The Kansas baseball program’s turnaround under head coach Dan Fitzgerald has been nothing short of a miracle.
Fitzgerald has mapped out a year-on-year progression that has eventually culminated in the Jayhawks being awarded the Big 12’s No. 1 seed in this week's conference tournament. A far cry from where the Jayhawks were when Fitzgerald entered the program, as the season before Kansas Athletic Director Travis Goff reeled in Fitzgerald, Kansas had suffered a 20-35 mark.
Kansas revealed as hosts in latest prediction
So far this season, the Jayhawks have compiled a stellar 7-5 record against top 25 teams, those include two separate wins over No. 19 and No. 20 Nebraska, a series sweep over No. 12 UCF, and two wins over No. 25 Cincinnati. While the Jayhawks struggled against the likes of No. 15 West Virginia in a series sweep heading in the wrong direction, they have been more than deserving of their No. 1 projected seed in Baseball America’s latest bracket projection. According to Baseball America, Kansas would also be given an automatic bid.
In KU’s region sit No. 2 USC, No. 3 Mercer and No. 4 Wright State.
The biggest perk in being a No. 1 seed
Playing at Hoglund Ballpark is a vital get for the Jayhawks as so far this season, Kansas has a stubborn 18-5 record at home.
Three of Kansas’ five home losses came to the Mountaineers earlier this month, but Fitzgerald’s side has engineered a 5-1 record in home series this season with wins against St. Thomas, Houston, Utah, UCF and the Arizona Wildcats.
Overall at Hoglund, the Jayhawks have raked in 166 runs while giving up only 127. Fitzgerald has excelled at home during his time at KU. The former LSU assistant coach/recruiting coordinator has compiled a 65-28 record (69.9% win rate) in his tenure in the Big 12.
The way to gain a home advantage is a straight path
The Jayhawks were recently awarded the Big 12 regular-season title outright thanks to their series win over the BYU Cougars last weekend. That win ensured the top spot in this week’s conference tournament, while also meaning that the highest seed Kansas can face leading up to championship Saturday is No. 4 UCF.
On KU’s side of the bracket lies the aforementioned Golden Knights, No. 5 Oklahoma State, No. 8 Baylor, No. 9 BYU and No. 12 Texas Tech.
Kansas is a combined 8-4 against that group with series collected over UCF, Oklahoma State and BYU, one series lost to the Red Raiders, and a season without playing against the Bears.
Looking back on past records makes you appreciate the work done by Fitzgerald
The last time the Jayhawks won the regular season was all the way back in 1949, marking 77 years since a regular-season title, which took place in the Big Seven. In total, the program has now won four conference championships in 1923, 1924, 1949 and 2026. To prove that Fitzgerald is no flash in the pan, the 2026 campaign marks back-to-back seasons with 39+ wins, something that hasn’t happened since the 1993-94 season, and is only the second time in program history.
While Thursday’s quarterfinal opponent is yet to be determined, first pitch is currently set for 2:30 p.m. CT with streaming available on ESPNU.
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