Feb. 26, 2011
 
Freeman shuts down Sam Houston.
 
Huntsville, Texas — Senior Matt Freeman had the best outing as a Husker on Saturday afternoon as he notched career highs in innings (5.1) and strikeouts (7) to guide Nebraska (5-1) to a 3-0 win over Northern Colorado (0-3) at the Bearkat Invitational in Huntsville, Texas.

The Omaha, Neb., native took the mound in the third inning after starter Jon Keller struggled with his command early on, not giving up any hits but walking five. Freeman (1-0), a graduate of Elkhorn High School, allowed only four hits and sat down 12 straight Bears from the fourth to eighth inning. After UNC put runners on first and second in the eighth with two outs, the Huskers called on freshman right hander Brandon Pierce. The Gunter, Texas native silenced all four Bears he faced while striking out a pair to earn his first career save.

The Huskers were hanging on to a 1-0 lead through seven innings, only notching a run by Cory Burleson via a wild pitch in the second. Nebraska, which pounded out 20 hits Friday, finally chased UNC starter Josh Tinnon in the eighth inning with three runs and three hits, propelled by a Kurt Farmer leadoff double to open the frame. Cody Asche also had an RBI sacrifice fly and Peters turned in an RBI double down the right field line to give Pierce a 3-0 cushion heading into the ninth inning.

Aside from striking out seven and giving up only four hits, Freeman also walked just one. The NU defense was solid all the way around, as the Huskers did not commit an error the second time this season. Catcher Patric Tolentino threw out three UNC runners attempting to steal second base, while center fielder Khiry Cooper also gunned down Casey Coy when the UNC first baseman tried to score from second on a TJ Berge single in the fourth inning. Coy and Berge were the only scoring threats on Freeman until the eighth inning.

NU also remained perfect (7-0) in neutral site games over the past two years (3-0 in 2009, 4-0 in 2010).

Nebraska will have a quick turnaround as it faces host Sam Houston State tonight at 6:30 p.m. at Don Sanders Stadium. The Huskers and Bearkats will meet again Sunday morning at 10 a.m. to round out the weekend. The Big Red will have played three games in a 24-hour span following the conclusion of the Bearkat Invitational.

Source: University of Nebraska Athletic Dept.