OMAHA, Neb. — Vanderbilt came to the College World Series ranked in the top five in all the major offensive categories. The Commodores have a .400 hitter, the No. 4 overall draft pick and three of the top-20 run producers in the nation.
Through 8 1/3 innings against Louisville pitcher Luke Smith, they did virtually nothing. But once Smith started to go through the order a fourth time, Vandy couldn't be held back any longer.
Pat DeMarco chopped a grounder over third base in the ninth inning to give Vanderbilt its first lead and the Commodores beat Louisville 3-2 on Friday night to advance to the CWS finals.