NASHVILLE: That'll show me

By Chris Lee - June 03, 2007

Earlier in the evening, I believe I referred to the Vanderbilt first baseman as "the light-hitting Brad French," which is fair since he's slugging .335 in 158 at-bats.

Well, the light-hitting Brad French has just gone the other way and into the bleachers just to the right of the 375 sign, giving Vanderbilt a 9-2 lead.

French is a great story: A local kid who went to the state's best high school (Montgomery Bell Academy) just two miles down the road from Vandy, and despite growing up as a Tennessee fan, begged Vandy's Tim Corbin for a scholarship. Corbin told French he didn't think he was good enough to play at Vandy, but later changed his mind.

The rest is history; French has started since the latter part of last season, and although his bat is often lacking, he's terrific with the glove and Corbin likes the example he sets for teammates by playing through all kinds of pain, and even mononucleosis earlier this year.

9-2 Vandy, Commodores with a man on second and two outs in the top of the fifth.