Here is Saturday's postgame press conference from Vanderbilt's 6-2 win over Florida State at the NCAA Super Regional in Tallahassee, Fla. Head Coach Tim Corbin, Sonny Gray, Grayson Garvin, Joe Loftus and Jason Esposito answered questions from the media.
One of the incentives for throwing a shutout? Getting to take BP.
The Commodore pitching staff earned the right to hit in the cage during practice Wednesday, thanks to Richie Goodenow's complete-game, two-hit shutout against Louisville on Sunday.
And you just knew by their expressions that the guys enjoyed the moment. As junior reliever Russell Brewer told me, any pitcher that hasn't hit since high school misses it.
"It's fun," he noted. "We just like to get out here and try to take some hacks and have some fun to loosen up."
Brewer, who was recruited as an infielder, led the hitting parade by crushing five consecutive homers into the bleachers of Hawkins Field. He twisted his cap backwards -- Ken Griffey, Jr. style -- after the third one left the park.
"I'm begging for ABs every game," Brewer said with a grin. "I tell coach (Corbin) all the time to put me in. All I want is an opportunity ... He told me that I'd get my chance."
Brewer wanted that chance in the regional opener against Illinois State last Friday. When the offense was struggling against Redbirds reliever Kenny Long, Brewer suggested to coach Josh Holliday that the Commodore pitchers would fare better at the plate against the slow-throwing southpaw than the hitters.
"He was right, but we didn't choose him," Corbin quipped. "We chose Jack (Armstrong), and Russell was the second choice -- he was door number two."
We know the result of that decision, but could Brewer get the same shot at glory before it's all said and done?
"Russell can hit," Corbin added. "Don't tell him that I said that, but he came here as a hitter. He's got some strength."
Watch one of Brewer's homers in the video below, plus extra footage of starter Sonny Gray in the cage.
Side note: Russell, who has been out of action since mid-May due to arm soreness, told me he hopes to pitch in Tallahassee this weekend. He needs one more save to tie the school record of 19 held by Ryan Rote.
Prior to departing for Tallahassee Wednesday evening, head coach Tim Corbin, first baseman Aaron Westlake, and pitcher Sonny Gray met with the media to discuss the Commodores' upcoming matchup with Florida State in the NCAA Super Regionals.
Watch the videos below to find out what the guys had to say:
ESPN the magazine has written a blurb on the good luck ritual of Sonny Gray, who pens in singer songwriter Taylor Swift's name on the Vanderbilt passlist each game. She hasn't shown yet, but after all we already have Lady Antebellum's Hillary Scott as a regular at Hawkins Field.
So it was of no surprise to find a new name next to Richie Goodenow on the VU Player Pass List for tonight's Louisville game: Tommy Twowins. The ticket office is used to the hyjinx of our players and love them just the same, but we did wonder who this new friend of Richie's was today. And now, (as Paul Harvey used to say), the rest of the story.
Coaches make many tough decisions during the postseason.
Determining the strategy for a starting rotation might be the toughest.
Vanderbilt head coach Tim Corbin faces that dilemma going into the NCAA Louisville Regional this weekend. Do you go with No. 1 ace Sonny Gray in the opener against Illinois State, or do you give Taylor Hill a chance to face the Redbirds again?
"You know what my nights have been filled with right now?" responded Corbin when asked if he'll keep the starting rotation consistent in regards to the regular season.
"The thought is, 'How do you win the tournament? You could win the battle but might lose the war, so how do you approach it that way? If you keep everything consistent, you probably sleep well right now. But do you sleep during the tournament?' Not so sure.
"If you want to pitch off, and you're thinking, 'What's the best way to win this tournament as a whole?' You might pitch Sonny in game two. But I don't know. I'm just not sure."
Corbin has traditionally kept the rotation the same in the regional format. The one time he made a change, it didn't work out. In 2008, Caleb Cotham got the call over Mike Minor in the opener against Oklahoma in Tempe, Ariz., but the Commodores lost 8-5 and never recovered from the losers' bracket.
It's not that easy of a decision when you consider Hill's successful outing against Illinois State on March 6. He held the Redbirds' offense in check in the Commodores' 9-2 win, allowing only two runs on seven hits with six strikeouts in 7.1 innings. Do you give him another shot at ISU and hold Gray back for the second game?
You also can't ignore the importance of winning the first game in a regional, something the Commodores have failed to do in their last two NCAA trips. Gray has anchored the rotation all year, and was dominant in his two postseason appearances in Louisville last year. He threw eight shutout innings against Indiana in an elimination game, and pitched the final 1.2 innings in the regional championship against Louisville.
Let the debate begin.
