2015 Vanderbilt Commodores baseball team

The 2015 Vanderbilt Commodores baseball team represented Vanderbilt University during the 2015 NCAA Division I baseball season. The Commodores played their home games at Hawkins Field as a member of the Southeastern Conference. They were led by head coach Tim Corbin, in his 13th season at Vanderbilt.

2015 Vanderbilt Commodores baseball
SEC East Division Champions
Nashville Regional Champions
Champaign Super Regional Champions
College World Series Final, L 1–2 vs. Virginia
ConferenceSoutheastern Conference
Ranking
CoachesNo. 2
CBNo. 2
2015 record51-21 (20–10 SEC)
Head coach
Assistant coaches
Home stadiumHawkins Field
2015 Southeastern Conference baseball standings
Conf  Overall
TeamW L PCT  W L PCT
Eastern
No. 2 Vanderbilt  xy 2010 .667  5121 .708
No. 3 Florida  y 1911 .633  5218 .743
Missouri   1515 .500  3028 .517
Kentucky   1415 .483  3025 .545
South Carolina   1317 .433  3225 .561
Tennessee   1118 .379  2426 .480
Georgia   1019 .345  2628 .481
Western
No. 5 LSU  xy 218 .724  5412 .818
No. 11 Texas A&M  y 1810 .643  5014 .781
No. 7 Arkansas y 1712 .586  4025 .615
Ole Miss y 1514 .517  3028 .517
Auburn y 1317 .433  3626 .581
Alabama   1218 .400  3228 .533
Mississippi State   822 .267  2430 .444
x Division champion
Conference champion
Tournament champion
y Invited to the NCAA Tournament
Rankings from Collegiate Baseball

Previous season

In 2014, the Commodores finished the season 3rd in the SEC's Eastern Division with a record of 47–19, 17–13 in conference play. They qualified for the 2014 Southeastern Conference Baseball Tournament and were eliminated in the second round. They qualified for the 2014 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament, and were selected to host the Nashville Regional, which included Oregon, Clemson, and Xavier. The Commodores won their first three games of the regional, defeating Xavier by a score of 11–0, Oregon by a score of 7–2, and Oregon again, this time, 3–2, to advance to the Super Regional, of which they were hosts. In their first game against Stanford, the Commodores won 11–6, before dropping the second game, 4–5. In game three, Vanderbilt won, 12–5, to advance to the College World Series.

In the College World Series, Vanderbilt defeated Louisville and UC Irvine to advance to the semifinals and play Texas. In the first match-up with the Longhorns, the Commodores dropped their first game of the College World Series, losing 0–4. In the second game, the Commodores won 4–3 in ten innings, advancing to the College World Series finals to play Virginia.

Vanderbilt opened the finals against Virginia, the #3 national seed in the tournament, with a 9–8 victory. The Commodores proceeded to drop the second game, 2–7, before winning game three, 3–2. Vanderbilt were crowned national champions, their first championship in program history.

2015 regular season

After a slow start, the Commodores easily qualified for the 2015 Southeastern Conference tournament, where they finished second to the Florida Gators. They then played host to the 2015 NCAA Nashville Regional, where they defeated Lipscomb University, The University of Indiana and Radford University, the last opponent by a record-tying shutout score of 21-0. The Commodores then faced the University of Illinois in the NCAA Superegional, defeating them in a two-game sweep and advancing to the College World Series.

In 65 games in his junior year for the team, Rhett Wiseman hit .318/.419/.566 with 66 runs (2nd in the Southeastern Conference), 39 walks (tied for 6th), and 14 home runs (tied for 6th).[1][2] He was named an All-American.[3]

2015 NCAA College World Series

In their opening-round game in the 2015 College World Series, Vanderbilt defeated Cal State Fullerton, 4–3, on a walkoff home run in the bottom of the ninth in a game that had been suspended due to rain the night before, advancing into the winners' bracket. In their second-round game, Vanderbilt defeated the number 7 national seed TCU, 1–0. Zander Wiel hit a home run in the 7th inning to score the lone run of the game and break up a no-hitter.

Behind an offensive outburst and dominating performance behind the arm of Walker Buehler, the Commodores beat TCU 7–1 to advance to their second straight College World Series Championship Series. Commodores outfielder Rhett Wiseman was hit in his neck by an 89 mph fastball while batting during the game, and was hit so hard it left a red mark that even showed the outlines of the baseball's laces on his neck. He stayed in the game (telling their coach "it's the College World Series, baby. You're not taking me out of this game"). Wiseman went on to hit a home run innings later.[4][5]

In game 1 of the championship series Vanderbilt defeated Virginia 5–1 thanks to an outing by Carson Fulmer. Virginia held Vanderbilt scoreless (3-0) for just the second time all year, forcing a winner-take-all third game for the national championship. The Cavaliers beat Vanderbilt 4–2 to win their first baseball national championship in program history.

