You'll have to bare with the VSL Brain Trust in the coming days. One of us got a job, three of us are finishing law school, and all of us are still bitter that Butler is basking in what is rightfully Vanderbilt's glory as the "come from nowhere" team that made it to the Final Four. Still, there's Vanderbilt news to pass on, and far be it to deny our loyal readership from their daily Commodore fix.
The big news in Commodore sports is Vanderbilt's trip to #8 Florida for a 3-game series this weekend. Last week's SEC Player of the Week, Sonny Gray (4-2, 2.25 ERA) heads to the hill tonight, facing off against sophomore left-hander Alex Panteliodis (5-1, 2.03 ERA).
Vanderbilt has found ways to win all season, and the hope is they will be able to capitalize on the youth of the Gators starters, who are all sophomores (Panteliodis), or freshmen (Saturday's starter, LHP Brian Johnson (2-1, 3.42 ERA), and Sunday's starter RHP Hudson Randall (2-2, 5.00 ERA)). Vanderbilt didn't fair well on their last conference road-trip, losing 2-3 to Alabama in Tuscaloosa. With that said, Vanderbilt hasn't lost since Saturday of that Alabama series two weeks ago, and have won 8 straight headed to the Swamp. If Vanderbilt is able to win the series, it's likely Gray, and freshman Anthony Gomez (profiled in today's Tennessean) will likely be instrumental. Also, as David Boclair's piece in the Nashville City Paper makes plain, 5th-year Senior Andrew Giobbi might be the key to this series, since he's the one calling the pitches.
Gomez is tearing the cover off the ball in his first year, hitting .536 (30 for 56). If he had more plate appearances, he'd be first in batting in the conference. For a full run-down on what to expect this weekend, check out the Game Notes here. Also, Saturday and Sunday's games will be televised on SUN Sports. Oh yeah, did I mention these teams are tied for second in the SEC East, 1 game back of South Carolina?
In other news, Jeffery Taylor announced he was returning to Vanderbilt for another season. Jeff Lockridge's story in the Tennessean makes it seem as if this was really being considered (and perhaps it was), but I was personally never concerned about Taylor turning pro. He's not ready, if for no other reason than he hasn't proven he can hit outside jumpers. Call me crazy, but I think this announcement softens the ground for A.J.'s announcement in the coming days as to whether or not he'll turn pro.
Happy Good Friday, Passover, and Easter to all those in VSL Nation.
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2 comments:
Of note when saying Gomez is "tearing the cover off the ball" is that he's doing it in an Ichiro style. He simply puts the ball in play (usually grounders) and more often than not the ball finds its way through the infield or he can beat out an infield single. Gomez has struck out only once in his 59 plate appearances. That's the second lowest percentage in the country. He's also only walked two times.
If "Go-Go" - as the team calls him - can reduce his mental errors then Corbin will have no excuse to keep his at-bats down. (Corbin pulled him instantly in a game last week for not knowing how many outs there were when he was on second and another guy hit a popup. That was one of several of the blatant screwups he's had already this year)
You didn't wish anybody a merry Lughnasadh or joyous Ramadan. What are you? Some sort of racist swine?
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