Northwestern kept its six-game winning streak alive in convincing fashion Friday.

The Wildcats knocked off No. 6 Texas 2-0 in the opening round of the double-elimination NCAA Regional Championships behind a five-hit shutout from freshman pitcher Amy Letourneau. NU moves to 11-2 in the opening game of the NCAA Championships.

After a two-year hiatus from the tournament, the Cats picked off where they left off when junior shortstop Emily Allard hit an infield single to lead off the game and then promptly stole second. She later scored on a two-out single to center field by sophomore third baseman Marisa Bast. The lead was extended to 2-0 with three straight singles to start the fifth inning.

Despite walking nine batters, Letourneau picked up her second shutout of the season, throwing 133 pitches and striking out five batters. She loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, but induced a flyout to left field to end the game.

NU advances to face Houston in the winners’ bracket on Saturday. If the Cats win, they will play the survivor of the losers’ bracket Sunday and if they lose, they will face the winner of Texas and Auburn on Saturday night.