-conference performers for the Tigers on the defensive side of the ball, while offensive players earning selections included Trevor Watts, Jack Dawson, Josh Shaw, Jayden Horace, Cale Cormaney, Dawson Reynolds, and Kofi Karikari. All-conference kicker Carson Arndt also returns.

Fort Hays State had the second-best total defense (300.1 yards per game) and third-best scoring defense (21.5 points per game) among MIAA teams in 2023. On the flip side, the Tigers had the fourth-best total offense average (420.2 yards per game) among conference teams.

Fort Hays State plays at home six times in 2024, which includes their two non-conference opponents mentioned above. The first MIAA opponent of the 2024 season for FHSU will be Missouri Western on September 7 in Hays. The Tigers will also host defending MIAA co-champion Central Missouri in Hays for Homecoming on October 5, Washburn on October 12, and Missouri Southern on October 26.

Get your season tickets today by contacting the FHSU Athletic Department at (785) 628-4050 or drop by the office in person.

2024 MIAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL

2024 MIAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON MEDIA POLL

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721755890172.jpeg" alt="FHSU Athletics" />
 <figcaption>FHSU Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association released its 2024 Preseason Polls for football on Tuesday, July 23 at its annual Football Media Day in Kansas City. The Tigers were picked fifth in both the in the Coaches Poll and Media Poll. Central Missouri, co-champion of the MIAA in 2023, was picked first in both polls.FHSU tied for fifth in the MIAA standings in 2023, finishing with an overall record of 7-4. All of the Tigers' losses in 2023 were to the teams that finished in front of them in the conference standings. The Tigers had a strong bounce-back season from a tough 2022, reaching the seven-win mark in a season for the seventh time under head coach Chris Brown.The conference will consist of only 10 teams in 2024 after Lincoln's departure to the Great Lakes Valley Conference and Northeastern State electing to play as an independent in football. The Tigers will have two non-conference games on their schedule this year, which includes a solid Angelo State team for the season opener in Hays in late August and then a meeting with Northeastern State in mid-September in Hays. Angelo State was an NCAA Playoffs team in 2021 and 2022 and finished 7-3 in 2023.Both polls were nearly the same, with the only difference being Emporia State picked fourth in the coaches poll and sixth in the media poll, while Missouri Western was picked fourth in the media poll and sixth in the coaches poll. Central Missouri (1st), Pittsburg State (2nd), and Northwest Missouri State (3rd) were the top three teams in both polls. Central Missouri and Pittsburg State tied for the MIAA regular season title last year and both played in the NCAA Playoffs.The Tigers return 20 of their 22 starters from the 2023 season, which includes all 11 on offense and nine on defense. The Tigers also boast 16 of their 17 all-conference players returning from a season ago. John Johnson, Myles Menges, Mason Perez, Kobe Rome, Parrish Terry, Makel Williams, Trevion Mitchell, and Sam Brandt were all-conference performers for the Tigers on the defensive side of the ball, while offensive players earning selections included Trevor Watts, Jack Dawson, Josh Shaw, Jayden Horace, Cale Cormaney, Dawson Reynolds, and Kofi Karikari. All-conference kicker Carson Arndt also returns.Fort Hays State had the second-best total defense (300.1 yards per game) and third-best scoring defense (21.5 points per game) among MIAA teams in 2023. On the flip side, the Tigers had the fourth-best total offense average (420.2 yards per game) among conference teams.Fort Hays State plays at home six times in 2024, which includes their two non-conference opponents mentioned above. The first MIAA opponent of the 2024 season for FHSU will be Missouri Western on September 7 in Hays. The Tigers will also host defending MIAA co-champion Central Missouri in Hays for Homecoming on October 5, Washburn on October 12, and Missouri Southern on October 26.Get your season tickets today by contacting the FHSU Athletic Department at (785) 628-4050 or drop by the office in person.2024 MIAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL1. Central Missouri [8] - 80 points2. Pittsburg State [2] - 73 points3. Northwest Missouri - 58 points4. Emporia State - 56 points5. Fort Hays State - 55 points6. Missouri Western - 42 points7. Central Oklahoma - 31 points8. Missouri Southern - 24 points9. Washburn - 16 points10. Nebraska Kearney - 15 points[#] - Number of First-Place Votes2024 MIAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON MEDIA POLL1. Central Missouri [20] - 254 points2. Pittsburg State [6] - 231 points3. Northwest Missouri - 199 points4. Missouri Western - 158 points5. Fort Hays State - 155 points6. Emporia State - 145 points7. Central Oklahoma - 94 points8. Missouri Southern - 81 points9. Washburn - 60 points10. Nebraska Kearney - 53 points [#] - Number of First-Place Votes

Tigers Picked Fifth in 2024 MIAA Football Preseason Polls

By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer Patrick Mahomes has separated himself from all the other quarterbacks.

The three-time Super Bowl MVP was a unanimous choice by The Associated Press for the NFL's No. 1 quarterback in a preseason poll.

A panel of eight AP Pro Football Writers ranked the top five players at QB, basing selections on current status entering the 2024 season. First-place votes were worth 10 points. Second through fifth-place votes were worth 5, 3, 2 and 1 points.

Despite a subpar regular season — by his lofty standards — Mahomes had another exceptional postseason, leading the Kansas City Chiefs to a repeat Super Bowl victory and their third title in five seasons.

Josh Allen, reigning NFL MVP Lamar Jackson, C.J. Stroud and Brock Purdy each received second-place votes.

Aaron Rodgers, Jalen Hurts, Dak Prescott, Tua Tagovailoa, Matthew Stafford and Justin Herbert also received votes.

1. PATRICK MAHOMES, Kansas City Chiefs

Mahomes posted the lowest passer rating (92.6) of his career last season, throwing for 4,183 yards, 27 touchdowns and a career-high 14 interceptions. But he stepped up in the playoffs, leading the Chiefs to a rout over Miami, road wins in Buffalo and Baltimore and an overtime victory in the Super Bowl against San Francisco.

Mahomes only turns 29 in September and already has a chance to become only the fourth quarterback to win four Super Bowls.

Despite being plagued by playoff frustrations, Allen earned the No. 2 spot in the AP rankings with four second-place votes and appearing on seven of eight ballots. Allen threw for 4,306 yards with 29 TDs and a career-high 18 picks last season while also rushing for 15 scores.

The Bills have won four straight AFC East titles but have lost in the divisional round of the playoffs in three consecutive seasons.

3. LAMAR JACKSON, Baltimore Ravens

Jackson was a near-unanimous choice for his second NFL MVP award following an outstanding regular season in which he threw for 3,678 yards and 24 touchdowns and ran for 821 yards and five scores while leading Baltimore to 10 wins over teams that finished with a winning record.

But Jackson and the Ravens lost to Mahomes and the Chiefs in the AFC championship game, a bitter ending to a fantastic season. The Ravens fell to 2-4 in the playoffs under Jackson, who was left off two ballots.

Burrow was slowed by a calf injury at the start of the season before wrist surgery ended his year in November. Still, he earned the No. 4 spot with two third-place votes and three fourth-place selections.

Burrow had 2,309 yards passing, 15 TDs and nine interceptions in 10 games. He had regained his Pro Bowl form prior to his injury, posting a 106.5 passer rating in his final six starts.

When healthy, Burrow led the Bengals to consecutive AFC title games and a Super Bowl loss.

The No. 2 pick in the 2023 draft turned into the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year. Stroud threw for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns, five interceptions and had a passer rating of 100.8, third best by a rookie. He helped the Texans go from worst to first place in the AFC South and led them to a playoff win in the wild-card round.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721755607778.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;FILE - Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) calls a play against the San Francisco 49ers in NFL Super Bowl 58 football game Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Doug Benc, File)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;FILE - Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) calls a play against the San Francisco 49ers in NFL Super Bowl 58 football game Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Doug Benc, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer Patrick Mahomes has separated himself from all the other quarterbacks.The three-time Super Bowl MVP was a unanimous choice by The Associated Press for the NFL's No. 1 quarterback in a preseason poll.A panel of eight AP Pro Football Writers ranked the top five players at QB, basing selections on current status entering the 2024 season. First-place votes were worth 10 points. Second through fifth-place votes were worth 5, 3, 2 and 1 points.Despite a subpar regular season — by his lofty standards — Mahomes had another exceptional postseason, leading the Kansas City Chiefs to a repeat Super Bowl victory and their third title in five seasons.Josh Allen, reigning NFL MVP Lamar Jackson, C.J. Stroud and Brock Purdy each received second-place votes.Aaron Rodgers, Jalen Hurts, Dak Prescott, Tua Tagovailoa, Matthew Stafford and Justin Herbert also received votes.1. PATRICK MAHOMES, Kansas City ChiefsMahomes posted the lowest passer rating (92.6) of his career last season, throwing for 4,183 yards, 27 touchdowns and a career-high 14 interceptions. But he stepped up in the playoffs, leading the Chiefs to a rout over Miami, road wins in Buffalo and Baltimore and an overtime victory in the Super Bowl against San Francisco.Mahomes only turns 29 in September and already has a chance to become only the fourth quarterback to win four Super Bowls.2. JOSH ALLEN, Buffalo BillsDespite being plagued by playoff frustrations, Allen earned the No. 2 spot in the AP rankings with four second-place votes and appearing on seven of eight ballots. Allen threw for 4,306 yards with 29 TDs and a career-high 18 picks last season while also rushing for 15 scores.The Bills have won four straight AFC East titles but have lost in the divisional round of the playoffs in three consecutive seasons.3. LAMAR JACKSON, Baltimore RavensJackson was a near-unanimous choice for his second NFL MVP award following an outstanding regular season in which he threw for 3,678 yards and 24 touchdowns and ran for 821 yards and five scores while leading Baltimore to 10 wins over teams that finished with a winning record.But Jackson and the Ravens lost to Mahomes and the Chiefs in the AFC championship game, a bitter ending to a fantastic season. The Ravens fell to 2-4 in the playoffs under Jackson, who was left off two ballots.4. JOE BURROW, Cincinnati BengalsBurrow was slowed by a calf injury at the start of the season before wrist surgery ended his year in November. Still, he earned the No. 4 spot with two third-place votes and three fourth-place selections.Burrow had 2,309 yards passing, 15 TDs and nine interceptions in 10 games. He had regained his Pro Bowl form prior to his injury, posting a 106.5 passer rating in his final six starts.When healthy, Burrow led the Bengals to consecutive AFC title games and a Super Bowl loss.5. C.J. STROUD, Houston TexansThe No. 2 pick in the 2023 draft turned into the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year. Stroud threw for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns, five interceptions and had a passer rating of 100.8, third best by a rookie. He helped the Texans go from worst to first place in the AFC South and led them to a playoff win in the wild-card round.

Patrick Mahomes is unanimous choice top spot in the AP quarterback rankings

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs hope to make “some significant progress” on determining their future home after the lease for Arrowhead Stadium expires in January 2031 and club chairman and CEO Clark Hunt on Monday made it clear remaining in metropolitan Kansas City is the primary objective.

“We have a special connection with the community and with the Chiefs kingdom. And our focus is very much on finding a solution here in the metropolitan area,” Hunt said during his annual training camp news conference on the campus of Missouri Western State University.

Jackson County voters in April rejected the extension of a 3/8-cent sales tax that would have contributed to remodeled Arrowhead Stadium and a new ballpark for the Kansas City Royals.

The Chiefs have now expanded their options beyond remaining in their home for the past 52 seasons, including a potential move to the Kansas side of the state line where the legislature has approved a bond proposal that would allow the state to fund up to 70% of the cost of a new stadium for the Chiefs. But Hunt hasn’t closed the door on remaining in Missouri or in Arrowhead Stadium.

