The Longhorns (41-5, 13-3 Big 12) used a three-run sixth and a strong bullpen performance, as three Longhorn relievers combined to toss 5.2 innings of shutout baseball to help Texas overcome Nebraska�s early 2-0 lead.

Kyle McCulloch (7-0) earned the win with an inning of scoreless relief, while Huston Street notched his fifth save in three innings of one-hit ball. With the win Texas moved past Oklahoma, a 14-4 loser to Texas Tech earlier Saturday, for the Big 12 lead.

Nebraska (26-12, 7-7 Big 12) got on the board in the top of the third, scrapping together a run, as Daniel Bruce�s two-out RBI single scored Colin Shockey, who reached on a fielder�s choice. Shockey reached with two outs, stole second and moved to third on a throwing error by UT catcher Curtis Thigpen before Bruce roped a full count pitch into center for NU�s first run.

Nebraska chased UT starter Sam LeCure in the fourth, as Curtis Ledbetter drew a leadoff walk and came home on Jake Mullinax�s triple � the first of his career � to the wall in left center. LeCure allowed two runs � one earned � on four hits in 3.1 innings, but neither he nor NU starter Phil Shirek factored into the decision.

NU, which had four triples in its first 37 games, had a golden opportunity to extend the lead in the top of the sixth. Alex Gordon, who extended his hit streak to nine games, tripled to open the frame. Two batters later, Mullinax bunted to the left of McCullough, who threw home to get Gordon for the out even though television replays showed that Gordon scored before the tag of Curtis Thigpen was applied.

Nebraska got the leadoff hitter on base in each of the first six innings, scored only twice and left four of its five stranded runners in scoring position. That was the key to the game according to Head Coach Mike Anderson.

"We had plenty of opportunities, but could not execute," Anderson said. "We knew that if we pushed across three or four runs, we had an opportunity especially with the way Phil was throwing. Not scoring in those situations changed the whole scope of the game."

Shirek, who struck out four over his first five-plus innings, took two-hit shutout into the sixth, but Texas took the lead by scoring three runs off the Husker right-hander and reliever Dustin Timm to take a one-run lead. Drew Stubbs was hit by a Shirek pitch to open the inning before Thigpen singled to right, but Daniel Bruce�s throw to third was off line, allowing Stubbs to score. Timm came in and allowed back-to-back singles to Taylor Teagarden and Hunter Harris, the second tying the score. After a balk and a fly out, NU intentionally walked Chance Wheeless to load the bases in hopes to turning an inning-ending double play, but Timm walked Seth Johnson to force in the go-ahead run.

Teagarden, one of three UT players with two hits, pushed the Longhorn lead to 4-2 in the seventh with an RBI double to score Robbie Hudson, as Timm (1-2) took the loss, allowing two runs in three innings of relief.

The two teams will conclude the series Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m.

Source: University of Nebraska Athletic Dept.