OAKLAND, Calif. — Oakland's slugging Matts have a running joke how one is usually hot when the other's not.

Lately, both are driving the ball — and they combined for three home runs Sunday.

Matt Olson homered twice and Matt Olson also connected, Chris Bassitt escaped a scary line drive to win his seventh straight decision, and the Oakland Athletics powered past the Kansas City Royals 6-3.

Olson hit solo shots in the third and fifth for his second two-homer game this season and 10th of his career. Chapman homered in the first to back Bassitt (7-2).

“We actually joke about it a pretty good bit that when one's hitting the other one never does,” Olson said. "It's nice to get a few games where we're both doing stuff. We honestly don't actually put weight into that but it seems like it sometimes. It’s definitely good to sync up a little bit."

Elvis Andrus added an RBI double in the second and Mark Canha hit a run-scoring single two batters later against Kris Bubic (1-2).

Bassitt had a scare in the second when Nicky Lopez's screaming liner glanced off his back side for an RBI single. The pitcher, clearly shaken, went face down in the grass with his arms spread for several moments as athletic trainer Nick Paparesta and manager Bob Melvin scurried to check on him, but Bassitt stayed in the game.

“It hit me in the perfect spot. That may sound weird,” Bassitt said. “It didn’t affect me at all.”

The hit by Lopez loaded the bases, but Bassitt regrouped and got Whit Merrifield on a called third strike to escape further damage.

Bassitt allowed two earned runs on five hits with five strikeouts, three walks — one intentional — and two hit batters over 5 2/3 innings. He is unbeaten since losing his initial two starts on April 1 and 6.

“I’m not here to win a Cy Young, I’m not here to be an All-Star, I’m here to win a World Series,” Bassitt said.

Just when the A's finally got a day devoid of wind during an especially blustery June stretch for the Bay Area, Chapman's home run ball left the bat at 103.1 mph and traveled 384 feet. Then Olson cleared the fences twice.

Bubic had five more strikeouts over 4 2/3 innings to give him has 27 in 30 innings as a starter.

Carlos Santana homered in the seventh for Kansas City, which still missed timely hits with runners on base.

“Just one of those that the big hit kind of alluded us,” manager Mike Matheny said. “We had a couple guys come up big but nobody on.”

Lou Trivino, Oakland's third reliever, finished for his 10th save and hasn't surrendered a run in June.

After a four-hit performance Saturday, Olson added two more hits, took his team-leading home run total to 18 and wound up 7 for 15 in the four-game series.

The A's have won 13 of the last 18 meetings with Kansas City, which has an off day coming Thursday to end a stretch of 14 games in as many days.

Royals: Kansas City hopes to have SS Adalberto Mondesi back from the injured list for a strained left hamstring early in the week when the team returns home.

Athletics: CF Ramón Laureano, working back from a strained right hip that landed him on the IL, will hit Monday against live pitching in a simulated game against J.B. Wendelken — sidelined by a strained left oblique. Then Laureano is scheduled to run bases Tuesday. He may not need a rehab assignment in the minors if all goes well. “If we feel like we get enough at-bats for him off of J.B. and then he runs the bases well on Tuesday, it could be as easy as just activating him on Wednesday,” Melvin said. “A lot of it will revolve around how he feels when he gets his at-bats against J.B.” ... Leadoff man Canha returned to the lineup following a day off to rest.

LHP Sean Manaea (5-2, 3.09 ERA) takes the ball for the A's in their series opener with the Angels on Monday having not allowed a run over his last two outings and 15 innings.

The Royals return to Kansas City to begin a six-game homestand with RHP Brad Keller (6-5, 5.75) making his team-high 14th start.

OAKLAND, Calif. — Oakland's slugging Matts have a running joke how one is usually hot when the other's not.Lately, both are driving the ball — and they combined for three home runs Sunday.Matt Olson homered twice and Matt Olson also connected, Chris Bassitt escaped a scary line drive to win his seventh straight decision, and the Oakland Athletics powered past the Kansas City Royals 6-3.Olson hit solo shots in the third and fifth for his second two-homer game this season and 10th of his career. Chapman homered in the first to back Bassitt (7-2).“We actually joke about it a pretty good bit that when one's hitting the other one never does,” Olson said. "It's nice to get a few games where we're both doing stuff. We honestly don't actually put weight into that but it seems like it sometimes. It’s definitely good to sync up a little bit."Elvis Andrus added an RBI double in the second and Mark Canha hit a run-scoring single two batters later against Kris Bubic (1-2).Bassitt had a scare in the second when Nicky Lopez's screaming liner glanced off his back side for an RBI single. The pitcher, clearly shaken, went face down in the grass with his arms spread for several moments as athletic trainer Nick Paparesta and manager Bob Melvin scurried to check on him, but Bassitt stayed in the game.“It hit me in the perfect spot. That may sound weird,” Bassitt said. “It didn’t affect me at all.”The hit by Lopez loaded the bases, but Bassitt regrouped and got Whit Merrifield on a called third strike to escape further damage.Bassitt allowed two earned runs on five hits with five strikeouts, three walks — one intentional — and two hit batters over 5 2/3 innings. He is unbeaten since losing his initial two starts on April 1 and 6.“I’m not here to win a Cy Young, I’m not here to be an All-Star, I’m here to win a World Series,” Bassitt said.Just when the A's finally got a day devoid of wind during an especially blustery June stretch for the Bay Area, Chapman's home run ball left the bat at 103.1 mph and traveled 384 feet. Then Olson cleared the fences twice.Bubic had five more strikeouts over 4 2/3 innings to give him has 27 in 30 innings as a starter.Carlos Santana homered in the seventh for Kansas City, which still missed timely hits with runners on base.“Just one of those that the big hit kind of alluded us,” manager Mike Matheny said. “We had a couple guys come up big but nobody on.”Lou Trivino, Oakland's third reliever, finished for his 10th save and hasn't surrendered a run in June.OLSON'S STROKEAfter a four-hit performance Saturday, Olson added two more hits, took his team-leading home run total to 18 and wound up 7 for 15 in the four-game series.The A's have won 13 of the last 18 meetings with Kansas City, which has an off day coming Thursday to end a stretch of 14 games in as many days.TRAINER’S ROOMRoyals: Kansas City hopes to have SS Adalberto Mondesi back from the injured list for a strained left hamstring early in the week when the team returns home.Athletics: CF Ramón Laureano, working back from a strained right hip that landed him on the IL, will hit Monday against live pitching in a simulated game against J.B. Wendelken — sidelined by a strained left oblique. Then Laureano is scheduled to run bases Tuesday. He may not need a rehab assignment in the minors if all goes well. “If we feel like we get enough at-bats for him off of J.B. and then he runs the bases well on Tuesday, it could be as easy as just activating him on Wednesday,” Melvin said. “A lot of it will revolve around how he feels when he gets his at-bats against J.B.” ... Leadoff man Canha returned to the lineup following a day off to rest.UP NEXTLHP Sean Manaea (5-2, 3.09 ERA) takes the ball for the A's in their series opener with the Angels on Monday having not allowed a run over his last two outings and 15 innings.The Royals return to Kansas City to begin a six-game homestand with RHP Brad Keller (6-5, 5.75) making his team-high 14th start.

⚾ Bubic hit around by Athletics as Royals fall

DENVER – The Colorado Sox rallied for five runs in the eighth
inning to tie then scored another in the ninth for a 9-8 walk-off win over the Hays
Larks Saturday at De’Evelyn High School.&nbsp;
The Larks outhit the Sox 19-12 but stranded 12 baserunners in their first
loss of the season.

Hays (4-1, 1-1 RMBL) scored six in the fourth and had an 8-3
lead after six innings before the Sox started their comeback

The Sox (1-2, 1-2 RMBL) used a leadoff walk followed by a
single to start the ninth. A sac bunt advanced the runners to second and third.
Following a groundout, Maxim Fullerton singles to right scoring Nolan Ackerman
with the winning run.

Trey Riggs (0-1) allowed one run on three hits with a
strikeout and walk over the final 1 1/3 innings and suffered the loss. Starter
Luuk ter Beek gave up three runs (two earned) on seven this with five
strikeouts and no walks over 5 2/3 innings. Max Casellucci surrendered five
runs on wo this with four walks and a strikeout over 1 2/3 innings.

Grant Schmidt hit a solo homer and Core Jackson added a
two-run shot in the Larks six-run fourth. Wyatt Divis added a two-run homer in the
sixth to give the Larks a five-run lead.

Divis went 4-for-4 with three RBIs. Palmer Hutchison added
three hits while Grant Lung, Cam Pehrson, Grant Schmidt and Sam Crowell add had
two.

The two teams play again Sunday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. CDT.

