Vanderbilt’s first fall exhibition of 2026 turned into an offensive showcase, as the Commodores swept a pair of nine-inning games from Walters State on October 18 at Hawkins Field, winning 19-1 and 14-3.

Across the 18 innings, Vanderbilt totaled 36 hits and 14 stolen bases. Freshman Kaleb Traylor was the story of the day, going 7-for-8 with two home runs and 12 RBI across the two games – a 4-for-4, two-homer, seven-RBI performance in the opener, followed by three more hits and five RBI in the second game.

Fellow freshman James Tronstein homered and tripled, Maryland transfer Bud Coombs went 3-for-6 with five RBI, and Collin Brightwell went 4-for-5 with four stolen bases in the second game.

The pitching matched the hitting. Head coach Tim Corbin’s staff combined for 35 strikeouts while allowing just six hits in 18 innings. Connor Fennell struck out four in two scoreless frames, transfer Dominic Monaco retired all six batters he faced, and Wyatt Nadeau struck out six straight hitters in the second game with a fastball sitting 95-97 mph.

Vanderbilt’s fall slate continues at Northwestern on October 25, followed by a November 1 matchup with Arizona in Las Vegas and a November 8 exhibition against Austin Peay back at Hawkins Field.