EMPORIA, Kan. – The Fort Hays State baseball team earned a split with Emporia State on Monday (March 11) at Trusler Sports Complex. The Tiger bats came alive in the first contest, taking it by a score of 10-5, before falling in the night cap, 12-4. Because the series was originally scheduled as a home series for the Tigers, Fort Hays State played as the home team in both games. The Tigers moved to 2-15 overall and 2-7 in conference play, while the Hornets moved to 9-7 on the year and 6-3 in MIAA action.

Game One: Fort Hays State 10, Emporia State 5
The Hornets started the scoring in the second inning with a solo shot to left center off starter Ryan Ruder. In the home half, the Tigers were able to plate two runs themselves when Taylan Mullins-Ohm led off the frame with a single to right center. He came around to score after Jared Maneth blooped an RBI single to centerfield. The next batter, Landon Erway roped a double to left, scoring Maneth from first. FHSU took a 2-1 advantage into the third.

Emporia State pushed across two more runs in the third to regain the lead, 3-2. Ruder was able to strand two runners on base in the fourth before the Tigers were able to steal the lead once again, this time 4-3. Mullins-Ohm reached base for the second time with another single, then advanced to second when Ryan Stoecklein drew a walk. Garrett Francis reached on a Hornet error and Mullins-Ohm made his way back to home plate. Maneth pushed the Tiger lead to one run again after lifting a sacrifice fly to left field, plating Stoecklein.

Ruder was able to shut down the Hornets working around a single in the fifth. FHSU blew the game wide open in the home half when the Tigers were able to push across five runs. Three hits and a bases-loaded walk chased the Hornet’s starting pitcher, Ryan Lee. With the bases still juiced, Maneth earned his third and fourth RBI in the contest after lifting a single to right field. The Tigers weren’t done, however, as Erway roped a double down the right field line, playing Francis. Then Cody Starkel was able to sneak an RBI single through the left side of the infield, scoring Maneth.

An ESU home run to center cut the deficit to five runs in the sixth. Two innings later, Mullins-Ohm capped off the Tigers scoring after lifting a fly to left field, scoring Starkel. The Hornets picked up another run in the ninth before Jake Steinbring shut down ESU with a strikeout, ending the game and giving the Tigers their second conference win of the season.

Mullins-Ohm collected four of FHSU’s 14 hits, finishing 4-for-4 with three runs and one RBI. Maneth picked up four RBI in the victory. Four other Tigers earned multiple hits in the contest.

Ruder (1-2) completed six innings before being removed, allowing four runs (four earned) on seven hits while striking out three. Steinbring tossed 3.0 innings of relief, allowing one run on two hits and striking out four batters.

Game Two: Emporia State 12, Fort Hays State 4
In the nightcap, the offenses reversed fortunes for both teams. ESU lit up the scoreboard with a 12-run, 13-hit affair. The Tigers were only able to plate four runs on eight hits. Fort Hays State put two runs on the board when Starkel was able to put a ball through the left side, plating both Erway and Maneth.

ESU took the lead for good in the fourth frame with a five-run inning. The Tigers clawed back with two more runs on an error and back-to-back wild pitches, scoring Francis and Erway. The Hornets opened up the flood gates in the sixth after scoring on a Tiger throwing error and a grand slam from Connor Hurst. ESU padded their lead with a couple more runs in the top of the ninth after a solo shot to left field and an RBI single.

Cody Rottinghaus started the game on the mound for FHSU, allowing four runs on three hits, walking five and striking out four across 3.1 innings of work. Cole Zimmerman (0-4) was charged with the loss after allowing six runs on six hits in 2.1 innings. Jake Taylor came on to finish off the game spanning the final 3.1 innings, allowing two runs on four hits and picking up two strikeouts.

Fort Hays State will come back home for their next series with Missouri Southern this weekend (March 15-17). First pitch from Larks Park on Friday is slated for 3 p.m.

By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports Writer

The Kansas City Chiefs released veteran linebacker Justin Houston on Sunday after they were unable to drum up enough trade interest, ending the tenure of one of the best pass rushers in club history.

The Chiefs had made it clear they would trade or release Houston this offseason, primarily because of his cost. He was due $15.25 million and carried a salary cap hit of $21.1 million, numbers that would have made it nearly impossible to make other much-needed upgrades to their defense.

The move means the Chiefs will free up $14 million and make the four-time Pro Bowl selection a free agent when the period begins Wednesday. The Chiefs will also take on $7.1 million in dead money.

“Justin has made a lasting impact on this franchise and I can’t thank him enough for his contributions over the years,” Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said in a statement.

“These decisions are never easy,” Veach said. “I have a great deal of respect for Justin as a player and person and I wish him and his family the best moving forward.”

The 30-year-old Houston was a third-round pick of the Chiefs out of Georgia who quickly became a fan-favorite, not to mention one of the team’s most visible leaders. He wound up starting 96 of the 102 games he appeared in over eight seasons, and his best season came in 2014, when Houston shattered the franchise record with 22 sacks and was voted a first-team All-Pro.

