HAYS – The Hays Eagles Senior American Legion baseball team
improved to 4-0 at the Wild West Fest Tournament thanks to a couple of wins
Friday. The Eagles (13-4) knocked off Russell 11-1 then beat the Smith County
Raiders 4-2.

Blake Schmidt (3-0) allowed one earned run on six hits with
six strikeouts and two walks in the win over 5 2/3 innings against Smith
County. Schmidt was removed because of pitch count. Dalton Dale recorded the
final out for the save.

Brayden Dreher’s ground out to second scored Remington Cox
to give the Eagles a 1-0 lead in the second. After the Raiders tied the game
with a run in the top of the third, the Eagles answered with two in the bottom
of the inning on a Garrett Wellbrock RBI triple followed by an RBI double from
Dale. Dale’s single to right scored Wellbrock in the in the fourth to push the
lead to 4-1.

Smith County scored a run in the top of the sixth but the
game was called after the inning due to time limit.

The Eagles scored seven in the fourth in the run-rule win
over Russell to start the day. Garrett Wellbrock and Carson Spray both had two
hits and Ben Krannawitter and Brady Kreutzer both drove in two runs.

Dalton Dale picked up the complete game victory allowing one
unearned run on two hits with five strikeouts and no walks over four innings.

The Eagles will play Iola at 1:00 p.m. Saturday at Larks
Park. The Indians advanced with an 8-1 win over TMP Friday.

The Hays Eagles Junior Legion went 1-1 Friday, defeating
Ottawa 4-3 then losing to Iola 10-2. They play the Kansas Senators at 9:00 a.m.
Saturday at Larks Park.

The 15U Eagles lost 6-5 to Smith County Friday. They play
Ottawa at 9:00 a.m. Saturday at Hays High School.

TMP defeated the Kansas Senators 7-3 before their loss to
Iola. They await the winner of Saturday’s Ottawa/Hays Eagles 15U game at 11:00
a.m. Saturday at HHS.

HAYS – The Hays Eagles Senior American Legion baseball team
improved to 4-0 at the Wild West Fest Tournament thanks to a couple of wins
Friday. The Eagles (13-4) knocked off Russell 11-1 then beat the Smith County
Raiders 4-2.Blake Schmidt (3-0) allowed one earned run on six hits with
six strikeouts and two walks in the win over 5 2/3 innings against Smith
County. Schmidt was removed because of pitch count. Dalton Dale recorded the
final out for the save.Brayden Dreher’s ground out to second scored Remington Cox
to give the Eagles a 1-0 lead in the second. After the Raiders tied the game
with a run in the top of the third, the Eagles answered with two in the bottom
of the inning on a Garrett Wellbrock RBI triple followed by an RBI double from
Dale. Dale’s single to right scored Wellbrock in the in the fourth to push the
lead to 4-1.Smith County scored a run in the top of the sixth but the
game was called after the inning due to time limit.The Eagles scored seven in the fourth in the run-rule win
over Russell to start the day. Garrett Wellbrock and Carson Spray both had two
hits and Ben Krannawitter and Brady Kreutzer both drove in two runs.Dalton Dale picked up the complete game victory allowing one
unearned run on two hits with five strikeouts and no walks over four innings.The Eagles will play Iola at 1:00 p.m. Saturday at Larks
Park. The Indians advanced with an 8-1 win over TMP Friday.The Hays Eagles Junior Legion went 1-1 Friday, defeating
Ottawa 4-3 then losing to Iola 10-2. They play the Kansas Senators at 9:00 a.m.
Saturday at Larks Park.The 15U Eagles lost 6-5 to Smith County Friday. They play
Ottawa at 9:00 a.m. Saturday at Hays High School.TMP defeated the Kansas Senators 7-3 before their loss to
Iola. They await the winner of Saturday’s Ottawa/Hays Eagles 15U game at 11:00
a.m. Saturday at HHS.

⚾ Senior Legion unbeaten in Wild West Fest Tournament

<a href="https://www.ldisd.net/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&amp;DomainID=4&amp;ModuleInstanceID=613&amp;ViewID=6446EE88-D30C-497E-9316-3F8874B3E108&amp;RenderLoc=0&amp;FlexDataID=15518&amp;PageID=1">Lake Dallas (Texas) Independent School District</a>

The Lake Dallas ISD Board of Trustees has unanimously approved Jason 
Young as the new head coach of the varsity Falcon football program, 
elevating the former defensive coordinator to lead the program to new 
success.

Coach Young has served on the Falcons’ coaching staff for the past 10
 years. In that time, he has assisted the program to UIL 5A Division II 
State Semifinal in 2015 the as well as additional playoff appearances in
 2018, 2017, 2014 and 2012. His oversight of the defensive unit extends 
across all football teams, from the middle school level to varsity 
football.

Under his guidance, Lake Dallas High School’s defense has contributed
 to two district championships. Outside of his football 
responsibilities, Coach Young has improved the district’s athletic 
program as a whole by implementing and leading the strength and 
conditioning program at both the middle school and high school level.

“It’s an honor to be named to this position, as I know and have 
experienced the strong history of the Falcon football team,” Coach Young
 said. “The Lake Dallas ISD community is second to none, and I know how 
much our school and this program means to this community. We’re going to
 work very hard to keep that pride in the Falcon program strong, from 
working with younger students in camps to providing ample programs for 
current student-athletes to continue to improve.”

In addition to his time at Lake Dallas High School, Coach Young 
brings experience from 10 years of coaching and teaching across the 
collegiate level. He worked with Division I student-athletes as a member
 of the Oklahoma State University coaching staff. At the high school 
level, he brings additional experience as a coach and teacher at Spring 
Westfield High School and Klein Oak High School.

Coach Young earned his master’s degree in exercise science from Fort 
Hays State University and his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from the 
University of Texas at El Paso. He comes from a family of coaches, with 
his father, Tom Young, earning the second-most wins as a head coach in 
Kansas high school football history.

Before beginning his career in education and coaching, Coach Young 
played football at Butler Community College and the University of Texas 
at El Paso. He competed as a dual-sport student-athlete at the latter 
college, having also represented UTEP on the track and field team. In 
2000, he competed at the United States Olympic Track &amp; Field Team 
Trials in the javelin.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1625244197058.png" alt="Young / Lake Dallas ISD photo" />
 <figcaption>Young / Lake Dallas ISD photo</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.ldisd.net/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&amp;DomainID=4&amp;ModuleInstanceID=613&amp;ViewID=6446EE88-D30C-497E-9316-3F8874B3E108&amp;RenderLoc=0&amp;FlexDataID=15518&amp;PageID=1">Lake Dallas (Texas) Independent School District</a>The Lake Dallas ISD Board of Trustees has unanimously approved Jason 
Young as the new head coach of the varsity Falcon football program, 
elevating the former defensive coordinator to lead the program to new 
success.Coach Young has served on the Falcons’ coaching staff for the past 10
 years. In that time, he has assisted the program to UIL 5A Division II 
State Semifinal in 2015 the as well as additional playoff appearances in
 2018, 2017, 2014 and 2012. His oversight of the defensive unit extends 
across all football teams, from the middle school level to varsity 
football.Under his guidance, Lake Dallas High School’s defense has contributed
 to two district championships. Outside of his football 
responsibilities, Coach Young has improved the district’s athletic 
program as a whole by implementing and leading the strength and 
conditioning program at both the middle school and high school level.“It’s an honor to be named to this position, as I know and have 
experienced the strong history of the Falcon football team,” Coach Young
 said. “The Lake Dallas ISD community is second to none, and I know how 
much our school and this program means to this community. We’re going to
 work very hard to keep that pride in the Falcon program strong, from 
working with younger students in camps to providing ample programs for 
current student-athletes to continue to improve.”In addition to his time at Lake Dallas High School, Coach Young 
brings experience from 10 years of coaching and teaching across the 
collegiate level. He worked with Division I student-athletes as a member
 of the Oklahoma State University coaching staff. At the high school 
level, he brings additional experience as a coach and teacher at Spring 
Westfield High School and Klein Oak High School.Coach Young earned his master’s degree in exercise science from Fort 
Hays State University and his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from the 
University of Texas at El Paso. He comes from a family of coaches, with 
his father, Tom Young, earning the second-most wins as a head coach in 
Kansas high school football history.Before beginning his career in education and coaching, Coach Young 
played football at Butler Community College and the University of Texas 
at El Paso. He competed as a dual-sport student-athlete at the latter 
college, having also represented UTEP on the track and field team. In 
2000, he competed at the United States Olympic Track &amp; Field Team 
Trials in the javelin.

Fort Hays State alum named head football coach at Texas school

The second day of the Wild West Fest baseball tournament
gets underway at 9 a.m. Friday in Hays.

Standings after day one: Iola – 2-0 Hays Eagles – 19U 2-0 Smith Center – 2-0 TMP – 1-1| Eagles – 15U 1-1 Russell – 1-1 17U Eagle – 0-2 Ottawa – 0-2 Colby – 0-2

9a.m. Ottawa 3, Hays Eagles 4 Hays Eagles 19 U 11, Russell 1

11 a.m. Smith Center v Hays Eagles 15U @ Larks Park Topeka v TMP @ Hays High

1 p.m. Iola v TBD @ Larks Park TBD v TBD @ Hays High

5 p.m. TBD v TBD @ Larks Park TBD v TBD @ Hays High

The second day of the Wild West Fest baseball tournament
gets underway at 9 a.m. Friday in Hays.Standings after day one: Iola – 2-0 Hays Eagles – 19U 2-0 Smith Center – 2-0 TMP – 1-1| Eagles – 15U 1-1 Russell – 1-1 17U Eagle – 0-2 Ottawa – 0-2 Colby – 0-2 9a.m. Ottawa 3, Hays Eagles 4 Hays Eagles 19 U 11, Russell 111 a.m. Smith Center v Hays Eagles 15U @ Larks Park Topeka v TMP @ Hays High1 p.m. Iola v TBD @ Larks Park TBD v TBD @ Hays High5 p.m. TBD v TBD @ Larks Park TBD v TBD @ Hays High

⚾Wild West Fest tournament day No. 2

HAYS – The Hays Eagles 19U American Legion team finished 2-0
on day one of the Wild West Fest tournament.

