By JAY COHEN AP Baseball Writer

PHOENIX — It's a brand new day in the major leagues — potentially an even brighter one for base-stealers like Trea Turner and Ronald Acuña Jr., and most definitely a change of pace for veteran aces like Gerrit Cole or Yu Darvish.

The bases are bigger, and the pickoff rules are different. The pitch clock has arrived, and infield shifts are gone.

Sorry, Shohei Ohtani, you took too long to throw that pitch. Bryce Harper, get back in the batter's box. Xander Bogaerts, can't stand there when Mookie Betts is hitting.

Only one thing is certain to stay the same: Everyone will try to find an edge, aiming to take advantage of baseball's dramatic alterations.

"I think the one thing we know about our industry is to the extent there's an advantage to be gained, every team is going to be doing everything possible to try to exploit that advantage to the best of its ability," said Chris Antonetti, president of baseball operations for the Cleveland Guardians.

Those are the conversations that are dominating spring training this year after Major League Baseball approved a series of changes in September in an effort to make the sport more appealing to a younger generation turned off by its lack of action and leisurely tempo.

As players reported to camps in Florida and Arizona to ramp up their preparation for the season, Commissioner Rob Manfred expressed confidence that the changes would work — after what could be an occasionally bumpy transition period.

"I think you're going to see a game that moves along with more pace," Manfred said. "I think you're going to see more balls in play. I think that you're going to look at the field and see players positioned the way that most of us grew up seeing them positioned. And I really think that (you're) going to see a movement toward the very best form of our game."

The size of the bases has been increased to 18-inch squares from 15. The new pitch clock is 15 seconds with no runners on base and 20 seconds with runners. The increasingly frequent infield shift has been eliminated, and there is a limit of two of what MLB calls disengagements — pickoff attempts or steps off the rubber — per plate appearance.

"I think the pitch clock will be the most impactful for sure," Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. "I mean I'm hoping that's the one that's most impactful. I hope fans notice a real improvement in the pace of the game."

The pitch clock helped reduce the average time of a nine-inning game in the minor leagues from 3 hours, 4 minutes in 2021 to 2:38 last season. A catcher is required to be in the catcher's box with nine seconds left on the clock and a hitter in the batter's box and focused on the pitcher with eight seconds remaining.

Penalties for violations will be a ball called against a pitcher and a strike called against a batter. And there almost assuredly will be some violations through the start of the season as players get used to the clock.

"I'm not worried about it," Chicago White Sox pitcher Lance Lynn said. "The hitters are going to hate it."

Under the new rules on defensive positioning, two infielders will be required to be on either side of second and all infielders to be within the outer boundary of the infield when the pitcher is on the rubber. Infielders may not switch sides unless there is a substitution, but five-man infields will still be allowed.

With the elimination of the shift, major league teams could get more creative with their outfielders. It's not hard to imagine a late-game scenario where a corner outfielder could move into a spot that a shifted infielder used to fill.

"At least for my lifetime, when a ball's hit in a certain spot, you feel like, at least when you're watching on TV, you feel like it's a hit and you look up and somebody's standing there," San Diego Padres general manager A.J. Preller said.

"So I think that'll probably take some getting used to, kind of seeing that shift back, and from a strategy standpoint, how that plays out."

The bigger bases are intended to help reduce injuries and increase stolen bases — due to their size, the bases are closer together by a few inches. There were 3,297 steal attempts in the majors last year, according to Sportradar, up from 2,926 in 2021 but a marked decrease compared with 4,365 attempts a decade ago in 2012.

All those bang-bang plays on the bases just got a little more interesting.

But the most intriguing change just might be the limit on disengagements. A balk is called for a third step off or pickoff unless there is an out, and the limit is reset if a runner advances.

What pitchers do with their disengagements — which ones keep one in their back pocket, which ones use all of them and which ones are willing to risk a balk with a throw over — will be closely scouted at the start of the season as teams look for a baserunning edge.

"There's a lot of gamesmanship here," Chicago Cubs general manager Carter Hawkins said. "So try to figure out how to best play it. I'm sure there'll be some cat-and-mouse games going on, and different pitchers will come up with different plans that we'll have to adjust to, and baserunners as well.

"I think that's exciting to be able to watch and some chances for some competitive advantages."

By JAY COHEN AP Baseball WriterPHOENIX — It's a brand new day in the major leagues — potentially an even brighter one for base-stealers like Trea Turner and Ronald Acuña Jr., and most definitely a change of pace for veteran aces like Gerrit Cole or Yu Darvish.The bases are bigger, and the pickoff rules are different. The pitch clock has arrived, and infield shifts are gone.Sorry, Shohei Ohtani, you took too long to throw that pitch. Bryce Harper, get back in the batter's box. Xander Bogaerts, can't stand there when Mookie Betts is hitting.Only one thing is certain to stay the same: Everyone will try to find an edge, aiming to take advantage of baseball's dramatic alterations."I think the one thing we know about our industry is to the extent there's an advantage to be gained, every team is going to be doing everything possible to try to exploit that advantage to the best of its ability," said Chris Antonetti, president of baseball operations for the Cleveland Guardians.Those are the conversations that are dominating spring training this year after Major League Baseball approved a series of changes in September in an effort to make the sport more appealing to a younger generation turned off by its lack of action and leisurely tempo.As players reported to camps in Florida and Arizona to ramp up their preparation for the season, Commissioner Rob Manfred expressed confidence that the changes would work — after what could be an occasionally bumpy transition period."I think you're going to see a game that moves along with more pace," Manfred said. "I think you're going to see more balls in play. I think that you're going to look at the field and see players positioned the way that most of us grew up seeing them positioned. And I really think that (you're) going to see a movement toward the very best form of our game."The size of the bases has been increased to 18-inch squares from 15. The new pitch clock is 15 seconds with no runners on base and 20 seconds with runners. The increasingly frequent infield shift has been eliminated, and there is a limit of two of what MLB calls disengagements — pickoff attempts or steps off the rubber — per plate appearance."I think the pitch clock will be the most impactful for sure," Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. "I mean I'm hoping that's the one that's most impactful. I hope fans notice a real improvement in the pace of the game."The pitch clock helped reduce the average time of a nine-inning game in the minor leagues from 3 hours, 4 minutes in 2021 to 2:38 last season. A catcher is required to be in the catcher's box with nine seconds left on the clock and a hitter in the batter's box and focused on the pitcher with eight seconds remaining.Penalties for violations will be a ball called against a pitcher and a strike called against a batter. And there almost assuredly will be some violations through the start of the season as players get used to the clock."I'm not worried about it," Chicago White Sox pitcher Lance Lynn said. "The hitters are going to hate it."Under the new rules on defensive positioning, two infielders will be required to be on either side of second and all infielders to be within the outer boundary of the infield when the pitcher is on the rubber. Infielders may not switch sides unless there is a substitution, but five-man infields will still be allowed.With the elimination of the shift, major league teams could get more creative with their outfielders. It's not hard to imagine a late-game scenario where a corner outfielder could move into a spot that a shifted infielder used to fill."At least for my lifetime, when a ball's hit in a certain spot, you feel like, at least when you're watching on TV, you feel like it's a hit and you look up and somebody's standing there," San Diego Padres general manager A.J. Preller said."So I think that'll probably take some getting used to, kind of seeing that shift back, and from a strategy standpoint, how that plays out."The bigger bases are intended to help reduce injuries and increase stolen bases — due to their size, the bases are closer together by a few inches. There were 3,297 steal attempts in the majors last year, according to Sportradar, up from 2,926 in 2021 but a marked decrease compared with 4,365 attempts a decade ago in 2012.All those bang-bang plays on the bases just got a little more interesting.But the most intriguing change just might be the limit on disengagements. A balk is called for a third step off or pickoff unless there is an out, and the limit is reset if a runner advances.What pitchers do with their disengagements — which ones keep one in their back pocket, which ones use all of them and which ones are willing to risk a balk with a throw over — will be closely scouted at the start of the season as teams look for a baserunning edge."There's a lot of gamesmanship here," Chicago Cubs general manager Carter Hawkins said. "So try to figure out how to best play it. I'm sure there'll be some cat-and-mouse games going on, and different pitchers will come up with different plans that we'll have to adjust to, and baserunners as well."I think that's exciting to be able to watch and some chances for some competitive advantages."

Major league teams searching for advantages with new rules

DENVER - The Fort Hays State baseball team picked up another split against Regis on Sunday, taking game one 11-9 before dropping the series finale 15-4. The Tigers are now 7-5 on the year before entering conference play next weekend, while the Rangers move to 6-6 this season. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/elliott-herrmann/7260">Elliott Herrmann</a>&nbsp;drove in six RBI on the day, including five in game one, while&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/trey-degarmo/7257">Trey DeGarmo</a>&nbsp;scored four runs on four hits in the opener. The Tigers will return to Hays to host Washburn in their home opener and conference opener next weekend (Feb. 24-26) at Larks Park. Game 1 - Fort Hays State 11, Regis 9 The Tigers took advantage of multiple Ranger miscues in the top of the first, plating three runs on two hits, one error, one walk, one hit batter, one passed ball and one balk.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/emile-boies/7253">Emile Boies</a>&nbsp;picked up the lone RBI of the inning, singling in&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/isaiah-ural/7272">Isaiah Ural</a>. Regis responded with a four-spot in home half of the first before&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/nate-whitehill/7274">Nate Whitehill</a>&nbsp;came on to record the final two outs via strikeout. The lefty reliever then put up back-to-back scoreless frames before giving up an unearned run in the fourth. He struck out four batters and walked none over 3.1 innings of relief, allowing five hits. While Whitehill was dealing on the mound, the Tiger offense kept things rolling at the dish. Two walks and an infield single loaded the base for&nbsp;Herrmann in the second, who drove in a run with a groundout.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/zane-knox/7262">Zane Knox</a>&nbsp;later drew the fourth walk of the inning, putting the Tigers back on top, 5-4. DeGarmo and Ural led off the fourth with back-to-back doubles before Herrmann crushed his team-leading fifth home run of the year, giving the Tigers an 8-4 lead. Regis closed within three with an unearned run in the fourth before&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/jenner-kehe/6818">Jenner Kehe</a>&nbsp;came on to record the final out in the inning and strand a runner at third. The Tigers grabbed that run right back in the top of the fifth with a two-out rally. DeGarmo kept the inning alive with a single to left before Ural beat out an infield single to third. Herrmann followed with his fourth RBI of the day, singling into right field. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/zach-berg/6803">Zach Berg</a>&nbsp;then came out of the pen to retire the side in order in the fifth before the Rangers mounted a rally in the sixth. Regis tied things up at nine with four runs, including two that were unearned, on three hits.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/cade-flaherty/6811">Cade Flaherty</a>&nbsp;appeared to be out of the inning after a strikeout, but the tying run came in to score on a dropped third strike. The Tigers bounced back in the top of the seventh, plating a pair of unearned runs on two errors and a wild pitch. The Rangers booted a pair of grounders on potential inning-ending double plays before&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/ed-scott/6827">Ed Scott</a>&nbsp;gave the Tigers the lead by scoring on a wild pitch. Knox doubled the lead with an RBI fielder's choice two batters later. Boies stepped onto the mound in the bottom of the seventh and retired the side in order, collecting his second save of the year thanks to two strikeouts and a pop up. Flaherty (1-0) picked up his first win of the season after striking out two of the six batters he faced in the sixth. Game 2 - Regis 14, Fort Hays State 4 A walk to Ural prompted a two-out rally for the Tigers in the top of the first, with FHSU plating two runs on a Herrmann double and a Boies single.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/dustin-menard/6822">Dustin Menard</a>&nbsp;worked around a hit and a walk to post a scoreless first before retiring the side in order in the second. Regis later tied the game at two behind a pair of unearned runs in the third before taking the lead with another run in the fourth. The Tigers manufactured a game-tying run in the top of the fifth when&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/daniel-bebee/7252">Daniel Bebee</a>&nbsp;led off with a single. The catcher moved up 90 feet on a sacrifice bunt before completing his trip around the bases on a pair of wild pitches. The Rangers took control in the fifth, pushing across 11 runs on seven hits and two errors. Both sides added single runs in the sixth before the Tigers went down in order in the seventh to wrap up the series split. Menard (0-1) allowed five runs, four of which were unearned, on three hits over 4.1 innings of work. The lefty struck out two batters and walked four.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676891587472.jpeg" alt="FHSU Athletics photo" />
 <figcaption>FHSU Athletics photo</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsDENVER - The Fort Hays State baseball team picked up another split against Regis on Sunday, taking game one 11-9 before dropping the series finale 15-4. The Tigers are now 7-5 on the year before entering conference play next weekend, while the Rangers move to 6-6 this season. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/elliott-herrmann/7260">Elliott Herrmann</a>&nbsp;drove in six RBI on the day, including five in game one, while&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/trey-degarmo/7257">Trey DeGarmo</a>&nbsp;scored four runs on four hits in the opener. The Tigers will return to Hays to host Washburn in their home opener and conference opener next weekend (Feb. 24-26) at Larks Park. Game 1 - Fort Hays State 11, Regis 9 The Tigers took advantage of multiple Ranger miscues in the top of the first, plating three runs on two hits, one error, one walk, one hit batter, one passed ball and one balk.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/emile-boies/7253">Emile Boies</a>&nbsp;picked up the lone RBI of the inning, singling in&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/isaiah-ural/7272">Isaiah Ural</a>. Regis responded with a four-spot in home half of the first before&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/nate-whitehill/7274">Nate Whitehill</a>&nbsp;came on to record the final two outs via strikeout. The lefty reliever then put up back-to-back scoreless frames before giving up an unearned run in the fourth. He struck out four batters and walked none over 3.1 innings of relief, allowing five hits. While Whitehill was dealing on the mound, the Tiger offense kept things rolling at the dish. Two walks and an infield single loaded the base for&nbsp;Herrmann in the second, who drove in a run with a groundout.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/zane-knox/7262">Zane Knox</a>&nbsp;later drew the fourth walk of the inning, putting the Tigers back on top, 5-4. DeGarmo and Ural led off the fourth with back-to-back doubles before Herrmann crushed his team-leading fifth home run of the year, giving the Tigers an 8-4 lead. Regis closed within three with an unearned run in the fourth before&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/jenner-kehe/6818">Jenner Kehe</a>&nbsp;came on to record the final out in the inning and strand a runner at third. The Tigers grabbed that run right back in the top of the fifth with a two-out rally. DeGarmo kept the inning alive with a single to left before Ural beat out an infield single to third. Herrmann followed with his fourth RBI of the day, singling into right field. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/zach-berg/6803">Zach Berg</a>&nbsp;then came out of the pen to retire the side in order in the fifth before the Rangers mounted a rally in the sixth. Regis tied things up at nine with four runs, including two that were unearned, on three hits.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/cade-flaherty/6811">Cade Flaherty</a>&nbsp;appeared to be out of the inning after a strikeout, but the tying run came in to score on a dropped third strike. The Tigers bounced back in the top of the seventh, plating a pair of unearned runs on two errors and a wild pitch. The Rangers booted a pair of grounders on potential inning-ending double plays before&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/ed-scott/6827">Ed Scott</a>&nbsp;gave the Tigers the lead by scoring on a wild pitch. Knox doubled the lead with an RBI fielder's choice two batters later. Boies stepped onto the mound in the bottom of the seventh and retired the side in order, collecting his second save of the year thanks to two strikeouts and a pop up. Flaherty (1-0) picked up his first win of the season after striking out two of the six batters he faced in the sixth. Game 2 - Regis 14, Fort Hays State 4 A walk to Ural prompted a two-out rally for the Tigers in the top of the first, with FHSU plating two runs on a Herrmann double and a Boies single.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/dustin-menard/6822">Dustin Menard</a>&nbsp;worked around a hit and a walk to post a scoreless first before retiring the side in order in the second. Regis later tied the game at two behind a pair of unearned runs in the third before taking the lead with another run in the fourth. The Tigers manufactured a game-tying run in the top of the fifth when&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/daniel-bebee/7252">Daniel Bebee</a>&nbsp;led off with a single. The catcher moved up 90 feet on a sacrifice bunt before completing his trip around the bases on a pair of wild pitches. The Rangers took control in the fifth, pushing across 11 runs on seven hits and two errors. Both sides added single runs in the sixth before the Tigers went down in order in the seventh to wrap up the series split. Menard (0-1) allowed five runs, four of which were unearned, on three hits over 4.1 innings of work. The lefty struck out two batters and walked four.&nbsp;&nbsp;

⚾ Tigers split with Rangers Sunday in Denver

JOPLIN, Mo. - An offensive explosion helped the Fort Hays State men's basketball team pick up a crucial road win over Missouri Southern Saturday afternoon (Feb. 18), with the Tigers winning 84-70. The 84 points are the most the Tigers (19-8, 14-7 MIAA) have scored away from home this season and are the second-most scored against an MIAA opponent this year. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/kaleb-hammeke/6897">Kaleb Hammeke</a>&nbsp;led all scorers with 11 points at halftime before taking over in the second half, burying 8-for-10 from the floor, 4-for-4 from behind the arc and 4-of-5 from the charity stripe after intermission to give the sophomore a game-high 35 points. It was the fourth 30-point performance in Hammeke's career, including his second game scoring at least 30 points in a road win over the Lions (32 points, 1/21/21), and was one point off his career-high of 36.

