Dave Riggert – Page 633 – St. Joseph Post Archive

MWSU men finish 2nd, women 4th at Bear State Bank Invitational

Posted on April 7, 2015April 7, 2015

MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark. – The Missouri Western men’s golf team finished in second place at the Bear Bank Invitational hosted by Henderson Sate, while the women finished in fourth place.

The MWSU men finished in second place with a team score of 585 only six strokes behind tournament winner Henderson State.

The Griffons had three individuals finish within the top-10 to help propel them to a second place finish. Corey Knight and Ryan Hand both scored a 146 in their two rounds to finish tied for third. Jakob Rudosky tallied a 148 and finished ninth individually.

Brice Howard of Henderson State finished with a 142 and took first place individually at the Bear Bank Invitational.

The Missouri Western women finished 51 strokes back of the winning team, recording a score of 651

The Griffons’ top finisher was Celine Lim, who scored a 79 and a 76 in her two rounds of golf to finish with a 155 and in eighth place as an individual. Madison Romjue improved her second day score by six strokes while shooting a 164. Amber Chivington finished tied for 20th place at 165.

The individual winner was of Central Oklahoma Marla Souvannasing, scoring a 73 and 70 in her two rounds of golf.

Central Oklahoma also claimed the team title with a team score of 600.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Mustangs’ Lubach goes 5-for-5 to lead Nebraska past K-State

Posted on April 7, 2015

Manhattan, Kan. – Tanner Lubach went 5-for-5 on Tuesday night at Tointon Stadium and drove in the eventual game-winning run with his fifth hit of the night in the 10th inning, as the No. 23 Nebraska baseball team (24-10, 3-3 Big Ten) posted a 5-4 win over the Kansas State Wildcats (13-17, 2-7 Big 12) in 10 innings. Lubach notched five of NU’s 12 hits and drove in a pair of runs, as the Huskers won the 277th all-time meeting between the two teams.

Josh Roeder came in for the 10th and picked up his 10th save of the season with a pair of strikeouts. Roeder is now four saves away from breaking Brett Jensen’s school record of 31 career saves.

In front of 3,081 fans, the largest crowd at Tointon Stadium this season, Lubach came to the plate with two outs in the top of the 10th and delivered a RBI single to left field that put the Huskers on top 5-4. The senior catch, who had three career three-hit games entering the night, notched three singles and two doubles on the night. Lubach is the first Husker to produce five hits in a game since Michael Pritchard last season, when he produced five hits in a 14-5 win over Kansas State in Lincoln on April 15.

Lubach’s two-out RBI single was possible after Jake Schleppenbach and Ben Miller also singled in the top of the 10th. Schleppenbach reached on a one-out single and moved to second when Miller came through with a two-out infield single. Lubach capped his heroic night with a single on a 1-1 offering from reliever Bryce Ward and on the play Schleppenbach scored from second base to put the Huskers on top 5-4.

Extra innings was needed after the Huskers squandered away a 4-1 lead in the bottom of the sixth when the Wildcats scored four runs to even the game. The two teams then went scoreless over the next three innings before Lubach untied the game in the 10th.

Neither starting pitcher factored into the decision after the Wildcats tied the game. NU freshman Garett King went 5.2 innings and allowed three runs on seven hits. King had his streak of batters faced without a walk snapped at 36 over 17.0 innings in the third when he gave up a one-out walk. King’s last walk came in the Indiana State game on March 17 and he hadn’t allowed a walk in each of his last two starts.

KSU’s Kyle Halbohn lasted just 2.1 innings in his fourth start of the season. The junior allowed four runs, all earned, on five hits. Jordan Floyd and Jackson Douglas kept the Wildcats in the game with a combined 5.2 innings of scoreless four-hit relief behind Halbohn.

After going down in order in the first, the Huskers offense picked up steam in the second with three runs on four hits, including a RBI triple by Lubach. Miller got the inning started with an infield single and then scored on Lubach’s triple. Scott Schreiber later added a one-out RBI single and then put himself in scoring position with his third stolen base of the year. After Halbohn got the second out of the inning, Jake Placzek delivered a two-out single that scored Schreiber and gave the Huskers a 3-0 lead.

The Wildcats, who also were retired in order in the first, responded with a run in the bottom of the second on three hits. Nebraska got the run back in the third though on a deep blast by Blake Headley that cleared the scoreboard in right field. It was Headley’s first homer of the season and the fourth of his career.

