CLEMSON, S.C. —Vanderbilt baseball is in the position that has become all too familiar the past few years: facing elimination from a regional.
The Commodores (38-21) have lost either the first or second game of the regional and faced elimination in each of the past three seasons. In the 2022 Corvallis Regional, they fought back to force a decisive winner-take-all game against Oregon State, but the Beavers ultimately prevailed. In 2023, the Commodores fell in the elimination game against Xavier.
High Point is 1-4 against SEC teams this season, taking the first game of a series against Ole Miss before losing the remaining two, and it lost a midweek game to Tennessee.
The winner of this game will take on the loser of the winner's bracket game between Coastal Carolina and Clemson on Sunday afternoon.
Vanderbilt baseball vs. High Point in 2024 NCAA Clemson Regional: Live score updates
Vanderbilt baseball eliminated by High Point on walk-off single
Vanderbilt strands a runner at second base to end the top of the ninth inning. High Point's Adam Stuart opens the bottom of the ninth inning with a groundball to shortstop, but RJ Austin's throw to first base is low and past Braden Holcomb. Stuart moves to second base.
A 4-3 groundout moves Stuart to third base with one out in a 9-9 game.
High Point catcher Eric Grintz draws a walk. Runners on the corners with one out...until Grintz moves to second base on defensive indifference.
On a 3-2 count, Miggy Echazarreta lines a single into right field. Stuart scores. High Point earns its first NCAA Tournament victory with a 10-9 final score. Vanderbilt is eliminated from the NCAA Tournament.
The Commodores end a disappointing season with a two-and-done NCAA Tournament run. It's the third straight season without a Super Regionals appearance for Vandy.
Carter Holton pitches an eventful scoreless 8th inning
Carter Holton came into the game to pitch the bottom of the eighth inning, made an error in fielding a swinging bunt, walked the next batter but stranded two RISP to get out of the inning unscathed. To the 9th.
Holton's fastball looked lively. He should be able to give some length for as long as Vandy needs it to win today.
High Point 9, Vanderbilt 9, top 8th: Commodores respond to tie game
Welcome to the Clemson Regional, Commodores. Vanderbilt answers High Point's four-run 7th with four runs in the 8th. Vandy loaded the bases with no out on a walk and back-to-back singles. Davis Diaz cracks a hard-hit liner at the direction of the High Point third baseman, who can't make a play on the ball. RJ Austin followed with a 2-run single, and Jack Bulger tied the game with a RBI single.
High Point pitching change occurs with runners on the corners. A necessary response in the 8th inning by Vandy.
Austin is 5-for-5 today with 3 RBI, a run scored and a stolen base.
High Point 9, Vanderbilt 5 after 7 innings
High Point add two more runs on consecutive RBI singles. Ryan Ginther eventually gets the final two outs with the bases loaded. This could have been worse for Vandy heading into the eighth inning, and it is still dire. The Commodores have six outs to get four runs,
High Point 7, Vanderbilt 5, bottom 7th: Wheels falling off for the Commodores
A 5-0 Vandy lead is now a 7-5 deficit after a 2-run single by High Point's Konni Durschslag with the bases loaded in the 7th inning.
Before that hit, Miller Green entered the game for Brennan Seibert at pitcher for Vandy. The Commodores also stranded a runner at third base in the top half of the inning.
Vanderbilt 5, High Point 5 after six innings: Adam Stuart 3-run home run ties the game
It's a new game in Clemson. Adam Stuart hits a game-tying 3-run home run to center, capping a five-run inning for High Point.
The Commodores suddenly have a lot more work to do.
Vanderbilt 5, High Point 2, bottom 6th: High Point chases Bryce Cunningham
High Point is on the board following back-to-back walks and back-to-back RBI singles. Just like that, Bryce Cunningham is done for the day after 51. innings. Brennan Seiber is in the game with two on and one out.
Vanderbilt 5, High Point 0 after five innings
Jayden Davis' RBI single scores Braden Holcomb as the Commodores continue to build on the lead in the fifth inning.
Bryce Cunningham has a 1-2-3 inning and is at 71 pitches. He should be able to get through the next inning, at minimum. He's been very good, allowing two hits and a walk through five scoreless innings.
