A steady downpour drenched the streets of Lawrence on Friday, yet the city’s baseball fans refused to stay indoors.
Hayden Gunter, a lifelong supporter, arrived before sunrise with his family, joining the first line at Hoglund Ballpark.
His grandmother has held season tickets for years, a testament to the program’s deep roots.
Community loyalty shines through the storm
Across the state line, Bill French, a self‑described "Jayhawk true and true" since 1977, made the trek from Tulsa, bringing his son along for the experience.
French praised the new coaching staff for sparking recent momentum, noting that the atmosphere felt electric despite the weather.
Both men agreed that the chance to host a Super Regional was worth braving the rain, underscoring the event’s significance for the university.
The opening game ended 8‑1 in favor of Oklahoma, leaving Kansas on the brink of elimination, but the team will return to the field on June 7 in front of a crowd eager for redemption.