After his first home run of the season during Kansas University’s 10-1 victory Wednesday over Baker University, Ritchie Price got a message from a kid seated behind KU’s dugout at Hoglund Ballpark.

“He said it was good to see me hit my first home run, but the tone he used made it seem like he was surprised that it actually happened,” Price said. “The home run kind of was surprising. We all laughed about it.”

The young fan had a right to be surprised. The home run only was the fourth in his career for Price, a senior shortstop who has played in 205 games and has 811 at-bats at KU.

The No. 25-ranked Jayhawks, playing their first game since entering the Baseball America poll, looked like they deserved the ranking. After Baker tied the game at 1 in the top of the third inning, Gus Milner hit a laser over the left-field fence in the bottom of the third for a three-run home run, his fifth of the season. On the day, Milner was 4-for-5 with four RBIs.

“Right now, his stats are as good as anyone in the country,” KU coach Ritch Price said. “He has a chance to be an All-American and have one of the greatest years anyone has ever had here.”

Then in the fourth, Price’s home run was followed by a Jared Schweitzer bomb, putting the Jayhawks up, 8-1, after four innings. They cruised the rest of the way.

Kansas University's Kyle Murphy (4) slides into second under Baker University shortstop Tommy Griffin. The Jayhawks beat the Wildcats, 10-1, Wednesday at Hoglund Ballpark.

Six KU pitchers allowed the run on five hits. Freshman Nick Czyz started and pitched three innings, allowing one run on three hits. Andy Marks, a fellow freshman, pitched the next two innings and was credited with the first win of his college career. Marks struck out the side in the fourth inning and allowed only one hit.

“Coach saw that I can throw strikes, and as long as all of my pitches are working, I feel that I can do the job against anyone,” Marks said. “After getting a few no-decisions, it was nice to finally get the win.”

KU also used 15 position players in the rout – pleasing Price and his coaching staff.

“It was a great day,” Price said. “Anytime you get a chance to play that many players and reward them for how hard they are working and still get the win … It was a great team win, there’s no doubt about that.”

Kansas (14-4) will leave today for a three-game series at No. 3 Clemson. The first game is slated for 3 p.m. Friday.