Preview: Kansas Jayhawks at Minnesota Golden Gophers

MINNEAPOLIS (Interstat) — Two of the early season’s hottest teams meet Wednesday when the Kansas Jayhawks visit the Minnesota Golden Gophers in a nonconference baseball matchup.

Both teams enter with 5-1 records in their last six games. Kansas (5-2) arrives after sweeping a three-game series at McNeese State, outscoring the Cowboys 25-5. Minnesota (5-1) is riding a four-game winning streak, including a weekend sweep of Northeastern where it plated 42 runs.

The game features a compelling pitching storyline. Kansas will look to right-hander Madden Seidl, who is coming off a dominant outing. On Sunday, Seidl threw four hitless innings with two strikeouts in a 6-1 win over McNeese State.

He will be opposed by Minnesota’s Marcus Kruzan, who was equally impressive in his last start. On Sunday, Kruzan pitched 4 2/3 hitless innings, striking out five, in a 15-5 rout of Northeastern.

The Jayhawks’ bullpen has been a strength, evidenced by Kannon Carr and Boede Rahe combining for three perfect relief innings with five strikeouts in the series finale at McNeese State.

Minnesota’s offense has been explosive. In the same game Kruzan started, first baseman Jack Bello went 2-for-4 with a home run and five RBIs, while catcher Weber Neels added two RBIs.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, the projected final score is Minnesota 7, Kansas 5.

This contest is the first of a three-game set between the programs. The series continues Friday and Saturday at Minnesota’s home ballpark.

Kansas will remain on the road following the series, with a four-game set against Saint Thomas (Minn.) and a trip to Texas Christian and Texas Tech looming. Minnesota hosts Milwaukee next week before welcoming UNLV, South Dakota State and Omaha for the Dairy Queen Classic tournament.