The Kansas Jayhawks opened the NCAA Tournament regional in Lawrence with a 6‑3 victory over Northeastern, marking their first tournament win since 2014 and setting the stage for a potential showdown with the winner of Arkansas versus Missouri State.
A Pitcher’s Milestone
Dominic Voegele delivered seven strong innings, allowing only three runs while striking out nine batters. The performance not only anchored the Jayhawks’ defense but also broke the school’s single‑season strikeout record, bringing his total to 113 for the year.
Tyson LeBlanc added firepower at the plate, launching his 22nd home run of the season. The blast surpassed the previous school record and extended Kansas’ lead at a critical juncture.
Brady Ballinger, recovered from injury, delivered a decisive pinch‑hit single, and Cade Baldridge followed with an RBI single that pushed the score to 6‑3. Reliever Boede Rahe capped the effort by striking out all three batters in the ninth inning, sealing the win.
With the regional final looming, Kansas prepares to face the victor of the Arkansas versus Missouri State matchup, carrying forward the momentum of a performance that combined pitching dominance, record‑breaking hitting, and clutch contributions from role players.