By Ron Wynn
NASHVILLE, TN — The Vanderbilt Commodores completed a season-long quest Sunday with an impressive 13-2 victory over Duke to win the Nashville Super Regional at Hawkins Field. The win put them back in the College World Series. It’s the fourth time in school history, but first since 2015. It also saw them overcome a Friday night blowout to post two straight wins over Duke. Kumar Rocker had a spectacular Saturday game, pitching a complete game no-hitter and striking out a record 19 hitters to lead Vanderbilt to a series-tying 3-0 victory.
But there was very little suspense in this one, as the Commodores took a 4-0 first inning lead and never looked back.The game was a marathon affair, lasting more than six hours due to lightning delays. The Commodores hit five home runs, with Austin Martin getting a pair and knocking in three runs, both marks career highs. Pat DeMarco, Stephen Scott and Julian infante also had home runs.
The Commodores have tied the record for most wins in a season and are 54-11. They’ve broken the home run record with 93. Patrick Raby pitched two scoreless innings of relief to get his 10th win in 11 decisions this season, and 32nd overall as the school’s all-time leading winner. Vanderbilt heads to Omaha this weekend where they face Louisville either Saturday or Sunday. The first part of the College World Series is double-elimination.
