By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

Dads and daughters are heading to The Emerald Ball, where the yellow brick road ends in a night of celebration.

The Hays Recreation Commission will host the Wizard of Oz–themed event at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, April 12 at the Hays Recreation Center, 1105 Canterbury Drive. Registration closes on Wednesday, April 9.

Gail Wickham, youth and senior program director, said the annual event has grown over 19 years and is on track for its largest turnout yet.

"This year, we are up to 82 couples. That's 150 dads and daughters who will be there that night," Wickham said.

The evening will feature a taco bar, photo booth, DJ-led dance, themed games and crafts across the center's gyms. One activity will lead participants through a scavenger hunt using clues to win magical prizes.

Registration is $20 per couple, with an additional $10 for each extra daughter. Wickham said they’ve already reached their initial capacity, but adjustments are being made to welcome more participants.

You can register <a href="https://haysrecweb.org/wbwsc/webtrac.wsc/iteminfo.html?Module=AR&amp;FMID=19492208&amp;InterfaceParameter=WebTrac_1">online</a>&nbsp;and call Hays Recreation at 785-623-2650 for entry availability.

"It's a good event for dads, daughters, grandpas and uncles. I've even had a mom come with a daughter," Wickham said.

"The kids love it. Dads are always twirling their girls around, and it ends with a dad and daughter dance," she said.

You can follow the Hays Recreation Commission on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/haysrec/">Facebook</a>.

Wizard of Oz father-daughter dance set for record night

The Hays High School World Language Club is putting on an International Day event to celebrate different and diverse cultures/heritages in the Hays community, and we want&nbsp;you&nbsp;to be a part of it!

This is in honor of Lora Gallegos-Haynes, a beloved Hays High teacher who used to organize this event.

This is an open community project, so anyone who is interested can be a part of this event.&nbsp;You can bring items from your culture/heritage, food, outfits, etc.

International Day will be on Thursday, April 17, at Hays High School in Gym A. It will be around two hours long from 3:30-5:30 p.m.&nbsp;Sign up by April 10 to participate!

Sign up with the following link:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://forms.office.com/r/a7Hfr8radz">https://forms.office.com/r/a7Hfr8radz</a>

If there are any questions, feel free to contact Mrs. Fenwick (<a href="mailto:cfenwick@usd489.com">cfenwick@usd489.com</a>) or Emmaline Leuschner (<a href="mailto:25eleuschner@usd489.com">25eleuschner@usd489.com</a>).

Hays High School World Language Club celebrating Hays heritages

HOLY FAMILY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NOTES WEEK OF April 7 – April 11, 2025

THE SUCCESSES OF TOMORROW BEGIN TODAY, CATHOLIC EDUCATION IS A LIFETIME ADVANTAGE!

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS…. SCHOOLS YOU CAN BELIEVE IN!

--April 7 • Memorial of St. John Baptist de la Salle, Priest. • 3rd Grade will have state testing all week in the mornings. • This is our Lenten Canned Food Drive week – students we encourage you to bring a sack of canned food donations to your teachers this week for St. Joseph’s Food Pantry. • Fr. Nick will visit KB this morning. • 2nd – 5th grade students will have reconciliation this afternoon at IHM.

--April 9 • There is no Atrium today. • Today is our HFE Applebee’s Fundraising Day – we’ll make 25% of the sale all day but you must mention HFE. • Kindergarten Pajama and Board Game Day for a feed the pig prize. • Early Release Day – students will dismiss at 1:15 p.m. There will be no bus at dismissal. • All Staff Mtg. following in the library at 1:40 p.m. – the last all staff meeting of the year. • Curriculum Team will meeting at 2:40 in the Lounge. • VBRD Team will meet at 2:40 in the Library.

--April 10 • April Birthday Mass &amp; Lunch today. • TMP Ag Day for 3rd-5th grade. • Hourly staff timesheets are due to Ms. Karla in the office this morning. 5th grade will be practicing for Living Stations of the Cross at IHM. • Spring Music Concert is tonight for 3rd-5th grade at 6:30 p.m. at TMP Fieldhouse. Students should arrive and be seated at 6:20 p.m. • Tomorrow is the last morning to bring canned food goods for our Lenten Food Drive. Thank you for participating in this and giving to others in need.

--April 11 • Memorial of St. Stanislaus, Bishop &amp; Martyr. • KA will have Ag in the Classroom at 12:15. • Living Stations of the Cross will start at 2:15 p.m. at IHM.

Holy Family Elementary School notes, April 7-11, 2025

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The <a href="https://hayschamber.com/child-care-task-force-of-ellis-county">Child Care Task Force of Ellis County</a>&nbsp;is asking Ellis County residents to complete a survey on child care by April 15.

