NASHVILLE – For the second time in a five-year span, Vanderbilt enters a season ranked No. 1 nationally.
The Commodores were tabbed the country’s top team in D1Baseball.com’s annual preseason poll, the publication announced Monday. It marks the first time since April 7, 2015, that Vanderbilt has received the top ranking.
VU leads a group of five Southeastern Conference teams inside the top 10, and eight SEC teams in the Top 25 — more than any other conference. LSU starts the season at No. 2, followed by Florida (No. 6), Georgia (No. 9), Ole Miss (No. 10), Mississippi State (No. 14), Arkansas (No. 16) and Auburn (No. 22).
The Commodores’ last preseason No. 1 ranking came in 2015 when the program was the unanimous top spot following its first national championship a season prior. D1Baseball.com’s preseason poll is the third to be released with the Dores being ranked No. 2 by Perfect Game and No. 3 per Collegiate Baseball.
Vanderbilt opens the 2019 season Feb. 15 with the first of three games as part of the MLB4 Collegiate Baseball Tournament in Talking Stick, Arizona. The Commodores will face Virginia, Cal State Fullerton and TCU before returning to Hawkins Field for the home opener on Feb. 20.
Limited number of outfield season tickets on sale
A limited number of outfield season tickets are now on sale for the upcoming campaign by calling (615) 322-GOLD or by visiting VUCommodores.com.
Tickets are priced at $99 – or $2.91 per game – for the Commodores’ 34 home outings including 19 nonconference tilts and 15 matchups against the Southeastern Conference. Vanderbilt is set to host 11 games against 2018 NCAA Tournament teams.
Vanderbilt Baseball Banquet tickets on sale
The program is set to host its annual team banquet on Feb. 2 at the Omni Hotel in downtown Nashville.
Head coach Tim Corbin will introduce the 2019 players and staff and recognize the program’s 2018 award winners. The event opens at 5 p.m. with the start of the silent auction. Players are scheduled to sign team posters from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased at the ticket office in McGugin Center. For the fourth consecutive year, admission is priced at only $50 and includes a buffet-style dinner and complimentary valet parking.
