ESPN.com Chat With Dave Van Horn

Dave Van Horn and the Nebraska baseball team earned its first-ever trip to the College World Series with a dramatic, come-from-behind victory over Rice in NCAA Super Regional action. Nebraska, which improved to 50-14 overall, produced six runs and five of their eight hits in the ninth and 10th innings to secure the win. The victory was especially sweet as Nebraska finished one victory short of reaching the College World Series in 2000.

Dave Van Horn: Hello everyone! Fire away!!

Perry (Spartanburg SC): Coach Van Horn: congrats on making the CWS and GO HUSKERS! Are you worried about an emotional letup after sweeping the Super regionals? And how is Shane's back for this weekend?

Dave Van Horn: We aren't worried about a letup. We have been consistent all year. We've had so much hype building up, we are just ready to play.

Shane is fine and looking forward to throwing Friday.

jack (Omaha): Coach, do you have two extra tickets? I"ll pay ya back.

Dave Van Horn: That's a good question! No, we haven't had any tickets for several days. We are so excited about all the enthusiasm.

Greg, Lincoln: Dave, I've followed your teams for the last 3 years and I think it's safe for me to say that Shane will start the opener, but I'm curious on who will start the Sunday game, will it be Jamie, R.D. or Brian?

Dave Van Horn: Right now we plan on R.D. but that could change after we scout the first game and after we realize who we will play. That's the plan right now. But if we had to use R.D. out of the pen on Firday we would do that and then make a decision.

John (Stromsburg): Coach .. When Shane Komine pitches, he sometimes gets into some pretty high pitch counts. Are you ever concerned with the number of pitches he throws?

Dave Van Horn: Yeah, we always keep an eye on his pitch count. He goes 2-2 in teh count alot so we keep an eye on him. He usually doesn't want to come out of the game so we have to deal with that.

Charlie (Omaha): Coach, shouldn't you be on the bus to Omaha right now?

Dave Van Horn: Yes, we are!!!!

Matt (Denver): What do you say to the critics of college baseball, that belive the aluminum bat ruins the game? Wouldn't the lack of arms (pitching) have a lot more to do with that. If a kid has a great arm he will be lured from high school to the pros with money, right?

Dave Van Horn: I"m actually for aluminum. IT makes the game more exciting and that is why the college game has taken off so much over the last few years. A good pitcher can get a guy out even with alumimun.

Kurt (York): Coach Van Horn, how much does height contribute to a successful pitcher? Can the non-prototypical likes of a Shane Komine make it in the bigs? Were you surprised he wasn't taken high in the draft?

Dave Van Horn: I think as long as an individual does well in the system, teh coaches don't care what their size is as long as they are getting the job done. Guys like Jeff Brantley, Ron Guidry, it can be done.

Justin (Falkville): What do you think about your first round matchup with Fullerton?

Dave Van Horn: They are probably the hottest team in college baseball right now. They played a great schedule this year and have two great pitchers. Their offense has scored lots of runs. They will be very tough to beat.

Don(Puyallup WA): After working so hard to build a competitive team, it must be discouraging to lose a bunch of guys to the MLB draft ??

Dave Van Horn: Yeah, it's disappointing but it's exciting for the players. That is why they play so hard, to get that opportunity. It's a good problem to have. We'll rebuild and reload.

Dave Kemp (Omaha): Do you anticipate using Komine for a complete game, should the situation arise? Or will you be looking ahead to forthcoming games and pull him out if you can amount an early lead?

Dave Van Horn: The only way we would take him out is if we were winning by maybe 8-10 runs with several innings to play. We will evaluate it as the game goes along.

Dave Kemp (Omaha): You have made such an impact on Nebraska baseball that there are going to be a lot of coaching opportunities opening up for you in the near future. Where do you see yourself in five years?

Dave Van Horn: Right now I see myself coaching at Nebraska, I enjoy it here and we are doing well. There have been some calls already but I've just told them I'm happy here. I plan on staying unless something unbelievable comes along.

Wesley (Harrodsburg): How much pressure is their to succeed in front of the hometown fans?

Dave Van Horn: I think the pressure we have is self-inflicted. We just want to play well and give ourselves a chance to win. The main thing is to play our best. There is pressure but mainly the pressure is in getting here.

Andy (omaha): This season your aggressive base running has won ball games for you. are you planning on going with that same style against fullerton? who is fullertons biggest threat offensively and defensively? GO BIG RED

Dave Van Horn: That's a good question. We will do what we always do. We will evaluate how well the pitcher and catcher work. We know which pitchers have good moves and which don't. We don't want to run ourselves out of an inning.

Gary (Seattle): Have you found the MLB Draft a distraction at all going into the CWS?

Dave Van Horn: It's a distraction for every team that is still playing. Kids are thinking about why they didn't get drafted, whether they will sign, etc. But it can be good for the kids who get drafted high. They don't have to worry.

nick(mccook): Coach you have done an amazing job of sending this program to the 2nd highest accomplishment. What do you think you have been able to do that so many other coachs that are from the north have not been able to do?

Dave Van Horn: That's a tough question. I know what we have done and that is change the attitude of our players and get a quality coaching staff. We had a huge committment from the players and the administration.

matt deveaux (goose creek,sc): so do you have any advice for young baseball players. ill be a senior in high school next year and i really want to play college ball, but i havent had many scouts to come look at me.

Dave Van Horn: The main way that coaches recruit is in the summertime. They go to American Legion tournaments, showcase events, and they get help from pro scouts. Get some exposure and try to get your coach to help you. There are lots of ways to do but if you are a good player usually they will find you.

I appreciate the interest in Husker baseball and your support all season. We will work our best to come out of Omaha with a national championship.

Take care.