Near-freezing temperatures couldn’t stop the Big 12 Conference’s hottest baseball team.

Eleventh-ranked Nebraska came to Hoglund Ballpark, pounded 18 hits and blew out Kansas University, 16-7, in the first of a chilly three-game set Friday.

Nebraska slugged four home runs and won its 11th straight game, improving to 22-6 overall and 8-2 in the Big 12. Kansas fell to 23-12 and 1-6.

“That’s the best team we’ve played all year,” KU coach Ritch Price said. “They come in on a 10-game winning streak and absolutely took us apart in every phase of the game.”

Nebraska had reason to be concerned early. Standout pitcher Aaron Marsden started the game, but was relieved in the middle of the second inning because of a sore arm. His replacement, Tim Schoeninger, gave up a two-run homer to his third batter, junior Ryan Baty, giving KU a 4-3 lead.

But the Huskers had nothing to worry about. Schoeninger settled down, and the Nebraska bats livened up, scoring runs in seven straight innings after being blanked in the first.

The offensive displays by both teams were perplexing to Price, especially with the temperatures dipping so low Friday night.

“I was shocked,” Price said. “I thought it’d be a 4-2 ballgame before the first pitch was thrown. I think that’s an incredible compliment to their club that they can swing the bats that good under these conditions.”

Senior Kevin Wheeler (4-2), a Nebraska native, went 3-for-5 at the plate, but struggled on the mound. He pitched four innings, giving up 11 hits and eight earned runs.

“He’s a good pitcher,” NU first baseman Matt Hopper said. “He was keeping us off balance all night.”

But Wheeler wasn’t going to slow down the Huskers. Junior Josh Duran and sophomore Kenny Falconer logged innings after Wheeler, but both gave up multiple runs and long home runs.

Kansas University catcher Sean Flynn, left, blocks home plate from Nebraska's Jeff Lesie as he tried to steal from third. The Jayhawks lost to the Cornhuskers, 16-7, Friday at Hoglund Ballpark.

On this night, no Kansas pitcher had an answer.

“They made some progress today,” Price said of his relievers. “I thought they took a step forward. At least they pounded the strike zone and let us play behind them.”

Seniors Casey Spanish and Sean Flynn each had two hits for the Jayhawks, who saw a two-game winning streak snapped.

Nebraska’s Curtis Ledbetter, a Lawrence High graduate, went 2-for-5 with a run.

With even worse weather in the forecast for Sunday, the two teams will wrap up the three-game series with a doubleheader starting at noon today. Chris Smart (1-1, 3.57 ERA) will start the early game for the Jayhawks.

Nebraska 16, Kansas 7

Nebraska 031 421 410 — 16 18 4

Kansas 221 001 010 — 7 10 2

W–Tim Schoeninger (2-1). L– Kevin Wheeler (4-2).

HR–Kansas: Ryan Baty (6); Nebraska: Jeff Liese (3), Matt Hopper (11), John Grose (3), Daniel Bruce (2).

KU highlights: Kevin Wheeler 3-for-5; Ryan Baty 1-for-5, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R; Sean Flynn 2-for-4, R.