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Friday Sports Day (4/7/23)

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State will host 3-time NCAA champion Villanova on Tuesday, Dec. 5 as part of the fifth edition of the BIG EAST/Big 12 Battle, the two conferences announced on Thursday (April 6).

The game will be broadcast on one of ESPN's properties at a time to be determined later.

The 11 matchups were jointly determined by the two conferences and will be played on various campuses starting on Thursday, Nov. 30 and running through Tuesday, Dec. 5. The series will increase to 11 games in 2023-24 and 2024-25 due to increased membership for both leagues. The Big 12 will host six games in 2023-24 while the BIG EAST will host six the following season.

This will be just the second meeting between the programs and the first in more than 80 years since Villanova knocked off K-State, 51-34, on Dec. 27, 1940 in Philadelphia.

K-State is 0-3 all-time in the BIG EAST/Big 12 Battle following losses to Marquette in 2019 and 2021 and Butler in 2022. This past season, the Bulldogs posted a 76-64 win over the Wildcats at Hinkle Fieldhouse.

Overall, K-State is 24-27 all-time against BIG EAST opponents, including 11-4 at home. The last win against a BIG EAST foe came against Creighton in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament on March 16 in Charlotte.

Led by first-year head coach Kyle Neptune, Villanova posted a 17-17 overall record, including a 10-10 mark in the BIG EAST, and advanced to the NIT in 2022-23. Rocked by injuries early in the season, the Wildcats won 6 of their last 8 regular-season games, including notable victories over NCAA Tournament teams Xavier and Creighton, to earn a bid to the NIT, where they lost at Big South Champion Liberty, 62-57, in the first round.

Neptune replaced the legendary Jay Wright as the Wildcats' head coach on April 20, 2022, after guiding Fordham to a 16-16 record in his first and only season in 2021-22. Neptune was a Villanova assistant coach from 2013-21, helping the school to 233 victories, 7 BIG EAST regular-season titles, 4 BIG EAST Tournament crowns and NCAA Championships in 2016 and 2018.

Led by Naismith National Coach of the Year Jerome Tang, the Wildcats compiled a 26-10 record in 2022-23, which included a tie for third place in the Big 12 and the school's 13th trip to the Elite Eight. The 26 wins are the third-most in school history and the most since winning 27 in 2012-13.

November 30 – Creighton at Oklahoma State

December 1 – St. John's at West Virginia

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680876727132.jpeg" alt="Kansas State Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Kansas State Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State will host 3-time NCAA champion Villanova on Tuesday, Dec. 5 as part of the fifth edition of the BIG EAST/Big 12 Battle, the two conferences announced on Thursday (April 6).ADVERTISINGThe game will be broadcast on one of ESPN's properties at a time to be determined later.The 11 matchups were jointly determined by the two conferences and will be played on various campuses starting on Thursday, Nov. 30 and running through Tuesday, Dec. 5. The series will increase to 11 games in 2023-24 and 2024-25 due to increased membership for both leagues. The Big 12 will host six games in 2023-24 while the BIG EAST will host six the following season.This will be just the second meeting between the programs and the first in more than 80 years since Villanova knocked off K-State, 51-34, on Dec. 27, 1940 in Philadelphia.K-State is 0-3 all-time in the BIG EAST/Big 12 Battle following losses to Marquette in 2019 and 2021 and Butler in 2022. This past season, the Bulldogs posted a 76-64 win over the Wildcats at Hinkle Fieldhouse.Overall, K-State is 24-27 all-time against BIG EAST opponents, including 11-4 at home. The last win against a BIG EAST foe came against Creighton in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament on March 16 in Charlotte.Led by first-year head coach Kyle Neptune, Villanova posted a 17-17 overall record, including a 10-10 mark in the BIG EAST, and advanced to the NIT in 2022-23. Rocked by injuries early in the season, the Wildcats won 6 of their last 8 regular-season games, including notable victories over NCAA Tournament teams Xavier and Creighton, to earn a bid to the NIT, where they lost at Big South Champion Liberty, 62-57, in the first round.Neptune replaced the legendary Jay Wright as the Wildcats' head coach on April 20, 2022, after guiding Fordham to a 16-16 record in his first and only season in 2021-22. Neptune was a Villanova assistant coach from 2013-21, helping the school to 233 victories, 7 BIG EAST regular-season titles, 4 BIG EAST Tournament crowns and NCAA Championships in 2016 and 2018.Led by Naismith National Coach of the Year Jerome Tang, the Wildcats compiled a 26-10 record in 2022-23, which included a tie for third place in the Big 12 and the school's 13th trip to the Elite Eight. The 26 wins are the third-most in school history and the most since winning 27 in 2012-13.Big 12/BIG EAST ChallengeNovember 30 – Texas Tech at ButlerNovember 30 – Creighton at Oklahoma StateDecember 1 – Iowa State at DePaulDecember 1 – Houston at XavierDecember 1 – UConn at KansasDecember 1 – St. John's at West VirginiaDecember 2 – TCU at GeorgetownDecember 5 – Texas at MarquetteDecember 5 – Providence at OklahomaDecember 5 – Seton Hall at BaylorDecember 5 – Villanova at K-State

K-State to Host Villanova in BIG EAST/Big 12 Battle

The drama continues at the Great Bend Sports Complex. Last week, freshman Katherine Mazouch hit a late home run to force extra innings in a loss to Hutchinson. Thursday night, Mazouch, Lauryn Davis, and Halle Post provided the heroics for the Lady Panther softball team in a 7-6 game-one win against Liberal. Great Bend took game two 7-3 to improve to 3-3 on the year.

The Lady Panthers were cruising with a 6-1 lead after five innings. Liberal scored two in the sixth and tied things up with three more in the seventh. Mazouch opened the bottom of the eighth with a single to left field, then moved to second on a sacrifice from Davis. With one out, Post grounded out, but errors on the play allowed Mazouch to score the winning run.

Paige Thexton picked up the win in the circle, throwing all eight innings and allowing just two earned runs on four hits. She struck out 10 and walked three.

Mazouch and Denver Ringo each had two hits, and Ringo and Davis each doubled and drove in two. Rylee Prilling walked three times and came around to score once.

Game two was less dramatic. Liberal scored the first two runs, but the Lady Panthers answered with runs in each of the first four innings, then a three-run sixth to cap a 7-3 win.

Braelyn Turner went the distance in the circle, striking out five and walking five in her seven innings of work. She allowed three earned runs on six hits.

The Lady Panthers piled up 12 hits, led by Analiz Rivas with a double and two singles resulting in a pair of RBIs. Post and Ringo each singled twice, and DeShawnna Bryant and Alyssa McCauley each doubled. Thexton singled and walked twice, driving in a run and scoring twice.

Great Bend hosts Dodge City for a single game on Tuesday, then heads to Dodge City for a twin bill on Thursday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673886547614.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The drama continues at the Great Bend Sports Complex. Last week, freshman Katherine Mazouch hit a late home run to force extra innings in a loss to Hutchinson. Thursday night, Mazouch, Lauryn Davis, and Halle Post provided the heroics for the Lady Panther softball team in a 7-6 game-one win against Liberal. Great Bend took game two 7-3 to improve to 3-3 on the year.The Lady Panthers were cruising with a 6-1 lead after five innings. Liberal scored two in the sixth and tied things up with three more in the seventh. Mazouch opened the bottom of the eighth with a single to left field, then moved to second on a sacrifice from Davis. With one out, Post grounded out, but errors on the play allowed Mazouch to score the winning run.Paige Thexton picked up the win in the circle, throwing all eight innings and allowing just two earned runs on four hits. She struck out 10 and walked three.Mazouch and Denver Ringo each had two hits, and Ringo and Davis each doubled and drove in two. Rylee Prilling walked three times and came around to score once.Game two was less dramatic. Liberal scored the first two runs, but the Lady Panthers answered with runs in each of the first four innings, then a three-run sixth to cap a 7-3 win.Braelyn Turner went the distance in the circle, striking out five and walking five in her seven innings of work. She allowed three earned runs on six hits.The Lady Panthers piled up 12 hits, led by Analiz Rivas with a double and two singles resulting in a pair of RBIs. Post and Ringo each singled twice, and DeShawnna Bryant and Alyssa McCauley each doubled. Thexton singled and walked twice, driving in a run and scoring twice.Great Bend hosts Dodge City for a single game on Tuesday, then heads to Dodge City for a twin bill on Thursday.

Lady Panther softball takes two against Liberal

LAWRENCE, Kan.&nbsp;– The last two NCAA men’s basketball champions will square off when 2023 champ Connecticut plays at 2022 champ Kansas in the Big EAST-Big 12 Battle on Dec. 1 in historic Allen Fieldhouse. Both conferences announced the Big EAST-Big 12 pairings Thursday.

Kansas men’s basketball season tickets are available&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetGroupList?groupCode=MBB&amp;linkID=kansas&amp;shopperContext=&amp;caller=&amp;appCode=">here</a>&nbsp;for the 2023-24 season.

Kansas leads the series with Connecticut, 3-0, with the last meeting being a 73-61 win on March 19, 2016, in the NCAA Tournament second round in Des Moines, Iowa. KU won the first meeting against UConn, 88-59, on Jan. 1, 1995 at Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Missouri, and the second, 73-65, on Jan. 19, 1997, in Hartford, Conn.

This will be the fifth BIG EAST-Big 12 Battle with Kansas holding a 3-1 record. Last season, Kansas defeated Seton Hall, 91-65, on Dec. 1, 2022, in Allen Fieldhouse. KU won at St. John’s, 95-75, in 2021 and defeated Creighton, 73-72, in 2020. Kansas’ sole loss in the battle was at Villanova, 55-56, in 2019.

