MANHATTAN, Kan. – K-State Athletics officials announced today that fewer than 250 scattered singles and a limited number of standing-room only tickets remain for next Saturday’s game against Nicholls as the Wildcats are closing in on selling out the home opener for an 11th-straight year.

The scattered singles and SRO tickets are priced at $19 apiece. Fans wishing to purchase tickets can do so online at www.k-statesports.com/tickets, by phone at 1-800-221-CATS or at the main ticket office inside Bramlage Coliseum.

Fans looking for contiguous reserved ticket options for the contest against the Colonels can visit Vivid Seats, the official secondary ticket partner of K-State Athletics, by clicking here.

A select number of full season ticket packages are still available, including the 100-percent mobile Flex season ticket that gives you the best remaining seats to each home game for just $199.

Next Saturday’s game against Nicholls is the first for the many gameday improvements at Bill Snyder Family Stadium, which are outlined here. Fans are also reminded of the same security procedures – headlined by the clear bag and metal detector policies – that have been in place for home contests the past few seasons.

Tickets for the September 7 home game against Bowling Green remain on sale. Those tickets can be purchased by visiting www.kstatesports.com/tickets, by phone at 1-800-221-CATS or by visiting the main ticket office inside Bramlage Coliseum.

– k-statesports.com –

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Jack Flaherty pitched six scoreless innings, Marcell Ozuna homered and drove in three runs, and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Colorado Rockies 8-3. The Cardinals moved back into first place in the NL Central, one-half game ahead of the Chicago Cubs, who lost to Washington earlier Friday. The Cardinals have won five of six and 11 of 14. The Rockies lost for the fourth time in five games and fell to 18-37 since June 21. Flaherty allowed three hits, struck out nine and walked one.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Brad Hand bounced back from his recent struggles to record his 30th save, Francisco Lindor hit a two-run homer and the Cleveland Indians defeated the Kansas City Royals 4-1. The All-Star closer, who had blown three consecutive saves, gave up a leadoff single to Alex Gordon in the ninth. Pinch-hitter Cheslor Cuthbert bounced into a double play, extending his hitless streak to 0 for 39, and Bubba Starling grounded out to end the game.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Having last season’s opener washed out by weather set Iowa State back in 2018. This season, the Cyclones couldn’t have asked for a better start. No. 21 Iowa State opens play Aug. 31 at home against Northern Iowa. The Cyclones then get a weekend off before hosting 20th-ranked Iowa on Sept. 14.

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — There is an unusual name game going on in the University of Kansas football program. There’s Miles Kendrick and Miles Fallin. There is also Manny Miles and Ben Miles. Throw in new coach Les Miles and you have miles and miles of Miles in Lawrence these days.

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) — Oklahoma State hasn’t announced a starting quarterback and coach Mike Gundy will not reveal his plans for the position before the Cowboys’ season opener next Friday night at Oregon State. Both redshirt freshman Spencer Sanders and Hawaii grad transfer Dru Brown have been competing for the job since the spring, and both have performed well. Both will likely see action.

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — The NCAA has granted immediately eligibility to West Virginia wide receiver Sean Ryan. Ryan is a sophomore who transferred to West Virginia from Temple in May. The 6-foot-4 Ryan had 12 receptions for 162 yards and one touchdown as a freshman at Temple.

National Headlines

ATLANTA (AP) _ Justin Thomas was the FedEx Cup leader late in the second round of the Tour Championship in Atlanta. Thomas was 3 under through 16 holes today, putting him 13 under as he seeks to win the FedEx bonus. Brooks Koepka (KEHP’-kuh) was one shot back and two ahead of Rory McIlroy, both with two holes left in their round.

