A ninth-inning solo blast in Provo secured the program’s first regular-season crown in 77 years, capping a historic turnaround for the nationally-ranked Jayhawks under coach Dan Fitzgerald.
Kansas Jayhawks Baseball Clinches First Regular-Season Conference Title Since 1949
For the first time in 77 years, Kansas baseball sits atop the conference standings.
No. 14 Kansas Jayhawks baseball defeated BYU Cougars baseball 7-6 on Friday night in Provo to officially clinch the program’s first regular-season conference championship since 1949.
The victory improved Kansas to 39-15 overall and 22-7 in Big 12 play while extending the greatest season in modern program history under head coach Dan Fitzgerald.
“It feels pretty good. I’m so proud of these guys,” Fitzgerald said afterward. “This is four years in the making.”
Kansas appeared in complete control for most of the night, building a 6-0 lead behind strong pitching from Mason Cook and home runs from Augusto Mungarrieta and Tyson LeBlanc.
But BYU stormed back late, scoring three runs in both the seventh and eighth innings to tie the game 6-6 entering the ninth.
That set the stage for Tyson Owens, who blasted a go-ahead solo home run off the scoreboard in the top of the ninth inning to give Kansas the lead for good.
Reliever Boede Rahe then escaped a tense bottom of the ninth to secure his ninth save of the season and send the Jayhawks into celebration mode.
The championship marks just the fourth regular-season conference title in program history and caps off a remarkable turnaround for Fitzgerald, who inherited a last-place Big 12 team before the 2023 season.
Kansas has now set program records for conference wins and conference series victories while reaching 39 wins in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1993-94.
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Seattle Seahawks Land Steal with Emmanuel Henderson Jr.
The Seattle Seahawks might have just found a gem. Emmanuel Henderson Jr. is officially off the board, and for where he was taken, this feels like a steal. He was one of the few bright spots for Kansas last season, finishing with 766 receiving yards and five touchdowns while also making an impact in the return game. The upside is easy to see.
Henderson’s speed jumps out immediately. He can stretch the field, create big plays, and flip momentum as a returner. That 214 yard, two touchdown game against Cincinnati showed exactly what he can be when everything clicks.
He is not a finished product, but late in the draft, that is what you are betting on. Traits and ceiling.
Seattle gets a player who can contribute on special teams right away and develop into more in the offense. If he puts it together, this could end up being one of the better value picks from this class. Low risk, high upside. That is a win.