2023 BIG EAST-Big 12 Battle Schedule Nov. 30 – Texas Tech at Butler Nov. – Creighton at Oklahoma State Dec. 1 – Iowa State at DePaul Dec. 1 – Houston at Xavier Dec. 1 – CONNECTICUT AT KANSAS Dec. 1 – St. John’s at West Virginia Dec. 2 – TCU at Georgetown Dec. 5 – Texas at Marquette Dec. 5 – Providence at Oklahoma Dec. 5 – Villanova at Kansas State Dec. 5 – Seton Hall at Baylor

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680876564415.jpeg" alt="Kansas Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan.&nbsp;– The last two NCAA men’s basketball champions will square off when 2023 champ Connecticut plays at 2022 champ Kansas in the Big EAST-Big 12 Battle on Dec. 1 in historic Allen Fieldhouse. Both conferences announced the Big EAST-Big 12 pairings Thursday.Kansas men’s basketball season tickets are available&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetGroupList?groupCode=MBB&amp;linkID=kansas&amp;shopperContext=&amp;caller=&amp;appCode=">here</a>&nbsp;for the 2023-24 season.Kansas leads the series with Connecticut, 3-0, with the last meeting being a 73-61 win on March 19, 2016, in the NCAA Tournament second round in Des Moines, Iowa. KU won the first meeting against UConn, 88-59, on Jan. 1, 1995 at Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Missouri, and the second, 73-65, on Jan. 19, 1997, in Hartford, Conn.This will be the fifth BIG EAST-Big 12 Battle with Kansas holding a 3-1 record. Last season, Kansas defeated Seton Hall, 91-65, on Dec. 1, 2022, in Allen Fieldhouse. KU won at St. John’s, 95-75, in 2021 and defeated Creighton, 73-72, in 2020. Kansas’ sole loss in the battle was at Villanova, 55-56, in 2019.2023 BIG EAST-Big 12 Battle Schedule Nov. 30 – Texas Tech at Butler Nov. – Creighton at Oklahoma State Dec. 1 – Iowa State at DePaul Dec. 1 – Houston at Xavier Dec. 1 – CONNECTICUT AT KANSAS Dec. 1 – St. John’s at West Virginia Dec. 2 – TCU at Georgetown Dec. 5 – Texas at Marquette Dec. 5 – Providence at Oklahoma Dec. 5 – Villanova at Kansas State Dec. 5 – Seton Hall at Baylor

Kansas to Host Connecticut in 2023 Big EAST-Big 12 Battle

By BRANDON SMITH Barton Sports Info

Starting pitcher Owen Reynolds earned his seventh victory of the season and outfielder Riley Silva had a five hit day to help the 9th ranked Barton Community College baseball team to a Jayhawk West split with Seward County Community College on Thursday at Lawson-Biggs Field.

Falling on the wrong side dropping the opener 4-3, the Cougars built up a nine-run lead in the fifth inning proving to be just enough holding off a late Saints charge clinging to a 12-11 nightcap victory to salvage the doubleheader split.

Having their nine-game win streak snapped, the Cougars still remain atop the KJCCC West standings at 12-2 and 33-4 overall while the Saints had their streak of nine straight spoiled now sitting at 11-7 in league play and 21-19 overall.

The two teams will conclude the four-game set Saturday in Liberal at Brent Gould Field scheduled for a 1:00 p.m. doubleheader.

Barton had its nine-game winning streak snapped in the opener as the Cougars mustered only four hits against Seward County starter Brian Luna Alvarez, who struck out five in a seven-inning complete game performance.

Barton held a pair of leads with the first coming in the first turn through the lineup as a Silva one-out single and advancement of a two base throwing error jogged home on Ricardo Sanchez RBI groundout.

The lead stayed in the Cougars favor until the top of the third as a two-out solo shot by Cameron Cartwright knotted it up at 1-apiece.

Answering the call in the home fourth, back-to-back one-out Robby Bolin and Silva singles furnished Barton's final two runs with a Sanchez sacrifice fly bringing home Bolin with a wild pitch six pitches later scoring Silva giving Barton a 3-1 lead after three-innings.

In the top of the sixth, the Saints fought back to even it up as a leadoff bunt single created Cartwright's second home run of the day.

Stranding a one-out Sanchez and two-out Blachowicz hit-by-pitch's in the bottom of the sixth, the Saints produced the go-ahead run with a one-out Triston Curless single and steal of second. Before the next pitch, Barton's lone miscue of the game came at a crucial time as a pickoff attempt at third beat the runner before getting away manufacturing the go-ahead run on a two-base error.

The Cougar rally attempt in the home seventh came up short as Henry Hayman's two-out single was washed away with the Saints rolling up a game ending double-play.

Starting hurler, David Stuart (3-2) went the distance for just the second time this season and second time in his career. The sophomore righty finished with a new career high 10 strikeouts allowing five hits and four runs (three earned) suffering his second loss of the season.

0-of-3 in the opener, Quinton Robertson put the Cougars out front first lacing a first pitch swinging single through the right side bringing across Silva's one-out walk.

Locked in a 1-1 deadlock succeeding a two-out wild pitch plating a run in the top of the second, Seward gifted the lead back to Barton in the bottom of the fourth as one of three Saints errors in the contest allowed Robertson to reach to open the inning. Three batters later Howse delivered the first of the five runs scored with a single to right field. The lead quickly increased on Hayman's sacrifice-fly scoring a Blachowicz single with Bolin doubling the margin two batters later legging out his team leading 13th double plating Howse and Owen Bailey's reaching on a fielder's choice. Silva settled the fourth inning scoring making it 6-1 on his lone run produced single to right.

Loading the bases in the bottom of the fifth with one-out, the Cougar lead grew by four as a Saints passed ball pushed across the first marker scoring Robertson's leadoff hit-by-pitch. Hayman added a run fabricating a run producing bloop double while Bailey needing just two pitches to extend his hitting streak to eight straight games with a single through the right-side bringing home Howse and Hayman.

In the top of the sixth, the Saints rallied behind the long ball pounding out a trio of home runs. The inning began with a pinch-hit solo-shot to left with an error prolonging the frame leading to back-to-back home runs on Jaxson Gregg's three-run shot and reigning KJCCC/NJCAA player of the week Elijah Bear's solo-shot to right slicing the lead to 10-8.

Barton separated themselves in the bottom of the seventh extending the lead to 12-8 with Sanchez reaching on an error bringing in Bailey's leadoff hit-by-pitch and Robertson's ensuing sacrifice-fly plating Silva's one-out double.

Seward spotted a three-run response in the top of the eighth with Gregg launching his second three-run home run to left and Saints fourth home run of the game pulling within a run, 12-11.

Entering with a one-run lead in the top of the ninth, Hunter Jones denied the Saints of a comeback attempt stranding a two-out single inducing a pair of fly-outs to secure the Barton win notching his second save of the year.

Reynolds (7-0) pitched 5 1/3 innings allowing four runs (two earned), seven hits, one walk, and fanned six Saints to earn his seventh victory of the season. Brett Allen tossed 1/3 inning allowing two hits, four unearned runs, and walked one. Tyrus Riley tossed 1 1/3 innings giving up three runs on two hits, one walk and striking out three while Ian Cox worked 2/3 innings surrendering one hit.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680861031357.jpeg" alt="Barton Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Barton Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRANDON SMITH Barton Sports InfoStarting pitcher Owen Reynolds earned his seventh victory of the season and outfielder Riley Silva had a five hit day to help the 9th ranked Barton Community College baseball team to a Jayhawk West split with Seward County Community College on Thursday at Lawson-Biggs Field.Falling on the wrong side dropping the opener 4-3, the Cougars built up a nine-run lead in the fifth inning proving to be just enough holding off a late Saints charge clinging to a 12-11 nightcap victory to salvage the doubleheader split.Having their nine-game win streak snapped, the Cougars still remain atop the KJCCC West standings at 12-2 and 33-4 overall while the Saints had their streak of nine straight spoiled now sitting at 11-7 in league play and 21-19 overall.The two teams will conclude the four-game set Saturday in Liberal at Brent Gould Field scheduled for a 1:00 p.m. doubleheader.Game 1 RecapBarton had its nine-game winning streak snapped in the opener as the Cougars mustered only four hits against Seward County starter Brian Luna Alvarez, who struck out five in a seven-inning complete game performance.Barton held a pair of leads with the first coming in the first turn through the lineup as a Silva one-out single and advancement of a two base throwing error jogged home on Ricardo Sanchez RBI groundout.The lead stayed in the Cougars favor until the top of the third as a two-out solo shot by Cameron Cartwright knotted it up at 1-apiece.Answering the call in the home fourth, back-to-back one-out Robby Bolin and Silva singles furnished Barton's final two runs with a Sanchez sacrifice fly bringing home Bolin with a wild pitch six pitches later scoring Silva giving Barton a 3-1 lead after three-innings.In the top of the sixth, the Saints fought back to even it up as a leadoff bunt single created Cartwright's second home run of the day.Stranding a one-out Sanchez and two-out Blachowicz hit-by-pitch's in the bottom of the sixth, the Saints produced the go-ahead run with a one-out Triston Curless single and steal of second. Before the next pitch, Barton's lone miscue of the game came at a crucial time as a pickoff attempt at third beat the runner before getting away manufacturing the go-ahead run on a two-base error.The Cougar rally attempt in the home seventh came up short as Henry Hayman's two-out single was washed away with the Saints rolling up a game ending double-play.Starting hurler, David Stuart (3-2) went the distance for just the second time this season and second time in his career. The sophomore righty finished with a new career high 10 strikeouts allowing five hits and four runs (three earned) suffering his second loss of the season.Game 2 Recap0-of-3 in the opener, Quinton Robertson put the Cougars out front first lacing a first pitch swinging single through the right side bringing across Silva's one-out walk.Locked in a 1-1 deadlock succeeding a two-out wild pitch plating a run in the top of the second, Seward gifted the lead back to Barton in the bottom of the fourth as one of three Saints errors in the contest allowed Robertson to reach to open the inning. Three batters later Howse delivered the first of the five runs scored with a single to right field. The lead quickly increased on Hayman's sacrifice-fly scoring a Blachowicz single with Bolin doubling the margin two batters later legging out his team leading 13th double plating Howse and Owen Bailey's reaching on a fielder's choice. Silva settled the fourth inning scoring making it 6-1 on his lone run produced single to right.Loading the bases in the bottom of the fifth with one-out, the Cougar lead grew by four as a Saints passed ball pushed across the first marker scoring Robertson's leadoff hit-by-pitch. Hayman added a run fabricating a run producing bloop double while Bailey needing just two pitches to extend his hitting streak to eight straight games with a single through the right-side bringing home Howse and Hayman.In the top of the sixth, the Saints rallied behind the long ball pounding out a trio of home runs. The inning began with a pinch-hit solo-shot to left with an error prolonging the frame leading to back-to-back home runs on Jaxson Gregg's three-run shot and reigning KJCCC/NJCAA player of the week Elijah Bear's solo-shot to right slicing the lead to 10-8.Barton separated themselves in the bottom of the seventh extending the lead to 12-8 with Sanchez reaching on an error bringing in Bailey's leadoff hit-by-pitch and Robertson's ensuing sacrifice-fly plating Silva's one-out double.Seward spotted a three-run response in the top of the eighth with Gregg launching his second three-run home run to left and Saints fourth home run of the game pulling within a run, 12-11.Entering with a one-run lead in the top of the ninth, Hunter Jones denied the Saints of a comeback attempt stranding a two-out single inducing a pair of fly-outs to secure the Barton win notching his second save of the year.Reynolds (7-0) pitched 5 1/3 innings allowing four runs (two earned), seven hits, one walk, and fanned six Saints to earn his seventh victory of the season. Brett Allen tossed 1/3 inning allowing two hits, four unearned runs, and walked one. Tyrus Riley tossed 1 1/3 innings giving up three runs on two hits, one walk and striking out three while Ian Cox worked 2/3 innings surrendering one hit.

