SEWARD, Neb. – Kansas Wesleyan Track finished up its regular season last Friday at the Concordia University Last Chance Meet. Hillary Callaway had a personal best performance in the steeplechase in her bid for a national qualification.

Callaway, a sophomore from Esbon, Kan., shattered her personal best record in the race with an 11:37.02, bettering her best mark by 18 seconds. She also narrowly missed qualifying for the NAIA National Championships by less than two seconds, and missed the KWU school record by less than four seconds.

Wesleyan head coach Brent Bailey was extremely happy for Callaway setting her new personal mark by such a wide margin. "Hillary is well on her way to being the best steeplechaser to ever run at KWU," he said. "I have no doubt that next year she will not only qualify for nationals but break the school record. She is a hard worker and will not be denied."

The Coyotes will conclude their 2012 season in the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships, May 24-26, at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Kansas Wesleyan placed seven individuals, including five on the first team, on the 2012 All-KCAC teams as announced during the KCAC PostSeason Softball Tournament held at Fun Valley in Hutchinson.

Katrina Murphy, Caitlin Girard, Heather Kelley, Chelsea Reid and Morgan Jacobs were named First Team All-KCAC.

Murphy, a senior from Montebello, Calif., was named to the All-KCAC First Team as a catcher. She hit .377 for the Coyotes in 39 games with 43 hits, ten of those for doubles and a team best eight home runs. She led the Coyotes in slugging average (.675). Behind the plate, her play was great for the Coyotes, as opposing base stealers had only a .250 success rate against her. In KCAC play, she hit .419 with 18 hits and four home runs and a .744 slugging average.

Girard, a senior from Tracy, Calif., was named First Team All-KCAC at first base. Described as the "best defensive first baseman in the conference" by head coach Daryl Hoelting, Girard had an unblemished fielding percentage in 169 chances and committed just six errors all season in 425 chances (.986 FLD). Offensively, she hit .367 in 44 games through the end of the regular season. She recorded 54 hits and had a team best 40 RBI. She had a .583 slugging average, only striking out seven times in 147 at bats.

In KCAC play she hit .418 with a .582 slugging average, leading the team with 20 RBI during conference play. Girard is ranked in the Top 10 nationally in four different defensive categories – No. 6 in chances per game (8.854) and putouts per game (8.563); No. 7 in total putouts (411) and No. 8 in total chances (425).

Kelley, a senior pitcher from Quincy, Calif., had an excellent season in the circle for the Coyotes. Overall, she finished the regular season with a 14-6 record and a KCAC best 1.85 ERA in 24 games. She tossed 136 innings, striking out 78 batters and held opposing hitters to a .247 average. In conference play she was 6-3 with a 1.86 ERA in nine appearances. She tossed 64 innings and struck out 42 against just 10 walks.

Reid, a sophomore from Silver Lake, Kan., was named First Team All-KCAC as a utility player. Reid split time in the circle as well as playing at first base and as designated player during the season. In the circle, Reid was 17-6 overall with a 2.10 ERA in 24 games. She threw over 143 innings, striking out 91 batters and opposing hitters hit just .235 against her. With the bat, Reid hit .329 during the season with 26 hits, two of those being homeruns. In KCAC play, she was 6-3 with a 1.11 ERA in nine games, including three shutouts in 63 innings. Offensively in conference play, she hit .293 with three doubles and 11 RBI.

Jacobs, a junior outfielder from Tucson, Ariz., was named First Team All-KCAC in the outfield as well as being named KCAC Co-Newcomer of the Year. Jacobs batted a team best .407 during the entire regular season with a team best 61 hits. Her defensive play was outstanding as well, making many great plays in the outfield from the center field position. In KCAC play, Jacobs hit .413 with 26 hits in the leadoff position. She had a team best 21 multiple hit games and had a season best nine-game hitting streak.

Stephanie Patterson and Amanda German were named Honorable Mention All-KCAC.

Patterson, a freshman from Buhler, Kan., hit .375 during the regular season for the Coyotes, with 45 hits and 12 doubles, two triples and a team best 40 RBI. Where Patterson had the biggest impacts was on the defensive side where as a shortstop, Patterson had a .935 fielding percentage in 200 chances. She is ranked tenth in the NAIA in assists per game (2.833) and 12th nationally in total assists (136) through the end of the KCAC Tournament. Her defensive play was integral in Wesleyan's success throughout the season.

German, a senior from Durham, Calif., was also named Honorable Mention All-KCAC. German missed a majority of the season after suffering a knee injury after playing in just 15 games. She was hitting .432 with 16 hits in 37 at bats with a .568 slugging average at the time of her injury, which occurred on March 13 prior to the start of Wesleyan's doubleheader with Central Christian.

CARVALHO NAMED CHAMPION OF CHARACTER WINNER
Chelsea Carvalho was named as the "Champions of Character" award winner in softball for Kansas Wesleyan.The All-KCAC Champion of Character Award recognizes student-athletes who have demonstrated the five core Champion of Character values of Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Sportsmanship, and Servant Leadership in their approach to life, the classroom, and the field of play.

Champion of Character award winners are nominated by each coach in their respective sport and must be a full-time student in good standing currently participating in a varsity program. They must have been at the institution for one full year with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Student-athletes can be nominated and receive the award up to three times during their career.

The Coyotes finished the 2012 season with a 35-14 overall record, including going 12-6 in KCAC play. Wesleyan was the No. 4 seed in the KCAC Tournament and advanced to the second day of the KCAC Tournament for the first time since 2008.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Kansas Wesleyan Baseball placed nine individuals on the All-KCAC baseball teams announced at the KCAC PostSeason Baseball Championships at Hobart-Detter Field. Wesleyan placed two on the First Team, two on the Second Team and five on the Honorable Mention Team. Two Coyotes also earned All-KCAC Gold Gloves.

Adam Jones and Brandon Trodick were named First Team All-KCAC. Both are repeat first team selections from 2011.

Jones, a senior outfielder from Las Vegas, Nev., hit .390 for the Coyotes through the end of the regular season. He led the team with 64 hits, 65 runs, 41 stolen bases and nine homeruns in 52 games. In KCAC play, Jones hit .368 with 35 hits and seven homeruns. He also stole 21 bases in KCAC play. Through the KCAC Tournament, Jones ranks No. 3 in the NAIA in stolen bases (43); No. 5 in the NAIA in runs scored per game (1.286), steal attempts per game (0.857) and steal attempts (48); and No. 6 in total runs scored (72) and stolen bases per game (.768). He was an exceptional leadoff hitter for the Coyotes this season, with good speed and baseball savvy allowing him to execute with effectiveness and defensively his play was fantastic, as he tracked down many fly balls that a lot of players could not have gotten to.

Jones was also named as the "Champions of Character" award winner in baseball for Kansas Wesleyan.The All-KCAC Champion of Character Award recognizes student-athletes who have demonstrated the five core Champion of Character values of Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Sportsmanship, and Servant Leadership in their approach to life, the classroom, and the field of play.

Champion of Character award winners are nominated by each coach in their respective sport and must be a full-time student in good standing currently participating in a varsity program. They must have been at the institution for one full year with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Student-athletes can be nominated and receive the award up to three times during their career.