"I'll tell you one thing: once I've made the decision, I'm going to sleep," Corbin added. "The decision will be made and we'll go forward. Right now, I'm trying to look at both sides to see what the best route is to winning this regional."
Video of the Day: How do I make a tough decision? I rely on Joey Gladstone and Jesse Katsopolis to tell me the pros and the cons. Works every time. Click to Enjoy
Well if the trend continues Vanderbilt should be in good shape here in the final game of the day. So far the lower seed has won the first two games, with eighth-seeded LSU on top of No. 1 seed Florida 9-4 in the eighth.
The weather isn't bad at all, with temps in the low 80's and certain to decrease at night.
The Commodores lineup is basically the same it has been the latter part of the year. Freshman Mike Yastrzemski is getting the start in left, taking advantage of his defensive prowess in a huge outfield.
1. Brian Harris SS
2. Anthony Gomez 2B
3. Jason Esposito 3B
4. Aaron Westlake 1B
5. Curt Casali DH
6. Andrew Giobbi C
7. Joe Loftus RF
8. Connor Harrell CF
9. Mike Yastrzemski LF
SP Sonny Gray (8-4, 3.44 ERA)
Gray had a solid outing against the Razorbacks last Thursday, allowing three runs on seven hits in eight innings with nine strikeouts in the Commodores 4-3 win in the series opener.
Some coaches treat the SEC Baseball Tournament as an opportunity to rest their top arms with the risk of going home early to prepare for the NCAA Regional.
Don't put Tim Corbin in that category. His philosophy has always been to play to win it all, no matter what the circumstances.
That's why Corbin will go with sophomore ace Sonny Gray (8-4, 3.44 ERA) against Arkansas in the opener on Wednesday night at Regions Park.
"This tournament means a lot to us, and it will always mean a lot to us," stated Corbin, who has led the Commodores to the SEC championship game in four of the last six years. "Just because a regional is down the road, we never would go down to Hoover to get through it. You win tournaments by playing in tournaments. This is a tournament that we can actually practice playing in a regional or super regional."
As for the rotation after Wednesday's game, Corbin said that he would go with the pitcher that presents the best matchup. He intends to use Taylor Hill and Jack Armstrong during the week, but also mentioned that there may be some wild cards in the equation. Corbin specifically noted that southpaw reliever Grayson Garvin has the potential to start, especially against a left-handed hitting team.
Arkansas hasn't announced if they will go with Drew Smyly (8-1, 2.58 ERA), their No. 1 arm, against the Dores. Gray outdueled Smyly last Thursday in Vanderbilt's only win over the Razorbacks. Smyly could be held out, though, due to a blister on his finger which nagged him during that five-inning outing.
Gray has one previous career start in the SEC Tournament. As a freshman in 2009, he earned a no-decision after allowing four runs in seven innings while striking out 11 in the Commodores' 5-4 victory against South Carolina.
Head coach Tim Corbin and sophomore pitcher Sonny Gray answers questions from the media following Vanderbilt's 4-3 win over Arkansas on Thursday night at Hawkins Field.
Not as hot today as it was yesterday, but just as humid. Partly cloudy and 85 degrees. Humidity is 49 % with winds from south at 15 mph. Team is wearing the same gray pinstripe jerseys they wore in the final two games of the LSU series as well as yesterday's win.
Sonny Gray Update: He took a pretty good shot yesterday in the sixth inning collision, had a bloody nose and headache. His nose isn't broken but is sore. He said he was doing better today other than his nose hurting.
Starting Lineup:
1. Brian Harris SS
2. Anthony Gomez 2B
3. Jason Esposito 3B
4. Aaron Westlake 1B
5. Curt Casali DH
6. Andrew Giobbi LF
7. Joe Loftus RF
8. Connor Harrell CF
9. Drew Fann C
SP: Taylor Hill (5-3, 3.22 ERA)
Since the South Carolina game on April 11, Hill is 2-1 with a 2.47 ERA in five starts. He has exhibited exceptional control with 27 strikeouts and just four walks in 40.0 innings of work. Hill is coming off his first collegiate complete game, allowing just two runs (both coming with two outs in the ninth) in the Commodores 6-2 win over LSU last Saturday.
First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT in Starkville. You can listen to Joe Fisher's radio call on 560 AM and VUcommodores.com. For Twitter Updates, follow @VandyBaseball.
It is another muggy day in the Deep South. The current weather is 90 degrees with winds from the south at 15 miles per hour. Humidity is currently at 35%.
The lineup for tonight's game is the same as Tuesday's against Louisville.
