The Kansas Shrine Bowl is coming back to Hays. Wednesday morning officials from Fort Hays State and the Kansas Shriners announced Hays has been selected to host the 2015 Shrine Bowl All-Star Football Game.
This will be the fourth time the game will be played at FHSU’s Lewis Field. The last time was in 2011. The two previous Shrine Bowl games in Hays were 10 years apart, in 1997 and 2007.
The Shrine Bowl also includes a band camp, cheer camp and cross country camp, with participants from across Kansas taking part in each event.
Kansas Shrine Bowl Executive Director Jeff Boone and FHSU Athletic Director Curtis Hammeke
The game will feature some of the state’s best just graduated seniors from across Kansas. In addition to the football game, the weekend will consist of a parade through downtown Hays, a 2-mile Open Race and a participant banquet at the Ellis County Fairgrounds.
The events produced by the Kansas Shrine Bowl bring attention not only to the state’s finest young talents but are put on primarily to raise money for the Shriners Hospitals for Children. Children are treated at no cost in Shriners Hospitals for Children, regardless of race, religion, nationality, creed or relationship to a Shriner. Since 2010, over $2.5 million dollars has been raised by the Kansas Shrine Bowl for the care and treatment of children. There are currently about 950 Kansas children receiving expert medical care and treatment at one of the 22 Shriners Hospitals for Children around the world.
The 2015 Kansas Shrine Bowl All-Star Football Game is tentatively scheduled for July 25th.
Jason Zgardowski pitched 7 1/3 solid innings on a hot and muggy day in Wichita, leading the Hays Larks to a 6-2 win over the San Diego Stars in an elimination game Monday afternoon at the NBC World Series. The victory improves the Larks to 35-12 overall and 2-1 in the tournament where they will play another elimination game Wednesday.
Zgardowski worked out of a bases-loaded no-out jam in the bottom of the second, inducing two popups and a groundout. He allowed one unearned run on seven hits, striking out three and walking two for his fifth win of the season.
Aaron Cornell would manufacture a run in the top of the third when he reached on an error then stole second and third. Cornell scored when the throw to third was wild and landed in left field.
A bases-loaded walk to Jake Placzek in the fourth pushed the Larks lead to 2-0. They would go up 4-1 with two in the seventh highlighted by Zair Koeiman’s two-out RBI single. Taylor Petersen hit a two-run double to left in the eighth to make it 6-1.
Placzek and Petersen had two of the Larks 11 hits while Cornell reached base five times. The Larks also turned four double plays in the game, giving them seven for the tournament
Fort Hays State Coach Chris Brown at MIAA Media Day
Fort Hays State football was picked eighth in both the 2013 MIAA Coaches and Media Preseason Polls, released on Monday morning (Aug. 5) at MIAA Football Media Day in Kansas City, Mo. The Tigers are picked in a similar spot to where they finished last year, when they went 5-6 overall and 4-6 in the MIAA, tying for ninth in the conference standings.
The Tigers saw an improvement in wins in Chris Brown’s second year as head coach, one game better than the 4-7 overall mark in his first year of 2011. The Tigers matched their highest amount of wins in MIAA play for a season with four, also accomplished by the 2009 team. This is the eighth year of competition for Fort Hays State in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association.
Fort Hays State opens practice next week on a brand new artificial turf surface at Lewis Field Stadium. The field will have a new look in 2013 as the 50-yardline now features the Tiger logo and the endzones are black with gold lettering. The finishing touches are being performed on the Schmidt-Bickle Indoor Training Facility right next to the stadium for use in the coming weeks.
The Tigers have just eight starters from the 2012 season returning, four on offense and four on defense. Defensive back Micheal Jordan is the only All-MIAA selection from 2012 to return. The Tigers do have the running back combo of Andre and Edward Smith back in 2012, after both went down with season ending injuries early last year and received medical redshirts. Andre Smith was an All-MIAA selection in 2011 as a junior that ran for 963 yards and Edward Smith added 748 yards on the ground that season. The pair combined for 1,711 rushing yards in 2011.
