Sept. 17, 2008

LAWRENCE, Kan. -

2009 Kansas Baseball Schedule

Kansas head baseball coach Ritch Price announced the Jayhawks' 2009 schedule Wednesday. The 56-game regular season includes 27 contests at Hoglund Ballpark, including games against Big 12 rivals Texas, Baylor, Oklahoma State, Nebraska and Kansas State.

KU's 2009 ledger includes 26 contests against teams which qualified for the NCAA Tournament last season as well as showcase games at Rosenblatt Stadium (April 14) and Kauffman Stadium (April 22).

"I know our players are really excited about our 2009 schedule," Price said. "They are all looking forward to the non-conference match ups with Missouri at Kauffman Stadium, and Creighton at Rosenblatt Stadium, along with our spring trip to Arizona State and San Diego State.  With non-conference games with national powers Arkansas and Wichita State, along with our Big 12 games, this schedule should be ranked among the nation's most difficult."

The Jayhawks will open the season with four games at the Service Academy Classic in Millington, Tenn. KU will play one game each against Navy, Air Force, Memphis and Bradley at the season-opening tournament. This marks the first time in Price's tenure that KU will not open against Hawaii-Hilo. Opponents and times will be announced at a later date.

KU's first home game is Tuesday, March 3 against the University of North Dakota. The Jayhawks will continue the homestand with a four-game series against Northwestern and a Wednesday night affair with in-state rival Wichita State on March 11. This is the earliest KU has been scheduled to host the Shockers since the 2002 season.

After a three-game series with Arizona State and two games at San Diego State, Kansas opens Big 12 play by hosting a three-game set with Texas, March 20-22. KU has not hosted its conference opener since 2005.

Starting with the Texas series, KU plays 12 of 17 games at home from March 20-April 12.

During the month of April, KU will see two of the best ballparks in the Midwest, facing Creighton at Rosenblatt Stadium on April 14 and Border Showdown rival Missouri at Kauffman Stadium on April 22.

The Jayhawks face a tough stretch to open the final month of the season. The team plays seven straight road games against 2008 NCAA Tournament participants Oklahoma, Wichita State and Missouri.

KU completes the regular season with its traditional split three-game series against Kansas State. The first game of the series will be played in Manhattan on May 15, with the May 16-17 contests scheduled for Hoglund Ballpark at 6 p.m. and 5 p.m., respectively.

"Our 2009 schedule will prepare our team to compete in the Big 12 Conference and, if we're successful, our RPI should qualify our team for the NCAA Tournament," Price said.

Fans can purchase ticket packages including: Box Seats ($150), General Admission ($70), and KU Faculty and Staff ($56), by calling the KU Athletics ticket office at 800-34-HAWKS or by logging on to www.kuathletics.com. The purchase of baseball season tickets earns fans two priority points.