NASHVILLE, Tenn. – On Saturday, March 14, the Vanderbilt Commodores defeated the LSU Tigers 11-3 at Hawkins Field. Thus, Vanderbilt has a 2-0 record in Southeastern Conference (SEC) play and won the weekend series against the Tigers as well.
Right-handed pitcher Wyatt Nadeau and infielder Chris Maldonado stood out in Vanderbilt’s win over LSU on Saturday with some great performances.
Wyatt Nadeau strikes out 10 LSU hitters
Nadeau set the tone early and often for the Commodores in their win on Saturday over LSU.
In seven innings of work, he struck out 10 hitters and allowed just three earned runs. Nadeau also walked only two LSU batters and gave up just four hits.
Vanderbilt head coach Tim Corbin commented on Nadeau’s start against LSU.
“I don’t think I had visions of Wyatt [Nadeau] getting to the eighth inning,” Corbin said. “He controlled the first hitter, and when you do that, you take away a third of the offense. He limited free traffic for the most part.”
Nadeau is up to 25 strikeouts this season. His 10 strikeouts against the Tigers were a season-high. He reflected on his start against LSU.
“I felt good,” Nadeau said. “I had a great defense behind me, and I just have to pay it to them as well.”
Maldonado breaks the game open with a three-run home run
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Vanderbilt started to pour it on the Tigers and scored six runs.
The big play in the frame came from Maldonado in a pinch-hitting situation. The senior hit a three-run home run to center field that gave the Commodores an 8-1 lead.
MALDO MASH ? pic.twitter.com/W1IHbFRdu7
— Vanderbilt Baseball (@VandyBoys) March 15, 2026
The home run on Saturday against LSU was Maldonado’s 12th of his career and fourth of the 2026 college baseball season.
Corbin talked about how happy he was for Maldonado’s big home run in the fifth inning.
“I’m happy for him,” Corbin said. “He’s been through a lot of stuff to get onto the field. He is a high-quality kid and a leader in our program.”
Maldonado also talked about his big at-bat that led to the three-run home run.
“I was fortunate enough to have my name called in that moment,” Maldonado said. “To come through for the team in that moment is awesome and such a cool experience.”
Up next for Vanderbilt
The win on Saturday against LSU moved Vanderbilt’s record to 13-7 overall on the season.
They will play the Tigers in the series finale at Hawkins Field on Sunday, March 15, at 4 p.m. EST.
WBN NCAA: https://worldbaseball.com/league/ncaa/
PHOTO: Alfred Ezman | WBN
