By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

Thunder on the Plains returned to Hays and Municipal Park for its annual car show, which included a special wish reveal for a local girl.

The car show hit the road Friday from Big Creek Crossing, cruising into downtown Hays and ending at the Park. The event featured cars, trucks, motorcycles and tractors from across the region, leading to a live auction on Saturday.

Before the live auction kicked off, 12-year-old Kinley Niernberger of Hays was introduced to the crowd and shared her journey with the Make-A-Wish program.

Kortney Niernberger, Kinley's mother, said her daughter was diagnosed with a brain tumor in March 2024 and underwent an eight-hour surgery at Children’s Mercy Hospital, where doctors removed 80% of the tumor.

"They had to leave some behind because of the location," Kortney said. "Kinley got referred to make a wish because she had a really hard time with her age and diagnosis."

Kinley has a grade one Pilocytic astrocytoma located on her brainstem. She continues to have scans every three months and is on a two-year medication cycle.

Since then, she has made a strong recovery, returning to dance and earning a spot on the Hays Middle School cheer team.

"She's always had a smile on her face... It's great that this organization does this for these kids, to give them hope and feel like normal kids for a week," Kortney said.

Kinley lives with her parents and two brothers. Her mom describes her as bubbly, spirited and determined. She loves the color pink, is a big fan of Taylor Swift, enjoys watching "Stranger Things" and playing Roblox.

CeCe Etter, donor relations manager for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Missouri and Kansas, said over 50 children in Kansas are currently waiting for their wish. Each wish costs an average of $10,000.

"When the community comes together for events like Thunder On The Plains, it directly impacts local families like Kinley's. A wish is not just a moment of hope. It's a lifetime of positive memories that overtake the difficult ones," Etter said.

Etter said without the Hays community's support, Make-A-Wish would not be able to fulfill its mission of granting life-changing wishes to children like Kinley.

You can learn more about the foundation <a href="https://wish.org/">here</a>.

Thunder on the Plains delivers classic rides, grants wish for Hays girl - draft

&nbsp;Submit events to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:admin@hayspost.com">admin@hayspost.com</a>. Cover photo courtesy Pixabay

Special thanks to <a href="https://www.visithays.com/183/Events">The Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau</a> and<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/"> Fort Hays State University</a> for their contributions to the community calendar.

Community Calendar

Fort Hays State University Communications

Kansas Wetlands Education Center is offering three Drop-in Nature Craft workshops this summer. These come-and-go style activities will be held from 1-4 p.m. No registration is required for these free programs. A short science lesson that fits the theme of the craft will help kids gain appreciation for the natural world.&nbsp;

Friday, June 20 – Craft adorable felt bees, perfect for celebrating our buzzing pollinator friends.

Thursday, July 3 – Design unique twig frames, combining natural materials with your own artistic flair. We’ll even print a picture of you with one of our ambassador animals to place into the frame.

Friday, July 11 – Learn the art of macramé feathers, weaving, and knotting techniques to create a stunning keychain.&nbsp;

Visit the Center between now and Tuesday, August 12, to pick up a free copy of the KWEC Summer 2025 Get Outside Guide. This booklet includes more than a dozen suggested outdoor activities for you and your family. From do-it-yourself bird feeders to planting wildflower seeds for pollinators and monitoring the moon phases, there is a lot of fun to be had at KWEC, local parks, or your own backyard.

Kansas Wetlands Education Center, affiliated with FHSU’s Werth College of Science, Technology and Mathematics, is located 10 miles northeast of Great Bend at the Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area. 

More information can be found at&nbsp;877-243-9268 or visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.7LNxDHQVpzCjONIZ4OYIqiohrCVEzT-2Bu22yVklcaqOvmZGt05-2BeOL3r-2Flc3NH2OVyjhY_1ix3pnygukYWZfKiCJpm8BsHsayWXlw0ucteiDEo46fRc0p9DVWJmv2prlqkbHR6S2dsrJiXPEopagJAn55fgrGOya21Ubchf288oY8AFP4iYaBJwhylwdd5l9F7UOfObh0aGYlOmD1Vewxh7tOaUuOD9lh9CQmoXOIc-2BroE5vN8yt9r88pWpU57aC4utVN5t2HsW9bn8EZqwylD-2BSXZaD98IORi1T-2BZLfwneBjW7iJ7GRg3-2F6sG7tb4bbsRwzpSEoRsRgCFpVFgHmjLaIe1QpbYk4qoGNqddtmO2t2LrYYPrfnqvvQLcn3QNLys7u-2FcFlW0oI6as0ctKGmeIUlhML3yixTUzEaRR5FagzRGzFMhs8nyoguHsaDY1SnWJfPe">wetlandscenter.fhsu.edu</a>.

