Dave Riggert – Page 478 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Central lets big lead slip away in Class 5 Sectional loss to Liberty

Posted on March 9, 2016

The St. Joseph Central girls’ basketball team had its season come to an end Wednesday night as they lost to Liberty 59-44 in the Class 5 Sectionals at Silverstein Eye Centers Arena in Independence.

The Indians finish with a 21-7 record, with three of their losses coming to Liberty. The Blue Jays improve to 25-3 and they’ll face Belton in the Class 5 Quarterfinals on Saturday.

Central jumped out to a big lead in the first half as they took a 28-12 lead with about four minutes to go before halftime, but the Indians didn’t score again in the half and Liberty ended the second quarter on a 13-0 run to pull within three points at the half.

The Blue Jays took the lead early in the third quarter and led 37-33, and Central never regained the lead.

Maggie Lawrence led CHS with 13 points.

K-State holds on to defeat Oklahoma State in Big 12 Tournament opener

Posted on March 9, 2016

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas State looked like a team playing without any pressure in the Big 12 tournament Wednesday night.

Maybe because that’s the way the Wildcats have chosen to approach it.

They know that they’ll need to win four games in four days to make the NCAA Tournament, and they are unlikely to be favored the rest of the way. But they at least got the first one out of the way, holding on after building a big early lead to beat Oklahoma State 75-71 in the opening round.

“There should be no pressure on us,” Wildcats coach Bruce Weber said. “We just have to come and play and enjoy the opportunity. That’s what we’ve talked about.”

Freshman forward Dean Wade took advantage of his opportunity, scoring a career-best 20 points. Justin Edwards added 17 and Wesley Iwundu had 14 for the eighth-seeded Wildcats (17-15), who will play top-ranked Kansas — the tournament’s No. 1 seed — in Thursday’s quarterfinals.

“It is definitely going to be challenging, the No. 1 team in the country,” Edwards said. “Like coach said, we have to go back to the hotel, get rested and hopefully be energized for tomorrow.”

Jeffrey Carroll and Joe Burton scored 13 points apiece for No. 9 seed Oklahoma State, which lost its 20th game for the first time since the 1971-72 season. And that could create an uncomfortable few days for coach Travis Ford, who still has three years and $7.2 million remaining on his 10-year contract.

The pressure has been mounting on Ford all season, despite a rash of injuries — including season-enders to star guard Phil Forte and standout freshman Jawun Evans — that robbed him of his intended lineup.

“People have asked me about it, and they don’t understand the life I live,” Ford said. “They are not around me enough to know my mindset of how I work. I immerse myself into trying to figure out how to help this team every way possible, and you know, I haven’t really — you know, I put everything I could in trying to figure out how to beat K-State. And now I am thinking about what I could have done differently.”

Tyree Griffin scored 11 points and Leyton Hammonds had 10 for the Cowboys, who lost in the first round of the tournament for the first time to finish the season with seven consecutive defeats.

Meanwhile, the Wildcats wiped away the memory of a loss to TCU as the No. 8 seed a year ago.

Kansas State jumped on the Cowboys right from the start Wednesday night, using a 10-0 run and a 9-0 run minutes apart to build a double-digit lead. It eventually swelled to as many as 18 points when Iwundu knocked down a jumper and then hit a pair of foul shots in the closing minutes of the first half.

Kansas State still led 40-23 at the break.

The Cowboys, who began the game 4 for 15 from the field, scored on their first six possessions of the second half to chip into the lead. But once their offense got going, their defense collapsed, and the Wildcats were able to match them shot-for-shot for several minutes to keep them at bay.

It was still 67-59 with just over two minutes left when Kansas State forward Stephen Hurt knocked down a baseline jumper. Anthony Allen rattled the rim with a dunk at the other end, but Iwundu went coasting to the rim and was fouled, making the first of two free throws for some breathing room.

It came in handy when Hammonds hit a 3-pointer to make it 70-64 with 1:24 remaining.

