FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – After a 90-minute weather delay, NCAA Tournament officials announced the suspension of Friday's K-State – Louisiana Tech contest at Baum-Walker Stadium. The Wildcats' opening round game will resume Saturday morning at 11 a.m.

The winner of the third-seeded Wildcats – second-seeded Bulldogs game will play top-seeded Arkansas (44-14) at 8 p.m. Saturday night, while the loser will face fourth-seeded SEMO (34-26) at 2 p.m.

K-State was leading 9-4 heading into the top of the sixth when the game went into its second weather delay of the night.

Game 2 (SUSPENDED) – #2 Louisiana Tech vs. #3 Kansas State – 7 p.m. (ESPN+)

Game 2 (RESUMED) – #2 Louisiana Tech vs. #3 Kansas State – 11 a.m.

Game 3 – #4 SEMO vs. Game 2 Loser – 2 p.m. (TBD)

Game 4 – #1 Arkansas vs. Game 2 Winner – 8 p.m. (TBD)

Game 5 – Game 3 Winner vs. Game 4 Loser – 1 p.m. (TBD)

Game 6 – Game 4 Winner vs. Game 5 Winner – 6 p.m. (TBD)

Game 7 – If the Game 5 Winner Wins Game 6 – TBD

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – After a 90-minute weather delay, NCAA Tournament officials announced the suspension of Friday's K-State – Louisiana Tech contest at Baum-Walker Stadium. The Wildcats' opening round game will resume Saturday morning at 11 a.m.The winner of the third-seeded Wildcats – second-seeded Bulldogs game will play top-seeded Arkansas (44-14) at 8 p.m. Saturday night, while the loser will face fourth-seeded SEMO (34-26) at 2 p.m.K-State was leading 9-4 heading into the top of the sixth when the game went into its second weather delay of the night.NCAA Fayetteville RegionalFriday, May 31Game 1 – #1 Arkansas 17. #4 SEMO 9Game 2 (SUSPENDED) – #2 Louisiana Tech vs. #3 Kansas State – 7 p.m. (ESPN+)Saturday, June 1Game 2 (RESUMED) – #2 Louisiana Tech vs. #3 Kansas State – 11 a.m.Game 3 – #4 SEMO vs. Game 2 Loser – 2 p.m. (TBD)Game 4 – #1 Arkansas vs. Game 2 Winner – 8 p.m. (TBD)Sunday, June 2Game 5 – Game 3 Winner vs. Game 4 Loser – 1 p.m. (TBD)Game 6 – Game 4 Winner vs. Game 5 Winner – 6 p.m. (TBD)Monday, June 3 (If Necessary)Game 7 – If the Game 5 Winner Wins Game 6 – TBD

K-State, La Tech Game Suspended Until Saturday Morning

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jake Cronenworth drove in three runs in a nine-run eighth inning, Luis Arraez had four hits and the San Diego Padres beat the Kansas City Royals 11-8 on Friday night.

Cronenworth hit a two-run single in the eighth to give the Padres a 4-3 lead and added an RBI double to make it 11-3. He leads San Diego with 38 RBIs. Luis Arraez had his fifth four-hit game of the season.

“That was amazing,” Arraez said. “When we put the ball in play, good things happen, so we just need to continue to do that so we can win a lot of games."

San Diego took command in the eighth inning, getting seven straight singles before the Royals recorded an out. The Padres totaled 18 hits in the game and had 10 singles and 11 total hits in the eighth inning, a club record for an inning.

“That eighth inning was pretty special and you don’t see many of them,” Padres manager Mike Shildt said. “We just put together professional at-bats throughout, so it was pretty exciting. The approach was good we were just taking what the game gave us. It was a great inning and we got contributions from all.”

Yuki Matsui (3-0) got the victory with a scoreless seventh.

Dylan Cease gave up three runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings with five strikeouts and one walk. Cease made his 16th career start against the Royals, which is his most against any club in his career. He also added to his strikeout total against Kansas City, eclipsing 104 strikeouts, the most against one opponent.

“I think my outing was good enough to keep us in it, but it wasn’t very dominant," Cease said. “I am not thrilled with it, but I am happy we got the win, and the offense picked it up.”

Michael Wacha pitched 5 1/3 innings and gave up two runs on five hits with two strikeouts and one walk. It was his lowest strikeout total of the season and the fewest since June 19, 2023, while with San Diego. John Schreiber (3-1) gave up three runs in the eighth.

Nelson Velázquez hit a solo home run in Kansas City's five-run ninth.

“That’s the nature of baseball," Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “I wish we could explain the ins and outs of why, but a lot of it has to do with these guys never quitting. When their back is against the wall they know they have to go and keep fighting.”

San Diego reliever Jeremiah Estrada entered the game in the sixth inning, holding a major league record of 13 straight consecutive strikeouts, which came to an end on an intentional walk to Salvador Perez. The record dated to the Expansion Era in 1961 when play-by-play data was available and was broken by Jose Alvarado with 11 straight in 2023.

Royals: LHP Daniel Lynch IV was optioned to Triple-A Omaha after the game on Thursday. In the corresponding move, the Royals recalled RHP Will Klein.

Padres: RHP Yu Darvish (left hamstring tightness) remained in San Diego to receive treatment after an early exit in his last start due to the hamstring tightness on Wednesday against Miami. No move has been made.

Joe Musgrove (3-4, 5.66 ERA) was set to start for San Diego on Saturday against Alec Marsh (4-2, 3.24 ERA).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717257133619.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;San Diego Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. is tagged out at home by Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez to get the second out of a double play hit into by Jake Cronenworth during the sixth inning of a baseball game Friday, May 31, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;San Diego Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. is tagged out at home by Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez to get the second out of a double play hit into by Jake Cronenworth during the sixth inning of a baseball game Friday, May 31, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jake Cronenworth drove in three runs in a nine-run eighth inning, Luis Arraez had four hits and the San Diego Padres beat the Kansas City Royals 11-8 on Friday night.Cronenworth hit a two-run single in the eighth to give the Padres a 4-3 lead and added an RBI double to make it 11-3. He leads San Diego with 38 RBIs. Luis Arraez had his fifth four-hit game of the season.“That was amazing,” Arraez said. “When we put the ball in play, good things happen, so we just need to continue to do that so we can win a lot of games."San Diego took command in the eighth inning, getting seven straight singles before the Royals recorded an out. The Padres totaled 18 hits in the game and had 10 singles and 11 total hits in the eighth inning, a club record for an inning.“That eighth inning was pretty special and you don’t see many of them,” Padres manager Mike Shildt said. “We just put together professional at-bats throughout, so it was pretty exciting. The approach was good we were just taking what the game gave us. It was a great inning and we got contributions from all.”Yuki Matsui (3-0) got the victory with a scoreless seventh.Dylan Cease gave up three runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings with five strikeouts and one walk. Cease made his 16th career start against the Royals, which is his most against any club in his career. He also added to his strikeout total against Kansas City, eclipsing 104 strikeouts, the most against one opponent.“I think my outing was good enough to keep us in it, but it wasn’t very dominant," Cease said. “I am not thrilled with it, but I am happy we got the win, and the offense picked it up.”Michael Wacha pitched 5 1/3 innings and gave up two runs on five hits with two strikeouts and one walk. It was his lowest strikeout total of the season and the fewest since June 19, 2023, while with San Diego. John Schreiber (3-1) gave up three runs in the eighth.Nelson Velázquez hit a solo home run in Kansas City's five-run ninth.“That’s the nature of baseball," Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “I wish we could explain the ins and outs of why, but a lot of it has to do with these guys never quitting. When their back is against the wall they know they have to go and keep fighting.”K STREAK ENDSSan Diego reliever Jeremiah Estrada entered the game in the sixth inning, holding a major league record of 13 straight consecutive strikeouts, which came to an end on an intentional walk to Salvador Perez. The record dated to the Expansion Era in 1961 when play-by-play data was available and was broken by Jose Alvarado with 11 straight in 2023.ROSTER MOVESRoyals: LHP Daniel Lynch IV was optioned to Triple-A Omaha after the game on Thursday. In the corresponding move, the Royals recalled RHP Will Klein.TRAINER’S ROOMPadres: RHP Yu Darvish (left hamstring tightness) remained in San Diego to receive treatment after an early exit in his last start due to the hamstring tightness on Wednesday against Miami. No move has been made.UP NEXTJoe Musgrove (3-4, 5.66 ERA) was set to start for San Diego on Saturday against Alec Marsh (4-2, 3.24 ERA).

Jake Cronenworth drives in 3 runs in 9-run 8th, Padres beat Royals 11-8

By DARLENE SUPERVILLE Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is welcoming the Kansas City Chiefs to the White House on Friday to celebrate the NFL team's third Super Bowl victory in five years.

The entire team was expected to participate in the event on the South Lawn, for the second time in two years. But one person not expected was singer Taylor Swift, the girlfriend of tight end Travis Kelce.

Biden is honoring the Chiefs after their come-from-behind overtime win over the San Francisco 49ers in the Super Bowl in Las Vegas in February. It's a longstanding tradition for major championship sports teams, both professional and collegiate, to be invited to the White House.

IN 2023, the Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles, first lady Jill Biden's favorite football team. She grew up near Philadelphia and attended the game.

Kansas City defeated San Francisco to claim the 2020 Super Bowl title.

The Chiefs shared on social media early Friday that “we're celebrating our back-to-back championship seasons and victory in Super Bowl LVIII at the White House."

