Graduating student athletes Jason Komulainen (University of Southern Maine), Ben Nelson (Merrimack College), and Nolan Brown (Husson University) are some of the many athletes who excelled in the classroom and on the field during their college careers.
Photo credit: Sandra MinerJason Komulainen at the plate for the Huskies
While these former GHS student-athletes wrapped up their collegiate baseball careers, all three ballplayers had to adjust to the covid pandemic. A similarity between all three of these athletes represents the game of baseball at a high level. Baseball helped propel their collective efforts.
Komulainen, Nelson and Brown have played together on one team or another, from a very young age. Nelson and Brown helped pave the way for their ‘18 team to get to the state championship game and thereafter, reunited in the Greater Northeast Collegiate Baseball League (GNCBL).
Koualanin was GHS’s standout catcher who also played with Nelson and Brown (being one year ahead of the ‘18 athletes).
Oftentimes it’s easy to look at college athletes training/playing off season, hitting for RBI or stealing home to win the game and forget that they go to class, work on papers, participate in group projects and study for final exams for just as many hours put in on the field. Here are a few statistics of the three graduates beyond their respective competitive fields and in the classroom, with a glimpse toward their respective futures.
Jason Komulainen: University of Southern Maine Huskies ‘23 Graduate, repeating as a second team all-conference selection at catcher, Komulainen hit a team and career-best .374 (43-for-115) with 11 doubles, two triples and two home runs. Scoring 30 runs, Komulainen had 25 RBI during the season and a slugging percentage of .557 and an on-base percentage of .459. Going 6-for-6 in stolen bases, Komulainen also helped cut down runners defensively catching eight would-be base stealers during the season. Fielding a perfect 1.000%, Komulainen had 221 putouts and 14 assists in 235 chances.
Komulainen shared, “My favorite college baseball memory would have to be winning the 2021 Little East Conference Championship. That was a special team with a lot of incredible players and coaches who all played a part. Baseball is something that is much deeper than the game itself and these coaches and teammates have formed me into what I am today.” Komulainen added, “I am looking forward to being able to stay around the game and share experiences that I have had and help younger players find success.” Congratulations to Komulainen on his baseball career with the Huskies and on his Four-time award winner of the 2022 William B. Wise Scholar-Athlete Award.
Photo credit: University of Rhode IslandBen Nelson defensive action for the Warriors
Ben Nelson: Merrimack College Warriors ‘23 Graduate student appeared and started in all 47 games this season. Nelson had 14 runs and 33 hits with 157 at-bats ending with a .210 batting average with 89 putouts in the infield. In 2021 Nelson appeared in 22 games, starting 21 and had 73 at-bats with a .192 batting average plus 32 putouts. Nelson shared, “my favorite memory of college baseball is being given the opportunity to travel around the country with a great group of guys that I will be close with for the rest of my life.” Nelson added, I am looking forward to starting my career in the engineering field. Baseball will always be a part of my life as I move into coaching in the future,” Congratulations to Nelson on his playing career and earning his Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering.
Photo credit: David BrownNolan Brown doubled to RF v. Westminster Pa
Nolan Brown: Husson University Eagles ‘22 Graduate appeared and started in all 42 games his freshman season, plus 10 games in 2020 (Covid season) with additional ‘21 fall season. Brown had 74 putouts from the outfield, OB % of .409 and a batting average of .281. Brown graduated with a business degree, achieving the President’s list throughout his four years. Brown recalled, “my favorite memory of college baseball is the walkoff gap shot in the 16th inning against Saint Joseph’s College in the frigid cold, with about 15 mph winds and 35-degree temps. Our team would not quit that night.” Brown shared, “I am excited about my future prospects. I am always open to new opportunities. I will be looking to get my Maine Guide license(s) in addition to working in the corporate sector.”
Congratulations to all three on a spectacular college career balancing academics and athletics.