Trodick, a senior from Las Vegas, was named First Team All-KCAC at designated hitter. Trodick missed the first half of the season with a foot injury but came back and picked up right where he left off in 2011. Trodick batted .480 through the end of the regular season with 36 hits, nine of those doubles and seven homeruns in just 25 games played. He had a .880 slugging average and a .545 on base percentage. In conference play, Trodick hit .471, with all seven homeruns coming in KCAC play. Trodick was commonly known as a hitter that no pitcher wanted to face, as he hit .409 with runners in scoring position and an even more impressive .536 with two outs, recording 10 2-out RBI. He also had a .651 success percentage advancing runners.

Jon Mihic and Matt Royal were named Second Team All-KCAC.

Mihic, a senior from Langley, British Columbia, batted .382 for the Coyotes through the end of the regular season, he record 52 hits, the second best total on the team and had a team best 42 RBI and 14 doubles. He hit. 303 in KCAC play.

Royal, a senior pitcher from Chandler, Ariz., went 6-5 for the Coyotes this season with a 4.79 ERA in 18 games through the end of the regular season. He led the team in innings pitched with 73.1, and had a KCAC best 72 strikeouts during the season. Only 20 percent of the hits he allowed went for extra bases during the year. In 11 appearances in KCAC play, Royal went 4-3 in 40.2 innings pitched with 42 strikeouts. He struck out a team best 12 against McPherson on March 31.

Jeff Lucero, Wyatt Hall, Bryce Basinger, Shane Uhle and Connor Freeman were named Honorable Mention All-KCAC.

Lucero, a senior from Temecula, Calif., hit. 344 for the Coyotes in 40 games this season. He had 33 hits with eight home runs and a .635 slugging average. He was second on the team with eight homeruns.

Hall, a senior from Salina, Kan., hit .292 for the Coyotes this season with 26 hits. He played great defense in the middle infield for the Coyotes, having a part of 13 of KWU's 32 double plays turned during the season.

Basinger, a sophomore from Paso Robles, Calif., hit .302 for the Coyotes this season. He was one of five players with three triples during the season. He was second on the team with 15 stolen bases. Defensively he showed great range at shortstop and was part of 15 of Wesleyan's 32 double plays during the season.

Uhle, a junior from Mount Prospect, Ill., hit .333 for the Coyotes in 26 games played. He had two triples and three homeruns, including Wesleyan's only grand slam of the year.

Freeman, a sophomore from Peoria, Ariz., when 7-2 for the Coyotes with a 5.77 ERA. He pitched 64 innings in 13 games with 11 starts, three complete games and two shutouts. He struck out 46 against 21 walks and opposing hitters hit just .288 against him.

For their defensive efforts, Jones and Royal were named to the All-KCAC Gold Glove team. It was the second straight season that Jones received the Gold Glove from the conference in the outfield.

STERLING – The Kansas Wesleyan track team continued its season at the 2012 KCAC Track and Field Championships hosted by Sterling College last Thursday and Friday.

Hillary Callaway placed third in the women's steeplechase, running a 12:04.14, while Chase Wiedel ran a lifetime best in the men's steeplechase, finishing sixth in 10:23.54. Callaway also finished eighth in the women's 1500m with a 5:07.21.

Tara Davis finished 11th in the women's 800m run, running a 2:31.83. Cody Martus was seventh in the men's 800m, running a 2:00.20. Chase Wiedel ran the men's 5000m, finishing in 16th place with a 17:00.81.

"There were not as many life time bests or all-conference honors as I had hoped," head coach Brent Bailey said. "But this season has had so much success with so few numbers that I am extremely excited for the future and next year's KCAC championships."

Tara Davis and Cody Martus were named as the "Champions of Character" award winners for outdoor track for Kansas Wesleyan.The All-KCAC Champion of Character Award recognizes student-athletes who have demonstrated the five core Champion of Character values of Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Sportsmanship, and Servant Leadership in their approach to life, the classroom, and the field of play.

Champion of Character award winners are nominated by each coach in their respective sport and must be a full-time student in good standing currently participating in a varsity program. They must have been at the institution for one full year with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Student-athletes can be nominated and receive the award up to three times during their career.

Callaway was named All-KCAC in the steeplechase with her third place finish, while Wiedel earned Honorable Mention All-KCAC honors for his finish in the steeplechase.

The 2012 Capital One Academic All-District Softball Teams, selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America, have been released to recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances athletically and in the classroom. Kansas Wesleyan's Chelsea Carvalho was named as a First Team Academic All-District selection in the College Division of District 6.

Nominated by current CoSIDA members at their respective institutions, nominees to the Capital One CoSIDA Academic All-America® program must be a starter or important reserve with at least a 3.3 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) and must have attended their current institution for at least one full academic year and have reached sophomore athletic eligibility status.

The Academic All-District teams include the student-athletes divided into eight geographic districts across the United States and Canada. This is the first year of the expanded Academic All-America® program as CoSIDA moves from recognizing student-athletes in two divisions, University Division (Division I) and a College Division (all non Division I), to a four division format, doubling the number of scholar-athletes honored. The teams include NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II and NCAA Division III participants, while the College Division team combines NAIA, Canadian and two-year schools.

First-team Academic All-District honorees advance to the Capital One Academic All-America® Team ballot, where first-, second- and third-team All-America honorees will be selected later this month. For softball, only First Team All-District teams were selected.

Carvalho, a sophomore from Wichita, is majoring in Accounting and hit .336 for the Coyotes this season in 49 games. Wesleyan went 35-14 in 2012 as Carvalho had 51 hits with a team best 14 doubles. She also hit her first two career homeruns this season. Carvalho has been an integral part in the revival of KWU Softball. After going 4-32 the year before her arrival, the Coyotes won 31 games last season and 35 this year. Off the diamond, Carvalho is an excellent student, being named to the President's Honor Roll in her two previous semesters at Kansas Wesleyan.

Carvalho was one of six players from the KCAC to receive Academic All-District honors and had the highest GPA of all 13 individuals selected to the team. The 2012 Capital One CoSIDA Academic All-America softball teams are scheduled to be released on May 21 by CoSIDA.

GARDEN CITY, Kan. – The Kansas Wesleyan men's golf team finished third in the 2012 KCAC Men's Golf Championships held at Buffalo Dunes in Garden City.

The Coyotes also finished third in the final conference standings, scoring a total of 28 points in the four KCAC designated meets. Bethany College won the KCAC Championship and will represent the conference in the NAIA Men's Golf National Championships in Salem, Ore., on May 22-25.

Wesleyan posted a three-round team score of 935, finishing behind Southwestern who was second with a 909 and Bethany with an 895.

Rob Carlson led the Coyotes, shooting a 230 to finish in ninth place. Neal Jeffery finished in a tie for 14th with a 235. Will Clark and Ryan Gausman tied for 16th with a 236. Tanner Roney finished tied for 23^rdwith a 242, Alex Howard finished in 32nd with a 250.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – It wasn't the way that the Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes wanted to end their 2012 baseball season, but the Coyotes didn't go down without a fight. The Coyotes rallied from a 6-run deficit in the first inning to take the lead in the seventh, but couldn't hold on as Tabor College rallied to get a 19-14 win over the Coyotes in a marathon 4-hour game on Thursday night at Hobart-Detter Field in Hutchinson.

