Rodrigue Throws Second Straight Shutout

Lincoln -- Freshman Jamie Rodrigue (St. Clair, Mo.) tossed his second complete game shutout in as many outings as Nebraska 10-run-ruled Oklahoma, 12-0, in the first game of a doubleheader on Sunday at Buck Beltzer Stadium. However, Oklahoma bounced back to win the final game of the series, 4-3.

Rodrigue, fresh off a two-hit, 16-0 shutout over Kansas State Saturday, March 11, tossed a five-hitter and retired 11 straight batters at one point, facing the minimum number of batters through the final five innings. Rodrigue, who threw just 83 pitches, is one of just six pitchers in school history to throw two shutouts in a single season and is one shy of tying the school record. He is the only NU freshman to shut out two conference schools in a single season.

The Huskers got off to a quick start in the first game, as junior Dan Johnson (Coon Rapids, Minn.) hit a two-out, two-run home run in the first. Sophomore Canadians John Cole (Kanata, Ontario) and Adam Stern (London, Ontario) followed up with a pair of doubles to score the third run. The Huskers added a run in the third, before Johnson hit his second homer of the day and his fourth of the season in the fifth to score Adam Shabala (Streator, Ill.) and give NU a 5-0 lead. The Huskers tacked on two runs in the sixth and ended the game in the bottom of the seventh after a three-run home run by Brandt Vlieger (Omaha, Neb.) ended the game by the Big 12's mercy rule.

Johnson finished the game 2-for-2 with four RBI and two walks. Vlieger went 2-for-4 and doubled and scored in the sixth. Oklahoma had just three runners in scoring position and missed out on one opportunity when Zack Lekse tried to stretch a single into a double, but was gunned down by Shabala from right field.

The shutout marked the eighth time in school history the Huskers have shutout the Sooners, and the first time since 1981.

Oklahoma 000 000 0 -- 0 5 0
Nebraska 301 022 4 -- 12 12 0

In the second game, OU's Jeff Bajenaru played the hero, hitting a three-run home run and earning the win on the mound in relief. Brandon Penas was charged with the loss in relief after facing just one batter.

The Huskers jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the second on a solo home run to right center field by freshman Matt Hopper, his second of the season. The Huskers made it 2-0 in the third after senior Justin Cowan (Tumwater, Wash.) notched a two-out single and Johnson doubled to score Cowan.

Oklahoma rallied in the seventh as Tommy Whiteman led off the inning with a walk and advanced to second on a single by Rick Park. Bajenaru then homered of Husker starter R.D. Spiehs (Grand Island, Neb.) to tie give OU a 3-2 lead, but stranded runners and second and third.

Nebraska tied the game in the eighth after Cowan doubled down the left field line, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a sacrifice fly from Cole. But OU answered with a three hits in the ninth, including an RBI single from Lekse to retake the lead. Nebraska went quietly in the bottom of the ninth, getting a two-out single and a stolen base from Jamal Strong.

The loss snapped a six-game Husker winning streak and marked the first time in seven games the Huskers did not score at double-figure runs or double-figure hits. Nebraska is now 14-7 overall and 5-4 in Big 12 play. Oklahoma is 14-10 and 4-2 in league action. Nebraska plays at Creighton on Tuesday at 2:30 p.m.

Oklahoma 000 000 301 -- 4 11 0
Nebraska 011 000 010 -- 3 8 0