9th ranked Barton Baseball splits first two games against Seward County

Softball -Game 1- Great Bend 7 Liberal 6 -Game 2- Great Bend 7 Liberal 3

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673886602159.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Softball -Game 1- Great Bend 7 Liberal 6 -Game 2- Great Bend 7 Liberal 3<div><iframe width="100%" height="265" src="https://clyp.it/yfj01sb3/widget" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kevin Gausman pitched six scoreless innings, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Cavan Biggio hit home runs and the Toronto Blue Jays won their third straight game, 6-3, over the Kansas City Royals on Thursday to take the four-game series.

Gausman (1-1) gave up just four hits to the struggling Royals, striking out seven and walking two. Kansas City did not have a runner reach second base until the sixth inning.

“I felt pretty good with the split today,” Gausman said. “I felt like I had good command that got better as the game went on. It's a good pitch for me.”

It wasn't an easy game for Gausman with the temperature in the low 50s Fahrenheit (around 11 degrees Celsius). But he fought through it.

“His stuff speaks for itself,” Toronto manager John Schneider said. “His split was great and he located his heater really well off that. That's what good pitchers do. They make adjustments when they need to.”

The Royals scored three runs in the eighth to avoid their fourth shutout of the season.

“We just continued to have good at-bats,” said interim Kansas City manager Paul Hoover, who is filling in for Matt Quatraro, out with COVID-19. “It was good to see the guys string a couple together and get the heartbeat up a little bit. We had the tying run at the plate with no outs.”

Jordan Lyles (0-2) took the loss. He struck out nine but gave up five runs on eight hits in 5 2/3 innings. Five of the hits were for extra bases, including a pair of homers.

The Blue Jays wasted no time in jumping out to an early lead. Guerrero blooped a one-out single in the first, followed by a double by Daulton Varsho. Matt Chapman, the American League's leading hitter at .522 entering the game, then lined a double off the top of the wall in left to score both runners.

The Jays added to their lead in the second on a two-out single by Bo Bichette scoring Kevin Kiermaier.

Biggio hit his first home run of the season into the Royals' bullpen in right for a 4-0 lead in the fourth.

“(Lyles) struck the first two batters out and got ahead 0-2,” Biggio said. “I was trying to battle and trying to protect. I didn't want to let him get me on a two-seamer. He left one over the plate and I put a good swing on it.”

Guerrero extended the lead to 5-0 in the fifth with a 436-foot home run to left center to go deep for the second time in as many days.

“He's really staying within himself,” Schneider said. “Even when he's making an out, he's knowing what he's doing and just missing. His approach is awesome.”

Toronto used three straight singles in the seventh to plate its sixth run. Varsho's RBI single drove in Bichette.

The Royals finally got on the board in the eighth, when Bobby Witt Jr. hit the left-field foul pole for his first home run of the season. Vinnie Pasquantino had an RBI single and Edward Olivares added an RBI double. But with runners on second and third with no outs, the Royals could not score again.

Blue Jays: Toronto continues its season-opening road trip with a three-game series in Anaheim against the Los Angeles Angels. RHP Chris Bassitt (0-1, 24.30 ERA) will get the start for the Blue Jays. The Angels will counter with LHP Patrick Sandoval (1-0, 1.80 ERA).

Royals: Kansas City also heads west for its first road series of the season in San Francisco against the Giants. RHP Brad Keller (0-1, 3.86 ERA) will face RHP Alex Cobb (0-0, 2.45 ERA).

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kevin Gausman pitched six scoreless innings, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Cavan Biggio hit home runs and the Toronto Blue Jays won their third straight game, 6-3, over the Kansas City Royals on Thursday to take the four-game series.Gausman (1-1) gave up just four hits to the struggling Royals, striking out seven and walking two. Kansas City did not have a runner reach second base until the sixth inning.“I felt pretty good with the split today,” Gausman said. “I felt like I had good command that got better as the game went on. It's a good pitch for me.”It wasn't an easy game for Gausman with the temperature in the low 50s Fahrenheit (around 11 degrees Celsius). But he fought through it.“His stuff speaks for itself,” Toronto manager John Schneider said. “His split was great and he located his heater really well off that. That's what good pitchers do. They make adjustments when they need to.”The Royals scored three runs in the eighth to avoid their fourth shutout of the season.“We just continued to have good at-bats,” said interim Kansas City manager Paul Hoover, who is filling in for Matt Quatraro, out with COVID-19. “It was good to see the guys string a couple together and get the heartbeat up a little bit. We had the tying run at the plate with no outs.”Adam Cimber earned his first save.Jordan Lyles (0-2) took the loss. He struck out nine but gave up five runs on eight hits in 5 2/3 innings. Five of the hits were for extra bases, including a pair of homers.The Blue Jays wasted no time in jumping out to an early lead. Guerrero blooped a one-out single in the first, followed by a double by Daulton Varsho. Matt Chapman, the American League's leading hitter at .522 entering the game, then lined a double off the top of the wall in left to score both runners.The Jays added to their lead in the second on a two-out single by Bo Bichette scoring Kevin Kiermaier.Biggio hit his first home run of the season into the Royals' bullpen in right for a 4-0 lead in the fourth.“(Lyles) struck the first two batters out and got ahead 0-2,” Biggio said. “I was trying to battle and trying to protect. I didn't want to let him get me on a two-seamer. He left one over the plate and I put a good swing on it.”Guerrero extended the lead to 5-0 in the fifth with a 436-foot home run to left center to go deep for the second time in as many days.“He's really staying within himself,” Schneider said. “Even when he's making an out, he's knowing what he's doing and just missing. His approach is awesome.”Toronto used three straight singles in the seventh to plate its sixth run. Varsho's RBI single drove in Bichette.The Royals finally got on the board in the eighth, when Bobby Witt Jr. hit the left-field foul pole for his first home run of the season. Vinnie Pasquantino had an RBI single and Edward Olivares added an RBI double. But with runners on second and third with no outs, the Royals could not score again.UP NEXTBlue Jays: Toronto continues its season-opening road trip with a three-game series in Anaheim against the Los Angeles Angels. RHP Chris Bassitt (0-1, 24.30 ERA) will get the start for the Blue Jays. The Angels will counter with LHP Patrick Sandoval (1-0, 1.80 ERA).Royals: Kansas City also heads west for its first road series of the season in San Francisco against the Giants. RHP Brad Keller (0-1, 3.86 ERA) will face RHP Alex Cobb (0-0, 2.45 ERA).

Gausman leads Blue Jays to 3rd straight win over Royals, 6-3

KANSAS CITY, Mo.
(AP) — Kevin Gausman pitched six scoreless innings, Vladimir
Guerrero Jr. and Cavan Biggio hit home runs and the Toronto Blue Jays
won their third straight game, 6-3, over the Kansas City Royals to
take the four-game series. Gausman gave up just four hits to the
struggling Royals, striking out seven and walking two. Kansas City
did not have a runner reach second base until the sixth inning. The
Royals scored three runs in the eighth to avoid their fourth shutout
of the season. Adam Cimber earned his first save. Jordan Lyles took
the loss. He allowed five runs on eight hits in 5 2/3 innings.

DENVER (AP) —
Denver native Kyle Freeland began the show and fellow Mile High City
product Pierce Johnson wrapped it up. From start to finish, the
pitchers who grew up going to games at Coors Field shined. Freeland
pitched four-hit ball over 6 2/3 innings, Johnson threw a perfect
ninth and the Colorado Rockies won their home opener 1-0 over the
Washington Nationals on Thursday. Kris Bryant drove in the only run
with a single in the fifth. It was the 12th 1-0 game in Denver —
the 11th at Coors Field — and first since July 4, 2018, when
Colorado beat San Francisco.

UNDATED (AP) — A
San Francisco Giants minor leaguer called Fernando Tatis Jr. a
“cheater” on Twitter after the suspended San Diego Padres
superstar hit a mammoth homer in a Triple-A game while on a rehab
assignment. Kade McClure of the Sacramento River Cats responded to a
tweet that included video of the homer by saying, “cheater hits a
homerun on a rehab assignment during a steroid suspension.” Tatis
is playing for the El Paso Chihuahuas on a rehab assignment while
finishing the 80-game suspension he received Aug. 12 after testing
positive for a performance-enhancing drug. He’ll be eligible to
join the active roster on April 20.

