Kansas University pitcher Andy Marks delivers during the Jayhawks' 10-5 victory over Nebraska. KU won Friday to keep its Big 12 tournament hopes alive.

Kansas University’s baseball fans tracked three games closely Friday night at Hoglund Ballpark – the Jayhawks’ 10-5 victory over Nebraska and a pair of equally important contests updated periodically on the videoboard.

Unfortunately for the Jayhawks, Baylor tripped Kansas State, 9-8, and Oklahoma downed Texas Tech, 6-5, meaning both BU and OU kept half-game leads over the Jayhawks in the Big 12 Conference standings with two games remaining.

Ninth-place KU (9-15) must pass either the Bears (10-15), Sooners (10-15) or Wildcats (10-14) this weekend to snare a spot in next week’s Big 12 tournament in Oklahoma City.

“We’re not worrying about what’s going on in the rest of the conference,” said left fielder John Allman, who had three hits in four at-bats with a sacrifice fly and three RBIs.

His sixth-inning triple plated Robby Price (3-for-5, two runs scored), busted a 5-5 tie and gave the Jayahwks the lead for good.

“We’ve got to win and not worry about what else is going on. No matter what, we’ll play the whole series through,” Allman added.

Kansas' Ryne Price is congratulated after scoring a run against Nebraska on Friday at Hoglund Ballpark.

KU (28-28, 9-15) will meet NU (27-23, 12-13) again at 6 tonight and 5 p.m. Sunday, with BU and OU also playing two more in the next two days.

“This weekend means a lot. We’ve got to get as many wins as we can,” said right fielder Brock Simpson, who also ripped three hits in four at-bats and had three RBIs. “We’ve battled every series. We’ll battle again this one.”

Battle? Yes.

Scoreboard-watch? No.

Kansas' Joe Servais rounds third as the Jayhawks drive the ball into the outfield against Nebraska on Friday at Hoglund Ballpark.

“Before the game, Mike (Cummings, media relations director for baseball) came up to me and said, ‘Coach, do you want us to run the scores of other games in the league during the game?’ I said, ‘Absolutely. Run the scores like we normally do,”’ KU coach Ritch Price explained.

“We need to grow. I told the team, ‘We’ve got to play all three games this weekend.’ No matter what happens, we’ll represent this great university the best we can all three games.”

The Jayhawks obviously did a good job of concentrating on the task at hand Friday.

KU rocked Husker starter Tony Watson for six hits and four runs in just 12â3 innings.

“He is one of the best pitchers in the Big 12,” Simpson said. “It’s exciting to put up runs on a pitcher like that.”

KU received a big boost from middle reliever Andres Esquibel, who picked up his seventh win in 10 decisions after taking over for Andy Marks in the fifth inning. Esquibel allowed one hit in 31â3 frames. Marks was touched for five runs off seven hits in 42â3 innings.

“He was unbelievable,” Simpson said of Esquibel. “He comes in and shuts teams down. We can always count on him.”

Kyle Murphy ripped an RBI triple. He was one of six Jayhawks to knock in a run.

The Jayhawks, who have won six in a row, reached the .500 mark for the first time since March 31, when the squad was 16-16.

“I’ve been at it 29 years. It’s been the hardest year of all,” coach Price said. “Fifteen rainouts, some of the most devastating losses. It’s been a grind. To fight our way back is a good accomplishment with this young team.”