Just What The Dr Ordered…VU 17, WKU 6

It was less than 24 hours ago when Western Kentucky University rolled into the Vanderbilt campus and soundly defeated the Commodores, 17-2. Today it was Vanderbilt’s turn. The Commodores completed their home and away series with WKU at Nick Denes Field in Bowling Green. This time it was the Commodores that did the thrashing, scoring 9 runs in the first inning and they never looked back.

Vanderbilt out hit WKU 18-13. More importantly though, they hit with authority, something that they did not do on the previous night. The Dores were led by Aaron Westlake and Jason Esposito. Westlake went 3 for 5 with 2 doubles and a triple. He knocked in 4 RBIs on the night. Esposito went 3 for 6, hitting a single, double and a homerun, his fourth of the year. Esposito also knocked in three big RBIs. The team batted at an impressive .428 on the night going 18 for 42 at bats. It was clear that this team and coach were not happy with the effort that was extended the previous night. This afternoon the team responded and was back on their game.

Vanderbilt pitching was also much more solid than in game 1. Drew Hayes started and threw for 2 innings, allowing 2 earned runs on 4 hits. Corey Williams followed Hayes for 2 scoreless innings, allowing only 1 hit. Will Clinard allowed the most damage, giving up 3 earned runs on 3 hits in 1.2 innings of work. Richie Goodenow was then brought in for 1.1 innings and gave up the last earned run of the night for the Hilltoppers. Taylor Hill and Russell Brewer took the 8th and 9th, respectively, and allowed 1 hit each and no runs. It appeared that Coach Corbin really wanted to get as many of his relievers into the game before this team heads into the SEC season on Friday.

After Wednesday’s game, I had a few questions for Coach Corbin:

Craig Johnson: “Coach you have been on the opposite side of two lopsided games. Do you learn anything about your team in these kind of games?”

Tim Corbin: “Oh boy. I think you certainly learn a lot more about your team losing a game than you do winning. I told the kids this morning that a win covers up blemishes and if we win we will be fine. Yesterday was a really good wake-up call because we didn’t have a mindset to come in and take it to them and they took it to us. Today was different and I think that is sometimes the mindset of an 18-19 year old kid, immature enough to think that they sometimes can’t handle prosperity. So that is something that I have learned forever, is to keep them loose and on edge.”

Craig Johnson: “How is health of your team as you get ready to start the SEC season?”

Tim Corbin: “I think that everyone is healthy. Westlake is feeling much better with his hand. Casali is probably 60% running so I do not know what we will do with him in terms of playing him. He wants to play, but it is one of those things where when you do too much it will set him back a couple of days.

Craig Johnson: “Gomez seems to really shine when he is in the line up. Comments.”

Tim Corbin: “Gomez is a gamer. He gives us a little bit of energy and he does not play like a freshman. He plays with a lot of confidence and I have to look for ways to get him in the game.”

Craig Johnson: “What is the schedule for the remainder of the week?”

Tim Corbin: “We will take off after weights and practice in Alabama on Thursday evening after we arrive. We will then be ready to go for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.”