Kroenke was dominant in improving to 5-0 on the season, tossing Nebraska�s second one-hitter in three games, as Terry Blunt�s seventh-inning single prevented NU�s first no-hitter since 1993. Kroenke, who improved to 5-0 and lowered his ERA to 2.08, faced one batter over the minimum in his second career complete game and the first since last season�s regional. The Omaha, Neb., native struck out seven and allowed only one runner to reach scoring position.

Nebraska, which improved to 19-5 overall and 3-1 in league play, has now tossed three straight shutouts for the first time since 1988 and has not allowed a run over the last 31 innings of work dating back to Sunday�s win over Kansas.

"That was the best game I have ever seen him throw," Nebraska Head Coach Mike Anderson said. "He was great tonight. He was in command, and I loved how he pitched with emotion.

Ledbetter broke the scoreless tie in the seventh, launching a one-out solo homer to left center and added an RBI single in NU�s five-run eighth. The round tripper was the first of the season for Ledbetter, who hit 13 en route to All-Big 12 honors a year ago.

The contest developed into a pitcher�s duel between Kroenke and Wildcat southpaw Brett Bagley, as game was deadlocked at zero after six frames. Kroenke was sharp early on, allowing only two base runners though six innings � both on walks - but both were erased on double plays, as he faced the minimum through six frames.

Bagley, who dropped to 4-3 with the loss, was his equal through six, as NU had two hits and only one runner in scoring position.

After Ledbetter's homer in the top of the seventh, KSU (19-8, 2-2 Big 12) finally had gotten to Kroenke in the bottom of the frame, putting the first two runners on, but solid defense and a baserunning miscue proved to be costly. Blunt�s single up the middle broke up Kroenke�s no-hitter. Jason Long then laid down a bunt, and Kroenke went to second to erase the lead runner, but the throw was late, putting runners on first and second with no outs. Blunt stole third to put runners on the corners, but Long didn�t go on the double steal. Kroenke picked Long off at first for the second out before striking out Steve Murphy to end the inning and KSU�s only serious threat off the NU starter.

"We practice that all the time (1st and 3rd defense), and we worked it to perfection tonight," Anderson said.

The Huskers took advantage of some clutch two-out hitting and several defensive breakdowns by the Wildcats to put a five-spot on the board. NU totaled all five runs with two outs, including an RBI double by Jake Mullinax and run-scoring hits by Ledbetter and Jesse Boyer.

Alex Gordon chased Bagley, who allowed two runs on six hits in 6.2 innings, with a single before Mullinax greeted KSU reliever Danny Wilson with double to the gap in left center to put NU up 2-0. Ledbetter drove a run with a single to left before Simokaits reached on an error. Boyer then put NU up 4-0 with an RBI single that put runners on the corners. Both runners would eventually score, as KSU had two errors and a passed ball on the same, play, giving the Huskers a six-run cushion.

Mullinax, who went 2-for-5 with three RBIs, pushed the margin to 8-0 in the ninth with a two-run RBI single to left center off Wilson, who allowed six runs in 1.1 innings of relief.

The series continues Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m., as Phil Shirek (4-0, 2.10 ERA) takes the hill for the Huskers against KSU right-hander Carlos Torres (5-2, 3.54 ERA)

Source: University of Nebraska Athletic Dept.