LINCOLN, NEB. ? Kansas University’s baseball team used a three-run sixth inning to pull ahead for good and hand second-ranked Nebraska a 7-6 Big 12 Conference baseball setback on Sunday.
The outcome snapped NU’s winning streaks of 13 games overall and 21 at home and gave KU its only victory in the series.
KU’s Brock Simpson had a career-high four hits, and Ritchie Price recorded three RBIs, including what proved to be the game-winner.
Kodiak Quick (4-2) earned the victory in five innings. Don Czyz picked up his ninth save, pitching the final two innings as KU improved to 17-10 overall, 2-4 in the Big 12. NU fell to 17-3 and 2-1.
Sunday’s game was a seesaw affair. NU went up 1-0 in the first, but KU scored three in the third for a 3-1 edge.
Simpson led off the third with a triple and scored on an RBI single by Price. Back-to-back walks to Jared Schweitzer and Gus Milner loaded the bases with no outs.
After Justin Ellrich struck out, Erik Morrison earned a walk to score Price. John Allman then reached on a fielder’s choice. The throw to first base to get Allman out sailed wide, giving Milner a chance to score. Nebraska’s first baseman Brandon Buckman collected the ball and threw home in time to nail Milner and end the inning.
Nebraska retook the lead with three runs in the bottom of the third inning, but KU tied it at 4 in the fourth.
NU again went ahead with a single run in the fifth, but KU won it with a three-run sixth. All three runs scored with two outs.
Allman got the rally started with a one-out single. After Preston Land struck out, Dylan Parzyk singled. Simpson tied the game with his fourth hit of the game to score Allman. Price then laced a two-run double down the left-field line to give KU a 7-5 lead.
Brendan McNamara replaced Quick to start the sixth. McNamara didn’t allow a hit in his two innings and closed the door when Nebraska had the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh inning.
KU will play host to state rival Wichita State on Wednesday. Game time is 7 p.m. at Hoglund Ballpark.