![\"Colin](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01khja35fft0vdeep5s5.jpg\" "\\"Colin")
<\/p>\nWith the context of the history within this program, the way Vanderbilt has performed in this event over the years and all that it aspires to, the weekend in which it had in Arlington isn\u2019t exactly a success.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Saying that it was would almost be an insult to the program that Vanderbilt coach Tim Corbin has built. This group consistently wants to contend for national titles. It has a coach that will be viewed as one of the greatest ever in his profession by the time it\u2019s all said and done. 1-2 isn\u2019t good enough when considering those things. Particularly when one of the three losses comes via the run rule in an 11-1 game that seemingly killed all the momentum that Vanderbilt built on Saturday in a blowout win over Texas Tech.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Knowing Corbin\u2013and what\u2019s made him successful over the years\u2013is knowing that he was inevitably pissed as he walked through the Globe Life Field halls for the final time of the weekend on Sunday afternoon. Once Corbin can flush this, though, he\u2019ll likely view this as part of the nature of this thing and its ups and downs.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As disastrous as merely the results would indicate, this doesn\u2019t feel like a disaster.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This was a weekend in which Vanderbilt fell short of the standards that it\u2019s set for itself. It also demonstrated that it has more than enough to transcend its back-end top 25 ranking and No. 8 finish in the SEC\u2019s preseason poll.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vanderbilt had three outings from its starting pitchers that indicated it could have a group of weekend starters that lines up with a lot of the league\u2019s best rotations. It appears as if it has something in transfer outfielder Logan Johnstone. Perhaps most significantly, it backed up what those inside of this program believe will happen this spring.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In an MLB ballpark, Vanderbilt hit nine home runs this weekend.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Feb 13, 2026; Arlington, TX, USA; TCU vs Vanderbilt during the Shriner’s Children’s College Showdown at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images | Chris Jones-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
For as good as Corbin\u2019s program was in 2025\u2013it secured the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament and won the SEC Tournament in Hoover\u2013it always appeared to have a small margin for error because of its lack of power. Corbin predicted in the preseason that his team\u2019s power output would be significantly improved, yet it was still always one of the least consistent in the SEC.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This may be different, though. None of Vanderbilt\u2019s home runs were cheap and most came from its usual suspects. Brodie Johnston hit three. Colin Barczi hit three. Johnstone hit one. Starting shortstop Ryker Waite hit one. Expecting Johnston and Barczi to hit three homers each every weekend is unrealistic, but their production over the weekend indicated that each of them may have turned a corner in a way.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re getting that type of home run length from several people in the lineup, which is good because I know that\u2019s been a little bit of a question,\u201d Corbin said to the group of media that was on hand on Saturday. \u201cIt\u2019s a big ballpark, too, so you\u2019ve got to hit the ball hard.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
With the power production came a bit of volatility, though. Vanderbilt struck out 14, 13 and nine times over the weekend and demonstrated that it had to trade some of its traditional situational hitting for lift. It\u2019s too early to make a determination as to whether that\u2019s a long-term thing or whether it\u2019s just what Vanderbilt did over the weekend.\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"Brodie](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01khja475mgb6dj9tqbb.jpg\" "\\"Brodie")
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Feb 13, 2026; Arlington, TX, USA; TCU vs Vanderbilt during the Shriner’s Children’s College Showdown at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images | Chris Jones-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
What Corbin does appear to be ready to make a declaration about is Johnston and his supposedly-improved ability as a complete hitter. Johnston has always had the prettiest barrels on Vanderbilt\u2019s roster and has the potential to be an elite defender at third base. The question of plate discipline has always loomed, though. Perhaps there\u2019s been a corner of sorts turned in that way.\u00a0<\/p>\n