After a three-run home run in the third inning of Kansas’ 11-5 victory over Nebraska on Sunday, the KU senior barked a few words toward NU pitcher Logan Ehlers while rounding the bases.

“It’s his first start, and I just wanted to welcome him to the Big 12 Conference,” Waters said with a smile. “That’s about it.”

The NU series had a bit of extra significance for Waters after growing up in nearby Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Waters was interested in attending Nebraska, only to have the Huskers turn him away.

“Some things happened, and just being overlooked,” Waters said. “Being told I couldn’t play in this conference, and just to be able to come out here and shove it on them again, it feels great.”

Five of Waters’ 14 career home runs have come against Nebraska, and his three-run shot to left was just a part of the Jayhawks’ best offensive day of the year.

KU’s 11 runs were a season-high, topping its eight runs scored against Eastern Michigan on March 11. The Jayhawks’ six extra-base hits also tied for the most all season.

KU needed the additional offense after a three-run homer by NU’s Cody Asche tied the game at 5 in the top of the fifth.

In the bottom of the frame, Jason Brunansky blasted a one-out home run to left — his first of the season — to start a three-run inning for KU.

“I thought that was the turning point in the game,” said KU coach Ritch Price, who celebrated his 55th birthday Sunday. “We got punched in the mouth and went right back out there and punched them back.”

After Waters was hit by a pitch, Zac Elgie (single), Jake Marasco (single) and Casey Lytle (double) followed with consecutive hits.

“We felt like they had momentum. We wanted to get it back, get it out of that dugout,” Waters said. “For a team that’s only won now three out of their last (23) Big 12 series … I think once they get down and face some adversity, they haven’t shown that they’ve been able to win. Just to take the air out of them I think was big.”

Reliever Frank Duncan helped KU secure the lead.

The freshman right-hander pitched three scoreless innings — his longest outing of the season — while allowing just one hit and one walk to go with two strikeouts.

During Big 12 play, the San Francisco native has given up just one run in 122/3 innings.

The Jayhawks scored eight of their runs — three earned — off Ehlers, who was making his first appearance of the year after serving an NCAA suspension. The freshman left-hander was forced to miss 60 percent of the season because his adviser illegally made contact with the Toronto Blue Jays after Ehlers was drafted in the eighth round of last year’s MLB draft.

KU has won three of four Big 12 series this year. It’s also the first time in the Big 12 era that KU has won three consecutive home conference series.

Nebraska (21-13, 3-6 Big 12) mustered just six hits, with only one of those coming after the fifth inning.

The Jayhawks (15-17, 6-6) will travel to face Iowa at 6:05 p.m. Tuesday.