NEW YORK (AP) —On Thursday afternoon, the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) selected Kansas City as a 2026 World Cup host city. 

Kansas City joins Atlanta, Houston, Miami, Philadelphia and Seattle as the newcomers among the 11 U.S. sites picked to host games at the 2026 World Cup, while Baltimore, Cincinnati, Denver, Nashville, Tennessee, and Orlando, Florida, were left out.

Arlington, Texas; East Rutherford, New Jersey; Foxborough, Massachusetts, and Inglewood and Santa Clara, California, were the holdovers.

FIFA announced its selections Thursday for the first World Cup with three co-hosts, also picking three Mexican cities and two in Canada.

The U.S. selections included none of the nine stadiums used at the 1994 World Cup. The Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, and Orlando’s Camping World Stadium were the only ones remaining in contention, and they were among the sites dropped in the final round.

New stadiums were selected in five areas used in 1994. AT&amp;T Stadium in Texas replaced Dallas’ Cotton Bowl; SoFi Stadium in Inglewood took over for Pasadena’s Rose Bowl; and Levi’s Stadium instead of Stanford Stadium.

Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Masschusetts, replaced torn-down stadiums that were adjacent, Giants Stadium and Foxboro Stadium.

Orlando’s Camping World was dropped among existing 1994 venues. The Detroit area, where the old Pontiac Silverdome hosted games, was cut in 2018 and Baltimore’s M&amp;T Bank Stadium was dropped after FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland, dropped out. Washington’s RFK Stadium was used in 1994.

Chicago, which hosted the 1994 opener at Solider Field, refused to bid, citing FIFA’s economic demands.

Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca, which hosted the 1970 and ’86 finals and will become the first stadium in three World Cups, was selected along with Guadalajara’s Estadio Akron and Monterrey’s Estadio BBVA.

Toronto’s BMO Field and Vancouver, British Columbia’s B.C. Place were picked while Edmonton, Alberta’s Commonwealth Stadium was dropped.

The bid plan envisioned 60 games in the U.S., including all from the quarterfinals on, and 10 each in Mexico and Canada.

Specific sites for each round will be announced later.

In contrast to the 1992 site announcement during a news conference, the 2026 announcement was made during a televised show from Fox’s studio in Manhattan.

“Over the past five years, the greater Kansas City area has pulled together in remarkable ways to demonstrate to those around the globe that ‘We Want The World Cup.’ And that hard work has paid off,”&nbsp;said Sen. Jerry Moran.&nbsp;

“I look forward to welcoming soccer fans from around the world to the Soccer Capital of America when Kansas City hosts the 2026 World Cup. Thank you to the KC2026 leadership team, the Kansas City Sports Commission, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, and all the ambassadors and volunteers for your work to bring for the most-watched sporting event in the world to Kansas City.”

In 2017, at the start of the bid 2026 World Cup bid process, Sen. Moran offered his support for Kansas City to the Executive Director of the United Bid Committee.

“Today is a great day for Kansas City! Kansas is home to some of the most devoted, fanatic soccer fans in the world that are ready to cheer on Team USA – and what better place than America’s heartland? The Kansas City community, alongside Sporting KC and the KC Sports Commission have shown unwavering commitment to make this dream a reality, and I congratulate them for their hard work,”&nbsp;said Senator Roger Marshall. “The FIFA World Cup is the largest and most prestigious single sport event in the world and there is no better place for it to be held than Kansas City.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655416220085.png" alt="Image courtesy FIFA live broadcast of host cities" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy FIFA live broadcast of host cities</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) —On Thursday afternoon, the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) selected Kansas City as a 2026 World Cup host city. Kansas City joins Atlanta, Houston, Miami, Philadelphia and Seattle as the newcomers among the 11 U.S. sites picked to host games at the 2026 World Cup, while Baltimore, Cincinnati, Denver, Nashville, Tennessee, and Orlando, Florida, were left out.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Ffifaworldcup%2Fvideos%2F816004116431454%2F&show_text=false&width=380&t=0" width="380" height="476" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Arlington, Texas; East Rutherford, New Jersey; Foxborough, Massachusetts, and Inglewood and Santa Clara, California, were the holdovers.FIFA announced its selections Thursday for the first World Cup with three co-hosts, also picking three Mexican cities and two in Canada.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Kansas City, you are a World Cup City!&mdash; Mayor Q (@QuintonLucasKC) <a href="https://twitter.com/QuintonLucasKC/status/1537549342000701442?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 16, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The U.S. selections included none of the nine stadiums used at the 1994 World Cup. The Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, and Orlando’s Camping World Stadium were the only ones remaining in contention, and they were among the sites dropped in the final round.New stadiums were selected in five areas used in 1994. AT&amp;T Stadium in Texas replaced Dallas’ Cotton Bowl; SoFi Stadium in Inglewood took over for Pasadena’s Rose Bowl; and Levi’s Stadium instead of Stanford Stadium.Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Masschusetts, replaced torn-down stadiums that were adjacent, Giants Stadium and Foxboro Stadium.Orlando’s Camping World was dropped among existing 1994 venues. The Detroit area, where the old Pontiac Silverdome hosted games, was cut in 2018 and Baltimore’s M&amp;T Bank Stadium was dropped after FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland, dropped out. Washington’s RFK Stadium was used in 1994.Chicago, which hosted the 1994 opener at Solider Field, refused to bid, citing FIFA’s economic demands.Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca, which hosted the 1970 and ’86 finals and will become the first stadium in three World Cups, was selected along with Guadalajara’s Estadio Akron and Monterrey’s Estadio BBVA.Toronto’s BMO Field and Vancouver, British Columbia’s B.C. Place were picked while Edmonton, Alberta’s Commonwealth Stadium was dropped.The bid plan envisioned 60 games in the U.S., including all from the quarterfinals on, and 10 each in Mexico and Canada.Specific sites for each round will be announced later.In contrast to the 1992 site announcement during a news conference, the 2026 announcement was made during a televised show from Fox’s studio in Manhattan.“Over the past five years, the greater Kansas City area has pulled together in remarkable ways to demonstrate to those around the globe that ‘We Want The World Cup.’ And that hard work has paid off,”&nbsp;said Sen. Jerry Moran.&nbsp;“I look forward to welcoming soccer fans from around the world to the Soccer Capital of America when Kansas City hosts the 2026 World Cup. Thank you to the KC2026 leadership team, the Kansas City Sports Commission, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, and all the ambassadors and volunteers for your work to bring for the most-watched sporting event in the world to Kansas City.”In 2017, at the start of the bid 2026 World Cup bid process, Sen. Moran offered his support for Kansas City to the Executive Director of the United Bid Committee.“Today is a great day for Kansas City! Kansas is home to some of the most devoted, fanatic soccer fans in the world that are ready to cheer on Team USA – and what better place than America’s heartland? The Kansas City community, alongside Sporting KC and the KC Sports Commission have shown unwavering commitment to make this dream a reality, and I congratulate them for their hard work,”&nbsp;said Senator Roger Marshall. “The FIFA World Cup is the largest and most prestigious single sport event in the world and there is no better place for it to be held than Kansas City.”

Kansas City selected as a host city for 2026 FIFA World Cup

The St. Joseph Sports Commission, in cooperation with the St. Joseph Convention &amp; Visitors Bureau, announced the 2022 St. Joseph Area Sports of Hall of Fame Class Thursday.

Officially created in November 2020, the St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame recognizes individuals, families, teams, entities or significant feats/accomplishments that made a significant impact on sports history in Buchanan County.

Director of the St. Joseph Sports Commission Brett Esely&nbsp;says this class has a wide variety of talents and background.

"We have legendary coaches and athletes," Esely said. "We have folks who represent other key areas of sports from right here in St. Joseph. What's also really neat is these are all members of our community, and these are all stories that some of which we know a lot about. Some we don't know as much about, and that's the great thing about this process."

To be eligible for selection, the individual or team must have been born in Buchanan County, must have made their sports career or accomplish their feat in Buchanan County, or must be contributing to sports in Buchanan County at the present time.

The 2022 Hall of Fame Class includes: H.L. “Doc” Childress – World Renowned Sporting Clays Shooter Janet (Clark) Moody – Women’s Basketball Legend Vic Eaton – Football Legend Gary Filbert – Missouri Sports Legend George Hayward – National Football League Official Michael Hill – Football Trailblazer Gust Karras – Legendary Wrestling Promoter Bill McKinney – Area Sports Innovator Tom Smith – Legendary Basketball Coach Dennis Snethen – Wesley Weightlifters and USA Olympic Coach Herzog Motorsports – Midwest Racing Icons Special Olympics Athlete of the Year presented by the Hook Family – Tanner Hrenchir

The class was selected by an anonymous three-person committee, who chose the inductees amongst a group of 39 formal nominees.

"When I look at this class," Esely remarked, "I see cutting edge. I see great memories. I see just great spectacles of not only sports in St. Joseph, but sports nationally and around the world."

The inaugural class was enshrined into this Hall of Fame <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/174bd76a-6fa7-450f-aad6-afe6633e91d2">in September 2021</a>.

