Vanderbilt v. Radford: Win and Advance

Commodores v. Highlanders... THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE!!! Unless, of course, they somehow beat us tonight. Then, tomorrow... THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE!!!

By Andrew VU '04 May 31, 2015, 8:00pm EDT

The very first image that popped up in my Getty Images search of "Highlanders." Seriously.

Radford somewhat unexpectedly took care of business against Indiana this afternoon, fighting through the rain to the tune of a 5-3 win. Though they are the #2 seed in our region, Indiana was favored, as in addition to being the more seasoned team, the Hoosiers had made short work of the Highlanders on Friday. Nevertheless, Radford woke up in the morning from the alarm clock's warning; took the 8:15 into the city...

Tonight, they get to the working overtime part.

For those unfamiliar with the format, Vanderbilt, having won their first two games, is in the driver's seat. Win tonight, and we advance to the Super Regional round. Lose tonight, and we play Radford again tomorrow in a "Loser Leaves Town" grudge match. Got it? Good.

Here's the good news...

This is Radford's first ever NCAA Tournament bid. While they've acquitted themselves quite nicely thus far - going 2-1 against the likes of Indiana and David Lipscomb - facing the lineup of Dansby Swanson, Rhett Wiseman, Will Toffey, Jeren Kendall, and Bryan "The Aluminum Foil" Reynolds will be a different animal. In game 1 against Indiana's ace Kyle Hart, the Highlanders potent line-up looked like it had been decapitated. Hart is a fine pitcher, sure, as he has exemplary control and can pitch backward until a batter's completely befuddled. However, though any pitching is good pitching, we'll have likely first rounder Walker Buehler (3-2, 3.18 ERA) on the bump.

Buehler will surely look at them with his big brown eyes, and say...

R-r-r-radford, you just ain't seen n-n-n-nothin' yet.

Who will Radford head coach Joe "Dr." Raccula counter with?

Who the hell knows? In fairness, I doubt the good doctor himself even knows the answer to this question right now, and he has to make the decision within the hour.

Dr. Acula and his Radford Highlanders performed extremely well this afternoon against a veteran Indiana team. But that was this afternoon, in the height of sunlight. How will he do when the sun goes down? Well, the only answer I can give is - wait... Dr. Acula... (removes the period, makes the A lower case) is Dracula!!!

But how did these ancient vampires do so well while the sun was high in the sky?

REVERSE VAMPIRES!!!

See you fine folks at 7:30pm CT, or whenever the hell they decide to start the game. It's on SECN, or ESPN3. Nobody tells me nothin'...

Oh, and we've still got this guy...

*Author's Note: Yes, I've been drinking gasoline... mother...