The lead changed hands six times over the first 16 minutes of play, with neither side leading by more than five points.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/gilbert-peters/6903">Gilbert Peters</a>&nbsp;drilled a corner 3-pointer to tie the score at 18 with 6:07 to go before halftime, sparking a 21-5 Tiger run that gave FHSU the lead for good. Hammeke put the Tigers up&nbsp;90 seconds later with a 3-pointer before a&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/traejon-davis/6896">Traejon Davis</a>&nbsp;breakaway dunk pushed the lead to eight, 29-21. Davis capped off the first half with a triple from the left wing, giving FHSU a 13-point lead, 36-23. The Tigers maintained a double-digit lead for the entirety of the second half, leading by as many as 24 after going on a 15-2 run over the heart of the quarter. Hammeke scored 13 of FHSU's 15 points during the run while the Tiger defense held MSSU to 1-of-6 shooting and one turnover during that five-minute span.

Missouri Southern tried to storm back, burying nine of their next 12 shots, including 5-of-6 from behind the arc, to go on a 23-9 run and close within 10, 74-64. But the Tigers handled business at the free-throw line down the stretch to secure the win, hitting 19-of-22 from the stripe over the final five-plus minutes. The win propels Fort Hays State into fourth place in the MIAA standings with one game remaining in the regular season. The Tigers are one-half game behind Emporia State for third place. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/elijah-nnanabu/6902">Elijah Nnanabu</a>&nbsp;tied his career high with 19 points, 12 of which came after halftime. Davis tacked on 13 points, while Nnanabu, Davis and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/iyen-enaruna/6907">Iyen Enaruna</a>&nbsp;collected a team-high five rebounds. After the teams tied with 19 rebounds in the first half, FHSU outrebounded the Lions by seven in the second half, 18-11. The Tigers took advantage of 13 Lion turnovers, capitalizing to the tune of 21 points off turnovers. The Tigers will wrap up the regular season next Saturday (Feb. 25) at Nebraska-Kearney before opening the postseason in the 2023 MIAA Men's Basketball Championship quarterfinals on Friday, March 3.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676787544939.jpeg" alt="Fort Hays State guard Kaleb Hammeke attempts a free throw in an MIAA basketball game vs. Central Missouri on December 31, 2022 in Warrensburg, Mo. (FHSU Athletics photo/Seth Kincaid)" />
 <figcaption>Fort Hays State guard Kaleb Hammeke attempts a free throw in an MIAA basketball game vs. Central Missouri on December 31, 2022 in Warrensburg, Mo. (FHSU Athletics photo/Seth Kincaid)</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsJOPLIN, Mo. - An offensive explosion helped the Fort Hays State men's basketball team pick up a crucial road win over Missouri Southern Saturday afternoon (Feb. 18), with the Tigers winning 84-70. The 84 points are the most the Tigers (19-8, 14-7 MIAA) have scored away from home this season and are the second-most scored against an MIAA opponent this year. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/kaleb-hammeke/6897">Kaleb Hammeke</a>&nbsp;led all scorers with 11 points at halftime before taking over in the second half, burying 8-for-10 from the floor, 4-for-4 from behind the arc and 4-of-5 from the charity stripe after intermission to give the sophomore a game-high 35 points. It was the fourth 30-point performance in Hammeke's career, including his second game scoring at least 30 points in a road win over the Lions (32 points, 1/21/21), and was one point off his career-high of 36.<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/1450258144&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-814667509/2-18-23-fhsu-mbkb-coach-int" title="Mark Johnson Postgame at Missouri Southern State (Feb. 18, 2023)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Mark Johnson Postgame at Missouri Southern State (Feb. 18, 2023)</a></div></div>The lead changed hands six times over the first 16 minutes of play, with neither side leading by more than five points.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/gilbert-peters/6903">Gilbert Peters</a>&nbsp;drilled a corner 3-pointer to tie the score at 18 with 6:07 to go before halftime, sparking a 21-5 Tiger run that gave FHSU the lead for good. Hammeke put the Tigers up&nbsp;90 seconds later with a 3-pointer before a&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/traejon-davis/6896">Traejon Davis</a>&nbsp;breakaway dunk pushed the lead to eight, 29-21. Davis capped off the first half with a triple from the left wing, giving FHSU a 13-point lead, 36-23. The Tigers maintained a double-digit lead for the entirety of the second half, leading by as many as 24 after going on a 15-2 run over the heart of the quarter. Hammeke scored 13 of FHSU's 15 points during the run while the Tiger defense held MSSU to 1-of-6 shooting and one turnover during that five-minute span.<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/1450260859&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-814667509/2-18-23-fhsu-mbkb-v-miss-s-state-hilights" title="Fort Hays State MBB Highlights at Missouri Southern State (Feb. 18, 2023)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Fort Hays State MBB Highlights at Missouri Southern State (Feb. 18, 2023)</a></div></div>Missouri Southern tried to storm back, burying nine of their next 12 shots, including 5-of-6 from behind the arc, to go on a 23-9 run and close within 10, 74-64. But the Tigers handled business at the free-throw line down the stretch to secure the win, hitting 19-of-22 from the stripe over the final five-plus minutes. The win propels Fort Hays State into fourth place in the MIAA standings with one game remaining in the regular season. The Tigers are one-half game behind Emporia State for third place. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/elijah-nnanabu/6902">Elijah Nnanabu</a>&nbsp;tied his career high with 19 points, 12 of which came after halftime. Davis tacked on 13 points, while Nnanabu, Davis and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/iyen-enaruna/6907">Iyen Enaruna</a>&nbsp;collected a team-high five rebounds. After the teams tied with 19 rebounds in the first half, FHSU outrebounded the Lions by seven in the second half, 18-11. The Tigers took advantage of 13 Lion turnovers, capitalizing to the tune of 21 points off turnovers. The Tigers will wrap up the regular season next Saturday (Feb. 25) at Nebraska-Kearney before opening the postseason in the 2023 MIAA Men's Basketball Championship quarterfinals on Friday, March 3.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 Hammeke's 35 points pushes Tigers past Lions

ANDOVER - The Hays High wrestling team qualifies seven for the
5A State Tournament this weekend in Park City. Harley Zimmerman led the way
with a regional title at 132 at the 5A West Regional in Andover. Joining him at
state will be Grady Lind who finished fourth at 106, Cyrus Vajner placed fifth
at 126, Dalton Meyers and Boston Brungardt both placed sixth at 157 and 215 respectively,
Elijah McCullough placed seventh at 113 and Adin Flock eighth at 144.

Zimmerman went 4-0 in the regional. He defeated Daniel Gomez
of Maize by technical fall in the finals. Zimmerman is now 31-2 on the season. 

Grady Lind finished fourth at 106. After winning his first
match by fall, he lost in round two but came back to beat Gavin Lamkin of
Goddard before losing to Triston Tomlinson of Great Bend in the third place
match. Lind is 24-10.

Vajner also won his first match by fall at 126 before losing
in round two. He came back with two wins on the&nbsp;
back side of the bracket before loisng to Luke Potter of Andover 5-3. He
then won by fall over Kaiden Hoffman of Great Bend in the fifth place match. Vajner
is 24-14.

Dalton Meyers also win his first match by fall at 157 before
losing by a fall in round two. He won twice on the back side of the bracket before
losing by fall to Cody Hughbanks of Maize. Meyers then defeated Christian
Trujillo of Emporia 1-0 in the fifth-place match. Meyers is 29-11.

Boston Brungardt also won by fall in the first round. Following
a loss in round two, he bounced back with two wins on the back-side before
losing by fall to Hutchinson’s Dorian Hippen. Brungardt then lost by fall to
Great Bend’s Keuven Schroeder in the fifth place match. Brungardt is 12-22

Elijah McCullough won his first match at 113 by fall before
losing an 11-5 decision the second round. He won his first match on the
backside of the bracket by fall before losing to Arkansas City’s Carlos Leyva
7-6. He won the seventh place match 6-3 over Salina South’s Kyle Rector.
McCullough is 31-10.

Adin Flock won his first match by fall at 144 before losing
by a major decision in round two. He won his first bracket on the backside of
the bracket 7-3 before losing by technical fall on Andover’s Bradley Trimmell.
Flock then lost the seventh place match to technical fall to Elijah Means of
Bishop Carroll. Flock is 13-14.

The seven boys will join the six HHS girls that qualified for state the week prior.

The 5A State Tournament begins Friday at Hartman Arena in
Park City.

HAYS PostANDOVER - The Hays High wrestling team qualifies seven for the
5A State Tournament this weekend in Park City. Harley Zimmerman led the way
with a regional title at 132 at the 5A West Regional in Andover. Joining him at
state will be Grady Lind who finished fourth at 106, Cyrus Vajner placed fifth
at 126, Dalton Meyers and Boston Brungardt both placed sixth at 157 and 215 respectively,
Elijah McCullough placed seventh at 113 and Adin Flock eighth at 144.Zimmerman went 4-0 in the regional. He defeated Daniel Gomez
of Maize by technical fall in the finals. Zimmerman is now 31-2 on the season. Grady Lind finished fourth at 106. After winning his first
match by fall, he lost in round two but came back to beat Gavin Lamkin of
Goddard before losing to Triston Tomlinson of Great Bend in the third place
match. Lind is 24-10.Vajner also won his first match by fall at 126 before losing
in round two. He came back with two wins on the&nbsp;
back side of the bracket before loisng to Luke Potter of Andover 5-3. He
then won by fall over Kaiden Hoffman of Great Bend in the fifth place match. Vajner
is 24-14.Dalton Meyers also win his first match by fall at 157 before
losing by a fall in round two. He won twice on the back side of the bracket before
losing by fall to Cody Hughbanks of Maize. Meyers then defeated Christian
Trujillo of Emporia 1-0 in the fifth-place match. Meyers is 29-11.Boston Brungardt also won by fall in the first round. Following
a loss in round two, he bounced back with two wins on the back-side before
losing by fall to Hutchinson’s Dorian Hippen. Brungardt then lost by fall to
Great Bend’s Keuven Schroeder in the fifth place match. Brungardt is 12-22Elijah McCullough won his first match at 113 by fall before
losing an 11-5 decision the second round. He won his first match on the
backside of the bracket by fall before losing to Arkansas City’s Carlos Leyva
7-6. He won the seventh place match 6-3 over Salina South’s Kyle Rector.
McCullough is 31-10.Adin Flock won his first match by fall at 144 before losing
by a major decision in round two. He won his first bracket on the backside of
the bracket 7-3 before losing by technical fall on Andover’s Bradley Trimmell.
Flock then lost the seventh place match to technical fall to Elijah Means of
Bishop Carroll. Flock is 13-14.The seven boys will join the six HHS girls that qualified for state the week prior.The 5A State Tournament begins Friday at Hartman Arena in
Park City.