The Wildcats struggled to put the game away from the foul line with Iwundu and Brian Rohleder each missing a pair. But after a basket by Tyree Griffin made it 73-68 with 21 seconds left, Barry Brown was able to convert the first of two free throws to help seal the win.

“Now it’s all about getting rest, getting good preparation,” Iwundu said, “and coming to fight the hardest tomorrow to make it a good game and hopefully come out with the win.”

—

TIP-INS

Oklahoma State: Jeff Newberry was held to six points on 3-for-9 shooting. … The Cowboys’ last victory was against Kansas State in overtime on Feb. 13. … Oklahoma State shot just 35 percent from the field.

Kansas State: Iwundu also had four assists and Wade had six rebounds. … The Wildcats came into the tournament having lost four of their last five. … D.J. Johnson had nine points before fouling out.

SUPPORT FOR FORD

“We’ve been through a lot of adversity,” Griffin said, “and he’s just trying to lift us up, like every single time. He’s never been negative to us. We’ve never been negative toward our teammates. We just try to go out there and finish each game and play strong every night.”

UP NEXT

Oklahoma State begins recuperating in the offseason.

Kansas State plays the Jayhawks in Thursday’s quarterfinals.

— Associated Press —

Chiefs busy on first day of free agency Wednesday

Posted on March 9, 2016March 9, 2016

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs agreed to a five-year deal with former Browns offensive tackle Mitchell Schwartz while keeping defensive tackle Jaye Howard during a busy start to free agency Wednesday.

The Chiefs were also close to a deal to keep veteran linebacker Derrick Johnson, the franchise’s career tackles leader, and had agreed to contracts with outside linebackers Jonathan Massaquoi and Frank Zombo to provide additional depth, according to multiple people with knowledge of the negotiations.

The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deals were not announced.

Schwartz has started every game for the Cleveland Browns since becoming their second-round pick in the 2012 draft. As the bookend to Pro Bowl tackle Joe Thomas, he often had to deal with the opponent’s top pass rusher, and was solid in shutting down the Broncos’ Von Miller during an overtime loss in October.

“I’m excited to announce that I’ll be joining the Chiefs!!” Schwartz tweeted Wednesday night.

The former Cal standout is the brother of offensive guard Geoff Schwartz, one of the first to sign with general manager John Dorsey and coach Andy Reid after they took over the Chiefs. Schwartz played one season in Kansas City before signing a free-agent deal with the New York Giants.

The Chiefs moved quickly to add Schwartz with Jeff Allen and Donald Stephenson, two former Chiefs draft picks and key cogs on the offensive line, considering other landing spots.

Howard, who agreed to a two-year deal, was coming off a solid season that led to interest from several teams in free agency. But the former fourth-round pick ultimately decided to stick with Kansas City after starting 14 of 16 games and making a career-best 5 1/2 sacks.

With the Chiefs having already re-signed pass rusher Tamba Hali and franchising safety Eric Berry, the move to retain Johnson would allow them to keep the core of their defense intact.

Johnson was the Chiefs’ first-round pick in 2005, and bounced back from a season-ending Achilles injury to make his fourth Pro Bowl last season. He started all 16 games and finished with 95 tackles, four sacks and two interceptions, passing Gary Spani along the way for the team’s career tackles record.

The former Texas standout was testing free agency the first time, but he’s said all along that he wanted to finish his career in Kansas City. Johnson will turn 34 in November.

Massaquoi and Zombo, who spent the past three seasons with the Chiefs, elected to sign with Kansas City despite Hali receiving a three-year deal one day earlier. They added depth behind Hali, Justin Houston and former first-round pick Dee Ford with backup linebacker Dezman Moses a free agent.

The biggest news of the day, though, came when the Chiefs were docked their third-round pick this April and a sixth-round pick next year for violating the NFL’s anti-tampering rules. The franchise also was fined $250,000, while coach Andy Reid was fined $50,000 and general manager John Dorsey fined $25,000.

The Chiefs said in a statement they intend to appeal the penalties.

The club is accused of talking directly to wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, then a free agent, during the negotiating window. That communication is prohibited under the league’s tampering policy.

Maclin eventually signed a $55 million, five-year deal with Kansas City.

