How Vandy beat Illinois to return to CWS

Check out columnist Dave Ammenheuser's updates from Game 2.

Game 2 of the NCAA Super Regional between Vanderbilt and Illinois in Champaign, Ill., was Monday at 3 p.m.

Vanderbilt beat Illinois, 4-2, in Champaign, Ill., on Monday to return to the College World Series in Omaha. The Commodores won the first game of the best-of-three series, 13-0, on Saturday. Next up: Sunday's first game against Cal State Fullerton at 7 p.m.

Dave Ammenheuser's highlights of Monday's victory:

FIRST INNING

Illinois scores first, leads 1-0

Illinois: Pfeifer's first pitch is a strike to Adam Walton, who works a full count before flying out to right. Ryan Nagle then lined a single to center. A wild pitch moved Nagle to second, then Reid Roper and Jason Goldstein walked to load the bases. Casey Fletcher's sacrifice fly to center scored Nagle for a 1-0 Illinois lead. It was the first run for the Illini in the Super Regional (remember they lost 13-0 Saturday in Game 1). Pat McInerney lined out to short to end the inning.

Vanderbilt: Ro Coleman opened the inning with a fly out to left. Rhett Wiseman grounded out to first and Dansby Swanson struck out. . Tyler Jay had a 1-2-3 inning.

SECOND INNING

Wiel homer ties the game.

Illinois: After David Kerian struck out and Will Krug grounded out, Ryne Roper hit a doubleoff the left-field wall Afte walking Walton, Ryan Nagle ended the inning with a fly out to center.

Vanderbilt: Zander Wiel hit a lead-off home run to right to tie the game 1-1. It was his 14th home run of the year. It was the first home run Jay allowed this season and just his fifth run overall. Will Toffey popped out, then Bryan Reynolds struck out. Jeren Kendall then grounded out. Tie game.

THIRD INNING

Illinois takes 2-1 lead

Illinois: Pfeifer retired Reid Roper and Jason Goldstein on pop outs. Casey Fletcher then smacked a double to left field. Pat McInerney's single to center cored Fletcher to push Illinois ahead 2-1. David Kerian then grounded out to end the inning.

Vanderbilt: After Karl Ellison flied out, Tyler Campbell was hit by a pitch. After Ro Coleman flied out to center, Campbell stole second base. Rhett Wiseman then hit a slow grounder to second, which Reid Roper had trouble picking up. However, Campbell was then cut in a rundown between home and third base. Goldstein tagged Campbell out.

FOURTH INNING

Swanson home run ties game 2-2

Illinois: Will Krug opened the inning with a single to left.However, he was then caught stealing. Ryne Roper struck out and Adam Walton grounded out.

Vanderbilt: Dansby Swanson hit solo home run over the left field fence to tie game 2-2. It's the second home run allowed by Jay on the day (and the season). Zander Wiel singles to left, then stole second base. Will Toffey's ground out to second moved Wiel to third base. Bryan Reynolds followed with a grounder to second baseman Reid Roper who threw Ziel out at the plate. That's two straight innings a Vanderbilt player was tagged out by the Illini catcher. Jeren Kendall struck out to end the inning.

FIFTH INNING

Vandy, Illini still tied 2-2

Illinois: Pfeifer had his easiest inning of the game, allowing a lead-off single to Ryan Nagle, but then getting the next three Illini batters in order.

Vanderbilt: Jay also had an easy inning. He allowed a single to Tyler Campbell, but also struck out two batters to end the inning.

SIXTH INNING

Reynolds' hit gives Vandy 3-2 lead

Illinois: Pfeifer continues to get stronger as game progresses. He retired Pat McInerney, David Kerian and Will Krug in order.

Vanderbilt: Dansby Swanson opened the inning with a double to right-center. Zander Wiel struck out. Will Toffey popped out. With Bryan Reynolds batting, Swanson steals third base. Reynolds then smacked a single to center, scoring Swanson with the go-ahead run. Kendall then popped out to end the inning.

SEVENTH INNING

Vanderbilt extends lead to 4-2

Illinois: After Phil Pfeifer got Ryne Roper on a ground out and Adam Walton on a strike out, Ryan Nagle reached on a single to left. At that point, Vanderbilt coach Tim Corbin replaced Pfeifer with left-handed pitcher Ben Bowden. Bowden then worked back from a 3-0 count on Reid Roper to strike him out to end the inning.

Vanderbilt: Karl Ellison opened the inning with a single. Tyler Campbell then sacrificed Ellison to second. It was Campbell's ninth sacrifice bunt of the season. Ro Coleman then singled to right, moving Ellison to third. Rhett Wieman's suicide bunt turned into a single, scoring Ellison for a 4-2 lead and chasing Tyler Jay from the mound. Nick Blackburn replaced Jay on the mound. Swanson struck out as Coleman and Wiseman stole third and second base, respectively. Zander Wiel struck out to end the inning.

EIGHTH INNING

Illini leae bases loaded

Illinois: Jason Goldstein opened the inning with a single to center. Ben Bowden then struck out Casey Fletcher. Pat McInerney singled to left, moving Goldstein to econd. David Kerian then walked to load the bases. Corbin then replaced Bowden with Kyle Wright. Krug flied out to right fielder Rhett Wiseman and Goldstein did not attempt to score from third. With two outs and the bases loaded, Ryne Roper then struck out.

Vanderbilt: Will Toffey opened the inning with a single to left. Bryan Reynolds then hit into a force play with Toffey out at second and Reynolds safe at first. Jeren Kendall flied out to right-center, but Reynolds tagged up and moved to second base. With Ellison at the plate, Reynolds stole third base. Ellison grounded out to end the inning.

NINTH INNING

Vanderbilt wins 4-2, returns to Omaha

Illinois: Kyle Wright retired Illinois in order, sending the Commodores back to Omaha for the College World Series.