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Author: Dave Riggert

Kansas State’s Barnes named to Doak Walker Award watch list

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MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State junior running back Alex Barnes was one of 62 players in the nation and six from the Big 12 to earn a spot on the watch list for the 2018 Doak Walker Award, which honors the nation’s premier running back, the PwC SMU Athletic Forum announced Wednesday.

Barnes is on the watch list for a second-straight year, while it is the 16th time since 1992 a Wildcat has been up for the award. Darren Sproles was one of three finalists for the award in 2003, while Daniel Thomas was a semifinalist in 2010.

It is the second watch list inclusion this week for Barnes as he was named a candidate for the Maxwell Award on Monday. The Pittsburg, Kansas, native is coming off a sophomore campaign in which he rushed for 819 yards and seven touchdowns on 146 carries. His 5.61-yard average ranked fifth in school history, while his total was fourth among sophomores.

Barnes, a Preseason All-Big 12 selection by Athlon and Phil Steele, topped the career 1,000-yard barrier last year as he enters his junior year with 1,261 yards. He hit the 1,000-yard mark on his 152nd carry, just five behind Sproles for the fastest in school history.

Kansas State opens the 2018 season on Saturday, September 1, when the Wildcats host South Dakota. The game, which kicks off at 6:10 p.m., inside Bill Snyder Family Stadium, serves as the 10th-annual K-State Family Reunion and will be shown world-wide on ESPN3.

— K-State Atheltics —

Missouri’s Lock earns spot on Davey O’Brien Award watch list

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COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Football senior QB Drew Lock (Lee’s Summit, Mo.) was named to the Davey O’Brien Award Preseason Watch List, announced Tuesday (July 17) by the Davey O’Brien Foundation. Lock is one of 26 quarterbacks on the preseason watch list for the award, which is given annually to college football’s top quarterback. This is the second major award that Lock is up for this preseason after earning a place on the Maxwell Award Watch List Monday, which is given to the top offensive player in college football.

Lock led the SEC in 10 offensive categories a year ago, including passing TDs (44), yards per attempts (10.0), yards per game (304.9), total offense (313.5) and passing efficiency (169.4). He is the SEC and Mizzou single season record holder for passing TDs with 44 in 2017. He also set Mizzou’s single season passing efficiency mark a year ago at 165.67. He was the All-SEC First Team selection at quarterback by both the AP and league’s coaches.

Mizzou Football will open the 2018 season on Sept. 1, 2018, against UT Martin at Memorial Stadium.

— Mizzou Athletics —

St. Joseph loses at last-place Chillicothe 8-2

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The St. Joseph Mustangs lost on the road Monday as they fell at Chillicothe 8-2.  St. Joe’s collegiate summer baseball team drops to 21-20 and they’re 17-19 in the MINK League.

The Mustangs dug themselves a four-run hole in the first inning that they couldn’t overcome. St. Joseph committed two errors and all four runs were unearned against starting pitcher Brennon Covington.

Chillicothe went on to build a 7-0 lead before the Mustangs finally scored two runs in the top of the seventh inning. St. Joe had just three hits on the night as Mason Janvrin, Patrick Dillon and Chaz Verduzco had one single each. Janvrin and Joshua Lincoln each drove in one run.

Covington (3-1) suffered his first loss of the season as he allowed seven runs (three earned) and ten hits in five innings of work.

The Mustangs stay on the road Tuesday as they play a critical game at Clarinda. St. Joe is two games back of the A’s for second in the North Division with six games remaining. The first pitch is at 7:00 from Municipal Stadium and you can hear the game on 680 KFEQ or click here.

Royals lose at Chicago 10-1 in final game before All-Star break

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CHICAGO (AP) — Although the White Sox head into the All-Star break with nearly twice as many losses as wins, the players remain optimistic.

Sunday certainly provided a reason for hope.

Daniel Palka and Yoan Moncada homered, and Lucas Giolito tossed two-hit ball into the seventh inning, lifting Chicago to a 10-1 victory over the struggling Kansas City Royals.

Moncada was 3 for 3 with a walk and three runs scored a day after leaving a game with a bruised right knee. Palka also had three hits and two RBI while Tim Anderson and Kevan Smith each hit a two-run double as Chicago pounded out 13 hits.

The rebuilding White Sox had dropped seven of nine before Sunday and are 33-62 overall.

“It wasn’t a very good first half in wins and losses, but I think that’s part of the process,” Moncada said. “We’re all trying to do our best. We improved during the first half, and I think in the second half we’ll be much better.”

Adalberto Mondesi homered leading off the eighth for the Royals, who are 2-11 in July.

