Commodores Open Baseball Practice Today

1/18/2005

Commodores Open Baseball Practice Today
Vanderbilt Baseball News: Jan. 18

Photo Gallery

Practice begins today (Tuesday, Jan. 18) for the Vanderbilt baseball team. The WNSR 560 AM Afternoon Press Box will broadcast live from Hawkins Field Tuesday.

Today’s report also includes information from last season and preseason accolades for the upcoming 2005 season.

Vanderbilt Baseball Schedule
Tuesday, Jan 18
2:30 p.m. – Practice Begins (Open to Public)
3 p.m. – 6 p.m. – WNSR 560 The Afternoon Press Box broadcasts live from Hawkins Field

Wednesday, Jan. 19 – Friday, Jan. 21
2:30 p.m. – Practice Begins (Open to Public)

Commodore Baseball Begins Practice Tuesday (January 18)
WNSR 560 AM Afternoon Press Box to Broadcast Live from Hawkins Field

The Vanderbilt Commodore baseball team begins preseason practice Tuesday (Jan. 18) at 2:30 pm in preparation for the 2005 season. The Commodores return 20 letterwinners (five position starters), including preseason All-American junior second baseman Warner Jones, from last season’s team that was two games away from its first ever College World Series appearance after sweeping the Charlottesville NCAA Regional. The Commodores also return 10 pitchers, including preseason All-American junior left-hander Ryan Mullins. Joining the team this season is the 19th-ranked recruiting class in the country.

The Afternoon Press Box (WNSR 560AM) with Greg Ruff and David Boclair will broadcast its afternoon sports show live from the Fred Russell Press Box at Hawkins Field from 3 pm – 6 pm.

2005 Vanderbilt Baseball Preseason Honors – (as of Jan. 17)

TEAM
? Baseball America Preseason Poll – #17
? Collegiate Baseball Preseason Poll – #38
? SEBaseball.com picks Vanderbilt to finish 3rd in the SEC East
? 2004 Recruiting Class (Freshman Class) Ranked #19

INDIVIDUAL
Warner Jones
? Named to the Brooks Wallace Award Watch (national college baseball player of the year)
? Baseball America Preseason All-America Second Team
? Collegiate Baseball Preseason All-America Second Team
? SEBaseball.com Preseason SEC First Team
Ryan Mullins
? Baseball America Preseason All-America Second Team
? Collegiate Baseball Preseason All-America Third Team
? SEBaseball.com Preseason SEC First Team

2004 Quick Summary:
Vanderbilt set numerous team and individual records throughout the season, including most victories in a season with 45. Vanderbilt’s .703 win percentage was the third highest in the Southeastern Conference behind World Series teams South Carolina and LSU. The Commodores made their second consecutive appearance in the SEC Tournament — 10th overall — and finished runnerup to South Carolina who defeated VU 3-2 in the championship game.

The Commodores won five SEC series, including sweeps over Georgia, Mississippi State and Kentucky. The MSU sweep was the first ever in school history.

The Commodores were the only team in the SEC to rank among the top five in batting average (4th), earned run average (1st) and fielding percentage (1st). VU was second in the nation in fielding with a school record .978 percentage. VU was error-free in 30 games. In two seasons under Head Coach Tim Corbin, VU has registered 49 games without an error.

Corbin reached 50 career wins faster than any other baseball coach in VU history. He earned his 50th victory in his 85th game and owns a 72-47 record in his two seasons with the Commodores. He is the only baseball coach in school history to have coached more than 50 games and won at least 60 percent of them. His win total through two seasons easily represents the highest in school history.

A school record five players were named to the SEC All-Tournament team and five players were drafted on the first day with a total of seven players taken overall in the Major League Baseball Draft, including the #6 overall pick, Jeremy Sowers. Corbin had 22 players earn a 3.0 GPA or better for the 2004 Spring semester.

VANDERBILT BASEBALL OPENING DAY
Friday, February 18 ? Hawkins Field
Commodores vs. VMI
All February Game Tickets are $1