In the single-elimination, game one of the 2021 Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship, No. 9 seed Kansas fell to No. 8 West Virginia, 8-7, at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.
IRVING, Texas – The Big 12 announced its postseason All-Conference teams Monday, and Skyler Messinger and Tavian Josenberger highlighted the Kansas’ honorees.
Messinger was the lone All-Conference team honoree, picking up All-Big 12 Second Team accolades, while Josenberger was named to the Big 12 All-Freshman team. Josenberger, Maui Ahuna, Dylan Ditzenberger and Jonah Ulane were honorable mention honorees.
Messinger led the Jayhawks with a .327 average and started in 55 games with 54 starts at third base. The Niwot, Colorado native recorded 19 doubles on the year, which ranks 12th in the NCAA. Messinger also led KU in RBI (39), total bases (97), slugging percentage (.466), hits (68) and runs (43). He recorded 20 multi-hit games and 10 multi-RBI games, both team highs this season. Messinger started all 24 games in Big 12 play.
Davis got the starting nod for Kansas and dominated the Wildcats (28-20, 7-13 Big 12), through all seven innings. The lefty surrendered no hits or runs, while striking out four to only two walks.
The Jayhawks wasted no time picking up where they left off in the first game. Maui Ahuna started things off by lacing a one-out double down the left field line.
Tavian Josenberger followed with a walk and Skyler Messinger singled to bring in Ahuna. Brett Vosik doubled down the right field line, driving in Messinger and giving KU runners on second and third with one out.
Anthony Tulimero reached on an error that scored another run and Tom Lichty followed with a RBI single.
LAWRENCE, Kan. – The Kansas Jayhawks used a bases loaded walk to secure a walk-off victory in the series finale against No. 24 Oklahoma State, beating the Cowboys, 8-7, Sunday afternoon at Hoglund Ballpark.
The Jayhawks trailed by a run entering the final inning. Jack Wagner led off with a walk and Dylan Ditzenberger followed with a triple down the right field line to score Wagner and knot the game at 7-7. Oklahoma State followed by intentionally walking Maui Ahuna and Tavian Josenberger to load the bases.
Brett Vosik stepped up to the plate and earned a four-pitch walk to score Ditzenberger and secure the walk-off victory. The win improved Kansas to 26-23 on the season and 5-13 in the Big 12.