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Komine Shucks Hitters in the Cornhusker State

Nebraska pitcher Shane Komine throws against Northern Iowa in the first inning of the NCAA regional in Lincoln, Neb., Friday, May 25. Photo by Associated Press.

By Ethen Lieser

It’s usually as calm as a Little House on the Prairie scene in eastern Nebraska. But when early June rolls around, this corn-blossomed flatland turns into utopia for baseball fans. It’s College World Series time.

And participating in this year’s festivities are the local favorites, fourth-ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers, making their first-ever appearance in Omaha for a chance at the national championship. The Huskers have racked up 50 wins this year, mainly due to their explosive offense. But behind the slugging bats is their ace pitcher, Shane Komine, one of the most dominating hurlers in college baseball today. A native of Honolulu, Komine came to Nebraska three years ago and made an immediate impact on the Husker baseball program. Last year as a sophomore, Komine scorched Big-12 hitters and posted an 11-4 record with a 2.24 ERA and 238 strikeouts, garnering him the Big 12 Player of the Year Award, and was named First-Team All-American.

Unfortunately for opposing hitters, it was the same old story again this year. Komine has rattled off a 14-1 record and is set to become the starting pitcher in game one of the College World Series against Cal State Fullerton on Friday. Standing only
5 feet 10 inches and weighing 175 pounds, Komine doesn’t possess the archetypal imposing figure of a power pitcher. However, Komine has the ability to snap every ounce of his body into velocity that can reach the mid-90s. Komine also mixes in a slider, change-up and curveball to keep hitters honest.

“Shane has an outstanding curveball. It is definitely his out pitch,” said Rob Childress, Nebraska’s fourth-year pitching coach.

Though it might be surprising for a power pitcher to get many of his outs from curveballs, Komine’s reserved demeanor can also raise a few eyebrows.

“In person he is kind of laid-back, but when he gets on the mound, he turns into a different person,” Childress said.

It is this transformation of character that separates him from the rest of the pitchers. On Friday, in the opening game of the NCAA Super Regionals, Komine pitched against seventh-ranked Rice before a near-capacity crowd of 6,000 spectators at Buck Beltzer Stadium. After an eye-popping 162 pitches, Komine three-hit Rice and won 7-0. It was just another game for Komine.

“Ever since I was younger, it’s been something where I’m able to block [the crowd] out,” Komine said. “I think that’s really helped me to stay calm on the mound and not lose my composure and not let the crowd get to me.”

With a 9-6 victory over Rice on Saturday, the Huskers earned a ticket to Omaha for the College World Series. Komine now knows every game out could be the biggest game of his career – something he has already put in perspective.

“I just know that I’m going to go out there and, no matter what happens, I’m going to still live to see another day,” Komine said. “For a lot of people, baseball’s their life. For me, I love playing the game but it’s not going to break me. It’s something that I’ve loved to do ever since I was younger. I think just loving the game is something that allows me to go out there and not really feel a lot of pressure.”

And thanks to Komine, eastern Nebraskans can now be excited about one of their own playing in the College World Series.