The Hays Larks continue play at the 87th National Baseball Congress World Series Saturday against the Hutchinson Monarchs of the Sunflower Collegiate League.

First pitch at Hobart-Detter Field in Hutchinson is set for approximately 6:00 p.m. with the Larks Pregame Show around 5:45 p.m. on KFIX (96.9-FM) or online by clicking&nbsp;<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KFIX">HERE</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620244103982.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Hays Larks continue play at the 87th National Baseball Congress World Series Saturday against the Hutchinson Monarchs of the Sunflower Collegiate League.First pitch at Hobart-Detter Field in Hutchinson is set for approximately 6:00 p.m. with the Larks Pregame Show around 5:45 p.m. on KFIX (96.9-FM) or online by clicking&nbsp;<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KFIX">HERE</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

⚾📻 LISTEN LIVE Hays Larks vs. Hutchinson Monarchs

We had a chance to visit with MIAA commissioner Mike Racy at the 2021 MIAA Football Media Day.

Racy talks about the MIAA's response to COVID as well as the upcoming football season.

We had a chance to visit with MIAA commissioner Mike Racy at the 2021 MIAA Football Media Day.Racy talks about the MIAA's response to COVID as well as the upcoming football season.<div><iframe title="Mike Racy" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=95ujd-10aa8ba-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=1&font-color=&btn-skin=2"></iframe></div>

🎧 Defend the Fort Podcast: Mike Racy

CHICAGO (AP) — Daniel Lynch and four relievers held the Chicago White Sox in check, and Emmanuel Rivera's line drive was misplayed into an early two-run double Thursday night that helped the Kansas City Royals hang on for a 3-2 victory.

Kansas City won its second consecutive game, while the AL Central-leading White Sox lost for the ninth time in their last 14.

Chicago has scored two runs or fewer in three of its past four games.

"We've got to have a better strike zone," White Sox manager Tony La Russa said. "We did some chasing tonight."

White Sox designated hitter Eloy Jimenez hit a two-out RBI double that snapped an 0-for-13 slump, but reliever Scott Barlow ranged quickly to his right to field a grounder by Andrew Vaughn for the final out of the eighth.

Jake Brentz worked a hitless ninth for his first major league save.

"My adrenaline was through the roof," Brentz said.

Lynch (2-3) pitched five-plus innings of one-run ball. He limited the White Sox to four hits and has given up only four runs over his last 19 innings.

"I thought his slider was really good," Royals manager Mike Matheny said. "He had some tough-looking swings from some very good hitters."

Lynch gained some redemption for a May 8 start against Chicago in which he allowed eight runs on seven hits in two-thirds of an inning

"It's on your mind a little bit," he said. "But I knew I'd have to battle, so I framed it that way."

The Royals' bullpen has held the White Sox to one run over its last nine innings.

Josh Staumont bailed Lynch out of a jam by getting Vaughn to ground into a double play with the potential tying and go-ahead runs on base, and first baseman Carlos Santana made a diving stop to rob Yoan Moncada of an extra-base hit to end the sixth.

White Sox left-hander Dallas Keuchel (7-5) gave up a two-run double to Rivera with two outs in the first. Center fielder Adam Engel stepped to his left, only to see Rivera's line drive sail behind him.

La Russa said he heard Engel say he lost track of the ball in the lights.

"I certainly don't want to pound him," La Russa said. "I think he lost it for a minute. When you play nine innings, that shouldn't have been the ballgame. But I think that's what happened."

Chicago slugger Jose Abreu hit his second home run in two games, a solo shot off Lynch in the first. It marked the seventh time Abreu has reached 20 homers in a season, tying Harold Baines for third on the franchise list behind Paul Konerko (13) and Frank Thomas (11).

Abreu's 218th homer moved him within three of Baines for fourth place in club history. Last year's AL MVP has at least one RBI in each of his last six games.

Edward Olivares hit his third homer in four games for the Royals, a solo shot off reliever Reynaldo Lopez that barely eluded Engel's glove in right-center.

After Rivera's double, Keuchel retired 11 of the next 13 batters until Santana led off the sixth with a single. Vaughn, making his second start in right field, made a diving catch to rob Rivera of a hit to end the inning.

Royals second baseman Whit Merrifield stole his major league-leading 29th base in the seventh. After getting thrown out on his first attempt of the season, Merrifield has 29 consecutive stolen bases. His streak trails only Carlos Beltran (33, 1999-2001), Willie Wilson (32, 1980) and Alcides Escobar (30, 2012-14) for the longest in team history.

The White Sox fell to 34-11 in games against left-handed starters.

White Sox: Jimenez will start Friday in left field when the White Sox face the Cubs at Wrigley Field, La Russa said. Jimenez hasn't played left since July 27, one day before sustaining a groin strain that has relegated him to DH the last three games. ... OF Luis Robert (hip flexor tear) won't join the White Sox this weekend and will instead remain on a rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Charlotte. "But it's gotten to the point where it's imminent," La Russa said. ... OF Jake Lamb (right quadriceps strain) is close to concluding his rehab assignment at Charlotte. "You may see him sooner rather than later," La Russa said.

Royals: LHP Mike Minor (8-9, 5.31 ERA) opens a three-game series Friday night at St. Louis. Minor allowed four runs and five hits in seven innings of a 4-0 loss Saturday at Toronto.

White Sox: RHP Lance Lynn (10-3, 2.07 ERA) takes the mound Friday against the crosstown-rival Cubs in the opener of a three-game series at Wrigley Field.

CHICAGO (AP) — Daniel Lynch and four relievers held the Chicago White Sox in check, and Emmanuel Rivera's line drive was misplayed into an early two-run double Thursday night that helped the Kansas City Royals hang on for a 3-2 victory.Kansas City won its second consecutive game, while the AL Central-leading White Sox lost for the ninth time in their last 14.Chicago has scored two runs or fewer in three of its past four games."We've got to have a better strike zone," White Sox manager Tony La Russa said. "We did some chasing tonight."White Sox designated hitter Eloy Jimenez hit a two-out RBI double that snapped an 0-for-13 slump, but reliever Scott Barlow ranged quickly to his right to field a grounder by Andrew Vaughn for the final out of the eighth.Jake Brentz worked a hitless ninth for his first major league save."My adrenaline was through the roof," Brentz said.Lynch (2-3) pitched five-plus innings of one-run ball. He limited the White Sox to four hits and has given up only four runs over his last 19 innings."I thought his slider was really good," Royals manager Mike Matheny said. "He had some tough-looking swings from some very good hitters."Lynch gained some redemption for a May 8 start against Chicago in which he allowed eight runs on seven hits in two-thirds of an inning"It's on your mind a little bit," he said. "But I knew I'd have to battle, so I framed it that way."The Royals' bullpen has held the White Sox to one run over its last nine innings.Josh Staumont bailed Lynch out of a jam by getting Vaughn to ground into a double play with the potential tying and go-ahead runs on base, and first baseman Carlos Santana made a diving stop to rob Yoan Moncada of an extra-base hit to end the sixth.White Sox left-hander Dallas Keuchel (7-5) gave up a two-run double to Rivera with two outs in the first. Center fielder Adam Engel stepped to his left, only to see Rivera's line drive sail behind him.La Russa said he heard Engel say he lost track of the ball in the lights."I certainly don't want to pound him," La Russa said. "I think he lost it for a minute. When you play nine innings, that shouldn't have been the ballgame. But I think that's what happened."Chicago slugger Jose Abreu hit his second home run in two games, a solo shot off Lynch in the first. It marked the seventh time Abreu has reached 20 homers in a season, tying Harold Baines for third on the franchise list behind Paul Konerko (13) and Frank Thomas (11).Abreu's 218th homer moved him within three of Baines for fourth place in club history. Last year's AL MVP has at least one RBI in each of his last six games.Edward Olivares hit his third homer in four games for the Royals, a solo shot off reliever Reynaldo Lopez that barely eluded Engel's glove in right-center.After Rivera's double, Keuchel retired 11 of the next 13 batters until Santana led off the sixth with a single. Vaughn, making his second start in right field, made a diving catch to rob Rivera of a hit to end the inning.Royals second baseman Whit Merrifield stole his major league-leading 29th base in the seventh. After getting thrown out on his first attempt of the season, Merrifield has 29 consecutive stolen bases. His streak trails only Carlos Beltran (33, 1999-2001), Willie Wilson (32, 1980) and Alcides Escobar (30, 2012-14) for the longest in team history.The White Sox fell to 34-11 in games against left-handed starters.TRAINER'S ROOMWhite Sox: Jimenez will start Friday in left field when the White Sox face the Cubs at Wrigley Field, La Russa said. Jimenez hasn't played left since July 27, one day before sustaining a groin strain that has relegated him to DH the last three games. ... OF Luis Robert (hip flexor tear) won't join the White Sox this weekend and will instead remain on a rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Charlotte. "But it's gotten to the point where it's imminent," La Russa said. ... OF Jake Lamb (right quadriceps strain) is close to concluding his rehab assignment at Charlotte. "You may see him sooner rather than later," La Russa said.UP NEXTRoyals: LHP Mike Minor (8-9, 5.31 ERA) opens a three-game series Friday night at St. Louis. Minor allowed four runs and five hits in seven innings of a 4-0 loss Saturday at Toronto.White Sox: RHP Lance Lynn (10-3, 2.07 ERA) takes the mound Friday against the crosstown-rival Cubs in the opener of a three-game series at Wrigley Field.

⚾ Royals top White Sox

HUTCHINSON – The Hays Larks hit four home runs, three of
them with two runners on, and beat the Mid-Crest (IL) Pumas 16-8 in their
National Baseball Congress World Series opener at Hobart-Detter Field. The four
home runs tie an NBC World Series wood-bat era record set by the Santa Barbara
Foresters last summer.