Kicker Harrison Butker, who made headlines by assailing some of Biden's policies during a commencement speech earlier this month, was expected to accompany his teammates to the White House. Butker recently defended his comments, saying he had no regrets about expressing his beliefs.

In the May 16 speech at Benedictine College, a private Catholic liberal arts school in Atchison, Kansas, Butker congratulated the women who were receiving degrees and said most of them were probably more excited about getting married and having children. He criticized some of Biden's policy positions, including the Democratic president's condemnation of the Supreme Court’s reversal of its 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide. Abortion is an issue that Biden and his fellow Democrats hope to use to their advantage in the November elections.

Butker also tackled Biden’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has killed nearly 1.2 million people in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

As for Swift, her absence was bound to disappoint many in the White House.

Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was left deflecting questions earlier this week about whether the 34-year-old singer-songwriter would show up.

“That's a good question,” Jean-Pierre said. “I can't speak to her schedule. But I know there's a lot of interest in this building, on this campus.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717178998260.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;FILE - President Joe Biden talks with Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce as Biden welcomes the football team to the White House in Washington, June 5, 2023, to celebrate their championship season and victory in Super Bowl LVII. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, FIle)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;FILE - President Joe Biden talks with Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce as Biden welcomes the football team to the White House in Washington, June 5, 2023, to celebrate their championship season and victory in Super Bowl LVII. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, FIle)</figcaption>
 </figure>By DARLENE SUPERVILLE Associated PressWASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is welcoming the Kansas City Chiefs to the White House on Friday to celebrate the NFL team's third Super Bowl victory in five years.The entire team was expected to participate in the event on the South Lawn, for the second time in two years. But one person not expected was singer Taylor Swift, the girlfriend of tight end Travis Kelce.Biden is honoring the Chiefs after their come-from-behind overtime win over the San Francisco 49ers in the Super Bowl in Las Vegas in February. It's a longstanding tradition for major championship sports teams, both professional and collegiate, to be invited to the White House.IN 2023, the Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles, first lady Jill Biden's favorite football team. She grew up near Philadelphia and attended the game.Kansas City defeated San Francisco to claim the 2020 Super Bowl title.The Chiefs shared on social media early Friday that “we're celebrating our back-to-back championship seasons and victory in Super Bowl LVIII at the White House."Kicker Harrison Butker, who made headlines by assailing some of Biden's policies during a commencement speech earlier this month, was expected to accompany his teammates to the White House. Butker recently defended his comments, saying he had no regrets about expressing his beliefs.In the May 16 speech at Benedictine College, a private Catholic liberal arts school in Atchison, Kansas, Butker congratulated the women who were receiving degrees and said most of them were probably more excited about getting married and having children. He criticized some of Biden's policy positions, including the Democratic president's condemnation of the Supreme Court’s reversal of its 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide. Abortion is an issue that Biden and his fellow Democrats hope to use to their advantage in the November elections.Butker also tackled Biden’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has killed nearly 1.2 million people in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.As for Swift, her absence was bound to disappoint many in the White House.Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was left deflecting questions earlier this week about whether the 34-year-old singer-songwriter would show up.“That's a good question,” Jean-Pierre said. “I can't speak to her schedule. But I know there's a lot of interest in this building, on this campus.”

Biden is hosting the Kansas City Chiefs to mark the team's Super Bowl title

By TODD MOORE Barton Sports Info

The Barton Community College track and field program capped another great outdoor season with a fair share haul of post-season awards distributed by the U.S. Track &amp; Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

The Cougars swept both the national Field Athletes of the Year, Treneese Hamilton becoming a two-time national award winner after receiving the same honor from the indoor season, while Christopher Young also becoming a two-time men's national award winner after winning the outdoor honor last season as well.

Additionally on the national level, Barton received recognition of its coaching staff, David Schenek named the Women's Head Coach of the Year with Emmanuel Dixon receiving the Women's Assistant Coach of the Year.

Prior to the outdoor championships, USTFCCCA member coaches cast their votes for region awards as the Central Region honor were also naturally fruitful for the program. Hamilton and Young were named the Field Athletes of the Year, Schenek the Women's Head Coach of the Year, and Dixon garnering both the Men's and Women's Assistant Coach of the Year recognition.

Most recently at the NJCAA Outdoor Championships, the Cougars posted 41 All-America combined performances leading to the women finishing national runner-up while the men placed 4th overall.

Treneese Hamilton – Women's Central Region and National Field Athlete of the Year

Hamilton earned the Central Region award after scoring 27 points in the throwing events at the Region VI Outdoor Championships. Winning both the javelin and shot put, Hamilton finished third in the discus and eighth in the hammer going to the national meet ranked Top-5 in both the shot put and javelin.

Scoring 18 points at indoor nationals back in early March, Hamilton followed with a 19-point performance at the national outdoor championships. Setting personal best marks in her three events, Hamilton broke the NJCAA all-time mark to win the shot put (17.46m, 57-03.50), was 4th in the hammer throw, and finished 5th in the javelin.

Hamilton's time in the program racked up four USTFCCCA honors, scored 60 points across four national competitions in placing among the top five nine times including both the indoor and outdoor national shot put crowns.

The recipient of the Athletic Department's Female Athlete of the Year Award, Hamilton also leaves her mark as the NJCAA's national shot put outdoor record holder, two additional marks on the NJCAA All-Time list, and four performances in the program's top ten chart.

Indoor: 1st in Shot Put (16.39m, 53-09.25 *2nd NJCAA All-Time **NJCAA Meet Record), 3rd in Weight Throw (18.73m, 61-05.50 *13th NJCAA All-Time)

Outdoor: 1st in Shot Put (17.46m, 57-03.50 *NJCAA All-Time, **NJCAA Meet Record), 4th in Javelin (45.18m, 148-03).

Christopher Young – Men's Central Region and National Field Athlete of the Year

Young was named the Region Field Athlete of the Year for the third time in his Barton two-year career, two from the outdoor season and one from this past indoor season.

At the Region VI Outdoor Championships, Young scored 36 points by winning both the hammer and javelin while placing runner-up in the discus throw and shot put. Headed to the national meet, Young sat atop the shot put season's best and ranked second nationally in the discus throw.

Winning his second straight National Field Athlete of the Year award, Young scored 34 points at the 2024 NJCAA Division I Championships including individual titles on personal best efforts in the shot put to miss the program record by one inch and a 9th program furthest distance to win the hammer throw. Young also posted a season best for a javelin runner-up placing and led three Cougars in the top eight of the discus throw with a 3rd placing.

Young acquired five USTFCCCA honors in his Barton career, piled up a whopping 94 points at four national competitions in placing among the Top-3 eleven times including six individual crowns, three in the shot put and one in each of the weight throw, hammer throw, and javelin.

Like Hamiliton, Young was also voted the Athletic Department's Athlete of the Year Award on the men's side, concluding his two-year career with five marks of his six indoor and outdoor events on the NJCAA All-Time list, as well as, on the program's top ten chart.

Indoor: 1st in Shot Put (18.67m, 61-03.00 *4th NJCAA All-Time) and 9th in Weight Throw (18.70m, 61-04.25 *22nd NJCAA All-Time)

Outdoor: 2nd in Shot Put (18.76m, 61-0.75 *7th NJCAA All-Time), 9th in Hammer Throw (56.61m, 185-09), 3rd in Discus Throw (59.93m, 196-07 *10th NJCAA All-Time), and 3rd in Javelin (66.98m, 219-09 *11th NJCAA All-Time).

David Schenek – Women's Central Region and National Head Coach of the Year

Earning the indoor national award as well, the central and national outdoor honors give Coach Schenek his 30th coaching award from the USTCCCA.

Schenek led the Lady Cougars to its second straight and 33rd Region VI title back in early May as the team won seven events in piling up 168 points. The performance earned the Cougars a No. 1 national ranking on 30 national qualifying performances with five national leaders on the season's performance list.

Having won the College's then-59th national title in the indoor season earning Coach Schenek the national coaching honor, the Cougars challenged for the outdoor title but came up five points shy at the end in settling for runner-up.

Overall the squad had 15 scoring events with two of Barton's four individual crowns breaking program, national meet, and the NJCAA's all-time best performances coming from Schenek's field athletes Hamilton in the shot put and freshman Cedricka Williams in the discus.

Emmanuel Dixon – Women's Central Region and National Assistant Coach of the Year, Men's Central Region Assistant Coach of the Year

Overlooked in the indoor season, Dixon swept both the men's and women's region honors marking his third straight region recognition of the outdoor season.

On the women's side, Dixon helped the Cougars to 19 national qualifying performances across 12 events, including the national leaders in the 100m, long jump, and heptathlon. Scoring 118 of the team's 168 points, Dixon's athletes powered the Cougars to its second straight and 33rd overall region outdoor title.

Helping the squad vault to the nation's top ranked team heading into the national championships, Dixon's athletes accounted for 41 of Barton's 93 points in the runner-up finish to earn his first National Assistant Coach honor. Amongst the points were national titles coming from Jazmine Williamson in the long jump and Ana Couto in the heptathlon.

Dixon also was honored with his first coaching award on the men's side in being named the regional assistant coach of the year coaching 13 athletes to national qualifying performances in the sprints, hurdles and middle distances going on to contribute 61 of the team's 127 points in the region runner-up finish.

