NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt freshman right-handed pitcher Jack Leiter dazzled in his collegiate debut leading the Commodores to a 3-0 win over South Alabama on Tuesday at Hawkins Field.
Leiter (1-0) headlined the duo of freshman arms combining for the two-hit shutout of the Jaguars in the home opener. The Summit, New Jersey, product shut down South Alabama hitters (2-2) through five innings – striking out 12 while surrendering just one walk and no hits.
Fellow freshman Thomas Schultz carried the momentum from Leiter on the mound providing four scoreless innings in relief to earn the first save of his career. The right-hander struck out seven while allowing just two hits and no walks.
“For me, it was just staying in the moment.”@jackleiter22 with an impressive debut.#VandyBoys | #AnchorDown pic.twitter.com/o9uWj0AyQt
— Vanderbilt Baseball (@VandyBoys) February 19, 2020
Vanderbilt (2-2) jumped out to the early lead following some sloppy Jaguars defense allowing Austin Martin (2-for-4) to reach on an error and Cooper Davis (2-for-2) on a bunt single down the first base line. Senior Ty Duvall (1-for-3) added a two-run single into center field to bring home Martin and Davis.
Vanderbilt tacked on another run in the seventh as Martin caught the defense sleeping and scampered home from second after CJ Rodriguez collided with South Alabama shortstop Santi Montiel on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Duvall.
The Commodore offense scattered seven hits, led by Martin and Davis each with a pair of singles. Duvall, Isaiah Thomas (1-for-4) and Harrison Ray (1-for-4) each chipped in a base hit.
Vanderbilt showed off the wheels on the base path with four swiped bags on the day. Ray matched his career high swiping two stolen bases, taking second and third in the sixth, after driving a one-out single by third baseman Hunter Stokes.
The Commodores close the two-game set with South Alabama on Wednesday. First pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. from Hawkins Field.
Tickets are available by calling (615) 322-GOLD or by visiting VUCommodores.com.
