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Vandy Boys: Chris McElvain posts 15-year VU Opening Day high of 10 Ks in win over Oklahoma State
By Andrew Olson
Published:
The Vandy Boys started the 2022 season 1-0 with a big win behind a strong outing from Chris McElvain. The Vanderbilt hurler struck out 10 against No. 7 Oklahoma State, a 15-year Opening Day high, as the Commodores won 3-0 at Hawkins Field.
McElvain logged his 10 Ks in just 4 innings of work, besting recent Game 1 totals from Kumar Rocker and Sonny Gray. He allowed 4 hits and a walk on Friday, exiting after 79 pitches.
“I don’t know that the approach on my part was any different,” McElvain said after the game, per the team website. “Vanderbilt pitching coach (Scott) Brown is the one that is calling pitches and I have full faith in what he calls. My mindset the whole time was just attack.
“Everyone is going to be nervous. Everyone is going to have the first-game jitters and they’re going to be fired-up and ready to go. But at the end of the day it comes down to competing as a team and trying to do whatever you can to get a win.”
Vandy relievers recorded 7 more strikeouts for 17 Ks in the season-opening win. The program record is 23 strikeouts in a game. On offense, Tatę Kolwyck led the way, going 2-for-3 with a solo home run.
Chris McElvain’s 10 strikeouts today are the most by a Vanderbilt Opening Day starter in the last 15 years.
McElvain – 10 (2022)
Kumar Rocker – 8 (2021)
Sonny Gray – 8 (2010)
Jordan Sheffield – 7 (2016)
Carson Fulmer – 7 (2015)
Tyler Beede – 7 (2014)
Kevin Ziomek – 7 (2013)— Vanderbilt Notes (@VandyNotes) February 19, 2022
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