Vanderbilt 4, High Point 0, mid 4th
Calvin Hewett singles, steals second base then scores on a RBI single by RJ Austin, who is 3-for-3 today.
The Commodores add to the lead for Bryce Cunningham.
Vanderbilt 3, High Point 0, top 4th: Colin Barczi hits towering 2-run home run
Colin Barczi hits a towering shot to left field, a 2-run home run to extend Vandy's lead to 3-0. That ball nearly cleared the large left-field stands at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.
Vanderbilt 1, High Point 0 after three innings
RJ Austin led off the Vanderbilt 3rd with a hard-hit base hit to left field, but was thrown out at second base trying to stretch it out. It was close upon review but remained an out. Nothing else for the Commodores in the third.
Bryce Cunningham works around an E4 in the High Point 3rd for another clean inning.
Vanderbilt 1, High Point 0 after two innings
Vanderbilt goes down in order in the second inning. High Point's Eric Grintz gets hit by a pitch with one out in the bottom half of the inning, but another double play ends the inning. Bryce Cunningham has thrown 24 pitches through two innings, a key number.
Vanderbilt 1, High Point 0 after one inning
Bryce Cunningham opens the High Point 1st by allowing back-to-back singles, but gets a strikeout and a double play to end the inning.
Vanderbilt 1, High Point 0, mid 1st inning: Commodores manufacture an early run as Alan Espinal leaves game with injury
RJ Austin walks to leadoff the Vanderbilt 1st, and he'll score after a walk, stolen base and error by the High Point third baseman. Commodores lead 1-0 after a half inning.
Alan Espinal was noticeably limping after the double steal, then limped into the dugout following the third out. Jack Bulger will replace him behind home plate. Big loss for Vanderbilt.
What channel is Vanderbilt baseball vs. High Point in 2024 NCAA Clemson Regional on today?
TV: SEC Network (Watch live with Fubo)
More:Watch Vanderbilt baseball vs. High Point with Fubo (free trial)
Vanderbilt baseball vs. High Point: Start time
- Date: Saturday, June 1
- Time: 11 a.m. CT
Vanderbilt baseball vs. High Point prediction
Vanderbilt 6, High Point 3: Vanderbilt has not put up huge offensive production against this type of team, scoring five or fewer runs in 11 of 22 games against non-top 100 RPI teams. But the Commodores have allowed only 3.5 runs per game to these teams on average.
Vanderbilt baseball vs. High Point location
- City: Clemson, S.C.
- Site: Doug Kingsmore Stadium
Vanderbilt baseball schedule 2024
Coastal Carolina baseball schedule 2024
Vanderbilt baseball roster
Teams must cut their travel rosters to 27 players for the regional. Among players left off the travel roster were Coastal Carolina transfer Levi Huesman and injured pitchers Sawyer Hawks and Andrew Dutkanych. Jayden Davis, Ethan McElvain and Carter Holton are all on the travel roster.
Coastal Carolina baseball roster
BRENNAN SEIBERBrennan Seiber thriving out of Vanderbilt bullpen despite missing most of high school career
2024 Clemson Regional schedule
At Doug Kingsmore Stadium in Clemson, S.C.; double-elimination format
Saturday's games
Game 3:Vanderbilt vs. High Point, 11 a.m. CT (SEC Network)
Game 4:Clemson vs. Coastal Carolina, 4 p.m. CT (ESPN+)
2024 Clemson Regional Bracket
Friday's games
Game 1:Coastal Carolina def. Vanderbilt 13-3
Game 2:Clemson def. High Point 4-3
Saturday's games
Game 3:Vanderbilt vs. High Point, 11 a.m. CT (SEC Network)
Game 4:Clemson vs. Coastal Carolina, 4 p.m. CT (ESPN+)
Sunday's games
Game 5:Game 4 loser vs. Game 3 winner, 11 a.m. CT; TV TBD
Game 6:Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 5 p.m. CT; TV TBD
Monday's game (if necessary)
Game 7:Game 6 winner vs. Game 6loser, TBD
Clemson regional odds
According to BetMGM
Clemson +105
Vanderbilt +165
Coastal Carolina +400
High Point +3500
2024 College World Series bracket
See the bracket here.
Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her atagerson@gannett.comor on Twitter@aria_gerson.
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