Sports – Page 413 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Royals overcome Dozier’s three home runs to beat Minnesota 11-5

Posted on September 5, 2016September 5, 2016

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Coming off a disappointing homestand, and on the edge of the AL wild-card race, the Kansas City Royals can’t afford to let too many more opportunities slip away.

The defending World Series champions regained their winning touch Monday, despite Brian Dozier hitting three home runs for Minnesota. The Royals got homers from Kendrys Morales and Eric Hosmer to pull away from the Twins 11-5.

Jarrod Dyson had three hits and scored three times for Kansas City, which won for the second time in six games.

“We put ourselves in a tough position, but we still believe that we can pull this thing off,” Hosmer said.

Kansas City started the day four games out of the second wild-card spot.

The Royals went 2-4 in their last six games with New York and Detroit, with each of the losses a close one.

“We could be talking about a major run right here. We quite possibly could have been 6-0 at home,” manager Ned Yost said. “We still feel that we’re not out of this thing by any stretch of the imagination.”

Dozier homered on the first pitch from Ian Kennedy (10-9), then hit a two-run shot in the third and a solo drive into the upper deck in the eighth. Dozier became the sixth Minnesota player to hit three home runs in a game, and the first to do it at home.

Dozier has eight home runs in seven games and 38 this season, the most by a Twins player since Harmon Killebrew hit 41 in 1970. Dozier’s 10 home runs against Kansas City this year are the most ever by a Royals opponent.

“It would be better to be on the winning side of it,” Dozier said.

Kennedy struggled with command, allowing four earned runs in 5 1/3 innings but is 4-0 in his past five starts.

Morales hit a three-run drive off Jose Berrios (2-5) in the fifth for a 5-4 lead. Hosmer, who had four RBI, hit a three-run homer in the eighth.

Berrios was called up from Triple-A to start. The Royals tagged him for five earned runs on nine hits in five innings.

Considered the Twins’ top pitching prospect, Berrios allowed 21 earned runs in 22 innings over five August starts before being sent down.

Dozier has hit a majors-most 24 home runs since the All-Star break. He’s connected 36 times as a second baseman and twice as a designated hitter. The AL record for homers in a season by a second baseman is 39 by Alfonso Soriano in 2002 for the Yankees.

“The best way to (get him out) is don’t throw fastballs down the middle and that’s what we did,” Yost said.

Dozier became the second Twins player with a three-homer game this year. Rookie Max Kepler did it at Cleveland.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Royals: OF Lorenzo Cain missed his fifth straight game because of left wrist inflammation. He was allowed to swing a bat Monday and remains day to day.

Twins: Kepler got the day off. Kepler, who leads AL rookies in home runs (16), RBI (59) and walks (37), has played in all but one game since July 28. He struck out five times Sunday. “We talk about young players and the challenge of playing September baseball for the first time,” said manager Paul Molitor. “We’ll try to keep them fresh as we can.”

UP NEXT

Dillon Gee (6-7, 4.33) is scheduled to start for Kansas City on Tuesday against Ervin Santana (7-10, 3.54). Gee was 2-2 with a 3.94 ERA in five August starts and pitched an inning of relief Friday. Santana is 3-1 in his last five starts with a 3.09 ERA.

— Associated Press —

St. Louis rolls to 12-6 win at Pittsburgh

Posted on September 5, 2016

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Adam Wainwright is still in search of his best stuff. His bat made sure his best wasn’t necessary.

The St. Louis ace drove in three runs and survived five occasionally bumpy innings to pick up his first victory since mid-July as the Cardinals drummed the staggering Pittsburgh Pirates 12-6 on Monday.

Wainwright hit an RBI-double off Chad Kuhl (3-3) in the second and added a two-run single in the fourth as the Cardinals held on to the second wild card spot in the National League by sending the Pirates to their seventh straight loss.

