Dave Riggert – Page 730 – St. Joseph Post Archive

K-State ranked No. 21 in preseason Coaches Poll

Posted on August 1, 2014

For the second time in the last three seasons, Kansas State was ranked 21st in the Preseason Amway Coaches Poll released Thursday morning as the Cats were one of four Big 12 teams ranked in the season’s initial top 25.

The Wildcats were also ranked 21st by the coaches prior to the Big 12 Championship season of 2012, which was the first time K-State was in the preseason poll since 2004. It is the first time overall Kansas State has been included in the coaches poll since the final 2012 survey when the Wildcats finished the year at No. 11.

Other Big 12 programs joining the Cats in the 2014 preseason poll were Oklahoma (third), Baylor (10th) and Texas (24th). Oklahoma State, TCU and Texas Tech were among 27 schools that received votes but sit outside the top 25. Additionally, Auburn – K-State’s opponent on Thursday, September 18 – checked in at No. 5.

The Wildcats return 39 letterwinners – including 14 starters – from last year’s squad that tallied an 8-5 record, which included a victory over Michigan in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl. The group is headlined by wide receiver Tyler Lockett and defensive end Ryan Mueller – both 2013 Second Team All-Americans – as well as multiple awards candidates in quarterback Jake Waters, place kicker Jack Cantele and offensive linemen B.J. Finney and Cody Whitehair.

Kansas State will host its annual media day on Wednesday, August 6, while Fan Appreciation Day is set for Saturday, August 16, at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Head coach Bill Snyder and the 2014 team captains will address the fans at approximately 6 p.m., with an hour-long autograph session to follow. Complete details of Fan Appreciation Day will be announced at a later date.

The Wildcats kick off the 2014 season with an August 30, matchup against Stephen F. Austin at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. The sixth-annual K-State Family Reunion will begin at 6:10 p.m.

— KSU Sports Information —

St. Louis avoids sweep with 6-2 win at San Diego

Posted on August 1, 2014

SAN DIEGO (AP) — It was an emotional day for Shelby Miller, who said goodbye to friend and teammate Joe Kelly and then went out and helped the St. Louis Cardinals rebound from their ugliest loss of the season.

Miller and three relievers combined on a three-hitter, and Oscar Taveras hit a two-run homer for the St. Louis Cardinals, who beat the San Diego Padres 6-2 Thursday to avoid a three-game series sweep.

The victory came hours after the Cardinals traded Kelly and Allen Craig to Boston for right-hander John Lackey.

Miller teared up afterward while talking about Kelly.

“That’s a tough one for all of us, to lose two guys like that, especially Joe for me,” Miller said. “I grew up with him and came up through the farm system with him. He’s going to do well there. I wish him all the best.”

Miller (8-8) held San Diego to two runs and three hits in six innings. He struck out five and walked none in his first win since June 7.

St. Louis roughed up rookie Odrisamer Despaigne a day after playing what manager Mike Matheny called the team’s ugliest loss of the season, a 12-1 defeat Wednesday night.

“They’re pros,” Matheny said. “I mean, things are going to happen in our lives that we’ve just got to be able to compartmentalize. These days here I think prove the toughness that these guys develop through the season. You have to put it aside and get the job done.”

Taveras connected with two out in the second, sending a drive to right for his second homer. But St. Louis’ 2-0 quickly evaporated.

Jedd Gyorko, on a tear since returning Monday from a 44-day stay on the disabled list, homered to right off Miller with one out in the bottom half. It was Gyorko’s second in two games and seventh overall. Will Venable homered to right with two outs, his fifth.

“There were a couple of solo homers there that got him on the edge a little bit, and then he stepped in and started making some really nice pitches,” Matheny said. “I saw him driving the ball down through the bottom of the zone. He pitched a little more.”

Said Venable: “I didn’t see a pitch from him other than a fastball and it was a good one. He just pitched well. When you are aggressive with your fastball you have the option of going to your off-speed stuff. It wasn’t like we were beating him on his fastball. We hit a couple of them but he was doing what he wanted really.”

St. Louis jumped in front again on Matt Holliday’s two-run single in the third, and Peter Bourjos added an RBI single in the sixth.