After the first games of the day were delayed an hour due to
the rain the 19U Eagles picked up a 4-1 win over Topeka in their first game of
the day.

Garrett Wellbrock turned in three shutout innings for the
win and was two-for-three with an RBI at the plate.

Hays scored a run in the first inning on a Carson Spray RBI
single. A second run, in the second inning came on a fielder’s choice and their
third run, in the fourth inning, came as a result of a dropped third strike.

Wellbrock followed that with an RBI single to put Hays up
4-0. Topeka’s lone run came on an error in the bottom of the seventh inning.

In the Eagles second game they scored in all but one inning
in a 10-6 win over Ottawa.

After Ottawa got a run in the top of the first Hays answered
with two runs in the bottom of the inning. Wellbrock drive in his first of
three runs in the game tying it at one.

Hays made it 2-1 on a run scored when Dalton Dale grounded
into a double play.

A bases loaded walk in the bottom of the second put Hays up
3-1.

Remington Cox singled in a run making it 4-1 in the bottom
of the third. Hays added a fifth run on a wild pitch.

Ottawa plated five runs in the top of the fourth inning
tying the game at five but Dale answered right back with an RBI double to put
Hays back up 6-5.

Wellbrock plated two more with a double in the bottom of the
sixth inning making it 8-5. An RBI single for Dale made it 9-5 Hays and then
the Eagles added another run on a dropped third strike for a 10-5 lead.

Wellbrock drove in three and Dale added two RBI’s in the
win.

Brady Kreutzer got the win in relief for Hays. 

Iola and Smith Center also finished 2-0 on day one.

TMP, the Eagles 15U and Russell were 1-1 and the 17U Eagles,
Ottawa and Colby finished 0-2. 

Day two has the 17U Eagles and Ottawa at 9 a.m. at Larks
Park. The 19U Eagles and Russell at Hays High.

HAYS – The Hays Eagles 19U American Legion team finished 2-0
on day one of the Wild West Fest tournament.After the first games of the day were delayed an hour due to
the rain the 19U Eagles picked up a 4-1 win over Topeka in their first game of
the day.Garrett Wellbrock turned in three shutout innings for the
win and was two-for-three with an RBI at the plate.Hays scored a run in the first inning on a Carson Spray RBI
single. A second run, in the second inning came on a fielder’s choice and their
third run, in the fourth inning, came as a result of a dropped third strike.Wellbrock followed that with an RBI single to put Hays up
4-0. Topeka’s lone run came on an error in the bottom of the seventh inning.In the Eagles second game they scored in all but one inning
in a 10-6 win over Ottawa.After Ottawa got a run in the top of the first Hays answered
with two runs in the bottom of the inning. Wellbrock drive in his first of
three runs in the game tying it at one.Hays made it 2-1 on a run scored when Dalton Dale grounded
into a double play.A bases loaded walk in the bottom of the second put Hays up
3-1.Remington Cox singled in a run making it 4-1 in the bottom
of the third. Hays added a fifth run on a wild pitch.Ottawa plated five runs in the top of the fourth inning
tying the game at five but Dale answered right back with an RBI double to put
Hays back up 6-5.Wellbrock plated two more with a double in the bottom of the
sixth inning making it 8-5. An RBI single for Dale made it 9-5 Hays and then
the Eagles added another run on a dropped third strike for a 10-5 lead.Wellbrock drove in three and Dale added two RBI’s in the
win.Brady Kreutzer got the win in relief for Hays. Iola and Smith Center also finished 2-0 on day one.TMP, the Eagles 15U and Russell were 1-1 and the 17U Eagles,
Ottawa and Colby finished 0-2. Day two has the 17U Eagles and Ottawa at 9 a.m. at Larks
Park. The 19U Eagles and Russell at Hays High.

⚾Hays Eagles 19U picks up two WWF wins

	Grant Lung has been a constant at second base for the Hays Larks. He has had different double-play partners due to injuries and matchups. Saturday night, Lung welcomed a new Larks shortstop.

	Cortland Lawson, a sophomore infielder for the Tennessee Volunteers, arrived in Hays on Friday night shortly after the squad was eliminated at the College World Series. Less than 24 hours later, he was in the starting lineup at Larks Park.

	“It has been hectic,” Lawson said. “I got here, didn’t know what to expect.”

	Lawson wasn’t expecting to have a big night at the plate against the Colorado Sox. He homered to left field in his first at-bat, hit another home run later in the game and finished with three hits and four RBI. While watching his long fly ball in his first at-bat, he saw the Sox left fielder jump for the ball at the wall. At first, Lwson was unsure if he hit it out.

	“I was looking out there to see if he had the ball,” Lawson said. “I saw the home plate umpire twirl his finger (to signal a home run). I said, ‘All right, how about that.’ ”

	Lung had an all right night at the plate, too. The left-handed hitting leadoff man doubled off the wall in his first at-bat to set the tone for the night, as Hays won 21-2 and pounded out 17 hits. Lung finished 5-for-5 with two home runs, two doubles, five runs scored and five RBI.

	“I just felt good at the dish, got some good pitches to hit,” Lung said. “I've had a couple five-hit games, but nothing like (Saturday) night. I don’t know if I’ve ever hit two home runs in a game, and had two doubles. That was probably my best game ever.”

	While running to second base on his double to start the game, Lung slipped rounding first. He got up in time to still safely make it to second, but still was the subject of some good-natured barbs.

	“I heard about it for an inning or two,” Lung said with a laugh. “I got a bunch of text messages and a couple phone calls about it. It was all in good fun.

	“The turf is a little slick, especially when it’s hot,” he added. “Sliding into second, it’s really slick.”

	Lung and Lawson turned in a slick double play in their first game together. New DP combo, but it’s still just baseball.

	“It’s not as hard as some people might think,” Lung said. “You take some ground balls before the game, communicate there a little bit.”

	Lawson found it easy to team up with Lung the first night out.

	“He’s a good dude,” Lawson said. “It was a pretty easy transition.”

	Veteran Larks manager Frank Leo was happy to see the big night at the plate for his team. Hays had a nine-run inning and a seven-run inning and in addition to Lung and Lawson’s hitting, catcher Sam Crowell belted a grand slam.

	“Offense caught on fire, didn’t stop,” Leo said.

	Leo wanted Lawson in Hays as soon as possible after the CWS because shortstop Matt Cavanagh went down with a hamstring injury in the team’s last game. Ironically, Cavanagh, in his first game as a Lark in 2019, also hit a homer and had four hits.

	“That’s one of the reasons I pushed getting him here,” Leo said. “He can play all three positions. He’s going to give us some great infield depth.”

	Lawson played shortstop again on Sunday and hit an RBI single and walked three times. On Monday against Junction City, Lawson filled in for Lung at second. He singled, tripled and walked.

	Lawson also is getting to know a future teammate at Tennessee in outfielder Dylan Dreiling, who will be a senior at Hays High next year. Dreiling has been getting some at-bats with the Larks, and Lawson has taken batting practice with him.

	“He’s got a lot of potential,” Lawson said. “I think he can be a really good player for us.”

	Lawson had heard about the good crowds at Larks Park before arriving in Hays, and saw the packed stands first-hand over the weekend.

	“That was pretty awesome, makes the games better than they already are,” Lawson said. “Gives you a lot of energy.”

	Lung, who joined the Larks for the postseason in 2019 and was with the team all of last summer, said Hays is a special place.

	“It’s incredible. I enjoy it so much,” Lung said. “The fans are awesome.

