Vanderbilt Commodores

Three Key Players for Vanderbilt in Tuesday Night Win

The Commodores won a run-rule game against Eastern Kentucky, while their upcoming opponent lost to Missouri State.

Taylor Hodges

Vanderbilt third baseman Brodie Johnston (9) celebrates his grand slam home run against Xavier during the seventh inning at Hawkins Field in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 7, 2025. Vanderbilt won 15-3 in seven innings.
Vanderbilt third baseman Brodie Johnston (9) celebrates his grand slam home run against Xavier during the seventh inning at Hawkins Field in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 7, 2025. Vanderbilt won 15-3 in seven innings. / Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

No. 14 Vanderbilt got past its midweek game without much trouble, something the Commodores upcoming opponent cannot say. No. 2 Arkansas lost a 10-inning game to Missouri State 14-13 on Tuesday. It was the Razorbacks’ third loss of the season.

However, that won’t dampen the importance of this weekend’s series in Nashville.

Vanderbilt (20-5, 4-2 SEC) fans should feel good not just about facing Arkansas (23-3 5-1 SEC), but should feel good about their team’s chances all year long. Tuesday night’s game against Eastern Kentucky allowed the Commodores to show depth and versatility needed in a long season.

Here are three players that showed how important they can be this season in Tuesday’s 10-0 win against Eastern Kentucky:

Rustan Rigdon

Most of Rigdon’s appearances for Vanderbilt have been in the outfield or as the designated hitter. Tuesday night he made his third start of the season at third bases. Rigdon has recorded at least one hit in each of those games, and was 4-for-5 with two RBIs and a run scored. For the season, Rigdon is hitting .294 with three doubles and eight RBI. He’s also drawn 12 walks and eight stolen bases.

Austin Nye

Nye has solidified his role as Vanderbilt’s midweek starting pitcher. The right-handed pitcher posted a 1.04 ERA in six starts and has allowed eight hits, 10 walks and two runs while recording 21 strikeouts . However, there are no midweek games in tournaments. Nye’s success, and likely continued success, will give Vanderbilt coach Tim Corbin a valuable chess piece that can start a game or enter the game in a long relief appearance.              

Brodie Johnston

Johnston made his first-ever start for Vanderbilt at short stop in place of Jonathan Vastine and played a clean game with no errors and was part of two double plays. Johnston is one of the favorites to win SEC Freshman of the Year and his versatility in the field shown Tuesday night only helps to build his case.

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Taylor Hodges
TAYLOR HODGES

Taylor Hodges is a staff writer for Vanderbilt Commodores On SI covering all-things Vanderbilt. Taylor brings more than a decade’s worth of award-winning sports writing, photography and video experience covering every level of sports — from Little League baseball to professional sports and other sports like hunting and fishing. Taylor is fueled by his lifelong passion for sports that began the same day Kirk Gibson hit his legendary World Series walk-off home run, Arkansas beat Texas in Austin and No. 4 Notre Dame beat No. 1 Miami in the Catholics vs. Convicts game.

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