"I'm probably more excited about year two than I was year one," Esely said. "Only because it was going to be really exciting to see how the Hall of Fame would grow. Exciting to see the number of nominations that came in as a result of the publicity of year one."

An additional award recipient will be announced later this summer, as the inaugural Coach Bill Snyder Woman of Impact Award will be presented by Coach Snyder - a Lafayette alum and Kansas State legend.

 That award recognizes an athlete, coach, administrator or other outstanding feat accomplished in Buchanan County over the past year.

 The award is named in Coach Snyder’s honor as a tribute to the impact his mother made on his life, but the impact of women in all levels of sports in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Title IX.

The 2022 St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony, which will be held this year in memory of the St. Joseph Sports Commissions’ founder and first chairman Frank O’Malley, will be on Sunday, September 18 at Stoney Creek Hotel &amp; Conference Center, with social hour beginning at 4 p.m.

A limited number of tickets for the event will go on sale in early July for $25 per person and may be purchased at stjomosports.com.

Any questions about the event can be emailed to besely@stjomo.com or called in at 816-233-6688.

2022 ST. JOSEPH AREA SPORTS HALL OF FAME CLASS BIOGRAPHIES

H.L. “Doc” Childress – World Renowned Sports Clays Shooter A local optometrist for 53 years, Harold “Doc” Childress was legendary to waterfowling. He loved hunting and shooting sporting clays, the most difficult shooting sport in the world. He started shooting sporting clays in 1989 in the veterans’ division and made Team USA in 1991. The next year, at the World Championships in Vermont, he tied for the bronze medal and became the first American to win a medal in world competition. He won three Missouri State Championships; two SGA’s in the 1990’s and was in Outdoor Life magazine’s list of All American Sporting Clays for ten straight years. He was the first shooter inducted into the Missouri Sporting Clays Association, is the only sporting clays shooter inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, is a member of the Water Fowlers Hall of Fame in Mound City, Missouri and the Missouri Western Athletics Hall of Fame.

Janet (Clark) Moody – Women’s Basketball Legend Growing up in St. Joseph, Janet (Clark) Moody was special on the hardwood. A graduate of Lafayette High School in 1985, she was a highly successful athlete participating in volleyball, basketball and track. With great all-around athletic success, she excelled in basketball, lettering all four years and receiving All City, All Conference, All District and All State honors an amazing three times. She was also named the first ever Miss Show-Me Basketball her senior year. She took her talents to Northwest Missouri State University where she played four seasons at the NCAA Division II level. Clark is the only Northwest Missouri State women’s basketball player to be in the 2,000 point club. As one of the best shooters in MIAA women’s basketball history, she also ranks fourth on the all-time MIAA scoring list. Clark averaged over 20 points per game in her final three seasons at Northwest in route to being named First Team All-MIAA in 1987, 1988 and 1989. She is also in the 500 rebound club and ranks sixth all-time at Northwest in assists (320) and sixth in steals (204). Clark also finished her career as the all-time leader in three-point percentage at 40.1 percent, a mark she still holds. Her jersey has been retired at Northwest in which she was inducted into the M-Club Hall of Fame in 1996 and the MIAA Hall of Fame in 2013.

Vic Eaton – Area Football Legend Not known for winning when he entered the door as a freshman, Vic Eaton’s talents were instrumental in helping resurrect a Lafayette High School football program from the bottom of the heap to a winner. Eaton was a four-year letterwinner, All-City selection and received honorable mention honors as a National High School All-American. Not only did he excel on the gridiron, but his multi-talented skillset was showcased on the basketball court and track as he lettered in those sports as well. Upon graduation in 1951, Vic signed to play football at the University of Missouri not as the quarterback but also the punter where he was a three-year letterman including leading the Big Seven Conference in passing in 1954. Following his senior season, he was named the Outstanding Back in the Blue/Gray Game for the victorious North team. He was selected in the 11th round of the 1955 NFL Draft by the Pittsburg Steelers and made the active roster beating out Hall of Fame quarterback Johnny Unitas for the spot. Eaton only played one season for the Steelers before being commissioned into the Air Force as a pilot in which he served our country for three seasons.

Gary Filbert – Missouri Sports Legend Founder, pioneer, innovator, legend. Those are just a few of the words people have used to describe the life and career of Gary Filbert. Filbert grew up in St. Joseph and was a star athlete and graduate of Benton High School lettering in football, basketball and track. He took his talents to the University of Missouri and played one season on the hardwood before leaving to serve a four year stint in the Marine Corps. Upon his return, Filbert was a three year letterwinner for the Tigers. Following graduation, he began his coaching and administration career at Mexico (Mo.) High School recording 260 wins. In 1969, as Missouri Western State College was a making landmark move from a two year to four year institution, Filbert also made a landmark move jumping from high school to the college ranks in taking over as the Griffon head coach. Over the next 13 seasons, Filbert pioneered the Griffs into this new era amassing 210 wins, three NAIA National Tournament appearances and was a three time Missouri NAIA District Coach of the Year. For these accomplishments, Filbert was inducted into the Missouri Western Athletics Hall of Fame in 2000. Following the 1982 season, Coach Filbert once again made a landmark move going from the hardwood of the NAIA to the Big 8 as he was hired as an assistant coach under Norm Stewart at Mizzou where he helped lead the Tigers to a #2 national ranking and a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. After three seasons on the bench in Columbia, Filbert went from assistant coach to assistant athletics director and after three more years in that role, he became the executive director of the Show-Me State Games and took a struggling program and exploded it to one of the biggest state games in the country. For all of his accomplishments, Filbert has received many honors including being inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame receiving the prestigious designation as a Missouri Sports Legend.

George Hayward – NFL Official Working his way up the ranks - that’s has been the path for St. Joseph native George Hayward. A graduate of Central High School, Hayward was an all-city and all-district performer as an offensive lineman. He played on Missouri Western’s first football teams transitioning to the defensive side of the ball playing end and linebacker. Like many players when their playing career ends, Hayward had interest in staying in football but instead of transitioning into the coaching ranks he became a game official. He started on Pop Warner games, middle school and high school crews before graduating into junior college and then small college football working in the Heart of America Conference and the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. In 1984 after years of excellent performance on the field, he was hired by the Big Eight Conference as a line judge where he spent seven seasons working a number of big games including the 1986 Citrus Bowl and 1988 Sun Bowl. In the fall of 1991, his officiating body of work became complete as he reached the pinnacle of officiating joining the National Football League. In 25 seasons, he worked 425 games including 19 playoff games including Super Bowl XLI won by Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts.

Michael Hill – Local Football Trailblazer Born and raised in St. Joseph, Missouri, Michael Hill has lived out the ideal pathway for a hometown athlete and blazed the trail for others to follow. A three-year starter and all-state selection at Central High School, Hill took his talents to Missouri Western State University where he was a four year All-MIAA selection including being the MIAA Offensive MVP in 2012 and Harlon Hill Award Finalist (Division II’s version of the Heisman Trophy). Hill is MWSU’s all-time leading rusher with 4,969 yards, a mark that is 6th all-time in MIAA history. He was instrumental in helping lead the Griffons to the best season in school history going 12-2, claiming the MIAA title and securing the school’s first two NCAA playoff victories finishing with a final team ranking of 8th in the country. In addition to his already mentioned accolades, Hill was the D2football.com National Offensive Player of the Year and a first team All-American in two different outlets. Hill took his talents to the professional ranks spending four years in the National Football League with five different teams including playing in two AFC playoff games with the Indianapolis Colts.

Gust Karras – Legendary Wrestling Promoter An early ambassador of St. Joseph, Gust Karras was more than one of the best known wrestling promoters of his era. He was a legend in this region and believed in this city. Born in Greece, Gust arrived in the states in 1922 and quickly became a top-level wrestler becoming the heavyweight champion of Montana. Living with his new bride Goldie in Chillicothe, he began supplementing his income by promoting events. He moved to St. Joseph in 1933 and began promoting wrestling not only locally but to larger locales all over the country. His shows at City Auditorium consistently drew crowds of 3,000 every Friday night. Not just a promoter, he was a judge of talent and teacher helping develop two of the world’s best wrestlers in Harley Race and Sonny Myers. When KQTV television debuted in 1953, Gust brought his wrestling shows to television which helped expand his fan base with the highly “Big 2 Wrestling” show on Saturday evenings. His reputation as a promoter reached his talents beyond wrestling as he brought the Harlem Globetrotters to town, promoted Golden Gloves boxing and also live musicals and vaudeville. Always dressed in a coat and tie, wearing a hat with a pipe in his mouth, he was a St. Joseph institution.

