May 29, 2011
Hoover, Ala. – For the second time in Vanderbilt’s four games at the Southeastern Conference Tournament there was a power outage.
Unfortunately for the Commodores, this one was not electrical but at the plate and its impact was responsible in part for a 5-0 loss to Florida in the championship game. Stretching back to Saturday’s semi-final win over Arkansas, the `Dores struggle to cross home plate reached 16 consecutive innings.
Credit the talented Gators with their ability to turn the tables on Vanderbilt’s normal advantage of fundamental superiority. They played successful small ball in the second inning, forced a rough Commodore inning of defense and clung to a tiny lead with timely pitching. Well executed bunts would work well for them later.
The imprecise defense was labeled “uncharacteristic” by both shortstop Anthony Gomez and Tim Corbin, who noted the team had a .975 fielding percentage this year.
It wasn’t as if Vanderbilt didn’t have its chances. It left seven runners on base in the first four innings, three times with a man on third and four times as far as second. But each time, wily southpaw Alex Panteliodis – normally the Gators’ midweek guy – wiggled out of trouble.
Hard hitting Commodore catcher Curt Casali said Panteliodis was “keeping his pitches down” and others mentioned he was “faster than he looked.”
The lack of offensive support dampened a stellar outing by Commodore starter Taylor Hill, who had one of his better days on the hill in seven innings of work. Casali, noting the obvious, said the offense didn’t give Hill the support he deserved.
As much fun as the tournament title would have been to celebrate, anyone near the Commodore program realizes this was never considered the big prize, the ultimate goal. There is a long history at this tournament of teams that leave empty handed bouncing back with a fury in upcoming NCAA Regional action.
South Carolina, to name a recent example, left Hoover in 2010 with an 0-2 record and a month later was planning a College World Series victory party.
Hill noted that hosting a regional was a topic during the team’s first meeting last fall – “it’s a big deal” – and while getting blanked for only the second time this year (Kentucky’s ace won a 2-0 in Lexington) did not sit well with this prideful and competitive bunch, it was clear there would be little wallowing in pity.
Baseball is one of those sports played on an imaginary tight rope. When it all works, the crowd gasps at its intricacy. With the slightest misstep, things can come crashing to earth.
It’s a mark of how far this program has come in the Tim Corbin era. In 2003, the year of the Worth Scott homer, Commodore faithful were so amazed to even qualify that only a modest handful even drove down I-65 to see the team go two and out.
Now, in the program’s fifth title appearance in eight years and 21 tournament victories later, the Vanderbilt contingent is strong and still growing. It was loud and enthusiastic throughout this tournament, even on a 91 degree day when staying cool could have been a priority.
A loss – just the team’s 10th of the long season – cannot diminish the pride fans have over the “little” things this team does. There are too many to mention but here’s an example.
Wearing its patriotic red, white and blue uniforms, the Commodores were noticeable standing at full attention during the singing of God Bless America during the seventh inning stretch of this “Military Appreciation Day”. It might not score runs but it contributes to a tremendous impression.
ALL TOURNAMENT `DORES: Vanderbilt placed five men on the all-tournament team. They were pitcher Sonny Gray, first baseman Aaron Westlake, second baseman Riley Reynolds, third baseman Jason Esposito and designated hitter Conrad Gregor.