The Barton women accumulated eighteen All-America performances between eleven Cougars at the Outdoor Nationals led by Hamilton and sprinter Keliza Smith scoring in three events each compiling 19 and 18 points respectively.

Kay-Lagay Clarke: 100m Hurdles (8th), Triple Jump (6th) – 4pts

Treneese Hamilton: Shot Put (1st), Javelin (5th), Hammer Throw (4th) – 19pts

Chloe Perryman: Long Jump (7th), 4x100m Relay (5th) – 6pts

Ivanilda Semedo: Discus Throw (2nd) – 8pts

Keliza Smith: 100m (2nd), 200m (3rd), 4x100m Relay (5th) – 18pts

Maria Umoibang: 4x100m Relay (5th) – 4pts

Cedricka Williams: Discus Throw (1st) – 10pts

Jazmine Williamson: High Jump (3rd), Long Jump (1st) – 16pts

The Barton men totaled twenty-three All-America award performances between thirteen Cougars led by Young's four scoring events for 34 points, Hamer's 15 points in two jumping events, and Christopher Crawford adding 10 points across three events.

Wanyae Belle: 4x100m Relay (4th) – 5pts

Hamza Belkhalfi: 4x800m Relay (4th) – 5pts

Malachi Carter: 4x100m Relay (4th) – 5pts

Corlando Chambers: 4x400m Relay (7th), 4x800m Relay (4th) –7pts

Jasiah Clapp: 4x800m Relay (4th) – 5pts

Christopher Crawford: Shot Put (6th), Discus Throw (6th), Hammer Throw (5th) – 10pts

Trevon Hamer: Long Jump (4th), Triple Jump (1st) – 15pts

Ricardo Hayles: Shot Put (8th), Discus Throw (5th) – 5pts

Adrian Nethersole: 4x400m Relay (7th), 4x800m Relay (4th) – 7pts

Manjot Singh: 4x400m Relay (7th) – 2pts

Jayden Singleton: 4x100m Relay (4th) – 5pts

Christopher Young: Shot Put (1st), Discus Throw (3rd), Javelin (2nd), Hammer Throw (1st) – 34pts

Revon Williams: 4x100m Relay (4th), 4x400m Relay (7th) – 7pts

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717178690511.jpeg" alt="Barton Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Barton Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>By TODD MOORE Barton Sports InfoThe Barton Community College track and field program capped another great outdoor season with a fair share haul of post-season awards distributed by the U.S. Track &amp; Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).The Cougars swept both the national Field Athletes of the Year, Treneese Hamilton becoming a two-time national award winner after receiving the same honor from the indoor season, while Christopher Young also becoming a two-time men's national award winner after winning the outdoor honor last season as well.Additionally on the national level, Barton received recognition of its coaching staff, David Schenek named the Women's Head Coach of the Year with Emmanuel Dixon receiving the Women's Assistant Coach of the Year.Prior to the outdoor championships, USTFCCCA member coaches cast their votes for region awards as the Central Region honor were also naturally fruitful for the program. Hamilton and Young were named the Field Athletes of the Year, Schenek the Women's Head Coach of the Year, and Dixon garnering both the Men's and Women's Assistant Coach of the Year recognition.Most recently at the NJCAA Outdoor Championships, the Cougars posted 41 All-America combined performances leading to the women finishing national runner-up while the men placed 4th overall.Treneese Hamilton – Women's Central Region and National Field Athlete of the YearHamilton earned the Central Region award after scoring 27 points in the throwing events at the Region VI Outdoor Championships. Winning both the javelin and shot put, Hamilton finished third in the discus and eighth in the hammer going to the national meet ranked Top-5 in both the shot put and javelin.Scoring 18 points at indoor nationals back in early March, Hamilton followed with a 19-point performance at the national outdoor championships. Setting personal best marks in her three events, Hamilton broke the NJCAA all-time mark to win the shot put (17.46m, 57-03.50), was 4th in the hammer throw, and finished 5th in the javelin.Hamilton's time in the program racked up four USTFCCCA honors, scored 60 points across four national competitions in placing among the top five nine times including both the indoor and outdoor national shot put crowns.The recipient of the Athletic Department's Female Athlete of the Year Award, Hamilton also leaves her mark as the NJCAA's national shot put outdoor record holder, two additional marks on the NJCAA All-Time list, and four performances in the program's top ten chart.Indoor: 1st in Shot Put (16.39m, 53-09.25 *2nd NJCAA All-Time **NJCAA Meet Record), 3rd in Weight Throw (18.73m, 61-05.50 *13th NJCAA All-Time)Outdoor: 1st in Shot Put (17.46m, 57-03.50 *NJCAA All-Time, **NJCAA Meet Record), 4th in Javelin (45.18m, 148-03).Christopher Young – Men's Central Region and National Field Athlete of the YearYoung was named the Region Field Athlete of the Year for the third time in his Barton two-year career, two from the outdoor season and one from this past indoor season.At the Region VI Outdoor Championships, Young scored 36 points by winning both the hammer and javelin while placing runner-up in the discus throw and shot put. Headed to the national meet, Young sat atop the shot put season's best and ranked second nationally in the discus throw.Winning his second straight National Field Athlete of the Year award, Young scored 34 points at the 2024 NJCAA Division I Championships including individual titles on personal best efforts in the shot put to miss the program record by one inch and a 9th program furthest distance to win the hammer throw. Young also posted a season best for a javelin runner-up placing and led three Cougars in the top eight of the discus throw with a 3rd placing.Young acquired five USTFCCCA honors in his Barton career, piled up a whopping 94 points at four national competitions in placing among the Top-3 eleven times including six individual crowns, three in the shot put and one in each of the weight throw, hammer throw, and javelin.Like Hamiliton, Young was also voted the Athletic Department's Athlete of the Year Award on the men's side, concluding his two-year career with five marks of his six indoor and outdoor events on the NJCAA All-Time list, as well as, on the program's top ten chart.Indoor: 1st in Shot Put (18.67m, 61-03.00 *4th NJCAA All-Time) and 9th in Weight Throw (18.70m, 61-04.25 *22nd NJCAA All-Time)Outdoor: 2nd in Shot Put (18.76m, 61-0.75 *7th NJCAA All-Time), 9th in Hammer Throw (56.61m, 185-09), 3rd in Discus Throw (59.93m, 196-07 *10th NJCAA All-Time), and 3rd in Javelin (66.98m, 219-09 *11th NJCAA All-Time).David Schenek – Women's Central Region and National Head Coach of the YearEarning the indoor national award as well, the central and national outdoor honors give Coach Schenek his 30th coaching award from the USTCCCA.Schenek led the Lady Cougars to its second straight and 33rd Region VI title back in early May as the team won seven events in piling up 168 points. The performance earned the Cougars a No. 1 national ranking on 30 national qualifying performances with five national leaders on the season's performance list.Having won the College's then-59th national title in the indoor season earning Coach Schenek the national coaching honor, the Cougars challenged for the outdoor title but came up five points shy at the end in settling for runner-up.Overall the squad had 15 scoring events with two of Barton's four individual crowns breaking program, national meet, and the NJCAA's all-time best performances coming from Schenek's field athletes Hamilton in the shot put and freshman Cedricka Williams in the discus.Emmanuel Dixon – Women's Central Region and National Assistant Coach of the Year, Men's Central Region Assistant Coach of the YearOverlooked in the indoor season, Dixon swept both the men's and women's region honors marking his third straight region recognition of the outdoor season.On the women's side, Dixon helped the Cougars to 19 national qualifying performances across 12 events, including the national leaders in the 100m, long jump, and heptathlon. Scoring 118 of the team's 168 points, Dixon's athletes powered the Cougars to its second straight and 33rd overall region outdoor title.Helping the squad vault to the nation's top ranked team heading into the national championships, Dixon's athletes accounted for 41 of Barton's 93 points in the runner-up finish to earn his first National Assistant Coach honor. Amongst the points were national titles coming from Jazmine Williamson in the long jump and Ana Couto in the heptathlon.Dixon also was honored with his first coaching award on the men's side in being named the regional assistant coach of the year coaching 13 athletes to national qualifying performances in the sprints, hurdles and middle distances going on to contribute 61 of the team's 127 points in the region runner-up finish.All-America Performances (Women)The Barton women accumulated eighteen All-America performances between eleven Cougars at the Outdoor Nationals led by Hamilton and sprinter Keliza Smith scoring in three events each compiling 19 and 18 points respectively.Kay-Lagay Clarke: 100m Hurdles (8th), Triple Jump (6th) – 4ptsAna Couto: Heptathlon (1st) - 10ptsTreneese Hamilton: Shot Put (1st), Javelin (5th), Hammer Throw (4th) – 19ptsSanae Hassnaoui: 1500m (3rd) – 6ptsChloe Perryman: Long Jump (7th), 4x100m Relay (5th) – 6ptsIvanilda Semedo: Discus Throw (2nd) – 8ptsAshley Shaw: 4x100m Relay (5th) – 4ptsKeliza Smith: 100m (2nd), 200m (3rd), 4x100m Relay (5th) – 18ptsMaria Umoibang: 4x100m Relay (5th) – 4ptsCedricka Williams: Discus Throw (1st) – 10ptsJazmine Williamson: High Jump (3rd), Long Jump (1st) – 16ptsAll-America Performances (Men)The Barton men totaled twenty-three All-America award performances between thirteen Cougars led by Young's four scoring events for 34 points, Hamer's 15 points in two jumping events, and Christopher Crawford adding 10 points across three events.Wanyae Belle: 4x100m Relay (4th) – 5ptsHamza Belkhalfi: 4x800m Relay (4th) – 5ptsMalachi Carter: 4x100m Relay (4th) – 5ptsCorlando Chambers: 4x400m Relay (7th), 4x800m Relay (4th) –7ptsJasiah Clapp: 4x800m Relay (4th) – 5ptsChristopher Crawford: Shot Put (6th), Discus Throw (6th), Hammer Throw (5th) – 10ptsTrevon Hamer: Long Jump (4th), Triple Jump (1st) – 15ptsRicardo Hayles: Shot Put (8th), Discus Throw (5th) – 5ptsAdrian Nethersole: 4x400m Relay (7th), 4x800m Relay (4th) – 7ptsManjot Singh: 4x400m Relay (7th) – 2ptsJayden Singleton: 4x100m Relay (4th) – 5ptsChristopher Young: Shot Put (1st), Discus Throw (3rd), Javelin (2nd), Hammer Throw (1st) – 34ptsRevon Williams: 4x100m Relay (4th), 4x400m Relay (7th) – 7pts

Barton track and field grabs top regional and national awards

The Kansas City
Royals host the San Diego Padres trying to extend a seven-game home
winning streak.