Despaigne (2-3) allowed six runs and nine hits in 5 2/3 innings. He won his first two starts but is 0-3 in his last five outings.

— Associated Press —

Huskers ranked 22nd in preseason Coaches Top 25

Posted on August 1, 2014

On the eve of fall practice, the Nebraska football team was ranked 22nd in the initial Amway Coaches Poll released Thursday morning. The Huskers received 228 points in a poll of 62 FBS head coaches.

Nebraska returns 14 starters, including All-America candidates Ameer Abdullah and Randy Gregory, and 45 letterwinners from a team that went 9-4 and capped the year with a Gator Bowl victory over Georgia.

Nebraska is one of four Big Ten teams in the top 25, joining Ohio State (sixth), Michigan State (eighth) and Wisconsin (14th). In addition, five other 2014 opponents – Iowa, Miami (Fla.), Minnesota, Northwestern and Fresno State – were among the teams also receiving votes.

Fans will have their first chance to see the 2014 Huskers on Friday, as the Huskers will host Nebraska Football Fan Day presented by U.S. Cellular. Fan Day will run from 2 to 3:30 p.m. inside Memorial Stadium with all Husker players and coaches that will be part of fall camp in attendance and available to the fans.

— NU Sports Information —

Mustangs open NBC World Series Saturday against Alaska Goldpanners

Posted on July 31, 2014

The St. Joseph Mustangs will open the 80th NBC World Series in Wichita, Kansas on Saturday as they play the Alaska Goldpanners at 10:30 a.m.

St. Joe’s summer college baseball team is 40-16 this seaon and they won their third MINK League title in four years last week by defeating Sedalia in the MINK League Championship Series.

This is the fourth NBC appearance in the six year history of the Mustangs. They’ve gone 9-6 in their three previous trips and St. Joseph has two top-six finishes in 2010 and 2012.

The Goldpanners are from Fairbanks, Alaska and are in their 55th year of playing summer college baseball. This will be their 27th appearance at the NBC and they’ve won six national championship, including their most recent in 2002.

Alaska is 35-9 this season and they went 21-8 in the Alaska Baseball League. They won the ABL title on Wednesday with a 2-1 victory over the Mat-Su Miners.

All games at the NBC World Series will be played at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium and Saturday’s game will be broadcast on ESPN 1550 AM & here on StJosephPost.com.

MWSU’s Groner named Preseason All-American by CDFL

Posted on July 31, 2014

Missouri Western punter Scott Groner has been named second team preseason All-American by Collegiate Development Football League, which was released Wednesday, July 30, 2014. Groner was a third team Pre-Season All-America selection by USA College Football and a first team selection by Beyond Sports Network.

Last season, Scott Groner (P, 6-4, 200, Sr., Tecoma, Victoria (Australia)) had an outstanding season averaging an MIAA best 42.6 yards per kick. He ranked 11th in the nation with that average. Groner punted 50 times for 2,132 with a long of 61 yards on September 21, 2013 at Nebraska-Kearney. He had nine kicks of 50 or more yards to go along with 13 kicks inside the 20. It was the first time in his career that he has been named to the first team All-MIAA. He was an honorable mention selection in 2011. Groner was also named to the Daktronics Super Region Three second team, first team Don Hansen All-Region and honorable mention Don Hansen All-American.

The Griffons finished the season with an 8-3 overall record and 7-3 MIAA record. It was the eighth time in the past nine seasons and 11th time in Head Coach Jerry Partridge’s tenure that the Griffons have won eight or more games. This Griffon open up the 2014 season on Thursday, September 4 against the University of Central Missouri. Kickoff is set for 7:00 pm in Spratt Stadium.

This 2014 Preseason All-America Football Team is presented by the Collegiate Development Football League (CDFL). It was selected by the, “D2 vs. NAIA Challenge” Bowl committee and the 2015 “Team America” coaching staff. It is based upon player nominations and evaluations made by college coaches, college sports information directors, regional scouts and media personnel. The CDFL is honored to showcase the 2014 preseason All-American players and to sponsor the annual “D2 vs. NAIA Challenge. ” to be held in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on Saturday, December 20, 2014, The selected players are on the watch list for invitation to this game.

