May 6, 2015
Vanderbilt Game Notes 
VANDERBILT RE-VU
Vanderbilt rallied late to claim the series at Kentucky on Sunday with a 7-5 victory. Jeren Kendall’s two-run homer in the eighth inning put the Dores in front for good. A pair of big innings were too much for the Dores on Saturday in an 11-5 loss to Kentucky. Philip Pfeifer took the loss allowing 10 runs, six earned, over 4.2 innings. Vanderbilt won the opener at Kentucky 13-3 on Friday night. Will Toffey scored four runs with four hits, Rhett Wiseman hit two homers with four RBI and Ro Coleman knocked in four more runs in the win.
ON THE BUMP
Thursday, May 7
RHP Carson Fulmer (9-1, 1.74) vs. RHP Logan Shore (6-4, 3.01)
Friday, May 8
LHP Philip Pfeifer (3-3, 3.88) vs. LHP A.J. Puk (6-3, 5.08)
Saturday, May 9
RHP Walker Buehler (3-1, 2.86) vs. RHP Alex Faedo (4-1, 3.27)
SHOWDOWN WITH THE GATORS
No. 10 Florida visits Hawkins Field with first place on the line in the SEC East this weekend. The Commodores enter the weekend atop the East division with a two-game lead over the Gators and a half game over both LSU and Texas A&M for the league overall lead. The Dores have won two straight series against the Gators taking two-of-three in Gainesville last season. Carson Fulmer’s shutout on Friday night evened the series and the Vandy offense finished the deal with a 16-2 win on Saturday. The two teams played a wild series two years ago at Hawkins Field with VU winning the series on Sunday 5-4 in a time-shortened game. Vanderbilt is 70-127-1 all time vs. Florida.
NOT FRESHMEN ANY MORE
Freshmen Jeren Kendall and Will Toffey have not played like freshmen since late March with the duo leading the Commodores in hitting since March 20 (28 games). Kendall leads the team, hitting .377 (23-for-61) with Toffey second at .339 (37-for-109). The duo has combined for seven home runs, 34 runs scored and 35 RBI. During the same stretch, fellow freshman Kyle Wright has allowed only one earned run over 21.2 innings across a team-high 13 appearances. The right-hander is 3-1 with 25 strikeouts during the span.
COLEMAN HOLDS THE KEY
Since taking over the leadoff spot as the team’s designated hitter on March 29, Ro Coleman has hit .305 (29-for-95) and reached base in 19 of those 22 games. The Commodores are 13-6 over the stretch when Coleman reaches base safely and average 6.5 runs per game.
LAST CALL AT THE HAWK
This weekend’s series will be the last three regular season games at Hawkins Field. The Commodores finish the season on the road with games at No. 2 Louisville next Tuesday and at Alabama next weekend. The Dores are 6-6 in the final home series of the regular season under head coach Tim Corbin.
SCHMITTOU NAMED SEC LEGEND
Former Vanderbilt head coach Larry Schmittou has been named a 2015 Baseball Legend by the SEC. Schmittou guided the Commodores from 1968-78 going 306-252-1 and winning back-to-back SEC titles in 1973-74. During his tenure at Vandy, the Dores won more games than any other SEC school and was one of only two schools in the league to win four division titles. Schmittou owned multiple minor league franchises from 1978-96 starting with the Nashville Sounds. He served as the Vice President of Marketing for the Texas Rangers from 1983-86.
Rio Grande Fence Company is hitting it out of the ballpark with donations to the NCC for every home run hit this season
Vanderbilt Athletics and Rio Grande Fence Company have a home run partnership- literally. To show their loyal support, Rio Grande Fence Company decided, again, to make a donation to The National Commodore Club for every Commodore home run hit this season. Due to NCAA changes in the engineering behind the official baseball, it is a little different this season. Instead of the previous raised-seam baseball, 2015 was the beginning of the flat-seam. The slight change has led to larger numbers for the Commodores this season as they sit at 43 home runs so far!
Derek Smith, VP of Operations for Rio Grande Fence Co. of Nashville and longtime supporter of Vanderbilt says, “we’re proud to know that every baseball our Commodores hit over the fence instantly translates into more support for Vanderbilt student-athletes.” Not to forget, the donations continue into postseason play and there is no cap!
“We are very grateful that the Smith family and their Rio Grande Fence Company will be partnering with us again this season,” said Mark Carter, Associate Athletic Director and Executive Director of the National Commodore Club. “Their commitment as a corporate partner and a National Commodore Club member is inspiring, and we are appreciative of their support for Coach Corbin, our baseball program and all Vanderbilt student-athletes.”
About Rio Grande Fence Co. Since 1958, Rio Grande Fence Co. of Nashville has been installing and repairing fence for commercial and industrial projects. They are a third generation family owned business. Owners Derek and Michael Smith are proud to be part of the Vanderbilt family. From restaurant patios to high security areas, business owners and contractors count on Rio Grande Fence Co. for security and peace of mind. To learn more go online to www.rgfence.com, like them on Facebook at facebook.com/rgfence, or follow them on Twitter at twitter.com/rgfence.