Parker Weddle and two relievers combined on a two-hitter Wednesday in Kansas City Kansas Community College’s 8-3 win over Benedictine junior varsity in Atchison.
The win boosted the Blue Devils’ record to 5-3 heading into a 2 p.m. clash with Des Moines Area Community College Saturday.
A sophomore from Oak Park High School, Kansas City, Missouri, Weddle didn’t allow a hit until one out in the fourth inning. He worked six innings, allowing one run on two hits. He walked three, struck out nine.
Logan Bernard pitched two innings, giving up no hits, an unearned run and striking out three before Eli Tormes finished up with one hitless frame.
Caleb Adams and Raymond Paniagua each doubled and singled, Brendyn Bard drove in three runs and Darius Freeman two to lead the Blue Devils’ 10-hit attack.
KCKCC scored all the runs Weddle would need in the second inning. After singles by Camden Karlin and Cole Dawson sandwiched around an error scored a run, Bard singled home two more and Adams one in taking a 4-0 lead.
A Paniagua single and sacrifice fly by Samuel Juarez made it 5-0 in the third; Bard drove in his third run with a sacrifice fly in the sixth; and Freeman drove in the final two runs with a single in the ninth.
The high will be near 71 degrees today. (National Weather Service graphic)
Temperatures may reach a high near 71 today, according to the National Weather Service forecast.
Temperatures will continue above normal today, with a slight decline in temperatures to the mid-50s on Friday, the weather service said.
A cold front will push into the southwest portion of the region, with temperatures dropping a little, according to the weather service.
Temperatures will return to the 60s on Sunday and remain there through Wednesday, the weather service said.
There will be a 30 percent chance of rain on Tuesday night and Wednesday, according to the weather service.
Today, it will be sunny, with a high near 71 and a calm wind becoming southeast 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon, the weather service said.
Tonight, it will be increasingly cloudy, with a low of 41 and an east wind of 6 to 13 mph, according to the weather service.
Friday, it will be partly sunny, with a high near 56 and an east northeast wind of 7 to 11 mph, the weather service said.
Friday night, it will be mostly clear, with a low of 35 and an east northeast wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening, according to the weather service.
Saturday, it will be sunny, with a high near 60 and a calm wind becoming south 5 to 8 mph in the morning, the weather service said.
Saturday night, it will be mostly clear, with a low around 40, according to the weather service.
Sunday, it will be mostly sunny, with a high near 63, the weather service said.
Sunday night, it will be partly cloudy, with a low of 45, according to the weather service.
Monday, it will be sunny, with a high near 66, the weather service said.
Monday night, it will be mostly cloudy, with a low of 51, according to the weather service.
Tuesday, it will be partly sunny, with a high near 68, and it will be breezy, the weather service said.
Tuesday night, there is a 30 percent chance of rain, with a low of 53, according to the weather service.
Wednesday, there is a 30 percent chance of rain, with a high near 65, the weather service said.
Texas has canceled its mask mandate, but that’s too early, according to doctors at the University of Kansas Health System.
Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer at KU Health System said although COVID-19 transmission has been reduced, it hasn’t stopped yet. It’s been brought down because of the work they’ve done, he said at the Wednesday news morning conference.
Take away that work and the community transmission will accelerate, Dr. Stites said.
With President Biden announcing enough vaccine to everyone in America by the end of May, people need to keep their guard up and continue wearing masks, socially distance and get a vaccine, according to Dr. Stites.
“Don’t fumble the ball at the 10-yard line,” Dr. Stites said.
That doesn’t mean bars and restaurants can’t be open, he added. But people should keep their masks on, and should be careful, as coronavirus variants make things a lot harder.
Also discussed at the news conference was an increase during the pandemic of alcohol-related liver transplants. According to the doctors, more alcohol consumption during the pandemic caused a 40 to 50 percent increase in hospital admissions for alcohol-related liver diseases nationally in some hospitals.
According to Dr. Ryan Taylor, transplant hepatologist, there are recommendations of limits on alcohol consumption for men and women. The risk of chronic health conditions increases if men have more than 14 drinks in one week, or if women have eight or more drinks per week. The CDC recommends men have no more than two drinks a day or less, and women, one drink a day or less.