“We needed that win,” Wainwright said. “We need every win that we can get coming down the stretch. Any part that I can play in that is a treat for me, a privilege.”

Wainwright (10-8) allowed four runs and struck out five as his ERA rose to 4.61 while picking up his first victory since July 16. He hardly needed to be sharp as the Cardinals battered Pittsburgh’s beleaguered pitching staff. Jedd Gyorko and Matt Adams homered for St. Louis to extend the team’s streak of games with at least one home run to a club-record 24.

Andrew McCutchen and Adam Frazier hit home runs for the Pirates, who have been outscored 47-22 during their current slide. A week ago Pittsburgh was well within striking distance of the Cardinals for a playoff spot but have fallen 4 1/2 games behind St. Louis and dropped below .500 (67-68) for the first time since July 2.

“We’re trying to figure ourselves out and get out of this and get back to playing baseball the way we want to play,” shortstop Jordy Mercer said. “We just have to keep going.”

St. Louis pounded out 14 hits — eight for extra bases — against five pitchers and wasted little time getting to Kuhl, who has been steady if not spectacular since joining the rotation full-time a month ago.

Wainwright’s double to the wall in center field put the Cardinals in front and Stephen Piscotty’s two-run double later in the inning gave Wainwright an early cushion, one he flirted with giving away. Pittsburgh touched him for two runs in the bottom of the inning but Wainwright avoided major damage.

“I hate giving up runs after we score,” Wainwright said. “That’s driving me crazy. But what we did do well there is we held them to two. We could have let that inning get away from us, and we didn’t.”

Jeff Locke came on relief of Kuhl in the third and the Cardinals quickly went to work. Kolten Wong’s RBI single against him made it 4-2 and Gyorko opened the fourth with a long home run down the left-field line for his 26th of the year.

Wainwright’s bloop to left later in the inning pushed St. Louis’ lead to six runs and allowed Wainwright to leave after five innings in which he needed 93 pitches to get 15 outs.

“He was at 93 pitches, and we’re in September,” Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. “The first two (innings) were stressful. To me, we’ve got a lead that we think our bullpen can hold. I guess your greatest argument (for leaving him in) is you want to see him hit again.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: Piscotty left in the fifth inning after being hit in the wrist with a pitch though Matheny said X-rays were negative. … RHP Mike Leake will return after a bout with the shingles when he starts on Wednesday. … C Brayan Pena is finally healthy after battling injuries much of the season but the team will not use him to catch a full game.

Pirates: C Francisco Cervelli was taken out of the game after the fourth inning with discomfort in his left thumb. … C Elias Diaz is being evaluated for cellulitis in his left leg and will be re-evaluated on Thursday.

UP NEXT

Cardinals: Rookie Luke Weaver makes his fourth major league start on Tuesday. Weaver is 1-2 with a 3.86 ERA and gave up three runs over six innings in his last start against Milwaukee.

Pirates: Veteran Ryan Vogelsong (3-4, 3.56 ERA) will make his ninth start of the season and seventh since returning from the DL on Aug. 4 after missing more than two months while recovering from facial fractures sustained when he was hit by a pitch on May 23. Vogelsong is 3-7 with a 5.75 ERA in 22 appearances against the Cardinals.

— Associated Press —

MIAA announces weekly football awards

Posted on September 5, 2016

Kansas City, Mo. – Central Missouri’s Tyler Jones has been named the MIAA Football Offensive Player of the Week joined by teammate Jaylen Zachery as the Special Teams Athlete of the Week. Lindenwood’s Bakari Triggs has been named the MIAA Defensive Athlete of the Week.

MIAA Football Offensive Athlete of the Week

Tyler Jones, WR, Central Missouri

Making his first career start, he caught three passes for a career-high 161 yards and his first career touchdown was the game-winner in a 34-27 win at Pittsburg State. His first catch went for seven yards, but his second catch was a 75-yarder on third and eight from the UCM 11. it set up the go-ahead touchdown to put UCM in front 20-13. Then, facing a third and four from the UCM 21 with the game tied, Jones hauled in a 79-yard touchdown catch, broke a tackle and outraced the defense to the end zone for the game-winning score. The 6-2 senior wide receiver is a native of St. Louis, Mo. where he competed at Trinity Catholic High School.

