Jayhawks Snap Huskers Win Streak, 7-6

Lincoln ? Ritchie Price drove in three runs, including a two-run double in the sixth, as Kansas salvaged the series finale with a 7-6 victory over No. 2 Nebraska Sunday afternoon at Hawks Field.

With the win, the Jayhawks (17-10, 2-4 Big 12) snapped NU’s 13-game win streak and 21-game home winning streak that dated back to last May.

Nebraska (17-3, 2-1 Big 12) had ample opportunities in the late innings, leaving the bases loaded in the seventh before standing the tying runner in scoring position in the eighth after pulling to within a run.

The Huskers, bidding for their first 3-0 start in league play since 2001 and first sweep of Kansas in six seasons, received solid offensive performances from Nick Jaros, who came off the bench to go 2-for-3 with three RBIs, and Brandon Buckman, who had two hits and drove in a pair of runs, including his sixth homer of the season.

After Nebraska took a 1-0 lead on Andrew Brown’s first inning sacrifice fly that plated Ryan Wehrle, Kansas stuck for three runs off Husker starter Johnny Dorn, highlighted by an RBI single by Price, who had two hits and a bases-loaded walk to Erik Morrison.

The Huskers responded quickly, scratching across three runs off KU starter Kodiak Quick, who allowed four runs on five hits to earn the win. Buckman made it 3-2 with a one-out homer into a 30 MPH wind to eight before NU put together a two-out rally. With two outs and a runner on first, Christy singled before Nick Sullivan walked to load the bases. Jaros then tied the score at four, as he took a 1-0 pitch for a two-runs single to center.

Kansas retied the score in the fourth, capitalizing on a fielding error. Preston Land, who opened in the inning with a single, scored on Brock Simpson’s base hit, as NU right fielder Luke Gorsett was unable to come up with the ball cleanly.

The Huskers took advantage of a Kansas fielding miscue one inning later, as Christy reached on Morrison fielding error and eventually scored on Jaros’ second hit of the afternoon.

The Jayhawks took control of the game in the sixth, getting a pair of two-out hits to put up three runs. With two outs and runners on first and second, Jared Cranston was summoned to face the left-handed hitting Simpson, but was unable to get out of the inning as Simpson, who went 4-for-5, tied the score with an RBI single to left. Price then gave KU the lead for good with a two-run double into the left field corner to make it 7-5

Dorn (3-2) suffered his first loss in the last four starts, allowing five earned runs on eight hits over 5.2 innings. The sophomore struck out seven, but dipped to 9-1 at home in his Husker career.

After leaving the bases loaded in the seventh, NU rallied in the eighth off KU closer Don Czyz. Wehrle opened the eighth with a single, moved to second on a ground out and scored on Buckman’s second hit of the day, an RBI single to right, made it 7-6. A passed ball moved Buckman into scoring position, but Jake Opitz ended the threat with a grounder to second.

The Huskers went down in order in the ninth, as Czyz picked up his Big 12-leading ninth save.

The Huskers return to action on Tuesday evening, when they take on Northern Colorado. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.