Bill McKinney – Area Sports Innovator Community leader and champion to recreational activities, Bill McKinney’s legacy in St. Joseph began at an early age. He was a three-sport athlete at Lafayette High School excelling in football which led to a scholarship at the University of Missouri where he played three seasons as a two-way player. Following graduation, he came back to the area serving as a teacher and a coach at Plattsburg High School and then later Lafayette, before opening a sporting goods business that he owned for 20 years. His 1987 career change not only had an impact on his life, but also on the future of his hometown as he was named the interim director of the parks and recreation department. Under Bill’s leadership which quickly turned into permanent; Phil Welch Stadium, Bartlett Park, Bode Ice Arena, Missouri Theater, Civic Arena, Fairview Golf Course Clubhouse and Noyes Tennis Complex have all undergone major renovation along with the creation of the St. Joseph Aquatic Park. Bill’s innovation and inspiration helped further enhance three notable projects to ensure their success; these projects included Remington Nature Center, St. Joseph REC Center and Heritage Park Softball Complex. While Bill loved all sports, he had a special tie to softball being instrumental in bringing numerous regional, national and international competitions to town. For his efforts, he was inducted into the Missouri Amateur Softball Association Hall of Fame.

Tom Smith – Hall of Fame Basketball Coach On the last home game of his first season as head basketball coach at Missouri Western, Tom Smith took the arena microphone and told the crowd “I want everyone back here next year and I want the place rocking.” Rocking it was in that 1989-90 season and began a tradition of excellence that spanned 25 seasons in the black &amp; gold. Smith is the all time leader in wins in MWSU history with 448 in which he led the Griffons to five MIAA Regular Season Championships, five MIAA Conference Tournament Championships and 11 appearances in the NCAA Tournament. In doing so, he coached 49 All-MIAA players including two MIAA MVP’s and three NCAA All-Americans. Combined with his tenure at the University of Central Missouri, his 534 MIAA victories rank second all time in league history. Including his stint at his alma mater Valparaiso, Smith compiled 618 career victories in his 36 seasons on the bench. For his career achievements, Smith is a member of the Missouri Western Athletics Hall of Fame, MIAA Hall of Fame, Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, Missouri Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame and Valparaiso Athletics Hall of Fame. Additionally, the court in the MWSU Fieldhouse will forever bear his name being dedicated in February 2019.

Dennis Snethen – Wesley Weightlifters, USA Weightlifting Coach Simply put, Dennis Snethen is iconic. Snethen, a Benton High School graduate, began his lore in coaching weightlifters in 1978 when he became Head Coach of the Wesley Weightlifters taking a then small club and turning it in to a world power. In coaching numerous local athletes, he first made his mark on USA Weightlifting as a coach developing athletes that became some of America's best weightlifters that have represented the United States on the world's greatest sporting stage, the Olympic Games. U.S. Olympians Wes Barnett (1992 and 1996) and Pete Kelley (1996) both got their starts under Snethen in St. Joseph at the Wesley Center. Snethen made his Olympic coaching debut as an assistant at the 1996 Atlanta games. The 2008 Beijing games, were his first as a head coach. Snethen has received numerous accolades in his career including being honor by USA Weightlifting as its Coach of the Year in 1996 and 1999. Prior to the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team, Snethen served as the Women's Weightlifting Head Coach for the 2007 Pan American Games and World Championships Teams. In addition to coaching, he has served as the interim director of USA Weightlifting and seven years as the National Governing Body’s President. He is a member of the USA Weightlifting Hall of Fame.

Herzog Motorsports – Midwest Racing Icons The Herzog Companies are an institution in St. Joseph and across the country. Founded in 1969 by Bill and then joined by sons Stan and Randy, starting as a small-town company, Herzog has grown to become one of North America’s most respected private rail and heavy/highway construction organizations. In 1987, Herzog founded its motorsports division which started as an off-road racing team in which you could say the rest is history. Their driver, Ricky Johnson, won 6 of 16 events during the 1998 season which led to the SODA (Short Course Off Road Drivers Association) Pro-2 Championship. It was two years earlier however that the team signed on a California native named Jimmie Johnson who took top honors in the SODA. Johnson is now a seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and credits the Herzog family for playing a major role in helping launch his racing career. In 2000, after merging with MLB legend Reggie Jackson to form Herzog-Jackson Motorsports, the team competed in NASCAR’s Busch Grand National Series with Jimmie, Todd Bodine and Jeff Green along with Larry Ragland in off-road and the Pikes Peak International Hillclimb. Ragland would go on to be inducted into the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2016. Following the team’s last year competing in the NASCAR Busch Series in 2005, the Herzog’s turned to NHRA drag racing and were a major associate sponsor of Tony and Cruz Pedregon’s Funny Car teams for nearly a decade. The Pedregon’s won numerous races and two of their four World Championships came under the Herzog banner. In all after a quarter century in racing which concluded in 2015, the Herzog’s owned or sponsored race teams that won championships in SCORE, CORR, SODA and NHRA and have scored victories in such prestigious events as the Baja 1000 and Pikes Peak International Hillclimb.

Special Olympics Area Athlete Of The Year presented by the Hook Family – Tanner Hrenchir Tanner Hrenchir is an institution in the Special Olympics world. Beginning his career at age 9, Hrenchir has now competed in the sports of track &amp; field, softball, bowling, basketball, flag football and powerlifting. His efforts have produced numerous medals at Area, District, Regional and State Competition. He has also taken his talents to the national stage in being selected as a member of Team Missouri at the 2010 Special Olympics National Games in Lincoln, Nebraska coming away with a silver and bronze medal as well as two 4th place finishes. In all, Hrenchir has been a member of the national team three times including just recently where he won a gold medal, two silver medals and bronze in powerlifting at the just completed Orlando games June 5-10. In addition to being an outstanding athlete, Tanner is an outstanding ambassador serving as a Global Messenger for the organization sharing his story to over 5,000 people worldwide and also volunteering numerous hours to Special Olympics Missouri and other local causes.

Tom Smith, Herzog Motorsports highlights St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame 2022 Class

(AP) - Whit Merrifield broke a 2-2 tie with an eighth-inning sacrifice fly and the Kansas City Royals edged the San Francisco Giants 3-2 Wednesday to avoid a three-game sweep.

Andrew Benintendi led off the inning with a pinch-hit double off Giants reliever John Brebbia. Nicky Lopez moved him to third on a sacrifice bunt and Merrifield brought him home.

Royals reliever Jose Cuas retired three batters to earn his first career victory. Scott Barlow recorded the last five outs for his seventh save in eight opportunities.

Kansas City snapped a four-game losing streak and have the day off today before going to Oakland Friday. That game will start at 8:40 p.m. central.

St. Joseph Post(AP) - Whit Merrifield broke a 2-2 tie with an eighth-inning sacrifice fly and the Kansas City Royals edged the San Francisco Giants 3-2 Wednesday to avoid a three-game sweep.Andrew Benintendi led off the inning with a pinch-hit double off Giants reliever John Brebbia. Nicky Lopez moved him to third on a sacrifice bunt and Merrifield brought him home.Royals reliever Jose Cuas retired three batters to earn his first career victory. Scott Barlow recorded the last five outs for his seventh save in eight opportunities.Kansas City snapped a four-game losing streak and have the day off today before going to Oakland Friday. That game will start at 8:40 p.m. central.

Merrifield's sac fly in the eighth breaks tie, Royals edge Giants to avoid sweep

The Missouri Western men’s basketball team will seek its third winning season in four years this coming November, as the Griffons will welcome back six players with starting experience, and nine total players with significant minutes from last season.

In addition, Missouri Western adds four total players in its 2022 recruiting class, including three Division I transfers.

Head coach Will Martin, who will enter his third year at the helm, says the depth his team has right now is encouraging.

"You look at our roster, you look at the depth and the melting pot of DI transfers with experience, young returners, older returners," Martin said. "It gets you really excited about what the roster looks like."

The Griffons ended last season at 14-17 following a first-round MIAA tournament loss to Rogers State in March. The 2022 signing class was just completed earlier in June when the Griffons announced the signing of 6-4 guard and <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/101d9a0d-3ad2-4bbb-a30a-6eb4486cd6a8">New Zealand native Josh Book</a>.

"We got to the table kind of late," Martin said of Book. "I was shocked he was still around, but we're extremely excited about him. He's a great player."

The Griffons' 2022 class also includes three Division I transfers -&nbsp;6-11 center Matt Nunez, 6-7 forward Julius Dixon and 6-5 guard/forward Ethan Kilgore - a 2020 East Buchanan graduate.

Combined with six players who are returning with starting experience, Martin is optimistic as he looks toward the coming season.

"My goal every year is to win the MIAA and get back to the NCAA tournament and dance as much as you can dance in that tournament," Martin said. "But, a lot of times, I think we jump the gun in terms of outward success and really, it's the inward success that matters the most."

The biggest need in this class, Martin says, was size and length. The Griffons lose 6-10 center&nbsp;Tony Chukwuemeke and 6-8 forward Anthony Peacock, but they return seven-foot center J.C. Anthony, and 6-8 forward Alex John will be fully healthy after dealing with a fractured back in the latter half of last season.

"Adding some length and some size was definitely a priority of the offseason," Martin reiterated. "I think we fulfilled that with this class."

The season won't start until November, and the schedule won't be out for at least a little while. In the meantime, Missouri Western men's basketball is getting set to host their summer camp for 1st-8th grade boys and girls June 27-30 at the Looney Indoor Sports Complex.

"We have two camps," Martin said. "We're done recruiting in the 2022 class, but we're already moving on to 2023 and 2024 and that never ends. So, we're anxious to get the guys back."

