Sports – Page 593 – Hays Post Archive

Larks strike early in win over Dodge City

Posted on July 22, 2014

Zair Koemin hit a three-run homer to highlight a four-run first inning as the Hays Larks win their sixth straight, defeating the Dodge City A’s 8-4 at Cavalier Field in Dodge City. The Larks have now won 10 of their last 11 and improve to 26-13 overall and 20-13 in the Jayhawk League. Dodge City has lost five of their last seven and fall to 17-22 and 9-22 in league play.

Koeiman’s blast scored newcomer Brooks Balesterri and Tyler Detmer to give Hays a 4-0 lead. The Larks added two more in the second when Tyler Detmer was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. They would score the second run on an error following a Derek Birginske line out to third base.

Hays tacked on two more runs in the seventh on a Matt Luety single and an error.

Dodge City rallied for three in the ninth with a pair of doubles and a two-run homer off closer DJ Carr.

David Koll picks up the win allowing one run on four hits, striking out five and walking three over five innings.

The Larks are back at home tonight for the first of a two-game non-league series with Junction City. Free admission for the 7pm game courtesy of Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers as well as Crawford Supply and Horizon Appliance and Electronics.

Hays Eagles rally for zone tournament win

Posted on July 22, 2014

The Hays Eagles Senior American Legion rallied from a 5-1 deficit to beat Buhler 7-5 in their “AAA” Zone tournament opener in Dodge City Monday night. The Eagles scored three in the sixth then three more in eighth to erase the four-run deficit. The Eagles improve to 29-8 and can secure their third-straight trip to the “AAA” state tournament with a win in the eight o’clock game Tuesday night.

Layne Downing hit a three-run homer in the sixth to pull Hays within a run at 5-4. Marcus Altman led off the eighth with a triple then scored on a Dalton Stout single to tie the game 5-5. Following a Kaden Rohr single, Zack Legleiter’s two-run double gave the Eagles the lead for good.

Layne Downing picks up the win in relief, throwing two shutout innings while striking out five and walking none. Starter Cole Schumacher allowed five runs, three earned, on seven hits over three innings, striking out eight while walking three.

The Eagles are now 29-8 on the season.

Monarchs eliminated from zone tourney after comeback bid falls short

Posted on July 22, 2014

Hoisington scored four runs in the third inning to build a 5-1 lead then held off the Hays Monarchs the rest of the way for a 5-4 win, eliminating Hays from the Larned “AA” Zone tournament. Hoisington hit a three-run home run in the bit inning after scoring one run in the first.

The Monarchs scored two in the fourth on a Justin Pfeifer two-run triple then added another run in the sixth to pull within a run. Taylor Wasinger hit a one-0ut double in the seventh, but Braiden Werth and Dick Hockett both flied out to end the Monarchs hopes of a comeback.

Liam Stults takes the loss, allowing five runs, four earned, on six hits over three innings. Kameron Schmidt went 3-for-3 while Pfeifer and Jordan Gottschalk both had two hits.

The Monarchs end their season at 17-7.

Sale pitches White Sox past Royals

Posted on July 21, 2014July 22, 2014

By JOHN JACKSON
Associated Press

CHICAGO (AP) – Chris Sale pitched seven effective innings in his first outing since the All-Star break and Adam Dunn had two RBIs and scored a run to lead the Chicago White Sox to a 3-1 victory over the slumping Kansas City Royals on Monday night.

Sale (9-1) wasn’t at his best, allowing seven hits and a walk in seven innings, but he worked out of jams in the fourth and sixth innings. He struck out eight and now has allowed three runs or less in 14 of his 15 starts this season. Jake Petricka pitched the ninth for his fourth save.

Dunn went 1-for-2 with a pair of walks as the White Sox for the fourth time in six games.

Danny Valencia went 1-for-2 with a RBI for Kansas City, which has dropped four straight and seven of eight. The Royals had a team meeting before the game, but couldn’t turn around their fortunes as they dropped two games below .500 (48-50).

Royals starter Jeremy Guthrie (5-9) gave up three runs on five hits in six innings to get the loss. He had been 4-0 against the White Sox with the Royals before Monday.

The White Sox took a 2-0 lead in the first inning as the first four batters reached base. Adam Eaton singled, Alexei Ramirez was hit by a pitch and Jose Abreu reached on an error by Valencia at third base to load the bases.