	“It’s completely different from a lot of summer teams,” he added. “I played on another summer team, and it was nothing like this. It’s some of the most fun I’ve had playing baseball.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1625061075945.png" alt="Cortland Lawson, left, and Grant Lung / Courtesy photos" />
 <figcaption>Cortland Lawson, left, and Grant Lung / Courtesy photos</figcaption>
 </figure>Submitted	Grant Lung has been a constant at second base for the Hays Larks. He has had different double-play partners due to injuries and matchups. Saturday night, Lung welcomed a new Larks shortstop.	Cortland Lawson, a sophomore infielder for the Tennessee Volunteers, arrived in Hays on Friday night shortly after the squad was eliminated at the College World Series. Less than 24 hours later, he was in the starting lineup at Larks Park.	“It has been hectic,” Lawson said. “I got here, didn’t know what to expect.”	Lawson wasn’t expecting to have a big night at the plate against the Colorado Sox. He homered to left field in his first at-bat, hit another home run later in the game and finished with three hits and four RBI. While watching his long fly ball in his first at-bat, he saw the Sox left fielder jump for the ball at the wall. At first, Lwson was unsure if he hit it out.	“I was looking out there to see if he had the ball,” Lawson said. “I saw the home plate umpire twirl his finger (to signal a home run). I said, ‘All right, how about that.’ ”	Lung had an all right night at the plate, too. The left-handed hitting leadoff man doubled off the wall in his first at-bat to set the tone for the night, as Hays won 21-2 and pounded out 17 hits. Lung finished 5-for-5 with two home runs, two doubles, five runs scored and five RBI.	“I just felt good at the dish, got some good pitches to hit,” Lung said. “I've had a couple five-hit games, but nothing like (Saturday) night. I don’t know if I’ve ever hit two home runs in a game, and had two doubles. That was probably my best game ever.”	While running to second base on his double to start the game, Lung slipped rounding first. He got up in time to still safely make it to second, but still was the subject of some good-natured barbs.	“I heard about it for an inning or two,” Lung said with a laugh. “I got a bunch of text messages and a couple phone calls about it. It was all in good fun.	“The turf is a little slick, especially when it’s hot,” he added. “Sliding into second, it’s really slick.”	Lung and Lawson turned in a slick double play in their first game together. New DP combo, but it’s still just baseball.	“It’s not as hard as some people might think,” Lung said. “You take some ground balls before the game, communicate there a little bit.”	Lawson found it easy to team up with Lung the first night out.	“He’s a good dude,” Lawson said. “It was a pretty easy transition.”	Veteran Larks manager Frank Leo was happy to see the big night at the plate for his team. Hays had a nine-run inning and a seven-run inning and in addition to Lung and Lawson’s hitting, catcher Sam Crowell belted a grand slam.	“Offense caught on fire, didn’t stop,” Leo said.	Leo wanted Lawson in Hays as soon as possible after the CWS because shortstop Matt Cavanagh went down with a hamstring injury in the team’s last game. Ironically, Cavanagh, in his first game as a Lark in 2019, also hit a homer and had four hits.	“That’s one of the reasons I pushed getting him here,” Leo said. “He can play all three positions. He’s going to give us some great infield depth.”	Lawson played shortstop again on Sunday and hit an RBI single and walked three times. On Monday against Junction City, Lawson filled in for Lung at second. He singled, tripled and walked.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623436169488.png" alt="Dreiling" />
 <figcaption>Dreiling</figcaption>
 </figure>	Lawson also is getting to know a future teammate at Tennessee in outfielder Dylan Dreiling, who will be a senior at Hays High next year. Dreiling has been getting some at-bats with the Larks, and Lawson has taken batting practice with him.	“He’s got a lot of potential,” Lawson said. “I think he can be a really good player for us.”	Lawson had heard about the good crowds at Larks Park before arriving in Hays, and saw the packed stands first-hand over the weekend.	“That was pretty awesome, makes the games better than they already are,” Lawson said. “Gives you a lot of energy.”	Lung, who joined the Larks for the postseason in 2019 and was with the team all of last summer, said Hays is a special place.	“It’s incredible. I enjoy it so much,” Lung said. “The fans are awesome.	“It’s completely different from a lot of summer teams,” he added. “I played on another summer team, and it was nothing like this. It’s some of the most fun I’ve had playing baseball.”

'Some of the most fun I’ve had playing baseball': Lawson, Lung team up for Larks

BOSTON (AP) — Kiké Hernández led off with a homer for the third time in five days, Nathan Eovaldi pitched seven scoreless innings and the Red Sox routed the struggling Kansas City Royals 15-1. 

Danny Santana and Rafael Devers each homered and drove in five runs. J.D. Martinez also homered, starting Boston’s five-run fourth with his 17th of the season. Santana connected for a three-run shot later in the inning. 

Devers hit his 20th of the season, a three-run blast in the sixth. 

The Red Sox hit four homers for the third time in five games and completed a four-game sweep of the Royals, who lost their ninth straight.

BOSTON (AP) — Kiké Hernández led off with a homer for the third time in five days, Nathan Eovaldi pitched seven scoreless innings and the Red Sox routed the struggling Kansas City Royals 15-1. Danny Santana and Rafael Devers each homered and drove in five runs. J.D. Martinez also homered, starting Boston’s five-run fourth with his 17th of the season. Santana connected for a three-run shot later in the inning. Devers hit his 20th of the season, a three-run blast in the sixth. The Red Sox hit four homers for the third time in five games and completed a four-game sweep of the Royals, who lost their ninth straight.

⚾Red Sox hit 4 homers, Eovaldi shuts down Royals in 15-1 rout

CoSIDA named <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6043">Grant Schmidt</a>
 of Fort Hays State to its Academic All-District Baseball Team on 
Thursday. Schmidt was one of four outfielders from District 7 
(MIAA, NSIC, and GAC) named to the team. Sports Information and Athletic
 Communication professionals within the district vote on the Academic 
All-District Team, which honors a combination of academic and athletic 
accomplishments of the individuals selected. 
The teams are voted on by position, with selections going to two 
pitchers, one catcher, four infielders, three outfielders, and one 
designated hitter. Ties in voting can produce extra individuals listed 
at a position. 
Schmidt, native of Hastings, Nebraska, holds a 3.93 GPA as a Health and 
Human Performance major at Fort Hays State. He was named an MIAA 
Scholar-Athlete in 2021 for earning All-MIAA honors on the field and 
holding a GPA of at least 3.5. He is a two-time member of the MIAA 
Academic Honor Roll. He was also an NJCAA All-Academic selection during 
his time at Cloud County (Kan.) Community College before transferring to
 FHSU in the fall of 2019. 
Schmidt earned All-MIAA Honorable Mention status as an outfielder in 
2021, finishing the year as the team leader in doubles (12), home runs 
(11), RBIs (29), slugging percentage (.676), and runs scored (37), while
 hitting .316. He tied for the team lead in hits (43) and triples (2). 
In two years at FHSU, Schmidt has generated 16 home runs, 23 doubles, 
and 45 RBIs. 
As an All-District selection, Schmidt will now be considered for 
Academic All-America honors to be voted on by Sports 
Information/Athletic Communication professionals nationwide in NCAA 
Division II.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1625173974932.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsCoSIDA named <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6043">Grant Schmidt</a>
 of Fort Hays State to its Academic All-District Baseball Team on 
Thursday. Schmidt was one of four outfielders from District 7 
(MIAA, NSIC, and GAC) named to the team. Sports Information and Athletic
 Communication professionals within the district vote on the Academic 
All-District Team, which honors a combination of academic and athletic 
accomplishments of the individuals selected. 
The teams are voted on by position, with selections going to two 
pitchers, one catcher, four infielders, three outfielders, and one 
designated hitter. Ties in voting can produce extra individuals listed 
at a position. 
Schmidt, native of Hastings, Nebraska, holds a 3.93 GPA as a Health and 
Human Performance major at Fort Hays State. He was named an MIAA 
Scholar-Athlete in 2021 for earning All-MIAA honors on the field and 
holding a GPA of at least 3.5. He is a two-time member of the MIAA 
Academic Honor Roll. He was also an NJCAA All-Academic selection during 
his time at Cloud County (Kan.) Community College before transferring to
 FHSU in the fall of 2019. 
Schmidt earned All-MIAA Honorable Mention status as an outfielder in 
2021, finishing the year as the team leader in doubles (12), home runs 
(11), RBIs (29), slugging percentage (.676), and runs scored (37), while
 hitting .316. He tied for the team lead in hits (43) and triples (2). 
In two years at FHSU, Schmidt has generated 16 home runs, 23 doubles, 
and 45 RBIs. 
As an All-District selection, Schmidt will now be considered for 
Academic All-America honors to be voted on by Sports 
Information/Athletic Communication professionals nationwide in NCAA 
Division II.

FHSU's Schmidt named to CoSIDA Academic All-District Baseball Team

The start of Thursday's game have been delayed one hour due to the rain in the Hays area. Check back for updates.

The annual Wild West Fest baseball tournament gets underway Thursday
in Hays.

Below you can find a full schedule of pool play games for Thursday
with bracket play set to begin Friday.

Thursday, July 1st 12p.m. Iola 10, Hays Eagles 15U 0 Smith Center 10, TMP 9

2 p.m. Hays Eagles 19U 4, Topeka Senators 1 Smith Center 14, Hays Eagles 17U 9

4 p.m. TMP 20, Colby 0 Ottawa 6, Russell 13

6 p.m. Colby 0, Hays Eagles 15U 10 Hays Eagles 17U 0, Iola 10

8 p.m. Hays Eagles 19U 10, Ottawa 6 Topeka Senators 8, Russell 0

The start of Thursday's game have been delayed one hour due to the rain in the Hays area. Check back for updates.The annual Wild West Fest baseball tournament gets underway Thursday
in Hays.Below you can find a full schedule of pool play games for Thursday
with bracket play set to begin Friday.Thursday, July 1st 12p.m. Iola 10, Hays Eagles 15U 0 Smith Center 10, TMP 92 p.m. Hays Eagles 19U 4, Topeka Senators 1 Smith Center 14, Hays Eagles 17U 94 p.m. TMP 20, Colby 0 Ottawa 6, Russell 136 p.m. Colby 0, Hays Eagles 15U 10 Hays Eagles 17U 0, Iola 108 p.m. Hays Eagles 19U 10, Ottawa 6 Topeka Senators 8, Russell 0

⚾UPDATE: Wild West Fest tournament opens Thursday

BOSTON (AP) — J.D. Martinez and Hunter Renfroe homered, Martin Perez pitched two-run ball into the sixth inning and the Boston Red Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 6-2 in a game twice delayed by poor weather.

 First pitch was pushed back 41 minutes and umpires stopped play for 1 hour, 56 minutes in the middle of the sixth, but the teams managed to play nine innings. 

Perez allowed two runs on seven hits over 5 1/3 innings, striking out two.

 He allowed a homer to Salvador Pérez leading off the second. 

Pérez’s homer came during a 4-for-4 night. 