— Associated Press —

Gordon homers, goes 4-4 as Royals beat Brewers

Posted on March 9, 2016

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Alex Gordon went 4 for 4 with a home run and a Kansas City Royals split squad beat the Milwaukee Brewers 7-5 Wednesday.

A day after a swarm of bees caused a delay in the middle of the Rockies-Royals game at Surprise Stadium, some of the insects buzzed the ballpark about an hour before the first pitch. They soon flew away and there were no problems.

Gordon, who struck out in all three of his at-bats Monday against the Cubs, hit a tiebreaking home run leading off the sixth.

“Well, the last game I thought I was going to get released after the showing I had, so I had to do something today,” Gordon said.

Gordon hit a monstrous shot to straightaway center off Adrian Houser.

“I did get it good, that’s one of my best bullets,” Gordon said. “Arizona, wind-blowing out, definitely helps. I always tell Hos (Eric Hosmer), I wish I had pop like him. This is the first day I’ve outswung him to center field, so I’ll take it.”

Hosmer homered and Mike Moustakas had a two-run double off Wily Peralta. Moustakas is 7 for 12 with four doubles and six RBI this spring.

Royals closer Wade Davis, who had an 0.94 ERA in 69 relief appearances last year, pitched a spotless fourth, striking out one.

Hernan Perez homered for the Brewers.

STARTING TIME

Brewers: Peralta got out of a bases-loaded jam in the first when Salvador Perez rolled into a double play. Peralta felt like he got away with a pitch after falling behind 3-0 when Perez hit a pitch foul down the left field line. “It was a fastball right down the middle,” Peralta said. He faced 11 batters and seven reached base — six hits and a walk. “It’s spring training, man,” Peralta. “I feel 100 percent healthy. That’s what I’m happy for, come into the season feel 100 percent and don’t worry about anything else.”

Royals: RHP Yordano Ventura gave up three runs on five hits, including two doubles, on his first 17 pitches, but then retired the final eight batters he faced. “The first inning I was little bit wild, my fastball and offspeed were up, but I made an adjustment in the second inning,” Ventura said. “My location and my mechanics were a little bit off in the first inning.”

ROYAL VISITORS

NASCAR driver Clint Bowyer, who is from Emporia, Kansas, and will compete Sunday in the Good Sam 500 at Phoenix International Raceway, suited up for the Royals, wearing No. 15, and brought out the lineup card. Also, actor Rob Riggle, who went to Shawnee Mission South High in the Kansas City area and a Kansas University graduate, was in camp.

FORGET SOMETHING

Brewers LF Domingo Santana left his No 16 jersey at the Maryvale complex. He wore No. 3, but it did not hurt his hitting. He doubled leading off the game, singled in the fifth and scored two runs.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Brewers: C Jonathan Lucroy (food poisoning) returned to the lineup after missing two days and went 1 for 3 with a run-producing single. . . RHP Jeremy Jeffress (hamstring strain) is scheduled to throw another bullpen Thursday.

Royals: 2B Omar Infante (offseason elbow surgery) played in the field for the first time. He went 0 for 3 and walked, but had no fielding chances.

UP NEXT

Brewers: RHP Jimmy Nelson, who led the team with 11 victories last season, will start against the Giants.

Royals: RHP Ian Kennedy, who allowed a run on four hits over two innings in his initial start, will start against the White Sox.

— Associated Press —

Northwest tennis teams each fall to Missouri-Kansas City

Posted on March 9, 2016

The Northwest Missouri State University men’s and women’s tennis teams each fell to Division I member UMKC, 5-2, on Wednesday afternoon at the Plaza Tennis Courts in Kansas City, Mo.

The men fall to 3-1 while the women are now 2-2 on the year. The UMKC men improved to 7-6 and the women are now 4-8 overall.

The Bearcat women got off to a very strong start, winning the doubles point. Lorena Rivas Jarolim and Kaja Emersic won 6-3 at the No. 1 position while Aniek Kolen and Margaux Jacquet won at No. 2, 6-3.