“We’re glad to have some options, we really appreciate what the Kansas legislature did in passing the upgrade to the star bond bill that potentially would give us an opportunity to look at a stadium over there,” Hunt said.

“And we’re going to work very hard over the coming months and years to come up with a solution that makes sense for the organization, for the team, but also one that makes sense for the community. So we’re approaching it very much with an open mind and look forward to talking to leaders on both sides of the state line.”

The plan rejected by voters in April would have tied the Chiefs to Arrowhead Stadium for 25 years, which Hunt has said is the expected remaining life for the facility. Voters in 2006 rejected adding a rolling roof that would have been shared with next door neighbor Kauffman Stadium but Hunt said that remains an option.

“I do think we’ll look at it again,” Hunt said. “I mentioned the possibility of a new stadium, also on the Missouri side. And I think if we went that route, certainly we would have to look at a dome. A dome gives you an ability to host a lot of other events, which could be important for the community.”

Arrowhead Stadium isn't the only team facility in need of modernization. Hunt concedes the team has outgrown its headquarters and training complex. The Chiefs were graded poorly on the NFL Players Association report card issued in March for a willingness to invest in facilities.

Hunt notes that every NFL team has grown in terms of the number of people, players and coaches, a trend he expects to continue. In the nearly 15 years since the team moved into its headquarters and training complex, the organization has more than doubled its headcount to more than 300, excluding players.

“It would either be a major renovation of our existing training facility, or the construction of the new training facility that would help us accommodate not only the size of the organization now, but also where we’re likely to grow over the next couple of decades,” Hunt explained.

Hunt speaks to his team at the opening of training camp each season, and there are certain messages he reinforces every year.

“I want them to understand the culture of the club. The mission statement, obviously our goal, our goal is to end up in New Orleans, getting to play for another Lombardi Trophy. But the challenge this year is going to be the distractions. There’s going to be a lot of talk about us going back to back to back.”

Hunt told his team they must focus on the task at hand and the next team on the schedule and not let the distraction of a “threepeat” knock them off course.

“Every team we play is going to give us their best shot. When you’re the defending champion, that game is really important for the teams that you played. They circle it on their calendar as a chance to take out the defending champion."

Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo delivered a similar message Monday when asked what worries him about the upcoming campaign.

“The Baltimore Ravens,” Spagnuolo said, referencing the team’s Week 1 opponent on the opening night of the NFL season. “That’s all I’m thinking about right now to be quite honest with you. Listen, we know they’re gonna be all fired up, and that’s a good football team. So that’s one thing.”

NOTES: First-round draft pick Xavier Worthy was absent from practice Monday because of an illness, the team said. Worthy, who delivered the highlight play of Sunday’s opening training camp practice after hauling in a deep throw from Patrick Mahomes, is also returning from a hamstring injury sustained during the offseason. ... Seven other players did not participate in Monday’s workout. Cornerback Kelvin Joseph was excused for personal reasons. Left guard Joe Thuney (pectoral), who remains on the physically unable to perform list, worked on the sideline in the training tent during practice. Also on the PUP list are defensive end Charles Omenihu (knee), defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi (tricep) and cornerback Jaylen Watson (shoulder). Safety Justin Reid and defensive end B.J. Thompson are on the non-football injury list.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs hope to make “some significant progress” on determining their future home after the lease for Arrowhead Stadium expires in January 2031 and club chairman and CEO Clark Hunt on Monday made it clear remaining in metropolitan Kansas City is the primary objective.“We have a special connection with the community and with the Chiefs kingdom. And our focus is very much on finding a solution here in the metropolitan area,” Hunt said during his annual training camp news conference on the campus of Missouri Western State University.Jackson County voters in April rejected the extension of a 3/8-cent sales tax that would have contributed to remodeled Arrowhead Stadium and a new ballpark for the Kansas City Royals.The Chiefs have now expanded their options beyond remaining in their home for the past 52 seasons, including a potential move to the Kansas side of the state line where the legislature has approved a bond proposal that would allow the state to fund up to 70% of the cost of a new stadium for the Chiefs. But Hunt hasn’t closed the door on remaining in Missouri or in Arrowhead Stadium.“We’re glad to have some options, we really appreciate what the Kansas legislature did in passing the upgrade to the star bond bill that potentially would give us an opportunity to look at a stadium over there,” Hunt said.“And we’re going to work very hard over the coming months and years to come up with a solution that makes sense for the organization, for the team, but also one that makes sense for the community. So we’re approaching it very much with an open mind and look forward to talking to leaders on both sides of the state line.”The plan rejected by voters in April would have tied the Chiefs to Arrowhead Stadium for 25 years, which Hunt has said is the expected remaining life for the facility. Voters in 2006 rejected adding a rolling roof that would have been shared with next door neighbor Kauffman Stadium but Hunt said that remains an option.“I do think we’ll look at it again,” Hunt said. “I mentioned the possibility of a new stadium, also on the Missouri side. And I think if we went that route, certainly we would have to look at a dome. A dome gives you an ability to host a lot of other events, which could be important for the community.”Arrowhead Stadium isn't the only team facility in need of modernization. Hunt concedes the team has outgrown its headquarters and training complex. The Chiefs were graded poorly on the NFL Players Association report card issued in March for a willingness to invest in facilities.Hunt notes that every NFL team has grown in terms of the number of people, players and coaches, a trend he expects to continue. In the nearly 15 years since the team moved into its headquarters and training complex, the organization has more than doubled its headcount to more than 300, excluding players.“It would either be a major renovation of our existing training facility, or the construction of the new training facility that would help us accommodate not only the size of the organization now, but also where we’re likely to grow over the next couple of decades,” Hunt explained.Hunt speaks to his team at the opening of training camp each season, and there are certain messages he reinforces every year.“I want them to understand the culture of the club. The mission statement, obviously our goal, our goal is to end up in New Orleans, getting to play for another Lombardi Trophy. But the challenge this year is going to be the distractions. There’s going to be a lot of talk about us going back to back to back.”Hunt told his team they must focus on the task at hand and the next team on the schedule and not let the distraction of a “threepeat” knock them off course.“Every team we play is going to give us their best shot. When you’re the defending champion, that game is really important for the teams that you played. They circle it on their calendar as a chance to take out the defending champion."Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo delivered a similar message Monday when asked what worries him about the upcoming campaign.“The Baltimore Ravens,” Spagnuolo said, referencing the team’s Week 1 opponent on the opening night of the NFL season. “That’s all I’m thinking about right now to be quite honest with you. Listen, we know they’re gonna be all fired up, and that’s a good football team. So that’s one thing.”NOTES: First-round draft pick Xavier Worthy was absent from practice Monday because of an illness, the team said. Worthy, who delivered the highlight play of Sunday’s opening training camp practice after hauling in a deep throw from Patrick Mahomes, is also returning from a hamstring injury sustained during the offseason. ... Seven other players did not participate in Monday’s workout. Cornerback Kelvin Joseph was excused for personal reasons. Left guard Joe Thuney (pectoral), who remains on the physically unable to perform list, worked on the sideline in the training tent during practice. Also on the PUP list are defensive end Charles Omenihu (knee), defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi (tricep) and cornerback Jaylen Watson (shoulder). Safety Justin Reid and defensive end B.J. Thompson are on the non-football injury list.

Chiefs owner Hunt focused on stadium solution in KC metropolitan area

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Bobby Witt Jr. fell a single short of the cycle, Salvador Perez and Hunter Renfroe also homered, and the Kansas City Royals beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 10-4 on Monday night for their fourth straight victory.

Witt tripled in the first inning, doubled in the third and drilled a three-run homer to deep left-center in the fourth to get the hard part out of the way.

“It's hard to describe,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “The power he displays, the poise at the plate, it’s like he’s playing a different game.”

The crowd arose chanting “Bobby! Bobby!” when Witt came to the plate in the sixth in anticipation of a single and the first cycle by a Kansas City player in 34 years, but Arizona reliever Humberto Castellanos hit Witt with his first pitch, drawing loud boos.

“It's really unfortunate that he got hit,” Quatraro said. “I don't know what to think about the intent behind it.”

Witt got another chance in the eighth but was retired on a fly ball to right field. The last Royals player to hit for the cycle was Hall of Famer George Brett at Toronto on July 25, 1990.

“I definitely wanted to do it for the fans. These fans are awesome out here,” Witt said. “I choked at the end, but whatever.”

Witt, who was named American League Player of the Week earlier Monday, is 12 for 15 since playing in his first All-Star Game and finishing as the Home Run Derby runner-up, raising his average to .341. It was Witt’s fourth straight three-hit game, matching Johnny Damon in 2000 for the second-best such streak in franchise history, behind only Brett’s six games in 1976.

One inning after Witt was plunked, Royals reliever John Schreiber hit Gabriel Moreno with a pitch. Both benches were warned, and Arizona manager Torey Lovullo was ejected for arguing with plate umpire Jordan Baker and had to be held back. Royals catcher Perez appeared to exchange words with Lovullo during the scrum near the plate.

“I never said a word to Salvador Perez,” Lovullo said. “I just wanted him to hear what I was going to say to Jordan. I told him, ‘If you think in my right mind I was going to ask my team to hit the future of Major League Baseball, one of the best players in the game, you’re crazy. You lost control of this situation, and you got it wrong.’ I wanted Salvy to hear that and take it back to their dugout.”

The Royals (56-45), who are in position for a wild-card playoff berth, matched their win total from last season.

Cole Ragans (7-6) survived a shaky third inning to record his second straight win and his eighth quality start in nine. He allowed six hits, two walks and three runs in six innings.

The Diamondbacks took a 3-1 lead in the third when Kevin Newman and Alek Thomas hit back-to-back doubles and Ketel Marte followed with his 20th homer, a two-run shot to left.

The Royals responded in the bottom half with Witt’s double, Vinnie Pasquantino’s RBI single and Perez’s two-run homer to center for a 4-3 lead.

Witt's three-run shot off reliever Miguel Castro in the fourth made it 8-3.

“Castro is no easy right-hander to face,” Quatraro said. “He comes in there and that first pitch, you don't expect him to hit a homer, but I guess you maybe start trying to expect it. It's incredible, what he's doing right now. Absolutely incredible.”

Renfroe homered in the sixth, Kyle Isbel had three hits and two RBIs, and Pasquantino had three hits for the Royals.

After giving up only one run in six innings in each of his first two major league starts, Arizona's Yilber Diaz allowed seven runs and nine hits in three-plus innings.

“He couldn’t locate his secondary stuff and became predictable with his fastball,” Lovullo said.

Diamondbacks: Lovullo said LHP Jordan Montgomery (knee) would come off the injured list and start Tuesday. RHP Merrill Kelly (shoulder) and LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (shoulder) will each throw a bullpen session Tuesday and are on track for simulated games, Thursday for Kelly and Friday for Rodriguez.

Royals: OF MJ Melendez (ankle) is close to returning, Quatraro said. Melendez is eligible to come off the IL Friday.

