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          Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker highlights, updates and more from Vanderbilt's star duo

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          All 10 of Leiter's strikeouts in seven hitless innings (0:58)

          Vanderbilt pitcher Jack Leiter tosses seven hitless frames with 10 strikeouts. (0:58)

          Apr 30, 2021
          • ESPN.com

          If Vanderbilt wanted to make a statement in its NCAA tournament opener, Kumar Rocker helped the Commodores do so.

          The Vanderbilt ace struck out nine batters and surrendered just two hits in the Commodores' 10-0 victory over Presbyterian on Friday in the Nashville Regional.

          Vanderbilt scored three runs in the first and three more in the second, and that was more than enough support for Rocker, who retired 14 of 15 batters between the first and sixth innings. He even recorded an assist on a dropped third strike in the top of the fourth inning.

          Fourth-seeded Vanderbilt faces Georgia Tech in its second regional game on Saturday at 7 p.m.

          The regular season

          It looked as though it might be another frustrating start -- the fourth straight, actually -- for Vanderbilt ace Jack Leiter but luckily starts aren't judged by just the first four pitches.

          After walking the leadoff batter on four straight pitches, Leiter settled in and looked like himself for the first time in over a month. In a return to form outing, Leiter shutdown the Ole Miss bats over six innings while allowing just one run to lead the No. 2 Commodores past the No. 14 Rebels, 13-2. The win was his first since April 2.

          It was clear early on that Leiter had all of his pitches working and the lull in his season, which saw a no decision, two losses and a scratched start, had reached its end.

          The win moved Leiter's record to 8-2 on the season and his 13 strikeouts in the victory pushed his season total to 119, one ahead of teammate and fellow top prospect Kumar Rocker.

          Leiter's performance helped the Commodores back to their winning ways after a loss in Rocker's start on Friday.

          Typically when Rocker has given up multiple runs in a start, which has been rare in the 2021 season, the Commodore offense has come to his rescue.

          Friday night was the exception to that rule.

          Rocker's second loss of the season came in a 3-1 defeat at Ole Miss. The Rebels tagged Rocker for three runs, including two home runs, over the first three innings to take an early lead that ended up being insurmountable.

          Despite the early outburst from the Rebels, Rocker settled in and threw four scoreless innings before his start concluded. He finished the night with seven innings pitched while allowing three runs on five hits and striking out eight.

          Unfortunately for Rocker, he was outdueled by Ole Miss starter Doug Nikhazy, who finished with 10 strikeouts over seven innings of 1-run baseball.

          Despite the recent struggles from both starters, the duo's combined record is 19-4 this season.

          Leiter and Rocker, the 2019 College World Series Most Outstanding Player, check in at No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, in Kiley McDaniel's draft rankings.

          Best of the season so far

          Remaining Vanderbilt schedule

          • June 5: vs. Georgia Tech, 7 p.m.

          • June 6: NCAA regional, TBD