King hung zeroes in the fourth and the fifth, but was unable to make it through the sixth. The Wildcats started the frame with consecutive singles to put runners on the corners. King then got a fly ball out before Steve Serratore delivered a RBI ground out that cut NU’s lead to 4-2. With two outs, the Huskers turned the ball to Jeff Chesnut, who promptly gave up a RBI double and a RBI single that tied the game, 4-4. Following a stolen base the Wildcats had the go-ahead run in scoring position, but Chesnut ended the inning with a 6-3 groundout.

The Huskers had the go-ahead run in scoring position in the eighth when Lubach blasted a double off the right field wall. Douglas kept the game tied with a strikeout of Austin Darby to end the frame.

KSU then had the go-ahead run on base in the bottom of the eighth with a one out walk, but Chesnut got consecutive pop outs to second base and the game went to the ninth, tied 4-4.

After the Huskers went down in order in the top of the ninth, the Wildcats has the winning run on base in the bottom of the ninth after Taylor Anderson led off with a single and he was quickly in scoring position following a sacrifice bunt. The Husker then intentionally walked pinch-hitter Alex Bee to setup the double play. With the top of KSU’s order coming to the plate, sophomore Jake Hohensee got a shallow fly out and a ground ball to escape the jam and send the game to extra innings, where Lubach put on a stamp on a career night.

The Huskers will be back in action at Hawks Field on Friday night when they open a three-game series against the Minnesota Golden Gophers. First pitch is scheduled for 7:02 p.m. and the game will be carried nationally on the Big Ten Network.

— NU Sports Information —

Western tennis loses to William Jewell 5-4

Posted on April 7, 2015April 7, 2015

ST. JOSEPH, MO. – The Missouri Western women’s tennis team fell 5-4 against William Jewell on Tuesday afternoon.

The Griffons took two doubles matches to start off the day with Yasmine El Ghazi and Sarah Giraldo winning 9-8 (7-2) and in the No. 3 spot Kayla Dysart and Denise Chiao won 8-4.

Missouri Western claimed two singles matches as well but it wasn’t enough to beat William Jewell. In the No. 4 singles match Yasmine El Ghazi beat Loree Hazelrigg 4-6, 6-3, 6-0. Senior Ceara Boldridge defeated Seki Anderson by the score of 6-3, 6-3.

The Griffons will be at home on Saturday, April 11 against Lincoln and Southwest Baptist starting at 10:00 am.

Singles competition
1. Drew,Savannah (WJ) def. Giraldo,Sarah (MWSU) 6-1, 6-3
2. Hazelrigg,Conner (WJ) def. Aguilera,Sofia (MWSU) 7-6 (7-3), 6-4
3. Navarro,Sabrine (WJ) def. Dysart,Kayla (MWSU) 6-4, 6-4
4. El Ghazi,Yasmine (MWSU) def. Hazelrigg,Loree (WJ) 4-6, 6-3, 6-0
5. Mackay,Claire (WJ) def. Chiao,Denise (MWSU) 6-4, 6-2
6. Boldridge,Ceara (MWSU) def. Anderson,Seki (WJ) 6-3, 6-3

Doubles competition
1. Giraldo,Sarah/El Ghazi,Yasmine (MWSU) def. Lehenbauer,Katy/Navarro,Sabrine (WJ) 9-8 (7-2)
2. Hazelrigg,Conner/Hazelrigg,Loree (WJ) def. Aguilera,Sofia/Boldridge,Ceara (MWSU) 8-0
3. Chiao,Denise/Dysart,Kayla (MWSU) def. Drew,Savannah/Mackay,Claire (WJ) 8-4

— MWSU Sports Information —

Kansas freshman Cliff Alexander declares for NBA Draft

Posted on April 7, 2015

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas men’s basketball coach Bill Self announced Tuesday that freshman Cliff Alexander will declare for the 2015 NBA Draft. Alexander joins fellow KU teammate Kelly Oubre, Jr., who announced he was going to enter the 2015 NBA Draft on April 1.

“This should come as no surprise to anybody,” Self said. “Cliff had a very interesting and educational year. He was a major contributor to our team from the beginning of the season. He worked his way into the starting lineup and has had to deal with an off-the-court issue with the NCAA that made him ineligible for the last eight games of our season. We all feel bad for Cliff for what he and our team had to go through because it was difficult for him to sit and watch his teammates play without him. During his time here, Cliff certainly got better. I loved coaching Cliff, but we support his decision 100 percent to move on and take his ability to the next level.

