Brian Duensing will be looking to bring the success he's had during a seven-game stint as a reliever to the first inning of Nebraska's Big 12 Conference Tournament opener against Texas Tech on Wednesday night.

On Monday, pitching coach Rob Childress named the left-handed junior as NU's starter, a role that Duensing considers an honor.

"Being a starter, it's a different mentality," the fourth-year junior from Millard South said. "To be able to get the first start in the Big 12 Tournament, it's huge. Hopefully, I'll be able to get the ball rolling."

Nebraska enters as the No. 1 seed after tying Baylor for the regular-season title.

Duensing, who returned this year after missing nearly two seasons because of a damaged ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow, will be making his first start since lasting just two innings against Baylor on April 24. In his outing prior to that, against Texas A&M on April 17, he went what was then a season-low 4 2/3 innings.

But since moving to the bullpen, Duensing has given up just one run over 12 2/3 innings. Now 6-0, he's lowered his earned run average to 2.92.

"I'm going to have to settle in and pitch, as opposed to going 110 percent all the time," Duensing said. "Coach Childress knows I have the stuff to start. … I'm going to do the best I can."

Childress opted to go with Duensing in order to give Nebraska's regular starting rotation of Joba Chamberlain, Johnny Dorn and Zach Kroenke an extra day of rest. All three normally pitch on six days' rest.

"He gives us that X factor out of the bullpen, kind of like (Justin) Pekarek last year," Childress said. "I don't think it's going to be any different for him."

Pekarek alternated between being a starter and reliever last season, but thrived as a starter down the stretch, when he earned wins against Oklahoma State, Creighton and then Texas in the Big 12 Tournament opener.

Duensing, NU's starter in the 2002 Big 12 Tournament championship game and also in its second College World Series game, threw a seven-inning shutout against Oklahoma State on April 3. His longest start this season was a 7 1/3-inning outing against Kansas on March 27. When he was moved to the bullpen, he said he felt "out of sync," but has regained the sharpness that has helped him build a 15-2 career record.

"When you're in the pen, you're throwing a lot more," Duensing said. "I think it strengthened (my arm)."

Briefly

*Alex Gordon is one of 13 semifinalists for the Brooks Wallace College Player of the Year Award that will be presented June 30 in Lubbock, Texas. Three finalists will be announced June 16. The award is dedicated to the memory of the former Texas Tech player and assistant coach. Gordon also is one of 16 semifinalists for the Dick Howser Trophy, which will be presented at the College World Series on June 17.

The junior third baseman, currently hitting .396 with 16 home runs and 53 RBIs, is expected to be named Big 12 Player of the Year on Wednesday for the second straight season.

Reach Curt McKeever at 473-7441 or cmckeever@journalstar.com.