MIAA Football Defensive Athlete of the Week

Bakari Triggs, DB, Lindenwood

Bakari Triggs set a MIAA record with two interception return touchdowns. He also set a school record with three interceptions, and had the second-most interception return yards in program history for a game with 123. Both of his interception return touchdowns came in the second half when the Lions defense allowed just one touchdown and led the team to a come-from-behind win. His third interception came in the endzone in the first half. Triggs also had five pass breakups for a total of eight passes defended, and had five tackles. The senior defensive back is a native of Milwaukee, Wis. where he competed at Riverside High School prior to playing a Butler Community College.

MIAA Football Special Teams Athlete of the Week

Jaylen Zachery, WR/PR, Central Missouri

Zachery had 153 yards in return yards, including a 73-yard punt return touchdown in the Mules 34-27 win over Pittsburg State. He averaged 32.7 yards per punt return and 18.3 yards per kick return in helping the Mules to the season-opening win. His 73-yard PR TD gave UCM a 27-13 lead late in the third quarter. The 6-0 junior wide receiver is a native of Richton Park, Ill. where he competed at Rich South High School.

— MIAA Press Release —

Kansas City lets another late lead slip away in loss to Detroit

Posted on September 5, 2016

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Detroit Tigers answered Kansas City’s late rally with another big swing by Justin Upton.

Upton hit a two-run homer with two out in the eighth inning, sending the Tigers to a 6-5 victory over the Royals on Sunday.

“We had some great at-bats earlier in the game that we didn’t come through on,” Upton said. “We came through right there. It’s definitely a September feel. They’re in the hunt, we’re in the hunt. Both teams are battling, the crowd is into it. It’s fun. It makes it a lot more fun.”

Upton also doubled in J.D. Martinez in the second. He has seven homers and 18 RBI in his past 14 games.

Miguel Cabrera was on first after a leadoff single when Upton drove a fastball from Joakim Soria (4-7) over the wall in center for his 20th homer, giving Detroit a 6-5 lead. The seven losses are a career high for Soria.

“That was a really good pitch,” Soria said. “Sometimes you have to tip your cap to the hitter.”

Shane Greene (3-3) pitched 1 1/3 innings for the win. Francisco Rodriguez worked the ninth for his 38th save in 42 opportunities.

The Royals batted around in a four-run seventh, highlighted by Jarrod Dyson’s two-run triple with two out. Paulo Orlando doubled home Dyson, but the lead was short-lived.

“It’s a teeter-totter back and forth with this team,” said Andrew Romine, who had two hits for Detroit, including an RBI double in the seventh. “From what I’ve seen the last couple of years since I’ve been here, it’s the same thing every game. So, we know that nobody’s out of the game. We’re not out of it, no matter how many runs. They’re not out of it, no matter how many runs, so we’ve just got to stay mentally locked in.”

Alcides Escobar opened the Kansas City ninth with a double and advanced on Dyson’s groundout. Before Dyson bounced to second, he drove a ball just outside the right-field foul pole. The Royals asked for a review.

“That ball couldn’t have been foul by six inches,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “I don’t think it was much more. It was so close we couldn’t tell on the replay. We could not get an angle on it. We just thought let New York look at it and see what they think. Again it’s a matter of inches and inches didn’t work out in our favor today.”

Escobar was stranded at third when Alex Gordon bounced to second and Orlando grounded out to third.

Martinez also homered for the Tigers. He is hitting .397 with eight home runs and 17 RBI since coming off the disabled list on Aug. 3.

Tigers left-hander Daniel Norris was charged with three runs and four hits in six-plus innings. He struck out seven and walked one.