The loss ends Wesleyan's season with a 34-22 record and marks the first time since the NAIA switched to direct qualification in 2009 that the Coyotes will not represent the KCAC in the NAIA Baseball National Championship Opening Round Tournament. Wesleyan had won the three previous KCAC tournaments.

In a score that more resembles something you would see on the gridiron, the Bluejays and Coyotes went back and forth all night long. Tabor took control early, scoring six runs in the top of the first inning thanks mostly in part to two errors at shortstop for the Coyotes that kept the inning alive allowing the Bluejays to score five unearned runs in the inning and chase starter Adam Matz before the inning was over.

The Coyotes answered back with a pair of runs of their own in the bottom of the inning on a RBI ground out by Jeff Lucero and a RBI hit by Jon Mihic. Tabor would get the runs back in the second thanks to another error by the Coyotes.

Another error by the Coyotes in the fourth allowed another Tabor run before Wesleyan finally got the offense going in the bottom of the inning. Brandon Trodick connected on a bases loaded 2-run single and the Coyotes got two more runs on a 2-run single by Mihic. Wesleyan added two more runs in the fifth thanks to a Tabor error that allowed Bryce Basinger to score and then Bain drove in the second run with a RBI ground out.

Tabor answered with three runs in the sixth before Wesleyan finally took its first lead of the game in the seventh. Jones led off the inning reaching on an error and then scored along with Jordan Bain on a 2-run single by Jeff Lucero. Trodick scored on a wild pitch, Taylor Gilliam drove in a run on a ground out and Wyatt Hall drove in Wesleyan's final run on a sacrifice fly that put the Coyotes ahead 14-12.

Tabor promptly responded with four runs in the eighth to regain the lead and added three more in the top of the ninth to secure the 19-14 victory.

Tabor will have a rematch with Sterling on Friday at 3 p.m., at Hobart-Detter Field in the KCAC Championship series. Sterling rallied from a 6-0 deficit to beat Tabor in the middle game on Thursday. The winner of the tournament championship will receive the KCAC's automatic bid to the NAIA Baseball Championship Opening Round. Tabor has already secured a host bid into the Opening Round as they were awarded a host bid of one of the nine Opening Round sites around the country. The NAIA Baseball National Championship Opening Round starts next Thursday and runs through the following Monday.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Meeting for the fourth time in less than a week, the Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes and Southwestern Moundbuilders faced each other in the loser's bracket semifinals on Thursday afternoon at Fun Valley Sports Complex. The Moundbuilders erased a 2-1 Wesleyan lead, scoring a combined five runs in the fifth and sixth innings to pull away for a 6-2 win over the Coyotes.

With the loss, Wesleyan was eliminated from the Tournament and finished its season with a second straight 30-plus-win season at 35-14 overall. Rachel Ratcliffe put Southwestern ahead 1-0 in the top of the first inning with a RBI double.

Wesleyan answered back in the bottom of the second with two runs to take a 2-1 lead. Stephanie Patterson scored on a double by Kat Murphy and an error on a ball by Reid allowed Murphy to score the go-ahead run.

Things were quiet until the fifth when Southwestern regained the lead with two runs. Two RBI singles accounted for Southwestern's runs. Southwestern added three more in the sixth to take a 6-2 lead.

The Coyotes tried to rally in the bottom of the seventh, getting the leadoff batter aboard, but back-to-back fielder's choices and then a pop out to end the game killed the Wesleyan rally.

Chelsea Reid took the loss for the Coyotes, while five Coyotes each had one hot for Wesleyan's offense.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Kansas Wesleyan University kept its 2012 baseball season alive with a 10-2 victory over the University of Saint Mary Spires in Game 5 of the KCAC Baseball Tournament Championship on Thursday afternoon at Hobart-Detter Field.

Wesleyan, the No. 3 seed in the tournament, will face the loser of the Tabor vs. Sterling matchup later this evening at 7 p.m., in the final game of the loser's bracket. The winner of the Tabor/Sterling matchup will face the winner of the nightcap tomorrow at 3 p.m., in the tournament championship.

The Coyotes wasted no time getting things going as Jon Mihic singled off pitcher Cade Brummer to drive in the first run and put Wesleyan up 1-0. The Coyotes would load the bases, but left them that way, unable to score another run.

Saint Mary evened things up in the bottom half of the third on a sacrifice fly by Devin Hupp that allowed Jackson Perri to score. Wesleyan took control in the top of the fourth with three runs to take a 4-1 lead. Shane Uhle singled home the first run with a long drive off the wall in center field to drive in Taylor Gilliam. Adam Jones provided the other two runs on a 2-out double to center.

Gilliam and Uhle both homered in the fifth for the Coyotes as Wesleyan scored four more runs to take an 8-1 lead. Uhle's homer was a 2-run shot and Gilliam's a solo shot. The other run of the inning came when Mihic grounded into a double play.

Saint Mary (24-29) got a run back in the bottom of the inning on Hupp's RBI single. The Spires would strand two aboard for the when Joe Haak flew out to center to end the inning.

Wesleyan (33-21) added a run in the seventh on a RBI double by Bryce Basinger and another in the eighth on a RBI double by Jeff Lucero. The Coyotes had a chance to add more in the ninth, loading the bases on a walk to Trey Ralston, but a fielder's choice ground out would end the inning.

Saint Mary could not rally in the bottom of the ninth, as Winston Hines would ground into a game-ending fielder's choice at second base after a walk to pinch hitter Cole Brummer.

Saint Mary sent six pitchers to the hill in the game as Cade Brummer took the loss allowing five runs on seven hits while walking two and striking out three. Chris Pena, Kevin DeVore, Ben West, John Christopher and Stephen Malisa also made appearances for the Spires. Trevor Matifes went 2-for-2 as the only Spire with multiple hits in the game. Hupp drove in two runs.

Brandon Monahan went the distance for Wesleyan, throwing 142 pitches in the complete game, allowing two runs on six hits while walking three and striking out four. Lucero and Uhle had three hits each while three others had two apiece. Uhle drove in three runs for the Coyotes.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – The Kansas Wesleyan Softball team went 2-1 on the first day of the KCAC Tournament and remains alive for Day 2 when they will face Southwestern College at 1 p.m., at Fun Valley in Hutchinson.

It will be the second time the Coyotes and Moundbuilders have faced each other in the tournament and it will be the fourth time since Saturday the teams have met. The winner will advance to the finals of the loser's bracket of the tournament, while the loser will be eliminated.

The Coyotes won their tournament opener with a 1-0 win over Southwestern. The lone run of the game came in the bottom of the second inning when Stephanie Patterson scored on a double steal play. The Coyotes would depend on defense and another outstanding pitching performance by Chelsea Reid to hold off the ‘Builders for the win.

In the second game for the Coyotes, Wesleyan ran into top seeded Bethany and were defeated by the Swedes 3-0. Bethany struck early, plating a run in the bottom of the first on a suicide squeeze bunt by Samantha McFall.

Bethany added two more runs in the bottom of the sixth on back-to-back RBI singles and the Coyotes could not get anything going in the top of the seventh falling to the Swedes.