“Losing (stinks), and we’ve lost a lot,” second baseman Whit Merrifield said. “It hasn’t been fun as far as all that goes. We got four days off. Hopefully, we can regroup and everyone can kind of step back and reset.”

Kansas City decided to go with a bullpen day instead of a regular starting pitcher. The relievers were no match for Giolito (6-8). The right-hander allowed just two hits in 6 1/3 innings, striking out six and walking three.

“Today was one of those days where we put it all together,” Giolito said. “I’m looking forward to more of those.”

After Giolito worked out of his only jam in the top of the first with an assist from the defense — Jorge Bonifacio was thrown out trying to score from second on a single to left with one out — Palka’s two-run blast off starter Burch Smith (0-1) gave the White Sox a 2-0 lead.

“I’m not really feeling my best in the first and then an unreal play,” Giolito said of the play at the plate. “It gets me fired up. It’s like, `Alright, no one’s crossing the plate this inning.”

The lead grew to 4-0 in the third as Jose Abreu scored on a wild pitch and Leury Garcia followed with an RBI single against left-hander Brian Flynn. Chicago then broke the game open with a five-run fifth against left-hander Enny Romero. Moncada, who was hit in the knee by a pick-off throw on Saturday, started things with a lead-off homer. It was his 12th of the season and first right-handed. Anderson and Smith each had a two-run double to make it 9-0.

Moncada doubled and scored in the sixth to make 10-0 before Mondesi’s homer off Jeanmar Gomez broke the shutout.

“It was one of those days,” Kansas City manager Ned Yost said. “We didn’t pitch good.”

TAKING A DIVE

When Moncada was hit in the knee on Saturday, he appeared to be in great pain and significantly injured. After discovering he was fine on Sunday, his teammates taped the name “NEYMAR” above his locker.

“He’s known to be a player who likes to act when people touch him or he gets kicked,” Moncada said of the Brazilian soccer star through a translator. “They were messing with me.”

START ME UP

Salvador Perez, the Royals’ lone All-Star, will replace injured Wilson Ramos as the AL’s starting catcher in Tuesday night’s All-Star Game.

TRAINER’S ROOM

White Sox: RHP Nate Jones (strained forearm muscle) will travel to Triple-A Charlotte during the All-Star break and throw live batting practice on Tuesday.

UP NEXT

Royals: LHP Danny Duffy (4-8, 4.59 ERA) will pitch the opener of a three-game series with Minnesota on Friday night.

White Sox: RHP James Shields (4-10, 4.43 ERA) takes the mound Friday night for the start of a three-game series at Seattle.

— Associated Press —

Cards top Reds, halt 3-game skid in interim manager Mike Shildt’s debut

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ST. LOUIS (AP) — Mike Shildt wasn’t sure what to expect in his first day as interim manager of the St. Louis Cardinals.

He certainly didn’t foresee the treatment he received in a wild post-game celebration that occurred following the Cardinals’ 6-4 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday.

“They got me in a laundry basket and they spin you around and then they go at you with a bunch of cold water to the point where I was hyperventilating,” Shildt said.

Veteran Dexter Fowler, who homered in the win, was happy to lead the joyful water attack.

“That guy knows his stuff, and you’re happy to put a smile on his face and get the (first) win for him,” Fowler said.

The frivolity came at a perfect time for the Cardinals, who broke a six-game home losing streak.

Rumors of discontent in the locker room, along with inconsistent play, spelled the end for manager Mike Matheny, who was fired after Saturday’s 8-2 loss after six-plus seasons. The Cardinals were 591-474 during Mathey’s tenure and made the playoffs in each of his first four years. But St. Louis failed to reach the postseason the last two years.

Matheny was a gold glove catcher for St. Louis from 2000-04 and used those leadership qualities as a manager.

Veteran catcher Yadier Molina said the firing of Matheny reflects on the entire team.

“When you see that happen, it’s because us, as players, we’re not doing our job,” Molina said. “I hate to say it, but that’s what it is. The blame is on us.”

Matt Carpenter and Fowler homered to lead an opportunistic seven-hit attack. Tommy Pham broke out of a 0-for-20 slump with a two-run, go-ahead single for the Cardinals, who snapped a three-game losing streak.

Cincinnati, which had won four of five, is 35-26 since beginning the season 8-27.

John Gant (3-3) picked up the win with four hitless innings of relief. He struck out four and walked two.

Carpenter began the game with a first-pitch homer, his fifth leadoff home run of the season and 20th of his career. He leads the team with 19 round-trippers.

Fowler added a solo shot in the second off Anthony DeSclafani (4-2) for a 2-0 lead.

