KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — MJ Melendez broke an eighth-inning tie with a single to help the Kansas City Royals beat the Chicago White Sox 2-1 on Friday night. With one out, Melendez hit a soft liner to left off Michael Kopech (0-1) to score pinch-runner Dairon Blanco. Chris Stratton (1-0) worked a scoreless eighth for the victory, and James McArthur got a game-ending double-play grounder for his first save. The Royals jumped opened the scoring in the first inning on the first of Salvador Pérez’s three hits, a two-out RBI double off the wall in center. Gavin Sheets tied it with a leadoff homer in the second, lifting starter Brady Singer’s slider 391 feet down the line in right. Luis Robert Jr. left the game in the ninth with a left hip flexor injury.

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story exited Boston’s game against the Angels in the fourth inning after injuring his left shoulder on a backhand dive to stop a hit by Mike Trout. Story got his glove on Trout’s hard grounder, but he was left writhing in pain after hitting the grass hard on his arm and shoulder. Story stayed on the grass for about two minutes before heading to the dugout. Pablo Reyes replaced Story at shortstop.

ATLANTA (AP) — Spencer Strider, Atlanta’s ace and the major league leader in wins and strikeouts last season, will have tests on his right elbow Saturday after complaining about discomfort in Friday night’s game. Strider lasted only four innings, allowing five runs on seven hits. He recorded four strikeouts and struggled with control, walking three batters. Braves manager Brian Snitker said Strider “was complaining about his elbow. ... He was uncomfortable with how it was feeling.” When asked when Strider felt the discomfort, Snitker said it “might have been throughout the game.” Snitker said he learned of the issue after Strider left the game. The loss of Strider could be devastating to Atlanta’s rotation. Strider was Snitker’s choice to open the season as the Braves' No. 1 starter.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A person familiar with the contract says Chiefs defensive end Mike Danna has agreed on a three-year, $24 million deal to remain in Kansas City. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal is pending a physical. Danna had a career-best 6 1/2 sacks last season plus seven tackles for loss and 13 quarterback hits while playing 74% of the defensive snaps. A fifth-round pick in 2020, Danna has 17 sacks in four seasons.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Caitlin Clark led Iowa back to the national championship game, scoring 21 points as the Hawkeyes rallied past Paige Bueckers and UConn 71-69 in the women’s Final Four. Next up for the Hawkeyes is a rematch with unbeaten South Carolina, which lost to Iowa in last year’s Final Four. The Hawkeyes then fell short of winning the school’s first national championship, falling to LSU in the title game last season. Now Clark is one win away from bring her home state its first women’s basketball title in the final game of her college career. She got off to a slow start but scored seven points early in the fourth quarter.

CLEVELAND (AP) — All-America center Kamilla Cardoso scored 22 points and unbeaten South Carolina emphatically kept its perfect season going, advancing to the championship game of the women’s NCAA Tournament with a 78-59 victory over North Carolina State. The talented and tenacious Gamecocks led by one at halftime before putting their full arsenal on display in the third quarter. They outscored the Wolfpack 29-6 to turn what had been a tense matchup into another blowout. South Carolina will face Caitlin Clark and Iowa for the national title on Sunday in a rematch of a Final Four game last year won by the Hawkeyes. Aziaha James scored 20 points for No. 3 seed N.C. State.

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The opener at the Final Four on Saturday might feel like a trip through a time machine. Yes, those are Purdue and North Carolina State — one program here for the first time since 1980, the other trying to write a 21st-century version of college basketball’s greatest story ever told. And yes, those are 7-foot-4 Zach Edey and 6-9 DJ Burns Jr., some 600 pounds worth of center patrolling the paint and dictating a style that has been out of fashion for a decade or more. The winner of the titanic collision will play the UConn-Alabama winner for the title.

UNDATED (AP) — Houston coach Kelvin Sampson is the Associated Press coach of the year for men's college basketball. Sampson received 23 of 62 votes from a national panel that votes for the AP Top 25. That edged Dan Hurley of UConn, who received 21 votes. The balloting was completed before the NCAA Tournament. Houston lost to Duke in the Sweet 16 after All-American guard Jamal Shead was hurt. Sampson is the 10th coach to win the award multiple times after also winning it at Oklahoma in 1995.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) — Zach Edey of Purdue is The Associated Press Player of the Year in men's college basketbal. He is the first back-to-back winner since Ralph Sampson at Virginia in the 1980s. Edey is a 7-foot-4 center who led his team to its first Final Four since 1980. He received 57 of 62 votes from journalists who vote in the weekly AP Top 25. Tennessee’s Dalton Knecht received three votes and Houston’s Jamal Shead got two.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710682717672.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — MJ Melendez broke an eighth-inning tie with a single to help the Kansas City Royals beat the Chicago White Sox 2-1 on Friday night. With one out, Melendez hit a soft liner to left off Michael Kopech (0-1) to score pinch-runner Dairon Blanco. Chris Stratton (1-0) worked a scoreless eighth for the victory, and James McArthur got a game-ending double-play grounder for his first save. The Royals jumped opened the scoring in the first inning on the first of Salvador Pérez’s three hits, a two-out RBI double off the wall in center. Gavin Sheets tied it with a leadoff homer in the second, lifting starter Brady Singer’s slider 391 feet down the line in right. Luis Robert Jr. left the game in the ninth with a left hip flexor injury.ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story exited Boston’s game against the Angels in the fourth inning after injuring his left shoulder on a backhand dive to stop a hit by Mike Trout. Story got his glove on Trout’s hard grounder, but he was left writhing in pain after hitting the grass hard on his arm and shoulder. Story stayed on the grass for about two minutes before heading to the dugout. Pablo Reyes replaced Story at shortstop.ATLANTA (AP) — Spencer Strider, Atlanta’s ace and the major league leader in wins and strikeouts last season, will have tests on his right elbow Saturday after complaining about discomfort in Friday night’s game. Strider lasted only four innings, allowing five runs on seven hits. He recorded four strikeouts and struggled with control, walking three batters. Braves manager Brian Snitker said Strider “was complaining about his elbow. ... He was uncomfortable with how it was feeling.” When asked when Strider felt the discomfort, Snitker said it “might have been throughout the game.” Snitker said he learned of the issue after Strider left the game. The loss of Strider could be devastating to Atlanta’s rotation. Strider was Snitker’s choice to open the season as the Braves' No. 1 starter.KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A person familiar with the contract says Chiefs defensive end Mike Danna has agreed on a three-year, $24 million deal to remain in Kansas City. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal is pending a physical. Danna had a career-best 6 1/2 sacks last season plus seven tackles for loss and 13 quarterback hits while playing 74% of the defensive snaps. A fifth-round pick in 2020, Danna has 17 sacks in four seasons.CLEVELAND (AP) — Caitlin Clark led Iowa back to the national championship game, scoring 21 points as the Hawkeyes rallied past Paige Bueckers and UConn 71-69 in the women’s Final Four. Next up for the Hawkeyes is a rematch with unbeaten South Carolina, which lost to Iowa in last year’s Final Four. The Hawkeyes then fell short of winning the school’s first national championship, falling to LSU in the title game last season. Now Clark is one win away from bring her home state its first women’s basketball title in the final game of her college career. She got off to a slow start but scored seven points early in the fourth quarter.CLEVELAND (AP) — All-America center Kamilla Cardoso scored 22 points and unbeaten South Carolina emphatically kept its perfect season going, advancing to the championship game of the women’s NCAA Tournament with a 78-59 victory over North Carolina State. The talented and tenacious Gamecocks led by one at halftime before putting their full arsenal on display in the third quarter. They outscored the Wolfpack 29-6 to turn what had been a tense matchup into another blowout. South Carolina will face Caitlin Clark and Iowa for the national title on Sunday in a rematch of a Final Four game last year won by the Hawkeyes. Aziaha James scored 20 points for No. 3 seed N.C. State.GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The opener at the Final Four on Saturday might feel like a trip through a time machine. Yes, those are Purdue and North Carolina State — one program here for the first time since 1980, the other trying to write a 21st-century version of college basketball’s greatest story ever told. And yes, those are 7-foot-4 Zach Edey and 6-9 DJ Burns Jr., some 600 pounds worth of center patrolling the paint and dictating a style that has been out of fashion for a decade or more. The winner of the titanic collision will play the UConn-Alabama winner for the title.UNDATED (AP) — Houston coach Kelvin Sampson is the Associated Press coach of the year for men's college basketball. Sampson received 23 of 62 votes from a national panel that votes for the AP Top 25. That edged Dan Hurley of UConn, who received 21 votes. The balloting was completed before the NCAA Tournament. Houston lost to Duke in the Sweet 16 after All-American guard Jamal Shead was hurt. Sampson is the 10th coach to win the award multiple times after also winning it at Oklahoma in 1995.WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) — Zach Edey of Purdue is The Associated Press Player of the Year in men's college basketbal. He is the first back-to-back winner since Ralph Sampson at Virginia in the 1980s. Edey is a 7-foot-4 center who led his team to its first Final Four since 1980. He received 57 of 62 votes from journalists who vote in the weekly AP Top 25. Tennessee’s Dalton Knecht received three votes and Houston’s Jamal Shead got two.FRIDAY SCORESMAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALLINTERLEAGUEFinal	Baltimore	5	Pittsburgh	2	Final	Colorado	10	Tampa Bay	7	Final	Milwaukee	6	Seattle	5	AMERICAN LEAGUEFinal	Detroit	5	Oakland	4	Final	Toronto	3	N.Y. Yankees	0	Final	Kansas City	2	Chicago White Sox	1	Final	Texas	10	Houston	2	Final	Boston	8	L.A. Angels	6	NATIONAL LEAGUEFinal	Chicago Cubs	9	L.A. Dodgers	7	Final	San Francisco	3	San Diego	2	Final	Philadelphia	4	Washington	0	Final	N.Y. Mets	3	Cincinnati	2	Final	Atlanta	6	Arizona	5	NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATIONFinal	Indiana	126	Oklahoma City	112	Final	Charlotte	124	Orlando	115	Final	Portland	108	Washington	102	Final	Boston	101	Sacramento	100	Final	Memphis	108	Detroit	90	Final	San Antonio	111	New Orleans	109	Final	Miami	119	Houston	104	Final	Chicago	108	New York	100	Final	Toronto	117	Milwaukee	111	Final	Dallas	108	Golden State	106	Final	Phoenix	97	Minnesota	87	Final	L.A. Clippers	131	Utah	102	NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUEFinal	Buffalo	4	Philadelphia	2	Final	Carolina	4	Washington	2	Final	N-Y Rangers	4	Detroit	3	Final	Edmonton	6	Colorado	2	Final	Seattle	3	Anaheim	1	Final	Arizona	7	Vegas	4

Saturday Sports headlines and scores presented by Barton Community College

Coaches and players from the men's basketball team at Barton Community College join the show Friday. The Cougars are celebrating the program's first National Championship.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712345900696.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Coaches and players from the men's basketball team at Barton Community College join the show Friday. The Cougars are celebrating the program's first National Championship.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vobbXchsgUw?si=6BhpwVRw_2Ko3xzz" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

Friday Sports Day (Watch)

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712328568803.jpeg" alt="Kansas Association of Baseball Coaches High School Rankings 4/1/24" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Association of Baseball Coaches High School Rankings 4/1/24</figcaption>
 </figure>CLASS 6A1. Olathe Earst2. Blue Valley Weest3. Shawnee Mission East4. Lawrence Free State5. Gardner Edgerton 6. Olathe West7. Derby8. Blue Valley North9. Mill Valley10. LawrenceCLASS 5A1. Bishop Carroll2. Desoto3. St. Thomas Aquinas4. Blue Valley Southwest5. Topeka Seaman6. Kapaun Mt. Carmel7. Great Bend8. Maize South9. Lansing19. Goddard EisenhowerCLASS 4A1. McPherson2. Clay Center-Wakfield3. Bishop Miege4. Rock Creek5. Mulvane6. Ottawa7. Paola8. Abilene9. Rose Hill10. Fort ScottCLASS 3A1. Wichita-Collegiate2. Wichita-Trinity3. Bishop Ward4. Santa Fe Trail5. Riverton6. Silver Lake7. Sabetha8. Nemaha Central 9. Columbus10. KingmanCLASS 2-1A1. St. Mary's-Colgan2. Marion3. Little River4. Sacred Heart5. Sedgwick6. Elkhart7. Colony Crest8. Kansas City Christian9. Onaga10. Mission Valley

KABC High School Baseball Rankings

DALLAS (AP) — Kansas City Chiefs' player Rashee Rice was the driver of one of two speeding sports cars who left after causing a chain-reaction crash on a Dallas highway over the weekend, the wide receiver's attorney said Thursday.