Returning starters on offense for FHSU include sophomore offensive linemen Matt Erbert and Jarred Stindt, and senior wide receivers Tanner Hageman and Keaton Callins. Returning starters on defense include senior defensive lineman Basil Bandy, senior defensive back Stephen Marcotte, junior defensive back Micheal Jordan, and junior defensive lineman Jesse Trent.
Missouri Western and Northwest Missouri State tied for first in the coaches vote, each gaining 159 votes and six first place votes each. Pittsburg State grabbed two first place votes in third. In the media poll, Northwest Missouri State edged Missouri Western slightly with 300 votes to 294. Both teams received 10 first place votes in that poll. Missouri Western was the regular season champion last year and joined Northwest Missouri State as teams from the MIAA in the NCAA Playoffs last year.
Fort Hays State grabbed 70 votes in the coaches poll to sit alone in eighth and tied for eighth in the media poll with Missouri Southern, each with 138 votes.
Below are the preseason polls for the 2013 season…
2013 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll
T1. Missouri Western (6) 159
T1. Northwest Missouri (6) 159
3. Pittsburg State (2) 145
4. Central Missouri 119
5. Lindenwood 117
6. Washburn 116
7. Emporia State 113 8. Fort Hays State 70
9. Missouri Southern 68
10. Central Oklahoma 57
11. Northeastern State 56
12. Nebraska-Kearney 51
13. Southwest Baptist 30
14. Lincoln 14
2013 MIAA Preseason Media Poll
1. Northwest Missouri (10) 300
2. Missouri Western (10) 294
3. Pittsburg State (2) 276
4. Washburn 231
5. Lindenwood 221
6. Central Missouri 205
7. Emporia State (1) 197 T8. FortHaysState 138
T8. Missouri Southern 138
10. Northeastern State 125
11. Central Oklahoma 113
12. Nebraska-Kearney 96
13. Southwest Baptist 52
14. Lincoln 29
For a second night in a row, the Hays Larks bats were silent as they fall to the Hutchinson Monarchs 3-1 at the NBC World Series in Wichita. The loss drops the Larks to 34-12 overall and 1-1 in the tournament where they will face the winner of the early Monday morning game between the the San Diego Force and San Diego Stars at 4pm Monday.
The Monarchs took advantage of a walk and two hit batters, scoring two in the third. They took a 3-0 lead in the seventh, scoring on a bases loaded balk from Graylon Brown.
The Larks loaded the bases with one out in both the eighth and the ninth and only mustered the one run on a hit by pitch in the eighth. Jake Placzek struck out and Ty Gilmore grounded to short to end the game.
Kyle Simonds pitched seven shutout innings, striking out six and walking two for his first win of the summer. Junior Mustain pitched the final inning and a third for the save as the Monarchs (25-21) move to 2-0 in the tournament.
Nick Goza takes the loss for the Larks, allowing all three runs, two earned on four hits, striking out a season high six and walking two and hitting two.
The Hays Eagles are back to back state champions of the American Legion AAA State Tournament.
Hays took on Newton who advanced to the finals with a 18-12 win that took three and half hours. Almost out of pitching and having played two games in the past 16 hours the Knights looked to piece together a win using a new pitcher every two innings.
Each Newton and Hays scored one run in the first inning. Hays caught their first break in the bottom of the second inning. With runners on second and third, Clayton Basgall laced a ground ball to the Newton short stop. The ensuing throw sailed over the first base plating two Eagle runs. Hays followed that up with two additional runs to lead 5-1 after two innings.
Newton responded with six consecutive singles in the top of the fourth to tie the game at five. Hays scored two more in the bottom of the fourth take a 7-6 lead and never trailed again. Newton pulled the score to 7-6 after five, but three more in the bottom of the sixth inning gave Hays their second four run lead at 10-6.
The Eagles went on for an 11-8 win and went a perfect 4-0 in the state tournament. Hays had 14 hits, let by the three of Dan Bittel. Bittel also plated a high three runs. Chandler Rule was given an award for the highest batting average in the tournament, going 12-19.