You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655319098804.jpeg" alt="Stock photo." />
 <figcaption>Stock photo.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostThe Missouri Western men’s basketball team will seek its third winning season in four years this coming November, as the Griffons will welcome back six players with starting experience, and nine total players with significant minutes from last season.In addition, Missouri Western adds four total players in its 2022 recruiting class, including three Division I transfers.Head coach Will Martin, who will enter his third year at the helm, says the depth his team has right now is encouraging."You look at our roster, you look at the depth and the melting pot of DI transfers with experience, young returners, older returners," Martin said. "It gets you really excited about what the roster looks like."The Griffons ended last season at 14-17 following a first-round MIAA tournament loss to Rogers State in March. The 2022 signing class was just completed earlier in June when the Griffons announced the signing of 6-4 guard and <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/101d9a0d-3ad2-4bbb-a30a-6eb4486cd6a8">New Zealand native Josh Book</a>."We got to the table kind of late," Martin said of Book. "I was shocked he was still around, but we're extremely excited about him. He's a great player."The Griffons' 2022 class also includes three Division I transfers -&nbsp;6-11 center Matt Nunez, 6-7 forward Julius Dixon and 6-5 guard/forward Ethan Kilgore - a 2020 East Buchanan graduate.Combined with six players who are returning with starting experience, Martin is optimistic as he looks toward the coming season."My goal every year is to win the MIAA and get back to the NCAA tournament and dance as much as you can dance in that tournament," Martin said. "But, a lot of times, I think we jump the gun in terms of outward success and really, it's the inward success that matters the most."The biggest need in this class, Martin says, was size and length. The Griffons lose 6-10 center&nbsp;Tony Chukwuemeke and 6-8 forward Anthony Peacock, but they return seven-foot center J.C. Anthony, and 6-8 forward Alex John will be fully healthy after dealing with a fractured back in the latter half of last season."Adding some length and some size was definitely a priority of the offseason," Martin reiterated. "I think we fulfilled that with this class."The season won't start until November, and the schedule won't be out for at least a little while. In the meantime, Missouri Western men's basketball is getting set to host their summer camp for 1st-8th grade boys and girls June 27-30 at the Looney Indoor Sports Complex."We have two camps," Martin said. "We're done recruiting in the 2022 class, but we're already moving on to 2023 and 2024 and that never ends. So, we're anxious to get the guys back."<div><iframe src="https://anchor.fm/tommy-rezac/embed/episodes/Missouri-Western-mens-basketball-coach-Will-Martin-e1k0cv7" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

MWSU men's basketball adds size, depth with its 2022 signing class

(AP) - Alex Wood pitched four-hit ball over six innings, and the San Francisco Giants beat the Kansas City Royals 6-2 Monday.

Thairo Estrada hit a tie breaking RBI single in the sixth and Brandon Crawford doubled in a pair, lifting the Giants to their fourth straight win.

 Amir Garrett took the loss in relief for Kansas City, which fell to 20-40 on the season. Whit Merrifield and Bobby Witt Jr. each drove in a run for Kansas City.

Starting pitcher Brady Singer went five innings and struck out five batters, but also walked five while giving up two hits and two runs.

The Royals are back at San Francisco Tuesday night at 8:45 central. Coverage starts at 8 on KFEQ Radio (680, 95.3) in St. Joseph. Kris Bubic will start on the mound.

St. Joseph Post(AP) - Alex Wood pitched four-hit ball over six innings, and the San Francisco Giants beat the Kansas City Royals 6-2 Monday.Thairo Estrada hit a tie breaking RBI single in the sixth and Brandon Crawford doubled in a pair, lifting the Giants to their fourth straight win. Amir Garrett took the loss in relief for Kansas City, which fell to 20-40 on the season. Whit Merrifield and Bobby Witt Jr. each drove in a run for Kansas City.Starting pitcher Brady Singer went five innings and struck out five batters, but also walked five while giving up two hits and two runs.The Royals are back at San Francisco Tuesday night at 8:45 central. Coverage starts at 8 on KFEQ Radio (680, 95.3) in St. Joseph. Kris Bubic will start on the mound.

Giants break tie in the sixth, pad lead late in win over Royals Monday

Missouri Western men's basketball coach&nbsp;Will Martin rounded out his 2022 recruiting class by signing Josh Book out of New Zealand on June 10.

Book comes from Christ Church City, New Zealand and has four national team appearances already under his belt. In high school, Book averaged a double-double with 24 points and 10 rebounds per game, while snagging three steals and six assists per contest as well.&nbsp;

Book recently played in the E2 Tournament this past December, averaging 17.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.2 assists and at least one steal per contest.

Coach Martin believes Book's skillset will fit in well with his current team.

"We are excited to finish our 2022 recruiting class with the signing of Josh Book," Coach Martin said in a statement. "Josh is an exciting player with tremendous upside. He comes from an extremely accomplished basketball family and truly has a relentless passion for the game. His character and integrity make him a perfect addition to our Griffon family!"

Coach Martin and his staff have already secured Idaho transfer and East Buchanan alum <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/e5b1c699-75ec-4245-a06c-d2600f9712f9">Ethan Kilgore</a>, along with East Tennessee State transfer Matt Nunez and Morehead State transfer Julius Dixon in their 2022 class.

Martin will begin his third season as the Griffons' head coach this coming fall.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655150454934.jpeg" alt="Courtesy Missouri Western athletics." />
 <figcaption>Courtesy Missouri Western athletics.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostMissouri Western men's basketball coach&nbsp;Will Martin rounded out his 2022 recruiting class by signing Josh Book out of New Zealand on June 10.Book comes from Christ Church City, New Zealand and has four national team appearances already under his belt. In high school, Book averaged a double-double with 24 points and 10 rebounds per game, while snagging three steals and six assists per contest as well.&nbsp;Book recently played in the E2 Tournament this past December, averaging 17.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.2 assists and at least one steal per contest.Coach Martin believes Book's skillset will fit in well with his current team."We are excited to finish our 2022 recruiting class with the signing of Josh Book," Coach Martin said in a statement. "Josh is an exciting player with tremendous upside. He comes from an extremely accomplished basketball family and truly has a relentless passion for the game. His character and integrity make him a perfect addition to our Griffon family!"Coach Martin and his staff have already secured Idaho transfer and East Buchanan alum <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/e5b1c699-75ec-4245-a06c-d2600f9712f9">Ethan Kilgore</a>, along with East Tennessee State transfer Matt Nunez and Morehead State transfer Julius Dixon in their 2022 class.Martin will begin his third season as the Griffons' head coach this coming fall.

MWSU men's basketball rounds out recruiting class with Josh Book

(AP) - Anthony Santander, Ryan Mountcastle and Rougned Odor hit solo home runs, leading the Baltimore Orioles over the Kansas City Royals 10-7 Sunday, giving Baltimore the series win.

Hunter Dozier, Michael A. Taylor and Bobby Witt Jr. all homered for the Royals. Brad Keller (1-8) took the loss after surrendering seven hits and five earned runs in just 1.2 innings of work.

Kansas City now goes on the road to open a three-game set at San Francisco. First pitch Monday is set for 8:45 central. Coverage starts at 8 on KFEQ Radio (680, 95.3). Brady Singer will start on the mound.

St. Joseph Post(AP) - Anthony Santander, Ryan Mountcastle and Rougned Odor hit solo home runs, leading the Baltimore Orioles over the Kansas City Royals 10-7 Sunday, giving Baltimore the series win.Hunter Dozier, Michael A. Taylor and Bobby Witt Jr. all homered for the Royals. Brad Keller (1-8) took the loss after surrendering seven hits and five earned runs in just 1.2 innings of work.Kansas City now goes on the road to open a three-game set at San Francisco. First pitch Monday is set for 8:45 central. Coverage starts at 8 on KFEQ Radio (680, 95.3). Brady Singer will start on the mound.

Royals drop series to Orioles, head to San Francisco Monday

The St. Joseph Mustangs are known for doing different theme nights throughout the summer during home games at Phil Welch Stadium.

This summer, the Mustangs are making history with one of their theme nights, as Thursday, June 9 will be 'Women in Sports Night' when the Mustangs face the Wellington Heat at 7 p.m.

Manager Johnny Coy will be assisted in coaching that night by a pair of Missouri Western softball coaches - pitching coach Lexi Kinnaird and grad assistant coach Sammey Bunch. Together, they will be the first women to ever coach in a Mustangs game.

"To be able to work with (Sammey) this past year, she's extremely knowledgeable about the game," Kinnaird said. "So, it'll be cool to see her in this kind of setting and how she'll kind of branch out."

Mustangs general manager and owner Ky Turner, who usually comes up with these different theme nights along with his staff, says Women in Sports Night was all coach Coy's idea.

"I give all kudos to Johnny on this idea," Turner said. "I think he was watching MLB and they were talking about women in sports and in MLB and the growth of women in the game and the importance of that, and we 100 percent agree with that. You saw Regan Nash play here."

Nash, a Camden Point native, North Platte alum and all-SEC softball player at Mizzou, was the first woman to play in a Mustangs uniform and play in the MINK League in the summer of 2018.