🤼‍♂️ Zimmerman regional champ, HHS qualifies seven for state

DENVER - The Fort Hays State baseball team split its&nbsp;first doubleheader with Regis on Saturday (Feb. 18). After falling in a tough battle in the opener, the Tigers scored eight runs over the final three innings to complete the comeback in game two and secure the split. The Tigers move to 6-4 overall, while the Rangers move to 5-5. The series will conclude Sunday with another doubleheader at Regis Baseball Field beginning&nbsp;at noon (11 a.m. MT). Game One -&nbsp;Regis 6, Fort Hays State 4 The Tigers were playing from behind for the duration of the opener after the Rangers plated&nbsp;two runs in the bottom of the first. FHSU cut the lead in half with a solo bomb from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/zane-knox/7262">Zane Knox</a>&nbsp;in the top of the second inning, but Regis plated their third run of the game on a sacrifice fly in the home half to go back up by two. Emilie Boies brought home&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/trey-degarmo/7257">Trey DeGarmo</a>&nbsp;with an RBI single in the following frame before the Rangers plated two more runs in the bottom of the third. Two singles and a walk loaded the bases for the Tigers in the fourth, setting up a run for&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/mikey-felton/6810">Mikey Felton</a>&nbsp;on a wild pitch. The Tiger pitching staff held the Rangers scoreless in the bottom of the inning, which allowed them to cut the Ranger lead back to one with an RBI single from Felton in the fifth. Regis&nbsp;plated their final run of the contest in the home half of the fifth to push their lead to 6-4. The Tigers were unable to figure out Ranger reliever Ethan Sloan in the final two innings, with the lefty retiring&nbsp;all six batters he faced to finish the game. Felton and DeGarmo led the way at the plate, each managing two hits.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/connor-holle/6814">Connor Holle</a>&nbsp;(1-1) and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/spencer-maley/7265">Spencer Maley</a>&nbsp;each recorded a pair of strikeouts on the mound. Game Two -&nbsp;Fort Hays State 13, Regis 10 Fort Hays State got on the board first in the night cap,&nbsp;scoring three runs in the opening frame.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/isaiah-ural/7272">Isaiah Ural</a>&nbsp;plated the first two on a bases-clearing triple before&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/elliott-herrmann/7260">Elliott Herrmann</a>&nbsp;singled to bring him home. The Rangers overcame the early deficit with two big innings, bringing seven runs across in the second and third innings. The Tigers chipped away at the Ranger lead in the fourth scoring two runs on a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly by Ural, but the Rangers answered with a run in the home half of the frame and another in the sixth. Trailing by four in the top of the seventh, the Tiger offense got to work. In the seventh, an RBI single from Knox and a bases-loaded walk drawn by&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/dylan-hupfer/6816">Dylan Hupfer</a>&nbsp;brought the Tigers within two before a fielder's choice in the eighth shrunk the Ranger lead to 9-8. In the final frame, the Tigers pieced together a five-run rally with two outs to take the lead. Down to the last two strikes in the game,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/ed-scott/6827">Ed Scott</a>&nbsp;put the tying run on base on a single up the middle.&nbsp;DeGarmo&nbsp;followed with a&nbsp;double down the left field line, tying the score at nine. After an intentional walk was granted to Ural, Herrmann sent a first-pitch, three-run bomb over the fence in left center to give&nbsp;the Tigers the lead. Boies followed with a solo home run of his own three pitches later, putting&nbsp;the Tigers in front&nbsp;13-9. Boies came in to pitch in the ninth, allowing one run before getting a game-ending&nbsp;double play up the middle. Herrmann finished 4-for-6 at the plate and drove in four runs while Scott, Ural, and Knox each collected three hits in the contest.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/andrew-hansen/7259">Andrew Hansen</a>&nbsp;punched out five batters via strikeout while allowing eight runs (four earned) over 3.2 innings of work.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/jake-campbell/6805">Jake Campbell</a>&nbsp;collected his first win of the season allowing only one run on four hits through 4.1 innings pitched.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676788217636.jpeg" alt="Fort Hays State junior first baseman Elliott Herrmann (24) congratulates his teammates following an NCAA baseball game vs. Adams State in Colorado Springs, Colo. on February 3, 2023. (FHSU Athletics photo)" />
 <figcaption>Fort Hays State junior first baseman Elliott Herrmann (24) congratulates his teammates following an NCAA baseball game vs. Adams State in Colorado Springs, Colo. on February 3, 2023. (FHSU Athletics photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsDENVER - The Fort Hays State baseball team split its&nbsp;first doubleheader with Regis on Saturday (Feb. 18). After falling in a tough battle in the opener, the Tigers scored eight runs over the final three innings to complete the comeback in game two and secure the split. The Tigers move to 6-4 overall, while the Rangers move to 5-5. The series will conclude Sunday with another doubleheader at Regis Baseball Field beginning&nbsp;at noon (11 a.m. MT). Game One -&nbsp;Regis 6, Fort Hays State 4 The Tigers were playing from behind for the duration of the opener after the Rangers plated&nbsp;two runs in the bottom of the first. FHSU cut the lead in half with a solo bomb from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/zane-knox/7262">Zane Knox</a>&nbsp;in the top of the second inning, but Regis plated their third run of the game on a sacrifice fly in the home half to go back up by two. Emilie Boies brought home&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/trey-degarmo/7257">Trey DeGarmo</a>&nbsp;with an RBI single in the following frame before the Rangers plated two more runs in the bottom of the third. Two singles and a walk loaded the bases for the Tigers in the fourth, setting up a run for&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/mikey-felton/6810">Mikey Felton</a>&nbsp;on a wild pitch. The Tiger pitching staff held the Rangers scoreless in the bottom of the inning, which allowed them to cut the Ranger lead back to one with an RBI single from Felton in the fifth. Regis&nbsp;plated their final run of the contest in the home half of the fifth to push their lead to 6-4. The Tigers were unable to figure out Ranger reliever Ethan Sloan in the final two innings, with the lefty retiring&nbsp;all six batters he faced to finish the game. Felton and DeGarmo led the way at the plate, each managing two hits.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/connor-holle/6814">Connor Holle</a>&nbsp;(1-1) and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/spencer-maley/7265">Spencer Maley</a>&nbsp;each recorded a pair of strikeouts on the mound. Game Two -&nbsp;Fort Hays State 13, Regis 10 Fort Hays State got on the board first in the night cap,&nbsp;scoring three runs in the opening frame.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/isaiah-ural/7272">Isaiah Ural</a>&nbsp;plated the first two on a bases-clearing triple before&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/elliott-herrmann/7260">Elliott Herrmann</a>&nbsp;singled to bring him home. The Rangers overcame the early deficit with two big innings, bringing seven runs across in the second and third innings. The Tigers chipped away at the Ranger lead in the fourth scoring two runs on a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly by Ural, but the Rangers answered with a run in the home half of the frame and another in the sixth. Trailing by four in the top of the seventh, the Tiger offense got to work. In the seventh, an RBI single from Knox and a bases-loaded walk drawn by&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/dylan-hupfer/6816">Dylan Hupfer</a>&nbsp;brought the Tigers within two before a fielder's choice in the eighth shrunk the Ranger lead to 9-8. In the final frame, the Tigers pieced together a five-run rally with two outs to take the lead. Down to the last two strikes in the game,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/ed-scott/6827">Ed Scott</a>&nbsp;put the tying run on base on a single up the middle.&nbsp;DeGarmo&nbsp;followed with a&nbsp;double down the left field line, tying the score at nine. After an intentional walk was granted to Ural, Herrmann sent a first-pitch, three-run bomb over the fence in left center to give&nbsp;the Tigers the lead. Boies followed with a solo home run of his own three pitches later, putting&nbsp;the Tigers in front&nbsp;13-9. Boies came in to pitch in the ninth, allowing one run before getting a game-ending&nbsp;double play up the middle. Herrmann finished 4-for-6 at the plate and drove in four runs while Scott, Ural, and Knox each collected three hits in the contest.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/andrew-hansen/7259">Andrew Hansen</a>&nbsp;punched out five batters via strikeout while allowing eight runs (four earned) over 3.2 innings of work.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/jake-campbell/6805">Jake Campbell</a>&nbsp;collected his first win of the season allowing only one run on four hits through 4.1 innings pitched.&nbsp;&nbsp;

⚾ FHSU splits first two games at Regis

By DAVID SMALE Associated Press

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — DaJuan Harris scored all 14 of his points in the second half as No. 5 Kansas stormed back from a double-digit halftime deficit and beat No. 9 Baylor 87-71 Saturday.

The Jayhawks (22-5, 10-4 Big 12) outscored the Bears 55-26 in the second half.

“That's Harris and (Kevin) McCullar,” Kansas coach Bill Self said when asked to describe the turnaround in the second half. “The good looks (Baylor) got in the second half, they didn't make them. In the first half, even when they got hard looks, they made them.

"Harris can make shots. He just doesn't take a lot of them.”

Jalen Wilson led Kansas with 21 points and 13 rebounds. KJ Adams added 17 points and Gradey Dick had 16.

“We just had to gain composure,” Wilson said of the second-half surge. “It's a long game, and we're never going to quit.”

The Jayhawks are tied with Texas for the top spot in the Big 12 Conference. The Longhorns beat Oklahoma 85-83 in overtime earlier Saturday.

“You can now start talking about the conference race,” Self said. “There's only four games left and we're in a good position.”

Baylor is in sole possession of third place, a game behind Kansas and Texas and a game ahead of Kansas State and Iowa State.

“That's a good game for the Big 12,” Baylor coach Scott Drew said. “You saw what we were capable of in the first half and what Kansas is capable of in the second half.”

Baylor (20-7, 9-5) got nearly all of its scoring from its three-guard combo of Adam Flagler (22 points) Keyonte George (20 points) and LJ Cryer (15 points). The rest of the team combined to score just 14 points.

Baylor shot 9 of 14 from 3-point range in the first half and and 10 for 25 overall. Conversely, Kansas, which hit only 1 of 11 from beyond the arc in the first half finished 6 for 21 from long distance.

The Jayhawks scored the last three points of the first half and the first 10 of the second half to trim a 15-point deficit to 45-42 with less than 2:30 gone in the second half.

“As good as we were in the first half, that's how bad we were in the second half,” Drew said. “They just killed us in transition.”

When Dick hit a 3-pointer at the 14:29 mark, Kansas had stormed all the way back and led 50-49. The Jayhawks never trailed again and extended the lead to double digits (65-54) at the 10:20 mark of the second half.

“You're not going to change (the momentum) by making shots,” Wilson said. “It's going to start by making stops. We needed to be aggressive.”

The Bears led 20-14 at the second media timeout with Cryer (11 points) and Flagler (9) combining for all 20 Baylor points. Baylor used an 8-0 run to extend the lead to 33-21 with 5:07 left. George joined in the scoring, and when he hit a 3-pointer with 3:54, followed by another with 3:32 left, the Bears led 39-23 with all the points coming from the three guards.

Baylor led 45-32 at halftime after hitting nine 3-pointers. George led the Bears with 15 first-half points. Flagler had 14 and Cryer had 13. Jalen Bridges had the only other three points of the half.

Baylor also held a 21-13 advantage on the boards in the first half.

Baylor: The Bears need to find other scoring besides their three guards. When they went cold in the second half, the Bears had no answer.

Kansas: The Jayhawks are tough to beat in Allen Fieldhouse. With the quick start to the second half, the crowd got behind the Jayhawks, who rallied.

Baylor: The Bears travel to No. 12 Kansas State on Tuesday night.

Kansas: The Jayhawks travel to Fort Worth, Texas, for a Big Monday matchup with No. 22 TCU.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676787375883.png" alt="Kansas guard Kevin McCuller, Jr. (15) and forward Jalen Wilson (10) celebrate during a Big 12 game vs. Baylor on February 18, 2023 in Lawrence, Kan. (Kansas Athletics photo)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas guard Kevin McCuller, Jr. (15) and forward Jalen Wilson (10) celebrate during a Big 12 game vs. Baylor on February 18, 2023 in Lawrence, Kan. (Kansas Athletics photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>By DAVID SMALE Associated PressLAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — DaJuan Harris scored all 14 of his points in the second half as No. 5 Kansas stormed back from a double-digit halftime deficit and beat No. 9 Baylor 87-71 Saturday.The Jayhawks (22-5, 10-4 Big 12) outscored the Bears 55-26 in the second half.“That's Harris and (Kevin) McCullar,” Kansas coach Bill Self said when asked to describe the turnaround in the second half. “The good looks (Baylor) got in the second half, they didn't make them. In the first half, even when they got hard looks, they made them."Harris can make shots. He just doesn't take a lot of them.”Jalen Wilson led Kansas with 21 points and 13 rebounds. KJ Adams added 17 points and Gradey Dick had 16.“We just had to gain composure,” Wilson said of the second-half surge. “It's a long game, and we're never going to quit.”The Jayhawks are tied with Texas for the top spot in the Big 12 Conference. The Longhorns beat Oklahoma 85-83 in overtime earlier Saturday.“You can now start talking about the conference race,” Self said. “There's only four games left and we're in a good position.”Baylor is in sole possession of third place, a game behind Kansas and Texas and a game ahead of Kansas State and Iowa State.“That's a good game for the Big 12,” Baylor coach Scott Drew said. “You saw what we were capable of in the first half and what Kansas is capable of in the second half.”Baylor (20-7, 9-5) got nearly all of its scoring from its three-guard combo of Adam Flagler (22 points) Keyonte George (20 points) and LJ Cryer (15 points). The rest of the team combined to score just 14 points.Baylor shot 9 of 14 from 3-point range in the first half and and 10 for 25 overall. Conversely, Kansas, which hit only 1 of 11 from beyond the arc in the first half finished 6 for 21 from long distance.The Jayhawks scored the last three points of the first half and the first 10 of the second half to trim a 15-point deficit to 45-42 with less than 2:30 gone in the second half.“As good as we were in the first half, that's how bad we were in the second half,” Drew said. “They just killed us in transition.”When Dick hit a 3-pointer at the 14:29 mark, Kansas had stormed all the way back and led 50-49. The Jayhawks never trailed again and extended the lead to double digits (65-54) at the 10:20 mark of the second half.“You're not going to change (the momentum) by making shots,” Wilson said. “It's going to start by making stops. We needed to be aggressive.”The Bears led 20-14 at the second media timeout with Cryer (11 points) and Flagler (9) combining for all 20 Baylor points. Baylor used an 8-0 run to extend the lead to 33-21 with 5:07 left. George joined in the scoring, and when he hit a 3-pointer with 3:54, followed by another with 3:32 left, the Bears led 39-23 with all the points coming from the three guards.Baylor led 45-32 at halftime after hitting nine 3-pointers. George led the Bears with 15 first-half points. Flagler had 14 and Cryer had 13. Jalen Bridges had the only other three points of the half.Baylor also held a 21-13 advantage on the boards in the first half.THE TAKEAWAYBaylor: The Bears need to find other scoring besides their three guards. When they went cold in the second half, the Bears had no answer.Kansas: The Jayhawks are tough to beat in Allen Fieldhouse. With the quick start to the second half, the crowd got behind the Jayhawks, who rallied.UP NEXTBaylor: The Bears travel to No. 12 Kansas State on Tuesday night.Kansas: The Jayhawks travel to Fort Worth, Texas, for a Big Monday matchup with No. 22 TCU.

🏀 No. 5 Kansas rallies in 2nd half, beats No. 9 Baylor

By CODY FRIESEN Associated Press

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Markquis Nowell hit a 3-pointer from near midcourt with 2:42 remaining to help boost No. 12 Kansas State to a 61-55 win over No. 19 Iowa State on Saturday.

Nowell finished with 20 points. Keyontae Johnson had 15 points for the Wildcats (20-7, 8-6 Big 12). Nowell scored 18 of his points in the second half.

“I just wanted to win,” Nowell said. “I wanted to do anything possible to win today, and that was my mindset.”

Aljaz Kunc led Iowa State (17-9, 8-6) with 15 points.

Without their 3-point leader, Caleb Grill, in the lineup, the Cyclones worked the inside. They had 24 points inside and relied on balanced scoring, led by Kunc.

“We just weren’t as intentional defensively, so I felt like it threw our game off balance,” Iowa State head coach T.J. Otzelberger said. “Credit to K-State for the job they did defensively, but it played a role in stretching us out more.”

Cyclone guards Jaren Holmes and Gabe Kalscheur went a combined 6 for 30 from the floor.

Iowa State entered the game leading the Big 12 in steals and boasting the conference's best turnover margin. The Wildcats entered with 84 turnovers in the last five games. Yet, Kansas State kept the turnover rate under control with only 11 and generated more points off turnovers with 19.

“Turnovers have been our Achilles heel," Kansas State head coach Jerome Tang said. “Our guys really locked in on that.”

Kansas State: After losing its last two games to unranked opponents, the Wildcats stayed above .500 in the conference and tied with Iowa State in the standings heading into the final four games of the season.

Iowa State: The Cyclones had an opportunity to sweep the regular-season series against the Wildcats and are in the heart of a tight race inside the top four of the conference. Seeding could become crucial in the Big 12 tournament in March.

Kansas State: Hosts No. 9 Baylor on Tuesday.

Iowa State: Visits No. 6 Texas on Tuesday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676787055682.jpeg" alt="Kansas State guard Markquis Nowell drives against Iowa State's Robert Jones (12) in a Big 12 basketball game February 18, 2023 in Manhattan, Kan. (Kansas State Athletics photo)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas State guard Markquis Nowell drives against Iowa State's Robert Jones (12) in a Big 12 basketball game February 18, 2023 in Manhattan, Kan. (Kansas State Athletics photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>By CODY FRIESEN Associated PressMANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Markquis Nowell hit a 3-pointer from near midcourt with 2:42 remaining to help boost No. 12 Kansas State to a 61-55 win over No. 19 Iowa State on Saturday.Nowell finished with 20 points. Keyontae Johnson had 15 points for the Wildcats (20-7, 8-6 Big 12). Nowell scored 18 of his points in the second half.“I just wanted to win,” Nowell said. “I wanted to do anything possible to win today, and that was my mindset.”Aljaz Kunc led Iowa State (17-9, 8-6) with 15 points.Without their 3-point leader, Caleb Grill, in the lineup, the Cyclones worked the inside. They had 24 points inside and relied on balanced scoring, led by Kunc.“We just weren’t as intentional defensively, so I felt like it threw our game off balance,” Iowa State head coach T.J. Otzelberger said. “Credit to K-State for the job they did defensively, but it played a role in stretching us out more.”Cyclone guards Jaren Holmes and Gabe Kalscheur went a combined 6 for 30 from the floor.Iowa State entered the game leading the Big 12 in steals and boasting the conference's best turnover margin. The Wildcats entered with 84 turnovers in the last five games. Yet, Kansas State kept the turnover rate under control with only 11 and generated more points off turnovers with 19.“Turnovers have been our Achilles heel," Kansas State head coach Jerome Tang said. “Our guys really locked in on that.”BIG PICTUREKansas State: After losing its last two games to unranked opponents, the Wildcats stayed above .500 in the conference and tied with Iowa State in the standings heading into the final four games of the season.Iowa State: The Cyclones had an opportunity to sweep the regular-season series against the Wildcats and are in the heart of a tight race inside the top four of the conference. Seeding could become crucial in the Big 12 tournament in March.UP NEXTKansas State: Hosts No. 9 Baylor on Tuesday.Iowa State: Visits No. 6 Texas on Tuesday.

