LAWRENCE, Kan. (Interstat) — The Kansas Jayhawks (42-16) host Northeastern (38-20) on Friday in a nonconference matchup at Hoglund Ballpark, pitting two of the nation’s top pitching staffs against each other.

Kansas, which has won four of its last five, is coming off a 9-0 shutout of West Virginia on Saturday. Right-hander Mathis Nayral threw 4⅓ scoreless innings in that win, allowing four hits with two strikeouts. The junior has been effective despite an uneven stretch: In his previous three starts, he posted a 2.92 ERA over 13⅔ innings, striking out 18 while walking four. His season line includes 54 strikeouts in 48 innings.

Northeastern arrives after a 3-2 win over Campbell on Sunday, a game in which starter Robbie O’Connor went five innings, allowing two earned runs on six hits with two strikeouts. O’Connor, a senior right-hander, has been dominant at times — he threw a complete‑game no‑hitter against Towson on May 14, striking out two in a 7‑0 win. Over his last four starts, he owns a 2.35 ERA and has held opponents to a .228 batting average.

The Huskies (38-20) have won four of their last six, though their offense has been inconsistent. They scored 10 runs in a win at Connecticut on May 12 but were shut out by Hofstra on May 21. Shortstop Alex Lane leads the team with a .352 average and 10 home runs.

Kansas counters with a lineup that has produced 7.3 runs per game over its last 10 contests. First baseman Josh Dykhoff drove in three runs in the win over West Virginia, including a home run. The Jayhawks have outscored opponents 79‑40 in the past two weeks.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, the projected final score is Northeastern 8, Kansas 6. Despite that projection, Kansas opened as a -2.5 run‑line favorite, a gap reflecting the Jayhawks’ strong home record (24-7) and their depth in the bullpen.

First pitch is scheduled for the afternoon. The weather forecast calls for clear skies with temperatures in the mid-70s. Both teams are expected to use their top arms in what could be a preview of a potential NCAA tournament matchup.