1. Brian Harris SS
2. Anthony Gomez 2B
3. Jason Esposito 3B
4. Aaron Westlake 1B
5. Curt Casali DH
6. Andrew Giobbi C
7. Joe Loftus RF
8. Connor Harrell CF
9. Bryan Johns LF
SP: Sonny Gray (6-4, 3.07 ERA)
Gray will try to rebound from the worst starting outing the has had in a Commodore uniform. He allowed seven runs on seven hits in three innings against LSU last Friday. Prior to that outing he had pitched into the seventh inning in eight of his 10 starts on the year.
Last year he closed out the series finale against State, throwing 2.2 innings of three-hit relief. Gray allowed a run while recording six strikeouts with no walks while picking up his fifth save of the year.
Lots of questions about the official ruling and ramifications on last night's ejection of Vanderbilt head coach Tim Corbin and ace right-hander Sonny Gray.
Per the NCAA rule book after teams have been warned for throwing at batters (unsportsmanlike actions) and then hit or throw at them again- then at the umpires discretion- the pitcher will be ejected from that contest and serve a four game suspension. The head coach will also be ejected and suspended for the next game only. There is no appeals process to this ruling.
NCAA rule below:
A.R. 5—If a pitcher is removed from the game and receives an ejection for unsportsmanlike actions, the pitcher will receive a four-game suspension.
So this means, barring any rainouts/cancellations of games, Gray will have to sit out the final two Tennessee games, the Austin Peay game on Tuesday AND the Friday night game against Georgia. He would be eligible to pitch against Georgia next Saturday night at Hawkins Field. Editor's note: He was unlikely to pitch in any of those games anyway until next Friday night so in reality will miss one game. If this was last week, when we had two midweek games, he would have been eligible to pitch on Friday night.
By rule, Gray and Coach Corbin are not allowed to be in the dugout or in stadium while serving their suspensions.
Per NCAA:
A suspended person cannot:
a) Be dressed in game uniform;
b) Communicate with any team personnel or umpires;
c) Take part in any pregame activities at the site of competition; and
d) Be in the stadium or on the field once pregame activities have started.
Associate head coach Derek Johnson will continue to handle the pitching staff/changes, while assistant coach Josh Holliday will handle the offensive side of things. Corbin will make out the lineup as usual, while Holliday will take over coaching at third base and make in game adjustments.
If there are any questions regarding this, leave in comments and I will do my best to answer. However, per SEC rules- coaches, players and university officials are to refrain from criticizing game officials.
It is a beautiful day right now at Lindsey Nelson Stadium in Knoxville. It is 80 degrees with some clouds in the sky. Weather will play a factor throughout the SEC this weekend, we will keep you updated on the weather in Knoxville on www.vucommodores.com. Tonight should be good to go.
1. Anthony Gomez 2B
2. Brian Harris SS
3. Jason Esposito 3B
4. Curt Casali DH
5. Aaron Westlake 1B
6. Andrew Giobbi C
7. Connor Harrell CF
8. Joe Loftus RF
9. Bryan Johns LF
SP: Sonny Gray 5-4, 2.33 ERA
The Commodores were swept last year by the Vols, losing two of the games in extra innings. VU struggled at the plate as well as on the mound with a .271 team batting average and a 7.14 ERA.
Brian Harris was 5-for-13 (.385), while Curt Casali was 3-for-8 (.375) with four walks in the series.
Sonny Gray will look to improve on his performance of a year ago when he gave up four runs on eight hits in four innings with four strikeouts in the no-decision.
In fact the Commodores used nine pitchers in the three games, and just one didn't allow a run: Caleb Cotham who pitched 1.2 innings.
Here's looking for a reversal of fortune in an hour.
Vanderbilt baseball head coach Tim Corbin and sophomore pitcher Sonny Gray met with the media on Monday to discuss the South Carolina series and the upcoming schedule. Find out what they had to say in the videos below.
The Commodores will continue their eight-game home stand on Tuesday when Middle Tennessee comes to town for a 6 p.m. tilt. VU will then host a three-game series against Auburn this weekend. Click here to purchase tickets.
It's 80 degrees here in Gainesville and it should remain in the 80's with plenty of sun all weekend. Last night on 104.5 FM The Zone with Willy Daunic, Coach Corbin mentioned that Curt Casali will sit out this weekend while still rehabbing from the hamstring injury. He is here but unlikely to see any action outside of a possible pinch hit role, if active.
With the Casali injury, the Commodores will try and maximize their defensive alignments against a good Florida offensive ballclub.
1. Brian Harris SS 2. Riley Reynolds 2B 3. Jason Esposito 3B 4. Andrew Giobbi C 5. Aaron Westlake 1B 6. Connor Harrell LF 7. Joe Loftus RF 8. Anthony Gomez DH 9. Mike Yastrzemski CF
Sonny Gray (4-2, 2.25 ERA) will look to continue where he left off last week against Kentucky. He held the Wildcats scoreless in seven innings of work and picked up SEC Pitcher of the Week honors.
