Tim Corbin discusses keys to offensive explosion in 2023 SEC Baseball Tournament Semifinals

The Vanderbilt Commodores took firm control of their 2023 SEC Baseball Tournament Semifinal matchup with the Florida Gators on Saturday night. Florida is the top-seed in the tournament, but the Commodores currently led the Gators 6-0 in the top of the third inning. In the top of the third, Vanderbilt head coach Tim Corbin took some time to speak with the SEC Network broadcast crew.

The Commodores have been able to put up some early runs on the scoreboard in back-to-back days in this year’s SEC Tournament. Vanderbilt scored six runs on five hits through three innings on Saturday evening. Corbin discussed his team’s keys to their offensive success. “Probably getting good pitches to hit. And staying off the ones you can’t, I think more than anything else. And aggressive when we do get to that pitch. It’s been progressively better. I think even the other night against Florida, you could see a little bit better approach to the plate. Although we didn’t get the big hits. So, it’s been better as we play,” Corbin said.

How has pitcher J.D. Thompson handled the moment for the Commodores in the SEC semis? Through two innings, he allowed one hit, two walks, and fired four strikeouts. Corbin was quite pleased with his showing early on Saturday evening. “Pretty good so far. I mean, he got through that first inning. We were fortunate there. We stole an out, but I think since that point, I think he understands that he can throw the fastball. When he gets around the zone, the ball is gonna play a little bit bigger today. The field is anyway. So far so good,” Corbin said.

Since the interview, the Commodores have piled on even more runs. But the Gators started to rally, cutting the Vandy lead to 10-5 in the top of the fifth inning. The Commodores won their first game in the SEC Tournament against the Auburn Tigers, 6-4. Then, they fell to the Florida Gators 6-3 on May 25. On May 26, they cruised past the Alabama Crimson Tide, 11-6.

Vanderbilt currently leads Florida, 11-6 in the bottom of the seventh inning. The winner will face Texas A&M in the finals on Sunday. All four teams remaining in the 2023 SEC Tournament are near locks to receive NCAA Tournament selections. The Commodores have one of the most spectacular players in all of college baseball, Enrique Bradfield, Jr.