Escobar homered in the third, tying it at 1 and hiking his hitting streak to 12 games.

Royals starter Edinson Volquez gave up four runs and seven hits in 6 2/3 innings.

BOYD’S RETURNING

Tigers left-hander Matt Boyd will be recalled Tuesday to start at the White Sox. Boyd went 5-2 with a 4.23 ERA in 16 games, including 14 starts, for Detroit before being optioned to Triple-A Toledo, where he was 2-5 with a 2.25 ERA in 11 starts.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Tigers: OF Cameron Maybin has been out since Monday with a bruised left thumb. … RHP Mike Pelfrey (lower back strain) gave up nine hits in 3 1/3 innings in a rehab start Saturday for Triple-A Toledo at Columbus. “I guess four of them were infield hits; they didn’t get to the dirt,” Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. “His velocity was good. He looked healthy. We’ve got to figure out if we want to try to find another rehab start for him or whether to activate him.”

Royals: Gordon, who left in the ninth inning Saturday with a sore right ankle, was not in the starting lineup Sunday, but was intentionally walked as a pinch hitter in the seventh and then stayed in the game. “It was more precautionary, more than anything else,” Yost said. “He was fighting me to play.” … LF Lorenzo Cain has not played since Tuesday because of left wrist inflammation.

UP NEXT

Tigers: RHP Justin Verlander, who was selected the AL pitcher of the month for August after going 4-0 with a 1.69 ERA, and White Sox LHP Chris Sale are scheduled to start on Monday at U.S. Cellular Field.

Royals: RHP Ian Kennedy, who went 3-0 with a 1.86 ERA in August, will start Monday at Minnesota in the opener of a six-game trip. The Twins are recalling RHP Jose Berrios from Triple-A Rochester to start.

— Associated Press —

Missouri Western soccer blanks Oucahita Baptist 1-0

Posted on September 5, 2016

ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – After a rare, high-scoring affair for the Missouri Western soccer team on Friday, the Griffons returned to their old ways with a 1-0 shutout victory over Oucahita Baptist to close out the MIAA-GAC Crossover on Sunday.

After giving up three goals to Harding on Friday, the Missouri Western back line suffocated the host school’s offensive attack, allowing just three shots in the game and only one on goal. Paige LaBadie got her first start in goal after Lexie Martin started Friday’s game against Harding.

Sydney Cluck scored her second goal of the season in the 47th minute with an assist by Bridget Blessie. It was the only offense the Griffons needed, though they certainly tried to score more. Missouri Western was credited with 19 total shots, eight on goal with 12 shots in the first period alone. Cluck had six shots herself with three on goal. Maddy Cowell was credited with five shots, two on goal.

Missouri Western gets the holiday off before hosting Bemidji State in a rare Tuesday home game. The Griffons make their debut in the newly remodeled Spratt Memorial Stadium at 3 p.m. Admission to all Griffon Soccer home matches is free. For the first time, all home soccer matches will be streamed live via Stretch Internet.

— MWSU Athletics —

Martinez stays hot on road as Cardinals beat Reds 5-2

Posted on September 4, 2016

CINCINNATI (AP) — Carlos Martinez kept getting himself into trouble and his defense kept bailing him out.

Randal Grichuk and Kolten Wong homered, and Martinez carried a shutout into the seventh inning with the help of some timely double plays as the St. Louis Cardinals snapped a three-game losing streak with a 5-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday.

“Every time a runner gets on base, I just increase my focus,” Martinez said. “I was a little bit fatigued, but I never lost focus.”

Yadier Molina had two of the five hits for the Cardinals, who avoided being swept in Cincinnati for the first time since July 2012.

St. Louis began the day with a one-game lead over the Mets for the final NL playoff spot. New York was set to host Washington later.