🏀 Nowell scores 20, No. 12 K-State beats No. 19 Iowa State

JOPLIN, Mo. - The Fort Hays State women's basketball team fell just short Saturday (Feb. 18) against Missouri Southern, falling 61-58 on the road. The back-and-forth contest was close all afternoon, featuring 10 lead changes and five ties while neither side led by more than nine points all day. The Tigers (19-10, 14-7 MIAA) fell behind by eight in the first quarter after MSSU (22-6, 14-6 MIAA) knocked down 50 percent from the floor over the first 10 minutes.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/brooke-loewe/6850">Brooke Loewe</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jessie-sallach/6847">Jessie Sallach</a>&nbsp;both hit jumpers early in the second quarter to close within three before the Lions pushed their advantage back to eight.

Fort Hays State scored the final five points of the first half to make it a one possession game at intermission, 34-31, after holding MSSU scoreless for the final three minutes of the second quarter. The Tigers pushed the run to 10-0 after scoring the first five out of the locker room, taking a 36-34 lead. The lead changed hands three more times in the quarter, with the Lions up 49-48 heading into the fourth quarter. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/kate-dilsaver/6841">Kate Dilsaver</a>&nbsp;hit a pair of free throws early in the fourth quarter to put the Tigers back in front, 50-49, but the Lions soon regained the lead for good.

Both teams cranked up the pressure on defense in the fourth quarter, with FHSU hitting 25 percent from the floor over the final 10 minutes compared to a 30 percent shooting effort from the Lions. The Tigers forced four turnovers and did not make any turnovers of their own, but the home team did just enough to hang on for the win. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/katie-wagner/6848">Katie Wagner</a>&nbsp;recorded her second double-double of the road trip, putting up 18 points and 11 rebounds while adding two assists. Loewe scored a career-high 11 points after hitting two 3-pointers, while&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/olivia-hollenbeck/6845">Olivia Hollenbeck</a>&nbsp;chipped in 13 points. The Tigers will wrap up the regular season next Saturday (Feb. 25) at No. 10 Nebraska-Kearney before opening the postseason in the 2023 MIAA Women's Basketball Championship quarterfinals on Friday, March 3.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676787991196.jpeg" alt="Fort Hays State guard Brooke Loewe drives to the basketball in an NCAA basketball game vs. Minnesota State on November 18, 2022 in Hays, Kan. (FHSU Athletics photo/Nicole Heitmann)" />
 <figcaption>Fort Hays State guard Brooke Loewe drives to the basketball in an NCAA basketball game vs. Minnesota State on November 18, 2022 in Hays, Kan. (FHSU Athletics photo/Nicole Heitmann)</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsJOPLIN, Mo. - The Fort Hays State women's basketball team fell just short Saturday (Feb. 18) against Missouri Southern, falling 61-58 on the road. The back-and-forth contest was close all afternoon, featuring 10 lead changes and five ties while neither side led by more than nine points all day. The Tigers (19-10, 14-7 MIAA) fell behind by eight in the first quarter after MSSU (22-6, 14-6 MIAA) knocked down 50 percent from the floor over the first 10 minutes.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/brooke-loewe/6850">Brooke Loewe</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jessie-sallach/6847">Jessie Sallach</a>&nbsp;both hit jumpers early in the second quarter to close within three before the Lions pushed their advantage back to eight.<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/1450200007&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-814667509/2-18-23-fhsu-wbkb-coach-int" title="Tony Hobson Postgame at Missouri Southern State (Feb. 18, 2023)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Tony Hobson Postgame at Missouri Southern State (Feb. 18, 2023)</a></div></div>Fort Hays State scored the final five points of the first half to make it a one possession game at intermission, 34-31, after holding MSSU scoreless for the final three minutes of the second quarter. The Tigers pushed the run to 10-0 after scoring the first five out of the locker room, taking a 36-34 lead. The lead changed hands three more times in the quarter, with the Lions up 49-48 heading into the fourth quarter. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/kate-dilsaver/6841">Kate Dilsaver</a>&nbsp;hit a pair of free throws early in the fourth quarter to put the Tigers back in front, 50-49, but the Lions soon regained the lead for good.<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/1450193122&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-814667509/2-18-23-fhsu-wbkb-v-misss-state-hilights" title="Fort Hays State WBB Highlights at Missouri Southern State (Feb. 18, 2023)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Fort Hays State WBB Highlights at Missouri Southern State (Feb. 18, 2023)</a></div></div>Both teams cranked up the pressure on defense in the fourth quarter, with FHSU hitting 25 percent from the floor over the final 10 minutes compared to a 30 percent shooting effort from the Lions. The Tigers forced four turnovers and did not make any turnovers of their own, but the home team did just enough to hang on for the win. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/katie-wagner/6848">Katie Wagner</a>&nbsp;recorded her second double-double of the road trip, putting up 18 points and 11 rebounds while adding two assists. Loewe scored a career-high 11 points after hitting two 3-pointers, while&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/olivia-hollenbeck/6845">Olivia Hollenbeck</a>&nbsp;chipped in 13 points. The Tigers will wrap up the regular season next Saturday (Feb. 25) at No. 10 Nebraska-Kearney before opening the postseason in the 2023 MIAA Women's Basketball Championship quarterfinals on Friday, March 3.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 Tiger women come up just short at Missouri Southern

YUKON, Okla. – Fort Hays State dropped its final two games of the Raising Cane's Softball Festival on Saturday (Feb. 18). The Tigers fell 5-1 to East Central, then 9-1 in six innings to Arkansas Tech. FHSU is now 3-5 on the season. East Central 5, Fort Hays State 1 The FHSU bats struggled in their first contest of the day, recording only two hits against East Central. Only one run of six in the game was earned as errors proved costly for FHSU. After hitting a home run in the first inning, East Central picked up four more unearned runs over the second and third innings to create enough of a pad for its first win of the season. FHSU picked up its only run in the second inning. FHSU scored its lone run on a&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/lilliana-ramirez-johnson/7093">Lilliana Ramirez-Johnson</a>&nbsp;RBI double in the second inning with two outs, right after&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/regan-curry/7080">Regan Curry</a>&nbsp;reached base on a fielding error.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/reese-curry/7079">Reese Curry</a>&nbsp;had the only other hit for the Tigers. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/morgan-schmidt/7087">Morgan Schmidt</a>&nbsp;threw the first 1.2 innings for FHSU, allowing four runs (one earned) on three hits and three walks with two strikeouts.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/bailey-carlson/7078">Bailey Carlson</a>&nbsp;threw the final 5.1 innings and allowed a run (not earned) on four hits and a walk with three strikeouts. Taia Harris of East Central fell one out shy of qualifying for the win. She went 3.2 innings with one run allowed on one hit and three walks. She struck out three. Taryn O'Brien picked up the win in 3.1 innings of relief, allowing a hit and a walk with two strikeouts. Arkansas Tech 9, Fort Hays State 1 Fort Hays State struggled to find runs once more in their final contest of the weekend, falling by run-rule 9-1 to Arkansas Tech. The Golden Suns moved up 1-0 in the bottom of the first with a solo home run before FHSU scored its only run of the game in the top of the second. ATU scored eight unanswered runs the rest of the way to move to 8-5 on the season. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/madison-pierce/7086">Madison Pierce</a>&nbsp;led off the second inning with a double and came in to score on a&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/lilliana-ramirez-johnson/7093">Lilliana Ramirez-Johnson</a>&nbsp;RBI single. Ramirez-Johnson had two of five hits for the Tigers in the game.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/adysen-burghart/7077">Adysen Burghart</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/peyton-shepard/7094">Peyton Shepard</a>&nbsp;had one hit each. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/savanah-egger/7081">Savanah Egger</a>&nbsp;pitched the first 4.0 innings for FHSU, allowing six runs (five earned) on seven hits and a walk. She struck out three batters.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/bailey-carlson/7078">Bailey Carlson</a>&nbsp;threw the final 1.1 innings and allowed three runs on six hits. Fort Hays State returns to action next weekend at the Washburn Tournament in Topeka, Kan. (Feb. 24-26).&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676788401107.jpeg" alt="Fort Hays State freshman pitcher Lilliana Ramirez-Johnson. (FHSU Athletics photo/Ryan Prickett)" />
 <figcaption>Fort Hays State freshman pitcher Lilliana Ramirez-Johnson. (FHSU Athletics photo/Ryan Prickett)</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsYUKON, Okla. – Fort Hays State dropped its final two games of the Raising Cane's Softball Festival on Saturday (Feb. 18). The Tigers fell 5-1 to East Central, then 9-1 in six innings to Arkansas Tech. FHSU is now 3-5 on the season. East Central 5, Fort Hays State 1 The FHSU bats struggled in their first contest of the day, recording only two hits against East Central. Only one run of six in the game was earned as errors proved costly for FHSU. After hitting a home run in the first inning, East Central picked up four more unearned runs over the second and third innings to create enough of a pad for its first win of the season. FHSU picked up its only run in the second inning. FHSU scored its lone run on a&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/lilliana-ramirez-johnson/7093">Lilliana Ramirez-Johnson</a>&nbsp;RBI double in the second inning with two outs, right after&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/regan-curry/7080">Regan Curry</a>&nbsp;reached base on a fielding error.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/reese-curry/7079">Reese Curry</a>&nbsp;had the only other hit for the Tigers. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/morgan-schmidt/7087">Morgan Schmidt</a>&nbsp;threw the first 1.2 innings for FHSU, allowing four runs (one earned) on three hits and three walks with two strikeouts.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/bailey-carlson/7078">Bailey Carlson</a>&nbsp;threw the final 5.1 innings and allowed a run (not earned) on four hits and a walk with three strikeouts. Taia Harris of East Central fell one out shy of qualifying for the win. She went 3.2 innings with one run allowed on one hit and three walks. She struck out three. Taryn O'Brien picked up the win in 3.1 innings of relief, allowing a hit and a walk with two strikeouts. Arkansas Tech 9, Fort Hays State 1 Fort Hays State struggled to find runs once more in their final contest of the weekend, falling by run-rule 9-1 to Arkansas Tech. The Golden Suns moved up 1-0 in the bottom of the first with a solo home run before FHSU scored its only run of the game in the top of the second. ATU scored eight unanswered runs the rest of the way to move to 8-5 on the season. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/madison-pierce/7086">Madison Pierce</a>&nbsp;led off the second inning with a double and came in to score on a&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/lilliana-ramirez-johnson/7093">Lilliana Ramirez-Johnson</a>&nbsp;RBI single. Ramirez-Johnson had two of five hits for the Tigers in the game.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/adysen-burghart/7077">Adysen Burghart</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/peyton-shepard/7094">Peyton Shepard</a>&nbsp;had one hit each. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/savanah-egger/7081">Savanah Egger</a>&nbsp;pitched the first 4.0 innings for FHSU, allowing six runs (five earned) on seven hits and a walk. She struck out three batters.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/bailey-carlson/7078">Bailey Carlson</a>&nbsp;threw the final 1.1 innings and allowed three runs on six hits. Fort Hays State returns to action next weekend at the Washburn Tournament in Topeka, Kan. (Feb. 24-26).&nbsp;&nbsp;

🥎 Tigers struggle to score runs Saturday in Oklahoma

Fort Hays State (18-8, 13-7 MIAA) at Missouri Southern (16-9, 12-7 MIAA) Saturday, February 18 - 3:30 p.m. Joplin, Mo. - Leggett and Platt Center Radio: KJLS (103.3)