Dunn then singled up the middle against the shift — essentially hitting the ball to the normal shortstop position — to score both Eaton and Ramirez.

The Royals trimmed the lead in half in the fourth. Alex Gordon singled with one out, stole second and then scored on a two-out single by Valencia. The next batter, Alcides Escobar, doubled down the left-field line and it appeared the score would be tied, but Valencia was nailed at the plate as left-fielder Alejandro De Aza and Ramirez got the ball to catcher Tyler Flowers for the putout to end the inning.

The White Sox regained the two-run edge in the sixth as Dunn scored on a sacrifice fly by Gordon Beckham to make it 3-1.

NOTES: Royals 1B Eric Hosmer was scratched about an hour before game time with a right hand contusion. He was hit on the hand with a pitch by Boston Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester in Sunday’s game at Fenway Park. . White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper is suffering from vertigo and missed a second straight game on Monday. Bullpen coach Bobby Thigpen took his place. . K.C.’s Salvador Perez was back in the lineup after sitting out Sunday with a groin strain. He originally was going to catch but switched to DH when Hosmer was scratched. “He feels much better,” manager Ned Yost said. “He’s not a speed demon to begin with. It’s still probably going to affect him a little bit running, but he can catch and swing and do everything else.” . Abreu doubled in the seventh to extend his hitting streak to 12 games. . LHP Bruce Chen (1-2) takes on Scott Carroll (4-5) in the second game of the series.

Big 12 commish’s dire warning about pending change

Posted on July 21, 2014

By STEPHEN HAWKINS
AP Sports Writer

DALLAS (AP) – Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby warns that anyone who likes intercollegiate athletics the way they are now will hate what’s coming.

During his opening address at Big 12 football media days Monday, Bowlsby said significant changes are on the way.

Bowlsby isn’t sure people understand how much pending lawsuits against the NCAA and its member schools could change things. He says the Big 12 and other conferences are defendants in seven class-action lawsuits “and that number is growing all the time.”

Bowlsby believes new funding challenges, including legal battles and expenses increasing at a higher rate than revenue, will eventually result in the elimination of some minor sports teams. The former Stanford athletic director also anticipates tension among sports on campus and among institutions with different resources.

Hays Heat 12&U team takes title in Dodge City

Posted on July 21, 2014July 21, 2014

Front, from left: Brooklyn Staab, Madelyn Waddell, Tasiah Nunnery, Julia Werth, Emily Schulte and Kallynn Petz. Middle, from left, Macee Altman, Lexi Gottschalk, Jaysa Wichers, Hannah Black and Kaitlyn Brown. Back, from left, Joshua Waddell, Ryan Gottschalk, Randy Gottschalk and Les Brown.

Submitted

The Hays Heat 12 and Under fast-pitch softball team’s post-season success continued at the 5 State Border Showdown Series in Dodge City. The tournament ran Friday though Sunday.

The Heat went 6-0 on the weekend, including an 11-1 victory over the Oklahoma Lady Travelers (Laverne, Okla.) in the championship finals. The other wins came against teams representing Colorado, Texas and Oklahoma.

They will now take their 11-game winning streak and 21-3 overall record into their final event of the season at the Heartland VIP World Series in Kansas City, Mo., July 24 to 27.

Larks sweep Derby; wrap up second place in Jayhawk League

Posted on July 21, 2014July 21, 2014

Since 2001, the Hays Larks have only finished worse than second in the Jayhawk League once. That was in 2010 when they came in third and missed the NBC World Series. Sunday night, the Larks clinched another top-two finish with a 7-3 victory over Derby to complete the weekend sweep which included the conclusion of a suspended game from earlier in the season. The win also secures the Larks a spot in the Championship Week of the NBC World Series in Wichita.

Frank Leo Postgame Interview

Game Highlights

Evan Gruener had three hits including a home run and drove in two and Zair Koeiman added two doubles and scored two runs helping the Larks secure second place with their fifth straight win.

Spencer Applebach pitched three scoreless innings of relief for the win. DJ Carr worked a perfect ninth of his third save. Starter Blake Roley allowed two runs on two hits but left in the fourth with a back injury. He’s to be evaluated on Monday.

