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May 10, 2006

Box Score

Lincoln, Neb. -

University of Northern Iowa baseball used eight pitchers and clutch hits to defeat No. 5 Nebraska, 5-1, this evening at Hawks Field.  The Panthers handed the Huskers only their third loss at home this season and defeated Nebraska for the first time since 1997.  It also is the Panthers first ever victory over a top-5 opponent.

In his first collegiate start, redshirt freshman Zach Zirbel (Clear Lake, Iowa) earned the win, giving UNI a crucial first inning shutout.  Freshman lefty Nick Kirk (Dubuque, Iowa/Wahlert) struck out two in two innings on the mound. Each of the final three UNI pitchers, Jason Smith (Sioux Falls, S.D), Taylor Sinclair (Indianola, Iowa) and Jesse Oster (Redding, Calif.), retired two Huskers on strikes in one inning of work.

Sophomore Brett Featherston (Epworth, Iowa) went 2-for-4 with three RBI, driving his season RBI total to 48. Sophomore Brett Douglas (St. Charles, Iowa/I-35) went 2-for-4 and senior Mark Frieske (Spokane, Wash.) was 2-for-5 with two runs scored.

Senior Pat Moran sent a bloop single into right center to score Brett Douglas who had reached on a hit to right field and gave UNI a 1-0 lead in the top of the second. Kirk set the Huskers down in order on two groundouts and a strikeout in the bottom of the inning.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, UNI turned a 4-6-3 double play to keep the shutout alive. The Panthers then extended their lead to 3-0 with two runs off two hits and a Husker error in the top of the fifth. Freshman Deric Manrique, who redshirted at Nebraska last season, took first on a throwing error by shortstop Ryan Wehrle and then Frieske tallied an infield single. Sophomore Curt Bradley (Columbia, Mo.) pushed both runners into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt and freshman Brandon Douglas (St. Charles, Iowa) notched an RBI groundout. Featherston then scored Frieske with his 19^th double of the season, a shot to center field.

The Huskers threatened in the bottom of the fifth. Husker Jeff Lanning laced a one-out double to right center and Manrique made a diving catch in center field for the second out. NU loaded the bases, drawing a walk and being hit by pitch. Junior right-hander Tim Smid (Remsen, Iowa) then served up a fly out to left field, stranding three Huskers.

After back-to-back singles by Manrique and Frieske to start the seventh inning and another sacrifice bunt by Bradley, Brandon Douglas was intentionally walked to load the bases.  Featherston then ripped a single into right field, scoring two and giving UNI a 5-0 lead.

Jason Smith struck out two in the bottom of the seventh and Pat Moran made an excellent defensive gem at third base, helping UNI shut down the Husker offense once again.  NU tallied one run in the bottom of the eighth on two walks and an Andy Gerch single to left field.  Oster closed out the ninth, ending the game with two strikeouts.

UNI improves to 24-24, 7-11 in the MVC and plays at Wichita State this weekend.  Nebraska falls to 37-9.

                                                R          H         E

UNI     0 1 0 0 2 0 2 0 0          5          11        1

NU      0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0          1          3          2