Why Rice left the crash Saturday was “a good question that's still being investigated," said Rice’s attorney, state Sen. Royce West, but he declined to elaborate. West expects charges to be filed against Rice, who was driving a Lamborghini sport utility vehicle, he said at a news conference without his client.

“He’s a young man that made a mistake,” West said Thursday, adding that Rice’s “heart goes out” to those who were injured. The crash involved the Lamborghini, a Corvette and four other vehicles and left four people with minor injuries, police said.

The driver of the Corvette also left without determining whether anyone needed medical attention or providing their information, police said. The Corvette belongs to Rice, West said Thursday, but no information has been released on the driver.

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

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

West said that Rice, who is 23, will “do everything in his power to bring their life back to as normal as possible in terms of injuries, in terms of property damage.”

Investigators are interviewing witnesses, victims and others who may have been involved, police said Thursday.

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

DALLAS (AP) — Kansas City Chiefs' player Rashee Rice was the driver of one of two speeding sports cars who left after causing a chain-reaction crash on a Dallas highway over the weekend, the wide receiver's attorney said Thursday.Why Rice left the crash Saturday was “a good question that's still being investigated," said Rice’s attorney, state Sen. Royce West, but he declined to elaborate. West expects charges to be filed against Rice, who was driving a Lamborghini sport utility vehicle, he said at a news conference without his client.“He’s a young man that made a mistake,” West said Thursday, adding that Rice’s “heart goes out” to those who were injured. The crash involved the Lamborghini, a Corvette and four other vehicles and left four people with minor injuries, police said.The driver of the Corvette also left without determining whether anyone needed medical attention or providing their information, police said. The Corvette belongs to Rice, West said Thursday, but no information has been released on the driver.Rice posted to his Instagram Story on Wednesday that he was taking “full responsibility” for his part in the wreck.Police have said the drivers of the Corvette and Lamborghini were speeding in the far left lane when they lost control and the Lamborghini traveled onto the shoulder and hit the center median wall, causing the chain collision.West said that Rice, who is 23, will “do everything in his power to bring their life back to as normal as possible in terms of injuries, in terms of property damage.”Investigators are interviewing witnesses, victims and others who may have been involved, police said Thursday.Rice was leasing the Lamborghini from The Classic Lifestyle, said Kyle Coker, an attorney for the Dallas-based exotic car rental company.

Chiefs' Rashee Rice was driving Lamborghini in Dallas chain-reaction crash

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Nelson Velázquez and MJ Melendez each homered and drove in two runs, leading Seth Lugo and the Kansas City Royals to a 10-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Thursday night.

Right fielder Hunter Renfroe threw out the potential tying run at the plate in the sixth inning before Kansas City broke it open with eight runs in the seventh.

Velázquez drove in the first two runs of the game with a single and a homer.

“I was just trying to make contact,” he said. “I’m feeling good, trusting in everything we have been working on since spring training.”

Lugo (1-0) allowed one run and eight hits in 6 2/3 innings for his first win with the Royals. It was the latest quality outing by one of Kansas City's starters, who have a 1.43 ERA.

“Seth attacked from the beginning,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “He threw a ton of strikes and mixed in all his pitches. He gets a lot of groundballs.”

Lugo struck out three and walked two. Angel Zerpa retired Andrew Benintendi with a runner on second to end the seventh, preserving a one-run lead.

“I thought I made some good pitches,” Lugo said. “They had some soft hits.”

Michael Soroka (0-1) gave up two runs and six hits over six innings in his second start for the White Sox.

Kansas City scored in the second on an RBI single by Velázquez.

The White Sox loaded the bases with one out in the third on a pair of singles and an error by shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., but Witt redeemed himself by turning an inning-ending double play.

“Ironically, before the game we were looking at it, we had only turned one double play prior to tonight," Quatraro said. "I don’t know how many it was tonight, three or four, but that was the key in keeping out of trouble along with throwing out the run at the plate.”

Velázquez made it 2-0 in the fourth with a 429-foot homer into the fountains in left-center.

Chicago got a run off Lugo in the sixth, snapping a scoreless streak of 25 innings. Andrew Vaughn lined a single to score Yoán Moncada. Lugo escaped further damage when Braden Shewmake flied out and Renfroe cut down Gavin Sheets at the plate tagging up from third.

The Royals busted it open in the seventh. Deivi García issued a pair of one-out walks and a single to pinch-hitter Adam Frazier. Kyle Isbel drove in two runs with a single and Maikel Garcia drove in another, chasing García. Dominic Leone walked Witt before a two-out error by Shewmake at shortstop scored three more.

“(The walks) really opened up the floodgates,” Chicago manager Pedro Grifol said. “Anytime you walk two guys, you’re asking for trouble. It’s just one inning of baseball that got away from us. We made a couple of mistakes, both fundamentally and physically, that we’ve got to clean up.”

Melendez then smacked his first homer of the season, a two-run shot.

“It was a good ballgame until the seventh inning and we let it get away from us there," Grifol said. "Crooked numbers, they always have a walk in there somewhere. Walks will kill you.”

Chicago signed RHP Mike Clevinger to a $3 million, one-year contract and optioned him to the minors. To make room on the 40-man roster, INF José Rodríguez was designated for assignment.

The teams play the second game of a four-game series Friday.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Nelson Velázquez and MJ Melendez each homered and drove in two runs, leading Seth Lugo and the Kansas City Royals to a 10-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Thursday night.Right fielder Hunter Renfroe threw out the potential tying run at the plate in the sixth inning before Kansas City broke it open with eight runs in the seventh.Velázquez drove in the first two runs of the game with a single and a homer.“I was just trying to make contact,” he said. “I’m feeling good, trusting in everything we have been working on since spring training.”Lugo (1-0) allowed one run and eight hits in 6 2/3 innings for his first win with the Royals. It was the latest quality outing by one of Kansas City's starters, who have a 1.43 ERA.“Seth attacked from the beginning,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “He threw a ton of strikes and mixed in all his pitches. He gets a lot of groundballs.”Lugo struck out three and walked two. Angel Zerpa retired Andrew Benintendi with a runner on second to end the seventh, preserving a one-run lead.“I thought I made some good pitches,” Lugo said. “They had some soft hits.”Michael Soroka (0-1) gave up two runs and six hits over six innings in his second start for the White Sox.Kansas City scored in the second on an RBI single by Velázquez.The White Sox loaded the bases with one out in the third on a pair of singles and an error by shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., but Witt redeemed himself by turning an inning-ending double play.“Ironically, before the game we were looking at it, we had only turned one double play prior to tonight," Quatraro said. "I don’t know how many it was tonight, three or four, but that was the key in keeping out of trouble along with throwing out the run at the plate.”Velázquez made it 2-0 in the fourth with a 429-foot homer into the fountains in left-center.Chicago got a run off Lugo in the sixth, snapping a scoreless streak of 25 innings. Andrew Vaughn lined a single to score Yoán Moncada. Lugo escaped further damage when Braden Shewmake flied out and Renfroe cut down Gavin Sheets at the plate tagging up from third.The Royals busted it open in the seventh. Deivi García issued a pair of one-out walks and a single to pinch-hitter Adam Frazier. Kyle Isbel drove in two runs with a single and Maikel Garcia drove in another, chasing García. Dominic Leone walked Witt before a two-out error by Shewmake at shortstop scored three more.“(The walks) really opened up the floodgates,” Chicago manager Pedro Grifol said. “Anytime you walk two guys, you’re asking for trouble. It’s just one inning of baseball that got away from us. We made a couple of mistakes, both fundamentally and physically, that we’ve got to clean up.”Melendez then smacked his first homer of the season, a two-run shot.“It was a good ballgame until the seventh inning and we let it get away from us there," Grifol said. "Crooked numbers, they always have a walk in there somewhere. Walks will kill you.”TRANSACTIONSChicago signed RHP Mike Clevinger to a $3 million, one-year contract and optioned him to the minors. To make room on the 40-man roster, INF José Rodríguez was designated for assignment.UP NEXTThe teams play the second game of a four-game series Friday.

Royals score 8 runs in 7th and beat White Sox 10-1

Just two days after hosting Liberal in a single run-rule win, the Lady Panthers made the trek west for a twinbill against the Redskins. Great Bend took game one 15-4, then won game two 15-0 in four innings to improve to 8-1 on the season. The Lady Panthers have outscored opponents 84-29 this season.

Liberal hung around early in game one but trailing 3-1 after one inning and tying the score at four with a 3-run bottom of the third. The Lady Panthers answered with five runs in the fourth and three more in the fifth to pull away, then tacked on three more runs in the seventh.

Sophomore Braelyn Turner pitched all seven innings for the win, striking out five and allowing no earned runs on six hits.

The Great Bend offense pounded out 17 hits. DeShawnna Bryant came up a home run shy of the cycle with four hits, including a triple and double, four RBIs, four runs, and a walk. Freshman Kya Behr doubled twice for two of her four hits, driving in three and scoring three times. Kamryn Koelsch doubled and singled twice to finish with three RBIs. Paige Thexton doubled, singled, and walked twice. Camdyn Post singled twice and walked twice. Both Thexton and Post came around to score three times.

The Lady Panthers scored early and often in game two with three runs in each of the first four innings except the third, where they doubled the effort with six runs.

Freshman Chayla Prendergast threw all four winnings to get the win, striking out three and allowing two hits.

