KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The first thing that Kansas City Royals owner John Sherman thinks about when he wakes up each morning is how the club, stuck in what seems like an interminable rebuild, will play on that particular day.

Not where they will play four or five years down the road.

Yet given the modest expectations for a team that lost nearly 100 games a year ago, it makes sense many Royals fans are just as interested — quite possibly more so — in the plans for a downtown ballpark than whether infielder Bobby Witt Jr. can double down on his brilliant rookie season or pitcher Brady Singer can truly become a staff ace.

That's why Sherman's second thought probably moves to the downtown ballpark, too.

“This is a huge decision, and I look at it as maybe the most important decision we'll make as long as we have the privilege of stewarding this team,” Sherman said before the Royals held a final workout Wednesday ahead of opening day. “I'm probably as anxious as you to get moving on that, but it's a complicated process.”

The Royals have called Kauffman Stadium home since the sister to Arrowhead Stadium, the home of the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, opened 50 years ago next month.

And while most stadiums are replaced because they have become outdated, the unique, space-aged look of Kauffman Stadium — built during an era in which teams trended toward impersonal, multisport concrete donuts for their homes — remains beloved by Royals fans and visitors alike.

The problem is that despite numerous renovations over the years, the very concrete holding the ballpark together has begun to crumble in places. The cost simply to repair and maintain the ballpark has become prohibitive.

So with the decision essentially made for them to build an entirely new stadium, the Royals revealed plans to build an entire development in the same mold of The Battery Atlanta, where the Braves built Truist Park, and the Ballpark Village in St. Louis, where the new Busch Stadium is merely the centerpiece of a whole entertainment district.

No site has been secured, but several of the most promising are in downtown Kansas City, where the Power &amp; Light District along with T-Mobile Center have spearheaded a successful era of urban renewal.

Sherman has said that private funds would cover the majority of the stadium cost and the entire village, each carrying a price tag of about $1 billion.

But if any public funding will be used, as it was to build and maintain Kauffman Stadium, then it would need to be voted upon, and the earliest that it could show up on a ballot would be August.

“You look at Atlanta, they took some raw ground — they started with 85 acres — and that has been a complete home run,” said Sherman, who purchased the Royals in August 2019, shortly before the pandemic wreaked havoc on team finances.

“This is one of the reasons we want to do this: That's helped the Braves become more competitive,” Sherman said of the vast potential for increased revenue for one of the smallest-market teams in baseball. “They have locked up and extended the core of their future, and the Braves are in a great position from a baseball standpoint.”

So perhaps the first two thoughts Sherman has each day — about performance and the future — are one and the same.

When it comes to the team itself, the Royals were largely quiet throughout the winter, though that was by design.

Rather than spending heavily on free agents that might help them win a few more games, they decided to stay the course with a promising young roster in the hopes that the development of those players would yield better results.

In fact, Sherman said, the club has been discussing extensions for some of the Royals' foundational pieces — presumably Witt, who was fourth in voting for AL rookie of the year, and Singer, who was 10-5 with a 3.23 ERA last season.

“We're having conversations about that as we speak," Sherman said. "We have a number of young players that we're trying to evaluate and we're talking to their representatives about what might work.”

Just because the Royals' roster largely looks the same, that doesn't mean nothing has changed. The Royals fired longtime general manager Dayton Moore in September and moved J.J. Picollo to the role, then fired manager Mike Matheny in October and replaced him with longtime Indians and Rays coach Matt Quatraro.

Sherman said the new voices created a palpable energy in spring training that he hopes carries into the regular season.

“When we acquired the team, we had three primary objectives,” Sherman said. "One was to win more games; we're working on that. The second was to secure the future; that's what (the stadium) is. And the third was to do good in the community.

“But the first priority,” he said, “is really the on-field product. That's what really lifts everything else up.”

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The first thing that Kansas City Royals owner John Sherman thinks about when he wakes up each morning is how the club, stuck in what seems like an interminable rebuild, will play on that particular day.Not where they will play four or five years down the road.Yet given the modest expectations for a team that lost nearly 100 games a year ago, it makes sense many Royals fans are just as interested — quite possibly more so — in the plans for a downtown ballpark than whether infielder Bobby Witt Jr. can double down on his brilliant rookie season or pitcher Brady Singer can truly become a staff ace.That's why Sherman's second thought probably moves to the downtown ballpark, too.“This is a huge decision, and I look at it as maybe the most important decision we'll make as long as we have the privilege of stewarding this team,” Sherman said before the Royals held a final workout Wednesday ahead of opening day. “I'm probably as anxious as you to get moving on that, but it's a complicated process.”The Royals have called Kauffman Stadium home since the sister to Arrowhead Stadium, the home of the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, opened 50 years ago next month.And while most stadiums are replaced because they have become outdated, the unique, space-aged look of Kauffman Stadium — built during an era in which teams trended toward impersonal, multisport concrete donuts for their homes — remains beloved by Royals fans and visitors alike.The problem is that despite numerous renovations over the years, the very concrete holding the ballpark together has begun to crumble in places. The cost simply to repair and maintain the ballpark has become prohibitive.So with the decision essentially made for them to build an entirely new stadium, the Royals revealed plans to build an entire development in the same mold of The Battery Atlanta, where the Braves built Truist Park, and the Ballpark Village in St. Louis, where the new Busch Stadium is merely the centerpiece of a whole entertainment district.No site has been secured, but several of the most promising are in downtown Kansas City, where the Power &amp; Light District along with T-Mobile Center have spearheaded a successful era of urban renewal.Sherman has said that private funds would cover the majority of the stadium cost and the entire village, each carrying a price tag of about $1 billion.But if any public funding will be used, as it was to build and maintain Kauffman Stadium, then it would need to be voted upon, and the earliest that it could show up on a ballot would be August.“You look at Atlanta, they took some raw ground — they started with 85 acres — and that has been a complete home run,” said Sherman, who purchased the Royals in August 2019, shortly before the pandemic wreaked havoc on team finances.“This is one of the reasons we want to do this: That's helped the Braves become more competitive,” Sherman said of the vast potential for increased revenue for one of the smallest-market teams in baseball. “They have locked up and extended the core of their future, and the Braves are in a great position from a baseball standpoint.”So perhaps the first two thoughts Sherman has each day — about performance and the future — are one and the same.When it comes to the team itself, the Royals were largely quiet throughout the winter, though that was by design.Rather than spending heavily on free agents that might help them win a few more games, they decided to stay the course with a promising young roster in the hopes that the development of those players would yield better results.In fact, Sherman said, the club has been discussing extensions for some of the Royals' foundational pieces — presumably Witt, who was fourth in voting for AL rookie of the year, and Singer, who was 10-5 with a 3.23 ERA last season.“We're having conversations about that as we speak," Sherman said. "We have a number of young players that we're trying to evaluate and we're talking to their representatives about what might work.”Just because the Royals' roster largely looks the same, that doesn't mean nothing has changed. The Royals fired longtime general manager Dayton Moore in September and moved J.J. Picollo to the role, then fired manager Mike Matheny in October and replaced him with longtime Indians and Rays coach Matt Quatraro.Sherman said the new voices created a palpable energy in spring training that he hopes carries into the regular season.“When we acquired the team, we had three primary objectives,” Sherman said. "One was to win more games; we're working on that. The second was to secure the future; that's what (the stadium) is. And the third was to do good in the community.“But the first priority,” he said, “is really the on-field product. That's what really lifts everything else up.”

⚾ Royals' Sherman optimistic about new ballpark, current team

HAYS, Kan. – The Fort Hays State softball doubleheaders set to take place this weekend in Hays have been pushed back a day. Start times of each MIAA doubleheader remain the same. Fort Hays State will now host Pittsburg State on Saturday starting at 1 p.m., then Missouri Southern on Sunday starting at 12 p.m.

Sunday's games can be heard on KJLS (103.3). Fort Hays State brings a 22-11 overall record and 4-2 record in MIAA into the doubleheader, while Pittsburg State enters&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680120068034.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsHAYS, Kan. – The Fort Hays State softball doubleheaders set to take place this weekend in Hays have been pushed back a day. Start times of each MIAA doubleheader remain the same. Fort Hays State will now host Pittsburg State on Saturday starting at 1 p.m., then Missouri Southern on Sunday starting at 12 p.m.Sunday's games can be heard on KJLS (103.3). Fort Hays State brings a 22-11 overall record and 4-2 record in MIAA into the doubleheader, while Pittsburg State enters&nbsp;&nbsp;

🥎 FHSU home doubleheaders vs PSU and MSSU pushed back a day

The Hays Soccer Club’s U12 Thunder went 3-0-1 at the fifth&nbsp;annual Next Gen Invitational presented by Sporting Kansas City. The Thunder started tournament play against Sporting Columbia White early Saturday morning. Late in the first half, Joey Fisher scored his first goal of the tournament putting Thunder up 1-0. Shortly after, Sporting Columbia answered with a goal of their own ending the first half tied 1-1. Fisher came out of the half strong by scoring back-to-back goals early in the second&nbsp;half.&nbsp;Sporting KC Columbia turned the tables to answer with back-to-back goals of their own late in the second half ending the match in a 3-3 tie. The match saw shots on goal from Dalton&nbsp;Herrman(1), Joey Fisher(4), and&nbsp;Laiken&nbsp;Desaire(1). Logan Cunningham was the sole keeper for the match and ended with 7 saves.&nbsp;

For the second match on Saturday Thunder faced another Sporting KC club team Sporting Iowa Silver. With the tie from the morning match fresh on their mind,&nbsp;Thunder came out strong in the first half with six shots on goal from six different Thunder players. However, no one was able to find the back of the net leaving the first half scoreless. Thunder couldn’t be denied in&nbsp;the second half with an early score from Stryker Berry followed by another Fisher goal with an assist from Berry. Still early in the first half,&nbsp;Col Lonsdale assisted a Logan Cunningham Goal bringing the score to 3-0. Fisher scored again from another Berry assist then provided Dalton&nbsp;Herrman&nbsp;with an assist bringing the score to 5-0 midway through the second half.&nbsp;Mason Zimmerman got into the action with a long goal from a free kick with Lonsdale closing out the route with a goal of his own ending the match 7-0. The match saw shots on goal from Dalton&nbsp;Herrman(2), Stryker Berry(2), Joey Fisher(3), Logan Cunningham(2), Mason Zimmerman(1), Col Lonsdale(1), Emery Zimmerman(1),&nbsp;Laiken&nbsp;Desaire(1), and Nicholas&nbsp;Penka(1). Jace&nbsp;Herbers&nbsp;was the sole keeper in the match and ended the shutout with 2 saves.&nbsp;

Thunder drew the early Sunday morning match this time against Sporting Iowa Grey. The cold temperatures and 8AM game time didn’t slow down Thunder. Joey Fisher started off the first half with an early goal followed by a goal from Dalton&nbsp;Herrman, assisted by Stryker Berry. The start of the second half saw a barrage of shots from Thunder with Fisher finding the back of the net from a&nbsp;Herrman&nbsp;assist. Sporting Iowa got on the board with a goal of their own bringing the score to 3-1. Fisher answered back with another goal effectively shutting down any chance of a Sporting rally. Sporting did pick up a late goal with the match ending 4-2. The match saw shots on goal from Dalton&nbsp;Herrman(5), Stryker Berry(1), Noah&nbsp;DeBay(1), Joey Fisher(5), Emery Zimmerman(1), and Preston Dinkel(1). Logan Cunningham was the sole keeper in the match and ended with 3 key saves.

With a 2-0-1 record in their pool Thunder secured a spot in the championship match against&nbsp;undefeated&nbsp;Sporting Nebraska FC – Lincoln. Match time conditions proved to be colder than the early game but that didn’t slow down Thunder. The boys came out strong and took the early advantage by applying pressure throughout the start of the first half. Sporting Nebraska answered by not only defending the early Thunder attacks but also applying pressure back. Starting defenders Mason Zimmerman, Noah&nbsp;DeBay, and Hudson&nbsp;Sultzer&nbsp;rose to the challenge against very good Sporting attacks and turned this match into a defensive battle. Midway into the&nbsp;second half Thunder defense seemed to wear down Sporting’s attacking force turning the tides back in Thunder’s favor. After a few near-miss shots on goal by Thunder, it seemed this match was going into penalty kicks until Dalton&nbsp;Herrman&nbsp;made the game-winning goal in the&nbsp;47th&nbsp;minute. The match saw shots on goal from Dalton&nbsp;Herrman(1), Stryker Berry(1), Logan Cunningham(3), and Emery Zimmerman(2. Jace&nbsp;Herbers&nbsp;was the sole keeper in the match with 3 saves.

With this first-place finish at&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;City, the Hays Thunder move to 17-4-2 for the 2022-2023 season&nbsp;in six tournaments taking home gold medals from Wichita Open (Wichita), Fall Kickoff Challenge (Overland Park), Nightmare on 17th&nbsp;Street (Topeka), Sporting Next Gen Invitational (Kansas City), and a second-place finish at the Challenger Sports Invitational (Overland Park). The Thunder will be back in action on April 14th&nbsp;at the Air Capital Cub in Wichita.&nbsp;

Hays Thunder is a Hays Soccer Club team in the U12 age division with players born in 2011 and&nbsp;2012. Thunder is coached this season by Adam Fisher and Ty Berry. Founded in 2000, the&nbsp;Hays&nbsp;Soccer Club is organized as an educational and charitable organization to advance and&nbsp;foster&nbsp;the game of soccer among players under the age of nineteen years, as well as to&nbsp;promote sportsmanship and the development of individual soccer players to the highest level of&nbsp;his/her ability.