Kansas Wetlands Education Center to offer Nature Crafts summer programs

Bid on this Confortotal 12,000 BTU Mini Split Air Conditioner and Heat Pump 110V Ductless, 1 ton, with WIFI Compatible with Alexa from All Seasons Plumbing, Heating, and A/C in Hays.&nbsp; This unit can heat or coot up to 550 square feet.&nbsp; Perfect for a garage, she-shed or man-cave, or a part of your home that needs some extra cooling or heating.&nbsp; This item includes installation in Ellis County.&nbsp; If you live outside of Ellis County, there will be a mileage fee added.&nbsp; Call Tommy Coker if you have any questions at 785-259-4039.&nbsp; This item must be installed by no later than November 30th, 2025

Current Bid: $830 as of this Post. Retail Price: $3,000.00

The second segment of the auction will run through June 15.

Dive into a digital treasure trove of savings with the Eagle Radio Online Auction!

<a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/eagle-radio-auction-descriptions-of-items">Click here&nbsp;to get registered, view items and bid.</a>

Bid now on an expansive collection ranging from home essentials to tantalizing restaurant gift cards, and valuable services from esteemed local companies and save.

Whether you're seeking something specific or just browsing for unexpected finds, our vast selection promises both variety and value.

The Eagle Radio online auction — where saving money is just a click away!

Eagle Radio Auction LIVE, BID NOW on an air conditioner/heat pump

Bid on this $500 certificate from HydroSiren Pressure Washing...a new Western Kansas mobile pressure washing business. Valerie and her crew handle residential and commercial exterior cleaning. We live in Western Kansas and it's dirty! Properly washing businesses can get rid of grime and stains and is the most efficient way to make your building's exterior stand out from the competitors. Washing a home's exterior is a noticeable clean that shows the pride you take in the home you work hard for! This certificate can also go toward washing roofs, gutters, patios, driveways and sidewalks, decks, fences, and farm and oilfield equipment. Valerie's equipment even has the capability to safely wash limestone. This service gives real estate agents an advantage as well - a fresh exterior is appealing to buyers. Pressure washing is also beneficial for gas station parking lots and around fuel pumps - mitigate slips and falls in your parking lot due to oil on the ground...and customers are drawn to a well maintained business. Food service businesses benefit from HydroSiren's service when dumpster pads become an unsanitary, greasy eyesore. $500 will do approximately a 1500 square foot house, or use the certificate toward the cost of anything you need pressure washed. Find out more online at www.hydrosiren.com or visit "HydroSiren Pressure Washing" on Facebook.

Current Bid: There was no bid on this item as of this post. Retail Price: $500.00

If you would like to get in on the action of this year’s online auction, click on the link below.&nbsp;

Eagle Radio Auction LIVE, BID NOW on pressure washing

The Ellis County Fair is seeking volunteers and workers for the upcoming season.

The fair will offer seven nights of ticketed grandstand events, including car races, rodeos and other family-friendly entertainment from July 11 to 19.

"We pretty much wouldn't be able to have the fair unless we have the volunteers to help run it," Pfannenstiel said.

Help is wanted to assist with cattle, manage competition entries, staff the inflatable carnival, direct parking and work in the beer garden.

No special qualifications are needed and community members, especially students needing service hours, are encouraged to help. Volunteers will be provided meals during their shifts.

The minimum age to work at the fair is 14 years for carnival and parking positions, and 18 years for beer garden duties. Some roles are paid.

"If you can come out and give us a couple of hours, we'll take it," Pfannenstiel said.

Help is also needed before and after the fair, primarily for cleanup. Pfannenstiel said preparations begin several weekends ahead of the fair.

You can learn more and sign up at elliscountyfair@gmail.com. You can also follow the Ellis County Fair on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063657276403">Facebook</a>.

