VANDERBILT 8, OREGON STATE 1

TEMPE, ARIZ. -- The Vanderbilt Commodores opened their 2008 season on Friday at the DeMarini Invitational in Tempe, Ariz., and soundly defeated the two-time defending national champion Oregon State Beavers by a score of 8-1. Sophomore lefty Mike Minor picked up the victory, pitching six innings and giving up one run on five hits while walking none and striking out six.

Vanderbilt wasted no time letting their explosive offense set the tone in this one. After a walk, single, and error loaded the bases with one out in the first, shortstop Ryan Flaherty hit an opposite field, two-run single to put the Commodores on the board. Vandy added single runs in the second, fourth, and fifth, with left fielder Parker Hanks going deep in the fourth and Flaherty adding another RBI in the fifth. He extended his hitting streak to 36 games by going 2-for-4 with four RBIs. Jonathan White finished 2-for-3 with three runs and an RBI, and second baseman Alex Feinberg added a 2-run single in the ninth.

Freshman Caleb Cotham relieved Minor in the seventh, tallying three no-hit innings with two walks and three strikeouts.

Vandy takes on host Arizona State tomorrow at 2 p.m. CT. Junior right-hander Brett Jacobson will start on the mound for the Commodores. The game will be webcast live on www.vucommodores.com.