Hays Soccer Club is adding players and forming new teams at all age levels. To find out more, message us on our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HaysSoccerClub/">Facebook Page</a>&nbsp;or visit our <a href="https://www.hayssoccerclub.com">website</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680111371062.jpeg" alt="Pictured from Back Row Left: Hudson Sultzer, Jace Herbers, Joey Fisher, Noah DeBay, Stryker Berry, Laiken Desaire, Col Lonsdale. Front Row from Left: Mason Zimmerman, Dalton Herrman, Logan Cunningham, Emery Zimmerman, Nick Penka, Preston Dinkel" />
 <figcaption>Pictured from Back Row Left: Hudson Sultzer, Jace Herbers, Joey Fisher, Noah DeBay, Stryker Berry, Laiken Desaire, Col Lonsdale. Front Row from Left: Mason Zimmerman, Dalton Herrman, Logan Cunningham, Emery Zimmerman, Nick Penka, Preston Dinkel</figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedThe Hays Soccer Club’s U12 Thunder went 3-0-1 at the fifth&nbsp;annual Next Gen Invitational presented by Sporting Kansas City. The Thunder started tournament play against Sporting Columbia White early Saturday morning. Late in the first half, Joey Fisher scored his first goal of the tournament putting Thunder up 1-0. Shortly after, Sporting Columbia answered with a goal of their own ending the first half tied 1-1. Fisher came out of the half strong by scoring back-to-back goals early in the second&nbsp;half.&nbsp;Sporting KC Columbia turned the tables to answer with back-to-back goals of their own late in the second half ending the match in a 3-3 tie. The match saw shots on goal from Dalton&nbsp;Herrman(1), Joey Fisher(4), and&nbsp;Laiken&nbsp;Desaire(1). Logan Cunningham was the sole keeper for the match and ended with 7 saves.&nbsp;For the second match on Saturday Thunder faced another Sporting KC club team Sporting Iowa Silver. With the tie from the morning match fresh on their mind,&nbsp;Thunder came out strong in the first half with six shots on goal from six different Thunder players. However, no one was able to find the back of the net leaving the first half scoreless. Thunder couldn’t be denied in&nbsp;the second half with an early score from Stryker Berry followed by another Fisher goal with an assist from Berry. Still early in the first half,&nbsp;Col Lonsdale assisted a Logan Cunningham Goal bringing the score to 3-0. Fisher scored again from another Berry assist then provided Dalton&nbsp;Herrman&nbsp;with an assist bringing the score to 5-0 midway through the second half.&nbsp;Mason Zimmerman got into the action with a long goal from a free kick with Lonsdale closing out the route with a goal of his own ending the match 7-0. The match saw shots on goal from Dalton&nbsp;Herrman(2), Stryker Berry(2), Joey Fisher(3), Logan Cunningham(2), Mason Zimmerman(1), Col Lonsdale(1), Emery Zimmerman(1),&nbsp;Laiken&nbsp;Desaire(1), and Nicholas&nbsp;Penka(1). Jace&nbsp;Herbers&nbsp;was the sole keeper in the match and ended the shutout with 2 saves.&nbsp;Thunder drew the early Sunday morning match this time against Sporting Iowa Grey. The cold temperatures and 8AM game time didn’t slow down Thunder. Joey Fisher started off the first half with an early goal followed by a goal from Dalton&nbsp;Herrman, assisted by Stryker Berry. The start of the second half saw a barrage of shots from Thunder with Fisher finding the back of the net from a&nbsp;Herrman&nbsp;assist. Sporting Iowa got on the board with a goal of their own bringing the score to 3-1. Fisher answered back with another goal effectively shutting down any chance of a Sporting rally. Sporting did pick up a late goal with the match ending 4-2. The match saw shots on goal from Dalton&nbsp;Herrman(5), Stryker Berry(1), Noah&nbsp;DeBay(1), Joey Fisher(5), Emery Zimmerman(1), and Preston Dinkel(1). Logan Cunningham was the sole keeper in the match and ended with 3 key saves.With a 2-0-1 record in their pool Thunder secured a spot in the championship match against&nbsp;undefeated&nbsp;Sporting Nebraska FC – Lincoln. Match time conditions proved to be colder than the early game but that didn’t slow down Thunder. The boys came out strong and took the early advantage by applying pressure throughout the start of the first half. Sporting Nebraska answered by not only defending the early Thunder attacks but also applying pressure back. Starting defenders Mason Zimmerman, Noah&nbsp;DeBay, and Hudson&nbsp;Sultzer&nbsp;rose to the challenge against very good Sporting attacks and turned this match into a defensive battle. Midway into the&nbsp;second half Thunder defense seemed to wear down Sporting’s attacking force turning the tides back in Thunder’s favor. After a few near-miss shots on goal by Thunder, it seemed this match was going into penalty kicks until Dalton&nbsp;Herrman&nbsp;made the game-winning goal in the&nbsp;47th&nbsp;minute. The match saw shots on goal from Dalton&nbsp;Herrman(1), Stryker Berry(1), Logan Cunningham(3), and Emery Zimmerman(2. Jace&nbsp;Herbers&nbsp;was the sole keeper in the match with 3 saves.With this first-place finish at&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;City, the Hays Thunder move to 17-4-2 for the 2022-2023 season&nbsp;in six tournaments taking home gold medals from Wichita Open (Wichita), Fall Kickoff Challenge (Overland Park), Nightmare on 17th&nbsp;Street (Topeka), Sporting Next Gen Invitational (Kansas City), and a second-place finish at the Challenger Sports Invitational (Overland Park). The Thunder will be back in action on April 14th&nbsp;at the Air Capital Cub in Wichita.&nbsp;Hays Thunder is a Hays Soccer Club team in the U12 age division with players born in 2011 and&nbsp;2012. Thunder is coached this season by Adam Fisher and Ty Berry. Founded in 2000, the&nbsp;Hays&nbsp;Soccer Club is organized as an educational and charitable organization to advance and&nbsp;foster&nbsp;the game of soccer among players under the age of nineteen years, as well as to&nbsp;promote sportsmanship and the development of individual soccer players to the highest level of&nbsp;his/her ability.Hays Soccer Club is adding players and forming new teams at all age levels. To find out more, message us on our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HaysSoccerClub/">Facebook Page</a>&nbsp;or visit our <a href="https://www.hayssoccerclub.com">website</a>.

⚽ Hays Soccer Club U12 Thunder bring home gold from Sporting KC tournament

Newly named Fort Hays State women's basketball coach Talia Kahrs visits about taking over the program from the retiring Tony Hobson.

Newly named Fort Hays State women's basketball coach Talia Kahrs visits about taking over the program from the retiring Tony Hobson.<div><iframe title="Talia Kahrs" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=bfrxp-13cc17c-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=1&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=2"></iframe></div>

🎧 Defend the Fort Podcast: Talia Kahrs

WEATHERFORD, Okla. – Fort Hays State saw its win streak reach nine games behind a no-hitter by&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/morgan-schmidt/7087">Morgan Schmidt</a>&nbsp;in the first game of a doubleheader at Southwestern Oklahoma State on Tuesday. It was the 14th&nbsp;no-hitter in the program's NCAA Division II history in a 4-0 win by the Tigers. However, the season's longest winning string came to an end in the second contest as the Tigers fell 4-2. FHSU moved to 22-11 overall, while SWOSU moved to 7-27 overall. Game 1: Fort Hays State 4, Southwestern Oklahoma State 0 <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/morgan-schmidt/7087">Morgan Schmidt</a>&nbsp;had not seen action in the pitching circle for just over two weeks, but returned with a bang by throwing the 14th&nbsp;no-hitter in Fort Hays State Softball's NCAA Division II history. After retiring the first seven batter of the game, she allowed just one walk to the second batter of the third inning for SWOSU. Following that, she retired 14 consecutive batters on the way to her first career no-no. Schmidt holds a high strikeout rate in the circle this year, averaging 12.32 per seven innings entering Tuesday. However, she did not need very many punchouts in this contest, finishing with just three. Eleven of the outs were flyouts and seven were groundouts. She threw 91 pitches. Schmidt has two complete games this season and both have been against Southwestern Oklahoma State. She threw a five-inning shutout against the Bulldogs in a 12-0 run-rule win in Wichita Falls, Texas back on February 11. Schmidt's no-hitter was the first since Michaelanne Nelson's 8-inning no-hitter against Oklahoma Baptist back on February 16, 2020 in Oklahoma City. The last three FHSU no-hitters have been thrown in the state of Oklahoma as Paxton Duran threw a no-no at Northeastern State in Tahlequah back on March 21, 2014. Schmidt is the seventh individual to join the individual no-hitter club at FHSU. Six of the seven have all thrown one, while Maddie Holub threw seven in her career. Head coach Adrian (Mohr) Pilkington joined Holub for the only combined no-hitter in the program's NCAA Division II history. The Tigers picked up their first run of the contest in the second inning on a&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/lexi-mohr/7091">Lexi Mohr</a>&nbsp;two-out RBI single.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/lilliana-ramirez-johnson/7093">Lilliana Ramirez-Johnson</a>&nbsp;had an RBI sacrifice fly in the fourth inning to make it 2-0. The Tigers picked up another pair of runs in the fifth with two outs. Three walks in the inning loaded the bases before&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/carly-stuke/7096">Carly Stuke</a>&nbsp;hit a single up the middle to plate a pair of runs, pushing the lead to 4-0. Game 2: Southwestern Oklahoma State 4, Fort Hays State 2 Fort Hays State saw its 9-game win streak come to an end in game two as a timely two-out, two-run double by SWOSU in the bottom of the sixth broke a 2-2 tie between the teams. The Tigers got the potential tying run to the plate in the seventh, but the game ended on a flyout. The Bulldogs took its first lead of the game in the second inning, also in a two-out situation. A pair of RBI singles pushed them in front 2-0.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/bailey-carlson/7078">Bailey Carlson</a>&nbsp;relieved&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/emma-montoya/7092">Emma Montoya</a>&nbsp;after just 1.2 innings of work. Montoya struck out four batters, but allowed three hits and three walks in her outing. The Tigers immediately evened the score in the third when&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/peyton-shepard/7094">Peyton Shepard</a>&nbsp;led off with a single and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/sarah-tiffany/7088">Sarah Tiffany</a>&nbsp;walked.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/loren-beggs/7075">Loren Beggs</a>&nbsp;then brought both in to score on an RBI triple to the right field corner. However, not getting Beggs across to score when they had no outs was costly for the Tigers as they went scoreless the remainder of the game. The Tigers had a runner in scoring position in the top of the sixth, but could not come up with a two-out hit to score the run. SWOSU had a pair of two-out scoring chances in the third and fifth innings and went scoreless, but it finally cashed in on its opportunity in the sixth. A two-out walk and single set up Skyla McPhillips' game-deciding double. Carlson worked 4.1 innings, allowing four hits and five walks, while striking out two. Taryn Westbrook threw a complete game for the Bulldogs, allowing six hits and two walks. She struck out four. The Tigers return to MIAA play this weekend in Hays, hosting Pittsburg State and Missouri Southern. The doubleheader with Pittsburg State on Friday begins at 1 p.m., then the doubleheader with Missouri Southern begins at 12 p.m. on Saturday.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680055417353.jpeg" alt="Fort Hays State's Morgan Schmidt makes a pitch at an NCAA softball game earlier this season at Fleharty Family Field in Hays, Kan. (FHSU Athletics photo/Nicole Heitmann)" />
 <figcaption>Fort Hays State's Morgan Schmidt makes a pitch at an NCAA softball game earlier this season at Fleharty Family Field in Hays, Kan. (FHSU Athletics photo/Nicole Heitmann)</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsWEATHERFORD, Okla. – Fort Hays State saw its win streak reach nine games behind a no-hitter by&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/morgan-schmidt/7087">Morgan Schmidt</a>&nbsp;in the first game of a doubleheader at Southwestern Oklahoma State on Tuesday. It was the 14th&nbsp;no-hitter in the program's NCAA Division II history in a 4-0 win by the Tigers. However, the season's longest winning string came to an end in the second contest as the Tigers fell 4-2. FHSU moved to 22-11 overall, while SWOSU moved to 7-27 overall. Game 1: Fort Hays State 4, Southwestern Oklahoma State 0 <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/morgan-schmidt/7087">Morgan Schmidt</a>&nbsp;had not seen action in the pitching circle for just over two weeks, but returned with a bang by throwing the 14th&nbsp;no-hitter in Fort Hays State Softball's NCAA Division II history. After retiring the first seven batter of the game, she allowed just one walk to the second batter of the third inning for SWOSU. Following that, she retired 14 consecutive batters on the way to her first career no-no. Schmidt holds a high strikeout rate in the circle this year, averaging 12.32 per seven innings entering Tuesday. However, she did not need very many punchouts in this contest, finishing with just three. Eleven of the outs were flyouts and seven were groundouts. She threw 91 pitches. Schmidt has two complete games this season and both have been against Southwestern Oklahoma State. She threw a five-inning shutout against the Bulldogs in a 12-0 run-rule win in Wichita Falls, Texas back on February 11. Schmidt's no-hitter was the first since Michaelanne Nelson's 8-inning no-hitter against Oklahoma Baptist back on February 16, 2020 in Oklahoma City. The last three FHSU no-hitters have been thrown in the state of Oklahoma as Paxton Duran threw a no-no at Northeastern State in Tahlequah back on March 21, 2014. Schmidt is the seventh individual to join the individual no-hitter club at FHSU. Six of the seven have all thrown one, while Maddie Holub threw seven in her career. Head coach Adrian (Mohr) Pilkington joined Holub for the only combined no-hitter in the program's NCAA Division II history. The Tigers picked up their first run of the contest in the second inning on a&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/lexi-mohr/7091">Lexi Mohr</a>&nbsp;two-out RBI single.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/lilliana-ramirez-johnson/7093">Lilliana Ramirez-Johnson</a>&nbsp;had an RBI sacrifice fly in the fourth inning to make it 2-0. The Tigers picked up another pair of runs in the fifth with two outs. Three walks in the inning loaded the bases before&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/carly-stuke/7096">Carly Stuke</a>&nbsp;hit a single up the middle to plate a pair of runs, pushing the lead to 4-0. Game 2: Southwestern Oklahoma State 4, Fort Hays State 2 Fort Hays State saw its 9-game win streak come to an end in game two as a timely two-out, two-run double by SWOSU in the bottom of the sixth broke a 2-2 tie between the teams. The Tigers got the potential tying run to the plate in the seventh, but the game ended on a flyout. The Bulldogs took its first lead of the game in the second inning, also in a two-out situation. A pair of RBI singles pushed them in front 2-0.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/bailey-carlson/7078">Bailey Carlson</a>&nbsp;relieved&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/emma-montoya/7092">Emma Montoya</a>&nbsp;after just 1.2 innings of work. Montoya struck out four batters, but allowed three hits and three walks in her outing. The Tigers immediately evened the score in the third when&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/peyton-shepard/7094">Peyton Shepard</a>&nbsp;led off with a single and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/sarah-tiffany/7088">Sarah Tiffany</a>&nbsp;walked.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/loren-beggs/7075">Loren Beggs</a>&nbsp;then brought both in to score on an RBI triple to the right field corner. However, not getting Beggs across to score when they had no outs was costly for the Tigers as they went scoreless the remainder of the game. The Tigers had a runner in scoring position in the top of the sixth, but could not come up with a two-out hit to score the run. SWOSU had a pair of two-out scoring chances in the third and fifth innings and went scoreless, but it finally cashed in on its opportunity in the sixth. A two-out walk and single set up Skyla McPhillips' game-deciding double. Carlson worked 4.1 innings, allowing four hits and five walks, while striking out two. Taryn Westbrook threw a complete game for the Bulldogs, allowing six hits and two walks. She struck out four. The Tigers return to MIAA play this weekend in Hays, hosting Pittsburg State and Missouri Southern. The doubleheader with Pittsburg State on Friday begins at 1 p.m., then the doubleheader with Missouri Southern begins at 12 p.m. on Saturday.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🥎 Schmidt throws no-hitter, Tigers split at SWOSU

GARDEN CITY - The Hays High softball team opened their season 13-6 win over Garden City Tuesday. Aubrey Thomas went the distance in the circle and hit a home run.&nbsp;

Thomas allowed six runs (five earned) on seven hits with nine strikeouts and three walks over seven innings. Her three-run homer highlighted the Indians five-run fourth inning which gave them a 6-4 lead.

