LAWRENCE, Kan. -- Sophomore righty Pierce Johnson threw Missouri State’s first complete game of the season and came one out away from the shutout as the Bears beat Kansas 5-1 Tuesday evening at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence, Kan.

    Johnson (3-2) carried the shutout into the ninth before the Jayhawks scored on a ground ball to second that made for the second out in the inning. The Arvada, Colo., native then finished off the game with his career-best 10th strikeout to go against six hits and two walks. His inning and strikeout totals both marked season highs for any MSU pitcher.

    Tyler Paxson hammered the first pitch he saw in the second inning over the left field fence to put the Bears ahead for good, then added a two-run single in the fifth that plated Patrick Drake and Kevin Medrano for a 3-0 lead, capping a 2-for-3, three RBI effort for the senior.

    Aaron Conway added a two-run homer in the sixth, his second of the season, to put the Bears ahead 5-0.

    Missouri State improved to 17-10 on the year, while the Jayhawks dropped to 12-16.

    The Bears open Missouri Valley Conference play at home against Wichita State this weekend. The series starts Friday at 6:30 p.m.