Vanderbilt Commodores

Live Blog: Wright State vs. Vanderbilt, NCAA Regional Elimination Game

Follow along for live updates, reactions and analysis as the Commodores look to stay alive in the NCAA Tournament against Wright State.
Taylor Hodges|
Vanderbilt third baseman Brodie Johnston (9) tries to throw out Louisville's Alex Alicea during the ninth inning of the Nashville Regional NCAA Baseball Tournament game at Hawkins Field Saturday, May 31, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.
Vanderbilt third baseman Brodie Johnston (9) tries to throw out Louisville's Alex Alicea during the ninth inning of the Nashville Regional NCAA Baseball Tournament game at Hawkins Field Saturday, May 31, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. | Mark Zaleski / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

If No. 1 overall seed Vanderbilt wants to keep playing, it'll need its biggest strength to come through in a big way today.

The Commodores are without their main three starting pitchers and are turning to its midweek starter, freshman Austin Nye. The Commodores have to hope Nye can pitch deep into the game against Wright State and save as many bullpen arms as possible for what'll likely be a bullpen-style game Sunday night.

But, as Vanderbilt coach Tim Corbin put it last night, all anyone cares about is Wright State.

Follow along below for live updates, reaction and analysis of Sunday's game between Vanderbilt and Wright State.

Final: Wright State 5, Vanderbilt 4

(Most recent updates at the top.)

9th Inning

T9: Seriously? Bases-loaded, one out, Jacob Humphrey comes to bat facing a new pitcher (Warren Hartzell, who gave up the game-winning home run to Riley Nelson on Friday). One swing ties the game.

Humphrey produces a pop fly in shallow left field for the second out, but Mike Mancini hits a two-run single to center field to cut the deficit to two runs.

Rustan Rigdon hits a ground-rule double that only scores run, but would've scored another if the ball had stayed in play, RJ Austin flies out to the season. Wright State 5, Vanderbilt 1

8th Inning

B8: Miller Green gives up a two out walk, but that runner gets caught in an awkward base steal, rundown to end the inning.

Looks like Wright State is going to keep Griffen Paige in the game to start the ninth inning. Not a bad idea considering Vanderbilt usually only pulls off comebacks against relief pitchers and not starters. Wright State 5, Vanderbilt 1

T8: RJ Austin is now 0-for-11 and his, potentially, final at-bat as a Commodore ended in a swing strike. Vanderbilt is three outs away from being on the wrong end of a major upset. Wright State 5, Vanderbilt 1

7th Inning

B7: Miller Green has now pitched two hitless innings and struck out two batters to keep the Raiders at bat. Wright State 5, Vanderbilt 1

T7: Vanderbilt has a laundry list of awesome, exciting comeback, walk-off wins. Those will pale in comparison to what will have to happen for the Commodores (one hit through seven innings) to beat Wright State and stay alive in the NCAA Tournament. Wright State 5, Vanderbilt 1

6th Inning

B6: Vanderbilt fans have already hit the panic button and now the players are too. Riley Nelson fields a bunt and fails to throw out any runners and loads the bases. Then new pitcher Miller Green forces a ground ball, double play to end the Raiders' bases-loaded scoring threat.

Was that a big enough momentum-shifting play to give life to the Commodores' offense? We have nine outs to find out.

Frankly, this is why this team is so frustrating. We've seen Vanderbilt in similar situations and the Commodores have come back. This just doesn't feel like that's going to happen this time. Wright State 5, Vanderbilt 1

T6: Griffen Paige entered the game with an 8.90 ERA, but has produced results that make some of the best pitchers Vanderbilt has faced this season. Through six innings, Paige has allowed one run on one hit and five walks. Wright State 5, Vanderbilt 1

5th Inning

B5: Alex Kranzler is doing his job very well. He's allowed one run on four hits, one walk and five strikeouts since relieving Austin Nye at the start of the second inning. Wright State 5, Vanderbilt 1

T5: RJ Austin comes to bat with the bases loaded and two outs on the board. He's also 0-for-9 in Vanderbilt's two NCAA Regional games. He's now 0-for-10. Infield pop fly and the great run-scoring opportunity for Vanderbilt ends in disappointment.

