OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Vanderbilt has taken the opener of the College World Series title round as the Commodores try to repeat as NCAA champions.
Vandy exploded for seven runs in the first inning, giving Jack Leiter more than enough breathing room in an 8-2 rout of Mississippi State. Jayson Gonzalez capped the fireworks with a three-run homer that put the Commodores ahead, 7-1.
Leiter struck out eight and allowed two runs and three hits, including a first-inning blast by Kamren James. The son of All-Star pitcher Al Leiter is the national strikeouts leader and a projected top-five pick in the Major League Baseball draft next month.
Game 2 is Tuesday in Omaha.