Wesleyan faced McPherson in the final game of the night for the Coyotes. The contest was scoreless until the sixth when McPherson scored on a single by Janie Gunther. Wesleyan answered back with a run in the bottom of the inning on a fielder's choice by Chelsea Carvalho.

Neither team could score in regulation time, sending the game into extra innings. Wesleyan finally broke through in the bottom of the ninth. Heather Kelley bunted and reached to open the inning and moved to second on a sacrifice by Ashley Quintanilla. Two batters later Morgan Jacobs connected on the game winning hit as Kelley scored to give the Coyotes the 2-1 win.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – The Kansas Wesleyan baseball team looked to be in good shape in its second game of the day on Wednesday evening at Hobart-Detter Field. The Coyotes took a 4-2 lead into the top of the ninth inning, but saw the Ottawa Braves score two in the frame to force extra innings before the Coyotes scored the game winning run in the bottom of the 11th as the Coyotes came away with the 5-4 to remain alive in the tournament.

The Coyotes will face Saint Mary on Thursday morning at 11 a.m., in another elimination contest at Hobart-Detter Field. If the Coyotes win, they will face the loser of the Tabor vs. Sterling matchup at 7 p.m., Thursday. A loss ends the season for the Coyotes.

Wesleyan jumped on top early in the bottom of the first when Jon Mihic connected for a RBI single that drove in Jordan Bain. Ottawa got the equalizer in the top of the third thanks to a Wesleyan error that allowed Nick Deichler to score.

The Braves took the lead in the fourth on another Wesleyan error when an errant throw from center field allowed another unearned run to score. The Coyotes then took advantage of an Ottawa error in the bottom of the frame for the equalizer when Gilliam singled home Lucero who had reached on a single and advanced to second on an error.

Bain led off the Coyote half of the sixth with a double and then scored on a hit by Lucero and two batters later, Aaron Heiland doubled down the line in right to score Lucero to put the Coyotes up 4-2.

Connor Freeman continued his mastery of the Braves into the eighth inning, as he threw 125 pitches in seven innings-plus of work before giving way to Brandon Monahan after allowing a leadoff walk to open the eighth. Monahan would walk the first batter he faced and after a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners, Monahan walked Deichler to load the bases. However, Wesleyan's defense would come through turning a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning without a run scoring.

The Coyotes stranded a pair of base runners in the eighth before turning to closer Colton Zebe to try to finish the game in the ninth. Ottawa was able to rally, getting a 2-run single by Cole Horn to tie the game and blow the save opportunity for Zebe.

Coach Mark Carvalho maintained his confidence in Zebe the rest of the way, sticking with him on the mound. Wesleyan had a chance in the bottom of the ninth, but would strand a pair of runners in the frame.

Wesleyan finally got the chance they were looking for in the bottom of the 11th. After a pop out to open the inning, Jones reached on a single to center and then took second base on a failed pickoff attempt error. Bain then singled to right field and Jones easily scored from second for the game winning run keeping Wesleyan's season alive with the 5-4 win.

Despite blowing the save, Zebe got the win on the hill, while reliever Spenser Augustine for the Braves took the loss. Bain went 3-for-5, driving in the game winning run and scored twice. Four other Coyotes had two hits each. Ryan Bontrager had three hits to lead Ottawa.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Things were going okay for the Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes through the top of the fifth inning in Wesleyan's opening game of the 2012 KCAC Tournament on Wednesday at Hobart-Detter Field in Hutchinson. Then came the bottom of the fifth. Tabor (Kan.) scored eight runs in the frame and cruised to a 16-8 win to advance in the KCAC Tournament.

Tabor will play tomorrow at 3 p.m., against the winner of the Saint Mary (Kan.) vs Sterling (Kan.) contest, while Kansas Wesleyan has to regroup quickly playing tonight at 7 p.m., against Ottawa (Kan.) who dropped their opening game last night to Saint Mary.

The Coyotes got on the board first in the top of the first as Jon Mihic drove in the first run with a sacrifice fly to right that scored Adam Jones who led the game off with a single down the line in left.

Tabor answered back in the bottom of the inning on a RBI hit by Adam McCormick and added another on a sacrifice by Matt Weger. Wesleyan answered back promptly in the top of the second with four runs. After Taylor Gilliam reached on a hit by pitch, Wyatt Hall crushed a ball out to left center to put the Coyotes back up 3-2. Wesleyan added two more runs on a sacrifice by Jordan Bain and a RBI single by Brandon Trodick.

The Bluejays got two more in the third on a 2-run double to left center by Matt Cardona. Wesleyan answered back with two more in the top of the fifth, loading the bases on back-to-back-to-back singles, and getting a single by Shane Uhle that drove in Colton Zebe and then an error in left allowed Gilliam to score.

Tabor blew things open in the bottom of the inning. Weger homered with one out and three batters later Bret Lentz drove in a run with a hit. Colby Tessendorf drove in a run, Corona drove in a pair, Koby Temple had a RBI hit, Cardona was hit by a pitch to force in a run and a wild pitch allowed the eighth run of the frame. The Bluejays added another run in the sixth on Lentz scored on an error.

Wesleyan got one run back on a sacrifice fly by Trodick in the eighth, but Tabor answered with three more in the bottom of the frame on Tyler Kozlowski's 3-run homer to center field.

Matt Royal (6-6) took the loss for the Coyotes (32-21), allowing nine runs on 14 hits in four and a third innings of work. The Coyotes used five pitchers in the game, as Lance Johnson, Tucker Neal, Brad Thomas and Dean Whiteside all made appearances for the Coyotes. Hall and Uhle led the Coyote offense with three hits each.

David Ormiston (9-2) went the distance for Tabor for the win, throwing 130 pitches, allowing eight runs, seven earned, on 13 hits while striking out five. Cardona was 4-for-4 with 3 RBI while three other players had three hits each.

KCAC Tournament Bracket (PDF)

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Kansas Wesleyan is the No. 4 seed in the upcoming KCAC Softball Tournament which begins Wednesday morning at Fun Valley Sports Complex in Hutchinson. Wesleyan will play first at 2 p.m., Wednesday, taking on fifth seeded Southwestern on Field 4.

The tournament opens Wednesday morning with the two play-in games. In the first play-in, No. 7 Tabor will take on No. 10 Bethel at 10 a.m., Wednesday. The winner will play second seeded Ottawa at Noon, the loser will be eliminated. In the other play-in, No. 8 Sterling takes on No. 9 Saint Mary also at 10 a.m., Wednesday. The winner of that game will play top seeded Bethany at 2 p.m., while the loser will be eliminated.

The winner of Wesleyan's first game will take on the winner of the Bethany vs. Sterling/Saint Mary matchup at 7 p.m. The loser will play at 5 p.m., against the loser of Ottawa vs. Tabor/Bethel.

Live Stats will also be available for all games. The Championships page on kcacsports.com will have links for live stats.

GAME PREVIEW – No. 4 Kansas Wesleyan vs. No. 5 Southwestern – 2 p.m., Wednesday
Kansas Wesleyan and Southwestern faced each other on Saturday in the regular season finale, with the Coyotes winning both games 1-0 and 5-3. Wesleyan tied with Friends in the final KCAC standings, but the Falcons won the tiebreaker to earn the No. 3 seed.