A 6-8 power forward from Chicago, Alexander missed the final three regular-season games, the Big 12 Championship and KU’s NCAA Tournament contests, eight games total, as a precautionary measure after the NCAA alerted KU about issues that could affect Alexander’s eligibility.

Alexander averaged 7.1 points and 5.3 rebounds for the Jayhawks in 2014-15. His 5.3 rebounds were second best on the team behind junior forward Ellis’ 6.9 boards per game. Alexander led KU with a 56.6 field goal percentage and his 37 blocked shots tied for the team-high with junior Jamari Traylor. His 1.3 blocking average ranked ninth among his Big 12 counterparts.

“I talked this over with my mom and my dad and we decided the timing was right for me to enter the NBA Draft,” Alexander said. “Kansas has been a great experience. I enjoyed being on campus. When I came in I didn’t really know much (about playing in college). I was undersized and not strong enough to bang with other guys. As the year went on, I got settled and comfortable with the system. I got stronger in the weight room and competed harder.”

Alexander recorded two double-doubles during the season with his first in KU’s 61-56 win against then-No. 20 Michigan State in the title game of the Orlando Classic, Nov. 30, at Disney’s Wide World of Sports. Named to the John R. Wooden Award Preseason Top 50 and the Wayman Tisdale Award Watch List for the top freshman in the nation, Alexander’s second double-double came against then-No. 19 Oklahoma on ESPN Big Monday, Jan. 19, where he scored 13 points and pulled down 13 rebounds in KU’s 85-78 win.

“Playing in Allen Fieldhouse… that’s the craziest place I have ever played,” Alexander said about his fondest memory of playing at Kansas. “I’m going to miss the fans. They showed me a lot of love everywhere I went. They are a very supportive fan base. I’m going to miss my teammates a lot. I’m going to miss everybody.”

Alexander would later be named the Big 12 Newcomer of the Week on Jan. 26 for his efforts against the Sooners and his 15 points and nine rebounds in KU’s 75-62 win at then-No. 17 Texas.

“Coach Self knows the game of basketball and taught me a lot on and off the court while I was here,” Alexander said. “I’ve known Jerrance (Howard) since I was a sophomore in high school. We’ve had a great relationship. When I got here that just grew, he felt like a big brother to me. All the coaches and staff were very supportive during my time here. They helped me grow and mature.”

Kansas posted a 27-9 overall record in 2014-15 and won its 11th-straight, 15th Big 12 and NCAA-leading 58th overall conference regular-season championship with a 13-5 league record. The Jayhawks had the toughest schedule in the nation and its 10 victories against Associated Press nationally-ranked teams at tip were the most for KU in a season. Kansas faced 16 ranked teams at tip which were four more than the previous high for a season set three times (1994-95, 2002-03 and 2011-12). Included were 2015 Final Four teams Kentucky and Michigan State.

— KU Sports Information —

Mizzou wrestling sweeps MAC individual postseason awards

Posted on April 7, 2015

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou wrestling concluded their historic 2014-15 season in mid-March, and today three members were honored by the Mid-American Conference (MAC) league office for their outstanding seasons.

Redshirt freshman Willie Miklus was named MAC Freshman of the Year, redshirt senior Drake Houdashelt was selected as MAC Wrestler of the Year, and Head Coach Brian Smith was tabbed MAC Wrestling Coach of the Year.

After redshirting last season, Miklus jumped onto the national scene this year following his 18-0 start to the 2014-15 campaign. Miklus earned national notoriety early on after defeating Old Dominion’s No. 2 ranked Jack Dechow on Nov. 23, 2014.

Following a runner-up finish at 2015 MAC Championships, Miklus concluded his breakthrough season with a seventh place finish and All-American honors at 2015 NCAA Championships. The Altoona, Iowa native defeated four ranked 184 pound foes in St. Louis, Mo. en route to his first career All-American award.

Houdashelt’s storybook career in black and gold concluded in a big way, as he claimed his first career National Championship at 149 pounds. The O’Fallon, Mo. native capped off his outstanding 2014-15 season with a 3-1 decision victory over Edinboro’s No. 3 ranked David Habat in the 149 pound title matchup.

The redshirt senior earned Mizzou wrestling their sixth all-time National Championship. Houdashelt also became just the third grappler in program history to accumulate three or more All-American honors in their career. Furthermore, he became the first Tiger ever to win four conference crowns after taking top honors at 2015 MAC Championships.