Alec Marsh (7-6, 3.55) will start for the Royals against Montgomery (6-5, 6.44).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721727686240.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr., right, is doused by Salvador Perez (13) at the end of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Kansas City, Mo., Monday, July 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr., right, is doused by Salvador Perez (13) at the end of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Kansas City, Mo., Monday, July 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Bobby Witt Jr. fell a single short of the cycle, Salvador Perez and Hunter Renfroe also homered, and the Kansas City Royals beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 10-4 on Monday night for their fourth straight victory.Witt tripled in the first inning, doubled in the third and drilled a three-run homer to deep left-center in the fourth to get the hard part out of the way.“It's hard to describe,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “The power he displays, the poise at the plate, it’s like he’s playing a different game.”The crowd arose chanting “Bobby! Bobby!” when Witt came to the plate in the sixth in anticipation of a single and the first cycle by a Kansas City player in 34 years, but Arizona reliever Humberto Castellanos hit Witt with his first pitch, drawing loud boos.“It's really unfortunate that he got hit,” Quatraro said. “I don't know what to think about the intent behind it.”Witt got another chance in the eighth but was retired on a fly ball to right field. The last Royals player to hit for the cycle was Hall of Famer George Brett at Toronto on July 25, 1990.“I definitely wanted to do it for the fans. These fans are awesome out here,” Witt said. “I choked at the end, but whatever.”Witt, who was named American League Player of the Week earlier Monday, is 12 for 15 since playing in his first All-Star Game and finishing as the Home Run Derby runner-up, raising his average to .341. It was Witt’s fourth straight three-hit game, matching Johnny Damon in 2000 for the second-best such streak in franchise history, behind only Brett’s six games in 1976.One inning after Witt was plunked, Royals reliever John Schreiber hit Gabriel Moreno with a pitch. Both benches were warned, and Arizona manager Torey Lovullo was ejected for arguing with plate umpire Jordan Baker and had to be held back. Royals catcher Perez appeared to exchange words with Lovullo during the scrum near the plate.“I never said a word to Salvador Perez,” Lovullo said. “I just wanted him to hear what I was going to say to Jordan. I told him, ‘If you think in my right mind I was going to ask my team to hit the future of Major League Baseball, one of the best players in the game, you’re crazy. You lost control of this situation, and you got it wrong.’ I wanted Salvy to hear that and take it back to their dugout.”The Royals (56-45), who are in position for a wild-card playoff berth, matched their win total from last season.Cole Ragans (7-6) survived a shaky third inning to record his second straight win and his eighth quality start in nine. He allowed six hits, two walks and three runs in six innings.The Diamondbacks took a 3-1 lead in the third when Kevin Newman and Alek Thomas hit back-to-back doubles and Ketel Marte followed with his 20th homer, a two-run shot to left.The Royals responded in the bottom half with Witt’s double, Vinnie Pasquantino’s RBI single and Perez’s two-run homer to center for a 4-3 lead.Witt's three-run shot off reliever Miguel Castro in the fourth made it 8-3.“Castro is no easy right-hander to face,” Quatraro said. “He comes in there and that first pitch, you don't expect him to hit a homer, but I guess you maybe start trying to expect it. It's incredible, what he's doing right now. Absolutely incredible.”Renfroe homered in the sixth, Kyle Isbel had three hits and two RBIs, and Pasquantino had three hits for the Royals.After giving up only one run in six innings in each of his first two major league starts, Arizona's Yilber Diaz allowed seven runs and nine hits in three-plus innings.“He couldn’t locate his secondary stuff and became predictable with his fastball,” Lovullo said.TRAINER’S ROOMDiamondbacks: Lovullo said LHP Jordan Montgomery (knee) would come off the injured list and start Tuesday. RHP Merrill Kelly (shoulder) and LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (shoulder) will each throw a bullpen session Tuesday and are on track for simulated games, Thursday for Kelly and Friday for Rodriguez.Royals: OF MJ Melendez (ankle) is close to returning, Quatraro said. Melendez is eligible to come off the IL Friday.UP NEXTAlec Marsh (7-6, 3.55) will start for the Royals against Montgomery (6-5, 6.44).

Bobby Witt Jr. homers, triples and doubles in the Royals' 10-4 win over Arizona

KANSAS CITY, Mo.
(AP) — Bobby Witt Jr. fell a single short of the cycle, Salvador
Perez and Hunter Renfroe also homered, and the Kansas City Royals
beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 10-4 on Monday night for their fourth
straight victory. Witt tripled in the first inning, doubled in the
third and drilled a three-run homer to deep left-center in the fourth
to get the hard part out of the way. He needed a single for the first
cycle by a Royals player since George Brett in 1990 but was hit by a
pitch and flew out to right in his final two at-bats.

PITTSBURGH (AP) —
Nick Gonzales hit a go-ahead RBI single in the eighth inning after
Mitch Keller allowed one run in the first seven, and the Pittsburgh
Pirates won for the seventh time in eight games, 2-1 over the St.
Louis Cardinals. Bryan Reynolds led off the eighth with a single to
left before advancing to second on a wild pitch. With one out,
Gonzales sneaked a slow dribbler off John King through the right side
of the infield. Keller gave up six hits in seven innings, striking
out three and walking two. Aroldis Chapman pitched a perfect eighth
for the win in this matchup of NL wild card contenders.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP)
— The Chiefs hope to make “some significant progress” on
determining their future home after the lease for Arrowhead Stadium
expires in January 2031 and club chairman and CEO Clark Hunt made it
clear remaining in metropolitan Kansas City is the primary objective.
“We have a special connection with the community and with the
Chiefs kingdom. And our focus is very much on finding a solution here
in the metropolitan area,” Hunt said during his annual training
camp news conference on the campus of Missouri Western State
University.

ANN ARBOR, Mich.
(AP) — Connor Stalions is set to share his side of the story from
an alleged sign-stealing scheme within Michigan’s football team
before the Wolverines went on to win the national championship.
Netflix announced Monday that the fourth season of “Untold” will
include "Sign Stealer" on Aug. 27, when Stalions breaks his
silence on the scandal that shook college football. Stalions was on
coach Jim Harbaugh’s staff until resigning in November, accused of
purchasing tickets to scout future opponents and sending people to
those games to digitally record teams signaling in their plays.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) —
Wisconsin will begin selling alcohol in general seating areas at Camp
Randall Stadium this season. The university’s decision leaves
Nebraska and Northwestern as the only two schools who aren’t
allowing general seating alcohol sales in the now 18-team Big Ten.
Wisconsin will also allow alcohol to be sold at UW Field House, home
to the women’s volleyball and men’s wrestling teams. It was
already available at Kohl Center and LaBahn Arena. The alcohol sales
begin with the home opener against Western Michigan on Friday, Aug.
30.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP)
— Atlantic Coast Conference commissioner Jim Phillips says the
league will fight “as long as it takes” in legal cases against
Florida State and Clemson as those member schools challenge the
league’s ability to charge hundreds of millions of dollars to leave
the conference. Speaking Monday to start the league’s football
media days, Phillips called lawsuits filed by the schools “extremely
damaging, disruptive and harmful” to the league. Most notably,
those schools are challenging the league’s grant-of-rights media
agreement that gives the ACC control of media rights for any school
that attempts to leave amid a TV deal with ESPN running through 2036.

CINCINNATI (AP) —
Joe Burrow and his surgically repaired wrist have been cleared for
contact and the Cincinnati Bengals star quarterback is ready to go
for the opening of training camp on Wednesday. Burrow was sidelined
last season when he suffered a torn ligament in his right wrist in
the 10th game, a loss to Baltimore on Nov. 16. He had surgery on his
wrist Nov. 27.

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP)
— Jordan Love won’t be practicing with the Green Bay Packers as
long as the quarterback’s negotiations on a contract extension
remain unresolved. Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said
Monday that Love reported to camp last week but wouldn’t be working
out until a deal is reached. Love’s contract is set to expire at
the end of the season. Gutekunst remained optimistic the Packers and
Love could reach a deal soon. He noted that Love is participating in
all other team activities.

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) —
Khyree Jackson was supposed to report to training camp this week with
the rest of the Minnesota Vikings draft class. The team is instead
grieving the death of the fourth-round pick out of Oregon. Jackson
was killed with two friends in a car crash in Maryland on July 6.
Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell spoke with the rookies and other early
reports about the plans to honor the gregarious 24-year-old
cornerback. The Vikings are sending a contingent to his funeral and
covering more than $20,000 toward the cost. Players will wear helmet
decals with Jackson's number 31 on them this season.

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP,
Mich. (AP) — Charlie Woods shot a 12-over 82 on Monday in the U.S.
Junior Amateur at Oakland Hills. The 15-year-old son of Tiger Woods
birdied both of the par 5s on the Oakland Hills North Course but
otherwise struggled, making five double bogeys and four bogeys. Woods
will have to have quite a turnaround Tuesday on a course known as
“The Monster” to be among the low 64 scorers from a field of 264
players from 40 states and 35 countries. He earned his spot in a
qualifier last month in Florida.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718617262520.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo.
(AP) — Bobby Witt Jr. fell a single short of the cycle, Salvador
Perez and Hunter Renfroe also homered, and the Kansas City Royals
beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 10-4 on Monday night for their fourth
straight victory. Witt tripled in the first inning, doubled in the
third and drilled a three-run homer to deep left-center in the fourth
to get the hard part out of the way. He needed a single for the first
cycle by a Royals player since George Brett in 1990 but was hit by a
pitch and flew out to right in his final two at-bats.PITTSBURGH (AP) —
Nick Gonzales hit a go-ahead RBI single in the eighth inning after
Mitch Keller allowed one run in the first seven, and the Pittsburgh
Pirates won for the seventh time in eight games, 2-1 over the St.
Louis Cardinals. Bryan Reynolds led off the eighth with a single to
left before advancing to second on a wild pitch. With one out,
Gonzales sneaked a slow dribbler off John King through the right side
of the infield. Keller gave up six hits in seven innings, striking
out three and walking two. Aroldis Chapman pitched a perfect eighth
for the win in this matchup of NL wild card contenders.ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP)
— The Chiefs hope to make “some significant progress” on
determining their future home after the lease for Arrowhead Stadium
expires in January 2031 and club chairman and CEO Clark Hunt made it
clear remaining in metropolitan Kansas City is the primary objective.
“We have a special connection with the community and with the
Chiefs kingdom. And our focus is very much on finding a solution here
in the metropolitan area,” Hunt said during his annual training
camp news conference on the campus of Missouri Western State
University.ANN ARBOR, Mich.
(AP) — Connor Stalions is set to share his side of the story from
an alleged sign-stealing scheme within Michigan’s football team
before the Wolverines went on to win the national championship.
Netflix announced Monday that the fourth season of “Untold” will
include "Sign Stealer" on Aug. 27, when Stalions breaks his
silence on the scandal that shook college football. Stalions was on
coach Jim Harbaugh’s staff until resigning in November, accused of
purchasing tickets to scout future opponents and sending people to
those games to digitally record teams signaling in their plays.MADISON, Wis. (AP) —
Wisconsin will begin selling alcohol in general seating areas at Camp
Randall Stadium this season. The university’s decision leaves
Nebraska and Northwestern as the only two schools who aren’t
allowing general seating alcohol sales in the now 18-team Big Ten.
Wisconsin will also allow alcohol to be sold at UW Field House, home
to the women’s volleyball and men’s wrestling teams. It was
already available at Kohl Center and LaBahn Arena. The alcohol sales
begin with the home opener against Western Michigan on Friday, Aug.
30.CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP)
— Atlantic Coast Conference commissioner Jim Phillips says the
league will fight “as long as it takes” in legal cases against
Florida State and Clemson as those member schools challenge the
league’s ability to charge hundreds of millions of dollars to leave
the conference. Speaking Monday to start the league’s football
media days, Phillips called lawsuits filed by the schools “extremely
damaging, disruptive and harmful” to the league. Most notably,
those schools are challenging the league’s grant-of-rights media
agreement that gives the ACC control of media rights for any school
that attempts to leave amid a TV deal with ESPN running through 2036.CINCINNATI (AP) —
Joe Burrow and his surgically repaired wrist have been cleared for
contact and the Cincinnati Bengals star quarterback is ready to go
for the opening of training camp on Wednesday. Burrow was sidelined
last season when he suffered a torn ligament in his right wrist in
the 10th game, a loss to Baltimore on Nov. 16. He had surgery on his
wrist Nov. 27.GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP)
— Jordan Love won’t be practicing with the Green Bay Packers as
long as the quarterback’s negotiations on a contract extension
remain unresolved. Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said
Monday that Love reported to camp last week but wouldn’t be working
out until a deal is reached. Love’s contract is set to expire at
the end of the season. Gutekunst remained optimistic the Packers and
Love could reach a deal soon. He noted that Love is participating in
all other team activities.EAGAN, Minn. (AP) —
Khyree Jackson was supposed to report to training camp this week with
the rest of the Minnesota Vikings draft class. The team is instead
grieving the death of the fourth-round pick out of Oregon. Jackson
was killed with two friends in a car crash in Maryland on July 6.
Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell spoke with the rookies and other early
reports about the plans to honor the gregarious 24-year-old
cornerback. The Vikings are sending a contingent to his funeral and
covering more than $20,000 toward the cost. Players will wear helmet
decals with Jackson's number 31 on them this season.BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP,
Mich. (AP) — Charlie Woods shot a 12-over 82 on Monday in the U.S.
Junior Amateur at Oakland Hills. The 15-year-old son of Tiger Woods
birdied both of the par 5s on the Oakland Hills North Course but
otherwise struggled, making five double bogeys and four bogeys. Woods
will have to have quite a turnaround Tuesday on a course known as
“The Monster” to be among the low 64 scorers from a field of 264
players from 40 states and 35 countries. He earned his spot in a
qualifier last month in Florida.MONDAY SCORESMAJOR LEAGUE
BASEBALLINTERLEAGUEFinal	Minnesota	7	Philadelphia	2	Final	Kansas
City	10	Arizona	4	Final	Colorado	9	Boston	8	AMERICAN LEAGUEFinal	N.Y.
Yankees	9	Tampa Bay	1	Final	Detroit	8	Cleveland	2	Final	Texas	4	Chicago
White Sox	3	Final	Oakland	4	Houston	0	Final	L.A.
Angels	3	Seattle	1	NATIONAL LEAGUEFinal	Pittsburgh	2	St.
Louis	1	Final	N.Y.
Mets	6	Miami	4	Final	Cincinnati	4	Atlanta	1	Final	Chicago
Cubs	3	Milwaukee	1

