Tom Gorzelanny, a left-hander expected to be the ace of an inexperienced Kansas University pitching staff, has been declared academically ineligible and has left school.

“It’s a devastating blow,” first-year KU coach Ritch Price said. “All you can do is make the adjustments and give other kids the opportunity to step up.”

Under NCAA rules, the sophomore hurler is eligible, having the 2.0 cumulative GPA required by student-athletes with 30 or more credit hours. But Gorzelanny fell short of a new Big 12 Conference regulation that requires at least six hours of credit a semester with a minimum grade of C.

Gorzelanny, who was drafted by the Chicago White Sox out of high school, compiled a 3-7 record with three saves in 21 appearances last season. His fastball has been clocked as fast as 92 mph.

Gorzelanny has returned to his hometown of Orland Park, Ill., a Chicago suburb, Price said.

Kansas’ mound staff still is loaded with left-handed starters. Southpaws Kevin Wheeler, Pat Holmes, Josh Duran and Ryan Knippschild all started for the Jayhawks during their trip to Hawaii. KU compiled a 4-2 record in its season-opening series with Hawaii-Hilo.

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Price ailing: Second baseman Ritchie Price, son of the head coach, missed the last three games of the six-game series against Hawaii-Hilo after colliding with right fielder Wheeler in the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader.

Price suffered a broken nose and broken cheekbone. He’s out indefinitely.

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Super weekend: Junior outfielder Ryan Baty sizzled in Hawaii, hitting .619 (13-for-21) with three doubles, two homers and nine RBIs. He also had two stolen bases, four walks and no strikeouts.

“In my 25 years of coaching, that’s as good a weekend as I’ve seen a player play,” KU coach Price said. “He was special.”

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Upcoming: Next for the Jayhawks will be a three-game series Feb. 7-9 at Arkansas-Little Rock.