| Commodores Take on VMI at Hawkins Field
The Vanderbilt Commodore baseball team opens the 2005 season tomorrow (Friday) against VMI at Hawkins Field. The first pitch is scheduled for 4 pm. The VMI Keydets enter the game with a 1-5 record. Junior preseason all-american Ryan Mullins takes the mound for the Commodores.
A significant portion of the roster returns for this season, including two of the top three starting pitchers, the bulk of the bullpen, the leading hitter and three-fourths of the infield that formed the Southeastern Conference’s best defensive unit. Buoyed by their success from a year ago and infused with a nationally-ranked recruiting class, the Commodores appear poised for another run at the conference and national championships.
Junior preseason All-American Warner Jones led the nation last season with 111 hits and owned an SEC-leading .414 batting average. Mullins led VU pitchers with a 2.58 ERA and was 9-3 in 17 appearances. He totaled 98 strikeouts and only 20 walks.
All but one midfielder returns for the 2005 season, including Mike Baxter (1B), Jones (2B), and Tony Mansolino (3B). Aaron Garza returns to left field and Antoan Richardson will start in centerfield. The Commodores will need to replace shortstop Ryan Klosterman, right fielder Worth Scott and catcher Jonathan Douillard. The Commodore pitching staff returns everyone except for all-amercan left-hander Jeremy Sowers who was the #6 overall pick in the MLB Draft. Vanderbilt led the SEC in defense with a school record .980 fielding percentage and a league-leading 3.34 ERA.
The Commodores schedule features 36 home games, including the Music City Classic and five SEC homestands. Eleven teams played in last season’s NCAA Tournament with four teams advancing to the College World Series.
Commodore Quick Hits
? On the Mound for the Commodores This Weekend (2004 stats):
Friday, Feb. 18, 4 pm – Ryan Mullins, LHP, 9-3, 2.58 ERA
Saturday, Feb. 19, 2 pm – Jensen Lewis, RHP, 6-4, 2.84 ERA
Sunday, Feb. 20, 1 pm – Matt Buschmann, RHP, 8-1, 2.84 ERA
? $1 Tickets
Admission to all February baseball games is $1
? Web-TV cast
For the first time, all Commodore home games will be video-cast through the Commodore website – www.vucommodores.com. February is a FREE TRIAL period. Beginning in March, a season package is $35, a three-game series is $12, and a single game is $5.
? TEAMLINE
Catch the Commodores on your telephone or on the website on TEAMLINE. To listen for FREE, thanks to the Bull Pen Club, dial 1-800-846-4700 and enter the password 0668
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