Tuesday Sports Headlines and Scores presented by Barton Community College

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. (AP) — Adrian Beltré, Joe Mauer and Todd Helton were pegged as athletic phenoms from a young age and all three lived up to expectations with their induction to the Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday.

The Los Angeles Dodgers were so sold on Beltré early on that they broke MLB rules to sign him before he turned 16.

Beltré reached the big leagues just after his 19th birthday and was quickly considered one of the best prospects in sports as a teenager.

In Beltré’s induction speech, he said he played for his first team at age 13 and was a second baseman because his dad told him that was the position he should play.

After a teammate asked him to switch and play third base, Beltré obliged and the decision paid off.

Beltré played 21 years for the Dodgers, Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox and Texas Rangers. He became a five-time Gold Glove winner and is the first third baseman with at least 450 home runs and 3,000 hits.

During his playing days, Beltré made it clear that he did not like anyone touching his head so of course, his teammates ignored the request and made a habit of touching his head anyway. At Sunday’s ceremony, fellow Hall of Famer David Ortiz continued the tradition by touching Beltré's head prior to his speech.

“That never relaxes me,” Beltré said with a laugh. “(But) it was a little cute to go back to my playing days. …It’s just part of being in this fraternity. Even though I don’t love it, I don’t like it, but it felt like I’m open to people to be able to play around with me. I always like that.”

Mauer was a high school phenom in both football and baseball in St. Paul, Minnesota, and was named USA Today’s High School Player of the Year in football in 2000 and baseball in 2001.

He was drafted by his hometown Twins with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 MLB Draft.

“It was truly an honor to be a (Minnesota Twin) and represent my hometown team,” Mauer said.

The future six-time All-Star catcher spent just three years in the minors before spending all 15 years of his big league career with the Twins.

Mauer finished with one Most Valuable Player award and three batting titles, and is the only catcher in history with at least 2,000 hits, a .300 batting average and a .380 on-base percentage.

Mauer noted the emotion he felt seeing all the Minnesota fans throughout the weekend.

“It’s not easy to get to Cooperstown and especially with the events that have happened this last week,” he said. “But to see that many Twins fans out there, I just felt the love and I was just hoping that I could deliver the speech that I wrote down.”

Helton was also a football and baseball star and played both sports at the University of Tennessee.

Despite his dominance in both sports at an early age, Helton never felt comfortable in the spotlight or felt like a Hall of Famer.

“Those of you who know me know I’d be more comfortable doing anything other than standing up here talking about myself,” Helton said to open his speech. “I’m just a ballplayer and anyone in the media can attest to that fact.”

Helton’s claim to fame could have been that he was the quarterback at Tennessee between future first-round NFL draft picks Heath Shuler and Peyton Manning, but he was destined for bigger things on the baseball diamond.

After a knee injury in 1994 paved the way for Manning to become Tennessee’s quarterback, Helton shifted all his focus to baseball, where he was named the winner of the Dick Howser Award by the American Baseball Coaches Association and named Player of the Year by Baseball America.

Helton was selected by the Colorado Rockies with the No. 8 overall pick in the 1995 amateur draft and never left the Mile High City.

After becoming the starting first baseman in 1995, Helton finished second in NL Rookie of the Year voting and posted a .315 batting average with 25 home runs and 97 RBIs.

He went on to become one of just three players to record multiple seasons with 100-plus extra-base hits in his career and helped the Rockies reach the 2007 World Series.

While Helton began the weekend feeling out of place, the second Rockies Hall of Famer knows he is where he belongs now.

“Just standing back there waiting to go up onto the stage, the guys were so kind, but they all came by and offered me advice,” Helton said. “For me, that was the beginning of feeling that I belong. But we have a players-only dinner tonight and I’ll probably feel like I belong after that.”

Jim Leyland was elected by the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee. He managed for 22 seasons, won three Manager of the Year awards, the 1997 World Series, had a 1,769-1,728 career record as a manager and was the manager of the U.S. team in 2017 when the Americans won their only World Baseball Classic crown.

Leyland made sure to acknowledge the importance of the fans to the game of baseball.

“No matter which Hall of Famer you’re here to support today, or which team you cheer for, your presence is always felt,” Leyland said. “On your feet in the ninth with the home team clinging to a one-run lead, turning on your television for the first game in the World Series and seeing 50,000 fans hoping and praying that this may be their year, or a little boy or girl getting their first autograph scurrying back to the stands to show mom and dad what they just did. Ladies and gentlemen, that’s you. That’s baseball. And this is the Hall of Fame.”

Beltré led this year’s class with 95.1% of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America vote in his first year on the ballot. Helton followed with 79.7% in his sixth year of eligibility and Mauer received 76.1% in his first year.

Players who fell short of the 75% threshold for election included Billy Wagner (73.8%), Gary Sheffield (63.9%), Andruw Jones (61.6%) and Carlos Beltrán (57.1%). Sheffield was on the ballot for the 10th time without reaching the 75% mark and is no longer eligible for BBWAA consideration.

Joe Castiglione and Gerry Fraley were also honored during Hall of Fame weekend. Castiglione has been the Boston Red Sox radio broadcaster for a record 42 seasons and received the Ford C. Frick Award. Fraley was posthumously honored with the BBWAA Career Excellence Award for his work as a writer. Fraley covered the Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves and Texas Rangers, and also worked as the national baseball writer for the Dallas Morning News.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721642412828.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;Baseball Hall of Fame inductees Jim Leyland, left, Todd Helton, center, and Adrián Beltré, right, holds their plaques at the National Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony, Sunday, July 21, 2024, in Cooperstown, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Baseball Hall of Fame inductees Jim Leyland, left, Todd Helton, center, and Adrián Beltré, right, holds their plaques at the National Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony, Sunday, July 21, 2024, in Cooperstown, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)</figcaption>
 </figure>COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. (AP) — Adrian Beltré, Joe Mauer and Todd Helton were pegged as athletic phenoms from a young age and all three lived up to expectations with their induction to the Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday.The Los Angeles Dodgers were so sold on Beltré early on that they broke MLB rules to sign him before he turned 16.Beltré reached the big leagues just after his 19th birthday and was quickly considered one of the best prospects in sports as a teenager.In Beltré’s induction speech, he said he played for his first team at age 13 and was a second baseman because his dad told him that was the position he should play.After a teammate asked him to switch and play third base, Beltré obliged and the decision paid off.Beltré played 21 years for the Dodgers, Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox and Texas Rangers. He became a five-time Gold Glove winner and is the first third baseman with at least 450 home runs and 3,000 hits.During his playing days, Beltré made it clear that he did not like anyone touching his head so of course, his teammates ignored the request and made a habit of touching his head anyway. At Sunday’s ceremony, fellow Hall of Famer David Ortiz continued the tradition by touching Beltré's head prior to his speech.“That never relaxes me,” Beltré said with a laugh. “(But) it was a little cute to go back to my playing days. …It’s just part of being in this fraternity. Even though I don’t love it, I don’t like it, but it felt like I’m open to people to be able to play around with me. I always like that.”Mauer was a high school phenom in both football and baseball in St. Paul, Minnesota, and was named USA Today’s High School Player of the Year in football in 2000 and baseball in 2001.He was drafted by his hometown Twins with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 MLB Draft.“It was truly an honor to be a (Minnesota Twin) and represent my hometown team,” Mauer said.The future six-time All-Star catcher spent just three years in the minors before spending all 15 years of his big league career with the Twins.Mauer finished with one Most Valuable Player award and three batting titles, and is the only catcher in history with at least 2,000 hits, a .300 batting average and a .380 on-base percentage.Mauer noted the emotion he felt seeing all the Minnesota fans throughout the weekend.“It’s not easy to get to Cooperstown and especially with the events that have happened this last week,” he said. “But to see that many Twins fans out there, I just felt the love and I was just hoping that I could deliver the speech that I wrote down.”Helton was also a football and baseball star and played both sports at the University of Tennessee.Despite his dominance in both sports at an early age, Helton never felt comfortable in the spotlight or felt like a Hall of Famer.“Those of you who know me know I’d be more comfortable doing anything other than standing up here talking about myself,” Helton said to open his speech. “I’m just a ballplayer and anyone in the media can attest to that fact.”Helton’s claim to fame could have been that he was the quarterback at Tennessee between future first-round NFL draft picks Heath Shuler and Peyton Manning, but he was destined for bigger things on the baseball diamond.After a knee injury in 1994 paved the way for Manning to become Tennessee’s quarterback, Helton shifted all his focus to baseball, where he was named the winner of the Dick Howser Award by the American Baseball Coaches Association and named Player of the Year by Baseball America.Helton was selected by the Colorado Rockies with the No. 8 overall pick in the 1995 amateur draft and never left the Mile High City.After becoming the starting first baseman in 1995, Helton finished second in NL Rookie of the Year voting and posted a .315 batting average with 25 home runs and 97 RBIs.He went on to become one of just three players to record multiple seasons with 100-plus extra-base hits in his career and helped the Rockies reach the 2007 World Series.While Helton began the weekend feeling out of place, the second Rockies Hall of Famer knows he is where he belongs now.“Just standing back there waiting to go up onto the stage, the guys were so kind, but they all came by and offered me advice,” Helton said. “For me, that was the beginning of feeling that I belong. But we have a players-only dinner tonight and I’ll probably feel like I belong after that.”Jim Leyland was elected by the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee. He managed for 22 seasons, won three Manager of the Year awards, the 1997 World Series, had a 1,769-1,728 career record as a manager and was the manager of the U.S. team in 2017 when the Americans won their only World Baseball Classic crown.Leyland made sure to acknowledge the importance of the fans to the game of baseball.“No matter which Hall of Famer you’re here to support today, or which team you cheer for, your presence is always felt,” Leyland said. “On your feet in the ninth with the home team clinging to a one-run lead, turning on your television for the first game in the World Series and seeing 50,000 fans hoping and praying that this may be their year, or a little boy or girl getting their first autograph scurrying back to the stands to show mom and dad what they just did. Ladies and gentlemen, that’s you. That’s baseball. And this is the Hall of Fame.”Beltré led this year’s class with 95.1% of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America vote in his first year on the ballot. Helton followed with 79.7% in his sixth year of eligibility and Mauer received 76.1% in his first year.Players who fell short of the 75% threshold for election included Billy Wagner (73.8%), Gary Sheffield (63.9%), Andruw Jones (61.6%) and Carlos Beltrán (57.1%). Sheffield was on the ballot for the 10th time without reaching the 75% mark and is no longer eligible for BBWAA consideration.Joe Castiglione and Gerry Fraley were also honored during Hall of Fame weekend. Castiglione has been the Boston Red Sox radio broadcaster for a record 42 seasons and received the Ford C. Frick Award. Fraley was posthumously honored with the BBWAA Career Excellence Award for his work as a writer. Fraley covered the Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves and Texas Rangers, and also worked as the national baseball writer for the Dallas Morning News.