DENVER – The Colorado Sox rallied for five runs in the eighth
inning to tie then scored another in the ninth for a 9-8 walk-off win over the Hays
Larks Saturday at De’Evelyn High School.&nbsp;
The Larks outhit the Sox 19-12 but stranded 12 baserunners in their first
loss of the season.Hays (4-1, 1-1 RMBL) scored six in the fourth and had an 8-3
lead after six innings before the Sox started their comebackThe Sox (1-2, 1-2 RMBL) used a leadoff walk followed by a
single to start the ninth. A sac bunt advanced the runners to second and third.
Following a groundout, Maxim Fullerton singles to right scoring Nolan Ackerman
with the winning run.Trey Riggs (0-1) allowed one run on three hits with a
strikeout and walk over the final 1 1/3 innings and suffered the loss. Starter
Luuk ter Beek gave up three runs (two earned) on seven this with five
strikeouts and no walks over 5 2/3 innings. Max Casellucci surrendered five
runs on wo this with four walks and a strikeout over 1 2/3 innings.Grant Schmidt hit a solo homer and Core Jackson added a
two-run shot in the Larks six-run fourth. Wyatt Divis added a two-run homer in the
sixth to give the Larks a five-run lead.Divis went 4-for-4 with three RBIs. Palmer Hutchison added
three hits while Grant Lung, Cam Pehrson, Grant Schmidt and Sam Crowell add had
two.The two teams play again Sunday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. CDT.

⚾ Larks blow lead in walkoff loss to Sox

OAK GROVE, Mo. – After having their game rained out on
Friday night and despite being without several starters due to Hays High football camp, the Hays Eagles Senior American Legion baseball team won twice
Saturday to grab the No. 1 seed for Sundayu's bracket play at the Hot Summer Night’s Tournament outside Kansas City. The Eagles defeated
the KC Hitmen 3-2 then knocked off Team Warstic KC Crow 10-2.

Blake Schmidt (2-0) scattered seven hits and allowed one
earned run in the Eagles opening win against the Hitmen which was called after
six innings because of time limit. Schmidt struck out three and walked one.

Garrett Wellbrock put the Eagles up 2-1 with a two-run single in the third.&nbsp; After the Hitmen tied it in the top of the fourth,
Schmidt put Hays ahead for good with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the inning.

Brady Kreutzer had two of the Eagles four hit with Wellbrock
and Ben Krannawitter providing the others.

Brady Kreutzer’s bases-loaded triple drove in three to
highlight the Eagles seven-run second in the nightcap against Team Warstic.
Kreutzer, Josh Haynes and Brandon Karlin all had two hits. Karlin
drove in two runs.

Starter Garrett Wellbrock (2-0), who taken out in the second
after 27 pitches, scattered three hits and didn’t allow any runs. Wellbrock,
Brady Kreutzer and Jack Fields were all held under 31 pitches so they would be
available to throw in Sunday’s games. 

The Eagles (5-1) will play the Hays Eagles Junior American
Legion in bracket play Sunday at 4:00 p.m. The Junior Eagles lost 5-0 to the Hitmen
and 4-0 to Team Warstic Saturday. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1605640084778.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>OAK GROVE, Mo. – After having their game rained out on
Friday night and despite being without several starters due to Hays High football camp, the Hays Eagles Senior American Legion baseball team won twice
Saturday to grab the No. 1 seed for Sundayu's bracket play at the Hot Summer Night’s Tournament outside Kansas City. The Eagles defeated
the KC Hitmen 3-2 then knocked off Team Warstic KC Crow 10-2.Blake Schmidt (2-0) scattered seven hits and allowed one
earned run in the Eagles opening win against the Hitmen which was called after
six innings because of time limit. Schmidt struck out three and walked one.Garrett Wellbrock put the Eagles up 2-1 with a two-run single in the third.&nbsp; After the Hitmen tied it in the top of the fourth,
Schmidt put Hays ahead for good with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the inning.Brady Kreutzer had two of the Eagles four hit with Wellbrock
and Ben Krannawitter providing the others.Brady Kreutzer’s bases-loaded triple drove in three to
highlight the Eagles seven-run second in the nightcap against Team Warstic.
Kreutzer, Josh Haynes and Brandon Karlin all had two hits. Karlin
drove in two runs.Starter Garrett Wellbrock (2-0), who taken out in the second
after 27 pitches, scattered three hits and didn’t allow any runs. Wellbrock,
Brady Kreutzer and Jack Fields were all held under 31 pitches so they would be
available to throw in Sunday’s games. The Eagles (5-1) will play the Hays Eagles Junior American
Legion in bracket play Sunday at 4:00 p.m. The Junior Eagles lost 5-0 to the Hitmen
and 4-0 to Team Warstic Saturday.

⚾ Senior Legion goes 2-0 in pool play in Missouri

PARKER, Colo. – Leo Jiminian hit a three-run homer to
highlight a six-run sixth inning and lead the Hays Larks to a 12-7 win over the
GameDay Saints Friday at Double Angel Ballpark. The Larks (4-0, 1-0 RMBL) scored
five in the top of the first but had to rally after the Saints scored a run in
the second and five in the third.

Only two of the Saints runs were earned due to seven Larks
errors, four of which were committed in the Saints five-run third. &nbsp;

Fort Hays State’s Grant Schmidt went 4-for-5 and drove in
two. 

Wyatt Divis (2-0) allowed six runs (one earned) on seven
hits with four strikeouts and no walks for the win. Jackson Blue pitched four
innings of relief and allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits with six
strikeouts and five walks.

The Larks continue their Colorado road swing Saturday
against the Colorado Sox.

PARKER, Colo. – Leo Jiminian hit a three-run homer to
highlight a six-run sixth inning and lead the Hays Larks to a 12-7 win over the
GameDay Saints Friday at Double Angel Ballpark. The Larks (4-0, 1-0 RMBL) scored
five in the top of the first but had to rally after the Saints scored a run in
the second and five in the third.Only two of the Saints runs were earned due to seven Larks
errors, four of which were committed in the Saints five-run third. &nbsp;Fort Hays State’s Grant Schmidt went 4-for-5 and drove in
two. Wyatt Divis (2-0) allowed six runs (one earned) on seven
hits with four strikeouts and no walks for the win. Jackson Blue pitched four
innings of relief and allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits with six
strikeouts and five walks.The Larks continue their Colorado road swing Saturday
against the Colorado Sox.

⚾ Larks win RMBL opener over Saints

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Elvis Andrus hit a winning single in the ninth inning after making pair of fielding gaffes, and the Oakland Athletics beat the Kansas City Royals 4-3 on Friday night.

With the score 3-all, Matt Chapman doubled over leaping third baseman Hanser Alberto with one out, and Seth Brown was intentionally walked by Scott Barlow (2-2).

Andrus, whose .213 average coming in was 140th among 143 qualified batters, followed with a sharp liner to right, and Chapman scored with a headfirst slide ahead of Jarrod Dyson’s throw.

“This is a veteran guy, the moment’s not too big for him,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said. “He’s done it plenty of times. Doesn’t surprise me. He’s done it against us many times over the years.”

Andrus delivered the game-winning hit not long after his defense helped the Royals tie the game.

Andrus made a two-out fielding error on Michael A. Taylor’s grounder to shortstop that led to an unearned run in the eighth. Andrus then was slow on his throw to second baseman Jed Lowrie on Hanser Alberto’s grounder, extending the inning.

“When you make an error (you) always want redemption,” Andrus said. “It’s not too often you get the opportunity.”

Seth Brown homered to snap a long funk for the A’s. Chapman had three hits including an RBI double.

Salvador Perez hit solo homers in the seventh against Cole Irvin and the eighth against former teammate Jake Diekman, becoming the first Kansas City player to homer twice from the seventh inning on since Mike Moustakas at Baltimore on Sept. 12, 2015. He joined Bo Jackson in 1987 as the only Royals with three multi-homer games by the end of June.

“He’s been amazing all season long,” Royals manager Mike Matheny said. “When we need big hits he seems to find it.”

The A’s are 7-2 in June, tied with the Angels and Brewers for the best in the majors.

Perez hit his 15th home run of the season leading off the seventh, then connected for a tying shot in the eighth for his ninth career multi-homer game.

Brown snapped a 1 for 30 funk with his two-run homer off Brady Singer in the fourth.

The Royals bungled a chance to add on in the eighth when Andrew Benintendi was thrown out trying to score from first on Hunter Dozier’s bloop to center. Benintendi appeared to hesitate briefly after rounding third, and A’s first baseman Matt Olson made a perfect relay throw to catcher Aramis Garcia who tagged Benintendi as he slid headfirst.

“It was really close,” Matheny said. “The cameras are so good, we could see afterward it looked like his hand was in there before the tag but hovering. He beat it. He just couldn’t get that (hand) on the plate.”

Irvin allowed two runs — one earned — and six hits in six-plus inning. Singer had seven strikeouts in six innings. He allowed three runs, five hits and walked one.

Diekman has three blown saves this season. ... Whit Merrifield played in his 369th consecutive game, the longest active streak in the majors. ... Nearly two weeks after a foul ball by Juan Lagares of the Angels broke a pane of glass above the second deck at the Coliseum, the window has yet to be replaced.

Chapman made a nifty running catch to track down Benintendi’s foul ball in the second inning before stumbling over the bullpen mound near the stands behind third base.