Kinnaird says Coy reached out to her and Bunch via Instagram message and asked if they'd like to be a part of Women in Sports Night. The two agreed, not knowing just how popular and exciting this would become.

"Sammey and I both said yes," Kinnaird said. "From there, it kind of blew up into this Women in Sports Night, which I think is awesome. I just don't think I was fully anticipating it to be to the extent that it is, I guess."

Kinnaird coaches pitchers for Missouri Western, where she just wrapped up her third season on staff. While she doesn't yet know what her exact in-game role will be Thursday, Kinnaird knows it's no small task to help coach a team that's won seven MINK League titles and is going for their third in a row.

"They're really trying to win a third (straight) championship," Kinnaird said. "So, this isn't just like a show up and joke around and play baseball. This is like, they're still playing to win. So, for us to go there and be able to have success while we're there would be super awesome."

Missouri Western has employed numerous female assistant and grad assistant coaches in recent years, and currently employs female head coaches in lacrosse, volleyball and women's basketball.

Kinnaird says being in an athletic department that's so supportive of women working in sports has helped prepare her for moments like these.

"To be a female in a place where people support females so much has been extremely empowering," she said. "It just makes you feel like you can go and do things like coach a baseball team or be a coach eventually in your career. So, it's been great."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654713551016.jpeg" alt="Missouri Western softball pitching coach Lexi Kinnaird will help coach the St. Joseph Mustangs along with UNI softball standout and MWSU grad assistant Sammey Bunch on Thursday during Women in Sports Night at Phil Welch Stadium. Together, they will be the first women to ever coach in a Mustangs game./Photo courtesy of MWSU" />
 <figcaption>Missouri Western softball pitching coach Lexi Kinnaird will help coach the St. Joseph Mustangs along with UNI softball standout and MWSU grad assistant Sammey Bunch on Thursday during Women in Sports Night at Phil Welch Stadium. Together, they will be the first women to ever coach in a Mustangs game./Photo courtesy of MWSU</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostThe St. Joseph Mustangs are known for doing different theme nights throughout the summer during home games at Phil Welch Stadium.This summer, the Mustangs are making history with one of their theme nights, as Thursday, June 9 will be 'Women in Sports Night' when the Mustangs face the Wellington Heat at 7 p.m.Manager Johnny Coy will be assisted in coaching that night by a pair of Missouri Western softball coaches - pitching coach Lexi Kinnaird and grad assistant coach Sammey Bunch. Together, they will be the first women to ever coach in a Mustangs game."To be able to work with (Sammey) this past year, she's extremely knowledgeable about the game," Kinnaird said. "So, it'll be cool to see her in this kind of setting and how she'll kind of branch out."Mustangs general manager and owner Ky Turner, who usually comes up with these different theme nights along with his staff, says Women in Sports Night was all coach Coy's idea."I give all kudos to Johnny on this idea," Turner said. "I think he was watching MLB and they were talking about women in sports and in MLB and the growth of women in the game and the importance of that, and we 100 percent agree with that. You saw Regan Nash play here."Nash, a Camden Point native, North Platte alum and all-SEC softball player at Mizzou, was the first woman to play in a Mustangs uniform and play in the MINK League in the summer of 2018.Kinnaird says Coy reached out to her and Bunch via Instagram message and asked if they'd like to be a part of Women in Sports Night. The two agreed, not knowing just how popular and exciting this would become."Sammey and I both said yes," Kinnaird said. "From there, it kind of blew up into this Women in Sports Night, which I think is awesome. I just don't think I was fully anticipating it to be to the extent that it is, I guess."Kinnaird coaches pitchers for Missouri Western, where she just wrapped up her third season on staff. While she doesn't yet know what her exact in-game role will be Thursday, Kinnaird knows it's no small task to help coach a team that's won seven MINK League titles and is going for their third in a row."They're really trying to win a third (straight) championship," Kinnaird said. "So, this isn't just like a show up and joke around and play baseball. This is like, they're still playing to win. So, for us to go there and be able to have success while we're there would be super awesome."Missouri Western has employed numerous female assistant and grad assistant coaches in recent years, and currently employs female head coaches in lacrosse, volleyball and women's basketball.Kinnaird says being in an athletic department that's so supportive of women working in sports has helped prepare her for moments like these."To be a female in a place where people support females so much has been extremely empowering," she said. "It just makes you feel like you can go and do things like coach a baseball team or be a coach eventually in your career. So, it's been great."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654719644694.jpeg" alt="Sammey Bunch, a UNI softball alum and MWSU softball grad assistant coach, will also help coach the Mustangs on Thursday night. Photo courtesy of UNI Athletics." />
 <figcaption>Sammey Bunch, a UNI softball alum and MWSU softball grad assistant coach, will also help coach the Mustangs on Thursday night. Photo courtesy of UNI Athletics.</figcaption>
 </figure>You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Mustangs make history tonight:  first female coaches take the field

(AP) -&nbsp;MJ Melendez and Emmanuel Rivera drove in two runs apiece, leading Brady Singer and the Kansas City Royals over the Toronto Blue Jays 8-4 Wednesday to end a three-game losing streak.

Singer allowed home runs to Raimel Tapia and Zack Collins, but only allowed one other run in five innings. He improved to 3-1 in his five starts while the rest of the Kansas City rotation is 3-25 in 50 combined starts.

Toronto briefly tied the game at 3-all before Trevor Richards allowed three more runs in the fourth and fifth innings to take the loss for the Blue Jays.

The Royals now open a four-game series at home against Baltimore on Thursday night. First pitch is set for 7:10. Coverage starts at 6:30 on KFEQ Radio (680, 95.3). Kris Bubic gets the start.

St. Joseph Post(AP) -&nbsp;MJ Melendez and Emmanuel Rivera drove in two runs apiece, leading Brady Singer and the Kansas City Royals over the Toronto Blue Jays 8-4 Wednesday to end a three-game losing streak.Singer allowed home runs to Raimel Tapia and Zack Collins, but only allowed one other run in five innings. He improved to 3-1 in his five starts while the rest of the Kansas City rotation is 3-25 in 50 combined starts.Toronto briefly tied the game at 3-all before Trevor Richards allowed three more runs in the fourth and fifth innings to take the loss for the Blue Jays.The Royals now open a four-game series at home against Baltimore on Thursday night. First pitch is set for 7:10. Coverage starts at 6:30 on KFEQ Radio (680, 95.3). Kris Bubic gets the start.

Royals snap losing streak with win over BlueJays Wednesday

The St. Joseph Mustangs (4-3) scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning, and that's all the runs they would need in a 3-1 win over the Wellington Heat at Phil Welch Stadium Wednesday.

The Mustangs scored the runs on three hits, including a two-run RBI single to left by Dylan Carey. Michael Paule and Jack Wagner also stole a pair of bases in the frame.

After giving up a hit in the first inning, starting pitcher, Savannah alum and Northwest Missouri State signee Ty Hilsabeck settled in and set the Heat down in order in innings two through six. He struck out the side in the fourth inning and finished with nine Ks total in his first start of the season.

"I felt pretty good coming out of the gate," Hilsabeck said. "I was locating on my pitches pretty well, so it was going pretty smooth."

Wellington's best threat came in the top of the seventh. Tanner Lukowski relieved Hilsabeck on the mound to start the inning and right away, Wellington got a threat going with a hit, an error a walk and a hit batter.

After the Heat got on the board and made it a 3-1 game, Jay Greco replaced Lukowski on the mound with the bases loaded.

Greco worked St. Joseph out of the jam, and recorded the last two outs, including a strikeout to keep the lead intact.

The Mustangs got a pair of runners on in the eighth seeking insurance, but ultimately got nothing across. St. Joseph stranded seven total baserunners Wednesday.

Braden Berry came onto pitch the final inning and put the Heat down in order, striking out his last batter face to get the save. In all, St. Joseph recorded 12 strikeouts in Wednesday's win.

"We played really well," Hilsabeck said. "Get more runs, and our pitching has been really good this year. So, it should be fun."

