MANHATTAN, Kan. (Interstat) — Drew Grego launched two home runs and drove in five runs, and the Nebraska Cornhuskers survived a furious Kansas State rally to outslug the Wildcats 14-9 on Tuesday night at Tointon Family Stadium.

The game’s most critical sequence came in the top of the eighth inning. Leading 10-8, Nebraska saw its first two batters retired. Pinch-hitter Kellen Kitchens then singled, bringing Grego to the plate. The right fielder, who had already homered in the sixth, connected again, driving a two-run shot to left field to extend the lead to 12-8. He added an RBI single in the third, finishing 3 for 4.

Grego’s second blast provided crucial breathing room after Kansas State had erased nearly all of an early eight-run deficit. The Cornhuskers (19-6) had raced to an 8-0 lead through two and a half innings, capitalizing on a pair of first-inning runs and a five-run third that featured two runs scoring on wild pitches and Grego’s two-run single.

The Wildcats (16-7) began their comeback in the fourth, sending 12 men to the plate and scoring six runs. Kyan Lodice delivered a two-run single, Nick Kennedy added an RBI double, and two more runs scored on a balk and a wild pitch to cut the Nebraska lead to 10-8.

Nebraska’s bullpen, after some mid-game struggles, sealed the win. Chase Olson struck out four over 1 2/3 perfect innings of relief. Tucker Timmerman followed with 1 1/3 scoreless innings, and a combination of Ryan Harrahill, Jalen Worthley and Braxton Stewart contributed key outs.

Kansas State’s Adan Longoria was a bright spot in relief, tossing 1 1/3 scoreless innings, but the Wildcats used seven pitchers who combined to issue 10 walks and hit three batters.

Nebraska racked up 15 hits. Jeter Worthley went 3 for 6 with two RBIs, Case Sanderson tripled and drove in two, and leadoff hitter Max Moyer had four hits and an RBI. The Cornhuskers have won four of their last five.

Kansas State managed 11 hits, with Lodice going 4 for 5 with two RBIs and two runs. Nick Smolinski added two doubles and scored twice. The Wildcats scored their final run in the ninth on an RBI single by Brady Madliak but left the bases loaded.

The victory avenged a 10-inning loss to Kansas State in Lincoln earlier this season on Feb. 21. Nebraska next hosts Indiana for a three-game series starting Friday. Kansas State travels to Utah for a three-game set beginning the same day.