A link can be found on <a href="https://hayschamber.com/">the Chamber in Hays website</a> or the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ChildCareTaskForceOfEllisCounty">Ellis County Child Care Task Force's Facebook page</a>.

During a strategic planning session in January, the task force decided to try to better understand the county's child care needs as new centers have opened.

"We really wanted to become internally focused on what we do to support providers," Sarah Wasinger, task force facilitator, said.&nbsp; "The word professional kept coming up and helping you guys and gals be elevated and seen as professionals."

The task force sees child care providers as important in cultivating the community's next generation of workforce, Wasinger said.

The introductory question will take you to different subsections of the survey. The task force is looking for responses from • Parents, guardians or caregivers • Child care providers • Businesses/employers • Residents interested in supporting child care initiatives

Parents and guardians will be asked about their child care needs.

Wasinger said the survey is also self-serving because the task force is seeking how to better serve child care providers in the community.

"We need to know what you all need," Wasinger said at a recent task force meeting.

Ellis County Child Care Task Force conducting survey

Friends of Library book sale this weekend

6 to 8 p.m. April 22 at the Rose Garden Banquet Hall

RSVPS are requested by Friday, April 18, so headcount can be given to the venue. You can register by calling the Chamber in Hays at 785-628-8201, emailing&nbsp;<a href="mailto:hayscc@hayschamber.com">hayscc@hayschamber.com</a>, or by clicking the registration link.

<a href="https://hayschamber.com/events/child-care-provider-professional-development-series-4">Learn more by clicking here.&nbsp;</a>

Child Care professional development event set for April 22

Join our new Hays Post Newsletter and receive the top news stories from your community every morning in your email inbox plus one-click access to the latest obituaries.&nbsp;

Sign up for free Hays Post Newsletter

&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

MUNJOR — The Munjor Water District customers will have the water turned off for maintenance&nbsp;repairs around 2:00 p.m. today, Friday, April 4.

Munjor water to be off Friday afternoon for maintenance repairs

Trinity Lutheran Church BBQ fundraiser donations to go to First Call for Help

The <a href="https://heartlandcommunityfoundation.org/">Heartland Community Foundation</a>, dedicated to supporting Ellis, Rooks, and Trego counties, is excited to announce the opening of its spring grant cycle. As of March 15, applications can be submitted online until 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, May 15, 2025. Approximately $150,000 in funding is available in this grant cycle.

To assist applicants in their efforts, the community foundation is offering three FREE grant writing workshops and lunches. To RSVP for the training, called 10 Tips for Better Grant Writing, email heartland@gscf.org. 

· Ellis County: April 10, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., at the Ellis County Historical Society, 100 W. 7th St., in Hays

· Trego County: April 10, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., at the HCF office/Pfanennstiel Law, 110 N. Main St., in WaKeeney

· Rooks County: April 15, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., at the Plainville Memorial Library, 200 1st St., in Plainville

This grant cycle aims to support local initiatives that fulfill one or more of the following goals:

· Directly benefiting communities in Ellis, Rooks, or Trego counties.

· Enhancing the quality of life for individuals and expanding the capacity or outreach of applying organizations through programs, projects, or capital improvements.

· Providing seed funding to kickstart new projects, programs, or organizations that will serve the community.

Funding is made possible by the Legacy Funds of Ellis, Rooks, and Trego counties, along with contributions from the Dane G. Hansen Community Grant Fund, the Heartland Healthy Living Fund, Heartland Area Action Fund, Kansas Health Foundation Fund for Heartland Community, and the Stockton Community Fund.

Heartland Community Foundation accepting grant applications

NORTON — The Kansas Department of Transportation plans to begin work on a resurfacing project on a 26.5-mile portion of U.S. Highway 40 in Wallace County the week of April 7.

Project work will involve a mill and overlay and construction of 3-foot paved shoulders starting at the Colorado state line and ending at Pebble Road near Wallace. 

Traffic through areas where crews are actively working will be reduced to one lane and directed by flaggers and a pilot car. Travelers should be prepared for delays of up to 15 minutes during daylight hours.

KDOT expects project work to be complete in mid-August, conditions permitting.

APAC-Kansas Inc. Shears Division, of Hutchinson, is the primary contractor with a total contract cost of $11.3 million. 

For more information, please contact KDOT Area Construction Manager Todd Anderson at 785-953-6011 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:todd.anderson@ks.gov">todd.anderson@ks.gov</a>.

