The No. 6 ranked Vanderbilt Commodores baseball kicked off their season on Friday afternoon against the Florida Atlantic Owls in dramatic fashion, staving off an upset with a comeback you need to see to believe.
It was a close game throughout, but it looked like FAU may come away with the victory after scoring on a two-run home run in the top of the eighth inning from shortstop Brando Leroux.
BRANDO BOMB 💣!!! 2-run blast and we lead AGAIN!
M8 | FAU 11, No. 6 Vandy 9 pic.twitter.com/PKAfLUM2p0
— Florida Atlantic Baseball (@FAUBaseball) February 16, 2024
That score held until the top of the ninth inning with Vanderbilt up to the plate. It again looked like FAU was going to close the door with two outs in the innings, but Vanderbilt came up with a huge rally to turn this game around.
It first started with an RBI single from third baseman David Diaz to cut the deficit to just one run.
Diaz making things happen 👀#VandyBoys | #AnchorDown pic.twitter.com/baB1wsZvHf
— Vanderbilt Baseball (@VandyBoys) February 16, 2024
Vanderbilt shortstop Jonathan Vastine then came to the plate and saved the day for the Commodores, hitting a blooper down the left field line that would end up scoring two and walking it off for the win.
WALK OFF VANDY BOYS 🔥🔥
Vanderbilt with 3 run 9th to win it on Opening Day pic.twitter.com/lUZxNHLGJM
— 11Point7 College Baseball (@11point7) February 16, 2024
It’s a great way to kick off opening day. And fans had plenty to say about the extremely entertaining matchup throughout.
As Vandy a walk-off as you’ll ever see
— Pearce Browder (@theOnlyHITONE) February 16, 2024
https://twitter.com/TacTabor/status/1758622986691588222
Huge upset to start the year!
— FlameVol (#DingerNation) (@Flame_Volunteer) February 16, 2024
It obviously wouldn’t have been a great look to drop the opening game of the year to an unranked team if you are Vanderbilt. So this comeback could go a long way into building some positive momentum for the rest of the year.