Grant Schmidt gave the Larks (30-6) the early lead with a
three-run shot over the center field wall in the top of the first. Leo Jiminian
added a solo shot to center to lead off the second to push the lead to 4-0.
Zach Henry’s three-run bomb to straight-way center put the Larks up 8-3 in the top
of the third. Matt Cavanagh hit the last of the homers, a three-run shot to
center, in the fourth to put the Larks up 11-3.

The Pumas (14-31) didn’t go easy, scoring two runs in the bottom
of the fourth on an Isaiah Hart two-run homer to pull within 11-5. Hart’s
second three-run blast in the sixth cut the gap to 13-8 but the Larks answered
with three in the top of the seventh for the final margin.

Starter Cade Brown (4-1) allowed five runs (two earned) on
four hits with eight strikeouts and one walk over four innings for the win. Tyler
Palmer pitched a scoreless fifth. Jacob Ensz allowed three runs on four hits in
the sixth. Jose Velazquez got the final four outs to close the game.

Zach Henry led the Larks 18-hit attack going 4-for-6 with a
homer, two doubles, three RBIs and three runs scored. Palmer Hutchison and Leo
Jiminian both added three hits. Jiminian drove in three and scored twice,
Hutchison doubled, drove in a run and scored four times. Grant Schmidt, Sam
Crowell and Matt Cavanagh all had two hits.

The Larks will play Hutchinson at either 6 p.m. or 8:30 p.m.
Saturday. The Monarchs knocked off the San Diego Stars 4-3 Thursday evening.

Thursday’s scores 
Wichita (KS) 316 Sluggers 11, Puerto Rican Collegiate Team 1 (8 innings) 
Hays (KS) arks 16, Mid-Crest (IL) Pumas 8 (7 innings) 
Hutchinson (KS) Monarchs 4, San Diego (CA) Stars 3 (10 innings) Santa Barbara (CA) Foresters 14, Waco (TX) Sultanes 0 (5 innings)

HUTCHINSON – The Hays Larks hit four home runs, three of
them with two runners on, and beat the Mid-Crest (IL) Pumas 16-8 in their
National Baseball Congress World Series opener at Hobart-Detter Field. The four
home runs tie an NBC World Series wood-bat era record set by the Santa Barbara
Foresters last summer.<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/1100950069&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/hays-larks-coach-08-05-21" title="Frank Leo Postgame vs. MId-Crest (IL) Pumas 080521" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Frank Leo Postgame vs. MId-Crest (IL) Pumas 080521</a></div></div>Grant Schmidt gave the Larks (30-6) the early lead with a
three-run shot over the center field wall in the top of the first. Leo Jiminian
added a solo shot to center to lead off the second to push the lead to 4-0.
Zach Henry’s three-run bomb to straight-way center put the Larks up 8-3 in the top
of the third. Matt Cavanagh hit the last of the homers, a three-run shot to
center, in the fourth to put the Larks up 11-3.The Pumas (14-31) didn’t go easy, scoring two runs in the bottom
of the fourth on an Isaiah Hart two-run homer to pull within 11-5. Hart’s
second three-run blast in the sixth cut the gap to 13-8 but the Larks answered
with three in the top of the seventh for the final margin.<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/1100950042&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-814667509/08-05-21-hays-larks-vs-mid-crest-highlights" title="Hays Larks vs. Mid-Crest (IL) Pumas Highlights 080521" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Hays Larks vs. Mid-Crest (IL) Pumas Highlights 080521</a></div></div>Starter Cade Brown (4-1) allowed five runs (two earned) on
four hits with eight strikeouts and one walk over four innings for the win. Tyler
Palmer pitched a scoreless fifth. Jacob Ensz allowed three runs on four hits in
the sixth. Jose Velazquez got the final four outs to close the game.Zach Henry led the Larks 18-hit attack going 4-for-6 with a
homer, two doubles, three RBIs and three runs scored. Palmer Hutchison and Leo
Jiminian both added three hits. Jiminian drove in three and scored twice,
Hutchison doubled, drove in a run and scored four times. Grant Schmidt, Sam
Crowell and Matt Cavanagh all had two hits.The Larks will play Hutchinson at either 6 p.m. or 8:30 p.m.
Saturday. The Monarchs knocked off the San Diego Stars 4-3 Thursday evening.Thursday’s scores 
Wichita (KS) 316 Sluggers 11, Puerto Rican Collegiate Team 1 (8 innings) 
Hays (KS) arks 16, Mid-Crest (IL) Pumas 8 (7 innings) 
Hutchinson (KS) Monarchs 4, San Diego (CA) Stars 3 (10 innings) Santa Barbara (CA) Foresters 14, Waco (TX) Sultanes 0 (5 innings)

⚾ Larks use long ball to win NBC WS opener

CHICAGO — Salvador Perez hit a two-run homer, and the Kansas City Royals went deep four times to beat the Chicago White Sox 9-1 on Wednesday night.

Kansas City ended a four-game losing streak, while the AL Central-leading White Sox lost for the eighth time in 13 games.

Royals starter Carlos Hernández (3-1) yielded only two hits over five innings in beating the White Sox for the second time in seven days. Hernández has allowed six hits while striking out 10 in his last 11 innings against Chicago.

Perez launched his 27th homer in the third, tying a career high previously accomplished in 2017 and 2018.

“Seriously, I don’t think about it,” Perez said. “I worry more about my defense and try to call a good game.”

Edward Olivares hit his second homer in three games, a solo shot in the second off Chicago starter Lucas Giolito. Michael A. Taylor led off the fourth with a homer against Giolito (8-8) and made a diving catch in center field to rob Cesar Hernandez of a hit in the sixth.

Taylor snapped an 0-for-14 slump with a drive that struck the left-field foul pole.

The Royals had managed only two runs on 12 hits in their previous three games before scoring in each of the first four innings.

Giolito gave up three home runs in four innings and lost for only the second time in his last seven home starts. The three homers allowed tied a season high and were one short of his career worst, against Minnesota on July 25, 2019.

It marked the third time this season Giolito permitted at least six runs. He was tagged for a season-high eight runs (seven earned) in one inning at Boston on April 19.

“I felt fine, but I made way too many mistakes, and they didn’t miss them,” Giolito said. “They just raked. I was pulling off pretty bad, with the slider especially. I was in between, and couldn’t get the good one going. It was either hanging or a ball in the dirt."

“Move on. It (stinks) because I’m the reason we lost tonight. It’s a brutal feeling, but just use that as motivation for the next one.”

Ryan O’Hearn, who hit a sacrifice fly in the first, added a two-run homer off reliever Jose Ruiz in the seventh.

Whit Merrifield had three of the Royals’ 12 hits. Merrifield’s two-out single scored Nicky Lopez in the second and snapped the team’s 0-for-26 stretch with runners in scoring position.

Perez has played in all 106 games for the Royals this season. His 84 starts behind the plate are one behind Christian Vazquez of the Red Sox for the league lead among catchers.

“It’s pretty incredible what he’s doing as a catcher in the Kansas City heat in the summer,” Merrifield said.

Hall of Fame announcer and former White Sox general manager Ken “Hawk” Harrelson revealed he and current Chicago manager Tony La Russa made their peace seven years after Harrelson fired him in the middle of the 1986 season. Harrelson, who threw out the ceremonial first pitch, spoke with La Russa for several minutes before Wednesday night’s game.

“The first thing I like is Tony La Russa,” Harrelson said. “I didn’t fire him because he was a bad manager. Only he knows and I know why, and it’s going to stay that way.”

Royals: INF Emmanuel Rivera returned from his rehabilitation assignment and was reinstated from the 10-day injured list. Rivera had been sidelined since June 30 due to a left hamate fracture. ... RHP Kyle Zimmer was placed on the IL due to neck/trap spasms. ... OF Andrew Benintendi (left shoulder strain) reported improved strength and range of motion. Benintendi has yet to perform baseball work, manager Mike Matheny said. Benintendi injured his shoulder on a slide into second base Tuesday night.

White Sox: 3B Jake Burger was placed on the seven-day injured list by Triple-A Charlotte. Burger batted .263 in 38 at-bats for the White Sox before he was optioned on July 26.

The Royals will send LHP Daniel Lynch (1-3, 6.95 ERA) to the mound Thursday, while the White Sox counter with LHP Dallas Keuchel (7-4, 4.32).

Lynch allowed three runs over six innings Friday in a 6-3 loss at Toronto. Keuchel couldn’t hold a 6-1 lead Saturday as he allowed three home runs in 5 1/3 innings and left with no decision as Chicago lost 12-11 to Cleveland.