Tickets for the fair can be purchased in advance <a href="https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/36944/ellis-county-fair?fbclid=IwY2xjawKujTRleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF6VFdJNnVTa0NYYk82ZUp4AR44_gw2XjWFjbazSFQJZE4y3MXwLLePpTZO8DU_vIYc0eKGGESB4xXlYUunwA_aem_v9FbcbBjuUHs1yaGOY1NgA">here</a> or at the gate. A pass covering seven events costs $40, and a single-night admission costs $20. Children age 5 and younger get in free.

Ellis County Fair looking for volunteers

2206 VineHays, KS 67601(785) 625-2054<a target="_blank" href="https://www.centennialcarpetsinc.net/">https://www.centennialcarpetsinc.net/</a>

Centennial Flooring has a showroom full of flooring options for your home. Carpet in hundreds of color choices. Along with hardwood flooring, laminate, luxury vinyl, tile, natural stone and vinyl flooring too. The store for your décor … Centennial Flooring, 2206 Vine in Hays. One certificate per customer. Certificate valid through 12-31-2025

Current Bid: $164.00 as of this Post Retail Price: $500.00

If you would like to get in on other items on the&nbsp;Eagle Online Auction at Hays Post, click on the link below.&nbsp;

Eagle Radio Auction LIVE, BID NOW on a $500 flooring gift certificate

This is a Liftmaster 8164 1/2 horse chain-drive garage door opener for 7' garage doors. This does not include installation. Contact Strobel Doors to schedule pickup or to schedule installation. To be used before 6/30/26.

Current Bid: $22 as of this post. Retail Price: $225.00

The items are arriving fast and furious for the Eagle Online Auction at Hays Post.

Because of this, the auction has started early, and is going on right NOW!&nbsp; If you would like to get in on the action of this year’s online auction, click on the link below.&nbsp;

Eagle Radio Auction LIVE, BID NOW on a garage door opener

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/925f00e0-e00a-49cb-98b3-acfc1aeb3dd">SEE RELATED STORY: Kansas Originals faces demolition of its building, fears closure</a>

For 34 years, Kansas Originals has proudly showcased the largest selection of Kansas-made and Kansas-grown products anywhere in the world—supporting the creative work of over 200 artists, craftsmen, authors, photographers, and food producers from across the state. Now, Kansas Originals is seeking the community’s help as they’re now at risk of losing their longtime home along Highway 232.&nbsp;

&nbsp;After their 30-year lease expired, the land changed ownership, and the organization has been ordered to vacate and demolish their building by November 30th. Without immediate funds to relocate or rebuild, this vital hub of Kansas creativity and heritage could be closed.&nbsp;

“We are devastated. We sell the creative work of more than 200 Kansans to people from across the United States and around the world. The Post Rock Opportunities Foundation is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation,” the GoFundMe reads.&nbsp;

You can find more details about Kansas Originals, including contact information, on their&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansasoriginals.com/">website</a>.&nbsp;For your convenience, photos shared on the GoFundMe are public and available for use with attribution to the GoFundMe fundraiser.&nbsp;

Longtime Wilson market, gallery seeks help to stay open; GoFundMe created

MAYETTA — We are thrilled to announce country music star Gary Allan is performing at our Great Lakes Ballroom on September 4 at 7 p.m.! 

Writer and frontman to three platinum-certified albums, Allan’s stirring brand of country continues to excite. With his signature rasp and soulful lyrics, Gary Allan’s been writing and performing country songs for as long as he can remember. 

Signing with Decca Records in the mid-'90s and releasing his debut album Used Heart for Sale in 1996, Allan would quickly see success led by hit single “Her Man.” In 1999, Allan’s third studio album Smoke Rings in the Dark served as a breakout hit to the mainstream country music scene. 

Over the years, Allan’s albums have earned three platinum certifications and four gold certifications. Coming off the heels of his tenth studio album Ruthless, which peaked at #8 on the U.S. Country charts, Allan’s focused storytelling continues to compel, entertain, and certainly honky-tonk. 

We look forward to hosting you as Gary Allan performs at our Great Lakes Ballroom on September 4! 

For more information, visit Prairie Band Casino &amp; Resort’s website, hover over the shows tab, and click “Epic Entertainment.”&nbsp;

Gary Allan to performing live at Prairie Band Casino & Resort

18th-annual Hoxie Hotrodders Rod Run is June 20-21

The Ellis County Commission will review ongoing challenges with road maintenance and right-of-way limitations during its 8:30 a.m. meeting Tuesday.