UNDATED (AP) — The
past two national champions will meet when Connecticut visits Kansas
as part of the Big East-Big 12 Battle next season. The announcement
of the fifth year in the scheduling alliance comes four days after
the Huskies beat San Diego State for the NCAA Tournament title.
Kansas, the 2022 champ, lost in the second round in a record 33rd
consecutive tournament appearance. The Huskies-Jayhawks meeting
highlights the Dec. 1 slate of games. Texas and Oklahoma are part of
the schedule in their final Big 12 season before joining the
Southeastern Conference.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) —
Brooks Koepka is in a three-way share of the lead at the Masters with
Jon Rahm and Viktor Hovland. Koepka is trying to regain his
reputation as a major player. Right now he gets attention as a
surprise defector to Saudi-based LIV Golf. All he cares about his
having healthy legs. He opened with a 65. Rahm was even more
spectacular in his round of 65. That's because he four-putted for
double bogey on the first hole. He followed with seven birdies and an
eagle. Hovland played bogey-free. Tiger Woods limped his way to a 74
and was nine back.

WASHINGTON (AP) —
A new rule proposed by the Biden administration would prevent schools
and colleges from enacting outright bans on transgender athletes, but
it would allow certain exceptions to promote fairness or reduce
injuries. The proposal sends a political counterpunch toward a wave
of Republican-led states that have sought to ban trans athletes from
competing in school sports. If finalized, it would become enshrined
as a provision of Title IX, the landmark gender equity legislation
enacted in 1972. It must undergo a lengthy approval process, however,
and it’s almost certain to face challenges from opponents.

Final	San
Francisco	16	Chicago White Sox	6	

N-Y
Yankees	at	Baltimore	3:05 p.m.	(Postponed)

Houston	at	Minnesota	4:10
p.m.	(Postponed)

Cincinnati	at	Philadelphia	3:05
p.m.	(Postponed)

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680169902327.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo.
(AP) — Kevin Gausman pitched six scoreless innings, Vladimir
Guerrero Jr. and Cavan Biggio hit home runs and the Toronto Blue Jays
won their third straight game, 6-3, over the Kansas City Royals to
take the four-game series. Gausman gave up just four hits to the
struggling Royals, striking out seven and walking two. Kansas City
did not have a runner reach second base until the sixth inning. The
Royals scored three runs in the eighth to avoid their fourth shutout
of the season. Adam Cimber earned his first save. Jordan Lyles took
the loss. He allowed five runs on eight hits in 5 2/3 innings.DENVER (AP) —
Denver native Kyle Freeland began the show and fellow Mile High City
product Pierce Johnson wrapped it up. From start to finish, the
pitchers who grew up going to games at Coors Field shined. Freeland
pitched four-hit ball over 6 2/3 innings, Johnson threw a perfect
ninth and the Colorado Rockies won their home opener 1-0 over the
Washington Nationals on Thursday. Kris Bryant drove in the only run
with a single in the fifth. It was the 12th 1-0 game in Denver —
the 11th at Coors Field — and first since July 4, 2018, when
Colorado beat San Francisco.UNDATED (AP) — A
San Francisco Giants minor leaguer called Fernando Tatis Jr. a
“cheater” on Twitter after the suspended San Diego Padres
superstar hit a mammoth homer in a Triple-A game while on a rehab
assignment. Kade McClure of the Sacramento River Cats responded to a
tweet that included video of the homer by saying, “cheater hits a
homerun on a rehab assignment during a steroid suspension.” Tatis
is playing for the El Paso Chihuahuas on a rehab assignment while
finishing the 80-game suspension he received Aug. 12 after testing
positive for a performance-enhancing drug. He’ll be eligible to
join the active roster on April 20.UNDATED (AP) — The
past two national champions will meet when Connecticut visits Kansas
as part of the Big East-Big 12 Battle next season. The announcement
of the fifth year in the scheduling alliance comes four days after
the Huskies beat San Diego State for the NCAA Tournament title.
Kansas, the 2022 champ, lost in the second round in a record 33rd
consecutive tournament appearance. The Huskies-Jayhawks meeting
highlights the Dec. 1 slate of games. Texas and Oklahoma are part of
the schedule in their final Big 12 season before joining the
Southeastern Conference.AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) —
Brooks Koepka is in a three-way share of the lead at the Masters with
Jon Rahm and Viktor Hovland. Koepka is trying to regain his
reputation as a major player. Right now he gets attention as a
surprise defector to Saudi-based LIV Golf. All he cares about his
having healthy legs. He opened with a 65. Rahm was even more
spectacular in his round of 65. That's because he four-putted for
double bogey on the first hole. He followed with seven birdies and an
eagle. Hovland played bogey-free. Tiger Woods limped his way to a 74
and was nine back.WASHINGTON (AP) —
A new rule proposed by the Biden administration would prevent schools
and colleges from enacting outright bans on transgender athletes, but
it would allow certain exceptions to promote fairness or reduce
injuries. The proposal sends a political counterpunch toward a wave
of Republican-led states that have sought to ban trans athletes from
competing in school sports. If finalized, it would become enshrined
as a provision of Title IX, the landmark gender equity legislation
enacted in 1972. It must undergo a lengthy approval process, however,
and it’s almost certain to face challenges from opponents.THURSAY SCORESINTERLEAGUEFinal	San
Francisco	16	Chicago White Sox	6	AMERICAN LEAGUEN-Y
Yankees	at	Baltimore	3:05 p.m.	(Postponed)Houston	at	Minnesota	4:10
p.m.	(Postponed)Final	Boston	6	Detroit	3	Final	Toronto	6	Kansas
City	3	NATIONAL LEAGUEMiami	at	N-Y
Mets	1:10 p.m.	(Postponed)Cincinnati	at	Philadelphia	3:05
p.m.	(Postponed)Final	Colorado	1	Washington	0	Final	Atlanta	7	San
Diego	6	Final	L.A.
Dodgers	5	Arizona	2	NATIONAL
BASKETBALL ASSOCIATIONFinal	Cleveland	118	Orlando	94	Final	Miami	129	Philadelphia	101	Final	San
Antonio	129	Portland	127	Final	Oklahoma
City	114	Utah	98	Final	Phoenix	119	Denver	115	NATIONAL HOCKEY
LEAGUEFinal	New
Jersey	8	Columbus	1	Final	Pittsburgh	4	Minnesota	1	Final
OT	Boston	2	Toronto	1	Final	Montreal	6	Washington	2	Final
SO	Buffalo	7	Detroit	6	Final	Florida	7	Ottawa	2	Final	N-Y
Islanders	6	Tampa Bay	1	Final OT	St.
Louis	3	N-Y Rangers	2	Final	Nashville	3	Carolina	0	Final	Dallas	4	Philadelphia	1	Final	Vancouver	3	Chicago	0	Final	Vegas	5	Los
Angeles	2	Final	Colorado	6	San
Jose	2	Final	Seattle	4	Arizona	2

Friday Sports Headlines and Scores presented by Barton Community College

Bill Self said he's doing well after a health scare kept him from coaching Kansas in the Big 12 and NCAA tournaments last month, and he reiterated Wednesday that he has no plans to step away from the Jayhawks any time soon.

Self spoke to reporters for the first time since March 8, when he went to an emergency room after a final shootaround for the conference tournament. He was complaining of chest tightness and concerns about his balance, and the 60-year-old had two stents placed to help treat blocked arteries at the University of Kansas Health System.

“To be honest,” Self said, “I haven't done a lot since the Big 12 Tournament. But I'm exercising almost daily. I don't know if you guys believe this: They told me that I need to improve my diet and exercise more.”

“But I feel fine,” the Hall of Fame coach continued. “My energy level is probably back to where it was prior to the episode but not where it's getting ready to go, I believe. I think sometimes we don't realize we don't feel well until we actually feel well and know the difference. And I'm in the process of feeling well again, so I'm excited about that.”

Longtime assistant Norm Roberts guided the Jayhawks to the Big 12 title game, where they lost to Texas. They still received a No. 1 seed for the NCAA Tournament, thanks to their regular-season Big 12 championship and strong schedule, and easily beat Howard in the first round before losing a 72-71 nail-biter to eighth-seeded Arkansas in the second round.

Self helped to run practices during both of the NCAA tourney games but decided against coaching on game day.

“I was never scared that I wasn't going to be OK. But it was a different feeling,” he said. “I'm sure many have had it, but it was kind of like an out-of-body type experience that you really don't know what's going on. You have no control over what is going on. So it was something that I'd never experienced before, but it was never to the point where I felt like I was in danger.”

Self did acknowledge that the health scare made him reevaluate his future in coaching.

“I think the last several weeks I've been able to reflect on a lot of things,” he said. “The one thing I can tell you without question: I missed my job. I love my job and I want to do my job for a long time. That's what is positive.”

"Now," Self said, “for me to be effective doing that, I think I have to wake up a little bit and maybe do some things from a lifestyle standpoint, a personal habit standpoint, that I've been very, very, very inconsistent with my entire adult life. And I said that jokingly earlier, can you imagine a doctor telling you to lose weight, eat right and exercise? I've been told that a long time, but I'm taking that serious for the first time I probably have in my life.”

The Jayhawks, who are holding their end-of-season banquet Thursday, are poised to look much different next season.

Star freshman Gradey Dick has declared for the NBA draft, All-American forward Jalen Wilson has likewise announced his intentions to go pro, and Kevin McCullar Jr. is expected to join them. The Jayhawks also have had forwards MJ Rice and Zach Clemence, big man Cam Martin and guards Joseph Yesufu and Bobby Pettiford Jr. enter the transfer portal.

The Jayhawks have four high-level freshmen arriving next season, but Self acknowledged the need to work the portal.

“We’ve got work to do before we’re a top-10 team, but I’m really hopeful within weeks everybody would say they should be ranked higher than a top-10 team,” Self said. “I feel like we're in on some good kids.”