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Elvis Andrus hit a winning single in the ninth inning after making pair of fielding gaffes, and the Oakland Athletics beat the Kansas City Royals 4-3 on Friday night.With the score 3-all, Matt Chapman doubled over leaping third baseman Hanser Alberto with one out, and Seth Brown was intentionally walked by Scott Barlow (2-2).Andrus, whose .213 average coming in was 140th among 143 qualified batters, followed with a sharp liner to right, and Chapman scored with a headfirst slide ahead of Jarrod Dyson’s throw.“This is a veteran guy, the moment’s not too big for him,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said. “He’s done it plenty of times. Doesn’t surprise me. He’s done it against us many times over the years.”Andrus delivered the game-winning hit not long after his defense helped the Royals tie the game.Andrus made a two-out fielding error on Michael A. Taylor’s grounder to shortstop that led to an unearned run in the eighth. Andrus then was slow on his throw to second baseman Jed Lowrie on Hanser Alberto’s grounder, extending the inning.“When you make an error (you) always want redemption,” Andrus said. “It’s not too often you get the opportunity.”Seth Brown homered to snap a long funk for the A’s. Chapman had three hits including an RBI double.Salvador Perez hit solo homers in the seventh against Cole Irvin and the eighth against former teammate Jake Diekman, becoming the first Kansas City player to homer twice from the seventh inning on since Mike Moustakas at Baltimore on Sept. 12, 2015. He joined Bo Jackson in 1987 as the only Royals with three multi-homer games by the end of June.“He’s been amazing all season long,” Royals manager Mike Matheny said. “When we need big hits he seems to find it.”Kansas City has lost six of seven.Lou Trivino (3-2) retired four batters.The A’s are 7-2 in June, tied with the Angels and Brewers for the best in the majors.Perez hit his 15th home run of the season leading off the seventh, then connected for a tying shot in the eighth for his ninth career multi-homer game.Brown snapped a 1 for 30 funk with his two-run homer off Brady Singer in the fourth.PLAY AT THE PLATEThe Royals bungled a chance to add on in the eighth when Andrew Benintendi was thrown out trying to score from first on Hunter Dozier’s bloop to center. Benintendi appeared to hesitate briefly after rounding third, and A’s first baseman Matt Olson made a perfect relay throw to catcher Aramis Garcia who tagged Benintendi as he slid headfirst.“It was really close,” Matheny said. “The cameras are so good, we could see afterward it looked like his hand was in there before the tag but hovering. He beat it. He just couldn’t get that (hand) on the plate.”FOR STARTERSIrvin allowed two runs — one earned — and six hits in six-plus inning. Singer had seven strikeouts in six innings. He allowed three runs, five hits and walked one.SHORT HOPSDiekman has three blown saves this season. ... Whit Merrifield played in his 369th consecutive game, the longest active streak in the majors. ... Nearly two weeks after a foul ball by Juan Lagares of the Angels broke a pane of glass above the second deck at the Coliseum, the window has yet to be replaced.GLOVE WORKChapman made a nifty running catch to track down Benintendi’s foul ball in the second inning before stumbling over the bullpen mound near the stands behind third base.

⚾ Perez's two homers help to erase three-run deficit but Royals fall to A's late

By BRETT MARSHALL <a href="https://www.wacathletics.com/hays-dreiling-is-best-in-wac-baseball/">Western Athletic Conference</a>

Sometimes good things happen when one least expects it.

Sometimes, good things turn into great things. And in the case of 
high school sports, great things turn into great seasons that will 
remain memorable for a lifetime.

That might be one way to describe the 2021 spring baseball season for
 Hays High’s Dylan Dreiling and his Indians’ diamond teammates.

“I think coming into this year, we didn’t expect to be as good as we 
eventually were,” said Dreiling, a junior pitcher/outfielder who was 
voted the Western Athletic Conference Baseball Player of the Year by the
 league’s coaches. “Not having last season I don’t think affected us, 
and I think in some cases made us play better.”

Two seasons earlier, Dreiling was making his high school debut with 
the Indians. The team missed the postseason run to a state tournament 
berth in Class 5A, but Dreiling had his summer baseball team to fall 
back on when he left for the east coast to play with the elite Tri-State
 Arsenal team.

“The big thing about this season is that after missing one year, you 
only have four years of high school so losing one whole year makes you 
appreciate it just a little more,” said Dreiling.

And the 5-11, 195-pound junior did make the most of his return to playing with his hometown friends.

In a season in which the Indians finished 19-4 overall and placed 
third in Class 5A at the state tournament, Dreiling was nearly perfect 
on the mound.

Dreiling fashioned an unbeaten 9-0 record while posting a scintillating 
0.52 earned-run-average. Those two marks established new school records 
for a single season.

“I think I’m mainly just very competitive,” Dreiling said when 
talking about his strengths. “First, I’ll try to throw the fastball, but
 I also have my change-up, which is usually pretty good. Every once in a
 while, I’ll throw in a curve.”

The numbers tell the story of a dominant season for Dreiling, both 
from his left-handed pitching gems, to his range of hitting exploits.

He went to the plate for 86 official at-bats, collecting 37 hits. He 
had seven doubles, three triples and three home runs to add to his 24 
singles. In the 23 games played, he recorded 26 RBIs and scored 29 runs.
 He struck out only 2 times and also added 11 stolen bases to his 
resume.

In recent years, the change-up has been his go-to pitch, estimating 
that it comes in at about 72 mph while he has been clocked at about 88 
mph for his fastball.

In his pitching performances, Dreiling threw 54 innings, giving up 
just 21 hits, six runs of which only four were earned. He walked 23 and 
struck out 94, a high-end 1.74 strikeouts per inning.

“My curve? I have no clue on that one,” Dreiling said. “Still working on getting that to be a better pitch.”

From the end of the fall football season, Dreiling had spent many 
days in the weight room, working on getting stronger while also adding 
weight to his frame. The hard work paid off, as he went from 175 pounds 
to about the 195-200 pound range.

“I’ve always been pretty fast, but I thought if I could add the 
weight, I’d be that much stronger and could throw harder,” Dreiling 
said. “At the same time, I worked hard to keep up my speed.”

That transitions into his playing centerfield when not on the mound. 
This season, Dreiling hit a rock-solid .427 that helped the Indians’ 
high-scoring offense produce many double-digit run outings.

But he thrives on the defensive aspect of playing centerfield.

“I just like playing there because I have control of the outfield and
 the infield on fly balls,” he said. “The game has kind of gone away 
from defense, so for me, I just try to make the plays and have a good 
glove.”

Most centerfielders exhibit the skills of running to both their left 
and right, going back deep on fly balls or scampering in to grab line 
drives or hard ground balls into the outfield.

“I’m probably best at coming in on line drives,” Dreiling said. “It allows me to use my arm to keep runners from advancing.”

This summer, now that the spring season is over, will once again see 
Dreiling head east to play with the updated version of Tri-State 
Arsenal, now called G-Form Artillery.

“It’s a really good team with players from all over and we play a lot
 of tournaments up and down the East Coast,” Dreiling said. “I’ve been 
doing this since the fall of my eighth grade year when I played on a KC 
team and pitched six and two-thirds inning of no-hits. One of the kids 
from the other team played on an older team and he asked me if I was 
interested. I’ve been playing with them ever since.”

When he home for a short break in the summer, you will find Dreiling 
suited up to play for the local semi-pro team, the Hays Larks. But it 
doesn’t replace the bond he has with his high school teammates, and 
sometimes he longs to have more time to be in the dugout, or on the 
field with them.

“Those are the guys I grew up with, and there is just an 
extra-something special about playing high school baseball,” Dreiling 
said. “I have created new friendships with the team back east, but it 
doesn’t have the same feel as when I’m playing here at home.”

When he was notified about the WAC Player of the Year award, Dreiling said he was both excited and surprised.

“You know, we didn’t win league (6-2 while Dodge City was 7-1), so I 
thought that somebody from Dodge City might win it,” Dreiling said. “We 
struggled a little in the early part of the season and lost a game or 
two that perhaps we could have won. But overall it was a really good 
season and we played our best ball at the end.”

When the Indians punched their ticket to the state tournament at Eck 
Stadium on the campus of Wichita State University, Dreiling was excited 
for the opportunity.

“It’s a great stadium to play in and I am so happy we played there,” 
he said. “It was a big goal for me to play there with my friends. I 
don’t get to play with them in the summer, so it was very special.”