Pham erased a 3-2 deficit with a two-run single that highlighted a four-run outburst in the fourth. It was Pham’s first hit since July 5. He entered the game in the second inning after starter Harrison Bader left with a knee injury.

Both Pham, who is hitting .243 and Fowler (.176), have struggled at times this season.

“Those are guys that have proven success in this league,” Shildt said. “It’s definitely good for their confidence.”

Shildt said he was still in awe of his new situation after the contest.

“I’m still not believing it to some degree,” Shildt said. “But it’s a real moment. (I) just got through managing a game for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Adam Duvall tied the game for the Reds with a two-run, bases-loaded single in the fourth. Jose Peraza then put his team in front with a single off the leg of starter Miles Mikolas.

DeSclafani allowed six earned runs on five hits over 3 1/3 innings.

“I just wasn’t good,” DeSclafani said. “I was terrible.”

Mikolas, who is headed to the All-Star Game, surrendered three runs on six hits over four innings in his shortest outing of the season.

Reds outfielder Jesse Winker extended his hitting streak to a career-high 10 games with a third-inning single.

TRAINER’S ROOM:

Reds: RHP Homer Bailey allowed four earned runs in six innings of a rehab start for Triple-A Louisville on Friday. Bailey is 1-2 with a 5.87 ERA in six minor league appearances. He was put on the disabled list June 2 with right knee inflammation.

Cardinals: Bader suffered his knee injury while running out a hit to right field.

UP NEXT

Reds: Cincinnati begins the second half on Friday against Pittsburgh. Right-hander Tyler Mahle (7-7, 4.02) will get the start.

Cardinals: St. Louis travels to Chicago for a four-game series against the Cubs after the break.

— Associated Press —

St. Joseph uses four-run eighth to rally past Clarinda 10-8

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The St. Joseph Mustangs rallied past Clarinda Friday night inside Phil Welch Stadium as they beat the A’s 10-8.

St. Joe’s collegiate summer basetball team improves to 20-19 and 17-18 in the MINK League. They’re now just one game back of the A’s for second in the North Division.

Clarinda broke a 6-6 tie with two runs in the top of the eighth inning, but the Mustangs answered right back with four runs of their own to take the lead for good.

Jordan Maxson led St. Joseph with three hits, while Mason Janvrin, Zack Smith and Alex Phillips added two hits each. Phillips also drove in three runs.

Gaylon Viney earned the win in relief as he allowed one earned run and four hits in three innings. Drake Kanallakan received a no decision after giving up six runs in six innings.

The Mustangs are back at home Saturday as they host Regal Plastics in a non-league game at 7:00 p.m. inside Phil Welch Stadium.

Royals’ rally comes up short in 9-6 loss at Chicago

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CHICAGO (AP) — Leury Garcia had three hits and three RBI, All-Star Jose Abreu homered for the first time in July, and the Chicago White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 9-6 on Friday night.

Garcia doubled in two runs in the first, singled in the third and connected for a solo drive in the sixth. Omar Narvaez added a two-run homer in the eighth off Kevin McCarthy and Joakim Soria pitched the ninth for his 14th save in 17 chances.

James Shields (4-10) pitched five-hit ball into the seventh inning as the White Sox earned their second straight win after a six-game slide. They finished with 14 hits against the AL Central-worst Royals.

Whit Merrifield had two hits and scored two runs for Kansas City, which has dropped 12 of 13. Brad Keller (2-4) was tagged for five runs and seven hits in 2 2/3 innings.

— Associated Press —

Cardinals get blown out by Reds in series opener

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ST. LOUIS (AP) — Scooter Gennett and Dilson Herrera homered, Matt Harvey tossed five solid innings and the Cincinnati Reds beat the St. Louis Cardinals 9-1 on Friday night.

Jesse Winker reached base four times and drove in three runs for the Reds, who won their second in a row against St. Louis after breaking a 13-game losing streak to the Cardinals on June 10.

St. Louis had won 17 of the previous 20 games between the teams.

Winker staked the Reds to an early lead with a two-run double in the first.

Gennett hit his 17th homer of the season off Carlos Martinez (6-5) in the third to push the lead to 3-1.

Herrera added a three-run, pinch-hit homer off Sam Tuivailala to highlight a five-run outburst in the seventh.

Harvey (5-5) won his fourth successive decision. He allowed one run on four hits over five innings and left after walking Jose Martinez to start the sixth. He struck out five and walked two.

Harvey, who was acquired from the New York Mets on May 8, is 4-1 with a 2.38 ERA in his last six starts. He retired 10 consecutive batters before the walk to Martinez.

