On Friday in game one, the Jayhawks defeated Nevada, 11-4. A barrage of eight runs in the eighth inning was too much for a pesky Nevada team to keep pace with in the loss. Kansas jumped on Nevada with three runs in the second inning only to have Nevada answer this with three runs of their own in the fourth inning. Both teams traded runs in the sixth inning, then Kansas went wild in the eighth. Senior shortstop Kevin Kuntz led the way for Kansas hitting 3-5 including a big two-run single in the eighth. Ace pitcher Frank Duncan gave up three earned runs in six innings and eight hits.

On Saturday, the Wolfpack came back with a great 2-1 win over Kansas. The Jayhawks despite three hits in four at bats for freshman Jacob Boylan, couldn’t come up with the big hit in the game. 10 Jayhawks were left stranded as Nevada’s starting pitcher Tyler Wells gave up seven hits and no earned runs in six innings. Kansas pitcher Wes Benjamin pitched just over five innings, giving up nine hits and two earned runs.

Next up for Kansas is another meeting with Nevada on Monday, followed by Northwestern in a three-game series beginning next Friday in Lawrence.

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Feb. 17 2013; Mesa, AZ, USA; The Kansas Jayhawks men’s baseball team are 2-1 after beating Nevada, 6-3 on Sunday this season. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Last season, the Jayhawks advanced to the semifinals of the Big 12 conference tournament before bowing out with a loss. The team finished with a 24-34 record overall, and seventh in the conference. This season, Kansas was picked to finish eighth preseason by the conference coaches. There is reason for optimism with a team that returns 21 letter-winners, including seven position starters and nine pitchers.

The top guy at bat is Jordan Dreiling, who returns with a .301 batting average. The senior third baseman also posted five doubles and three triples, plus a .453 on-base percentage. Connor McKay also returns. The outfielder tied for the team lead with five home runs to go along with 43 RBI’s.

On the mound, Frank Duncan leads a strong cast. Duncan finished last season with a 6-8 record, including an 3.23 ERA. He finished with 2nd-team Big 12 conference honors. Tanner Poppe returns to the rotation after serving as the team’s closer last season. The 6-5 senior pitcher had a 3.86 ERA in 2011 as a starter.

Tomorrows opponent Nevada, finished with a  32-25 record overall last season, finishing in a tie for first place in the WAC. Brooks Klein led the team with 43 RBI’s and eight home-runs.

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Feb. 13, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Tomorrow the season begins for the Kansas Jayhawks as they face Nevada. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports