The Kansas baseball team began the 2021 campaign with a series victory over South Dakota State in Minneapolis, Minn., this past weekend.

KU (2-1) started things off with a 7-3 win over South Dakota State on Friday in U.S. Bank Stadium. After Saturday’s 8-5 loss, the Jayhawks bounced back to close out the series victory with a 13-1 win on Sunday.

Junior Nolan Metcalf had a career day in the series finale by going 4-for-4, knocking in a career-best four RBI and a home run. He blasted two homers in the first weekend, posting multi-hit performances on Saturday and Sunday.

Sophomore left-hander Eli Davis earned the start in the rubber match and was credited with the win. He only gave up one run on three hits over five innings, while recording seven strikeouts in the process.

In the season opener, senior righty Ryan Cyr got the nod and ended up striking out a career-high 11 batters over seven innings to earn the win. Senior James Cosentino delivered a two-run blast in the fourth, while freshman Anthony Tulimero came through with a solo shot later on.

For the weekend, junior Skyler Messinger drove in four batters with as many hits. Metcalf led the way with six RBI and two homers. Tulimero delivered a team-best two doubles.

Kansas will take on Florida Gulf Coast University in a four-game series next weekend. The series opener will begin at 5:30 p.m. Friday in Fort Myers, Fla.