CHICAGO — Salvador Perez hit a two-run homer, and the Kansas City Royals went deep four times to beat the Chicago White Sox 9-1 on Wednesday night.Kansas City ended a four-game losing streak, while the AL Central-leading White Sox lost for the eighth time in 13 games.Royals starter Carlos Hernández (3-1) yielded only two hits over five innings in beating the White Sox for the second time in seven days. Hernández has allowed six hits while striking out 10 in his last 11 innings against Chicago.Perez launched his 27th homer in the third, tying a career high previously accomplished in 2017 and 2018.“Seriously, I don’t think about it,” Perez said. “I worry more about my defense and try to call a good game.”Edward Olivares hit his second homer in three games, a solo shot in the second off Chicago starter Lucas Giolito. Michael A. Taylor led off the fourth with a homer against Giolito (8-8) and made a diving catch in center field to rob Cesar Hernandez of a hit in the sixth.Taylor snapped an 0-for-14 slump with a drive that struck the left-field foul pole.The Royals had managed only two runs on 12 hits in their previous three games before scoring in each of the first four innings.Giolito gave up three home runs in four innings and lost for only the second time in his last seven home starts. The three homers allowed tied a season high and were one short of his career worst, against Minnesota on July 25, 2019.It marked the third time this season Giolito permitted at least six runs. He was tagged for a season-high eight runs (seven earned) in one inning at Boston on April 19.“I felt fine, but I made way too many mistakes, and they didn’t miss them,” Giolito said. “They just raked. I was pulling off pretty bad, with the slider especially. I was in between, and couldn’t get the good one going. It was either hanging or a ball in the dirt."“Move on. It (stinks) because I’m the reason we lost tonight. It’s a brutal feeling, but just use that as motivation for the next one.”Ryan O’Hearn, who hit a sacrifice fly in the first, added a two-run homer off reliever Jose Ruiz in the seventh.Whit Merrifield had three of the Royals’ 12 hits. Merrifield’s two-out single scored Nicky Lopez in the second and snapped the team’s 0-for-26 stretch with runners in scoring position.Perez has played in all 106 games for the Royals this season. His 84 starts behind the plate are one behind Christian Vazquez of the Red Sox for the league lead among catchers.“It’s pretty incredible what he’s doing as a catcher in the Kansas City heat in the summer,” Merrifield said.PEACE SUMMITHall of Fame announcer and former White Sox general manager Ken “Hawk” Harrelson revealed he and current Chicago manager Tony La Russa made their peace seven years after Harrelson fired him in the middle of the 1986 season. Harrelson, who threw out the ceremonial first pitch, spoke with La Russa for several minutes before Wednesday night’s game.“The first thing I like is Tony La Russa,” Harrelson said. “I didn’t fire him because he was a bad manager. Only he knows and I know why, and it’s going to stay that way.”TRAINER’S ROOMRoyals: INF Emmanuel Rivera returned from his rehabilitation assignment and was reinstated from the 10-day injured list. Rivera had been sidelined since June 30 due to a left hamate fracture. ... RHP Kyle Zimmer was placed on the IL due to neck/trap spasms. ... OF Andrew Benintendi (left shoulder strain) reported improved strength and range of motion. Benintendi has yet to perform baseball work, manager Mike Matheny said. Benintendi injured his shoulder on a slide into second base Tuesday night.White Sox: 3B Jake Burger was placed on the seven-day injured list by Triple-A Charlotte. Burger batted .263 in 38 at-bats for the White Sox before he was optioned on July 26.UP NEXTThe Royals will send LHP Daniel Lynch (1-3, 6.95 ERA) to the mound Thursday, while the White Sox counter with LHP Dallas Keuchel (7-4, 4.32).Lynch allowed three runs over six innings Friday in a 6-3 loss at Toronto. Keuchel couldn’t hold a 6-1 lead Saturday as he allowed three home runs in 5 1/3 innings and left with no decision as Chicago lost 12-11 to Cleveland.

⚾ Royals' offense explodes for four home runs in win over White Sox

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – Fort Hays State men's soccer student-athletes&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6241">Alec Bevis</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6244">Kieran Brown</a>&nbsp;received Great American Conference All-Academic honors for 2020-21. For student-athletes to receive GAC All-Academic honors, they must have reached sophomore athletic and academic standing (true freshmen and redshirt freshmen are not eligible) and must have completed at least one full academic year at the nominating institution. In addition, their grade-point average must be a minimum of 3.30 based on the 4.0 system. The GPA is cumulative for the athlete's entire collegiate career. The GAC and MIAA combined to make an eight-team men's soccer conference prior to the 2019 season. The GAC oversees operations for men's soccer and the conference now has seven members in men's soccer.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1628159908233.jpeg" alt="FHSU Athletics" />
 <figcaption>FHSU Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – Fort Hays State men's soccer student-athletes&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6241">Alec Bevis</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6244">Kieran Brown</a>&nbsp;received Great American Conference All-Academic honors for 2020-21. For student-athletes to receive GAC All-Academic honors, they must have reached sophomore athletic and academic standing (true freshmen and redshirt freshmen are not eligible) and must have completed at least one full academic year at the nominating institution. In addition, their grade-point average must be a minimum of 3.30 based on the 4.0 system. The GPA is cumulative for the athlete's entire collegiate career. The GAC and MIAA combined to make an eight-team men's soccer conference prior to the 2019 season. The GAC oversees operations for men's soccer and the conference now has seven members in men's soccer.&nbsp;&nbsp;

⚽ Bevis and Brown earn All-Academic honors from the GAC

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State Men's Soccer received votes in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Top 25 Poll, released on Wednesday. The Tigers will begin where they left off at the end of their brief 2021 spring campaign. Last year, FHSU posted a record of 4-2-1 in a brief spring season that saw them finish second in the Great American Conference standings. The Tigers enjoyed time inside the Top 25 of the United Soccer Coaches spring poll in 2021 before finishing the year in the receiving votes section. Rogers State, the GAC regular season and tournament champion of the brief 2021 spring season starts the year at No. 12 in the poll, while Northeastern State is tabbed No. 19. By receiving votes, Fort Hays State gives the Great American Conference three of its eight men's soccer programs referenced in the preseason poll. Fort Hays State will look to continue the longest active streak in NCAA Division II of making the NCAA National Tournament. The FHSU men have qualified for the national tournament eight consecutive years. The NCAA did not hold national championship tournaments for fall sports in 2020-21 due to issues with the COVID-19 pandemic. Fort Hays State's deepest run in the national tournament occurred in 2018 when it made the national semifinals. Below is the 2021 United Soccer Coaches Preseason Men's Soccer Poll. RankSchoolPrevW-L-T1University Of Charleston110-0-02California State University-Los AngelesNR0-0-03Lynn UniversityNR0-0-04University Of Indianapolis413-0-45Franklin Pierce University26-0-06Wingate University77-1-17California State University-San BernardinoNR0-0-08Colorado School Of Mines97-0-19Maryville University of St. Louis2411-4-210Lander University58-0-111West Texas A&amp;M University78-2-012Rogers State University86-0-213Palm Beach Atlantic UniversityNR0-0-014Azusa Pacific UniversityNR0-0-015Adelphi UniversityNR0-0-016Union University106-1-017Gannon UniversityNR0-0-018University Of West FloridaNR0-0-019Northeastern State University255-3-020Saginaw Valley State University132-0-021Colorado Mesa University146-1-122Cedarville University237-2-122Midwestern State University207-3-124St. Mary's University (Texas)RV6-3-125Lake Erie CollegeNR5-5-0 Receiving Votes: Point Loma Nazarene, Notre Dame (Ohio), Lenoir-Rhyne, Erskine, Mississippi College, Davis &amp; Elkins, Fresno Pacific, Carson-Newman, Saint Rose (N.Y.), Florida Tech, Anderson (S.C.),&nbsp;Fort Hays State, Post, Wilmington (Del.), Francis Marion, Young Harris, Cal Poly Pomona, McKendree, Mercy, Queens (N.C.), Tiffin, Assumption, Nova Southeastern.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1628108709606.jpeg" alt="FHSU Athletics" />
 <figcaption>FHSU Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State Men's Soccer received votes in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Top 25 Poll, released on Wednesday. The Tigers will begin where they left off at the end of their brief 2021 spring campaign. Last year, FHSU posted a record of 4-2-1 in a brief spring season that saw them finish second in the Great American Conference standings. The Tigers enjoyed time inside the Top 25 of the United Soccer Coaches spring poll in 2021 before finishing the year in the receiving votes section. Rogers State, the GAC regular season and tournament champion of the brief 2021 spring season starts the year at No. 12 in the poll, while Northeastern State is tabbed No. 19. By receiving votes, Fort Hays State gives the Great American Conference three of its eight men's soccer programs referenced in the preseason poll. Fort Hays State will look to continue the longest active streak in NCAA Division II of making the NCAA National Tournament. The FHSU men have qualified for the national tournament eight consecutive years. The NCAA did not hold national championship tournaments for fall sports in 2020-21 due to issues with the COVID-19 pandemic. Fort Hays State's deepest run in the national tournament occurred in 2018 when it made the national semifinals. Below is the 2021 United Soccer Coaches Preseason Men's Soccer Poll. RankSchoolPrevW-L-T1University Of Charleston110-0-02California State University-Los AngelesNR0-0-03Lynn UniversityNR0-0-04University Of Indianapolis413-0-45Franklin Pierce University26-0-06Wingate University77-1-17California State University-San BernardinoNR0-0-08Colorado School Of Mines97-0-19Maryville University of St. Louis2411-4-210Lander University58-0-111West Texas A&amp;M University78-2-012Rogers State University86-0-213Palm Beach Atlantic UniversityNR0-0-014Azusa Pacific UniversityNR0-0-015Adelphi UniversityNR0-0-016Union University106-1-017Gannon UniversityNR0-0-018University Of West FloridaNR0-0-019Northeastern State University255-3-020Saginaw Valley State University132-0-021Colorado Mesa University146-1-122Cedarville University237-2-122Midwestern State University207-3-124St. Mary's University (Texas)RV6-3-125Lake Erie CollegeNR5-5-0 Receiving Votes: Point Loma Nazarene, Notre Dame (Ohio), Lenoir-Rhyne, Erskine, Mississippi College, Davis &amp; Elkins, Fresno Pacific, Carson-Newman, Saint Rose (N.Y.), Florida Tech, Anderson (S.C.),&nbsp;Fort Hays State, Post, Wilmington (Del.), Francis Marion, Young Harris, Cal Poly Pomona, McKendree, Mercy, Queens (N.C.), Tiffin, Assumption, Nova Southeastern.&nbsp;&nbsp;

⚽ FHSU men receive votes in coaches preseason national poll

CHICAGO (AP) — Dylan Cease allowed one hit in six scoreless innings, matching a season high with 11 strikeouts, and the Chicago White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 7-1 on Tuesday night.

Tim Anderson and Andrew Vaughn homered for AL Central-leading Chicago, which had dropped three of four at fourth-place Kansas City last week.

“That was definitely one of my better ones,” Cease said. “I still need to be a little bit more efficient. But the stuff was good, and to get through six was solid. To finish strong, it means a lot to me.”

Cease (8-6) walked two and threw 103 pitches, allowing only Edward Olivares' leadoff single in the third inning, to nab his first win since June 30.

“He showed a lot of composure and competitiveness in those early innings,” White Sox manager Tony La Russa. “Then, towards the end, he did the shut-it-down thing and just got better as he went along.”