UNDATED (AP) _ Carolina Panthers general manager Marty Hurney says Cam Newton has a mid-foot sprain and he’s “cautiously optimistic” the quarterback will be ready for the Sept. 8 regular season opener against the Los Angeles Rams. Newton injured his left foot while trying to avoid a sack during the first quarter of Thursday’s preseason loss at New England. The 2015 league MVP left the stadium in a walking boot and didn’t address the media before boarding the team bus.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. (AP) _ Sean Clifford has won Penn State’s quarterback competition and will start the season opener against Idaho on Aug. 31. Clifford was expected to win the starting job after longtime backup Tommy Stevens transferred to Mississippi State following spring practice. Clifford had been battling freshman Will Levis for the spot. He completed all five of his passes last season for 195 yards and two touchdowns, including a school-record 95-yarder against Kent State.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) _ Wisconsin football officials say the NCAA has restored receiver Quintez Cephus’ eligibility following his sexual assault acquittal. Cephus was suspended from the team in August 2018 after prosecutors charged him with sexually assaulting two women in his apartment the preceding April. The university expelled him earlier this year before he finished the spring semester, but a jury acquitted him of the charges this month.

LOS ANGELES (AP) _ A person familiar with the decision says the Los Angeles Lakers intend to sign center Dwight Howard once he finalizes his buyout with the Memphis Grizzlies. He will be the ostensible replacement for DeMarcus Cousins, who tore a knee ligament one month after signing with the Lakers as a free agent. Howard spent one infamous season with the Lakers, with Kobe Bryant and coach Mike D’Antoni before spurning the club as a free agent in the summer of 2013.

Friday Scores

INTERLEAGUE
Final Boston 11 San Diego 0
Final N-Y Yankees 10 L-A Dodgers 2

AMERICAN LEAGUE
Final Tampa Bay 7 Baltimore 1
Final Cleveland 4 Kansas City 1
Final Chi White Sox 8 Texas 3
Final Houston 5 L-A Angels 4
Final Detroit 9 Minnesota 6
Final Seattle 7 Toronto 4

NATIONAL LEAGUE
Final Washington 9 Chi Cubs 3
Final Pittsburgh 3 Cincinnati 2
Final Milwaukee 6 Arizona 1
Final St. Louis 8 Colorado 3
Final Miami 19 Philadelphia 11
Final Atlanta 2 N-Y Mets 1 (14 Innings)

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE PRESEASON
Final Tampa Bay 13 Cleveland 12
Final Buffalo 24 Detroit 20

By STEVE HERRICK
Associated Press

CLEVELAND — Brad Hand bounced back from his recent struggles to record his 30th save, Francisco Lindor hit a two-run homer and the Cleveland Indians defeated the Kansas City Royals 4-1 on Friday night.

The All-Star closer, who had blown three consecutive saves, gave up a leadoff single to Alex Gordon in the ninth. Pinch-hitter Cheslor Cuthbert bounced into a double play, extending his hitless streak to 0 for 39, and Bubba Starling grounded out to end the game.

Hand had allowed seven earned runs and 13 hits over five innings in his previous five appearances.

Lindor also gave his team a much-needed boost. The Indians had lost seven of nine, including a 2-5 trip to New York that ended with a three-game sweep to the Mets.

The All-Star shortstop hit his 22nd homer, a blast to right field off Jakob Junis (8-12) to give Cleveland a 4-0 lead. Tyler Naquin also had a two-run single in the inning.

Rookie Zach Plesac (7-4) allowed one run in 5 2/3 innings. The right-hander is 3-0 in three starts against Kansas City this season.

Cleveland split four games with the Yankees and was swept by the Mets. The 2-0 loss Thursday night was called in the eighth inning after two rain delays totaling almost three hours. The Indians’ flight to Cleveland arrived around 4 a.m. Friday.

Plesac took a three-hit shutout into the sixth when Nicky Lopez led off with a single. Plesac retired the next two hitters before Hunter Dozier hit a line drive to center. Oscar Mercado attempted to make a diving catch, but the ball sailed past him and rolled to the wall, giving Dozier an RBI triple.

Junis allowed four runs in four innings and is 1-4 in six starts against Cleveland this season. Lindor is batting .500 (16 for 32) with four homers and 12 RBIs lifetime against the right-hander.