Marcus Altman picks up the win going five innings and allowing six runs. Brady Bieker earned the save with four innings of work allowing just two runs and five hits.
The Eagles advance to the Regional Tournament held at North Little Rock Arkansas starting on Thursday. Hays will play the first game on Thursday at 9:30 against the state champion from Mississippi.
Chandler Hawkins and David Owen combine on a four-hit shutout as the Hays Larks edge the Case Grande (AZ) Cotton Kings 1-0 Saturday night in their opener at the NBC World Series at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium in Wichita. The Larks advance to play the Hutchinson Monarchs on Sunday. The Monarchs advanced with a 2-1 Saturday morning over the San Luis Obispo (CA) Blues.
Chandler Hawkins pitched 8 1/3 scoreless innings, striking out six and walking none but left with runners at second and third with one out in the ninth. David Owen came in to record the final two outs for the save.
Spencer Neve scored the Larks only run in the top of the seventh. After being hit by a pitch to open the inning, he moved to second on Jake Placzek’s sacrifice bunt. With two outs, Aaron Cornell reached on an infield to single to shortstop. A wild throw allowed Neve to score.
The Larks squandered scoring chances in the fourth, fifth and sixth ininngs. Clayton Garland doubled with one out in the fourth the moved to third on a passed ball but was left stranded when Taylor Peterson and Brent Gillespie struck out. An inning later they loaded the bases with two outs but Aaron Cornell fouled out to first to end the threat. In the sixth, Brent Gillespie walked and Zair Koeiman was hit by a pitch with two outs, but Desmond Roberts struck out to end the threat.
The Hays Monarchs season came to an end Saturday afternoon at the AA State American Legion Baseball tournament in Pratt with a 5-4 loss to Rock Creek.
Hays and Rock Creek were scheduled to play Friday night but severe weather pushed the elimination game to Saturday.
Hays’ Pierce Schippers struggled with his command lasting just 2/3 of an inning allowing one run on one hit and walking three. The Monarchs would answer with two run in their half of the first to take a 2-1 lead.
The Monarchs opened to bottom of the first with two runs to take a 2-1 lead. Shane Zimmerman drove in a run on a groundout to second.
The Monarchs added another run in the second when Taylor Wasinger led off the inning, stole second and came around to score on a passed ball putting Hays up 3-1.
Despite leading 3-1 the Monarchs didn’t get their first hit until fourth inning.
Hays added one more run in the fifth on an RBI single by Wasinger putting the Monarchs up 4-2 after five.
Rock Creek added a run in the sixth and the scored two more in the seventh to take a 5-4 lead and they would go on to win the game.
Hays finished 2-2 at the AA State Tournament and 20-15 on the summer.
The Hays Monarchs stayed alive at the AA American Legion State Baseball tournament in Pratt with a 6-5 win over the Ellis American Legion Friday afternoon.
The Hays Monarchs scored a run in the top of the first, added two more in the fourth and fifth innings and one more in the sixth inning on their way to the 6-5 win.
Hays’ Taylor Rome scored the first run on an error by Ellis’ shortstop Koltyn Ratliff. Despite loading the bases two different times in the first Ellis wasn’t able to get on the board until the fifth inning.
The Monarchs scored two more runs in the fourth to take a 3-0 lead. Grant Romme led off the inning with a walk and came around to score on an RBI double by Cameron Brin. The Monarchs then loaded the bases and Pierce Schippers scored drove in a run with a bases loaded walk.
Ellis got on the board in the fourth with a sacrifice fly by Brandon Bollig that scored Trevor Hawkins.
With Hays leading 5-1, Ellis’ big inning came in the bottom of the fifth scoring three times cutting the Monarch’s lead to 5-4. Nathan Frame reached on an error to lead off the inning and came around to score on a single by Koltyn Ratliff. Then with the bases loaded, Ratliff scored on a single put Scott Pfeifer and Brandon Bollig drove in the third run of the inning and a sacrifice fly to center.
The Monarchs added another run in the sixth when Pierce Schippers led off the inning with a double and came around to score on a Taylor Wasinger groundout.