St. Joseph hosts Wellington for a second straight night on Thursday at 7 p.m. It'll be 'Women in Sports Night,' as Missouri Western softball assistant coaches <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/514caa75-960d-4b85-9d4b-21ee870da74d">Lexi Kinnaird and Sammey Bunch</a> will join the Mustangs' coaching staff for the game.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654746854891.jpeg" alt="Ty Hilsabeck. Photo by Tommy Rezac." />
 <figcaption>Ty Hilsabeck. Photo by Tommy Rezac.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostThe St. Joseph Mustangs (4-3) scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning, and that's all the runs they would need in a 3-1 win over the Wellington Heat at Phil Welch Stadium Wednesday.The Mustangs scored the runs on three hits, including a two-run RBI single to left by Dylan Carey. Michael Paule and Jack Wagner also stole a pair of bases in the frame.After giving up a hit in the first inning, starting pitcher, Savannah alum and Northwest Missouri State signee Ty Hilsabeck settled in and set the Heat down in order in innings two through six. He struck out the side in the fourth inning and finished with nine Ks total in his first start of the season."I felt pretty good coming out of the gate," Hilsabeck said. "I was locating on my pitches pretty well, so it was going pretty smooth."Wellington's best threat came in the top of the seventh. Tanner Lukowski relieved Hilsabeck on the mound to start the inning and right away, Wellington got a threat going with a hit, an error a walk and a hit batter.After the Heat got on the board and made it a 3-1 game, Jay Greco replaced Lukowski on the mound with the bases loaded.Greco worked St. Joseph out of the jam, and recorded the last two outs, including a strikeout to keep the lead intact.The Mustangs got a pair of runners on in the eighth seeking insurance, but ultimately got nothing across. St. Joseph stranded seven total baserunners Wednesday.Braden Berry came onto pitch the final inning and put the Heat down in order, striking out his last batter face to get the save. In all, St. Joseph recorded 12 strikeouts in Wednesday's win."We played really well," Hilsabeck said. "Get more runs, and our pitching has been really good this year. So, it should be fun."St. Joseph hosts Wellington for a second straight night on Thursday at 7 p.m. It'll be 'Women in Sports Night,' as Missouri Western softball assistant coaches <a href="https://stjosephpost.com/posts/514caa75-960d-4b85-9d4b-21ee870da74d">Lexi Kinnaird and Sammey Bunch</a> will join the Mustangs' coaching staff for the game.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654746898241.jpeg" alt="Trevor McCollum gets hit by a pitch in the first inning." />
 <figcaption>Trevor McCollum gets hit by a pitch in the first inning.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654746930513.jpeg" alt="Jack Wagner (3) high fives Rob Butler as the two come into score in the first inning." />
 <figcaption>Jack Wagner (3) high fives Rob Butler as the two come into score in the first inning.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654746953680.jpeg" alt="Will Dryburgh." />
 <figcaption>Will Dryburgh.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654746967780.jpeg" alt="Jay Greco." />
 <figcaption>Jay Greco.</figcaption>
 </figure>You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Mustangs hang three runs early, lean on defense in win over Wellington

(AP) -&nbsp;Bo Bichette hit one of three Toronto home runs and five Blue Jays pitchers combined on a two-hitter in an 8-0 win over the Kansas City Royals Monday in a game delayed by just over two hours due to weather.

Daniel Lynch took the loss for Kansas City, dropping his record to 2-5. He allowed six runs on six hits, with two walks and four strikeouts in 5.2 innings.

 The Royals will try again against the BlueJays tonight at 7:10. Coverage starts at 6:30 on KFEQ Radio (680, 95.3) in St. Joseph. Brad Keller will start on the mound.

St. Joseph Post(AP) -&nbsp;Bo Bichette hit one of three Toronto home runs and five Blue Jays pitchers combined on a two-hitter in an 8-0 win over the Kansas City Royals Monday in a game delayed by just over two hours due to weather.Daniel Lynch took the loss for Kansas City, dropping his record to 2-5. He allowed six runs on six hits, with two walks and four strikeouts in 5.2 innings. The Royals will try again against the BlueJays tonight at 7:10. Coverage starts at 6:30 on KFEQ Radio (680, 95.3) in St. Joseph. Brad Keller will start on the mound.

Royals shut out by Toronto in rain delayed game Monday

The St. Joseph Mustangs picked up a pair of wins against the Nevada Griffons this past weekend.

The Mustangs, or Tenderloins as they were known that night, picked up their first win of the season at home Friday with a 13-3 run rule victory.&nbsp;

Mid-Buchanan and Missouri Western alum Brady Holden scored three runs in that game, while recent St. Joseph Christian graduate Camden Lutz got his first strikeout of the summer Friday as well.

The Mustangs stayed home Saturday to host Nevada, and lost 3-0 in 10 innings, despite 10 strikeouts in seven innings from starting pitcher and Savannah native Micah Diamond.

The Mustangs bounced back Sunday in their first road game of the season and beat Nevada 11-7, putting their overall record at 2-2.

St. Joseph plays at Joplin Monday. First pitch is set for 7 p.m.

By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostThe St. Joseph Mustangs picked up a pair of wins against the Nevada Griffons this past weekend.The Mustangs, or Tenderloins as they were known that night, picked up their first win of the season at home Friday with a 13-3 run rule victory.&nbsp;Mid-Buchanan and Missouri Western alum Brady Holden scored three runs in that game, while recent St. Joseph Christian graduate Camden Lutz got his first strikeout of the summer Friday as well.The Mustangs stayed home Saturday to host Nevada, and lost 3-0 in 10 innings, despite 10 strikeouts in seven innings from starting pitcher and Savannah native Micah Diamond.The Mustangs bounced back Sunday in their first road game of the season and beat Nevada 11-7, putting their overall record at 2-2.St. Joseph plays at Joplin Monday. First pitch is set for 7 p.m.

Mustangs take two out of three games against Nevada over the weekend

FENTON - It ends in a loss. Yet, it feels like a win.

Mid-Buchanan girls' soccer, in just its second season, made it all the way to the Final Four and played both their semifinal and third place matches into overtime.

The Dragons (15-8) tied Saturday's game with less than 20 minutes left in the second half, and played their sixth overtime match of the season, but fell to Greenwood 2-1 in the Class 1 third place match at the Worldwide Technology Soccer Park in Fenton.

A penalty kick by Greenwood's Annabelle Sonnemaker ricocheted off of a couple of Dragons in the box and snuck into the net, giving the Bluejays a victory with 7:50 left in the first overtime.

"I don't think it's quite sunk in yet that we're fourth in the state," Mid-Buchanan coach Danielle Beers said. "They're upset about the loss and I have a hard time being...I'm upset, yes, but at the same time, fourth in the state is amazing for where they started and where they've ended now. So, just so much pride. Extremely proud of them."

The first half ultimately didn't have a lot of action. There were a combined three shots-on-goal in the first 40 minutes. In the second half, both teams had more organized attacks.

Greenwood got on the board first with 22:47 remaining in regulation when Rilyn Anderson dribbled into the Mid-Buchanan box and snuck a ball between the legs of keeper Mallie Lieffring, who was coming up trying to cover.

Mid-Buchanan had the answer about five minutes later. Liv Moeckli got a penalty kick opportunity at the top of the Greenwood box and sent the ball perfectly into the top of the net to knot the match at 1-1 with 17:31 left in the second half.

"I don't know, I was just hoping someone hit it in," Moeckli laughed. "We really needed (a goal). I'm glad we battled so hard. I'm so glad we made it this far and I couldn't be any more proud."

Mid-Buchanan had five shots-on-goal in the second half alone, while Greenwood had six. Emily Parrott had a strong look at a potential game-winning goal with about a minute left in regulation, but Greenwood keeper Ellise Dlabach had the stop.

The Dragons also had seven total corner kicks in the match - six of those after halftime - but none of them ever materialized into any real goal chance.

The teams went back-and-forth in the opening minutes of the first overtime period. Mid-Buchanan was called on a foul in the Greenwood box, which gave the Bluejays a penalty kick opportunity.

Sonnemaker kicked the ball hard and low - hard enough that it bounced off of at least one Dragon defender and bounced into the goal to give Greenwood the win.

A second straight day of overtime heartbreak, but a second straight game in which the Dragons left all they could give out on the pitch.

"I'm just so proud of us and how much we were able to accomplish," senior defender Madison Meyer said after her final high school match. "Most of us have only been playing soccer for six months of our lives. So it's just crazy that we were even able to make it this far. I think we had a great season and we should all be very proud."

Meyer and six other seniors now say goodbye, but they can leave with their heads held high, knowing they helped lay the foundation for a young program that's doing big things.

