March 28, 2018
By Zac Ellis
VUCommodores.com
NASHVILLE – Connor Kaiser and Ethan Paul have played together in the Vanderbilt infield for three seasons, forming a bond in the middle of the Commodores’ defense.
That bond has become so strong that Kaiser can now almost predict Paul’s moves on a given play.
“It’s weird,” said Kaiser. “On double-play balls, I just kind of expect the ball to be right at my chest.”
With juniors Kaiser and Paul in tow, Vanderbilt’s defense has performed like one of the nation’s most cohesive units in 2018. Entering this weekend’s SEC series against No. 2 Florida, the Commodores rank No. 1 in the SEC with a .986 fielding percentage, committing a league-low 13 errors in 901 chances. That .986 fielding percentage would set a new program record, topping Vanderbilt’s previous mark of .979 set in 2015.
Defense has played a key role in the Commodores’ 5-1 start to SEC play. Following a sweep of a ranked Mississippi State squad, the Dores (17-8, 5-1 SEC) took two-of-three from No. 19 LSU last weekend, recording a .991 combined fielding percentage along the way. Vanderbilt turned a season-high three double plays in its lone loss to the Tigers, a 6-2 setback last Saturday. In Sunday’s 1-0 series-clinching win, JJ Bleday and Pat DeMarco made highlight-reel catches to bolster the defense from the outfield.
Vanderbilt head coach Tim Corbin said his team stepped up with its gloves to take the series against LSU.
“It was a difference-maker,” Corbin said. “For us, it was defense all weekend… I thought we defended the ball really, really well the entire weekend, and we needed to, because there wasn’t a plethora of runs.”
Vanderbilt’s offense has likewise played a role in its hot SEC start. The Commodores outscored Mississippi State in three games, 19-4, sweeping the Bulldogs for the first time since 2010. The hot bats of freshmen Austin Martin (.378 average with 38 total bases) and DeMarco (.354 with 20 RBIs) have teased the potential of Vandy’s offense.
But Paul said it’s the Dores’ defense that serves as a chip on their shoulders.
“We take a lot of pride in that,” Paul said. “We put a priority on that being just as important as hitting, and it’s shown. We want to be fundamental but also athletic enough to make the plays that can change games, extension plays or double plays.”
Added Kaiser: “Defense is something you can control each day. The hits might not be coming, but on defense you can control how you approach it each day. You just have to stay consistent throughout the year.”
Vanderbilt’s gloves face a test this weekend in a three-game series at No. 2 Florida, which begins Friday at 5:30 p.m. CT in Gainesville. The defending national champion Gators can reel off runs in a hurry; they rank fourth in the SEC with 172 RBIs on the year. Florida has also hit 17 home runs over its last eight games. On Tuesday, the Gators used defense and pitching to shut out No. 5 Florida State, 1-0.
The Commodores expect to learn more about their defense after a trip to the Sunshine State. As for this team’s status as a historically great defense? That’s a discussion for another day, Kaiser said.
“We don’t pay much attention to it,” Kaiser said. “We pay attention to the day-to-day, things we do. Taking ground balls everyday, making sure we’re mentally engaged. Those are the things you can’t take for granted.”
Zac Ellis is the Writer and Digital Media Editor for Vanderbilt Athletics.