In addition, these players will be evaluated for selection to the roster of “Team America” that will be representing the USA in scheduled International Bowl Games in 2015. “Team America” is the only privately funded USA National team representing free agents and promoting American football on an international level. The 2015 schedule includes contests in New York vs. Canada, Grand Cayman Island, Myrtle Beach vs. Europe, and New Orleans vs. Mexico. In 2014, over 300 players will participate in the CDFL’s “National Scouting Showcase ” (NSS) consisting of four games designed to present opportunity to top senior talent on the FCS, D2, D3 and NAIA levels.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Kansas City scores three in sixth inning to beat Twins

Posted on July 31, 2014

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Danny Duffy trudged off the mound with the bases loaded and his team trailing by a run, and took a seat in the dugout to watch Jason Frasor try to bail him out.

He roared when the Royals reliever struck out Chris Colabello to end the threat.

“He came through with flying colors,” Duffy said with a smile.

Buoyed by the clutch pitching, Kansas City churned out three doubles in the bottom half of the inning Wednesday night, scoring all their runs in an eventual 3-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins.

“Frasor was huge with the bases loaded,” Royals manager Ned Yost said.

Just about everybody who stepped on the mound for Kansas City came up big.

Duffy allowed only a homer by Josh Willingham over 5 2/3 innings, despite walking a season-high six. Scott Downs and Kelvin Herrera gave back a run in the seventh, but Herrera struck out Brian Dozier and Willingham with runners on second and third to preserve the Royals’ one-run lead.

Wade Davis worked a perfect eighth, and All-Star closer Greg Holland survived two wild pitches that sent Eduardo Nunez to third base by striking out Sam Fuld for his 28th save.

“Anytime you lose a battle like that it’s frustrating, especially with game on line,” Fuld said. “Holland made a great pitch. We battled him.”

The Twins’ Phil Hughes (10-8) showed no lingering effects from a comebacker off his right ankle that cut short his last outing. He allowed only three singles before the sixth, when the Royals were able to finally string together a series of hits that gave them the lead.

Omar Infante led off the sixth with a single and Salvador Perez added a tying double moments later. Alex Gordon followed with an RBI double to center, and Mike Moustakas pulled another run-scoring double just inside the first-base line to give Kansas City a 3-1 lead.

The Royals’ bullpen and defense made each run seem huge.

Perez made the first of several memorable plays in the third inning, when he picked Nunez off first base with a snap throw. Duffy picked Fuld off first in the fourth, and Dozier was thrown out at the plate on a base-running mistake later in the inning.

“I’m trying to make an aggressive play,” Dozier said.

Perez’s best play may have come in the seventh, when he leaped from the behind the plate to grab a sacrifice bunt and throw the runner out at first. Herrera followed with his strikeouts to leave the go-ahead run standing on second.

“That was a big play right there,” Yost said. “That was a great play by Sal.”

— Associated Press —

Cardinals get pounded by Padres Wednesday 12-1

Posted on July 31, 2014July 31, 2014

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Rookie Jesse Hahn held St. Louis to one run and four hits in seven innings and Jedd Gyorko and Will Venable each homered and drove in four runs to lead the San Diego Padres to a 12-1 victory Wednesday night.

Yangervis Solarte, obtained from the New York Yankees in the trade for Chase Headley, had four hits and the Padres tied their season high with 16. The Padres fell one run shy of their season high.

Will Venable hit a three-run homer to right to cap the eight-run seventh. The Padres had five hits, three walks and a hit batter off three relievers in the inning.

Hahn (7-2) struck out three and walked two in winning his third straight start. The lanky righty retired the first seven batters.

— Associated Press —

Kansas State’s Waters named to Unitas Golden Arm Award watch list

Posted on July 31, 2014July 31, 2014

Kansas State quarterback Jake Waters was one of 27 quarterbacks across the nation to be named to the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award watch list as the nation’s top senior quarterback, the organization has announced.

Waters is the fourth Wildcat to be in contention for the honor and the first since Collin Klein won the award in 2012, while Michael Bishop (1998) and Chad May (1994) were both finalists. Waters was one of three Big 12 quarterbacks named to the watch list, joining Baylor’s Bryce Petty and Oklahoma State’s J.W. Walsh.

