Dave Riggert – Page 318 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Carlton Bragg to transfer from Kansas

Posted on April 6, 2017

LAWRENCE – Kansas sophomore forward Carlton Bragg Jr. will transfer from KU, Jayhawks men’s basketball coach Bill Self said Thursday.

“We appreciate Carlton’s efforts the last two years at Kansas,” Self said. “We certainly respect his decision to pursue other opportunities. We wish him nothing but the very best and hope he is able to reach his dreams and goals.”

“I really enjoyed my time here at Kansas,” Bragg said. “Kansas has the best fans and I do love the program. This past year didn’t go as well as I thought it would and it’s in my best interest to get a fresh start. I want to thank my teammates, coaches and the fans for all their support these past two years. I will always cheer for the Jayhawks.”

Bragg averaged 5.4 points and 4.1 rebounds in for Kansas in 2016-17. The 6-foot-10, 240-pound Cleveland native started the first five games of the season and had five games of 10 or more points his sophomore campaign. He scored a career-high 15 points twice against Siena (Nov. 18) and against TCU (Feb. 22). He posted his lone double-double of his career with 11 rebounds in the Siena contest.

As a freshman in 2015-16, Bragg averaged 3.8 points and 2.5 rebounds for KU. He had two games of 10-plus points and six contests with five more rebounds his rookie year.

— KU Athletics —

Griffons lose at No. 17 Emporia State 7-3

Posted on April 5, 2017

EMPORIA, Kan. – The Missouri Western baseball team lost its third straight game Wednesday as they fell at #17 Emporia State 7-3. The Griffons lost two of three game in the series as they are now 15-16 this season and 12-9 in the MIAA.

NOTABLES
– Missouri Western struck early as Levi Schreiner scored on a Jeremy Alvarado single in the second inning

– With the bases loaded in the fifth inning, MWSU was able to score Logan Marston on Andrew Curry’s fielder’s choice

– A two-out RBI single from Nick Gawley during the next at-bat allowed MWSU to cut the lead to one run but they could not get any closer

– Emporia added three insurance runs in the sixth inning to extend its lead

– Both teams had 10 hits on the night but the Griffons would strand eight runners on base while the Hornets left six on base

TOP PERFORMERS
– Jeremy Alvarado went 3-for-4 with an RBI on the evening

– Donald Wanner threw two hitless and scoreless innings of relief work with four strikeouts

-Dusty Stroup finished 2-for-4 with a stolen base and a run scored for MWSU

UP NEXT
Missouri Western takes on Central Oklahoma, Friday April 7 at 6 p.m. from the Spring Sports Complex. It is the first game in a seven game homestand for the Griffons.

— MWSU Athletics —

Former Eagle Jackie Ziesel Fore named Bishop LeBlond girls’ basketball coach

Posted on April 5, 2017

St. Joseph, Mo. – Bishop LeBlond High School Athletic Director Michael Evans announced Wednesday that Jackie Ziesel Fore has been named varsity girls basketball coach for the 2017-18 school year. Fore was a three-sport All-State athlete (volleyball, basketball and track and field) at LeBlond, graduating in the class of 2011, and a four-year letter winner in basketball at Benedictine College. She earned her degree in athletic training from Benedictine, and currently works as an athletic trainer at The Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center.

“We are excited to have Coach Fore as our new varsity head coach and I know she is up for the challenges that lie ahead,” Evans said. “She was a tremendous basketball player at both LeBlond and Benedictine, and I know her knowledge and passion for the game will translate to success. She believes in what we are doing at LeBlond to prepare young people, and I know she is the best person to lead our girls basketball program.”

Fore said she was excited to bring her knowledge and love for the game back to her alma mater. “I know there will be challenges ahead, but I believe a strong worth ethic and determination will set us up for success in the future,” she said. “I look forward to seeing the program grow in all aspects. I am geared toward bringing the excitement back to LeBlond girls basketball and rekindling the great tradition we have.”

Fore was an assistant volleyball and girls basketball coach at Bishop LeBlond for the 2016-17 season, working alongside Bryan Adkins who resigned recently after one season at the helm. When she was hired as an assistant last year, Fore was quoted in the Benedictine campus newspaper saying, “I would like to work into a head position at least with basketball, that’s my plan right now,” she said. “I’d like to do it for as long as I can until maybe some kids come around, but even after that I am sure I’ll still be in the gym somehow.”

