When manufacturing runs didn’t work Wednesday, Kansas University’s baseball team needed a big bat to deliver a big blow.

Travis Metcalf delivered.

Metcalf, a sophomore third baseman, crushed a three-run home run in the fifth inning that gave the Jayhawks much-needed breathing room in a 10-6 victory against Western Illinois at Hoglund Ballpark.

It was Metcalf’s first hit of the season after seven plate appearances.

“This was one of my first couple of games,” Metcalf said. “This gets you into the groove of things.”

Kansas gave Western Illinois a rough start to its 2003 season. The Leathernecks (1-1) — who defeated Washburn, 8-3, following the loss to KU — scattered isolated runs throughout the contest, but never led and never threatened after the three-run blast.

“You can’t play in the Big 12 and not be physical with the bat,” Kansas coach Ritch Price said. “It was good to see Metcalf, after they made a mistake, clutch up and rifle one out of here.”

Besides Metcalf’s blast, most of KU’s run production was workmanlike. Three runs were created in the second from two bunt singles and two sacrifice bunts. Kevin Wheeler added an RBI groundout in the third, and Matt Tribble had a sacrifice fly in the fifth.

First-year Kansas University baseball coach Ritch Price, right, chats with assistant Reggie Christiansen. The Jayhawks won their home opener Wednesday, a 10-6 victory over Western Illinois at Hoglund Ballpark.

The home run, though, made it all worthwhile.

“We’re trying to manufacture two runs a game. That’s part of our offensive philosophy,” Price said. “But the big thing was, we finally had somebody drive a baseball with somebody in scoring position.”

Wednesday’s victory was an important tune-up heading into a three-game series at No. 8 Louisiana State starting Friday.

“We needed this mid-week game,” Metcalf said. “It was good to get one in before we go to LSU this weekend.”

Metcalf also singled and had four RBIs. Wheeler, Ritchie Price and Lance Hayes each added two singles for KU (6-3).

Senior Pat Holmes started and earned his first victory of the season, allowing just one hit and one run in three innings of work.

Kansas University outfielder Casey Spanish hauls in a fly ball in the Jayhawks' 10-6 victory over Western Illinois. KU's home opener was Wednesday at Hoglund Ballpark.

Notes: Tribble and Ryan Baty each had one hit Wednesday, and have hit safely in every game this season. … The Jayhawks had three sacrifice bunts and two bunts for base hits. … Kansas opens a three-game home series Feb. 21 with Eastern Michigan.

Kansas 10, Western Illinois 6

Western Illinois 001 211 011 — 6 6 4

Kansas 031 041 01x — 10 12 2

WP–Pat Holmes (1-0). LP–Steve Whitson (0-1).

2B–Western Illinois: John Bertulis, Kevin Koeneman; Kansas: Matt Tribble. HR–Western Illinois: Joe Rooney (1); Kansas: Travis Metcalf (1).

Kansas highlights: Travis Metcalf 2-for-3, HR, 4 RBIs; Lance Hayes 2-for-4, RBI; Kevin Wheeler 2-for-4, RBI.