Many roads, especially lesser-traveled or non-Federal Aid System routes, were constructed with narrow statutory rights-of-way that are&nbsp;inadequate for modern equipment or proper drainage.

Areas with insufficient right-of-ways and inconsistent county maintenance practices will be evaluated individually.

Brendan Mackay, Ellis County public works director, will discuss with the commission whether to close or construct the unbuilt portion of Don Street in Munjor and an adjacent alley.

Adjacent property owners have requested that the road be closed to stop unauthorized traffic on private land. At the same time, another resident has asked for the road to be constructed and the alley improved.

Lyle Pantle, Ellis County assistant fire chief, will request the commission to adopt the March 2025 update to the county’s Local Emergency Operations Plan. The update includes minor changes and new features, such as a mapper tool for disaster response coordination.

The commission will review and provide feedback on any desired changes to the first draft of the 2026 departmental budget.

You can view the full agenda <a href="https://www.ellisco.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06172025-680">here</a>.

Ellis County Commission to review area right-of-way issues

On this episode of the Hays Post Podcast, news reporter Becky Kiser talks with Karissa Frasier about her new position as Community Health Worker with the K-State Research and Extension Cottonwood District in Ellis County.

🎙 Post Podcast: Meet new Community Health Worker for Cottonwood Extension District

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

Protesters gathered Saturday afternoon in Hays for the "No Kings" protest, voicing opposition to what they described as growing authoritarianism.

Participants held handmade signs on the corner of 27th and Vine streets over the weekend as part of a nationwide movement.

"No Kings" protest draws crowd in Hays

Ellis County Sheriff's activity log: June 8-14, 2025

Ellis County Jail bookings: June 8-14, 2025

Click&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/category/obituaries">HERE</a>&nbsp;to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/corrections-about-us">Click HERE for the Hays Post obituary policy.&nbsp;</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/45c326ac-a856-480a-b491-0312e5d43c5c">Find our obituary posting policy by clicking here.</a>

Recent obituaries and service times

Internships at Fort Hays State University do more than build resumes – they launch careers. Just ask Dinah Newman and David Fretes, two recent graduates whose hands-on internship experiences opened doors to full-time roles in their fields. Whether organizing community events in Beloit or navigating healthcare management in Colby, both Dinah and David credit their internships, supported by the Dane G. Hansen Foundation and FHSU’s career development network, with helping them turn classroom learning into career success.

A few days after her May graduation from FHSU, Newman, a native of Great Bend, stepped into a full-time role as Programming Coordinator for the Hays Chamber. This position, thanks in part to internship opportunities Newman landed as an undergraduate, is where she’s “meant to be.”

Between her sophomore and junior year at FHSU, Newman was selected as a Dane G. Hansen intern, completing an internship with the Solomon Valley Economic Development in Beloit.

“That internship opened a lot of doors and helped me figure out what I wanted to do,” Newman said. “I had just switched my major from history to organizational communications. It was solidifying – I found out what I was supposed to do, which was reassuring. It was a full-circle moment.”

The internship also showed Newman the power of community involvement and the investment small communities make in sustaining the lifeblood of their organizations.

“The strength of Beloit’s community showed me the benefit of having a strong community buy-in,” Newman said. “In Beloit, my boss said you never know what you’re going to be doing. We did everything from a housing survey to get a grant. We would go out and talk to people, just trying to get buy-in and attendance at events.”

In her role with the Chamber, Newman helped organize the annual golf tournament this spring and will take the lead on that event for 2026. She will also organize the Chamber’s childcare appreciation event, membership lunches, ribbon cuttings, and sponsorship drives.

Newman gives great credit to her sorority, Alpha Sigma Alpha, for helping her develop leadership skills. She continued to stay active with the sorority, even as she worked two jobs and prepared for graduation.

FHSU’s community spirit has been an inspiration for Newman, who said her professors have always “been in my corner.”

Newman toured the Fort Hays State campus as a high school junior in 2020. Then, due to the COVID pandemic, university tours became virtual. FHSU was her only physical trip to a university campus.

“Hays felt like a very homey community, somewhere I could see myself in the next few years,” she said. “I love Fort Hays, the people, and my sorority. I can’t thank them enough for what they gave me.”

A self-professed “small-town person,” Newman sees herself staying in Kansas for the long haul. Her close ties and love for small communities give her a sense of satisfaction that she can’t imagine coming from living in a city.

