For the first time all season, a country song blared from the Hoglund Ballpark speakers in the middle of the first inning Friday night.

It was music to senior Matt Baty’s ears, after Baty had watched the previous eight home games from the dugout as he nursed injuries.

“That’s what I missed right there was the song,” Baty said. “It sounded good, too, didn’t it?”

The introduction tune might have been nice, but the return of Baty was even better for the Jayhawks in a 5-3 series-opening victory over 26th-ranked Texas Tech.

Moving to the three-hole from his customary leadoff position, the center fielder sparked Kansas with a perfect 4-for-4 outing at the plate, adding a run, an RBI and a stolen base.

“I can’t say enough about Baty,” Kansas coach Ritch Price said of the senior, who missed a total of 18 games after suffering a lacerated spleen and kidney in a Feb. 25 outfield collision before returning Wednesday at Wichita State. “You return to your first Big 12 game, you’ve had two days of batting practice, and you look like you’re first-team All-Big 12. The kid’s really special.”

Though he didn’t know he was trying out for the position, Baty earned a spot in the middle of Kansas’ lineup for future games as well. The senior filled in the position for the injured Jared Schweitzer, who dislocated his left shoulder against Wichita State on Wednesday and likely will be out for the weekend.

Second baseman Ryne Price also was held out, still battling a wrist problem.

“This team’s got great character,” Baty said. “We’ve been hurt all year long. Guys have just been stepping up all year.”

For the first time this year, Baty was able to help his team overcome adversity.

Tied at 3 in the sixth, Baty opened the inning with a line drive to left. Tech’s Roger Kieschnick went into a slide, but the ball ended up one-hopping into his glove.

Baty wasn’t content with a single. The Maize product never hesitated, sliding safely into second with a hustle double and showing excitement with a few yells toward the dugout.

“I’m the kind of guy that feeds off emotions – and the team feeds off my emotions,” Baty said. “If I show positive emotions, the guys feed off that.”

The Jayhawks did. Erik Morrison and John Allman each contributed run-scoring singles up the middle to give Kansas a 5-3 lead.

Just as he has all year, senior Don Czyz made sure the lead would stand.

With three solid singles, Tech loaded the bases with one out in the eighth before Czyz entered in relief of Paul Smyth.

The senior reached a 3-2 count on Kyle Martin before striking him out with a high fastball. He then got Jason Seefeld on a squibber in front of the batter’s box, with Kansas catcher Dylan Parzyk alertly touching home plate for the force out.

“Coming into a situation like that, you have to stay positive,” Czyz said. “If I went out there just thinking, ‘Man, this is a bad situation,’ then I’m screwed. Coming out there with a good outlook and getting after them in the strike zone and burying them – that’s the main thing.”

The right-hander retired Tech in order in the ninth, tying a school record with his 11th save of the season. He also tied a Big 12 record with the 111th appearance of his career.

“He’s the best I’ve had in 20 years of the game,” Price said. “He’s really special, and he rises to that level every time you give him a baseball. His intensity level, his stuff and his make-up are just off the charts.”

John Allman was the other offensive highlight for Kansas, finishing 2-for-4 with a double and three RBIs.

Kansas (21-12, 5-5) picked up its first series-opening victory against a conference opponent.

Ricky Fairchild will take the mound against Tech left-hander Colt Hynes in today’s 6 p.m. matchup.