Dodge City head coach Zach Shipley was recognized as the WAC Coach of the Year for guiding the Red Demons to the league title.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623436267801.png" alt="Hays High juniors Jack Fields, Dylan Dreiling, Garrett Wellbrock, Noah Weimer and Dalton Dale after the regional championship game. Dreiling was the Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year, and Wellbrock and Dale were also named to the first-team squad, along with senior Dominic Bainter. Seniors Dawson VonFeldt and Ben Krannawitter were named to the second team." />
 <figcaption>Hays High juniors Jack Fields, Dylan Dreiling, Garrett Wellbrock, Noah Weimer and Dalton Dale after the regional championship game. Dreiling was the Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year, and Wellbrock and Dale were also named to the first-team squad, along with senior Dominic Bainter. Seniors Dawson VonFeldt and Ben Krannawitter were named to the second team.</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRETT MARSHALL <a href="https://www.wacathletics.com/hays-dreiling-is-best-in-wac-baseball/">Western Athletic Conference</a>Sometimes good things happen when one least expects it.Sometimes, good things turn into great things. And in the case of 
high school sports, great things turn into great seasons that will 
remain memorable for a lifetime.That might be one way to describe the 2021 spring baseball season for
 Hays High’s Dylan Dreiling and his Indians’ diamond teammates.“I think coming into this year, we didn’t expect to be as good as we 
eventually were,” said Dreiling, a junior pitcher/outfielder who was 
voted the Western Athletic Conference Baseball Player of the Year by the
 league’s coaches. “Not having last season I don’t think affected us, 
and I think in some cases made us play better.”Two seasons earlier, Dreiling was making his high school debut with 
the Indians. The team missed the postseason run to a state tournament 
berth in Class 5A, but Dreiling had his summer baseball team to fall 
back on when he left for the east coast to play with the elite Tri-State
 Arsenal team.“The big thing about this season is that after missing one year, you 
only have four years of high school so losing one whole year makes you 
appreciate it just a little more,” said Dreiling.And the 5-11, 195-pound junior did make the most of his return to playing with his hometown friends.In a season in which the Indians finished 19-4 overall and placed 
third in Class 5A at the state tournament, Dreiling was nearly perfect 
on the mound.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623436887300.png" alt="The 2021 Hays High Indians brought home the third-place trophy from the Class 5A state tournament in Wichita." />
 <figcaption>The 2021 Hays High Indians brought home the third-place trophy from the Class 5A state tournament in Wichita.</figcaption>
 </figure>Dreiling fashioned an unbeaten 9-0 record while posting a scintillating 
0.52 earned-run-average. Those two marks established new school records 
for a single season.“I think I’m mainly just very competitive,” Dreiling said when 
talking about his strengths. “First, I’ll try to throw the fastball, but
 I also have my change-up, which is usually pretty good. Every once in a
 while, I’ll throw in a curve.”The numbers tell the story of a dominant season for Dreiling, both 
from his left-handed pitching gems, to his range of hitting exploits.He went to the plate for 86 official at-bats, collecting 37 hits. He 
had seven doubles, three triples and three home runs to add to his 24 
singles. In the 23 games played, he recorded 26 RBIs and scored 29 runs.
 He struck out only 2 times and also added 11 stolen bases to his 
resume.In recent years, the change-up has been his go-to pitch, estimating 
that it comes in at about 72 mph while he has been clocked at about 88 
mph for his fastball.In his pitching performances, Dreiling threw 54 innings, giving up 
just 21 hits, six runs of which only four were earned. He walked 23 and 
struck out 94, a high-end 1.74 strikeouts per inning.“My curve? I have no clue on that one,” Dreiling said. “Still working on getting that to be a better pitch.”From the end of the fall football season, Dreiling had spent many 
days in the weight room, working on getting stronger while also adding 
weight to his frame. The hard work paid off, as he went from 175 pounds 
to about the 195-200 pound range.“I’ve always been pretty fast, but I thought if I could add the 
weight, I’d be that much stronger and could throw harder,” Dreiling 
said. “At the same time, I worked hard to keep up my speed.”That transitions into his playing centerfield when not on the mound. 
This season, Dreiling hit a rock-solid .427 that helped the Indians’ 
high-scoring offense produce many double-digit run outings.But he thrives on the defensive aspect of playing centerfield.“I just like playing there because I have control of the outfield and
 the infield on fly balls,” he said. “The game has kind of gone away 
from defense, so for me, I just try to make the plays and have a good 
glove.”Most centerfielders exhibit the skills of running to both their left 
and right, going back deep on fly balls or scampering in to grab line 
drives or hard ground balls into the outfield.“I’m probably best at coming in on line drives,” Dreiling said. “It allows me to use my arm to keep runners from advancing.”This summer, now that the spring season is over, will once again see 
Dreiling head east to play with the updated version of Tri-State 
Arsenal, now called G-Form Artillery.“It’s a really good team with players from all over and we play a lot
 of tournaments up and down the East Coast,” Dreiling said. “I’ve been 
doing this since the fall of my eighth grade year when I played on a KC 
team and pitched six and two-thirds inning of no-hits. One of the kids 
from the other team played on an older team and he asked me if I was 
interested. I’ve been playing with them ever since.”When he home for a short break in the summer, you will find Dreiling 
suited up to play for the local semi-pro team, the Hays Larks. But it 
doesn’t replace the bond he has with his high school teammates, and 
sometimes he longs to have more time to be in the dugout, or on the 
field with them.“Those are the guys I grew up with, and there is just an 
extra-something special about playing high school baseball,” Dreiling 
said. “I have created new friendships with the team back east, but it 
doesn’t have the same feel as when I’m playing here at home.”When he was notified about the WAC Player of the Year award, Dreiling said he was both excited and surprised.“You know, we didn’t win league (6-2 while Dodge City was 7-1), so I 
thought that somebody from Dodge City might win it,” Dreiling said. “We 
struggled a little in the early part of the season and lost a game or 
two that perhaps we could have won. But overall it was a really good 
season and we played our best ball at the end.”When the Indians punched their ticket to the state tournament at Eck 
Stadium on the campus of Wichita State University, Dreiling was excited 
for the opportunity.“It’s a great stadium to play in and I am so happy we played there,” 
he said. “It was a big goal for me to play there with my friends. I 
don’t get to play with them in the summer, so it was very special.”Dodge City head coach Zach Shipley was recognized as the WAC Coach of the Year for guiding the Red Demons to the league title.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623436414268.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623436433111.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Hays High's Dreiling is best in WAC baseball

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Mike Minor likes pitching in close games, and that's exactly what he faced dueling against Frankie Montas for much of his outing Thursday night until Kansas City's hitters delivered late.

Manager Mike Matheny has stressed how the Royals must grind through entire games, not just at-bats, to get winning results — and that's what they needed to finally get to Montas.

Jorge Soler and Andrew Benintendi homered to help back Minor, and Kansas City snapped a five-game losing streak by beating the Oakland Athletics 6-1 on Thursday night.

"We talk about grinding at-bats, but you also have games that you grind," said Matheny, a former Giants catcher happy to be staying back in San Francisco this weekend. "You just kind of stay with it. We had a couple hard outs. ... We had to just try and stay the course until we could find that big hit."

Montas (6-6) retired 13 straight during one stretch and stayed crisp into the seventh with eight strikeouts and no walks. He was tagged for three runs — two earned — on five hits over 6 1/3 innings. Montas was hurt by a catcher's interference with one out in the seventh that went to review on a Royals challenge they won on an overturn.

A's manager Bob Melvin considered it "bad luck" given how well Montas threw late into his outing.

"When you don't have a whole lot going on offensively, unlucky stuff like that can beat you," Melvin said, noting "that was probably some of his best velocity of the year."

Minor (5-3) struck out eight and walked one while allowing three hits and one earned run over seven strong innings.

"Frankie has dominant stuff, so we were just trying to do whatever we could," Minor said. "Honestly I thought he was going to keep on going until the bullpen took over. Guys stayed patient, stayed on it."

Hunter Dozier hit a tying double in the seventh, then Kelvin Gutierrez followed with a go-ahead, two-run single.

Soler connected for a two-run homer in the eighth and Benintendi added a solo shot that inning as key contributors to an important Royals win after they were outscored 22-5 in a three-game road sweep by the Angels.

Jed Lowrie homered leading off the fourth, but that was it for Oakland, which has struggled recently clearing the fences at home with regular windy conditions and Lowrie joked of his drive: "Better aim I guess. The Coliseum, you never know what you're going to get."

"Matt Olson hit a ball 109 mph yesterday at 31 degrees, which is a homer anywhere, anytime, and it barely made it to the warning track," Melvin said before the game. "That can be frustrating at times for these guys."

The A's dropped to 9-2 against the AL Central this season.

Montas had been 2-0 with a 1.62 ERA over his first three career outings against the Royals.

"It's the best I've looked so far," Montas said. "I feel like I had everything working today."

The Royals are just 5-10 with four series defeats to the A's since the club's last winning set — taking two of three versus Oakland from Aug. 14-16, 2017. But since a 19-4 loss on Aug. 26, 2019, the last six meetings had been decided by two or fewer runs and four straight one-run games before Thursday's result.

The teams hadn't played since Sept. 18, 2019.

Royals: SS Adalberto Mondesi, on the IL with a strained left hamstring, continues his baseball activities as he works back from the injury. ... LHP Danny Duffy (left forearm flexor strain) threw a side session.