Newman’s experience differs in many ways from that of David Fretes, who has been in the U.S. just over two years. Kansas is a far cry from his home of Asuncion, Paraguay, population 462,000, where he attained a bachelor’s in law. He heard of a sister state partnership between the U.S. and Paraguay where students could pay in-state tuition, so he applied to FHSU and Emporia State University.

FHSU offered a concentration in health care management, an industry in which he worked with his family in Paraguay.

“Fort Hays gave me the best offer,” he said. “I just decided to jump into it. I didn’t know much about Hays or Kansas.”

While working on his master’s degree, Fretes kept his eye out for internships and found an FHSU/Dane G. Hansen Foundation Internship opportunity with Citizens’ Medical Center in Colby.

“I always valued practical experience, as work experience helps to let you know if you would like to build your career in that particular field,” he said. “It got me interested, and I started asking some questions about internships and applied for two or three.”

He was offered an internship at Citizens’ Medical in Colby, a town much smaller than the capital city of Paraguay, which was a big change for David.

“I think accepting the internship took some boldness on my part for sure,” he said. “The only thing I knew was that I had a job and a place to stay (in the Colby Community College dorms). Those were the only two things.”

Carol Solko-Ollff helped arrange living accommodations for Fretes in the CCC dormitories, as a rental for the summer would have been difficult to find.

“It was perfect because it was right across from the hospital, and I didn’t have a car at that time,” he said.

According to Solko-Ollff, internships are a valuable part of FHSU’s international educational experience.

“We appreciate employers like Citizens Medical Center for giving an international student from Paraguay the opportunity to not only learn and gain experience in the medical field but also share their personal experience from their home country,” Solko-Ollff said.

Internships provide beneficial experiences for students, enabling them to expedite their entry into meaningful careers, according to Lisa Karlin, FHSU’s interim director of Career Services.

“David’s internship with Citizens’ Health served as a springboard for his career,” she said. “As an intern, David demonstrated he was a good fit for the organization. When given the opportunity to continue working in this supportive climate, he accepted the offer.”

“It was an amazing thing,” Fretes said. “I already knew the people at the hospital, and they were open to working around my interests. They asked me what I would like to do, or what department I would like to work in next. I expressed my interest in projects I had done in my internship and mentioned that finance and human resources were among my interests.”

Fretes now works in a blended position, mainly involving human resource duties. He said recruiting for hospital staffing positions in a community of around 5,000 people can be challenging. However, the hospital is a valuable employer for the area.

“One of the reasons I decided to come back to Colby is because they are very good people to work with,” he said. “I knew I would find a good place to work instead of going out into the unknown.”

“I had an idea about the town and the hospital. They provide a good service for the community and the employees. They try to make the employees feel welcome. I think that is very important.”

Although he has enjoyed his time iwestern Kansas, Fretes said he will return to Paraguay to serve his country and to work on some professional projects he has in mind.

“Another thing I learned here (at Citizens’ Medical) is that they invest a lot in education, continually participating in webinars or talks, always looking to improve professionally to serve their people better,” he said. “All that experience and growth will be helpful for me to take back home.”

As Newman steps into her full-time role in Hays and Fretes prepares to return home to Paraguay, both are aware of the value of their FHSU experiences and internships in shaping their personal and professional journeys. Their stories underscore FHSU’s commitment to providing real-world opportunities for its students, whether they are building careers in western Kansas or taking their skills to the global stage.

Real-world experience, real results: FHSU internships lead to full-time roles

By MONIQUE KOERNER Cottonwood Extension District

There is nothing like the taste of fresh vegetables that come straight to the table from the garden, and often when there is a produce surplus folks turn to processing options such as freezing or canning to make it last throughout the year.

In anticipation of that summer season, I would like to offer tips on how to have a successful canning experience. Preparing now can help prevent problems in the middle of canning later on this summer.

First, make sure everything is working properly. 

Canning jars and rings should be free from cracks and no rust on the rings. Hand washing the lids and rings is recommended to keep them from rusting prematurely. Lids, however, cannot be used more than once. Now is a good time to go buy them. 

Next, make sure your canner is in good working order. Dial gauge canners need their valves and gauge checked. Your local extension office can test the gauge for Presto, National, Maid of Honor and Magic Seal canners. Check the seal between the pot and lid, looking for cracks or dried rubber. If the seal isn’t good then the canner will not get to the proper pressure. The rubber plug can also wear out and sometimes need replaced.

