Dec. 19, 2016
Nashville, Tenn. – Collegiate Baseball has named juniors Kyle Wright and Jeren Kendall first team preseason All-Americans.
The duo are two of the top-rated players in the nation entering the 2017 season after posting impressive sophomore seasons and starring for Team USA last summer. Wright spent his sophomore season in the Commodores’ weekend rotation, compiling an 8-4 record with a 3.09 ERA and 107 strikeouts over 93.1 innings. The Huntsville, Ala. native was named a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award and second team All-Southeastern Conference. He dominated a four-week stretch in late April and May going 4-0 with 34 strikeouts over 29 innings, including a three-hit shutout with 10 strikeouts in a win over Florida that earned him SEC Pitcher of the Week honors.
Kendall announced his arrival as a sophomore on opening weekend against San Diego last season going 10-for-15 with three home runs and 10 RBI over the three-game series to garner National Hitter, SEC Player and National Player of the Week accolades. The outfielder from Holmen, Wisc. went on to lead the Commodores in batting average (.332), hits (83), runs (63), RBI (59) and stolen bases (28) on his way to third team All-American honors and second team All-SEC status.
Vanderbilt opens the 2017 season on the road at San Diego Feb. 17 before returning home to host Evansville on Feb. 22 at Hawkins Field. The Commodores host the team’s annual banquet Feb. 4 at the Omni Hotel in downtown Nashville.