Michael Kopech, Garrett Crochet and Ryan Tepera pitched an inning apiece to complete the three-hitter. Kopech allowed the only Kansas City run on Ryan O'Hearn's sacrifice fly in the seventh, just the second run in three games for the Royals.

Vaughn sent a changeup from Kris Bubic (3-5) into the center field bleachers in the second, and Anderson bounced a two-run homer off the top of the right field wall in the third.

Anderson added an RBI single in Chicago's four-run seventh, his third hit of the night, and José Abreu had a two-run single in the frame.

Bubic went six innings, allowing three runs on three hits.

“He had everything working. It just took him a while to get to his heater,” Royals manager Mike Matheny said. “He obviously had a better feel for his fastball later, but he didn’t give it a chance to find it until there was already some damage done.”

Chicago recalled right-hander Matt Foster from Triple-A Charlotte. He has appeared in 27 games in the majors this season, going 2-1 with a 6.04 ERA. Right-hander Jimmy Lambert was sent to Charlotte on Sunday.

Royals: LF Andrew Benintendi exited in the fourth inning after he strained his left shoulder sliding into second base. ... SS Adalberto Mondesi (left oblique strain) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday night. “He’s very optimistic,” Matheny said. “Trying to be smart about the workload we give him. His body will let us know how he’s going to respond to that.”

Carlos Hernández (2-1, 4.98 ERA) starts for the Royals against Chicago's Lucas Giolito (8-7, 3.67) on Wednesday night.

CHICAGO (AP) — Dylan Cease allowed one hit in six scoreless innings, matching a season high with 11 strikeouts, and the Chicago White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 7-1 on Tuesday night.Tim Anderson and Andrew Vaughn homered for AL Central-leading Chicago, which had dropped three of four at fourth-place Kansas City last week.“That was definitely one of my better ones,” Cease said. “I still need to be a little bit more efficient. But the stuff was good, and to get through six was solid. To finish strong, it means a lot to me.”Cease (8-6) walked two and threw 103 pitches, allowing only Edward Olivares' leadoff single in the third inning, to nab his first win since June 30.“He showed a lot of composure and competitiveness in those early innings,” White Sox manager Tony La Russa. “Then, towards the end, he did the shut-it-down thing and just got better as he went along.”Michael Kopech, Garrett Crochet and Ryan Tepera pitched an inning apiece to complete the three-hitter. Kopech allowed the only Kansas City run on Ryan O'Hearn's sacrifice fly in the seventh, just the second run in three games for the Royals.Vaughn sent a changeup from Kris Bubic (3-5) into the center field bleachers in the second, and Anderson bounced a two-run homer off the top of the right field wall in the third.Anderson added an RBI single in Chicago's four-run seventh, his third hit of the night, and José Abreu had a two-run single in the frame.Bubic went six innings, allowing three runs on three hits.“He had everything working. It just took him a while to get to his heater,” Royals manager Mike Matheny said. “He obviously had a better feel for his fastball later, but he didn’t give it a chance to find it until there was already some damage done.”ROSTER MOVEChicago recalled right-hander Matt Foster from Triple-A Charlotte. He has appeared in 27 games in the majors this season, going 2-1 with a 6.04 ERA. Right-hander Jimmy Lambert was sent to Charlotte on Sunday.TRAINER’S ROOMRoyals: LF Andrew Benintendi exited in the fourth inning after he strained his left shoulder sliding into second base. ... SS Adalberto Mondesi (left oblique strain) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday night. “He’s very optimistic,” Matheny said. “Trying to be smart about the workload we give him. His body will let us know how he’s going to respond to that.”UP NEXTCarlos Hernández (2-1, 4.98 ERA) starts for the Royals against Chicago's Lucas Giolito (8-7, 3.67) on Wednesday night.

⚾ Royals suffer fourth straight loss, fall to White Sox

The Hays Larks will open the 2021 NBC World Series on Thursday,
Aug. 5 against the Mid-Crest, Illinois Pumas at 3p.m.

The first five days of the 87th NBC World Series
will be played at Hobart-Detter Field in Hutchinson with the final six days of
the event hosted by the Wichita Wind Surge at Riverfront Stadium in Wichita.

The Larks enter the NBC World Series 29-6 and are coming off
clinching their second straight Rocky Mountain Baseball League championship in their
second year as a member of the league.

The Mid-Crest Pumas are members of the Chicago Suburban
League and finished 8-19 on the season.

The winner will advance to a Saturday matchup with the winner
of the Hutchinson Monarchs and the San Diego Stars. The losers will also matchup
Saturday in an elimination game.

The Great Bend Bat Cats open world series play against the
on Wednesday against Lonestar, Texas.

Wednesday, Aug. 4 (in Hutchinson) 12 p.m. - Great Bend Bat Cats vs Austin Lonestar Baseball 3 p.m. - Boulder, Colorado Collegians vs Cheney Diamond Dogs 6 p.m. - Derby Twins vs Liberal Bee Jays 8:30 p.m. - Wichita 316 Elite vs Seattle Studs

Thursday, Aug. 5 (in Hutchinson) 12 p.m. - Puerto Rican Collegiate Team vs Wichita 316 Sluggers 3 p.m. - Mid-Crest, IL Pumas vs Hays Larks 6 p.m. - San Diego Stars vs Hutchinson Monarchs 8:30 p.m. - Waco, TX Sultanes vs Santa Barbara, CA Foresters&nbsp;

You can find a link to the bracket on the <a href="https://nbcbaseball.com/">NBC World Series</a> website or by clicking <a href="https://nbcbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/2021-NBCWS-Bracket-.pdf">HERE</a>.

The Hays Larks will open the 2021 NBC World Series on Thursday,
Aug. 5 against the Mid-Crest, Illinois Pumas at 3p.m.The first five days of the 87th NBC World Series
will be played at Hobart-Detter Field in Hutchinson with the final six days of
the event hosted by the Wichita Wind Surge at Riverfront Stadium in Wichita.The Larks enter the NBC World Series 29-6 and are coming off
clinching their second straight Rocky Mountain Baseball League championship in their
second year as a member of the league.The Mid-Crest Pumas are members of the Chicago Suburban
League and finished 8-19 on the season.The winner will advance to a Saturday matchup with the winner
of the Hutchinson Monarchs and the San Diego Stars. The losers will also matchup
Saturday in an elimination game.The Great Bend Bat Cats open world series play against the
on Wednesday against Lonestar, Texas.Opening round schedule:Wednesday, Aug. 4 (in Hutchinson) 12 p.m. - Great Bend Bat Cats vs Austin Lonestar Baseball 3 p.m. - Boulder, Colorado Collegians vs Cheney Diamond Dogs 6 p.m. - Derby Twins vs Liberal Bee Jays 8:30 p.m. - Wichita 316 Elite vs Seattle StudsThursday, Aug. 5 (in Hutchinson) 12 p.m. - Puerto Rican Collegiate Team vs Wichita 316 Sluggers 3 p.m. - Mid-Crest, IL Pumas vs Hays Larks 6 p.m. - San Diego Stars vs Hutchinson Monarchs 8:30 p.m. - Waco, TX Sultanes vs Santa Barbara, CA Foresters&nbsp;You can find a link to the bracket on the <a href="https://nbcbaseball.com/">NBC World Series</a> website or by clicking <a href="https://nbcbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/2021-NBCWS-Bracket-.pdf">HERE</a>.

⚾ Bracket set for NBC World Series

&nbsp;HAYS, Kan. - The Fort Hays State baseball team will hold walk-on tryouts on Thursday, August 26 at 4 p.m. at Larks Park. Those interested must complete the required medical paperwork and turn it in to the athletic compliance office (Cunningham Hall 135) by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, August 25. Students will not be allowed to participate in tryouts if they fail to submit the attached paperwork (pre-participation physical and tryout form/sickle cell waiver) along with a copy of their insurance card before the 4 p.m. deadline on August 25. Participants need to wear shorts or baseball pants, a short-sleeve or long-sleeve shirt, hat and spikes or turf shoes. Individuals should also bring their own glove and catcher's equipment (if applicable), while bats, balls and helmets will be provided. Contact coach&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/staff.aspx?staff=289">Kody Sindelar</a>&nbsp;with any questions via email - kasindelar@fhsu.edu - or by phone -&nbsp;(785) 628-4724.&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;HAYS, Kan. - The Fort Hays State baseball team will hold walk-on tryouts on Thursday, August 26 at 4 p.m. at Larks Park. Those interested must complete the required medical paperwork and turn it in to the athletic compliance office (Cunningham Hall 135) by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, August 25. Students will not be allowed to participate in tryouts if they fail to submit the attached paperwork (pre-participation physical and tryout form/sickle cell waiver) along with a copy of their insurance card before the 4 p.m. deadline on August 25. Participants need to wear shorts or baseball pants, a short-sleeve or long-sleeve shirt, hat and spikes or turf shoes. Individuals should also bring their own glove and catcher's equipment (if applicable), while bats, balls and helmets will be provided. Contact coach&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/staff.aspx?staff=289">Kody Sindelar</a>&nbsp;with any questions via email - kasindelar@fhsu.edu - or by phone -&nbsp;(785) 628-4724.&nbsp;&nbsp;

