June 10, 2011
VANDERBILT RE-VU
Vanderbilt captured the team’s second straight Regional Championship with a 6-1 win over Belmont Sunday night. Taylor Hill punched out a career-best 13 over eight innings to earn the win. The Commodores advanced to the title game with a 10-2 win over Troy. Grayson Garvin set the school record with this 13th win of the year. Vanderbilt opened the NCAA Tournament with a 10-0 win over Belmont. Sonny Gray and three relievers combined for the team’s seventh shutout. Florida shut out the Commodores 5-0 to win the Southeastern Conference Tournament title. Vandy moved into the SEC Tournament Championship game with a 3-2 win over Arkansas. Vanderbilt topped South Carolina 7-2 Thursday to improve to 2-0 in the SEC Tournament. The Dores opened the SEC Tournament with a 10-0 win over Georgia. Vanderbilt wrapped up the regular season 44-9 and 22-8 in the SEC to win a share of the SEC regular season championship.
ON THE BUMP
Friday, June 10
RHP Sonny Gray (11-3, 2.01) vs. RHP Sam Gaviglio (12-2, 1.87)
Saturday, June 11
LHP Grayson Garvin (13-1, 2.37) vs. TBA
Sunday, June 5
RHP Taylor Hill (5-1, 2.84) vs. TBA
HOSTING AT HAWKINS
For the first time in school history Vanderbilt hosts the Super Regional round of the NCAA Tournament. The Commodores are appearing in the team’s second straight Super Regional after losing in three games at Florida State last season. The Dores played in the school’s first Super Regional in 2004 at Texas and are appearing in back-to-back Super Regionals for the first time in school history.
TOURNAMENT TIME
Vanderbilt enters the postseason for the 10th time in school history and seventh time under Head Coach Tim Corbin, including six straight seasons now. The Commodores are 23-19 all-time in the NCAA Tournament going 5-3 last year losing at Florida State in three games of a Super Regional. Under Head Coach Tim Corbin the Commodores are 20-13 in the NCAA Tournament. Prior to Corbin’s tenure Vanderbilt was 3-6 and had made just three trips to the NCAA Tournament in school history.
DRAFTED COMMODORES
Vanderbilt had 12 players selected in the 2011 MLB Draft shattering the school record and breaking the SEC record of 11 previously held by Auburn (2010), Ole Miss (2009) and Georgia (2009). Vanderbilt led the nation with 12 selections this year one ahead of Florida, South Carolina, Oklahoma and Arizona State. The following Commodores were selected (Round-Overall Pick, Team): Sonny Gray (1-18, OAK), Grayson Garvin (1S-59, TB), Jason Esposito (2-64, BAL), Jack Armstrong (3-99, HOU), Aaron Westlake (3-106, DET), Corey Williams (3-117, MIN), Taylor Hill (6-187, WSH), Mark Lamm (6-206, ATL), Curt Casali (10-317, DET), Navery Moore (14-446, ATL), Will Clinard (30-928, MIN) and Joe Loftus (46-1384, ARI). The previous school record was eight on three separate occasions 2008, 2007 and 2005. Both the 2008 and 2007 drafts also featured two first round picks with Pedro Alvarez and Ryan Flaherty in 2008 and David Price and Casey Weathers in 2007.
FACING THE BEAVERS
Vanderbilt is 1-0 against Oregon State all-time beating the Beavers in 2008 8-1 in the first game of the season. Ryan Flaherty drove in four runs and Mike Minor tossed six innings to earn the win for the Commodores.
FRESHMEN ALL-AMERICAN
Louisville Slugger named Tony Kemp and Conrad Gregor Freshmen All-American this week. The duo has been an important part of the Commodores’ success this season, both earning All-SEC accolades as well. Kemp and Gregor join current teammates Sonny Gray, Riley Reynolds and Aaron Westlake, who all earned the honor in 2009, as freshmen All-American.
SEC HONORS
The SEC honored several Commodores with All-SEC accolades. Junior Grayson Garvin was named the league’s Pitcher of the Year after going 9-0 with a 1.83 ERA in SEC regular season play. The lefty led the league with 11 wins on the year. Tony Kemp was tabbed the Freshman of the Year after hitting .342 for the year and .402 in SEC games during his first collegiate campaign. Aaron Westlake joins Garvin and Kemp on the All-SEC first team after leading the Commodores with 13 home runs and a .360 batting average. Juniors Sonny Gray and Jason Esposito along with freshman Conrad Gregor were placed on the All-SEC second team. Kevin Ziomek along with Kemp and Gregor represent VU on the All-SEC Freshman team. Gray and Esposito were also tabbed on the All-Defensive team.
GRAY MOVING UP
Junior Sonny Gray is on the move up the career all-time lists. The right-hander has moved into fifth place all-time with 300 career strikeouts. David Price (2005-07) holds the school record with 441 strikeouts. Gray is now second all-time with 26 wins. Jeff Peeples (1970-73) holds the school record with 29 wins.
ESPOSITO RUNS INTO TOP 10
Jason Esposito moved into the Top 10 all-time for stolen bases in a career at Vanderbilt when he stole a base on Opening Day at San Diego. The junior third baseman has added to his total and now is in seventh place with 66 stolen bases. Next up on the list is Dominic de la Osa (2005-08), who had 68 steals in his career. Charles DeFrance (1980-82) holds the school record with 96 stolen bases. Esposito is third all-time with 58 doubles in his career.