Charlie Shirek allowed two runs over 7.2 innings, while Luke Gorsett drove in two runs, leading No. 4 Nebraska to a 4-2 win over Creighton Tuesday evening in front of a crowd of 6,879 at Hawks Field Tuesday night.

Shirek took a shutout into the eighth, as the redshirt freshman scattered nine hits and fanned three to improve to 2-1 on the season. Erik Bird then slammed the door on Creighton, getting the Huskers out of a two-on, two-out situation in the eighth before retiring the side in order in the ninth for his first career save.

"I thought Charlie (Shirek) pitched outstanding," Anderson said of the Minot, N.D. product. "It was exactly what we needed right in that situation, and obviously Erik Bird did a good job too. It is great to have two freshman pitchers do that."

Anderson said that Shirek's efficiency was the key, as he got 15 ground ball outs and was helped by two double plays in pitching into the eighth for the first time in his career.

"He wasn't throwing that many pitches," Anderson said. "He threw his fastball and slider and got in on the hands and under the bats to create some great innings early in the game. I thought he started doing what he did at the beginning of the year by getting stronger at the end. His velocity was great all night long and it was just a good outing for him."

The Huskers, who improved to 29-5 on the season with its 11th straight win, were out hit, 9-6, but jumped out to a 4-0 lead and held on to earn their fourth straight win over their in-state rival and clinch the season series.

Gorsett provided the game's big hit with a two-run double in the first off Creighton starter and loser Jeff Daneff (0-1). The Huskers used consecutive two-out walks by Ryan Wehrle and Brandon Buckman before Gorsett cleared the bases, ripping a 3-2 pitch into right center, extending his hit streak to 15 games in the process.

Creighton (21-12) had a golden opportunity in the fourth, loading the bases with no outs on two singles and a Husker error. Ryan Urzendowski then hit a grounder to Jake Mort at third to begin a 5-2-3 double play before Brandon Knox grounded back to Shirek to end the inning.

The Huskers tacked on a run in the sixth under the most unusual circumstances. Consecutive singles by Wehrle and Buckman off Tony Bilek and a misplayed fielder's choice loaded the bases with no outs. Jake Opitz then hit a pop-up to Urzandowski behind the bag at second, who dropped the ball, allowing Gorsett to score. After a debate of approximately 10 minutes, the umpires allowed Gorsett to score from third, ruled Buckman (the runner on second, who didn't advance) out, Gorsett moved from first to second, and Opitz was awarded first

Bryce Nimmo added the Nebraska lead in the seventh, as he homered off CU switch-pitcher Pat Vendette to give the Huskers a four-run cushion, Nimmo's third round tripper of the year.

Shirek was cruising along in the eighth when a pair of misplayed fly balls lead directly to a pair of Bluejay runs. With one out, Zach Daeges hit a ball to center, which Nimmo lost in the lights for a stand up triple. After a Chase Odenreider single put Creighton on the board, Chris Gradoville hit another fly ball to center, which fell for a double to put runners on second and third. Darin Ruf's grounder to third plated a run before Chad Ogren chased Shirek with a single to put runners on the corners. Bird came in and squelched the rally, striking out Mark Wellwood to end the inning.

The Huskers wrap up the five-game homestand on Wednesday, as they take on Nebraska-Kearney. First pitch is set for 1:05 p.m.