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Vanderbilt Commodores

Baseball Game Preview: Eastern Kentucky at No. 14 Vanderbilt

The Commodores will take to the field Tuesday looking to extend its unbeaten home win streak ahead of a huge home SEC weekend series.
Taylor Hodges|
Vanderbilt Commodores pitcher Austin Nye (20) delivers a pitch to a Air Force Falcons batter at Hawkins Field in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. The Commodores beat the Falcons 3-1.
Vanderbilt Commodores pitcher Austin Nye (20) delivers a pitch to a Air Force Falcons batter at Hawkins Field in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. The Commodores beat the Falcons 3-1. | Denny Simmons / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Vanderbilt baseball off to its best start at Hawkins Field since 2007, posting a 15-0 record in home games this season. That streak will face a serious challenge this weekend when the Commodores host No. 2 Arkansas in a three-game weekend series.

But No. 14 Vanderbilt must first get through Tuesday night’s midweek contest against Eastern Kentucky if it wants stay unbeaten at home for the Razorbacks.

The Colonels shouldn’t pose much a threat. They’ve won just four games this season, rank 294th in the nation in team batting average (.214) and 246th in team ERA (8.02). For comparison’s sake, Vanderbilt ranks 126th in team batting average (.283) and 10th in team ERA (3.36).

To quote Sherlock Holmes, “I’ll leave you to your deductions.”

But then again, Holmes never saw the type of upsets college sports is known for. Games are played for a reason and that reason is because anything can happen. So, while the Tuesday’s outcome may seem obvious, there’s some potential for a big surprise.

Here are the starting lineups for Tuesday’s game between Eastern Kentucky and Vanderbilt, as well as a weather report and tv listings:

Vanderbilt Commodores Starting Lineup

  1. Mike Mancini, 2B
  2. RJ Austin, CF
  3. Brodie Johnston, SS
  4. Riley Nelson, 1B
  5. Colin Barczi, DH
  6. Mac Rose, C
  7. Braden Holcomb, LF
  8. Rustan Rigdon, 3B
  9. David Mendez, RF

Pitching Matchup

RHP Elijah Underhill (0-3, 13.50 ERA, 13.1 IP, 13 SO, 18 BB) vs. RHP Austin Nye (1-0, 1.35 ERA, 13.1 IP, 17 SO, 7 BB)

Weather Report

AccuWeather’s forecast for gametime in Nashville calls for partly sunny weather with temperatures in the mid-60s and no chance of rain in the forecast. There will be a slight 13 mph northwesterly wind with gust up to 18 mph

TV, Radio, Live Stats Listings

Vanderbilt Commodores On SI:

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Taylor Hodges
TAYLOR HODGES

Award-winning sports editor, writer, columnist, and photographer with 15 years’ experience offering his opinion and insight about the sports world in Mississippi and Texas, but he was taken to Razorback pep rallies at Billy Bob's Texas in Fort Worth before he could walk. Taylor has covered all levels of sports, from small high schools in the Mississippi Delta to NFL games. Follow Taylor on Twitter and Facebook.

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