<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KJLS">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> The Fort Hays State men's basketball team returns to the court Saturday afternoon at Missouri Southern. Tipoff is set for 3:30 p.m. inside the Leggett and Platt Center. FHSU is looking to even the season series with Missouri Southern and lead the Lions by just a half game in the MIAA standings. The Tigers are 18-8 overall, 13-7 in the MIAA, while the Lions are 16-9 overall, 12-7 in the MIAA. Missouri Southern took the first meeting with FHSU this season by a score of 68-56 in Hays. It snapped a three-game win streak for FHSU against MSSU. The Tigers won the last meeting with the Lions in Joplin back during the 2020-21 season by a score of 102-94 in overtime.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/kaleb-hammeke/6897">Kaleb Hammeke</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/jared-vitztum/6468">Jared Vitztum</a>&nbsp;each had 32 points in that game. FHSU remains a half game back of third place in the MIAA standings, currently held by Lincoln and Emporia State. Missouri Southern sits in sixth a half game back of FHSU. The Tigers are coming off a 71-49 win at Pittsburg State on Thursday night. The win gave the Tigers a season sweep of the Gorillas, which is has done to four opponents now this season. That list also includes Central Missouri, Lincoln, and Newman. The Lions are coming off an 86-59 win over Nebraska-Kearney on Thursday night in Joplin. After facing the Tigers on Saturday, Missouri Southern has to play at Washburn and Northwest Missouri State next week. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/kaleb-hammeke/6897">Kaleb Hammeke</a>&nbsp;is now just one assist away from another milestone in his career at FHSU. He is looking to become just the fourth player in program history with at least 1,000 points and 300 assists. That group includes Raymond Lee (1,615 pts, 899 ast), Craig Nicholson (1,449 pts, 628 ast), and Mark Wilson (1,631 pts, 556 ast). Hammeke looks to become just the ninth player in program history to have 300 career assists. Hammeke passed the 1,000-point mark earlier this season in a win at Newman and now has 1,064 for his career. Hammeke continues to lead the Tigers at 16.1 points and 3.6 assists per game.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/gabe-pieschl/6904">Gabe Pieschl</a>&nbsp;is the top rebounder for FHSU at 5.8 per game.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/elijah-nnanabu/6902">Elijah Nnanabu</a>&nbsp;is close to averaging double figures in scoring at 9.9 points per game, while&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/bjarni-jonsson/6901">Bjarni Jonsson</a>&nbsp;averages 8.7 and shoots over 50 percent beyond the 3-point line.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/traejon-davis/6896">Traejon Davis</a>&nbsp;is the top scorer off the bench at 6.9 points per game. Winston Dessesow leads the Lions in scoring at 13.0 points per game, followed by Vinson Sigmon Jr. at 12.4 and Avery Taggart at 11.6.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676672083222.jpeg" alt="Fort Hays State forward Traejon Davis (2) is guarded by Nebraska-Kearney's Winston Cook (14) in an MIAA game in Hays, Kan. on January 14, 2023. (FHSU Athletics photo/Madison Shapland)" />
 <figcaption>Fort Hays State forward Traejon Davis (2) is guarded by Nebraska-Kearney's Winston Cook (14) in an MIAA game in Hays, Kan. on January 14, 2023. (FHSU Athletics photo/Madison Shapland)</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsFort Hays State (18-8, 13-7 MIAA) at Missouri Southern (16-9, 12-7 MIAA) Saturday, February 18 - 3:30 p.m. Joplin, Mo. - Leggett and Platt Center Radio: KJLS (103.3)<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KJLS">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> The Fort Hays State men's basketball team returns to the court Saturday afternoon at Missouri Southern. Tipoff is set for 3:30 p.m. inside the Leggett and Platt Center. FHSU is looking to even the season series with Missouri Southern and lead the Lions by just a half game in the MIAA standings. The Tigers are 18-8 overall, 13-7 in the MIAA, while the Lions are 16-9 overall, 12-7 in the MIAA. Missouri Southern took the first meeting with FHSU this season by a score of 68-56 in Hays. It snapped a three-game win streak for FHSU against MSSU. The Tigers won the last meeting with the Lions in Joplin back during the 2020-21 season by a score of 102-94 in overtime.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/kaleb-hammeke/6897">Kaleb Hammeke</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/jared-vitztum/6468">Jared Vitztum</a>&nbsp;each had 32 points in that game. FHSU remains a half game back of third place in the MIAA standings, currently held by Lincoln and Emporia State. Missouri Southern sits in sixth a half game back of FHSU. The Tigers are coming off a 71-49 win at Pittsburg State on Thursday night. The win gave the Tigers a season sweep of the Gorillas, which is has done to four opponents now this season. That list also includes Central Missouri, Lincoln, and Newman. The Lions are coming off an 86-59 win over Nebraska-Kearney on Thursday night in Joplin. After facing the Tigers on Saturday, Missouri Southern has to play at Washburn and Northwest Missouri State next week. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/kaleb-hammeke/6897">Kaleb Hammeke</a>&nbsp;is now just one assist away from another milestone in his career at FHSU. He is looking to become just the fourth player in program history with at least 1,000 points and 300 assists. That group includes Raymond Lee (1,615 pts, 899 ast), Craig Nicholson (1,449 pts, 628 ast), and Mark Wilson (1,631 pts, 556 ast). Hammeke looks to become just the ninth player in program history to have 300 career assists. Hammeke passed the 1,000-point mark earlier this season in a win at Newman and now has 1,064 for his career. Hammeke continues to lead the Tigers at 16.1 points and 3.6 assists per game.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/gabe-pieschl/6904">Gabe Pieschl</a>&nbsp;is the top rebounder for FHSU at 5.8 per game.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/elijah-nnanabu/6902">Elijah Nnanabu</a>&nbsp;is close to averaging double figures in scoring at 9.9 points per game, while&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/bjarni-jonsson/6901">Bjarni Jonsson</a>&nbsp;averages 8.7 and shoots over 50 percent beyond the 3-point line.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/traejon-davis/6896">Traejon Davis</a>&nbsp;is the top scorer off the bench at 6.9 points per game. Winston Dessesow leads the Lions in scoring at 13.0 points per game, followed by Vinson Sigmon Jr. at 12.4 and Avery Taggart at 11.6.

🏀🎙️ LISTEN - Tiger men look for fourth straight win Saturday in Joplin

Fort Hays State (19-9, 14-6 MIAA) at Missouri Southern (21-6, 13-6 MIAA) Saturday, February 18, 2023 • 1:30 p.m. Joplin, Mo. • Leggett &amp; Platt Athletic Center Radio: KJLS (103.3)

<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KJLS">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> The Fort Hays State women's basketball team looks to complete the season sweep against Missouri Southern Saturday afternoon when the Tigers and Lions battle in Joplin, Mo. beginning at 1:30 p.m. Fort Hays State (19-9, 14-6 MIAA) enters the contest one-half game in front of the Lions (21-6, 13-6) in the league standings, with FHSU currently slotted fifth and MSSU sixth. The Tigers took care of business at home against the Lions last month, winning 72-54 behind a career-high 16 points from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/kate-dilsaver/6841">Kate Dilsaver</a>&nbsp;(1/5/23). Fort Hays State buried 50.0 percent from the floor (25-of-50) while limiting MSSU to a shooting percentage of 35.5 percent (22-of-62). The Tigers and Lions are two of 10 teams listed in the initial NCAA Division II Central Region Rankings, announced Wednesday by the NCAA office. Six MIAA programs are joined by three schools from the Northern Sun and one from the Great American Conference. Live video of the conference clash will be available on The MIAA Network. Fans can purchase access to a single contest for $10, a month-long pass for $25 or a season-long, all-access pass for $125. Both the monthly and year-long passes gain access to any event in any sport streamed on The MIAA Network. Live radio coverage with voice of the Tigers Gerard Wellbrock will be available over the air on KJLS 103.3 FM and online at hayspost.com. The Tigers and Lions both rank in the top five nationally in turnovers per game (MSSU 4th - 11.9 TO/g, FHSU 5th - 12.0 TO/g).&nbsp;The Tigers need one win to reach 20 victories for the 12th-consecutive season. Their current streak of 11 such seasons is the longest active streak in Division II. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/sydney-golladay/6844">Sydney Golladay's</a>&nbsp;118 assists are second-most in the MIAA and 27th-most in Division II.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/olivia-hollenbeck/6845">Olivia Hollenbeck</a>&nbsp;has 121 blocks in her career, tied for sixth-most in program history (Jamie Heiman, 1999-03). She is five blocks behind Tatyana Legette (2015-19), who ranks fifth all-time with 126 blocks. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/katie-wagner/6848">Katie Wagner</a>&nbsp;put up a career-high 30 points Thursday at Pittsburg State, the most points scored by a Tiger in over eight years. She became the 24th player in FHSU history to reach 1,000 career points last week against Newman. Hollenbeck is 48 points away from becoming the 25th Tiger to accomplish the feat. Fort Hays State is 38-19 all-time against Missouri Southern, including a 19-7 mark during the&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/tony-hobson/1136">Tony Hobson</a>&nbsp;era. Fort Hays State has won each of the last two matchups and nine of the last 10. The Tigers are 10-14 all-time in Joplin, including a 4-5 record under Hobson. FHSU has won two in a row on the road against the Lions. MSSU ranks fourth nationally with 11.9 turnovers per game, sixth with an assist/turnover ratio of 1.30 and ninth with 4.9 blocks per night. The Lions have the second-best scoring defense in the MIAA, limiting opponents to 58.1 points per game. The Lions are 11-3 at home this season. Lacy Stokes leads the MIAA and ranks sixth nationally with 147 assists. Madi Stokes' 61 blocks are tops in the MIAA and third-most in DII.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676671719388.jpeg" alt="Fort Hays State guard Sydney Golladay (3) is guarded by Missouri Southern guard Lady Stokes in an MIAA game in Hays, Kan. on January 5, 2023. (FHSU Athletics photo/Nicole Heitmann)" />
 <figcaption>Fort Hays State guard Sydney Golladay (3) is guarded by Missouri Southern guard Lady Stokes in an MIAA game in Hays, Kan. on January 5, 2023. (FHSU Athletics photo/Nicole Heitmann)</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsFort Hays State (19-9, 14-6 MIAA) at Missouri Southern (21-6, 13-6 MIAA) Saturday, February 18, 2023 • 1:30 p.m. Joplin, Mo. • Leggett &amp; Platt Athletic Center Radio: KJLS (103.3)<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KJLS">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> The Fort Hays State women's basketball team looks to complete the season sweep against Missouri Southern Saturday afternoon when the Tigers and Lions battle in Joplin, Mo. beginning at 1:30 p.m. Fort Hays State (19-9, 14-6 MIAA) enters the contest one-half game in front of the Lions (21-6, 13-6) in the league standings, with FHSU currently slotted fifth and MSSU sixth. The Tigers took care of business at home against the Lions last month, winning 72-54 behind a career-high 16 points from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/kate-dilsaver/6841">Kate Dilsaver</a>&nbsp;(1/5/23). Fort Hays State buried 50.0 percent from the floor (25-of-50) while limiting MSSU to a shooting percentage of 35.5 percent (22-of-62). The Tigers and Lions are two of 10 teams listed in the initial NCAA Division II Central Region Rankings, announced Wednesday by the NCAA office. Six MIAA programs are joined by three schools from the Northern Sun and one from the Great American Conference. Live video of the conference clash will be available on The MIAA Network. Fans can purchase access to a single contest for $10, a month-long pass for $25 or a season-long, all-access pass for $125. Both the monthly and year-long passes gain access to any event in any sport streamed on The MIAA Network. Live radio coverage with voice of the Tigers Gerard Wellbrock will be available over the air on KJLS 103.3 FM and online at hayspost.com. The Tigers and Lions both rank in the top five nationally in turnovers per game (MSSU 4th - 11.9 TO/g, FHSU 5th - 12.0 TO/g).&nbsp;The Tigers need one win to reach 20 victories for the 12th-consecutive season. Their current streak of 11 such seasons is the longest active streak in Division II. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/sydney-golladay/6844">Sydney Golladay's</a>&nbsp;118 assists are second-most in the MIAA and 27th-most in Division II.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/olivia-hollenbeck/6845">Olivia Hollenbeck</a>&nbsp;has 121 blocks in her career, tied for sixth-most in program history (Jamie Heiman, 1999-03). She is five blocks behind Tatyana Legette (2015-19), who ranks fifth all-time with 126 blocks. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/katie-wagner/6848">Katie Wagner</a>&nbsp;put up a career-high 30 points Thursday at Pittsburg State, the most points scored by a Tiger in over eight years. She became the 24th player in FHSU history to reach 1,000 career points last week against Newman. Hollenbeck is 48 points away from becoming the 25th Tiger to accomplish the feat. Fort Hays State is 38-19 all-time against Missouri Southern, including a 19-7 mark during the&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/tony-hobson/1136">Tony Hobson</a>&nbsp;era. Fort Hays State has won each of the last two matchups and nine of the last 10. The Tigers are 10-14 all-time in Joplin, including a 4-5 record under Hobson. FHSU has won two in a row on the road against the Lions. MSSU ranks fourth nationally with 11.9 turnovers per game, sixth with an assist/turnover ratio of 1.30 and ninth with 4.9 blocks per night. The Lions have the second-best scoring defense in the MIAA, limiting opponents to 58.1 points per game. The Lions are 11-3 at home this season. Lacy Stokes leads the MIAA and ranks sixth nationally with 147 assists. Madi Stokes' 61 blocks are tops in the MIAA and third-most in DII.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀🎙️ LISTEN - Tiger women take on Missouri Southern in Joplin Saturday

HAYS – After five straight on the road the TMP Monarchs boys
and girls basketball teams earned a doubleheader sweep of Norton Friday night
at Al Billinger Field House.

GIRLS: TMP 52, Norton 32 The TMP Lady Monarchs opened the game on a 17-3 run and
never looked back as they led wire-to-wire in a 52-32 victory.

Hannah Garcia gave the Monarchs (13-7, 7-3 MCL) an early 3-0
lead as the Monarchs made three first quarter three pointers and tied their season-high
with seven total three-point field goals in the game. 

Graycn Schippers and Brooke Koenigsman also connected on first
quarter three-pointers as TMP built a 17-5 lead through the first quarter.

Koenigsman added her second first-half three-pointer giving
TMP their largest lead of the first half at 20-5.

Norton (11-9, 6-4 MCL) was able to trim the TMP lead to
eight in the second quarter back Garcia connected on her second three-pointer
and Jaci VonLintel added a field goal at the end of the second quarter for a 27-16
halftime lead.

TMP held Norton to just two field goals in the third quarter,
outscoring the Lady Jays 10-4 for a 37-20 lead.

In the fourth quarter Graycn and her sister Claire Schippers
combined to score 13 of the Monarchs 15 points as TMP picked up their second
straight victory, 52-32.

VonLintel led all scorers with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Koenigsman added 11 points, Graycn Schippers finished with 10 points and Claire
Schippers logged a career-high 8 points.

BOYS: TMP 47, Norton 42 The TMP boys jumped out to an early lead but had to hold off
a Norton rally down the stretch for their 16th straight win. 47-42 Friday.

TMP (17-2, 10-0 MCL) opened the game on a 10-0 run with
Dylan Werth and Luke Rome each scoring four first quarter points as the Monarchs
jumped out to a 13-3 first quarter lead.

The Blue Jays (12-7, 7-3 MCL) were able to hold the senior
big guys at check for most of the second and third quarters and that allowed
Norton to trim an 11-point first half deficit to just three at halftime and two
through three quarters.

But with TMP up 35-33 heading into the fourth quarter Werth
got a pair of buckets and Rome and Landon Rozean added a fourth quarter field
goal down the stretch as the Monarchs cliched the 47-42 victory.

Kade Harris scored 11 of his team-high 15 points in the
first half, Werth recorded his ninth double-double and Griffin Schumacher
matched his career-high with nine points for TMP.

The Monarchs close out the regular season Tuesday with senior
night against Plainville.

HAYS – After five straight on the road the TMP Monarchs boys
and girls basketball teams earned a doubleheader sweep of Norton Friday night
at Al Billinger Field House.GIRLS: TMP 52, Norton 32 The TMP Lady Monarchs opened the game on a 17-3 run and
never looked back as they led wire-to-wire in a 52-32 victory.<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/1449688867&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-814667509/02-17-23-tmp-girls-post-game-interview" title="02 - 17 - 23 TMP&#x27;s Jaci VonLintel" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">02 - 17 - 23 TMP&#x27;s Jaci VonLintel</a></div></div>Hannah Garcia gave the Monarchs (13-7, 7-3 MCL) an early 3-0
lead as the Monarchs made three first quarter three pointers and tied their season-high
with seven total three-point field goals in the game. Graycn Schippers and Brooke Koenigsman also connected on first
quarter three-pointers as TMP built a 17-5 lead through the first quarter.Koenigsman added her second first-half three-pointer giving
TMP their largest lead of the first half at 20-5.Norton (11-9, 6-4 MCL) was able to trim the TMP lead to
eight in the second quarter back Garcia connected on her second three-pointer
and Jaci VonLintel added a field goal at the end of the second quarter for a 27-16
halftime lead.TMP held Norton to just two field goals in the third quarter,
outscoring the Lady Jays 10-4 for a 37-20 lead.In the fourth quarter Graycn and her sister Claire Schippers
combined to score 13 of the Monarchs 15 points as TMP picked up their second
straight victory, 52-32.<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/1449688783&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-814667509/02-17-23-tmp-girls-v-norton-highlights" title="02 - 17 - 23 TMP Girls V Norton Highlights" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">02 - 17 - 23 TMP Girls V Norton Highlights</a></div></div>VonLintel led all scorers with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Koenigsman added 11 points, Graycn Schippers finished with 10 points and Claire
Schippers logged a career-high 8 points.BOYS: TMP 47, Norton 42 The TMP boys jumped out to an early lead but had to hold off
a Norton rally down the stretch for their 16th straight win. 47-42 Friday.<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/1449688966&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-814667509/02-17-23-tmp-boys-v-norton-post-interview" title="02 - 17 - 23 TMP Boys coach Bill Meagher" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">02 - 17 - 23 TMP Boys coach Bill Meagher</a></div></div>TMP (17-2, 10-0 MCL) opened the game on a 10-0 run with
Dylan Werth and Luke Rome each scoring four first quarter points as the Monarchs
jumped out to a 13-3 first quarter lead.The Blue Jays (12-7, 7-3 MCL) were able to hold the senior
big guys at check for most of the second and third quarters and that allowed
Norton to trim an 11-point first half deficit to just three at halftime and two
through three quarters.But with TMP up 35-33 heading into the fourth quarter Werth
got a pair of buckets and Rome and Landon Rozean added a fourth quarter field
goal down the stretch as the Monarchs cliched the 47-42 victory.Kade Harris scored 11 of his team-high 15 points in the
first half, Werth recorded his ninth double-double and Griffin Schumacher
matched his career-high with nine points for TMP.<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/1449689029&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-814667509/02-17-23-tmp-boys-v-norton-highlights" title="02 - 17 - 23 TMP Boys V Norton Highlights" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">02 - 17 - 23 TMP Boys V Norton Highlights</a></div></div>The Monarchs close out the regular season Tuesday with senior
night against Plainville.