Yadier Molina, celebrating his 36th birthday, drove in the Cardinals’ run in the first.

Martinez gave up three runs on six hits over five innings. He had won his previous three starts.

Jose Peraza and Eugenio Suarez had three hits for Cincinnati, which has won three of four.

The Reds improved to 34-25 following their 8-27 start to the season. They are 39-37 under interim manager Jim Riggleman, who took over for Bryan Price on April 19.

Outfielder Billy Hamilton reached over the wall to rob Matt Carpenter of a homer in the seventh.

TATUM’S TOSS

Boston Celtics standout Jayson Tatum threw out the first pitch before the contest. The St. Louis native wore a Cardinals jersey with the No. 0, his NBA number.

Tatum attended Chaminade School in suburban St. Louis.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Reds: RHP Austin Brice (1-2, 6.04) was recalled from Triple-A Louisville on Friday. RHP Tanner Rainey (0-0, 24.43) was optioned to Louisville.

Cardinals: Activated RHP Luke Gregerson (0-0, 8.64) and LHP Tyler Lyons (1-0, 5.93) from the disabled list. Gregerson had been sidelined since May 16 with right shoulder impingement. Lyons missed 33 games with a left elbow strain. RHPs John Brebbia (1-3, 4.13) and Luke Weaver (5-8, 4.72) were optioned to Memphis.

UP NEXT:

RHP Luis Castillo (5-8, 5.53) will face RHP Jack Flaherty (3-4, 3.34) in the second game of the three-game series on Saturday afternoon. Castillo is 0-3 with a 5.71 ERA in three career starts against the Cardinals. Flaherty is coming off the shortest start of his career. He went just 2 1/3 innings and gave up three earned runs in a 13-8 loss.

— Associated Press —

Mustangs lose to Clarinda in 10 innings 5-2

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The St. Joseph Mustangs rallied to force extra innings Thursday against Clarinda, but they lost to the A’s 5-2 in 10 innings inside Phil Welch Stadium.

St. Joe’s collegiate summer baseball team falls to 19-19 this season and they’re 16-18 in the MINK League. For the Mustangs to make the playoffs they have to finished first or second in the North Division, but right now they’re in third place behind Sedalia and Clarinda. The Bombers are running away with the divison as they lead St. Joseph by 7.5 games, while the Mustangs now trail the A’s by two games for second place.

The Mustangs led 1-0 after six innings on Thursday, but Clarinda scored single runs in the seventh and eighth innings to take the lead. St. Joseph got an RBI double from Daniel COvert to the tie the game in the bottom of the ninth inning, but they had two chances to win the game with the bases loaded and failed to score another run.

The A’s then put the game away with a three-run 10th inning.

Mustangs’ starter Joseph Hietpas received a no decision as he allowed two runs and six hits in eight innings of work. Mack Stephenson suffered the loss in relief.

Alex Phillips had two of St. Joseph’s six hits, while Covert and Zach Smith each had an RBI for the Mustangs.

St. Joe will play Clarinda against Friday night at 7:00 p.m. inside Phil Welch Stadium.

Missouri Western dedicates the Bill Snyder Pavilion at Spratt Stadium

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ST. JOSEPH – Missouri Western State University dedicated the Bill Snyder Pavilion at the west end of Craig Field at Spratt Memorial Stadium, Thursday. The Kansas State head football coach was born and raised in St. Joseph, and attended Missouri Western briefly when it was St. Joseph Junior College.

“We are very excited to celebrate the Bill Snyder Pavilion on our campus,” said Dr. Robert Vartabedian, Missouri Western’s President. “Along with our renovated stadium and video scoreboard, the Griffon game day experience just keeps getting better and better.”

The pavilion will be used on game days and for special events, including the Back to Football Party after the first public practice of Chiefs Training Camp on July 26.

“I truly am humbled,” Snyder said. “I know that’s what you’re supposed to say, but I truly am.”

Steve Craig, who donated the pavilion, suggested naming it after the legendary coach.

“I don’t know where to begin with Steve, and my appreciation for the very kind words, and an even greater appreciation for what you have done for this University,” Snyder said.

A centerpiece of the Bill Snyder Pavilion is an 80-foot tall flagpole, with a 20-by-30 foot American flag, dedicated to Missouri Western students and alumni who have served or are currently serving in the United States military. The flag was raised at the dedication ceremony by members of the Pony Express Battalion of the U.S. Army ROTC, headquartered at Missouri Western, and the 139th Airlift Wing of the Missouri Air National Guard, headquartered at Rosecrans Memorial Airport in St. Joseph.

— MWSU Athletics —

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