The Larks struck early scoring two in the first on a Tyler Detmer single and Derek Birginske double play ball. They added two more in the second on a Nate Olinger sacrifice bunt and Aaron Cornell double.

Derby cut the lead in half with two in the fourth, but the Larks answered when Zair Koeiman doubled to lead off the bottom of the inning. He scored on Evan Gruener’s single. The Larks added another run in the fifth. Both teams scored a run in the eighth, the Larks on an Evan Gruener homer.

Hays has won five straight to move 12-games over 500 (25-13) and six-games over 500 in league play (19-13).

They are back in action Monday night in Dodge City before returning home for a pair of non-league games Tuesday and Wednesday against Junction City then host Dodge City Thursday to close out the regular season.

Elsewhere in Jayhawk League play Sunday… Wellington sweeps Liberal 7-6 and has won five of their last six… Dodge City salvages the final game of the series with El Dorado 5-2.

Monarchs drop zone tournament opener

Posted on July 21, 2014

Larned scored four runs in the first then broke a 4-4 tie with a run in the fourth to beat the Hays Monarchs 5-4 in their zone tournament opener Sunday in Larned.

The Monarchs scored two in the first to grab the early lead, then took advantage of two errors and two walks to score two in the fourth to tie the game.

Dick Hockett takes the loss, allowing all five runs, two earned, on four hits while striking out four and walking five. Cameron Brin had two of the Monarchs five hits as they fall to 17-6 on the year. They’ve back in action today in an elimination game.

Royals shut down by Lester, Red Sox in loss

Posted on July 21, 2014July 21, 2014

BOSTON (AP) — Kansas City’s Billy Butler summed up Jon Lester’s performance, paused for a few seconds, and realized it was a lost weekend for the Royals.

Lester allowed no earned runs for the third time in four starts, and the Boston Red Sox completed a three-game sweep of the Royals with a 6-0 win Sunday.

“That was probably the best stuff he’s had all year,” Butler said. “It was their day — their weekend.”

One day after getting held to one run, the Royals were blanked for the eighth time this season. They have scored one run or none in four of their last six games.

“On a day like today, the only thing you can do is hope Jon Lester doesn’t bring his A-game, and he gets his pitch count up and makes mistakes, and you take advantage of it,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “He was pretty good.”

Kansas City lost for the ninth time in 12 games and fell to 9-17 since a 10-game winning streak. The Royals have another tough matchup on Monday night when they open a three-game series against another All-Star lefty — Chris Sale of the Chicago White Sox.

“You basically just shake it off and get right back out there,” Butler said. “We faced a tough left-hander today and it doesn’t get any easier.”

Yordano Ventura (7-8) gave up all six runs.

“Mostly command,” Yost said. “Just struggled with command a little. He got some pitches in the fat part of the strike zone.”

In eight innings, Lester struck out eight and gave up two walks and four hits. Only one Royals player reached third base.

Lester (10-7) is 4-0 with a 0.85 ERA over his last seven starts with 47 strikeouts and eight walks in a span of 52 2-3 innings. He has yielded just one earned run in 31 innings.

Lester extended his scoreless streak to 14 innings before Junichi Tazawa got the first out of the ninth. Edward Mujica retired the next two batters.

The first scored on Dustin Pedroia’s forceout at second base in the first, Daniel Nava hit a two-run double in the third, and Boston added three in the fourth on David Ross’ two-run homer and Nava’s sacrifice fly.

That was more than enough support for Lester as he keeps building a case for a lucrative contract following the one that expires after this season.

Boston entered the game in last place in the AL East, percentage points behind Tampa Bay, but won for the seventh time in eight games.

The Royals put runners at first and second in the first when Eric Hosmer was hit by a pitch with two outs, and Danny Valencia singled. But Alex Gordon flied to left.

Alcides Escobar was left on base after a one-out single in the second, and Lester retired eight consecutive batters before Escobar led off the fifth with a double. He reached third on a one-out groundout, but the threat ended when Lorenzo Cain flied out, leaving him hitless in 22 at bats.

Hosmer singled with one out in the sixth to extend his hitting streak to 16 games. After Valencia struck out, Gordon drew a walk, the first issued by Lester in three starts. But Butler grounded out.

Cain walked leading off the eighth, but Lester finished his outing by getting Omar Infante to ground into a double play before fanning Hosmer.

