It was an emotional scene on the mound in the eighth inning when Corbs had to go get Carson for the last time in Carson’s career at Vanderbilt University. What a young man, what a representative of Vanderbilt. And one heckuva  pitcher. The media asked Corbs about Carson’s pitching last night after the game and why he came and got him in the eighth, which was the totally right call. Corbs said the change needed to be made. Carson threw 118 pitches and he was getting in a little trouble, but he pitched a gem. Corbs said if he’d let him, Carson would throw again tonight. Probably 118 more.
CF pitched 7.2 innings, giving up just two hits, no runs with two walks and eight K’s. It was a beauty. He threw 118 pitches, 71 for strikes with 47 balls. Just your typical gutty, courageous performance that we’ve been blessed with over the last three years by Carson Fulmer. With all that was going on with the season and the impending MLB draft during the spring, Carson still managed to achieve a 4.0 GPA. He’s unreal. So proud of him. Kyle Peterson of ESPN said the White Sox, who picked CF eighth overall in the draft, may use him as a closer at the latter part of this season. Don’t know if the White Sox will be in the hunt in the AL Central, but Carson could be a weapon for them at the end of the year, if they’re relevant. DP did that for the Rays in 2007, his first year, and actually won the ALCS sixth game to send the Rays to the World Series. Not sure what the White Sox’ chances are, but this idea that Carson is a closer type rather than a starter is a bunch of baloney. Carson has the fortitude that David and Sonny have, he has the will to throw 150 pitches a game if somebody would let him, his fastball can top out at 97-98, his knuckle curve is a total weapon and looks un-hittable and could very well be in the major leagues. I’m excited to see Carson Fulmer starting for the Chicago White Sox at the beginning of next year. I’m predicting it. He’s that good. It’s been a thrill to watch him. Love the guy, and excited to see him compete in the majors along with Dansby (Dbacks) Rhett (Nationals) and Pfeif (Dodgers) when they get there, along with David, Sonny, Mike, when he gets back to the Braves, Pedro, Ryan and hopefully Tony Kemp for the Astros soon. Tony is tearing it up at triple A Fresno right now and the Astros are definitely relevant as a World Series contender. Tony could be their center fielder before the season is over with. He’s so awesome.

Will Toffey with the huge two run double that started the scoring for us in the bottom of the fifth last night. Toff has been spectacular the past two months. He and Jeren Kendall are cornerstones for our team the next couple of years. Of course, we have Reynolds coming back next year, which is huge, too. Reynolds will be our leader next year. Ro had a huge RBI single, Ro’s back next year, Dans had an RBI double and Reynolds had an RBI single. Jeren Kendall made a really nice catch near the left central wall. Reynolds got going a little sideways on a ground rule double over his head, but you can’t find much of anything wrong with the way Bryan is playing. He’s superb. Ben Bowden with a huge out in the top of the eighth to get us out of a jam. Ben was very, very clutch in that situation with two runners on and two outs in a game that was still in the balance. I love Ben’s demeanor on the mound, and he throws some serious heat. Kyle struggled a little in the ninth, but made some big pitches when he had to, to finish off the game. Trust Kyle completely if we need him tonight.

But we have work left. Phil Pfeifer will be on the mound for us tonight. Pfeif, the junior lefty, is 6-4, with a 3.77 ERA with 43 walks and 112 K’s. He’s given up 11 doubles, one triple and five homers in 90.2 innings. And Pfeif has been stellar lately. His 93-94 MPH fastball and his breaking stuff need to be on for us tonight. We’ve got a fresh John Kilichowski in the pen along with Jordan Sheffield and Ben could come back out there, with Kyle available to close it out if we need him to.

UVA will start Nathan Kirby, a right hander who was the 40th overall pick in the draft by the Seattle Mariners. Kirby throws hard. He’s been hurt this year; UVA has really battled injuries. But his stuff is great, and he’s dangerous. Despite being injured, the Mariners thought so much of him that they drafted him 40th, so that speaks a lot to his talent. He is 5-3 with a 2.61 ERA. In 62 innings, he has walked 31 and struck out 76. He’s given up seven doubles, one triple and only three homers. Opponents are hitting .239 against him. Opponents are hitting .217 against Pfeif. He really has battled through injuries, and pitched Friday against Florida and got roughed up pretty good by the Gators. Kirby went just 2.2 innings, gave up four hits and four runs. But he has great stuff, so we’ll have to be dialed in with the bats.

Note****** Virginia will now start left hander Adam Haseley. Haseley is 2-1 with a 2.66 ERA in 23.2 innings with eight walks, 16 K’s, five doubles, 0 triples and one home run allowed. Opponents are hitting .264 against him. Look for closer Josh Sborz to get a lot of work as well. He’s their workhorse and has 15 saves. UVA coach Brian O’Connor is going to throw the kitchen sink at us tonight to try and get over the top. Phil Pfeifer and the bullpen, if needed, will have to be good, we need to keep up our stellar defense, and hit when it counts. Not sure about Haseley’s stuff, but he’s a lefty and that makes it harder.

David Price pitches tonight against the Indians. Will have David’s review tomorrow at some point or maybe Thursday. Sonny pitches Thursday at the Rangers. Will also have Pedro and Flaherty updates this week as well.

Derek and the staff secured their sixth commitment in recruiting as 86, three-star running back Sam Brodner of Glen Ellyn, Illinois hopped on board last night. Sam ran for 1,950 yards and 25 touchdowns last year for the Glenbard West Hilltoppers which finished last season 12-1 and reached the semifinals of the Illinois 8A playoffs, the highest classification in the state. Sam has been timed at 4.49 in the 40. His film looks excellent. He’s a hard-nosed, downhill runner, who blocks well, catches well and can make plenty of house calls. Really like this pickup by Derek. We beat out Illinois for Sam’s services, but there were others very interested. Looks like a Ralph Webb type of tough, hard-nosed running back who can make explosive, game changing plays. He can get tough yards and is great in the open field.  Sam is 5’10”, 210. Will keep you posted on the next  guy who comes our way. Really like the way this class is starting to shape up. Could be some more commits soon.

Weather looks perfect tonight for 7 PM CT/ 8 PM ET first pitch. 77 degrees, 10% rain, wind E @ 6 MPH. ESPN will televise. Need to finish the job tonight.

Prediction:

 VU 5, UVA 3