On the heels of Kumar Rocker's worst collegiate start on Thursday, the onus fell on Jack Leiter to right the Vanderbilt Commodores' ship on Friday night.
Following Vanderbilt's 14-2 loss to Georgia, the team's biggest loss of the season, Leiter was once again electric this season. The sophomore threw seven innings of three-hit baseball while allowing one run and striking out 13 in a 5-2 Commodores win.
Leiter earned the no decision as Vanderbilt's offense came through late in the game, scoring four runs in the bottom of the eighth, but his record remains an unblemished 7-0 this year. He has struck out 97 batters over 56 innings, including 51 K's in his past four starts, this season and his ERA sits at 0.64.
Jack Leiter continues to carve up opposing lineups: https://t.co/KwkV7nYOuLpic.twitter.com/Cg4lHHZcQj
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 10, 2021
If Leiter has any competition for the best pitcher in college baseball -- and potentially for the top pick in the draft -- it comes from his own clubhouse and Rocker.
Rocker, the 2019 College World Series Most Outstanding Player, currently checks in at No. 3 in Kiley McDaniel's draft rankings, one spot behind Leiter.
Best of the season so far
The 🪨 is dealing. @KumarRocker is up to 1️⃣2️⃣ Ks on the night. #VandyBoys pic.twitter.com/dB6zkwmLjY
— Vanderbilt Baseball (@VandyBoys) April 9, 2021
Jack Leiter, Wicked Front Door Cutter. ✂️🚪
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 3, 2021
12th K thru 5 pic.twitter.com/v1AXA7vbJp
Bases loaded and one out? No problem for Jack Leiter.
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 3, 2021
pic.twitter.com/JBiYwF5R3F
All 10 of Leiter's strikeouts in seven hitless innings
Vanderbilt pitcher Jack Leiter tosses seven hitless frames with 10 strikeouts.
We're on Jack Leiter Time.
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 27, 2021
It's just delaying the inevitable. pic.twitter.com/E5WCSkd9c1
Jack Leiter, one of the top prospects in the 2021 MLB Draft, threw a no-hitter with 16 Ks today. 🔥
— MLB (@MLB) March 20, 2021
(via @SECNetwork)pic.twitter.com/jpcX3s4N5K
That is one baaaad man. 😤#VandyBoys | @KumarRocker pic.twitter.com/w17QvVhsPO
— Vanderbilt Baseball (@VandyBoys) March 20, 2021
Remaining Vanderbilt schedule
April 10: Georgia, 3 p.m. (SEC Network+)
April 13: Eastern Kentucky, 7:30 p.m.
April 16: at Tennessee, 7 p.m. (ESPNU)
April 17: at Tennessee, 4 p.m. (SEC Network)
April 18: at Tennessee, 1 p.m. (SEC Network+)
April 20: Austin Peay, 7:30 p.m.
April 23: Mississippi State, 8 p.m. (SEC Network)
April 24: Mississippi State, 8 p.m. (ESPNU)
April 25: Mississippi State, 2 p.m. (SEC Network+)
April 30: at Florida, 7 p.m. (ESPNU)
May 1: at Florida, 6:30 p.m. (SEC Network+)
May 2: at Florida, 3 p.m. (ESPN 2)
May 4: at Louisville, 7 p.m.
May 7: Alabama, 7 p.m. (SEC Network+)
May 8: Alabama, 3 p.m. (SEC Network+)
May 9: Alabama, 2 p.m. (SEC Network+)
May 11: North Alabama, 7:30 p.m.
May 14: at Ole Miss, 7 p.m. (SEC Network)
May 15: at Ole Miss, 5 p.m. (SEC Network+)
May 16: at Ole Miss, 3 p.m. (SEC Network)
May 18: Florida International, 7:30 p.m.
May 20: Kentucky, 7:30 p.m. (SEC Network+)
May 21: Kentucky, 7:30 p.m. (SEC Network+)
May 22: Kentucky, 3 p.m. (SEC Network+)