Vanderbilt Picked Second by USA Today

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt secured its fifth top-3 preseason ranking, checking in at No. 2 in the USA Today baseball coaches poll, the publication announced on Thursday.
 
The Commodores, who open training Friday afternoon, were tabbed No. 1 by Baseball America and D1Baseball.com, No. 2 by Collegiate Baseball and No. 3 by Perfect Game.
 
The top three programs in USA Today’s poll hail from the Southeastern Conference with LSU taking the top spot and Florida coming in at No. 3. Eight SEC teams are in the top 25 including Ole Miss (10), Arkansas (12), Georgia (13), Mississippi State (15) and Auburn (20).
 
Vanderbilt returns eight of nine positional players and opens the season on Feb. 15 in Talking Stick, Arizona. The squad faces Virginia, Cal State Fullerton and TCU before returning to Hawkins Field for the home opener on Feb. 20 against Evansville.
 
Outfield season tickets on sale
A limited number of outfield season tickets are now on sale for the upcoming campaign by calling 615.322.GOLD or by visiting VUCommodores.com.
 
All season ticket account holders will receive a mini desk helmet in addition to the first opportunity to purchase postseason tickets. 
 
Tickets are priced at $99 – or $2.91 per game – for the Commodores’ 34 home outings including 19 nonconference tilts and 15 matchups against the Southeastern Conference. Vanderbilt is set to host 11 games against 2018 NCAA Tournament teams.
 
Vanderbilt Baseball Banquet tickets on sale
The program is set to host its annual team banquet on Feb. 2 at the Omni Hotel in downtown Nashville.
 
Head coach Tim Corbin will introduce the 2019 players and staff and recognize the program’s 2018 award winners. The event opens at 5 p.m. with the start of the silent auction. Players are scheduled to sign team posters from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
 
Tickets can be purchased at the ticket office in McGugin Center. For the fourth consecutive year, admission is priced at only $50 and includes a buffet-style dinner and complimentary valet parking.