Vanderbilt shocks Cal State Fullerton with 2-run walk-off HR

OMAHA, Neb.

— Vanderbilt freshman Jeren Kendall hit a two-run walk-off home run to beat Cal State Fullerton 4-3 in the College World Series opener Monday.

It was the first walk-off homer in TD Ameritrade Park history and the first in the College World Series since 2009.

"I dream a lot about big moments," said Kendall of his fourth homer of the postseason. "But coming here as a freshman, I felt pretty comfortable."

The game had been postponed from Sunday night.

"That's baseball," Vanderbilt shortstop Dansby Swanson said. "That's the only way I know how to explain it. Baseball does some crazy things when you least expect it, and that's what happened today."

The defending national champion Commodores (48-19) will play TCU at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the winners' bracket. Vanderbilt coach Tim Corbin said he has not decided on his starting pitcher.

TCU beat LSU 10-3 on Sunday.

Vanderbilt started a rally on the first swing, as Zander Wiel hit the first pitch he saw to the right-centerfield wall for an RBI double. It was the continuation of Wiel's at-bat, which began Sunday night before inclement weather postponed the game.

Wiel's double scored Rhett Wiseman, who started the resumed bottom of the sixth inning on third base. The Commodores stranded two runners on base to end the sixth, which also capped the brief outing for Fullerton pitcher Chad Hockin.

Fullerton closer Tyler Peitzmeier took the mound in the seventh and slowed down the Commodores' bats until the ninth.

Wiel hit another double to lead off the ninth, and Bryan Reynolds followed with a double to the leftfield corner to score Wiel. Kendall then jacked the walk-off shot and the celebration began.

Vanderbilt left-hander John Kilichowski pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings, and Kyle Wright finished off the ninth inning and was credited with the win.

Audio of the call from Joe Fisher's call of the walk-off home run

Reach Adam Sparks at 615-259-8010 and on Twitter @AdamSparks.