Jayhawks defeat Arkansas 13-10 in thrilling regional final to tie school record for wins
Category: Sports
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas baseball is making history as the team heads to its first Super Regional after a thrilling 13-10 victory over Arkansas on Sunday evening at Hoglund Ballpark. The win in front of 4,007 fans secured the Lawrence Regional title and marked a milestone for the program, which has never reached this stage before.
The Jayhawks (45-16) tied the school record for most wins in a season, matching the 1993 team that reached the College World Series. This victory is only the second regional win in program history, with the first occurring in 1993. Head coach Dan Fitzgerald expressed his pride in the team's performance, highlighting the competitive nature of the tournament. "What a night and what a regional," Fitzgerald said. "Can't say enough about the three teams in this thing. How competitive those three programs are, how well-coached they are, how hard their players play... I could not be more proud of these guys and their teammates that are probably revving up the locker room right now with a disco ball and whatever else they're doing."
After falling behind 5-0 in the third inning, Kansas mounted an impressive comeback, scoring 11 unanswered runs. This comeback victory matched KU's largest of the season, having previously overcome similar deficits against St. Thomas and Houston. Manning West played a key role in the win, pitching three innings in relief and allowing just one run on three hits. Riane Ritter and Boede Rahe also contributed significantly, combining for eight strikeouts over the final 3.2 innings.
The Jayhawks had already faced Arkansas earlier in the regional, winning 5-3 on Saturday. Arkansas, the No. 2 seed in the tournament, avoided elimination earlier on Sunday with a narrow victory over Northeastern, setting up a rematch against Kansas. The Razorbacks opened the scoring with a solo home run from Ryder Helfrick in the first inning and extended their lead to 5-0 by the end of the third.
Fitzgerald noted the unique nature of baseball, stating, "It’s the torture of baseball, there’s no clock. It’s also the greatest part of baseball. There’s literally no clock. We could still be playing now. So the guys just never quit. They believe, they love each other, and those guys know how to grind." This resilience was evident as the Jayhawks began their comeback in the fourth inning, starting with a solo home run from Dariel Osoria, followed by a series of hits that culminated in a three-run home run from Tyson LeBlanc, which put Kansas ahead 6-5.
LeBlanc's performance was particularly notable; he finished the game with two hits, two runs scored, and three RBIs. He expressed his joy at being able to deliver for the fans, saying, "To be able to give the fans what they’ve been waiting for for a long time, that was an amazing feeling." The atmosphere at Hoglund Ballpark was electric, with fans contributing to the energy that fueled the team's performance. Brenton Bauer, a recently graduated student, described the environment as the best he had ever experienced at a KU game.
Looking ahead, Kansas will compete in the Super Regionals, scheduled to begin on Friday, June 5. Their opponent will be determined based on the outcome of the matchup between No. 2 Georgia Tech and Oklahoma. If Oklahoma wins, Kansas will host the Super Regional; if Georgia Tech wins, the Jayhawks will travel to Atlanta.
The significance of this achievement for Kansas matters. The Jayhawks have not only tied their single-season record for wins but have also shown remarkable resilience throughout the tournament, with this victory marking their 25th comeback win of the season. The team’s momentum is strong, and fans are eagerly anticipating the next chapter in this historic run.
As the Jayhawks prepare for the Super Regional, Fitzgerald remains optimistic about the team's chances. "It was a surreal moment," he said, referring to the overwhelming support from fans. "Our student section is tangible. And no one left. It was the greatest thing ever. We look up, and everyone is still there." With this kind of support and the team's determination, Kansas baseball is set for an exciting Super Regional, aiming for a spot in the College World Series.