The Northwest men got wins at No. 5 singles from Fin Glowick in three sets and Aymeric Autones at No. 6 singles.

Andrea Gallardo won at No. 6 singles for the women, battling back to win in three after dropping the first set.

The match was played using Division I rules with doubles counting as one point.

Match Results
Men’s Matches (UMKC 5, Northwest 2)
1. Castellano,Airam (UMKC) def. Boissinot,Romain (NW) 6-2, 6-7, 6-0
2. Smirnov,Andrey (UMKC) def. Riveros,Alvaro (NW) 6-4, 6-2
3. Gaismins,Uldis (UMKC) def. Fontcuberta,Sergi (NW) 7-5, 1-6, 7-6 (7-5)
4. Psarros,Mike (UMKC) def. Tete,Mauro (NW) 6-3, 6-1
5. Glowick,Fin (NW) def. Pham,Vinh (UMKC) 5-7, 6-3, 6-4
6. Autones,Aymeric (NW) def. Navette,Amaury (UMKC) 6-3, 6-1

1. Castellano,Airam/Psarros,Mike (UMKC) def. Riveros,Alvaro/Fontcuberta,Sergi (NW) 6-4
2. Navette,Amaury/Gaismins,Uldis (UMKC) def. Boissinot,Romain/Autones,Aymeric (NW) 6-2
3. Smirnov,Andrey/Pham,Vinh (UMKC) def. Tete,Mauro/Altmann,Josef (NW) 6-5 (10-8)

Women’s Matches (UMKC 5, Northwest 2)
1. Stavrianakou,Dimitra (UMKC) def. Jarolim,Lorena Rivas (NW) 6-3, 6-2
2. Johnson,Melinda (UMKC) def. Emersic,Kaja (NW) 6-2, 1-6, 6-4
3. Kurasbediani,Mariam (UMKC) def. Kolen,Aniek (NW) 6-0, 3-6, 7-5
4. Albert,Marina (UMKC) def. Jacquet,Margaux (NW) 6-1, 6-3
5. Argenal,Raquel (UMKC) def. Sestokaite,Vilune (NW) 6-0, 7-5
6. Gallardo,Andrea (NW) def. Linda Ammar Mouhoub (UMKC) 4-6, 6-2, 6-4

1. Jarolim,Lorena Rivas/Emersic,Kaja (NW) def. Stavrianakou,Dimitra/Johnson,Melinda (UMKC) 6-3
2. Kolen,Aniek/Jacquet,Margaux (NW) def. Argenal,Raquel/Kurasbediani,Mariam (UMKC) 6-3
3. Albert,Marina/Linda Ammar Mouhoub (UMKC) def. Gallardo,Andrea/Dibbins,Rachel (NW) 6-2

The Northwest women head to Springfield, Mo., to take on Arkansas Tech at 9 a.m. on Friday, March 11. The Bearcat men and women are scheduled to host Lindenwood at 1 p.m. in the MIAA opener on Saturday, March 12, at the Frank Grube Courts.

— Northwest Athletics —

Mizzou’s Anderson gets vote of confidence from athletic director

Posted on March 9, 2016March 9, 2016

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Missouri coach Kim Anderson has gotten a vote of confidence from athletic director Mack Rhoades.

Rhoades said Wednesday that he met with Anderson earlier in the week to share “expectations” for next season. Rhoades said Anderson got the job under difficult circumstances, with little talent left after Frank Haith left for Tulsa.

“No one is satisfied with the number of wins our team has earned in the past two seasons,” Rhoades said. “No one wants to win more than coach Anderson.”

Rhoades said he expected Anderson to serve as a “role model” for students.

Anderson said he looks forward to the challenge of putting the school back on the map. He is a former star player and Norm Stewart assistant at the school, which he said “holds a special place in my heart.”

Anderson said he and Rhoades have met several times in recent weeks.

“Mack understands the challenges we’ve faced and has been very supportive,” Anderson said.

Missouri was 10-21 this season, losing its last five in a row, and won just nine games in Anderson’s first season. The school also admitted to NCAA violations dating to 2011 and banned itself from the postseason this year along with vacating all 23 wins from the 2013-14 season.