U.S. 40 resurfacing project to start in Wallace County

Reporter Cristina Janney speaks with Doug Williams of Grow Hays about the closing of the AMC Theater at the Big Creek Crossing mall on this episode of the Hays Post Podcast.

🎙 Post Podcast: Grow Hays: Economic impact of AMC Theater's closing

The phone rang early Saturday morning, and on the line was a friend from church inviting me to fish with him that afternoon on a large farm pond out in the sticks in the shadow of Coronado Heights, where he has been part of a lease for years. 

We talked about some of his past fishing adventures there and it brought back memories of fishing on our farm pond in Ohio when I was a kid. 

The first year we owned that farm, we found a spot in a field that never dried out. Government cost-share money was available back then to help build farm ponds, so after required soil testing and meeting other requirements, a dandy little farm pond was built, and stocked with the prescribed fish combination of that era, largemouth bass and bluegills. 

Endless memories were made around that pond, and it reminded me of a farm pond fishing trip Joyce and I took a few years back.

With rods, bait and tackle boxes in hand we clamored down the side of the grassy overgrown dam and onto a roughly built but sturdy dock that put us ten feet out from the bank and four feet above the water. Hooks were baited and cast into the water before us, which rippled slightly with the breeze. That breeze, along with copious amounts of nasty spray, kept the ravenous mosquitoes at bay. 

The sun slid slowly behind nearby trees, leaving its beams to dance upon the rippling water and offering reprieve from the heat as it ushered in the cool evening. Barn swallows by the dozens strafed the pond, either scooping insects from the surface, or snagging them on the wing in mid-air. The deep “harumm” of granddaddy bullfrogs echoed back and forth from behind tufts of cattails. 

One line was baited with liver and fished on the bottom, while the other rig held a feisty Canadian night crawler suspended beneath a bobber. 

After twenty minutes with no action, I climbed the steep grassy bank to the truck to retrieve our ever-present cameras. As my back was turned to open the truck door, Joyce asked “Did you bring the net?” I pondered why she would ask that question when we were fishing in a small farm pond, but when I spun around and saw the pole in her hands bent toward the water like a divining rod, the reason for her question became obvious. I scrambled back down the bank as she hoisted a dandy three-pound channel cat up onto the dock…Welcome to the sport of farm pond fishing!

The agricultural land of central Kansas is dotted with small farm ponds, many out of sight along field drives or in the middle of pastures. Unless a pond is spring-fed, the water in them comes from runoff, so during the dry springs and summers of late, water levels are often low, and some lesser-quality ponds even go dry. The only other down side I can see to fishing farm ponds is the lack of the large variety of fish species found in most Kansas reservoirs. 

Typically, farm ponds contain largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegills and possibly a few crappies and bullheads. Most ponds are on privately owned property, meaning permission to fish there is required. Once permission is granted however, you will often have the whole place to yourself every time you’re there, because fishing pressure on these ponds is often nil. 

A boat is not usually needed, although a canoe, or one of the popular small two-person crafts can come in handy to get you out past any weeds or moss growing along the bank.&nbsp;The dock from which we fished was the perfect length to get us out beyond the cattails.

Since farm ponds are always fed either by springs or by run-off water, and since most of them are situated in pastures or otherwise grassy surroundings, the water in them is well-filtered before reaching the pond, making them very clean.

So, if you’re used to big-lake fishing for walleye, crappie, white bass or stripers, if you love the drone of a big outboard motor as it pushes your big boat across a big lake, and if the presence of dozens of other fishermen all around you are an important part of your fishing experience, farm pond fishing may not be your gig. 

If, however, you can be happy catching bluegills, channel catfish and largemouth bass from the bank or from a small boat and never see another human being in the process, farm pond fishing may be for you. Sign me up for choice number two! By the way, I declined my friend’s invitation this time because I had this column to write; how ironic! 

Steve can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Explore Kansas Outdoors: Farm pond fishin’

BUNKER HILL – Smoky Hills PBS is proud to announce a special production, "Remembering Bob Davis," dedicated to honoring the life and career of the legendary broadcaster Bob Davis.

For decades, Bob Davis was the voice behind some of the most iconic moments in Kansas sports history.&nbsp; He was a sportscaster&nbsp;for the Kansas Jayhawks, Fort Hays State University, and the Kansas City&nbsp;Royals.&nbsp;&nbsp;His passion, storytelling, and deep connection with fans made him a beloved figure in broadcasting.&nbsp;

This special program will reflect on the conversation we had with Davis back in 2021, as well as his induction speech into the 2016 Kansas Sports Hall of Fame.

