Kansas University’s baseball team is in for a busy 14 days.

Over the next two weeks, the Jayhawks will eight big-time games — six against Big 12 Conference powerhouses and two against Wichita State, KU’s biggest non-conference rival.

It’s a stretch that could see the Jayhawks soar — or sputter.

The only road game in the brutal stretch is tonight, when the Jayhawks play Wichita State at Eck Stadium in Wichita. Game time is 7 p.m.

“I know the players are excited,” KU coach Ritch Price said. “Wichita State has been one of the premier programs in the country. Certainly, our goal is to get to their level of success.”

After the first showdown with the Shockers, a weekend set is slated with No. 24 Baylor at KU. Then, it’s Wichita State again Tuesday at Hoglund Ballpark, before defending national champion and 11th-ranked Texas visits Lawrence starting May 2.

If the Jayhawks (31-16) escape with a few minor scrapes, it could give them a serious case for NCAA Tournament considerations. If they come out bloodied and bruised, it may turn out to be another lost season.

“The great thing about the Big 12,” Price says, “is that each and every weekend, you play someone ranked in the Top 25. If you’re successful, it puts you in the position to make each and every weekend even more important.”

First things first, though. The Shockers bring a 30-15 record into tonight’s game. They fell out of the national rankings this week after losing three of four to Bradley during the weekend.

Still, they’re the same program that has been to six College World Series since 1988.

In addition, Wichita State officials are expecting 4,000-5,000 WSU lovers in attendance at tonight’s showdown.

Price’s take? Bring it on.

“It pumps us up,” Price said. “Whether it was LSU or Texas Tech, when we see that kind of environment, we’ve played as well as we could possibly play.”

Senior Pat Holmes (3-1, 5.26 ERA) will start for Kansas, but Price expects to use multiple pitchers throughout the night.

¢

Fabulous freshman: Infielder Ritchie Price broke the KU freshman record when he recorded his 55th hit of the season Sunday against Oklahoma. Price broke John Nelson’s record of 54, set in 1998. Price is hitting .325 with 15 RBIs, playing both shortstop and second base.

¢

Power surge: Kansas has blasted 46 home runs this season, 12 more than last season. Senior Kevin Wheeler, junior Ryan Baty and sophomore Travis Metcalf are tied for the team lead with nine each.

KU hasn’t had a player with 10 or more homers since Justin Headley hit 11 in 1997.

¢

Up next: Kansas starts the three-game series with Baylor at 7 p.m. Friday at Hoglund Ballpark. The Bears are sixth in the Big 12 with a 9-9 conference record. Kansas is seventh with a 6-9 mark.