That could end up as a reoccurring nightmare for Austin. Wright State 5, Vanderbilt 1

4th Inning

B4: Kranzler holds the Raiders scoreless and sends the game into the second half with Vanderbilt trailing by four runs. Wright State 5, Vanderbilt 1

T4: (Cue the Jeopardy theme music) Three of Vanderbilt's best hitters just hit two ground outs and a fly ball. Still waiting for the offense to come to life. Wright State 5, Vanderbilt 1

3rd Inning

B3: Kranzler gives up a run, which is exactly what Vanderbilt didn't need. This deficit isn't out of reach, but the Commodores have to get runners on base. Play small ball. Steal bases. Lay down bunts. Or get home runs. But the time is now before this game gets further out of reach. Wright State 5, Vanderbilt 1

T3: A three up, three down inning isn't a death blow (yet), but it's not what Vanderbilt needs right now. It's what it got, though. Wright State 4, Vanderbilt 1

2nd Inning

B2: I've watched nearly every Vanderbilt baseball game this season. I could be wrong about this, but Austin Nye getting relieved after one inning is the quickest hook I can remember for a starting pitcher this season.

Alex Kranzler entered the game in the second inning and got two strikeouts and a groundout. Kranzler was a contender to start a possible second game tonight against Louisville and will probably be asked to go as long as possible. Like, if he can go eight innings, Vanderbilt will let him. Wright State 4, Vanderbilt 1

T2: See? It takes Vanderbilt at least one inning to get going. On the second pitch of the second inning, Brodie Johnston blasts a home run to left, center field to get Vanderbilt on the board. Braden Holcomb got on base next on a throwing error, then Colin Barczi drew a walk, but Jonathan Vastine hits into a 6-4-3 double play (Holcomb advanced to third) and Jacob Humphrey struck out to end the inning.

That's got to be a disappointing ending to what started as a great inning for the Commodores. Wright State 4, Vanderbilt 1

1st Inning

B1: Uh oh. It may be too soon to hit the panic button, but this is absolutely the worst start possible for Vanderbilt. Four runs scored on a RBI single and two home runs, all with two outs. Wright State 4, Vanderbilt 0

T1: Vanderbilt's offense, even when it was at its best, doesn't score many first inning runs. That continued here, but you have to think the Commodores won't be quiet for long. Wright State's Griffen Paige has a 8.90 ERA. Vanderbilt 0, Wright State 0

Pregame

Taylor Hodges here for today's game and I have no clue what's about to happen. I have a feeling, we'll see a very motivated and fired up Vanderbilt team that shouldn't have much trouble winning today. But I felt that way yesterday and the day before. So, what do I know. No matter what, though, it should be exciting.

First pitch is coming up shortly.

Vanderbilt Commodores Starting Lineup

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

Wright State Raiders Starting Lineup

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

Pitching Matchup

LHP Griffen Paige (1-3, 8.90 ERA, 31.1 IP, 41 SO, 17 BB, 31 ER, .315 b/avg.) vs. RHP Austin Nye (2-0, 2.90 ERA, 49.2 IP, 58 SO, 22 BB, 16 ER, .215 b/avg.)

How to Watch: Wright State vs. Vanderbilt

TV: ESPN+

Radio: Live Radio

Stats: Live Stats

Vanderbilt Commodores On SI:

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Taylor Hodges
TAYLOR HODGES

Award-winning sports editor, writer, columnist, and photographer with 15 years’ experience offering his opinion and insight about the sports world in Mississippi and Texas, but he was taken to Razorback pep rallies at Billy Bob's Texas in Fort Worth before he could walk. Taylor has covered all levels of sports, from small high schools in the Mississippi Delta to NFL games. Follow Taylor on Twitter and Facebook.