Mike Minor gave up five runs on seven hits over five innings.

BOSTON (AP) — J.D. Martinez and Hunter Renfroe homered, Martin Perez pitched two-run ball into the sixth inning and the Boston Red Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 6-2 in a game twice delayed by poor weather. First pitch was pushed back 41 minutes and umpires stopped play for 1 hour, 56 minutes in the middle of the sixth, but the teams managed to play nine innings. Perez allowed two runs on seven hits over 5 1/3 innings, striking out two. He allowed a homer to Salvador Pérez leading off the second. Pérez’s homer came during a 4-for-4 night. Mike Minor gave up five runs on seven hits over five innings.

⚾Martinez, Renfroe lift Red Sox over Royals 6-2 amid delays

	In a short season, it’s important to get off to a fast start. For the Hays Larks, getting their pitching sorted out will be key.

	Hays is 12-4 overall and 6-2 in the Rocky Mountain Baseball League as the team embarks on a four-game Colorado road trip. The Larks will play two league games with the Colorado Roughnecks starting Thursday, followed by a pair of nonleague games at the Boulder Collegians. Hays is a half-game out of first place in the league race; the Fort Collins Foxes are 7-2 in the RMBL.

After the trip to Colorado, the Larks will play nonleague games at the Kansas Cannons and Junction City Brigade before returning to Hays July 10 to play the Foxes to start a 14-game homestand to end the regular season.

“It’s hard to make up ground when it’s a short season,” Larks manager Frank Leo said. “We’ve been fortunate to juggle our pitching staff; we don’t have great depth. We’ve been able to get the matchups we want in each of the games.”

The Larks were short on pitching even before the season started. Leo lost three good arms, two shut down by their college coaches and another who received a good career opportunity. Hays then lost right-hander Corey Bright last week after he was shut down for the summer by his college coach.

“If we had them on our current staff, we would have a very well-rounded pitching staff,” Leo said.

“Two of them were left-handed, and that really changed things,” said longtime Larks pitching coach Keith Harper.

Leo was able to add an arm a few days ago, picking up right-hander Derek Decolati, who both started and pitched in relief for South Mountain (Ariz.) Community College, and who will pitch for Nevada next season.

The Larks’ rotation is led by right-hander Wyatt Divis, in Hays for his fourth summer. Divis is 4-1 with a 2.13 ERA and is the designated hitter when he is not on the mound. Left-hander Jake Fitzgibbons, a newcomer from Tennessee, won his first decision Saturday. Leo also is looking at right-handers Luuk ter Beek and Jackson Blue in starting roles, and right-hander Hunter Parker pitched five scoreless innings in his last start.

“He just knows how to win,” Harper said of Divis. “He’s going to keep you in every game. He just knows how to hit, how to pitch. He’s a special guy.”

Fitzgibbons gives the Larks a quality arm from the left side.

“He’s a special kid,” Harper said. “He’s not very big, but he can let it go. You don’t get one of those kind of guys very often.”

The bullpen has right-hander Jose Velazquez in a setup role and right-hander Cade Brown to close out games. Leo also is looking to build up Trevor Munsch for a left-handed option in relief. Harper said Decolati also will likely pitch out of the ’pen.

“Cade and Jose will handle the bulk of our late innings,” Leo said.

The Larks also look to have another arm for the postseason. Right-hander Patrick Cooper, a standout starting pitcher for the team from 2008-10, was back for the 75th anniversary weekend. After talking with Leo and Harper, he hopes to join the team for the postseason.

“I do know Patrick Cooper is going to join us for the World Series,” Leo said. “Hopefully, we get to the World Series.

“That will be a very good arm,” he added. “We can survive the summer, I know we can pick up Patrick.”

Harper said Cooper, who previously pitched for the Larks at the World Series, could add depth to the bullpen.

“Just having an experienced guy is pretty good,” Harper said.

Harper said he will set his pitching up for the league race down the stretch.

“We’ve just got to put it all together in July, make that run against the league opponents,” he said. “As long as we win three out of four against everybody, nobody can catch us.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1625069917820.png" alt="Wyatt Divis, left, and Jake Fitzgibbons / Courtesy photos" />
 <figcaption>Wyatt Divis, left, and Jake Fitzgibbons / Courtesy photos</figcaption>
 </figure>Submitted	In a short season, it’s important to get off to a fast start. For the Hays Larks, getting their pitching sorted out will be key.	Hays is 12-4 overall and 6-2 in the Rocky Mountain Baseball League as the team embarks on a four-game Colorado road trip. The Larks will play two league games with the Colorado Roughnecks starting Thursday, followed by a pair of nonleague games at the Boulder Collegians. Hays is a half-game out of first place in the league race; the Fort Collins Foxes are 7-2 in the RMBL.After the trip to Colorado, the Larks will play nonleague games at the Kansas Cannons and Junction City Brigade before returning to Hays July 10 to play the Foxes to start a 14-game homestand to end the regular season.“It’s hard to make up ground when it’s a short season,” Larks manager Frank Leo said. “We’ve been fortunate to juggle our pitching staff; we don’t have great depth. We’ve been able to get the matchups we want in each of the games.”The Larks were short on pitching even before the season started. Leo lost three good arms, two shut down by their college coaches and another who received a good career opportunity. Hays then lost right-hander Corey Bright last week after he was shut down for the summer by his college coach.“If we had them on our current staff, we would have a very well-rounded pitching staff,” Leo said.“Two of them were left-handed, and that really changed things,” said longtime Larks pitching coach Keith Harper.Leo was able to add an arm a few days ago, picking up right-hander Derek Decolati, who both started and pitched in relief for South Mountain (Ariz.) Community College, and who will pitch for Nevada next season.The Larks’ rotation is led by right-hander Wyatt Divis, in Hays for his fourth summer. Divis is 4-1 with a 2.13 ERA and is the designated hitter when he is not on the mound. Left-hander Jake Fitzgibbons, a newcomer from Tennessee, won his first decision Saturday. Leo also is looking at right-handers Luuk ter Beek and Jackson Blue in starting roles, and right-hander Hunter Parker pitched five scoreless innings in his last start.“He just knows how to win,” Harper said of Divis. “He’s going to keep you in every game. He just knows how to hit, how to pitch. He’s a special guy.”Fitzgibbons gives the Larks a quality arm from the left side.“He’s a special kid,” Harper said. “He’s not very big, but he can let it go. You don’t get one of those kind of guys very often.”The bullpen has right-hander Jose Velazquez in a setup role and right-hander Cade Brown to close out games. Leo also is looking to build up Trevor Munsch for a left-handed option in relief. Harper said Decolati also will likely pitch out of the ’pen.“Cade and Jose will handle the bulk of our late innings,” Leo said.The Larks also look to have another arm for the postseason. Right-hander Patrick Cooper, a standout starting pitcher for the team from 2008-10, was back for the 75th anniversary weekend. After talking with Leo and Harper, he hopes to join the team for the postseason.“I do know Patrick Cooper is going to join us for the World Series,” Leo said. “Hopefully, we get to the World Series.“That will be a very good arm,” he added. “We can survive the summer, I know we can pick up Patrick.”Harper said Cooper, who previously pitched for the Larks at the World Series, could add depth to the bullpen.“Just having an experienced guy is pretty good,” Harper said.Harper said he will set his pitching up for the league race down the stretch.“We’ve just got to put it all together in July, make that run against the league opponents,” he said. “As long as we win three out of four against everybody, nobody can catch us.”

Larks’ pitching key in short season

DALLAS (AP) — The NCAA Board of Directors approved one of the biggest changes in the history of college athletics Wednesday, clearing the way for nearly a half-million athletes to start earning money based on their fame and celebrity without fear of endangering their eligibility or putting their school in jeopardy of violating amateurism rules that have stood for decades.

The decision, expected for months as state after state passed laws intended to render NCAA rules moot on the topic, came on the eve of the market opening Thursday for athletes in a dozen states, including giants like Texas and Florida.

“This decision by the NCAA to adopt interim rules to allow college athletes to profit from the use of their name, image and likeness is a step in the right direction as states begin enacting their own student athlete compensation laws," said Kansas Senator Jerry Moran. 

"However, this is not a long-term solution and further demonstrates that Congress must act to establish a consistent, federal standard on NIL. Creating a level playing field regarding student athlete protection and compensation through federal legislation will empower amateur athletes while maintaining the integrity of college sports that we all know and love.”

In February, Sen. Moran introduced the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2021/2/sen-moran-introduces-bill-to-establish-a-federal-standard-for-student-athletes-to-receive-compensation-for-their-name-image-and-likeness" target="_blank">Amateur Athletes Protection and Compensation Act of 2021</a>&nbsp;to establish a consistent, federal standard to allow student athletes greater control of their NIL.

“This is an important day for college athletes since they all are now able to take advantage of name, image and likeness opportunities,” NCAA President Mark Emmert said.

The decision effectively suspends NCAA restrictions on payments to athletes for things such as sponsorship deals, online endorsements and personal appearances. it applies to all three divisions or some 460,000 athletes.

The NCAA will also allow athletes to enter into agreements with agents, though all athletes are expected to keep their school informed of any and all NIL arrangements. The NCAA said schools are responsible “for determining whether those activities are consistent with state law.”

The NCAA had hoped to have broad NIL rules in place months ago, but that process bogged down, as did efforts on Capitol Hill to have Congress pass a law addressing the issue. Emmert said the NCAA will continue to push for a federal law to “provide clarity on a national level.”