San Diego Padres
(30-29, third in the NL West) vs. Kansas City Royals (35-23, second
in the AL Central)

Kansas City,
Missouri; Friday, 8:10 p.m. EDT

PITCHING
PROBABLES: Padres: Dylan Cease (5-4, 3.29 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 82
strikeouts); Royals: Michael Wacha (4-5, 4.31 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 54
strikeouts)

BETMGM
SPORTSBOOK: LINE Padres -132, Royals +112; over/under is 8 runs

BOTTOM LINE:
The Kansas City Royals, on a seven-game home winning streak, host the
San Diego Padres.

Kansas City is 21-8
at home and 35-23 overall. The Royals have the fourth-ranked team
slugging percentage in the AL at .409.

San Diego is 30-29
overall and 17-10 in road games. The Padres have gone 13-7 in games
when they did not allow a home run.

The teams meet
Friday for the first time this season.

TOP PERFORMERS:
Maikel Garcia has 12 doubles, three triples and five home runs for
the Royals. Bobby Witt Jr. is 16-for-44 with three doubles and four
home runs over the last 10 games.

Jurickson Profar has
10 doubles and eight home runs for the Padres. Luis Arraez is
18-for-42 with two doubles, a home run and four RBI over the past 10
games.

Royals: 6-4,
.277 batting average, 3.27 ERA, outscored opponents by 25 runs

Padres: 5-5,
.241 batting average, 3.34 ERA, outscored by 10 runs

Royals: Brady
Singer: day-to-day (illness), Michael Massey: 10-Day IL (back), Josh
Taylor: 60-Day IL (biceps), Kris Bubic: 60-Day IL (elbow), Kyle
Wright: 60-Day IL (shoulder)

By The Associated
PressThe Kansas City
Royals host the San Diego Padres trying to extend a seven-game home
winning streak.San Diego Padres
(30-29, third in the NL West) vs. Kansas City Royals (35-23, second
in the AL Central)Kansas City,
Missouri; Friday, 8:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING
PROBABLES: Padres: Dylan Cease (5-4, 3.29 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 82
strikeouts); Royals: Michael Wacha (4-5, 4.31 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 54
strikeouts)BETMGM
SPORTSBOOK: LINE Padres -132, Royals +112; over/under is 8 runsBOTTOM LINE:
The Kansas City Royals, on a seven-game home winning streak, host the
San Diego Padres.Kansas City is 21-8
at home and 35-23 overall. The Royals have the fourth-ranked team
slugging percentage in the AL at .409.San Diego is 30-29
overall and 17-10 in road games. The Padres have gone 13-7 in games
when they did not allow a home run.The teams meet
Friday for the first time this season.TOP PERFORMERS:
Maikel Garcia has 12 doubles, three triples and five home runs for
the Royals. Bobby Witt Jr. is 16-for-44 with three doubles and four
home runs over the last 10 games.Jurickson Profar has
10 doubles and eight home runs for the Padres. Luis Arraez is
18-for-42 with two doubles, a home run and four RBI over the past 10
games.LAST 10 GAMES:
Royals: 6-4,
.277 batting average, 3.27 ERA, outscored opponents by 25 runsPadres: 5-5,
.241 batting average, 3.34 ERA, outscored by 10 runsINJURIES: 
Royals: Brady
Singer: day-to-day (illness), Michael Massey: 10-Day IL (back), Josh
Taylor: 60-Day IL (biceps), Kris Bubic: 60-Day IL (elbow), Kyle
Wright: 60-Day IL (shoulder)

Royals host the Padres on home winning streak

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs turned himself in to the Tuscaloosa County Jail on Thursday on misdemeanor animal cruelty charges.

Buggs was later released on $600 bond for two counts of cruelty to dogs in the second degree.

The Tuscaloosa Police Department found two dogs that were “seriously malnourished” and “emaciated” March 28 on the back porch of a house that Buggs had rented, according to court documents. The court filings reported that a neighbor said a pitbull and a Rotweiler mix had been left there for at least 10 days and had no access to food or water.

The pitbull was eventually euthanized. Witnesses said Buggs had moved out of the house on or about March 19.

A Chiefs spokesman said the team was aware of the situation, but declined to comment.

Buggs' agent, Trey Robinson, issued a statement this week saying that the player “vehemently denies” the allegations and that the dogs didn't belong to him.

“Under no circumstances does Mr. Buggs condone the mistreatment of any animal,” Robinson said, declining to answer further questions.

Robinson said Buggs didn't know they were still on the property and is the target of a “subversive campaign” to shut down a hookah lounge he owns.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717148407805.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;FILE- Then-Detroit Lions defensive end Isaiah Buggs (96) watches during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022. Buggs, now with the Kansas City Chiefs, turned himself in to the Tuscaloosa County, Ala., Jail, Thursday, May 30, 2024, on misdemeanor animal cruelty charges. Buggs was later released on $600 bond for two counts of cruelty to dogs in the second degree. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;FILE- Then-Detroit Lions defensive end Isaiah Buggs (96) watches during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022. Buggs, now with the Kansas City Chiefs, turned himself in to the Tuscaloosa County, Ala., Jail, Thursday, May 30, 2024, on misdemeanor animal cruelty charges. Buggs was later released on $600 bond for two counts of cruelty to dogs in the second degree. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs turned himself in to the Tuscaloosa County Jail on Thursday on misdemeanor animal cruelty charges.Buggs was later released on $600 bond for two counts of cruelty to dogs in the second degree.The Tuscaloosa Police Department found two dogs that were “seriously malnourished” and “emaciated” March 28 on the back porch of a house that Buggs had rented, according to court documents. The court filings reported that a neighbor said a pitbull and a Rotweiler mix had been left there for at least 10 days and had no access to food or water.The pitbull was eventually euthanized. Witnesses said Buggs had moved out of the house on or about March 19.A Chiefs spokesman said the team was aware of the situation, but declined to comment.Buggs' agent, Trey Robinson, issued a statement this week saying that the player “vehemently denies” the allegations and that the dogs didn't belong to him.“Under no circumstances does Mr. Buggs condone the mistreatment of any animal,” Robinson said, declining to answer further questions.Robinson said Buggs didn't know they were still on the property and is the target of a “subversive campaign” to shut down a hookah lounge he owns.

Chiefs lineman Isaiah Buggs turns self in on misdemeanor cruelty to animal charges

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) —
Ryan Jeffers homered twice and Carlos Correa added a two-out,
bases-clearing triple in the sixth inning and the Minnesota Twins
rallied from a four-run deficit for a 7-6 win over the Kansas City
Royals. Reliever Chris Stratton allowed pinch-hitter Max Kepler’s
RBI single and walked two batters to load the bases with two outs.
Correa lifted a 3-1 fastball down the right-field line to break a 4-4
tie. Reliever Caleb Thielbar got the win for the Twins, who took
three of four in the series. Vinnie Pasquantino and MJ Melendez each
homered for Kansas City.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) —
Luka Doncic had a 20-point first quarter on his way to 36 points for
his high this postseason, and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Minnesota
Timberwolves 124-103 to breeze through the Western Conference finals
in five games. Kyrie Irving also scored 36 points for the Mavericks.
They built a 29-point halftime lead on 61% shooting to deflate the
once-energized crowd and went up by 36 in the third quarter. The Mavs
have a week to rest before the NBA Finals begin in Boston. Anthony
Edwards scored 28 points and Karl-Anthony Towns had 28 points and 12
rebounds for the Wolves.

UNDATED (AP) —
Kyrie Irving returning to Boston. Luka Doncic’s first trip to the
title round. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, getting another chance at
a ring. Kristaps Porzingis facing his former team, too. Pick a
storyline. There are many in these NBA Finals. The matchup is now
set: It’ll be Boston vs. Dallas for the Larry O’Brien Trophy, a
series that starts on the Celtics’ home floor on June 6 — meaning
everyone will be sitting around and waiting for about a week, a
byproduct of the Celtics and Mavericks making short work of their
respective conference finals.