Athletics: CF Ramón Laureano, working back from a strained right hip that landed him on the IL, hit live batting practice on the field for the first time and said the hip isn't affected at the plate but rather when on his feet playing defense. He expects he might need a rehab assignment not as much for his hitting but "more playing seven innings" in center field. He is doing some running and hopes soon to progress to running bases. "That's the goal," he said. ... RHP J.B. Wendelken (strained left oblique) is set to throw a 30-pitch bullpen session Friday. ... Closer Trevor Rosenthal, sidelined by inflammation in his pitching shoulder, is still working through an aggressive strengthening program. "He hasn't started playing catch yet, we're probably still a little bit away from that," Melvin said. "Everything that he's doing right now, we're still hopeful at some point in time we have him this year."

RHP Brady Singer (3-5, 4.88 ERA) pitches for Kansas City in the second matchup of the four-game set Friday night looking to avoid dropping consecutive starts for the first time since his initial two outings of 2021. Oakland counters with LHP Cole Irvin (4-7, 3.89), who snapped a four-game losing streak his last time out by beating Colorado on Saturday.

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Mike Minor likes pitching in close games, and that's exactly what he faced dueling against Frankie Montas for much of his outing Thursday night until Kansas City's hitters delivered late.Manager Mike Matheny has stressed how the Royals must grind through entire games, not just at-bats, to get winning results — and that's what they needed to finally get to Montas.Jorge Soler and Andrew Benintendi homered to help back Minor, and Kansas City snapped a five-game losing streak by beating the Oakland Athletics 6-1 on Thursday night."We talk about grinding at-bats, but you also have games that you grind," said Matheny, a former Giants catcher happy to be staying back in San Francisco this weekend. "You just kind of stay with it. We had a couple hard outs. ... We had to just try and stay the course until we could find that big hit."Montas (6-6) retired 13 straight during one stretch and stayed crisp into the seventh with eight strikeouts and no walks. He was tagged for three runs — two earned — on five hits over 6 1/3 innings. Montas was hurt by a catcher's interference with one out in the seventh that went to review on a Royals challenge they won on an overturn.A's manager Bob Melvin considered it "bad luck" given how well Montas threw late into his outing."When you don't have a whole lot going on offensively, unlucky stuff like that can beat you," Melvin said, noting "that was probably some of his best velocity of the year."Minor (5-3) struck out eight and walked one while allowing three hits and one earned run over seven strong innings.His offense came through late."Frankie has dominant stuff, so we were just trying to do whatever we could," Minor said. "Honestly I thought he was going to keep on going until the bullpen took over. Guys stayed patient, stayed on it."Hunter Dozier hit a tying double in the seventh, then Kelvin Gutierrez followed with a go-ahead, two-run single.Soler connected for a two-run homer in the eighth and Benintendi added a solo shot that inning as key contributors to an important Royals win after they were outscored 22-5 in a three-game road sweep by the Angels.Jed Lowrie homered leading off the fourth, but that was it for Oakland, which has struggled recently clearing the fences at home with regular windy conditions and Lowrie joked of his drive: "Better aim I guess. The Coliseum, you never know what you're going to get.""Matt Olson hit a ball 109 mph yesterday at 31 degrees, which is a homer anywhere, anytime, and it barely made it to the warning track," Melvin said before the game. "That can be frustrating at times for these guys."The A's dropped to 9-2 against the AL Central this season.Montas had been 2-0 with a 1.62 ERA over his first three career outings against the Royals."It's the best I've looked so far," Montas said. "I feel like I had everything working today."TOUGH OPPONENTThe Royals are just 5-10 with four series defeats to the A's since the club's last winning set — taking two of three versus Oakland from Aug. 14-16, 2017. But since a 19-4 loss on Aug. 26, 2019, the last six meetings had been decided by two or fewer runs and four straight one-run games before Thursday's result.The teams hadn't played since Sept. 18, 2019.TRAINER'S ROOMRoyals: SS Adalberto Mondesi, on the IL with a strained left hamstring, continues his baseball activities as he works back from the injury. ... LHP Danny Duffy (left forearm flexor strain) threw a side session.Athletics: CF Ramón Laureano, working back from a strained right hip that landed him on the IL, hit live batting practice on the field for the first time and said the hip isn't affected at the plate but rather when on his feet playing defense. He expects he might need a rehab assignment not as much for his hitting but "more playing seven innings" in center field. He is doing some running and hopes soon to progress to running bases. "That's the goal," he said. ... RHP J.B. Wendelken (strained left oblique) is set to throw a 30-pitch bullpen session Friday. ... Closer Trevor Rosenthal, sidelined by inflammation in his pitching shoulder, is still working through an aggressive strengthening program. "He hasn't started playing catch yet, we're probably still a little bit away from that," Melvin said. "Everything that he's doing right now, we're still hopeful at some point in time we have him this year."UP NEXTRHP Brady Singer (3-5, 4.88 ERA) pitches for Kansas City in the second matchup of the four-game set Friday night looking to avoid dropping consecutive starts for the first time since his initial two outings of 2021. Oakland counters with LHP Cole Irvin (4-7, 3.89), who snapped a four-game losing streak his last time out by beating Colorado on Saturday.

⚾ Minor throws seven strong innings as Royals snap skid with win over A's

HAYS - Plainville’s Parker
Krob had his worst round of the Kansas Junior Amateur Thursday at Smoky Hill
Country Club. One day after shooting a 2-under-par 69, the recently graduated senior shot an 84 and finished in 15th place in the 18-year-old age
division. 

Lucas Scheufler of Wellington win the division at 3-over-par.
Scheufler closed with an even-par 71.

Hays High’s Braden Hoskins had
his best round Thursday. The junior-to-be shot a 3-over-par 74 and tied for 11th
place in the 16-year-old division. Hoskins finished 23-over for the three
rounds. 

Noah Holtzman of Wichita shot a 5-under 66 and won the division by one
stroke at 4-over.

Eighth-grader to-be Gianna
Clemente of Warren, Ohio closed with a 2-under-par 69 to win the girls’
division. Clemente finished the tournament at 6-under-par.

HAYS - Plainville’s Parker
Krob had his worst round of the Kansas Junior Amateur Thursday at Smoky Hill
Country Club. One day after shooting a 2-under-par 69, the recently graduated senior shot an 84 and finished in 15th place in the 18-year-old age
division. Lucas Scheufler of Wellington win the division at 3-over-par.
Scheufler closed with an even-par 71.Hays High’s Braden Hoskins had
his best round Thursday. The junior-to-be shot a 3-over-par 74 and tied for 11th
place in the 16-year-old division. Hoskins finished 23-over for the three
rounds. Noah Holtzman of Wichita shot a 5-under 66 and won the division by one
stroke at 4-over.Eighth-grader to-be Gianna
Clemente of Warren, Ohio closed with a 2-under-par 69 to win the girls’
division. Clemente finished the tournament at 6-under-par.

⛳ Krob struggles on final day of Kansas Amateur

The Defend the Fort Podcast is back. Join us as we visit with NAIA All-American and former head women's basketball coach Annette Wiles.

The Defend the Fort Podcast is back. Join us as we visit with NAIA All-American and former head women's basketball coach Annette Wiles.<div><iframe title="Annette Wiles" 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=nube3-105fa8c-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=1&btn-skin=2"></iframe></div>

