Minnesota (3-4) spotted Nebraska a run on the first, but responded with three unanswered runs, while Glen Perkins and Cole DeVries held the Huskers to just three singles through the final eight frames. Perkins (1-allowed one run on four hits in the first six innings for his first win of the year, while Devries tossed three shutout innings for the save.

Nebraska starter Quinton Robertson (1-2) pitched well for the second straight outing, allowing two runs on five hits in five innings, but was hurt by the Huskers� limited offensive output. Robertson struck out a season-high six Gophers and didn�t walk anyone, while holding Minnesota scoreless until the sixth.

Nebraska broke on top in the first inning on an RBI double by third baseman Alex Gordon. Jesse Boyer and Joe Simokaitis opened the game with back-to-back singles, putting runners on first and second. Gordon then ripped Perkins� first pitch to the base of the wall in right center, scoring Boyer for his 14th RBI of the season and marking the seventh time in eight innings that NU scored a run in the first.

Perkins settled down after the rocky start, allowing one hit in his final five innings of work, as the Huskers left runners in scoring position in the first and four frames against the Gopher starter.

The Husker backed Robertson with some spectacular defense in the early frames to keep the Gophers at bay. In the third, Minnesota had a golden opportunity as Sean Kommerstand reached on one out error and Sam Steidl ripped a double to the gap, but the Huskers prevented the run, as the relay from Daniel Bruce to Jake Mullinax to John Grose cut down Kommerstand at the plate. The following inning, Minnesota threatened again, as Mike Mee led off with a double and eventually reached third, but Gordon snuffed out the rally with a spectacular play at third to end the frame.

The Gophers finally got to Roberson in the sixth, as Mee led off the frame with a double to right before Jake Elder tied the game and chased the Husker starter with an RBI single to center. Brad Furnish then allowed a single before a sacrifice moved runners to second and third. Matt Fornasiere then broke the tied as he plated the Gophers� second run with a grounder to first.

The Huskers had their best late-inning threat against DeVries in the seventh on consecutive one-out singles by pinch hitter Braden Keith and Daniel Bruce, but could not capitalize as Boyer grounded into a fielder�s choice and Simokaitis struck out to end the threat.

The Gophers added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth, stringing together three consecutive singles off Furnish. Fornasiere singled to right to load the bases, but Bruce�s throw to the plate held the lead runner. On the play David Hrncirik went past second and backup catcher Chad Steele�s throw to second to get the runner allowed Andy Hunter to score on the play from third.

The Huskers conclude tournament play Sunday morning, when they take on West Virginia at 11 a.m. (CST). The game will be carried on the Pinnacle Sports Network and on the Internet at Huskers.com.

Source: University of Nebraska Athletic Dept.