As far as preparing the food, it is recommended to remove the peels to prevent unintended bacteria growth.

After the jars have been processed, they should be placed on a towel on the counter in an isolated place, with no drafts and allowed to cool down naturally.

Finally, write the date the food was canned on the lid before putting them in storage. It is recommended that jars be used within one year and rotate them out for next year’s supply.

And just a reminder about canning recipes. 

Information about food comes at us from many directions. We might scroll through Facebook, Pinterest or another social media platform and be attracted by a new recipe. Most of the time, recipes for main courses or desserts will not pose food safety risks. Maybe a friend told you about a new canning method. Food preservation recipes that have not been tested for safety could be harmful, or even deadly if the canned food contains the toxin that causes botulism. 

These are some questions to ask yourself:

• Who is the author of the research or publication?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture and universities have conducted reputable food preservation research.

• Is the food preservation information based on current scientific research or opinion?

Outdated canning recipes should be retired. An exception: if ingredient amounts and processing times are exactly the same as current food preservation recipes, they could be used.

• Where did you find the information?

Examine the URL on the website. Does it end with “.edu” (indicating a university or other educational organization) or “.gov” (indicating a government site)? Universities and government sources are credible sources of food preservation information.

Please make sure your canning recipes are from credible sources before trying them. While home canning can be a safe and convenient way to store food, it must be done safely.

Monique Koerner is the Family and Community Wellness Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. You may reach her at: 785-628-9430 or moniquek@ksu.edu.

KOERNER: Tips for safe food canning

<a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

Three-day weather outlook

KAYS - (1400/94.3) KFIX - (96.9) KHAZ - (99.5) KJLS - (103.3) KKQY - (101.9)

Tuesday, June 17 KAYS: Kansas City Royals at Texas Rangers, 6:30pm

Wednesday, June 18 KAYS: Kansas City Royals at Texas Rangers, 6:30pm

Thursday, June 19 KAYS: Kansas City Royals at Texas Rangers, 1:00pm

Friday, June 20 KAYS: Kansas City Royals at San Diego Padres, 8:00pm

Saturday, June 21 KAYS: Kansas City Royals at San Diego Padres, 5:30pm KKQY: Kansas Shrine Bowl, 6:30pm

Sunday, June 22 KAYS: Kansas City Royals at San Diego Padres, 2:30pm KKQY: Kansas Shrine Bowl, 6:30pm

🎧 Eagle Radio, Hull sports broadcast schedule

HAYS – Four Hays Larks pitchers combined on a no-hitter as
the Larks finished off a three-game sweep of the Denver Cougars with an 11-0
run-rule win Sunday evening at Larks Park. It’s the first combined no-hiitter
since July 18, 2022 when Austin Puett, Hunter Parker and Chris Echavarria did
it against the Colorado Tribe.

Starter Nick Gray (2-0) went the first three innings and was
awarded the win after striking out seven and walking one. Jordan Stribling and
Lane Sparks followed with one inning each. Adrian Najar went the final two
innings with two strikeouts and no walks. The four combined to strike out 12
and walk only two.

The Larks (7-1-1) scored four runs in the first inning. Four
straight walks with two outs scored the first run. Lorenzo Rios drove in the
second run when he was hit by a pitch. Mason Hamlin added a two-run single.

Hays added three more runs in the third. Two walks and hit
batter loaded the bases. CJ Reid hit a sacrifice fly to left to drive in the first
run. Taber Stokes followed with a two-run single to push the lead to 7-0.

Dylan LaRue hit a two-run homer in the fourth to give the
Larks a 9-0 lead. Hamlin added an RBI double and Stokes an RBI single to close
out the scoring. 

Stokes and Hamlin both had two of the Larks five hits and
both drove in three runs as the Larks took advantage of nine walks and five hit
batters.

The Larks seven-game homestand continues Thursday against the
Gameday Angels in the first of a four0game series at Larks Park.

⚾ Larks no-hit Cougars to finish off three-game sweep

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Nick Kurtz hit a solo ninth-inning homer to rally the Athletics to a 3-2 win and three-game sweep of the Kansas City Royals on Sunday.

Kurtz hit Carlos Estévez’s (2-2) fastball 411 feet to right-center for his sixth home run. It gave the Athletics their first sweep at Kauffman Stadium since September 2016.