“No one is more disappointed than me, but no one is more motivated to get this program competing at a high level again,” Anderson said. “Our goal remains to compete and to win at the highest level and to do so with integrity and class.”

— Associated Press —

Nebraska beats Rutgers 89-72 in Big Ten tournament

Posted on March 9, 2016March 9, 2016

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Shavon Shields and Nebraska turned up their defense just when it looked like Rutgers was gathering momentum.

The effort sparked a 17-2 run in which the Cornhuskers took control of the game and cruised to an 89-72 victory over the Scarlet Knights at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

“Getting stops was important,” Shields said. “When they only scored two points on a run like that you’re getting stops. I think we ran well in transition. Tai (Webster) kicked it out to me twice for easy scores. Just running in transition really sparked us on offense.”

It was the 11th-seeded Cornhuskers’ third victory over No. 14 seed Rutgers this season and ended their five-game losing streak. Nebraska’s last victory was at home against Penn State on Feb. 13.

Nebraska (15-17) will take on No. 6 seed Wisconsin Thursday in the Big Ten tournament quarterfinals. The two teams met just once during the regular season with the Badgers winning 72-61 in Madison.

Shields scored 20 points and pulled down 11 rebounds to lead the Cornhuskers. In that 17-2 run that put Nebraska up 60-45 with 9:51 to play, Shields had five points including a three-point play. Five different Nebraska players scored during that run.

Rutgers came to the Big Ten Tournament Wednesday having closed its season with its only conference win, March 5 against Minnesota.

With just under 17 minutes to play against Nebraska, it looked like the Scarlet Knights had a shot to make it two in a row. Corey Sanders’ 3-pointer pulled Rutgers even with the Cornhuskers and the Knights appeared to have momentum.

Rutgers (7-25) had 17 turnovers that led to 27 Nebraska points.

“You have to give credit to them,” Rutgers coach Eddie Jordan said. “Their guards got into Corey (Sanders) and Corey didn’t have his typical efficient game for us. And then we just didn’t execute some areas that we should have.”

Tai Webster had 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting. He scored 12 in the first half as Nebraska led 37-33 at the break.

“Tai was really strong in the first half and we did need it because we were awful at the rim,” said Nebraska coach Tim Miles. “They didn’t give us anything clean at the rim and that’s the way it should have been if you want to advance.”

Andrew White III had 16 points, Michael Jacobsen scored 14 and Ed Morrow had all 10 of his points in the second half.

“They were putting two on the ball so somebody was going to run free,” Miles said. “(Jacobsen) was able to get to the rim. A lot of times the ball finds you. I thought he did a good job and I thought the guys delivered it, too.”

Mike Williams led Rutgers with 14, Bishop Daniels had 13 and Omari Grier added 12 for the Scarlet Knights.

TIP-INS

Nebraska: The Cornhuskers are now 2-4 in Big Ten tournament history and this was their first win ever in Indianapolis. Their only other Big Ten tournament victory came in 2013 when No. 10 seed Nebraska beat No. 7 Purdue 57-55 at the United Center. … Nebraska is 18-38 all-time in conference tournament games.

Rutgers: Rutgers finished the season 0-14 away from home. The Scarlet Knights were 0-11 in true road games and 0-3 on neutral sites. … Rutgers is 2-5 all-time against Nebraska.

UP NEXT

Nebraska: The Cornhuskers will face No. 6 seed Wisconsin in Thursday’s quarterfinals.

Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights were eliminated from the Big Ten tournament with the loss.

— Associated Press —

Missouri baseball tops Alabama A&M 5-3

Posted on March 9, 2016March 9, 2016

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Baseball [12-3] topped Alabama A&M [2-12], 5-3, thanks to a strong performance from RHP Ryan Lee [Grandview, Mo.], who earned his second win of the season. The Tigers took advantage of four two-out RBIs and got a pair of two-out RBI singles from freshman Connor Brumfield (Columbia, Mo.) to take an early 4-0 lead before holding on late. At 12-3, Mizzou is off to its best start since 2008.

