By Zac Ellis
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The bright lights of SEC baseball have yet to faze Pat DeMarco.
“There were a little bit of nerves,” the Vanderbilt freshman said, “but it’s more excitement.”
DeMarco, Vanderbilt’s first-year centerfielder, has caught fire in the Commodores’ start to 2018. In last weekend’s opening series against No. 25 Duke, he started all three games in the outfield and finished a team-best 8-of-13 (.615) at the plate. DeMarco recorded multi-hit performances in each game and helped Vanderbilt clinch the series over the Blue Devils, going 3-for-4 with a pair of runs in Sunday’s 9-1 win.
The freshman continued his streak with another big outing against Presbyterian on Tuesday. DeMarco’s two-run double in the bottom of the seventh helped the Dores’ author a four-run inning. The Staten Island, N.Y. native finished 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles, two RBIs and a run in Vanderbilt’s 7-1 win.
Commodores’ head coach Tim Corbin said DeMarco’s love for the game shines through at the plate.
“I just think he’s relaxed and he enjoys playing,” Corbin said. “Right now, he’s in a good little streak. I haven’t seen him that long, so I don’t know what he’ll become. “But he’s a baseball player. He plays the game hard, plays to win and competes. Once he gets over that white line, it’s on for him. He plays well, but you know what, he’s done that since he got to campus in August to right now.”
Thanks in part to DeMarco, Vanderbilt (3-1) recorded 12 hits on Tuesday after belting 28 in its two victories over Duke. But DeMarco hasn’t been the only first-year player to show out for the Dores. Batting leadoff against Presbyterian, designated hitter Austin Martin went 4-for-5 with a double. Freshmen pitchers Hugh Fisher and Mason Hickman have likewise looked sharp in relief.
DeMarco said Vanderbilt’s freshmen, who made up the nation’s No. 1-ranked signing class, have been prepared for this moment.
“So far, so good,” DeMarco said. “All the freshmen are really contributing well. We trained for this in the fall, and in the summer. We’ve been training for it, and so far we’re doing well.”
DeMarco whose father, Paul, played baseball at St. John’s University, has begun his freshman year hitting .647 (11-for-17). The freshman knows that number is likely to level off in the coming weeks. But for now, DeMarco has seemingly found his groove – which is good news for the Commodores.
“He just really enjoys playing the game,” Corbin said. “And he’s fun to watch.”
Zac Ellis is the Writer and Digital Media Editor for Vanderbilt Athletics.