Great Bend had another field day at the plate with 13 hits. Bryant singled and doubled, driving in two and scoring twice. Koelsch added two more hits, including a double, and a walk. Prendergast helped herself out with double, Behr singled twice with a pair of RBIs and three runs, and Thexton kept up her hot streak in the leadoff spot with two more singles and two walks. She came around to score four of the 15 runs.&nbsp;

The Lady Panthers stay busy with a pair of games against Dodge City next Tuesday at the Sports Complex.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673886567489.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Great Bend Post SportsJust two days after hosting Liberal in a single run-rule win, the Lady Panthers made the trek west for a twinbill against the Redskins. Great Bend took game one 15-4, then won game two 15-0 in four innings to improve to 8-1 on the season. The Lady Panthers have outscored opponents 84-29 this season.Liberal hung around early in game one but trailing 3-1 after one inning and tying the score at four with a 3-run bottom of the third. The Lady Panthers answered with five runs in the fourth and three more in the fifth to pull away, then tacked on three more runs in the seventh.Sophomore Braelyn Turner pitched all seven innings for the win, striking out five and allowing no earned runs on six hits.The Great Bend offense pounded out 17 hits. DeShawnna Bryant came up a home run shy of the cycle with four hits, including a triple and double, four RBIs, four runs, and a walk. Freshman Kya Behr doubled twice for two of her four hits, driving in three and scoring three times. Kamryn Koelsch doubled and singled twice to finish with three RBIs. Paige Thexton doubled, singled, and walked twice. Camdyn Post singled twice and walked twice. Both Thexton and Post came around to score three times.The Lady Panthers scored early and often in game two with three runs in each of the first four innings except the third, where they doubled the effort with six runs.Freshman Chayla Prendergast threw all four winnings to get the win, striking out three and allowing two hits.Great Bend had another field day at the plate with 13 hits. Bryant singled and doubled, driving in two and scoring twice. Koelsch added two more hits, including a double, and a walk. Prendergast helped herself out with double, Behr singled twice with a pair of RBIs and three runs, and Thexton kept up her hot streak in the leadoff spot with two more singles and two walks. She came around to score four of the 15 runs.&nbsp;The Lady Panthers stay busy with a pair of games against Dodge City next Tuesday at the Sports Complex.

Lady Panther softball moves to 8-1 with sweep at Liberal

DALLAS (AP) — Kansas City Chiefs’ player Rashee Rice’s attorney says the wide receiver was the driver of one of two speeding sports cars who left after causing a chain-reaction crash on a Dallas highway over the weekend. Attorney and state Sen. Royce West says Thursday that the reason Rice left Saturday’s crash was under investigation and he declined to elaborate. West spoke at a news conference without Rice. West said that Rice was driving the Lamborghini sport utility vehicle that was involved in the crash. He also said the other speeding sports car belongs to Rice, but no information has been released on the driver.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Nelson Velázquez and MJ Melendez each homered and drove in two runs, leading Seth Lugo and the Kansas City Royals to a 10-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox. Right fielder Hunter Renfroe threw out the potential tying run at the plate in the sixth inning before Kansas City broke it open with eight runs in the seventh. Velázquez knocked in the first two runs of the game with a single and a homer. Lugo allowed one run and eight hits in 6 2/3 innings for his first win with the Royals. Michael Soroka gave up two runs over six innings in his second start for the White Sox.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Nolan Gorman hit a go-ahead two-run double in the seventh inning and the St. Louis Cardinals won their home opener, 8-5 over the winless Miami Marlins, who are off to the worst start in the 33-year history of the franchise. Jake Burger hit a pair of homers for Miami, which fell to 0-8. That's the worst start in the majors since Atlanta and Minnesota each lost their first nine games in 2016. The Marlins are the only winless team in baseball after the New York Mets got their first win Thursday, beating Detroit.

NEW YORK (AP) — Pete Alonso launched a tying homer leading off the ninth inning, Tyrone Taylor lined a game-winning single and the New York Mets — after going 13 innings without a hit — rallied past the Detroit Tigers 2-1 for their first victory of the season and a doubleheader split. Harrison Bader’s bloop single to start the eighth was New York’s first hit in the second game. But the Mets finally broke through in the ninth to give Carlos Mendoza his first win as a major league manager. They avoided opening 0-6 for the first time since their second season in 1963. Detroit lost for the first time following a 5-0 start. New York blew a three-run lead in the opener and fell 6-3 in 11 innings.

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The Athletics will leave Oakland after this season and play temporarily at a minor league park near Sacramento until their planned new stadium in Las Vegas is built. The A’s announced the decision to play at the home of the Sacramento River Cats from 2025-27 with an option for 2028 after being unable to reach an agreement to extend their lease in Oakland. The A’s announced their intention last April to move to Las Vegas. The decision angered the fans in Oakland and the team’s previously low attendance dropped precipitously with the club drawing a league-low 832,352 fans to the outdated Coliseum last season.

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The Final Four delivers the last entry in college basketball’s heartwarming yearbook. It's the annual assortment of legendary longshots, coaches looking for hugs and magic oozing from every corner of the bracket. The only problem with the 2024 version is that UConn doesn’t believe in magic. The only thing that has come close to stopping the Huskies on their march to a second straight title has been an uncooperative airliner. Dan Hurley and his players finally arrived in Phoenix at 3:15 a.m. Thursday after a nightmare combo of mechanical issues and bad weather left them hanging in the terminal for hours.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Caitlin Clark is capping off her illustrious college career with another record breaking season. The NCAA Division I career scoring leader set numerous records helping Iowa reach the Final Four for a second consecutive season. Clark was honored Thursday as The Associated Press women’s basketball Player of the Year. She received 34 votes from the 36-member national media panel that votes on the AP Top 25 each week. Cameron Brink of Stanford received the other vote.

UNDATED (AP) — New Oklahoma State basketball coach Steve Lutz embraces the expectations that come with leading a program that has won two national titles and featured Hall of Fame coaches Henry Iba and Eddie Sutton. The Cowboys have reached six Final Fours, but none since 2004. The 51-year-old Lutz looks to carry the banner as Oklahoma State tries to recapture its past glory. Lutz takes over for Mike Boynton, who was fired after going 119-109 in seven seasons, including a 12-20 mark this past season. Lutz was an assistant under Purdue’s Matt Painter and Creighton’s Greg McDermott. After that, he spent two years as head coach at Texas A&amp;M-Corpus Christi and a year at Western Kentucky, compiling a 69-35 overall record and reaching the NCAA Tournament all three years.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Eric Musselman of Arkansas has been hired as Southern California men’s basketball coach. It's the first major hire by new athletic director Jennifer Cohen. He replaces Andy Enfield, who left for the same job at SMU on Monday. The 59-year-old Musselman will be introduced at a news conference on Friday. He spent the last five years at Arkansas, where he led the Razorbacks to three NCAA Tournament appearances, including the Elite Eight twice. Musselman was 111-59 overall in Fayetteville. He's had other college and NBA coaching stints.

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Akshay Bhatia has opened with a 63 to build a three-shot lead in the Valero Texas Open. The 22-year-old Bhatia played bogey-free at the TPC San Antonio. He hit the ball so well that only two of his nine birdies were longer than 10 feet. He leads by three over Justin Lower and Brendon Todd. Rory McIlroy also played bogey-free. He just didn't make many birdies. McIlroy shot a 69 in his final tournament before the Masters. For Jordan Spieth, it was another wild ride. He followed a double bogey with a hole-in-one and rallied late to salvage a 73.

Final	Kansas City	10	Chicago White Sox	1	

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710682717672.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>DALLAS (AP) — Kansas City Chiefs’ player Rashee Rice’s attorney says the wide receiver was the driver of one of two speeding sports cars who left after causing a chain-reaction crash on a Dallas highway over the weekend. Attorney and state Sen. Royce West says Thursday that the reason Rice left Saturday’s crash was under investigation and he declined to elaborate. West spoke at a news conference without Rice. West said that Rice was driving the Lamborghini sport utility vehicle that was involved in the crash. He also said the other speeding sports car belongs to Rice, but no information has been released on the driver.KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Nelson Velázquez and MJ Melendez each homered and drove in two runs, leading Seth Lugo and the Kansas City Royals to a 10-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox. Right fielder Hunter Renfroe threw out the potential tying run at the plate in the sixth inning before Kansas City broke it open with eight runs in the seventh. Velázquez knocked in the first two runs of the game with a single and a homer. Lugo allowed one run and eight hits in 6 2/3 innings for his first win with the Royals. Michael Soroka gave up two runs over six innings in his second start for the White Sox.ST. LOUIS (AP) — Nolan Gorman hit a go-ahead two-run double in the seventh inning and the St. Louis Cardinals won their home opener, 8-5 over the winless Miami Marlins, who are off to the worst start in the 33-year history of the franchise. Jake Burger hit a pair of homers for Miami, which fell to 0-8. That's the worst start in the majors since Atlanta and Minnesota each lost their first nine games in 2016. The Marlins are the only winless team in baseball after the New York Mets got their first win Thursday, beating Detroit.NEW YORK (AP) — Pete Alonso launched a tying homer leading off the ninth inning, Tyrone Taylor lined a game-winning single and the New York Mets — after going 13 innings without a hit — rallied past the Detroit Tigers 2-1 for their first victory of the season and a doubleheader split. Harrison Bader’s bloop single to start the eighth was New York’s first hit in the second game. But the Mets finally broke through in the ninth to give Carlos Mendoza his first win as a major league manager. They avoided opening 0-6 for the first time since their second season in 1963. Detroit lost for the first time following a 5-0 start. New York blew a three-run lead in the opener and fell 6-3 in 11 innings.WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The Athletics will leave Oakland after this season and play temporarily at a minor league park near Sacramento until their planned new stadium in Las Vegas is built. The A’s announced the decision to play at the home of the Sacramento River Cats from 2025-27 with an option for 2028 after being unable to reach an agreement to extend their lease in Oakland. The A’s announced their intention last April to move to Las Vegas. The decision angered the fans in Oakland and the team’s previously low attendance dropped precipitously with the club drawing a league-low 832,352 fans to the outdated Coliseum last season.GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The Final Four delivers the last entry in college basketball’s heartwarming yearbook. It's the annual assortment of legendary longshots, coaches looking for hugs and magic oozing from every corner of the bracket. The only problem with the 2024 version is that UConn doesn’t believe in magic. The only thing that has come close to stopping the Huskies on their march to a second straight title has been an uncooperative airliner. Dan Hurley and his players finally arrived in Phoenix at 3:15 a.m. Thursday after a nightmare combo of mechanical issues and bad weather left them hanging in the terminal for hours.CLEVELAND (AP) — Caitlin Clark is capping off her illustrious college career with another record breaking season. The NCAA Division I career scoring leader set numerous records helping Iowa reach the Final Four for a second consecutive season. Clark was honored Thursday as The Associated Press women’s basketball Player of the Year. She received 34 votes from the 36-member national media panel that votes on the AP Top 25 each week. Cameron Brink of Stanford received the other vote.UNDATED (AP) — New Oklahoma State basketball coach Steve Lutz embraces the expectations that come with leading a program that has won two national titles and featured Hall of Fame coaches Henry Iba and Eddie Sutton. The Cowboys have reached six Final Fours, but none since 2004. The 51-year-old Lutz looks to carry the banner as Oklahoma State tries to recapture its past glory. Lutz takes over for Mike Boynton, who was fired after going 119-109 in seven seasons, including a 12-20 mark this past season. Lutz was an assistant under Purdue’s Matt Painter and Creighton’s Greg McDermott. After that, he spent two years as head coach at Texas A&amp;M-Corpus Christi and a year at Western Kentucky, compiling a 69-35 overall record and reaching the NCAA Tournament all three years.LOS ANGELES (AP) — Eric Musselman of Arkansas has been hired as Southern California men’s basketball coach. It's the first major hire by new athletic director Jennifer Cohen. He replaces Andy Enfield, who left for the same job at SMU on Monday. The 59-year-old Musselman will be introduced at a news conference on Friday. He spent the last five years at Arkansas, where he led the Razorbacks to three NCAA Tournament appearances, including the Elite Eight twice. Musselman was 111-59 overall in Fayetteville. He's had other college and NBA coaching stints.SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Akshay Bhatia has opened with a 63 to build a three-shot lead in the Valero Texas Open. The 22-year-old Bhatia played bogey-free at the TPC San Antonio. He hit the ball so well that only two of his nine birdies were longer than 10 feet. He leads by three over Justin Lower and Brendon Todd. Rory McIlroy also played bogey-free. He just didn't make many birdies. McIlroy shot a 69 in his final tournament before the Masters. For Jordan Spieth, it was another wild ride. He followed a double bogey with a hole-in-one and rallied late to salvage a 73.THURSDAY SCORESMAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALLINTERLEAGUEFinal	Detroit	6	N.Y. Mets	3	Final	N.Y. Mets	2	Detroit	1	AMERICAN LEAGUEFinal	Cleveland	4	Minnesota	2	Final	Kansas City	10	Chicago White Sox	1	NATIONAL LEAGUEFinal	Pittsburgh	7	Washington	4	Final	St. Louis	8	Miami	5	NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATIONFinal	Philadelphia	109	Miami	105	Final	Dallas	109	Atlanta	95	Final	New York	120	Sacramento	109	Final	Golden State	133	Houston	110	Final	L.A. Clippers	102	Denver	100	NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUEFinal	Florida	6	Ottawa	0	Final	Boston	4	Carolina	1	Final	N-Y Islanders	4	Columbus	2	Final	Pittsburgh	4	Washington	1	Final	Tampa Bay	7	Montreal	4	Final	Colorado	5	Minnesota	2	Final	Nashville	6	St. Louis	3	Final	Winnipeg	5	Calgary	2	Final	Los Angeles	2	San Jose	1