Kansas Wesleyan has won 30-plus games for the second straight season after winning just four two years ago. Morgan Jacobs leads the Coyote offense with a .407 average with a KCAC best 61 hits. Katrina Murphy leads the Coyotes with eight homeruns and a .675 slugging average while freshman Stephanie Patterson and senior Caitlin Girard share a team best 40 RBI.

Patterson ranks No. 10 in the NAIA in defensive assists per game (2.841) and No. 16 nationally in total assists (125). Jacobs ranks 38th in the NAIA in hits per game (1.386). Chelsea Reid ranks No .32 nationally with 17 wins in the circle.

Heather Kelley leads the Coyote pitching staff and the KCAC with a 1.85 ERA in 24 games and 20 starts. She has 16 complete games under her belt and one save. She is 14-6 overall in 136 innings pitched with 78 strikeouts. Opposing batters are hitting .247 against her. Reid is 17-6 overall in 24 appearances including 23 starts and 17 complete games. She's thrown four shutouts on the season in 143.2 innings pitched with 91 strikeouts. Opposing batters are hitting .235 against her this season.

Southwestern enters the game with a 23-17 overall record, and finishing 9-9 in the KCAC, earning the No. 5 seed in the tournament. Pitcher Rachel Ratcliffe ranks No. 6 in the NAIA in innings pitched per game at 6.955. Kaylee Hicks ranks No. 24 in total triples (5) and No. 21 in triples per game (.125). The ‘Builders rank No. 28 nationally in triples per game (.275) and No. 46 in total triples with 11.

Devan Howard leads Southwestern with a .349 average and a team best 45 hits. Chelsea Fort bats .336 with a team best 13 doubles and three homers. Brady Luedtke leads the ‘Builders with 23 RBI. Ratcliffe is 11-9 with a 2.84 ERA in the circle for Southwestern in 22 games and 20 starts with 15 complete games. She has 139 strikeouts in 153 innings pitched. Alysse Yates is 12-7 with a 3.07 ERA in 19 games and 15 starts with 11 complete games. She has 53 strikeouts in 107 innings pitched.

The winner of the KCAC Tournament advances to the Pool Play round of the 32nd Annual NAIA Softball National Championships at the Gulf Shores Sports Complex in Gulf Shores, Ala., starting May 17 and running through May 23.

KCAC SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
GAME 1: #7 Tabor vs. #10 Bethel – Wednesday, 10 a.m.
GAME 2: #8 Sterling vs. #9 Saint Mary – Wednesday, 10 a.m.
GAME 3: #2 Ottawa vs. Game 1 Winner – Wednesday,  Noon
GAME 4: #3 Friends vs. #6 McPherson – Wednesday, Noon
GAME 5: #4 Kansas Wesleyan vs. #5 Southwestern – Wednesday, 2 p.m.
GAME 6: #1 Bethany vs Game 2 Winner – Wednesday, 2 p.m.
GAME 7: Loser Game 6 vs. Loser Game 4 – Wednesday, 5 p.m.
GAME 8: Loser Game 3 vs. Loser Game 5 – Wednesday, 5 p.m.
GAME 9: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4 – Wednesday, 7 p.m.
GAME 10: Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6 – Wednesday, 7 p.m.
GAME 11: Loser Game 10 vs. Winner Game 7 – Wednesday, 9 p.m.
GAME 12: Loser Game 9 vs. Winner Game 8 – Wednesday, 9 p.m.
GAME 13: Winner Game 9 vs. Winner Game 10 – Thursday, 1 p.m.
GAME 14: Winner Game 11 vs. Winner Game 12 – Thursday, 1 p.m.
GAME 15: Loser Game 13 vs. Winner Game 14 – Thursday, 3 p.m.
GAME 16 (Championship): Winner Game 13 vs. Winner Game 15 – Thursday, 5 p.m.
GAME 17: (If Necessary, if first loss): Winner Game 16 vs. Loser Game 16 – Thursday, 7 p.m.

KCAC BASEBALL TOURNAMENT BRACKET (PDF)

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Kansas Wesleyan is the No. 3 seed in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference Baseball Tournament that starts Tuesday night at Hobart-Detter Field in Hutchinson. The Coyotes will take on second seeded Tabor on Wednesday morning at 11 a.m., in the first round of the tournament.

The tournament opens Tuesday night at 7 p.m., with a matchup between fourth-seeded Saint Mary (Kan.) and fifth-seeded Ottawa (Kan.). The winner of that game takes on top seeded Sterling (Kan.) on Wednesday at 3 p.m., while the loser will take on the loser of the KWU vs. Tabor game at 7 p.m., Wednesday.

All tournament games will be streamed live on Watch KCAC, available at www.kcacsports.com/watchlive, online. Live Stats will also be available for all games. The Championships page on kcacsports.com will have links for live streaming and live stats.

GAME PREVIEW – No. 3 Kansas Wesleyan vs. No. 2 Tabor – 11 a.m., Wednesday
Kansas Wesleyan (32-20) has struggled to close out the season, dropping five of its last seven games, including being swept by Ottawa on Saturday in the regular season finale doubleheader in Salina. History is on the side of the Coyotes in Wednesday's matchup as Wesleyan took 3-of-4 from then No. 17 ranked Tabor during the regular season and Hobart-Detter was the site of Wesleyan's harrowing victory in the KCAC Tournament Championship last season.

The Coyotes have been the only team to advance out of the KCAC in the Direct Qualification Era (2009), but regardless of what happens in this year's tournament Tabor will also receive an automatic bid to the field of 45 in the NAIA Baseball National Championship Opening Round by virtue of being awarded a host bid of one of nine Opening Round Tournaments around the country in two weeks.

Brandon Trodick leads the Coyote offense, batting .480 in 25 games played this season. Trodick missed the first half of the season due to injury, but has rounded into midseason form, belting seven homers and nine doubles since his return. Adam Jones leads the Coyotes with 64 hits and 65 runs scored. He also had a team best 41 stolen bases. Jones ranks No. 4 in the NAIA in stolen bases and No. 5 in the country in runs scored (65). Overall, the Coyotes are ranked No. 8 in the country in home runs per game (1.019) and No. 9 in slugging percentage (.513).

Wesleyan's pitching staff is led by sophomore Connor Freeman with a 7-2 record in 13 appearances and 11 starts. He had three complete games under his belt and two shutouts. In 64 innings, he has a 5.77 ERA with 46 K's and a .288 batting average against and a 1.484 WHIP. Senior Matt Royal is also amongst the KCAC's best on the hill. Royal is 6-5 overall in 18 games and 12 starts with four complete games and one shutout and two saves. He leads the team with 73.1 innings pitched and leads the KCAC with 72 K's against just 17 walks. Opposing batters are hitting .301 against Royal and he has a 1.491 WHIP.

Tabor (39-11) is one win away from its second straight 40-win season, but is 3-3 in its last six games, as Sterling took 3-of-4 from the Bluejays in the final series of the season for both teams. The Bluejays were ranked as high as No. 17 in the NAIA Top 25 Coaches' Poll during the season.

