Komine fans 12; Huskers win, 9-1

Advertiser Staff

Two-time All-American Shane Komine scattered five hits and struck out 12 in pitching the distance, leading Nebraska to a 9-1 victory over Marist at in the Lincoln Regional at Lincoln, Neb.

Komine, a senior right-hander from Honolulu, threw just 97 pitches in leading the Cornhuskers (44-18) into today's regional championship against Southwest Missouri State (43-20), which eliminated Marist (42-13), 5-2, last night.

"Shane pitched great," said Nebraska coach Dave Van Horn. "His fastball was his secondary pitch today. He threw a lot of curveballs, changeups and sliders. He threw everything for a strike. It seemed like he was ahead all day."

After scoring a run in the first, Nebraska rallied for five runs in the second after two were out. Jeb Morris, who went 3-for-4, sparked the inning with a two-run single.

That was all Komine (8-0) needed in pitching the 17th complete game of his career. With the victory and 12 strikeouts, Komine is one win and six strikeouts away from becoming the sixth pitcher in NCAA history to record 40 victories and 500 strikeouts in a career.

"Today was about the best I have felt in 6-7 weeks now," said Komine, who was making his third start since May 16. He was sidelined with tendinitis in his right elbow from April 5.

"I think the reason I was so successful was I was able to throw my pitches for strike and mix it up. It helps when your offense scores a lot of runs early in the game."