Friday Sports Headlines and Scores presented by Barton Community College

Softball -Game 1- Great Bend 15 Liberal 4 -Game 2- Great Bend 15 Liberal 0

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673886602159.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Softball -Game 1- Great Bend 15 Liberal 4 -Game 2- Great Bend 15 Liberal 0<div><iframe width="100%" height="265" src="https://clyp.it/12egflxn/widget" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>1. Great Bend Sports on 104 3 the Point sponsored by Venture Corporation, Advanced Truck &amp; Diesel, Mpire Reality, Nex-Tech, The 10th Street Eye Care Center, Damm Pipe Testing, Delgado's Mexican Restaurant, Comfort Pro, Haz Mat Response, American Plains Co-op, Marmie Auto Group, Sutherlands, Stone Sand Company &amp; Stone Waste Management, S&amp;J Trucking, Schroeder Homes &amp; Remodeling, Unruh Brothers Trash Service, Great Bend Pizza Hut, Advanced Therapy &amp; Sports Medicine, Keller Real Estate &amp; Insurance, Innovative Livestock Services, Beugelsdijk Chiropractic, Magna Dry Cleaning Services, People's Bank &amp; Trust, The Fieldhouse, Great Bend Rec, Insurance Planning, Farmer's Bank &amp; Trust, USD 428, Scott's Welding, University of Kansas Health Systems, Edward Jones Financial Services.

- Great Bend Panther Baseball coach Randy Beck will talk about Tuesday's double-header split with Kapaun Mt. Carmel, and preview Friday's home twin bill with the Liberal Redskins.

- "Voice of the Tigers" Gerard Wellbrock will talk about everything Fort Hays State.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1693997740304.jpeg" alt="Thursday show lineup with hosts Steve Webster, Mike Courson, Aaron Clark, and Mike Hesher" />
 <figcaption>Thursday show lineup with hosts Steve Webster, Mike Courson, Aaron Clark, and Mike Hesher</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/srRuZWsKvnk?si=w3dNasv-Lgs1bamz" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>- Great Bend Panther Baseball coach Randy Beck will talk about Tuesday's double-header split with Kapaun Mt. Carmel, and preview Friday's home twin bill with the Liberal Redskins.- Barton Golf coach Doug Kaiser.- "Voice of the Tigers" Gerard Wellbrock will talk about everything Fort Hays State.- Thursday Sports Headlines- Sounds of the past 24-hours-&nbsp;

Thursday on Sports Day (Watch)

By TODD MOORE Barton Sports Info

Following a record breaking performance,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wtrack/2023-24/bios/williams_cedricka_o5l4" target="_blank">Cedricka Williams</a>&nbsp;of the Barton Community College women's track and field team has been named the week three Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference (KJCCC) Women's Field and the U.S. Track &amp; Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) National Women's Athlete of the Week.

Failing to post a discus mark in the Cougars' opening outdoor meet the week prior, Williams bounced back with a vengeance last Thursday at the Emporia State Relays to not only win the meet but record the NJCAA's 3rd furthest throw.

Watching teammate and fellow freshman&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wtrack/2023-24/bios/semeda_ivanilda_9apl" target="_blank">Ivanilda Semedo</a>&nbsp;break the program record in her first toss of the day, it took Williams just two rounds to get loose in launching the first of two 55-meter throws with the initial 55.39m (181-9) mark rewriting the freshly posted program best.

The pair exceeded the previous best of 53.15m (174-04) set by Fiona Richards in 2019 as Williams' mark sailed six feet past Richards and five feet further than Semedo which now ranks 6th best on the NJCAA chart with a 53.49m (175-06) throw.

As far as Williams' mark measured out, it still wasn't the furthest she has thrown as she owns the Jamaican U20 record of 57.84m (189-9) in winning last year's ISSA High School Championships which would also exceed the NJCAA's all-time best of 56.61m (185-5).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712227446216.jpeg" alt="Barton Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Barton Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>By TODD MOORE Barton Sports InfoFollowing a record breaking performance,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wtrack/2023-24/bios/williams_cedricka_o5l4" target="_blank">Cedricka Williams</a>&nbsp;of the Barton Community College women's track and field team has been named the week three Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference (KJCCC) Women's Field and the U.S. Track &amp; Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) National Women's Athlete of the Week.Failing to post a discus mark in the Cougars' opening outdoor meet the week prior, Williams bounced back with a vengeance last Thursday at the Emporia State Relays to not only win the meet but record the NJCAA's 3rd furthest throw.Watching teammate and fellow freshman&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bartonsports.com/sports/wtrack/2023-24/bios/semeda_ivanilda_9apl" target="_blank">Ivanilda Semedo</a>&nbsp;break the program record in her first toss of the day, it took Williams just two rounds to get loose in launching the first of two 55-meter throws with the initial 55.39m (181-9) mark rewriting the freshly posted program best.The pair exceeded the previous best of 53.15m (174-04) set by Fiona Richards in 2019 as Williams' mark sailed six feet past Richards and five feet further than Semedo which now ranks 6th best on the NJCAA chart with a 53.49m (175-06) throw.As far as Williams' mark measured out, it still wasn't the furthest she has thrown as she owns the Jamaican U20 record of 57.84m (189-9) in winning last year's ISSA High School Championships which would also exceed the NJCAA's all-time best of 56.61m (185-5).

Barton's Williams conference and national Field Athlete of the Week

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice said Wednesday that he was taking “full responsibility” for his part in a weekend wreck involving speeding sports cars that caused a chain-reaction crash on a Dallas highway and resulted in minor injuries to four people.

Rice was leasing a Lamborghini SUV that police said was speeding along with a Corvette on North Central Expressway on Saturday. The crash ultimately involved six vehicles, police said, and the occupants of the Lamborghini and Corvette left the scene without providing information or determining whether anyone needed medical attention.

“Today I met with Dallas PD investigators regarding Saturday’s accident. I take full responsibility for my part in this matter and will continue to cooperate with the necessary authorities,” Rice wrote in a post to his Instagram Story. “I sincerely apologize to everyone impacted in Saturday’s accident.”

An attorney for Rice said earlier this week that the NFL player was cooperating with authorities but did not elaborate. The Chiefs also said they were aware of the crash but declined additional comment.

Police have not released any information about the other people involved in the wreck.

Rice was leasing the Lamborghini from The Classic Lifestyle, said Kyle Coker, an attorney for the Dallas-based exotic car rental company. Under the terms of the lease, Rice would have been the only person allowed to drive the vehicle, which rents for about $1,750 a day and is worth about $250,000.

Rice’s attorney, state Sen. Royce West, said Rice “will take all necessary steps to address this situation responsibly.” West did not respond to questions Tuesday and has not said whether Rice was driving one of the vehicles.

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

The Chiefs selected him in the second round of last year's draft, and he quickly became one of the only dependable options in their passing game. With exceptional quickness off the line of scrimmage, Rice finished second on the team to Travis Kelce with 73 receptions for 938 yards while leading the Chiefs with seven touchdown receptions.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice said Wednesday that he was taking “full responsibility” for his part in a weekend wreck involving speeding sports cars that caused a chain-reaction crash on a Dallas highway and resulted in minor injuries to four people.Rice was leasing a Lamborghini SUV that police said was speeding along with a Corvette on North Central Expressway on Saturday. The crash ultimately involved six vehicles, police said, and the occupants of the Lamborghini and Corvette left the scene without providing information or determining whether anyone needed medical attention.“Today I met with Dallas PD investigators regarding Saturday’s accident. I take full responsibility for my part in this matter and will continue to cooperate with the necessary authorities,” Rice wrote in a post to his Instagram Story. “I sincerely apologize to everyone impacted in Saturday’s accident.”An attorney for Rice said earlier this week that the NFL player was cooperating with authorities but did not elaborate. The Chiefs also said they were aware of the crash but declined additional comment.Police have not released any information about the other people involved in the wreck.Rice was leasing the Lamborghini from The Classic Lifestyle, said Kyle Coker, an attorney for the Dallas-based exotic car rental company. Under the terms of the lease, Rice would have been the only person allowed to drive the vehicle, which rents for about $1,750 a day and is worth about $250,000.Rice’s attorney, state Sen. Royce West, said Rice “will take all necessary steps to address this situation responsibly.” West did not respond to questions Tuesday and has not said whether Rice was driving one of the vehicles.Rice was born in Philadelphia but grew up in the Fort Worth, Texas, suburb of North Richland Hills. He played college football at nearby SMU, where a breakout senior season in 2022 put the wide receiver on the radar of NFL teams.The Chiefs selected him in the second round of last year's draft, and he quickly became one of the only dependable options in their passing game. With exceptional quickness off the line of scrimmage, Rice finished second on the team to Travis Kelce with 73 receptions for 938 yards while leading the Chiefs with seven touchdown receptions.

Chiefs' Rice takes 'full responsibility' for his part in Dallas sports car crash that injured four

BALTIMORE (AP) — James McCann hit a two-out, two-run single in the ninth inning and the Baltimore Orioles emerged from a five-hour rain delay to beat the Kansas City Royals 4-3 on Wednesday night.

Baltimore trailed 3-0 before scoring twice in the eighth against the Kansas City bullpen, which wasted a masterful performance by starter Cole Ragans.

It was 3-2 in the ninth when Royals closer Will Smith (0-2) walked Ryan Mountcastle and gave up a single to Anthony Santander. After a sacrifice bunt, an intentional walk to load the bases and a strikeout, McCann lined a single into left to end it.

The deciding matchup in the three-game series was supposed to start at 1:05 p.m., but didn’t get under way until early evening. The Royals weren’t scheduled to return to Baltimore after the game, so waiting out a persistent rainstorm meant the teams wouldn’t have to play a makeup months down the road.

“It was described to us early why we were going to wait it out. The off days weren't great for either team,” McCann said. “This is a good clubhouse. We had a lot of fun during the delay. Some guys were playing pool, some guys watching a movie, some watching other games.”

The fans who endured the long wait were rewarded by being allowed to choose any open seat in addition to receiving a voucher for a future weekday game.