Adam McCormick and Art Corona lead Tabor's offense and the NAIA as the No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, hitters in the NAIA. McCormick leads the nation with a .490 average and Corona is ranked No. 2 at .457. Wesleyan's Brandon Trodick would be ranked No. 2 in the NAIA, but he has not played enough games to qualify for national statistical rankings. Corona also leads the country in runs scored per game (1.340). Corona ranks nationally in several categories.

As a team, Tabor is hitting .361, second best in the NAIA, and also ranks second in the country in slugging percentage at .544. The Bluejays rank in the Top-10 nationally in ten categories.

Brian Kowal is the ace of the Bluejay pitching staff with an 8-4 record and a 1.97 ERA in 16 games and 10 starts. David Ormiston is also one of the top pitchers in the KCAC with an 8-2 record in 13 games with a 3.45 ERA. He has 72 strikeouts against just seven walks on the season.

The winner of the matchup between the Coyotes and Bluejays will advance to play the winner of the Sterling vs. USM/Ottawa game at 3 p.m., on Thursday. The loser will play against the loser of the Ottawa / Saint Mary matchup at 7 p.m., on Wednesday.

KCAC Baseball Conference Tournament Schedule
Game 1: #4 Saint Mary vs. #5 Ottawa, Tuesday, 7 p.m.
Game 2: #2 Tabor vs. #3 Kansas Wesleyan, Wednesday, 11 a.m.
Game 3: #1 Sterling vs. Game 1 Winner, Wednesday, 3 p.m.
Game 4: Game 1 Loser vs. Game 2 Loser, Wednesday, 7 p.m. (Loser Eliminated)
Game 5: Game 4 Winner vs. Game 3 Loser, Thursday, 11 a.m. (Loser Eliminated)
Game 6: Game 3 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner, Thursday, 3 p.m.
Game 7: Game 5 Winner vs. Game 6 Loser, Thursday, 7 p.m. (Loser Eliminated)
Game 8 (Championship): Game 6 Winner vs. Game 7 Winner, Friday, 3 p.m.
Game 9 (If Necessary, If G8 loser's first loss): Game 8 Winner vs. Game 8 Loser, 1 hour after Game 8

Kansas Wesleyan Women's Tennis placed three individuals on the 2012 All-KCAC teams for women's tennis as selected by the conference coaches and released by the conference office.

Rachael Renneisen was selected to the first team, while Janel Prather and Jeni Wolters were second team selections. Wolters also earned the All-KCAC Sportsmanship Award selected by the conference.

Renneisen, a junior from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., earned her third straight First Team All-KCAC honor in 2012. She went 4-2 in KCAC play this season.

Prather, a sophomore from Sterling, earned Second Team All-KCAC honors for a second straight season. She was the KCAC Freshman of the Year last season as well. An outstanding student-athlete, carrying a perfect GPA, Prather was 5-1 in the conference this season.

Wolters, a junior from Osborne, is a repeat Second Team selection from 2011. Wolters finished the KCAC season with a 4-2 record. Wolters was also selected for the All-KCAC Sportsmanship Award in Women's Tennis.

The Coyotes are 10-7 overall and went 5-1 in the KCAC, earning the No. 2 seed in the KCAC Team Tournament which is Friday in Wichita.

With 17 seniors on the roster for the upcoming 2012 season, Kansas Wesleyan head women's soccer coach Mike Dibbini needed to prepare for the upcoming turnover. Announcing one of his biggest recruiting classes ever, the Coyotes announce the signings of 16 freshmen and five transfers for the upcoming 2012 season.

"With such a huge senior class this coming year, it was important for us to set the foundation now by bringing in this large group," Dibbini said. "They can learn the system under the upperclassmen and they can be prepared for the following year with a season of experience under their belts. We won't be rebuilding after this coming season, but as I have said before we are just reloading for another run at the championship."

Dibbini and the staff have built another outstanding class with top talent from California along with some local players that will add to the already high level of talent the Coyotes possess.

"These players will give us an even wider talent base to draw from," Dibbini said. "Some of these players will have the opportunity to make a push for a starting position right away, while others will develop through the program and be outstanding players for us in the future."

2012 Signing Class Photo Gallery

Joining the Coyotes next season will be:

Nia Burrell (F/D, Fr., Palmdale, Calif. / Paraclete HS)
Noemy Castro (F, Fr., Riverside, Calif. / Arlington HS)
Taylor Collins (D/MF, Fr., Palmdale, Calif. / Paraclete HS)
Roxanna Gomez (F, Fr., Highland, Calif. / San Gorgino HS)
Devon Hamersley (D, Fr., Sacramento, Calif. / Rio Americano HS)
Erin Kaprosy (GK, Fr., Ventura, Calif. / Ventura HS)
Melissa Martinez (F, Fr., Riverside, Calif. / Arlington HS)
Charlotte Ornela (GK, Fr., Lemoore, Calif. / Lemoore HS)
Karlee Perez (MF, Fr., Highland, Calif. / Redlands East Valley HS)
Heather Pettengill (D/MF, Fr., Canyon Country, Calif. / Canyon HS)
Emmaly Phipps (MF, Fr., Grand Island, Neb. / Grand Island HS)
Krinia Pinzon (MF/F, Fr., Oxnard, Calif. / Oxnard HS)
Alicia Resa (MF, Fr., Wichita, Kan. / Bishop Carroll HS)
Emma Rogers (MF, Fr., Fresno, Calif. / Clovis West HS)
Anica Santana (MF, Fr., Riverside, Calif. / Arlington HS)
Monica Santana (MF, Fr., Riverside, Calif. / Arlington HS)
Evelyn DeLaRosa (MF, Jr., LaPuente, Calif. / Mt. San Antonio College (Calif.))
Erika Jaramillo (D/MF, Jr., Elk Grove, Calif. / American River College (Calif.))
Ruby Leon (F, Sr., Fontana, Calif. / LIU-Brooklyn (N.Y.) / San Bernardino Valley College (Calif.))
Amber Petty (GK, Jr., Manhattan, Kan. / Cloud County CC (Kan.))
Emily Tielrooy (GK, Jr., Brea, Calif. / Santiago Canyon College (Calif.))

Player Profiles:

Nia Burrell (F/D, Fr., Palmdale, Calif. / Paraclete HS)
Named to the Honor Roll, Team Offensive Player of the Year and Team Captain at Paraclete HS. Teammate Taylor Collins will also join the team next season.

Noemy Castro (F, Fr., Riverside, Calif. / Arlington HS)
Named First Team All-League at Arlington HS. One of four players from Arlington HS to join the Coyotes in 2012.

Taylor Collins (D/MF, Fr., Palmdale, Calif. / Paraclete HS)
Will join teammate Nia Burrell at Wesleyan in 2012, named to the Honor Roll at Paraclete HS

Roxanna Gomez (F, Fr., Highland, Calif. / San Gorgino HS)
A Scholar-Athlete and 3-time team offensive MVP, named All-League and Third Team All-State in California (CIF).

Devon Hamersley (D, Fr., Sacramento, Calif. / Rio Americano HS)
Named First Team All-League as a freshman at Rio Americano HS, 2011 squad finished the year unbeaten and was ranked ninth nationally, named First Team All-League as a senior.

Erin Kaprosy (GK, Fr., Ventura, Calif. / Ventura HS)
A 4-time Honor Roll member, named Most Improved Player in 2010 and Club Team Captain.

