Vanderbilt finishes off Michigan, claims second College World Series title in program history
By Adam Spencer
Published:
The key moments of Wednesday night’s College World Series finale between Michigan and Vanderbilt came in the bottom of the third inning and the top of the fourth inning.
In the third, the Commodores loaded the bases and scored three runs. In the top of the fourth inning, the Wolverines loaded the bases against Vandy RHP Mason Hickman, but failed to score.
For Vanderbilt, LF Stephen Scott delivered the big blow, driving this 2-RBI single up the middle to make the score 4-1 in favor of the Commodores:
Stephen Scott delivers a 2 RBI single and the 'Dores take a 4-1 lead in the third! #CWS | @VandyBoys pic.twitter.com/h3WzmP1Zzg
— NCAA Baseball (@NCAABaseball) June 27, 2019
Those would prove to be the winning runs in Vanderbilt’s 8-2 victory. Harrison Ray tacked on a run with this single in the bottom of the seventh inning to make the score 7-1 before Michigan scored once in the eighth inning:
Vandy adds some insurance to their lead! #CWS | @VandyBoys pic.twitter.com/npbqd04YKu
— NCAA Baseball (@NCAABaseball) June 27, 2019
Catcher Philip Clarke finished off his 3-for-4 day at the plate in the bottom of the eighth by driving in a run on a single to make it 8-2 Commodores.
The Vanderbilt pitching staff also turned in a stellar performance. Mason Hickman started the game, going six innings and allowing one run on four hits while striking out 10. He then gave way to reliever Jake Eder, who tossed three innings while allowing one run and striking out three to finish off the game.
This is the first title for Vanderbilt since 2014, and only the second title in program history. The SEC’s last baseball championship came in 2017, when Florida took home the trophy from Omaha.
With guys like Kumar Rocker and Austin Martin (among others) returning in 2020, the Commodores appear to be challengers to reach Omaha again next season.
Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 16 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.