Bill Self said he's doing well after a health scare kept him from coaching Kansas in the Big 12 and NCAA tournaments last month, and he reiterated Wednesday that he has no plans to step away from the Jayhawks any time soon.Self spoke to reporters for the first time since March 8, when he went to an emergency room after a final shootaround for the conference tournament. He was complaining of chest tightness and concerns about his balance, and the 60-year-old had two stents placed to help treat blocked arteries at the University of Kansas Health System.“To be honest,” Self said, “I haven't done a lot since the Big 12 Tournament. But I'm exercising almost daily. I don't know if you guys believe this: They told me that I need to improve my diet and exercise more.”“But I feel fine,” the Hall of Fame coach continued. “My energy level is probably back to where it was prior to the episode but not where it's getting ready to go, I believe. I think sometimes we don't realize we don't feel well until we actually feel well and know the difference. And I'm in the process of feeling well again, so I'm excited about that.”Longtime assistant Norm Roberts guided the Jayhawks to the Big 12 title game, where they lost to Texas. They still received a No. 1 seed for the NCAA Tournament, thanks to their regular-season Big 12 championship and strong schedule, and easily beat Howard in the first round before losing a 72-71 nail-biter to eighth-seeded Arkansas in the second round.Self helped to run practices during both of the NCAA tourney games but decided against coaching on game day.“I was never scared that I wasn't going to be OK. But it was a different feeling,” he said. “I'm sure many have had it, but it was kind of like an out-of-body type experience that you really don't know what's going on. You have no control over what is going on. So it was something that I'd never experienced before, but it was never to the point where I felt like I was in danger.”Self did acknowledge that the health scare made him reevaluate his future in coaching.“I think the last several weeks I've been able to reflect on a lot of things,” he said. “The one thing I can tell you without question: I missed my job. I love my job and I want to do my job for a long time. That's what is positive.”"Now," Self said, “for me to be effective doing that, I think I have to wake up a little bit and maybe do some things from a lifestyle standpoint, a personal habit standpoint, that I've been very, very, very inconsistent with my entire adult life. And I said that jokingly earlier, can you imagine a doctor telling you to lose weight, eat right and exercise? I've been told that a long time, but I'm taking that serious for the first time I probably have in my life.”The Jayhawks, who are holding their end-of-season banquet Thursday, are poised to look much different next season.Star freshman Gradey Dick has declared for the NBA draft, All-American forward Jalen Wilson has likewise announced his intentions to go pro, and Kevin McCullar Jr. is expected to join them. The Jayhawks also have had forwards MJ Rice and Zach Clemence, big man Cam Martin and guards Joseph Yesufu and Bobby Pettiford Jr. enter the transfer portal.The Jayhawks have four high-level freshmen arriving next season, but Self acknowledged the need to work the portal.“We’ve got work to do before we’re a top-10 team, but I’m really hopeful within weeks everybody would say they should be ranked higher than a top-10 team,” Self said. “I feel like we're in on some good kids.”

Kansas' Self feels good after scare, plans to keep coaching

By TODD MOORE Barton Sports Info

The Barton Community College softball team continues to take care of business in its lighter stretch of the schedule, posting 17-0 and 13-1 five inning victories Wednesday at Cougar Field over Pratt Community College.

Three home runs including a pair of grand slams highlighted the opener's big run output with four more long balls being added in the second game were amongst the 30 total hits in the 29-run twin bill differential.

Winners of seven straight, Barton improves to 17-3 in conference play and 24-13 overall while Pratt drops to 2-20 in league and 3-35 on the year. The Cougars' victories, along with the doubleheader split between Butler and Hutchinson, leaves the trio tied at three in the loss column with the 16th ranked Grizzlies leading the pack at 19-3 with the 15th ranked Blue Dragons are tied with Barton for second.

Next on Barton's schedule is four pivotal dates to help shape the conference race, beginning Friday in a make-up date at 4th place Colby (12-6) followed by Wednesday's trip to Hutchinson. The Cougars then return home on Saturday, April 15, for "Sophomore Day" hosting Colby before traveling to Butler on Wednesday, April 19. After the gauntlet, Barton closes out the home season April 26 hosing Dodge City then wraps up the regular season April 29 at Northwest Kansas Technical College.

In addition to the multitude of hits and runs, Kayla Beers and KayLee Richardson stymied the Pratt bats, combining for 12 strikeouts and six hits in the circle's ten innings. Beers improved to 5-1 in scattering a pair of hits and recording 7 strikeouts with Richardson completing the sweep on a 4-hit, career high 5 strikeout performance improving to 2-1.

Leadoff batter Halie Stoneking was kept off the basepaths just once, a lined out to centerfield to begin the day before going 6-for-6 the rest of the doubleheader including a triple and pair of home runs in driving in six.

Sydni Williams led the RBI production with seven, driving in two on a sac fly and a groundout before making the most of her two hits with a game one grand slam and a game two solo home run.

Barton connected on 17 extra base hits out of their thirty total including nine doubles led by the trio from Jenna Henderson and two from Calli McConnell, moving the freshman's total to 17 and one away from the program's top ten single season list.

A pair of program impacts were made during the cool, windy day on the home turf, Leslie Ramos wearing the badge of honor for the 13th time of the year for the most in a single season while Jaysa Anderson extended her program record games with a hit to 30 straight.

Coming up hitless in her first three at-bats in game one including a called strikeout to end the third inning, Anderson benefitted from the Cougars' seven run fourth inning in sending twelve to the plate giving the sophomore another chance. Liking the second pitch of the at-bat, Anderson sent a screamer right back where it came from in ricocheting off the Pratt pitcher for a solid hit. In game two Anderson put the suspense to bed on the third pitch of her first at-bat in launching a straight away center blast through the wind for her 9th fence clearer of the year to drive three across the dish for a 4-0 early lead.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680775063504.jpeg" alt="Barton Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Barton Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>By TODD MOORE Barton Sports InfoThe Barton Community College softball team continues to take care of business in its lighter stretch of the schedule, posting 17-0 and 13-1 five inning victories Wednesday at Cougar Field over Pratt Community College.Three home runs including a pair of grand slams highlighted the opener's big run output with four more long balls being added in the second game were amongst the 30 total hits in the 29-run twin bill differential.Winners of seven straight, Barton improves to 17-3 in conference play and 24-13 overall while Pratt drops to 2-20 in league and 3-35 on the year. The Cougars' victories, along with the doubleheader split between Butler and Hutchinson, leaves the trio tied at three in the loss column with the 16th ranked Grizzlies leading the pack at 19-3 with the 15th ranked Blue Dragons are tied with Barton for second.Next on Barton's schedule is four pivotal dates to help shape the conference race, beginning Friday in a make-up date at 4th place Colby (12-6) followed by Wednesday's trip to Hutchinson. The Cougars then return home on Saturday, April 15, for "Sophomore Day" hosting Colby before traveling to Butler on Wednesday, April 19. After the gauntlet, Barton closes out the home season April 26 hosing Dodge City then wraps up the regular season April 29 at Northwest Kansas Technical College.In addition to the multitude of hits and runs, Kayla Beers and KayLee Richardson stymied the Pratt bats, combining for 12 strikeouts and six hits in the circle's ten innings. Beers improved to 5-1 in scattering a pair of hits and recording 7 strikeouts with Richardson completing the sweep on a 4-hit, career high 5 strikeout performance improving to 2-1.Leadoff batter Halie Stoneking was kept off the basepaths just once, a lined out to centerfield to begin the day before going 6-for-6 the rest of the doubleheader including a triple and pair of home runs in driving in six.Sydni Williams led the RBI production with seven, driving in two on a sac fly and a groundout before making the most of her two hits with a game one grand slam and a game two solo home run.Barton connected on 17 extra base hits out of their thirty total including nine doubles led by the trio from Jenna Henderson and two from Calli McConnell, moving the freshman's total to 17 and one away from the program's top ten single season list.A pair of program impacts were made during the cool, windy day on the home turf, Leslie Ramos wearing the badge of honor for the 13th time of the year for the most in a single season while Jaysa Anderson extended her program record games with a hit to 30 straight.Coming up hitless in her first three at-bats in game one including a called strikeout to end the third inning, Anderson benefitted from the Cougars' seven run fourth inning in sending twelve to the plate giving the sophomore another chance. Liking the second pitch of the at-bat, Anderson sent a screamer right back where it came from in ricocheting off the Pratt pitcher for a solid hit. In game two Anderson put the suspense to bed on the third pitch of her first at-bat in launching a straight away center blast through the wind for her 9th fence clearer of the year to drive three across the dish for a 4-0 early lead.

Cougars win seventh straight in sweep of Pratt

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Alek Manoah allowed one hit over seven innings, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his first homer of the season and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Kansas City Royals 3-0 on Wednesday night.

Manoah (1-0) held the Royals hitless until Jackie Bradley Jr. singled with one out in the fifth.

“I think we were able to attack them for the most part and force them to dig out of a hole,” Manoah said. "Just going out there and letting that defense work. I think I was able to do that, to go out there and command most of my pitches, limit damage and get some weak contact.

"The weather, a little gloomy, a little windy, little cold. I just kept trying to blow into my hand. Some of those balls can get a little bit slick. Still left some pitches that I felt like command-wise need to be a little bit better. But, it was a good day on the mound and we got a win.”

Despite struggling to locate his off-speed pitches for strikes, Manoah struck out five with four walks.

“He really buckled down when he needed to,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. “He’s a fiery competitor. He kind of has a different gear. You trust him in those spots. His competitive aspect really comes out.”

Toronto broke a scoreless tie in the sixth with a one-out grounder by Matt Chapman, plating Guerrero. With runners at the corners, Chapman appeared to ground into an inning-ending double play, but first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino was unable to handle Bobby Witt Jr.’s low relay after the force out.

The Blue Jays added a pair of runs in the eighth with Guerrero’s opposite-field leadoff homer and a run-producing single by Chapman. Guerrero and Daulton Varsho had three hits apiece.