Ellis got a run back in the sixth when Nathan Frame walked, stole second, advanced to third and a passed ball and scored on a passed ball, cutting the Hays lead to 6-5 and the Monarchs would hold on to win.
Scott Pfiefer was 3-for-4 with 3 RBI and Trevor Hawkins finished 3-for-4 for Ellis.
The Monarchs Cameron Brin was 2-for-4 with and RBI and Ryan Schippers finished 2-for-5 with an RBI.
Ellis finishes the season 20-9 while the Monarchs are now 20-14.
The Monarchs were supposed to play Rock Creek, the winner of the other loser’s bracket game, (5-0 over Concordia) Friday night but severe weather force Friday night’s game to be played Saturday morning.
The winner’s bracket game, between Sabetha and Iola was suspended in the seventh inning and they will try an finish the game at 10:30 Saturday morning with Hays and Rock Creek to follow.
Hays and Pittsburg played what will go down as one of the wildest State Legion games in recent memory. Leading 1-0 through the first three innings, the Hays Eagles walked two batters and committed an error in the bottom of the fourth inning as Pittsburg took a 5-1 lead. Pittsburg added two more runs in the bottom of the fifth increasing their lead to 7-1.
With the same score heading into the top of the 7th inning, the Hays bats finally came alive. Clayton Basgall drove in Jake Sebrook and then a two rbi double by Layne Down cut the score down to 7-4. The Eagles then re-took the lead in the top of the eighth inning on a two-rbi triple by Hayden Hutchison. In the inning Hays scored six runs on four hits and were helped by two Pittsburg errors.
With Hays leading 10-7, it didn’t take long for Pittsburg to respond in the bottom of the eighth. Pittsburg plated five runs on five singles to take a 12-10 lead.
But Hays would respond. Jake Sedbrook led off the inning with a single and then moved to second on a sac bunt by Kyler Niernberger, his third of the night. After a Clayton Basgall strike-out and two outs in the top of the ninth, Dan Bittel singled and scored Sedbrook. Bittel then stole second base. Down to their last strike Hutchison, lined a single into shallow left field. Bittel had broke to third on the pitch and was able to score with no play at the plate tying the game up at 10.
Pittsburg got the winning runner on board in the bottom of the 9th but a double play and fly ball ended the frame.
Hays continued to swing a hot stick scoring six more in the top of the tenth and Pittsburg went three up three down to end the game 18-12.
Hays pounded out 23 hits, while Pittsburg had 16.
Hutchison picked up the win in relief of Basgall going six and third inning. Pittsburg used five pitchers in the game.
Offensively Hutchison drove in six runs, while Sedbrook scored four times and had four hits. Basgall also scored four times and Bittle crossed the plate three times.
All told the teams combined for 397 pitches, 39 hits, 30 runs, 10 extra base hits, 7 pitchers, 107 plate appearance, in a game that took 3 hours and 35 minutes.
Hays advances to the championship game and play at 3:00 against the winner of the elimination game between Pittsburg and Newton at 12:00.
Sabetha scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to down the Ellis American Legion Thursday night 10-9.
Ellis opened the scoring in the top of the first inning with an RBI single by Nathan Frame that scored Cole Preifer.
Sabetha answered with four runs in the bottom of the inning, highlighted by a three-run homer by Taylor Bauman.
Ellis cut the lead to 4-3 with two runs in the top of the second on a Cole Pfeifer two run single.
With Sabetha leading 5-3 Ellis scored three runs in the fourth inning to take a 6-5 lead. Cole Pfeifer drove in the first run on a fielder’s choice and Koltyn Ratliff singled in two more runs to take the lead.
Ellis added one more in the top of the sixth on a sacrifice fly by Chase Rutherford giving Ellis a 7-5 lead.
Sabetha answered with three runs in the sixth taking an 8-7 lead.
In the top of the seventh Ellis get a one out single by Scott Preifer, Pfeifer then stole second and scored on an RBI single by Cole Pfeifer tying the game at 8. Cadyn McCoy followed with an RBI double scoring Cole Pfeifer and giving Ellis a 9-8 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh.