"Remembering Bob Davis" will air on Monday, April 7 at 8 p.m. exclusively on Smoky Hills PBS.&nbsp; Viewers can also watch this special again on Thursday, April 10 at 2 p.m. and Saturday April 12 at 8 p.m.

SHPBS presents 'Remembering Bob Davis: A Tribute to a Broadcasting Legend'

By ALEXANDRA MIDDLEWOOD Insight Kansas

As a first generation college student who is now a professor, I know firsthand the vital role libraries play in providing access to knowledge and opportunity, especially for those from underserved backgrounds.

At my university, nearly half of the student population is also first-generation, and like me, many have relied on libraries as gateways to education, technology, and personal growth. Though I didn’t grow up in the Sunflower State, my students have shown me how deeply public libraries support communities across Kansas, providing essential resources that foster learning, connection, and a brighter future.

In mid-March President Trump issued an executive order to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to the fullest extent possible — only Congress can fully close the IMLS as it was established by a Congressional act in 1996 — and directs the Office of Management and Budget to reject funding requests from IMLS. It is expected that Trump’s future budget requests will propose to eliminate the IMLS altogether.

This executive order puts essential library resources at risk, especially in rural and low-income communities. IMLS is the primary source of federal funding for libraries across the country and provides approximately $2.1 million in funding to Kansas public libraries annually.

With all 367 public libraries across Kansas relying on this funding, these cuts will have a widespread financial impact and deepen educational disparities across the state.

According to Ray Walling, State Librarian at the State Library of Kansas, the provided funding is “integral to the operations of all Kansas libraries. Our statewide… services could not be offered at current levels without this support.”

Some examples of how the State Library of Kansas uses these funds includes: to support the Summer Reading Program that provides summer reading materials to Kansas libraries, provide access to books for people with disabilities (e.g. Talking Books program, braille and large print books), statewide resource sharing through the Kansas Library Catalog (e.g. interlibrary loan), provide access to state documents via the Kansas Government Information Online Library, statewide access to digital collections of ebooks and audiobooks (e.g. Libby app), and the Kansas Notable Books program that recognizes outstanding titles either written by Kansans or about a Kansas-related topic.

In the past two years, IMLS also provided $10,000 to the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation to expand the tribe’s reference library for those learning and studying the Potawatomi language and culture; just over $28,000 to Exploration Place in Wichita to provide professional development that led to expansion of the museum’s digital services, allowing them to reach every Kansas county and school district; nearly $50,000 to Independence Community College

to create a publicly accessible online catalog featuring significant playwrights, performing artists, and original manuscripts; and $71,000 to the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska for the purpose of identifying and documenting culturally significant artifacts and artwork, including creating a virtual repository of photographs and digitized art.

Kansas ranks second in the nation for per capita library visits, reflecting the deep value Kansans place on these essential community hubs. With such high engagement, it’s clear that libraries are not only centers of learning and opportunity but also key components of daily life for Kansans.

Dismantling IMLS isn’t just a budget decision — it’s a decision that will take books out of children’s hands, limit job-seekers' access to technology, and erase vital cultural and historical resources.

Public libraries are more than just buildings filled with books; they are community hubs that empower Kansans to learn, grow, and connect.

As Dr. Seuss once said, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” If we truly believe in fostering a future where knowledge and opportunity are within reach for every Kansan, we must work to preserve our libraries before it’s too late.

Alexandra Middlewood, PhD, is an associate professor and chair of the Political Science Department at Wichita State University.

INSIGHT KANSAS: Cutting library funding will cost Kansas communities

<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

🎙 Post Podcast: The Bricks in Downtown Hays

HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State Softball moved to 22-10 overall and 7-5 in the MIAA on Sunday by gaining a split with Northeastern State in conference play. The Tigers saw the RiverHawks rally for three runs in the seventh inning of game one to win 4-2, but bounced back for a 5-1 win in game two to get the split. Northeastern State moved to 13-27 overall and 6-12 in the MIAA with the results.

Game 1: Northeastern State 4, Fort Hays State 2 Both teams scored in the fist inning of the first contest, but FHSU took a 2-1 lead with a run in the bottom of the fourth. However, some good fortune went the RiverHawks way in the seventh to create a three-run rally to get past the Tigers 4-2.

The RiverHawks scored their first run on a sacrifice fly in the first after a single and stolen base by leadoff hitter and pitcher Korryn Tindel set the table for Maddie Messenger to notch an RBI. Madison Pierce&nbsp;responded with a stolen base in the bottom of the first and she came into score with two outs on an RBI single by Abbey Duarte.