Fore earned numerous honors in volleyball while at LeBlond including All-City, All-MEC, AllDistrict, All-Region, and All-State. She earned similar honors in basketball and was a McDonald’s High School All-American nominee, scored 1,000 career points, was a first-team All-State selection and was a St. Joseph Sports Inc. Scholar Athlete. She also earned All-State recognition in both the 100-meter and 300-meter hurdles as well as winning city, district and conference hurdles titles.

While playing basketball at Benedictine she scored 1,000 career points and earned honorable mention All-Conference honors. Fore played semi-professional basketball for the Kansas City Majestics in 2016.

Her father Mike Ziesel is the longtime athletic director at Benton High School and began his coaching career at Bishop LeBlond as an assistant in the mid-1970s, including 1977 when he was an assistant to John Bizal for the school’s only boys state title. He also came to coach at LeBlond after a playing career at Benedictine.

— Bishop LeBlond Press Release —

Royals struggle again in 9-1 loss at Minnesota

Posted on April 5, 2017

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins were halfway through the first month of the season before they picked up their second win last year, a putrid start that weighed on their shoulders for the rest of a miserable season.

A fresh start has done wonders for the Twins and slugger Miguel Sano.

Eduardo Escobar homered and drove in four runs and Sano added a bases-loaded triple to lead the Minnesota Twins to a 9-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday.

Hector Santiago (1-0) gave up one run and four hits and struck out four in five innings for the Twins. After starting last season 0-9 to set the stage for a 103-loss season, the Twins are 2-0 for the first time since 2007.

“Everybody is playing happy,” said Sano, who homered in the season opener and just missed two more on Wednesday. “It’s a game. It’s got a name: game. Everybody try to play normal. Nobody like in a hurry or something like that. No pressure. Only play and win.”

Ian Kennedy (0-1) gave up three runs and three hits with five strikeouts and five walks in five innings for Kansas City. Paulo Orlando drove in the lone run for the Royals, who walked nine Twins batters on the day.

“You’re just putting yourself in a position for them to put big numbers on the board when that happens,” Royals manager Ned Yost said.

Sano broke the game open with his triple that almost cleared the high wall in right-center field and Escobar’s three-run drive just reached the seats in left field.

“I’m not a home run hitter, so as soon as I hit the ball I started hustling like I usually do,” Escobar said. “Once I got to second base and saw my teammates celebrating I was able to slow down and enjoy it.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Royals: Alex Gordon was hit on the right hand by a pitch from Santiago in the first inning, but remained in the game after being examined by team athletic trainers. He went 0 for 3.

PITCHING FOLLIES

Kennedy couldn’t find the strike zone, walking three in the Twins’ three-run second inning. That followed a season opener on Monday in which Royals pitchers walked seven Twins hitters, a troubling sign for a team that had its title defense done in last season in large part to a lackluster starting rotation.

The bullpen has been the bigger problem this season, with Nate Karns and Matt Strahm giving up all six runs in the seventh.

“Just starting off on a bad foot, really,” Karns said. “I don’t think there’s anything that can point to why we’re not doing really well right out of the gate. We’ll tighten it up and get it going tomorrow.”

HOT HANDS

Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer might have had the play of the day in the sixth inning when Eduardo Escobar sent a line drive screaming toward him. Hosmer got his glove on it, but the ball popped out. Hosmer snared the ball with his throwing hand, but had to do a bit of a juggling act before securing it and stepping on first to double up Juan Castro.

BUXTON SEARCHING

Twins center fielder Byron Buxton is being counted on to have a breakout season after looking overmatched at times at the plate last season. Manager Paul Molitor is hitting Buxton third in the order, a spot generally given to one of the team’s top hitters.

The early returns have not been promising. He has struck out six times in 10 at-bats with just one infield single.

SMALL CROWD

After selling out the opener on Monday, the Twins announced a crowd of 15,171 for Game 2 on an overcast day in which the temperature at first pitch was a cool 47 degrees. It’s the smallest crowd announced at Target Field and indicative of a fan base skeptical of the team’s chances after minimal changes were made to a roster that lost 103 games last season.

UP NEXT

Royals: RHP Jason Hammel will make his debut for the Royals in the series finale against the Twins.

Twins: RHP Kyle Gibson starts for Minnesota.

— Associated Press —

Mizzou announces men’s basketball assistant coaches

Posted on April 5, 2017

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Men’s Basketball head coach Cuonzo Martin announced additions to his coaching staff on Wednesday with more than 30 years of Division I coaching experience represented between the trio of new Tiger assistant coaches.