Houdashelt’s 134 career wins is third most in Mizzou wrestling history, while his .854 career winning percentage ranks fifth place all-time. Additionally, his 39 career major decisions is the most in Tiger Style history.

Smith’s recognition marks his third consecutive MAC Wrestling Coach of the Year honor. Dating back to the 2011-12 season when he took home Big 12 Coach of the Year honors, Smith has now been the recipient of four straight Coach of the Year awards.

Mizzou and Coach Smith wrapped up a perfect 24-0 regular season after defeating then No. 1 Iowa on Feb. 22, 2015 for the 2015 National Duals Finals Championship. The 24 wins this season were the most ever in Mizzou wrestling history, and it marked only the second undefeated season in program history.

Smith also helped lead the Tigers to the 2015 MAC Championships crown. It was the fourth straight conference tournament title for Mizzou, dating back to the 2012 Big 12 Championships crown.

— MU Sports Information —

Ventura wins season opener despite thumb cramp, Royals rout White Sox 10-1

Posted on April 6, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — For one unsettling moment, it appeared opening day had taken a terrible turn for Yordano Ventura and the Kansas City Royals.

Ventura crumpled to the ground in the seventh inning with a cramp in his right thumb, ending a strong outing that helped the AL champion Royals rout the Chicago White Sox 10-1 on Monday.

“I felt the thumb lock up on me,” Ventura said, with teammate Jeremy Guthrie translating. “My first thought, it was something really bad, but I’m really happy that it’s not. I’m not concerned about it at all. It’s just a cramp, though, but it surprised me.”

Alex Rios had a three-run homer among his three hits in his Kansas City debut, and Ventura pitched six-plus solid innings. He went down after throwing a strike to Adam LaRoche and was replaced by Kelvin Herrera.

Ventura will be evaluated later this week, but Royals manager Ned Yost said he does not anticipate the hard-throwing righty missing a start. Just days ago, Ventura agreed to a $23 million, five-year contract.

Rios homered in a five-run seventh with Kendrys Morales and Alex Gordon aboard. Gordon stroked a two-run single in the inning.

“I was trying to put a good swing on the ball and when you do that good things happen,” Rios said.

Jose Abreu homered in the seventh for Chicago.

White Sox right-hander Jeff Samardzija, who did not allow a run in 15 innings during a pair of opening-day starts with the Chicago Cubs the past two years, yielded five runs and six hits in six-plus innings. He walked three, hit two batters with pitches and threw a wild pitch.

After an exhilarating postseason run last year that ended with a Game 7 loss to San Francisco in the World Series, the Royals got off to a fast start in 2015.

Alcides Escobar and Mike Moustakas, their first two hitters, went a combined 4 for 7 with two walks and scored five runs. Moustakas homered the opposite way in the fifth off Samardzija.

“The numbers don’t matter,” Moustakas said. “We just find a way to win and at the end of the day the numbers will be there.”

Ryan Madson pitched a scoreless ninth for the Royals, his first big league appearance since Sept. 28, 2011.

“We had some opportunities early (and) we couldn’t capitalize on any of them,” White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. “You’ve got to get better at that. I’m not going to say that it’s the whole season, but you want to get off to a good start. We didn’t. You just have to come back out on Wednesday and get back after it.”

DROUGHT IS OVER

The Royals won their season opener for the first time in seven years. Their previous opening-day victory was March 31, 2008, at Detroit.

THAT WAS QUICK

White Sox rookie second baseman Micah Johnson singled in the sixth for his first major league hit. Moments later, Ventura picked him off first.

TRAINER’S ROOM

White Sox: LHP Chris Sale, who broke his right foot Feb. 27, struck out seven and allowed a run on three hits in seven innings during a minor league game in Arizona. Sale is on target to come off the disabled list Sunday and start against Minnesota.

Royals: Gordon, who was limited to 10 exhibition games and hit just .200 in 35 at-bats following right wrist surgery in December, might be given periodic rests early in the season.

UP NEXT

White Sox: LHP Jose Quintana is 0-6 in 12 career starts against the Royals.

Royals: LHP Danny Duffy, who starts Wednesday, has not faced the White Sox since 2011 at Kansas City.

— Associated Press —

Northwest’s Quesada named MIAA Tennis Athlete of the Week

Posted on April 6, 2015April 6, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Northwest Missouri State University women’s tennis senior Camila Quesada has been named the MIAA Athlete of the Week in a release from the conference on Monday. Quesada went a perfect 4-0 at the No. 1 singles position and 3-1 at No. 1 doubles to lead the Bearcats to three victories last week. She is the second women’s tennis player to earn the honor as Lorena Rivas Jarolim garnered conference accolades back on March 2.