⚾FHSU Baseball Schedules Walk-On Tryouts for August 26

&nbsp;KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State Men's Basketball received the NABC Team Academic Excellence Award for the 2020-21 season. To receive the honor, a team must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better for the 2020-21 academic year. Fort Hays State and Central Missouri were the only two programs from the MIAA to receive the honor. A total of 253 teams in NCAA Divisions I, II, and III, NAIA, and two-year colleges received the honor. Fort Hays State also had four individuals named to the NABC Honors Court. Student-athletes named to the Honors Court must have a GPA of 3.2 or higher, have at least one year matriculated at their current institution, and academically be a junior or senior as an undergraduate student. Graduate students are not eligible for the award. Individuals from FHSU named to the Honors Court included&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5863">Gabe Pieschl</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5866">Devin Walker</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5867">Nyjee Wright</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5861">Jackson Miller</a>. Since&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5865">Jared Vitztum</a>&nbsp;is a graduate student, he is no longer eligible for the Honors Court even though his GPA is far above a 3.2.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627561905866.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State Men's Basketball received the NABC Team Academic Excellence Award for the 2020-21 season. To receive the honor, a team must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better for the 2020-21 academic year. Fort Hays State and Central Missouri were the only two programs from the MIAA to receive the honor. A total of 253 teams in NCAA Divisions I, II, and III, NAIA, and two-year colleges received the honor. Fort Hays State also had four individuals named to the NABC Honors Court. Student-athletes named to the Honors Court must have a GPA of 3.2 or higher, have at least one year matriculated at their current institution, and academically be a junior or senior as an undergraduate student. Graduate students are not eligible for the award. Individuals from FHSU named to the Honors Court included&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5863">Gabe Pieschl</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5866">Devin Walker</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5867">Nyjee Wright</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5861">Jackson Miller</a>. Since&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5865">Jared Vitztum</a>&nbsp;is a graduate student, he is no longer eligible for the Honors Court even though his GPA is far above a 3.2.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀FHSU Men’s Basketball Receives NABC Academic Excellence Award, Four Individuals Honored

TORONTO (AP) — José Berríos pitched six shutout innings in his Toronto debut and the Blue Jays completed a three-game sweep in their first series north of the border since 2019, beating the Kansas City Royals 5-1 Sunday.

Marcus Semien and Santiago Espinal homered to back Toronto’s big-name newcomer.

Acquired from Minnesota at the trade deadline Friday for two minor leaguers, Berríos (8-5) allowed five hits, four of them singles.

“I feel really happy about what I did today,” Berríos said. “I was able to throw strikes.”

The two-time All-Star walked one and struck out seven, including four straight in the third and fourth innings.

“His stuff was electric today,” Semien said.

Kansas City loaded the bases with two out in the sixth, but Berríos ended his outing by striking out Edward Olivares and exited with a 5-0 lead.

“I didn’t want to let them take the game from my hands,” Berríos said.

Berríos threw five straight curveballs to fan Olivares and escape the jam.

“I got all breaking balls,” Olivares said via a translator. “He worked both sides of the plate.”

Berríos is 3-0 in three starts against Kansas City this season.

Trevor Richards retired all four batters he faced and Tim Mayza got five outs as Toronto won for the fifth time in six games.

The Blue Jays returned to Canada on Friday after having played the entire 2020 season and the first half of 2021 in both Buffalo and Dunedin, Florida, because of border restrictions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We couldn’t have had a better series to start out our Toronto season,” Semien said.

After George Springer opened the scoring with an RBI double in the third, Semien hit his 25th homer, a two-run drive off Brad Keller (7-10).

Espinal added a solo drive off right-hander Josh Staumont in the fourth.

The Blue Jays hit two home runs in all three games against the Royals. Toronto has hit an MLB-leading 159 homers this season.

Keller stayed in the game after a visit from the trainer in the third but left after the inning because of lower back tightness. He allowed three runs and seven hits.

Olivares ended Kansas City’s 17-inning scoreless streak with a two-out homer off Mayza in the ninth, his second.

Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. got the day off for the first time this season. The All-Star slugger played all 60 games last year and had appeared 101 consecutive games to begin this season.

Springer and Teoscar Hernandez jokingly taped Guerrero to the railing at the end of the dugout bench in the early innings, but freed him soon after.

“His teammates were telling me, ‘Please play him, please play him,’ because he was driving everybody crazy,” manager Charlie Montoyo said of Guerrero. “That's just who he is, you know? He's always having fun. He had a good day off, he earned it, and he’ll be ready to go tomorrow.”

Kansas City’s White Merrifield had a leadoff single in the first, extending his hitting streak to 12 games. Merrifield has had one hit in each of his past 10 games.

Blue Jays: Cavan Biggio started at 1B in Guerrero’s place. … Springer started at DH.

Blue Jays: RHP Thomas Hatch and LHP Taylor Saucedo were optioned to Triple-A Buffalo to make room on the roster for Berríos and RHP Joakim Soria.

oyals: Kansas City is off Monday. The Royals open a three-game series in Chicago against the White Sox on Tuesday. LHP Kris Bubic (3-4, 4.58) starts for Kansas City and RHP Dylan Cease (7-6, 4.14) goes for the White Sox.

Blue Jays: LHP Robbie Ray (9-5, 3.04) starts the opener of a four-game series against Cleveland. Ray will face RHP Eli Morgan (1-3, 7.47).

TORONTO (AP) — José Berríos pitched six shutout innings in his Toronto debut and the Blue Jays completed a three-game sweep in their first series north of the border since 2019, beating the Kansas City Royals 5-1 Sunday.Marcus Semien and Santiago Espinal homered to back Toronto’s big-name newcomer.Acquired from Minnesota at the trade deadline Friday for two minor leaguers, Berríos (8-5) allowed five hits, four of them singles.“I feel really happy about what I did today,” Berríos said. “I was able to throw strikes.”The two-time All-Star walked one and struck out seven, including four straight in the third and fourth innings.“His stuff was electric today,” Semien said.Kansas City loaded the bases with two out in the sixth, but Berríos ended his outing by striking out Edward Olivares and exited with a 5-0 lead.“I didn’t want to let them take the game from my hands,” Berríos said.Berríos threw five straight curveballs to fan Olivares and escape the jam.“I got all breaking balls,” Olivares said via a translator. “He worked both sides of the plate.”Berríos is 3-0 in three starts against Kansas City this season.Trevor Richards retired all four batters he faced and Tim Mayza got five outs as Toronto won for the fifth time in six games.The Blue Jays returned to Canada on Friday after having played the entire 2020 season and the first half of 2021 in both Buffalo and Dunedin, Florida, because of border restrictions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.“We couldn’t have had a better series to start out our Toronto season,” Semien said.After George Springer opened the scoring with an RBI double in the third, Semien hit his 25th homer, a two-run drive off Brad Keller (7-10).Espinal added a solo drive off right-hander Josh Staumont in the fourth.The Blue Jays hit two home runs in all three games against the Royals. Toronto has hit an MLB-leading 159 homers this season.Keller stayed in the game after a visit from the trainer in the third but left after the inning because of lower back tightness. He allowed three runs and seven hits.Olivares ended Kansas City’s 17-inning scoreless streak with a two-out homer off Mayza in the ninth, his second.CHECK THE TAPEBlue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. got the day off for the first time this season. The All-Star slugger played all 60 games last year and had appeared 101 consecutive games to begin this season.Springer and Teoscar Hernandez jokingly taped Guerrero to the railing at the end of the dugout bench in the early innings, but freed him soon after.“His teammates were telling me, ‘Please play him, please play him,’ because he was driving everybody crazy,” manager Charlie Montoyo said of Guerrero. “That's just who he is, you know? He's always having fun. He had a good day off, he earned it, and he’ll be ready to go tomorrow.”Kansas City’s White Merrifield had a leadoff single in the first, extending his hitting streak to 12 games. Merrifield has had one hit in each of his past 10 games.TRAINER’S ROOMBlue Jays: Cavan Biggio started at 1B in Guerrero’s place. … Springer started at DH.ROSTER MOVESBlue Jays: RHP Thomas Hatch and LHP Taylor Saucedo were optioned to Triple-A Buffalo to make room on the roster for Berríos and RHP Joakim Soria.UP NEXToyals: Kansas City is off Monday. The Royals open a three-game series in Chicago against the White Sox on Tuesday. LHP Kris Bubic (3-4, 4.58) starts for Kansas City and RHP Dylan Cease (7-6, 4.14) goes for the White Sox.Blue Jays: LHP Robbie Ray (9-5, 3.04) starts the opener of a four-game series against Cleveland. Ray will face RHP Eli Morgan (1-3, 7.47).

⚾ Royals offense continues to struggle in loss to Blue Jays

The Hays Larks begin play at the 87th National Baseball Congress World Series Thursday against the Mid-Crest (IL) Pumas out of the Chicago Suburban Baseball League.

First pitch at Hobart-Detter Field in Hutchinson is set for approximately 3:00 p.m. with the Larks Pregame Show around 2:15 p.m. on KFIX (96.9-FM) or online by clicking&nbsp;<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KFIX">HERE</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620244103982.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Hays Larks begin play at the 87th National Baseball Congress World Series Thursday against the Mid-Crest (IL) Pumas out of the Chicago Suburban Baseball League.First pitch at Hobart-Detter Field in Hutchinson is set for approximately 3:00 p.m. with the Larks Pregame Show around 2:15 p.m. on KFIX (96.9-FM) or online by clicking&nbsp;<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KFIX">HERE</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