After the Buffaloes scored two in the bottom of the fourth to tie the game 6-6, Hays answered with three in the fifth to take the lead back for good. Avery Solida's sac fly scored Lakyn Zimmerman. Haley Rees then doubled driving in Elle Dreiling.

HHS would add two runs on the sixth on a Riley Dreher double then add two more in the seventh on an error and D Schmidt single.

The Indians grabbed an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first on a Dreher double that scored Thomas. Garden City responded with four in the bottom of the inning.

HHS returns to action Friday with a doubleheader at Valley Center.

Hays PostGARDEN CITY - The Hays High softball team opened their season 13-6 win over Garden City Tuesday. Aubrey Thomas went the distance in the circle and hit a home run.&nbsp;Thomas allowed six runs (five earned) on seven hits with nine strikeouts and three walks over seven innings. Her three-run homer highlighted the Indians five-run fourth inning which gave them a 6-4 lead.After the Buffaloes scored two in the bottom of the fourth to tie the game 6-6, Hays answered with three in the fifth to take the lead back for good. Avery Solida's sac fly scored Lakyn Zimmerman. Haley Rees then doubled driving in Elle Dreiling.HHS would add two runs on the sixth on a Riley Dreher double then add two more in the seventh on an error and D Schmidt single.The Indians grabbed an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first on a Dreher double that scored Thomas. Garden City responded with four in the bottom of the inning.HHS returns to action Friday with a doubleheader at Valley Center.

🥎 HHS wins season opener over Garden City

McPHERSON – The Hays High girls’ soccer team dropped their
first match of the season, losing to Valley Center 2-1 on penalty kicks in the semifinals of the
McPherson Invitational.

The match was tied 1-1 at the end of regulation. Valley Center outscored Hays 5-4 in the penalty kick shootout.

Arely Maldonado scored the Indians (2-1) lone goal in 51st minute on an assist from Dani Willeford. The Hornets scored the equalizer in the 67th minute.

The Indians will play Salina South in the third-place game
Friday (March 31) at 2:30pm. The Cougars lost 9-0 to Maize South.

Hays PostMcPHERSON – The Hays High girls’ soccer team dropped their
first match of the season, losing to Valley Center 2-1 on penalty kicks in the semifinals of the
McPherson Invitational.The match was tied 1-1 at the end of regulation. Valley Center outscored Hays 5-4 in the penalty kick shootout.Arely Maldonado scored the Indians (2-1) lone goal in 51st minute on an assist from Dani Willeford. The Hornets scored the equalizer in the 67th minute.The Indians will play Salina South in the third-place game
Friday (March 31) at 2:30pm. The Cougars lost 9-0 to Maize South.

⚽ HHS falls to Valley Center in McPherson Invite semifinals

WICHITA, Kan. – The Fort Hays State baseball team dropped game two of their midweek series against the Newman Jets on Tuesday by a score of 14-4 in eight innings. The Jets scored in all but one inning to secure the series win. Newman improved to 13-18 (7-10 MIAA) while FHSU falls to 13-20 (4-13 MIAA). Newman took the lead in the bottom of the first frame and didn't look back. The Jets produced five runs through two innings off Tiger starter&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/andrew-hansen/7259">Andrew Hansen</a>. It wasn't until the top of the third when the Tigers were able to push across their first run.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/ed-scott/6827">Ed Scott</a>&nbsp;started the inning off with a leadoff walk.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/trey-degarmo/7257">Trey DeGarmo</a>&nbsp;found his way on-base via a single to center field. The bases became loaded for the offense after an error by Newman's second baseman.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/emile-boies/7253">Emile Boies</a>&nbsp;pushed Scott around to score with a sacrifice fly to make the score 5-1. The Jets responded right away with single runs in both the bottom of the third and fourth innings. Fort Hays got one more run in the fifth inning after Ural showed off his speed with a triple to left field, followed by another sacrifice fly from Boies. The small dose of momentum came to a quick halt in the bottom of the sixth when the Jets rattled off four more runs off three hits and two Tiger errors to push the score to 11-2. Boies continued to stay hot on the day with a solo home run in the seventh and collected another RBI after a groundout in the eighth. The infielder manned the offense for the Tigers, driving in all four of the team's runs.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/isaiah-ural/7272">Isaiah Ural</a>&nbsp;stretched his hit-streak to seven games and notched his 14th&nbsp;multi-hit game of the season with a 3-for-5 performance at the plate. Newman's starter C Wilson (1-4) picked up his first win of the season on the hill after tossing 5.0 innings, allowing just one earned run. Hansen (1-3) was used for 1.1 innings and was one of six pitchers used throughout the game. The Tigers will finish their midweek series against the Newman Jets on April 11 at Larks Park in Hays. The team will return home to Larks Park this weekend (Mar. 31-April 2) as they welcome in the frontrunner in the MIAA, the Missouri Southern State Lions. The three-game conference series is set to start at 1 p.m. on Friday.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680055656828.jpeg" alt="Fort Hays State's Isaiah Ural bats in an NCAA baseball game vs. Adams State on Friday, February 3, 2023&nbsp; at Mountain Lion Park in Colorado Springs, Colo. (FHSU Athletics photo)" />
 <figcaption>Fort Hays State's Isaiah Ural bats in an NCAA baseball game vs. Adams State on Friday, February 3, 2023&nbsp; at Mountain Lion Park in Colorado Springs, Colo. (FHSU Athletics photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsWICHITA, Kan. – The Fort Hays State baseball team dropped game two of their midweek series against the Newman Jets on Tuesday by a score of 14-4 in eight innings. The Jets scored in all but one inning to secure the series win. Newman improved to 13-18 (7-10 MIAA) while FHSU falls to 13-20 (4-13 MIAA). Newman took the lead in the bottom of the first frame and didn't look back. The Jets produced five runs through two innings off Tiger starter&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/andrew-hansen/7259">Andrew Hansen</a>. It wasn't until the top of the third when the Tigers were able to push across their first run.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/ed-scott/6827">Ed Scott</a>&nbsp;started the inning off with a leadoff walk.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/trey-degarmo/7257">Trey DeGarmo</a>&nbsp;found his way on-base via a single to center field. The bases became loaded for the offense after an error by Newman's second baseman.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/emile-boies/7253">Emile Boies</a>&nbsp;pushed Scott around to score with a sacrifice fly to make the score 5-1. The Jets responded right away with single runs in both the bottom of the third and fourth innings. Fort Hays got one more run in the fifth inning after Ural showed off his speed with a triple to left field, followed by another sacrifice fly from Boies. The small dose of momentum came to a quick halt in the bottom of the sixth when the Jets rattled off four more runs off three hits and two Tiger errors to push the score to 11-2. Boies continued to stay hot on the day with a solo home run in the seventh and collected another RBI after a groundout in the eighth. The infielder manned the offense for the Tigers, driving in all four of the team's runs.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/isaiah-ural/7272">Isaiah Ural</a>&nbsp;stretched his hit-streak to seven games and notched his 14th&nbsp;multi-hit game of the season with a 3-for-5 performance at the plate. Newman's starter C Wilson (1-4) picked up his first win of the season on the hill after tossing 5.0 innings, allowing just one earned run. Hansen (1-3) was used for 1.1 innings and was one of six pitchers used throughout the game. The Tigers will finish their midweek series against the Newman Jets on April 11 at Larks Park in Hays. The team will return home to Larks Park this weekend (Mar. 31-April 2) as they welcome in the frontrunner in the MIAA, the Missouri Southern State Lions. The three-game conference series is set to start at 1 p.m. on Friday.&nbsp;&nbsp;

⚾ Jets soar to midweek win over Tigers

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Morgan Brasser of Fort Hays State won the MWSU Holiday Inn Express Classic for a second-straight year on Tuesday. Sitting just one stroke back in second place to start the final round at 2-over par, Brasser carded five birdies on her way to a 2-under par final round of 70. She won the tournament by three strokes over Julie Hofmanova of Missouri Western. The tournament took place at its usual location of St. Joseph Country Club. Last year Brasser won the Holiday Inn Express Classic by five strokes over Jessica Green of Rogers State with a total of 146 (+2). This year she was two strokes better at an even-par 144, thanks to seven birdies throughout the tournament to counteract five bogeys and one double bogey. Her seven birdies led the tournament field, while her 23 pars ranked sixth. Navigating her way to even-par golf in the final round through 15 holes, Brasser put the tournament away by carding birdies on two of her last three holes. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-golf/roster/aliyah-north/6953">Aliyah North</a>&nbsp;also had a great showing for the Tigers by putting together her best tournament of the season. North carded back-to-back rounds of 77 to finish at +10 (154) to tie for ninth. It was the first top-10 finish of the season for North. She filled her first-round scorecard with nine-straight pars on the back nine and 13 overall to go with five bogeys. In the second round, she had three birdies to offset eight bogeys to get to a total of 5-over par for the second-straight day. With Brasser and North finishing in the top 10, it helped Fort Hays State to a fifth-place finish as a team with a total of 638. It was the Tigers' highest placement as a team in a tournament so far this season. Missouri Western won its home tournament by 21 strokes at 604. Maryville was second at 625 and Northwest Missouri State was third at 626. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-golf/roster/shauna-lee/6949">Shauna Lee</a>&nbsp;shot rounds of 83 and 82 to tie for 24th&nbsp;individually.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-golf/roster/lexie-ridder/6951">Lexie Ridder</a>&nbsp;carded rounds of 90 and 85 to finish alone in 45th. Lee carded three birdies in the second round. Brasser now has four individual tournament titles in her career at FHSU, twice now at the MWSU Holiday Inn Express Classic. Earlier this fall she won the Augustana Fall Regional Preview and Tulsa Cup. The Tigers return to action next week at the Newman Invitational, which will be held at Sand Creek Station Golf Course in Newton, Kansas April 3-4.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680040632105.jpeg" alt="Fort Hays State's Morgan Brasser (FHSU Athletics photo/Ryan Prickett)" />
 <figcaption>Fort Hays State's Morgan Brasser (FHSU Athletics photo/Ryan Prickett)</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Morgan Brasser of Fort Hays State won the MWSU Holiday Inn Express Classic for a second-straight year on Tuesday. Sitting just one stroke back in second place to start the final round at 2-over par, Brasser carded five birdies on her way to a 2-under par final round of 70. She won the tournament by three strokes over Julie Hofmanova of Missouri Western. The tournament took place at its usual location of St. Joseph Country Club. Last year Brasser won the Holiday Inn Express Classic by five strokes over Jessica Green of Rogers State with a total of 146 (+2). This year she was two strokes better at an even-par 144, thanks to seven birdies throughout the tournament to counteract five bogeys and one double bogey. Her seven birdies led the tournament field, while her 23 pars ranked sixth. Navigating her way to even-par golf in the final round through 15 holes, Brasser put the tournament away by carding birdies on two of her last three holes. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-golf/roster/aliyah-north/6953">Aliyah North</a>&nbsp;also had a great showing for the Tigers by putting together her best tournament of the season. North carded back-to-back rounds of 77 to finish at +10 (154) to tie for ninth. It was the first top-10 finish of the season for North. She filled her first-round scorecard with nine-straight pars on the back nine and 13 overall to go with five bogeys. In the second round, she had three birdies to offset eight bogeys to get to a total of 5-over par for the second-straight day. With Brasser and North finishing in the top 10, it helped Fort Hays State to a fifth-place finish as a team with a total of 638. It was the Tigers' highest placement as a team in a tournament so far this season. Missouri Western won its home tournament by 21 strokes at 604. Maryville was second at 625 and Northwest Missouri State was third at 626. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-golf/roster/shauna-lee/6949">Shauna Lee</a>&nbsp;shot rounds of 83 and 82 to tie for 24th&nbsp;individually.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-golf/roster/lexie-ridder/6951">Lexie Ridder</a>&nbsp;carded rounds of 90 and 85 to finish alone in 45th. Lee carded three birdies in the second round. Brasser now has four individual tournament titles in her career at FHSU, twice now at the MWSU Holiday Inn Express Classic. Earlier this fall she won the Augustana Fall Regional Preview and Tulsa Cup. The Tigers return to action next week at the Newman Invitational, which will be held at Sand Creek Station Golf Course in Newton, Kansas April 3-4.&nbsp;&nbsp;

⛳ Brasser defends title at MWSU Holiday Inn Express Classic

BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – Fort Hays Men's Golf finished in a tie for fourth at the NSIC Conference Preview Invitational, held at the Adams Pointe Golf Club in Blue Springs, Missouri (Mar. 27-28). The par-72 course had a total yardage of 6,890. All Tiger scorers were able to post first round scores in the 70s.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-golf/roster/jackson-rader/7110">Jackson Rader</a>&nbsp;was the top Tiger finisher in the tournament, tying for 10th&nbsp;out of 128 total golfers. Rader stayed in the 70s in both rounds of the tournament, shooting 75 and 72. He recorded four birdies in the opening round, and two birdies in round two. Rader stayed steady throughout his second round of the tournament with 14 pars. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-golf/roster/dustin-nichols/7109">Dustin Nichols</a>&nbsp;was the next best Tiger finisher in a tie for 36th, shooting rounds of 76 and 77 for a 9-over total of 153. He was able to turn in four birdies throughout the tournament.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-golf/roster/tanner-copeland/7103">Tanner Copeland</a>&nbsp;finished in a tie for 51st. Copeland's first round resulted in a 1-over par after shooting 13 pars, two birdies, and three bogeys. His score of 73 was good for a tie for 16th&nbsp;at the end of the first round but fell after shooting 10-over par in round two. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-golf/roster/jacob-george/7105">Jacob George</a>&nbsp;competed as in individual, placing in a tie for 51st&nbsp;along with Copeland. George totaled four birdies, two in each round. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-golf/roster/parker-krob/7107">Parker Krob</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-golf/roster/bryce-cowan/7104">Bryce Cowan</a>&nbsp;also finished next to one another on the leaderboard, both tying for 60th. Krob finished with three birdies, all in round two. He finished with round scores of 81 and 75. Cowan finished his first round with 13 pars and parred his first nine holes to start the second round. He shot 12-over par on the tournament. Daniel Robles Delval of Rogers State won the tournament after being just one of two players to finish under par. Delval finished the invitational with a 6-under par, shooting rounds of 67 and 71. Central Missouri took home first place as a team after three Mules finished in the top five. The Tigers will have their last tournament before the MIAA Championships at the Wildhorse Golf Club in Denton, Texas next week April 3-4. Dallas Baptist University will serve as the host of the event.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680084499020.jpeg" alt="FHSU Athletics photo" />
 <figcaption>FHSU Athletics photo</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsBLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – Fort Hays Men's Golf finished in a tie for fourth at the NSIC Conference Preview Invitational, held at the Adams Pointe Golf Club in Blue Springs, Missouri (Mar. 27-28). The par-72 course had a total yardage of 6,890. All Tiger scorers were able to post first round scores in the 70s.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-golf/roster/jackson-rader/7110">Jackson Rader</a>&nbsp;was the top Tiger finisher in the tournament, tying for 10th&nbsp;out of 128 total golfers. Rader stayed in the 70s in both rounds of the tournament, shooting 75 and 72. He recorded four birdies in the opening round, and two birdies in round two. Rader stayed steady throughout his second round of the tournament with 14 pars. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-golf/roster/dustin-nichols/7109">Dustin Nichols</a>&nbsp;was the next best Tiger finisher in a tie for 36th, shooting rounds of 76 and 77 for a 9-over total of 153. He was able to turn in four birdies throughout the tournament.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-golf/roster/tanner-copeland/7103">Tanner Copeland</a>&nbsp;finished in a tie for 51st. Copeland's first round resulted in a 1-over par after shooting 13 pars, two birdies, and three bogeys. His score of 73 was good for a tie for 16th&nbsp;at the end of the first round but fell after shooting 10-over par in round two. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-golf/roster/jacob-george/7105">Jacob George</a>&nbsp;competed as in individual, placing in a tie for 51st&nbsp;along with Copeland. George totaled four birdies, two in each round. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-golf/roster/parker-krob/7107">Parker Krob</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-golf/roster/bryce-cowan/7104">Bryce Cowan</a>&nbsp;also finished next to one another on the leaderboard, both tying for 60th. Krob finished with three birdies, all in round two. He finished with round scores of 81 and 75. Cowan finished his first round with 13 pars and parred his first nine holes to start the second round. He shot 12-over par on the tournament. Daniel Robles Delval of Rogers State won the tournament after being just one of two players to finish under par. Delval finished the invitational with a 6-under par, shooting rounds of 67 and 71. Central Missouri took home first place as a team after three Mules finished in the top five. The Tigers will have their last tournament before the MIAA Championships at the Wildhorse Golf Club in Denton, Texas next week April 3-4. Dallas Baptist University will serve as the host of the event.&nbsp;&nbsp;