Those who have fatty liver are more at risk if they also drink alcohol. To prevent fatty liver disease, eat healthier and exercise more, according to the doctors.
Dr. Timothy Schmitt, transplant director, discussed how the COVID-19 pandemic affected organ donation. More organ donations now are coming from about 600 miles away than from locally, according to statistics. It is important for organ donors to continue donating, according to the doctors.
COVID-19 case numbers reported
The total number of COVID-19 active and recovering COVID-19 patients at the University of Kansas Health System was 46 on Wednesday, a decrease of three from Tuesday, according to Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director of infection prevention and control. There were 15 active COVID-19 patients in the hospital, the same number as Tuesday. Five of those patients were in the intensive care unit, an increase of one from Tuesday. One of those was on a ventilator. There were another 31 patients hospitalized because of COVID-19 who were out of the acute phase, a decrease of three since Tuesday.
Wyandotte County reported an increase of 15 COVID-19 case on Wednesday, March 3, for a cumulative 17,705 cases. There was a cumulative total of 270 deaths reported, the same as Tuesday.
The Mid-America Regional Council’s COVID-19 dashboard reported 160,713 cumulative COVID-19 cases on Wednesday. The daily average of new hospitalizations was 93. Cumulative deaths in the nine-county area were 2,231. MARC also reported a large batch update resulting in unusually high “newly reported” data.
The state of Kansas reported 295,109 cumulative COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, March 3, an increase of 807 cases since Monday. There were a total cumulative 4,816 deaths, an increase of 73 deaths since Monday, according to KDHE figures.
The Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 dashboard on Wednesday night reported 28,759,725 cases in the United States, with 518,345 total deaths nationwide.
COVID-19 tests scheduled Thursday
Free COVID-19 testing is available from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, March 4, at Vibrant Health Argentine location, 1428 S. 32nd St., Kansas City, Kansas. No appointment is necessary for this test. Tests are available regardless of symptoms or exposure to COVID-19. The tests are in conjunction with the Wyandotte County Health Equity Task Force. To see if there is any change to the schedule, visit https://www.facebook.com/UGHealthDept.
The Pierson Community Center COVID-19 testing site at 831 S. 55th is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 4. Tests are through WellHealth. Appointments are required, check with the website, www.gogettested.com/Kansas, for available appointment times.
Unified Government COVID-19 testing and vaccine sites are scheduled to be open on Thursday. The Unified Government Health Department’s COVID-19 test site at the former Kmart building at 78th and State will be open Thursday, March 4, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Appointments are not needed for COVID-19 tests there on Thursday. There is also another UG Health Department location for COVID-19 testing at the former Best Buy store, 10500 Parallel Parkway. More information is at https://wyandotte-county-covid-19-hub-unifiedgov.hub.arcgis.com/pages/what-to-do-if-you-think-you-have-covid-19. To see if there is any change to the schedule, visit https://www.facebook.com/UGHealthDept.
The Health Department is offering saliva COVID-19 tests to the public. Tests from the Health Department are free for those who live or work in Wyandotte County.
The tests are open to asymptomatic people as well as those who have symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19. Check with the UG Health Department’s Facebook page to see if there have been any changes in the schedule. Bring something that shows that you live or work in Wyandotte County, such as a utility bill.
Walk-in vaccines available for those 85 and older
The UG Health Department is offering COVID-19 vaccines for Wyandotte County residents who are over 65.
Those Wyandotte County residents who are 85 or older can walk in and do not need an appointment at the vaccination sites at 7836 State Ave. and 10500 Parallel Parkway. The sites are open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Those who are 65 and older, as well as critical workers, still need appointments for vaccines.
All those 65 and older should bring an ID or other proof of age, such as driver’s license, government ID or birth certificate, as well as something showing their Wyandotte County address, such as an ID or a piece of mail.
For more vaccine information, and to fill out a form expressing interest in getting a vaccine, visit WycoVaccines.org or call 3-1-1.
Cards and letters of encouragement for caregivers at KU Health System may be sent to Share Joy, care of Patient Relations, 4000 Cambridge St., Mailstop 1021, Kansas City, Kansas, 66160. Emails can be sent to [email protected].
Wyandotte County is under a mandatory mask and social distancing order.