"Our coaches believe in us," Moeckli said. "That's what got us here. We all believe in each other and it's just going to keep growing."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654366576875.jpeg" alt="Mid-Buchanan girls' soccer finishes as the fourth best team in the state in Class 1 in just their second ever season. Photo by Tommy Rezac." />
 <figcaption>Mid-Buchanan girls' soccer finishes as the fourth best team in the state in Class 1 in just their second ever season. Photo by Tommy Rezac.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostFENTON - It ends in a loss. Yet, it feels like a win.Mid-Buchanan girls' soccer, in just its second season, made it all the way to the Final Four and played both their semifinal and third place matches into overtime.The Dragons (15-8) tied Saturday's game with less than 20 minutes left in the second half, and played their sixth overtime match of the season, but fell to Greenwood 2-1 in the Class 1 third place match at the Worldwide Technology Soccer Park in Fenton.A penalty kick by Greenwood's Annabelle Sonnemaker ricocheted off of a couple of Dragons in the box and snuck into the net, giving the Bluejays a victory with 7:50 left in the first overtime."I don't think it's quite sunk in yet that we're fourth in the state," Mid-Buchanan coach Danielle Beers said. "They're upset about the loss and I have a hard time being...I'm upset, yes, but at the same time, fourth in the state is amazing for where they started and where they've ended now. So, just so much pride. Extremely proud of them."The first half ultimately didn't have a lot of action. There were a combined three shots-on-goal in the first 40 minutes. In the second half, both teams had more organized attacks.Greenwood got on the board first with 22:47 remaining in regulation when Rilyn Anderson dribbled into the Mid-Buchanan box and snuck a ball between the legs of keeper Mallie Lieffring, who was coming up trying to cover.Mid-Buchanan had the answer about five minutes later. Liv Moeckli got a penalty kick opportunity at the top of the Greenwood box and sent the ball perfectly into the top of the net to knot the match at 1-1 with 17:31 left in the second half."I don't know, I was just hoping someone hit it in," Moeckli laughed. "We really needed (a goal). I'm glad we battled so hard. I'm so glad we made it this far and I couldn't be any more proud."Mid-Buchanan had five shots-on-goal in the second half alone, while Greenwood had six. Emily Parrott had a strong look at a potential game-winning goal with about a minute left in regulation, but Greenwood keeper Ellise Dlabach had the stop.The Dragons also had seven total corner kicks in the match - six of those after halftime - but none of them ever materialized into any real goal chance.The teams went back-and-forth in the opening minutes of the first overtime period. Mid-Buchanan was called on a foul in the Greenwood box, which gave the Bluejays a penalty kick opportunity.Sonnemaker kicked the ball hard and low - hard enough that it bounced off of at least one Dragon defender and bounced into the goal to give Greenwood the win.A second straight day of overtime heartbreak, but a second straight game in which the Dragons left all they could give out on the pitch."I'm just so proud of us and how much we were able to accomplish," senior defender Madison Meyer said after her final high school match. "Most of us have only been playing soccer for six months of our lives. So it's just crazy that we were even able to make it this far. I think we had a great season and we should all be very proud."Meyer and six other seniors now say goodbye, but they can leave with their heads held high, knowing they helped lay the foundation for a young program that's doing big things."Our coaches believe in us," Moeckli said. "That's what got us here. We all believe in each other and it's just going to keep growing."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654367924810.jpeg" alt="Jordan Thornton." />
 <figcaption>Jordan Thornton.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654367940519.jpeg" alt="Kamille Black." />
 <figcaption>Kamille Black.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654367957094.jpeg" alt="Mia Kerschner." />
 <figcaption>Mia Kerschner.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654367974947.jpeg" alt="Liv Moeckli." />
 <figcaption>Liv Moeckli.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654367988613.jpeg" alt="Paige Bennett." />
 <figcaption>Paige Bennett.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654368003566.jpeg" alt="Emily Parrott." />
 <figcaption>Emily Parrott.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654368032044.jpeg" alt="Mid-Buchanan's captains accept the fourth place trophy at the conclusion of the match." />
 <figcaption>Mid-Buchanan's captains accept the fourth place trophy at the conclusion of the match.</figcaption>
 </figure>You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Mid-Buchanan battles to overtime again, comes home fourth best in the state

FENTON - Mid-Buchanan has experienced a lot of long matches this season.

Friday's Class 1 state semifinal against Whitfield, in fact, was the fifth overtime game they've played this season.

The Dragons (15-7) tied the game at 1-1 in the second half and forced double overtime, but a goal by Whitfield's Mia Devrouax with 2:39 left in the second OT period gave the Warriors a 2-1 victory on a steamy Friday afternoon at the World Wide Technology Soccer Park in Fenton.

"Regardless, they played a fantastic game," Mid-Buchanan coach Danielle Beers said of her team's effort. "They have nothing to hang their heads about. You know, we still get a chance to play to be the third best team in the state. That alone is an accomplishment. Getting here is an accomplishment. Now, it's just enjoying the rest of what we got left."

The Dragons survived a tough first half, in which Whitfield fired off seven shots-on-goal. The Warriors (12-6) had two shots bounce off the top crossbar and one off the right sidebar in the first half alone, resulting in a 0-0 tie at the break.

Whitfield broke that tie within the first five minutes of the second half. Devrouax, a sophomore striker and first-team all-state performer, got a cross pass in the middle from teammate Ella Rogan, and put in a goal from just a few yards away to put Whitfield ahead 1-0 with 35:00 left in the second half.

Fourteen minutes later, Mid-Buchanan had the answer. Sophomore striker and team scoring leader Emily Parrott beat everyone to a free ball in the middle of the field and was able to draw Whitfield keeper Brittan Schaefer out of the goal. Parrott poked the ball into an open net to knot the game at 1-1 with 21:00 left in regulation.

That was Mid-Buchanan's first shot-on-goal of the match.

"I just go for the ball," Parrott said. "I just try to get it in there. I'd do anything for our team to win this."

Whitfield had their chances to score again late, as the Warriors saw two more shots bounce off of the crossbar in the second half - both of those within the final 16 minutes of regulation.

Parrott had a decent look at a late goal herself with 6:40 left in the second half, but she was called offside just a few yards away from the goal.

Neither team could really capitalize in the first overtime period. Mid-Buchanan had seven corner kicks, four of them in overtime play, but none of them amounted to much as Whitfield was able to kick the ball away from the goal after each one.

Whitfield kept Mid-Buchanan keeper Mallie Lieffring busy throughout the game, as she finished with 15 total saves - three of those in overtime play.

Most of the second overtime saw both teams kicking the ball up and down the pitch, trying to get some semblance of a shot off, but not a lot was materializing for either side.

With less than three minutes left in the second OT, Whitfield got the ball inside the Dragons' 18-yard box. With 2:19 left until a penalty kick faceoff, Devrouax kicked a ground ball across the goal opening and into the back of the net to lift the Warriors to a 2-1 victory.

"After that first goal, they could have just laid back and let (Whitfield) put a couple more in, but they fought until the very last second of the game," Beers said. "To go into double overtime and play an extra 15 minutes, you can't ask for anything more, and they definitely left it all out there."

Mid-Buchanan will now face Greenwood (15-4) for third place on Saturday morning at 10 a.m. After a long, grueling game on the hot turf that went longer than 2.5 hours, it's a short turnaround for the Dragons.

But, they regroup, knowing they still have a lot to play for. Especially for a program that's only been doing this for two seasons.

"I think we need to relax, take a deep breath and go out there and play with whatever we have left," Parrott said.

"They worked really hard all season," Beers added. "Every aspect of that game, they showed they deserved to be there."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654290140933.jpeg" alt="Taiylor Harrington tries to win a ball away in the first half of the Class 1 state semifinal against Whitfield in Fenton Friday. Photo by Tommy Rezac." />
 <figcaption>Taiylor Harrington tries to win a ball away in the first half of the Class 1 state semifinal against Whitfield in Fenton Friday. Photo by Tommy Rezac.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostFENTON - Mid-Buchanan has experienced a lot of long matches this season.Friday's Class 1 state semifinal against Whitfield, in fact, was the fifth overtime game they've played this season.The Dragons (15-7) tied the game at 1-1 in the second half and forced double overtime, but a goal by Whitfield's Mia Devrouax with 2:39 left in the second OT period gave the Warriors a 2-1 victory on a steamy Friday afternoon at the World Wide Technology Soccer Park in Fenton."Regardless, they played a fantastic game," Mid-Buchanan coach Danielle Beers said of her team's effort. "They have nothing to hang their heads about. You know, we still get a chance to play to be the third best team in the state. That alone is an accomplishment. Getting here is an accomplishment. Now, it's just enjoying the rest of what we got left."The Dragons survived a tough first half, in which Whitfield fired off seven shots-on-goal. The Warriors (12-6) had two shots bounce off the top crossbar and one off the right sidebar in the first half alone, resulting in a 0-0 tie at the break.Whitfield broke that tie within the first five minutes of the second half. Devrouax, a sophomore striker and first-team all-state performer, got a cross pass in the middle from teammate Ella Rogan, and put in a goal from just a few yards away to put Whitfield ahead 1-0 with 35:00 left in the second half.Fourteen minutes later, Mid-Buchanan had the answer. Sophomore striker and team scoring leader Emily Parrott beat everyone to a free ball in the middle of the field and was able to draw Whitfield keeper Brittan Schaefer out of the goal. Parrott poked the ball into an open net to knot the game at 1-1 with 21:00 left in regulation.That was Mid-Buchanan's first shot-on-goal of the match."I just go for the ball," Parrott said. "I just try to get it in there. I'd do anything for our team to win this."Whitfield had their chances to score again late, as the Warriors saw two more shots bounce off of the crossbar in the second half - both of those within the final 16 minutes of regulation.Parrott had a decent look at a late goal herself with 6:40 left in the second half, but she was called offside just a few yards away from the goal.Neither team could really capitalize in the first overtime period. Mid-Buchanan had seven corner kicks, four of them in overtime play, but none of them amounted to much as Whitfield was able to kick the ball away from the goal after each one.Whitfield kept Mid-Buchanan keeper Mallie Lieffring busy throughout the game, as she finished with 15 total saves - three of those in overtime play.Most of the second overtime saw both teams kicking the ball up and down the pitch, trying to get some semblance of a shot off, but not a lot was materializing for either side.With less than three minutes left in the second OT, Whitfield got the ball inside the Dragons' 18-yard box. With 2:19 left until a penalty kick faceoff, Devrouax kicked a ground ball across the goal opening and into the back of the net to lift the Warriors to a 2-1 victory."After that first goal, they could have just laid back and let (Whitfield) put a couple more in, but they fought until the very last second of the game," Beers said. "To go into double overtime and play an extra 15 minutes, you can't ask for anything more, and they definitely left it all out there."Mid-Buchanan will now face Greenwood (15-4) for third place on Saturday morning at 10 a.m. After a long, grueling game on the hot turf that went longer than 2.5 hours, it's a short turnaround for the Dragons.But, they regroup, knowing they still have a lot to play for. Especially for a program that's only been doing this for two seasons."I think we need to relax, take a deep breath and go out there and play with whatever we have left," Parrott said."They worked really hard all season," Beers added. "Every aspect of that game, they showed they deserved to be there."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654290203646.jpeg" alt="Coach Danielle Beers." />
 <figcaption>Coach Danielle Beers.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654290324509.jpeg" alt="Emily Parrott." />
 <figcaption>Emily Parrott.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654290359922.jpeg" alt="Jordan Thornton." />
 <figcaption>Jordan Thornton.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654290379077.jpeg" alt="Kenna Hallquist." />
 <figcaption>Kenna Hallquist.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654290397165.jpeg" alt="Paige Bennett." />
 <figcaption>Paige Bennett.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654290417162.jpeg" alt="Khania Clark." />
 <figcaption>Khania Clark.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654290441011.jpeg" alt="Layson Hafley." />
 <figcaption>Layson Hafley.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654290496773.jpeg" alt="Mia Kirschner." />
 <figcaption>Mia Kirschner.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654290519982.jpeg" alt="Liv Moeckli." />
 <figcaption>Liv Moeckli.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654290536231.jpeg" alt="Mallie Lieffring." />
 <figcaption>Mallie Lieffring.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654290567523.jpeg" alt="Emily Parrott scores in the second half." />
 <figcaption>Emily Parrott scores in the second half.</figcaption>
 </figure>You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Mid-Buchanan battles hard, falls in double OT to Whitfield in state semis Friday

