Ledbetter�s 4-for-4 effort with four RBIs and two runs scored extended his hitting streak to 20 games, and helped the Huskers improve to 31-10 overall. South Dakota fell to 20-18 on the season with the loss.

While Ledbetter was leading the Huskers offensively, Justin Pekarek provided a solid pitching performance, slinging a career-long six innings in a complete-game three-hitter to improve to 2-1 on the season.

Ledbetter�s barrage paced a balanced Husker attack, as eight players had at least one hit, while six Huskers drove in at least one run in the win. Daniel Bruce went 2-for-2 with three runs scored, helping Nebraska improve to 12-0 all-time against the Coyotes.

Nebraska jumped on starter Mark Goodman (3-5), touching up the Coyote left-hander for four runs on seven hits in 2.1 innings.

NU scored twice in the first on a Matt Hopper RBI single followed by Ledbetter�s first double of the day advanced Hopper to third. Joe Gullion plated Hopper with an RBI ground out to give the Huskers a 2-0 advantage. Jake Mullinax gave the hosts a three-run lead with a run-scoring single in the second. Ledbetter opened the third with his second double of the day and came around on Brandon Fusiler�s RBI single that chased the USD starter after 51 pitches.

Ledbetter provided four of NU�s final five runs, belting his ninth homer of the year, a three-run shot in the fourth to put NU up 7-0, and an RBI double in the fifth, while Josh Birmingham supplied NU�s other run in the frame with a pinch-hit RBI single.

Pekarek, whose five strikeouts established a career high, took a shutout into the sixth, but Horace Lawrence�s RBI single gave the Coyotes their only run of the contest.

The Huskers return to Big 12 play this weekend, as they travel to Lubbock, Texas, to take on Texas Tech. Friday�s first pitch is set for 7 p.m., with afternoon games slated for both Saturday and Sunday.

Source: University of Nebraska Athletic Dept.