Texas Tech Red Raiders 3 at Kansas Jayhawks 4 (NCAA Baseball, Big 12) - April 26, 2024

The University of Kansas (abbreviated KU, perhaps to avoid confusion with the University of Kentucky) is located in Lawrence, just a short drive from the western suburbs of Kansas City. It is a sprawling campus with a lot to see, with Allen Fieldhouse the highlight. Once basketball season ends, though, there is baseball to watch, and the far less famous Hoglund Ballpark is the venue where the Jayhawks run the bases.

Parking is free after 5 pm and on weekends in Lot 90 just across Naismith Avenue. Walk a few minutes to get to the front of the ballpark, which looks more like a Lego house than a sports venue. The ticket window is here and GA benches are $10, with reserved seats an extra $5. You can see that there is not much difference between the two in the photo below, though those with bad backs will want to splurge for the blue seats.

Inside, there is not much to see, other than a plaque honouring Bob Allison, the 1959 AL Rookie of the Year who played 13 seasons with the Senators/Twins franchise.

There are some arches holding up the bleachers, but that is about it architecturally.

Sitting on the first base side, you can see Allen Fieldhouse behind the third base bleachers. It is hard to believe how much basketball history has taken place in that building.

I brought my daughter to this game, and we were given raffle tickets upon entering, with the prize being a free hot dog, popcorn and drink. Except that it wasn't a raffle. No, all fans who entered were given these tickets, which meant free food for both of us. Unfortunately, we had eaten dinner just before, but that did not stop my daughter from scarfing down two hot dogs, half a bag of popcorn, and a bottle of water. Me, I had a few kernels and was full. The perils of aging.

Of course, with my youngster in tow, a visit from the mascot was necessary. This happened to be Baby Jay, the younger of the two mascots that show up at Jayhawk games. 

NCAA ballparks are relatively simple when compared to their minor league counterparts, and Hoglund is no different. The fences have the program's accomplishments, including a 2003 trip to the College World Series, where they promptly lost their first two games. Interestingly, there is no advertising, quite different than the ballpark at Kansas State.

I really enjoyed my time here, with the free food and a perfect Friday evening to go along with an incredible game, in which something that has never happened in the major leagues happened here.

The Game

The Texas Tech Red Raiders were visiting to open a weekend set. Friday is usually the best day for college baseball as teams send their top starters. Reese Dutton (7-2, 3.05) took the mound for Kansas while Ryan Free (5-0, 5.10) toed the rubber for the Red Raiders. Texas Tech scored a pair in the first on a sinking single to left from Drew Woodcox that was almost caught by Chase Jans. The Jayhawks started their day with a John Nett single, only for him to be erased on a double play off the bat of Jake English. Even then, they loaded the bases on a single, double, and walk but Collier Cranford struck out to end the threat.

In the second, with runners on first and third, Kansas' Mike Koszewski tried a suicide squeeze but the runner was out at home. A double play followed, and in the third yet another double play helped Free avoid any damage. The fourth saw Kansas strand a runner but there was no double play; in the fifth, Nett walked only for English to ground into his second twin killing of the evening. Meanwhile Dutton was shutting down the visitors and we entered the bottom of the sixth with the score still 2-0. But Ben Hartl led off with a homer to right and Free was chased one batter later. Reliever Josh Sanders hit Cranford, but Cooper Combs grounded into a double play. After Texas Tech added a run in the 7th, the Jayhawks combined two singles and a walk to load the bases for English, whose deep fly to center scored a run. Kodey Shojinaga then lined into a double play. Dutton was relieved after seven stellar innings, and Cooper Moore yielded but a single in his inning. In the bottom half, a leadoff single was erased on the 7th Tech double play of the game, tying the NCAA record. But Kansas persevered off Sanders and another single and a walk brought pinch hitter Lenny Ashby to the dish. Ashby laced a single down the left field line to tie the game, but pinch runner Sam Hunt was out at the plate trying to score from first.

Hunter Cranton came on to pitch for Kansas and retired the side in order. Parker Hutrya was tasked with sending the game to extras, but he walked Nett, English, and Shojinaga to bring Hartl to the plate and the star of the game delivered with a sharp single to left to give the Jayhawks the thrilling walk-off win. 

An incredible game as Kansas won despite hitting into seven double plays, something that has never happened in the majors (two teams have hit into seven DPs in a game but both lost). Hartl finished 4-5 with 2 RBIs. A fun experience for my daughter as well, who enjoyed the free food most of all.

Notes

This was venue #1,070 all time and the 362nd baseball diamond at which to see a game. I'm hoping to get to 400, which shouldn't be too hard with so many college and wood bat venues still to see.

Best,

Sean