He parlayed that season into a $101 million, six-year deal in 2015 that was at the time a record for a defensive player. But he has been slowed by injuries the past four seasons, and despite continuing to pile up sacks, Houston has been unable to keep up the pace that landed him the lucrative deal.

As the Chiefs try to rebuild one of the league’s worst defenses, and provide some help to one of the NFL’s best offenses, it became apparent that Houston’s days in Kansas City were numbered.

“Over the last eight seasons we’ve had the ability to watch Justin grow into a leader on and off the playing field,” Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt said. “His passion helped him become one the most successful pass rushers in franchise history. We appreciate his contributions to our team and community.”

Houston departs Kansas City with 78 1/2 sacks, trailing only Derrick Thomas (126 1/2), former teammate Tamba Hali (89 1/2) and Neil Smith (85 1/2) for the most in franchise history.

He should have no shortage of suitors after seasons of 9 1/2 sacks two years ago and nine more last season, provided he convince a club that he can remain healthy. Houston has experienced with elbow and knee injuries that have allowed him to play 16 games in a season just twice.

The Chiefs used their franchise tag on fellow pass rusher Dee Ford, though it’s possible they could still trade him. Other premier edge rushers that were franchised include DeMarcus Lawrence, Jadeveon Clowney and Frank Clark, and that could create a more robust market for Houston.

Working against him is the fact pass rusher may be the most stacked part of April’s draft.

“You can never have enough of that,” Veach said. “It’s a really intriguing class. I think it’s been mentioned multiple times throughout the first few days, the defensive line this year is really deep. There are a lot of players, pass-rushers, interior pass-rushers, run players, there’s a lot of depth at that position. I certainly think there will be a lot of names from those defensive players called early on.”

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — There was one thing Kansas State seniors Barry Brown, Dean Wade and Kamau Stokes wanted to cross off their lists as they played their final home game for the Wildcats: win a Big 12 regular-season title.

Check.

Stokes scored 19 points and No. 18 Kansas State clinched a share of the conference title with a 68-53 victory over Oklahoma on Saturday night.

Brown added 15 points and Wade had 11 as the Wildcats (24-7, 14-4) finished atop the conference for the second time in 42 years, and first since 2013.The three seniors capped senior night by hoisting the Big 12 title in front of a sold-out crowd after winning just five conference games their freshman year.

“It was tough to only win five games that year,” Brown said. “When we came, this program was rebuilding and we knew that, but they allowed us to come in and play and get better every year.”

Kansas State is co-champions with No. 8 Texas Tech (26-5, 14-4), which topped Iowa State 80-73 earlier Saturday.

Kristian Doolittle scored 14 points and Jamal Bieniemy 12 for the Sooners (19-12, 7-11).

“We were down by 10 at the half, so obviously didn’t do what we needed,” coach Lon Kruger said. “They dictated pretty much throughout the game, but they are a good team.”

Kruger won two conference championships when he played at Kansas State in 1972 and ’73.

“Just respect for what Bruce Weber has done,” he said. “He has been fantastic throughout his career and to win a conference championship is great for Bruce.”

K-State was dominant on the offensive boards, grabbing 11 rebounds and scoring 16 second-chance points.

The Wildcats also used nine three pointers, including four from Stokes and held the Sooners to only five.

Stokes started the second half by scoring eight straight points in a 10-1 run for the Wildcats, which gave K-State a 42-23 lead with 17 minutes to play. The Wildcats never looked back and led by as many as 29 in the win.

“I told them those first five minutes were very important,” Weber said. “To do something special, it doesn’t come easy. But this was easier than I thought it would be.”

Brady Manek was ejected late in the second half after a flagrant 2 foul.

As Brown and Wade walked off the court one final time, they both kissed the Powercat logo in the middle of the floor to show their appreciation of K-State.

“It’s been an incredible ride here at Bramlage and it means so much to cap it off being Big 12 champs,” Wade said. “It’s been an incredible journey and you couldn’t write it any better way.”

It’s tough to make a run in the NCAA Tournament, but Weber thinks this Wildcat grouped is equipped to do anything.

“We told our guys this is one phase of our mission this year,” he said. “We have to keep moving forward, there’s a lot more stuff to add to their rings.”

BIG PICTURE

Oklahoma: The Sooners are playing much better since the middle of February and look much better than they did six games ago.

K-State: Won their first Big 12 regular-season title in six years and the second under Weber. K-State has won five of its last six games heading into the conference tournament.

UP NEXT

Oklahoma: Takes on 10th-seeded West Virginia on Wednesday night in the opening round of the Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City, Missouri.

K-State: Will play the winner of No. 8 seed TCU and ninth-seeded Oklahoma State on Thursday.

HUTCHINSON – The TMP Monarchs magical postseason run came to an end Saturday with a fourth-place finish at the 3A state tournament in Hutchinson after suffering a 57-49 loss to Perry-Lecompton.

