High-powered offense and a stronger pitching staff propelled the Stanford Cardinal past the Jayhawks in a three-game sweep over the weekend.

Games one and two of the series proved preseason No. 5 Stanford’s ranking correct. Stanford (7-2) handily defeated the Jayhawks, 7-3 and 9-2 respectively. A Friday night rainout forced games one and two to be played back-to-back on Saturday. The series finale was played as scheduled, but also resulted in a 7-6 Kansas loss.

In the third game, the Kansas baseball team drew closer than the previous two games by tying it at six runs apiece in the ninth inning.

Heading into the ninth inning behind 6-1, the Jayhawks awoke offensively and scored five runs. Juniors Matt Baty, outfielder, and Ritchie Price, shortstop, led the way, each going 2 for 5 at the plate. Price put up two RBI and Baty added one. Gus Milner, junior outfielder, went 2 for 4 with an RBI.

Each starter was awarded a no-decision, with the victory and loss going to the corresponding bullpens. Stanford’s Nolan Gallagher, freshman right-hander, pitched five innings and allowed no runs. Kansas’ Mike Zagurski, senior left-hander, gave up five runs after the fourth inning.

Stanford reliever Matt Manship, junior right-hander, picked up the victory, while Kansas freshman Logan Murphy, left-hander, took the loss. Murphy threw 1.1 innings, walking three and surrendering the winning run.

Cardinal John Mayberry, Jr., junior first baseman, hit two home runs in the series, the second being a two-run shot in game three.

Although the Jayhawks out hit the Cardinals 12-11 in the finale, the hits were not timely and could not prevent the sweep.

Game two also handed Kansas an opportunity for a victory, as the team lead 2-0 through the sixth inning. Price and senior catcher Sean Richardson each ripped an RBI single in the first inning.

It was in the bottom of the sixth when Stanford erupted for seven runs off of five hits. Kansas starter Clint Schambach, senior right-hander, threw a solid five innings before giving up four runs in the sixth. He was relieved by Michael Fitch, senior right-hander, who came in and immediately gave up a three-run homer. It was the first of Mayberry’s two in the series. Schambach took the loss on the mound for Kansas. Stanford’s Jeff Gilmore, junior right-hander, picked up the series’ second win.

Seniors Jacob Jean and Scott Sharpe saw time on the mound. Sharpe threw two shut out innings to end the second game.

Baty, Kansas’ first batter of the first inning, was picked off in the first game of the series, and appeared to indicate where the series was headed.

All three Kansas runs came off the bat of two hitters. Baty went 3 for 5 with one RBI and Milner hit two solo home runs. Sophomore lefty Sean Land, received the loss for Kansas. Land threw six innings and surrendered all seven runs. Sharpe came in to throw his first two shutout innings of the day.

Stanford’s Mark Romanczuk, junior left-handed pitcher, took the victory, giving up only two runs in 7.1 innings of work.

Stanford outscored Kansas 23-11 in the series. Pitching also was lopsided as the Jayhawks threw as many strikeouts as walks, with 14. Stanford pitched only nine walks to 23 strikeouts.

The Jayhawks return home to open against South Dakota State on Wednesday. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.