The Royals were in Boston on Thursday to complete a suspended game from Aug. 7. The Red Sox scored in the 10th for a 5-4 win and the completion of the game took 12 minutes.

Yasiel Puig, who had the nickname “Wild Horse” on his uniform as part of the Players’ Weekend, broke an 0-for-15 slump with a first-inning single. He also made a long run to catch Starling’s fly ball in shallow right field in the second.

TRAINER’S ROOM
Royals: LHP Danny Duffy (strained left hamstring) is being sent on a rehab assignment with Double-A Northwest Arkansas.

Indians: RHP Carlos Carrasco will pitch in his third rehab game at Triple-A Columbus on Sunday as he continues his comeback from leukemia. Carrasco will make a couple of more minor league appearances before a decision is made whether he’ll rejoin the Indians.

UP NEXT
Royals: RHP Glenn Sparkman (3-8, 5.40 ERA) is winless in six starts since throwing his first career shutout against the White Sox on July 16. He is 0-2 with a 9.37 ERA in three starts against the Indians this season.

Indians: RHP Mike Clevinger (8-2, 3.11 ERA) is riding a seven-game winning streak over nine starts since July 3. He’s also 8-0 in his career against the Royals.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Listen to updates from Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp in St. Joseph, Mo. with the “Voice of the Chiefs” Mitch Holthus. The reports originally air weeknights at 5:25 p.m. on KWBW Radio 1450 am/98.5 fm.  Brought to you locally by Egbert Liquor.

 

 

NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball is banning players from participating in the Venezuelan Winter League in one of the first public repercussions of new U.S. economic sanctions against the Venezuelan government.

MLB said Thursday it is in contact with the U.S. government to determine how to proceed under the new sanctions against President Nicolás Maduro’s administration and at least temporarily suspending involvement in the league.

The Venezuelan Winter League is one many that major league players use to hone their skills in the offseason.

“MLB will fully adhere to the policies implemented by our government,” MLB announced in a statement.

President Donald Trump’s administration issued a broad ban blocking companies and individuals from doing business with Maduro’s socialist government earlier this month, putting the nation on a short list of U.S. adversaries — including Cuba, North Korea and Iran — targeted with such aggressive financial measures.

The Wall Street Journal reported that MLB’s decision also applies to minor league players, but it won’t prevent Venezuelan players from returning home during the offseason.

Venezuela has long served as an important incubator for big league talent, but in recent years the relationship has steadily deteriorated amid a political crisis and economic contraction far worse than the Great Depression. MLB teams have shut down their academies in Venezuela and no longer send scouts.

Teams of young, aspiring Venezuelan baseball players now regularly rely on Venezuelan MLB stars to help finance trips to compete in championships.

Venezuela’s state-owned oil company, known as PDVSA, has been a major sponsor of the nation’s professional baseball league. The Trump administration also sanctioned PDVSA earlier this year as part of a continuing effort to starve the Maduro administration of cash and support opposition leader Juan Guaidó.

The Venezuelan league did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Back in the heyday of Venezuela’s oil-fueled economic boom in the 1960s, Pete Rose wore a Caracas Leones jersey right after his rookie season. American players continued to flock to the league up until recent years, attracted by the opportunity to play with talented teams before packed stadiums full of enthusiastic fans.

Security issues, six-digit hyperinflation, growing flight cancellations and a simmering political standoff have lured fewer, though Venezuelans have remained steadfast in their passion for the American pastime.

At an event celebrating PDVSA’s sponsorship last year, Venezuelan league president Juan Jose Avila praised the government for helping launch a new season of “the national sport that each Venezuelan carries in his heart.”

It’s not the first time politics has interfered with baseball during the Trump administration. Earlier this year, the Treasury Department moved to reverse an Obama administration decision allowing Cuban baseball players to sign contracts directly with MLB organizations.

The Obama policy allowed the major leagues to pay the Cuban Baseball Federation a release fee equal to 25% of each Cuban player’s signing bonus. U.S. law prohibits virtually all payments to the Cuban government under the 60-year embargo, but MLB argued the Cuban baseball league was not formally part of the state.