Lee allowed three earned runs in a career-high 6.2 innings pitched. He also struck out a career-high four batters while allowing only one walk. The only Alabama A&M hitters to reach base in the first five innings reached on a walk, a bunt, and a hit batter.

Brumfield drove in two runners on a 2-4 performance from the plate. 1B Zach Lavy [Auxvasse, Mo.] also managed to drive in two, going 1-3 with a walk, and had a big two-out RBI single to plate a pair in the first inning.

Lee opened the game with an easy first inning, retiring the side on only nine pitches. The Tigers then got on the board with a two-RBI single from Lavy with two outs.

LF Johnny Balsamo [Kansas City, Mo.] got on base with a two-out walk in the second inning in his first D1 start. After stealing second, he was driven in on a single from Brumfield.

Following a hitless third inning for both teams, Lee surrendered his first hit of the game in the fourth on a well-placed bunt by Alabama A&M shortstop J.T. O’Reel. O’Reel was subsequently caught stealing second base. Brumfield then slapped a single up the middle to drive in Trey Harris (Powder Springs, Ga.) for his second RBI of the game in the bottom half of the inning.

Lee continued to dominate with a hitless fifth inning. After the Tigers failed to get on base against relief pitcher Allen Belue, Alabama A&M began to get to Lee in the sixth inning. With two outs, the Bulldogs tallied two singles, a double, and then another single to drive in two runs. To open the bottom of the sixth, Lavy and Harris were both hit by pitches from Bulldogs reliever Caleb Roberts, and then each moved up a base on a wild pitch. DH Brian Sharp [Liberty, Mo.] drove in Lavy on a groundout to second to extend the lead to 5-2.

After striking out the opening two batters of the seventh, Lee allowed two singles. RHP Cole Bartlett [Williamsburg, Ind.] entered the game in relief. O’Reel’s third single of the day drove in a run before Bartlett was able to get Ramsey to ground out to first.

Despite allowing no hits in the eighth, Alabama A&M managed to load the bases because of fielding errors. Sharp came in to relieve Bartlett with two outs and managed to finish the inning without allowing any runs to cross the plate. Bulldogs pitcher Josh Burchell cruised through the bottom of the eighth with a 1-2-3 inning.

Sharp closed the game out without allowing a baserunner to earn his third save of the season for the Tigers.

Mizzou will continue its home stand this weekend when they host Youngstown State for a three-game series. The first game will begin on Friday, March 11 at 6 p.m.

— Mizzou Athletics —

Kansas’ Selden named a finalist for Erving Award

Posted on March 9, 2016March 9, 2016

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Kansas junior guard Wayne Selden Jr., has been named one of five finalists for the 2016 Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced Wednesday.

Joining Selden as finalists are Brandon Ingram (Duke), Ben Simmons (LSU), Denzel Valentine (Michigan State) and DeAndre Bembry (Saint Joseph’s).

The winner of the 2016 Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award will be determined by a combination of fan votes and input from the Basketball Hall of Fame’s selection committee. Fans are encouraged to visit HoophallAwards.com to cast their votes from March 11-25.

Selden has started all but one game of Kansas in his three-year KU career missing only the 2016 Senior Day. The Roxbury, Massachusetts native averages 13.4 scoring for the top-ranked Jayhawks, which is ninth in the Big 12. A 2016 All-Big 12 Second Team selection, Selden has five 20-point efforts this season and Kansas’ current 11-game winning streak began when Selden scored a career-high 33-points against Kentucky on Jan. 30 in the Big 12/SEC Challenge.

Selden makes 2.1 3-pointers per game, which is third in the league and his 41.8 3-point field goal percentage is sixth in the conference. Selden has made multiple 3-pointers in 16 games this season.

Named after Hall of Famer and 11-time NBA All-Star Julius Erving, the annual honor in its second year recognizes the top small forwards in Division I men’s college basketball. A national committee comprised of top college basketball personnel narrowed the original watch list of 20 candidates down to 10 and now the final five.

