Shreveport, La. ? Kansas University’s offense came alive in a 17-3 whipping of Centenary in college baseball on Saturday.

Just one day after being held to two runs and five hits in a 2-1 victory, the Jayhawks belted 10 extra-base hits to improve to 3-0.

“We had a lot of big hits today,” KU coach Bobby Randall said. “I think we caught Centenary a little flat-footed. Jake Wright pitched very well, and offensively, we were in complete control of everything the whole day. It’s nice to have a day like this early in the season, when everything goes right. At times, we can play a pretty exciting brand of baseball.”

Wright (1-0) pitched six complete innings, allowing just five base hits and no earned runs. The right-handed senior, whose last win came almost a year ago Feb. 17, 2001 didn’t surrender a walk while striking out four.

The Jayhawks collected 15 hits, including a 4-for-5 performance by designated hitter Ryan Klocksien, who bounced back after grounding into three double plays Friday. Klocksien, serving as the DH for the first time in more than a year, also led the team with a game-high five RBI’s.

Brandon Shepard, Casey Spanish, Ryan Baty and Kevin Wheeler also collected at least two hits apiece. Baty, Wheeler and Matt Tribble all homered for KU, which has seven home runs through its first three games. A year ago, KU didn’t connect for its seventh home run until its 19th game.

Kansas bolted to a 5-0 lead in the top of the first and then added 10 runs in the fifth to secure the win. In the decisive fifth inning, the Jayhawks powered their way to three home runs, including back-to-back HR’s from Wheeler and Tribble.

KU red-shirt freshman right-hander Tyson Bothof saw his first collegiate action, working two perfect innings of relief. Junior right-hander Ryan Jakubov worked a scoreless ninth for KU.

The two teams conclude the three-game series at noon today. Centenary (4-5) will visit Lawrence on May 3-5.

Kansas 17, Centenary 3

Kansas 500 0(10)0 101 17 15 4

Centenary 100 020 000 3 6 4

Jake Wright, Tyson Bothof (7), Ryan Jakubov (9) and Beau Thompson; C. Sheilds, T. Robertson (4), K. Cassidy (5), B. Sessions (5), M. Williams (5), P. Kurpinsky (9) and Larry Branson, B.J. Grenda. WWright, 1-0. LSheilds, 0-1.

2BKansas: Brandon Shepard 2, Casey Spanish, Ryan Baty, Ryan Klocksien 2. 3BKansas: Klocksien; Centenary: Patrick Beale. HRKansas: Baty, Kevin Wheeler, Matt Tribble.