⛳ FHSU men tie for fourth at NSIC Preview Invitational, Rader finishes in top 10

The TMP-Marian Lady Monarchs come up short in their second straight
home contest Tuesday, falling 5-1 to Nickerson. 

The Monarchs got on the board in the 74th minute on
a goal from sophomore forward Alyxzandria Wendleburg.

The Monarchs are 0-3 and return to action Thursday at
Towanda-Cirle.

The TMP-Marian Lady Monarchs come up short in their second straight
home contest Tuesday, falling 5-1 to Nickerson. The Monarchs got on the board in the 74th minute on
a goal from sophomore forward Alyxzandria Wendleburg.Junior goal keeper Mia Lang had 9 saves.The Monarchs are 0-3 and return to action Thursday at
Towanda-Cirle.

⚽Monarchs come up short against Nickerson

🎥⚾️🥎 Watch This Week's Tiger Talk

Fort Hays State women's basketball coach Tony Hobson discusses his decision to retire and reflects on his 31 year coaching career.

Fort Hays State women's basketball coach Tony Hobson discusses his decision to retire and reflects on his 31 year coaching career.<div><iframe title="Tony Hobson" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=tiqiw-13ca8f0-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=1&font-color=&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=2"></iframe></div>

🎧 Defend the Fort Podcast: Tony Hobson

Fort Hays State University women's basketball will have a new, but very 
familiar face as its leader going into the 2023-24 season. On Monday, head coach <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/tony-hobson/1136">Tony Hobson</a>
 announced his retirement after putting together a phenomenal career 
record of 745-227 in 31 seasons as a collegiate head coach, including a 
332-121 mark over 15 years that made him the winningest coach in Fort 
Hays State program history. The university and Director of Athletics 
Curtis Hammeke looked no further than the individual who has been 
instrumental in helping Hobson build the program into one of the 
strongest in NCAA Division II the last 11 years. Assistant coach <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/talia-kahrs/1137">Talia Kahrs</a> will elevate into the role of head coach. 
A press conference to officially introduce Kahrs as the next 
head coach will be held on Thursday, April 13, at the FHSU Memorial Union
 Lobby at 5 p.m. On Saturday, April 15, the university will be holding a
 celebration of <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/tony-hobson/1136">Tony Hobson</a>'s
 coaching career at the Robbins Center at 11 a.m. The delay for these 
in-person celebrations is to allow for family members to be in 
attendance. 
Hobson has elevated the FHSU women's basketball program to heights it 
never saw at the NCAA Division II level prior to his arrival, serving as
 head coach from 2008 to 2023. The program has won 20 or more games in 
12-straight seasons going back to the 2011-12 campaign, which is the 
longest-running streak in NCAA Division II. He guided the Tigers to 30 
or more wins three times and the Tigers were the No. 1 seed in the 
Central Regional of the NCAA Tournament four times under Hobson's 
leadership, making the regional final three times (2015, 2019, 2022) and
 the regional semifinals twice. FHSU was an NCAA Tournament qualifier 
seven of the last nine years after qualifying for the NCAA national 
tournament just once before Hobson became head coach. 
The Tigers enjoyed six MIAA Championships under Hobson's guidance, which
 included four regular season titles (2015, 2019, 2021, 2022) and two 
tournament titles (2019, 2022). He was the MIAA Women's Basketball Coach
 of the Year four times (2015, 2016, 2019, 2021). Hobson was also the 
WBCA Regional Coach of the Year in 2015 and 2019 and was named the 
Kansas Basketball Coaches Association Four-Year College Coach of the 
Year in 2019 and 2022. 
"Tony has done an outstanding job with our women's basketball program 
over the past 15 years," said Hammeke. "Our program has become 
consistently competitive at the conference, regional, and national 
levels during his tenure." 
Hobson started his career as head coach at Cloud County (Kan.) Community
 College in 1983-84, where he coached for six years. Eventually, he 
became head coach at Barton County (Kan.) Community College for three 
years from 1997 to 2000. Hobson notched 202 wins as a head coach in nine
 years as a junior college head coach. He then moved on to Hastings 
College (Neb.), where he put together a national powerhouse program at 
the NAIA level for seven years from 2001 to 2008. Hastings won three 
NAIA national titles (2002, 2003, 2006) under Hobson's guidance and won 
211 games, reaching the 30-win plateau in five of his seven seasons. 
Hobson then came to FHSU, where he enjoyed his longest tenure as a head 
coach and tacked on 332 wins to his career total of 745. 
"Everybody in their career knows this time will come, and hopefully you 
get to go out on your own terms like I get to," said Hobson. "It's good 
timing for me to retire. I always hoped I'd be able to leave a really 
good team and have somebody take over for me that I'm confident in and 
will take really good care of that group that I'm leaving. Both of those
 things have happened. We've been able to sustain success for a long 
period of time and hopefully the way we are transitioning into this next
 phase of the program will give us the best chance of keeping that 
going. This is a great group of players we have right now and I think 
it's going to be about as seamless of a transition as possible." 
Helping Hobson push FHSU to new heights in the NCAA Division II realm since the 2012-13 season has been FHSU graduate <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/talia-kahrs/1137">Talia Kahrs</a>
 (formerly Miller), who played for Hobson at FHSU from 2008-11. She then
 served as a student assistant coach in 2011-12 and elevated to 
assistant coach in 2012-13, highly instrumental in the success of the 
team and several great players that have been a part of the program the 
last 12 years. She has been here as both a player and coach during 
Hobson's entire 15-year tenure at FHSU. 
"I really believe in Talia," said Hobson. "She is a really intelligent, 
hard-working person and one of the more unselfish individuals I've ever 
been around. I know she has the players' respect and I think that is of 
utmost importance. She has turned into a really good recruiter, and to 
recruit kids you have to be genuine and she is that. You can't try to be
 something you're not because kids are smart, they figure that out. As 
far as X's and O's go, she's on top of it. The hard part of coaching is 
getting individuals here that fit into what you want to do, on and off 
the court. Talia has been one of the main reasons why we have been able 
to sustain what we have going here at FHSU because we have stability as a
 coaching staff. She has had plenty of interest from the outside the 
last few years and she has been very patient on doing her job at a very 
high level, waiting for her opportunity. As much of I think of her as a 
coach, I think even more highly of her as a person. I think she will do 
an excellent job." 
The Tigers have garnered 42 All-MIAA selections while Kahrs has been on 
the sideline with Hobson since 2011 to go with the six conference 
championships and seven NCAA Tournament appearances. They have also 
coached three All-America players in that span, including Kate Lehman, 
Tatyana Legette, and <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jaden-hobbs/6437">Jaden Hobbs</a>. Lehman and Legette also garnered MIAA Player of the Year honors in their time as Tigers. 
"I'm just really thankful for this opportunity and to have spent as much
 time as I have with Tony. To learn under him with as successful as he 
has been over the years," said Kahrs. "I'm thankful for the way he 
allowed me to do more in my role as assistant over the years to get me 
to this point where I feel confident that I'm prepared to be head coach.
 I'm very excited and willing to take the opportunity to lead this group
 of women, a team that we've worked really hard to put together." 
"Talia possesses all the traits we want to see in a coach to lead our 
program forward," said Hammeke. "She is passionate, knowledgeable, 
enthusiastic, and has a strong work ethic. These characteristics coupled
 with her personality, love for the game, and care for our 
student-athletes, makes her well suited to take over where Tony left 
off." 
Kahrs will be the seventh head coach of women's basketball at Fort Hays State since 1969.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679968005868.png" alt="FHSU Athletics photo" />
 <figcaption>FHSU Athletics photo</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsFort Hays State University women's basketball will have a new, but very 
familiar face as its leader going into the 2023-24 season. On Monday, head coach <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/tony-hobson/1136">Tony Hobson</a>
 announced his retirement after putting together a phenomenal career 
record of 745-227 in 31 seasons as a collegiate head coach, including a 
332-121 mark over 15 years that made him the winningest coach in Fort 
Hays State program history. The university and Director of Athletics 
Curtis Hammeke looked no further than the individual who has been 
instrumental in helping Hobson build the program into one of the 
strongest in NCAA Division II the last 11 years. Assistant coach <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/talia-kahrs/1137">Talia Kahrs</a> will elevate into the role of head coach. 
A press conference to officially introduce Kahrs as the next 
head coach will be held on Thursday, April 13, at the FHSU Memorial Union
 Lobby at 5 p.m. On Saturday, April 15, the university will be holding a
 celebration of <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/tony-hobson/1136">Tony Hobson</a>'s
 coaching career at the Robbins Center at 11 a.m. The delay for these 
in-person celebrations is to allow for family members to be in 
attendance. 
Hobson has elevated the FHSU women's basketball program to heights it 
never saw at the NCAA Division II level prior to his arrival, serving as
 head coach from 2008 to 2023. The program has won 20 or more games in 
12-straight seasons going back to the 2011-12 campaign, which is the 
longest-running streak in NCAA Division II. He guided the Tigers to 30 
or more wins three times and the Tigers were the No. 1 seed in the 
Central Regional of the NCAA Tournament four times under Hobson's 
leadership, making the regional final three times (2015, 2019, 2022) and
 the regional semifinals twice. FHSU was an NCAA Tournament qualifier 
seven of the last nine years after qualifying for the NCAA national 
tournament just once before Hobson became head coach. 
The Tigers enjoyed six MIAA Championships under Hobson's guidance, which
 included four regular season titles (2015, 2019, 2021, 2022) and two 
tournament titles (2019, 2022). He was the MIAA Women's Basketball Coach
 of the Year four times (2015, 2016, 2019, 2021). Hobson was also the 
WBCA Regional Coach of the Year in 2015 and 2019 and was named the 
Kansas Basketball Coaches Association Four-Year College Coach of the 
Year in 2019 and 2022. 
"Tony has done an outstanding job with our women's basketball program 
over the past 15 years," said Hammeke. "Our program has become 
consistently competitive at the conference, regional, and national 
levels during his tenure." 
Hobson started his career as head coach at Cloud County (Kan.) Community
 College in 1983-84, where he coached for six years. Eventually, he 
became head coach at Barton County (Kan.) Community College for three 
years from 1997 to 2000. Hobson notched 202 wins as a head coach in nine
 years as a junior college head coach. He then moved on to Hastings 
College (Neb.), where he put together a national powerhouse program at 
the NAIA level for seven years from 2001 to 2008. Hastings won three 
NAIA national titles (2002, 2003, 2006) under Hobson's guidance and won 
211 games, reaching the 30-win plateau in five of his seven seasons. 
Hobson then came to FHSU, where he enjoyed his longest tenure as a head 
coach and tacked on 332 wins to his career total of 745. 
"Everybody in their career knows this time will come, and hopefully you 
get to go out on your own terms like I get to," said Hobson. "It's good 
timing for me to retire. I always hoped I'd be able to leave a really 
good team and have somebody take over for me that I'm confident in and 
will take really good care of that group that I'm leaving. Both of those
 things have happened. We've been able to sustain success for a long 
period of time and hopefully the way we are transitioning into this next
 phase of the program will give us the best chance of keeping that 
going. This is a great group of players we have right now and I think 
it's going to be about as seamless of a transition as possible." 
Helping Hobson push FHSU to new heights in the NCAA Division II realm since the 2012-13 season has been FHSU graduate <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/talia-kahrs/1137">Talia Kahrs</a>
 (formerly Miller), who played for Hobson at FHSU from 2008-11. She then
 served as a student assistant coach in 2011-12 and elevated to 
assistant coach in 2012-13, highly instrumental in the success of the 
team and several great players that have been a part of the program the 
last 12 years. She has been here as both a player and coach during 
Hobson's entire 15-year tenure at FHSU. 
"I really believe in Talia," said Hobson. "She is a really intelligent, 
hard-working person and one of the more unselfish individuals I've ever 
been around. I know she has the players' respect and I think that is of 
utmost importance. She has turned into a really good recruiter, and to 
recruit kids you have to be genuine and she is that. You can't try to be
 something you're not because kids are smart, they figure that out. As 
far as X's and O's go, she's on top of it. The hard part of coaching is 
getting individuals here that fit into what you want to do, on and off 
the court. Talia has been one of the main reasons why we have been able 
to sustain what we have going here at FHSU because we have stability as a
 coaching staff. She has had plenty of interest from the outside the 
last few years and she has been very patient on doing her job at a very 
high level, waiting for her opportunity. As much of I think of her as a 
coach, I think even more highly of her as a person. I think she will do 
an excellent job." 
The Tigers have garnered 42 All-MIAA selections while Kahrs has been on 
the sideline with Hobson since 2011 to go with the six conference 
championships and seven NCAA Tournament appearances. They have also 
coached three All-America players in that span, including Kate Lehman, 
Tatyana Legette, and <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jaden-hobbs/6437">Jaden Hobbs</a>. Lehman and Legette also garnered MIAA Player of the Year honors in their time as Tigers. 
"I'm just really thankful for this opportunity and to have spent as much
 time as I have with Tony. To learn under him with as successful as he 
has been over the years," said Kahrs. "I'm thankful for the way he 
allowed me to do more in my role as assistant over the years to get me 
to this point where I feel confident that I'm prepared to be head coach.
 I'm very excited and willing to take the opportunity to lead this group
 of women, a team that we've worked really hard to put together." 
"Talia possesses all the traits we want to see in a coach to lead our 
program forward," said Hammeke. "She is passionate, knowledgeable, 
enthusiastic, and has a strong work ethic. These characteristics coupled
 with her personality, love for the game, and care for our 
student-athletes, makes her well suited to take over where Tony left 
off." 
Kahrs will be the seventh head coach of women's basketball at Fort Hays State since 1969.