Chris Hollender, Cornell Mann and Michael Porter, Sr., have been selected by Martin to assist him in coaching the Black & Gold, starting with the 2017-18 season. Hollender, most recently in the same role at UMKC, spent three seasons coaching in the Southeastern Conference at Mississippi State from 2012-15. Previously at Iowa State from 2011-15, Mann was on staff at Oakland for the 2016-17 campaign. A familiar face to Mizzou Athletics, Porter spent the 2016-17 season coaching at Washington.

“It’s exciting to get this staff officially announced, because it’s time to get to work,” Martin said. “Each of these coaches help us get better from a basketball standpoint, on the recruiting trail and as a family. I’m looking forward to our Mizzou fans getting to know these three outstanding coaches. All three of them have unique coaching backgrounds, teachings, life lessons and upbringings that will form a balanced staff for our Mizzou Basketball program. Chris, Cornell and Mike each bring energy and passion for basketball, but most importantly, they will be incredible mentors to our student-athletes.”

Hollender brings strong Midwest ties and SEC experience to Martin’s staff, as the Mattoon, Illinois, native starred as a player at Evansville before embarking on his coaching career that landed him stops at Army (2002-09), his alma mater (2009-12), Mississippi State (2012-15) and UMKC (2015-17). At UMKC this past season, the Roos recorded the second-most wins (18) in school history.

During Hollender’s tenures at Army, Evansville, Mississippi State and UMKC, each basketball program saw a significant improvement in performance on the court and on the recruiting trail. The 2006-07 Black Knights improved by an astounding 10 wins to a 15-16 record. Hollender’s final class he helped recruit to Evansville went on to claim 84 victories over their career. At Mississippi State, Hollender’s work included developing All-SEC forward Gavin Ware, who became one of only seven players in MSU history to score at least 1,000 points and grab 800 or more rebounds.

Hollender was an all-conference player for the Purple Aces in 1998 before turning professional, enjoying a stint in Europe with Bremerhaven of Germany. He then returned to the United States to play in the CBA from 1999-2002 before beginning his coaching career.

Hollender earned a degree in marketing from Evansville in 1998. He and his wife, Kathryn, have a son, Jackson, and twin daughters, Madeline and Elyse.

Mann was part of an outstanding run of success at Iowa State from 2011-15, with his tenure coinciding with four consecutive NCAA Tournament selections. The Royal Oak Township, Michigan, native recruited and tutored one of the top point guards in college basketball in Flint, Michigan, native Monte Morris, who finished his ISU career with the best assist-to-turnover ratio in NCAA history (4.65-1).

Bringing NCAA Tournament coaching experience to Martin’s staff from four different basketball programs, Mann was on staff at Dayton (2008-11) for three-straight postseason berths. In his first season with the Flyers, Mann helped coach Dayton to the second-most wins in school history (27) and a second round NCAA Tournament appearance.

Prior to Dayton, Mann served stints on coaching staffs at Western Michigan (2003-08) and Central Michigan (2001-03), with the Broncos making a Big Dance appearance in 2004 and the Chippewas advancing to the tournament in 2003, respectively.

Mann earned a degree in family development from Akron in 1995, playing his final three seasons of eligibility for the Zips after starting his collegiate career at Colorado. Mann has two children, a daughter, Cyncere, and a son, Maliq.

No stranger to Columbia and Mizzou Arena, Porter rejoins the Mizzou family after an assistant coaching stop at Washington for the 2016-17 season. Experienced on the recruiting trail and well-versed on the travel ball circuit, Porter spent the previous six years before coaching the Huskies on Robin Pingeton’s women’s basketball coaching staff, serving his last three seasons as an assistant coach.

Under Porter’s watch, the Tigers improved their win total each season, culminating in the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance since the 2000-01 season in his final campaign on staff in 2015-16. The Black & Gold also benefited from Porter’s previous three seasons as Mizzou’s Director of Operations (2011-13), as practices and individual workouts were organized and structured by Porter.

A major part of Porter’s basketball experience comes from service to others. Porter served as head coach of Upward Basketball from 2003-06. With the Upward Sports league, Porter worked with young athletes to not only develop basketball skills, but also skills needed to build stronger character and confidence. Porter also played professionally for five seasons with Athletes in Action (AIA), competing around the country and world and spreading spiritual guidance.

Porter graduated from the University of New Orleans in 1989, where he was a four-year member of the basketball team. He and his wife, Lisa, have eight children, Bri, Cierra, Michael, Jr., Jontay, Coban, Jevon, Izaak and Jayda. Bri and Cierra are teammates on the Mizzou women’s basketball team.

