(The KnupSports poll has the Vanderbilt Commodores at #6 in 2024)
Last season: 42-20 (19-11), lost in Nashville Regional
Final ranking: No. 14
Coach (record at school): Tim Corbin (883-420-1, 21 seasons)
Senior catcher Jack Bulger returns after a successful 2023 where he.370 which included5 home runs and 30 RBI’s also he threw out seven baserunners on 31 attempts. Sophomore first baseman Chris Maldanado hit .310 with 8 long balls and 32 runs batted in, Look for freshman from Omaha, Camden Kozeal to get playing time at second base. Shortstop Jonathan Vastine. a junior, hit .287 with 34 RBI’s and 5 homers. At third we find junior Davis Diaz. He hit .263 with 9 homers and drove in 57 runs.
The outfield will see redshift senior Troy LaNevewo hit .262 and added 3 long ones and drove in 14 runs. RJ Austin, a sophomore, hit .257 with seven home runs and 43 RBI’s. Look for transfer Jacob Humphrey from Mass-Lowell to get time in the outfield. Designated hitter will likely see Samford transfer Jayden Davis getting first chance,
Thee pitching staff has all the markings to be phenomenal in 2024. Left Handers Carter Holton and Devin Futrell has load of experience. Futtrell has posted a 17-6 record with a 3.43 ERA along with 136 punch outs and only 33 walks in the previous two seasons. He was named to the all-SEC honors.Futrell’s consistency, competitiveness and pitchability make him a weapon for the Commodores, even if he doesn’t have the kind of swing-and-miss stuff professional scouts crave.
Greysen Carter and Andrew Dutkanych are healthy and capable of making a huge impact for the Commodores.Lefty Ethan McElvain will take over the bullpen duties from departed Nick Maldanado. Also, Sawyer Hanks, a transfer from Air Force and Levi Huesman from Coastal Carolina will get lots of opportunities under coach Tim Corbin.