In the bottom of the fourth, a Lexi Mohr&nbsp;double and Paige Thexton&nbsp;single set up a run-scoring opportunity for the Tigers. A passed ball by the catcher allowed Mohr to score, putting the Tigers up 2-1.

Savannah Egger&nbsp;had worked her way out of trouble in the third inning and was cruising along until a pair of well-placed hits by the RiverHawks to start the seventh. A Charlea Cochran double that just got up high enough to tip off the glove of a stretching third-baseman Lexi Mohr dribbled down the left field line. Drew Hawkins followed with a bunt single that could have potentially just been a sacrifice and out, but an aggressive diving attempt at the ball allowed everyone to be safe. Hawkins took second base on a steal and then came in to score with Cochran on a 2-RBI single Macie Sawney. More good fortune happened later when a sharp comebacker to Egger redirected off her glove into right field for another hit and an RBI for Lauryn Heinle.

The Tigers could not get a rally going in the seventh as Tindel set the side down in order. FHSU outhit NSU 10-8 in the game, but could not cash in on enough of its traffic on the bases. Egger with three strikeouts moved to 10-6 on the season with the loss. Tindel with one strikeout moved to 2-4 on the year.

Game 2: Fort Hays State 5, Northeastern State 1 Fort Hays State never trailed in their game-two win, scoring one in the first and one in the third to take a 2-0 lead. NSU scored its only run in the fourth, but FHSU responded with two runs in the bottom of the fourth and added one more in the fifth to win 5-1.

A Jules Bosco&nbsp;double and Lilly Ramirez-Johnson&nbsp;single to open the first set the table for Abbey Duerte, who picked up a sacrifice fly RBI to score Bosco. In the third Lilly Mohr&nbsp;had an RBI double following singles to open the inning by Ramirez-Johnson and Maddison Pierce.

Drew Hawkins drove in the only run for NSU on a double in the fourth. However, Kaydawn Haag&nbsp;set up a run-scoring opportunity by hitting a flare single that was juggled by the left fielder, allowing her to take an extra base. Bosco&nbsp;drove her in with an RBI single. Later, Pierce&nbsp;had an RBI double to score Bosco. Lilly Mohr&nbsp;put the exclamation point on the run scoring for FHSU in the fifth with her sixth home run of the season to dead center field.

Morgan Schmidt&nbsp;shook off a tough outing in Emporia last weekend to throw a complete game with one run allowed on eight hits. She struck out five, moving to 10-4 on the season. Gracie Turner took the loss for NSU, throwing the first 3 2/3 innings. She allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits with two strikeouts. Madison Heinle relieved for the final 2 1/3 innings and allowed a run with a strikeout.

Fort Hays State plays host to No. 11 ranked Rogers State on Monday (Apr. 7) at noon. The Hillcats split a pair of games up at Nebraska-Kearney on Sunday and enter the doubleheader at 28-11 overall and 10-8 in the MIAA.

🥎 FHSU splits doubleheader with Northeastern State

HAYS., Kan. - No. 22 Fort Hays State split Sunday's doubleheader with UC-Colorado Springs at Larks Park, taking the first game behind a masterclass from ace Ty Riley&nbsp;before dropping the finale in the second game. Riley struck out a career-high 16 in a complete-game win to open the day, while Trey DeGarmo'<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/trey-degarmo/8419">s</a>&nbsp;early two-run homer provided the spark in the second game.

Game 1:&nbsp;Fort Hays State 6, UC-Colorado Spring 3 Fort Hays State used a dominant pitching performance from ace&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/ty-riley/8431">Ty Riley</a>&nbsp;and a clutch four-run sixth inning to defeat UC-Colorado Springs 6-3 in the opening game of Sunday's doubleheader at Larks Park.

Riley (7-1) was electric on the mound, striking out a career-high 16 batters while allowing just three runs on six hits across a complete seven-inning effort. His strikeout count of 79 is already more than last season and is tied for sixth most in a season by any Tiger.

After three scoreless frames, the Tigers broke through in the bottom of the fourth. Tony Moore&nbsp;led off with a single and later scored on a Brady Kreutzer&nbsp;fielder's choice. Elliott Herrmann&nbsp;added an RBI single to make it 2-0, scoring Trey DeGarmo&nbsp;from third.

UC-Colorado Springs briefly surged ahead in the top of the fifth. Bryce Peterson drove in a run with a single before Kit Wigington launched a two-run homer to put the Mountain Lions up 3-2.

Fort Hays State wasted little time responding. In the bottom of the sixth, the Tigers took advantage of defensive miscues and timely hitting. Moore&nbsp;opened the frame with a single before DeGarmo&nbsp;reached on a bunt and a throwing error by the pitcher, putting two runners in scoring position. A wild pitch from reliever Joe Plise allowed Moore to race home and tie the game at 3-3, while DeGarmo and Woolwine, who had walked, moved up a base.