The Unitas Award watch list designation was the third overall for Waters this preseason as he was also named to the Maxwell (college player of the year) and Davey O’Brien (nation’s best quarterback) watch lists.

A community-college transfer prior to the 2013 season, Waters started all 13 games last year as he threw for 2,469 yards with 18 touchdowns and nine interceptions on 159-of-260 aim. He ranked fourth nationally in yards per completions (15.53) and 14th in passing efficiency (156.8) while finishing third in the Big 12 in passing yards per game (189.9) and total offense per game (213.9). His career passing efficiency currently ranks first in school history and his passing yards per game ranks fifth.

Waters played especially well during the second half of the 2013 season as he led the Wildcats to a 6-1 record, including a Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl victory over Michigan. Over the final seven games, the Council Bluffs, Iowa, product averaged 204.7 yards per game and tossed 14 touchdowns with only four interceptions. That came on the heels of averaging 172.7 yards and recording four touchdowns and five interceptions in the first six contests.

K-State opens the 2014 campaign against Stephen F. Austin on August 30, at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. The game, which kicks off at 6:10 p.m.

— KSU Sports Information —

Griffon men’s basketball adds 6’8″ transfer Kevin Thomas

Posted on July 29, 2014

Missouri Western men’s basketball coach Brett Weiberg announced the signing of one more student-athlete that will join the program for the 2014-15 season as Kevin Thomas transfers from Midland College in Midland, Texas.

He joins Aaron Emmanuel, a transfer from Missouri S&T, Mason Hughes of Olathe, Kan., Currie Byrd a forward from Montgomery, Texas, Seth Bonifas a forward from Dubuque, Iowa and Cole Clearman a guard from Bettendorf, Iowa at MWSU next fall.

Thomas, who is 6’8″ and 240 pounds, is originally from Toronto, Ontario where he played his high school basketball at St. Mary’s Ryken. Last season at Midland College he was their teams MVP averaging 11 points and nine rebounds per game. While in high school he was also named his teams most valuable player. He is the son of Marlene Thomas and Selvin Farrell and is planning on majoring in business.

“I am pleased to announce that we have added Kevin to the Griffon Basketball Family,” commented Coach Weiberg. “Kevin played at Midland College for a very good coach in Jordan Dreiling. Kevin is a big, physical, power forward. Kevin averaged 10.0 points per game and almost 8 rebounds per game. Kevin gives us experience and depth at the forward and post positions. Kevin is a solid student as well. I look forward to coaching Kevin.”

— MWSU Sports Information —

Mizzou WR Copelin suspended for the season by NCAA

Posted on July 29, 2014July 29, 2014

The National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) has suspended University of Missouri sophomore wide receiver Levi Copelin from athletic competition for the 2014-15 season.

STATEMENT FROM LEVI COPELIN

“The reason I am suspended is that I recently bought an over-the-counter nutritional supplement from a local store, and used it as part of my workout routine. Unfortunately, I used it without clearing it with my strength coaches or trainers. This supplement is legal and available to the public, but it isn’t approved by the NCAA, and as a result of using it, I failed an NCAA drug test. This was a stupid mistake on my part, and I’m very sorry that I put myself and my team in this situation. This is a hard lesson to learn, as I never had the wrong intentions. I also understand there aren’t any shortcuts to success. There’s nothing I can do except dedicate myself to representing me, my family, my team, and Mizzou the right way going forward. I’m very grateful to my coaches and my teammates for giving me a chance to overcome this.”

STATEMENT FROM HEAD FOOTBALL COACH GARY PINKEL

“This is a very unfortunate situation, but one that Levi created for himself. He’s paying the price for this mistake, and I commend him for owning up to it and taking responsibility. Our strength coaches and trainers rely on our players to be careful of what they do on their own, and to always get approval from them first. We’re disappointed that Levi didn’t follow this guideline, but we will support him during this time, and have high expectations that he will handle all of his responsibilities in the classroom, in the community and on the field in a first-class manner.”

— MU Sports Information —