Ragans retired 18 of the first 19 batters, the lone exception a fourth-inning double by Adley Rutschman. The right-hander was pulled in the seventh after walking two and striking out Santander.

Ragan worked 6 1/3 shutout innings, allowing one hit and two walks with seven strikeouts.

Maikel Garcia homered and Salvador Perez had three hits and two RBIs for the Royals, who lost both games in the series on Baltimore's final at-bat.

Orioles starter Corbin Burnes gave up two runs and nine hits in 5 2/3 innings. Although the right-hander kept the game close, his performance was a notch below his Orioles debut on opening day, when he limited the Los Angeles Angels to one hit over six innings while striking out 11.

“It was a definitely a battle,” Burnes said. “Almost got through six innings with all we had to deal with, so I was definitely proud of that.”

Perez hit RBI singles in the first and third innings, and Garcia went deep against Mike Baumann in the seventh.

In the Baltimore eighth, Gunnar Henderson hit a sacrifice fly and Rutschman singled in a run but was thrown out trying to stretch the hit into a double.

Yennier Cano (1-0) got the win with a scoreless ninth.

“Our pitching won us that game,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “And James McCann, too.”

Royals: Seth Lugo (0-0, 0.00 ERA) faces the visiting Chicago White Sox on Thursday night in the opener of a four-game series.

Orioles: After a day off Thursday, the Orioles hit the road for the first time this season, sending Grayson Rodriguez (1-0, 1.50) to the mound against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday.

BALTIMORE (AP) — James McCann hit a two-out, two-run single in the ninth inning and the Baltimore Orioles emerged from a five-hour rain delay to beat the Kansas City Royals 4-3 on Wednesday night.Baltimore trailed 3-0 before scoring twice in the eighth against the Kansas City bullpen, which wasted a masterful performance by starter Cole Ragans.It was 3-2 in the ninth when Royals closer Will Smith (0-2) walked Ryan Mountcastle and gave up a single to Anthony Santander. After a sacrifice bunt, an intentional walk to load the bases and a strikeout, McCann lined a single into left to end it.The deciding matchup in the three-game series was supposed to start at 1:05 p.m., but didn’t get under way until early evening. The Royals weren’t scheduled to return to Baltimore after the game, so waiting out a persistent rainstorm meant the teams wouldn’t have to play a makeup months down the road.“It was described to us early why we were going to wait it out. The off days weren't great for either team,” McCann said. “This is a good clubhouse. We had a lot of fun during the delay. Some guys were playing pool, some guys watching a movie, some watching other games.”The fans who endured the long wait were rewarded by being allowed to choose any open seat in addition to receiving a voucher for a future weekday game.Ragans retired 18 of the first 19 batters, the lone exception a fourth-inning double by Adley Rutschman. The right-hander was pulled in the seventh after walking two and striking out Santander.Ragan worked 6 1/3 shutout innings, allowing one hit and two walks with seven strikeouts.Maikel Garcia homered and Salvador Perez had three hits and two RBIs for the Royals, who lost both games in the series on Baltimore's final at-bat.Orioles starter Corbin Burnes gave up two runs and nine hits in 5 2/3 innings. Although the right-hander kept the game close, his performance was a notch below his Orioles debut on opening day, when he limited the Los Angeles Angels to one hit over six innings while striking out 11.“It was a definitely a battle,” Burnes said. “Almost got through six innings with all we had to deal with, so I was definitely proud of that.”Perez hit RBI singles in the first and third innings, and Garcia went deep against Mike Baumann in the seventh.In the Baltimore eighth, Gunnar Henderson hit a sacrifice fly and Rutschman singled in a run but was thrown out trying to stretch the hit into a double.Yennier Cano (1-0) got the win with a scoreless ninth.“Our pitching won us that game,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “And James McCann, too.”UP NEXTRoyals: Seth Lugo (0-0, 0.00 ERA) faces the visiting Chicago White Sox on Thursday night in the opener of a four-game series.Orioles: After a day off Thursday, the Orioles hit the road for the first time this season, sending Grayson Rodriguez (1-0, 1.50) to the mound against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday.

Orioles emerge from 5-hour rain delay to beat Royals 4-3

BALTIMORE (AP) —
James McCann had a two-out, two-run single in the ninth inning and
the Baltimore Orioles emerged from a five-hour rain delay to beat the
Kansas City Royals 4-3 on Wednesday night. Baltimore trailed 3-0 in
the eighth before scoring twice against the Kansas City bullpen,
which wasted a masterful performance by starter Cole Ragans. It was
3-2 in the ninth when Royals closer Will Smith (0-2) walked Ryan
Mountcastle and gave up a single to Anthony Santander. After a
sacrifice bunt, an intentional walk to load the bases and a
strikeout, McCann lined a single into left to end it. The deciding
matchup in the three-game series was supposed to start at 1:05 p.m.,
but didn’t get under way until early evening.

BALTIMORE (AP) —
Fans who showed up for an afternoon baseball game at Camden Yards
ended up waiting until early evening before the first pitch was
finally thrown. There are rain delays, and then there are rain delays
that last about as long as a doubleheader. The Baltimore Orioles and
Kansas City Royals, as well as a couple thousand patient fans,
endured a five-hour wait Wednesday before the game got under way.
This was Kansas City’s lone scheduled visit to Baltimore this year.
The fans waited. And waited. And waited some more as the rain kept on
coming.

SAN DIEGO (AP) —
Kyle Higashioka caught two baserunners stealing and homered in the
same inning to help Joe Musgrove and the San Diego Padres beat the
St. Louis Cardinals 3-2 and avoid a three-game sweep. According to
Elias Sports Bureau, Higashioka became the sixth catcher since 1961
to catch multiple runners stealing and hit a home run in the same
inning. Higashioka was one of five players obtained from the New York
Yankees on Dec. 6 for Juan Soto and Trent Grisham. He was making just
his second start of the season.

KANSAS CITY, Mo.
(AP) — Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice says he is
taking “full responsibility” for his part in a wreck involving
speeding sports cars in Dallas. The chain-reaction crash on a Dallas
highway Saturday ultimately involved six vehicles and resulted in
minor injuries to four people. Rice was leasing a Lamborghini that
police say was speeding along with a Corvette on the North Central
Expressway when the crash occurred. Police have not said whether Rice
was driving or provided information about the other people involved.
The occupants of the vehicles left the scene without providing
information or checking to see whether anyone needed medical
attention.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.
(AP) — Voter rejection of a stadium sales tax plan for the Kansas
City Royals and Chiefs has raised questions about what happens next.
They're not the first teams to face such questions. Public finance
professor Geoffrey Propheter, of the University of Colorado Denver,
has tracked stadium referenda. Since 1990, he found voters approved
35 stadium plans and defeated 22. Some teams move after voters reject
stadium subsidies, but that's rare. More often, teams regroup and
eventually win public funding for stadiums. Many teams sidestep
voters altogether by getting approval straight from local or state
lawmakers.

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y.
(AP) — The Buffalo Bills have agreed to trade their top receiving
threat, Stefon Diggs, to the Houston Texans. The Bills acquired the
Texans’ second-round pick in the 2025 draft, which Houston acquired
in a trade with Minnesota. Houston also acquired Buffalo’s
sixth-round pick in this year’s draft, and a fifth-rounder in 2025.
Diggs’ departure from Buffalo leaves quarterback Josh Allen without
his favorite target, and breaks up a tandem that has re-written the
team’s passing records since the receiver’s arrival in a trade
with Minnesota in March 2020. For the Texans, Diggs gives the offense
another playmaker to team with Nico Collins and Tank Dell.

DORAL, Fla. (AP) —
Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau will be the in the same place next
week, when they head to Augusta National for the Masters. They’re
saying the same things this week, albeit a golf world apart. Sounding
an alarm going into the year’s first major, McIlroy and DeChambeau
were among players from both the PGA Tour and LIV Golf League on
Wednesday speaking out — perhaps a bit more forcefully than before
— on a need for the game to somehow reunite or risk further eroding
its fanbase.

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP)
— The financial fates of college basketball and football will have
an outsized impact on America’s ability to field successful Olympic
teams beyond this summer’s Paris Games. NIL compensation, potential
player salaries, conference realignment, TV deals and tournament
expansion can all have an effect. Hundreds of non-revenue sports
programs on campus feed the U.S. Olympic teams and if they need to
make cuts, it will likely affect how well America does at the games.

LOS ANGELES (AP) —
Fox Sports and AEG will launch a new postseason college basketball
tournament next year. The College Basketball Crown will be a 16-team
tournament that will take place March 31 through April 6, 2025, in
Las Vegas. The games will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena
and T-Mobile Arena. Teams that did not qualify for the NCAA
Tournament will be eligible. The Big Ten, Big 12 and Big 12— whose
games are carried on Fox — will each have two automatic entries
into the tournament. The additional teams will be selected by a
committee.

LOS ANGELES (AP) —
Shohei Ohtani hit his first home run for the Los Angeles Dodgers, a
solo drive in the seventh inning in a 5-4 win over the San Francisco
Giants that finished a three-game sweep. Playing his ninth game for
his new team, Ohtani pulled a 93.2 mph sinker from left-hander Taylor
Rogers on the upper, outer portion of the strike zone into the
right-center field pavilion. The home run came in the 41st plate
appearance for the two-time MVP, who left the Los Angeles Angels
after last season as a free agent and agreed to a record $700
million, 10-year contract with the Dodgers.

Detroit	at	N-Y
Mets	3:40 p.m.	(Postponed)

Atlanta	at	Chi White
Sox	4:10 p.m.	(Postponed)

