The Jayhawks set a program record for conference victories in Provo, overcoming a weekend sweep to move within a single win of their first title since 1949.
No. 14 Kansas Baseball Moves One Win Away From Big 12 Title After Beating BYU
Kansas bounced back in a major way Thursday night, defeating BYU 9-6 in Provo to move within one win of its first Big 12 regular-season championship.
The victory pushed the Jayhawks to 38-15 overall and 21-7 in conference play, officially setting a new program record for Big 12 wins in a season.
After being swept by West Virginia Mountaineers baseball last weekend, Kansas responded with one of its most important wins of the year in front of a packed crowd at Miller Park.
Head coach Dan Fitzgerald praised his team’s toughness following the victory.
“I thought our guys played really tough tonight against a really talented and well-coached BYU team,” Fitzgerald said. “The key was getting out in front and scoring some runs.”
Kansas built an early lead offensively before reliever Boede Rahe helped shut the door late after BYU threatened to rally.
The win leaves Kansas’ magic number at one for at least a share of the Big 12 title. Any combination of one KU win or one West Virginia loss over the remainder of the weekend would clinch the program’s first conference championship since 1949.
The Jayhawks can secure the title outright with two more favorable results between their series and West Virginia’s matchup against TCU.
Kansas will return to the field Friday night looking to finish the job and make history.
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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.