Herrmann&nbsp;was intentionally walked to load the bases. Luis Ayala&nbsp;then hit a grounder that resulted in a fielding error by the shortstop, allowing DeGarmo to score and give the Tigers a 4-3 lead. Copper Howell&nbsp;followed with another grounder, and this time a throwing error by the third baseman let another run score to make it 5-3. Isaiah Ural, pllaying for the first time in over a month dud to a hand injury,&nbsp;capped the rally with a sacrifice fly to right field, bringing home Herrmann for the final run of the inning and extending the Tigers' lead to 6-3.

Moore&nbsp;led the Tiger offense, going 3-for-3 with two runs scored. Ayala finished 1-for-3 with two RBIs, while Herrmann walked and singled to drive in a run.

Game 2:&nbsp;Fort Hays State 2, UC-Colorado Spring 8 Fort Hays State was unable to complete the two game sweep in the doubleheader, as visiting UC-Colorado Springs turned the tables in Game 2 with an 8-2 victory at Larks Park.

After a strong showing in the opener, the Tigers couldn't keep the momentum going, as the Mountain Lions plated eight unanswered runs after falling behind 2-0 in the first inning.

Trey DeGarmo&nbsp;continued his big day for the Tigers with a two-run homer in the first, his 11th of the season, giving FHSU an early edge. However, UCCS responded with four runs in the third inning and added three more in the fifth to break things open.

Ryder Mancuso earned the win for UCCS, tossing six innings of two-run ball with four strikeouts. Fort Hays starter Paul Panduro&nbsp;was tagged with the loss, giving up four runs in 2.2 innings.

Isaiah Ural&nbsp;and Cesar Saasvedra&nbsp;each tallied hits for the Tigers, who managed six hits. DeGarmo's home run accounted for both Tiger runs in the loss.

The Tigers return to conference action Wednesday against Emporia State. Fist pitch is set to be at 4:00 pm in Emporia, Kan.

⚾ No. 26/22 Tigers split non-conference doubleheader with UCCS

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kris Bubic took a shutout into the seventh inning and the Kansas City Royals won their first series of the season with a 4-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday.

Bubic (2-0) allowed five hits, walked one and struck out eight in 6 2/3 innings. His streak of 12 shutout innings was snapped when Ryan Mountcastle tripled to lead off the seventh and scored on Bubic's wild pitch one out later.

Bobby Witt Jr. had three of the Royals' 13 hits, falling a home run shy of the cycle. Salvador Perez, Mark Canha and Maikel Garcia each had two hits and scored a run.

Carlos Estévez earned his second save with a hitless ninth for the Royals. Kansas City, which swept Baltimore in the wild-card round last year, won its first regular-season series against the Orioles since Aug. 30 to Sept. 1, 2019, after having lost six of the last eight series with two ties.

Jorge Mateo – starting in center field for the first time since April 20, 2024 – misplayed Witt's slicing liner into a triple, keying Kansas City's three-run first inning.

Freddy Fermin's second-inning RBI single snapped an 0-for-12 skid as eight of the Royals' first 11 batters hit safely and Kansas City took a 4-0 lead.

Orioles starter Cade Povich (0-1) allowed four runs and a career-high 13 hits in six innings with four strikeouts.

Mountcastle had three of the Orioles' five hits.

Witt's diving stop robbed Jordan Westburg of a first-inning hit – nearly starting an inning-ending double play – then tripled and scored after Mateo's misplay as the Royals took a 3-0 lead in the bottom half.

Witt is hitting .377 at Kauffman Stadium since the start of last season, MLB's best home batting average in that span.

Orioles: Travel to Arizona to begin a three-game series Monday with RHP Zach Eflin (1-1, 3.75 ERA) opposing Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen (1-1, 3.38).

Royals: Begin a four-game homestand with Minnesota as Twins RHP Simeon Woods Richardson (0-0, 4.50) faces RHP Michael Lorenzen (0-1, 5.06).

⚾ Bubic takes a shutout into the seventh to pitch Royals past Orioles 

Sunday, April 6
 KAYS: Kansas City
Royals vs. Baltimore Orioles, 12:30pm

🎧 Eagle Radio, Hull sports broadcast schedule

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jackson Holliday highlighted Baltimore's four-run sixth inning with a two-run single, Tomoyuki Sugano was solid through five-plus innings and the Orioles defeated the Kansas City Royals 8-1 on Saturday to snap a three-game skid.