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710682717672.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BALTIMORE (AP) —
James McCann had a two-out, two-run single in the ninth inning and
the Baltimore Orioles emerged from a five-hour rain delay to beat the
Kansas City Royals 4-3 on Wednesday night. Baltimore trailed 3-0 in
the eighth before scoring twice against the Kansas City bullpen,
which wasted a masterful performance by starter Cole Ragans. It was
3-2 in the ninth when Royals closer Will Smith (0-2) walked Ryan
Mountcastle and gave up a single to Anthony Santander. After a
sacrifice bunt, an intentional walk to load the bases and a
strikeout, McCann lined a single into left to end it. The deciding
matchup in the three-game series was supposed to start at 1:05 p.m.,
but didn’t get under way until early evening.BALTIMORE (AP) —
Fans who showed up for an afternoon baseball game at Camden Yards
ended up waiting until early evening before the first pitch was
finally thrown. There are rain delays, and then there are rain delays
that last about as long as a doubleheader. The Baltimore Orioles and
Kansas City Royals, as well as a couple thousand patient fans,
endured a five-hour wait Wednesday before the game got under way.
This was Kansas City’s lone scheduled visit to Baltimore this year.
The fans waited. And waited. And waited some more as the rain kept on
coming.SAN DIEGO (AP) —
Kyle Higashioka caught two baserunners stealing and homered in the
same inning to help Joe Musgrove and the San Diego Padres beat the
St. Louis Cardinals 3-2 and avoid a three-game sweep. According to
Elias Sports Bureau, Higashioka became the sixth catcher since 1961
to catch multiple runners stealing and hit a home run in the same
inning. Higashioka was one of five players obtained from the New York
Yankees on Dec. 6 for Juan Soto and Trent Grisham. He was making just
his second start of the season.KANSAS CITY, Mo.
(AP) — Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice says he is
taking “full responsibility” for his part in a wreck involving
speeding sports cars in Dallas. The chain-reaction crash on a Dallas
highway Saturday ultimately involved six vehicles and resulted in
minor injuries to four people. Rice was leasing a Lamborghini that
police say was speeding along with a Corvette on the North Central
Expressway when the crash occurred. Police have not said whether Rice
was driving or provided information about the other people involved.
The occupants of the vehicles left the scene without providing
information or checking to see whether anyone needed medical
attention.JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.
(AP) — Voter rejection of a stadium sales tax plan for the Kansas
City Royals and Chiefs has raised questions about what happens next.
They're not the first teams to face such questions. Public finance
professor Geoffrey Propheter, of the University of Colorado Denver,
has tracked stadium referenda. Since 1990, he found voters approved
35 stadium plans and defeated 22. Some teams move after voters reject
stadium subsidies, but that's rare. More often, teams regroup and
eventually win public funding for stadiums. Many teams sidestep
voters altogether by getting approval straight from local or state
lawmakers.ORCHARD PARK, N.Y.
(AP) — The Buffalo Bills have agreed to trade their top receiving
threat, Stefon Diggs, to the Houston Texans. The Bills acquired the
Texans’ second-round pick in the 2025 draft, which Houston acquired
in a trade with Minnesota. Houston also acquired Buffalo’s
sixth-round pick in this year’s draft, and a fifth-rounder in 2025.
Diggs’ departure from Buffalo leaves quarterback Josh Allen without
his favorite target, and breaks up a tandem that has re-written the
team’s passing records since the receiver’s arrival in a trade
with Minnesota in March 2020. For the Texans, Diggs gives the offense
another playmaker to team with Nico Collins and Tank Dell.DORAL, Fla. (AP) —
Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau will be the in the same place next
week, when they head to Augusta National for the Masters. They’re
saying the same things this week, albeit a golf world apart. Sounding
an alarm going into the year’s first major, McIlroy and DeChambeau
were among players from both the PGA Tour and LIV Golf League on
Wednesday speaking out — perhaps a bit more forcefully than before
— on a need for the game to somehow reunite or risk further eroding
its fanbase.GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP)
— The financial fates of college basketball and football will have
an outsized impact on America’s ability to field successful Olympic
teams beyond this summer’s Paris Games. NIL compensation, potential
player salaries, conference realignment, TV deals and tournament
expansion can all have an effect. Hundreds of non-revenue sports
programs on campus feed the U.S. Olympic teams and if they need to
make cuts, it will likely affect how well America does at the games.LOS ANGELES (AP) —
Fox Sports and AEG will launch a new postseason college basketball
tournament next year. The College Basketball Crown will be a 16-team
tournament that will take place March 31 through April 6, 2025, in
Las Vegas. The games will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena
and T-Mobile Arena. Teams that did not qualify for the NCAA
Tournament will be eligible. The Big Ten, Big 12 and Big 12— whose
games are carried on Fox — will each have two automatic entries
into the tournament. The additional teams will be selected by a
committee.LOS ANGELES (AP) —
Shohei Ohtani hit his first home run for the Los Angeles Dodgers, a
solo drive in the seventh inning in a 5-4 win over the San Francisco
Giants that finished a three-game sweep. Playing his ninth game for
his new team, Ohtani pulled a 93.2 mph sinker from left-hander Taylor
Rogers on the upper, outer portion of the strike zone into the
right-center field pavilion. The home run came in the 41st plate
appearance for the two-time MVP, who left the Los Angeles Angels
after last season as a free agent and agreed to a record $700
million, 10-year contract with the Dodgers.THURSDAY SCORESMAJOR LEAGUE
BASEBALLINTERLEAGUEDetroit	at	N-Y
Mets	3:40 p.m.	(Postponed)Atlanta	at	Chi White
Sox	4:10 p.m.	(Postponed)Final	L.A.
Angels	10	Miami	2	Final	Minnesota	7	Milwaukee	3	Final	N.Y.
Yankees	6	Arizona	5	AMERICAN LEAGUEFinal	Texas	4	Tampa
Bay	1	Final	Baltimore	4	Kansas
City	3	Final	Boston	1	Oakland	0	Final	Cleveland	8	Seattle	0	Final	Houston	8	Toronto	0	NATIONAL LEAGUEFinal	Cincinnati	4	Philadelphia	1	Final	San
Diego	3	St. Louis	2	Final	Washington	5	Pittsburgh	3	Final	Chicago
Cubs	9	Colorado	8	Final	L.A.
Dodgers	5	San Francisco	4	NATIONAL
BASKETBALL ASSOCIATIONFinal	Portland	89	Charlotte	86	Final	L.A.
Lakers	125	Washington	120	Final	Atlanta	121	Detroit	113	Final	Boston	135	Oklahoma
City	100	Final	Brooklyn	115	Indiana	111	Final	Minnesota	133	Toronto	85	Final	Memphis	111	Milwaukee	101	Final	Phoenix	122	Cleveland	101	Final	Orlando	117	New
Orleans	108	NATIONAL HOCKEY
LEAGUEFinal	Tampa
Bay	4	Toronto	1	Final	N-Y
Rangers	4	New Jersey	3	Final	Los
Angeles	5	Seattle	2	Final	Dallas	5	Edmonton	0

Thursday Sports Headlines and Scores presented by Barton Community College

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Royals owner John Sherman and Chiefs president Mark Donovan stood on a small stage in the second-floor lounge of the historic J. Rieger &amp; Co. distillery in Kansas City on Tuesday night, acknowledging the will of voters who had rejected a sales tax initiative that would have helped pay for a new downtown ballpark and renovations to Arrowhead Stadium.

“Won a baseball game tonight,” said Sherman, whose Royals had beaten the Orioles, “but we didn't win this.”

The ballot measure didn't just lose, though. It lost decisively.

More than 58% of voters in Jackson County, Missouri, rejected the three-eighths of a cent sales tax. The Royals, who had promised $1 billion in private funding, wanted to use their share of the tax revenue to build a new ballpark as the centerpiece of a $2 billion-plus downtown district in a thriving arts neighborhood known as the Crossroads. The Chiefs, who had committed $300 million from their ownership, wanted to use their share for an $800 million renovation of Arrowhead Stadium.

“We will look to do what is in the best interest of our fans and organization as we move forward,” Donovan said Tuesday night.

Sherman and Donovan then walked off the stage and out a back door, leaving what had been an upbeat and festive watch party without taking questions, yet leaving many questions to be answered in the days and months ahead.

There was no single reason the tax failed; rather an accumulation of factors soured voters. Among them were the location of the downtown ballpark, the messaging from the franchises and the very nature of their construction plans.

Last fall, the Royals floated ballpark concepts east of downtown and in neighboring Clay County, Missouri, and said they would decide by September on one of the sites. But that self-imposed deadline passed, and it wasn't until February that the club said it would move instead to the Crossroads, leaving less than two months to sway voters on the location.

Yet the Royals experienced serious pushback from business owners in the area, some of whom would have had to sell their property and relocate. Compounding the problem was the lack of concrete plans — the Royals could not even produce a current ballpark rendering by Tuesday night after agreeing last week to keep open a street in the stadium footprint.

That was just the start of messaging problems that plagued the campaign.

Along with lacking transparency, the Royals and Chiefs shifted their approach at the insistence of political strategists running a committee to keep the teams in Jackson County. Their once-positive and collaborative messages were replaced by veiled threats that they would leave if the tax failed, and the "vote yes-or-else” message turned many voters away.

Then there was the plans themselves. In the case of the Chiefs, the renovation would have upgraded concourses, video boards and the parking at Arrowhead Stadium. But the everyday fan, who in many cases already has been priced out of games, balked at helping to pay for exclusive endzone clubs, renovated suits, sideline clubs and VIP entry points.

The Chiefs and Royals have said they would explore all options if the tax failed. And while they could still agree to a revised deal with Jackson County, they also could be courted by locales offering tax breaks and other financial benefits.

Officials in Kansas have not been shy about trying to woo the Chiefs across the state line, possibly to an area that includes Kansas Speedway and Children's Mercy Park, the home of MLS club Sporting Kansas City. Meanwhile, cities such as Nashville that desire a big league ballclub could promise the Royals the funding they desire.

The two teams are deeply woven into the fabric of Kansas City, though. Sherman said one of the reasons the late David Glass sold him the Royals in 2019 is that he entrusted the Kansas City businessman with keeping the baseball team in town, where fans have supported it through far more losing seasons than winning ones.

The most likely scenario is the Chiefs and Royals try again in Jackson County, though rather than work together, each could seek its own deal. Jackson County executive Frank White, a member of the Royals' Hall of Fame, had been a vocal critic of the tax yet said Tuesday night he was hopeful the teams would “come back to the table.”

Similar sentiments were echoed by Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, who endorsed the tax initiative only late last week.

“The people of Kansas City and Jackson County love the Chiefs and the Royals. They rejected plans and processes they found inadequate," Lucas said. "I look forward to working with the Chiefs and Royals to build a stronger, more open and collaborative process that will ensure the teams, their events and investments remain in Kansas City for generations to come.”

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Royals owner John Sherman and Chiefs president Mark Donovan stood on a small stage in the second-floor lounge of the historic J. Rieger &amp; Co. distillery in Kansas City on Tuesday night, acknowledging the will of voters who had rejected a sales tax initiative that would have helped pay for a new downtown ballpark and renovations to Arrowhead Stadium.“Won a baseball game tonight,” said Sherman, whose Royals had beaten the Orioles, “but we didn't win this.”The ballot measure didn't just lose, though. It lost decisively.More than 58% of voters in Jackson County, Missouri, rejected the three-eighths of a cent sales tax. The Royals, who had promised $1 billion in private funding, wanted to use their share of the tax revenue to build a new ballpark as the centerpiece of a $2 billion-plus downtown district in a thriving arts neighborhood known as the Crossroads. The Chiefs, who had committed $300 million from their ownership, wanted to use their share for an $800 million renovation of Arrowhead Stadium.“We will look to do what is in the best interest of our fans and organization as we move forward,” Donovan said Tuesday night.Sherman and Donovan then walked off the stage and out a back door, leaving what had been an upbeat and festive watch party without taking questions, yet leaving many questions to be answered in the days and months ahead.WHY DID THE TAX FAIL?There was no single reason the tax failed; rather an accumulation of factors soured voters. Among them were the location of the downtown ballpark, the messaging from the franchises and the very nature of their construction plans.Last fall, the Royals floated ballpark concepts east of downtown and in neighboring Clay County, Missouri, and said they would decide by September on one of the sites. But that self-imposed deadline passed, and it wasn't until February that the club said it would move instead to the Crossroads, leaving less than two months to sway voters on the location.Yet the Royals experienced serious pushback from business owners in the area, some of whom would have had to sell their property and relocate. Compounding the problem was the lack of concrete plans — the Royals could not even produce a current ballpark rendering by Tuesday night after agreeing last week to keep open a street in the stadium footprint.That was just the start of messaging problems that plagued the campaign.Along with lacking transparency, the Royals and Chiefs shifted their approach at the insistence of political strategists running a committee to keep the teams in Jackson County. Their once-positive and collaborative messages were replaced by veiled threats that they would leave if the tax failed, and the "vote yes-or-else” message turned many voters away.Then there was the plans themselves. In the case of the Chiefs, the renovation would have upgraded concourses, video boards and the parking at Arrowhead Stadium. But the everyday fan, who in many cases already has been priced out of games, balked at helping to pay for exclusive endzone clubs, renovated suits, sideline clubs and VIP entry points.WHAT IS NEXT?The Chiefs and Royals have said they would explore all options if the tax failed. And while they could still agree to a revised deal with Jackson County, they also could be courted by locales offering tax breaks and other financial benefits.Officials in Kansas have not been shy about trying to woo the Chiefs across the state line, possibly to an area that includes Kansas Speedway and Children's Mercy Park, the home of MLS club Sporting Kansas City. Meanwhile, cities such as Nashville that desire a big league ballclub could promise the Royals the funding they desire.The two teams are deeply woven into the fabric of Kansas City, though. Sherman said one of the reasons the late David Glass sold him the Royals in 2019 is that he entrusted the Kansas City businessman with keeping the baseball team in town, where fans have supported it through far more losing seasons than winning ones.The most likely scenario is the Chiefs and Royals try again in Jackson County, though rather than work together, each could seek its own deal. Jackson County executive Frank White, a member of the Royals' Hall of Fame, had been a vocal critic of the tax yet said Tuesday night he was hopeful the teams would “come back to the table.”Similar sentiments were echoed by Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, who endorsed the tax initiative only late last week.“The people of Kansas City and Jackson County love the Chiefs and the Royals. They rejected plans and processes they found inadequate," Lucas said. "I look forward to working with the Chiefs and Royals to build a stronger, more open and collaborative process that will ensure the teams, their events and investments remain in Kansas City for generations to come.”

