May 10, 2011
Complete Release in PDF Format 
VANDERBILT RE-VU
The Commodores rallied for three runs with two outs in the ninth inning to clinch the series at Kentucky with a 6-3 win. Five straight two-out singles fueled the Dores’ three-run, ninth inning rally. Vanderbilt bounced back to even the series with a 10-3 win Saturday night. Starter Grayson Garvin picked up his 10th win of the year tossing eight solid innings. Kentucky claimed the series opener 2-0 behind starter Alex Meyer’s complete game, shutout on Friday. The Commodores were shutout for the first time since last April. VU starter Sonny Gray tossed his third complete game of the year, fanning nine with no walks over eight innings to take the loss.
ON THE BUMP
Tuesday, May 10
LHP Kevin Ziomek (1-0, 2.27) vs. RHP Travis Tingle (2-0, 3.20)
Friday, May 13 – Florida
RHP Sonny Gray (9-3, 1.94) vs. TBA
Saturday, May 14 – FloridaLHP Grayson Garvin (9-1, 2.15) vs. TBA
Sunday, May 15 – Florida
RHP Taylor Hill (4-0, 3.17) vs. TBA
ESPOSITO ON A ROLL
Jason Esposito enters today’s game on a 27-game hitting streak. The Commodores’ hot corner is 42-for-111 (.378) during the streak with 28 RBI and 23 runs scored. The preseason All-American has been red-hot over his last 14 games going 26-for-63 (.413) with 10 multi-hit games, nine doubles, a triple and three home runs.
CLUTCH HITTING
The Commodores have had no trouble hitting with two outs this year hitting .280 as a team. Vanderbilt has 102 two-out RBI this year accounting for 36% of the team’s RBI total for the season (281). Jason Esposito, Mike Yastrzemski and Tony Kemp have been especially dangerous with two outs combining for 46 two-out RBI.
FRESHMEN LEADERS
Vanderbilt’s offense has been aided by the emergence of freshmen Tony Kemp and Conrad Gregor. The duo has combined to hit .344 (94-for-273) with 62 runs scored, 17 extra-base hits and 40 RBI. In SEC games alone Kemp and Gregor sport the two-best averages on the team (.414 and .394 respectively) hitting a combined .406 with 42 runs scored, 13 extra-base hits and 26 RBI. Freshmen pitchers Kevin Ziomek and T.J. Pecoraro have contributed as well adding seven wins and striking out 71 batters in 61 innings.
CHALLENGING THE CARDINALS
Vanderbilt continues its rivalry with Louisville with the team’s second trip into Kentucky over the last week. The Commodores edged the Cardinals 11-10 in an epic 17-inning game last year ended by Jason Esposito’s walk-off home run. VU holds a 17-4 advantage in the all-time series with Louisville dating back to 1971. The Cardinals have struggled offensively this season hitting .250 as a team and averaging 4.4 runs per game. However, Louisville has posted a 2.87 team ERA and is holding opponents to a .245 batting average.
LAST OF THE MIDWEEKS
Vanderbilt wraps up its midweek schedule tonight at Louisville. The Dores are a perfect 9-0 in midweek contests. The team is hitting .318 and averaging just over eight runs per game while holding opponents to a .195 batting average and just over two runs per game. Jason Esposito has been a force in midweek games driving in 14 runs and hitting .371.
NATIONAL PITCHER OF THE YEAR
The College Baseball Hall of Fame released the 25 quarterfinalists this week for the National Pitcher of the Year award and the Commodores were well represented placing three pitchers on the list. Vanderbilt was the only school to be represented three times on the list with juniors Grayson Garvin, Navery Moore and Sonny Gray making the list. The SEC and Big 12 each placed six pitchers on the list.
GRAY MOVING UP
Junior Sonny Gray is on the move up the career all-time lists. The right-hander has moved into sixth place all-time with 280 career strikeouts. David Price (2005-07) holds the school record with 441 strikeouts. Gray is now tied for third place all-time with Mike Willis (1969-72) with 24 wins. Jeff Peeples (1970-73) holds the school record with 29 wins.
ESPOSITO RUNS INTO TOP 10
Jason Esposito moved into the Top 10 all-time for stolen bases in a career at Vanderbilt when he stole a base on Opening Day against San Diego. The junior third baseman has added to his total and now is in eighth place with 62 stolen bases. Next up on the list is Nick Morrow (1991-94), who had 65 steals in his career. Charles DeFrance (1980-82) holds the school record with 96 stolen bases. Esposito is fourth all-time with 55 doubles in his career.
