This could be the moment Dan Fitzgerald and Kansas baseball put their foot down.
Beginning Friday, the Jayhawks, hosting a three-game series with Big 12 leader No. 12 UCF, have the opportunity to become ranked in consecutive seasons for just the second time in the program’s history since 1994 and 1993, when the Jayhawks last reached the CWS.
Kansas (23-10, 9-3 Big 12) is just one game behind the Knights (20-9, 10-2 Big 12) heading into the weekend after ripping off seven straight wins, including a 5-3 ranked win at No. 19 Nebraska on Tuesday night. The Jayhawks left Lincoln with their 17th come-from-behind victory after trailing 3-1 in the sixth inning. Augusto Mungarrieta’s two-run single handed Kansas the lead in the seventh, and Boede Rahe staved off the Huskers.
It’s worth mentioning that the Jayhawks have been especially tough to beat at Hoglund Ballpark, where they’re 10-2 so far this spring. It’s the result of an offense that’s exploded in recent weeks, including 41 total runs scored in sweeping Utah last weekend.
LSU Eunice transfer Tyson LeBlanc, leading Kansas with 39 RBI through 33 games, has been a welcomed addition to the order.
Atop the Big 12, UCF, yet to lose a conference series this season, stands between Kansas and a potential seat amongst the country’s Top 25. The Knights boast several threats, including outfielders John Smith III (.393), and Andrew Williamson, who leads UCF with 28 RBI and is the latest Perfect Game College Baseball National Player of the Week following three home runs, a double, six runs scored and three RBI at West Virginia.
Kansas will need every ounce of its plate power this weekend against the Knights, which held the Mountaineers, currently third in the Big 12, to a single run on four hits in their series finale last weekend. UCF won the road trip 2-1 with a 11-10 loss on Saturday.
It’s opportune timing, too, with UCF’s pitching rotation missing multiple names: Braden Smith, recovering from a line drive to the face during the West Virginia series; Michael Gillen and Joey Trombley are each missing the entirety of the season with elbow injuries. Likewise, Matt Sauser has missed consecutive weekends since March 21 at TCU.
Needless to say, there’s a lot at stake heading into this one. And with a significant chance of thunderstorms brewing as we near the weekend, it’s safe to assume the home crowd could be a bit sparse should folks decide against the UCF ticket.
It all begins Friday at 6 p.m. CT at Hoglund Ballpark and on ESPN+.
