Kranzler dominant, Bats get going in Vanderbilt Baseball W over KY, FL preview for today; Men’s Golf playing superbly well

Junior right hander Alex Kranzler locked it down for the Vanderbilt Commodores Tuesday, and the bats got going in the bottom of the 6th, as the Vandy Boys defeated Kentucky, 8-5, in the first round of the SEC Tournament at the Hoover Met. 

We moved to 33-24 overall and earned our 15th SEC victory as we set our sights on advancing much further in this tourney and solidifying our spot in the NCAA Tournament.

Our No. 12 seed Commodores now face 5th seed and 18th ranked Florida in the second round today with an approximate 1 P.M. first pitch. Could be 1:30 ish or a little later depending on how Miss. State-Mizzou goes. State is up 3-1 in the top of the 4th presently.

Connor Fennell got the start and fought hard like he always. The SEC Network broadcasters interviewed Coach Corbin in the third and Corbin said Fennell was not at his best as he had just gotten 5 days rest. Normal rest time is 7 days for a weekend starter. But Fennell battled, as always, going 4.2, giving up 7 hits, 4 earned with a walk and 5 K’s.

Then Alex Kranzler came in and shut the door on the Kentucky offense. Kranzler went 4.1 innings, gave up 1 hit, 1 run, in the 9th when the game was close to secure, with 1 walk and 5 K’s. It was a spectacular performance from our junior from Norwood, Jersey. 

Meanwhile, the bats took a while to get going, but once they did, it went well. We were down 4-1 going into the bottom of the 6th when the offense woke up. After two outs, right fielder Logan Johnstone walked, first baseman Tommy Goodin singled putting runners at first and second, and shortstop Ryker Waite singled driving in Johnstone. Then, our centerfielder, Rustan “Rooster” Rigdon singled up the middle to drive in Goodin to cut the deficit it to 4-3. DH Brandon Barczi singled to left driving in Waite to tie it at 4-4. Jaxon Jelkin, the Kentucky pitcher, who had been dealing on us, was knocked out of the game. Jack Sams came in and with runners on first and second, catcher Korbin Reynolds hit it to third and the KY third baseman threw it away, and the fleet footed Rigdon scored to put us up, 5-4.

With Kranzler dominating Kentucky, we extended the lead in the bottom of the 8th when the great Rigdon singled, stole second and third, and scored when the catcher threw it into left field while Rigdon was sliding into third. Reynolds then singled and our terrific sophomore third baseman from Ooltewah, TN., Brodie Johnston, cranked his 15th homer of the season to deep left field. It was a no doubter. Brodie had to watch that one for a second. It was his 46th and 47th Ribeyes as well.

We were up 8-4 in the top of the ninth and Kentucky scored an inconsequential run, as Kranzler closed it out.

It’s Florida today at 1 P.M.CT/ 2 East on the SEC Network.

I’ll guesstimate either freshman right hander Tyler Baird, 0-5, 4.81 ERA, 24 walks, 49 K’s in 4 games started and 43 innings. Tyler has been figuring it out lately, and has super stuff and throws it 95. He has given up 7 doubles, 0 triples and 4 homers. 

Or we might go with frosh Wyatt Nadeau, 2-3, 5.57 ERA, 36 walks, 60 K’s in 51.2 IP’s. Wyatt has given up 9 doubles and 5 long balls. Both pitchers  have been trending well. Wyatt hits 96 regularly. If they can just keep their control in order I like our chances.

Florida, 37-18, 18-12- SEC, might go with starter Liam Peterson, who is 2-5 with a 4.00 ERA. They may go a bullpen game.

Not sure how Florida is approaching this game. They are securely in the NCAA Tournament, but their coach, Kevin O’Sullivan, and Corbs are good friends, but major rivals. We always get everybody’s best shot, so we’ll need to home in on being successful.

Will get pitchers to you when I know. Could be about 10 or 20 minutes before the game. State is up 3-2 on Mizzou in the bottom of another fifth. We’ll see how that game progresses.

By the way, our great second baseman Mike Mancini, was named second team All-SEC earlier this week., Mancini is hitting .306 with 15 homers and 44 Ribeyes. He has also stolen 20 of 21 bases, including another one Tuesday. Mike’s been a superb player for us this year and is excellent on defense.

Our Men’s Golf Team was down a little earlier today, but is now in first place at the Athens, GA. Regional at -25. We are one shot clear of Louisville, which is at -24. BYU is next at -18. Georgia and Charleston are tied for 4th at -17, and No.1 Auburn is surprisingly in 6th at -15. The top 5 teams advance to the NCAA Championships in Carlsbad, California at the Omni La Costa Resort and Spa-North Course next Friday, May 29th.

Louisville has just dropped three shots and we now have a four shot lead at -25. Both Louisville and us are on holes 10-13. Auburn is also on holes 10-13. Our great freshman, Will Hartman, is -14 and leading the player leaderboard by 3 shots over Louisiana’s Malan Potgieter, who is at -11. Will, from Marvin, North Carolina, shot eight under, 63 on Tuesday. Freshman Jon Ed Sneed, from my prolific wife’s stomping grounds, Enterprise, Alabama, is in 6th at -8. Senior Wells Williams is at -4. Just fell off two shots to -23, and are just one clear of Louisville (-22). Both teams through holes 11-14. BYU is -20 through holes 10-13. Will keep you posted.

Will be in touch on Baseball and golf today. Have a great work day.