Holmen's Kendall in College World Series

Freshman leads Vandy in stolen bases, third on team in homers

OMAHA, Neb. – It’s a rematch of last year’s College World Series, only this time around, the La Crosse area has a reason to watch.

Though he’s just a freshman, Holmen, Wis., native Jeren Kendall is playing a big part for Vanderbilt this season. You can watch him at 7 p.m. tonight on ESPN, as the Commodores try and defend their title in a best-of-three series with Virgina.

In the first round of the College World Series playoffs, Kendall had a walk-off, two-run home run to give Vandy a 4-3 victory over Cal State Fullerton. Vanderbilt went on to beat TCU twice in the semifinals and now heads into the title matchup with Virginia (42-23).

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So far this season, the 5-foot-11, 180-pound Kendall is batting .291, usually from the No.-7 spot. He leads the team with 19 stolen bases – out of 23 attempts. He’s third on the team with 8 home runs and has 40 RBI and 34 runs scored.

He’s started 53 games as Vanderbilt has gone 50-19 heading into tonight’s World Series championship.

Kendall is playing alongside one of baseball’s biggest prospects, as well, shortstop Dansby Swaonson – the No. 1-overall pick by the Arizona Diamondbacks in last year’s draft.

Kendall, himself, was drafted in the 2014 MLB draft in the 30th round by the Boston Red Sox.