Sabetha, trailing 9-8, loaded the bases on three straight walks in the bottom of the seventh and Kyle Stallbuamer singled in two runs giving Sabetha the walk-off win, 10-9.
Cole Pfeifer finished 2-for-3 with 4 RBI for Ellis.
Ellis is 20-8 on the season and they will take on the Hays Monarchs in an elimination game at 12:30 Friday afternoon.
Hays 16 Finney County 4 (8 innings) The Hays Eagles and Pittsburg are the only remaining undefeated teams at the American Legion AAA State Tournament.
After a run-away win on Wednesday night, Hays trailed Finney County 2-0 after the first inning. The Blues had only one hit, but took advantage of an Eagle error and walk to plate two runs.
Hays responded by scoring run in each of the next five innings to take a 11-4 lead after six innings, before ending the game one inning early 16-4. The Eagles took the lead for good with a Chandler Rule RBI single in the top of the third inning. Rule finished the night 5-6, scoring three runs and knocking two more in. Rule led the 19 hit attack that left the Eagles as one of two remaining teams to be undefeated in the tournament. Layne Downing and John Griffth each had three hits.
Kade Parker (5-2) threw a complete game four hitter, walking three and striking out nine. After allowing two runs in the bottom of the first inning, Parker retired 13 consecutive batters.
Pittsburg 8 Arkansas City 5 Pittsburg and Hays will face off as the final two undefeated teams in the state tournament for a second consecutive year.
Pittsburg landed their bid into the game scoring three in the bottom of the sixth inning to take their first lead of the game. Nate Grimaldi scored four runs for Pittsburg and Nicholas Cage picked up the win. Arkansas City had their chance in the top of the ninth inning though. With two outs Ark City drew two walks and had the tying run at the plate before Luke Marquardt came in to face one batter and earn the save.
Elimination games
Newton 6 Salina 3 Keil Stauffer pitched a complete nine inning game for Newton to keep their state tournament alive. Newton was held to just six hits, but Gunnar Drinnen was able to score twice to lead the Knights to the victory.
Emporia 8 Leavenworth 5 Emporia staved off elimination by collecting 14 hits against Leavenworth. Braxton Marstall and Brady Baumgardner each scored two runs in the victory. Tanner Boucher picked up the win. Issac Hall earned the save.
The Hays Monarchs used two different three-run innings and a solid pitching performance from Shane Zimmerman to stay alive, with a 6-5 win over Wellington, at the AA State American Legion Tournament in Pratt Thursday morning.
The Monarchs took advantage of four first inning walks to score three runs on just one hit. Ryan Shippers drew a bases loaded walk to score the first run of the game and Shane Zimmerman and Pierce Shippers both drove in a run on sacrifice fly giving Hays a 3-0 lead after the first.
Wellington scored four runs in their half of the third to take a 4-3 lead. The Monarchs answered with three more in their half of the fourth.
Taylor Wasinger led off the inning with a single and came around to score on a Kameron Schmidt RBI single, tying the game at 4. Schmidt then stole second and scored on a Cameron Brin triple giving the Monarchs a 5-4 lead. Brin scored on a groundout by Braiden Werth to put Hays up 6-4.
Wellington added one more in the fourth to cut the lead to 6-5 and the Monarchs would go on to win by that margin.
Shane Zimmerman earned the win for Hays. He allowed five runs on six hits over seven innings and struck-out 10.
Cameron Brin was 1-for-3 with a triple with an RBI and scored two runs. Kameron Schmidt finished 1-for-2 with two stolen bases.
The Monarchs will play the loser of Thursday night’s game between Ellis and Sabetha at 12:30 Friday morning.
In the other early game Rock Creek eliminated host Pratt 10-2.
The Kansas Shrine Bowl is coming back to Hays. Wednesday morning officials from Fort Hays State and the Kansas Shriners announced Hays has been selected to host the 2015 Shrine Bowl All-Star Football Game.
