Lincoln - Behind a 17-hit attack, including two-run homers from Daniel Bruce and Matt Hopper, eighth-ranked Nebraska cruised to a 12-5 win over Western Illinois in front of a crowd of 2,542 at Hawks Field Wednesday afternoon.

The Huskers, who improved to 16-5 on the season, jumped to a 9-1 lead after four innings and cruised to their second straight win over WIU, which dropped to 2-19 on the season. Nebraska has now won all 16 meetings between the two schools.

NU touched up WIU starter Brent Pocewicz for three runs in the bottom of the first. Drew Anderson opened the contest with a single to center before Bruce, who went 2-for-5 on the day, belted his second home run of the season, a laser shot to left, giving the Huskers a 2-0 lead. Later in the frame, Josh Birmingham, who drove in three RBIs in the win, provided NU