The NCAA was forced to seek a temporary solution rather than have athletes in some states eligible for compensation while others were not.&nbsp;<a href="https://businessofcollegesports.com/tracker-name-image-and-likeness-legislation-by-state/" target="_blank">More than 10 states have laws set to go into effect</a>&nbsp;Thursday that would have undercut or simply declared inert existing NCAA rules regarding NIL earnings.

Without NCAA action, athletes in some states could be making money without putting their college eligibility in jeopardy while their counterparts in other states could be in danger of breaking NCAA rules.

The NCAA’s stopgap measure comes less than two weeks after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against the association in a case involving education-related benefits. That 9-0 ruling is expected to impact issues related to compensation for athletes.

While the NCAA has been fighting court battles and debating rules for compensation for years, the sudden pivot is jarring, if not perfectly clear on how it will affect recruiting and competitive balance.

For now, the NCAA has largely left the issue in the hands of more than 1,100 member schools.

“The current environment — both legal and legislative — prevents us from providing a more permanent solution and the level of detail student-athletes deserve,” Emmert said.

In a letter to member schools last week, Emmert stressed the high court still puts authority to govern college sports in the hands of the association. However, he warned schools that “existing and new rules are subject to antitrust analysis and we should expect continued litigation., particularly in the area of ‘play for pay.’”

The NCAA said the temporary policy addresses “play for pay” and the continued ban on improper inducements tied to choosing a school.

“The new policy preserves the fact college sports are not pay-for-play,” said Division II Presidents Council chair Sandra Jordan, chancellor at the University of South Carolina-Aiken. “It also reinforces key principles of fairness and integrity across the NCAA and maintains rules prohibiting improper recruiting inducements.”

DALLAS (AP) — The NCAA Board of Directors approved one of the biggest changes in the history of college athletics Wednesday, clearing the way for nearly a half-million athletes to start earning money based on their fame and celebrity without fear of endangering their eligibility or putting their school in jeopardy of violating amateurism rules that have stood for decades.The decision, expected for months as state after state passed laws intended to render NCAA rules moot on the topic, came on the eve of the market opening Thursday for athletes in a dozen states, including giants like Texas and Florida.“This decision by the NCAA to adopt interim rules to allow college athletes to profit from the use of their name, image and likeness is a step in the right direction as states begin enacting their own student athlete compensation laws," said Kansas Senator Jerry Moran. "However, this is not a long-term solution and further demonstrates that Congress must act to establish a consistent, federal standard on NIL. Creating a level playing field regarding student athlete protection and compensation through federal legislation will empower amateur athletes while maintaining the integrity of college sports that we all know and love.”In February, Sen. Moran introduced the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2021/2/sen-moran-introduces-bill-to-establish-a-federal-standard-for-student-athletes-to-receive-compensation-for-their-name-image-and-likeness" target="_blank">Amateur Athletes Protection and Compensation Act of 2021</a>&nbsp;to establish a consistent, federal standard to allow student athletes greater control of their NIL.“This is an important day for college athletes since they all are now able to take advantage of name, image and likeness opportunities,” NCAA President Mark Emmert said.The decision effectively suspends NCAA restrictions on payments to athletes for things such as sponsorship deals, online endorsements and personal appearances. it applies to all three divisions or some 460,000 athletes.The NCAA will also allow athletes to enter into agreements with agents, though all athletes are expected to keep their school informed of any and all NIL arrangements. The NCAA said schools are responsible “for determining whether those activities are consistent with state law.”The NCAA had hoped to have broad NIL rules in place months ago, but that process bogged down, as did efforts on Capitol Hill to have Congress pass a law addressing the issue. Emmert said the NCAA will continue to push for a federal law to “provide clarity on a national level.”The NCAA was forced to seek a temporary solution rather than have athletes in some states eligible for compensation while others were not.&nbsp;<a href="https://businessofcollegesports.com/tracker-name-image-and-likeness-legislation-by-state/" target="_blank">More than 10 states have laws set to go into effect</a>&nbsp;Thursday that would have undercut or simply declared inert existing NCAA rules regarding NIL earnings.Without NCAA action, athletes in some states could be making money without putting their college eligibility in jeopardy while their counterparts in other states could be in danger of breaking NCAA rules.The NCAA’s stopgap measure comes less than two weeks after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against the association in a case involving education-related benefits. That 9-0 ruling is expected to impact issues related to compensation for athletes.While the NCAA has been fighting court battles and debating rules for compensation for years, the sudden pivot is jarring, if not perfectly clear on how it will affect recruiting and competitive balance.For now, the NCAA has largely left the issue in the hands of more than 1,100 member schools.“The current environment — both legal and legislative — prevents us from providing a more permanent solution and the level of detail student-athletes deserve,” Emmert said.In a letter to member schools last week, Emmert stressed the high court still puts authority to govern college sports in the hands of the association. However, he warned schools that “existing and new rules are subject to antitrust analysis and we should expect continued litigation., particularly in the area of ‘play for pay.’”The NCAA said the temporary policy addresses “play for pay” and the continued ban on improper inducements tied to choosing a school.“The new policy preserves the fact college sports are not pay-for-play,” said Division II Presidents Council chair Sandra Jordan, chancellor at the University of South Carolina-Aiken. “It also reinforces key principles of fairness and integrity across the NCAA and maintains rules prohibiting improper recruiting inducements.”___

History: NCAA clears way for student athlete compensation

BOSTON (AP) — J.D. Martinez drove in four runs, including two on a go-ahead double in the sixth inning, and the Boston Red Sox outlasted the slumping Kansas City Royals 7-6 on Tuesday on a sweltering night at Fenway Park.

The Red Sox, who had four homers in each of their previous two games, won their fifth straight despite not going deep Tuesday.

“We put in good at-bats,” manager Alex Cora said. “The line is moving. We’re walking, too. We’ve been controlling the strike zone. We’re doing a lot of good things offensively. ”

The result was 12 hits, one fewer than the pesky Royals had as they pushed to end a six-game slide. Boston pitchers allowed three homers by the Royals for the second straight game, but Kansas City’s skid continued with its seventh loss in a row.

“If there’s something positive to take away from tonight, we kept battling. We kept finding ways to get runners on. Guys had a lot of big hits,” said Ryan O'Hearn, whose two-run homer to center in the fifth put the Royals up 6-5.

Whit Merrifield led off the game with a homer for Kansas City off Nick Pivetta. Michael A. Taylor and O’Hearn each hit two-run shots for the Royals, who fell to 1-7 on a 10-game road trip that concludes Thursday afternoon in Boston.

The clubs combined for 25 hits in the game, which stretched more than 3 1/2 hours in sweltering conditions that only eased slightly from a game-time temperature of 95 degrees.

“It was really hard to get a grip on the baseball. My whole uniform was soaked before the first inning even started,” said Royals starter Brad Keller, who threw 102 pitches over five-plus innings. “It was tough because I felt like rosin wasn’t doing a whole lot and neither was the dirt.”

Yacksel Rios (2-0) got the win with 1 2/3 scoreless innings of relief. Matt Barnes pitched a perfect ninth for his 18th save.

After Merrifield put the Royals up right away, the lead changed hands six more times before Martinez lined a double to right in the sixth with two runners on. Michael Chavis and Alex Verdugo scored easily and the 7-6 lead held.

Martinez also had an RBI single in the first and drove in a run on a sacrifice fly during Boston’s two-run fourth. Every Red Sox player in the starting lineup finished with at least one hit.

Keller faced one batter in the sixth before being replaced by Jake Brentz after Bobby Dalbec hit a leadoff single to left. Brentz (2-1) couldn’t hold the lead, walking Verdugo and putting two runners on for Martinez, whose double to right put Boston back up. Brentz allowed one run and one hit, walked one and struck out three.

Pivetta, who pitched 6 2/3 innings of hitless ball last Thursday at Tampa Bay, got tagged right away Tuesday when Merrifield belted a 2-2 fastball out to right for his 10th career leadoff homer.

Pivetta went 4 1/3 innings, allowing six runs and nine hits. He walked two and struck out five before being pulled after O’Hearn’s two-run homer put Kansas City back up 6-5.

“I’ve really got to bounce back from this one. I needed to go deeper into the ballgame. I need to give more innings so we can give the bullpen a little more of a rest there,” Pivetta said. “But at the end of the day the bullpen picked me up, the hitters picked me up all game as they did and we came out with the win.”

Royals: Placed RHP Wade Davis (right forearm strain) on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to Sunday. Kansas City also recalled LHP Richard Lovelady from Triple-A Omaha. ... Hanser Alberto replaced Emmanuel Rivera at third base in the bottom of the second. Rivera, who singled in his first two at-bats Monday night while making his major league debut, left Tuesday’s game because of pain in his left wrist, the Royals said.

Red Sox: LHP Chris Sale, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery he had in 2020 and pitched to batters over the weekend, is scheduled to throw again Wednesday, Cora said. “The live BPs are great, but how he feels the next day is the most important thing and so far, in between that live BP and up to now, he’s feeling amazing,” Cora said. “He’ll go through his work tomorrow and we’ll see how he reacts on Thursday.”

Royals LHP Mike Minor (6-5, 5.12 ERA) held the Red Sox to two runs over 6 2/3 innings while picking up the win on June 20 in Kansas City. Minor will face Boston lefty Martin Perez (5-4, 4.09).

