Vanderbilt Advances To First College World Series

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Aaron Westlake hit three two-run home runs to lead Vanderbilt to a 9-3 victory over Oregon State on Saturday night as the Commodores clinched their first trip to the College World Series. The first baseman, drafted in the third round by the Tigers, became the first Commodores player to hit three home runs in a game in 20 years and Vanderbilt (52-10) swept the best-of-three NCAA Super Regional series. Anthony Gomez knocked in two runs with a single — his fourth hit of the game — in the sixth to make it 5-2 and Westlake followed with a two-run shot to right-center field. Parker Berberet led Oregon State (41-19) with two RBIs and Carter Bell hit a solo home run in the eighth. Vanderbilt’s Will Clinard (2-2) pitched 4 2-3 innings in relief, working around a one-out, bases-loaded jam in the fifth. Beavers reliever Scott Schultz (4-1) allowed the go-ahead run in the top of the fifth on an RBI fielder’s choice by Jason Esposito.