NEW YORK (AP) —
Anton Lundell broke a tie with 9:38 left and the Florida Panthers
moved within a victory of returning to the Stanley Cup Final, beating
the New York Rangers 3-2 in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference final
Thursday night. Gustav Forsling and Sam Bennett also scored, and
Sergei Bobrovsky made 25 saves to help the Panthers win their second
straight in the best-of-series series after losing Games 2 and 3 in
overtime. Chris Kreider and Alexis Lafreniere scored for the Rangers,
and Igor Shesterkin made 34 saves in another magnificent effort. The
Panthers can end the series Saturday in Florida. If a seventh game is
necessary, it will be at Madison Square Garden, where the Panthers
have won twice this series.

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla.
(AP) — A person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press
that wide receiver Jaylen Waddle has agreed to a three-year, $84.75
million contract extension with the Miami Dolphins. The deal includes
$76 million guaranteed and keeps Waddle under contract through the
2028 season. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the
contract details have not been announced. Waddle will now become one
of the highest-paid receivers in the NFL after three productive
seasons to start his pro career.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) —
Kinzie Hansen homered and knocked in three runs, and three-time
defending national champion Oklahoma opened its title defense with a
9-1 win over Duke in six innings at the Women’s College World
Series. Hansen, Jayda Coleman and Alyssa Brito had two hits each for
the second-seeded Sooners. Kierston Deal threw 2 1/3 innings of
scoreless relief to get the win for Oklahoma. Jala Wright took the
loss in relief for No. 10 seed Duke. The Blue Devils made their first
World Series appearance under coach Marissa Young.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) —
Katie Kistler hit a solo homer for the game’s only run and Keagan
Rothrock threw a two-hitter as No. 4 seed Florida defeated No. 5
Oklahoma State 1-0 in the Women’s College World Series opener for
both teams. Oklahoma State’s Lexi Kilfoyl, a first-team National
Fastpitch Coaches Association All-American and a top-three finalist
for USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year, took the loss. She
allowed just two hits and struck out five in six innings. It was just
her fourth loss in 30 decisions this season.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) —
Teagan Kavan threw a one-hitter and No. 1 seed Texas defeated
Stanford 4-0 in the Women’s College World Series opener for both
teams. Kavan struck out eight and walked four. The freshman won the
pitching matchup against Stanford’s NiJaree Canady, the USA
Softball Collegiate Player of the Year. Canady allowed four runs on
five hits and struck out five. Kayden Henry had two hits and scored a
run for the Longhorns. Ava Gall had the only hit for No. 8-seed
Stanford.

CHARLESTON, W.Va.
(AP) — The NCAA and a coalition of states suing the organization
have announced a proposed settlement of a lawsuit that would allow
athletes to play immediately no matter how many times they transfer.
Under the agreement, a preliminary injunction issued by a federal
judge in West Virginia allowing multiple-transfer athletes to compete
would be made permanent. It comes a month after the NCAA fast-tracked
legislation to fall in line with the judge's December injunction.
Under the agreement, athletes who were previously deemed ineligible
under the transfer rule since the 2019-20 academic year would be
given an extra year of eligibility. Athletes would still be required
to meet academic requirements.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.
(AP) — Three power conferences have joined the Atlantic Coast
Conference in urging a Tallahassee court to keep the league’s TV
deals with ESPN private. The Big Ten, the Big 12 and the Southeastern
Conference filed a joint request in Leon County Circuit Court this
week supporting the ACC’s claim that the documents must remain
confidential to protect trade secrets. The filing was a response to
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody’s complaint last month. Moody
accused the ACC of breaking Florida’s public records law by not
providing a copy of the league’s TV contracts. Those documents are
potentially relevant in ongoing lawsuits between Florida State and
the ACC as the Seminoles consider leaving the league.

DESTIN, Fla. (AP) —
The debate within the Southeastern Conference about whether to play
eight or nine league games is not over, it’s just on hold. The SEC
locked in a short-term solution to the eight or nine question by
agreeing to go with eight games for this season and next, the first
two with Texas and Oklahoma in the conference. No decision has been
made for 2026 and beyond. Commissioner Greg Sankey says how the first
season of an expanded 12-team College Football Playoff could
influence which way the conferences goes. The SEC also announced a
team that reaches the CFP championship game will receive $14.25
million.

NATIONAL
BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PLAYOFFS

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714991701059.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>MINNEAPOLIS (AP) —
Ryan Jeffers homered twice and Carlos Correa added a two-out,
bases-clearing triple in the sixth inning and the Minnesota Twins
rallied from a four-run deficit for a 7-6 win over the Kansas City
Royals. Reliever Chris Stratton allowed pinch-hitter Max Kepler’s
RBI single and walked two batters to load the bases with two outs.
Correa lifted a 3-1 fastball down the right-field line to break a 4-4
tie. Reliever Caleb Thielbar got the win for the Twins, who took
three of four in the series. Vinnie Pasquantino and MJ Melendez each
homered for Kansas City.MINNEAPOLIS (AP) —
Luka Doncic had a 20-point first quarter on his way to 36 points for
his high this postseason, and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Minnesota
Timberwolves 124-103 to breeze through the Western Conference finals
in five games. Kyrie Irving also scored 36 points for the Mavericks.
They built a 29-point halftime lead on 61% shooting to deflate the
once-energized crowd and went up by 36 in the third quarter. The Mavs
have a week to rest before the NBA Finals begin in Boston. Anthony
Edwards scored 28 points and Karl-Anthony Towns had 28 points and 12
rebounds for the Wolves.UNDATED (AP) —
Kyrie Irving returning to Boston. Luka Doncic’s first trip to the
title round. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, getting another chance at
a ring. Kristaps Porzingis facing his former team, too. Pick a
storyline. There are many in these NBA Finals. The matchup is now
set: It’ll be Boston vs. Dallas for the Larry O’Brien Trophy, a
series that starts on the Celtics’ home floor on June 6 — meaning
everyone will be sitting around and waiting for about a week, a
byproduct of the Celtics and Mavericks making short work of their
respective conference finals.NEW YORK (AP) —
Anton Lundell broke a tie with 9:38 left and the Florida Panthers
moved within a victory of returning to the Stanley Cup Final, beating
the New York Rangers 3-2 in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference final
Thursday night. Gustav Forsling and Sam Bennett also scored, and
Sergei Bobrovsky made 25 saves to help the Panthers win their second
straight in the best-of-series series after losing Games 2 and 3 in
overtime. Chris Kreider and Alexis Lafreniere scored for the Rangers,
and Igor Shesterkin made 34 saves in another magnificent effort. The
Panthers can end the series Saturday in Florida. If a seventh game is
necessary, it will be at Madison Square Garden, where the Panthers
have won twice this series.MIAMI GARDENS, Fla.
(AP) — A person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press
that wide receiver Jaylen Waddle has agreed to a three-year, $84.75
million contract extension with the Miami Dolphins. The deal includes
$76 million guaranteed and keeps Waddle under contract through the
2028 season. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the
contract details have not been announced. Waddle will now become one
of the highest-paid receivers in the NFL after three productive
seasons to start his pro career.OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) —
Kinzie Hansen homered and knocked in three runs, and three-time
defending national champion Oklahoma opened its title defense with a
9-1 win over Duke in six innings at the Women’s College World
Series. Hansen, Jayda Coleman and Alyssa Brito had two hits each for
the second-seeded Sooners. Kierston Deal threw 2 1/3 innings of
scoreless relief to get the win for Oklahoma. Jala Wright took the
loss in relief for No. 10 seed Duke. The Blue Devils made their first
World Series appearance under coach Marissa Young.OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) —
Katie Kistler hit a solo homer for the game’s only run and Keagan
Rothrock threw a two-hitter as No. 4 seed Florida defeated No. 5
Oklahoma State 1-0 in the Women’s College World Series opener for
both teams. Oklahoma State’s Lexi Kilfoyl, a first-team National
Fastpitch Coaches Association All-American and a top-three finalist
for USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year, took the loss. She
allowed just two hits and struck out five in six innings. It was just
her fourth loss in 30 decisions this season.OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) —
Teagan Kavan threw a one-hitter and No. 1 seed Texas defeated
Stanford 4-0 in the Women’s College World Series opener for both
teams. Kavan struck out eight and walked four. The freshman won the
pitching matchup against Stanford’s NiJaree Canady, the USA
Softball Collegiate Player of the Year. Canady allowed four runs on
five hits and struck out five. Kayden Henry had two hits and scored a
run for the Longhorns. Ava Gall had the only hit for No. 8-seed
Stanford.CHARLESTON, W.Va.
(AP) — The NCAA and a coalition of states suing the organization
have announced a proposed settlement of a lawsuit that would allow
athletes to play immediately no matter how many times they transfer.
Under the agreement, a preliminary injunction issued by a federal
judge in West Virginia allowing multiple-transfer athletes to compete
would be made permanent. It comes a month after the NCAA fast-tracked
legislation to fall in line with the judge's December injunction.
Under the agreement, athletes who were previously deemed ineligible
under the transfer rule since the 2019-20 academic year would be
given an extra year of eligibility. Athletes would still be required
to meet academic requirements.TALLAHASSEE, Fla.
(AP) — Three power conferences have joined the Atlantic Coast
Conference in urging a Tallahassee court to keep the league’s TV
deals with ESPN private. The Big Ten, the Big 12 and the Southeastern
Conference filed a joint request in Leon County Circuit Court this
week supporting the ACC’s claim that the documents must remain
confidential to protect trade secrets. The filing was a response to
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody’s complaint last month. Moody
accused the ACC of breaking Florida’s public records law by not
providing a copy of the league’s TV contracts. Those documents are
potentially relevant in ongoing lawsuits between Florida State and
the ACC as the Seminoles consider leaving the league.DESTIN, Fla. (AP) —
The debate within the Southeastern Conference about whether to play
eight or nine league games is not over, it’s just on hold. The SEC
locked in a short-term solution to the eight or nine question by
agreeing to go with eight games for this season and next, the first
two with Texas and Oklahoma in the conference. No decision has been
made for 2026 and beyond. Commissioner Greg Sankey says how the first
season of an expanded 12-team College Football Playoff could
influence which way the conferences goes. The SEC also announced a
team that reaches the CFP championship game will receive $14.25
million.THURSDAY SCORESMAJOR LEAGUE
BASEBALLAMERICAN LEAGUEFinal	Minnesota	7	Kansas
City	6	Final	Tampa
Bay	6	Oakland	5	Final	Houston	4	Seattle	0	Final	Detroit	5	Boston	0	Final	N.Y.
Yankees	8	L.A. Angels	3	NATIONAL LEAGUEFinal	Milwaukee	6	Chicago
Cubs	4	Final	N.Y.
Mets	3	Arizona	2	Final	Washington	3	Atlanta	1	NATIONAL
BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PLAYOFFSFinal	Dallas	124	Minnesota	103	NATIONAL HOCKEY
LEAGUE PLAYOFFS

