CLEMSON, S.C. – Vanderbilt matched an NCAA Tournament record with nine home runs, including three from Connor Kaiser as Vanderbilt thumped Clemson, 19-6 on Sunday night at Doug Kingsmore Stadium, vaulting the Commodores to the NCAA Super Regionals.
Kaiser swatted a grand slam and matched an NCAA Tournament record with 10 RBIs while Stephen Scott and Philip Clarke belted two homers apiece. Vandy (34-25) scored three or more runs in three different innings en route to its fifth NCAA Regional title in the last six seasons.
The Commodores batted around in three different innings including the third when Kaiser struck a three-run homer. Clarke followed, lining a solo shot for a 5-0 advantage. VU belted back-to-back homers twice with Julian Infante and Harrison Ray doing so as well in the eighth inning.
For the 7th time in 9 years, the #VandyBoys are headed to Supers after an impressive performance against Clemson!#RoadToOmaha pic.twitter.com/MxiXJfEwHK
— NCAA Baseball (@NCAACWS) June 4, 2018
Austin Martin added an RBI-double in the sixth before Scott and JJ Bleday each worked a free pass, setting up Kaiser’s grand slam. One inning later, Scott walloped his second homer of the game and two batters later, Kaiser drilled a two-run shot over the center field wall.
Kaiser became the fifth Commodore in program history to tag three long balls in a game and first since Aaron Westlake did so in 2011. The shortstop homered in the third, sixth and seventh innings and joined Westlake as the only Vandy player to do so in an NCAA Tournament game.
Vanderbilt totaled a season-high 20 hits against seven different Clemson pitchers. Kaiser (5-for-7) was named NCAA Regional Most Valuable Player and was joined by all-tournament honorees Martin, Clarke, Drake Fellows and Ethan Paul.
Mason Hickman (8-2) picked up the win, allowing six hits and five runs while striking out five and walking a pair in five innings. Tyler Brown locked up the win, striking out one without allowing a hit as part of two scoreless frames.
Clemson wrapped its season at 47-16, mustering just eight hits against Commodore pitching. Chris Williams (2-for-3) contributed three RBIs. Starter Spencer Strider (5-2) drew the loss, permitting four hits and five runs in 2.1 innings.
Vanderbilt season ticket holders and National Commodore Club members will receive the first opportunity to reserve up to six tickets for a potential NCAA Super Regional, should the Dores host. The priority deadline to reserve will be 3 p.m. CT on Monday.
All-Session ticket prices are $123 in the infield, $83 adult outfield and $68 youth/student outfield, inclusive of all fees. Youth and student prices are only in the outfield.