⚾📻 Hays Larks vs. Mid-Crest (IL) Pumas

&nbsp;NEW ORLEANS - The Fort Hays State men's and women's track and field programs both earned the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team award in 2020-21, announced Thursday (July 22) by the coaches organization. It is the fifth year in a row both teams have earned the distinction. Fort Hays State was also well-represented on the All-Academic individual award list, with 15 Tigers being named All-Academic athletes. Tigers receiving the honor in 2020-21 include&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5986">Addie Berens</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5987">Rhyann Brown</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5964">Laurel Haley</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5966">Lyric Holman</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5975">Mattie Rossi</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5976">Emily Salmans</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5977">Taylor Savolt</a>&nbsp;on the women's side while&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5932">Hayden Albright</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5909">David Enns</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5910">Mark Faber</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5917">Ethan Lang</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5922">Kolgan Ohl</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5923">Jack Pakkebier</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5927">Xavier Robinson</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5931">Ryan Stanley</a>&nbsp;represented the men's team. To qualify for the USTFCCCA All-Academic award, student-athletes must compile a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 and reach a provisional or automatic qualifying standard for the NCAA Championships in either indoor or outdoor seasons. It was the third-such honor for Stanley, while Rossi, Faber and Robinson were all named for the second time. To earn the team academic distinction, a program must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. The Tiger women carry a team GPA of 3.544, while the men's squad maintains a mark of 3.10. A total of 216 programs earned All-Academic Team distinction in 2020-21, including 130 women's teams and 86 men's teams. More than 700 athletes from across the country earned the individual honor at the Division II level, including 398 women and 338 men. 2020-21 USTFCCCA All-Academic Athletes From Fort Hays State Name GPA Event Mark Major <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5986">Addie Berens</a>3.75Javelin (O)151-10 (46.29m)Elementary Education <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5987">Rhyann Brown</a>3.62Javelin (O)154-3 (47.01m)Health and Human Performance (Sport and Exercise Therapy) <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5964">Laurel Haley</a>3.61Hammer Throw (O)186-3 (56.76m) #Art (Art History) <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5966">Lyric Holman</a>3.4160m Dash (I)7.59 #Psychology100m Dash (O)11.46 #200m Dash (O)23.71 #4x400m Relay (O)3:45.73 # <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5975">Mattie Rossi</a>3.73Pentathlon (I)3,497 #Agricultural Business100m Hurdles (O)14.04400m Hurdles (O)1:00.70 #4x400m Relay (O)3:45.73 #Heptathlon (O)4,984 # <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5976">Emily Salmans</a>3.99800m Run (O)2:11.68 #Elementary Education4x400m Relay (O)3:45.73 # <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5977">Taylor Savolt</a>3.85Triple Jump (I)39-0.25 (11.89m)Marketing4x400m Relay (O)3:45.73 #Heptathlon (O)4,609 <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5932">Hayden Albright</a>3.774x100m Relay (O)40.46Information Networking and Telecommunications (Cybersecurity)4x400m Relay (O)3:11.32 # <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5909">David Enns</a>3.91Javelin (O)202-1 (61.59m)Health and Human Performance (K-12 Teaching/Coaching) <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5910">Mark Faber</a>4.00Pole Vault (I)15-9.25 (4.81m)Biology (Health Professions)Pole&nbsp;Vault (O)16-9.5 (5.12m)| <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5917">Ethan Lang</a>3.79800m Run (I)1:52.22Finance (Financial Planning)Distance Medley Relay (I)10:01.41800m Run (O)1:51.644x400m Relay (O)3:11.32 # <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5922">Kolgan Ohl</a>3.82Discus (O)164-6 (50.14m)Agriculture (Agronomy) <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5923">Jack Pakkebier</a>3.534x400m Relay (O)3:11.32 #PhysicsDecathlon (O)6,456 <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5927">Xavier Robinson</a>3.77Triple Jump (I)47-11 (14.60m)Finance4x100m Relay (O)40.46 <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5931">Ryan Stanley</a>3.97Pole Vault (I)16-9.25 (5.11m) #ManagementPole Vault (O)17-2.25 (5.24m) # # indicates school record&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;NEW ORLEANS - The Fort Hays State men's and women's track and field programs both earned the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team award in 2020-21, announced Thursday (July 22) by the coaches organization. It is the fifth year in a row both teams have earned the distinction. Fort Hays State was also well-represented on the All-Academic individual award list, with 15 Tigers being named All-Academic athletes. Tigers receiving the honor in 2020-21 include&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5986">Addie Berens</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5987">Rhyann Brown</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5964">Laurel Haley</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5966">Lyric Holman</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5975">Mattie Rossi</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5976">Emily Salmans</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5977">Taylor Savolt</a>&nbsp;on the women's side while&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5932">Hayden Albright</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5909">David Enns</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5910">Mark Faber</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5917">Ethan Lang</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5922">Kolgan Ohl</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5923">Jack Pakkebier</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5927">Xavier Robinson</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5931">Ryan Stanley</a>&nbsp;represented the men's team. To qualify for the USTFCCCA All-Academic award, student-athletes must compile a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 and reach a provisional or automatic qualifying standard for the NCAA Championships in either indoor or outdoor seasons. It was the third-such honor for Stanley, while Rossi, Faber and Robinson were all named for the second time. To earn the team academic distinction, a program must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. The Tiger women carry a team GPA of 3.544, while the men's squad maintains a mark of 3.10. A total of 216 programs earned All-Academic Team distinction in 2020-21, including 130 women's teams and 86 men's teams. More than 700 athletes from across the country earned the individual honor at the Division II level, including 398 women and 338 men. 2020-21 USTFCCCA All-Academic Athletes From Fort Hays State Name GPA Event Mark Major <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5986">Addie Berens</a>3.75Javelin (O)151-10 (46.29m)Elementary Education <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5987">Rhyann Brown</a>3.62Javelin (O)154-3 (47.01m)Health and Human Performance (Sport and Exercise Therapy) <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5964">Laurel Haley</a>3.61Hammer Throw (O)186-3 (56.76m) #Art (Art History) <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5966">Lyric Holman</a>3.4160m Dash (I)7.59 #Psychology100m Dash (O)11.46 #200m Dash (O)23.71 #4x400m Relay (O)3:45.73 # <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5975">Mattie Rossi</a>3.73Pentathlon (I)3,497 #Agricultural Business100m Hurdles (O)14.04400m Hurdles (O)1:00.70 #4x400m Relay (O)3:45.73 #Heptathlon (O)4,984 # <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5976">Emily Salmans</a>3.99800m Run (O)2:11.68 #Elementary Education4x400m Relay (O)3:45.73 # <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5977">Taylor Savolt</a>3.85Triple Jump (I)39-0.25 (11.89m)Marketing4x400m Relay (O)3:45.73 #Heptathlon (O)4,609 <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5932">Hayden Albright</a>3.774x100m Relay (O)40.46Information Networking and Telecommunications (Cybersecurity)4x400m Relay (O)3:11.32 # <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5909">David Enns</a>3.91Javelin (O)202-1 (61.59m)Health and Human Performance (K-12 Teaching/Coaching) <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5910">Mark Faber</a>4.00Pole Vault (I)15-9.25 (4.81m)Biology (Health Professions)Pole&nbsp;Vault (O)16-9.5 (5.12m)| <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5917">Ethan Lang</a>3.79800m Run (I)1:52.22Finance (Financial Planning)Distance Medley Relay (I)10:01.41800m Run (O)1:51.644x400m Relay (O)3:11.32 # <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5922">Kolgan Ohl</a>3.82Discus (O)164-6 (50.14m)Agriculture (Agronomy) <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5923">Jack Pakkebier</a>3.534x400m Relay (O)3:11.32 #PhysicsDecathlon (O)6,456 <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5927">Xavier Robinson</a>3.77Triple Jump (I)47-11 (14.60m)Finance4x100m Relay (O)40.46 <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5931">Ryan Stanley</a>3.97Pole Vault (I)16-9.25 (5.11m) #ManagementPole Vault (O)17-2.25 (5.24m) # # indicates school record&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏃FHSU Track and Field Picks Up USTFCCCA Academic Honors

TORONTO (AP) — Blue Jays rookie Alek Manoah didn’t show any signs of rust in his return from a bruised back.

Manoah pitched seven dominant innings, George Springer hit two home runs and Toronto beat the Kansas City Royals 4-0 Saturday for its third straight win.

Activated off the 10-day injured list before the game, Manoah (3-1) allowed just two singles. Manoah hadn’t pitched since July 9 after slipping on the dugout steps and hurting his back during Toronto’s first series following the All-Star break.

“It kind of got me pretty good,” Manoah said of his fall, which happened at Buffalo’s Sahlen Field. “It was a long couple of weeks and I’m just so happy and so grateful to be back on that mound.

“Body felt really good, everything felt good. I was able to throw a lot of strikes and get the boys a win," he said.

Manoah’s outing was far better than manager Charlie Montoyo expected.

“We didn’t know what to expect and he was sharp,” Montoyo said. “His fastball wasn’t as hard today but that’s more impressive to me because he was pitching. He knows how to pitch for a young guy.”

Royals manager Mike Matheny was equally impressed with Manoah’s performance.

“He had good, heavy sink,” Matheny said. “Established the inside of the plate and then spun the ball really well. He was speeding us up and slowing us down, and he executed when he needed to. We just couldn’t get anything going.”

Kansas City was shut out for the sixth time this season. The Royals are 17-33 on the road.

Manoah has struck out 56 batters in his first nine career starts, the most by any pitcher in Blue Jays history

Manoah retired 16 straight batters in between the pair of hits. He walked one and struck out four.

Reliever Ryan Borucki got two outs in the eighth and Adam Cimber finished the combined three-hitter by striking out four straight batters.

Springer jumped on Mike Minor’s first pitch of the game and hit it into the second deck in left field, the 40th leadoff homer of his career.

“I knew I hit it OK but off the bat it looked like it was going to go foul,” Springer said. “I just said, ‘Stay fair,’ and I’m glad it did.”

Springer went the other way off Minor (8-9) in the third, a two-run drive to right-center. The home runs were his 10th and 11th of the season, and gave him 16 career multihomer games.

Springer has six home runs and six doubles in his past 13 games. He’s hitting .388 (19 for 49) in that span, and has 10 RBIs.

The Blue Jays have hit an MLB-leading 157 home runs this season.

“I love the way everybody approaches every at-bat, especially with guys on base,” Springer said.

Toronto made it 4-0 in the sixth when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. reached on an infield single and Marcus Semien followed with a triple past a diving Michael A. Taylor in center field.

Minor allowed four runs and five hits in seven innings, losing to Toronto for the second time in nine outings, both this season.

The roof at Rogers Centre slid closed when a light rain began falling in the bottom of the third, but opened again before the seventh after the rain had passed.

Cimber has not allowed a home run in 52 innings, the longest active streak in the majors.

Royals: INF Emmanuel Rivera (broken left hand) went 0 for 3 with a sacrifice fly in his third rehab game at Double-A Northwest Arkansas Friday.

