Vanderbilt 4, Cal State Fullerton 3: Cal State Fullerton coach Rick Vanderhook thought he had the matchup he wanted when Vanderbilt freshman Jeren Kendall came to bat against star reliever Tyler Peitzmeier in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Vanderhook was wrong.
Kendall won the battle of left-handers in dramatic fashion, hitting a two-run, walk-off homer in the defending national champion Commodores’ come-from-behind victory in the College World Series on Monday in Omaha, Neb.
Kendall fouled off a fastball before launching Peitzmeier’s 0-and-1 slider off the wall in the bullpen.
“I dream a lot about big moments,” Kendall said.