🎧 Defend the Fort Podcast: Annette Wiles

HAYS, Kan. – After a year without games due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Fort Hays State Football team finally returns to the field this coming fall for a full 11-game slate starting on September 2 at Lewis Field Stadium in Hays. Coming off an 8-3 season in 2019, the Tigers will play six of their 11 games at home in 2021. The majority of the team retained their eligibility for the lost season in 2020 looking to build on their strong success in&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/coaches.aspx?rc=823">Chris Brown</a>'s tenure as head coach. Brown enters his 10th&nbsp;season at the helm and has led the Tigers to a 44-15 record over the last five seasons, including post-season game appearances in four of those seasons and at least eight wins in all five. Recently Fort Hays State University and Fort Hays State Athletics moved back to pre-pandemic policies and procedures as masks are no longer required in facilities or at events going into the 2021 fall season. Lewis Field Stadium and all FHSU athletic facilities will be back to operating at full capacity. The season starts with a bang on September 2 as two of the top programs in the MIAA collide in Hays at 7 pm. Northwest Missouri State, the MIAA champions in six of the last seven seasons (3 outright and 3 co-championships), will face FHSU (2017 outright and 2018 co-champion) to open the 2021 slate. Northwest Missouri State was the last team to face FHSU in Hays, a double-overtime thriller the Bearcats won 36-33 in Week 10 of the 2019 season. The Tigers took the two previous meetings with the Bearcats in Maryville (2017 and 2018) by one point each to help capture back-to-back MIAA titles. The Tigers will welcome Lincoln University to Lewis Field Stadium for the first time since 2012 on September 18. Lincoln re-joined the MIAA for football in 2019 after playing in the GLVC from 2014-18. The Tigers rolled to a 66-6 win over the Blue Tigers in 2019 in Jefferson City. Homecoming on October 2 projects as a thrilling matchup with FHSU's rival from the north, Nebraska-Kearney. The Tigers look to extend an 8-game win streak over the Lopers that dates back to 2012 (UNK's first year as members of the MIAA), though the last two contests have been decided by six or less points. Nebraska-Kearney has seen a resurgence in football over the last two full seasons played, posting five wins in 2018 and seven wins in 2019. The Lopers struggled to three or less wins in their first six years as members of the MIAA after going 10-2 in their final year with the RMAC in 2011. The Bronchos of Central Oklahoma will travel to Hays on October 16 for the last evening home game of the season. The first four home games of the season will be under the lights at Lewis Field Stadium. FHSU looks to extend a 5-game win streak against UCO dating back to 2015. A pair of in-state rivals come calling to Hays for the final home contests of the season on October 30 and November 13, both at 1 pm. Emporia State will be the first of the two as the Tigers have won three straight over the Hornets in Hays. Pittsburg State will serve as the opponent on Senior Day at Lewis Field Stadium. The Gorillas dominated the series with FHSU from 1979-2011, but the Tigers have won five of the last six contests including four straight, which ties their longest win streak in the series history. The 2021 regular season slate will be an alternating home/away format throughout which starts and ends in Hays. Road opponents in the gaps between home contests this year include Missouri Western, Missouri Southern, Washburn, Central Missouri, and Northeastern State. Below are the home dates for the 2021 season. Thursday, September 2 Northwest Missouri State 7 pm Saturday, September 18 Lincoln 7 pm Saturday, October 2 Nebraska-Kearney 7 pm Saturday, October 16 Central Oklahoma 7 pm Saturday, October 30 Emporia State 1 pm Saturday, November 13 Pittsburg State1 pm&nbsp; <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/football/schedule">ENTIRE 2021 FHSU FOOTBALL SCHEDULE</a> Season Tickets Renewal information for previous season ticket holders has been mailed out. For those who are not renewals from the 2019 season, view our season ticket form below or call 785-628-4050 for more information. Get reserved chairback seats for as low as $90 for the entire season (6 games). <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/documents/2021/6/9//2021_22_Season_Ticket_brochure.pdf?id=6291">SEASON TICKET FORM&nbsp;(PDF)</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623362528471.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HAYS, Kan. – After a year without games due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Fort Hays State Football team finally returns to the field this coming fall for a full 11-game slate starting on September 2 at Lewis Field Stadium in Hays. Coming off an 8-3 season in 2019, the Tigers will play six of their 11 games at home in 2021. The majority of the team retained their eligibility for the lost season in 2020 looking to build on their strong success in&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/coaches.aspx?rc=823">Chris Brown</a>'s tenure as head coach. Brown enters his 10th&nbsp;season at the helm and has led the Tigers to a 44-15 record over the last five seasons, including post-season game appearances in four of those seasons and at least eight wins in all five. Recently Fort Hays State University and Fort Hays State Athletics moved back to pre-pandemic policies and procedures as masks are no longer required in facilities or at events going into the 2021 fall season. Lewis Field Stadium and all FHSU athletic facilities will be back to operating at full capacity. The season starts with a bang on September 2 as two of the top programs in the MIAA collide in Hays at 7 pm. Northwest Missouri State, the MIAA champions in six of the last seven seasons (3 outright and 3 co-championships), will face FHSU (2017 outright and 2018 co-champion) to open the 2021 slate. Northwest Missouri State was the last team to face FHSU in Hays, a double-overtime thriller the Bearcats won 36-33 in Week 10 of the 2019 season. The Tigers took the two previous meetings with the Bearcats in Maryville (2017 and 2018) by one point each to help capture back-to-back MIAA titles. The Tigers will welcome Lincoln University to Lewis Field Stadium for the first time since 2012 on September 18. Lincoln re-joined the MIAA for football in 2019 after playing in the GLVC from 2014-18. The Tigers rolled to a 66-6 win over the Blue Tigers in 2019 in Jefferson City. Homecoming on October 2 projects as a thrilling matchup with FHSU's rival from the north, Nebraska-Kearney. The Tigers look to extend an 8-game win streak over the Lopers that dates back to 2012 (UNK's first year as members of the MIAA), though the last two contests have been decided by six or less points. Nebraska-Kearney has seen a resurgence in football over the last two full seasons played, posting five wins in 2018 and seven wins in 2019. The Lopers struggled to three or less wins in their first six years as members of the MIAA after going 10-2 in their final year with the RMAC in 2011. The Bronchos of Central Oklahoma will travel to Hays on October 16 for the last evening home game of the season. The first four home games of the season will be under the lights at Lewis Field Stadium. FHSU looks to extend a 5-game win streak against UCO dating back to 2015. A pair of in-state rivals come calling to Hays for the final home contests of the season on October 30 and November 13, both at 1 pm. Emporia State will be the first of the two as the Tigers have won three straight over the Hornets in Hays. Pittsburg State will serve as the opponent on Senior Day at Lewis Field Stadium. The Gorillas dominated the series with FHSU from 1979-2011, but the Tigers have won five of the last six contests including four straight, which ties their longest win streak in the series history. The 2021 regular season slate will be an alternating home/away format throughout which starts and ends in Hays. Road opponents in the gaps between home contests this year include Missouri Western, Missouri Southern, Washburn, Central Missouri, and Northeastern State. Below are the home dates for the 2021 season. Thursday, September 2 Northwest Missouri State 7 pm Saturday, September 18 Lincoln 7 pm Saturday, October 2 Nebraska-Kearney 7 pm Saturday, October 16 Central Oklahoma 7 pm Saturday, October 30 Emporia State 1 pm Saturday, November 13 Pittsburg State1 pm&nbsp; <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/football/schedule">ENTIRE 2021 FHSU FOOTBALL SCHEDULE</a> Season Tickets Renewal information for previous season ticket holders has been mailed out. For those who are not renewals from the 2019 season, view our season ticket form below or call 785-628-4050 for more information. Get reserved chairback seats for as low as $90 for the entire season (6 games). <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/documents/2021/6/9//2021_22_Season_Ticket_brochure.pdf?id=6291">SEASON TICKET FORM&nbsp;(PDF)</a>

🏈2021 FHSU football schedule announced

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The offensive line that the Kansas City Chiefs aggressively overhauled this offseason has taken a hit. Veteran Kyle Long suffered a knee injury during voluntary workouts that could require surgery and keep him out of training camp. 

The 32-year-old Long came out of a one-year retirement designed largely to get him healthy to sign a one-year contract with the Chiefs, who completely recast their offensive line after it was decimated by injuries and opt-outs last season. 

But he failed to make it through three weeks of workouts before another injury sidelined him.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The offensive line that the Kansas City Chiefs aggressively overhauled this offseason has taken a hit. Veteran Kyle Long suffered a knee injury during voluntary workouts that could require surgery and keep him out of training camp. The 32-year-old Long came out of a one-year retirement designed largely to get him healthy to sign a one-year contract with the Chiefs, who completely recast their offensive line after it was decimated by injuries and opt-outs last season. But he failed to make it through three weeks of workouts before another injury sidelined him.

🏈Chiefs lose OL Kyle Long to knee injury in voluntary workout

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — &nbsp;Even with Mike Trout sidelined indefinitely, the Los Angeles Angels are on a roll for really the first time this season.

Much-improved starting pitching and more timely hitting are probably the two biggest reasons why they aren't missing Trout badly at the moment, and the Halos got plenty of both as they finished up a strong homestand by sweeping the Kansas City Royals.

Griffin Canning pitched five-hit ball into the seventh inning and Anthony Rendon hit a two-run double in Los Angeles' 6-1 victory over Kansas City on Wednesday night.

Kean Wong had a two-run single and José Iglesias added an RBI double for the Angels, who have won eight of 11 after completing a 5-2 homestand and outscoring Kansas City 22-5 in the three-game sweep. Los Angeles is still mired in fourth place in the AL West despite winning 11 of 16 since May 23 and averaging 6 1/2 runs per game in June, but Trout's teammates see progress.

“It’s a long season, so just because we weren’t necessarily hitting our stride early on doesn’t mean we can’t get going,” Canning said after his longest start of the season. “It’s just keeping that confidence and putting in the work. It helps when guys are throwing well and you don’t want to be the odd man out.”

Canning (5-4) looked sharp, yielding two walks — both in the first inning — while striking out six. He retired 10 straight Royals before getting chased by Nicky Lopez’s two-out single in the seventh.

Angels manager Joe Maddon called it Canning's best start of the year.

“He really operated the curveball well today,” Maddon said. “The curveball, I think, is a really good pitch, and it gives every hitter a different velocity and speed to be concerned with.”

Kelvin Gutiérrez drove in the only run for the Royals, who have lost five straight. They managed only five hits and stranded eight runners in the series finale.

Brad Keller (6-5) took his first loss in seven starts, permitting five runs on eight hits and four walks. The big right-hander hadn't allowed more than three runs in a start since April 20.

“It’s frustrating, because I’ve been on a pretty good stretch where I’m getting some good starts and getting some results,” Keller said. “I had some good stuff. I think I just left too many balls up. If I drive the ball down a little bit better, maybe the results are different. I’ve just got to be better than that.”

Kansas City has lost 14 of its 19 meetings with the Angels since 2018.