Quesada, the No. 50 ranked singles player in the latest ITA, picked up four big singles victories last week. She beat Savannah Drew from William Jewell (6-1, 7-5) on Tuesday and beat Harding’s Piper Huey, the region’s No. 8 ranked player on Thursday (3-6, 6-1, 6-2). On Friday she beat the nation’s No. 21 ranked singles player, Northeastern State’s Kristina Savchenkov (3-6, 6-4, 10-7). Against Central Oklahoma on Saturday, Quesdada beat Alaina Gorina (6-3, 6-0), the region’s No. 11 ranked player.

In doubles, she paired with Lorena Rivas Jarolim to beat William Jewell’s, Harding’s and Central Oklahoma’s No. 1 doubles teams. The lone blemish was a defeat to Northeastern State’s No. 12 ranked doubles tandem of Savchenkov and Patricia Husakova.

The Bearcats will return to action on Wednesday at 2 p.m. with a home MIAA contest against Nebraska-Kearney in both men’s and women’s action. The women will also host Lincoln on Friday at 3 p.m. and Southwest Baptist on Saturday at 10 a.m.

— Northwest Sports Information —

Missouri State adds Matt Sligh to men’s basketball coaching staff

Posted on April 6, 2015April 6, 2015

SPRINGFIELD – Missouri State University men’s basketball coach Paul Lusk has finalized his staff for the upcoming season with the formal announcement of Matt Sligh as the Bears’ new assistant coach Monday.

Sligh, spent the last two years as head coach at Motlow College in Tullahoma, Tenn., where he helped lead the Bucks to a 23-6 record in 2014-15 and final NJCAA Division I ranking of No. 17 in the national juco poll. His club finished second in the Region VII tournament this year and ranked among the top 10 junior college programs in the nation in scoring (95.2), assists, 3-point field goals made, blocks and defensive rebounds.

“We’re really happy about Matt joining our staff,” said Lusk who is beginning his fifth season at the helm of the Bears. “He’s a quality individual who can help us in all areas of our program. I know our players, our fans and our community will embrace him and his wife Marina as part of the Missouri State family.”

Sligh was 37-20 in his two seasons at Motlow with a pair of NJCAA All-America performers and four All-Region VII standouts to his credit.

“I’m extremely honored and blessed to join such a tradition-rich program and quality staff,” said Sligh. “Coach Lusk is a great coach, and he treats his guys the right way. I’m looking forward to getting started right away and being part of this program.”

Prior to taking the Motlow College job in 2013, he was the top assistant coach at William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo., from 2010-2013 for legendary coach Larry Holley. He was part of a 25-8 season in 2010-11 that culminated in an NAIA Division I Tournament berth and was instrumental in recruiting, scouting and the program’s transition to NCAA Division II status. Sligh helped coach and recruit six all-conference players at William Jewell and an NAIA All-American.

A native of Lakeland, Fla., Sligh enjoyed a successful three-sport collegiate career at Covenant College in Georgia where he excelled in soccer, basketball and golf. He was a two-time NAIA Academic All-American at Covenant and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology in 2005. He went on to earn his Masters in health and physical education from Northwest Missouri State in 2012.

Sligh, 32, was also a standout prep athlete at Lakeland (Fla.) Christian School where he earned 13 varsity letters in four sports and scored 1,135 points as an all-state basketball performer and two-time district player of the year for the Vikings.

His hire is contingent upon final approval by the Missouri State University Board of Governors at its next scheduled meeting, May 14.

He joins a Missouri State coaching staff that includes fellow assistants Jermaine Henderson and Brad Korn who are entering their fourth and third seasons in the program, respectively. The Bears will have eight squad members returning for 2015-16, including all five starters.

— MSU Sports Information —

Former Jayhawk White named to Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame Class of 2015

Posted on April 6, 2015April 6, 2015

INDIANAPOLIS – Two-time Kansas men’s basketball All-American and seven-time NBA All-Star Jo Jo White joined the best of the best among his life’s work on Monday. White was one of six individuals announced as making up the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame’s class of 2015.

White donned the Crimson and Blue from 1966-69 under the direction of head coach Ted Owens. An All-America selection in 1968 and 1969, White was a three-time All-Big Eight Conference honoree and KU’s Most Valuable Player for three-straight seasons. The Saint Louis native scored 1,286 career points, which still ranks 29th all-time at Kansas.

