March 17, 2016
VANDERBILT RE-VU
Vanderbilt cruised to a 9-2 win over NIU on Tuesday night. Ethan Paul hit the first home run of his career with a three-run shot and Alonzo Jones drove in two runs. The Commodores finished off the team’s third sweep of the season on Sunday with a 5-2 win. Kyle Wright picked up the win and Jeren Kendall drove in two runs. Vanderbilt clinched the series with a 14-3 win vs. Xavier on Saturday. The Dores had seven extra-base hits, including home runs from Kyle Smith and Liam Sabino. The Commodores posted the team’s second straight shutout with a 7-0 win over Xavier in the series opener. Jordan Sheffield earned the win carrying a no hitter into the eighth inning while striking out a career-best 12.
ON THE BUMP
Friday, March 18
RHP Jordan Sheffield (3-1, 1.09) vs. RHP Dakota Hudson (2-1, 1.90)
Saturday, March 19
LHP Ben Bowden (2-0, 4.50) vs. RHP Austin Sexton (2-1, 3.70)
Sunday, March 20
RHP Kyle Wright (3-0, 1.76) vs. TBA
BULLDOGS BACK ON WEST END
The Commodores host Mississippi State at Hawkins Field for the first time since 2013. The last time the Bulldogs visited West End, the Commodores were in the middle of setting a league record with a 26-3 mark in SEC games that season, sweeping the Bulldogs along the way. The Dores dropped two of three in Starkville the last time the two teams met in 2014.
SHEFFIELD NAMED SEC PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Right-hander Jordan Sheffield picked up co-SEC Pitcher of the Week honors for his start against Xavier last week. Sheffield took a no hitter into the eighth inning before a single broke up the bid. The sophomore set new career-highs with 7.2 innings and 12 strikeouts while allowing one hit in his third win of the year. Sheffield shared the honor with Florida’s Alex Faedo.
GO THREE
The Commodores enter the weekend leading the nation with 13 triples. Nine different Vandy Boys have at least one triple with Jeren Kendall, Bryan Reynolds, Alonzo Jones and Tyler Campbell all having two apiece. Last season the Commodores racked up a school record 28 triples.
WHO’S IN THE LINEUP?
The Vanderbilt lineup has been a who’s who through the team’s first 17 games with 14 different Commodores drawing at least one start in the lineup. The Dores had 14 different players start games all of last season with Zander Wiel and Bryan Reynolds being the only two players to see action in all 72 games. Reynolds, Jeren Kendall and Will Toffey are the only three players to start all 17 games this season with Tyler Campbell joining the group having played in all 17 with 16 starts. Every position on the field except for third base (Toffey), center field (Reynolds) and right field (Kendall) has seen multiple starters with the middle infield positions seeing five different players log starts.
DELAY DELIVERING
Junior Jason Delay has delivered early in the season, driving in at least one run in all 11 of his starts. The Dores’ backstop has 14 RBI entering the week to rank third on the team behind Jeren Kendall and Alonzo Jones. Delay leads the squad with five sacrifice flies which also ties him with Fresno State’s Jake Stone for the national lead. Delay had 23 RBI all of last year and entered his junior season with four career sacrifice flies.
THE NEW GUYS
Vanderbilt’s freshman class was tabbed as the best in the country prior to the season and the new guys have not disappointed early in the season. Five Commodore freshmen have recorded hits, totalling 39 with 35 RBI and 35 runs. Alonzo Jones has led the way with 17 hits and 17 RBI in 14 games. Five freshmen pitchers have seen action on the mound led by Patrick Raby and Chandler Day. Raby has struck out 23 in 16.1 innings, including an 11-strikeout performance against Eastern Illinois.