After Justin Upton walked and Shohei Ohtani singled in the third, Rendon drove them home with a double to the right field wall. The drive was just the sixth extra-base hit — all doubles — in the last 26 games for Rendon, who hasn't homered since May 3.

Salvador Pérez singled leading off the fourth, advanced on Jorge Soler's double and scored on an infield single by Gutiérrez, who got his first RBI of June.

Jared Walsh walked and scored on Iglesias' double in the sixth. Keller was chased moments later by a flare to center from the 26-year-old Wong, who had one career RBI before that two-run hit.

Max Stassi doubled and scored on Juan Lagares' groundout in the eighth.

Canning got out of a bases-loaded jam unscathed in the first inning despite walking two and making a throwing error, a rare fielding mistake for last season’s AL Gold Glove winner. The error was the 46th of the season for the Angels, who lead the majors.

Canning got a grounder from Hunter Dozier to end the threat.

“We don’t capitalize on those opportunities, it deflates,” Royals manager Mike Matheny said. “It’s something I don’t necessarily want to be true, but it is. Guy out there with some swing-and-miss sliders, it’s easier said than done, but I know this group can get it done.”

Royals: Mike Minor (4-3, 4.84 ERA) pitches at Oakland on Thursday in the opener of a four-game weekend series with the Athletics.

Angels: After a day off Thursday, Ohtani (2-1, 2.76 ERA) takes the mound Friday in Arizona for his ninth pitching start of the season, and the first of his career in a National League ballpark.

Royals: SS Adalberto Mondesí took batting practice, Matheny said. Mondesí has been out since May with a hamstring injury in his second stint on the injured list this season.

Angels: Wong is a second baseman, but he played his second game of the season in right field. The Halos are down to three healthy outfielders with Trout sidelined by a right calf injury.

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — &nbsp;Even with Mike Trout sidelined indefinitely, the Los Angeles Angels are on a roll for really the first time this season.Much-improved starting pitching and more timely hitting are probably the two biggest reasons why they aren't missing Trout badly at the moment, and the Halos got plenty of both as they finished up a strong homestand by sweeping the Kansas City Royals.Griffin Canning pitched five-hit ball into the seventh inning and Anthony Rendon hit a two-run double in Los Angeles' 6-1 victory over Kansas City on Wednesday night.Kean Wong had a two-run single and José Iglesias added an RBI double for the Angels, who have won eight of 11 after completing a 5-2 homestand and outscoring Kansas City 22-5 in the three-game sweep. Los Angeles is still mired in fourth place in the AL West despite winning 11 of 16 since May 23 and averaging 6 1/2 runs per game in June, but Trout's teammates see progress.“It’s a long season, so just because we weren’t necessarily hitting our stride early on doesn’t mean we can’t get going,” Canning said after his longest start of the season. “It’s just keeping that confidence and putting in the work. It helps when guys are throwing well and you don’t want to be the odd man out.”Canning (5-4) looked sharp, yielding two walks — both in the first inning — while striking out six. He retired 10 straight Royals before getting chased by Nicky Lopez’s two-out single in the seventh.Angels manager Joe Maddon called it Canning's best start of the year.“He really operated the curveball well today,” Maddon said. “The curveball, I think, is a really good pitch, and it gives every hitter a different velocity and speed to be concerned with.”Kelvin Gutiérrez drove in the only run for the Royals, who have lost five straight. They managed only five hits and stranded eight runners in the series finale.Brad Keller (6-5) took his first loss in seven starts, permitting five runs on eight hits and four walks. The big right-hander hadn't allowed more than three runs in a start since April 20.“It’s frustrating, because I’ve been on a pretty good stretch where I’m getting some good starts and getting some results,” Keller said. “I had some good stuff. I think I just left too many balls up. If I drive the ball down a little bit better, maybe the results are different. I’ve just got to be better than that.”Kansas City has lost 14 of its 19 meetings with the Angels since 2018.After Justin Upton walked and Shohei Ohtani singled in the third, Rendon drove them home with a double to the right field wall. The drive was just the sixth extra-base hit — all doubles — in the last 26 games for Rendon, who hasn't homered since May 3.Salvador Pérez singled leading off the fourth, advanced on Jorge Soler's double and scored on an infield single by Gutiérrez, who got his first RBI of June.Jared Walsh walked and scored on Iglesias' double in the sixth. Keller was chased moments later by a flare to center from the 26-year-old Wong, who had one career RBI before that two-run hit.Max Stassi doubled and scored on Juan Lagares' groundout in the eighth.EARLY ESCAPECanning got out of a bases-loaded jam unscathed in the first inning despite walking two and making a throwing error, a rare fielding mistake for last season’s AL Gold Glove winner. The error was the 46th of the season for the Angels, who lead the majors.Canning got a grounder from Hunter Dozier to end the threat.“We don’t capitalize on those opportunities, it deflates,” Royals manager Mike Matheny said. “It’s something I don’t necessarily want to be true, but it is. Guy out there with some swing-and-miss sliders, it’s easier said than done, but I know this group can get it done.”TRAINER'S ROOMRoyals: Mike Minor (4-3, 4.84 ERA) pitches at Oakland on Thursday in the opener of a four-game weekend series with the Athletics.Angels: After a day off Thursday, Ohtani (2-1, 2.76 ERA) takes the mound Friday in Arizona for his ninth pitching start of the season, and the first of his career in a National League ballpark.Royals: SS Adalberto Mondesí took batting practice, Matheny said. Mondesí has been out since May with a hamstring injury in his second stint on the injured list this season.Angels: Wong is a second baseman, but he played his second game of the season in right field. The Halos are down to three healthy outfielders with Trout sidelined by a right calf injury.UP NEXT

⚾ Royals swept by Angels, hitting woes continue in loss

HAYS - Wednesday was cut down day at
the Kansas Junior Amateur golf tournament at Smoky Hill Country Club. The top-15 in each age division advance to Thursday final round.

<a href="https://www.golfgenius.com/v2tournaments/2016849?player_stats_for_portal=true&amp;round_index=2">Boys Junior Amateur Championship - By Age Division - Boys Junior Amateur Championship</a>

<a href="https://www.golfgenius.com/v2tournaments/2016853?player_stats_for_portal=true&amp;round_index=2">Girls Junior Amateur Championship - Girls Junior Amateur Championship</a>

Plainville’s Paker Krob shot a
2-under-par 69 Wednesday to move into a tie for seventh-place in the 18-year-old division. He's joined at 6-over by Dodge City’s Davan Smith. Hays High senior Jason Krannawitter just misses the cut. He shot a 77 Wednesday and missed the cut by one stroke.

Braden Hoskins made the cut in the 16-year-old division. The junior-to-be at Hays High shot a 79 Wednesday and was in 14th
place at 20-over-par through two rounds. Blake Buckles shot a 101 Wednesday and did not advance.

In the girls’ division, eighth grader-to-be Gianne Clememte of Warren, Ohio,&nbsp; backs up her opening round 70 with a 3-under 68 Wednesday to move to 4-under. Hays High’s Katie Dinkel shot another 95 and didn’t make
the cut.

The tournament wraps up with
final round play Thursday. The champion and runner-up in each age group gain automatic
spots in next month’s regional at Firekeeper north of Topeka.

HAYS - Wednesday was cut down day at
the Kansas Junior Amateur golf tournament at Smoky Hill Country Club. The top-15 in each age division advance to Thursday final round.<a href="https://www.golfgenius.com/v2tournaments/2016849?player_stats_for_portal=true&amp;round_index=2">Boys Junior Amateur Championship - By Age Division - Boys Junior Amateur Championship</a><a href="https://www.golfgenius.com/v2tournaments/2016853?player_stats_for_portal=true&amp;round_index=2">Girls Junior Amateur Championship - Girls Junior Amateur Championship</a> Plainville’s Paker Krob shot a
2-under-par 69 Wednesday to move into a tie for seventh-place in the 18-year-old division. He's joined at 6-over by Dodge City’s Davan Smith. Hays High senior Jason Krannawitter just misses the cut. He shot a 77 Wednesday and missed the cut by one stroke.Braden Hoskins made the cut in the 16-year-old division. The junior-to-be at Hays High shot a 79 Wednesday and was in 14th
place at 20-over-par through two rounds. Blake Buckles shot a 101 Wednesday and did not advance.In the girls’ division, eighth grader-to-be Gianne Clememte of Warren, Ohio,&nbsp; backs up her opening round 70 with a 3-under 68 Wednesday to move to 4-under. Hays High’s Katie Dinkel shot another 95 and didn’t make
the cut.The tournament wraps up with
final round play Thursday. The champion and runner-up in each age group gain automatic
spots in next month’s regional at Firekeeper north of Topeka.

⛳ Kansas Junior Amateur moves on to final day

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Peyton Manning was elected to the Broncos&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/Broncos/status/1402677881105420300?s=20">Ring of Fame&nbsp;</a>on Wednesday in recognition of his record-breaking four-year run in Denver that culminated with a victory in Super Bowl 50.

Manning will be honored during a game against Washington at Empower Field at Mile High on Halloween, less than three months after his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Aug. 8.