Friday Sports Headlines and Scores presented by Barton Community College

By AARON BEARD AP Basketball Writer

Bernadette McGlade leads an Atlantic 10 Conference built around basketball and focused on getting multiple bids to the NCAA men’s tournament much more than anything tied to big-time football.

Yet her league is among dozens conferences and scores of schools that will feel the impact from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ncaa-settlement-b6ff58d62f93359789dde1626f827bf1">the NCAA and major college conferences approving a $2.8 billion settlement</a>&nbsp;of federal antitrust claims that calls for paying athletes with a plan framed in a football-driven college sports landscape.

“We’ve got to move forward, we want to continue to preserve our rich history in basketball,” McGlade told The Associated Press. “So we have to get to the strategy table and start doing analysis.”

Schools that lean on basketball in leagues like the A-10, Big East —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-ncaa-championship-uconn-purdue-score-525f5f96f6b007034a2cb928dc8a4dbc">home to UConn, the two-time reigning men's national champion</a>&nbsp;— and the West Coast Conference face the prospect of directing millions to their athletes every year. But they have to figure out the best way to do that without streams of football money flowing in.

“With the opportunity that football brings, there’s a lot of (financial) obligation that football brings, too,” said Gonzaga athletic director Chris Standiford, whose WCC basketball program has gone from mid-major to national power over the past quarter-century. “So it cuts both ways. We don’t have the obligation of the operations and new expenses associated with the compensation of football players. But we don’t have the benefit of the revenues that come with it, particularly the TV revenues.”

The settlement includes the NCAA and conferences paying $2.77 billion over 10 years to more than 14,000 former and current college athletes who say now-defunct rules prevented them from earning money or endorsement deals dating to 2016. Under the plan, each school would be allowed to set aside up to around $21 million to pay athletes, a cap that could change. It could start as soon as the 2025 fall semester.

The lawsuit targeted the so-called Power Five conferences – Atlantic Coast, Big 12, Big Ten, Pac-12 and Southeastern – as well as Notre Dame But&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ncaa-lawsuit-settlement-891f8252255048d8e5961c9b863175c3">coming up with money to pay for the settlement</a>&nbsp;will hit hundreds of other Division I member schools in the form of smaller annual payouts from the organization. That revenue flows&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2016/5/13/where-does-the-money-go.aspx">largely from the NCAA's lucrative TV contract</a>&nbsp;for the men’s basketball tournament and its other championship events.

The NCAA has no role in the College Football Playoff or bowl games and TV deals for football are struck at the conference level.. Yet schools with smaller or even no football program will be shouldering a piece of the settlement before even getting into paying future athletes.

“I think the real interesting angle here is: Why does men’s basketball pay for the entire overhead of college athletics and college football doesn’t contribute?” Standiford asked.

McGlade went a step further,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-football-playoff-cfp-2d6f873ce07bb8b51660354f5bcff5f1">noting that the projected CFP per-school payouts alone to the Big Ten and SEC (around $22 million)</a>&nbsp;largely covers the estimated annual amount a school can pay to athletes. McGlade estimated the focus for the basketball-focused schools in her league could be generating around $3 million to $5 million in annual payments by comparison.

“We knew the settlement was being discussed and I think everyone across D-I was supportive of that for this whole year,” McGlade said. “We didn’t know the gory details of what the payment model would be. The disproportionality is a real concern, and it wouldn’t have taken that much for that proportionality to get balanced a little bit more and everyone be a little bit more respectful of each other.”

Jay Bilas, a former Duke player and attorney who is also an ESPN basketball broadcaster, said NCAA member schools put themselves in this position by voting “in lockstep to restrict athletes from making money all these years.”

“So there’s no difference in culpability from the University of Georgia to Marquette,” Bilas said. “They’re all equally culpable in violating federal antitrust law. So that to me should not be lost in all this, that all of them were of like mind in saying the athletes get nothing but scholarship or stipend or whatever it is.”

It will take a lot of work to find the best answer for each school within what amounts to a vastly different economic model.

At Gonzaga, for example, the men’s basketball program generated about $19.2 million in revenue for the 2022-23 season according to&nbsp;<a href="https://ope.ed.gov/athletics/#/">Education Department figures</a>. That represented nearly 45% of that year’s overall athletics revenues ($42.9 million).

That was similar to the Atlantic 10's Dayton, which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll">was ranked No. 24 in the final AP Top 25 of the season</a>. The Flyers men's basketball program accounted for 44% of athletics revenue ($40.1 million). In the Big East, men's basketball accounted for north of 48% of total revenues at football-free schools like Marquette ($42.6 million) and Creighton ($35 million).

By comparison, blueblood names like Duke and North Carolina (ACC), Kentucky (SEC) and Kansas (Big 12) from football-driven power conferences had men's basketball programs accounting for no more than 29% of total revenue that exceeded roughly $138 million in each case.

At football-crazy Alabama, a men's basketball program that was the No. 1 overall seed in the 2023 NCAA Tournament and reached this year's Final Four accounted for just 10.8% of total revenue ($191.2 million) for the 2022-23 season.

“I think everybody would identify that Villanova’s investment in basketball is important at Villanova, or UConn, or whoever, and they’re going to continue to do everything they can to compete at that level,” Standiford said. “And we’ll do the same. But where does that money come from?

“I don’t think it benefits us,” Standiford added. “But I also think we’re a very unique group of schools. I don’t know how you would ever attain our status if you didn’t have it already. I think that’s what it’s going to change.”

Bilas, however, remained confident that basketball-centric programs will “make it work,” noting that athletics success can fuel school-changing growth and improvements beyond sports.