Heston Kjerstad and Ramón Urías also had RBI singles in Baltimore's big inning. Gary Sánchez hit a two-run single in the second and Tyler O'Neill had a two-run triple in the seventh for the Orioles, whose five through nine batters went 8 for 19 with all eight RBIs.

Leadoff man Gunnar Henderson was 0 for 5 with four strikeouts, dropping to 1 for 9 since returning from a a right intercostal strain.

Sugano (1-1) got the first eight Royals hitters out and allowed one run and five hits in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out four, walked one and hit one batter.

Royals starter Michael Wacha (0-2) tossed 5 2/3 innings and gave up four runs and six hits with five strikeouts and one walk.

Bobby Witt Jr. hit his first homer of the season for Kansas City, a 399-foot shot to left field in the sixth.

After giving up back-to-back singles to start the fifth and pitching with a 2-0 lead, Sugano kept the Royals off the board, stranding the runners at first and second. The Orioles then responded with their four-run sixth.

Baltimore had 12 hits after entering the game tied for first in the American League in that category.

The teams will play the rubber game of the series Sunday. The Royals had seven series last season during which they won the first game and dropped the next two of the series. LHP Cade Povich (0-0, 6.23 ERA) will start for Baltimore and LHP Kris Bubic (1-0, 0.00 ERA) will take the mound for Kansas City.

⚾ Holliday and Sugano help Orioles to victory over Royals

Saturday, April 5
 KAYS: Kansas City
Royals vs. Baltimore Orioles, 2:30pm

EMPORIA, Kan. - The Fort Hays State track and field teams delivered several standout performances this Friday at the Midwest Classic in Emporia, Kan.&nbsp;The Tigers were highlighted by multiple event wins, personal bests, and a national-level mark from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/annabeth-baalmann/8389">Annabeth Baalmann</a>.

The women's team turned in a dominant showing on the track and in the field, earning five event victories.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/reba-mader/8402">Reba Mader</a>&nbsp;was a highlight of the meet, sprinting her way to a first-place finish in the 400m with a time of 56.10, a personal best that now ranks third all-time in the FHSU NCAA Division II record book. She also took sixth in the 200m with a time of 25.58.In the mid-distance events,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/eden-bathurst/8441">Eden Bathurst</a>&nbsp;captured a title in the 800m with a time of 2:20.26, while&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/emily-diercks/8393">Emily Diercks</a>&nbsp;ran to a third-place finish in the 1500m, clocking in at 4:41.53.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/emma-weiner/8448">Emma Weiner</a>&nbsp;earned a 1st-place finish in the 5000m and added a top-10 time in the 1500m as well.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/makenzie-premer/8447">Makenzie Premer</a>&nbsp;continued her strong season, winning the 3000m in 11:43.13, while&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/abbye-hudson/8399">Abbye Hudson</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/arely-maldonado/8445">Arely Maldonado</a>&nbsp;followed Weiner in the 5000m with second and fourth place finishes.

In the field,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/annabeth-baalmann/8389">Annabeth Baalmann</a>&nbsp;posted a huge performance in the pole vault, winning with a height of 13-2.50, a provisional mark that adds her name to the national qualifying list. In throws,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/liberty-booker/8390">Liberty Booker</a>&nbsp;launched a new personal best in the hammer throw at 170-06, placing 7th overall and moving to fourth in the DII program record book.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/jessica-saunders/8407">Jessica Saunders</a>&nbsp;was able to earn a top-five finish in the discus at 138-01.

On the men's side,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/drew-tolar/8535">Drew Tolar</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/toby-wahlmeier/8507">Toby Wahlmeier</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/hayden-albright/8477">Hayden Albright</a>&nbsp;packed the podium in the 100m dash, finishing second, third and fourth. Wahlmeier returned to the track for the 200m, grabbing second, just ahead of&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/nakari-morrical-palmer/8496">Nakari Morrical-Palmer</a>&nbsp;in third. In the 400m,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/avrey-albright/8476">Avrey Albright</a>&nbsp;and Morrical-Palmer each earned top-five finishes, while&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/mayan-paz/8498">Mayan Paz</a>&nbsp;crossed sixth in the 400m hurdles with a time of 56.91.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/christian-darrah/8512">Christian Darrah</a>&nbsp;had a strong meet as well, finishing third in the 1500m. The Tigers also placed four runners in the top six of the 5000m, led by&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/carsyn-turpin/8505">Carsyn Turpin</a>&nbsp;in third place.

The pole vault crew stole the show, with&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/josiah-ball/8526">Josiah Ball</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/brady-deges/8485">Brady Deges</a>&nbsp;each clearing 15-8.25 to tie the first&nbsp;place mark, showcasing the Tigers' elite talent in the pole vault.