Bill Meagher postgame

The Monarchs and the Kaws traded a pair of early buckets in the first quarter before Perry-Lecompton outscored TMP 12-5 to end the first quarter to take a 16-9 lead after one.

The Kaws opened a nine-point lead to begin the second quarter at 20-11 with six minutes to play in the quarter.

Down nine Jared Mayers scored on back-to-back field goals, including a two-handed jam that helped to spark a 15-7 TMP run that got them back within one at 27-26 with under two minutes left in the first half but Perry-Lecompton took a 31-26 lead into the halftime break.

The Monarchs opened the second half on an 11-0 run and held Perry-Lecompton scoreless for more than 4:30 as they built a 37-31 lead. But the Kaws answered right back with a 6-0 of their own to tie the game at 37.

TMP was able to take a 41-39 lead into the fourth quarter thanks to back-to-back field goals from Ryan Karlin and Jackson Schulte.

The Kaws retook the lead to open the fourth quarter before Karlin knocked down a three pointed that tied the game at 46.

Unfortunately for the Monarchs that would be the closest they would get down the stretch as the Kaws finished the game on an 11-3 run, holding the Monarchs to just one field goal in the final 4:35.

Jackson Schulte and Jared Mayers led the way for the Monarchs with 11 points each. Ryan Karlin finished with 10 points.

The Monarchs finished the season 14-13.

Game highlights

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Dedric Lawson scored 23 points, including 11 of 12 from the free-throw line, to help No. 13 Kansas beat Baylor 78-70 Saturday and stay undefeated at home.

The performance came hours after Lawson was announced on the ballot for the Wooden Award.

Yet on senior night in Allen Fieldhouse, a trio of Kansas freshmen impressed. Devon Dotson, David McCormack and Quentin Grimes had 15, 12 and nine points, respectively. Kansas (23-8, 12-6 Big 12) fielded no seniors for the first time since 2007. The Jayhawks lone senior Lagerald Vick left the team earlier this season for personal reasons.

Jared Butler led the way for Baylor (19-12, 10-8 Big 12), scoring a career-high 31 points in 36 minutes. It was a big game for the freshman, who was averaging 9.6 points.

Kansas took advantage of Baylor’s zone defense throughout the game, scoring 36 points in the paint. That included 18 of Kansas’ 32 points in the first half. Baylor’s strong rebounding presence was heavily tested, and both teams finished with 43.

Kansas led 32-29 at halftime. A four-point possession five minutes in the second half turned the game in the Jayhawks’ favor.

Baylor forward Flo Thamba was called for a flagrant one foul after the referees deemed he purposely pushed his hand into the face of Lawson. He made both free throws and was fouled again by Thamba after the inbounds play, with Lawson making both again.

Kansas took a 44-35 lead after the possession and maintained it the rest of the game.

With their Big 12 Tournament quarterfinal opponents already decided and neither team playing for the regular-season title, there was little at stake aside from an improved resume come Selection Sunday.

BIG PICTURE

Kansas: The Jayhawks finish the season 16-0 in Allen Fieldhouse, marking the 20th time in program history that Kansas has done so. It’s the first time since 2015-16 than Kansas has accomplished the feat and the seventh time during the Bill Self era.

Baylor: Despite the loss, the Bears finished the Big 12 regular season with double-digit wins for the sixth time in 10 seasons. Before 2010, they hadn’t finished conference play with double-digit wins since 1988 when they competed in the Southwest Conference.

UP NEXT

Kansas: The Jayhawks enter as the No. 3 seed in the Big 12 Tournament at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri. They will play 6th-seeded Texas on Thursday.

Baylor: Will play Iowa State on Thursday in the Big 12 Tournament.

HUTCHINSON – Fresh off their best offensive performance of the season the night before the TMP-Marian Monarchs struggled Friday night in a 62-50 loss to Girard in the 3A state semifinals at the Hutchinson Sports Arena.

Bill Meagher postgame interview

The Monarchs opened up the game on a 7-2 run sparked by a Jackson Schulte three pointer and it appeared that the Monarchs would follow up Thursday’s hot shooting with another impressive performance but unfortunately the Monarchs would only hit two more three’s as they shot just 3-16 from three for 19%.

Even as the shooting woes continued the Monarchs were able to go step-for-step with the Trojans.

Girard used a 10-3 first quarter run to build a 15-12 lead after the first quarter.

The Trojans were able to build a five point lead a couple of times midway through the second quarter but Grant Ginther and Jackson Schulte completed a pair of three-point plays that cut the Trojans lead to 29-28 at the break.

With 6:00 left in the third quarter the Monarchs had closed within two at 34-32 only to see Girard outscore the Monarchs 12-3 to end the quarter and take a 48-37 lead into the fourth.

Girard was able to maintain the double-figure lead the rest of the way as they picked up the 62-50 win.

Jackson Schulte led the Monarchs with 13 points and Jared Mayers chipped in 11.

Game highlights

The loss drops TMP to 14-12 and they will take on Perry-Lecompton in the third place game Saturday.

Girard will face off with Beloit in the championship game.