BOSTON (AP) — J.D. Martinez drove in four runs, including two on a go-ahead double in the sixth inning, and the Boston Red Sox outlasted the slumping Kansas City Royals 7-6 on Tuesday on a sweltering night at Fenway Park.The Red Sox, who had four homers in each of their previous two games, won their fifth straight despite not going deep Tuesday.“We put in good at-bats,” manager Alex Cora said. “The line is moving. We’re walking, too. We’ve been controlling the strike zone. We’re doing a lot of good things offensively. ”The result was 12 hits, one fewer than the pesky Royals had as they pushed to end a six-game slide. Boston pitchers allowed three homers by the Royals for the second straight game, but Kansas City’s skid continued with its seventh loss in a row.“If there’s something positive to take away from tonight, we kept battling. We kept finding ways to get runners on. Guys had a lot of big hits,” said Ryan O'Hearn, whose two-run homer to center in the fifth put the Royals up 6-5.Whit Merrifield led off the game with a homer for Kansas City off Nick Pivetta. Michael A. Taylor and O’Hearn each hit two-run shots for the Royals, who fell to 1-7 on a 10-game road trip that concludes Thursday afternoon in Boston.The clubs combined for 25 hits in the game, which stretched more than 3 1/2 hours in sweltering conditions that only eased slightly from a game-time temperature of 95 degrees.“It was really hard to get a grip on the baseball. My whole uniform was soaked before the first inning even started,” said Royals starter Brad Keller, who threw 102 pitches over five-plus innings. “It was tough because I felt like rosin wasn’t doing a whole lot and neither was the dirt.”Yacksel Rios (2-0) got the win with 1 2/3 scoreless innings of relief. Matt Barnes pitched a perfect ninth for his 18th save.After Merrifield put the Royals up right away, the lead changed hands six more times before Martinez lined a double to right in the sixth with two runners on. Michael Chavis and Alex Verdugo scored easily and the 7-6 lead held.Martinez also had an RBI single in the first and drove in a run on a sacrifice fly during Boston’s two-run fourth. Every Red Sox player in the starting lineup finished with at least one hit.Keller faced one batter in the sixth before being replaced by Jake Brentz after Bobby Dalbec hit a leadoff single to left. Brentz (2-1) couldn’t hold the lead, walking Verdugo and putting two runners on for Martinez, whose double to right put Boston back up. Brentz allowed one run and one hit, walked one and struck out three.FROM THE STARTPivetta, who pitched 6 2/3 innings of hitless ball last Thursday at Tampa Bay, got tagged right away Tuesday when Merrifield belted a 2-2 fastball out to right for his 10th career leadoff homer.Pivetta went 4 1/3 innings, allowing six runs and nine hits. He walked two and struck out five before being pulled after O’Hearn’s two-run homer put Kansas City back up 6-5.“I’ve really got to bounce back from this one. I needed to go deeper into the ballgame. I need to give more innings so we can give the bullpen a little more of a rest there,” Pivetta said. “But at the end of the day the bullpen picked me up, the hitters picked me up all game as they did and we came out with the win.”TRAINER’S ROOMRoyals: Placed RHP Wade Davis (right forearm strain) on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to Sunday. Kansas City also recalled LHP Richard Lovelady from Triple-A Omaha. ... Hanser Alberto replaced Emmanuel Rivera at third base in the bottom of the second. Rivera, who singled in his first two at-bats Monday night while making his major league debut, left Tuesday’s game because of pain in his left wrist, the Royals said.Red Sox: LHP Chris Sale, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery he had in 2020 and pitched to batters over the weekend, is scheduled to throw again Wednesday, Cora said. “The live BPs are great, but how he feels the next day is the most important thing and so far, in between that live BP and up to now, he’s feeling amazing,” Cora said. “He’ll go through his work tomorrow and we’ll see how he reacts on Thursday.”UP NEXTRoyals LHP Mike Minor (6-5, 5.12 ERA) held the Red Sox to two runs over 6 2/3 innings while picking up the win on June 20 in Kansas City. Minor will face Boston lefty Martin Perez (5-4, 4.09).

