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Vanderbilt opens home slate with two-game set vs. South Alabama

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Fourth-ranked Vanderbilt opens the doors to Hawkins Field for the 2020 home season Tuesday, welcoming South Alabama to West End for a 4:30 p.m. first pitch. The Dores host the Jaguars for a two-game series with the second matchup at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.

The Commodores (1-2) are looking to bounce back from a pair of one-run losses on opening weekend at the MLB4 Collegiate Baseball Tournament. Vanderbilt’s two setbacks was marred by nine errors including four in a 9-8 loss against Cal Poly.

South Alabama (2-1) took 2 of 3 from Campbell over the weekend despite batting .185 as a team. The Jaguars, who were ranked No. 23 preseason by Collegiate Baseball, were limited to three hits in their 1-0 win on opening day.

South Alabama is the favorite to win the Sun Belt Conference East Division, receiving six first-place votes by the league’s head coaches.

Both matchups between the Commodores and Jaguars will be streamed on the SEC Network Plus. SEC Network subscribers can tune in through WatchESPN and the ESPN app.

Fans can also listen to the game via the VUCommodores app and locally on WNSR 560 AM/95.9 FM.

 

PROMOTIONS
The first 500 fans in attendance will receive a commemorative 2014 and 2019 national championship pennant.

The Vanderbilt ticket office has also announced that kids will be admitted to a select number of games at no cost. The promotion, which applies to those in eighth grade and younger the day of game, will allow kids in free to all nonconference games through March 31. This promotion will be limited based on ticket availability.

Complimentary kids’ tickets must be claimed at the Hawkins Field box office on the day of game only, no earlier than 2 ½ hours before the first pitch.

NEED TO KNOW
Tuesday marks the 10th all-time meeting between Vanderbilt and South Alabama with the Commodores trailing in the series 4-5. The last time the teams met, the Dores defeated the Jaguars 7-4 at Hawkins Field in 2009.

Vanderbilt is 469-165-1 (.739) all-time at Hawkins Field including a 361-106-1 (.772) mark 2007. Against nonconference opponents at home, Vanderbilt is 270-51 (.841). Since 2007 at home vs. nonconference teams, the Commodores are 204-34 (.857).

Vanderbilt freshman CJ Rodriguez burst on to the scene during opening weekend, batting .500 (6-for-12) alongside a team best eight total bases. Rodriguez’s six hits were tied with Alabama’s Owen Diodati for the most among SEC freshmen. His six hits opening weekend were the most for a Commodore freshman since Pat DeMarco totaled eight in 2018.

Vanderbilt’s 15-member freshman class made a big impact on opening weekend. Eight total student-athletes saw action including four who appeared in all three games. Commodore freshmen batted .292 (12-for-41), scored 10 of the team’s 17 runs (58.8%) and accounted for 10 of the club’s 17 RBIs (58.8%).

UP NEXT
Vanderbilt continues its 11-game homestand by playing host to Illinois-Chicago for three-game series beginning at 4:30 p.m. Friday. Saturday’s middle game is set for 2 p.m. while Sunday’s finale will start at 1 p.m. All three games will be streamed on the SEC Network Plus.