NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Another home series is on tap for Vanderbilt as the fifth-ranked Commodores are set to welcome Army to Hawkins Field this weekend.
The three-game series is set to begin with a 4:30 p.m. first pitch Friday followed by a 2 p.m. start on Saturday afternoon. The series finale between the Commodores and Black Knights is set for 1 p.m. Sunday. All three games will be streamed live on SEC Network+.
Probable Starting Pitching Matchups
FRIDAY: Vandy – Chris McElvain (Jr., RHP) vs. Army – Connelly Early (So., LHP)
SATURDAY: Vandy – Carter Holton (Fr., LHP) vs. Army – Anthony LoRicco (Sr., RHP)
SUNDAY: Vandy – Nick Maldonado (Jr., RHP) vs. Army – TBA
Trending
• Vandy got back in the win column Wednesday by defeating Evansville 9-0 in a six-inning contest that was shortened due to inclement weather.
• The Dores have registered shutouts in two of the their four matchups this season while the Vanderbilt pitching staff owns a 2.45 ERA to rank fifth in the SEC.
Working From Home
• The Commodores have been tough to beat at Hawkins Field since the facility opened its gates in 2002.
• Vanderbilt is 512-174-1 (.746) all-time at Hawkins Field, including a 404-115-1 (.778) mark since 2007.
• Against nonconference opponents at the facility, Vanderbilt is 304-55 (.847). Since 2007 at home vs. nonconference teams, the Dores are 238-38 (.862).
• The Commodores have won 17 of their last 19 regular season home series. Vandy has won 64-of-78 three-game sets at The Hawk since 2011.
Series History
• Friday’s series opener will mark just the second time that Vanderbilt and Army have met in the all-time history between the two programs.
• The Commodores own a 1-0 advantage in the all-time series.
• Vanderbilt and Army met early in the 1990 season, as the Commodores earned a 7-3 victory in the matchup.
Opening Day Dominance
• Junior right-hander McElvain posted an incredible performance in his season debut on Opening Day against No. 7 Oklahoma State.
• McElvain earned his first win of the season, pitching four shutout innings and limiting the Cowboys to just four hits.
• His 10 punchouts marked the most of a Vanderbilt Opening Day starter in at least 15 seasons. With his performance, McElvain was recognized as a National Player of the Week by Collegiate Baseball.
First-Year Starters
• The Commodores have started true freshmen in two of their four games this season in lefties Holton and Devin Futrell.
• Junior Maldonado made his first career start last Saturday as he transitions to a starter role this season after serving as a key reliever in 2021.
• The Commodore returners combined to start just 29 of Vanderbilt’s 67 contests last season — a 43 percent mark.
What’s Next
• Vanderbilt wraps up its homestand Tuesday with a matchup against Central Arkansas.
• Vanderbilt will head to Hawaii (March 4-6) for its first road trip of the season to face the Rainbow Warriors in a four-game series.