⚾ Royals suffer loss to Boston after seven lead changes

KANSAS CITY, Mo. –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5931">Ryan Stanley</a>, junior track and field student-athlete at Fort Hays State University, is the 2021 MIAA Men's Spring Student-Athlete of the Year. Ashlan Burton, a junior track and field student-athlete from University of Central Missouri, is the 2021 MIAA Women's Spring Student-Athlete of the Year. The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association announced both honors on Tuesday (June 29), presented by Summit Pointe Financial Group. This award temporarily replaces the annual Ken B. Jones Award, which normally recognizes the top female and top male student-athlete in the MIAA for all seasons. However, since fall sports did not have an opportunity to post accolades for the 2020-21 academic year, the MIAA COVID-19 Task Force implemented student-athlete of the year honors for both the winter and spring seasons with the nomination and selection process structured identically to the Ken B. Jones Award. Stanley and Burton received the most votes from a 13-member panel of conference administrators. They were among five men's and five women's finalists announced on June 23rd by the MIAA office. The award is based on the athletic, academic, and campus/community service accomplishments of individuals. The voting committee reviews an individual's career academic accomplishments, along with their athletic accomplishments and campus/community service from the 2020-21 year. Individuals must be a junior or senior in athletic eligibility and have a GPA of at least 3.25. Male finalists alongside Stanley were Kizan David of Lincoln (track and field), Blake Freeman of Northeastern State (baseball), Dusty Stroup of Central Missouri (baseball), and Levi Wyrick of Pittsburg State (track and field). Kizan David was the Winter Men's Student-Athlete of the Year, selected earlier this year. Female finalists were Ashlan Burton of Central Missouri (track and field), Sydni Hawkins of Missouri Western (softball), Trace Mosby of Pittsburg State (track and field), Virgi Scardanzan of Washburn (track and field), and Gail Young of Northeastern State (softball). Stanley is the first male from Fort Hays State University to receive an MIAA Student-Athlete of the Year or Ken B. Jones award. Fort Hays State now has three individuals with that distinction since joining the MIAA in 2006-07. Whitney Randall (women's basketball) was the Women's Winter Student-Athlete of the Year, named earlier this spring in April 2021, and Kate Lehman (women's basketball) was the women's Ken B. Jones Award recipient in 2015. Fort Hays State had two of the four MIAA Student-Athletes of the Year announced in 2021, while Central Missouri and Lincoln each had one. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5931">Ryan Stanley</a>&nbsp;- Fort Hays State University, Men's Track &amp; Field – Pole Vault Stanley was the NCAA Division II National Champion during the 2021 outdoor track and field season in the pole vault. He cleared a new school record 17 feet, 2.75 inches to tie for first place. He then cleared the height again to win a jump off for the national title against Trivett Jones of Angelo State (Texas). In the process, Stanley produced his fourth All-America performance at FHSU and his second this year after finishing fourth nationally during the indoor season. He is now a two-time All-America performer in the pole vault both indoor and outdoor. He is also a four-time USTFCCCA All-Region performer going back to 2019. Stanley set new FHSU records in the pole vault both outdoor and indoor (16 feet, 11.5 inches) in 2021. He is only the second individual in school history to clear 17 feet. Stanley has been near perfect in the classroom in three years at FHSU, compiling a 3.97 GPA as a Management major. The Bennington, Kansas native is a three-time recipient of the USTFCCCA All-Academic Award and a three-time member of the MIAA Academic Honor Roll. Holding a perfect 4.0 GPA over his first two years at FHSU, he twice received the MIAA Academic Excellence Award. He also earned MIAA Scholar-Athlete honors in 2021 for securing All-MIAA honors and holding at least a 3.5 GPA. Stanley is also a three-time recipient of the FHSU Athletics Academic Excellence Award and a six-time member of the Dean's Honor Roll at FHSU. Stanley has also been very active on campus and in the community. He was the male recipient of the Cerv's FHSU Student-Athlete Distinguished Leadership Award in 2021. Stanley joined three other FHSU students to design "MeHe" a mobile phone app centered on maintaining positive mental health. The group won the 2020 Kansas Startup competition at FHSU with their presentation. He has also served as a senator for the Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship for three years. During the 2021-22 academic year, Stanley will serve as the FHSU Student Body Vice President after being voted into office in 2020-21. On top of that, Stanley has been an active leadership team member of Christian Challenge at FHSU over three years, participating in multiple community service projects. He served the community and FHSU Alumni through work as a VIP Ambassador under the direction of FHSU President Dr. Tisa Mason for two years. This summer, he is on staff with Project Apprentice, a discipleship program in Lawrence, Kansas focused on discipline, service, and community. Ashlan Burton – University of Central Missouri, Women's Track &amp; Field – Shot Put/Discus Burton, a junior from Urbandale, Iowa, picked up her fourth career NCAA Division II All-America award this past spring coming in fourth place in the national shot put (50-6.75). She also competed at nationals in the discus where she finished 14th (145-3) and earned a Second Team All-America nod. Burton was also an MIAA Champion in the shot put in both the indoor and outdoor seasons and scored for the Jennies by placing fourth in the discus. During the season, Burton competed in eight shot put competitions, winning five of them. She was one of only seven NCAA Division II throwers, and the only one in the MIAA to hit NCAA qualifying marks in the shot put, discus and hammer throw. The 2021 All-America outdoor award was the fourth for Burton in her career. She now has two indoor and two outdoor All-America honors in the shot put. Burton has already graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. She is currently working on a Master's degree in Kinesiology and has a 4.0. In her time at UCM, Burton has made the MIAA Academic Honor Roll eight times between indoor and outdoor seasons, earned five MIAA Scholar-Athlete Awards and three MIAA Academic Excellence Awards. She's also been a CoSIDA Academic All-District selection. Burton is heavily involved with her church as a young-adult ministry director and volunteer youth group leader at Deerbrook Covenant. She is also the President of the UCM Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Around campus, Burton is a member of the UCM Literacy Team and Psychology Club. She is also a member of the National Association of the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1625004483768.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. –&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5931">Ryan Stanley</a>, junior track and field student-athlete at Fort Hays State University, is the 2021 MIAA Men's Spring Student-Athlete of the Year. Ashlan Burton, a junior track and field student-athlete from University of Central Missouri, is the 2021 MIAA Women's Spring Student-Athlete of the Year. The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association announced both honors on Tuesday (June 29), presented by Summit Pointe Financial Group. This award temporarily replaces the annual Ken B. Jones Award, which normally recognizes the top female and top male student-athlete in the MIAA for all seasons. However, since fall sports did not have an opportunity to post accolades for the 2020-21 academic year, the MIAA COVID-19 Task Force implemented student-athlete of the year honors for both the winter and spring seasons with the nomination and selection process structured identically to the Ken B. Jones Award. Stanley and Burton received the most votes from a 13-member panel of conference administrators. They were among five men's and five women's finalists announced on June 23rd by the MIAA office. The award is based on the athletic, academic, and campus/community service accomplishments of individuals. The voting committee reviews an individual's career academic accomplishments, along with their athletic accomplishments and campus/community service from the 2020-21 year. Individuals must be a junior or senior in athletic eligibility and have a GPA of at least 3.25. Male finalists alongside Stanley were Kizan David of Lincoln (track and field), Blake Freeman of Northeastern State (baseball), Dusty Stroup of Central Missouri (baseball), and Levi Wyrick of Pittsburg State (track and field). Kizan David was the Winter Men's Student-Athlete of the Year, selected earlier this year. Female finalists were Ashlan Burton of Central Missouri (track and field), Sydni Hawkins of Missouri Western (softball), Trace Mosby of Pittsburg State (track and field), Virgi Scardanzan of Washburn (track and field), and Gail Young of Northeastern State (softball). Stanley is the first male from Fort Hays State University to receive an MIAA Student-Athlete of the Year or Ken B. Jones award. Fort Hays State now has three individuals with that distinction since joining the MIAA in 2006-07. Whitney Randall (women's basketball) was the Women's Winter Student-Athlete of the Year, named earlier this spring in April 2021, and Kate Lehman (women's basketball) was the women's Ken B. Jones Award recipient in 2015. Fort Hays State had two of the four MIAA Student-Athletes of the Year announced in 2021, while Central Missouri and Lincoln each had one. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5931">Ryan Stanley</a>&nbsp;- Fort Hays State University, Men's Track &amp; Field – Pole Vault Stanley was the NCAA Division II National Champion during the 2021 outdoor track and field season in the pole vault. He cleared a new school record 17 feet, 2.75 inches to tie for first place. He then cleared the height again to win a jump off for the national title against Trivett Jones of Angelo State (Texas). In the process, Stanley produced his fourth All-America performance at FHSU and his second this year after finishing fourth nationally during the indoor season. He is now a two-time All-America performer in the pole vault both indoor and outdoor. He is also a four-time USTFCCCA All-Region performer going back to 2019. Stanley set new FHSU records in the pole vault both outdoor and indoor (16 feet, 11.5 inches) in 2021. He is only the second individual in school history to clear 17 feet. Stanley has been near perfect in the classroom in three years at FHSU, compiling a 3.97 GPA as a Management major. The Bennington, Kansas native is a three-time recipient of the USTFCCCA All-Academic Award and a three-time member of the MIAA Academic Honor Roll. Holding a perfect 4.0 GPA over his first two years at FHSU, he twice received the MIAA Academic Excellence Award. He also earned MIAA Scholar-Athlete honors in 2021 for securing All-MIAA honors and holding at least a 3.5 GPA. Stanley is also a three-time recipient of the FHSU Athletics Academic Excellence Award and a six-time member of the Dean's Honor Roll at FHSU. Stanley has also been very active on campus and in the community. He was the male recipient of the Cerv's FHSU Student-Athlete Distinguished Leadership Award in 2021. Stanley joined three other FHSU students to design "MeHe" a mobile phone app centered on maintaining positive mental health. The group won the 2020 Kansas Startup competition at FHSU with their presentation. He has also served as a senator for the Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship for three years. During the 2021-22 academic year, Stanley will serve as the FHSU Student Body Vice President after being voted into office in 2020-21. On top of that, Stanley has been an active leadership team member of Christian Challenge at FHSU over three years, participating in multiple community service projects. He served the community and FHSU Alumni through work as a VIP Ambassador under the direction of FHSU President Dr. Tisa Mason for two years. This summer, he is on staff with Project Apprentice, a discipleship program in Lawrence, Kansas focused on discipline, service, and community. Ashlan Burton – University of Central Missouri, Women's Track &amp; Field – Shot Put/Discus Burton, a junior from Urbandale, Iowa, picked up her fourth career NCAA Division II All-America award this past spring coming in fourth place in the national shot put (50-6.75). She also competed at nationals in the discus where she finished 14th (145-3) and earned a Second Team All-America nod. Burton was also an MIAA Champion in the shot put in both the indoor and outdoor seasons and scored for the Jennies by placing fourth in the discus. During the season, Burton competed in eight shot put competitions, winning five of them. She was one of only seven NCAA Division II throwers, and the only one in the MIAA to hit NCAA qualifying marks in the shot put, discus and hammer throw. The 2021 All-America outdoor award was the fourth for Burton in her career. She now has two indoor and two outdoor All-America honors in the shot put. Burton has already graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. She is currently working on a Master's degree in Kinesiology and has a 4.0. In her time at UCM, Burton has made the MIAA Academic Honor Roll eight times between indoor and outdoor seasons, earned five MIAA Scholar-Athlete Awards and three MIAA Academic Excellence Awards. She's also been a CoSIDA Academic All-District selection. Burton is heavily involved with her church as a young-adult ministry director and volunteer youth group leader at Deerbrook Covenant. She is also the President of the UCM Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Around campus, Burton is a member of the UCM Literacy Team and Psychology Club. She is also a member of the National Association of the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏃Stanley Named MIAA Men’s Spring Student-Athlete of the Year

The Hays Eagles will have their second annual Home Run Derby on Friday and Saturday at Larks Park.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1605640084778.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Hays Eagles will have their second annual Home Run Derby on Friday and Saturday at Larks Park.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1624987876297.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Hays Eagles will host second annual Home Run Derby

HAYS – The Hays Larks were held to a season-low one run on
four hits Monday as they dropped their seconds straight, 5-1 to Junction
City.

Hays starter Hunter Parker matched Brigade starter Cade
Phelps through five shutout innings but Junction City did all of their damage in
the sixth inning. The Brigade scored all five of their runs against Trey Riggs
who lasted two-thirds of an inning in relief.

Parker did not factor into the decision. He allowed just one
hit in five innings with four strikeouts.

Phelps allowed one run in six innings with six strikeouts. 

Hays’ only run came in to bottom of the sixth on a bases
loaded walk for Palmer Hutchison.

Courtland Lawson and Grant Schmidt tallied the only hits in
the game for Hays. Lawson tripled and singled and Schmidt had a pair of
singles. 

The Larks travel to Colorado for six-game road trip starting
Thursday against the Roughriders.

HAYS – The Hays Larks were held to a season-low one run on
four hits Monday as they dropped their seconds straight, 5-1 to Junction
City.Hays starter Hunter Parker matched Brigade starter Cade
Phelps through five shutout innings but Junction City did all of their damage in
the sixth inning. The Brigade scored all five of their runs against Trey Riggs
who lasted two-thirds of an inning in relief.Parker did not factor into the decision. He allowed just one
hit in five innings with four strikeouts.Phelps allowed one run in six innings with six strikeouts. Hays’ only run came in to bottom of the sixth on a bases
loaded walk for Palmer Hutchison.Courtland Lawson and Grant Schmidt tallied the only hits in
the game for Hays. Lawson tripled and singled and Schmidt had a pair of
singles. The Larks travel to Colorado for six-game road trip starting
Thursday against the Roughriders.

⚾Larks offense held in check in loss to Junction City

BOSTON (AP) — Hunter Renfroe homered twice, the second to break a sixth-inning tie, as the Red Sox rallied from a four-run deficit to beat the Kansas City Royals 6-5. 

Kiké Hernández led off the bottom of the first with a home run for the second straight game, Bobby Dalbec also homered and Renfroe had a two-run shot in the fourth as Boston came back after falling behind 5-1. 

It was Renfroe’s 13th career multihomer game. 

The victory was Boston’s fourth straight, following a three-game sweep of the New York Yankees. 

It was also the team's major league-leading 26th come-from-behind win.

BOSTON (AP) — Hunter Renfroe homered twice, the second to break a sixth-inning tie, as the Red Sox rallied from a four-run deficit to beat the Kansas City Royals 6-5. Kiké Hernández led off the bottom of the first with a home run for the second straight game, Bobby Dalbec also homered and Renfroe had a two-run shot in the fourth as Boston came back after falling behind 5-1. It was Renfroe’s 13th career multihomer game. The victory was Boston’s fourth straight, following a three-game sweep of the New York Yankees. It was also the team's major league-leading 26th come-from-behind win.

