Four Huskers Selected to ABCA All-Midwest Region Team

Lincoln - Four University of Nebraska baseball players were honored, as the American Baseball Coaches Association released its All-Midwest Region team Thursday. The 15-member first-team is highlighted by a trio of Huskers: outfielder Jeff Leise, catcher Jed Morris and pitcher Shane Komine, while sophomore pitcher Aaron Marsden was a second-team honoree. Nebraska was the only school in the region, which primarily covers the Big 12 and Missouri Valley Conferences, to have three first-team selections.

Leise, who was also selected as a first-team All-American by the ABCA, finished his junior campaign with a .371 batting average with 12 homers and 51 RBIs. The Omaha, Neb., native tied NU's single-season hits record with 109 and ranked among the conference leaders in hits, stolen bases (25), triples (eight), homers (12) and runs scored (69). A first-team All-Big 12 selection and a seventh-round selection by the Anaheim Angels, Leise was also selected as the Verizon/CoSIDA Academic All-American of the Year in baseball this spring.

A first-team All-American by Baseball Weekly and Collegiate Baseball, Morris enjoyed one of the most prolific offensive seasons in school history. The 6-0, 195-pounder from Seabrook, Texas, batted .382 with 23 homers and 90 RBIs, setting or tying single-season marks in RBIs, doubles (26), total bases (201), extra-base hits (50) and sacrifice flies (12). Morris was the Big 12 Player of the Year, Nebraska's first conference player of the year since current Anaheim Angel Darin Erstad was selected in 1995, and was one of three finalists for the ABCA's National Player of the Year. Morris, whose 23 homers also ranked second on NU's single-season lists, started all 68 games this past season and was signed by the Oakland Athletics earlier this week.

Komine capped one of the most amazing careers in school history with a 10-0 record and a 2.33 ERA. The senior from Honolulu, Hawaii, led the Big 12 with 115 strikeouts and held opposing hitters to a .178 batting average. A ninth-round draft choice of the Oakland Athletics, he finished his career at Nebraska with a 41-8 record and 510 strikeouts, becoming only the sixth player in NCAA history to win 40 games and strike out 500 batters. Nebraska's career record holder in nearly every pitching category and a two-time All-American, Komine ranks fifth in NCAA history with 510 strikeouts.

Marsden made a major impact in his first season at Nebraska, going 8-1 with a 2.70 ERA in 100 innings. The first-team All-Big 12 selection and conference newcomer of the year won his last seven decisions, including wins over nationally ranked Texas and Oklahoma State, as he served as the Huskers' No. 1 starter when Komine missed over a month because of tendonitis. Marsden became only the ninth pitcher in school history to throw 100 innings, while the sophomore from Grand Forks, N.D., allowed just four homers and held opposing hitters to a .219 average. Marsden tied for the team lead in both complete games (three) and shutouts (two), ranking among the Big 12 leaders in both categories.

In addition to the ABCA honors, two Huskers were also on Baseball America's All-America team released today. Senior Shane Komine was chosen for the second team for the second straight year, while Jed Morris was tabbed a third-team selection at designated hitter.

Nebraska finished the 2002 campaign with a 47-21 record and the school's second straight appearance in the College World Series. The Huskers finished second in the Big 12 in both the regular season and tournament before winning their third straight regional title and second straight Super Regional crown.