Live Blog: No. 1-seed Vanderbilt vs No. 4-seed Wright State at Nashville Regional

NASHVILLE, Tenn.- No. 1-seed Vanderbilt and No. 4-seed Wright State meet up in the regional round of the NCAA Tournament Friday.

Vanderbilt is looking to pick up where it left off last week in Hoover, Alabama where the Commodores won the SEC Tournament Championship behind excellent pitching and a red hot offense.

The conference tournament title victory gave Vanderbilt the No. 1 overall spot in this year’s NCAA Tournament and are now heavy favorites to make their way to Omaha for the College World Series.

But Wright State is looking to play spoiler to Vanderbilt’s College World Series dreams. The Raiders are coming off a Horizon League Tournament Championship against Milwaukee and enter the NCAA Tournament with a 38-19 record and looking to shock the world.

Wright State played three series against power conference teams during the regular season, Auburn, Ole Miss and NC State, but lost all nine of those games.

Live Blog

Be sure to refresh your browser for live updates from the NCAA Tournament Nashville Regional matchup between Vanderbilt and Wright State. The most recent updates will appear at the top.

Top of the 9th

Hawks strikes out the side and closes it out. Vanderbilt wins 4-3

Two strikeouts for Hawks. One out away from avoiding a massive upset.

Sawyer Hawks in to try and close this one out.

Bottom of the 8th

Johnston is walked, but Holcomb strikes out. But the damage is already for Vanderbilt. A wild inning puts the Commodores on top and three outs away from a victory after trailing the entire game. Incredible turn of events.

There it is: Riley Nelson sends one deep to right field with two outs and gives Vanderbilt its first lead of the day. After review, it's 4-3 Vanderbilt.

Rigdon continues the rally as he singles up the middle. One on and one out. Austin grounds one to shortstop, but is safe at first with two outs.

Mike Mancini hits one deep to right center and over the wall for a home run. The deficit is just one now as its 3-2 Wright State.

Top of the 8th

Thompson strikes out his 12th batter as he retires the side in the 8th. Vanderbilt still in striking distance, but the offense is going to need to generate some hits.

Bottom of the 7th

Vanderbilt cannot get anything else after the home run, Vastine strikes out to end the inning. The pressure continues to grow on the Commodores.

And just like that the door has opened back up: Brodie Johnston sends Hartzell's third pitch over the wall in left and it's 3-1 Wright State.

Wright State takes out Cam Allen with just 76 pitches and a no-hitter and puts in Warren Hartzsell. Very interesting decision that could put Vanderbilt back in this.

Top of the 7th

Wright State gets a two-out standing double to right center, but Thompson forces a flyout to end the inning. The pressure is all on Vanderbilt right now to avoid a huge upset.

Bottom of the 6th

Nelson grounds out right to first base for the third out. The No. 1 overall team in the tournament is being no-hit through 6 innings. This is simply shocking to watch.

RJ Austin is hit by a pitch with two outs as Riley Nelson comes to the plate. Vanderbilt still looking for its first hit.

Top of the 6th

RJ Austin makes an incredible catch at the wall for the final out of the inning. Thompson seems to have found a groove, but the offense is going to need to find a way to back him up quickly.

Bottom of the 5th

A Humphrey strikeout ends the inning, making it a no-hitter through 5 innings. This has been a complete surprise considering this offense was on fire the past couple of weeks.

Vastine walked with two outs. Still no hits for Vanderbilt as Humphrey steps into the box.

Top of the 5th

It's a quick 1-2-3 inning for Thompson there as he reaches 10 strikeouts. It feels like he has either been hit or miss today each inning.

Bottom of the 4th

Johnston pops out to end the inning, still no hits for Vanderbilt through 4 innings. If you're the Commodores, you need the pitching to settle in quick and allow the offense to wake up.

Rigdon is walked for the first runner of the game for the Commodores, but is out trying to steal second base. Nelson is walked with two outs.

Top of the 4th

Wright State hits another solo shot and it's 3-0 Wright State. This team is looking like a completely different team than what everyone saw in Hoover last weekend. Plenty of time remaining though.

Bottom of the 3rd

Three incredible catches for Wright State outfielders as they rob Vanderbilt of three extra base hits.

Top of the 3rd

Thompson seems to be settling in now. He's up to 7 strikeouts now as he leaves a runner on first.

Bottom of the 2nd

Three up and three down for Vanderbilt as they pop out to end the inning. Both the pitching and the bats are struggling thus far.

Top of the 2nd

Thompson gets a strikeout to end the inning. Got to start to wonder if the pressure could be getting to Thompson early on.

Daniel hits a home run for Wright State with two outs and it's now 2-0 Wright State.

Bottom of the 1st

The Commodores strike out twice and Riley Nelson flys out at the track to end the inning. Wright State center fielder made a heck of a grab right there.

Top of the 1st

Thompson retires the next three and strands a runner in scoring position.

Rough start for Vanderbilt as Wright State draws a leadoff walk and a RBI double to make it 1-0 Wright State.

Pregame

Good crowd on hand today for Vanderbilt's first game in this year's NCAA Tournament. Wright State is in their all-black uniforms and Vanderbilt is wearing its all-white jerseys. Both teams are out warming up as we are 17 minutes away from first pitch.

Vanderbilt Commodores Starting Lineup

Rustan Rigdon, 2B
RJ Austin, CF
Riley Nelson, 1B
Brodie Johnston, 3B
Braden Holcomb, LF
Colin Barczi, C
Jonathan Vastine, SS
Jacob Humphrey, RF
Mike Mancini, DH

Wright State Raiders Starting Lineup

Hunter Warren, 2B
Patrick Fultz, 3B
Gus Gregory, DH
JP Peltier, LF
Boston Smith, C
Luke Arnold, SS
Cam Gilkerson, RF
Conlan Daniel, CF
Will Cook, 1B

Starting Pitchers

Vanderbilt: JD Thompson (5-5) 4.06 ERA, 82.0 IP, 110 K, 29 BB, .240 b/avg

Wright State: Cam Allen (7-3) 5.43 ERA, 61.1 IP, 64 SO, 38 BB, .261 b/avg

Weather Report

It is a great day for baseball today as it is partly sunny with a temperature of 72 degrees at first pitch. Temperatures will dip down into the mid 60s by the end of the game. Wind gusts of around 22 mph are expected during the game. There are no signs of rain in the forecast, so it is looking to be a clear night for baseball.