Kansas pulls away from UK after delays

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Tucker Tharp's RBI double in the seventh inning drove in the go-ahead run for Kansas, and the Jayhawks defeated Kentucky 10-6 on Friday in an NCAA regional game.

The game featured 3 hours and 21 minutes of rain delays, including a 1:58 stoppage in the middle of the fifth inning with the score tied at six.

The Jayhawks (35-24), who squandered two three-run leads early, went up for good in the top of the seventh against Kentucky right-hander Chandler Shepherd. Joven Afenir led off the inning with a single, and he scored from first when Tharp doubled to the wall in right. Tharp later scored from third on a double play.

Kansas added two more runs in the eighth, both against Shepherd.

Kentucky (35-24) is now 1-7 in NCAA regional opening games in its eight tournament appearances.