Florida is going with sophomore southpaw Alex Panteliodis (5-1, 2.03 ERA) who has been equally impressive for the Gators. His lone loss of the year came against Ole Miss last weekend after he gave up three runs in 7.1 innings with eight strikeouts. He has 28 K's to just five walks in 31.0 innings of work.
It's a beautiful day for baseball at Sewell-Thomas Stadium in Tuscaloosa. Sunny and 72 degrees. Looks like the same lineup that was used against WKU on Wednesday.
The Commodores are looking to stop a five-game losing streak to Bama dating back to the series opener two years ago here at "The Joe". Mike Minor tossed a complete game that Friday night as VU won 2-1.
Alabama's starting pitcher is southpaw Adam Morgan. He is 2-0 with a 3.27 ERA and will be making his first appearance against the Commodores.
Sonny Gray (3-1, 2.96 ERA) is looking for a better outing than the one he had last year against the Crimson Tide. He came on in relief of Mike Minor in the Friday opener and gave up six runs on six hits in two innings and took his first collegiate loss.
Curt Casali is still recovering from his hamstring injury and will likely be relegated to a pinch hitter's role, if he plays at all this weekend.
1. Brian Harris SS 2. Bryan Johns DH 3. Aaron Westlake LF 4. Andrew Giobbi C 5. Jason Esposito 3B 6. Riley Reynolds 1B 7. Joe Loftus RF 8. Connor Harrell CF 9. Anthony Gomez 2B
Sonny Gray was just named SEC pitcher of the week after his dominating performance against Niagara last Friday.
The sophomore right-hander threw 8.0 innings (longest outing of any SEC pitcher on the weekend) of three-hit shutout baseball in the 9-0 win. He did not allow a runner to second base (only one in game) until the eighth inning and struck out eight batters to just one walk.
Dating back to last season, the right-hander has not allowed a run in his last 17 and 2/3 innings with 21 strikeouts and just two walks while giving up 11 hits.
If you missed VUcommodores.com's live video chat with sophomore pitcher Sonny Gray earlier today, you're in luck. You can watch the replay by clicking here.
Thanks to Sonny for spending 40+ minutes answering your questions.
Don't forget, the season starts this Friday vs. Niagara (4 p.m. CT) at Hawkins Field. For ticket information, click here.
We're doing our first live video chat on VUcommodores.com today from 12-12:30 p.m. CT. Our guest will be sophomore pitcher Sonny Gray.
You can watch the live stream and also submit questions at this link.
The Commodores will open the season on Friday with a three-game series against Niagara at Hawkins Field. Season tickets are still available - click here to purchase.
By Travis Young – Three Vanderbilt baseball players have been named to the 2010 SEBaseball.com preseason All-SEC team. Sophomores Aaron Westlake and Sonny Gray were first-team selections while senior Brian Harris was selected to the second team. SEBaseball also picked VU to finish fourth in the SEC East while LSU is tabbed as the overall favorite to win the league outright.
Westlake joins South Carolina’s Jackie Bradley and Ole Miss’ Tim Ferguson as the only three outfielders on the first team. Westlake will look to defend his SEC batting title (.377 ba./avg) from a season ago. The Redding, Calif., native has blossomed into one of the league’s best hitters and has rare combination of hitting for average and power. Westlake belted 10 home runs and drove in 57 runs while leading the league in average.
Gray joins Drew Pomeranz (Ole Miss) and Anthony Renaudo (LSU) as the three starting pitchers selected to the first-team. The Smyrna, Tenn., native went 5-1 with a 4.30 ERA, including five saves in 22 appearances during his freshman campaign. Gray was dominant on the mound for Team USA last summer, going 3-1 with a 0.75 ERA in eight appearances. The sophomore struck out 27 in 24 innings of work while opponents hit only .139 off him.
Harris earned second team preseason plaudits from SEBaseball.com, after being named a first-team All-SEC selection a year ago. The redshirt senior is coming off his best season as a Commodore, where he hit .299 with 65 runs scored and 45 RBI. Harris was named to the SEC All-Defensive team for his stellar play in the field while carrying a .439 on-base percentage at the plate.
Below is SEBaseball.com Projected Order of Finish
East 1. Florida 2. South Carolina 3. Georgia 4. Vanderbilt 5. Kentucky 6. Tennessee
West 1. LSU* 2. Arkansas 3. Ole Miss 4. Alabama 5. Auburn 6. Mississippi State
