Kansas Hosts Utah at Hoglund Ballpark for Three-Game Series

Utah (16-10, 5-4 Big 12) vs. Kansas (19-10, 6-3 Big 12)
When	Thursday, April 2 – Saturday, April 4
Where	Lawrence, Kan. // Hoglund Ballpark
Watch	Thursday \| Friday \| Saturday
Radio	Jayhawk Sports Network
Live Stats	Thursday \| Friday \| Saturday
Game Notes	Kansas \| Big 12
Tickets	Buy Tickets
Social Media	@KUBaseball \| @kubaseball \| Facebook

Probable Starting Pitchers
Day	Kansas	Utah
Thu. 6 p.m. CT	RHP Boede Rahe (4-1, 2.55 ERA)	RHP Colter McAnelly (2-4, 4.74 ERA)
Fri. 6 p.m. CT	RHP Mathis Nayral (3-1, 5.14 ERA)	RHP Payton Riske (2-1, 6.00 ERA)
Sat. 1 p.m. CT	RHP Dominic Voegele (2-2, 7.97 ERA)	TBD

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas baseball is back at home this weekend for a conference series against Utah at Hoglund Ballpark. The series begins on Thursday at 6 p.m. CT and fans can purchase tickets by clicking here.

"Last night at Missouri was awesome," head coach Dan Fitzgerald said. "That was a great win for us. When I think of Utah, I think of really well-coached, really fundamental, they play defense, have a tough lineup one through nine and they can pitch. It's another weekend in the Big 12 and you have to be buckled up."

Kansas (19-10, 6-3 Big 12) traveled across state lines yesterday to play at Missouri. KU had a 6-0 advantage in the middle of the fourth inning before Missouri scored eight runs in the bottom of the fourth to take an 8-6 lead. The Jayhawks then scored one run in the fifth and four runs in the eighth to ultimately win 11-8.

With the game tied at 8-8, Tyson LeBlanc hit a go-ahead three-run homer for his seventh home run in the last nine games. Five of the seven home runs have come in the seventh inning or later. LeBlanc leads the team in home runs (10), RBIs (32) and total bases (68).

The Jayhawks have matched their best nine-game start to Big 12 play in program history and have won six of their last seven Big 12 games. The only other time Kansas started 6-3 in Big 12 play was in 2025.

KU is 9-2 over its last 11 games and is averaging 9.5 runs per game over that stretch. The Jayhawks have scored at least eight runs in all nine wins.

Utah (16-10, 5-4 Big 12) heads to Lawrence this week as winners of their last three games, including a series win against Kansas State. The Utes also have series wins this season against Arizona, Grand Canyon and Fresno State. Jake Long has been one of the offensive leaders for Utah this season and currently has a 21-game hitting streak.

FANS COMING TO THE GAME
For a smoother entry into Hoglund Ballpark, fans are encouraged to show up early and to purchase tickets ahead of time online. Students will still receive a general admission ticket for free with a valid KU student ID on a first-come, first-served basis. Student tickets can be picked up outside of Gate 6 and the student section will be in Section E. Gates at Hoglund Ballpark open one hour prior to first pitch. Fans can purchase tickets by clicking here.

AUTISM AWARENESS GAME INFORMATION
Kansas will be wearing special uniforms and hats that feature a design to help raise awareness for autism. Wednesday's game will feature a sensory-inclusive environment for fans attending. Stadium volume will be silenced at 5:50 p.m. and will gradually increase by inning throughout the game.

World Autism Awareness Day is celebrated on April 2 every year. Information about autism and how it affects children and adults will be shared during the game, and resources will be available at the marketing table. Fans coming to the game will have an opportunity to receive an exclusive KU autism awareness t-shirt, while supplies last.

HOW TO FOLLOW ALONG
All three games will be broadcast on ESPN+, with Brian Hanni (play-by-play) and Wally Marciel (analyst) on the call. Fans can also listen to the game on the Jayhawk Sports Network on KUAthletics.com and the Kansas Jayhawks app.

Live statistics can be found here, while live updates will also be provided on the team's official X page @KUBaseball.

BIG 12 PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Mathis Nayral and LeBlanc each received Big 12 weekly honors, the conference office announced Monday. Nayral was named Big 12 Pitcher of the Week and LeBlanc was selected as Big 12 Newcomer of the Week.

Nayral recorded a career-high 11 strikeouts in a phenomenal seven innings of one-run ball last Saturday at Cincinnati. He allowed only three hits and one walk the entire day, to go along with his 11 punchouts. Nayral retired the final 14 batters he faced from the second out in the third inning through the end of the seventh inning.

LeBlanc hit .381/.417/1.000 (8-for-21), with a double, four home runs, 12 RBIs, five runs scored, two walks and a 1.417 OPS in five games last week.

SERIES HISTORY
Kansas and Utah have faced off in baseball on 12 occasions dating back to 2013. The series is tied at 6-6. The teams met for the first time as Big 12 opponents last season. The Jayhawks swept the Utes in Salt Lake City in the midst of their season-long nine-game winning streak. KU trailed 10-7 heading into the eighth inning of the final game, when the Jayhawks scored five runs with two outs. Sawyer Smith hit a go-ahead grand slam to push the Jayhawks in front.

UP NEXT
Kansas plays a midweek game at Nebraska on Tuesday, April 7 for the first of two midweek games between the Jayhawks and Cornhuskers this season.

Kansas Hosts Utah at Hoglund Ballpark for Three-Game Series

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Players Mentioned

Tyson LeBlanc

Mathis Nayral

Boede Rahe

Sawyer Smith

Dominic Voegele

University of Kansas Athletics

Kansas Hosts Utah at Hoglund Ballpark for Three-Game Series

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Next Event

Players Mentioned

Tyson LeBlanc

Mathis Nayral

Boede Rahe

Sawyer Smith

Dominic Voegele

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