Ledbetter, who entered today�s game with a .125 average and four RBIs, broke a 3-for-24 slump, helping the Huskers erupt for seven runs in the first inning en route to its first win over a ranked opponent this season. With the victory, Nebraska improved to 5-1 on the season and posted its first winning weekend in four trips to the Crowne Plaza/Rice Invitational.

NU also received a three-hit performance from Alex Gordon, who scored twice, while Joe Simokaitis drove in a pair of runs in the Huskers� nine-hit attack.

The Huskers were the beneficiary of a solid outing from Justin Pekarek, who held UNC to one run through the first five frames for the win. Five relievers followed and combined for 3.2 innings of three-hit, shutout ball.

The Huskers knocked out UNC starter Adam Kalkhof (0-1) in the top of the first, plating seven runs and chasing the Tar Heel starter after just one third of an inning. Kalkhof, a freshman All-American who went 7-2 last season, allowed seven runs � five earned � while walking two and hitting two more to take the loss.

Ledbetter opened the scoring with a two-run single to center, spotting the Huskers a quick 2-0 lead. NU eventually loaded the bases on a walk and an error before a bases-loaded walk to Johnny Bowden scored one run and Kalkhof hit Belcher for NU�s fifth run to chase UNC starter. Joe Simoakitis then greeted UNC reliever Whitley Bensen with a two-run single to right center, capping the outburst.

The Tar Heels trimmed Nebraska�s lead to 7-1 in the bottom of the first on Chris Iannetta�s one-out RBI double off NU Pekarek, who settled down after a shaky start to retire 14 of 15 Tar Heels, including 10 in a row during one stretch before running into trouble in the bottom of the sixth. Pekarek (1-0) went 5.1 innings, allowing four runs on six hits, for his first win since last April 23.

The Huskers regained the seven-run cushion in the second, as Jake Mullinax reached on a fielding error and eventually came around to score on Daniel Bruce�s RBI bunt single.

The Tar Heel bullpen kept the Husker bats at bay until UNC mounted a comeback off Pekarek in the sixth, scoring three runs to close to within 8-4. Wes Moyer�s run-scoring single accounted for the first run before pinch hitter Matt Ellington greeted Phil Shirek with a two-run single, cutting the Husker lead to four runs. UNC had runners on second and third, but Shirek got Craig Corrado to ground out to end the threat.

The Huskers finally got to the UNC bullpen in the seventh, getting three hits, including Ledbetter�s third RBI of the day, and pushed the advantage to 10-4. After a leadoff single by Boyer and a Mullinax sacrifice bunt, Gordon�s third hit of the day put runners on first and third with one out. A balk on Michael Grose plated the first run before Ledbetter�s singled back up the middle, giving NU a six-run lead.

The Huskers return to action this Friday, March 5, as they travel to Minneapolis, Minn., for the Dairy Queen Classic. Nebraska will face off with No. 22 Florida State in the opener, Friday afternoon at 12:15 p.m. Saturday and Sunday�s games will be carried on the Pinnacle Sports Network, while the game against the Gophers will be televised on Fox Sports North.

Source: University of Nebraska Athletic Dept.