🏀Monarchs sweep Norton in return to MCL play

GARDEN CITY - Hays High was on the road Friday in Garden City for the first of three consecutive Western Athletic Conference games to end the regular season.

Girls: Hays 65, Garden City 49 Hays scored a season high 65 points in a 65-49 road win in Garden City.

It took a little while for the Indians to get their offense kicked into gear as Garden City jumped out to a 10-4 lead midway through the first quarter. Once Hays started hitting shots they didn't stop, ending the first quarter on a 13-5 run for a 19-13 lead.

Garden City cut into the Hays lead at 21-15 before the Indians erupted for a six minute run where they outscored the Buffaloes 18-5. Five different players contributed to the run and 39-20 halftime lead.&nbsp;

Like they did in Hays, Garden City mounted a comeback in the third quarter and got within 13 at 45-32 after trailing by 22 in the second quarter. Hays scored the last bucket of the third quarter and first six points of the fourth quarter to establish control of the game once again at 53-32.

The Indians made all 12 of their fourth quarter free throw attempts and 20 of 22 in the game for the 65-49 victory.

Molly Martin led three Indians in double figures at 17 points. Carly Lang scored 13 as did Jillyan Sheldon which matched a season high. Garden City got 17 points from Aileen Becerril and KJ Pinchon.

Hays improves to 11-7 and 3-3 in conference play. Garden City falls to 6-13 and 2-5.

Boys: #4-6A Graden City 56, Hays 48 Garden City held Hays to just two points over the final 2:55 on their way to a 56-48 win and the Western Athletic Conference title.

Hays and Garden City were tied seven times in the first half and exchanged the lead three times. Garden City led 11-9 after one quarter and 15-11 in the second quarter.

Hays answered with a 7-0 run for an 18-15 advantage which ended up being their largest lead of the game. Garden City finished the half on a 9-2 run over 3:22 for a 24-20 advantage.

The two teams exchanged the lead four more times and were tied twice in the third quarter. The final lead change came when Garden City went up 32-29 with 3:55 left in the third quarter. The Buffaloes once again led by four after the third quarter 39-35.

Hays could never regain the lead. The Indians trailed by seven before hitting three of four three pointers to counter four Garden City points to pull within two at 48-46 with 2:55 remaining.

Hays would only score two points on a pair of free throws rest of the way and miss seven field goals. Garden City missed all four of their field goal attempts but made 8 of 12 free throws for the 56-48 victory.

Hays drops to 10-8 and 3-3 in conference play. Chason VanDerWege led the Indians with a second consecutive double-double at 13 points and 10 rebounds. Garden City was led by 21 points from Jace Steinmetz. The Buffaloes are 18-1 and 7-0 in conference play.

Hays heads back out on the road to Dodge City on Tuesday. They will wrap up the regular season with a home game against Great Bend on Friday the 24th.

GARDEN CITY - Hays High was on the road Friday in Garden City for the first of three consecutive Western Athletic Conference games to end the regular season.Girls: Hays 65, Garden City 49 Hays scored a season high 65 points in a 65-49 road win in Garden City.It took a little while for the Indians to get their offense kicked into gear as Garden City jumped out to a 10-4 lead midway through the first quarter. Once Hays started hitting shots they didn't stop, ending the first quarter on a 13-5 run for a 19-13 lead.Garden City cut into the Hays lead at 21-15 before the Indians erupted for a six minute run where they outscored the Buffaloes 18-5. Five different players contributed to the run and 39-20 halftime lead.&nbsp;Highlights<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1449674407&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=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-814667509/2-17-2023-hhs-girls-v-garden-city-highlights" title="2 - 17 - 2023 HHS Girls V Garden City HIGHLIGHTS" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">2 - 17 - 2023 HHS Girls V Garden City HIGHLIGHTS</a></div></div>Like they did in Hays, Garden City mounted a comeback in the third quarter and got within 13 at 45-32 after trailing by 22 in the second quarter. Hays scored the last bucket of the third quarter and first six points of the fourth quarter to establish control of the game once again at 53-32.The Indians made all 12 of their fourth quarter free throw attempts and 20 of 22 in the game for the 65-49 victory.Coach Len Melvin<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1449675094&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=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-814667509/2-17-2023-hhs-girls-coach-len-melvin-postgame-interview" title="2 - 17 - 2023 HHS Girls COACH Len Melvin POSTGAME Interview" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">2 - 17 - 2023 HHS Girls COACH Len Melvin POSTGAME Interview</a></div></div>Molly Martin led three Indians in double figures at 17 points. Carly Lang scored 13 as did Jillyan Sheldon which matched a season high. Garden City got 17 points from Aileen Becerril and KJ Pinchon.Hays improves to 11-7 and 3-3 in conference play. Garden City falls to 6-13 and 2-5.Boys: #4-6A Graden City 56, Hays 48 Garden City held Hays to just two points over the final 2:55 on their way to a 56-48 win and the Western Athletic Conference title.Hays and Garden City were tied seven times in the first half and exchanged the lead three times. Garden City led 11-9 after one quarter and 15-11 in the second quarter.Hays answered with a 7-0 run for an 18-15 advantage which ended up being their largest lead of the game. Garden City finished the half on a 9-2 run over 3:22 for a 24-20 advantage.Highlights<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1449680047&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=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-814667509/2-17-2023-hh-boys-v-garden-city-highlights" title="2 - 17 - 2023 HH Boys V Garden City HIGHLIGHTS" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">2 - 17 - 2023 HH Boys V Garden City HIGHLIGHTS</a></div></div>The two teams exchanged the lead four more times and were tied twice in the third quarter. The final lead change came when Garden City went up 32-29 with 3:55 left in the third quarter. The Buffaloes once again led by four after the third quarter 39-35.Hays could never regain the lead. The Indians trailed by seven before hitting three of four three pointers to counter four Garden City points to pull within two at 48-46 with 2:55 remaining.Hays would only score two points on a pair of free throws rest of the way and miss seven field goals. Garden City missed all four of their field goal attempts but made 8 of 12 free throws for the 56-48 victory.Coach Sean Dreiling<div><iframe width="100%" height="300" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1449676024&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=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-814667509/2-17-2023-hhs-boys-coach-sean-dreiling-postgame-interview" title="2 - 17 - 2023 HHS Boys COACH Sean Dreiling POSTGAME Interview" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">2 - 17 - 2023 HHS Boys COACH Sean Dreiling POSTGAME Interview</a></div></div>Hays drops to 10-8 and 3-3 in conference play. Chason VanDerWege led the Indians with a second consecutive double-double at 13 points and 10 rebounds. Garden City was led by 21 points from Jace Steinmetz. The Buffaloes are 18-1 and 7-0 in conference play.Hays heads back out on the road to Dodge City on Tuesday. They will wrap up the regular season with a home game against Great Bend on Friday the 24th.

🏀 Hays splits with Garden City; girls season high points in win

By STEPHEN WHYNO AP Sports Writer

Eric Bieniemy is finalizing terms of a deal to become the Washington Commanders' offensive coordinator and assistant head coach, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Friday because the deal was not yet completed. It’s expected to be done Saturday.

Bieniemy, a two-time Super Bowl-winning assistant with Kansas City, now gets the chance to show what he can do without Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes.

Bieniemy, who turns 54 in August, emerged from a pool of more than a half-dozen candidates as Washington's choice for the job following the Chiefs' second championship in his five seasons as their offensive coordinator. The longtime NFL assistant has interviewed for numerous head coaching jobs, but Reid calling plays for an offense featuring a two-time MVP in Mahomes clouded Bieniemy's stock.

The decisions by teams not to hire Bieniemy, who is Black, as a head coach have been an ongoing talking point for critics of the NFL's minority hiring practices.

Bieniemy will get the chance to call plays and run every aspect of Washington's offense under Ron Rivera, a defensive-minded coach and former linebacker who's going into his fourth season in charge of the team's football operations.

Bieniemy inherits second-year quarterback Sam Howell, who goes into spring as the starter, and an offense that includes running backs Brian Robinson Jr. and Antonio Gibson and top receiver Terry McLaurin.

A running back for nine seasons in the 1990s, Bieniemy has coached at the college and pro levels. He coached running backs with Kansas City for five years before being promoted to offensive coordinator and before that worked at the University of Colorado and for the Minnesota Vikings as a position coach

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676166710207.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Beniemy talks to the media before an NFL football workout Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Beniemy talks to the media before an NFL football workout Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)</figcaption>
 </figure>By STEPHEN WHYNO AP Sports WriterEric Bieniemy is finalizing terms of a deal to become the Washington Commanders' offensive coordinator and assistant head coach, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Friday because the deal was not yet completed. It’s expected to be done Saturday.Bieniemy, a two-time Super Bowl-winning assistant with Kansas City, now gets the chance to show what he can do without Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes.Bieniemy, who turns 54 in August, emerged from a pool of more than a half-dozen candidates as Washington's choice for the job following the Chiefs' second championship in his five seasons as their offensive coordinator. The longtime NFL assistant has interviewed for numerous head coaching jobs, but Reid calling plays for an offense featuring a two-time MVP in Mahomes clouded Bieniemy's stock.The decisions by teams not to hire Bieniemy, who is Black, as a head coach have been an ongoing talking point for critics of the NFL's minority hiring practices.Bieniemy will get the chance to call plays and run every aspect of Washington's offense under Ron Rivera, a defensive-minded coach and former linebacker who's going into his fourth season in charge of the team's football operations.Bieniemy inherits second-year quarterback Sam Howell, who goes into spring as the starter, and an offense that includes running backs Brian Robinson Jr. and Antonio Gibson and top receiver Terry McLaurin.A running back for nine seasons in the 1990s, Bieniemy has coached at the college and pro levels. He coached running backs with Kansas City for five years before being promoted to offensive coordinator and before that worked at the University of Colorado and for the Minnesota Vikings as a position coach

🏈 Commanders finalizing hire of Bieniemy as OC

BETHANY and YUKON, Okla. – Fort Hays State Softball fell twice on Friday (Feb. 17) in the Raising Cane's Softball Festival. Home runs (one in walk-off fashion) pushed the opposition to wins in both contests as the Tigers moved to 3-3 overall on the season. The Tigers fell to Southern Nazarene 7-6 after holding leads twice in the game, then fell to No. 16 ranked Southern Arkansas 8-2. Southern Nazarene 7, Fort Hays State 6 Playing on Southern Nazarene's home field in Bethany, the Tigers scored first to take a 1-0 lead after the top of the fourth.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/lexi-mohr/7091">Lexi Mohr</a>&nbsp;put down a sacrifice bunt to drive in the run after the Tigers benefitted from an error in the inning. However, starting pitcher&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/savanah-egger/7081">Savanah Egger</a>&nbsp;ran into some trouble in the fifth as SNU had a bases-clearing double and went on to score five in the inning and go up 5-1. The Tigers fought right back in the sixth with four runs to tie the game.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/madison-pierce/7086">Madison Pierce</a>&nbsp;got the rally started with a double, then&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/aubrey-martinez/7090">Aubrey Martinez</a>&nbsp;followed with a single and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/regan-curry/7080">Regan Curry</a>&nbsp;walked. With the bases loaded,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/carly-stuke/7096">Carly Stuke</a>&nbsp;knocked in the first run with a sacrifice fly RBI, then Mohr picked up her second RBI of the game with a sacrifice fly that was misplayed. With two outs,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/sarah-tiffany/7088">Sarah Tiffany</a>&nbsp;proved clutch with a two-RBI hit to tie the game. Tiger reliever&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/emma-montoya/7092">Emma Montoya</a>&nbsp;was able to hold the Crimson Storm scoreless in the sixth, which gave the Tigers the chance to go back in front in the seventh. They made good on that opportunity when&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/reese-curry/7079">Reese Curry</a>&nbsp;walked with the bases loaded to put the Tigers up 6-5, set up by three singles from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/loren-beggs/7075">Loren Beggs</a>, Martinez, and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/regan-curry/7080">Regan Curry</a>. But the hopes of a comeback win were dashed in the bottom of the seventh when Hailey Evans hit a two-run homer to win the game 7-6 for SNU. Egger struck out six in her 4.1 innings of work, while Montoya took the loss in 1.2 innings of relief. Though she gave up the go-ahead run in the seventh, Olivia Hernandez got the win for SNU in an inning of relief. Southern Arkansas 8, Fort Hays State 2 Southern Arkansas, ranked No. 16 in the latest NFCA Division II national poll, remained undefeated on the season at 11-0 with an 8-2 win over FHSU in Yukon, Okla. Four home runs powered the Muleriders, which also proved to be the difference in the game. Southern Arkansas got off to a fast start in the first inning with four runs. After a Tiger throwing error, SAU had back-to-back RBI doubles and then a two-run homer to make it 4-0. After the Tigers picked up a run in the second, SAU hit a two-run homer in the fourth and a pair of solo homers in the seventh. The Tigers scored once more in the bottom of the seventh before the final out of the game. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/reese-curry/7079">Reese Curry</a>&nbsp;had both RBIs in the game for FHSU on singles.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/carly-stuke/7096">Carly Stuke</a>&nbsp;scored both times as she had a hit and a walk in the game to set up her run-scoring opportunities. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/bailey-carlson/7078">Bailey Carlson</a>&nbsp;threw the first 0.2 innings before handing the ball to&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/morgan-schmidt/7087">Morgan Schmidt</a>, who went the final 6.1 innings. Only one of Carlson's four runs yielded were earned. Schmidt mowed down 11 batters by strikeout in relief. Sydney Ward threw a complete game for SAU, striking out seven Tigers and scattering five hits. The Tigers look to bounce back on Saturday with a pair of games in Yukon. FHSU faces East Central at 10:30 a.m. before taking on Arkansas Tech at 1 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676688052937.jpeg" alt="FHSU Athletics photo/Ryan Prickett" />
 <figcaption>FHSU Athletics photo/Ryan Prickett</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsBETHANY and YUKON, Okla. – Fort Hays State Softball fell twice on Friday (Feb. 17) in the Raising Cane's Softball Festival. Home runs (one in walk-off fashion) pushed the opposition to wins in both contests as the Tigers moved to 3-3 overall on the season. The Tigers fell to Southern Nazarene 7-6 after holding leads twice in the game, then fell to No. 16 ranked Southern Arkansas 8-2. Southern Nazarene 7, Fort Hays State 6 Playing on Southern Nazarene's home field in Bethany, the Tigers scored first to take a 1-0 lead after the top of the fourth.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/lexi-mohr/7091">Lexi Mohr</a>&nbsp;put down a sacrifice bunt to drive in the run after the Tigers benefitted from an error in the inning. However, starting pitcher&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/savanah-egger/7081">Savanah Egger</a>&nbsp;ran into some trouble in the fifth as SNU had a bases-clearing double and went on to score five in the inning and go up 5-1. The Tigers fought right back in the sixth with four runs to tie the game.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/madison-pierce/7086">Madison Pierce</a>&nbsp;got the rally started with a double, then&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/aubrey-martinez/7090">Aubrey Martinez</a>&nbsp;followed with a single and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/regan-curry/7080">Regan Curry</a>&nbsp;walked. With the bases loaded,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/carly-stuke/7096">Carly Stuke</a>&nbsp;knocked in the first run with a sacrifice fly RBI, then Mohr picked up her second RBI of the game with a sacrifice fly that was misplayed. With two outs,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/sarah-tiffany/7088">Sarah Tiffany</a>&nbsp;proved clutch with a two-RBI hit to tie the game. Tiger reliever&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/emma-montoya/7092">Emma Montoya</a>&nbsp;was able to hold the Crimson Storm scoreless in the sixth, which gave the Tigers the chance to go back in front in the seventh. They made good on that opportunity when&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/reese-curry/7079">Reese Curry</a>&nbsp;walked with the bases loaded to put the Tigers up 6-5, set up by three singles from&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/loren-beggs/7075">Loren Beggs</a>, Martinez, and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/regan-curry/7080">Regan Curry</a>. But the hopes of a comeback win were dashed in the bottom of the seventh when Hailey Evans hit a two-run homer to win the game 7-6 for SNU. Egger struck out six in her 4.1 innings of work, while Montoya took the loss in 1.2 innings of relief. Though she gave up the go-ahead run in the seventh, Olivia Hernandez got the win for SNU in an inning of relief. Southern Arkansas 8, Fort Hays State 2 Southern Arkansas, ranked No. 16 in the latest NFCA Division II national poll, remained undefeated on the season at 11-0 with an 8-2 win over FHSU in Yukon, Okla. Four home runs powered the Muleriders, which also proved to be the difference in the game. Southern Arkansas got off to a fast start in the first inning with four runs. After a Tiger throwing error, SAU had back-to-back RBI doubles and then a two-run homer to make it 4-0. After the Tigers picked up a run in the second, SAU hit a two-run homer in the fourth and a pair of solo homers in the seventh. The Tigers scored once more in the bottom of the seventh before the final out of the game. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/reese-curry/7079">Reese Curry</a>&nbsp;had both RBIs in the game for FHSU on singles.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/carly-stuke/7096">Carly Stuke</a>&nbsp;scored both times as she had a hit and a walk in the game to set up her run-scoring opportunities. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/bailey-carlson/7078">Bailey Carlson</a>&nbsp;threw the first 0.2 innings before handing the ball to&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/morgan-schmidt/7087">Morgan Schmidt</a>, who went the final 6.1 innings. Only one of Carlson's four runs yielded were earned. Schmidt mowed down 11 batters by strikeout in relief. Sydney Ward threw a complete game for SAU, striking out seven Tigers and scattering five hits. The Tigers look to bounce back on Saturday with a pair of games in Yukon. FHSU faces East Central at 10:30 a.m. before taking on Arkansas Tech at 1 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🥎 Tigers fall twice on first day of Raising Cane’s Softball Festival

