KU Jayhawks win NCAA Regional opener. See photos from historic game in Lawrence

By jrosen@kcstar.com

Updated May 29, 2026 5:22 PM

AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.

Kansas Jayhawks beat Northeastern 6-3 in their NCAA Regional opener at Hoglund Ballpark.
Shortstop Tyson LeBlanc set KU single-season home run record with 22 homers.
Starter Dominic Voegele set a KU single-season strikeout record with 117 Ks.

The Kansas Jayhawks found multiple means of scoring in their first home-field NCAA Regional on Friday in Lawrence.

Beating Northeastern 6-3 at Hoglund Ballpark, KU scored via balls hit both long (three homers in the second/third innings) and short (four singles for two runs in the eighth).

The Jayhawks’ homer-hitting prowess as a team is well-known — this year’s squad eclipsed last year’s for most four-baggers in school history — but on Friday they also cashed in on a couple of record-setting performances from individual players.

Shortstop Tyson LeBlanc moved into sole possession of the program’s all-time record for home runs in a season, with 22, while starting pitcher Dominic Voegele established a new high-water mark for strikeouts, with 117.

KU (43-16) plays again at 5 p.m. Saturday at Hoglund Ballpark. Until then, check out these great images of Friday’s action from KC Star photographer Emily Curiel.