Blue Jays: RHP Trent Thornton was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo to open a roster spot for Manoah.

The Royals recalled OF Edward Olivares from Triple-A Omaha and optioned INF Lucius Fox to Triple-A. Fox will remain on the taxi squad.

RHP José Berríos (7-5, 3.48) is expected to make his Toronto debut in Sunday’s series finale after being acquired from Minnesota on Friday. RHP Brad Keller (7-9, 5.55) starts for the Royals.

TORONTO (AP) — Blue Jays rookie Alek Manoah didn’t show any signs of rust in his return from a bruised back.Manoah pitched seven dominant innings, George Springer hit two home runs and Toronto beat the Kansas City Royals 4-0 Saturday for its third straight win.Activated off the 10-day injured list before the game, Manoah (3-1) allowed just two singles. Manoah hadn’t pitched since July 9 after slipping on the dugout steps and hurting his back during Toronto’s first series following the All-Star break.“It kind of got me pretty good,” Manoah said of his fall, which happened at Buffalo’s Sahlen Field. “It was a long couple of weeks and I’m just so happy and so grateful to be back on that mound.“Body felt really good, everything felt good. I was able to throw a lot of strikes and get the boys a win," he said.Manoah’s outing was far better than manager Charlie Montoyo expected.“We didn’t know what to expect and he was sharp,” Montoyo said. “His fastball wasn’t as hard today but that’s more impressive to me because he was pitching. He knows how to pitch for a young guy.”Royals manager Mike Matheny was equally impressed with Manoah’s performance.“He had good, heavy sink,” Matheny said. “Established the inside of the plate and then spun the ball really well. He was speeding us up and slowing us down, and he executed when he needed to. We just couldn’t get anything going.”Kansas City was shut out for the sixth time this season. The Royals are 17-33 on the road.Manoah has struck out 56 batters in his first nine career starts, the most by any pitcher in Blue Jays historyManoah retired 16 straight batters in between the pair of hits. He walked one and struck out four.Reliever Ryan Borucki got two outs in the eighth and Adam Cimber finished the combined three-hitter by striking out four straight batters.Springer jumped on Mike Minor’s first pitch of the game and hit it into the second deck in left field, the 40th leadoff homer of his career.“I knew I hit it OK but off the bat it looked like it was going to go foul,” Springer said. “I just said, ‘Stay fair,’ and I’m glad it did.”Springer went the other way off Minor (8-9) in the third, a two-run drive to right-center. The home runs were his 10th and 11th of the season, and gave him 16 career multihomer games.Springer has six home runs and six doubles in his past 13 games. He’s hitting .388 (19 for 49) in that span, and has 10 RBIs.The Blue Jays have hit an MLB-leading 157 home runs this season.“I love the way everybody approaches every at-bat, especially with guys on base,” Springer said.Toronto made it 4-0 in the sixth when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. reached on an infield single and Marcus Semien followed with a triple past a diving Michael A. Taylor in center field.Minor allowed four runs and five hits in seven innings, losing to Toronto for the second time in nine outings, both this season.OPEN AND SHUT CASEThe roof at Rogers Centre slid closed when a light rain began falling in the bottom of the third, but opened again before the seventh after the rain had passed.NO HOMERSCimber has not allowed a home run in 52 innings, the longest active streak in the majors.TRAINER’S ROOMRoyals: INF Emmanuel Rivera (broken left hand) went 0 for 3 with a sacrifice fly in his third rehab game at Double-A Northwest Arkansas Friday.Blue Jays: RHP Trent Thornton was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo to open a roster spot for Manoah.ROSTER MOVESThe Royals recalled OF Edward Olivares from Triple-A Omaha and optioned INF Lucius Fox to Triple-A. Fox will remain on the taxi squad.UP NEXTRHP José Berríos (7-5, 3.48) is expected to make his Toronto debut in Sunday’s series finale after being acquired from Minnesota on Friday. RHP Brad Keller (7-9, 5.55) starts for the Royals.

⚾ Royals' offense struggles against Manoah in loss to Blue Jays

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — Just one week into training camp and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes sees a potential new member of Kansas City's Legion of Zoom in running back Jerick McKinnon.

"I think he's going to be a playmaker," Mahomes said of the eight-year veteran entering his first season in Kansas City. "I've seen it from day one, right when he got in here."

McKinnon had other options before choosing a one-year deal worth $990,000 with the Chiefs. He likes Kansas City's offensive scheme and the way head coach Andy Reid deploys his running backs.

"I talked to a couple of teams in free agency, maybe like three teams," McKinnon said. "This was the team that was most intriguing, so I decided to come here. It's a good character locker room, and they got a lot of good athletes."

Reid seeks more explosiveness from his backfield in 2021, and he believes McKinnon possesses "a knack for the passing game" that meshes well with a backfield led by Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Darrel Williams.

"He's quick, he's got that quickness and speed and it's a good changeup," Reid said. "You add him into the mix and now you've got another variety of running backs that you can present."

NFL life hasn't always been easy for McKinnon since entering the league as a backup to Adrian Peterson in Minnesota. In 2018 he signed a four-year, $30 million free-agent deal with San Francisco but tore an ACL prior to Week 1 and spent the campaign on injured reserve. A setback in training camp in 2019 resulted in another lost season on injured reserve.

The love of football, however, kept him grinding through his recovery.

"Two knee surgeries wasn't easy," McKinnon said, "but for the most part, going through that stuff, it was my teammates really that I leaned on the most for help and comfort and things like that. Coming in every day on crutches, I look at my teammates go hard, it makes me go that much harder."

He returned to the field last season for the 49ers, rushing for 319 yards and five touchdowns while adding 33 receptions for 253 yards and a score in the passing game.

"Last year was my first year back and still had to get in the groove again after missing two years, had to get a feel for the game, and then, you know, just getting that in-game experience," McKinnon said. "Felt good last year but still a learning (experience) coming back off of two years."

The 29-year-old says he now feels 100% recovered from his injuries. Mahomes sees the acceleration that allowed the former Georgia Southern star to post a 4.41, 40-yard dash time at the NFL combine in 2014, the second-fastest for a running back that year behind De'Anthony Thomas, a former tailback turned wide receiver for the Chiefs.

McKinnon catching the ball out of the backfield has been a constant sight at the club's training camp during the past week. In the run game, he's also shown the elusiveness that allowed him to average 4 yards per carry before his two knee surgeries.

"The way he's able to run the ball, but then catch the ball out of the backfield," Mahomes said, "I mean, I think he's a playmaker that will be a big part of our offense."

McKinnon also feels comfortable in the team's running backs room with Edwards-Helaire and Williams.

"Those guys have been in the system for multiple years," McKinnon said. "They know what the coaches expect and they know how to do little things, the coaching tips on certain points. Those have been the guys that I've been leaning on that have been helping me."

There's also much Reid believes McKinnon can impart to his younger counterparts.

"Longevity in this league, the average longevity is like three years, right?" Reid said. "For him to have been in it and doing it this long, he brings great experience."

The mentality that continues driving McKinnon at this stage of his career also serves as a lesson for his teammates.

"I'm going into year eight, I still feel like I have something to prove," McKinnon said. "That should be everybody's mindset. Once you lose that mindset and get complacent, you'll be out of the league for sure."

NOTES: TE Travis Kelce practiced a limited role on Saturday after sitting out Friday due to tightness in his back. … LB Anthony Hitchens (hamstring) also worked out in a limited role. … LB Ben Niemann exited practice early due to a tweaked hamstring. Darius Harris and Nick Bolton took additional snaps at middle linebacker in place of Hitchens and Niemann.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — Just one week into training camp and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes sees a potential new member of Kansas City's Legion of Zoom in running back Jerick McKinnon."I think he's going to be a playmaker," Mahomes said of the eight-year veteran entering his first season in Kansas City. "I've seen it from day one, right when he got in here."McKinnon had other options before choosing a one-year deal worth $990,000 with the Chiefs. He likes Kansas City's offensive scheme and the way head coach Andy Reid deploys his running backs."I talked to a couple of teams in free agency, maybe like three teams," McKinnon said. "This was the team that was most intriguing, so I decided to come here. It's a good character locker room, and they got a lot of good athletes."Reid seeks more explosiveness from his backfield in 2021, and he believes McKinnon possesses "a knack for the passing game" that meshes well with a backfield led by Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Darrel Williams."He's quick, he's got that quickness and speed and it's a good changeup," Reid said. "You add him into the mix and now you've got another variety of running backs that you can present."NFL life hasn't always been easy for McKinnon since entering the league as a backup to Adrian Peterson in Minnesota. In 2018 he signed a four-year, $30 million free-agent deal with San Francisco but tore an ACL prior to Week 1 and spent the campaign on injured reserve. A setback in training camp in 2019 resulted in another lost season on injured reserve.The love of football, however, kept him grinding through his recovery."Two knee surgeries wasn't easy," McKinnon said, "but for the most part, going through that stuff, it was my teammates really that I leaned on the most for help and comfort and things like that. Coming in every day on crutches, I look at my teammates go hard, it makes me go that much harder."He returned to the field last season for the 49ers, rushing for 319 yards and five touchdowns while adding 33 receptions for 253 yards and a score in the passing game."Last year was my first year back and still had to get in the groove again after missing two years, had to get a feel for the game, and then, you know, just getting that in-game experience," McKinnon said. "Felt good last year but still a learning (experience) coming back off of two years."The 29-year-old says he now feels 100% recovered from his injuries. Mahomes sees the acceleration that allowed the former Georgia Southern star to post a 4.41, 40-yard dash time at the NFL combine in 2014, the second-fastest for a running back that year behind De'Anthony Thomas, a former tailback turned wide receiver for the Chiefs.McKinnon catching the ball out of the backfield has been a constant sight at the club's training camp during the past week. In the run game, he's also shown the elusiveness that allowed him to average 4 yards per carry before his two knee surgeries."The way he's able to run the ball, but then catch the ball out of the backfield," Mahomes said, "I mean, I think he's a playmaker that will be a big part of our offense."McKinnon also feels comfortable in the team's running backs room with Edwards-Helaire and Williams."Those guys have been in the system for multiple years," McKinnon said. "They know what the coaches expect and they know how to do little things, the coaching tips on certain points. Those have been the guys that I've been leaning on that have been helping me."There's also much Reid believes McKinnon can impart to his younger counterparts."Longevity in this league, the average longevity is like three years, right?" Reid said. "For him to have been in it and doing it this long, he brings great experience."The mentality that continues driving McKinnon at this stage of his career also serves as a lesson for his teammates."I'm going into year eight, I still feel like I have something to prove," McKinnon said. "That should be everybody's mindset. Once you lose that mindset and get complacent, you'll be out of the league for sure."NOTES: TE Travis Kelce practiced a limited role on Saturday after sitting out Friday due to tightness in his back. … LB Anthony Hitchens (hamstring) also worked out in a limited role. … LB Ben Niemann exited practice early due to a tweaked hamstring. Darius Harris and Nick Bolton took additional snaps at middle linebacker in place of Hitchens and Niemann.

