NU notches another shutout

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BY CURT McKEEVER

Steady mid-week production is making it easy for the Nebraska baseball team to look forward to weekend duty in the Big 12 Conference.

Wednesday, the 17th-ranked Huskers posted their second straight methodical shutout of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, winning 9-0 to improve their record to 18-5.

That includes a 5-0 mark for non-weekend games.

"You've got to keep getting your wins," NU coach Mike Anderson said of the importance of doing well outside league play. "If we don't take care of business in mid-week games, then you lose out on a (NCAA) regional."

On Tuesday, Nebraska got six no-hit innings from fifth-year left-handed senior Justin Pekarek en route to a combined one-hit, 10-0 blanking of the Panthers. Wednesday, right-handed senior Quinton Robertson was nearly as dominating.

While getting his first win in his last six outings, the 2003 All-Big 12 pitcher threw five innings of three-hit ball. He gave up a single on the first pitch he threw, but then retired 13 straight batters.

"It goes through your head what the next hitter is going to do," Robertson said. But "that's me, today. That's how I should throw the ball, and it's time to roll with it."

Against Kansas on Sunday, Robertson lasted just 22/3 innings and gave up five runs before he was replaced. Against Boston College the previous Saturday, he went just 31/3 innings and allowed two runs.

So what was the difference Wednesday?

"I really haven't changed a thing," the 6-foot-5 Robertson said. "Some days are better than others."

Ask Wisconsin-Milwaukee. The Panthers entered the two-game series against NU hitting .332. But after going 4-for-59 (.068), they're now down to .305.

The last time Nebraska posted consecutive shutouts was against Texas A&M on March 16-17, 2002.

"Every game is a challenge, we've got to get up and stay with our focus," NU's Daniel Bruce said.

Bruce had his Wednesday. Hitting second in the batting order for the ninth straight game, the junior cracked his fifth home run (a solo shot in the second) and drove in a second run with a bunt single in the fourth.

Since being moved to the No. 2 spot, Bruce has hit .406 to raise his average to .299

"I'll hit anywhere, but I like it," Bruce said. "I think Coach Anderson might've put me there to get me going. I was flying out a lot. I've been trying to hit line drives and to the opposite field."

Nebraska also got another typical performance from Alex Gordon. The sophomore third baseman went 2-for-3 and drove in the Huskers' final four runs. Gordon is hitting .415 with 37 RBIs.

The only time Wisconsin-Milwaukee threatened to score came in the seventh inning, when Jeremy Becker walked three straight with one out. Right-handed sophomore Brett Jensen then came in and struck out pinch-hitter Blake Kangas, then got Steve Sanfilippo to fly out to center.

Not one to rub it in, Robertson offered the Panthers some comfort.

"It's a game," he said. "If you're not playing it for fun, you're doing it for the wrong reason."

Reach Curt McKeever at 473-7441 or cmckeever@;journalstar.com.