Big 12 Play Resumes Thursday at Kansas

Thursday, April 2

Lawrence, Kan.

5 p.m.

University of Utah

Kansas

Photo by: Jolie Harris/Utah Athletics

4/1/2026 8:31 PM | Baseball

Utes make second-ever trip to Hoglund Ballpark

2026 Utah Baseball Game Notes
Game 27-29 Date // Time (MT)	Utah (16-10, 5-4 Big 12) at Kansas (19-10, 6-3 Big 12) Thursday, April 2 // 5 p.m. Friday, April 3 // 5 p.m. Saturday, April 4 // Noon
Location	Lawrence, Kan. (Hoglund Ballpark)
Live Statistics	StatBroadcast
Watch	ESPN+
Game Notes	Utah // Kansas // Big 12 Conference
@UtahBaseball Social Media	Twitter/X // Instagram // Facebook // #GoUtes

The First Pitch: Things to Know

Winners in three straight games and four of the last six, Utah heads on the road for a Big 12 Conference series at Kansas.
Utah had a midweek matchup versus Utah Valley on Tuesday prior to its trip to Kansas. The Utes beat the Wolverines 15-9, Utah's third game in a row scoring 13 or more runs in a game. With the score tied at nine heading into the ninth inning, the offense put the game away, fueled by a Cameron Gurney grand slam. Jake Long was also a major contributor, supplying two hits and three RBIs on the day.
Utah and Kansas have split 12 meetings all-time. KU swept last year's meeting of these clubs in Salt Lake City, though the Utes were within striking distance in the series opener and finale. The Utes took two of three from Kansas inside Hoglund Ballpark back in 2015 in what was then a non-conference series as Utah was in the Pac-12.
Utah is coming off a memorable Big 12 series win over Kansas State last weekend at America First Ballpark. Though K-State came away with the series opener, the Utes grinded out a pair of victories on Saturday and Sunday, capped off both days by eighth-inning comebacks. Over the two wins, Utah combined for 11 eighth inning runs.
Left fielder Jake Long also hit for the cycle in the rubber game, becoming the third Utah player in recorded history to accomplish the feat and first since 2005. Long went 5-for-6 on Sunday, clubbing two homers and finishing with four RBIs and three runs scored.
Long comes into the week riding a 21-game hitting streak, the longest by a Utah player since 2011. He and Cameron Gurney have been key parts in the Utes' lineup and rank in the top nine in the Big 12 in batting average. Gurney (.406) sits seventh in the league with Long (.389) close behind.
Third baseman Daniel Arambula has also had a hot bat this season. The sophomore and transfer is hitting an impressive .321 at the plate, contributing 17 RBIs this season as well. Arambula looks to get back on track this weekend after his 17-game hitting streak came to an end Tuesday during the UVU game.
In Saturday's game, directly following a Cal Miller two-run home run, Utah put Derek Smith into the game as a pinch hitter. Down one run, Smith launched a 479-foot homer to tie the ballgame. Later in the game, Smith proved clutch again with a three-run blast to take the lead for good. Smith's homer was the first by a Utah pinch hitter since 2021.