Beltré, Helton, Mauer and Leyland inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — Safety Justin Reid joined a growing list of injured starters for the back-to-back champs as the Kansas City Chiefs kicked off their first full-squad workout of training camp.

The club placed Reid on the non-football injury list with a quad issue. Jaden Hicks, a fourth-round draft choice from Washington State, took Reid’s place at strong safety with the first-team defense. He played alongside free safety Bryan Cook with Chamarri Conner at nickel back.

Coach Andy Reid didn’t elaborate on the nature of the injury on Sunday, but said he doesn’t have long-term concerns for his 27-year-old defensive secondary leader.

“Listen, we’re just day-by-daying it right now and see how he does. He’s very honest with you, and he’s not going to hide anything. He’s going to make sure he tells you how he’s feeling. And so we trust him with that."

Justin Reid joined defensive end B.J. Thompson on the non-football injury list. Thompson suffered a seizure and went into cardiac arrest at the team’s training complex in Kansas City on June 6. He is currently undergoing rehab.

The team is also without left guard Joe Thuney (pectoral), defensive end Charles Omenihu (knee), defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi (tricep) and cornerback Jaylen Watson (shoulder).

Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who was placed on the non-football illness list Saturday, was cleared to resume work on Sunday and participated in the full workout.

On the fourth snap of the 11-on-11 period, quarterback Patrick Mahomes sprinted to his left and fired an off-platform throw from his back foot more than 50 yards downfield. Xavier Worthy, the No. 28 overall selection in the draft, tracked the ball perfectly while securing the reception over his shoulder in stride for a touchdown.

The play drew cheers from fans, players and coaches. The moment loomed large for Worthy after a hamstring injury sidelined him for most of the team’s offseason workouts.

“He’s been working hard,” Reid said. “Looks like his hamstring feels better. We just got to keep him going here and keep learning. We’re just one install into it, and they’ve got 12 of them. So he’s got a lot more information coming at him, and formations and shifts and motions and all that stuff. You know, he did a nice job today.”

All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones made his return to the campus of Missouri Western State University for the team’s training camp after his contract holdout kept him away last season. His head coach is among those happy to have Jones back in camp.

“Chris was one of the team captains and he’s been that now for the last couple of years, and so well-respected,” Reid said. “To have him out here, he brings energy, he always brings energy. He has fun out here and I’m glad he’s here.”

Jones turned 30 earlier this month, however, and he has asked for more time off during camp. Veterans such as Jones reported to St. Joseph on July 19 and the team breaks camp on Aug 15.

He even jokingly invoked teammate Travis Kelce into his case for time off Sunday, asking his head coach to understand that “30 hits different.”

“Travis’ job is a little more easier than mine because I’m fighting 300 pounds every play, and Travis catching the ball, fighting 135, 140 pounds,” Jones said with a grin. “You know, I just hope that (Reid) finds it in his amazing heart to give me a day or two off coming up.”

Jones has been known to make big proclamations during past camps, such as leading the league in sacks. This year he says his goals are simple, help the Chiefs win a third straight Super Bowl and earn AP Defensive Player of the Year honors.

“I think my mind frame has always to be the best I can be,” Jones explained. “I strive for DPOY every year. It’s a commitment to myself that I make and also challenging myself to make my teammates better. I think no matter how much the money is, how much money I’m making, how much money I get, my morals never changed in football. I play football because I love the game, not for anything else.”

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — Safety Justin Reid joined a growing list of injured starters for the back-to-back champs as the Kansas City Chiefs kicked off their first full-squad workout of training camp.The club placed Reid on the non-football injury list with a quad issue. Jaden Hicks, a fourth-round draft choice from Washington State, took Reid’s place at strong safety with the first-team defense. He played alongside free safety Bryan Cook with Chamarri Conner at nickel back.Coach Andy Reid didn’t elaborate on the nature of the injury on Sunday, but said he doesn’t have long-term concerns for his 27-year-old defensive secondary leader.“Listen, we’re just day-by-daying it right now and see how he does. He’s very honest with you, and he’s not going to hide anything. He’s going to make sure he tells you how he’s feeling. And so we trust him with that."Justin Reid joined defensive end B.J. Thompson on the non-football injury list. Thompson suffered a seizure and went into cardiac arrest at the team’s training complex in Kansas City on June 6. He is currently undergoing rehab.The team is also without left guard Joe Thuney (pectoral), defensive end Charles Omenihu (knee), defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi (tricep) and cornerback Jaylen Watson (shoulder).Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who was placed on the non-football illness list Saturday, was cleared to resume work on Sunday and participated in the full workout.Big pass play in campOn the fourth snap of the 11-on-11 period, quarterback Patrick Mahomes sprinted to his left and fired an off-platform throw from his back foot more than 50 yards downfield. Xavier Worthy, the No. 28 overall selection in the draft, tracked the ball perfectly while securing the reception over his shoulder in stride for a touchdown.The play drew cheers from fans, players and coaches. The moment loomed large for Worthy after a hamstring injury sidelined him for most of the team’s offseason workouts.“He’s been working hard,” Reid said. “Looks like his hamstring feels better. We just got to keep him going here and keep learning. We’re just one install into it, and they’ve got 12 of them. So he’s got a lot more information coming at him, and formations and shifts and motions and all that stuff. You know, he did a nice job today.”Chris Jones back at campAll-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones made his return to the campus of Missouri Western State University for the team’s training camp after his contract holdout kept him away last season. His head coach is among those happy to have Jones back in camp.“Chris was one of the team captains and he’s been that now for the last couple of years, and so well-respected,” Reid said. “To have him out here, he brings energy, he always brings energy. He has fun out here and I’m glad he’s here.”Jones turned 30 earlier this month, however, and he has asked for more time off during camp. Veterans such as Jones reported to St. Joseph on July 19 and the team breaks camp on Aug 15.He even jokingly invoked teammate Travis Kelce into his case for time off Sunday, asking his head coach to understand that “30 hits different.”“Travis’ job is a little more easier than mine because I’m fighting 300 pounds every play, and Travis catching the ball, fighting 135, 140 pounds,” Jones said with a grin. “You know, I just hope that (Reid) finds it in his amazing heart to give me a day or two off coming up.”Jones has been known to make big proclamations during past camps, such as leading the league in sacks. This year he says his goals are simple, help the Chiefs win a third straight Super Bowl and earn AP Defensive Player of the Year honors.“I think my mind frame has always to be the best I can be,” Jones explained. “I strive for DPOY every year. It’s a commitment to myself that I make and also challenging myself to make my teammates better. I think no matter how much the money is, how much money I’m making, how much money I get, my morals never changed in football. I play football because I love the game, not for anything else.”

Chiefs safety Justin Reid placed on non-football injury list

KANSAS CITY, Mo.
(AP) — Seth Lugo retired 14 straight batters in his first career
complete game as the Kansas City Royals rallied past the Chicago
White Sox for a 4-1 win and series sweep. Lugo surrendered one run
while striking out six. He allowed an infield hit to Tommy Pham
leading off the game Sunday before retiring the next 14 batters. In
the eighth, Hunter Renfroe’s single scored Bobby Witt Jr. to break
a 1-1 tie as the Royals collected five hits, scoring three runs
against reliever John Brebbia. Chicago’s bullpen leads the majors
with 24 blown saves and 33 losses.

ATLANTA (AP) —
Paul Goldschmidt hit one of four Cardinals home runs after getting
dropped in the order and St. Louis knocked off the Atlanta Braves 6-2
to win the weekend series. Cardinals designated hitter Alec Burleson
had two RBIs, giving him 21 in 16 games in July. He has an RBI in six
straight games, which is one shy of the Cardinals record. Lars
Nootbaar and Willson Contreras also hit solo home runs on Sunday.
Jarred Kelenic hit a home run for the Braves.

LOS ANGELES (AP) —
Shohei Ohtani made his 30th home run in Dodger blue a memorable one.
The superstar slugger drove a cutter from Boston pitcher Kutter
Crawford 473 feet over the bleachers at Dodger Stadium during the
fifth inning of Sunday’s game against the Red Sox. According to
fans in the area, the ball sailed between the pavilion roof and an
advertisement sign in right-center field, but it cleared the
concourse and landed on the walkway in the ballpark plaza. Ohtani
just missed becoming the second Dodgers player and sixth overall to
clear the pavilion roof and hit a ball out of Dodger Stadium, which
opened in 1962. Los Angeles slugger Mike Piazza did it on Sept. 21,
1997, against the Colorado Rockies.

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y.
(AP) — Adrian Beltré, Joe Mauer, Todd Helton and Jim Leyland have
been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New
York. Beltré led this year’s class with 95.1% of the Baseball
Writers’ Association of America vote in his first year on the
ballot. Helton followed with 79.7% of the vote in his sixth year of
eligibility and Mauer received 76.1% of the BBWAA vote in his first
year. Leyland was elected by the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP)
— Safety Justin Reid joined a growing list of injured starters for
the back-to-back champs as the Kansas City Chiefs kicked off their
first full-squad workout of training camp. The club placed Reid on
the non-football injury list with a quad issue. Jaden Hicks, a
fourth-round draft choice from Washington State, took Reid’s place
at strong safety with the first-team defense. He played alongside
free safety Bryan Cook with Chamarri Conner at nickel back. Coach
Andy Reid didn’t elaborate on the nature of the injury on Sunday,
but said he doesn’t have long-term concerns for his 27-year-old
defensive secondary leader.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala.
(AP) — Alabama football teams will soon be playing on Saban Field.
University trustees approved a resolution naming the field at
Bryant-Denny Stadium after former coach Nick Saban on Friday. Saban
now works for ESPN and holds an office at the stadium. He retired
from coaching in January after leading Alabama to six national
championships in 17 seasons. Saban called the honor “pretty
special.” A field-naming ceremony will be held at the South Florida
game on Sept. 7. Saban collected a record seven national
championships, including one at LSU.

