David Narodowski couldn’t wipe the smile off his face.

In fact, none of the Jayhawks could stop smiling, laughing, or even dancing for that matter as they completed their first-ever series sweep of the No. 1 Texas Longhorns with a 4-3 victory at Hoglund Ballpark on Sunday afternoon.

“I’ve never been a part of anything like that ever,” Narodowski, junior shortstop, said. “Just feeling that, I don’t know, it’s definitely good.”

Sunday’s contest wasn’t for the faint of heart. It took a sacrifice fly to dead center in the seventh inning from senior catcher Buck Afenir to bring sophomore right fielder Brian Heere home. It broke the 3-3 tie after Texas (14-6, 2-4) scored one run in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings to tie the game.

“The wind was blowing in,” coach Ritch Price said. “So I thought we did a nice job of executing and moving guys into scoring position and finding a way to get the runs home as well.”

Kansas (13-7, 3-0) scored in only one other inning, a three-run outburst in the fourth. It wasn’t a power showcase to say the least as the Jayhawks only sent only two hits to the outfield. Senior first baseman Preston Land had a bunt single to third that loaded the bases and Narodowski also had an infield single to third base that scored the last of the runs in the fourth inning.

“We knew going into the game we couldn’t count on the long ball,” Narodowski said. “Everyone worked hard before the game, prepared to get bunts down.”

But the only reason Kansas was able to win the game with the small ball approach was the effective pitching the Jayhawks delivered all afternoon.

Freshman Lee Ridenhour impressed yet again. He played six and two-third innings, allowing the three runs while surrendering eight hits and zero walks, and picking up four strikeouts.

He also threw 63 of his 91 pitches for strikes, keeping the Texas hitters on their toes.

“Every time I go out it seems all the teams are amazing,” Ridenhour said. “I just have to go out there and pound the zone.”

Price has raved about Ridenhour all season and it looks as though it wasn’t for nothing. Although he didn’t pick up the victory, Ridenhour still leads all Kansas starters in victories and ERA.

“He’s a very special freshman,” Price said. “He’s done a really nice job of making adjustments.”

After Price handed over a tie ball game to his bullpen in the seventh inning, junior Travis Blankenship, freshman Colton Murray, and senior Paul Smyth pitched an almost perfect session, allowing only one hit and no walks.

Smyth picked up his third save in a row, all against Texas this weekend, and sixth of the season. Smyth blew a save last Wednesday against San Diego State, but he didn’t let that bother him this weekend.

“He’s a great competitor and he relishes the opportunity to compete at a high level,” Price said. “I was really proud how tough he showed he was this weekend.”

Kansas now sits as the only undefeated team in the Big 12. Though all the players agreed being 3-0 in the Big 12 Conference mattered most, Narodowski played junior college ball in Texas last season and said Texas’ baseball history makes the sweep all the sweeter.

“That’s all you hear is Texas baseball, and Texas this and Texas that,” Narodowski said and paused to put his feelings in order. “After two rough years, coming here I feel like I have new hope, new life, I love it.”

— — Edited by Sonya English