FAUCETT - In the spring of 2021, when Mid-Buchanan girls' soccer was holding their first ever practices, it's likely nobody inside the program or outside thought the Dragons could reach a Final Four in only their second year.

Just ask sophomore and two-year starter Emily Parrott.

"I don't know if I would have believed them," sophomore Emily Parrott said, thinking back to those early days. "But, seeing how our team has worked together and built together over the last two years, I would know that we'd be able to do this."

Mid-Buchanan (15-6) has made it a reality. The Dragons are Final Four bound following a 3-0 win over Barstow in Class 1 quarterfinals last Saturday on their home field in Faucett.

Head coach Danielle Beers knows the achievement is significant, but she's not surprised this group pulled it off.

"After a little bit of time spent with these girls, they have the heart and the drive," coach Danielle Beers said. "As you spend more time with them, you see the possibilities and the big picture. They would do whatever they need to for each other and it shows."

Mid-Buchanan will now face Whitfield (11-6) in the state semifinals on Friday at noon at the World Wide Technology Soccer Park in Fenton.

It's a remarkable story for a program that just started just over a year ago, and for a community that never got to enjoy soccer prior to this.

"Oh gosh, it's amazing," Beers said. "I'm just so excited for the program, because they're inspiring so many young girls. You know, that was the goal to start the program here. To just bring soccer to a community that  hasn't had it yet. It's happening and it's awesome."

Last season was remarkable enough. In just their first season, with a roster of many first-year soccer players, the Dragons went 11-7 and finished as district runners-up to Bishop LeBlond.

One year later, with many of those same players, Mid-Buchanan beat LeBlond for the district title and are now just one win away from playing for a state title.

"It's just crazy," Lieffring said. "I didn't really...well, I mean, I thought it was possible, but you don't really think you can do it until you actually do it. So, it was really great. A really great feeling."

Whatever happens this weekend, Mid-Buchanan girls' soccer has already defied their own expectations by quite a long ways. And the 2022 season is already one that's forever gone down in school history.

"I'm not really surprised, because I knew our team could do it," Thornton said. "But, it's just crazy because we're a second-year program and I feel like no one really expected it, but I just...it's crazy. It's a crazy feeling."

The other semifinal features St. Pius X of Festus (13-6-1) and Greenwood (15-3). The championship game is set for Saturday at 11 a.m. and the third place is game is Saturday at 10 a.m.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1653769364338.jpeg" alt="Mid-Buchanan girls' soccer takes a group photo with their Final Four t-shirts following a 3-0 win over Barstow in Class 1 quarterfinals in Faucett last Saturday. Photo by Tommy Rezac." />
 <figcaption>Mid-Buchanan girls' soccer takes a group photo with their Final Four t-shirts following a 3-0 win over Barstow in Class 1 quarterfinals in Faucett last Saturday. Photo by Tommy Rezac.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostFAUCETT - In the spring of 2021, when Mid-Buchanan girls' soccer was holding their first ever practices, it's likely nobody inside the program or outside thought the Dragons could reach a Final Four in only their second year.Just ask sophomore and two-year starter Emily Parrott."I don't know if I would have believed them," sophomore Emily Parrott said, thinking back to those early days. "But, seeing how our team has worked together and built together over the last two years, I would know that we'd be able to do this."Mid-Buchanan (15-6) has made it a reality. The Dragons are Final Four bound following a 3-0 win over Barstow in Class 1 quarterfinals last Saturday on their home field in Faucett.Head coach Danielle Beers knows the achievement is significant, but she's not surprised this group pulled it off."After a little bit of time spent with these girls, they have the heart and the drive," coach Danielle Beers said. "As you spend more time with them, you see the possibilities and the big picture. They would do whatever they need to for each other and it shows."Mid-Buchanan will now face Whitfield (11-6) in the state semifinals on Friday at noon at the World Wide Technology Soccer Park in Fenton.It's a remarkable story for a program that just started just over a year ago, and for a community that never got to enjoy soccer prior to this."Oh gosh, it's amazing," Beers said. "I'm just so excited for the program, because they're inspiring so many young girls. You know, that was the goal to start the program here. To just bring soccer to a community that hasn't had it yet. It's happening and it's awesome."Last season was remarkable enough. In just their first season, with a roster of many first-year soccer players, the Dragons went 11-7 and finished as district runners-up to Bishop LeBlond.One year later, with many of those same players, Mid-Buchanan beat LeBlond for the district title and are now just one win away from playing for a state title."It's just crazy," Lieffring said. "I didn't really...well, I mean, I thought it was possible, but you don't really think you can do it until you actually do it. So, it was really great. A really great feeling."Whatever happens this weekend, Mid-Buchanan girls' soccer has already defied their own expectations by quite a long ways. And the 2022 season is already one that's forever gone down in school history."I'm not really surprised, because I knew our team could do it," Thornton said. "But, it's just crazy because we're a second-year program and I feel like no one really expected it, but I just...it's crazy. It's a crazy feeling."The other semifinal features St. Pius X of Festus (13-6-1) and Greenwood (15-3). The championship game is set for Saturday at 11 a.m. and the third place is game is Saturday at 10 a.m.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650591746402.jpeg" alt="Khania Clark." />
 <figcaption>Khania Clark.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650591768172.jpeg" alt="Mallie Lieffring." />
 <figcaption>Mallie Lieffring.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654203157542.jpeg" alt="Liv Moeckli." />
 <figcaption>Liv Moeckli.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654203191494.jpeg" alt="Emily Parrott." />
 <figcaption>Emily Parrott.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1653771300015.jpeg" alt="Jordan Thornton." />
 <figcaption>Jordan Thornton.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654203265635.jpeg" alt="Layson Hafley." />
 <figcaption>Layson Hafley.</figcaption>
 </figure>You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Mid-Buchanan soccer taking dream season to Final Four in Fenton this weekend

The St. Joseph Mustangs put up three runs in the first inning, but wouldn’t score again the rest of the night as the Clarinda A’s scored four runs in the ninth to come from behind and beat the Mustangs 5-3 Wednesday on the Mustangs’ Opening Day at Phil Welch Stadium.

The Mustangs had bases loaded in the seventh inning, but were unable to take advantage. Head coach Johnny Coy says his team missed some opportunities offensively, but he’s optimistic about the rest of the season.

By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostThe St. Joseph Mustangs put up three runs in the first inning, but wouldn’t score again the rest of the night as the Clarinda A’s scored four runs in the ninth to come from behind and beat the Mustangs 5-3 Wednesday on the Mustangs’ Opening Day at Phil Welch Stadium.The Mustangs had bases loaded in the seventh inning, but were unable to take advantage. Head coach Johnny Coy says his team missed some opportunities offensively, but he’s optimistic about the rest of the season."I expect us to score a lot of runs this year," Coy said. "I know they're good hitters. It's the first game of many. I feel like we got the first one out of the way. The rest is going to be a really positive summer for us."Starting pitcher and Savannah native Braden Barry went 5.2 innings in a no-decision, striking out four batters. The Mustangs are off Thursday, but stay home to host Nevada on both Friday and Saturday. Those games will start at 7 p.m.