Martinez (13-7) allowed three hits and all of his season-high five walks over six scoreless innings before the Reds reached him for three hits and two runs to knock him out of the game three batters into the seventh. He struck out six while improving to 8-1 in 13 road starts this season.

Cincinnati went on to load the bases with one out against reliever Zack Duke before Scott Schebler flied out. Left fielder Brandon Moss, who went 0 for 4 with three strikeouts, threw out Tyler Holt at the plate — the third of four Cardinals double plays, tying their season high.

“That was a big play,” St. Louis manager Mike Matheny said. “When a guy is struggling to put together at-bats, it’s important to come up big in big situations. That was a nice tag by (Molina), too.”

Reds manager Bryan Price had no problem with the speedy Holt trying to score.

“Offensively, we’re down by three runs and you think you’re going to be conservative, but you still have to score runs,” Price said. “Moss makes a nice play. We had to take a chance with two outs.”

Seung Hwan Oh allowed a leadoff single in the ninth before getting three outs for his 15th save.

Tim Adleman (2-3) gave up both Cardinals home runs while matching his career high with six strikeouts in his first career appearance against St. Louis. He allowed four hits and three runs with a walk in five innings.

“Outside of a few pitches, I did a pretty good job of minimizing damage,” Adleman said. “It was better today. I wasn’t in a lot of jams today. The first (home run) in the second inning, the pitch got too much of the plate. Maybe in another park, it doesn’t go out. I don’t know. The second one to Wong was a curve over the plate. You have to tip your hat. He did what he was supposed to with it.”

Grichuk followed Stephen Piscotty’s double with his 21st homer this season and second of the series, giving St. Louis a 2-0 lead in the second inning. Grichuk also homered on Friday.

Wong made it 3-0 by leading off the fifth with his fourth homer this season and second on the road trip. He also connected Monday in Milwaukee.

First baseman Joey Votto’s error and pitcher Jumbo Diaz’s error and wild pitch helped St. Louis add two unearned runs in the sixth for a 5-0 lead.

CLOCKWORK

Fireworks were set off every hour on the hour outside the ballpark as crowds gathered for the city’s annual pre-Labor Day “Riverfest” fireworks show. The 40-year-old event has been known to draw crowds of up to 500,000 people on the banks of the Ohio River. World War II-era warplanes also buzzed the ballpark before and during the game.

AND COUNTING

Grichuk’s drive extended to 23 the Cardinals’ club-record streak of consecutive games with at least one home run.

TOP DOWN

Reds pitching limited the Cardinals’ first four batters — Matt Carpenter, Jedd Gyorko, Moss and Piscotty — to a combined 5 for 43 with one RBI and six walks in the series.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: Ex-Reds catcher Brayan Pena, limited to four games this season by left knee inflammation, was activated from the 60-day disabled list before the game.

Reds: CF Billy Hamilton, leading the majors in stolen bases, exited in the third inning after straining his left oblique while taking a strike.

UP NEXT

Cardinals: RHP Adam Wainwright (9-8) tries to snap his four-game losing streak at Pittsburgh in the opener of a three-game series Monday.

Reds: Mets RF Jay Bruce, traded by the Reds to New York on Aug. 1, returns to Cincinnati for the first time in the opener of a three-game series Monday. RHP Robert Stephenson (2-0) attempts to become the first Reds pitcher since Wayne Simpson in 1970 to win his first three career starts.

— Associated Press —

Mizzou drops opener at West Virginia 26-11

Posted on September 3, 2016

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — Skyler Howard played through a rib injury and Rushel Shell missed most of the second half with leg cramps, yet West Virginia overcame setbacks to their top two offensive threats to break a five-game losing streak to Southeastern Conference teams.

Backup running back Justin Crawford rushed for 101 yards and a touchdown filling in for Shell, and Howard stayed in the game to lead the Mountaineers to a 26-11 win over Missouri on Saturday.

“We’ll take it,” said West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen. “We’ve got a lot of work to do.”

