Reid: pitching with pressure

By Travis Young – Chase Reid has been used in nearly every pitching role this season. The sophomore righty enjoys throwing in pressure situations and has been given the chance to do that in recent situations.

In his last two outings against Louisville and South Carolina, Reid has earned two saves while striking out five in 2.1 innings of work.

Last night against Louisville, Head coach Tim Corbin went to Reid with runners on first and third and one out in the eighth. Reid responded by striking out Ryan Wright and pinch hitter Alec Lowery on 3-2 curveballs to end the Cardinal threat.

In the ninth, Corbin elected to stay with Reid for the ninth and once again the former Southlake Carroll (Texas) standout answered the call by striking out John Dao and Drew Haynes before getting Josh Richmond to ground out to short to end the game for his second save in as many chances.

“I was able to get Louisville to chase some of my breaking balls down in the zone," Reid said. “Giobbi did a great job of calling the game. I thought I used a good mixture of fastballs, curveballs and changeups to keep them guessing.”

Reid came up clutch once again for the Commodores against South Carolina at the SEC Tournament when he earned his first save of the season. The sophomore entered the ninth inning with one-out and runners on second and third before retiring the next to batters on an infield fly and strikeout.

Reid admits he enjoys getting the ball when the game is on the line.

“It is always exciting to pitch in pressure situations like I did last night,” Reid commented. “Anytime you enter a game that has two runners on base with one out you have a chance to get the momentum back for your team.”

The Vanderbilt coaching staff likes what they have seen out of Reid in his last couple of outings and have said he is focused on helping the team win games.

“There is a determination about him,” Corbin said. “I didn’t think he had it during the middle of the year and I challenged him a little bit and he was probably mad at me but since that he has responded and is starting to shine out there. He is go-to type of pitcher and we are proud of the way he has played for us.”