Wednesday evening in decisive game three, Vanderbilt fans saw the first men’s national championship in school history.
The Commodores defeated Virginia 3-2; with first-round pick Nick Howard launching a 97-mph fastball into left field to give them the lead in the eighth inning. It was just Howard’s third homerun of the season, and the first for Vanderbilt since the second-to-last day of the regular season, according to
Virginia starter Josh Sborz struggled early allowing a run in the first. Virginia catcher Robbie Coman airmailed a throw into center field trying to catch Bryan Reynolds stealing second base. Leadoff hitter and eventual most outstanding player of the College World Series Dansby Swanson scored according to The Washington Post
In the sixth inning another error by the Cavaliers gave Vandy their second run of the night. However, Virginia answered quickly to tie it 2-2 in the bottom of the sixth with the help of a Vandy error. Kenny Towns hit a bases-loaded grounder that bounced off the glove of shortstop Vince Conde.
This national championship is just the second in school history, the first being a women’s bowling championship.