A Night of Heroics in Lawrence
The Jayhawks edged out the Cougars 7‑6 in a tightly contested game that swung in the top of the ninth when Tyson Owens launched a go‑ahead solo home run, putting Kansas ahead for the first time since the early innings.
Head coach Dan Fitzgerald, who has guided the program through a four‑year transformation, praised the team's perseverance and the collective effort that made the championship possible.
The offensive outburst was anchored by Augusto Mungarrieta and Tyson LeBlanc, who smashed back‑to‑back homers in the sixth inning to fuel the rally, while Mason Cook delivered his third quality start of the season on the mound.
Relief pitcher Boede Rahe capped the night with his ninth save of the season, preserving the lead and sealing the victory for Kansas.
The win marks a historic milestone, as the Jayhawks secured their first regular‑season conference championship since 1949 and set a new school record with eight conference series wins, finishing the year at 39‑15 overall and 22‑7 in Big 12 play.
Kansas had been projected to finish tied for fifth in the Big 12 preseason poll, but the team exceeded expectations, establishing new standards for conference wins and road victories.
The Jayhawks will conclude their series with BYU on Saturday, looking to finish the regular season on a high note before heading into the postseason.