The TMP-Marian Monarchs return home Friday night for a Mid-Continent League matchup with the Norton Bluejays.

The girls game is scheduled to tipoff at 6:00 p.m. with the boys to follow at approximately 7:30 p.m.

Our coverage begins at 5:40 p.m. with the Hertz Rental Car Pregame Show on 99.5 KHAZ.

Click the player below or click&nbsp;<a href="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/530828">HERE&nbsp;</a>to view the game. You can also download the Team1Sports app for your phone or connected device, including smart TVs.

The TMP-Marian Monarchs return home Friday night for a Mid-Continent League matchup with the Norton Bluejays.The girls game is scheduled to tipoff at 6:00 p.m. with the boys to follow at approximately 7:30 p.m.Our coverage begins at 5:40 p.m. with the Hertz Rental Car Pregame Show on 99.5 KHAZ.Click the player below or click&nbsp;<a href="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/530828">HERE&nbsp;</a>to view the game. You can also download the Team1Sports app for your phone or connected device, including smart TVs.<div><iframe src="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/530828?autoplay=1" width="640" height="360" allow="fullscreen;" style="border:0;overflow:hidden;"></iframe></div>

🏀🎥 WATCH LIVE Thomas More Prep-Marian v Norton

The Hays High Indians travel to Garden City Friday night for a WAC showdown.

The girls game will tipoff at approximately 6:00 with the boys to follow from Garden City High School.

Click the player below or click&nbsp;<a href="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/480670">HERE&nbsp;</a>to view the game. You can also download the Team1Sports app for your phone or connected device, including smart TVs.

The Hays High Indians travel to Garden City Friday night for a WAC showdown.The girls game will tipoff at approximately 6:00 with the boys to follow from Garden City High School.Click the player below or click&nbsp;<a href="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/480670">HERE&nbsp;</a>to view the game. You can also download the Team1Sports app for your phone or connected device, including smart TVs.<div><iframe src="https://vcloud.blueframetech.com/broadcast/embed/480670?autoplay=1" width="640" height="360" allow="fullscreen;" style="border:0;overflow:hidden;"></iframe></div>

🏀🎥 WATCH LIVE Hays High at Garden City

By NATE KING Salina Post

Season tickets for Salina's only indoor professional football league team, <a href="https://www.salinaliberty.com/">Salina Liberty</a>, are now on sale. Season and single game tickets are on sale through the Tony's Pizza Events Center Box Office,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.tonyspizzaeventscenter.com/">www.tonyspizzaeventscenter.com</a>, (785) 826-7200.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Salina Liberty's head coach is Heron O'Neil. This season is his sixth season with the Salina Liberty. O'Neil led Salina Liberty to the 2022 championship. He is the second winningest coach in the Champions Indoor Football league.&nbsp;

Spectators who haven't witnessed indoor football, should prepare for an action packed thrill ride said Salina Liberty team owner, Dan Mendicina.

"Indoor football is exhilarating, and definitely more fast paced than outdoor football," Mendicina said. "When you attend one of the Salina Liberty games you will feel like you're on the field itself, it is that action packed and fun to watch."&nbsp;

Located at the crossroads of Interstate 7o and Interstate 135, Salina serves as a regional hub for central Kansas. No matter where you are visiting from, Salina has what you and your family need to make your visit memorable and comfortable. Salina Liberty welcomes fans from all across Kansas and beyond. 

For more information&nbsp; about Salina's hotel accommodations, restaurants, and more check out the VisitSalina brochure <a href="https://issuu.com/salinaareachamberofcommerce/docs/2022visitsalinaguide_jan?fr=sMTY2ZjQ1ODk0Mjg">here</a>.

$60 for blue level – save $12 over single ticket prices

$90 for red level – save $12 over single ticket prices

$150 for yellow level – save $30 over single ticket prices (this level is very limited)

-first right to keep seats for any playoff games

-first right to keep seats for the next season

To learn more about indoor football and the Salina Liberty team, check out their website <a href="https://www.salinaliberty.com/">here</a>.

By NATE KING Salina PostSeason tickets for Salina's only indoor professional football league team, <a href="https://www.salinaliberty.com/">Salina Liberty</a>, are now on sale. Season and single game tickets are on sale through the Tony's Pizza Events Center Box Office,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.tonyspizzaeventscenter.com/">www.tonyspizzaeventscenter.com</a>, (785) 826-7200.&nbsp; &nbsp;Salina Liberty's head coach is Heron O'Neil. This season is his sixth season with the Salina Liberty. O'Neil led Salina Liberty to the 2022 championship. He is the second winningest coach in the Champions Indoor Football league.&nbsp;Spectators who haven't witnessed indoor football, should prepare for an action packed thrill ride said Salina Liberty team owner, Dan Mendicina."Indoor football is exhilarating, and definitely more fast paced than outdoor football," Mendicina said. "When you attend one of the Salina Liberty games you will feel like you're on the field itself, it is that action packed and fun to watch."&nbsp;Located at the crossroads of Interstate 7o and Interstate 135, Salina serves as a regional hub for central Kansas. No matter where you are visiting from, Salina has what you and your family need to make your visit memorable and comfortable. Salina Liberty welcomes fans from all across Kansas and beyond. For more information&nbsp; about Salina's hotel accommodations, restaurants, and more check out the VisitSalina brochure <a href="https://issuu.com/salinaareachamberofcommerce/docs/2022visitsalinaguide_jan?fr=sMTY2ZjQ1ODk0Mjg">here</a>.<h2>Salina Liberty home game schedule</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676575510983.png" alt="Salina Liberty's 2023 home game schedule. Photo courtesy Salina Liberty" />
 <figcaption>Salina Liberty's 2023 home game schedule. Photo courtesy Salina Liberty</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Salina Liberty season ticket pricing</h2>$60 for blue level – save $12 over single ticket prices$90 for red level – save $12 over single ticket prices$150 for yellow level – save $30 over single ticket prices (this level is very limited)<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676565614669.jpeg" alt="Seating map for Salina Liberty&nbsp; indoor football at Tony's Event Center. Individual ticket pricing- $30 per yellow level ticket, $17 per red level ticket and&nbsp; $12 per blue level ticket.&nbsp;&nbsp;Photo courtesy Tony's Event Center&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Seating map for Salina Liberty&nbsp; indoor football at Tony's Event Center. Individual ticket pricing- $30 per yellow level ticket, $17 per red level ticket and&nbsp; $12 per blue level ticket.&nbsp;&nbsp;Photo courtesy Tony's Event Center&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Benefits of purchasing season tickets-save money over single ticket prices-you get the same seat all season long-first right to keep seats for any playoff games-first right to keep seats for the next seasonTo learn more about indoor football and the Salina Liberty team, check out their website <a href="https://www.salinaliberty.com/">here</a>.

🏈 Season tickets for Salina Liberty indoor football on sale now!

NEW YORK — Live, from New York, it's...Travis Kelce? Apparently so...

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1580356184731.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK — Live, from New York, it's...Travis Kelce? Apparently so...<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/tkelce?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@tkelce</a> announces that he will be hosting <a href="https://twitter.com/nbcsnl?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nbcsnl</a> with musical guest <a href="https://twitter.com/KelseaBallerini?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KelseaBallerini</a> on March 4th! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FallonTonight?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FallonTonight</a> <a href="https://t.co/PeeEMc7ASw">pic.twitter.com/PeeEMc7ASw</a>&mdash; The Tonight Show (@FallonTonight) <a href="https://twitter.com/FallonTonight/status/1626403759981985793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🏈 CHIEFS: Kelce to host SNL in March

&nbsp; PITTSBURG, Kan. – The Fort Hays State men's basketball team turned in a dominating defensive performance in a 71-49 win at Pittsburg State on Thursday evening. The Tigers improved to 18-8 on the season and 13-7 in the MIAA, while the Gorillas fell to 6-19 overall and 3-16 in the MIAA. The Tigers scored the first seven points of the game and went on to hold the Gorillas to just three points over the first nine and a half minutes of action. FHSU led 20-3 before PSU made its second field goal of the game. The FHSU lead reached 22 at 33-11 and FHSU went on to eventually lead by 20, 37-17, at the half. The Tigers shot 55.2 percent in the opening frame and held the Gorillas to just 28 percent from the field.

The Tiger lead never dipped back inside 20 the rest of the way. FHSU enjoyed its largest lead of 29 points twice inside the final six minutes of the game before the final margin ended at 22. FHSU picked up a regular season sweep of an opponent for the third straight game. FHSU finished at 50.9 percent as a team from the field, while holding PSU to 34.9 percent. The Tigers also won the battle on the boards by 11, 35-24, and were +6 in turnover margin for the game. They forced the Gorillas into 20 turnovers. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/kaleb-hammeke/6897">Kaleb Hammeke</a>&nbsp;led the Tigers with 19 points, followed by&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/elijah-nnanabu/6902">Elijah Nnanabu</a>&nbsp;with 13 and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/bjarni-jonsson/6901">Bjarni Jonsson</a>&nbsp;with 11.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/iyen-enaruna/6907">Iyen Enaruna</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/lucas-hammeke/6898">Lucas Hammeke</a>&nbsp;both pulled down six rebounds to lead the Tigers. The Hammeke brothers and Nnanabu notched three assists apiece. The Tigers held the Gorillas from having any players reach double figures in scoring. Tane Prictor led Pitt State with nine points.

Fort Hays State now turns its focus to a showdown with Missouri Southern on Saturday in Joplin. The Tigers will be looking to even the score with the Lions this year after Missouri Southern won earlier this season in Hays. The game will also be key for the MIAA standings as Missouri Southern sits just a half game back of FHSU. Tipoff is set for 3:30 p.m. at the Leggett and Platt Center.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676608535051.jpeg" alt="Fort Hays State guard Kaleb Hammeke (5) goes in for a layup in an MIAA basketball game vs. Central Missouri on December 31, 2022 in Warrensburg, Mo. (FHSU Athletics photo/Seth Kincaid)" />
 <figcaption>Fort Hays State guard Kaleb Hammeke (5) goes in for a layup in an MIAA basketball game vs. Central Missouri on December 31, 2022 in Warrensburg, Mo. (FHSU Athletics photo/Seth Kincaid)</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU Athletics&nbsp; PITTSBURG, Kan. – The Fort Hays State men's basketball team turned in a dominating defensive performance in a 71-49 win at Pittsburg State on Thursday evening. The Tigers improved to 18-8 on the season and 13-7 in the MIAA, while the Gorillas fell to 6-19 overall and 3-16 in the MIAA. The Tigers scored the first seven points of the game and went on to hold the Gorillas to just three points over the first nine and a half minutes of action. FHSU led 20-3 before PSU made its second field goal of the game. The FHSU lead reached 22 at 33-11 and FHSU went on to eventually lead by 20, 37-17, at the half. The Tigers shot 55.2 percent in the opening frame and held the Gorillas to just 28 percent from the field.<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/1448853979&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-814667509/02-16-23-coach-johnson-interview" title="Mark Johnson Postgame at Pittsburg State (Feb. 16, 2023)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Mark Johnson Postgame at Pittsburg State (Feb. 16, 2023)</a></div></div>The Tiger lead never dipped back inside 20 the rest of the way. FHSU enjoyed its largest lead of 29 points twice inside the final six minutes of the game before the final margin ended at 22. FHSU picked up a regular season sweep of an opponent for the third straight game. FHSU finished at 50.9 percent as a team from the field, while holding PSU to 34.9 percent. The Tigers also won the battle on the boards by 11, 35-24, and were +6 in turnover margin for the game. They forced the Gorillas into 20 turnovers. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/kaleb-hammeke/6897">Kaleb Hammeke</a>&nbsp;led the Tigers with 19 points, followed by&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/elijah-nnanabu/6902">Elijah Nnanabu</a>&nbsp;with 13 and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/bjarni-jonsson/6901">Bjarni Jonsson</a>&nbsp;with 11.&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/iyen-enaruna/6907">Iyen Enaruna</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/lucas-hammeke/6898">Lucas Hammeke</a>&nbsp;both pulled down six rebounds to lead the Tigers. The Hammeke brothers and Nnanabu notched three assists apiece. The Tigers held the Gorillas from having any players reach double figures in scoring. Tane Prictor led Pitt State with nine points.<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/1448854021&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-814667509/02-16-23-fhsu-mbkb-vs-pittsburg-state-highlights" title="Fort Hays State MBB at Pittsburg State Highlights (Feb. 16, 2023)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Fort Hays State MBB at Pittsburg State Highlights (Feb. 16, 2023)</a></div></div>Fort Hays State now turns its focus to a showdown with Missouri Southern on Saturday in Joplin. The Tigers will be looking to even the score with the Lions this year after Missouri Southern won earlier this season in Hays. The game will also be key for the MIAA standings as Missouri Southern sits just a half game back of FHSU. Tipoff is set for 3:30 p.m. at the Leggett and Platt Center.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 Tigers dominant in win at Pittsburg State

PITTSBURG, Kan. - Fort Hays State sophomore Katie Wagner&nbsp;scored a career-high 30 points in Thursday evening's 76-66 loss to Pittsburg State (Feb. 16). Wagner is the first Tiger to score 30 or more points in eight years (Kate Lehman, 31 pts vs MSSU, 1/3/15). The Tigers struggled out of the gate, falling behind 23-12 after the first quarter. FHSU turned the ball over six times over the first 10 minutes before righting the ship over the rest of the game, finishing the night with 13 turnovers, just one over their season average.