By MATT McMULLEN
Chiefs Community & Digital Media Producer

The Kansas City Chiefs returned to practice on Wednesday afternoon with a preseason clash with the San Francisco 49ers at Arrowhead Stadium just three days away.
In injury news, wide receiver Gehrig Dieter (back), cornerback Michael Hunter (groin), tight end John Lovett (shoulder), defensive tackle Breeland Speaks (knee) and tight end Deon Yelder (ankle sprain) didn’t take the field on Wednesday. Safety Tyrann Mathieu partially practiced as he recovers from a shoulder injury.
Following practice, Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator Dave Toub, Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, Offensive Coordinator Eric Bieniemy and newly-signed wide receiver De’Anthony Thomas met with the media.
Here’s what stood out from their pressers.
1. Toub spoke about the addition of Thomas to Kansas City’s special teams unit.
Thomas has extensive experience performing a variety of roles on special teams, both as a return man and as a gunner in kick coverage. The Chiefs lost a gunner in wide receiver Marcus Kemp to Injured Reserve earlier this week, creating an opportunity for Thomas.
“When Kemp went down, there was obviously a hole there, and he kind of fills that hole for us,” Toub said. “He plays a lot of the same positions. He’s a different type of guy – he’s more of a speed guy – but he brings a lot to the table for us. It’s good to see that he’s healthy and he looks good out there right now.”
Toub went on to explain why Thomas fits that gunner role so well.
“I’ve said this before, but he was probably pound-for-pound the toughest player that we had last year early in the season,” Toub said. “He’s not just a returner – he’s a cover guy, he’s a gunner, he’s good on kickoff and he can block. He’s not afraid to stick his head in there.”

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By Steve Carpenter
Blue Dragon Sports Information Director

HUTCHINSON, Kan, – One of the realities of junior college athletics is that there are certain years teams will have very few returning sophomores.

Hutchinson Community College head volleyball coach Patrick Hall has one of “those” years as the 2019 regular season opens for the Blue Dragons on Friday and the New Mexico Military Classic in Roswell, NM.

“What best describes our team this year going into the season is 11 freshmen,” said Hall who begins his eighth season and has posted a record of 187-87 at Hutchinson. “We’ve never had 11 freshmen before. We have our three returning sophomores, so that’s dictating to the pace of practice to the structure of our offense. With 11 freshmen, we have a lot of questions position-wise.

“It’s a learning process, but we have a lot of talent on the court. We want to be at our best at the end of October.”

The Blue Dragons open this weekend with Pima, New Mexico Military, South Mountain and Odessa while in Roswell. Hutchinson will have its home opener on Friday, August 30 against Dodge City at 6:30 p.m.

Of the three sophomores, only outside hitter Eden Hiebert saw a lot of playing time last season. Hiebert played in all 35 matches last season. She had 279 total kills last season, averaging 2.34 kills per set with a .186 attack percentage. Hiebert also averaged 0.39 blocks per set.

Also back are setter Eboni Sapien and defensive specialist/libero Lauren Willson, who makes a position change from outside hitter as a freshman.

“There is a lot of potential in the gym,” Hiebert said. “Everyone is willing to work hard this year. They are very coachable. We are really excited this year.”

For Sapien, whose role will increase into being the No. 1 setter in the Blue Dragons’ 6-2 formation. In 62 sets played last season, Sapien averaged 3.27 assists per set. She said her transition to the No. 1 slot is a work in progress.

“Confidence is something I’ve struggled with and after last year, it’s something I really have to step up,” Sapien said. “I realize that. I’m taking it day-by-day and I’m working hard to become the best leader I can.”

As far as the new faces, the freshman will have to produce for the Dragons to successfully navigate another rugged schedule.

Joining Hiebert on the outside are freshmen Katelyn Elstun (Overland Park), Camila Espejo (Bogota, Columbia).and Morgan Armbrust(Hutchinson High).

Sapien will be joined by freshman setter Lainey Robertson (New Orleans).