“(Going opposite field is) tough to do in this ballpark, this weather,” Schneider said. “That’s impressive. That’s Vladdy being Vladdy right there."

Guerrero said the key was being more relaxed at the plate.

“I believe when you’re trying too hard, when you look for it, it’s going to be harder," he said. "So I feel relaxed. I got a good pitch and put good contact and it went well.”

Zack Greinke (0-2) worked ahead of batters all night, throwing first-pitch strikes to 20-of-25 hitters. He threw six innings, allowing a run on seven singles and a walk, striking out three.

“A pitcher like him with that experience, he goes out there every day and competes,” Guerrero said. “So when you face him you’ve got to do the same thing, you’ve got to compete. You’ve got to have good at-bats against him.”

Manoah also enjoyed the competition against Greinke.

“I thought it was great, his definition of pitching,” Manoah said. “Obviously a future Hall of Famer. It was great to be able to go zero-zero for five or six innings there. That was pretty fun.”

Jordan Romano closed out Kansas City with a scoreless ninth inning, collecting his third save in three chances.

The Royals were shut out for the third time in six games.

TRAINER’S ROOM Bench coach Paul Hoover served as Royals interim manager with Matt Quatraro out with COVID.

Royals OF Kyle Isbel has been placed on the paternity list, with 1B/OF Nick Pratto recalled from Triple-A Omaha.

Blue Jays RHP Kevin Gausman (0-1, 0.00 ERA) takes the mound opposite Royals RHP Jordan Lyles (0-1, 1.69) in the series finale Thursday afternoon.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Alek Manoah allowed one hit over seven innings, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his first homer of the season and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Kansas City Royals 3-0 on Wednesday night.Manoah (1-0) held the Royals hitless until Jackie Bradley Jr. singled with one out in the fifth.“I think we were able to attack them for the most part and force them to dig out of a hole,” Manoah said. "Just going out there and letting that defense work. I think I was able to do that, to go out there and command most of my pitches, limit damage and get some weak contact."The weather, a little gloomy, a little windy, little cold. I just kept trying to blow into my hand. Some of those balls can get a little bit slick. Still left some pitches that I felt like command-wise need to be a little bit better. But, it was a good day on the mound and we got a win.”Despite struggling to locate his off-speed pitches for strikes, Manoah struck out five with four walks.“He really buckled down when he needed to,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. “He’s a fiery competitor. He kind of has a different gear. You trust him in those spots. His competitive aspect really comes out.”Toronto broke a scoreless tie in the sixth with a one-out grounder by Matt Chapman, plating Guerrero. With runners at the corners, Chapman appeared to ground into an inning-ending double play, but first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino was unable to handle Bobby Witt Jr.’s low relay after the force out.The Blue Jays added a pair of runs in the eighth with Guerrero’s opposite-field leadoff homer and a run-producing single by Chapman. Guerrero and Daulton Varsho had three hits apiece.“(Going opposite field is) tough to do in this ballpark, this weather,” Schneider said. “That’s impressive. That’s Vladdy being Vladdy right there."Guerrero said the key was being more relaxed at the plate.“I believe when you’re trying too hard, when you look for it, it’s going to be harder," he said. "So I feel relaxed. I got a good pitch and put good contact and it went well.”Zack Greinke (0-2) worked ahead of batters all night, throwing first-pitch strikes to 20-of-25 hitters. He threw six innings, allowing a run on seven singles and a walk, striking out three.“A pitcher like him with that experience, he goes out there every day and competes,” Guerrero said. “So when you face him you’ve got to do the same thing, you’ve got to compete. You’ve got to have good at-bats against him.”Manoah also enjoyed the competition against Greinke.“I thought it was great, his definition of pitching,” Manoah said. “Obviously a future Hall of Famer. It was great to be able to go zero-zero for five or six innings there. That was pretty fun.”Jordan Romano closed out Kansas City with a scoreless ninth inning, collecting his third save in three chances.The Royals were shut out for the third time in six games.TRAINER’S ROOM Bench coach Paul Hoover served as Royals interim manager with Matt Quatraro out with COVID.TRANSACTIONSRoyals OF Kyle Isbel has been placed on the paternity list, with 1B/OF Nick Pratto recalled from Triple-A Omaha.UP NEXTBlue Jays RHP Kevin Gausman (0-1, 0.00 ERA) takes the mound opposite Royals RHP Jordan Lyles (0-1, 1.69) in the series finale Thursday afternoon.TRANSACTIONSRoyals OF Kyle Isbel has been placed on the paternity list, with 1B/OF Nick Pratto recalled from Triple-A Omaha.UP NEXTBlue Jays RHP Kevin Gausman (0-1, 0.00 ERA) takes the mound opposite Royals RHP Jordan Lyles (0-1, 1.69) in the series finale Thursday afternoon.

Manoah, Blue Jays blank Royals 3-0


- Barton Baseball coach Brent Biggs joins the show to talk about
Tuesday's double header sweep of the Tabor College JV and this
weekend's 4-game weekend series with Seward County.


- Great Bend Panther softball coach Carrie Minton will be joined by
players Analiz Rivas and DeShawnna Bryan.


- The “Voice of the Tigers” Gerard Wellbrock joins the show to
talk everything Fort Hays State.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663183818995.jpeg" alt="Presented By" />
 <figcaption>Presented By</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/odHtTNRGkCg" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
- Barton Baseball coach Brent Biggs joins the show to talk about
Tuesday's double header sweep of the Tabor College JV and this
weekend's 4-game weekend series with Seward County.
- Great Bend Panther softball coach Carrie Minton will be joined by
players Analiz Rivas and DeShawnna Bryan.
- The “Voice of the Tigers” Gerard Wellbrock joins the show to
talk everything Fort Hays State.
- Wednesday Sports Headlines
- Sounds of the past 24-hours

Wednesday on Sports Day (Watch) 

Jenny Nkem Womsi of the Barton Community College women's basketball team has been named as a 1st Team All-America selection announced by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).

Womsi's award is the second in the last three years for the Barton women's program as Queen Ulabo was named to the second team in 2021 and the first named to the top team since Barton Sports Hall of Famer Wendy Okeson's selection in 2000.

At the conclusion of the season, the 6'1" sophomore from Yaounde, Cameroon, was also named the 2023 Division I All-KJCCC/All-Region VI Player of the Year, the first top honor for the program since two-time achiever Okeson's distinction in 1999 and 2000 season.

As a freshman, Womsi was voted the Co-Newcomer of the Year and 2nd team selection, with this year's achievements going down in historical proportions in the long-decorated history of the program.

This year Womsi, the four-time conference and one-time national player of the week set a program record in pulling down a nation 4th best 13.2 rebounds per contest while ranking a conference and region 9th in scoring at 14.8 points per game.

Closing out her Cougar uniform with a 19 point and 17 rebound effort at the National Tournament, Womsi posting 25 double-doubles on the year in the 34 games played.  Reaching double-digit scoring in all but six games, Womsi twice scored a career high 25 points and grabbed 10 or more rebounds in all but four of the 34-game schedule including a program sixth most 20 rebounds in one game.

Womsi helped lead the Cougars to the program's 10th Region VI title, the first since 2008 and a trip back to the NJCAA Division I Tournament where Barton finished the year 28-6.

Hauling in 451 rebounds in falling just two shy of the program single season accumulation record, Womsi etched her name as the program's top defensive rebounder at 9.6 per game and 328 total, nearly 50 more.

The presence in the paint and controlling of the boards also helped the team hold opponents to just 54.7 points per game in setting a program record in lowest scoring average allowed per contest.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680688581590.jpeg" alt="Barton Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Barton Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>By TODD MOORE Barton Sports InfoJenny Nkem Womsi of the Barton Community College women's basketball team has been named as a 1st Team All-America selection announced by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).Womsi's award is the second in the last three years for the Barton women's program as Queen Ulabo was named to the second team in 2021 and the first named to the top team since Barton Sports Hall of Famer Wendy Okeson's selection in 2000.At the conclusion of the season, the 6'1" sophomore from Yaounde, Cameroon, was also named the 2023 Division I All-KJCCC/All-Region VI Player of the Year, the first top honor for the program since two-time achiever Okeson's distinction in 1999 and 2000 season.As a freshman, Womsi was voted the Co-Newcomer of the Year and 2nd team selection, with this year's achievements going down in historical proportions in the long-decorated history of the program.This year Womsi, the four-time conference and one-time national player of the week set a program record in pulling down a nation 4th best 13.2 rebounds per contest while ranking a conference and region 9th in scoring at 14.8 points per game.Closing out her Cougar uniform with a 19 point and 17 rebound effort at the National Tournament, Womsi posting 25 double-doubles on the year in the 34 games played. Reaching double-digit scoring in all but six games, Womsi twice scored a career high 25 points and grabbed 10 or more rebounds in all but four of the 34-game schedule including a program sixth most 20 rebounds in one game.Womsi helped lead the Cougars to the program's 10th Region VI title, the first since 2008 and a trip back to the NJCAA Division I Tournament where Barton finished the year 28-6.Hauling in 451 rebounds in falling just two shy of the program single season accumulation record, Womsi etched her name as the program's top defensive rebounder at 9.6 per game and 328 total, nearly 50 more.The presence in the paint and controlling of the boards also helped the team hold opponents to just 54.7 points per game in setting a program record in lowest scoring average allowed per contest.

Barton's Womsi lands on 1st team NJCAA All-America Basketball Selections

By BRANDON SMITH Barton Sports Info

The 9th ranked Barton Community College baseball team scored 21 runs and the Cougar pitching staff allowed one run and struck out a combined 14 batters over 11-innings to complete a sweep of the Tabor College junior varsity squad on Tuesday afternoon at Lawson-Biggs Field.

Henry Hayman drove in a trio of runs and starter Aidan Sowers struck out a new career high 10 over his six-inning complete game shutout to lead Barton to a 10-0 victory in six innings in Game 1. Ricardo Sanchez and Riley Silva produced back-to-back two-RBI hits highlighting a seven-run bottom of the fourth helping Barton finish off an 11-1 fifth-inning run rule victory in the nightcap.

