NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Vanderbilt baseball is set to continue its five-game homestand this weekend with an SEC series at home against No. 23 Florida.
The three-game series is set to begin with a 6 p.m. first pitch on Friday evening, followed by another 6 p.m. first pitch in Saturday’s contest. The series finale between the two teams is scheduled for Sunday at noon. Each of the three games will appear on national television. Both Friday’s and Sunday’s matchups will be aired on ESPN2, while Saturday’s game will be televised on SEC Network.
Probable Starting Pitching Matchups
FRIDAY: Vandy – Jr., RHP Chris McElvain (4-2, 3.59) vs. Florida – So., LHP Hunter Barco (5-2, 2.23)
SATURDAY: Vandy – Fr., LHP Carter Holton (4-2, 4.14) vs. Florida – So., RHP Brandon Sproat (4-3, 4.23)
SUNDAY: Vandy – TBA vs. Florida – TBA
Trending
• Vanderbilt got back into the win column on Tuesday with a 7-4 midweek victory over Western Kentucky.
• With the victory, the Commodores have won 28 consecutive midweek games at home, and nine consecutive midweek contests overall.
• Vanderbilt looks to turn things around in SEC play this weekend after dropping its last three conference series to South Carolina, Tennessee and Auburn.
Working From Home
• The Commodores have been tough to beat at Hawkins Field since the facility opened its gates in 2002.
• Vanderbilt is 524-177-1 (.747) all-time at Hawkins Field, including a 416-118-1 (.779) mark since 2007.
• Against nonconference opponents at the facility, Vandy is 313-55 (.851). Since 2007 at home vs. nonconference teams, the Dores are 247-38 (.867).
Anchoring the Midweek
• Freshman left-hander Devin Futrell has anchored the midweek starting spot for the Vanderbilt pitching staff.
• Futrell owns a 7-0 record on the campaign. His six wins tie him for first in the nation entering the weekend.
• He owns a team-best WHIP of 0.79, which places him third in the conference and seventh in the nation.
• The rookie southpaw notched a complete game against Lipscomb on March 29, allowing just one earned run. He became the fourth Vanderbilt player in the last four seasons to throw a nine-inning complete game.
Series History
• Friday’s series opener will mark the 22nd time that Vanderbilt and Florida met all-time history between the two programs.
• The Commodores trail in the all-time series, with a 78-142-1 record against the Gators.
• Florida took the final two games of the three-game set with Vanderbilt last season.
The Long Ball
• Vanderbilt has had success this season when the offense records a home run.
• The Commodores boast an 18-3 record in games where they record at least one home run, while owning a 5-6 record in games when they do not register a homer.
• Vandy has six games this season with 3+ home runs and owns a perfect 6-0 record in those contests. The Dores most recently hit three homers in the midweek matchup with Western Kentucky on Tuesday night.
What’s Next
• Following the series with Florida, the Commodores will conclude their five-game homestand on Tuesday with a midweek matchup against Tennessee Tech.
• Vanderbilt will travel to Lexington next weekend for a road series at Kentucky.