DALLAS (AP) —
Georgia is the heavy favorite to win the Southeastern Conference
title and is picked to face league newcomer Texas in the championship
game. The Bulldogs received 165 votes to win the SEC title among
reporters covering league media days in Dallas. Texas got 27 votes
and Alabama 12. With the addition of Texas and Oklahoma to the now
16-team league, it will be the SEC’s first season without divisions
since 1991. The SEC Championship Game will include the two teams with
the best overall league winning percentages. Georgia had six players
picked as preseason first-team All-SEC, including quarterback Carson
Beck.

TROON, Scotland (AP)
— Xander Schauffele was the player who couldn't win a major at the
start of the year. Now he has two of them. The 30-year-old
Californian won the British Open with a masterpiece at Royal Troon.
He played bogey-free for a 65 to get his name on the base of that
silver claret jug. Schauffele won the PGA Championship in May at
Valhalla. He's the first player since 2015 to win his first two
majors in the same season. And his victory at Royal Troon gave the
Americans a sweep of the four majors for the first time since 1982.
Schauffele’s 65 ranks among the great closing rounds in British
Open history.

UNDATED (AP) —
South Sudan is the 33rd-ranked team in the FIBA world rankings, by
far the lowest of any of the 12 nations that will be vying for men’s
basketball gold in the Paris Olympics that start this week. The U.S.
is ranked No. 1. Yet South Sudan nearly beat the Americans anyway.
The every-four-years wake-up call for the U.S. Olympic team seems to
have arrived. The Americans lost two exhibitions on the way to Tokyo
in 2021 and then lost to France to open those Games before rallying
to win gold at the end. They are going for their fifth straight gold.

PHOENIX (AP) —
There is no panic in the U.S. women’s Olympic team. The Americans
have been in this spot before. The U.S. lost to the WNBA All-Star
team on Saturday night and are headed on a flight to London to
continue their prep for the Paris Olympics. Breanna Stewart said it
felt like deja vu and she wasn’t wrong. The 2021 Olympic team also
lost to the WNBA All-Star team in a tune-up to the Tokyo Games. They
went on to cruise to a seventh consecutive gold medal in Tokyo that
year. Just like in the 2021 exhibition game, the Americans had no
answer for Arike Ogunbowale.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) —
Kyle Larson made a late charge through the field, managed to get his
car refired after a red flag and won the final two restart battles
Sunday before coasting to his first Brickyard 400 victory under
caution. Larson took the lead when Brad Keselowski ran out of fuel
and pulled off the track just before the second-to-last restart and
beat pole winner Tyler Reddick at the end with the yellow flag out.
Larson won in his first trip back to the speedway since trying to
become the fifth driver to complete 1,100 miles of racing on the same
May day, at Indy and Charlotte, North Carolina. Larson won for the
fourth time this season and took the points lead from Hendrick
Motorsports teammate Chase Elliott.

UNDATED (AP) —
Tadej Pogacar had no need to attack on the final stage of the Tour de
France. Defending a lead of over five minutes in Sunday’s time
trial, he was set to comfortably win the race for the third time
anyway. But he couldn't resist another attack. With main rival Jonas
Vingegaard unable to challenge him, Pogacar celebrated his Tour
victory in style with a dominant win in the time trial ending in Nice
for the 17th stage win of his illustrious Tour career. The
25-year-old Slovenian rider became the first cyclist to win the Giro
d’Italia and Tour de France in the same year since the late Marco
Pantani in 1998. Pogacar previously won the Tour in 2020 and 2021.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721294994442.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo.
(AP) — Seth Lugo retired 14 straight batters in his first career
complete game as the Kansas City Royals rallied past the Chicago
White Sox for a 4-1 win and series sweep. Lugo surrendered one run
while striking out six. He allowed an infield hit to Tommy Pham
leading off the game Sunday before retiring the next 14 batters. In
the eighth, Hunter Renfroe’s single scored Bobby Witt Jr. to break
a 1-1 tie as the Royals collected five hits, scoring three runs
against reliever John Brebbia. Chicago’s bullpen leads the majors
with 24 blown saves and 33 losses.ATLANTA (AP) —
Paul Goldschmidt hit one of four Cardinals home runs after getting
dropped in the order and St. Louis knocked off the Atlanta Braves 6-2
to win the weekend series. Cardinals designated hitter Alec Burleson
had two RBIs, giving him 21 in 16 games in July. He has an RBI in six
straight games, which is one shy of the Cardinals record. Lars
Nootbaar and Willson Contreras also hit solo home runs on Sunday.
Jarred Kelenic hit a home run for the Braves.LOS ANGELES (AP) —
Shohei Ohtani made his 30th home run in Dodger blue a memorable one.
The superstar slugger drove a cutter from Boston pitcher Kutter
Crawford 473 feet over the bleachers at Dodger Stadium during the
fifth inning of Sunday’s game against the Red Sox. According to
fans in the area, the ball sailed between the pavilion roof and an
advertisement sign in right-center field, but it cleared the
concourse and landed on the walkway in the ballpark plaza. Ohtani
just missed becoming the second Dodgers player and sixth overall to
clear the pavilion roof and hit a ball out of Dodger Stadium, which
opened in 1962. Los Angeles slugger Mike Piazza did it on Sept. 21,
1997, against the Colorado Rockies.COOPERSTOWN, N.Y.
(AP) — Adrian Beltré, Joe Mauer, Todd Helton and Jim Leyland have
been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New
York. Beltré led this year’s class with 95.1% of the Baseball
Writers’ Association of America vote in his first year on the
ballot. Helton followed with 79.7% of the vote in his sixth year of
eligibility and Mauer received 76.1% of the BBWAA vote in his first
year. Leyland was elected by the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee.ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP)
— Safety Justin Reid joined a growing list of injured starters for
the back-to-back champs as the Kansas City Chiefs kicked off their
first full-squad workout of training camp. The club placed Reid on
the non-football injury list with a quad issue. Jaden Hicks, a
fourth-round draft choice from Washington State, took Reid’s place
at strong safety with the first-team defense. He played alongside
free safety Bryan Cook with Chamarri Conner at nickel back. Coach
Andy Reid didn’t elaborate on the nature of the injury on Sunday,
but said he doesn’t have long-term concerns for his 27-year-old
defensive secondary leader.TUSCALOOSA, Ala.
(AP) — Alabama football teams will soon be playing on Saban Field.
University trustees approved a resolution naming the field at
Bryant-Denny Stadium after former coach Nick Saban on Friday. Saban
now works for ESPN and holds an office at the stadium. He retired
from coaching in January after leading Alabama to six national
championships in 17 seasons. Saban called the honor “pretty
special.” A field-naming ceremony will be held at the South Florida
game on Sept. 7. Saban collected a record seven national
championships, including one at LSU.DALLAS (AP) —
Georgia is the heavy favorite to win the Southeastern Conference
title and is picked to face league newcomer Texas in the championship
game. The Bulldogs received 165 votes to win the SEC title among
reporters covering league media days in Dallas. Texas got 27 votes
and Alabama 12. With the addition of Texas and Oklahoma to the now
16-team league, it will be the SEC’s first season without divisions
since 1991. The SEC Championship Game will include the two teams with
the best overall league winning percentages. Georgia had six players
picked as preseason first-team All-SEC, including quarterback Carson
Beck.TROON, Scotland (AP)
— Xander Schauffele was the player who couldn't win a major at the
start of the year. Now he has two of them. The 30-year-old
Californian won the British Open with a masterpiece at Royal Troon.
He played bogey-free for a 65 to get his name on the base of that
silver claret jug. Schauffele won the PGA Championship in May at
Valhalla. He's the first player since 2015 to win his first two
majors in the same season. And his victory at Royal Troon gave the
Americans a sweep of the four majors for the first time since 1982.
Schauffele’s 65 ranks among the great closing rounds in British
Open history.UNDATED (AP) —
South Sudan is the 33rd-ranked team in the FIBA world rankings, by
far the lowest of any of the 12 nations that will be vying for men’s
basketball gold in the Paris Olympics that start this week. The U.S.
is ranked No. 1. Yet South Sudan nearly beat the Americans anyway.
The every-four-years wake-up call for the U.S. Olympic team seems to
have arrived. The Americans lost two exhibitions on the way to Tokyo
in 2021 and then lost to France to open those Games before rallying
to win gold at the end. They are going for their fifth straight gold.PHOENIX (AP) —
There is no panic in the U.S. women’s Olympic team. The Americans
have been in this spot before. The U.S. lost to the WNBA All-Star
team on Saturday night and are headed on a flight to London to
continue their prep for the Paris Olympics. Breanna Stewart said it
felt like deja vu and she wasn’t wrong. The 2021 Olympic team also
lost to the WNBA All-Star team in a tune-up to the Tokyo Games. They
went on to cruise to a seventh consecutive gold medal in Tokyo that
year. Just like in the 2021 exhibition game, the Americans had no
answer for Arike Ogunbowale.INDIANAPOLIS (AP) —
Kyle Larson made a late charge through the field, managed to get his
car refired after a red flag and won the final two restart battles
Sunday before coasting to his first Brickyard 400 victory under
caution. Larson took the lead when Brad Keselowski ran out of fuel
and pulled off the track just before the second-to-last restart and
beat pole winner Tyler Reddick at the end with the yellow flag out.
Larson won in his first trip back to the speedway since trying to
become the fifth driver to complete 1,100 miles of racing on the same
May day, at Indy and Charlotte, North Carolina. Larson won for the
fourth time this season and took the points lead from Hendrick
Motorsports teammate Chase Elliott.UNDATED (AP) —
Tadej Pogacar had no need to attack on the final stage of the Tour de
France. Defending a lead of over five minutes in Sunday’s time
trial, he was set to comfortably win the race for the third time
anyway. But he couldn't resist another attack. With main rival Jonas
Vingegaard unable to challenge him, Pogacar celebrated his Tour
victory in style with a dominant win in the time trial ending in Nice
for the 17th stage win of his illustrious Tour career. The
25-year-old Slovenian rider became the first cyclist to win the Giro
d’Italia and Tour de France in the same year since the late Marco
Pantani in 1998. Pogacar previously won the Tour in 2020 and 2021.SUNDAY SCORESMAJOR LEAGUE
BASEBALLINTERLEAGUEFinal	Milwaukee	8	Minnesota	7	Final	San
Diego	2	Cleveland	1	Final	L.A.
Dodgers	9	Boston	6	AMERICAN LEAGUEFinal	Toronto	5	Detroit	4	Final	Kansas
City	4	Chicago White Sox	1	Final	Tampa
Bay	6	N.Y. Yankees	4	Final	Texas	3	Baltimore	2	Final	Seattle	6	Houston	4	Final	L.A.
Angels	8	Oakland	5	NATIONAL LEAGUEFinal	St.
Louis	6	Atlanta	2	Final	Washington	5	Cincinnati	2	Final	Philadelphia	6	Pittsburgh	0	Final	Miami	4	N.Y.
Mets	2	Final	Chicago
Cubs	2	Arizona	1

Monday Sports Headlines and Scores presented by Barton Community College

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Seth Lugo retired 14 straight batters in his first career complete game as the Kansas City Royals rallied past the Chicago White Sox for a 4-1 win and series sweep on Sunday.

Lugo (12-4) surrendered one run while striking out six on 103 pitches. He allowed an infield hit to Tommy Pham leading off the game before retiring the next 14 batters.

“The efficiency, the strike throwing, all that was phenomenal,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “I’m just happy that he got, not only the complete game, but the win.”

Lugo said he's been trying to complete a game for a long time.

“Over my career I’ve always said I want to play every inning in the game," he said. "Finally got to do that today."