🏀 Hobson to retire; Kahrs new head coach of FHSU women’s basketball

The TMP-Marian Lady Monarchs soccer team dropped their home opener Monday
against Wichita Independent 9-0 at Bickle Schmidt Sports Complex.

The loss drops the Monarchs and coach Shawn Lawson to 0-2 on the season
after losing to Dodge City in their season opener Thursday.

Coach Lawson has 12 players out for soccer this year, one of the smallest
teams in recent years and three of them are relatively new to the game.

Lawson said they are taking it one step at a time.

"Building on the progress, making sure they don't get down on
themselves. Because it's real easy to down on yourselves when you are losing
games 10-0, 8-0," Lawson said. "You've got to keep the perspective,
make sure they keep the perspective, we're still learning."

The Monarchs will host Nickerson Tuesday at 4 p.m.

The TMP-Marian Lady Monarchs soccer team dropped their home opener Monday
against Wichita Independent 9-0 at Bickle Schmidt Sports Complex.Independent led 5-0 at halftime.The loss drops the Monarchs and coach Shawn Lawson to 0-2 on the season
after losing to Dodge City in their season opener Thursday.Coach Lawson has 12 players out for soccer this year, one of the smallest
teams in recent years and three of them are relatively new to the game.Lawson said they are taking it one step at a time."Building on the progress, making sure they don't get down on
themselves. Because it's real easy to down on yourselves when you are losing
games 10-0, 8-0," Lawson said. "You've got to keep the perspective,
make sure they keep the perspective, we're still learning."<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1479056692&color=%23294b71&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/shawn-lawson-v-wichita-independent-march-27-2023" title="Shawn Lawson v Wichita Independent (March 27, 2023)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Shawn Lawson v Wichita Independent (March 27, 2023)</a></div></div>The Monarchs will host Nickerson Tuesday at 4 p.m.

⚽ Lady Monarchs drop home opener vs Wichita Independent

HAYS – The TMP-Marian softball team opened their season with
a pair of lopsided run-rule wins. The Monarchs defeated Russell 22-2 and 18-2
to start the season 2-0.

Game 1: TMP-Marian 22, Russell 2 (3 innings) 
The Monarchs scored 19 runs in the second inning to blow the game open. Brooke
Koeningsman had three hits and drove in four. Addison Watson also drove in four
runs.

Tegan Gottschalk pitched all three innings with three strikeouts
and three walks.

The Monarchs took advantage of eight walks and six hit
batters.

Game 2: TMP-Marian 18, Russell 2 (3 innings) 
After Russell struck for a run in the top of the first, the Monarchs answered
with 12 in the second then added six in the third.

Jaci VonLintel and Addison Watson both had three hits. VonLintel
and Brooke Koeningsman both drove in three runs.

Tegan Gottschalk walked three but did not give up a hit and
picked up her second win of the day.

Hays PostHAYS – The TMP-Marian softball team opened their season with
a pair of lopsided run-rule wins. The Monarchs defeated Russell 22-2 and 18-2
to start the season 2-0.Game 1: TMP-Marian 22, Russell 2 (3 innings) 
The Monarchs scored 19 runs in the second inning to blow the game open. Brooke
Koeningsman had three hits and drove in four. Addison Watson also drove in four
runs.Tegan Gottschalk pitched all three innings with three strikeouts
and three walks.The Monarchs took advantage of eight walks and six hit
batters.Game 2: TMP-Marian 18, Russell 2 (3 innings) 
After Russell struck for a run in the top of the first, the Monarchs answered
with 12 in the second then added six in the third.Jaci VonLintel and Addison Watson both had three hits. VonLintel
and Brooke Koeningsman both drove in three runs.Tegan Gottschalk walked three but did not give up a hit and
picked up her second win of the day.

🥎 TMP-Marian opens season with pair of wins

McPHERSON - The Hays High girls’ soccer team defeated Augusta 9-0 in their opening match at the McPherson Invitational Monday. 

The 2-0 Indians will now play Valley Center in the semifinals on Tuesday.

Hays PostMcPHERSON - The Hays High girls’ soccer team defeated Augusta 9-0 in their opening match at the McPherson Invitational Monday. The 2-0 Indians will now play Valley Center in the semifinals on Tuesday.

⚽ HHS wins McPherson Invite opener

Tiger Talk with Fort Hays State head softball coach Adrian Pilkington and head baseball coach Justin Wichert and player guest Isaiah Ural.

Tiger Talk with Fort Hays State head softball coach Adrian Pilkington and head baseball coach Justin Wichert and player guest Isaiah Ural.<div><iframe title="Tiger Talk (March 27, 2023)" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=nx25z-13c9a96-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=1&font-color=&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=2"></iframe></div>

🎧 Defend the Fort Podcast: Tiger Talk (March 27, 2023)

By RALPH D. RUSSO AP College Sports Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Alijah Martin, Vlad Goldin and ninth-seeded Florida Atlantic became the first and lowest-seeded team to reach this year's Final Four as the Owls withstood another huge game by Kansas State's Markquis Nowell to beat the Wildcats 79-76 on Saturday night.

FAU (35-3), making just its second appearance in the NCAA Tournament, won the East Region at Madison Square Garden and will head to Houston to play the winner of Sunday's South Region final between Creighton and San Diego State.

“I expect the prognosticators to pick us fifth in the Final Four,” fifth-year FAU coach Dusty May said.

The winningest team in Division I this season had never won an NCAA Tournament game before ripping off four straight, all by single digits, to become the first No. 9 seed to reach the Final Four since Wichita State in 2013 and the third to get that far since seeding began in 1979.

Nowell, the 5-foot-8 native New Yorker, was incredible again at Madison Square Garden, with 30 points, 12 assists and five steals, coming off a Sweet 16 game in which he set the NCAA Tournament record with 19 assists. He didn't get enough help this time.

Nae’Qwan Tomlin was the only other player in double figures for Kansas State (26-10) with 14 points. Keyontae Johnson, the Wildcats' leading scorer, fouled out with nine points.

Martin scored 17 points, including a huge 3 down the stretch, the 7-foot-1 Goldin had 14 points and 13 rebounds, and Michael Forrest made four clutch free throws in the final 20 seconds for the Owls, who held steady as the Wildcats made a late push.

Cam Carter made a 3 from the wing with 22.8 seconds left to cut FAU’s lead to 75-74 and Kansas State fouled and sent Forrest to the line with 17.9 seconds left. The senior made both to make it a three-point game.

Nowell found Tomlin inside for a layup with 8.6 left to cut the lead to one again, and again K-State sent Forrest to the line. With 6.9 left, he made them both.

With no timeouts left, Nowell rushed down the court, gave up the ball to Ismael Massoud outside the 3-point line, and never got it back. FAU's Johnell Davis swiped it away and time ran out.

The Owls rushed the floor to celebrate a historic moment for the school. FAU didn't even have a basketball program until the late 1980s and has only been a Division I school for the last 30 years.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679794363053.jpeg" alt="Kansas State's Markquis Nowell (1) reacts after Florida Atlantic players celebrate after defeating Kansas State in an Elite 8 college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament's East Region final, Saturday, March 25, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas State's Markquis Nowell (1) reacts after Florida Atlantic players celebrate after defeating Kansas State in an Elite 8 college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament's East Region final, Saturday, March 25, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)</figcaption>
 </figure>By RALPH D. RUSSO AP College Sports WriterNEW YORK (AP) — Alijah Martin, Vlad Goldin and ninth-seeded Florida Atlantic became the first and lowest-seeded team to reach this year's Final Four as the Owls withstood another huge game by Kansas State's Markquis Nowell to beat the Wildcats 79-76 on Saturday night.FAU (35-3), making just its second appearance in the NCAA Tournament, won the East Region at Madison Square Garden and will head to Houston to play the winner of Sunday's South Region final between Creighton and San Diego State.“I expect the prognosticators to pick us fifth in the Final Four,” fifth-year FAU coach Dusty May said.The winningest team in Division I this season had never won an NCAA Tournament game before ripping off four straight, all by single digits, to become the first No. 9 seed to reach the Final Four since Wichita State in 2013 and the third to get that far since seeding began in 1979.Nowell, the 5-foot-8 native New Yorker, was incredible again at Madison Square Garden, with 30 points, 12 assists and five steals, coming off a Sweet 16 game in which he set the NCAA Tournament record with 19 assists. He didn't get enough help this time.Nae’Qwan Tomlin was the only other player in double figures for Kansas State (26-10) with 14 points. Keyontae Johnson, the Wildcats' leading scorer, fouled out with nine points.Martin scored 17 points, including a huge 3 down the stretch, the 7-foot-1 Goldin had 14 points and 13 rebounds, and Michael Forrest made four clutch free throws in the final 20 seconds for the Owls, who held steady as the Wildcats made a late push.Cam Carter made a 3 from the wing with 22.8 seconds left to cut FAU’s lead to 75-74 and Kansas State fouled and sent Forrest to the line with 17.9 seconds left. The senior made both to make it a three-point game.Nowell found Tomlin inside for a layup with 8.6 left to cut the lead to one again, and again K-State sent Forrest to the line. With 6.9 left, he made them both.With no timeouts left, Nowell rushed down the court, gave up the ball to Ismael Massoud outside the 3-point line, and never got it back. FAU's Johnell Davis swiped it away and time ran out.The Owls rushed the floor to celebrate a historic moment for the school. FAU didn't even have a basketball program until the late 1980s and has only been a Division I school for the last 30 years.