Melissa Martinez (F, Fr., Riverside, Calif. / Arlington HS)
A First Team All-League selection, also named Second Team All-CIF, one of four Arlington HS players to sign with Wesleyan for 2012.

Charlotte Ornela (GK, Fr., Lemoore, Calif. / Lemoore HS)
Named Most Outstanding Defender at Lemoore HS

Karlee Perez (MF, Fr., Highland, Calif. / Redlands East Valley HS)
A 3-time Scholar Athlete selection, also named First Team All-League and was a First Team selection by the San Bernardino County Sun

Heather Pettengill (D/MF, Fr., Canyon Country, Calif. / Canyon HS)
A 4-year varsity player at Canyon High School

Emmaly Phipps (MF, Fr., Grand Island, Neb. / Grand Island HS)
Daughter of Wesleyan volleyball coach Fred Aubuchon, will bring toughness and desire to the midfield position. Emmaly has a chance to make an impact for the Coyotes as she continues to develop in the program

Krinia Pinzon (MF/F, Fr., Oxnard, Calif. / Oxnard HS)
A very technical attacking midfielder that can also play the forward position

Alicia Resa (MF, Fr., Wichita, Kan. / Bishop Carroll HS)
Alicia comes from a quality of soccer tradition powerhouse Bishop Carroll. She will bring a wealth of soccer knowledge and experience to the Coyotes next season.

Emma Rogers (MF, Fr., Fresno, Calif. / Clovis West HS)
A 4-year varsity player, named Most Inspirational at Clovis West HS

Anica Santana (MF, Fr., Riverside, Calif. / Arlington HS)
A Second Team All-League Selection at Arlington HS, will join teammates Noemy Castro, Melissa Martinez and twin sister Monica at Wesleyan next season.

Monica Santana (MF, Fr., Riverside, Calif. / Arlington HS)
A Second Team All-League Selection at Arlington HS, will join teammates Noemy Castro, Melissa Martinez and twin sister Anica at Wesleyan next season.

Evelyn DeLaRosa (MF, Jr., LaPuente, Calif. / Mt. San Antonio College (Calif.))
Named First Team All-League at Mt. SAC, scored three goals and tallied five assists in two seasons at Mt. SAC

Erika Jaramillo (D/MF, Jr., Elk Grove, Calif. / American River College (Calif.))
First Team All-Big 8 Conference, All-America Nominee at ARC

Ruby Leon (F, Sr., Fontana, Calif. / LIU-Brooklyn (N.Y.) / San Bernardino Valley College (Calif.))
Scored 3 goals and tallied 4 assists as a junior at LIU-Brooklyn in 2011 in 21 games and 18 starts. Was named First Team All-Conference at SBVC and set new mark for goals scored and was named Offensive Player of the Year

Amber Petty (GK, Jr., Manhattan, Kan. / Cloud County CC (Kan.))
Was named First Team All-KJCCC  and First Team All-NJCAA Region VI as a freshman at Cloud County. Named Second Team Class 6A All-State as a senior at Manhattan High

Emily Tielrooy (GK, Jr., Brea, Calif. / Santiago Canyon College (Calif.))
Played on Santiago Canyon College Women's Soccer that went 13-1-1 and ranked No. 3 by the NSCAA in the country. Brings a wealth of experience and presence in goal for the Coyotes next season.

The Coyotes will kick off the 2012 season on September 1 in California against Concordia (Calif.) and then two days later take on Vanguard (Calif.). The Coyotes open the home portion of the schedule on September 11 against Benedictine (Kan.) at 8:30 p.m., at Salina Stadium.

WINFIELD – The Kansas Wesleyan Softball team closed its regular season with a 1-0 and 5-3 sweep of Southwestern on Saturday afternoon in Winfield. With the wins, the Coyotes finish the regular season with a 33-12 overall record and 12-6 in the KCAC, earning them the No. 4 seed in the KCAC Tournament which starts next week.

The Coyotes tied with Friends in the final standings for third place, but were awarded the No. 4 seed after dropping the tiebreaker to the Falcons. The KCAC Tournament is Wednesday and Thursday at Fun Valley in Hutchinson. A schedule of games will be released by the KCAC.

Wesleyan scored the only run of Game 1 in a pitcher's duel in the second inning. Kat Murphy led off the inning with a walk and courtesy runner Noel Hawkey scored on a Chelsea Carvalho single for the only run.

Southwestern had a chance to plate the game-tying run in the seventh, but Devan Howard was thrown out at home trying to score from second base on a single by Kaylee Hicks.

Wesleyan scored in the second inning of Game 2 as well on a squeeze bunt by Chelsea Reid that allowed Stephanie Patterson to score. The Coyotes added another run in the fourth when Shelby Hubbard reached on an error that allowed Patterson to score.

Southwestern got two runs back in the bottom of the fourth, on RBI singles by Shonda Glover and Howard. Wesleyan regained the lead in the fifth on a RBI hit by Patterson. Southwestern evened the score again in the sixth when a run scored thanks to a Wesleyan error.

Murphy came up huge for the Coyotes in the top of the seventh. With two outs, Caitlin Girard reached on a hit and Murphy stepped up and crushed a ball for a home run to put the Coyotes ahead 5-3. Southwestern did not have an answer in the bottom of the inning and Wesleyan finished off the sweep.

Reid won Game 1, pitching her fourth shutout of the season, allowing four hits and striking out three. Four different Coyotes had hits in Game 1. Heather Kelley allowing three runs on nine hits in Game 2 for the complete game win, while Girard went 3-for-4 as did Patterson.

Kansas Wesleyan hosted the 2012 KCAC Men's and Women's Tennis Individual Tournament on Saturday at locations around Salina. The Coyotes were able to pull in one flight championship on the women's side on the day.

Tia Irwin captured the No. 4 singles title beating Steph Shogren of Bethel 2-6, 6-3, 10-8 in the flight finals. In No. 2 singles, Wesleyan's Janel Prather finished in fourth place. Jeni Wolters took third place in the No. 3 singles flight, taking a default win over Sam Hutson of Friends. Vallerie Zuaznabar won her first match of the day over Katie Doffing of McPherson in No. 5 singles, and finished the day in fourth place in the flight. Maria Rodriguez also won her first match in No. 6 singles over Miranda Gaddis of McPherson, and took third place in the flight with a win over Abby Gengler of Southwestern.

In doubles, Prather and Wolters finished third in No. 1 doubles, and Rodriguez and Zuaznabar finished fifth in No. 3 doubles.

On the men's side, Leo Mendez lost both his matches at No. 1 singles. In No. 2 singles, Adam Watson recovered from a first match loss to take fifth place in the flight. Taylor Eastman played for fifth place in the No. 3 singles flight, but lost to Friends' Eric Berner 8-1. Scott Weber also dropped his opening match in No. 4 singles and played for the fifth place spot in the flight but lost.

In doubles, Mendez and Watson lost in their first match in No. 1 doubles, but beat Southwestern in the fifth place bracket before falling to Tabor in the fifth place match. In No. 2 doubles, Weber and Eastman lost their opening match to Southwestern and then fell in the fifth place match to Friends.

