photo by: Mike Gunnoe/Special to the Journal-World

Storms force delays in the game against Oklahoma during the Super Regional on Sunday, June 7, 2026 in Lawrence.

The Kansas baseball team will have a steep hill to climb when the second game of the Lawrence Super Regional resumes on Monday.

The Jayhawks’ potentially decisive game against Oklahoma, which had already begun at 7:30 p.m. instead of the anticipated 5 p.m., came to a halt due to lightning in the bottom of the third inning with KU trailing 8-1.

The delay lasted from 8:40 p.m until 10:23 p.m. before KU announced that play would resume at 12:02 p.m. on Monday.

In order to keep its season alive, since it previously lost 8-1 on Saturday to open the best-of-three series, KU will need to complete a seven-run comeback and beat the Sooners. If it is able to do so, the winner-take-all third game would occur soon afterward at 4:06 p.m.

The Jayhawks are facing such a daunting task in large part due to a six-run bottom of the second inning conceded by starter Mason Cook and reliever Riane Ritter.

After KU and OU traded a run each early — Deiten Lachance grounded into a double play with runners on the corners that still put the Sooners ahead 1-0 before KU’s Jordan Bach drove in Josh Dykhoff to even the score — Cook unraveled.

OU picked up where it left off with a first-pitch single by Trey Gambill before Cook brushed Brendan Brock with an inside pitch. Dasan Harris drove in a run, and then Cook was able to record an out by striking out Dayton Tockey.

A wild pitch moved Gambill to third, at which point Kyle Branch was able to bunt him in and make it 3-1. An error by Cook prevented KU from getting Branch out at first base, and then Cook balked to move both runners into scoring position, but ended up walking Jason Walk anyway.

Ritter entered with one out and the bases loaded. He issued one walk, then allowed a two-RBI base hit to Lachance.

OU pulled off a double steal and drew another walk before Ritter hit Brock to make it 7-1. Harris’ lineout left the bases loaded after six runs on three hits and an error.

After a scoreless inning pitched by OU starter Xander Mercurius, KU went to closer Boede Rahe in the bottom of third inning, only for him to allow an immediate solo shot to Tockey.

Rahe fell behind 3-1 in the count against Branch before the game was suspended.

photo by: Mike Gunnoe/Special to the Journal-World

Fans seek shelter inside during a weather delay against Oklahoma during the Super Regional on Sunday, June 7, 2026 in Lawrence.

photo by: Mike Gunnoe/Special to the Journal-World

Kansas pitcher Boede Rahe hurls in a pitch against Oklahoma during the Super Regional on Sunday, June 7, 2026 in Lawrence.

photo by: Mike Gunnoe/Special to the Journal-World

Kansas pitcher Riane Ritter fires in a pitch against Oklahoma during the Super Regional on Sunday, June 7, 2026 in Lawrence.

photo by: Mike Gunnoe/Special to the Journal-World

Kansas pitcher Mason Cook fumbles a ground ball against Oklahoma during the Super Regional on Sunday, June 7, 2026 in Lawrence.

photo by: Mike Gunnoe/Special to the Journal-World

Kansas head coach Dan Fitzgerald visits the mound to talk with pitcher Mason Cook against Oklahoma during the Super Regional on Sunday, June 7, 2026 in Lawrence.

photo by: Mike Gunnoe/Special to the Journal-World

Kansas center fielder Tyson Owens hits the wall as he catches a fly ball against Oklahoma during the Super Regional on Sunday, June 7, 2026 in Lawrence.

photo by: Mike Gunnoe/Special to the Journal-World

Kansas center fielder Tyson Owens catches a fly ball against Oklahoma during the Super Regional on Sunday, June 7, 2026 in Lawrence.

photo by: Mike Gunnoe/Special to the Journal-World

Kansas second baseman Dariel Osoria fires the ball to first for the second out of a double play against Oklahoma during the Super Regional on Sunday, June 7, 2026 in Lawrence.

photo by: Mike Gunnoe/Special to the Journal-World

Kansas shortstop Tyson LeBlanc makes an underhand throw to second for the first out of a double play against Oklahoma during the Super Regional on Sunday, June 7, 2026 in Lawrence.

photo by: Mike Gunnoe/Special to the Journal-World

Kansas head coach Dan Fitzgerald looks on before the game against Oklahoma during the Super Regional on Sunday, June 7, 2026 in Lawrence.

photo by: Mike Gunnoe/Special to the Journal-World

Kansas pitcher Maddox Burkitt warms up before the game against Oklahoma during the Super Regional on Sunday, June 7, 2026 in Lawrence.

photo by: Mike Gunnoe/Special to the Journal-World

Fans seek shelter indoors against Oklahoma during the Super Regional on Sunday, June 7, 2026 in Lawrence.