All hires are official pending the completion of the University hiring process.

— Mizzou Athletics —

MWSU’s postponed softball games rescheduled for next week

Posted on April 5, 2017

ST. JOSEPH – Mother Nature has given the Missouri Western softball team a break from what was supposed to be 10-straight road games.

Two postponed MIAA doubleheaders have been re-scheduled for next week and a road, non-conference doubleheader has been canceled.

Missouri Western will now host Northwest Missouri State April 11 at 4 p.m. and Central Missouri April 12 at 4 p.m. The Northwest Missouri State doubleheader has twice been re-scheduled and will replace a canceled non-conference doubleheader between the two teams in Maryville on April 11. The games against Central Missouri were re-scheduled from March 31.

NEW DATES & TIMES
Tuesday, April 11 vs. Northwest Missouri State at 4 p.m.
Wednesday, April 12 vs. Central Missouri at 4 p.m.
Non-Conference doubleheader at Northwest Missouri State, April 11, canceled

It gives the Griffons a pair of home series in between four road doubleheaders that begin this weekend with trips to Missouri Southern and Pittsburg State. Weather has created imbalance in the MIAA standings with MWSU playing a league-low eight conference games so far this season. Two MIAA members have already played 16 conference games.

The schedule changes will also mean Missouri Western has to play 14 games over a 10-day period. MWSU will play doubleheaders at Missouri Southern and Pittsburg State this weekend; at home versus Northwest Missouri and Central Missouri next week then on the road again at Fort Hays State and Nebraska-Kearney next weekend before a make-up doubleheader with Lincoln at home on April 17.

It also sets up a busy schedule at the Spring Sports Complex. Griffon Baseball hosts Central Oklahoma April 7-10 then Northwest Missouri on April 11, and Fort Hays State April 13-15.
— MWSU Athletics —

Bearcat baseball rallies to defeat Nebraska-Kearney 5-4

Posted on April 4, 2017

The Northwest Missouri State University baseball team scored in the bottom of the ninth to beat Nebraska-Kearney, 5-4, on Tuesday night at Memorial Field in Kearney, Neb.

– The win moves Northwest to 21-10 on the year and 10-8 in MIAA play. The Lopers fall to 9-22 on the season and 2-16 in conference action.

– Ever member of the Bearcat lineup got a hit on Tuesday.

– Northwest was designated as the home team even with the game being played at UNK since it was originally scheduled to be played in Maryville, Mo.

Key Northwest Statistics

– Northwest scored one in the second, two in the fourth, one in the fifth and one in the ninth. The Lopers scored one in the first and three in the fourth.

– The Bearcats had five runs on 10 hits with two errors. Nebraska-Kearney scored four runs on 10 hits with no errors.

– Garrett Fort went 2-for-4 with a run scored, a double and a stolen base.

– Luke Hassman went 1-for-4 with two runs driven in. He hit his sixth home run of the year in the fourth inning.

– James Holler was 1-for-4, his lone hit being a solo home run in the second inning.

– Jay Hrdlicka was 1-for-4 with a run scored.

– Landon Figg went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. He was also hit by a pitch.

– Kolby Greenslade was 1-for-4 with the game-winning RBI double in the ninth.

– Ozzie Adams and Kevin Handzlik each went 1-for-3 with a walk.

– Logan Rycraft was 1-for-3 on the day.

– Eddy Kraber got the start, going 5.0 innings. He allowed three earned runs on eight hits. He struck out six and did not issue a walk.

– Quintin Van Ackeren, Jacob Wagner and Austin Battaglia each helped hold the Lopers scoreless for 2.2 innings of relief. The trio allowed just two hits with no walks allowed.

– Nikko Pablo got the win, recording the final out of the eighth and working a flawless ninth. He did not allow a hit or a walk while recording one strikeout.

Key Northwest Innings
– Holler tied the game, 1-1, in the second, taking the first pitch he saw in his at bat over the right field fence for his third home run of the year.

– Figg led off the fourth by getting hit with a pitch. Hassman made the Lopers pay, blasting his sixth home run over the right field wall to make it a 4-3 ballgame.

– With two down in the fifth, Fort hit a double to right field. Adams drew a walk and Figg hit an 0-2 pitch to center for an RBI single, scoring Fort to tie the game, 4-4.

– Hrdlicka hit a one-out single to center in the ninth after battling through a 10-pitch at bat. After a lineout, Hrdlicka was able to advance to second on a passed ball. Greenslade delivered the winning blow with his fifth double of the season, this time to right field, driving in the winning run.