Brock Holt scored Boston’s first run after he and Nava singled. Nava’s double in the third came after a walk to Ross and a single by Jackie Bradley Jr. In the fourth, Shane Victorino doubled and scored on Ross’ sixth homer. Nava’s sacrifice fly drove in Bradley, who had singled.

NOTES: Boston 1B Mike Napoli had the day off after hitting the go-ahead solo homer in the sixth inning Saturday. … SS Escobar made an error in each of the three games. … Jeremy Guthrie (5-8) pitches for Kansas City against Sale (8-1). John Lackey (9-4) takes the mound for Boston against Drew Hutchison (6-8) when the Red Sox start a four-game series at Toronto.

FHSU Wrestling adds seven to 2014-15 recruiting class

Posted on July 18, 2014

FHSU Sports Information

Fort Hays State head wrestling coach Chas Thompson announced the signing of seven more wrestlers for the 2014-15 season, bringing his total recruiting class amount to eight. All seven were state placers in high school and enter their first year of college from the prep ranks. The latest signees include Brik Chesley, Kalin Collins, Casey Hilton, Skylar Hittle, William Homalon, Zach Kearney, and Justin Scott.

Chesley hails from Sparks, Nevada, where he was a two-time state placer for Spanish Springs High School. As a junior in 2013, he finished second in the state at 195 pounds and then took third place as a senior in 2014 in the same weight class. He is projected to wrestle at 285 pounds in college.

Collins, native of Wichita, Kansas, comes to FHSU from Wichita West High School. He was a three-time state placer, all at 160 pounds. His highest finish was second place in 2013 as a junior, while he finished third as a senior in 2014 and sixth as a sophomore in 2012. He was ranked No. 5 for all 160 pound wrestlers in the state of Kansas. He is projected to wrestle at 165 pounds in college.

Hilton, native of Marysville, Kansas, was a state placer as a senior in 2014 at Marysville High School. He finished fifth at 220 pounds and is projected to wrestle at 197 pounds in college.

Hittle is a three-time state placer at 195 pounds that hails from Concordia, Kansas. At Concordia High School, he claimed the state championship in class 4A as a junior in 2013 and finished second as a senior in 2014 after bouncing back from an injury in time to qualify for the state tournament. He also finished third in 2012 as a sophomore. He was ranked ninth for all 195 pound wrestlers in the state of Kansas. He is projected to wrestle at 197 pounds in college.

Homalon, native of Katy, Texas, was a two-time state champion at Morton Ranch High School. He topped the 126-pound class as a senior in 2014 and the 120-pound class as a junior in 2013. He is projected to wrestle at 133 pounds in college.

Kearney is also a two-time state champion from Reed Springs High School in Reed Springs, Missouri. Both of his state titles were at 220 pounds, earning top honors as a senior in 2014 and a junior in 2013. He is projected to wrestle at 285 pounds in college.

Keeping with the two-time state champion theme, Scott is a two-time state champion from Jefferson West High School. The Ozawkie, Kansas native moved up to 285 pounds as a senior in 2014, winning the state title, after winning the state title at 220 pounds the year before as a junior. He also finished second in the state at 220 pounds as a sophomore. He is projected to wrestle at 285 pounds in college.

These seven individuals join Cesar Regalado, who signed earlier with the Tigers from Pratt High School in Pratt, Kansas. Regalado was a two-time state champion for Pratt. He went undefeated as a senior at 120 pounds in 2014 and won the state title at 113 pounds as a junior. He also finished third at 113 pounds as a sophomore. He was the top ranked wrestler in 4A last year at 120 pounds and second ranked for all Kansas classes at that weight. He is projected to wrestle at 125 pounds.

Kansas State picked 3rd, Kansas 10th in Big 12 Preseason Football Poll

Posted on July 17, 2014July 17, 2014

The media’s Big 12 football preseason poll is out and Kansas State is picked finish third and Kansas 10th. Oklahoma is the media pick to the win conference title, just ahead of last year’s champ Baylor.

The third place pick is the Wildcats highest since the conference went to full round robin play in 2011. KSU picked up 377 points in the poll and ranks just ahead of Texas, which collected 376 points.

Oklahoma garnered 47-of-56 first-place votes and 548 total points to top the preseason rankings, while defending Big 12 champion Baylor received the other nine first-place nods and accumulated 508 points to place second.