After voters reject tax measure, Chiefs and Royals look toward future

Leadoff batter Laci Dryden batted .833 with an even better .875 on-base percentage helping Barton sweep Dodge City in a pair of conference contests. 

Going 3-of-4 in the opener, one of Dryden's hits was the sophomore's first home runs of the season while drawing a walk to reach base five times. 

In the nightcap Dryden continued to set the tone for the offense in reaching base all three at-bats, drawing a walk and going 2-of-2 at the plate, and stealing three of her four bases on the afternoon.

Leadoff batter Laci Dryden batted .833 with an even better .875 on-base percentage helping Barton sweep Dodge City in a pair of conference contests. Going 3-of-4 in the opener, one of Dryden's hits was the sophomore's first home runs of the season while drawing a walk to reach base five times. In the nightcap Dryden continued to set the tone for the offense in reaching base all three at-bats, drawing a walk and going 2-of-2 at the plate, and stealing three of her four bases on the afternoon.

Lacy Dryden earns KJCCC DI Player of the Week honors

By MIKE COURSON Great Bend Post

The friendly confines of Barton Community College served the Lady Panther swim team well during Tuesday's five-team invitational. Great Bend piled up 553 points to win the meet. Holcomb scored 365 points for second, edging out third-place Hutchinson by just 11 points.

The 200-yard medley relay team of Emilee Hall, Ava Gregg, Ally Howard, and Josephine Mazouch got things started with a win by nearly six seconds in 2:11.01. The team of Meredith Mazouch, Clarise Snapp, Avah Holden, and Sidney Gilkison swam third in 2:25.71.

The 200 free relay also picked up the gold. That team of Hall, both Mazouchs, and Darcy Feist won by nearly four seconds in 1:54.02, missing state qualification by less than two seconds. The team of Braylee Carper, Katelyn Mermis, Ellie Lutt, and Sydney Kruckenberg placed fourth in 2:09.14 to miss the bronze by eight seconds.

The Lady Panthers had a field day in the 500 free. Hall came in well under state consideration time for the win in 6:13.93. Carper followed in 6:58.75 for the silver, and Howard swam third in 7:17.90, a minute ahead of the fourth-place finisher. Hall swam another consideration time to win the 100 backstroke by just 0.04 seconds in 1:09.82. Meredith Mazouch placed seventh in 1:28.41, and Mermis followed in 1:30.16 for eighth.

Josephine Mazouch continues to stay under state consideration in the 50 free, winning by 0.39 seconds in 27.70. Kruckenberg placed fourth in 30.41, and Gilkison finished seventh in 32.25. Howard won the 100 butterfly silver in 1:28.70, 11 seconds behind the winner, and Holden placed third in 1:41.42.

Josephine Mazouch also swam a consideration time in the 100 free, winning by more than a second in 1:01.82. Feist placed fourth in 1:04.22 to miss the bronze by just 0.12 seconds. Kruckenberg placed sixth in 1:08.21.

Snapp led the Lady Panthers with a first-place finish in the 100 breast by better than three seconds in 1:24.88. Carper placed third in 1:32.22, and Siefkes swam fifth in 1:32.90.

Feist finished second in the 200 free in 2:25.17, six seconds off the gold. Madelynne Siefkes finished sixth in 2:54.12. Gregg won the 200 IM bronze in 2:58.25 to miss the silver by 11 seconds. Snapp swam fourth in 2:59.94, followed by Mermis in 3:23.26 for fifth.

The Lady Panther 400 free team of Feist, Snapp, Kruckenberg, and Carper finished third in 4:38.45, nine seconds behind the silver. The team of Howard, Gregg, Gilkison, and Meredith Mazouch placed fourth in 4:56.51. The squad of Holden, Mermis, Lutt, and Madalyn Bonine finished fifth in 5:18.95.

The Lady Panthers travel to Garden City next Tuesday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712150448312.jpeg" alt="Lady Panther senior Sidney Gilkison in her seventh-place finish in the 50-yard freestyle race." />
 <figcaption>Lady Panther senior Sidney Gilkison in her seventh-place finish in the 50-yard freestyle race.</figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostThe friendly confines of Barton Community College served the Lady Panther swim team well during Tuesday's five-team invitational. Great Bend piled up 553 points to win the meet. Holcomb scored 365 points for second, edging out third-place Hutchinson by just 11 points.The 200-yard medley relay team of Emilee Hall, Ava Gregg, Ally Howard, and Josephine Mazouch got things started with a win by nearly six seconds in 2:11.01. The team of Meredith Mazouch, Clarise Snapp, Avah Holden, and Sidney Gilkison swam third in 2:25.71.The 200 free relay also picked up the gold. That team of Hall, both Mazouchs, and Darcy Feist won by nearly four seconds in 1:54.02, missing state qualification by less than two seconds. The team of Braylee Carper, Katelyn Mermis, Ellie Lutt, and Sydney Kruckenberg placed fourth in 2:09.14 to miss the bronze by eight seconds.The Lady Panthers had a field day in the 500 free. Hall came in well under state consideration time for the win in 6:13.93. Carper followed in 6:58.75 for the silver, and Howard swam third in 7:17.90, a minute ahead of the fourth-place finisher. Hall swam another consideration time to win the 100 backstroke by just 0.04 seconds in 1:09.82. Meredith Mazouch placed seventh in 1:28.41, and Mermis followed in 1:30.16 for eighth.Josephine Mazouch continues to stay under state consideration in the 50 free, winning by 0.39 seconds in 27.70. Kruckenberg placed fourth in 30.41, and Gilkison finished seventh in 32.25. Howard won the 100 butterfly silver in 1:28.70, 11 seconds behind the winner, and Holden placed third in 1:41.42.Josephine Mazouch also swam a consideration time in the 100 free, winning by more than a second in 1:01.82. Feist placed fourth in 1:04.22 to miss the bronze by just 0.12 seconds. Kruckenberg placed sixth in 1:08.21.Snapp led the Lady Panthers with a first-place finish in the 100 breast by better than three seconds in 1:24.88. Carper placed third in 1:32.22, and Siefkes swam fifth in 1:32.90.Feist finished second in the 200 free in 2:25.17, six seconds off the gold. Madelynne Siefkes finished sixth in 2:54.12. Gregg won the 200 IM bronze in 2:58.25 to miss the silver by 11 seconds. Snapp swam fourth in 2:59.94, followed by Mermis in 3:23.26 for fifth.The Lady Panther 400 free team of Feist, Snapp, Kruckenberg, and Carper finished third in 4:38.45, nine seconds behind the silver. The team of Howard, Gregg, Gilkison, and Meredith Mazouch placed fourth in 4:56.51. The squad of Holden, Mermis, Lutt, and Madalyn Bonine finished fifth in 5:18.95.The Lady Panthers travel to Garden City next Tuesday.

Lady Panther swimmers dominate home invite

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The future of the Royals and Chiefs in Kansas City was thrown into question Tuesday night when residents of Jackson County, Missouri, resoundingly voted down a sales tax measure that would have helped to fund a new downtown ballpark along with major renovations to Arrowhead Stadium.

Royals owner John Sherman and Chiefs president Mark Donovan acknowledged long before the final tally that the initiative would fail.

 More than 58% of voters ultimately rejected the plan, which would have replaced an existing three-eighths of a cent sales tax that has been paying for the upkeep of Truman Sports Complex — the home for more than 50 years to Kauffman and Arrowhead Stadiums — with a similar tax that would have been in place for the next 40 years.

The Royals, who had pledged at least $1 billion from ownership for their project, wanted to use their share of the tax revenue to help fund a $2 billion-plus ballpark district. The Super Bowl champion Chiefs, who had committed $300 million in private money, would have used their share as part of an $800 million overhaul of Arrowhead Stadium.

“We’re deeply disappointed as we are steadfast in our belief that Jackson County is better with the Chiefs and the Royals,” said Sherman, who left without taking questions. “As someone whose roots run deep in this town, who has been a dedicated fan and season-ticket holder for both of these teams, and now leading a remarkable ownership group.”

Donovan said the Chiefs would do “what is in the best interest of our fans and our organization as we move forward.”

That could mean many things: The Chiefs could try again with a reworked plan more agreeable to voters, change their entire funding approach to include more private investment, or they could even listen to offers from competing cities and states — such as Kansas, just across the state line to the west — that would provide the public funding they desire.

“We’ve been talking a lot about the democratic process. We respect the process,” Donovan said. “We feel we put forth the best offer for Jackson County. We’re ready to extend the longstanding partnership the teams have enjoyed with this county.”

The current lease lease at Truman Sports Complex lasts through Jan. 31, 2031. And while Sherman has said the Royals would not play at Kauffman Stadium beyond the 2030 season, the Chiefs are hopeful of remaining at Arrowhead Stadium.

The tax — or, more accurately, the stadium plans — received significant public pushback almost from the start, when the teams struggled to put concrete plans before voters and were accused of lacking transparency throughout the process.

Last fall, the Royals unveiled two potential locations for their ballpark district, one on the eastern edge of downtown and the other across the Missouri River in Clay County, Missouri.

But, a self-imposed deadline to finalize their location lapsed without a plan, and in February, they finally announced they had scrapped both concepts and chosen a different downtown spot.

The new area, known as the Crossroads, has a vibrant arts and restaurant scene, and it is just blocks away from the T-Mobile Center and the bustling Power &amp; Light entertainment district. It also is close to the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts and the 18th &amp; Vine district, which is home to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.

But even then, plans remained vague. The latest ballpark renderings were made obsolete just last week when the Royals acquiesced to Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas’ request that a major street that would have been part of the stadium footprint remain open; Lucas did not endorse the tax initiative until the Royals agreed to the change.

“I think everyone has the same mixed feelings,” said Deidre Chasteen, a voter from Independence, Missouri, who remembers attending games downtown at old Municipal Stadium when the Royals played there from 1969-72.

“It’s not that we mind paying the three-eighths-cent sales tax. I think the problem is putting the stadium where it is,” Chasteen said. “We’re saying don’t ruin businesses that have been established down there for years.”

