Everything Tim Corbin and Vanderbilt Baseball Players Said After Dominating Tennessee
The Commodores collected 13 hits and their pitching staff shut out Tennessee to secure a spot in the SEC Tournament Championship.
HOOVER, Ala. – The Vanderbilt Commodores delivered a dominant performance against in-state rival Tennessee in the SEC Tournament semifinals on Saturday. Their run-rule victory sent them into the championship game, with hopes of claiming their second SEC Tournament title in three years.
Here’s a recap of what Vanderbilt’s head coach Tim Corbin and several players had to say after the win:
Tim Corbin’s Opening Statement:
“Overall, we played well today. The game was solid across the board—good pitching, strong defense, and timely offense. Cody [Bowker] gave us a great start, and after a shaky beginning with a couple of walks, he settled in and dominated. His fastball was on point, and he kept attacking the hitters. Connor [Fennell] came in and pitched well in relief. The defense was solid, and we just kept the pressure on offensively. We got on base, moved the ball well, and took care of business.”
Cody Bowker on his Performance:
“I was trying to be too perfect at first. I wanted to make every pitch perfect, but I realized I just needed to trust my defense behind me. After a few pitches, I switched my mindset to attacking the hitters instead of trying to be perfect. It worked, and the defense behind me made some great plays too, which calmed me down.”
Riley Nelson on the Rivalry:
“Beating Tennessee is always special. We don’t like them, and they don’t like us—it’s the best rivalry in college baseball right now. If you’re a recruit looking at both schools, I think you know where you’d want to go.”
Cody Bowker on Team Comfort:
“We’re all really comfortable with each other, no matter who’s behind the plate or where guys are playing. We have a lot of trust in each other. Today, Brodie and Colin made a big play at the plate, and it’s reassuring to know your teammates are always ready to back you up.”
Riley Nelson on Lead-Off Hitter Rustan’s Impact:
“Rustan is a game-changer. If he gets on base, you know he’s stealing second or third. Having him at the top of the order gives the whole team confidence. He’s got a great approach at the plate, works counts, and is a huge spark plug for us.”
Riley Nelson on the Offensive Approach:
“Today, we didn’t try to do too much at the plate. We focused on hitting line drives and using the whole field. We didn’t worry about hitting homers, especially with how big the field plays here. We stuck to our approach, and it paid off.”
Cody Bowker on Mindset Heading into the Championship:
“We’re just taking it one game at a time. We’ve been bringing energy all week, no matter the time or situation. Even after a long morning, we kept the energy high and stayed focused. We’re just having fun out there.”
Riley Nelson on the Team’s Recent Growth:
“Everything’s clicking now. We have so much trust in each other, and we feel like we’re the best team out there. Confidence is sky-high, and we’re just playing good baseball as a unit.”
Cody Bowker on the Team’s Pitching Depth:
“I love having someone like Connor coming in after me. No matter who’s in the bullpen, I trust them completely. I’ve got confidence in all my teammates. Whether it’s Fennell or anyone else, I know they’re going to get the job done.”
Tim Corbin on the Team’s Offensive Adaptability:
“We’ve been able to win in different ways lately. There have been games where we’ve hit a lot of home runs, and then today, it was about using small ball and executing at the plate. That’s something I’m happy to see—our team adjusting to the situation.”
Tim Corbin on the Team’s Recent Improvements:
“They’re finding themselves. It’s not about the streaks; it’s about playing better baseball than our opponent. We’ve been really intentional about getting better, and it shows. There’s a lot of room for growth, and the focus on improvement has been key.”
Tim Corbin on Winning the SEC Title:
“Winning the SEC Tournament would be an accomplishment, but it’s just one goal. We’re not going to rest on it because we’ve got more baseball ahead. The goal is to play as hard as we can, and no matter the outcome, just put our best selves on the field and let the results take care of themselves.”
Tim Corbin on Veteran Leadership:
“RJ Austin has been a huge part of this team for three years. He’s been in big moments, and he leads by example. His ability to stay emotionally controlled and still bring energy to the team, no matter the situation, is invaluable. He’s the first one out there to celebrate a big moment, and that’s the kind of leader we need.”
Tim Corbin on Pitching Success:
“Our pitching staff has been executing well in the tournament. We’ve been getting ahead in counts and using the strikeout effectively. The defense behind them has been solid too, especially in tough conditions with the wind. It’s all about getting the ball to the plate and making big outs when needed.”
Tim Corbin on Pitching Dominance in the Tournament:
“We’ve faced some tough lineups, but our pitchers have been fantastic. The strikeouts have been huge for us, and we’ve been able to get outs when it counts. The defense has been there for us, and it’s been a great team effort.”
Tim Corbin on the Team’s Growing Confidence:
“Trust is key for this team. It’s about knowing that even if one guy doesn’t get the job done, someone else will pick him up. This team has really come together, and the confidence is palpable. It’s not just about playing well; it’s about believing in each other.”
Riley Nelson on Team Chemistry:
“We really care about each other, and that shows on the field. We’d do anything for each other, and I think that’s why we’re playing so well. From the players to the coaching staff, there’s a genuine bond, and that’s what makes this team so special.”
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