Kansas mustered just 63 points, well behind ninth-place Iowa State who had 121.

2014 Big 12 Football Media Preseason Poll
1. Oklahoma (47) 548
2. Baylor (9) 508
3. K-State 377
4. Texas 376
5. Oklahoma State 312
6. Texas Tech 308
7. TCU 297
8. West Virginia 170
9. Iowa State 121
10. Kansas 63

Hays Expos claim World Series championship

Posted on July 17, 2014July 17, 2014

The 8u Hays Expos claimed the USSSA World Series in Liberty Missouri this past weekend.

The Expos dropped their first two games of pool play before winning four straight to reach the finals.

In the finals the Expos downed the KC Stars 13-12, in a rematch of earlier in the tournament.

Nascar legends coming to NW Kansas

Posted on July 16, 2014July 16, 2014

By John Schmidt

Thomas County Speedway will be hosting one of the biggest races in Northwest Kansas on Sunday July 20th.

NASCAR drivers Kenny Wallace and Kenny Schrader will be behind the wheel of IMCA Modifieds thanks to the great sponsorship of S&W Supply and Quality Inn of Colby.

Also rolling into town will be the BST Racing Series bringing IMCA Modifieds, Sport Mods, and Stock Cars.

The three BST classes and the IMCA Hobbies Stocks will be racing for substantially larger purses as well.

Kenny Schrader is one of the most iconic drivers in the entire sport of racing. He has been racing for over forty years and competed in some of the most prestigious divisions of asphalt and dirt track racing. Schrader raced in NASCAR’s top three series for over thirty years before he retired last November at Homestead Speedway in Miami, Florida.

When asked why he still races over sixty nights a year on dirt he replied “I love having the opportunity of racing some of the best drivers in the sport and still get a rush every time I buckle into the car.” Schrader will make the trip from St. Louis with his Impressive Chassis sponsored by Federated Auto Parts.

Lastly, he also said he was excited that his son will be traveling with him for the four day tour in Colorado and Kansas. Schrader has a great personality and is an easy going guy that you will want to make sure to meet.

A driver making a rare trip this far west for a dirt track race is Kenny Wallace.

He will be in one of the Brack’s IMCA Modifieds for the $1,000 to win race. Wallace is known as “Herm” by many of his fans. He is known for having just over 900 starts in NASCAR’s top three series and is the only driver to do such a thing.

The driver from St. Louis started out racing dirt tracks and he loves to stay close to those roots by racing over 60 nights a year as well. When he is not behind the wheel, he is in front of the TV camera for Fox Sports One.

Many race fans like Herm for his awesome and wild personality that we will be able to watch first hand at Thomas County Speedway.

The two racing legends will also be doing an interview either before or during the race on the front stretch.
This great race would not be possible without the two presenting sponsors of S&W Supply and Quality Inn. S&W Supply is a member of Federated Auto Parts and they are proud to be celebrating 80 years of serving their customers in Northwest Kansas. S&W Supply could not think of a better way to celebrate than with some special racing events and spectacular sales promotions.

S&W Supply would truly like to thank their loyal customers, business partners, suppliers, employees, and all the communities that S&W Supply is privileged to serve.

Fans are encouraged to stop by the Colby store to get half priced tickets for the event. In addition, Quality Inn is proud to be strongly involved in the community and with the Thomas County Speedway.

Also Quality Inn is proud to announce they are under new management and are about to start several remodeling projects. All drivers and fans traveling for the races should be sure to contact them for a special “Racer’s Rate”.

The promoters of Thomas County Speedway are proud to make this the largest purse of the season.

The Stock Cars and Modifieds will be racing for $1,000 to win and $100 to start the A feature. Then the Sport Mods and Hobby Stocks will compete for $500 to win and $50 to start the big show.

This is great news for the fans because the added money will mean the largest car count of the season and host some the best drivers in the country.

To make the action even more exciting, the track will be using the Draw Re-Draw format to determine starting position. This race will have a very large attendance so make sure to get your tickets online at brownpapertickets.com.

Hot Laps will be at 6:00 p.m. and racing will start at 7:00 p.m.

Make sure to check out thomascountyspeedway.com or their Facebook page for more details about the race.