The Huskers - who are off to their best start since 1988 - pounded out 16 hits, including homers by John Grose (Henderson, Nev.) and Brandon Fusilier (Coppell, Texas), while six pitchers combined on a six-hitter, as Nebraska improved to 10-2 on the young campaign.

The Huskers took command early, scoring two runs in the first, as Jeff Leise (Omaha, Neb.) opened the game with a leadoff triple before coming around on Daniel Bruce�s (Omaha, Neb.) RBI double. NU extended the lead two batters later as Fusilier, who went 3-for-6 with a pair of RBIs, singled between third and short for NU�s second run of the frame.

Nebraska opened the third with a bang, as Grose and Fusilier opened the inning with back-to-back solo shots to left of Nebraska-Kearney starter Andy Wernke, who allowed six runs on six hits in 2.2 innings to drop to 1-1 on the season. NU continued the barrage, as Chase Odenreider (Omaha, Neb.) singled, stole second before moving to third on an errant pickoff before coming around on Josh Birmingham�s (Hobbs, N.M.) fielder�s choice. Birmingham plated NU�s final run scoring on a wild pitch by UNK reliever Dallas Jones.

The Huskers extended the lead to 7-0 in the fourth as Grose, who had two hits and scored twice, opened the fourth with a single before coming around on Birmingham�s RBI single and tacked on three more in the fifth, highlighted by Joe Gullion�s (Leawood, Kan.) run-scoring double.

The Lopers, who dropped to 4-8 on the season, ended the Huskers� shutout bid in the seventh when Ricci Fast belted a two-run homer to left of NU reliever John Brownell, cutting the Huskers� lead to 10-2.

The two-run homer was the only blight on the day for the Husker pitching staff, as the six pitchers combined for eight strikeouts, as Quinton Robertson (Richland, Miss.) earned the win, retiring all three batters he faced in a predetermined one-inning appearance. Robertson, who improved to 3-0 on the year, threw seven pitches in his final preparation for Saturday�s game against the Aggies.

Nebraska got the runs back in the eighth, as Alex Gordon (Lincoln, Neb.) delivered a two-run double, pushing the Husker cushion to 12-2. In all, 12 different players had at least one hit for Nebraska in today�s win.

The Huskers begin Big 12 play this weekend, when Nebraska travels to No. 22 Texas A&M for a three-game series beginning Friday at 7 p.m.

Source: University of Nebraska Athletic Dept.