So does Missouri, which lost in the debut for coach Barry Odom and fell in an opener for the first time since 2001, which was the first season under previous coach Gary Pinkel.

Howard was hurt when he was tackled by Missouri’s Donavin Newsom while sliding during a run near halftime. Trainers worked on his ribs before the second-half kickoff and he returned to the game.

Holgorsen said Howard is sore but no ribs were broken.

“He knew we needed him,” Holgorsen said. “The kid is a competitor and is going to do anything … to help the team win.”

Howard didn’t attempt a carry the rest of the game. He finished 23 of 35 for 235 yards with no touchdowns and an interception.

In the brief time Howard sat out, backup quarterback William Crest lost a fumble and Chris Chugunov threw an interception.

“When guys go down, (other) guys need to go in and play at a high level,” Holgorsen said. “Some did. Some didn’t.”

Crawford did. The junior college transfer got most of the carries after Shell walked off the field gingerly early in the third quarter and didn’t return. Holgorsen said Shell had leg cramps and “he’s fine.”

Crawford had a 1-yard scoring run in the third quarter.

“From a teammate perspective, it’s good to know when you come off the field they’re putting someone in that is just as good as you,” Shell said.

Shell finished with 90 yards, including a 23-yard TD in the first quarter. He said he didn’t want to return to the game after leaving and “mess up the flow and the tempo” of the offense.

Missouri struggled most of the game under sophomore quarterback Drew Lock, who threw an 8-yard scoring pass to Chris Black with under two minutes left.

“I don’t feel like I did a very good job on this,” Odom said. “I’m obviously very thankful and honored to be the head coach. But I’ve got a job to do and I didn’t get it done today.”

THE TAKEAWAY

MISSOURI: New offensive coordinator Josh Heupel has two weeks to get the Tigers ready for the grueling Southeastern Conference schedule. The Tigers were lethargic against a West Virginia defense that had nine new starters. Lock finished 23 of 51 for 280 yards.

Odom said there was “some good and some bad” about Lock’s performance.

“He’s going to continue to get better,” Odom said.

WEST VIRGINIA: Like many games last season, the Mountaineers had trouble reaching the end zone following long drives. Four stalled inside the Missouri 10, all leading to short field goals by Mike Molina.

“That’s not good,” Holgorsen said. “There’s going to be times where those field goals need to be touchdowns. We have to do a better job of finishing drives.”

UP NEXT

MISSOURI: Tigers fans get to see how Odom does for themselves in the home opener against Eastern Michigan — a 61-14 winner over Mississippi Valley State — before Missouri’s SEC home opener with Georgia a week later.

WEST VIRGINIA: The Mountaineers welcome ex-Nebraska coach Bo Pelini in their first-ever meeting with Youngstown State, which gave Pittsburgh a scare on the road a year ago.

— Associated Press —

Royals snap three-game skid with 5-2 win over Detroit

Posted on September 3, 2016

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Eric Hosmer hit his career-high 20th homer, Yordano Ventura pitched into and out of trouble, and the Kansas City Royals snapped a three-game losing streak with a 5-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Saturday night.

Hosmer homered in the fourth after Cheslor Cuthbert led off the inning with a double. Hosmer’s previous high was 19 as a rookie in 2011.

Ventura threw 53 strikes and 52 balls in six innings, allowing one run and six hits with six walks and a wild pitch. The Tigers went 1 for 9 with runners on base, stranding nine, while he was on the mound and had a base runner every inning.

Ventura (10-9) improved to 7-0 against the Tigers, including three wins this season, and is 4-0 overall in his past six starts

Michael Fulmer (10-6) gave up three runs and seven hits in six innings for the Tigers, falling to 1-4 in his past five starts. He walked one and struck out four.

Successive bunt singles by Raul Mondesi and Jarrod Dyson led to a run in the fifth as Cuthbert’s two-out single scored Mondesi.

