SLATE: K-State players sign with NFL teams

In the absence of much in the way of sports news, we devoted the earliest hours of the morning to joining the conversation about the latest episode of Game of Thrones, celebrating fallen heroes even if they are imaginary.

Baseball

In the world of real games, the BatCats dropped the finale of their series against the Oklahoma Sooners, 6-3 in 10 innings Sunday. The ‘Cats tied the game on an 8th inning home run and had two on base to start the ninth inning, but failed to execute a bunt to move the runners, and ultimately lost. OU took the series, two game to one. At 6-9 in conference play, K-State is tied with TCU for sixth, with series remaining against conference leader Baylor, 4th place West Virginia and last place Kansas. All but the last place finisher qualify for the Big 12 tournament.

Wednesday at 6:00, Wichita State will visit Tointon Family Stadium. The Shockers beat K-State March 27 in Wichita by a score of 8-5.

Football

The NFL draft is two days in our rear-view mirror, but coverage of those drafted and others signing free agent contracts continues. The Mercury provides a complete rundown and writes specifically about Alex Barnes joining the Tennessee Titans.

The Wildcate draftees, Dalton Risner and Duke Shelley, will look to bring versatility to their new teams, the Denver Broncos and the Chicago Bears.

Golf

The K-State men’s golf team rallied with an aggregate six-under par showing Sunday in the final round of the Big 12 Tournament to pass Iowa State for seventh place. The Wildcats shot the lowest team score on the day. K-State, ranked 64th in the country, finished nine strokes better than the 31st-ranked Cyclones, 13 ahead of No. 37 Kansas and 17 ahead of No. 48 West Virginia. The showing puts them on the cusp of an NCAA Regional Bid. Oklahoma State (-13) ran away from TCU (-2) for the team title.

Individual medalists for K-State included seniors Jeremy Gandon and Roland Massimino, who tied for 8th at 1-under. Juniors Jacob Eklund and Ben Fernandez tied for 23rd, at 5-over par. Hayden Springer of TCU shot 8-under to win the individual title.

Pat Bosco

After 50 years at Kansas State, vice president and dean of students Pat Bosco is retiring at the end of this school year. Everyone who attends K-State knows Pat. All the students’ parents do, too. I remember Dr. Bosco distinctly, and I graduated 28 years ago. Everyone called him Dean. We have all benefited from his obvious passion for K-State, and especially for its students. At student orientation meetings, Dr. Bosco was known for writing his cell phone number on the board and encouraging anyone in the room—students and parents alike—to call him absolutely anytime, night or day, if he could help with a problem.

Thank you for your service to all of us, Dean.