Nicky Lopez was hit with a pitch leading off the sixth and scored on Pham’s two-out single, breaking the scoreless tie.

In the eighth, Hunter Renfroe’s single scored Bobby Witt Jr. to break a 1-1 tie as the Royals collected five hits, scoring three runs against reliever John Brebbia (0-5).

“I was just looking for something up in the zone a little bit, something I could hit in the air,” Renfroe said. “Just try to get him in, best I could. He threw a slider up. I just tried to take it with me and hit it to right field.”

“We took what was given to us,” Quatraro said. “We hit the ball the other way. There were two-out hits.”

Witt had three hits in all three games of the series as the Royals completed their sixth series sweep.

“He’s not a star; he’s a superstar,” White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said. “He’s worth the price of admission. He’s just a special kid.”

Kansas City tied the game with one out in the seventh. Maikel Garcia reached on an infield hit against reliever Justin Anderson and scored on Kyle Isbel’s squeeze bunt.

Chicago’s bullpen leads the majors with 24 blown saves and 33 losses.

“We’ve given up a lot of runs in the seventh inning,” Grifol said. “Brebbia today wasn’t as sharp, but he was still sharp. He just left some pitches over the plate and those guys are good over there.”

Drew Thorpe allowed three singles over six shutout innings, walking two and striking out five in his fifth consecutive start of at least six innings while allowing fewer than three runs.

“We didn’t get to him at all,” Quatraro said. “He was excellent. Guys were saying they had not seen a changeup like that. The cutter and changeup, we didn’t seem to have an answer for.”

Pham had two hits for the White Sox, who lost their seventh straight and suffered their 14th series sweep.

White Sox right-hander Erick Fedde (7-3, 2.99 ERA) opposes Rangers right-hander Michael Lorenzen (5-5, 3.52) on Monday in Texas.

Royals left-hander Cole Ragans (6-6, 3.16 ERA) opposes Diamondbacks right-hander Yilber Díaz (1-0, 1.50) on Monday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721606485754.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Seth Lugo (67) is doused with ice water by Bobby Witt Jr. after pitching a complete game in their win over the Chicago White Sox during a baseball game, Sunday, July 21, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Seth Lugo (67) is doused with ice water by Bobby Witt Jr. after pitching a complete game in their win over the Chicago White Sox during a baseball game, Sunday, July 21, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Seth Lugo retired 14 straight batters in his first career complete game as the Kansas City Royals rallied past the Chicago White Sox for a 4-1 win and series sweep on Sunday.Lugo (12-4) surrendered one run while striking out six on 103 pitches. He allowed an infield hit to Tommy Pham leading off the game before retiring the next 14 batters.“The efficiency, the strike throwing, all that was phenomenal,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “I’m just happy that he got, not only the complete game, but the win.”Lugo said he's been trying to complete a game for a long time.“Over my career I’ve always said I want to play every inning in the game," he said. "Finally got to do that today."Nicky Lopez was hit with a pitch leading off the sixth and scored on Pham’s two-out single, breaking the scoreless tie.In the eighth, Hunter Renfroe’s single scored Bobby Witt Jr. to break a 1-1 tie as the Royals collected five hits, scoring three runs against reliever John Brebbia (0-5).“I was just looking for something up in the zone a little bit, something I could hit in the air,” Renfroe said. “Just try to get him in, best I could. He threw a slider up. I just tried to take it with me and hit it to right field.”“We took what was given to us,” Quatraro said. “We hit the ball the other way. There were two-out hits.”Witt had three hits in all three games of the series as the Royals completed their sixth series sweep.“He’s not a star; he’s a superstar,” White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said. “He’s worth the price of admission. He’s just a special kid.”Kansas City tied the game with one out in the seventh. Maikel Garcia reached on an infield hit against reliever Justin Anderson and scored on Kyle Isbel’s squeeze bunt.Chicago’s bullpen leads the majors with 24 blown saves and 33 losses.“We’ve given up a lot of runs in the seventh inning,” Grifol said. “Brebbia today wasn’t as sharp, but he was still sharp. He just left some pitches over the plate and those guys are good over there.”Drew Thorpe allowed three singles over six shutout innings, walking two and striking out five in his fifth consecutive start of at least six innings while allowing fewer than three runs.“We didn’t get to him at all,” Quatraro said. “He was excellent. Guys were saying they had not seen a changeup like that. The cutter and changeup, we didn’t seem to have an answer for.”Pham had two hits for the White Sox, who lost their seventh straight and suffered their 14th series sweep.UP NEXTWhite Sox right-hander Erick Fedde (7-3, 2.99 ERA) opposes Rangers right-hander Michael Lorenzen (5-5, 3.52) on Monday in Texas.Royals left-hander Cole Ragans (6-6, 3.16 ERA) opposes Diamondbacks right-hander Yilber Díaz (1-0, 1.50) on Monday.

Seth Lugo 1st career complete game, Royals beat White Sox 4-1

Final Jayhawk Collegiate League Standings, Scores, Schedule

TEAM&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; CONF&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; ALL&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; GB Hutch Monarchs&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 13-2&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;28-6&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; - Derby Twins&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 10-5&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;20-11&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 3.0 Dirtbag Baseball&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 10-5&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;10-16&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 3.0 Kansas Cannons&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 10-7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;23-11&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;4.0 Great Bend Bat Cats&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 8-7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;21-15&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 5.0 Haysville Aviators&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;6-9&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 19-12&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;7.0 Kingman Islanders&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;4-10&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;10-19&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 8.5 Diamond Kings&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 3-11&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;6-23&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;9.5 Newton Rebels&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;4-12&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 7-25&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 9.5

* Kansas Cannons 1st half Champions. Automatic berth into NBC World Series * Hutchinson Monarchs 2nd half Champions. Automatic berth into NBC World Series

Saturday Scores Great Bend 7, 316 Diamond Kings 1 Great Bend 5, 316 Diamond Kings 1 Dirtbag Baseball 4, Kansas Cannons 3(10-inn) Haysville 4, Newton 2 Hutchinson 5, Kingman 3

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688644906611.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Final Jayhawk Collegiate League Standings, Scores, Schedule2nd Half StandingsTEAM&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; CONF&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; ALL&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; GB Hutch Monarchs&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 13-2&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;28-6&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; - Derby Twins&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 10-5&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;20-11&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 3.0 Dirtbag Baseball&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 10-5&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;10-16&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 3.0 Kansas Cannons&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 10-7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;23-11&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;4.0 Great Bend Bat Cats&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 8-7&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;21-15&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 5.0 Haysville Aviators&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;6-9&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 19-12&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;7.0 Kingman Islanders&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;4-10&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;10-19&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 8.5 Diamond Kings&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 3-11&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;6-23&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;9.5 Newton Rebels&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;4-12&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 7-25&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 9.5* Kansas Cannons 1st half Champions. Automatic berth into NBC World Series * Hutchinson Monarchs 2nd half Champions. Automatic berth into NBC World Series Saturday Scores Great Bend 7, 316 Diamond Kings 1 Great Bend 5, 316 Diamond Kings 1 Dirtbag Baseball 4, Kansas Cannons 3(10-inn) Haysville 4, Newton 2 Hutchinson 5, Kingman 3End of Regular Season

Final Jayhawk Collegiate League Standings

Saturday, July 20 - GREAT BEND 7, 316 DIAMOND KINGS 1 (7-7 20-15)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; GREAT BEND 5,&nbsp;316 DIAMOND KINGS 1 (8-7 21-15) &nbsp; Monday, June 3 - @ Newton Rebels ppd Tuesday, June 4 -&nbsp; GREAT BEND 8, NEWTON REBELS 3&nbsp; (3-0&nbsp; 3-0) Thursday, June 6 - GREAT BEND 10, KINGMAN ISLANDERS 0&nbsp; (4-0 4-0) Friday, June 7 - @ Kingman Islanders 5, Great Bend 4&nbsp; (4-1&nbsp; 4-1) Sunday, June 9 - @ Hutchinson Monarchs 6pm ppd Monday, June 10-GREAT BEND 8, HUTCH MONARCHS 4&nbsp; (5-1&nbsp; 5-1) Wednesday, June 12 - @ Haysville Aviators 8, Great Bend 7&nbsp; (5-2&nbsp; 5-2) Thursday, June 13 - @ Haysville Aviators 15, Great Bend 5&nbsp; (5-3&nbsp; 5-3) Saturday, June 15 - DIRTBAGS BASEBALL 7, Great Bend 1 (5-4&nbsp; 5-4) Sunday, June 16 - @ Dirtbags Baseball 10, Great Bend 9&nbsp; (5-5&nbsp; 5-5) Monday, June 17 - GREAT BEND 20, DERBY TWINS 10&nbsp; (6-5&nbsp; 6-5) Tuesday, June 18 - DERBY TWINS ppd Thursday, June 20 - GREAT BEND 14, JUNCTION CITY BRIGADE 1 (6-5 7-5) Saturday, June 22 - GM 1-GREAT BEND 10, DIAMOND KINGS 2 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; GM 2-GREAT BEND 13, DIAMOND KINGS 7&nbsp; (8-5 9-5) Monday, June 24 - @ Hutchinson 10, Great Bend 3&nbsp; (8-6 9-6) Tuesday, June 25 - GREAT BEND 11, KANSAS CANNONS 4&nbsp; (9-6&nbsp; 10-6) Wednesday, June 26 - @ Kansas Cannons 5, Great Bend 0&nbsp; (9-7&nbsp; 10-7) Thursday, June 27 - GREAT BEND 11, NEWTON 5&nbsp; (10-7&nbsp; 11-7) Saturday, June 29 - Gm 1 - Great Bend 7, Newton 1&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Gm 2 - Great Bend 7, Newton 2 Sunday, June 30 - Jayhawk Collegiate League All Star Game -------------------------------------------------- Tuesday, July 2 -&nbsp;BAT CATS 4, GREAT BEND BOMBERS 0 (3-1 14-7) Wednesday, July 3 - KINGMAN ISLANDERS PPD Thursday, July 4 - @ Kingman Islanders 5, Great Bend 3&nbsp; (3-2&nbsp; 14-8) Friday, July 5 - GREAT BEND 3, HUTCHINSON 2 (4-2 15-8) Saturday, July 6 - @ Hutchinson Monarchs 12, Great Bend 3 (4-3 15-9) Monday, July 8 - GREAT BEND 13, WARDOGS 1 (4-3 15-8) Tuesday, July 9 - HAYSVILLE 10, GREAT BEND 6&nbsp; (4-4&nbsp; 15-9) Wednesday, July 10 - GREAT BEND 9, HAYSVILLE 0.&nbsp; (5-4&nbsp; 16-9) Thursday, July 11 - DIRTBAGS BASEBALL 12, GREAT BEND 7 (5-5&nbsp; 16-10) Friday, July 12 - @ Dirtbags Baseball 10, Great Bend 9 (12-inn) (5-6 16-11) Sunday, July 14 - @ Derby Twins 21, Great Bend 7 (5-7 16-12) Tuesday, July 16 - GM 1 - Great Bend 13, Derby 1 (6-7 17-12) &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; GM 2 - Derby 5, Great Bend 1&nbsp; (6-8&nbsp; 17-13) Wednesday, July 17 - @ Junction City Brigade 8, Great Bend 1&nbsp; (6-8 17-15) Thursday, July 18 - GREAT BEND 4, LIBERAL BEEJAYS 1 (6-8&nbsp; 19-15) Saturday, July 20 - GREAT BEND 7, 316 DIAMOND KINGS 1 (7-8 20-15) &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; GREAT BEND 5,&nbsp;316 DIAMOND KINGS 1 (8-8 21-15)