James McCann’s fielder’s choice ground out in the fourth scored J.D. Martinez, who led off the inning with a double, for the only run Ventura allowed.

Alcides Escobar’s bases-loaded single in the ninth scored pinch-runner Terrance Gore and Salvador Perez for the final Kansas City runs. Escobar extended his hitting streak to a season-high 11 games.

Ian Kinsler homered on an 0-2 pitch from Brooks Pounders to lead off the Tigers’ ninth.

Wade Davis, who blew a save Friday, was summoned to get the final outs, striking out Victor Martinez and J.D. Martinez, picking up his 22nd save in 25 opportunities.

ROSTER MOVE

The Tigers purchased the contract of LHP Joe Mantiply from Double-A Erie. In his final 13 outings for Erie, covering 15 innings, Mantiply did not allow a run and held opposing hitters to a .096 batting average. He limited left-handed hitters to a .147 average with a .196 slugging percentage for the season. The Tigers designated for assignment RHP Donn Roach to make roster space for Mantiply.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Tigers: 3B Erick Aybar was scratched with left abdominal soreness, which he aggravated while running the bases Friday. Andrew Romine replaced him in the lineup. … RHP Mike Pelfrey, who is on the disabled list with a lower back strain, made his second rehab start Saturday for Triple-A Toledo, giving up five runs on nine hits in 3 1/3 innings at Columbus, striking out one and walking none.

Royals: LF Alex Gordon left in the ninth inning with right ankle soreness. … OF Lorenzo Cain has not played since Tuesday because of left wrist inflammation. “We’re just trying to get it back to where it’s playable,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. He said Cain received an injection Tuesday.

UP NEXT

Tigers: LHP Daniel Norris, who starts the series finale, is 0-1 with a 3.09 ERA in two career starts against the Royals.

Royals: RHP Edinson Volquez allowed four runs on nine hits in 3 1/3 innings in his Tuesday start against the Yankees.

— Associated Press —

Jayhawks roll Rhode Island to give coach Beaty first win

Posted on September 3, 2016

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Montell Cozart threw three touchdown passes, Ryan Willis tossed two more and Kansas gave second-year coach David Beaty his first victory by routing overmatched Rhode Island 55-6 on Saturday night.

Third-string quarterback Carter Stanley also threw a TD pass, LaQuvionte Gonzalez caught seven passes for 78 yards and a touchdown, and Taylor Martin and Ke’aun Kinner ran for scores as the Jayhawks (1-0) won for the first time since beating Iowa State on Nov. 8, 2014, a span of 665 days.

They went 0-12 for the first time in school history last season.

“I’ve never been through what we went through last year. That’s hard,” Beaty said. “Personally it is very difficult. I got emotional with those guys. It’s just hard. So obviously I’m overjoyed for them.”

The Rams (0-1) were held to 219 yards of offense by a Kansas defense that gave up at least 40 points eight times last season. Wes McKoy was 6 of 29 for 43 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

Rhode Island has never beaten a school from the Football Bowl Subdivision in 14 tries.

“There were some ugly things that happened out there and we’ll try to find the positives out of it and see where it goes from here,” Rhode Island coach Jim Fleming said. “We played very poorly for what we’re capable of and as a result, we got spanked a little bit.”

Beaty has been slowing trying to rebuild the downtrodden Jayhawks, and there was little evidence of progress last season. But an infusion of touted freshmen and high-profile transfers — Gonzalez came from Texas A&M, for example — gave a sparse season-opening crowd reason to be optimistic.

Kansas scored its most points since routing Nebraska 76-39 on Nov. 3, 2007, when Mark Mangino was still roaming the sideline. The Jayhawks are on their fourth head coach since then.

“Our fans deserve it,” Beaty said. “They deserve a lot.”

The big question surrounding them Saturday night was who would be under center.

Cozart was the starter before a season-ending injury a year ago, and Willis took over the rest of the way. The two battled until the final week of training camp and Cozart won the right to take the first snaps of the game, though both played a significant amount of time.