The six-member selection committee&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/Broncos/status/1402705304463187971?s=20">unanimously</a>&nbsp;selected Manning as the 35th member of the team’s Ring of Fame. Last year’s honoree, former coach&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2a17084c7190022d8802e9461ba5fd88">Mike Shanahan</a>, also will be honored this season after the pandemic prevented his ceremony in 2020.

Manning joins Champ Bailey (2019) as the only Broncos selected to the team’s Ring of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the same season.

Manning's four seasons in Denver from 2012-15 “were marked by record-setting individual success and exceptional leadership that helped the Broncos to multiple Super Bowls and one of the winningest periods in team history,” team CEO and President Joe Ellis said.

Manning joined the Broncos as a free agent on March 20, 2012, after his release from the Colts following a 14-year run in Indianapolis that included a win in Super Bowl 41.

At the time, his future in football was cloudy because he was coming off multiple neck fusion surgeries that left him with numbness in his throwing hand and he had missed the entire 2011 season.

He replaced Tim Tebow and took over a Broncos team that had gone 8-8 the year before his arrival and led them to two Super Bowls and one championship over the next four seasons.

Along the way, Manning won Comeback Player of the Year, his record fifth MVP award, two AP First-Team All-Pro honors and three Pro Bowl honors.

The Broncos lost Super Bowl 48 to Seattle but returned two years later and beat Carolina for the franchise's third Super Bowl title.

“He just kind of created this sense of energy for everybody — not just the offense or the defense but even the janitors and coaches,” said linebacker Von Miller, the Super Bowl 50 MVP. “The coaches started coaching different, the janitors, the cooks, they all had this sort of spark, and it was the Peyton Manning Effect."

A month after Denver's 24-10 win over the Panthers in Super Bowl 50, Manning retired a champion just as his boss, John Elway, had done following his second straight Super Bowl title in 1999.

“When Peyton arrived in 2012, his impact and standard was felt throughout our team, the entire organization and in the community," Ellis said. “Coming back from a serious injury — with a new team in a new city — to not only win MVP but to have one of the greatest single seasons ever by any player was a remarkable feat.”

Manning is the fifth QB elected to the team's Ring of Fame, joining Elway, Craig Morton, Charley Johnson and Frank Tripucka.

Manning was inducted into the Colts’ Ring of Honor in 2017, the same year he was a College Football Hall of Fame inductee for his success at Tennessee before Indianapolis made him the top overall draft pick in 1998.

Kicker Brandon McManus, the only active Bronco other than Miller who played with Manning, called the five-time MVP "an incredible competitor, probably more than athlete. I don't think he was the greatest athlete per se. But he was the best competitor in the world, and he knew how to win.”

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Peyton Manning was elected to the Broncos&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/Broncos/status/1402677881105420300?s=20">Ring of Fame&nbsp;</a>on Wednesday in recognition of his record-breaking four-year run in Denver that culminated with a victory in Super Bowl 50.Manning will be honored during a game against Washington at Empower Field at Mile High on Halloween, less than three months after his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Aug. 8.The six-member selection committee&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/Broncos/status/1402705304463187971?s=20">unanimously</a>&nbsp;selected Manning as the 35th member of the team’s Ring of Fame. Last year’s honoree, former coach&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2a17084c7190022d8802e9461ba5fd88">Mike Shanahan</a>, also will be honored this season after the pandemic prevented his ceremony in 2020.Manning joins Champ Bailey (2019) as the only Broncos selected to the team’s Ring of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the same season.Manning's four seasons in Denver from 2012-15 “were marked by record-setting individual success and exceptional leadership that helped the Broncos to multiple Super Bowls and one of the winningest periods in team history,” team CEO and President Joe Ellis said.Manning joined the Broncos as a free agent on March 20, 2012, after his release from the Colts following a 14-year run in Indianapolis that included a win in Super Bowl 41.At the time, his future in football was cloudy because he was coming off multiple neck fusion surgeries that left him with numbness in his throwing hand and he had missed the entire 2011 season.He replaced Tim Tebow and took over a Broncos team that had gone 8-8 the year before his arrival and led them to two Super Bowls and one championship over the next four seasons.Along the way, Manning won Comeback Player of the Year, his record fifth MVP award, two AP First-Team All-Pro honors and three Pro Bowl honors.The Broncos lost Super Bowl 48 to Seattle but returned two years later and beat Carolina for the franchise's third Super Bowl title.“He just kind of created this sense of energy for everybody — not just the offense or the defense but even the janitors and coaches,” said linebacker Von Miller, the Super Bowl 50 MVP. “The coaches started coaching different, the janitors, the cooks, they all had this sort of spark, and it was the Peyton Manning Effect."A month after Denver's 24-10 win over the Panthers in Super Bowl 50, Manning retired a champion just as his boss, John Elway, had done following his second straight Super Bowl title in 1999.“When Peyton arrived in 2012, his impact and standard was felt throughout our team, the entire organization and in the community," Ellis said. “Coming back from a serious injury — with a new team in a new city — to not only win MVP but to have one of the greatest single seasons ever by any player was a remarkable feat.”Manning is the fifth QB elected to the team's Ring of Fame, joining Elway, Craig Morton, Charley Johnson and Frank Tripucka.Manning was inducted into the Colts’ Ring of Honor in 2017, the same year he was a College Football Hall of Fame inductee for his success at Tennessee before Indianapolis made him the top overall draft pick in 1998.Kicker Brandon McManus, the only active Bronco other than Miller who played with Manning, called the five-time MVP "an incredible competitor, probably more than athlete. I don't think he was the greatest athlete per se. But he was the best competitor in the world, and he knew how to win.”

🏈Peyton Manning going into Denver Broncos Ring of Fame

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani hit the longest homer of his major league career in the first inning, and the surging Los Angeles Angels pounded five homers in an 8-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night.

Ohtani's 17th homer of the season was a 470-foot shot deep into the outfield bleachers off Kansas City starter Kris Bubic (1-1). Ohtani then added a third-inning double that had an even higher exit velocity — 112.6 mph off the bat, compared to 111.7 for his homer.

Max Stassi, José Iglesias and Justin Upton also homered for Los Angeles off Bubic. Taylor Ward added a two-run shot in the eighth.

Andrew Heaney (4-3) allowed six hits and a run while pitching into the seventh inning of the Angels' 10th win in 15 games.

Hanser Alberto had an RBI double in the seventh for the Royals, who have lost four straight.

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani hit the longest homer of his major league career in the first inning, and the surging Los Angeles Angels pounded five homers in an 8-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night.Ohtani's 17th homer of the season was a 470-foot shot deep into the outfield bleachers off Kansas City starter Kris Bubic (1-1). Ohtani then added a third-inning double that had an even higher exit velocity — 112.6 mph off the bat, compared to 111.7 for his homer.Max Stassi, José Iglesias and Justin Upton also homered for Los Angeles off Bubic. Taylor Ward added a two-run shot in the eighth.Andrew Heaney (4-3) allowed six hits and a run while pitching into the seventh inning of the Angels' 10th win in 15 games.Hanser Alberto had an RBI double in the seventh for the Royals, who have lost four straight.Stassi drove Ohtani home with his fourth homer of the season to left in the third. The Angels' veteran catcher and unlikely cleanup hitter delivered a two-run homer for the second straight night.Iglesias added a solo shot in the fourth, his fifth homer of the season. Upton followed later in the inning with his fourth homer on the Angels' six-game homestand, continuing his impressive surge since moving into the leadoff spot for the first time in his major league career in late May. Upton also has an extra-base hit in five consecutive games.Bubic yielded six hits and six runs with two walks over four innings.One night after Jackson Kowar threw three wild pitches and didn't get out of the first inning in his major league debut, Bubic gave up four homers — twice as many as he had allowed in his first 34 innings combined this season.Heaney came through with another strong performance in the 100th start of his major league career, striking out seven with two walks. Until Kansas City broke through in the seventh, Heaney extended his streak of 16 consecutive scoreless innings against Kansas City across three starts.Alberto chased Heaney with a two-out double to left on the starter's 109th pitch, but Steve Cishek retired Salvador Pérez on a bases-loaded groundout to end the seventh.ONE-SIDED MATCHUPAlthough the Angels lost two of three at Kauffman Stadium in April, Los Angeles has won 13 of its last 18 meetings with the Royals since 2018, including the first two games of this series.IN THE WAYKansas City's Carlos Santana was called out for interference to end the third inning when he moved to avoid a pitch at his feet and accidentally got in Stassi's way while the Angels catcher attempted to throw out Whit Merrifield stealing second.TRAINER'S ROOMAngels: 1B Jared Walsh had a scheduled day off, but came in as a defensive replacement in the eighth. The slugger was batting .343 against right-handers and .206 against left-handers like Bubic.UP NEXTThe series concludes with the Angels' Griffin Canning (4-4, 5.82 ERA) on the mound. He has a 1.50 career ERA against Kansas City. The Royals counter with Brad Keller (6-4, 5.50), who is 4-0 despite a 3.62 ERA over his last five starts.

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