Pekarek, who improved to 4-0 with the win, was nearly flawless, striking out a career-high seven Panthers, and allowing one player � Matt Alexander, who reached on a first inning error � to get on base. Pekarek, who is slated to start on Sunday at Kansas State, needed only 67 pitches to get through six innings, as he improved to 3-0 with a 1.56 ERA over his last three starts.

"I thought Justin was really sharp today," Nebraska Head Coach Mike Anderson said. "He was really in a rhythm out there. He was aggressive and attacked on the mound today."

"I was real thrilled for Justin," Anderson said. "To be honest, I thought about, (Pitching Coach) Rob (Childress) thought about it, but it still was in the best interest of the team to pull him (after six innings). He understood that and was 100% behind it. We know that he is going to be a little bit fresher on Sunday."

Ben Stanczyk�s two-out, seventh-inning seventh single to right off reliever Tim Schoeninger prevented the first Husker no-hitter since 1993. Schoeninger and Brad Furnish completed the shutout, combining on three innings of relief for NU, which has won 10 of its last 11 games. It was the first one-hitter by the Huskers since Aaron Marsden tossed a one-hit shutout against Texas A&M on March 17, 2002.

The Huskers, who improved to 17-5 with the win, staked Pekarek an early four-run lead, scoring twice in the first and adding single runs in the second and third innings off Wisconsin-Milwaukee starter Korey Keller, who allowed six runs on eight hits in 5.2 innings for his first loss in three decisions.

In the first, the Huskers loaded the bases before Chad Steele delivered a two-run single to give NU a quick 2-0 lead. Steele paced the Husker attack, going 2-for-4 with three RBIs, as Nebraska pounded out 12 hits off three UWM pitchers. Daniel Bruce then pushed the lead to 3-0 one inning later with a one-out RBI single. In the fourth, Braden Keith, who went 2-for-5 with a pair of RBIs, gave Nebraska a four-run cushion with an RBI single.

Nebraska gave Pekarek more breathing room the sixth, scoring four more runs, highlighted by Alex Gordon�s two-run homer � his eighth of the year - off UWM reliever Jeremy Leibfried and Steele�s RBI double, pushing the lead to 8-0. The Huskers then tacked on single runs in both the seventh and eighth for the final margin.

The series continues Wednesday afternoon, as the teams will meet again for a 1:35 p.m. first pitch.

Source: University of Nebraska Athletic Dept.