James Stanfield knows his role very well. That’s why Stanfield, back up freshman infielder, didn’t even flinch when junior second baseman Robby Price went down with an injury in Sunday’s doubleheader.

Stanfield contributed greatly in both games, driving in the winning runs in Kansas’ 9-4 victory against Nebraska in game two of the doubleheader.

“Injuries happen, and it’s definitely time for me to step up and help the team,” Stanfield said. “That’s all I’m trying to do.”

Stanfield finished the day going only 2-for-7 in both games, but he made his hits count as he also had three RBIs and scored three runs. Stanfield’s second hit came in the seventh inning with the game tied at four. Stanfield barely snuck his ground ball through the left side between the third baseman and shortstop, as two runners came in to score.

Kansas tacked on three insurance runs in the eighth, but Stanfield’s hit was what coach Ritch Price talked about.

“That was big time wasn’t it? I mean for that kid to get that clutch hit with two outs to put us ahead was a tremendous at-bat for a freshman,” Price said. “He’s a scrappy little guy.”

Stanfield’s clutch hit helped Kansas take the series against Nebraska after thunderstorms postponed the game on Saturday. Redshirt sophomore outfielder Brian Heere said the doubleheader sweep showed a lot of maturity, especially after the way Kansas lost on Friday night.

“That took a lot of maturity from us,” Heere said. “We had to get to bed early, get up early. It took a lot of maturity to stay in the game and play all 18 innings today.”

It was the Jayhawks’ first series victory over the Cornhuskers since 1997. It wasn’t the same Nebraska team that Price had faced in the past, as recent Nebraska teams had been ravaged by the Major League draft. Regardless, it was still a step forward for the program.

“We’ve made really good progress,” Price said. “It’s a really nice feeling to get that monkey off our back.”

Kansas pitched well all day Sunday, with sophomore right-hander T.J. Walz striking out a career-high 10 in game one. And although freshman right-hander Lee Ridenhour didn’t have his best stuff, allowing seven hits in six-plus innings, he kept game two manageable for the Jayhawks.

“We’re pitching young guys, and our pitching is better than theirs,” Price said.

Kansas faced a do-or-die situation before game two. After the complete team performance in the 8-2 game one victory, Kansas’ Big 12 record sat at 9-8. The Jayhawks stared down a game that could have brought their record to 9-9 before heading into conference power Oklahoma next weekend. So it made it all the more sweet when Kansas climbed back in game two.

“The guys like each other,” Price said. “And they’re playing for each other. I think that some of those rallies are a result of that energy. The difference between being 9-9 and 10-8 is off the charts.”

If it wasn’t for Stanfield’s quick turnaround from the bench to the field, Kansas might have been facing that 9-9 conference record. But Stanfield isn’t surprised. And neither are his teammates.

“I have a lot of confidence in Stanfield,” Heere said. “He’s a good player. He did a good job at handling the pressure and taking Robby’s spot.”

— — Grant Treaster