The Coyote women will play in the KCAC Team Tournament next week in Wichita as the No. 2 seed, while the men's season comes to a close.

It wasn't the way the Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes wanted to send its nine baseball seniors out in their final home games of their careers at Kansas Wesleyan. After sweeping the Ottawa Braves 3-0 twice on Friday in Ottawa, the Braves returned the favor, sweeping the Coyotes 7-4 and 7-1 on Saturday afternoon at Dean Evans Stadium.

With the losses, the Coyotes will be the No. 3 seed in the KCAC Baseball Tournament which starts Tuesday night at Hobart-Detter Field in Hutchinson. The Coyotes will face second-seeded Tabor at 11 a.m., Wednesday. Tabor earned the second seed after being swept by Sterling on Saturday as the Warriors took 3 of 4 from the Bluejays. Tabor and Sterling shared the KCAC title this season. The Coyotes had a chance to get in on that share as well, but could not finish the sweep of the Braves.

Ottawa jumped on the Coyotes quick in both games, scoring three runs in each of the first innings. In the first game Jeff Montenegro led off the game with a homer and the Braves added two more on a sac fly and a RBI single by Spenser Augustine. The Coyotes answered back in the bottom of the frame. Adam Jones reached on a bunt single, Jordan Bain walked and Brandon Trodick followed with a massive opposite field homer to right to tie things up at 3-all.

Ottawa regained the lead in its half of the third on a Tyler Fata RBI double that scored Alejandro Villegas.

It took until the fifth for the Coyotes to respond, and the response came in atypical fashion. Bryce Basinger led off the inning with a single, but was retired on a fielder's choice by Jones. Jones then stole second, stole third and on a walk to Trodick, stole home to tie the game at 4-all. The play rattled Ottawa's pitcher Austin Willard, as he walked the next three batters, but the Coyotes could not get a run across as Taylor Gilliam hit a liner to right center that was snagged on a diving catch by Montenegro.

Things went south for the Coyotes in the top of the seventh as Ottawa plated three runs. Pinch hitter Cole Horn singled with one out to start the Braves' rally as they loaded the bases and then Ryan Bontrager connected on a 2-run single to put the Braves ahead. Fata followed with a RBI groundout before the Coyotes could stop the bleeding.

Wesleyan tried to rally in the bottom of the inning, as Jones led off with a walk but was retired on a fielder's choice and then Trodick hit into a game-ending double play.

Reliever Bret Stratton got the win for Ottawa as he was the pitcher of record when the Braves took the lead, while Jacob Loucks got the save pitching the seventh. Connor Freeman took the loss for the Coyotes in a complete game, allowing seven runs on 11 hits while walking two and striking out one.

Game 2 started a lot like Game 1 as Ottawa plated three runs before Wesleyan had even stepped to the dish. Kaylem Quinn connected on a 2-run double for the Braves in the first and Augustine followed with another double for the third run.

This time the Coyotes could not find and answer in the bottom of the inning. Wesleyan's got on the board in the second when Chad Zuniga connected on a 2-out double to right that scored Taylor Gilliam, but it was all the offense the Coyotes could muster as they stranded two runners in the inning.

The Braves kept their offense going adding three more runs in the third. Quinn singled to load the bases and Augustine followed with a 2-run single down the line in right. Greg Wisner then doubled to plate another run, and nearly two, but a great throw in from the outfield and relay to the plate easily retired Augustine trying to score from first.

The Braves added another run in the sixth on Horn's bunt single and had a chance to score more runs, but Bontrager grounded out to second to end the inning with the bases loaded. The Coyotes tried to rally again in the seventh, but could not. Hall singled to open the inning, but was stranded at second base as two strike outs in the inning and a game-ending flyout ended the rally.

Loucks pitched a complete game for the win allowing one run on five hits while walking one and striking out three. Three different Braves players had three hits each, while Augustine drove in three runs. Matt Royal took the loss for the Coyotes, allowing seven runs on 10 hits while walking two and striking out only one batter on the day in 5 and a third innings of work. Dean Whiteside finished the game for the Coyotes allowing two hits and a walk in an inning and two-thirds.

Kansas Wesleyan University has selected Bob Warkentine as its new head coach for men's and women's tennis as announced by athletic director Dave Dallas.

Warkentine succeeds Brent Mooney who left the program last month.

"We are glad to welcome Bob to our family here in the Kansas Wesleyan athletic department," Wesleyan athletic director and football coach Dave Dallas said. "Bob brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the program and we look forward to seeing both men's and women's tennis continue to grow and be successful not only in the Kansas Conference but at a national level."

Warkentine is no stranger to Salina, having coached at Salina South, Salina Central and Sacred Heart before moving on to Solomon schools. Warkentine currently serves as assistant principal at Pittsburg High School in Pittsburg, Kan., a position he has held since 2010. He previously served as principal of Solomon middle and high schools from 2005 to 2010 after a lengthy career in the Salina schools.

"I am glad to become a part of the Kansas Wesleyan family," Warkentine said. "This is a great opportunity to coach at the collegiate level after coaching boys' tennis in high school for 25 years. I have been a part of the Salina community since 1980, and have always liked Kansas Wesleyan, and to join the university at this time is perfect for me and my wife."

Warkentine likes what he sees happening at KWU and is ready to be part of the excitement on campus. "I like the direction the new president is moving the university in," he said. "And I want to be part of that experience and growth."

He got his start in coaching in 1977 as the head boys' tennis coach and assistant football and wrestling coach at Goddard High School. In 1980 he relocated to Salina where he served in similar positions at Central High, but was head wrestling coach for the Mustangs. In 1984, he became head football coach at Sacred Heart while continuing to coach boys' tennis at Central. Starting in 1987, he served as assistant football coach at Salina South while continuing to coach tennis at Central. In 1989, he added head wrestling coach to his duties and served in those capacities for 11 years.

After a couple years off, Warkentine served as head coach for boys' tennis at Salina South from 2002 until 2005 when he left Salina for Solomon.

A 1972 graduate of Wellington (Kan.) High School, Warkentine continued his academic career at Kansas State, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 1977 and later earned his Master Degree in Administrative Leadership from Kansas State in 2001.

He says he intends to have the teams ready to compete at a high level and be one of the best in the conference and at the national level.  "I want to have my teams in shape and ready to compete at a high level and that starts with the recruitment of solid players and citizens," he said. "It's one of my goals to make the program something to be proud of."

Warkentine continued on to say that outside of being outstanding tennis players he wants members of his team to continue to grow and develop into outstanding individuals in the community. "I want each player to graduate and to become a better person spiritually as well as a better player that appreciates and loves the game. I hope to create a team atmosphere and to be considered one of the best programs in the conference and be recognized on a national level."

Warkentine has earned several honors during his career. In 1998 he was selected as the Daughters of the American Revolution Kansas American History Teacher of the Year as was named as the Kansas Wrestling Coaches' Association Class 5A Coach of the Year. In 2003, he earned the Official of the Year honor from the KWCA. In 2005, he was selected as the USD 305 Renaissance Teacher of the Year. In 2009 he was inducted into both the Kansas Tennis Coaches' Association Hall of Fame and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and in 2010 he was named as the National Federation of High Schools Kansas Wrestling Official of the Year.