Fort Hays State cut within six in the second quarter after 3-pointers from Ellie Stearns and Emma Ruddle, but Pittsburg State scored the final four points to lead by 10 at intermission, 38-28. Wagner took over in the second half, scoring 24 of her 30 points over the final 20 minutes. She helped the Tigers to a 10-2 run after scoring eight early points in the third quarter, trimming the deficit to four in the process. She later hit back-to-back buckets to cut within three, but each time PSU answered with a 3-pointer to keep the Tigers at bay. A pair of baskets from Jessie Sallach&nbsp;bookending the end of the third quarter had the Tigers back within four, 53-49, before the home team scored six in a row to push the lead back to double figures. Wagner helped the Tigers make one final push, scoring nine points over the next five possessions while the Tiger defense limited PSU to just two points over the stretch. The final basket, a step-back 15-footer, gave Wagner a career-high 27 points and had the Tigers within one possession with just under five minutes to play, 61-58. But the Tigers were never able to get over the hump, with PSU going 13-of-15 from the charity stripe down the stretch to secure the win.

Wagner also grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds, recording her ninth double-double of the season and the 20th of her career. Sydney Golladay&nbsp;distributed seven assists and poked away a team-high two steals. Sallach was the only other Tiger that reached double figures in the points column, scoring 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting. The Tigers outshot their opponent in a loss for the second game in a row, knocking down 44.3 percent (27-of-61) compared to 43.9 percent for the Gorillas (25-of-57). Both sides grabbed 35 rebounds, including FHSU scoring 10 second-chance points on eight offensive rebounds. Fort Hays State will wrap up the weekend Saturday (Feb. 18) at Missouri Southern beginning at 1:30 p.m. before traveling to Kearney, Neb. to conclude the regular season a week later (Feb. 25) against the Lopers.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676607461834.jpeg" alt="FHSU Athletics photo" />
 <figcaption>FHSU Athletics photo</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsPITTSBURG, Kan. - Fort Hays State sophomore Katie Wagner&nbsp;scored a career-high 30 points in Thursday evening's 76-66 loss to Pittsburg State (Feb. 16). Wagner is the first Tiger to score 30 or more points in eight years (Kate Lehman, 31 pts vs MSSU, 1/3/15). The Tigers struggled out of the gate, falling behind 23-12 after the first quarter. FHSU turned the ball over six times over the first 10 minutes before righting the ship over the rest of the game, finishing the night with 13 turnovers, just one over their season average.<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/1448853946&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-814667509/02-16-23-coach-hobson-interview" title="Tony Hobson Postgame at Pittsburg State (Feb. 16, 2023)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Tony Hobson Postgame at Pittsburg State (Feb. 16, 2023)</a></div></div>Fort Hays State cut within six in the second quarter after 3-pointers from Ellie Stearns and Emma Ruddle, but Pittsburg State scored the final four points to lead by 10 at intermission, 38-28. Wagner took over in the second half, scoring 24 of her 30 points over the final 20 minutes. She helped the Tigers to a 10-2 run after scoring eight early points in the third quarter, trimming the deficit to four in the process. She later hit back-to-back buckets to cut within three, but each time PSU answered with a 3-pointer to keep the Tigers at bay. A pair of baskets from Jessie Sallach&nbsp;bookending the end of the third quarter had the Tigers back within four, 53-49, before the home team scored six in a row to push the lead back to double figures. Wagner helped the Tigers make one final push, scoring nine points over the next five possessions while the Tiger defense limited PSU to just two points over the stretch. The final basket, a step-back 15-footer, gave Wagner a career-high 27 points and had the Tigers within one possession with just under five minutes to play, 61-58. But the Tigers were never able to get over the hump, with PSU going 13-of-15 from the charity stripe down the stretch to secure the win.<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/1448854051&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-814667509/02-16-23-fhsu-wbkb-vs-pittsburg-state-highlights" title="Fort Hays State WBB at Pittsburg State Highlights (Feb. 16, 2023)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Fort Hays State WBB at Pittsburg State Highlights (Feb. 16, 2023)</a></div></div>Wagner also grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds, recording her ninth double-double of the season and the 20th of her career. Sydney Golladay&nbsp;distributed seven assists and poked away a team-high two steals. Sallach was the only other Tiger that reached double figures in the points column, scoring 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting. The Tigers outshot their opponent in a loss for the second game in a row, knocking down 44.3 percent (27-of-61) compared to 43.9 percent for the Gorillas (25-of-57). Both sides grabbed 35 rebounds, including FHSU scoring 10 second-chance points on eight offensive rebounds. Fort Hays State will wrap up the weekend Saturday (Feb. 18) at Missouri Southern beginning at 1:30 p.m. before traveling to Kearney, Neb. to conclude the regular season a week later (Feb. 25) against the Lopers.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 Wagner's 30 points not enough for Tigers at Pitt State

By HILLEL ITALIE Associated Press

NEW YORK — Tim McCarver, the All-Star catcher and Hall of Fame 
broadcaster who during 60 years in baseball won two World Series titles 
with the St. Louis Cardinals and had a long run as the one of the 
country's most recognized, incisive and talkative television 
commentators, died Thursday. He was 81.

McCarver's death was 
announced by baseball's Hall of Fame, which said he died Thursday 
morning due to heart failure in Memphis, Tennessee, where he was with 
his family.

Among the few players to appear in major league games 
during four decades, McCarver was a two-time All Star who worked closely
 with two future Hall of Fame pitchers: The tempestuous Bob Gibson, whom
 McCarver caught for St. Louis in the 1960s, and the introverted Steve 
Carlton, McCarver's fellow Cardinal in the '60s and a Philadelphia 
Phillies teammate in the 1970s.

He switched to television soon 
after retiring in 1980 and called 24 World Series for ABC, CBS and Fox, a
 record for a baseball analyst on television.

“I think there is a 
natural bridge from being a catcher to talking about the view of the 
game and the view of the other players,” McCarver told the Hall in 2012,
 the year he and Joe Buck were given the Ford C. Frick Award for 
excellence in broadcasting. “It is translating that for the viewers. One
 of the hard things about television is staying contemporary and keeping
 it simple for the viewers.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676581001538.jpeg" alt="Baseball announcer Tim McCarver poses in the press box before the start of Game 2 of the American League Division Series on Oct. 2, 2003 in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File)" />
 <figcaption>Baseball announcer Tim McCarver poses in the press box before the start of Game 2 of the American League Division Series on Oct. 2, 2003 in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>By HILLEL ITALIE Associated PressNEW YORK — Tim McCarver, the All-Star catcher and Hall of Fame 
broadcaster who during 60 years in baseball won two World Series titles 
with the St. Louis Cardinals and had a long run as the one of the 
country's most recognized, incisive and talkative television 
commentators, died Thursday. He was 81.McCarver's death was 
announced by baseball's Hall of Fame, which said he died Thursday 
morning due to heart failure in Memphis, Tennessee, where he was with 
his family.Among the few players to appear in major league games 
during four decades, McCarver was a two-time All Star who worked closely
 with two future Hall of Fame pitchers: The tempestuous Bob Gibson, whom
 McCarver caught for St. Louis in the 1960s, and the introverted Steve 
Carlton, McCarver's fellow Cardinal in the '60s and a Philadelphia 
Phillies teammate in the 1970s.He switched to television soon 
after retiring in 1980 and called 24 World Series for ABC, CBS and Fox, a
 record for a baseball analyst on television.“I think there is a 
natural bridge from being a catcher to talking about the view of the 
game and the view of the other players,” McCarver told the Hall in 2012,
 the year he and Joe Buck were given the Ford C. Frick Award for 
excellence in broadcasting. “It is translating that for the viewers. One
 of the hard things about television is staying contemporary and keeping
 it simple for the viewers.”McCarver became best known to 
national audiences for his 18-year partnership on Fox with play-by-play 
man Buck. McCarver moved to Fox in 1996 when it began televising 
baseball and called his final World Series in 2013.“I learned 
really fast that if you were in his inner circle, he would be a fierce 
defender of you and for you,” Buck said Thursday. "He taught me how to 
deal with criticism because he had been criticized, his whole broadcast 
career. And sometimes it was because he was a teacher of the game. If 
some player or manager didn’t manage or play the way he thought the game
 should be played, he let a national audience know it. He was always the
 first one in the clubhouse the next day. If that person had something 
to say back to him, he would engage and stood his ground, but it was 
fair.“He taught me a lot about the game, but he taught me as much or more about how to broadcast on a on a national level.”Commissioner
 Rob Manfred said in a statement that McCarver was “a respected teammate
 and one of the most influential voices our game has known.”Six 
feet tall and solidly built, McCarver was a policeman’s son from 
Memphis, who got into more than a few fights while growing up but was 
otherwise playing baseball and football and imitating popular 
broadcasters, notably the Cardinals’ Harry Caray. He was signed while 
still in high school by the Cardinals for $75,000, a generous offer for 
that time; just 17 when he debuted for them in 1959 and in his early 20s
 when he became the starting catcher.McCarver attended segregated
 schools in Memphis and often spoke of the education he received as a 
newcomer in St. Louis. His teammates included Gibson and outfielder Curt
 Flood, Black players who did not hesitate to confront or tease 
McCarver. When McCarver used racist language against a Black child 
trying to jump a fence during spring training, Gibson would remember 
“getting right up in McCarver’s face.” McCarver liked to tell the story 
about drinking an orange soda during a hot day in spring training and 
Gibson asking him for some, then laughing when McCarver flinched.“It
 was probably Gibby more than any other Black man who helped me to 
overcome whatever latent prejudices I may have had,” McCarver wrote in 
his 1987 memoir “Oh, Baby, I Love It!”Few catchers were strong 
hitters during the ’60s, but McCarver batted .270 or higher for five 
consecutive seasons and was fast enough to become the first in his 
position to lead the league in triples. He had his best year in 1967 
when he hit .295 with 14 home runs, finishing second for NL Most 
Valuable Player behind teammate Orlando Cepeda as the Cardinals won 
their second World Series in four years.McCarver met Carlton when
 the left-hander was a rookie in 1965 “with an independent streak wider 
than the Grand Canyon,” McCarver later wrote. The two initially clashed,
 even arguing on the mound during games, but became close and were 
reunited in the 1970s after both were traded to Philadelphia. McCarver 
became Carlton’s designated catcher even though he admittedly had a 
below average throwing arm and overall didn’t compare defensively to the
 Phillies’ regular catcher, Gold Glover Bob Boone.“Behind every 
successful pitcher, there has to be a very smart catcher, and Tim 
McCarver is that man,” Carlton said during his Hall of Fame induction 
speech in 1994. “Timmy forced me pitch inside. Early in my career I was 
reluctant to pitch inside. Timmy had a way to remedy this. He used to 
set up behind the hitter. There was just the umpire there; I couldn’t 
see him (McCarver), so I was forced to pitch inside.”McCarver 
liked to joke that he and Carlton were so in synch in the field that 
when both were dead they would be buried 60 feet, 6 inches apart, the 
distance between the rubber on the pitching mound and home plate.During
 a 21-year career, when he also played briefly for the Montreal Expos 
and Boston Red Sox, McCarver batted .271 and only twice struck out more 
than 40 times in a season. In the postseason, he averaged .273 and had 
his best outing in the 1964 World Series, when the Cardinals defeated 
the New York Yankees in seven games. McCarver finished 11 for 23, with 
five walks, and his 3-run homer at Yankee Stadium in the 10th inning of 
Game 5 gave his team a 5-2 victory.Younger baseball fans first 
knew him from his work in the broadcast booth, whether local games for 
the New York Mets, Yankees, Philadelphia and San Francisco, as Jack 
Buck’s partner on CBS (1990-91) or with son Joe Buck for Fox from 
1996-2013. McCarver won six Emmys and became enough of a brand name to 
be a punchline on “Family Guy”; write a handful of books, make cameos in
 “Naked Gun,” “Love Hurts” and other movies and even record an album, 
“Tim McCarver Sings Songs from the Great American Songbook.”Knowledge
 was his trademark. In his spare time, he visited art museums, read 
books and could recite poetry from memory. At work, he was like a 
one-man scouting team, versed in the most granular details, and spent 
hours preparing before each game. At times, he seemed to have psychic 
powers. In Game 7 of the 2001 World Series, the score was tied at 2 
between the Yankees and Arizona, and New York drew in its infield with 
the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the ninth. Mariano Rivera 
was facing Luis Rodriquez.“Rivera throws inside to left-handers,”
 McCarver observed. “Left-handers get a lot of broken-bat hits into 
shallow outfield, the shallow part of the outfield. That’s the danger of
 bringing the infield in with a guy like Rivera on the mound.”Moments later, Gonzalez’s bloop to short center field drove in the winning run.“When
 you the consider the pressure of the moment,” ESPN’s Keith Olbermann 
told The New York Times in 2002, “the time he had to say it and the 
accuracy, his call was the sports-announcing equivalent of Bill 
Mazeroski’s home run in the seventh inning to defeat the Yankees in 
1960.”Many found McCarver informative and entertaining. Others 
thought him infuriating. McCarver did not cut himself short whether 
explaining baseball strategy or taking on someone’s performance on the 
field. “When you ask him the time, (he) will tell you how a watch 
works,” Sports Illustrated’s Norm Chad wrote of him in 1992. The same 
year his criticism of Deion Sanders for playing two sports on the same 
day led to Atlanta outfielder/Falcons defensive back’s dumping a bucket 
of water on his head. In 1999, McCarver was fired by the Mets after 16 
seasons on the air.The Mets said in a statement that McCarver 
gave Mets an insightful, humorous and knowledgeable behind the scenes 
look into the game.“Some broadcasters think that their 
responsibility is to the team and the team only,” McCarver told the 
Times soon after the Mets let him go. “I have never thought that. My No.
 1 obligation is to the people who are watching the game. And I’ve 
always felt that praise without objective criticism ceases to be praise.
 To me, any intelligent person can figure that out.”After 
retiring from Fox's national broadcasts, McCarver announced part-time 
for Fox Sports Midwest and worked the occasional Cardinals game before 
sitting out the 2020 season because of concerns about COVID-19. Besides 
the Frick award, he was inducted into the Cardinals Hall of Fame, in 
2017.“By the time I was 26 I had played in three World Series and
 I thought, ’Man this is great, almost a World Series every year,” he 
said during his acceptance speech. “Uh-uh. The game has a way of keeping
 you honest. I never played in another World Series.”McCarver is survived by his daughters Kathy and Kelley, and grandchildren Leigh and Beau.