The Huskers, 23-7 overall and 9-3 in the Big 12, pounded out 16 hits in the win, including three by second baseman Jake Mullinax, while Gordon�s second homer of the season proved to be the decisive blow for the Big Red, as the game was called after seven innings because of the Big 12 run-rule.

Mullinax, Matt Hopper, and Daniel Bruce drove in two runs apiece, while Hopper became the Big 12�s all-time RBI leader with 234, passing former Texas Tech catcher Josh Bard's total of 232 set between 1997 and 1999.

Nebraska jumped on Jayhawk starter Ryan Knippschild, scoring five times in the top of the first, highlighted by Gordon�s first career grand slam. NU sent eight men to the plate in the frame, as Jeff Leise drew a walk before singles by Joe Simokaitis and Hopper gave NU a 1-0 lead. Curtis Ledbetter walked to load the bases before Gordon sent the first pitch from the Jayhawk left-hander over the fence in right for his second homer of the season.

It would be all the offensive support the Huskers would need, as freshman Zach Kroenke earned his third straight win, allowing two hits in six shutout innings. The left-hander from Omaha Northwest struck out a career-high six Jayhawks, as he improved to 3-1 on the year.

Knippschild (6-3) took the loss, allowing nine runs on eight hits, as the Huskers, who saw their 11-game winning streak snapped in the opener, added four more runs in the fifth and seventh innings.

Kevin Wheeler and Ryan Baty had the only two hits for KU, which fell to 24-13 and 2-7 with the twinbill split.

In the opener, Travis Metcalf�s solo homer in the bottom of the eighth broke a 4-4 tie, as Kansas snapped the Huskers� 11-game winning streak with a 5-4 victory.

Metcalf sent a 1-0 pitch from NU reliever Jason Burch (1-1) over the fence in right center for his sixth homer of the season, marking the first extra base hit the junior right-hander had allowed all season.The Jayhawk third baseman�s homer spoiled Nebraska�s comeback bid, as the Huskers overcame a 4-1 deficit with three runs in the sixth off KU starter Chris Smart, as neither starter was involved in the decision. With two outs and runners on first and second in the sixth, Hopper hit a fielder�s choice that was dropped by KU second baseman Matt Baty, loading the bases. The miscue was costly, as Gordon�s RBI single put NU within 4-2 before Ledbetter tied the score with a two-run single up the middle.

The Huskers spoiled a golden opportunity in the top half of the eighth, putting runners on second and third with one out but could not capitalize, but KU reliever Brandon Johnson struck out Ledbetter and got Drew Anderson to pop out to the catcher to end the inning, setting the stage for Metcalf�s game-winning homer. Johnson (4-2) earned the win, allowing one hit in 3.1 innings of relief, as three Jayhawk pitchers held the Huskers to five hits in the win.

Quinton Robertson started and pitched well for NU, allowing four runs (three earned) in seven innings, but did not factor into the decision.

The Jayhawks broke an early 1-1 tie, scoring an unearned run in the third before RBI doubles by Matt Tribble and Casey Spanish in the fifth gave KU a three-run lead.

The Huskers travel to Wichita, Kan., on Tuesday, April 8, for a contest against the Shockers. First pitch between NU and WSU is set for 7 p.m.

Source: University of Nebraska Athletic Dept.