His four years at KU saw the Jayhawks win two Big Eight Championships, three Big Eight Holiday Tournaments, make two NCAA Tournament appearances and finish runner-up in the NIT. He was a member of the 1968 Gold Medal USA Olympic basketball team and played 11 seasons in the NBA.

Drafted by Boston with the ninth overall pick in 1969, White led the Celtics to NBA Championships in 1974 and 1976, where in the latter he was named NBA Finals MVP. A seven-time NBA All-Star, he averaged 18.3 points per game in his 10-year Celtics career, shooting 42.2 percent from the field and 83.3 percent from the free throw line, while he averaged 21.5 points per game in 80 playoff games.

A major impact at the collegiate and professional levels, White’s No. 10 was retired by the Celtics in 1982, one of 21 numbers that hang in the TD Garden rafters. His Kansas jersey was officially retired on Jan. 27, 2003.

The electees will be enshrined during Hall of Fame weekend, Sept. 10-11, at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts. Along with White, fellow former NBA players Dikembe Mutombo and Spencer Haywood also were voted in, as was longtime referee Dick Bavetta, college and NBA coach John Calipari, and WNBA legend Lisa Leslie.

White marks the 18th Jayhawk all-time to be enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame is named in honor of the game’s inventor and KU’s first head coach, Dr. James Naismith.

— KU Sports Information —

Royals begin defense of AL pennant at home vs. White Sox

Posted on April 5, 2015April 5, 2015

Kansas City, MO. (AP) – It has been four long years since the Kansas City Royals opened a season at home.

They’ll certainly enjoy this one.

The American League champions will celebrate last season’s dramatic run to Game 7 of the World Series on Monday before facing the Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium. It is the first game in a 162-game odyssey that they hope will deliver them right back to the playoffs.

Kansas City snapped a 29-year postseason drought in a big way. After squeaking into the wild-card game, the Royals knocked out Oakland with an epic extra-inning comeback. Then, they swept all the way to the final game of the Fall Classic, where they were finally stopped by Madison Bumgarner and the San Francisco Giants.

”I just expect for us to go out and compete,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. ”I think we’re a much more experienced team. It’s a very confident team. These guys know that they can produce under the most intense situations, under the brightest spotlights, and that’s what playoff and World Series experience does for you. I’m excited to get started.”

So are the White Sox, who spent the offseason retooling just about everything in the hopes of catapulting from a fourth-place finish in the AL Central.

They signed right-hander Jeff Samardzija to boost their rotation and left-hander Zach Duke to help out in the ‘pen. They inked first baseman Adam LaRoche to provide some power, Melky Cabrera to solidify the outfield and right-hander David Robertson to close games.

Among many other moves that make the White Sox look nothing like they did six months ago.

”Everyone is settling in guys are getting used to each other on and off the field and I think we’re jelling together as a team,” said center fielder Adam Eaton, one of the notable holdovers. ”Hopefully that translates to wins in April.”

The Royals will send 23-year-old Yordano Ventura to the mound on opening day, and the touted flamethrower is sure to get quite the reception from a sellout crowd.

Sure, fans will remember his masterful performance in Game 6 of the World Series, when he shut down the Giants and kept Kansas City’s postseason hopes alive. But they are also sure to thank him for the long-term deal he signed Saturday, a $23 million, five-year pact that includes two option years and could keep Ventura pitching for the Royals for quite a while.

”For me he’s a complete package, a guy that I think is going to be very, very successful in major league baseball,” Yost said. ”There’s no telling what he’s going to be able to achieve.”

Samardzija will get the opening day nod for the White Sox, in part because ace left-hander Chris Sale is recovering from a fractured bone in his right foot. Samardzija started on opening day for the Cubs the past two seasons, holding Pittsburgh without a run each time.

The Royals will try to change his fortunes with a slightly different lineup than they trotted out a year ago. Designated hitter Billy Butler is gone, replaced by Kendrys Morales. Alex Rios is not in right field, signed to replace Nori Aoki and provided some pop.

Otherwise, the rest of the Royals return largely intact. That means a bunch of guys who put together a dream season a year ago will get to celebrate it in front of their home fans.

Right before they start trying to prove it wasn’t a fluke.

”We’re a real close team. Our team chemistry is off the charts,” Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer said, ”and over the course of a year, 162 games, you really do need that. It’s a group of guys that are used to playing with each other. We feel like that’s an advantage and I think we can use that to help us throughout the season.”

— Associated Press —