Kansas baseball hosts Kansas State in massive Sunflower Showdown series

For many years, the annual Sunflower Showdown between Kansas and Kansas State baseball was an afterthought due to a lack of real stake in the series for one or both of the schools.

However, that is not the case this year. A lot is on the line for both teams in the Sunflower Showdown this year as KU gets set to host KSU in a critical weekend series.

Both teams are still in contention for the top spot in the Big 12 standings with KSU current ranked No. 3 (10-5) and KU ranked No. 6 (9-6) with a month left to go in conference play.

KU recently dropped out of Baseball America and D1Baseball’s top-25 rankings after a poor showing last week against Nebraska and TCU, but the team earned a nice bounce-back win over Wichita State earlier this week.

With a series win or sweep against the Wildcats, KU could be right back on track in the Big 12 title race – and it would drastically help their chances of reaching the College Baseball World Series for the first time since 1993.  

Thankfully, Jayhawk fans appear ready to help them do just that. The series against KSU has been sold out for weeks, with standing-room-only tickets left available for the Easter Sunday game this weekend.

KU students have showed up in droves this season with “The Hog” becoming a popular monicker on social media for Hoglund Ballpark. Sayings such as “Pack the Hog” and “Crank the Hog” have also served as a rallying cry for fans to show up and support the team.

KU will need all the support they can get this weekend in what is undoubtably the biggest Sunflower Showdown in recent memory.

For those unavailable to attend in person, the games will be aired on ESPN+ starting at 6 p.m. CT Friday night.