Connect with us

Kansas

Rising Star: Former K-State star makes return to Kansas with Wind Surge

Published

on

Rising Star: Former K-State star makes return to Kansas with Wind Surge


WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – Since he was drafted in the first round of the MLB Draft last summer, former K-State baseball star Kaelen Culpepper has been climbing through the ranks of professional baseball. Once the realization set in that he’d have the chance to play in Kansas once again, he’d had a call-up to AA circled as a goal.

Tuesday night at Equity Bank Park for the Wichita Wind Surge, less than a year from that night he was drafted, he stepped to the plate for the first time in the Sunflower State since his time as a Wildcat.

“I think I worked really hard to get back here,” Culpepper said. “I guess I’m here now and it feels really good because hopefully I’ll get to see some familiar faces. I’m just glad to be back in an area that I’m really familiar with.”

Culpepper is currently the No. 4 ranked prospect in the Minnesota Twins system and has quickly risen through the ranks of the team’s farm system, impressing eyes at every level.

Advertisement

“I wouldn’t say fast tracking because it’s all on my time and on their time,” he said. “It’s just what I’m doing and whenever they feel like I’m ready, that’s when they’ll pull the trigger.”

In his first two nights back in Kansas, he continued to impress. Culpepper crushed home runs in back-to-back nights in his return to his former state.

“Oh, he’s a baller man,” said Twins top prospect Walker Jenkins. “He goes out there and gives it his all. Absolute stud.”

Now as he continues to chase his big league dreams, he will do so for the time being in front of fans that know him well.

“I had a lot of friends, family, ex-teammates and parents reach out to me and say ‘Hey, we’re really excited. Hopefully we can come out and catch a game,’” he said. “So, I’m really looking forward to that.”

Advertisement

Although he is a native of Memphis, Culpepper said that Kansas holds a special place due to his time at Kansas State. He says he will savor his time playing in the state that helped make him the player he’s become.

“I definitely made the right decision [to go to Kansas State,]” he said. “The coaches at Kansas State treated me with a lot of hospitality and treated me like family. I’ll always cherish that. I’m very grateful for the opportunity they gave me.”

“Look where I’m at now. The sky is the limit.”



Source link

Advertisement

Kansas

Clay County Commissioner says he’s ‘done’ negotiating with Kansas City Royals

Published

on

Clay County Commissioner says he’s ‘done’ negotiating with Kansas City Royals


KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Clay County Commissioner Jason Withington said Wednesday that he still loves baseball, but is “done” negotiating with the Royals on a new stadium for the team in the county.

According to Withington, Thursday, Jan. 8, was the deadline for the Royals to appear on the April 2026 ballot in the county.

Withington said the Royals told the county that they were not ready to meet that deadline.

Withington took to Facebook to explain that “the joy has been drained” out of him over the last few years and expressed his dislike towards the business of baseball.

Advertisement

He called negotiations with the team “a closed chapter” and said that the county is shifting its focus elsewhere.

“It’s time for the Commission to focus fully on priorities we control—either upgrading our existing county jail or building a new one,” Withington wrote.

The Royals’ lease at Kauffman Stadium in the Truman Sports Complex in Jackson County expires in January 2031.

KSHB 41’s political reporter Charlie Keegan reported in May 2025 on efforts by Missouri to keep both the Royals and Chiefs in Missouri.

While the Chiefs announced that they will move to a new stadium site in 2031 in Wyandotte County, the Royals have not announced their next steps to get a new ballpark built.

Advertisement

A stadium site near 119th Street and Nall Avenue in Overland Park has emerged as a possibility for a stadium site for the ball club.

Some residents in that area are not happy about that possibility.

KSHB 41 News reached out to the Royals for comment, but has not heard back.





Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Kansas

Arizona-Kansas State free livestream: How to watch Big 12 basketball game, TV, time

Published

on

Arizona-Kansas State free livestream: How to watch Big 12 basketball game, TV, time


If you purchase a product through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.

The No. 1 Arizona Wildcats play against the Kansas State Wildcats in a Big 12 basketball game tonight. The matchup is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. CT on FS1. Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trial offered by DirecTV. Alternatively, fans can purchase a monthly subscription offered by Fubo TV/Sling.

The Arizona squad has played at a high level this season, as it enters this matchup with a 14-0 record. The team is coming off a 97-78 win against the Utah Utes.

In order to win tonight’s game, Arizona will need to rely on its forward Koa Peat. He leads the team in scoring this season, as he averages more than 14 points per game.

Advertisement

The Kansas State squad enters this matchup with a 9-5 record, but the team is coming off an 83-73 loss against BYU.

In order to bounce back tonight, Kansas State will need a great performance from its guard P.J. Haggerty. He averages 23 points per game, which leads the team.

Fans can watch this Big 12 basketball game for free online by using the free trial offered by DirecTV. Alternatively, fans can purchase a monthly subscription offered by Fubo TV/Sling.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Kansas

TCU gives Kansas a scare, but Jayhawks erase 16-point deficit to survive in overtime

Published

on

TCU gives Kansas a scare, but Jayhawks erase 16-point deficit to survive in overtime


LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Darryn Peterson scored 32 points, including three crucial free throws in regulation to tie the game, and No. 22 Kansas erased a double-digit deficit to outlast TCU 104-100 in overtime on Tuesday night.

Kansas (11-4, 1-1 Big 12) trailed by 16 points midway through the second half, but cut the TCU lead to three with 34 seconds left in regulation.

The Jayhawks’ next trip down the court was fruitless, leading to a foul and two free throws by TCU’s Liutauras Lelevicius. Kansas’ Flory Bidunga cut the lead back to three on a tip in with just over six seconds remaining.

After a turnover on the ensuing TCU inbounds play, the Jayhawks got the ball to Peterson, who drew a foul beyond the arc and knocked down all three free throws to tie the game at the end of regulation.

Advertisement

Sports Roundup

Get the latest D-FW sports news, analysis and opinion delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, Kevin Sherrington’s A La Carte.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Kansas held the lead throughout overtime and ultimately secured the game at the free-throw line, converting 9 of 11. TCU (11-4, 1-1) went 2 for 4 in the same frame. Kansas guard Melvin Council Jr. scored nine of his 18 points during overtime.

Lelevicius led the Horned Frogs with a career-high 23 points. He shot 7 for 9 and hit five 3-pointers, another career high. He entered the game averaging just 8.5 points per game and shooting 35.8% from 3-point range.

Advertisement

Lelevicius outscored sophomore David Punch, who recorded his 10th consecutive double-digit performance with 20 points. He also pulled down a team-high nine rebounds.

Tre White and Bidunga also finished in double figures for the Jayhawks, recording 22 and 16, respectively.

Up next

Kansas: Plays at West Virginia on Saturday.

TCU: Hosts Arizona on Saturday.

Find more TCU coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending