The stage is set. #VandyBoys | #AnchorDown pic.twitter.com/HtqQUcOYGV
— Vanderbilt Baseball (@VandyBoys) February 17, 2023
ARLINGTON, Texas — Vanderbilt made a successful voyage into the heart of Texas on Thursday, one day ahead of the start of the College Baseball Showdown.
The Commodores traveled from Nashville to Dallas to Arlington and ended the day with a 95-minute workout at Globe Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers.
“I think it’s a beautiful stadium,” Vandy junior centerfielder Enrique Bradfield Jr. said. “Any time you get to step foot in a big league stadium it’s definitely something to cherish. Being able to do it with this group of guys is special.”
Vanderbilt left campus at 8:30 a.m. and arrived at Nashville International Airport shortly thereafter. The Commodores boarded a commercial flight just before noon and took flight at 12:30 p.m.
They arrived at Globe Life Field at 6:20 p.m. and took the field at 7:40 p.m. The highlight of the work was the group fielding pop ups and fly balls while trying to adjust to the the lights and the roof of the venue’s closed-in stadium.
After ending the session at 9:15 p.m., the team took their spot on the third base line to replicate the look and feel for Friday’s national anthem.
Vandy opens the season at 3 p.m. Friday against Texas Christian.
“We’re locked-in. We’re always locked-in,” Bradfield said. “Every day is a new day and we’re embracing new challenges, but we’re always going to stay focused and keep going.”
Holton to Start Opener
Vanderbilt sophomore Carter Holton will toe the rubber for Vanderbilt in Friday’s season-opener.
A preseason All-American, Holton went 8-4 with a 3.14 ERA in 2022 as a freshman. He struck out 97 batters and held the opposition to a .192 batting average over 80 1/3 innings pitched.
A 5-foot-11, 200-pound lefty out of Guyton, Georgia, Holton will be making his 16th career start for the Commodores.
“A little bit less nerves,” Holton said Tuesday about beginning his second season with the Dores compared to the first. “Just a little bit more experience, obviously got a whole year under the belt. Then we have a good staff just backing everybody up and we’ll be able to bring in somebody, whoever it may be, in any game ay any point and be confident in them.”
Holton also added his confidence and command will be improved from a year ago. He’ll be opposed Friday by TCU right-hander Ryan Vanderhei.
— Chad Bishop covers Vanderbilt for VUCommodores.com.
Follow him @MrChadBishop.