🏀 FAU holds off Nowell and K-State to reach 1st Final Four

EMPORIA, Kan. - The Fort Hays State track and field teams recorded eight NCAA Division II national qualifying marks and took home three first-place finishes on the final day of the ESU Relays Saturday (March 25). The Tiger women placed third out of 22 schools, while the men were sixth in the team standings. Both men's and women's teams recorded four national qualifying marks each, including three on the track and five in field events.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/mattie-rossi/7135">Mattie Rossi</a>&nbsp;placed first in the 400m hurdles with a national qualifying time of 1:01.24, while&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/lyric-holman/7123">Lyric Holman</a>&nbsp;finished third in the 100m dash with a national qualifying time of 11.76.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/philip-landrum/7181">Philip Landrum</a>&nbsp;also surpassed the national qualifying standard in the 100m dash, finishing eighth in the men's race with a time of 10.49. Two-time national champion and seven-time All-American&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/ryan-stanley/7194">Ryan Stanley</a>&nbsp;opened his final season of eligibility with a victory in the pole vault, clearing a national-qualifying height of 16-4.75.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/jacob-clark/7169">Jacob Clark</a>&nbsp;also cleared the national qualifying mark, finishing second with a clearance of 16-0.75. A trio of Tigers recorded national qualifying marks in the pole vault, including a second-place finish from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/addie-berens/7115">Addie Berens</a>&nbsp;with a top toss of 152-6.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/rhyann-brown/7117">Rhyann Brown</a>&nbsp;was third with a top mark of 147-7. Competing at the collegiate level for the first time, true freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/william-tice/7215">William Tice</a>&nbsp;surpassed the provisional qualifying mark on his first-ever attempt with a toss of 195-0 to finish fourth. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/emily-salmans/7136">Emily Salmans</a>&nbsp;captured the final event victory for the Tigers, winning the 800m run with a time of 2:14.68.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/taylor-savolt/7138">Taylor Savolt</a>&nbsp;moved to ninth on the FHSU DII era performance chart in the 100m hurdles with a time of 14.57, while&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/chloe-stanley/7140">Chloe Stanley</a>&nbsp;improved her PR in the 400m hurdles with a time of 1:03.90.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/liberty-booker/7150">Liberty Booker</a>&nbsp;jumped to seventh on the DII era top 10 list in the shot put after finishing fifth with a top heave of 43-1.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/hayden-albright/7163">Hayden Albright</a>&nbsp;now ranks eighth on the 100m chart with a time of 10.55. The Tigers will split up to compete at events in three different states next weekend (March 30-April 1), including the Texas Relays in Austin, Texas, the WashU Distance Carnival in St. Louis, Mo. and the Central Nebraska Challenge in Kearney, Neb. Full FHSU Results - Saturday Women 100m Dash 3rd -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/lyric-holman/7123">Lyric Holman</a>&nbsp;- 11.76 # 14th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/tori-poe/7133">Tori Poe</a>&nbsp;- 12.35 100m Hurdles 3rd -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/mattie-rossi/7135">Mattie Rossi</a>&nbsp;- 14.36 6th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/taylor-savolt/7138">Taylor Savolt</a>&nbsp;- 14.57 7th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/chloe-stanley/7140">Chloe Stanley</a>&nbsp;- 14.63 19th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/hadley-williams/7143">Hadley Williams</a>&nbsp;- 16.60 21st -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/kylin-rudzik/7158">Kylin Rudzik</a>&nbsp;- 16.92 23rd -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/anndee-davidson/7153">Anndee Davidson</a>&nbsp;- 17.73 24th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/ellie-dusselier/7120">Ellie Dusselier</a>&nbsp;- 17.91 400m Dash 8th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/reba-mader/7156">Reba Mader</a>&nbsp;- 58.67 12th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/kinley-brown/7116">Kinley Brown</a>&nbsp;- 58.88 20th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/jasey-downing/7119">Jasey Downing</a>&nbsp;- 1:00.37 400m Hurdles 1st -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/mattie-rossi/7135">Mattie Rossi</a>&nbsp;- 1:01.24 # 5th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/taylor-savolt/7138">Taylor Savolt</a>&nbsp;- 1:02.83 6th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/chloe-stanley/7140">Chloe Stanley</a>&nbsp;- 1:03.90 800m Run 1st -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/emily-salmans/7136">Emily Salmans</a>&nbsp;- 2:14.68 9th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/hannah-wiebe/7142">Hannah Wiebe</a>&nbsp;- 2:19.46 13th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/faith-little/7129">Faith Little</a>&nbsp;- 2:21.83 1,500m Run 10th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/faith-little/7129">Faith Little</a>&nbsp;- 4:50.14 4x100m Relay 3rd -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/tori-poe/7133">Tori Poe</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/kinley-brown/7116">Kinley Brown</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/jasey-downing/7119">Jasey Downing</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/lyric-holman/7123">Lyric Holman</a>&nbsp;- 47.28 Pole Vault 8th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/annabeth-baalmann/7149">Annabeth Baalmann</a>&nbsp;- 10-11.75 12th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/kaitlin-lindstrom/7155">Kaitlin Lindstrom</a>&nbsp;- 10-0 15th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/taylor-linn/7128">Taylor Linn</a>&nbsp;- 10-0 17th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/maleigha-schmidt/7139">Maleigha Schmidt</a>&nbsp;- 10-0 Long Jump 9th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/hadley-williams/7143">Hadley Williams</a>&nbsp;- 16-7 13th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/anndee-davidson/7153">Anndee Davidson</a>&nbsp;- 16-0.25 19th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/ellie-dusselier/7120">Ellie Dusselier</a>&nbsp;- 15-4.25 22nd -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/kylin-rudzik/7158">Kylin Rudzik</a>&nbsp;- 15-0.75 Shot Put Invite 5th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/liberty-booker/7150">Liberty Booker</a>&nbsp;- 43-1 Discus 13th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/jessica-saunders/7137">Jessica Saunders</a>&nbsp;- 124-2 20th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/kieran-burke/7151">Kieran Burke</a>&nbsp;- 119-9 31st -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/emma-rudman/7157">Emma Rudman</a>&nbsp;- 110-10 Javelin 2nd -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/addie-berens/7115">Addie Berens</a>&nbsp;- 152-6 # 3rd -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/rhyann-brown/7117">Rhyann Brown</a>&nbsp;- 147-7 # 16th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/patrisha-doll/7154">Patrisha Doll</a>&nbsp;- 130-4 37th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/hadley-williams/7143">Hadley Williams</a>&nbsp;- 84-5 40th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/anndee-davidson/7153">Anndee Davidson</a>&nbsp;- 81-5 42nd -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/ellie-dusselier/7120">Ellie Dusselier</a>&nbsp;- 71-7 43rd -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/kylin-rudzik/7158">Kylin Rudzik</a>&nbsp;- 64-9 Men 100m Dash 8th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/philip-landrum/7181">Philip Landrum</a>&nbsp;- 10.49 # 13th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/hayden-albright/7163">Hayden Albright</a>&nbsp;- 10.55 36th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/toby-wahlmeier/7217">Toby Wahlmeier</a>&nbsp;- 10.97 37th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/kenny-fritsch/7210">Kenny Fritsch</a>&nbsp;- 10.99 41st -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/eddie-mcvay/7476">Eddie McVay</a>&nbsp;- 11.06 110m Hurdles 16th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/jonah-remsberg/7213">Jonah Remsberg</a>&nbsp;- 15.56 18th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/ethan-salmans/7192">Ethan Salmans</a>&nbsp;- 15.70 400m Dash 57th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/jama-gleue/7178">Jama Gleue</a>&nbsp;- 55.02 400m Hurdles 15th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/ethan-salmans/7192">Ethan Salmans</a>&nbsp;- 57.49 20th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/jonah-remsberg/7213">Jonah Remsberg</a>&nbsp;- 59.39 800m Run 18th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/isaac-radke/7189">Isaac Radke</a>&nbsp;- 1:59.44 4x100m Relay 7th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/xavier-robinson/7191">Xavier Robinson</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/eddie-mcvay/7476">Eddie McVay</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/hayden-albright/7163">Hayden Albright</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/philip-landrum/7181">Philip Landrum</a>&nbsp;- 41.11 High Jump Invite 6th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/dayton-williams/7196">Dayton Williams</a>&nbsp;- 6-6.25 Pole Vault Invite 1st -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/ryan-stanley/7194">Ryan Stanley</a>&nbsp;- 16-4.75 # 2nd -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/jacob-clark/7169">Jacob Clark</a>&nbsp;- 16-0.75 # 6th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/brady-deges/7205">Brady Deges</a>&nbsp;- 14-5.25 <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/jonah-remsberg/7213">Jonah Remsberg</a>&nbsp;- NH Long Jump 2nd -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/xavier-robinson/7191">Xavier Robinson</a>&nbsp;- 23-7.25 Triple Jump 2nd -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/xavier-robinson/7191">Xavier Robinson</a>&nbsp;- 46-11.75 Shot Put 25th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/nolan-churchman/7168">Nolan Churchman</a>&nbsp;- 37-5.75 30th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/ethan-salmans/7192">Ethan Salmans</a>&nbsp;- 31-3.25 Hammer Throw 8th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/kolgan-ohl/7186">Kolgan Ohl</a>&nbsp;- 177-1 Javelin 4th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/william-tice/7215">William Tice</a>&nbsp;- 195-0 # 13th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/garron-champoux/7167">Garron Champoux</a>&nbsp;- 175-9 16th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/tyler-stindt/7195">Tyler Stindt</a>&nbsp;- 166-8 22nd -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/dylan-van-laeys/7216">Dylan Van Laeys</a>&nbsp;- 150-0 24th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/nolan-churchman/7168">Nolan Churchman</a>&nbsp;- 148-1 30th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/ethan-salmans/7192">Ethan Salmans</a>&nbsp;- 116-2 31st -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/jonah-remsberg/7213">Jonah Remsberg</a>&nbsp;- 112-1 Friday Results Women 200m Dash 2nd -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/lyric-holman/7123">Lyric Holman</a>&nbsp;- 24.67 9th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/kinley-brown/7116">Kinley Brown</a>&nbsp;- 25.63 11th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/tori-poe/7133">Tori Poe</a>&nbsp;- 25.68 15th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/jasey-downing/7119">Jasey Downing</a>&nbsp;- 26.01 44th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/reba-mader/7156">Reba Mader</a>&nbsp;- 26.99 72nd -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/allison-cross/7152">Allison Cross</a>&nbsp;- 28.48 800m Run 6th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/hattie-lukert/7130">Hattie Lukert</a>&nbsp;- 2:25.37 12th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/elizabeth-fender/7146">Elizabeth Fender</a>&nbsp;- 2:28.87 20th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/ashlyn-harbaugh/7147">Ashlyn Harbaugh</a>&nbsp;- 2:35.30 1,500m Run 5th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/elizabeth-fender/7146">Elizabeth Fender</a>&nbsp;- 5:00.76 6th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/hannah-wiebe/7142">Hannah Wiebe</a>&nbsp;- 5:04.43 7th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/hattie-lukert/7130">Hattie Lukert</a>&nbsp;- 5:04.77 13th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/ashlyn-harbaugh/7147">Ashlyn Harbaugh</a>&nbsp;- 5:10.92 5,000m Run 7th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/elka-billings/7144">Elka Billings</a>&nbsp;- 18:21.95 26th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/ursula-billings/7145">Ursula Billings</a>&nbsp;- 20:39.83 Shot Put Open 3rd -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/kieran-burke/7151">Kieran Burke</a>&nbsp;- 38-2.75 7th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/emma-rudman/7157">Emma Rudman</a>&nbsp;- 34-3 9th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/patrisha-doll/7154">Patrisha Doll</a>&nbsp;- 21-7.5 Hammer Throw Open 3rd -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/liberty-booker/7150">Liberty Booker</a>&nbsp;- 154-7 13th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/kieran-burke/7151">Kieran Burke</a>&nbsp;- 119-10 16th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/emma-rudman/7157">Emma Rudman</a>&nbsp;- 115-1 Hammer Throw Invite 21st -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-track-and-field/roster/patrisha-doll/7154">Patrisha Doll</a>&nbsp;- 133-10 Men 200m Dash 2nd -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/philip-landrum/7181">Philip Landrum</a>&nbsp;- 21.37 3rd -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/hayden-albright/7163">Hayden Albright</a>&nbsp;- 21.67 20th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/kenny-fritsch/7210">Kenny Fritsch</a>&nbsp;- 22.26 29th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/toby-wahlmeier/7217">Toby Wahlmeier</a>&nbsp;- 22.41 81st -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/jama-gleue/7178">Jama Gleue</a>&nbsp;- 24.26 800m Run 14th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/javyn-contreras/7170">Javyn Contreras</a>&nbsp;- 2:01.15 22nd -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/andrew-waller/7208">Andrew Waller</a>&nbsp;- 2:02.96 1,500m Run 12th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/jaret-pfizenmaier/7188">Jaret Pfizenmaier</a>&nbsp;- 4:06.57 14th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/javyn-contreras/7170">Javyn Contreras</a>&nbsp;- 4:07.46 22nd -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/andrew-waller/7208">Andrew Waller</a>&nbsp;- 4:12.92 24th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/isaac-radke/7189">Isaac Radke</a>&nbsp;- 4:13.56 53rd -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/ethan-emmons/7173">Ethan Emmons</a>&nbsp;- 4:38.57 5,000m Run 33rd -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/matthew-schrag/7193">Matthew Schrag</a>&nbsp;- 16:05.88 Pole Vault Open 6th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/carter-jones/7180">Carter Jones</a>&nbsp;- 12-9.5 10th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/kurtis-mccormick/7212">Kurtis McCormick</a>&nbsp;- 12-5.5 Discus 13th -&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/kolgan-ohl/7186">Kolgan Ohl</a>&nbsp;- 146-6 ! - indicates school record mark # - indicates NCAA Division II national qualifying mark

👟 Tigers have eight national qualifiers, three champs at outdoor opener

HAYS, Kan. – The Fort Hays State softball team picked up a pair of wins to run their win streak to eight games in a sweep of Nebraska-Kearney on Saturday. The Tigers celebrated the official naming ceremony of Fleharty Family Field with wins by scores of 2-0 and 10-2 (6 inn.). The Tigers are now 21-10 overall, 4-2 in the MIAA, while the Lopers moved to 12-18 overall, 3-3 in the MIAA. Game 1: Fort Hays State 2, Nebraska-Kearney 0 Savannah Egger spun a two-hit shutout in the first contest of the day. She struck out five Lopers and yielded three walks in her complete-game effort, moving to 10-4 on the season. It was her fourth-straight complete game, now with an 0.80 ERA and two shutouts in that stretch that goes back to March 15 at CSU Pueblo.

Regan Curry&nbsp;got the Tigers on the board in the second inning with a smash RBI single to third base that was too hot for the UNK fielder to handle. It scored Sydnee Hoffman&nbsp;as the ball trickled off down the left field line. Peyton Shepard&nbsp;provided the other RBI for the Tigers in the fifth on a triple to center field, scoring Reese Curry. Loren Beggs&nbsp;led the Tigers with two hits in the game, one being a double. Madison Pierce and Lexi Mohr&nbsp;also had doubles, which set up the runs for FHSU after Hoffman and Reese Curry&nbsp;replaced them as pinch runners. UNK pitcher Sydney Thomason and Avery Wood had the only hits for UNK. Thomason went the distance for UNK with six hits allowed and a walk. She struck out three and now stands at 6-3 on the season. Game 2: Fort Hays State 10, Nebraska-Kearney 2 The Tigers grabbed the initial lead in the second contest with a run in the first before UNK slipped past with two in the third. FHSU immediately bounced back in the bottom of the third with three runs to take the lead back 4-2. They tacked on two runs in each inning to follow, running away with a 10-2 run-rule victory in a game that saw conditions turn poor in a hurry in about the fourth inning. The last couple of innings were played in strong winds, with a mix of drizzle and flurries as a front passed through Hays. An RBI groundout by Madison Pierce&nbsp;in the first inning put the Tigers up 1-0. Bailey Carlson&nbsp;yielded the only two runs of her complete-game effort in the third on a pair of weak contact groundouts that allowed runners to score from third. The Tigers shook that off when an RBI bunt single by Sarah Tiffany&nbsp;in the bottom half of the inning tied the game at 2-2. She later came in to score on Pierce's second RBI, this time on a fielder's choice. Then Carly Stuke&nbsp;doubled home Pierce to make it 4-2.

Adysen Burhart&nbsp;notched an RBI on a ground out in the fourth and Tiffany added her third hit of the game, an RBI double to right center making in 6-2. In the fifth, Stuke rifled a ball over the left center field wall for a 2-run homer making it 8-2. The Tigers ended the game in the sixth when a wild pitch plated their ninth run and then Stuke drew a bases loaded walk to end the game by run rule. Stuke finished the game with a team-high four RBIs, while Tiffany and Pierce each cashed in two chances. Tiffany led the Tigers with three hits, while Stuke and Loren Beggs&nbsp;each had two knocks. Carlson finished with seven hits allowed and one walk, while striking out five. She moved to 7-3 on the season with her fourth-straight complete game win, going back to March 14 at MSU Denver. She has a 1.30 ERA in that stretch. Faith Gaynor took the loss for UNK, allowing six runs in 3.0 innings of work. Stacy Bott pitched the final 2.1 innings and allowed four runs. Each had one strikeout. The Tigers head south for a midweek doubleheader at Southwestern Oklahoma State on Tuesday in Weatherford, Okla. Action is set to begin at 1 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679786318503.jpeg" alt="The Gene and Jo Ann Fleharty family along with the Fort Hays State softball team following the official naming of Fleharty Family Field on Saturday, March 25, 2023 in Hays, Kan. (FHSU Athletics photo/Madison Shapland)" />
 <figcaption>The Gene and Jo Ann Fleharty family along with the Fort Hays State softball team following the official naming of Fleharty Family Field on Saturday, March 25, 2023 in Hays, Kan. (FHSU Athletics photo/Madison Shapland)</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsHAYS, Kan. – The Fort Hays State softball team picked up a pair of wins to run their win streak to eight games in a sweep of Nebraska-Kearney on Saturday. The Tigers celebrated the official naming ceremony of Fleharty Family Field with wins by scores of 2-0 and 10-2 (6 inn.). The Tigers are now 21-10 overall, 4-2 in the MIAA, while the Lopers moved to 12-18 overall, 3-3 in the MIAA. Game 1: Fort Hays State 2, Nebraska-Kearney 0 Savannah Egger spun a two-hit shutout in the first contest of the day. She struck out five Lopers and yielded three walks in her complete-game effort, moving to 10-4 on the season. It was her fourth-straight complete game, now with an 0.80 ERA and two shutouts in that stretch that goes back to March 15 at CSU Pueblo.Regan Curry&nbsp;got the Tigers on the board in the second inning with a smash RBI single to third base that was too hot for the UNK fielder to handle. It scored Sydnee Hoffman&nbsp;as the ball trickled off down the left field line. Peyton Shepard&nbsp;provided the other RBI for the Tigers in the fifth on a triple to center field, scoring Reese Curry. Loren Beggs&nbsp;led the Tigers with two hits in the game, one being a double. Madison Pierce and Lexi Mohr&nbsp;also had doubles, which set up the runs for FHSU after Hoffman and Reese Curry&nbsp;replaced them as pinch runners. UNK pitcher Sydney Thomason and Avery Wood had the only hits for UNK. Thomason went the distance for UNK with six hits allowed and a walk. She struck out three and now stands at 6-3 on the season. Game 2: Fort Hays State 10, Nebraska-Kearney 2 The Tigers grabbed the initial lead in the second contest with a run in the first before UNK slipped past with two in the third. FHSU immediately bounced back in the bottom of the third with three runs to take the lead back 4-2. They tacked on two runs in each inning to follow, running away with a 10-2 run-rule victory in a game that saw conditions turn poor in a hurry in about the fourth inning. The last couple of innings were played in strong winds, with a mix of drizzle and flurries as a front passed through Hays. An RBI groundout by Madison Pierce&nbsp;in the first inning put the Tigers up 1-0. Bailey Carlson&nbsp;yielded the only two runs of her complete-game effort in the third on a pair of weak contact groundouts that allowed runners to score from third. The Tigers shook that off when an RBI bunt single by Sarah Tiffany&nbsp;in the bottom half of the inning tied the game at 2-2. She later came in to score on Pierce's second RBI, this time on a fielder's choice. Then Carly Stuke&nbsp;doubled home Pierce to make it 4-2.Adysen Burhart&nbsp;notched an RBI on a ground out in the fourth and Tiffany added her third hit of the game, an RBI double to right center making in 6-2. In the fifth, Stuke rifled a ball over the left center field wall for a 2-run homer making it 8-2. The Tigers ended the game in the sixth when a wild pitch plated their ninth run and then Stuke drew a bases loaded walk to end the game by run rule. Stuke finished the game with a team-high four RBIs, while Tiffany and Pierce each cashed in two chances. Tiffany led the Tigers with three hits, while Stuke and Loren Beggs&nbsp;each had two knocks. Carlson finished with seven hits allowed and one walk, while striking out five. She moved to 7-3 on the season with her fourth-straight complete game win, going back to March 14 at MSU Denver. She has a 1.30 ERA in that stretch. Faith Gaynor took the loss for UNK, allowing six runs in 3.0 innings of work. Stacy Bott pitched the final 2.1 innings and allowed four runs. Each had one strikeout. The Tigers head south for a midweek doubleheader at Southwestern Oklahoma State on Tuesday in Weatherford, Okla. Action is set to begin at 1 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🥎 Tigers celebrate field naming with sweep of Lopers