“These revenue streams are growing and they’re going to continue to grow because live sports is very valuable,” Bilas said. “It’s not just valuable on the football side, that’s the most valuable. But basketball’s really valuable. Women’s basketball, some of these other sports. So we’ll see how it comes out.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717102421116.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;FILE - Wisconsin's Traevon Jackson dribbles past the NCAA logo during practice at the NCAA men's college basketball tournament March 26, 2014, in Anaheim, Calif. University presidents around the country are scheduled to meet this week in May 2024, to vote on whether to accept a proposed settlement of an antitrust lawsuit that would cost the NCAA nearly $3 billion in damages. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;FILE - Wisconsin's Traevon Jackson dribbles past the NCAA logo during practice at the NCAA men's college basketball tournament March 26, 2014, in Anaheim, Calif. University presidents around the country are scheduled to meet this week in May 2024, to vote on whether to accept a proposed settlement of an antitrust lawsuit that would cost the NCAA nearly $3 billion in damages. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>By AARON BEARD AP Basketball WriterBernadette McGlade leads an Atlantic 10 Conference built around basketball and focused on getting multiple bids to the NCAA men’s tournament much more than anything tied to big-time football.Yet her league is among dozens conferences and scores of schools that will feel the impact from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ncaa-settlement-b6ff58d62f93359789dde1626f827bf1">the NCAA and major college conferences approving a $2.8 billion settlement</a>&nbsp;of federal antitrust claims that calls for paying athletes with a plan framed in a football-driven college sports landscape.“We’ve got to move forward, we want to continue to preserve our rich history in basketball,” McGlade told The Associated Press. “So we have to get to the strategy table and start doing analysis.”Schools that lean on basketball in leagues like the A-10, Big East —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-ncaa-championship-uconn-purdue-score-525f5f96f6b007034a2cb928dc8a4dbc">home to UConn, the two-time reigning men's national champion</a>&nbsp;— and the West Coast Conference face the prospect of directing millions to their athletes every year. But they have to figure out the best way to do that without streams of football money flowing in.“With the opportunity that football brings, there’s a lot of (financial) obligation that football brings, too,” said Gonzaga athletic director Chris Standiford, whose WCC basketball program has gone from mid-major to national power over the past quarter-century. “So it cuts both ways. We don’t have the obligation of the operations and new expenses associated with the compensation of football players. But we don’t have the benefit of the revenues that come with it, particularly the TV revenues.”The settlement includes the NCAA and conferences paying $2.77 billion over 10 years to more than 14,000 former and current college athletes who say now-defunct rules prevented them from earning money or endorsement deals dating to 2016. Under the plan, each school would be allowed to set aside up to around $21 million to pay athletes, a cap that could change. It could start as soon as the 2025 fall semester.The lawsuit targeted the so-called Power Five conferences – Atlantic Coast, Big 12, Big Ten, Pac-12 and Southeastern – as well as Notre Dame But&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ncaa-lawsuit-settlement-891f8252255048d8e5961c9b863175c3">coming up with money to pay for the settlement</a>&nbsp;will hit hundreds of other Division I member schools in the form of smaller annual payouts from the organization. That revenue flows&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2016/5/13/where-does-the-money-go.aspx">largely from the NCAA's lucrative TV contract</a>&nbsp;for the men’s basketball tournament and its other championship events.The NCAA has no role in the College Football Playoff or bowl games and TV deals for football are struck at the conference level.. Yet schools with smaller or even no football program will be shouldering a piece of the settlement before even getting into paying future athletes.“I think the real interesting angle here is: Why does men’s basketball pay for the entire overhead of college athletics and college football doesn’t contribute?” Standiford asked.McGlade went a step further,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-football-playoff-cfp-2d6f873ce07bb8b51660354f5bcff5f1">noting that the projected CFP per-school payouts alone to the Big Ten and SEC (around $22 million)</a>&nbsp;largely covers the estimated annual amount a school can pay to athletes. McGlade estimated the focus for the basketball-focused schools in her league could be generating around $3 million to $5 million in annual payments by comparison.“We knew the settlement was being discussed and I think everyone across D-I was supportive of that for this whole year,” McGlade said. “We didn’t know the gory details of what the payment model would be. The disproportionality is a real concern, and it wouldn’t have taken that much for that proportionality to get balanced a little bit more and everyone be a little bit more respectful of each other.”Jay Bilas, a former Duke player and attorney who is also an ESPN basketball broadcaster, said NCAA member schools put themselves in this position by voting “in lockstep to restrict athletes from making money all these years.”“So there’s no difference in culpability from the University of Georgia to Marquette,” Bilas said. “They’re all equally culpable in violating federal antitrust law. So that to me should not be lost in all this, that all of them were of like mind in saying the athletes get nothing but scholarship or stipend or whatever it is.”It will take a lot of work to find the best answer for each school within what amounts to a vastly different economic model.At Gonzaga, for example, the men’s basketball program generated about $19.2 million in revenue for the 2022-23 season according to&nbsp;<a href="https://ope.ed.gov/athletics/#/">Education Department figures</a>. That represented nearly 45% of that year’s overall athletics revenues ($42.9 million).That was similar to the Atlantic 10's Dayton, which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll">was ranked No. 24 in the final AP Top 25 of the season</a>. The Flyers men's basketball program accounted for 44% of athletics revenue ($40.1 million). In the Big East, men's basketball accounted for north of 48% of total revenues at football-free schools like Marquette ($42.6 million) and Creighton ($35 million).By comparison, blueblood names like Duke and North Carolina (ACC), Kentucky (SEC) and Kansas (Big 12) from football-driven power conferences had men's basketball programs accounting for no more than 29% of total revenue that exceeded roughly $138 million in each case.At football-crazy Alabama, a men's basketball program that was the No. 1 overall seed in the 2023 NCAA Tournament and reached this year's Final Four accounted for just 10.8% of total revenue ($191.2 million) for the 2022-23 season.“I think everybody would identify that Villanova’s investment in basketball is important at Villanova, or UConn, or whoever, and they’re going to continue to do everything they can to compete at that level,” Standiford said. “And we’ll do the same. But where does that money come from?“I don’t think it benefits us,” Standiford added. “But I also think we’re a very unique group of schools. I don’t know how you would ever attain our status if you didn’t have it already. I think that’s what it’s going to change.”Bilas, however, remained confident that basketball-centric programs will “make it work,” noting that athletics success can fuel school-changing growth and improvements beyond sports.“These revenue streams are growing and they’re going to continue to grow because live sports is very valuable,” Bilas said. “It’s not just valuable on the football side, that’s the most valuable. But basketball’s really valuable. Women’s basketball, some of these other sports. So we’ll see how it comes out.

Schools in basketball-centric leagues face different economic challenges with NCAA settlement

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Slowed by stiff knees and bruised by foul balls and backswings, major league catchers have long been defined by what they do defensively — even if it hinders them on offense. Perhaps because of the universal designated hitter and strategic changes like one-knee squatting, that might be changing.

Major league catchers have an average OPS of .691 through Wednesday, not far from the league-wide average of .697 for players at all positions. A season hasn't ended with catchers having a higher average OPS than the league-wide mark since 1879. The closest it's come to happening since 1900 was in 1977, when catchers were at .733 while the league average was .741.

“When you have a young group of catchers like we do in our game right now, talented catchers in our game right now, you’re going to see this,” said Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt, who caught in the majors from 2012-22. “The catching position is probably as good as it’s been in years, for sure.”

Leading the way are Kansas City's Salvador Perez (.923), Milwaukee's William Contreras (.903), the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Will Smith (.876), Baltimore’s Adley Rutschman (.815), Philadelphia's J.T. Realmuto (.781) and Colorado’s Elias Díaz (.774). No catcher has ended a year with an OPS of .900 or higher with at least 502 plate appearances since San Francisco’s Buster Posey at .957 in 2012.

Given the demanding nature of the position, it’s reasonable to expect catchers' hitting production to tumble in the second half. Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton, a former minor league catcher and major league hitting coach, says he believes it will level off. New York Yankees catcher Jose Trevino said it’s hard to predict what might happen but acknowledged the toll the position takes.

“It’s going to wear you down just because of the workload, right?” Trevino said. “So, yeah, I think normally it’s going to have an effect on you for sure."

Yet some catchers, such as the Contreras brothers, have bucked the trend.

Contreras caught a career-high 108 games for Milwaukee last year, yet his OPS improved from .773 in the first half to .873 in the second. Contreras is the younger brother of injured St. Louis Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras, a three-time All-Star whose OPS went from .754 in the first half to .959 in the second half last year. Willson Contreras is out at least six weeks after a swing by the Mets' J.D. Martinez broke his left forearm.

One possible reason for the improvement: More and more backstops in recent seasons have eschewed the traditional catchers squat for a one-knee down stance in order to improve their pitch framing. Vogt thinks the change has also helped limit the stress on their legs.

“They’re going to be able to play more,” Vogt said. “They’re going to be able to play a lot longer. They’re not going to take the pounding and the wear and tear in their knees and hips and back like a lot of the traditional catchers did.”

Fox analyst A.J. Pierzynski, who caught in the majors from 1998-2016, downplayed the impact of the one-knee-down approach on catchers' improved hitting. Pierzynski points out that catchers still face plenty of challenges physically and mentally.

“It does take some strain off of you, but you still get foul balls, you still get a lot of the same stuff,” Pierzynski said.

Pierzynski says a bigger factor is the way catchers are being used. The National League’s adoption of the designated hitter in 2022 makes it easier for catchers to stay in the lineup even when they aren’t behind the plate.

That means players aren’t having to catch as many games.

The only player to work behind the plate in at least 130 games either of the last two seasons is Realmuto, who caught 133 games each of those years. By contrast, at least four players caught 130-plus games every year from 2011-14.

Yet the best hitting catchers are actually in the lineup more often than before. William Contreras, whose .323 batting average ranks fifth in the NL, says his occasional DH assignments have helped him stay in a rhythm at the plate.

“When there was no DH in the National League, your days off were kind of your days off,” Contreras said through an interpreter. “Now we’re kind of able to treat my DH days as my days off and we’re able to keep my bat in the lineup for the team. It definitely helps.”

Rutschman has thrived as a DH, with a 1.033 OPS in 18 games there compared to a .691 OPS when he's catching.

Pierzynski said players such as the Contreras brothers, Rutschman or Perez also can stay fresher at the plate during their non-catching days because they get a break from having to concentrate on how to handle a pitching staff or how to attack an opposing lineup on those days.

“Let’s say you’re Adley Rutschman,” Pierzynski said. “(You’re thinking), ‘How are we going to get Aaron Judge out today? Guess what, I don’t have to worry about it because I’m a DH. All I've got to do is worry about is how I’m going to get a hit and drive in some runs for these guys.'"

Teams with the best offensive catchers have capitalized on this opportunity.

Perez has missed just two games and Rutschman has sat out just three this season.

Perez and Rutschman have missed just two games each this season. Perez has 13 starts at first base and seven at DH. Rutschman has 32 starts and 34 overall appearances as a catcher.

William Contreras hasn't missed a game since Aug. 20 of last season.

“It’s just something that mutually we’ve gotten to this point in the season playing pretty well, and I’m feeling really good,” said Contreras, who had made 45 starts at catcher and 10 at DH through Wednesday. “I don’t think I’m ready for that day off yet. That’s what I come to the stadium every day for, is to come and get my body ready to play and to be out there and play the game.

“At this point, we’re going to kind of keep doing it. Maybe down the line, there will be a day off in there.”

The hitting surge from catchers comes at an ideal time.

An automated ball-strike system is being used at the Triple-A level for a second straight season, raising the possibility that it eventually could reach the majors. It will become more essential for catchers to provide offense if pitch framing becomes less important.

