Komine wants ending to be different this time
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
It was autograph day yesterday at the College World Series. But the two-hour session wasn't enough to accommodate Nebraska Cornhuskers fans.
Associated Press
"It's crazy," Nebraska ace and Hawai'i's own Shane Komine said in a telephone interview. "When we were done with the autograph session, there were so many fans who didn't get a chance to get an autograph. Shows how much support we have."
ABOVE: Shane Komine, who will start for Nebraska against Clemson today, warmed up at Rosenblatt Stadium yesterday. BELOW: Komine hands an autographed ball to Tyler Beene of Omaha, Neb.
No. 9 Nebraska, with Komine as its starting pitcher, opens against No. 2 Clemson at the College World Series today in Omaha, Neb., an hour bus ride from the Cornhuskers' campus.
But the fans might gladly trade an autograph for an improved performance from last year, when Nebraska was eliminated after two games in its World Series debut. Komine lost the Series opener, 5-4, to Cal State-Fullerton.
"I want to do a lot better than last year," said Komine, a 1998 graduate and all-state selection out of Kalani High. "Not that that I was disappointed with last year. This time, I'm not coming out too excited. I'm in control of my emotions a little better."
Komine, a senior right-hander, said he believes his team is better prepared.
"You can tell, walking around, the guy's eyes aren't wide open (like last year)," Komine said. "They know what to expect. A lot of guys know what to expect this year."
One reason the Cornhuskers are back in Omaha is Komine. The season he has had — 10-0 with a 1.87 earned run average — comes as a blessing.
First, he could have signed with the St. Louis Cardinals, who drafted him in the 19th round last year. But when he could not agree to terms, the school's most decorated pitcher — he is one of six players in NCAA history with 40 career victories and at least 500 strikeouts — he returned for his senior year.
Compounding matters was shoulder surgery in September and whether he would be the same pitcher he was the previous three seasons, two that landed him All-America status.
"I didn't know what to expect," admitted Komine. "I just wanted to come out and do the best I could. I just worked hard to get into shape."
The injury took a little off his fastball, which still buzzes through the strike zone in the low 90 mph range. But the injury may have been a blessing.
"I lost a little velocity, but gained more control," he said. "I throw my pitches more effectively. I was able to learn that even when I didn't have my best stuff, I still could be effective."
His comeback was reaffirmed when the Oakland Athletics took him in the ninth-round in last week's Major League draft.
Meanwhile, tickets for the World Series at Rosenblatt Stadium are hard to get. Nebraska fans came out 18,758 strong for a regular season game against Creighton at Rosenblatt on May 15. It was third largest baseball crown in NCAA history.
"They're real hard to find," Komine said of CWS tickets. "The only way to get tickets is if you know somebody or if you can get on a pass list."
