Austin, Texas -- Aaron Marsden stifled fifth-ranked Texas with a sterling performance on the hill and delivered a knockout blow with his bat, as No. 14 Nebraska took the series opener, 8-3 in front of a crowd of 4,671 at Disch-Falk Field Friday evening.

The left-hander won his fifth straight start, allowing two earned runs and scattering nine hits in 8.1 innings in improving to 6-1 on the season. The Grand Forks, N.D., native struck out six en route to his fourth victory over a ranked team this season, helping the Huskers post their first win against a top-10 team this season.

Marsden, who was forced to hit after NU starting catcher John Grose was ejected in the fourth, put a exclamation mark on the evening with the evening