The emergence of players such as Contreras and Rutschman has helped alter the league-wide perception of catchers, a shift that should continue to take hold even if they don’t maintain this history-making pace at the plate.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717102277645.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;Milwaukee Brewers' William Contreras rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run against the Houston Astros during the fifth inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Milwaukee Brewers' William Contreras rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run against the Houston Astros during the fifth inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)</figcaption>
 </figure>MILWAUKEE (AP) — Slowed by stiff knees and bruised by foul balls and backswings, major league catchers have long been defined by what they do defensively — even if it hinders them on offense. Perhaps because of the universal designated hitter and strategic changes like one-knee squatting, that might be changing.Major league catchers have an average OPS of .691 through Wednesday, not far from the league-wide average of .697 for players at all positions. A season hasn't ended with catchers having a higher average OPS than the league-wide mark since 1879. The closest it's come to happening since 1900 was in 1977, when catchers were at .733 while the league average was .741.“When you have a young group of catchers like we do in our game right now, talented catchers in our game right now, you’re going to see this,” said Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt, who caught in the majors from 2012-22. “The catching position is probably as good as it’s been in years, for sure.”Leading the way are Kansas City's Salvador Perez (.923), Milwaukee's William Contreras (.903), the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Will Smith (.876), Baltimore’s Adley Rutschman (.815), Philadelphia's J.T. Realmuto (.781) and Colorado’s Elias Díaz (.774). No catcher has ended a year with an OPS of .900 or higher with at least 502 plate appearances since San Francisco’s Buster Posey at .957 in 2012.Given the demanding nature of the position, it’s reasonable to expect catchers' hitting production to tumble in the second half. Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton, a former minor league catcher and major league hitting coach, says he believes it will level off. New York Yankees catcher Jose Trevino said it’s hard to predict what might happen but acknowledged the toll the position takes.“It’s going to wear you down just because of the workload, right?” Trevino said. “So, yeah, I think normally it’s going to have an effect on you for sure."Yet some catchers, such as the Contreras brothers, have bucked the trend.Contreras caught a career-high 108 games for Milwaukee last year, yet his OPS improved from .773 in the first half to .873 in the second. Contreras is the younger brother of injured St. Louis Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras, a three-time All-Star whose OPS went from .754 in the first half to .959 in the second half last year. Willson Contreras is out at least six weeks after a swing by the Mets' J.D. Martinez broke his left forearm.One possible reason for the improvement: More and more backstops in recent seasons have eschewed the traditional catchers squat for a one-knee down stance in order to improve their pitch framing. Vogt thinks the change has also helped limit the stress on their legs.“They’re going to be able to play more,” Vogt said. “They’re going to be able to play a lot longer. They’re not going to take the pounding and the wear and tear in their knees and hips and back like a lot of the traditional catchers did.”Fox analyst A.J. Pierzynski, who caught in the majors from 1998-2016, downplayed the impact of the one-knee-down approach on catchers' improved hitting. Pierzynski points out that catchers still face plenty of challenges physically and mentally.“It does take some strain off of you, but you still get foul balls, you still get a lot of the same stuff,” Pierzynski said.Pierzynski says a bigger factor is the way catchers are being used. The National League’s adoption of the designated hitter in 2022 makes it easier for catchers to stay in the lineup even when they aren’t behind the plate.That means players aren’t having to catch as many games.The only player to work behind the plate in at least 130 games either of the last two seasons is Realmuto, who caught 133 games each of those years. By contrast, at least four players caught 130-plus games every year from 2011-14.Yet the best hitting catchers are actually in the lineup more often than before. William Contreras, whose .323 batting average ranks fifth in the NL, says his occasional DH assignments have helped him stay in a rhythm at the plate.“When there was no DH in the National League, your days off were kind of your days off,” Contreras said through an interpreter. “Now we’re kind of able to treat my DH days as my days off and we’re able to keep my bat in the lineup for the team. It definitely helps.”Rutschman has thrived as a DH, with a 1.033 OPS in 18 games there compared to a .691 OPS when he's catching.Pierzynski said players such as the Contreras brothers, Rutschman or Perez also can stay fresher at the plate during their non-catching days because they get a break from having to concentrate on how to handle a pitching staff or how to attack an opposing lineup on those days.“Let’s say you’re Adley Rutschman,” Pierzynski said. “(You’re thinking), ‘How are we going to get Aaron Judge out today? Guess what, I don’t have to worry about it because I’m a DH. All I've got to do is worry about is how I’m going to get a hit and drive in some runs for these guys.'"Teams with the best offensive catchers have capitalized on this opportunity.Perez has missed just two games and Rutschman has sat out just three this season.Perez and Rutschman have missed just two games each this season. Perez has 13 starts at first base and seven at DH. Rutschman has 32 starts and 34 overall appearances as a catcher.William Contreras hasn't missed a game since Aug. 20 of last season.“It’s just something that mutually we’ve gotten to this point in the season playing pretty well, and I’m feeling really good,” said Contreras, who had made 45 starts at catcher and 10 at DH through Wednesday. “I don’t think I’m ready for that day off yet. That’s what I come to the stadium every day for, is to come and get my body ready to play and to be out there and play the game.“At this point, we’re going to kind of keep doing it. Maybe down the line, there will be a day off in there.”The hitting surge from catchers comes at an ideal time.An automated ball-strike system is being used at the Triple-A level for a second straight season, raising the possibility that it eventually could reach the majors. It will become more essential for catchers to provide offense if pitch framing becomes less important.The emergence of players such as Contreras and Rutschman has helped alter the league-wide perception of catchers, a shift that should continue to take hold even if they don’t maintain this history-making pace at the plate.

Being an MLB catcher is grueling work. That's not slowing this year's best on offense

MANHATTAN, Kan. – For the first time since 2013, K-State baseball received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, as the Wildcats were selected to compete in the NCAA Fayetteville Regional hosted by No. 5 national seed Arkansas. This is the program's fifth NCAA Tournament appearance in school history and the first under head coach Pete Hughes.

K-State (32-24) was selected as the No. 3 seed in the Fayetteville Regional and will take on the second-seeded Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (45-17) on Friday, May 31, at 7 p.m. at Baum-Walker Stadium., in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.

K-State and Louisiana Tech will meet for the fifth time in program history, with the Cats holding a 3-1 edge since the series start in 1986. The two squads last faced off on March 6, 2004, which led to K-State's 7-4 victory and extended its win streak to three over La Tech. The last time the Wildcats faced a member of Conference USA came in 2021 with a two-game series split at Rice.

The winner of the Kansas State-Louisiana Tech game will play the winner of top-seeded Arkansas (43-14) and fourth-seeded SEMO (34-25) on Saturday, June 1.

The winner of the Fayetteville Regional will play the winner of the Charlottesville Regional in the best-of-three-game super regional from June 7-9 or June 8-10. No. 12 national seed and top-seeded Virginia (41-15) hosts second-seeded Mississippi State (38-21), third-seeded St. John's (37-16-1) and fourth-seeded Pennsylvania (24-23) in Charlottesville, Va.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716890606975.jpeg" alt="K-State Athletics" />
 <figcaption>K-State Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN, Kan. – For the first time since 2013, K-State baseball received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, as the Wildcats were selected to compete in the NCAA Fayetteville Regional hosted by No. 5 national seed Arkansas. This is the program's fifth NCAA Tournament appearance in school history and the first under head coach Pete Hughes.K-State (32-24) was selected as the No. 3 seed in the Fayetteville Regional and will take on the second-seeded Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (45-17) on Friday, May 31, at 7 p.m. at Baum-Walker Stadium., in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.K-State and Louisiana Tech will meet for the fifth time in program history, with the Cats holding a 3-1 edge since the series start in 1986. The two squads last faced off on March 6, 2004, which led to K-State's 7-4 victory and extended its win streak to three over La Tech. The last time the Wildcats faced a member of Conference USA came in 2021 with a two-game series split at Rice.The winner of the Kansas State-Louisiana Tech game will play the winner of top-seeded Arkansas (43-14) and fourth-seeded SEMO (34-25) on Saturday, June 1.The winner of the Fayetteville Regional will play the winner of the Charlottesville Regional in the best-of-three-game super regional from June 7-9 or June 8-10. No. 12 national seed and top-seeded Virginia (41-15) hosts second-seeded Mississippi State (38-21), third-seeded St. John's (37-16-1) and fourth-seeded Pennsylvania (24-23) in Charlottesville, Va.K-State's postseason roster features nine 2024 All-Big 12 selections. Brady Day was voted to the All-Big 12 First Team while Kaelen Culpepper and Tyson Neighbors received Second Team honors. Additionally, Owen Boerema, Nick English, Brendan Jones, Raphael Pelletier, and Jackson Wentworth each received honorable mention accolades while Blake Dean was named to the All-Freshman Team.NCAA Fayetteville RegionalFriday, May 31Game 1 – #1 Arkansas vs. #4 SEMO – 2 p.m. (ESPN+)Game 2 – #2 Louisiana Tech vs. #3 Kansas State – 7 p.m. (ESPN+)Saturday, June 1Game 3 – Game 1 Loser vs. Game 2 Loser – 2 p.m. (TBD)Game 4 – Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner – 8 p.m. (TBD)Sunday, June 2Game 5 – Game 3 Winner vs. Game 4 Loser – 1 p.m. (TBD)Game 6 – Game 4 Winner vs. Game 5 Winner – 6 p.m. (TBD)Monday, June 3 (If Necessary)Game 7 – If the Game 5 Winner Wins Game 6 – TBD