Personnel

Roster

2015 Vanderbilt Commodores roster[6]
 

Pitchers

  • 13 - Walker Buehler - Junior
  • 15 - Carson Fulmer - Junior
  • 21 - John Kilichowski - Sophomore
  • 22 - Philip Pfeifer - Junior
  • 23 - Joey Abraham - Freshman
  • 24 - Jordan Sheffield - Freshman
  • 28 - Matt Ruppenthal - Freshman
  • 31 - Ryan Johnson - Freshman
  • 32 - Hayden Stone - Sophomore
  • 34 - Brendan Spagnuolo - Freshman
  • 35 - Ben Bowden - Sophomore
  • 40 - Collin Snider - Freshman
  • 44 - Kyle Wright - Freshman
  • 45 - Tyler Ferguson - Junior
 

Catchers

  • 5 - Jason Delay - Sophomore
  • 25 - Karl Ellison - Sophomore
  • 33 - Tristan Chari - Freshman

Infielders

  • 2 - Tyler Campbell - Junior
  • 7 - Dansby Swanson - Junior
  • 10 - Will Toffey - Freshman
  • 11 - Liam Sabino - Freshman
  • 16 - Penn Murfee - Freshman
  • 19 - Joey Mundy - Freshman
  • 36 - Aubrey McCarty - Freshman
  • 43 - Zander Wiel - Junior
  • 55 - Tyler Green - Freshman
 

Outfielders

 

Coaching staff

NamePositionSeasons at
Vanderbilt
Alma mater
Tim CorbinHead coach13Ohio Wesleyan University (1984)
Scott BrownAssistant coach3SUNY Cortland (1999)
Travis JewettAssistant coach3Washington State University (1993)

Schedule

Legend
 Vanderbilt win
 Vanderbilt loss
 Postponement
BoldVanderbilt team member
2015 Vanderbilt Commodores Game Log
Regular Season
February
Date Opponent Rank Site/Stadium Score Win Loss Save Attendance Overall Record SEC Record
February 13Santa Clara#1Hawkins FieldNashville, TN4–0Fulmer (1–0)Steffens (0–1)2,9581–0
February 14Santa Clara#1Hawkins Field • Nashville, TN6–7Karalus (1–0)Stone (0–1)2,7541–1
February 14Santa Clara#1Hawkins Field • Nashville, TN6–5 (10)Sheffield (1–0)Karalus (1–1)2,7542–1
February 18at Belmont#2E. S. Rose Park • Nashville, TNPostponed Rescheduled for April 28
February 20vs. Indiana State#2Charlotte Sports ParkPort Charlotte, FL3–2Bowden (1–0)Keaffaber (0–1)NA3–1
February 21vs. Indiana State#2Charlotte Sports Park • Port Charlotte, FL1–8Degano (2–0)Stone (0–2)NA3–2
February 22vs. Indiana State#2Charlotte Sports Park • Port Charlotte, FL6–0Wright (1–0)Kuhlman (0–2)NA4–2
February 24Tennessee–Martin#4Hawkins Field • Nashville, TN16-3Shaw (1-2)Shaw (0-1)2,3655-2
February 25WKU#4Hawkins Field • Nashville, TN10-6Pfeifer (1-0)Pearson (0-2)2,4056-2
February 27Illinois State#4Hawkins Field • Nashville, TN16-1Fulmer (2-0)Headean (1-1)2,4097-2
February 28Illinois State#4Hawkins Field • Nashville, TN3-2Kilichowski (1-0)Hendren (1-1)2,5028-2
Post-season
NCAA Tournament: Nashville Regional
Date Opponent Site/Stadium Score Win Loss Save Attendance Overall Record NCAAT Record
May 29(4) LipscombHawkins FieldNashville, TN11–0Fulmer (12–2)Martinez (7–4)3,62643–191–0
May 30(3) IndianaHawkins Field • Nashville, TN6–4Bowden (6–1)Harrison (4–2)Wright (2)3,62644–192–0
June 1(2) RadfordHawkins Field • Nashville, TN21-0Buehler (4–2)MacKeith (7-5)3,62645–193–0
NCAA Tournament: Champaign Super Regional
Date Opponent Site/Stadium Score Win Loss Save Attendance Overall Record NCAAT Record
June 6(6) IllinoisIllinois FieldChampaign, IL13-0Fulmer (13-2)Duchene 11-23,60546-194-0
June 8(6) IllinoisIllinois Field • Champaign, IL4-2Pfeifer (5-4)Jay (5-2)Wright (3)3,76747-195-0
College World Series
Date Opponent Site/Stadium Score Win Loss Save Attendance Overall Record CWS Record
June 14/15Cal State FullertonTD Ameritrade ParkOmaha, NE4-3Wright 6-1Peitzmeier (5-4)21,67448-191-0
June 16(7) TCUTD Ameritrade Park • Omaha, NE1-0Pfeifer (6-4)Young (9-3)Wright (4)24,15649-192-0
June 19(7) TCUTD Ameritrade Park • Omaha, NE7-1Buehler (5-2)Alexander (6-3)26,01150-193-0
June 22VirginiaTD Ameritrade ParkOmaha, NE5-1Fulmer (14-2)Jones (7-3)21,65251-194-0
June 23VirginiaTD Ameritrade ParkOmaha, NE0-3Sborz (7-2)Pfeifer (6-5)24,64551-204-1
June 24VirginiaTD Ameritrade ParkOmaha, NE2-4Waddell (5-5)Kilichowski (3-4)Kirby (1)17,68951-214-2

All rankings from Collegiate Baseball.