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654864243069.png" alt="2024 Season Schedule and Results - Home Games in CAPS - All Games @ 7pm unless noted. All games at Al Burns Field." />
 <figcaption>2024 Season Schedule and Results - Home Games in CAPS - All Games @ 7pm unless noted. All games at Al Burns Field.</figcaption>
 </figure>Saturday, July 20 - GREAT BEND 7, 316 DIAMOND KINGS 1 (7-7 20-15)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; GREAT BEND 5,&nbsp;316 DIAMOND KINGS 1 (8-7 21-15) &nbsp; Monday, June 3 - @ Newton Rebels ppd Tuesday, June 4 -&nbsp; GREAT BEND 8, NEWTON REBELS 3&nbsp; (3-0&nbsp; 3-0) Thursday, June 6 - GREAT BEND 10, KINGMAN ISLANDERS 0&nbsp; (4-0 4-0) Friday, June 7 - @ Kingman Islanders 5, Great Bend 4&nbsp; (4-1&nbsp; 4-1) Sunday, June 9 - @ Hutchinson Monarchs 6pm ppd Monday, June 10-GREAT BEND 8, HUTCH MONARCHS 4&nbsp; (5-1&nbsp; 5-1) Wednesday, June 12 - @ Haysville Aviators 8, Great Bend 7&nbsp; (5-2&nbsp; 5-2) Thursday, June 13 - @ Haysville Aviators 15, Great Bend 5&nbsp; (5-3&nbsp; 5-3) Saturday, June 15 - DIRTBAGS BASEBALL 7, Great Bend 1 (5-4&nbsp; 5-4) Sunday, June 16 - @ Dirtbags Baseball 10, Great Bend 9&nbsp; (5-5&nbsp; 5-5) Monday, June 17 - GREAT BEND 20, DERBY TWINS 10&nbsp; (6-5&nbsp; 6-5) Tuesday, June 18 - DERBY TWINS ppd Thursday, June 20 - GREAT BEND 14, JUNCTION CITY BRIGADE 1 (6-5 7-5) Saturday, June 22 - GM 1-GREAT BEND 10, DIAMOND KINGS 2 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; GM 2-GREAT BEND 13, DIAMOND KINGS 7&nbsp; (8-5 9-5) Monday, June 24 - @ Hutchinson 10, Great Bend 3&nbsp; (8-6 9-6) Tuesday, June 25 - GREAT BEND 11, KANSAS CANNONS 4&nbsp; (9-6&nbsp; 10-6) Wednesday, June 26 - @ Kansas Cannons 5, Great Bend 0&nbsp; (9-7&nbsp; 10-7) Thursday, June 27 - GREAT BEND 11, NEWTON 5&nbsp; (10-7&nbsp; 11-7) Saturday, June 29 - Gm 1 - Great Bend 7, Newton 1&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Gm 2 - Great Bend 7, Newton 2 Sunday, June 30 - Jayhawk Collegiate League All Star Game -------------------------------------------------- Tuesday, July 2 -&nbsp;BAT CATS 4, GREAT BEND BOMBERS 0 (3-1 14-7) Wednesday, July 3 - KINGMAN ISLANDERS PPD Thursday, July 4 - @ Kingman Islanders 5, Great Bend 3&nbsp; (3-2&nbsp; 14-8) Friday, July 5 - GREAT BEND 3, HUTCHINSON 2 (4-2 15-8) Saturday, July 6 - @ Hutchinson Monarchs 12, Great Bend 3 (4-3 15-9) Monday, July 8 - GREAT BEND 13, WARDOGS 1 (4-3 15-8) Tuesday, July 9 - HAYSVILLE 10, GREAT BEND 6&nbsp; (4-4&nbsp; 15-9) Wednesday, July 10 - GREAT BEND 9, HAYSVILLE 0.&nbsp; (5-4&nbsp; 16-9) Thursday, July 11 - DIRTBAGS BASEBALL 12, GREAT BEND 7 (5-5&nbsp; 16-10) Friday, July 12 - @ Dirtbags Baseball 10, Great Bend 9 (12-inn) (5-6 16-11) Sunday, July 14 - @ Derby Twins 21, Great Bend 7 (5-7 16-12) Tuesday, July 16 - GM 1 - Great Bend 13, Derby 1 (6-7 17-12) &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; GM 2 - Derby 5, Great Bend 1&nbsp; (6-8&nbsp; 17-13) Wednesday, July 17 - @ Junction City Brigade 8, Great Bend 1&nbsp; (6-8 17-15) Thursday, July 18 - GREAT BEND 4, LIBERAL BEEJAYS 1 (6-8&nbsp; 19-15) Saturday, July 20 - GREAT BEND 7, 316 DIAMOND KINGS 1 (7-8 20-15) &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; GREAT BEND 5,&nbsp;316 DIAMOND KINGS 1 (8-8 21-15)

Great Bend Bat Cats Schedule and Results

PHOENIX (AP) — Arike Ogunbowale was the dominant scorer on the floor. Caitlin Clark was the best passer. Angel Reese was her usual double-double machine.

The U.S. may still have the best team at the Olympics, but at the All-Star Game, they didn’t have all the best players on Saturday night.

Ogunbowale set the All-Star scoring record with 34 points and Clark fell just short of the assist mark in her All-Star debut as the WNBA team beat the U.S. Olympic team 117-109.

It was the second consecutive win for the WNBA All-Star team over the Olympians. The All-Stars also won in 2021 led by Ogunbowale, who was MVP of both that game and this one.

“This is going to help us tremendously. We don’t get that many game opportunities," said Breanna Stewart who had 31 points to lead the U.S. ”We can go back and watch the film and focus on how we can continue to be better. It was like a little bit of deja vu feeling but just locking in.”

The loss didn't slow down the Americans in 2021 as they went on to winning their seventh consecutive Olympic gold medal. The U.S. hopes for the same results in Paris later this month. No team in the world could match the depth or talent that the WNBA All-Stars had.

“Is Arike playing for any of these teams we are going to play?" U.S. coach Cheryl Reeve deadpanned.

Saturday's loss came hours after the U.S. men's Olympic team rallied to beat South Sudan by one point in an exhibition game in London.

The U.S. women's team will next play Germany in London for an exhibition game Tuesday before going to France for the Olympics. The Americans are in a pool with Belgium, Japan and Germany.

“We have work to do and we know that,” Reeve said. “Sometimes it's good, adversity, etc. I don’t think we needed a game like this to have our attention. We know how hard it is to do what we’re trying to do and we have work to do to get there.”

Ogunbowale once again was a thorn in the side of the U.S. team, scoring all of her points in the second half. The 2021 All-Star MVP took over the game in the third quarter scoring 21 points, hitting six of her 10 shots, including five 3-pointers. The U.S. team threw everything at the Dallas Wings star, but they just couldn’t stop her.

Ogunbowale said that WNBA team coach Cheryl Miller said something to her at the half about being more aggressive.

“Told me to take a deep breath and go out and play my game,” she said.

Ogunbowale has been in the U.S. national team pool for the past two Olympics, but didn’t make the roster either time. She pulled her name out of the pool of players early this time around saying the whole process was political.

By the time Ogunbowale was done in the third quarter, the WNBA All-Stars had turned a two-point halftime deficit into an 88-79 lead. She broke Jewell Loyd’s overall All-Star scoring record of 31 set last year with a 3-pointer late in the fourth quarter.

The Olympians, who have only practiced together for two days, never really threatened.

There was so much hype and energy around this All-Star Game with the debuts of phenomenal rookies Clark and Reese. The pair have helped lift the WNBA to new heights this season with record attendance and viewership.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721576918994.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;Caitlin Clark, right, Allisha Gray, center, and Aliyah Boston, left, of Team WNBA, celebrate a made 3-point basket by a teammate against Team USA during the second half of a WNBA All-Star basketball game Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Caitlin Clark, right, Allisha Gray, center, and Aliyah Boston, left, of Team WNBA, celebrate a made 3-point basket by a teammate against Team USA during the second half of a WNBA All-Star basketball game Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)</figcaption>
 </figure>PHOENIX (AP) — Arike Ogunbowale was the dominant scorer on the floor. Caitlin Clark was the best passer. Angel Reese was her usual double-double machine.The U.S. may still have the best team at the Olympics, but at the All-Star Game, they didn’t have all the best players on Saturday night.Ogunbowale set the All-Star scoring record with 34 points and Clark fell just short of the assist mark in her All-Star debut as the WNBA team beat the U.S. Olympic team 117-109.It was the second consecutive win for the WNBA All-Star team over the Olympians. The All-Stars also won in 2021 led by Ogunbowale, who was MVP of both that game and this one.“This is going to help us tremendously. We don’t get that many game opportunities," said Breanna Stewart who had 31 points to lead the U.S. ”We can go back and watch the film and focus on how we can continue to be better. It was like a little bit of deja vu feeling but just locking in.”The loss didn't slow down the Americans in 2021 as they went on to winning their seventh consecutive Olympic gold medal. The U.S. hopes for the same results in Paris later this month. No team in the world could match the depth or talent that the WNBA All-Stars had.“Is Arike playing for any of these teams we are going to play?" U.S. coach Cheryl Reeve deadpanned.Saturday's loss came hours after the U.S. men's Olympic team rallied to beat South Sudan by one point in an exhibition game in London.The U.S. women's team will next play Germany in London for an exhibition game Tuesday before going to France for the Olympics. The Americans are in a pool with Belgium, Japan and Germany.“We have work to do and we know that,” Reeve said. “Sometimes it's good, adversity, etc. I don’t think we needed a game like this to have our attention. We know how hard it is to do what we’re trying to do and we have work to do to get there.”Ogunbowale once again was a thorn in the side of the U.S. team, scoring all of her points in the second half. The 2021 All-Star MVP took over the game in the third quarter scoring 21 points, hitting six of her 10 shots, including five 3-pointers. The U.S. team threw everything at the Dallas Wings star, but they just couldn’t stop her.Ogunbowale said that WNBA team coach Cheryl Miller said something to her at the half about being more aggressive.“Told me to take a deep breath and go out and play my game,” she said.Ogunbowale has been in the U.S. national team pool for the past two Olympics, but didn’t make the roster either time. She pulled her name out of the pool of players early this time around saying the whole process was political.By the time Ogunbowale was done in the third quarter, the WNBA All-Stars had turned a two-point halftime deficit into an 88-79 lead. She broke Jewell Loyd’s overall All-Star scoring record of 31 set last year with a 3-pointer late in the fourth quarter.The Olympians, who have only practiced together for two days, never really threatened.A’ja Wilson added 22.There was so much hype and energy around this All-Star Game with the debuts of phenomenal rookies Clark and Reese. The pair have helped lift the WNBA to new heights this season with record attendance and viewership.It was their first time the young stars had ever played together. One of Clark’s 10 assists came to Reese, who finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds.“We knew after our little 30 minute practice yesterday that we were going to win,” Reese said. “The tone was set.”Clark finished one assist short of Sue Bird's Al-Star record.“That's Sue's record. Can't take that from her, that's my homey,” Clark said.The game was put in Phoenix to celebrate the 20-year career of Mercury star Diana Taurasi and the return of Brittney Griner from her wrongful detainment in Russia in 2022.“This will be one of the single hardest things to concentrate on. Is actually coaching the team because of what’s happening,” Reeve said. “It is one of the greatest spectacles, I think, in the history of our league.”While Clark and Reese were given loud ovations from the crowd in pregame introductions, nothing matched the applause for Taurasi, who was playing in her 11th All-Star Game.