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No. 4 Texas faces another SEC road series against Vanderbilt
TL;DR
No. 4 Texas Longhorns face Vanderbilt Commodores in Nashville for the first time since 1907. The series is critical for Vanderbilt as they aim to secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
Key points
- Texas Longhorns are ranked No. 4 in college baseball.
- Vanderbilt Commodores are 25-17 and 9-9 in the SEC.
- This is Texas's first visit to Nashville since 1907.
- The series is crucial for Vanderbilt's NCAA Tournament chances.
- Tim Corbin is Vanderbilt's head coach and the winningest in their history.
Mentioned in this story
Tim Corbin
Texas LonghornsVanderbilt CommodoresNCAA Tournament
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JUNE 01: Head coach Tim Corbin of the Vanderbilt Commodores during the fifth inning during the NCAA Nashville Regional game against the Wright State Raiders at Hawkins Field on June 1, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Carly Mackler/Getty Images) | Getty Images
For the first time since 1907, the No. 4 Texas Longhorns (30-8, 11-6 SEC) are in Nashville to play the Vanderbilt Commodores (25-17, 9-9 SEC), the third road series in the last four weekends for head coach Jim Schlossnagle’s team.
The 9-7 edge for Vanderbilt in the all-time series includes meetings in 2004 and 2014 in Omaha in the College World Series, as well as neutral-site games in 2023 and 2024.
As Texas travels to Hawkins Fields, which opened in 2002 and features a 35-foot curved wall in left field that will provide a challenge for the Longhorns outfielders, the Commodores enter the series with a level of desperation because longtime head coach Tim Corbin’s program is sitting firmly on the NCAA Tournament bubble, increasing the pressure on Corbin, the winningest head coach in Vanderbilt history who took over the program in 2002, but hasn’t made it out of a regional since finishing as the national runner-up in 2021.
Picked as a middle-of-the-pack SEC team in the preseason, the Dores have struggled on the mound, ranking last in the conference in ERA at 5.38 — seven different pitchers have missed time due to injury this season with two pitchers recently returning and four are still out.
The injuries have left Vanderbilt without a clear ace as the Commodores enter the weekend without announcing a Saturday starter. Right-hander Connor Fennell (3-1, 4.74 ERA) will receive the nod on Friday, followed by right-hander Wyatt Nadeau (1-2, 5.40 ERA) for the series finale.
At the plate, however, Vanderbilt is dangerous, ranking third nationally with 87 home runs, led by third baseman Brodie Johnston (13), right fielder Braden Holcomb (12), and second baseman Mike Mancini (12). Mancini has been particularly hot in conference play with eight home runs to lead the SEC and also paces the Dores with 12 stolen bases. Johnston boasts the team’s best batting average at .367, leading the conference in hits, ranking fourth in doubles, and has a nine-game hitting streak. Holcomb bats .329 with five doubles in the last four games.
Q&A
What is the historical record between Texas and Vanderbilt in baseball?
Vanderbilt leads the all-time series against Texas with a 9-7 record.
Why is the series important for Vanderbilt's baseball team?
Vanderbilt is on the NCAA Tournament bubble and needs strong performances to secure a spot.
Who is the head coach of Vanderbilt's baseball team?
Tim Corbin is the head coach of the Vanderbilt Commodores and has been since 2002.
What challenges do Texas outfielders face at Hawkins Field?
Hawkins Field features a 35-foot curved wall in left field, posing a challenge for Texas outfielders.