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Shook the Trees

Vanderbilt survives and advances, topping Stanford 6-5

By Vanderbilt Athletics

June 24^th, 2021

A Wild Night

Vanderbilt tied the game at 5-5 with two outs in the bottom of the ninth and scored the game-winning run against Stanford on a wild pitch for the 6-5 victory.

Jones Comes Home

Pinch hitter Spencer Jones singled and scored the game-deciding run in the bottom of the ninth.

“So good for the kids. They didn’t back down. They’ve been tough. They’ve showed a lot of resiliency and played a lot of one-run games — Regional, Super Regional to tonight. So, nothing’s been easy for the group.”

TD Ameritrade Bound

Hours before the dramatic ending, the Commodores departed for their game against Stanford on Wednesday afternoon.

Shades Set Stage for Stars

Vanderbilt warmed up in the sunshine of Omaha before it gave way to a picturesque evening at TD Ameritrade Park.

Staying Alive

The Commodores fended off elimination to remain alive in the College World Series.

Vandy has won multiple games in all five of its College World Series appearances, tied with Oregon State for the longest active streak by any team.

Little Makes First College World Series Start

Christian Little, Vanderbilt's 17-year old starter, got the nod against Stanford and went 3.0 innings, allowing four runs, one earned, on four hits with two walks and three strikeouts.

Out at the Plate

Vanderbilt allowed an unearned run in the top of the first, but held Stanford to just one with Jayson Gonzalez throwing out Tim Tawa at the plate.

Vaz Lays Out

Left fielder Javier Vaz kept it a 1-0 Stanford advantage in the second with a diving catch that ended the frame.

Dom Bomb

After Stanford established a 4-0 advantage in the top of the fourth, Vanderbilt got two back on one swing in the bottom of the frame on a Dominic Keegan home run.

Maldonado Holds Serve

Nick Maldonado relieved Little and went 3.0 innings, allowing one run on four hits and one walk while striking out three.

Down by One

With Maldonado holding the Cardinal at bay, Vandy scored twice more in the bottom of the sixth to cut the deficit to one run at 5-4.

Runners on the Corners

Keegan's second hit of the night moved Enrique Bradfield Jr. to third base with one out in the bottom of the sixth.

Pinch-Hit Single Scores One

Pinch hitter Tate Kolwyck's single advanced Keegan to second and plated Bradfield Jr. for a 5-3 Stanford advantage.

Let's Goooooo

Kolwyck got the Commodores fired up in the sixth.

Noland Plates Keegan

One out later in the bottom of the sixth, Parker Noland singled to right to deliver Keegan for a one-run game.

Not So Much

Vanderbilt's defense picked up the momentum in the top of the seventh with a double play to end the frame.

McElvain for Maldonado

Chris McElvain took over for Maldonado in the seventh and finished with 1.2 innings pitched, one walk and a trio of strikeouts.

Got Him

Luke Murphy entered in the top of the eighth with the bases loaded and two outs and struck out the Cardinal's Kody Huff, keeping it a 5-4 Stanford lead.

Murphy recorded four outs in the game, three via the strikeout.

Nothing Comes Easy

Vanderbilt's pitching held Stanford to 2-for-14 with runners in scoring position and stranded 11 runners on base, including six in scoring position.

Two-Out Rally

With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Vanderbilt's rally began and set the stage for Jones' winning run.

“Javi had a great at bat, followed by Spencer and then Enrique putting the bat on the ball and knocking in the run. There was no doubt about it in our dugout. I had full trust in our offense.”

Vaz, Jones Get it Started

Vaz drew a two-out walk and Jones poked a single to the shortstop, whose throw went wide of first and allowed Vaz to get to third, putting runners on the corners for Bradfield Jr.

Tied 5-5

Bradfield Jr. shot the first pitch he saw into right, plating Vaz and evening the score.

Bradfield Jr. became the third Vanderbilt leadoff hitter to finish with three hits in CWS game, joining Dansby Swanson in 2014 versus UC Irvine and Tony Kemp in 2011 against North Carolina.

Two Pitches Later, Game Over

On a 1-0 pitch, Brendan Beck's pitch went to the backstop and Carter Young waved Jones home.

Comeback Kids

Vanderbilt has won three games this season when trailing after the sixth inning: versus Georgia Tech in the NCAA Nashville Regional, against Arizona State in game one of the College World Series and against Stanford.