Philip Pfeifer adds chapter to comeback story with CWS shutout

OMAHA, Neb. – Philip Pfeifer's comeback story keeps adding chapters.

Pfeifer, a Vanderbilt left-handed pitcher, came through with one of the best performances of his career in the Commodores' 1-0 win over TCU Tuesday night.

It may have been his College World Series debut, but Pfeifer had seen the event before. A year ago, while recovering from substance abuse, he drove alone to Omaha to watch the Commodores play in the College World Series.

He preferred the view from the field.

"I was just trying to soak in every minute of it that I could while I was out there on the mound," Pfeifer said. "I've been looking forward to this moment for a long time and playing it over and over in my head."

Pfeifer's comeback story has been told plenty. He sat out last season by coach Tim Corbin's orders because of his abuse of drugs and alcohol, and Pfeifer was never promised a spot back on the team.

He had to watch the Commodores win last year's national title while "coming to terms with the fact that they didn't need me to win."

This season Pfeifer earned his way back on the team and to his top form. Last week, he pitched Vanderbilt back to Omaha with a standout performance in beating Illinois in the Super Regional, and then he was drafted in the third round by the Los Angeles Dodgers the next day.

Despite his feel-good story, Corbin still wasn't sure how Pfeifer would perform on the College World Series stage.

"I didn't know how he would do in this moment," Corbin said. "He's pitched very well for us the last couple of weeks, but you never know what it's going to be like when you step out there for the first time."

Pfeifer met the moment with gratitude and glee.

"All I remember tonight was (Pfeifer) walking back and forth from the dugout with a smile on his face saying, 'Hey, fellas, we're in Omaha,'" recalled Corbin. "… I don't think that there was anyone here that enjoys being in Omaha and the moment more than he does."

Pfeifer out-dueled TCU starter Alex Young, who had one of the best outings for a losing pitcher in College World Series history.

Young, a second-round draft pick of the Arizona Diamondbacks, took a no-hitter into the seventh inning before giving up a solo home run to Zander Wiel. He also recorded 12 strikeouts, tied the most in TD Ameritrade Park history.

But Pfeifer was steady and resilient, finishing with a seven-inning, four-hit shutout. He said his eagerness to finally pitch in the College World Series focused his mind.

"I had seen that game before, so it was just enacting what had been playing in my head," he said. "… I think just visualizing what playing in the College World Series is like is probably the biggest thing that helped me."

Pfeifer's long-awaited College World Series debut was among his best games. And when asked what it meant personally to Corbin, the coach paused to control his emotions after the game.

"I'm just so overwhelmed by it because the fact that he's here and just playing for us, it's such a good story from a human comeback thing," Corbin said. "Just that he's able to be wearing a uniform, still going to school and still living a normal life, that supersedes everything, supersedes the game.

"Just for this moment, it's great for him personally."

Reach Adam Sparks at 615-259-8010 and on Twitter @AdamSparks.