Winners of nine straight, the Cougars sit at 32-3 overall while the Blue Jays slip to 7-9-1 on the season. Barton will return to Jayhawk West play Thursday opening the first leg of the weekend four set with conference foe Seward County Community College in a 1:00 p.m. first pitch from Lawson-Biggs Field.

Leading 1-0 after two innings following Hayman's run producing groundout bringing home a leadoff Aydan Blachowicz single, the Barton offense broke through with a four run third. Aided by a Silva hit-by-pitch and pair of Robby Bolin and Robertson walks, a first pitch swinging Blachowicz single to right brought home a pair. Two pitches later a Tabor wild pitch added to the lead scoring Robertson with Hayman legging out the first of his two extra base hits with a two-out triple racing home Blachowicz stretching the lead out to 5-0.

Increasing the lead by a run on Sanchez single in the fourth scoring Bolin, Sanchez fabricated the first of three run producing doubles with two-outs in the bottom of the sixth bringing around Austin Nitcher's leadoff single. Robertson dispersed the second run producing double lacing a 1-0 pitch to left with a Dryden Howse RBI single setting up Hayman's walk off run producing double capping the 10-0 run-rule victory.

Making his third start of the season, Sowers (3-0) was locked in on the mound as the lefty squandered just two hits over his six-inning shutout, walking a pair and setting a new career high 10 strikeouts in way of earning his second victory of the season.

Barton needed just two innings to produce 11 runs in the nightcap.

Scoreless after an inning, a leadoff Howse single, the first of three Grant Nottlemann hits and Hunter Seier drawn hit-by-pitch loaded the bases with one-out in the home second. Starting in just his sixth game of the year, Jackson Herbel broke open the scoring lacing his first collegiate double down the left field line for a 2-0 lead. Barton's lead grew by a pair on a Blue Jay passed ball and Sanchez succeeding sacrifice fly coating the four-run inning.

Back-to-back leadoff singles in the top of the fourth plated the lone Tabor run with the Cougars answering with the dagger sending 11 to the plate and scoring seven in the bottom half. Silva distributed his lone hit of the day driving in a pair with a double to left field after three straight Nottlemann, Seier, and Jackson Herbel singles loaded the bases initiating the inning.

Sanchez added to the scoring three pitches later producing his third hit of the day driving in a pair while tagging up and scoring on Blachowicz sacrifice fly. A Tabor wild pitch brought home a Jaden Wiley walk with Nottlemann's team leading fourth triple concluding the scoring bringing around Cole Schieffer.

Nathan Bowman (2-0) made his second career start and earned his second victory of the season working four innings scattering four hits, a run and fanning four Blue Jays.

Howse worked a scoreless fifth allowing a leadoff single before inducing a game ending double-play.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680688411637.jpeg" alt="Aidan Sowers delivers a pitch against Tabor College JV-Barton Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Aidan Sowers delivers a pitch against Tabor College JV-Barton Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRANDON SMITH Barton Sports InfoThe 9th ranked Barton Community College baseball team scored 21 runs and the Cougar pitching staff allowed one run and struck out a combined 14 batters over 11-innings to complete a sweep of the Tabor College junior varsity squad on Tuesday afternoon at Lawson-Biggs Field.Henry Hayman drove in a trio of runs and starter Aidan Sowers struck out a new career high 10 over his six-inning complete game shutout to lead Barton to a 10-0 victory in six innings in Game 1. Ricardo Sanchez and Riley Silva produced back-to-back two-RBI hits highlighting a seven-run bottom of the fourth helping Barton finish off an 11-1 fifth-inning run rule victory in the nightcap.Winners of nine straight, the Cougars sit at 32-3 overall while the Blue Jays slip to 7-9-1 on the season. Barton will return to Jayhawk West play Thursday opening the first leg of the weekend four set with conference foe Seward County Community College in a 1:00 p.m. first pitch from Lawson-Biggs Field.Game 1 RecapLeading 1-0 after two innings following Hayman's run producing groundout bringing home a leadoff Aydan Blachowicz single, the Barton offense broke through with a four run third. Aided by a Silva hit-by-pitch and pair of Robby Bolin and Robertson walks, a first pitch swinging Blachowicz single to right brought home a pair. Two pitches later a Tabor wild pitch added to the lead scoring Robertson with Hayman legging out the first of his two extra base hits with a two-out triple racing home Blachowicz stretching the lead out to 5-0.Increasing the lead by a run on Sanchez single in the fourth scoring Bolin, Sanchez fabricated the first of three run producing doubles with two-outs in the bottom of the sixth bringing around Austin Nitcher's leadoff single. Robertson dispersed the second run producing double lacing a 1-0 pitch to left with a Dryden Howse RBI single setting up Hayman's walk off run producing double capping the 10-0 run-rule victory.Making his third start of the season, Sowers (3-0) was locked in on the mound as the lefty squandered just two hits over his six-inning shutout, walking a pair and setting a new career high 10 strikeouts in way of earning his second victory of the season.Game 2 RecapBarton needed just two innings to produce 11 runs in the nightcap.Scoreless after an inning, a leadoff Howse single, the first of three Grant Nottlemann hits and Hunter Seier drawn hit-by-pitch loaded the bases with one-out in the home second. Starting in just his sixth game of the year, Jackson Herbel broke open the scoring lacing his first collegiate double down the left field line for a 2-0 lead. Barton's lead grew by a pair on a Blue Jay passed ball and Sanchez succeeding sacrifice fly coating the four-run inning.Back-to-back leadoff singles in the top of the fourth plated the lone Tabor run with the Cougars answering with the dagger sending 11 to the plate and scoring seven in the bottom half. Silva distributed his lone hit of the day driving in a pair with a double to left field after three straight Nottlemann, Seier, and Jackson Herbel singles loaded the bases initiating the inning.Sanchez added to the scoring three pitches later producing his third hit of the day driving in a pair while tagging up and scoring on Blachowicz sacrifice fly. A Tabor wild pitch brought home a Jaden Wiley walk with Nottlemann's team leading fourth triple concluding the scoring bringing around Cole Schieffer.Nathan Bowman (2-0) made his second career start and earned his second victory of the season working four innings scattering four hits, a run and fanning four Blue Jays.Howse worked a scoreless fifth allowing a leadoff single before inducing a game ending double-play.

9th ranked Cougars sweep Tabor JV

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Yusei Kikuchi and four relievers limited the Kansas City Royals to one run on four hits, and the Toronto Blue Jays snapped a three-game losing streak with a 4-1 victory in Whit Merrifield's return to Kauffman Stadium on Tuesday night.

Matt Chapman was 3-for-4 with a double for Toronto, and Merrifield doubled and scored the go-ahead run in his first game back in the city where he spent most of seven seasons before he was traded last August.

“Awesome job by (Kikuchi),” Toronto manager John Schneider said. “Efficient with his pitch count. (He was) around the zone. A few less strikeouts than we saw in the spring, but it was an outstanding job.”

Kikuchi (1-0) allowed one run on three hits and retired the side in order three times over his five innings.

“I think I threw well overall,” Kikuchi said through an interpreter. “I felt pretty good for it to be the first start of the season. We obviously had a plan, but we didn't want to over-think it. We wanted to find what was working today.”

He was also helped by his defense, with left fielder Daulton Varsho throwing out Matt Duffy at the plate in the second inning.

“We're focusing and priding ourselves on that (play),” Schneider said. “It was a great throw and a great tag by Jano (Danny Jansen). It kind of squashed a little bit of momentum. Those things add up.”

Jordan Romano pitched a perfect ninth for his second save.

Kris Bubic (0-1) worked around trouble most of the night, only retiring the Blue Jays in order in the fifth, his last inning. He allowed two runs on seven hits and one walk. He was relieved by Carlos Hernandez, who yielded a home run to Varsho on his first pitch.

The Royals never could get the momentum back after the second.

“I thought we took some pretty good swings (against Kikuchi)," Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. "He's tough. I think we laid off some of the tougher change-ups he threw. We put some swings on balls; we just missed a few. But overall he was efficient.”

Franmil Reyes got the Royals on the board in the second with his first hit in a Kansas City uniform, a 455-blast over the fountains in left center. Reyes had been 0-for-6 in his first two games with the Royals.

The Jays tied it in the top of the third. Bo Bichette, Vlad Guerrero Jr. and Chapman stroked consecutive singles, with Chapman driving in Bichette. Toronto added another run in the fourth. Merrifield led off with a double down the left-field line, went to third on a fly ball and scored on a wild pitch.