Cozart wound up going 18 of 25 for 199 yards, while Willis was 7 of 9 for 144 yards.

Still, there were times they looked like the same old Jayhawks.

Late in the first half, Kansas failed to convert third down, got called for illegal substitution and missed a field-goal attempt. Cozart threw a pick in the end zone midway through the third quarter, while Derrick Neal botched a punt return midway through the fourth quarter.

But for the most part, it was easy to look good against the Rams.

The Football Championship Subdivision bottom-dweller also muffed a punt that led to the Jayhawks’ first touchdown, then had their only extra-point attempt blocked in the second quarter.

THE TAKEAWAY

Rhode Island: The Rams’ chances were ruined in part by three turnovers, including a pair of fumbles that were recovered by the Jayhawks. Both of them turned into eventual touchdowns.

Kansas: Gonzalez has star potential. The speedy wide receiver had to sit out last season under NCAA transfer rules, so he was playing in his first game since Dec. 29, 2014.

UP NEXT

Rhode Island: Plays its home opener against Albany next Saturday.

Kansas: Ohio visits Memorial Stadium next Saturday.

— Associated Press —

Griffon volleyball goes 1-1 on final day of Washburn Invitational

Posted on September 3, 2016

TOPEKA, Kan. – The Missouri Western volleyball team closed out the Washburn Invitational with its strongest outing. The Griffons split the day’s action, ending in victory with a sweep.

Match 1: Quincy University 3, MWSU 1
Missouri Western dropped its opening game of day two at the Washburn Invitational to Quincy University 3-1 (25-16, 24-26, 23-25, 22-25).
The Griffons raced out early to a 1-0 match lead by using two different 5-1 rallies to take the first set 25-16. Kelsey Olion helped Missouri Western break open the first set with five kills.

Missouri Western wasted little time getting ahead as it jumped to an early 9-1 advantage to open the second set. The Griffons, however could not sustain the momentum they had built early. Quincy University tied the match at 19-19 and the Griffons never could regain the lead after that.
Third set, saw Missouri Western fall behind early but a Blair Russell kill would start a 6-1 Griffon rally to tie the set. Despite scoring four of the last six set points, Missouri Western could not steal the set.

The fourth set, saw the Griffons jump out again to an early lead after three consecutive kills by Russell. Quincy would eventually even the score at 18-18 and never give it back, winning the set and match. Stephanie Doak led the Missouri Western attackers with 14 kills. Kelsey Olion finished with 12 kills while adding four aces.

Match 2: MWSU 3, Midwestern State 0
Missouri Western finished the Washburn Invitational with 3-0 (25-15, 25-14, 25-23) sweep over Midwestern State. The final match saw the Griffons trail only three times in the entire match.

The Griffons broke to a fast start against the Mustangs. Midwestern State scored the set’s first point but it would be their only lead. Missouri Western found a balanced attack in the set, with five players each recording two kills with aces by Kayla Ruff and Kelsey Olion.

Second set was the best for the Griffons, as they never trailed. After a 9-3 run early, Missouri Western blew the set wide open. The run started with three consecutive kills by the Griffon attackers to push the lead to 15-7. A Rachel Losch kill ended the set, giving MWSU a 2-0 match lead.

After a sluggish start in the third set, the Griffons trailed 9-2, before the offense reappeared. An 11-4 advantage allowed Missouri Western to tie the match at 13-13. Rachel Friedrich’s kill while down 21-19 started a 6-2 run allowing the Griffons to close out for the win. Missouri Western was led behind Stephanie Doak’s 10 kills and Kourtney Blaufuss’s 31 assist.

The Griffons open the 2016 home season by hosting the Gold & Green Challenge. Missouri Western opens with Oklahoma Baptist at 10 a.m. followed by Missouri S&T at 6 p.m.

— MWSU Athletics —