EDINBURG, Texas – On opening day of the 2026 season, Kansas baseball faced UTRGV and fell 7-4. The Jayhawks started strong with a leadoff home run by Jordan Bach, a new graduate transfer from SIU-Carbondale. He made a memorable debut, going 4-for-5 with a double, home run, two RBIs, and two runs scored.
Junior Dominic Voegele took to the mound but struggled, striking out eight yet allowing five earned runs over three innings. Mason Cook and Kannon Carr relieved him, with Carr impressively pitching 3.2 scoreless innings and striking out six batters.
The game unfolded dramatically. Bach’s home run put Kansas ahead 1-0 on just the second pitch. Voegele quickly followed with three strikeouts in the first inning. Kansas extended its lead to 2-0 in the second when Bach’s hustle resulted in an RBI infield single.
However, UTRGV responded fiercely. They loaded the bases and scored four runs in the second inning through three walks and a hit by pitch. A solo homer by Thomas Williams in the third stretched their lead to 5-2.
In the fourth, Kansas fought back with a two-out rally. After a double by Bach, Brady Ballinger hit an RBI double, and an infield single by Augusto Mungarrietta led to another run due to a throwing error. This brought the score to a tight 5-4.
But UTRGV didn’t let up. A solo home run by Armani Raygoza and another RBI double from Williams widened their margin to 7-4 by the fifth inning.
Both teams held steady for the remainder of the game. Carr kept UTRGV scoreless, but the Jayhawks couldn’t rally against Harrison Thayer, who pitched five flawless innings to secure the win.
Looking at the bigger picture, this game continues a trend for Kansas. Since joining the Big 12 in 1997, they now have a 21-9 record in season openers, with Coach Dan Fitzgerald holding a 2-2 record in these early games. Notably, Kansas saw seven players make their debuts, showcasing the team’s fresh faces.
The first three hitters—Bach, Ballinger, and Mungarrietta—contributed significantly, collecting eight of the team’s ten hits.
As the season goes on, lessons from this opener can guide adjustments. Fitzgerald emphasized the importance of these challenging early games for growth, stating, “We found some things tonight. We’ll get back to the hotel, watch the film, and make adjustments.”
The Jayhawks will face UTRGV again on Saturday, aiming to turn the tide in the series.
For further insights, you can check out additional coverage on ESPN and updates on Kansas baseball’s official Twitter.
