Ledbetter�s go-ahead, two-run single highlighted a three-run fifth, as NU overcame a pair of early deficits to improve to 8-4 on the season.

Shirek (2-0) scattered six hits and allowed a pair of runs over 6.2 innings of work. The right-hander from Minot, N.D., struck out a pair in his first start of the year. Schoeninger, who got Nebraska out of a two-on, two-out situation in the seventh, tossed a scoreless 2.1 innings for his first save.

With the win, NU, which opens up the home schedule Tuesday afternoon against Western Illinois, shares the Aztec Invitational title with Long Beach State and the University of San Diego with identical 2-1 marks. The four-day tournament drew 105,500 fans to the Padres' new downtown home.

Jake Mullinax had three of the Huskers' 11 hits, while John Grose went 2-for-4 with an RBI, while also throwing out a pair of would-be base stealers.

The Aztecs broke on top, scoring a run in the bottom of the first on Rielly Embrey�s two-out RBI single to center that scored Lance Zawadzki, who singled and moved to second on a wild pitch.

The Huskers got the equalizer in the top of the third on an RBI single by Ledbetter. Jesse Boyer, who has hit safely in his last eight games, opened the inning with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice by Joe Simokaitis. Two batters later, Ledbetter, who drove in both runs in Saturday�s loss to UCLA, drove in Boyer with a hard smash to center.

SDSU regained the lead in the bottom of the fourth on Jake Mclintock�s RBI single before the Huskers erupted for three runs in the fifth to take a 4-2 lead.

NU opened the inning with singles by Mullinax and Alex Gordon before Ledbetter�s two-run double to the gap in right center scored both runners and put the Huskers up 3-2. Colin Shockey�s sacrifice moved Ledbetter to third before Grose�s run-scoring single gave NU a two-run cushion and chased SDSU starter Chris Hartshorn. The RBI single snapped an 0-for-25 stretch for the Husker catcher and was his first RBI since Feb. 22.

Hartshorn (4-3) was touched up for four runs on eight hits in 4.1 innings of work to take the loss.

SDSU put together a rally in the seventh off Shirek on a two-out single by Josh Hill before Shirek hit Ryan Wilson, putting runners on first and second. Schoeninger came in relief and got Landon Burt to fly out, ending the Aztec threat.

The Huskers literally squeezed across a pair of runs in the ninth off Aztec reliever Ryan Schroyer. A single by Shockey and a walk to Grose put runners on first and second with no outs. Braden Keith�s bunt attempt was misplayed by Schroyer, as he threw the ball into left, scoring the first run. Bruce then executed a safety squeeze to score Grose with an insurance run.

In all, the Huskers had five sacrifice hits, equaling the third-highest total in NCAA history. NU also had five sacrifices against New Mexico on Feb. 21.

SDSU put two base runners on in the ninth to put runners on the corners, but Schoeninger ended the threat by getting a pop-up and a game-ending double play.

The Huskers open the home schedule this Tuesday, March 16, against Western Illinois. First pitch is set for 2:05 p.m. and tickets are available by calling 1-800-8-Big Red.

Source: University of Nebraska Athletic Dept.