Up Next
– The Bearcats will host Missouri Southern starting on Friday at 3 p.m.

— Northwest Athletics —

MWSU men’s golf finishes fourth in Arkansas; McCarthy falls in playoff

Posted on April 4, 2017

MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark – Missouri Western freshman golfer Patrick McCarthy shot a two-under-par 214 to tie for first place but fell in a one-hole playoff for the individual championship at the Southern Bancorp Invitational. It’s McCarthy’s best finish and lowest three round score as a Griffon as MWSU finished fourth as a team with an 897.

Kevin Kim finished with an eight-over-par 224 and finished in 15th. Jakob Majeske shot a 231 to finish just outside the top 25. Lucas Horseman carded a 234 and Cole Roberts ended with a 236 for MWSU.

Henderson State claimed the team title with a score 883 as HSU’s Drew Greenwood won individual honors by defeating McCarthy in the playoff. Missouri Western travels to Hays, Kansas on April 17 for the Tiger Classic.

— MWSU Athletics —

Northwest Missouri State adds Cunningham to football coaching staff

Posted on April 4, 2017

MARYVILLE, Mo. – Northwest Missouri State University head football coach Rich Wright has announced the hiring of Mike Cunningham to the coaching staff for the 2017 season. Cunningham will serve as the Bearcats’ offensive line coach after spending the past two seasons at Winona State University as the Warrior’s run game coordinator and offensive line coach.

“I am very excited to join coach Wright and his staff at Northwest,” said Cunningham. “I am looking forward to helping build on the success that Northwest has achieved over the years.”

While on staff, Winona State went 5-6 during the 2015 season and improved to 8-3 last year. In his first season in 2015, the Warriors allowed just 19 sacks, half of the 38 allowed the year prior to his arrival. In 2016, Winona State ran for 21 rushing touchdowns, surpassing the 13 scores in both 2015 and 2014. The team averaged 160.8 rushing yards per game, an improvement of nearly 37 yards per contest and gained 28 more first downs on the ground.

Prior to his time at Winona State, Cunningham worked with Nebraska football as an offensive staff assistant. He helped with game planning and scouting reports for the Huskers in 2014. In 2013 he served as the offensive line coach at the University of North Dakota. From 2006-12 he was the offensive line coach and running game coordinator at Minnesota State. He was also Concordia-St. Paul’s offensive line coach during the 2004 and 2005 seasons.

Cunningham graduated from New Mexico State University in 2001 where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Family Sciences. He is married to his wife, Andrea, and the couple has three children, Trevin, Alyssa and Alex.

— Northwest Athletics —

St. Joseph Mustangs announce additions to front office staff

Posted on April 4, 2017

The St. Joseph Mustangs are proud to announce recent additions to front office.

Tim Hannah and Stan Weston will be filling the positions of Assistant General Manager and Director of Stadium Operations respectively for the upcoming season.

Tim Hannah, a graduate of Northwest Missouri State University with a degree in Sports Media, is a native of Kansas City, MO. He formerly worked as a Media Intern with the Mustangs last season and says he is eager to return to work with the team. Hannah also worked as a news and sports reporter for the NPR affiliate 90.5 KXCV Maryville and 88.9 KRNW Chillicothe. He was also the play by play voice of 8 man football for Pick-Up Country KNIM in Maryville.

Stan Weston has worked and lived in St. Joseph for much of his life. He was formerly an elementary physical education teacher and coached baseball for almost 30 years at St. Joseph Lafayette High School before moving to St. Joseph Central High School, where he coached for 5 seasons. In the past, Weston has worked on the grounds crew for the College World Series in Omaha. Weston looks forward to joining the Mustang family.

Mustangs General Manager Ky Turner says he is excited to add Hannah and Weston to the team.

“We’re excited to bring Stan and Tim to the team. Stan is going to do a wonderful job on the facility and field. We’re very fortunate to have someone with his experience and knowledge. Tim has a great skill set and personality, and he already has some great ideas to add to the fan experience at Mustangs games. Both Stan and Tim are going to bring the guest experience at Phil Welch to a new level of satisfaction.”

The St. Joseph Mustangs season home opener is set for Wednesday, May 31st against the Midwest A’s at Phil Welch Stadium. Game time is set for 7 p.m. Tickets are available by visiting Phil Welch Stadium or calling the Mustangs box office at 816-279-7856.

— Mustangs Press Release —