The winner of the 2016 Julius Erving Award will be awarded at ESPN’s College Basketball Awards presented by Wendy’s from Club Nokia in Los Angeles on Friday, April 8, 2016. The Awards will be televised live on ESPN2 at 7 p.m. CST.

No. 1/1 Kansas (27-4, 15-3) won its unprecedented 12th-straight Big 12 regular-season championship in 2015-16. It was KU’s 16th Big 12 and NCAA-leading 59th overall conference regular-season title. Kansas will next play in the quarterfinals of the 2016 Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship, March 9-12, at Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri. As the No. 1 seed, Kansas will play its first game on Thursday, March 10 at 1:30 p.m. (Central), on ESPN2. KU will face No. 8 Kansas State. Kansas has won 13 conference postseason tournament titles, including nine in the Big 12 era.

— KU Athletics —

St. Louis loses spring game Wednesday to Marlins 5-3

Posted on March 9, 2016March 9, 2016

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Reigning NL batting champion Dee Gordon singled for his first hit of spring training after an 0-for-10 start and the Miami Marlins beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-3 on Wednesday.

Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina made a sweeping tag play at the plate to save a run in his first appearance of the year. He didn’t bat, protecting his surgically repaired left thumb for another week or so. He caught three innings wearing a splint that manager Mike Matheny recommended be worn throughout the year.

“It was about exactly what we needed,” Matheny said. “It was great.”

Molina was pleased passing the first test.

“Everything is good, everything is progressing,” the catcher said. “Hopefully before opening day I’ll be 100 percent, but you never know.”

Gordon, who batted .333 last year, got his hit off Marco Gonzales and scored in the third.

Mike Leake, who signed an $80 million, five-year deal in the offseason, worked two scoreless innings in his first spring start for St. Louis. Adam Conley allowed one hit in 2 2/3 innings in his second start for Miami.

Justin Bour had two hits and two RBI for Miami. Patrick Wisdom had a two-run homer for St. Louis.

STARTING TIME

Marlins: Conley was 4-1 in 15 games last year as a rookie and is contending for a spot in the rotation.

“It’s not a sure thing I’m going to get a job,” Conley said. “So I’m trying to develop my stuff for the long haul, for when I’m pitching in September and hopefully the playoffs, but at the same I’m trying to show them the best version of myself.”

Cardinals: Leake threw 25 pitches. He overcame second baseman Kolten Wong’s fielding error to start the second, also benefiting from center fielder Randal Grichuk’s strong throw to the plate to catch Bour. He said he let Molina dictate the calls.

“For me it’s more getting used to the ups and downs and kind of dusting the cobwebs off,” Leake said. “Probably next one I’ll incorporate a few more certain pitches I like to throw.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Marlins: RF Giancarlo Stanton missed his fourth game in a row because of a sore right knee but worked out and said it felt better. Closer A.J. Ramos (calf), who has yet to appear in a game, threw live batting practice.

Cardinals: The team had no update on shortstop Jhonny Peralta, sent back to St. Louis for a second opinion after injuring his left thumb making a diving play. Molina won’t make the trip to Port St. Lucie to face the Mets on Thursday.

UP NEXT

Marlins: RHP Jose Urena is scheduled to start Thursday against Atlanta.

Cardinals: Lefty Jaime Garcia makes his second spring start Thursday at Port St. Lucie against the Mets, facing Noah Syndergaard.

SHAKY DEFENSE

Marlins third baseman Derek Dietrich, who has struggled defensively throughout his career, failed to make a play charging consecutive grounders in the fourth. One was ruled an error, the other a hit.

“Those were some tough plays,” manager Don Mattingly said. “You’ve got to make that play on the run.”

NICE STICK

Bour’s RBI single against Marco Gonzales was noteworthy because he had only 15 hits off lefties as a rookie last year while hitting 23 homers. The Marlins want him to be their everyday first baseman.

FIRST BASE SAGA

Matheny said it’s “not a priority” for Stephen Piscotty to get work at first base. The team wants him to concentrate on the outfield and already has Brandon Moss, Matt Adams and now Matt Holliday at the position.

— Associated Press —