Vanderbilt ace Kumar Rocker’s College World Series brilliance, in five stats

Vanderbilt pitcher Kumar Rocker etched his name into College World Series lore with one of the most memorable postseason runs in recent memory.

Rocker closed that run with a 11-strikeout performance in a 4-1 victory against Michigan in Game 2 of the College World Series finals on Tuesday. The Commodores and Wolverines play Game 3 on Wednesday. Rocker, a 6-4, 255-pound freshman, has produced the most captivating tournament performance in this postseason run.

Here are five remarkable statistics Rocker is responsible for this postseason:

Win streak

Rocker took a loss against Missouri on May 11. Since that loss, he has won seven consecutive starts, beginning with the final regular-season outing against Kentucky on May 17. Rocker had a 1.35 ERA over 40 innings in that stretch.

Postseason dominance

Including one SEC tournament start, Rocker is 5-0 with a 1.37 ERA and 46 strikeouts in 33 innings in five postseason starts. That comes to 20 hits and six walks. Rocker allowed just four extra-base hits – all doubles – in that run.

That no-hitter vs. Duke

Of course, Rocker had arguably the greatest start in postseason history with a no-hitter against Duke in the Super Regionals on June 8. He had 19 strikeouts and issued just two walks in the incredible start against the Blue Devils: a 3-0 victory.

CWS brilliance

Rocker has started twice in the College World Series, leading the Commodores to victories against Mississippi State and Michigan. He allowed just two runs on eight hits and had 17 strikeouts in 12.1 innings in those two starts. That included just one extra-base hit.

A fun freshman year

Unless Rocker is called on in relief tonight – which is a possibility, if the game is tight – he will finish his freshman year with a 12-5 record and 3.25 ERA. He had 114 strikeouts in 99.2 innings. The talented pitcher is only getting started. We’ll be hearing his name again soon enough.

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