D-backs no. 1 overall pick Dansby Swanson, Vanderbilt advance to College World Series finals

OMAHA, Neb. — After defeating the TCU Horned Frogs 1-0 in the College World Series Tuesday, the Vanderbilt Commodores sat back and relaxed, awaiting the winner of the Thursday’s elimination game between TCU and the LSU Tigers. Staving off elimination after the Horned Frogs doubled up the Tigers 8-4 in Thursday’s tilt, TCU would get an opportunity to exact revenge against the Commodores Friday in another elimination bout.

That opportunity, however, would end in disappointment, as Vanderbilt rolled to a 7-1 win Friday in Omaha. The Commodores advance to the College World Series finals where they will face the winner of Saturday’s matchup between Virginia and Florida.

Spearheaded by shutdown pitching from starter Walker Buehler (four hits, one earned run, one walk and eight strikeouts in 6.2 IP) and stellar play at the plate from outfielders Bryan Reynolds and Rhett Wiseman (combined 5-for-8 with one triple, one home run and four RBI), Vanderbilt now seeks to repeat as champions of the College World Series after taking home the title in 2014.

Vanderbilt shortstop Dansby Swanson — the no. 1 overall pick of the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2015 MLB Draft — broke out of his 0-for-8 streak at the plate versus pitchers at the College World Series, going 1-for-5 and scoring one run against TCU.