The Tigers will now split their squad between two meets this next week. Some athletes will compete at the Jo Meaker Classic &amp; Multis in Canyon, Texas, while others will head to the K.T. Woodman Classic in Wichita, Kan.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏃‍♀️ Tigers have good showing at Midwest Classic in Emporia

On Friday, the Kansas State High School Activities
Association released the postseason host sites for the upcoming baseball season,
and TMP-Marian is a host site for 2-1A.

The Monarchs will be joined by area teams Ellis and
Plainville.

Here is a complete list of the eight-team regional: Belleville-Republic County HS Bennington HS Brookville-Ell-Saline HS Ellinwood HS Ellis HS Hays-Thomas More Prep-Marian HS Oberlin-Decatur Community HS Plainville HS Salina-Sacred Heart HS

In class 3A, Russell/Victoria is part of the Colby regional.

Seeding for 3A and 2-1A is May 10. The quarterfinal round
will take place from May 14 to 16. The semifinals and finals will be held
between May 19 and 22.

⚾ TMP set to host 2-1A regional

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Maikel Garcia and Vinnie Pasquantino each had three RBIs to help the Kansas City Royals beat the Baltimore Orioles 8-2 on a rainy Friday night.

The Royals broke it open in eighth inning, sending nine batters to the plate and scoring five times.

Garcia ripped a double down the left-field line to score Mark Canha and give Kansas City a 4-2 lead. Kyle Isbel followed with a bunt to first baseman Ryan Mountcastle, who underhanded it to the plate, but Garcia beat the throw to make it 5-2.

Pasquantino gave the Royals a six-run lead on a bloop single that cleared the bases.

Kansas City starter Seth Lugo (1-0) went six innings, allowing two runs (one earned).

Dean Kremer (1-1) went 4 1/3 innings in the start for Baltimore, allowing eight hits and three runs (two earned).

Baltimore ended its string of five straight series-opening wins dating to last September.

Star shortstop Gunnar Henderson, who started the season on the injured list,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/orioles-henderson-7bd05b6688776e59bba26d836e2229d5">made his 2025 debut</a>&nbsp;for Baltimore and went 1 for 4.

Kansas City opened the scoring in the first when Salvador Perez sent a high fly ball to left with two outs that Heston Kjerstad misplayed, allowing Bobby Witt Jr. to score.

The Royals took advantage of an error and a wild pitch in the fourth to take a 3-2 lead. Garcia singled up the middle to score Perez and Cavan Biggio.

The Royals have scored 18 of their 31 runs this season in the seventh inning or later.

The Orioles have not recorded a save through the first eight games of a season for the first time since 2003.

⚾ Royals beat Orioles behind 3 RBIs apiece from Garcia and  Pasquantino

DODGE CITY – The Hays High baseball team raced out to an
early lead and beat Dodge City 10-0 Saturday. The Indians are now 3-1 overall
and 2-0 in Western Athletic Conference play.

The Indians wasted no time getting on the board. Cooper Johnson
singled with one out and scored on a Carter Graham sacrifice fly in the top of
the first. They would add three more runs in the second. Ian McGuire walked,
stole second, moved to third on a wild pitch then stole home to push the lead
to 2-0. Graham tripled which scored Jonathan Cano. Brett Rhoades added a double
which scored Graham. Trace Jacobs followed with a single which scored Rhoades
which pushed the lead to 5-0.

Johnson added an RBI single in the fourth and Jalen Smith an
RBI double in the fifth to push the lead to 7-0.

HHS added three insurance runs in the top of the seventh.
Landon Hardman drove in the first run on a fielder’s choice. The last two runs
scored on bases loaded walks to Graham and Rhoades.

⚾ Indians cruise past Dodge City

HARVEY COUNTY—A suspect is in custody after a robbery Sunday morning at Walgreens in Newton.

Just after 11a.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to an armed robbery at Walgreens, 1300 N. Main, according to a social media report.

 The suspect reportedly indicated he had a firearm, obtained cash from the store and fled south.  Responding officers located a man, later identified as 37-year-old Joshua Ewing, acting suspiciously several blocks away. Polie found clothing and other evidence from the robbery in an alley nearby. 

Police arrested Ewing and booked him into the Harvey County Detention Center. Ewing had been released from the Detention Center earlier the same day. No weapon was found.The Harvey County Sheriff’s Office and North Newton Police assisted in the response. Ewing was in custody in Sedgwick County for alleged theft and contempt of court in December, according to online booking records.

Local

Region

Sports

Announcements