HAYS, Kan. - The Fort Hays State baseball team fell in the series finale with Pittsburg State on Saturday, 11-6. The Tigers (13-19, 4-12 MIAA) and Gorillas (21-7, 13-3 MIAA) fought back and forth in the contest before a four-run ninth inning by the Gorillas put the game out of reach.

Fort Hays State jumped in front in the opening frame with two runs to give them their first lead of the series. Ed Scott&nbsp;drew a leadoff walk before Trey DeGarmo&nbsp;reached on a bunt single up the first base line. Isaiah Ural&nbsp;moved the runners over on a sacrifice bunt to set up a two-RBI single from Emile Boies. After escaping a bases loaded jam in the top of the first, Tiger starter Jake Campbell&nbsp;found himself in trouble again as the Gorillas started off the second with back-to-back singles. Pittsburg State manufactured a pair of runs in the inning to tie the game, including one unearned run, but Mikey Felton&nbsp;put the Tigers back in front with a solo shot over the left center wall in the home half of the second.

Campbell held PSU scoreless in the third before the Gorillas tied the game with a run in the fourth. Two throwing errors by the Tigers in the fifth led to two runs as the Gorillas took a 5-3 lead. Spencer Maley&nbsp;&nbsp;took over with one out in the fifth and managed to prevent further damage. But the Tigers put together a big inning in the bottom of the fifth in response, plating three runs to regain the lead. A leadoff single by&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/colter-maldonado/7264">Colter Maldonado</a>&nbsp;followed by a four-pitch walk to Scott got the Tigers rolling before a double steal put the runners in scoring position. DeGarmo plated Maldonado on a sacrifice fly before a wild pitch brought home Scott. Ural capped of the inning with a solo homer to right field to put the Tigers ahead 6-5. The Gorillas quickly regained the lead with a two-run homer to left center in the sixth. Both bullpens worked efficiently down the stretch, with neither team scoring in the seventh or eighth. The Tigers picked up two free bases to lead off the eighth, but were unable to come away with a run after two strikeouts and a pop up. Pittsburg State added four insurance runs in the ninth, all of which were unearned. Maley retired the first batter of the inning and walked the second before inducing a tailor-made double play ball, but the defense was unable to make the play. The Gorillas scored one run on a sacrifice fly before a three-run home run cleared the bases and made the score 11-6. Cade Flaherty&nbsp;took the mound to record the final out and did so without allowing any more damage, but the Gorillas struck out the side in the bottom of the frame to secure the sweep. Campbell went 4 1/3 innings in his second consecutive start, allowing five runs (three earned) on seven hits and three walks while striking out three batters. Maley (0-1) gave up six runs (two earned) on six hits and also recorded three punchouts. Flaherty gave up one hit and recorded a strikeout to end the game. Boies finished 1-for-3 at the plate with two RBI while Scott crossed the plate twice in the finale. After collecting five hits and six runs off the PSU starter over 4.1 innings, the Tigers were hitless and scoreless in 4 2/3 innings against the Gorilla bullpen. The Tigers will go on the road on Tuesday to play the second game of the midweek series with Newman in Wichita. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679785031206.jpeg" alt="Fort Hays State's Mikey Felton watches a pitch in an NCAA baseball game vs. Wayne State College on Wednesday, March, 1, 2023 at Larks Park in Hays, Kan. (FHSU Athletics photo/Ryan Prickett)" />
 <figcaption>Fort Hays State's Mikey Felton watches a pitch in an NCAA baseball game vs. Wayne State College on Wednesday, March, 1, 2023 at Larks Park in Hays, Kan. (FHSU Athletics photo/Ryan Prickett)</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsHAYS, Kan. - The Fort Hays State baseball team fell in the series finale with Pittsburg State on Saturday, 11-6. The Tigers (13-19, 4-12 MIAA) and Gorillas (21-7, 13-3 MIAA) fought back and forth in the contest before a four-run ninth inning by the Gorillas put the game out of reach.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1477489819&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/03-25-23-fhsu-bsb-coach-justin-wichert-interview" title="Justin Wichert Postgame vs. Pittsburg State (March 25, 2023)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Justin Wichert Postgame vs. Pittsburg State (March 25, 2023)</a></div></div>Fort Hays State jumped in front in the opening frame with two runs to give them their first lead of the series. Ed Scott&nbsp;drew a leadoff walk before Trey DeGarmo&nbsp;reached on a bunt single up the first base line. Isaiah Ural&nbsp;moved the runners over on a sacrifice bunt to set up a two-RBI single from Emile Boies. After escaping a bases loaded jam in the top of the first, Tiger starter Jake Campbell&nbsp;found himself in trouble again as the Gorillas started off the second with back-to-back singles. Pittsburg State manufactured a pair of runs in the inning to tie the game, including one unearned run, but Mikey Felton&nbsp;put the Tigers back in front with a solo shot over the left center wall in the home half of the second.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1477489807&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/03-25-24-fhsu-bsb-vs-pittsburg-state-highlights-mixdown-1" title="Fort Hays State BSB Highlights vs. Pittsburg State (March 25, 2023)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Fort Hays State BSB Highlights vs. Pittsburg State (March 25, 2023)</a></div></div>Campbell held PSU scoreless in the third before the Gorillas tied the game with a run in the fourth. Two throwing errors by the Tigers in the fifth led to two runs as the Gorillas took a 5-3 lead. Spencer Maley&nbsp;&nbsp;took over with one out in the fifth and managed to prevent further damage. But the Tigers put together a big inning in the bottom of the fifth in response, plating three runs to regain the lead. A leadoff single by&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/colter-maldonado/7264">Colter Maldonado</a>&nbsp;followed by a four-pitch walk to Scott got the Tigers rolling before a double steal put the runners in scoring position. DeGarmo plated Maldonado on a sacrifice fly before a wild pitch brought home Scott. Ural capped of the inning with a solo homer to right field to put the Tigers ahead 6-5. The Gorillas quickly regained the lead with a two-run homer to left center in the sixth. Both bullpens worked efficiently down the stretch, with neither team scoring in the seventh or eighth. The Tigers picked up two free bases to lead off the eighth, but were unable to come away with a run after two strikeouts and a pop up. Pittsburg State added four insurance runs in the ninth, all of which were unearned. Maley retired the first batter of the inning and walked the second before inducing a tailor-made double play ball, but the defense was unable to make the play. The Gorillas scored one run on a sacrifice fly before a three-run home run cleared the bases and made the score 11-6. Cade Flaherty&nbsp;took the mound to record the final out and did so without allowing any more damage, but the Gorillas struck out the side in the bottom of the frame to secure the sweep. Campbell went 4 1/3 innings in his second consecutive start, allowing five runs (three earned) on seven hits and three walks while striking out three batters. Maley (0-1) gave up six runs (two earned) on six hits and also recorded three punchouts. Flaherty gave up one hit and recorded a strikeout to end the game. Boies finished 1-for-3 at the plate with two RBI while Scott crossed the plate twice in the finale. After collecting five hits and six runs off the PSU starter over 4.1 innings, the Tigers were hitless and scoreless in 4 2/3 innings against the Gorilla bullpen. The Tigers will go on the road on Tuesday to play the second game of the midweek series with Newman in Wichita. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;

⚾ Late rally lifts Gorillas past Tigers in series finale

HAYS, Kan. – The Fort Hays State baseball team dropped their series opener to Pittsburg State, 14-1, on Friday at Larks Park before falling in the second game of the series, 9-5. The Gorillas move to 19-7, 11-3 MIAA while the Tigers fall to 13-17, 4-10 MIAA.

The Tigers and Gorillas are set to wrap up the series on Saturday (March 25), with first pitch set for noon. Game One – Pittsburg State 14, Fort Hays State 1 The Gorillas got the bats going early in the weekend opener and Zac Shoemaker took command on the mound, tossing five scoreless innings. The Gorillas scored twice in the opening frame including a leadoff home run by Jake Grauberger on the second pitch of the game. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/daniel-bebee/7252">Daniel Bebee</a>&nbsp;got the nod for the Tigers on the mound and allowed six runs on seven hits over three innings before leaving early due to an injury. Pittsburg State scored two more runs in the second on another home run before adding another run in the third to take a 5-0 lead.

The Tigers began to build momentum in the bottom of the third with a walk to&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/ed-scott/6827">Ed Scott</a>&nbsp;and a single from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/trey-degarmo/7257">Trey DeGarmo</a>, but the Tigers were unable to bring them around. The Gorillas added four runs in the fourth with help from another two-run shot before pushing the lead to 10 in the sixth. The Tigers scored their lone run of the game in the bottom of the sixth on a pair of back-to-back doubles from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/isaiah-ural/7272">Isaiah Ural</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/elliott-herrmann/7260">Elliott Herrmann</a>&nbsp;to end the shutout.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/jacob-shope/7270">Jacob Shope</a>&nbsp;entered to pitch the seventh for the Tigers and held the Gorillas in check, but PSU pulled away in the eighth with four more runs. Shope threw one scoreless frame while walking three batters.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/dustin-menard/6822">Dustin Menard</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/trip-davis/7255">Trip Davis</a>&nbsp;combined to throw the final inning allowing two runs each. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/emile-boies/7253">Emile Boies</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/ridge-stephens/6828">Ridge Stephens</a>, DeGarmo, Ural and Herrmann each tallied a hit for the Tigers. Game Two – Pittsburg State 9, Fort Hays State 5 <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/zach-berg/6803">Zach Berg</a>&nbsp;retired the first two batters he faced in game two before three consecutive singles from the Gorillas plated a run in the top of the first. The Tigers answered in the home half when Scott led off with a solo home run to left center. The Gorillas reclaimed the lead in following frame with a solo shot of their own before scoring two runs on an RBI single in the third. &nbsp;