⚾Renfroe homers twice, Red Sox rally to beat Royals 6-5

CONCORDIA - Cloud County men's cross country and track and field alumni Benard Keter has qualified for the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo in the 3,000 meter steeplechase for team USA. Keter, who was a member of the 2013-14 Cloud County cross country and track and field teams, finished second this past weekend in the finals of the 3,000 meter steeplechase at the United States Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon by posting a time of 8:21.81 and will join Hillary Bor (8:21.34) and Mason Ferlic (8:22.05) as the three United States representatives in the 3,000 meter steeplechase. A native of Nakuru, Kenya, Keter was a First-Team NJCAA All-American in both cross country and half marathon in 2013 for CCCC by taking fifth in the NJCAA Cross Country Championships and National Runner-Up honors in the NJCAA Half Marathon Championships. Keter would then go on to a pair of All-American finishes in the 2013-14 NJCAA indoor track and field season by finishing National Runner-Up in the 3,000 meters and third in the 5,000 meters while setting Cloud County records in both events (the 5,000 meter-record still stands today). Capping off his lone year with the T-Birds, Keter would become an NJCAA National Champion in the 3,000 meter steeplechase at the 2014 NJCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships by running a time of 9:06.27 while also finishing as National Runner-Up in the 5,000 meters (14:37.00) with the 5,000 meter time serving as an outdoor track school-record that still stands today. Keter would go on to compete at Wayland Baptist University for one year before trasferring to Texas Tech University, winning an NAIA National Championship for the Pioneers in cross country in 2014 and National Runner-Up in 2015. On the track at WBU, Keter was a two-time National Champion in the 5,000 meters and 3,000 meter steeplechase before finishing third in the 3,000 meters in indoor track and the 10,000 meters in outdoor track. At his final stop in Lubbock, Texas, Keter would win multiple Big 12 Conference titles in both cross country and track and field on his way to a 10th place finish at the 2016 NCAA Outdoor Championships in the 3,000 meter steeplechase. Keter still holds the 3,000 meter steeplechase record at both Wayland Baptist and Texas Tech. Following his years as a collegiate athlete, Keter would go on to join the United States Army and is currently a Unit Supply Specialist while running for the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program. Keter would compete at the 2019 Pan American Games in the 3,000 meter steeplechase in Lima, Peru, finishing as the top American runner and fourth overall with a time of 8:32.76. The men's 3,000-meter steeplechase competition in Tokyo is scheduled to start July 30, with the first round, while the event finals will take place Aug. 2.

-<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com">cloudtbirds.com</a>-

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1624965755158.jpeg" alt="Benard Keter thas qualified for the Tokyo Olympics in the 3,000 meter steeplechase. Photo courtesy <a href="http://cloudtbirds.com">cloudtbirds.com</a>" />
 <figcaption>Benard Keter thas qualified for the Tokyo Olympics in the 3,000 meter steeplechase. Photo courtesy <a href="http://cloudtbirds.com">cloudtbirds.com</a></figcaption>
 </figure>CONCORDIA - Cloud County men's cross country and track and field alumni Benard Keter has qualified for the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo in the 3,000 meter steeplechase for team USA. Keter, who was a member of the 2013-14 Cloud County cross country and track and field teams, finished second this past weekend in the finals of the 3,000 meter steeplechase at the United States Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon by posting a time of 8:21.81 and will join Hillary Bor (8:21.34) and Mason Ferlic (8:22.05) as the three United States representatives in the 3,000 meter steeplechase. A native of Nakuru, Kenya, Keter was a First-Team NJCAA All-American in both cross country and half marathon in 2013 for CCCC by taking fifth in the NJCAA Cross Country Championships and National Runner-Up honors in the NJCAA Half Marathon Championships. Keter would then go on to a pair of All-American finishes in the 2013-14 NJCAA indoor track and field season by finishing National Runner-Up in the 3,000 meters and third in the 5,000 meters while setting Cloud County records in both events (the 5,000 meter-record still stands today). Capping off his lone year with the T-Birds, Keter would become an NJCAA National Champion in the 3,000 meter steeplechase at the 2014 NJCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships by running a time of 9:06.27 while also finishing as National Runner-Up in the 5,000 meters (14:37.00) with the 5,000 meter time serving as an outdoor track school-record that still stands today. Keter would go on to compete at Wayland Baptist University for one year before trasferring to Texas Tech University, winning an NAIA National Championship for the Pioneers in cross country in 2014 and National Runner-Up in 2015. On the track at WBU, Keter was a two-time National Champion in the 5,000 meters and 3,000 meter steeplechase before finishing third in the 3,000 meters in indoor track and the 10,000 meters in outdoor track. At his final stop in Lubbock, Texas, Keter would win multiple Big 12 Conference titles in both cross country and track and field on his way to a 10th place finish at the 2016 NCAA Outdoor Championships in the 3,000 meter steeplechase. Keter still holds the 3,000 meter steeplechase record at both Wayland Baptist and Texas Tech. Following his years as a collegiate athlete, Keter would go on to join the United States Army and is currently a Unit Supply Specialist while running for the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program. Keter would compete at the 2019 Pan American Games in the 3,000 meter steeplechase in Lima, Peru, finishing as the top American runner and fourth overall with a time of 8:32.76. The men's 3,000-meter steeplechase competition in Tokyo is scheduled to start July 30, with the first round, while the event finals will take place Aug. 2.-<a href="http://cloudtbirds.com">cloudtbirds.com</a>-

Cloud County alum Benard Keter to compete in Tokyo Olympics

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Five-time Pro Bowl receiver Demaryius Thomas announced his retirement from the NFL on Monday following a decade-long career.

“I'm just happy to say I'm done and it did me well,” Thomas said in&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/Broncos/status/1409533186346946566?s=20">a video on the Broncos' Twitter account.</a>

Thomas was part of the winningest four-year period in team history from 2012-15 with Peyton Manning at quarterback. The Denver Broncos went 55-17 during that span, winning two AFC titles and Super Bowl 50.

Manning said he never played with somebody as big, as strong and as fast as Thomas, who caught 445 passes for 6,249 yards and 46 touchdowns from 2012-15, including the playoffs.

Thomas' biggest catch, however came with Tim Tebow at quarterback in an AFC wild-card game on Jan. 8, 2012, when he hauled in a 80-yard touchdown pass on the first snap of overtime to beat Pittsburgh 29-23 in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMVnLsODqqg">memorable moment</a>.

“I’ve never heard Empower Field at Mile High louder,” Broncos president and CEO Joe Ellis said.

“It was like it was yesterday,” Thomas said in the video the Broncos posted on their Twitter account celebrating his career. “Every time I see it, every time I watch it, I still get the chills because it was just crazy.”

The Broncos plan to celebrate Thomas' nine-year stint in Denver during their home opener against the New York Jets on Sept. 26. Thomas will serve as honorary captain and there will be a video tribute to his career.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Five-time Pro Bowl receiver Demaryius Thomas announced his retirement from the NFL on Monday following a decade-long career.“I'm just happy to say I'm done and it did me well,” Thomas said in&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/Broncos/status/1409533186346946566?s=20">a video on the Broncos' Twitter account.</a>Thomas was part of the winningest four-year period in team history from 2012-15 with Peyton Manning at quarterback. The Denver Broncos went 55-17 during that span, winning two AFC titles and Super Bowl 50.Manning said he never played with somebody as big, as strong and as fast as Thomas, who caught 445 passes for 6,249 yards and 46 touchdowns from 2012-15, including the playoffs.Thomas' biggest catch, however came with Tim Tebow at quarterback in an AFC wild-card game on Jan. 8, 2012, when he hauled in a 80-yard touchdown pass on the first snap of overtime to beat Pittsburgh 29-23 in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMVnLsODqqg">memorable moment</a>.“I’ve never heard Empower Field at Mile High louder,” Broncos president and CEO Joe Ellis said.“It was like it was yesterday,” Thomas said in the video the Broncos posted on their Twitter account celebrating his career. “Every time I see it, every time I watch it, I still get the chills because it was just crazy.”The Broncos plan to celebrate Thomas' nine-year stint in Denver during their home opener against the New York Jets on Sept. 26. Thomas will serve as honorary captain and there will be a video tribute to his career.“D.T. was the complete package as a wide receiver, growing into one of the very best at his position,” said Broncos president of football operations John Elway. "The combination of his size, speed, strength and athleticism was unmatched. Demaryius’ remarkable consistency and production were instrumental in our offense setting historic records and our team winning a lot of games, including two AFC championships and Super Bowl 50.“Equally as impressive as his many catches, big plays and touchdowns was the fact he didn’t miss a game for nearly seven years in a row," Elway added. "You could always count on D.T. He belongs among the greatest players in Broncos history for what he’s meant to this organization on the field and out in the community. We appreciate everything Demaryius did for us and congratulate him on his retirement from the NFL.”Thomas was selected 22nd overall in the 2010 draft out of Georgia Tech. After playing for the Broncos from 2010-18, he was traded to the Houston Texans and finished his career with the Jets in 2019.Despite appearing on the injury report two dozen times with finger, shoulder, hip, knee, ankle, neck, calf and hand injuries, Thomas played every possible game during his final seven seasons in Denver.He was selected to the Pro Bowl five consecutive seasons, beginning in 2012 and finishing in 2016 with Trevor Siemian at quarterback following Manning's retirement a month after winning Super Bowl 50.He tied a franchise record with 14 TD catches in 2013 as the leading scorer on the most prolific offense in league history, one that piled up a record 606 points. His best statistical season came a year later when he set career highs with 111 catches for 1,619 yards.During his four seasons with Manning, Thomas topped 90 catches and 1,300 receiving yards each year, joining Hall of Famers Marvin Harrison and Jerry Rice as the only receivers in NFL history to reach those marks in four consecutive seasons.The only other Broncos to make five consecutive Pro Bowls were Hall of Famers Steve Atwater and Shannon Sharpe.Thomas caught Manning's NFL-record 509th touchdown pass against the 49ers on Oct. 19, 2014.