Vanderbilt Defeats Virginia 3-2 for First College World Series Title

The Vanderbilt Commodores made history last night when they defeated the Virginia Cavaliers 3-2 to win their first ever College World Series title.  It is the first time a men's team at Vanderbilt in any sport has won a national championship.  In fact, it's only the second national title in the school's history, the other being in women's bowling.

Vanderbilt won the final series 2 games to 1.  They opened with a 9-8 win on Monday night where they scored all of their runs in the 2nd inning before holding back a furious Cavalier comeback.  On Tuesday night, the Commodores went into the 6th inning with a 2-0 lead, only to eventually lose 7-2.  With the series tied at one game apiece, Wednesday night was set up to be a classic.

Starting Vandy pitcher Carson Fulmer pitch a strong 5 1/3 innings, but the Cavaliers came back from another 2-0 deficit to tie the game in the 6th inning.  This time, the 'Dores responded.  In the top of the 8th, John Norwood sent a single blast over the wall in Omaha, giving Vandy a 3-2 lead.

The drama wasn't over though, as Virginia was able to load the bases in the bottom of the 8th.  However, relief pitcher Adam Ravenelle got out of the jam, and then pitched a 1-2-3 9th to deliver a victory for the Commodores.

This is the 9th straight year and SEC team has won a title in either football, baseball or men's basketball.  And Vandy fans held nothing back as they chanted "S-E-C" after the final out.  Pitcher Brian Miller even proposed to his girlfriend on the spot.  It was truly a fantastic scene for the school who's reputation is built almost entirely on academics.

Here are some tweets from last night's win:

Tampa pitcher David Price, A Vandy alumnus:

ESPN MLB writer Buster Olney, also a Vandy alumnus: