Vanderbilt baseball had quite the rollercoaster against Tennessee, with Coach Tim Corbin joking about needing divine intervention to change their luck. But when things looked dire, Devin Futrell stepped up, shutting down the Vols in the series finale, breaking a nine-game losing streak against them.
The first two games were nail-biters that slipped away from the Commodores, despite strong starts from Bryce Cunningham, Carter Holton, and JD Thompson. The bullpen faltered, but Futrell's unexpected heroics turned the tide, blanking Tennessee in a crucial win.
Thompson, who fired up the team with some heated exchanges, highlighted the importance of emotional energy, which had been lacking in key moments. This series proved that Vanderbilt boasts a solid rotation, with all four starters healthy and firing on all cylinders.
However, bullpen struggles plagued the Commodores earlier in the series. On Friday, Miller Green stumbled, and Saturday saw Greysen Carter's woes, leaving the door open for Tennessee's offense. Despite a late surge, Vanderbilt couldn't claw their way back into contention.
The win on Sunday was a significant boost for Vanderbilt's NCAA tournament hopes. With an RPI of 27, they're on the bubble, but a strong showing against Kentucky could secure their spot. Thompson exuded confidence, believing they'll carry momentum into the SEC tournament and beyond.
In the end, Vanderbilt's resilience shone through, proving they're a force to be reckoned with as postseason play looms.
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