The club also had not reached sales agreements with many landowners in the Crossroads, and other businesses had expressed concerns about traffic, congestion and parking in an already thriving residential neighborhood.

Sarah Tourville, the Royals’ executive vice president, said the goal was to move into the stadium for opening day in 2028.

The Royals moved from Municipal Stadium to Kauffman Stadium in 1973 and extensively renovated the ballpark from 2009-12. Arrowhead Stadium was built alongside Kauffman Stadium and also was renovated around the same time.

While the Royals insist on playing in a new ballpark, the Chiefs wanted to stay put with a renovation that would have touched every aspect of their 52-year-old building, from the seating bowl to luxury amenities to the tailgating scene.

“We would not be willing to sign a lease for another 25 years without the financing to properly renovate and reimagine the stadium,” Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt, whose father, Lamar Hunt, helped get the existing stadiums built, said before Tuesday’s vote. “The financing puzzle is very important to us to make sure we have enough funds to do everything we’ve outlined.”

The Chiefs had hoped their success, including three Super Bowl titles in the last five years, would sway voters in their favor.

“What my dad loved best about the stadium was the connection the team had with our fanbase,” Hunt said. “He loved this building for what it means to the fans, and we still believe it is one of the best stadiums in the National Football League and a bucket-list destination for fans across the NFL.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712112749211.jpeg" alt="An Air Force B2 bomber flies over Kauffman Stadium before a baseball game between the Kansas City Royals and the Minnesota Twins Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)." />
 <figcaption>An Air Force B2 bomber flies over Kauffman Stadium before a baseball game between the Kansas City Royals and the Minnesota Twins Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel).</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The future of the Royals and Chiefs in Kansas City was thrown into question Tuesday night when residents of Jackson County, Missouri, resoundingly voted down a sales tax measure that would have helped to fund a new downtown ballpark along with major renovations to Arrowhead Stadium.Royals owner John Sherman and Chiefs president Mark Donovan acknowledged long before the final tally that the initiative would fail.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712104528404.png" alt="Photo courtesy KMBC" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KMBC</figcaption>
 </figure> More than 58% of voters ultimately rejected the plan, which would have replaced an existing three-eighths of a cent sales tax that has been paying for the upkeep of Truman Sports Complex — the home for more than 50 years to Kauffman and Arrowhead Stadiums — with a similar tax that would have been in place for the next 40 years.The Royals, who had pledged at least $1 billion from ownership for their project, wanted to use their share of the tax revenue to help fund a $2 billion-plus ballpark district. The Super Bowl champion Chiefs, who had committed $300 million in private money, would have used their share as part of an $800 million overhaul of Arrowhead Stadium.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">A statement from John Sherman regarding today&#39;s Jackson County election: <a href="https://t.co/t85qx0Cwfh">pic.twitter.com/t85qx0Cwfh</a>&mdash; Kansas City Royals (@Royals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Royals/status/1775347697345610113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“We’re deeply disappointed as we are steadfast in our belief that Jackson County is better with the Chiefs and the Royals,” said Sherman, who left without taking questions. “As someone whose roots run deep in this town, who has been a dedicated fan and season-ticket holder for both of these teams, and now leading a remarkable ownership group.”Donovan said the Chiefs would do “what is in the best interest of our fans and our organization as we move forward.”That could mean many things: The Chiefs could try again with a reworked plan more agreeable to voters, change their entire funding approach to include more private investment, or they could even listen to offers from competing cities and states — such as Kansas, just across the state line to the west — that would provide the public funding they desire.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/JacksonCountyMO?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JacksonCountyMO</a>⁩ voters have spoken. I’ll say more on the election results and what happens next soon. Stay tuned! <a href="https://t.co/emqsBfJqYq">pic.twitter.com/emqsBfJqYq</a>&mdash; Frank White (@JCEFrankWhite) <a href="https://twitter.com/JCEFrankWhite/status/1775364416424280068?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“We’ve been talking a lot about the democratic process. We respect the process,” Donovan said. “We feel we put forth the best offer for Jackson County. We’re ready to extend the longstanding partnership the teams have enjoyed with this county.”The current lease lease at Truman Sports Complex lasts through Jan. 31, 2031. And while Sherman has said the Royals would not play at Kauffman Stadium beyond the 2030 season, the Chiefs are hopeful of remaining at Arrowhead Stadium.The tax — or, more accurately, the stadium plans — received significant public pushback almost from the start, when the teams struggled to put concrete plans before voters and were accused of lacking transparency throughout the process.Last fall, the Royals unveiled two potential locations for their ballpark district, one on the eastern edge of downtown and the other across the Missouri River in Clay County, Missouri.But, a self-imposed deadline to finalize their location lapsed without a plan, and in February, they finally announced they had scrapped both concepts and chosen a different downtown spot.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/ijleg960iH">pic.twitter.com/ijleg960iH</a>&mdash; Mayor Q (@QuintonLucasKC) <a href="https://twitter.com/QuintonLucasKC/status/1775340879663825097?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The new area, known as the Crossroads, has a vibrant arts and restaurant scene, and it is just blocks away from the T-Mobile Center and the bustling Power &amp; Light entertainment district. It also is close to the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts and the 18th &amp; Vine district, which is home to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.But even then, plans remained vague. The latest ballpark renderings were made obsolete just last week when the Royals acquiesced to Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas’ request that a major street that would have been part of the stadium footprint remain open; Lucas did not endorse the tax initiative until the Royals agreed to the change.“I think everyone has the same mixed feelings,” said Deidre Chasteen, a voter from Independence, Missouri, who remembers attending games downtown at old Municipal Stadium when the Royals played there from 1969-72.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712112786193.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Royals owner John Sherman, left, address the media while Kansas City Chiefs president Mark Donovan looks on during a news conference about a plan to extend a sales tax to provide funding to build a new stadium for the Royals and stadium improvement for the Chiefs Saturday, March 30, 2024, at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. Jackson County, Mo. residents will vote on the question Tuesday, April 2. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)." />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Royals owner John Sherman, left, address the media while Kansas City Chiefs president Mark Donovan looks on during a news conference about a plan to extend a sales tax to provide funding to build a new stadium for the Royals and stadium improvement for the Chiefs Saturday, March 30, 2024, at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. Jackson County, Mo. residents will vote on the question Tuesday, April 2. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel).</figcaption>
 </figure>“It’s not that we mind paying the three-eighths-cent sales tax. I think the problem is putting the stadium where it is,” Chasteen said. “We’re saying don’t ruin businesses that have been established down there for years.”The club also had not reached sales agreements with many landowners in the Crossroads, and other businesses had expressed concerns about traffic, congestion and parking in an already thriving residential neighborhood.Sarah Tourville, the Royals’ executive vice president, said the goal was to move into the stadium for opening day in 2028.The Royals moved from Municipal Stadium to Kauffman Stadium in 1973 and extensively renovated the ballpark from 2009-12. Arrowhead Stadium was built alongside Kauffman Stadium and also was renovated around the same time.While the Royals insist on playing in a new ballpark, the Chiefs wanted to stay put with a renovation that would have touched every aspect of their 52-year-old building, from the seating bowl to luxury amenities to the tailgating scene.“We would not be willing to sign a lease for another 25 years without the financing to properly renovate and reimagine the stadium,” Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt, whose father, Lamar Hunt, helped get the existing stadiums built, said before Tuesday’s vote. “The financing puzzle is very important to us to make sure we have enough funds to do everything we’ve outlined.”The Chiefs had hoped their success, including three Super Bowl titles in the last five years, would sway voters in their favor.“What my dad loved best about the stadium was the connection the team had with our fanbase,” Hunt said. “He loved this building for what it means to the fans, and we still believe it is one of the best stadiums in the National Football League and a bucket-list destination for fans across the NFL.”

Voters reject stadium tax for Royals and Chiefs, leaving future in KC in question

Tuesday's matchup at the Great Bend Sports Complex was a big one as the unbeaten and seventh-ranked Panther baseball team played host to No. 6 Kapaun Mt. Carmel for a doubleheader. The Panthers walked off the Crusaders 8-7 in game one but dropped game two 2-0.

Great Bend jumped out to a 4-0 lead after two innings in game one. Kapaun scored the next seven runs, including three in the sixth to pull ahead 7-4. The Panthers strung together three straight singles from Hunter Herrman, Daxton Minton, and JJ Grove in the bottom of the sixth. Herrman scored on Grove's hit, and a fielder's choice off the bat of Koehn Ribordy scored Minton. Ian Premer singled in Ribordy to tie the game.

The 7-7 tie remained until the bottom of the ninth. Premer led things off with a single, moving to second on a sacrifice from Owen Kaiser. Trenton Kern kept the inning alive with a one-out walk, then Mohr provided the heroic hit to drive in Premer for the win.

Ribordy recorded just one out on the mound but picked up the win. Minton allowed just one hit in 3.1 innings with two strikeouts and three walks, and Herrman allowed five earned runs on three hits with a pair of strikeouts and three walks in his two innings. Carson Umphres threw 3.1 innings, striking out three and allowing two earned runs on four hits.

Grove and Premer each singled three times, and Premer added a pair of walks. Ribordy singled twice, drove in two, and scored once. Kern's double was the lone Panther extra-base hit. He also walked and drove in three.

Game two proved to be nearly as thrilling as the scoreboard was full of zeroes until the seventh inning when Kapaun scored both of its runs with two outs. The Panthers nearly followed suit in the bottom half with Grove picking up a 2-out walk and Ribordy reaching on a single.

Kaiser threw all seven innings in the loss, striking out eight and allowing the two earned runs on four hits.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673886359882.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Great Bend Post SportsTuesday's matchup at the Great Bend Sports Complex was a big one as the unbeaten and seventh-ranked Panther baseball team played host to No. 6 Kapaun Mt. Carmel for a doubleheader. The Panthers walked off the Crusaders 8-7 in game one but dropped game two 2-0.Great Bend jumped out to a 4-0 lead after two innings in game one. Kapaun scored the next seven runs, including three in the sixth to pull ahead 7-4. The Panthers strung together three straight singles from Hunter Herrman, Daxton Minton, and JJ Grove in the bottom of the sixth. Herrman scored on Grove's hit, and a fielder's choice off the bat of Koehn Ribordy scored Minton. Ian Premer singled in Ribordy to tie the game.The 7-7 tie remained until the bottom of the ninth. Premer led things off with a single, moving to second on a sacrifice from Owen Kaiser. Trenton Kern kept the inning alive with a one-out walk, then Mohr provided the heroic hit to drive in Premer for the win.Ribordy recorded just one out on the mound but picked up the win. Minton allowed just one hit in 3.1 innings with two strikeouts and three walks, and Herrman allowed five earned runs on three hits with a pair of strikeouts and three walks in his two innings. Carson Umphres threw 3.1 innings, striking out three and allowing two earned runs on four hits.Grove and Premer each singled three times, and Premer added a pair of walks. Ribordy singled twice, drove in two, and scored once. Kern's double was the lone Panther extra-base hit. He also walked and drove in three.Game two proved to be nearly as thrilling as the scoreboard was full of zeroes until the seventh inning when Kapaun scored both of its runs with two outs. The Panthers nearly followed suit in the bottom half with Grove picking up a 2-out walk and Ribordy reaching on a single.Kaiser threw all seven innings in the loss, striking out eight and allowing the two earned runs on four hits.Premer and Ribordy split four of the six Panther hits in the loss. Kaiser doubled and Mohr added the other single.&nbsp;Great Bend moves to 6-1 on the season and will host Liberal for a pair of games on Friday.