By Zac Ellis
VUCommodores.com
CORVALLIS, Ore. – Leadoff man Will Toffey did his best to lead Vanderbilt on Friday night. Unfortunately, the junior’s production was not enough against Oregon State.
The Commodores dropped an 8-4 matchup against the No. 1 overall seeded Beavers in the first game of an NCAA Super Regional at Goss Stadium. Oregon State’s offense shot out of the gate for five runs in the first two innings, while pitcher Patrick Raby and Vanderbilt struggled to cool the Beavs’ attack.
But Toffey served as a bright spot in Vanderbilt’s opening setback in Corvallis. The junior finished 2-5 with a pair of RBIs and one home run. Toffey’s one-run homer in the seventh inning briefly cut Oregon’s State’s lead to 6-4. Still, the Beavers responded with two more runs in the eighth.
“Got to give Oregon State a lot of credit,” Vanderbilt coach Tim Corbin said. “They put a lot of pressure on us.”
Toffey’s big night extended what has been a hot streak for the Barnstable, Mass. native. He earned MVP honors at the Clemson Regional after finishing 9-for-19 (.474) with two doubles, three home runs, eight runs scored and 10 RBIs. After Friday, Toffey is 26-for-53 (.491) with 24 RBIs and seven home runs over his last 12 games.
That production might be enough when Vanderbilt takes the field for Game 2 against Oregon State on Saturday night. Plus, Toffey said he looks forward to watching All-American Kyle Wright on the mound for the Dores.
“Kyle, in my opinion, is the best pitcher in college baseball,” Toffey said. “He’s going to give us an opportunity to be tough, and you’ve got to be tough against this lineup. He’ll give us an opportunity to get the lead first, because that’s important.”
Other thoughts from Vanderbilt’s loss in Game 1:
– Vanderbilt dug itself in an early hole by giving up three runs to Oregon State in the first inning. Raby, who went six innings but allowed eight hits and six runs, said the Beavers took advantage of miscues. “I didn’t set the tone early, and like Corbs said, they did a good job of hitting some mistakes,” Raby said. “You know, that’s baseball.”
– Senior catcher Jason Delay was likewise effective for Vanderbilt. He finished 3-4 with a double, a run and two RBIs. Delay, along with outfielder Ro Coleman, is one of only two holdovers from Vanderbilt’s 2014 NCAA title team. That experience could go a long way in helping the Dores salvage this series.
– First baseman Julian Infante authored a quick highlight early on Friday. When Oregon State leadoff hitter Steven Kwan drilled a high line drive up the first base line in the first inning, Infante leapt to grab the ball. The junior bobbled the catch momentarily before secured the out as he landed on the ground.
– Only four Commodores recorded hits on Friday. In four games against St. John’s and Clemson in the Clemson Regional, a total of 11 players notched hits.