🏈 Mahomes impressed by new Chiefs RB Jerick McKinnon

&nbsp;LEXINGTON, Ky. - The Fort Hays State volleyball team once again earned the USMC/AVCA Team Academic Award, announced Monday (July 19) by the United States Military Corps and the American Volleyball Coaches Association. It is the seventh year in a row the Tigers have received the honor. The squad combined for a 3.55 GPA during the 2020-21 academic year, the best mark for the team during the current seven-year run of earning the award. Schools must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or higher for the academic year in order to be named. A total of 161 Division II programs earned the honor, including nine MIAA teams. The Tigers have posted a GPA above 3.50 during each of head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/coaches.aspx?rc=996">Jessica Wood-Atkins</a>' three seasons, including a 3.52 in 2018-19 and 3.54 in 2019-20. Fifteen Tigers were listed on the MIAA Academic Honor Roll this season, including&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5545">Tatum Bartels</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6077">Melissa Blockey</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6103">Megan Casillas</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6104">Morgan Christiansen</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6105">Jaden Daffer</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6106">Emily Ellis</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6107">Mykah Eshbaugh</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6108">Elysia Glowacz</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6084">Delaney Humm</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6110">Morgan McIntire</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6111">Isabelle Reynolds</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6087">Carly Rodaway</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6112">Riley Tinder</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5552">Kayla Vitztum</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5553">Taylor White</a>. Three of those players also picked up the MIAA Academic Excellence Award for maintaining a perfect 4.00 GPA, including&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5545">Tatum Bartels</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6106">Emily Ellis</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6112">Riley Tinder</a>. In addition, Ellis received the MIAA Scholar-Athlete Award for carrying a GPA over 3.50 and being named All-MIAA for her performance on the court. After competing in an unofficial spring scrimmage season last semester, the Tigers will return to the court for official matches for the first time in two years on September 3 when they head to Pueblo, Colo. to compete in the Steel City Showcase. A full 2021 schedule can be&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-volleyball/schedule">found here</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627483738389.jpeg" alt="" />
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 </figure>&nbsp;LEXINGTON, Ky. - The Fort Hays State volleyball team once again earned the USMC/AVCA Team Academic Award, announced Monday (July 19) by the United States Military Corps and the American Volleyball Coaches Association. It is the seventh year in a row the Tigers have received the honor. The squad combined for a 3.55 GPA during the 2020-21 academic year, the best mark for the team during the current seven-year run of earning the award. Schools must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or higher for the academic year in order to be named. A total of 161 Division II programs earned the honor, including nine MIAA teams. The Tigers have posted a GPA above 3.50 during each of head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/coaches.aspx?rc=996">Jessica Wood-Atkins</a>' three seasons, including a 3.52 in 2018-19 and 3.54 in 2019-20. Fifteen Tigers were listed on the MIAA Academic Honor Roll this season, including&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5545">Tatum Bartels</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6077">Melissa Blockey</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6103">Megan Casillas</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6104">Morgan Christiansen</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6105">Jaden Daffer</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6106">Emily Ellis</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6107">Mykah Eshbaugh</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6108">Elysia Glowacz</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6084">Delaney Humm</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6110">Morgan McIntire</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6111">Isabelle Reynolds</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6087">Carly Rodaway</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6112">Riley Tinder</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5552">Kayla Vitztum</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5553">Taylor White</a>. Three of those players also picked up the MIAA Academic Excellence Award for maintaining a perfect 4.00 GPA, including&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5545">Tatum Bartels</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6106">Emily Ellis</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6112">Riley Tinder</a>. In addition, Ellis received the MIAA Scholar-Athlete Award for carrying a GPA over 3.50 and being named All-MIAA for her performance on the court. After competing in an unofficial spring scrimmage season last semester, the Tigers will return to the court for official matches for the first time in two years on September 3 when they head to Pueblo, Colo. to compete in the Steel City Showcase. A full 2021 schedule can be&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/womens-volleyball/schedule">found here</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏐FHSU Volleyball Picks Up Team Academic Award for Seventh-Straight Year

TORONTO (AP) — The Blue Jays made a triumphant return to Toronto after being away from home for nearly two years.

Bo Bichette hit a two-run home run, Teoscar Hernandez added a solo shot run and the Blue Jays beat the Kansas City Royals 6-4 Friday night.

"It felt like we had our real fans," Bichette said. "Definitely a good pickup for us. A lot of exciting things have been happening. So excited to be here."

George Springer had three hits and an RBI in his first home game north of the border as the Blue Jays played at Rogers Centre for the first time since Sept. 29, 2019, an 8-3 win over Tampa Bay.

TORONTO (AP) — The Blue Jays made a triumphant return to Toronto after being away from home for nearly two years.Bo Bichette hit a two-run home run, Teoscar Hernandez added a solo shot run and the Blue Jays beat the Kansas City Royals 6-4 Friday night."It felt like we had our real fans," Bichette said. "Definitely a good pickup for us. A lot of exciting things have been happening. So excited to be here."George Springer had three hits and an RBI in his first home game north of the border as the Blue Jays played at Rogers Centre for the first time since Sept. 29, 2019, an 8-3 win over Tampa Bay.Kansas City lost for the second time in 10 games.Displaced from Canada because of border restrictions resulting from the coronavirus pandemic, the Blue Jays played the bulk of the shortened 2020 season in Buffalo, New York, the home of their Triple-A affiliate. They began the 2021 regular season playing at their spring training home in Dunedin, Florida, before moving back to Buffalo in June.On July 16, the Canadian federal government granted the Blue Jays an exemption to the ongoing border restrictions, allowing the team to return home."We've kind of been trying to pretend like we had a home," Bichette said. It's difficult to do for two years so when we finally come back here, it definitely feels like a big weight off our shoulders. Just super excited to be here."A vocal crowd of 13,446 sounded more like 50,000 while chanting "Let's go Blue Jays" as the players ran in from center field before the game, passing through lines of flag-waving healthcare workers. Fans stood and cheered as closer Jordan Romano faced Jarrod Dyson for the final out, and roared in approval when third baseman Santiago Espinal ended the game with a running barehanded catch in short left.The homecoming was made even sweeter after the Blue Jays made a splash at Friday's trade deadline, acquiring All-Star right-hander José Berríos from Minnesota and reliever Joakim Soria from Arizona."Great win, awesome day," Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said. "I'm never going to forget it."The Blue Jays began the day 4 1/2 games out of the second wild-card spot, with two teams ahead of them."We believe we haven't played our best baseball yet," Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said in a pregame teleconference. "Hopefully those days are here upon us."Right-hander Ross Stripling (4-6) allowed two runs and four hits in 5 1-3 innings to snap a three-start winless streak as the Blue Jays won for the third time in four games."That was such a cool experience," Stripling said. "That'll be something that I talk about forever."Hernandez opened the scoring with a first-pitch homer off Royals left-hander Daniel Lynch (1-3) to begin the second, his 16th.Kansas City's Salvador Perez hit a solo homer in the sixth, his 26th. Perez has homered in three consecutive games.Lynch pitched eight shutout innings to beat Detroit on Sunday for his first career win, but couldn't match that against the Blue Jays, allowing three runs and seven hits in six innings."Just a really good outing for Daniel," manager Mike Matheny said. "To see him get through that sixth was impressive. He kept us in that game."Stripling left after Perez's homer. Left-hander Tim Mayza got five outs, fellow lefty Brad Hand worked one inning in his Toronto debut after being acquired from Washington on Thursday, and Jordan Romano finished for his ninth save in 10 opportunities.RUN PRODUCERBichette scored twice and leads the majors with 81 runs.DEADLINE DEALKansas City also made a trade Friday, sending outfielder Jorge Soler to Atlanta for minor league right-hander Kaley Kalich. The trade saves Kansas City $2.8 million in salary. Kalich will be assigned to Class A Quad Cities.SAVING THEIR BACONRomano is just the second Canadian-born pitcher to record a save for the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre, joining right-hander Paul Quantrill.ROSTER MOVESThe Blue Jays added Hand to the roster and optioned LHP Kirby Snead to Triple-A Buffalo. ...RHP Tyler Chatwood and OF Jonathan Davis were designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for Berríos and Soria.TRAINER'S ROOMRoyals: RHP Brady Singer (shoulder) allowed four runs and five hits in 1 1-3 innings in his first rehab outing with Triple-A Omaha Friday. … To replace Soler on the roster, Kansas City recalled INF Lucius Fox from Triple-A Omaha.UP NEXTBlue Jays RHP Alek Manoah (2-1, 2.90) will be activated off the injured list to start Saturday afternoon after missing the past 12 games because of a back contusion. Manoah last pitched July 9 at Tampa Bay. LHP Mike Minor (8-8, 5.32) starts for Kansas City.

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