Will Brady Ballinger play for Kansas baseball in NCAA regional?

LAWRENCE — Kansas baseball’s run to a Big 12 Conference tournament title this past weekend saw the Jayhawks overcome not having Brady Ballinger available due to injury.

Ballinger, a junior and regular starter for the Jayhawks (42-16), wasn’t able to assist KU on the field as it defeated Baylor, Oklahoma State and then West Virginia. Kansas had to rely upon its depth to make up for the absence of the honorable mention All-Big 12 talent.

Ahead of the NCAA regional that KU will host in Lawrence, coach Dan Fitzgerald shared an update on what Ballinger’s status is as postseason play continues.

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“I haven’t specifically talked to him today, just the group, and Brady was, as you know, talking to everyone on the team, so I didn’t pull him away, but we’ll check with him today,” Fitzgerald said Monday. “We fully anticipate him to be available this weekend.”

Kansas opens regional play Friday, May 29 with a game against Northeastern at noon CT at Hoglund Ballpark. Also in this regional with KU, the No. 15 national seed, are Missouri State and Arkansas. Depending on how the games play out, the regional could go through Monday.

Ballinger has started all 55 games that he’s played so far this season. He’s a valuable part of the squad both at the plate and in the field. Having him back would do a lot to increase the Jayhawks’ chances of advancing.

Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He was the 2022 National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas. Contact him at [email protected] or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Brady Ballinger injury update for Kansas baseball in NCAA regional