The Tigers manufactured a run in the bottom of the third when&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/colter-maldonado/7264">Colter Maldonado</a>&nbsp;drew a leadoff walk. Scott followed with a bunt single, with Maldonado later scoring on a wild pitch. Pittsburg State scored one run in the fourth inning, but the Tigers answered with a pair of runs to trim the deficit to 5-4. Back-to-back doubles from Boies and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/zane-knox/7262">Zane Knox</a>&nbsp;plated the first run before a failed double play attempt allowed Maldonado to reach base safely and Knox to score. Pittsburg State scored a run in the fifth and another in the sixth to stretch their lead to three, but FHSU answered in the bottom of the seventh with an RBI single from Boies. The Gorillas scored their final two runs in the eighth and held off the Tigers to clinch the series victory. Berg went 5.0 innings on the mound, giving up six runs on 11 hits and one walk while collecting five strikeouts.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/andrew-hansen/7259">Andrew Hansen</a>&nbsp;provided 2.2 frames of relief, allowing two runs on two hits striking out one batter before&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/jenner-kehe/6818">Jenner Kehe</a>&nbsp;took over to close out the eighth allowing one run on one hit.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/cade-flaherty/6811">Cade Flaherty</a>&nbsp;closed out the contest for the Tigers, retiring the Gorillas in order in the ninth and picked up a strikeout. Scott finished a triple shy of the cycle, going 3-for-5 at the plate with one run and one RBI while Boies (2-for-5) recorded another multi-hit game.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679719714941.jpeg" alt="Fort Hays State's Zane Knox swings at a pitch in game 1 of a doubleheader with Pittsburg State on Friday, March 24 at Larks Park in Hays, Kan. (FHSU Athletics photo/Nick Meis)" />
 <figcaption>Fort Hays State's Zane Knox swings at a pitch in game 1 of a doubleheader with Pittsburg State on Friday, March 24 at Larks Park in Hays, Kan. (FHSU Athletics photo/Nick Meis)</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsHAYS, Kan. – The Fort Hays State baseball team dropped their series opener to Pittsburg State, 14-1, on Friday at Larks Park before falling in the second game of the series, 9-5. The Gorillas move to 19-7, 11-3 MIAA while the Tigers fall to 13-17, 4-10 MIAA.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1476933349&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/03-24-23-fhsu-coach-interview" title="Justin Wichert Postgame vs. Pittsburg State (March 24, 2023)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Justin Wichert Postgame vs. Pittsburg State (March 24, 2023)</a></div></div>The Tigers and Gorillas are set to wrap up the series on Saturday (March 25), with first pitch set for noon. Game One – Pittsburg State 14, Fort Hays State 1 The Gorillas got the bats going early in the weekend opener and Zac Shoemaker took command on the mound, tossing five scoreless innings. The Gorillas scored twice in the opening frame including a leadoff home run by Jake Grauberger on the second pitch of the game. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/daniel-bebee/7252">Daniel Bebee</a>&nbsp;got the nod for the Tigers on the mound and allowed six runs on seven hits over three innings before leaving early due to an injury. Pittsburg State scored two more runs in the second on another home run before adding another run in the third to take a 5-0 lead.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1476933502&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/fhsu-bsb-vs-pittsburg-state-game-1-highlights" title="Fort Hays State BSB Game 1 Highlights vs. Pittsburg State (March 24, 2023)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Fort Hays State BSB Game 1 Highlights vs. Pittsburg State (March 24, 2023)</a></div></div>The Tigers began to build momentum in the bottom of the third with a walk to&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/ed-scott/6827">Ed Scott</a>&nbsp;and a single from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/trey-degarmo/7257">Trey DeGarmo</a>, but the Tigers were unable to bring them around. The Gorillas added four runs in the fourth with help from another two-run shot before pushing the lead to 10 in the sixth. The Tigers scored their lone run of the game in the bottom of the sixth on a pair of back-to-back doubles from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/isaiah-ural/7272">Isaiah Ural</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/elliott-herrmann/7260">Elliott Herrmann</a>&nbsp;to end the shutout.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/jacob-shope/7270">Jacob Shope</a>&nbsp;entered to pitch the seventh for the Tigers and held the Gorillas in check, but PSU pulled away in the eighth with four more runs. Shope threw one scoreless frame while walking three batters.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/dustin-menard/6822">Dustin Menard</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/trip-davis/7255">Trip Davis</a>&nbsp;combined to throw the final inning allowing two runs each. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/emile-boies/7253">Emile Boies</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/ridge-stephens/6828">Ridge Stephens</a>, DeGarmo, Ural and Herrmann each tallied a hit for the Tigers. Game Two – Pittsburg State 9, Fort Hays State 5 <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/zach-berg/6803">Zach Berg</a>&nbsp;retired the first two batters he faced in game two before three consecutive singles from the Gorillas plated a run in the top of the first. The Tigers answered in the home half when Scott led off with a solo home run to left center. The Gorillas reclaimed the lead in following frame with a solo shot of their own before scoring two runs on an RBI single in the third. &nbsp;<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1476933400&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/03-24-23-fhsu-baseball-highlights-game2" title="Fort Hays State BSB Game 2 Highlights vs. Pittsburg State (March 24, 2023)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Fort Hays State BSB Game 2 Highlights vs. Pittsburg State (March 24, 2023)</a></div></div>The Tigers manufactured a run in the bottom of the third when&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/colter-maldonado/7264">Colter Maldonado</a>&nbsp;drew a leadoff walk. Scott followed with a bunt single, with Maldonado later scoring on a wild pitch. Pittsburg State scored one run in the fourth inning, but the Tigers answered with a pair of runs to trim the deficit to 5-4. Back-to-back doubles from Boies and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/zane-knox/7262">Zane Knox</a>&nbsp;plated the first run before a failed double play attempt allowed Maldonado to reach base safely and Knox to score. Pittsburg State scored a run in the fifth and another in the sixth to stretch their lead to three, but FHSU answered in the bottom of the seventh with an RBI single from Boies. The Gorillas scored their final two runs in the eighth and held off the Tigers to clinch the series victory. Berg went 5.0 innings on the mound, giving up six runs on 11 hits and one walk while collecting five strikeouts.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/andrew-hansen/7259">Andrew Hansen</a>&nbsp;provided 2.2 frames of relief, allowing two runs on two hits striking out one batter before&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/jenner-kehe/6818">Jenner Kehe</a>&nbsp;took over to close out the eighth allowing one run on one hit.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/cade-flaherty/6811">Cade Flaherty</a>&nbsp;closed out the contest for the Tigers, retiring the Gorillas in order in the ninth and picked up a strikeout. Scott finished a triple shy of the cycle, going 3-for-5 at the plate with one run and one RBI while Boies (2-for-5) recorded another multi-hit game.&nbsp;&nbsp;

⚾ Gorillas hits their way to DH sweep of the Tigers

Fort Hays State (13-16, 4-9 MIAA) vs. Pittsburg State (18-7, 10-3) Friday-Sunday, March 24-26, 2023 Hays, Kan. • Larks Park Radio&nbsp;• KAYS (94.3/1400)

<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KAYS">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> The Fort Hays State baseball team returns to MIAA play this weekend (March 24-26) when the Tigers host Pittsburg State in a three game series at Larks Park. First pitch in Friday's opener has been moved up two hours to noon. The rest of the series is tentatively scheduled for&nbsp;Saturday&nbsp;&nbsp;at 1 p.m. and a series finale Sunday at noon, with all game times subject to change due to the ever-changing forecast. The Tigers are fresh off of a doubleheader sweep over Rockhurst on Tuesday (March 21).&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/trey-degarmo/7257">Trey DeGarmo</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/emile-boies/7253">Emile Boies</a>&nbsp;had stellar outings in the midweek showcase, with both collecting three hits each and combining for seven RBI across the two contests.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/andrew-hansen/7259">Andrew Hansen</a>&nbsp;added seven strikeouts to his team-leading total, giving the sophomore 32 punchouts for the season.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/jenner-kehe/6818">Jenner Kehe</a>&nbsp;collected his first win of the season on the mound, throwing four perfect innings. The Tigers lead all of DII with 32 sacrifice bunts while leading the MIAA in walks drawn (145, 8th in DII) and on base percentage (.419, 37th&nbsp;in DII). The Tigers also rank in the top-five in the MIAA in runs (217), hits (285), doubles (54), triples (7), home runs (29), RBI (188)&nbsp;and slugging percentage (.478). <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/isaiah-ural/7272">Isaiah Ural</a>&nbsp;leads the Tigers with a .364 batting average which ranks 16th&nbsp;in the conference. DeGarmo has crossed the plate a team high 34 times which is tied for second-most in the MIAA. Ural is tied for second in the conference with 10 doubles on the year followed by DeGarmo and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/ed-scott/6827">Ed Scott</a>&nbsp;with nine each. Boies continues to lead the MIAA in walks drawn with 23, while Ural is tied for second in the league with 21 walks on the year.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/daniel-bebee/7252">Daniel Bebee</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/zach-berg/6803">Zach Berg</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/jake-campbell/6805">Jake Campbell</a>&nbsp;all made great starts against Central Oklahoma and will likely make up the starting rotation this weekend for the Tigers. Fort Hays State is 29-33 against Pittsburg State all-time after dropping a three-game series to the Gorillas last season. PSU is batting .315 as a team and has scored 225 runs over 25 games. Nixon Brannan leads the Gorillas at the plate batting .389 with nine doubles, nine home runs, and accumulating 40 RBI. Zac Shoemaker has been a solid starter for Pittsburg State posting a 1.24 ERA over seven starts and collecting 54 strikeouts while giving up only two walks. Fort Hays State vs Pittsburg State March 24-26, 2023 – Larks Park Game&nbsp;1 • Friday, March 24 • Noon Game 2 • Saturday, March 25 • 1 p.m. Game 3 • Sunday, March 26 • 12 p.m. *subject to change*&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679656178843.jpeg" alt="Fort Hays State senior Ed Scott (8) is congratulated by Tico Olivas (1) after scoring a run at at NCAA baseball game earlier this season at Larks Park in Hays, Kan. (FHSU Athletics photo/Ryan Prickett)" />
 <figcaption>Fort Hays State senior Ed Scott (8) is congratulated by Tico Olivas (1) after scoring a run at at NCAA baseball game earlier this season at Larks Park in Hays, Kan. (FHSU Athletics photo/Ryan Prickett)</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsFort Hays State (13-16, 4-9 MIAA) vs. Pittsburg State (18-7, 10-3) Friday-Sunday, March 24-26, 2023 Hays, Kan. • Larks Park Radio&nbsp;• KAYS (94.3/1400)<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KAYS">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> The Fort Hays State baseball team returns to MIAA play this weekend (March 24-26) when the Tigers host Pittsburg State in a three game series at Larks Park. First pitch in Friday's opener has been moved up two hours to noon. The rest of the series is tentatively scheduled for&nbsp;Saturday&nbsp;&nbsp;at 1 p.m. and a series finale Sunday at noon, with all game times subject to change due to the ever-changing forecast. The Tigers are fresh off of a doubleheader sweep over Rockhurst on Tuesday (March 21).&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/trey-degarmo/7257">Trey DeGarmo</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/emile-boies/7253">Emile Boies</a>&nbsp;had stellar outings in the midweek showcase, with both collecting three hits each and combining for seven RBI across the two contests.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/andrew-hansen/7259">Andrew Hansen</a>&nbsp;added seven strikeouts to his team-leading total, giving the sophomore 32 punchouts for the season.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/jenner-kehe/6818">Jenner Kehe</a>&nbsp;collected his first win of the season on the mound, throwing four perfect innings. The Tigers lead all of DII with 32 sacrifice bunts while leading the MIAA in walks drawn (145, 8th in DII) and on base percentage (.419, 37th&nbsp;in DII). The Tigers also rank in the top-five in the MIAA in runs (217), hits (285), doubles (54), triples (7), home runs (29), RBI (188)&nbsp;and slugging percentage (.478). <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/isaiah-ural/7272">Isaiah Ural</a>&nbsp;leads the Tigers with a .364 batting average which ranks 16th&nbsp;in the conference. DeGarmo has crossed the plate a team high 34 times which is tied for second-most in the MIAA. Ural is tied for second in the conference with 10 doubles on the year followed by DeGarmo and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/ed-scott/6827">Ed Scott</a>&nbsp;with nine each. Boies continues to lead the MIAA in walks drawn with 23, while Ural is tied for second in the league with 21 walks on the year.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/daniel-bebee/7252">Daniel Bebee</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/zach-berg/6803">Zach Berg</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/jake-campbell/6805">Jake Campbell</a>&nbsp;all made great starts against Central Oklahoma and will likely make up the starting rotation this weekend for the Tigers. Fort Hays State is 29-33 against Pittsburg State all-time after dropping a three-game series to the Gorillas last season. PSU is batting .315 as a team and has scored 225 runs over 25 games. Nixon Brannan leads the Gorillas at the plate batting .389 with nine doubles, nine home runs, and accumulating 40 RBI. Zac Shoemaker has been a solid starter for Pittsburg State posting a 1.24 ERA over seven starts and collecting 54 strikeouts while giving up only two walks. Fort Hays State vs Pittsburg State March 24-26, 2023 – Larks Park Game&nbsp;1 • Friday, March 24 • Noon Game 2 • Saturday, March 25 • 1 p.m. Game 3 • Sunday, March 26 • 12 p.m. *subject to change*&nbsp;&nbsp;

⚾🎙️ LISTEN - Tigers open 3-game series with Gorillas Friday

By TOM CANAVAN AP Sports Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Markquis Nowell broke the NCAA Tournament record for assists in a game with 19, his last two on spectacular passes in the final minute of overtime, and Kansas State beat Michigan State 98-93 on Thursday night in a Sweet 16 thriller at Madison Square Garden.

Playing in his hometown and fighting through a second-half ankle injury, Nowell found Keyontae Johnson for a reverse alley-oop with 58 seconds left in OT to give the Wildcats (26-9) the lead for good in this back-and-forth East Region semifinal. He then threw an inbound pass to Ismael Massoud, who knocked down a jumper with 15 seconds left for a 96-93 lead.

With Michigan State needing a 3 to tie, Nowell stole the ball from the Spartans' Tyson Walker and drove for a clinching layup at the buzzer. The 5-foot-8, Harlem-raised Nowell finished with 20 points and five steals in a signature performance at basketball's most famous arena that drew tweets of praise from&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/PatrickMahomes/status/1639055465060474880">Patrick Mahomes</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/KDTrey5/status/1639071625432936448">Kevin Durant</a>.

“That was a legendary display of controlling a basketball game Markquis,” Durant tweeted.

Johnson scored 22 points for the No. 3 seed Wildcats, who will face either fourth-seeded Tennessee or ninth-seeded Florida Atlantic on Saturday as they seek the program's first Final Four berth since 1964.

A.J. Hoggard scored a career-high 25 points for seventh-seeded Michigan State (21-13). Joey Hauser added 18 points and Walker had 16, including a layup with 5 seconds left in regulation that forced the first overtime of this year's NCAA Tournament.

UNLV's Mark Wade had the previous NCAA tourney assists record with 18 during the Runnin' Rebels 1987 Final Four win over Indiana.

Nowell turned his ankle early in the second half, was helped off the court and had it taped. Michigan State took the lead with him sidelined, and when he returned, he pushed off the ankle&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/MarchMadnessMBB/status/1639055043642163201">to bank in a 3-pointer that beat the shot clock</a>&nbsp;and tied the game at 55-all.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679621520833.jpeg" alt="Kansas State guard Markquis Nowell reacts after a play in the second half of a Sweet 16 college basketball game against Michigan State in the East Regional of the NCAA tournament at Madison Square Garden, Thursday, March 23, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)." />
 <figcaption>Kansas State guard Markquis Nowell reacts after a play in the second half of a Sweet 16 college basketball game against Michigan State in the East Regional of the NCAA tournament at Madison Square Garden, Thursday, March 23, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger).</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOM CANAVAN AP Sports WriterNEW YORK (AP) — Markquis Nowell broke the NCAA Tournament record for assists in a game with 19, his last two on spectacular passes in the final minute of overtime, and Kansas State beat Michigan State 98-93 on Thursday night in a Sweet 16 thriller at Madison Square Garden.Playing in his hometown and fighting through a second-half ankle injury, Nowell found Keyontae Johnson for a reverse alley-oop with 58 seconds left in OT to give the Wildcats (26-9) the lead for good in this back-and-forth East Region semifinal. He then threw an inbound pass to Ismael Massoud, who knocked down a jumper with 15 seconds left for a 96-93 lead.With Michigan State needing a 3 to tie, Nowell stole the ball from the Spartans' Tyson Walker and drove for a clinching layup at the buzzer. The 5-foot-8, Harlem-raised Nowell finished with 20 points and five steals in a signature performance at basketball's most famous arena that drew tweets of praise from&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/PatrickMahomes/status/1639055465060474880">Patrick Mahomes</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/KDTrey5/status/1639071625432936448">Kevin Durant</a>.“That was a legendary display of controlling a basketball game Markquis,” Durant tweeted.Johnson scored 22 points for the No. 3 seed Wildcats, who will face either fourth-seeded Tennessee or ninth-seeded Florida Atlantic on Saturday as they seek the program's first Final Four berth since 1964.A.J. Hoggard scored a career-high 25 points for seventh-seeded Michigan State (21-13). Joey Hauser added 18 points and Walker had 16, including a layup with 5 seconds left in regulation that forced the first overtime of this year's NCAA Tournament.UNLV's Mark Wade had the previous NCAA tourney assists record with 18 during the Runnin' Rebels 1987 Final Four win over Indiana.Nowell turned his ankle early in the second half, was helped off the court and had it taped. Michigan State took the lead with him sidelined, and when he returned, he pushed off the ankle&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/MarchMadnessMBB/status/1639055043642163201">to bank in a 3-pointer that beat the shot clock</a>&nbsp;and tied the game at 55-all.Turns out he was just getting started.