The Dragons will have an entirely new crew in the middle. Jaydin Schake (Amherst, NE), Jenna Thorne (Karitane New Zealand) and Myracle Lettries (Houston, TX) will work the middle this season.

Hall has a talented group of freshmen back-row players in Alissa Bautista (Kaneohe, HI) and Daejia Rodriguez (Laredo, TX). One of the huge spots to replace from last season was all-league libero Raychel Reed, who recorded better than 1,000 digs in her two-year career.

The 2018 Blue Dragons were 19-16 last season, finishing tied for third in the Jayhawk West with Barton. Hutch advanced all the way to the Region VI championship match last season.

Information Box
BLUE DRAGON VOLLEYBALL
Hutchinson at New Mexico Military Classic
When: Friday/Saturday, August 23-24
Match 1 vs. Pima – Friday at 4 p.m. CT
Match 2 vs. New Mexico Military – Friday, at 8 p.m. CT
Match 3 vs. South Mountain – Saturday at 11 a.m. CT
Match 4 vs. Odessa – Saturday at 3 p.m. CT
Where: Roswell, NM
Video: NMMI Match only via NMMI Athletics
Twitter: @bluedragonsport

 

by Steve Carpenter – Hutchinson CC Sports Information

HUTCHINSON, Kan/ – Sophomore midfielder Cameron Rodriguez posted her first career multi-goal game and the Hutchinson Community College women’s soccer team won its fourth-straight season opener with a 4-0 victory over Trinidad State on Thursday night at Don Michael Field.

Rodriguez, who had just one goal as a freshman, scored her first goal on Thursday just 6 minutes, 58 seconds into the season. The sophomore from Odessa, Texas, rounded out the Blue Dragon scoring in the 79th minute with a goal from Samantha Vaughn’s assist. Rodriguez scored on the only two shots she attempted in the game.

The Blue Dragons (1-0) are now 13-2 in season openers all-time and 2-0 against Trinidad State. The two teams played last year at Trinidad State, but the game was called a no contest after severe weather forced the stoppage of the game before it reached 70 minutes in duration.

This weekend’s games were moved to Don Michael Field from the Salthawk Sports Complex.

The Blue Dragons had two goals by the 10-minute mark of the first half. Freshman Esther Karhayu scored at the 9:56 mark as Vaughn posted her first assist of the game.

That 2-0 Hutch lead was the halftime score.

Two minutes into the second half, freshman Cheyenne Busker scored unassisted to make it 3-0. Rodriguez’s second goal from Vaughn’s second assist capped the scoring.

Blue Dragon freshman goalkeeper Chiara Soergel (1-0) posted a shutout in her Hutchinson debut. She recorded five saves, four coming in the first half.

The Blue Dragons outshot the Trojans 16-7. Hutch had an 8-2 shots advantage in the second half.

The Blue Dragons take on Indian Hills at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Don Michael Field. Trinidad State and Indian Hills play each other at 2 p.m. on Friday, also at Don Michael Field.

UNDATED (AP) _ The Chicago Cubs continue to lead the NL Central by a half-game over the St. Louis Cardinals following victories by both teams. Kyle Hendricks worked seven strong innings and Anthony Rizzo singled home the only run in the Cubs’ 1-0 verdict over San Francisco. Marcell Ozuna and Paul DeJong slammed two-run homers before Dexter Fowler came through with the go-ahead, two-run blast that pushed the Cardinals past Colorado, 6-5.