Rankings

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking.
NR = Not ranked. RV = Received votes. т = Tied with team above or below. ( ) = First place votes.
Week
Poll Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Final 
Coaches' 1 1* 1* 4 5 5 3 3 2 4 9 6 8 10 9 9 9 9  
Baseball America 1 1 1 1 5 4 2 1 1 5 8 6 6 7 7 5 5 5  
Collegiate Baseball^ 1 2 4 4 7 5 3 3 2 7 14 9 11 10 7 8 7 5  
NCBWA 1 3 5 5 6 4 2 1 1 5 9 7 9 11 10 9 7 7  
D1Baseball

^ Collegiate Baseball ranks 40 teams in their preseason poll, but only ranks 30 teams weekly during the season.
NCBWA ranks 35 teams in their preseason poll, but only ranks 30 teams weekly during the season.
* New poll was not released for this week so for comparison purposes the previous week's ranking is inserted in this week's slot.

Awards and honors

Carson Fulmer
  • Louisville Slugger Pre-season First team All-American[7]
  • Perfect Game USA Pre-season First team All-American[8]
  • Baseball America Pre-season First team All-American[9]
  • SEC Pitcher of the Year
  • Won SEC Pitching Triple Crown (Wins, ERA, and Strikeouts)
  • Collegiate Baseball First team All-American
  • First team All-SEC
  • SEC All-Defensive Team
  • Golden Spikes Finalist
  • Nashville NCAA Regional All-Tournament
Walker Buehler
  • Louisville Slugger Pre-season First team All-American
  • Perfect Game USA Pre-season First team All-American[8]
  • Baseball America Pre-season First team All-American[9]
Dansby Swanson
  • Louisville Slugger Pre-season First team All-American
  • Perfect Game USA Pre-season First team All-American[8]
  • Baseball America Pre-season first-team All-American[9]
  • College Baseball second-team All-American
  • Second Team All-SEC
  • Golden Spikes finalist
  • SEC All-Tournament
  • MVP of the Nashville NCAA Regional
Zander Wiel
  • SEC All-Tournament
  • Nashville NCAA Regional All-Tournament
Rhett Wiseman
  • Nashville NCAA Regional All-Tournament
Bryan Reynolds
  • Louisville Slugger Pre-season Third team All-American
  • Perfect Game USA Pre-season Second team All-American[8]
  • SEC All-Tournament
  • Nashville NCAA Regional All-Tournament
Ro Coleman
  • Nashville NCAA Regional All-Tournament
Jeren Kendall
  • Freshman All-SEC
  • Nashville NCAA Regional All-Tournament
Will Toffey
  • Freshman All-SEC
Kyle Wright
  • Freshman All-SEC

Commodores in the MLB Draft

RoundSelectionPlayerPositionTeam
11 Dansby SwansonSSArizona Diamondbacks
18 Carson FulmerRHPChicago White Sox
124 Walker BuehlerRHPLos Angeles Dodgers
3101 Phillip PfeiferLHPLos Angeles Dodgers
3103 Rhett WisemanOFWashington Nationals
6168 Tyler FergusonRHPTexas Rangers
12350 Zander Wiel1BMinnesota Twins
19558 Xavier Turner3BTexas Rangers
391,163 John KilichowskiLHPChicago Cubs

References

  1. "MLB Draft Results 2015: Washington Nationals draft Rhett Wiseman at no.103 in 3rd Round", Federal Baseball
  2. Christian D'Andrea, "Rhett Wiseman Drafted By Washington Nationals in Third Round, 103rd Overall", Anchor of Gold, June 9, 2015
  3. Andrew Flax, Projecting the Nationals’ Draft , The Nats Blog, June 7, 2016
  4. Avery Stone, "Vanderbilt baseball player takes pitch to neck, goes on to hit home run",, USA Today, June 20, 2015
  5. Mike Axisa, "Vandy's Rhett Wiseman takes pitch to neck, stays in, homers", CBS Sports, June 20, 2015
  6. "Official Baseball Roster". Vanderbilt Commodores. Archived from the original on May 9, 2013. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
  7. "NCAA Div. I Pre-Season All-Americans". Collegiate Baseball Newspaper. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
  8. "Preseason College All-Americans". Perfect Game USA. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
  9. "2015 College Preview: All-America Teams". Baseball America. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.