The Blue Jays will send RHP Alek Manoah (0-0, 13.50 ERA) to the mound to face Kansas City’s RHP Zach Greinke (0-1, 3.38 ERA) Wednesday night in the third game of a four-game series. Manoah got a no-decision on opening day when the Blue Jays defeated the Cardinals 10-9. Greinke allowed two runs on six hits in 5 1/3 innings as the Royals lost to the Twins 2-0 on opening day.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Yusei Kikuchi and four relievers limited the Kansas City Royals to one run on four hits, and the Toronto Blue Jays snapped a three-game losing streak with a 4-1 victory in Whit Merrifield's return to Kauffman Stadium on Tuesday night.Matt Chapman was 3-for-4 with a double for Toronto, and Merrifield doubled and scored the go-ahead run in his first game back in the city where he spent most of seven seasons before he was traded last August.“Awesome job by (Kikuchi),” Toronto manager John Schneider said. “Efficient with his pitch count. (He was) around the zone. A few less strikeouts than we saw in the spring, but it was an outstanding job.”Kikuchi (1-0) allowed one run on three hits and retired the side in order three times over his five innings.“I think I threw well overall,” Kikuchi said through an interpreter. “I felt pretty good for it to be the first start of the season. We obviously had a plan, but we didn't want to over-think it. We wanted to find what was working today.”He was also helped by his defense, with left fielder Daulton Varsho throwing out Matt Duffy at the plate in the second inning.“We're focusing and priding ourselves on that (play),” Schneider said. “It was a great throw and a great tag by Jano (Danny Jansen). It kind of squashed a little bit of momentum. Those things add up.”Jordan Romano pitched a perfect ninth for his second save.Kris Bubic (0-1) worked around trouble most of the night, only retiring the Blue Jays in order in the fifth, his last inning. He allowed two runs on seven hits and one walk. He was relieved by Carlos Hernandez, who yielded a home run to Varsho on his first pitch.The Royals never could get the momentum back after the second.“I thought we took some pretty good swings (against Kikuchi)," Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. "He's tough. I think we laid off some of the tougher change-ups he threw. We put some swings on balls; we just missed a few. But overall he was efficient.”Franmil Reyes got the Royals on the board in the second with his first hit in a Kansas City uniform, a 455-blast over the fountains in left center. Reyes had been 0-for-6 in his first two games with the Royals.The Jays tied it in the top of the third. Bo Bichette, Vlad Guerrero Jr. and Chapman stroked consecutive singles, with Chapman driving in Bichette. Toronto added another run in the fourth. Merrifield led off with a double down the left-field line, went to third on a fly ball and scored on a wild pitch.UP NEXTThe Blue Jays will send RHP Alek Manoah (0-0, 13.50 ERA) to the mound to face Kansas City’s RHP Zach Greinke (0-1, 3.38 ERA) Wednesday night in the third game of a four-game series. Manoah got a no-decision on opening day when the Blue Jays defeated the Cardinals 10-9. Greinke allowed two runs on six hits in 5 1/3 innings as the Royals lost to the Twins 2-0 on opening day.

Toronto ends 3-game skid in Whit Merrifield's return to KC

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas football head coach Lance Leipold on Friday announced the addition of coaching veteran Sean Snyder to the staff as special Assistant to the Head Coach.

Snyder, an experienced college football coach for more than 20 years spent the 2022 season as the special teams coordinator/specialists coach at Illinois. Snyder spent the previous two seasons as the special teams coordinator at USC.

Snyder spent more than two decades at Kansas State, where he served as special teams coordinator/associate head coach from 2011-18 and special teams analyst in 2019 before moving to USC.

Snyder began his career at Kansas State as a part-time assistant coach in 1994 and 1995, then served as director of football operations from 1996 to 1998, assistant athletic director for football operations in 1999 and 2000, associate athletic director in 2001 and senior associate athletic director from 2002 to 2010. He then moved into his role working with the program’s special teams.

During his tenure, Kansas State ranked in the Top 15 of the ESPN Special Teams Efficiency rating five times, including first in 2017, second in 2015 and third in 2012. The Wildcats also were in the Top 25 of the Football Outsiders Special Teams Rating six times since 2011, including first in 2017, third in 2014 and 2019 and sixth in 2012. Snyder was named the national Special Teams Coordinator of the Year in 2015 by FootballScoop and Phil Steele and in 2017 by Phil Steele.

In 2020, USC’s special teams were ranked No. 1 nationally by Football Outsider and the Trojans were in the national Top 25 in NCAA statistics in kickoff return defense (10th at 17.0) and net punting (25th at 40.8).  True freshman Parker Lewis was 20th nationally in field goals (1.6), Gary Bryant Jr. (also a true freshman) was 22nd in kickoff returns (26.2), Ben Griffith’s 46.4 punting average was the highest by a Trojan since 2003 and snapper Damon Johnson was a Mannelly Award finalist.

Under Snyder, Kansas State’s special teams units set or tied eight team records and 20 individual marks.  He coached four Big 12 Special Teams Players of the Year, including three consecutive (returners Tyler Lockett in 2013 and 2014, Morgan Burns in 2015 and Joshua Youngblood in 2019). Lockett, who now plays for the Seattle Seahawks, was an All-American first team kickoff returner in 2011 and punt returner in 2014.  Burns earned All-American first team honors in 2015 as a kick returner when he led the country in kickoff return touchdowns (4). Youngblood was a Freshman All-American first teamer in 2019 when he ran back 3 kickoffs for TDs and helped Kansas State top the nation in kickoff return average (29.5).

Placekicker Matthew McCrane was a Freshman All-American first teamer in 2014 and All-Big 12 first team pick in 2017, while kicker Jack Cantele made the All-Big 12 first team in 2015.  Kick returner Byron Pringle was All-Big 12 first team in 2016 and returner D.J. Reed was so honored in 2017.

Snyder was a consensus All-American and All-Big Eight first team punter under his father, Bill Snyder, at Kansas State as a senior in 1992, averaging 44.7 yards per punt.  He was the Big Eight Defensive Newcomer of the Year as a 1991 junior, with a 40.5 punting average. His 43.0 career punting average was a school record.  He played in the 1992 Blue-Gray Game. He was inducted into Kansas State’s inaugural Ring of Honor Class in 2002 and into its Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016.

Snyder redshirted at Iowa in 1988, then saw action in two games for the Hawkeyes as a redshirt freshman in 1989 before transferring to Kansas State. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Kansas State in money and banking in 1994.

Snyder signed as a free agent with the Phoenix Cardinals in 1993 and the San Diego Chargers in 1994. He and his wife Wanda raised a daughter Katherine and sons Tate and Matthew. They have five grandchildren: Katherine and her husband Colton have three kids, DJ, Declan, and Murphy, and Tate and his wife Nikki have two children, Pearce and Presley.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680610221507.jpeg" alt="Kansas Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas football head coach Lance Leipold on Friday announced the addition of coaching veteran Sean Snyder to the staff as special Assistant to the Head Coach.Snyder, an experienced college football coach for more than 20 years spent the 2022 season as the special teams coordinator/specialists coach at Illinois. Snyder spent the previous two seasons as the special teams coordinator at USC.Snyder spent more than two decades at Kansas State, where he served as special teams coordinator/associate head coach from 2011-18 and special teams analyst in 2019 before moving to USC.Snyder began his career at Kansas State as a part-time assistant coach in 1994 and 1995, then served as director of football operations from 1996 to 1998, assistant athletic director for football operations in 1999 and 2000, associate athletic director in 2001 and senior associate athletic director from 2002 to 2010. He then moved into his role working with the program’s special teams.During his tenure, Kansas State ranked in the Top 15 of the ESPN Special Teams Efficiency rating five times, including first in 2017, second in 2015 and third in 2012. The Wildcats also were in the Top 25 of the Football Outsiders Special Teams Rating six times since 2011, including first in 2017, third in 2014 and 2019 and sixth in 2012. Snyder was named the national Special Teams Coordinator of the Year in 2015 by FootballScoop and Phil Steele and in 2017 by Phil Steele.In 2020, USC’s special teams were ranked No. 1 nationally by Football Outsider and the Trojans were in the national Top 25 in NCAA statistics in kickoff return defense (10th at 17.0) and net punting (25th at 40.8). True freshman Parker Lewis was 20th nationally in field goals (1.6), Gary Bryant Jr. (also a true freshman) was 22nd in kickoff returns (26.2), Ben Griffith’s 46.4 punting average was the highest by a Trojan since 2003 and snapper Damon Johnson was a Mannelly Award finalist.Under Snyder, Kansas State’s special teams units set or tied eight team records and 20 individual marks. He coached four Big 12 Special Teams Players of the Year, including three consecutive (returners Tyler Lockett in 2013 and 2014, Morgan Burns in 2015 and Joshua Youngblood in 2019). Lockett, who now plays for the Seattle Seahawks, was an All-American first team kickoff returner in 2011 and punt returner in 2014. Burns earned All-American first team honors in 2015 as a kick returner when he led the country in kickoff return touchdowns (4). Youngblood was a Freshman All-American first teamer in 2019 when he ran back 3 kickoffs for TDs and helped Kansas State top the nation in kickoff return average (29.5).Placekicker Matthew McCrane was a Freshman All-American first teamer in 2014 and All-Big 12 first team pick in 2017, while kicker Jack Cantele made the All-Big 12 first team in 2015. Kick returner Byron Pringle was All-Big 12 first team in 2016 and returner D.J. Reed was so honored in 2017.Snyder was a consensus All-American and All-Big Eight first team punter under his father, Bill Snyder, at Kansas State as a senior in 1992, averaging 44.7 yards per punt. He was the Big Eight Defensive Newcomer of the Year as a 1991 junior, with a 40.5 punting average. His 43.0 career punting average was a school record. He played in the 1992 Blue-Gray Game. He was inducted into Kansas State’s inaugural Ring of Honor Class in 2002 and into its Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016.Snyder redshirted at Iowa in 1988, then saw action in two games for the Hawkeyes as a redshirt freshman in 1989 before transferring to Kansas State. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Kansas State in money and banking in 1994.Snyder signed as a free agent with the Phoenix Cardinals in 1993 and the San Diego Chargers in 1994. He and his wife Wanda raised a daughter Katherine and sons Tate and Matthew. They have five grandchildren: Katherine and her husband Colton have three kids, DJ, Declan, and Murphy, and Tate and his wife Nikki have two children, Pearce and Presley.

Kansas Football Adds Sean Snyder to Staff as Special Assistant to the Head Coach


- The “Voice of the Cougars” Cole Reif fills his Tuesday slot to
talk Royals, the NCAA Tournament, and the 30-3 start by the Barton
Baseball Cougars.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663183818995.jpeg" alt="Presented By" />
 <figcaption>Presented By</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zvX0gLn8BKs" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
- The “Voice of the Cougars” Cole Reif fills his Tuesday slot to
talk Royals, the NCAA Tournament, and the 30-3 start by the Barton
Baseball Cougars.
- Larned High School sports booster and USD 495 school board member
Buddy Tabler will join the show to tell us what is and was isn't
happening in regards to the planned improvements at Earl Roberts
Field.
- Mike Courson goes “On the Prowl” for Great Bend Panthers
Sports.
- Tuesday Sports Headlines
- Sounds of the past 24-hours