Huskers Fall to Stanford 7-1

Stanford, Calif. - Behind a dominating performance from right-handed pitcher Justin Wayne, Stanford forced a third and deciding game in the NCAA Super Regional, downing Nebraska, 7-1, in front of a crowd of 2,934 at Sunken Diamond Saturday afternoon.

The Cardinal, who improved to 46-15 on the year, will face the Huskers (51-16) Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. (CDT) with the winner advancing to the College World Series.

In a battle of first-team All-America hurlers, Wayne kept the Huskers off balance throughout the contest, allowing just six hits and striking out 10 en route to his sixth complete game of the season. Wayne, who improved to 14-3 on the year, allowed only a single run in the third and held Nebraska to its lowest run output of the season.

"Their starter was outstanding," Nebraska Coach Dave Van Horn said. "He had great stuff and had command of both sides of the plate with three or four pitches. He really didn't give us a chance."

Stanford broke the contest, which was tied at one after five innings, scoring six runs in the final four innings, including four off Husker All-American Shane Komine, who dropped to 11-4 on the season. Today's matchup was the first collegiate contest between Wayne and Komine, who both hail from Honolulu.

The Cardinal broke a 1-1 tie with a pair of runs in the top of the sixth. Joe Borchard walked with one out and moved to third on a hit and run. Chris O'Riordan hit a hard grounder to third which NU third baseman Josh Hesse smothered and threw to second for the fielder's choice, but Borchard scored the Cardinal's go-ahead run. Stanford, which had lost two straight games only twice this season, added a second run in the inning when O'Riordan stole second, moved to third on a throwing error by NU catcher Justin Cowan and scored on a wild pitch, only the seventh thrown by Komine this season.

Stanford extended the lead to 5-1 in the top of the seventh on a two-run homer by designated hitter Arik VanZandt. Andy Topham reached on an error to start the inning before VanZandt sent a 2-2 Komine offering off the left field fence for his fourth homer of the year.

Pitching for the first time since breaking his jaw in two places in the NCAA Tournament opener against Butler on May 26, Komine went seven innings, allowing five runs (three earned) on six hits in losing for first time since March 31, a span of seven straight decisions. The Big 12 Player of the Year, Komine struck out five, increasing his single-season school record to 159 on the season, and walked two in the losing effort.

"I woke up this morning and my jaw felt great," Komine said. "Coach said the only way I would pitch was if I came out and said I wanted to pitch, and I did. I didn't have any pain, but I just ran out of gas."

Craig Thompson added a two-run homer off NU reliever Brian Rodaway in the ninth for the Cardinal's final tally.

Stanford took an early 1-0 advantage in the second, scoring a run on an RBI single by Damien Alverado. With one out, consecutive singles by Johm Gall and O'Riordan put runners on first and third before Alverado grounded a single between first and second to score Gall.

In the bottom of the third, the Huskers drew even with a sacrifice fly by Cowan. With one out, Jamal Strong singled to center and advanced to third on a single to right by Adam Stern. Cowan sent a fly to center, easily scoring Strong to tie the score at one.

The Huskers threatened to score in both the first and fifth innings, putting runners in scoring position both times, but Wayne pitched himself out of early trouble. In the first, Strong drew a leadoff walk before Cowan was hit by a Wayne pitch, putting runners on first and second, but Wayne struck out Dan Johnson and Matt Hopper to leave the runners stranded. In the fifth, Strong singled with two outs, stole second and advanced to third as Alverado's throw was wide of the bag, but NU could not capitalize as Stern flew out to right to end the inning.

The six-run loss equals Nebraska's worst loss of the year, as the Huskers lost at Oklahoma State, 8-2, on March 5.

Nebraska Postgame Notes
*- With the loss, Stanford ends Nebraska's nine-game winning streak, the Huskers' second longest streak of the season

*- With his start today, sophomore Shane Komine moves into a four-way tie for the most starts in school history with 17, joining Scott Fries (1999), Tom Bergan (1994) and Pat Leinen (1988). The sophomore from Honolulu already holds single-season record for innings pitched (124 2/3) and strikeouts (159) this season. With his strikeout of Joe Borchard in the second inning, he moved into sole possession of second place on Nebraska's strikeout list, passing John Lepley, who had 233 strikeouts from 1985 to 1988.

*- Cowan moved into a five-way tie for 10th on Nebraska's hit by pitch list. His 10 this season trails only team leader Brandt Vlieger, who has been plunked 18 times on the year.

*- Nebraska's six-run loss equals Nebraska's worst loss of the season, also accomplished in an 8-2 loss at Oklahoma State on March 5.

*- Nebraska is now 9-9 all-time in NCAA Tournament games. The loss is NU's first NCAA loss since May 29, 1999, against Mississippi State at the Ohio State Regional. Husker Coach Dave Van Horn is now 5-3 in NCAA Tournament games.

*- Nebraska's one run today equaled its lowest output of the season. The Huskers were held to a single run in losses at Rice (2-1, Feb. 12) and against Fresno State (6-1, May 13).

*-Nebraska hitters Justin Cowan, Dan Johnson, Matt Hopper and Brandt Vlieger, the three through six spots in the lineup, are a combine 1-for-25 (.040) with 13 strikeouts against Stanford in the Super Regional.