Brock Simpson didn’t want the help. He got it from Justin Ellrich anyway.

Simpson, Kansas University’s leadoff hitter, was a double away from the cycle when he was removed in the seventh inning of Kansas’ 19-7 rout of Missouri State Tuesday night.

Sure enough, Ellrich came through with a smash to left-center, ending up on second base with Simpson’s only missing piece.

“Right when he hit it,” Simpson said, “everyone just started laughing.”

No, combined cycles don’t count in the books. And Simpson may not ever again come as close as he did Tuesday.

Then again, there was no reason for the sophomore to be upset after Tuesday night’s performance.

“It was a fun game for everyone,” Simpson said. “Everyone hit well.”

After losing two of three to Oklahoma State over the weekend, Kansas vented some frustrations against Missouri State. The Jayhawks’ 19 runs were the most allowed by the Bears since 2001.

“We needed that,” Kansas coach Ritch Price said. “We needed to re-establish the fact that we’re going to win on Tuesday night, and we’re going to raise our RPI and put ourselves in a position to make the (NCAA) tournament.”

The Jayhawks made that sort of statement Tuesday night – all against a team that is currently ahead of Wichita State in the Missouri Valley Conference standings. KU banged out 18 hits, including home runs from Simpson, John Allman and Gus Milner.

“At this point, every game is huge,” Simpson said. “Everybody takes it personal like we really want to get (to the NCAA tournament). This is the team to do it, and we’ve got to win games like this.

“I think everyone from here on out is going to be really inspired.”

Simpson was the catalyst at the top of the lineup. The sophomore homered to right-center in his second at-bat, then contributed a two-run triple off the left-field wall in the fourth.

Kansas broke it open with five runs in the sixth. After Buck Afenir and Simpson singled, Jared Schweitzer and Erik Morrison contributed back-to-back doubles to make it 12-1.

It would only get worse for the Bears. Kansas poured on seven more in the seventh, and Milner’s three-run blast to right-center made it 19-1.

“It’s a pleasure to coach,” KU’s Price said, “when you’ve got guys that can handle the bat.”

Simpson finished the night 3-of-4 with three runs and three RBIs. Matt Baty – KU’s leadoff man for most of his career before moving back to the three-hole – added three hits with a pair driven in.

Brendan McNamara picked up the win, going six innings while giving up a single run and striking out five.

Kansas will play Tabor at 6 p.m. tonight at Hoglund Ballpark. Admission will be free for all attending.