BOSTON (AP) — Brock Holt hit an RBI single with one out in the 10th inning as the Boston Red Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 5-4 to complete the weather-suspended game that began Aug. 7. The original contest was halted after a 1 hour, 49 minute-rain delay early on Aug. 8 with the score tied 4-4 and nobody out in the top of the 10th inning. It took only 12 minutes Thursday for the Red Sox to win the game that started 15 days ago.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The new faces that are on the Kansas City Chiefs’ roster aren’t exactly new. Those would be offensive lineman Jeff Allen, who has been with the franchise most of his career, and wide receiver De’Anthony Thomas, who is coming off a knee injury. But their past experience in Kansas City means both could be on the field for a preseason game Saturday night.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Erik Hurtado scored his second goal of the season in the 88th minute and Sporting Kansas City beat Minnesota United 1-0. Hurtado ran past his defender to get to Johnny Russell’s through ball, took one touch to elude keeper Vito Mannone and tapped it into the empty net.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Coach Kyle Shanahan is confident Jimmy Garoppolo has the physical tools to succeed as an NFL quarterback for the 49ers based on what he’s shown over 10 starts in five seasons with San Francisco and New England. Garoppolo has gotten off to a rough start this year as he returns from the knee injury that ended his 2018 season early. He’ll be looking for improvement when he leads the 49ers against the Chiefs at Kansas City on Saturday.

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger was criticized over the summer from the likes of Baker Mayfield and Terry Bradshaw. He didn’t seem to mind. Ehlinger and the Longhorns are expected to challenge for the Big 12 title again in 2019 after reaching the league championship game last season. Texas opens play at home Aug. 31 against Louisiana Tech.

National Headlines

UNDATED (AP) _ The Atlanta Braves earned a 3-2 comeback win over Miami to retain their six-game lead over Washington atop the NL East. Freddie Freeman belted a game-tying, solo homer in the eighth, one inning after Ronald Acuña Jr. won it with a walk-off, RBI single. The Nationals stormed past Pittsburgh, 7-1 as Max Scherzer worked four innings in his first appearance since missing four weeks with a back injury.

HOUSTON (AP) _ Gerrit Cole tossed two-hit ball while striking out 12 over seven shutout innings to lead the Houston Astros’ 6-3 win against the Detroit Tigers. Cole is 11-0 with a 1.84 ERA in his past 15 starts and has 238 strikeouts this season, one shy of teammate and league leader Justin Verlander. Alex Bregman belted a two-run homer and Michael Brantley went 3-for-4 with a two-run single to stretch his hitting streak to 15 games.

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) _ Tanner Roark pitched into the seventh and the Oakland Athletics reached Masahira Tanaka for five runs over six innings of a 5-3 victory over the New York Yankees. Roark struck out seven and allowed two runs over 6 1/3 frames to help Oakland complete a three-game sweep. Gleyber Torres homered twice for the Yanks, who have dropped four in a row to watch their lead in the AL East shrink to eight games over Tampa Bay.

NEW YORK (AP) _ The Mets completed a three-game sweep as Noah Syndergaard fired two-hit ball over six innings of a 2-0 shutout of the Indians, a game that was called because of rain in the bottom of the eighth. Syndergaard struck out five and retired his first 16 hitters before Tyler Naquin blooped a single to center. Wilson Ramos extended his hitting streak to 16 games with a two-run double in the fourth as New York allowed Minnesota to take a 3 ½-game lead in the AL Central.

Thursday Scores

INTERLEAGUE
Final N-Y Mets 2 Cleveland 0 (8 Innings)
Final L-A Dodgers 3 Toronto 2

AMERICAN LEAGUE
Final Boston 5 Kansas City 4 (10 Innings)
Final Tampa Bay 5 Baltimore 2
Final Chi White Sox 6 Texas 1
Final Houston 6 Detroit 3
Final Oakland 5 N-Y Yankees 3

NATIONAL LEAGUE
Final Chi Cubs 1 San Francisco 0
Final Atlanta 3 Miami 2
Final Washington 7 Pittsburgh 1
Final St. Louis 6 Colorado 5

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE PRESEASON
Final N-Y Giants 25 Cincinnati 23
Final New England 10 Carolina 3
Final Baltimore 26 Philadelphia 15
Final Washington 19 Atlanta 7
Final Oakland 22 Green Bay 21
Final Miami 22 Jacksonville 7

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Listen to updates from Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp in St. Joseph, Mo. with the “Voice of the Chiefs” Mitch Holthus. The reports originally air weeknights at 5:25 p.m. on KWBW Radio 1450 am/98.5 fm.  Brought to you locally by Egbert Liquor.