June 5, 2013
Collegiate Baseball has named Vanderbilt freshmen Carson Fulmer and Xavier Turner Freshmen All-American.
Fulmer has been a force in the Commodores’ bullpen this season going 3-0 with four saves and a 2.66 ERA entering this weekend’s Super Regional vs. Louisville. Fulmer has been extremely important to the Commodores down the stretch recording saves against Mississippi State and South Carolina in the regular season. The Lakeland, Fla. native also earned the win in relief against the Gamecocks in the SEC Tournament and last Saturday vs. Illinois in the NCAA Regional he tossed five scoreless innings to pick up the win.
Turner has played in 57 games as a true freshman making a team-best 45 starts at third base. The Sandusky, Ohio native has been brilliant at the plate this season hitting .324 with 38 runs scored and 36 RBI. Turner has also played a solid third base for the Dores making numerous highlight plays, including his diving stop on Monday night vs. Georgia Tech to take a double away from designated hitter Zane Evans. Turner posted a 15-game hitting streak earlier in the season and carries a team-best 10-game hitting streak into the weekend against Louisville.
The duo joins a long list of Commodores to earn the recognition from Collegiate Baseball, including teammates Tony Kemp and Conrad Gregor who earned the honor in 2011. Fellow pitchers Kevin Ziomek and T.J. Pecoraro were the last VU hurlers to earn Freshmen All-American status, getting the honor from the NCBWA.
Vanderbilt hosts Louisville this weekend in a NCAA Super Regional beginning on Saturday at 2 p.m. on ESPN.