T.J. Ferguson (2-2) retired all four batters he faced, striking out two to earn the win and Mason Miller struck out two for his 14th save.

The Royals matched their longest losing streak of the season while dropping all six games of their homestand. Kansas City has lost six straight home series.

Austin Wynns hit a two-run homer to left-center off reliever John Schreiber, tying the game 2-2 in the sixth. It was Wynns’ fifth home run and second in five games since his acquisition from the Cincinnati Reds.

Royals starter Noah Cameron struck out seven in five scoreless innings.

After Kyle Isbel doubled off first baseman Kurtz’s glove to open the third, Bobby Witt Jr. snapped an 0-for-16 slump with an RBI double and moved to third on Jeffrey Springs’ balk before scoring on Vinnie Pasquantino’s single for a 2-0 lead.

With the Athletics trailing 2-0 in the fifth, Lawrence Butler hit a two-out double, and then was caught stealing third to end the inning. Butler was initially ruled safe by third base umpire Adrian Johnson, who quickly changed his call, prompting an unsuccessful argument from A’s manager Mark Kotsay.

The Royals have been outscored 44-15 in the sixth inning.

The Athletics host the Houston Astros on Monday to open a four-game series.

RHP Seth Lugo (3-5, 3.18) opens the Royals road series in Texas on Tuesday.

⚾ Kurtz hits a solo homer to rally the Athletics to a win and sweep of the Royals

The Hays Larks host the Denver Cougars Saturday at Larks Park.&nbsp;

First pitch is set&nbsp; for 6 p.m at Larks Park.&nbsp;

You can catch on the action on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@hayslarksbaseball/streams">Larks YouTube channel.</a>

Hays Larks baseball on HaysPost.com is courtesy of the Hays
Larks. The broadcast is produced by the Hays Larks

⚾🎥 WATCH LIVE Hays Larks host Denver Cougars

Sunday, June 15
 KAYS: Kansas City
Royals vs. Athletics, 12:30pm

HAYS – The Hays Larks jumped out to an early lead then held off a late rally and defeated the Denver Cougars 6-3 Saturday night at Larks Park. The Larks are now 6-1-1 overall and 4-1 in the Rocky Mountain Baseball League.  The Cougars dropped to 2-4 and 0-2 in the RMBL.

The Larks opened the second inning with back-to-back singles from CJ Reid and Paul Smith. Reid later scored when Brady Kreutzer reached on an error. L Rios scored the second run of the inning on a passed ball.

Kreutzer homered to lead off the fourth to push the lead to 3-0.

The Larks loaded the bases with one out in the sixth but only scored one run on a passed ball. They added two in the seventh on a Smith RBI double. He later scored on a wild pitch to make the score 6-0.

The Cougars rallied in the eighth with a leadoff walk and one out error. They then scored runs on a single, an error and groundout. They would get two on with one out in the ninth but a caught stealing at third and strikeout ended the game.

Paul Smith and Lorenzo Rios both had two hits. Brady Kreutzer drove in two runs

Braxton Bjur (2-0) pitched four scoreless innings allowing three hits with two strikeouts and no walks and was awarded the win. Nolan Wilson pitched one scoreless inning of relief followed by Julio Ramos who gave up one hit with three strikeouts over two innings. Trent Baker pitched the final two innings and allowed three unearned runs with three strikeouts and two walks.

The Larks and Cougars wrap up the three-game series with a non-league game Sunday at 6:00 p.m. at Larks Park.

Liberal Bee Jays 8, Gameday Angels 1 (non-league)

⚾ Larks hold off Cougars to take RMBL series

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jacob Lopez became the latest pitcher to shut down the Royals with six innings of three-hit ball, Max Muncy and Lawrence Butler hit homers, and the Athletics beat struggling Kansas City 4-0 on Saturday.

Lopez (1-4) walked one and struck out nine while winning for the second time in his big league career. His other victory came on Oct. 1, 2023, when Lopez allowed five runs while pitching for the Rays in a game against Toronto.

He was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas last month and had been 0-3 with a 6.88 ERA in three games since.

Michael Kelly pitched two perfect innings in relief and Hogan Harris finished off the four-hitter for the A's.

Muncy followed a leadoff walk by Tyler Soderstrom in the second inning with his fifth homer of the year, a line-drive into the A's bullpen off Kansas City starter Michael Lorenzen. Lawrence homered off reliever Daniel Lynch IV in the seventh.

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