Nikki

Mom to three crazy, fun, athletic, determined kids! ⚾️🏐🏃‍♀️🥎🏀! Mom to a @vandyboys ⚾️ #77! @catamountvb 🏐#15 and NPS #16! ♥️

[Trenton Thunder⚡ @TrentonThunder]

🚨DRAFTED!🚨

Thunder Pitcher Alex Kranzler (@KranzlerAlex) (2026) selected by the Red Sox in the MLB Draft!

TrentonMakesBaseballTakes⚾️

[Jewish Baseball Players @YidInBaseball]

2026 MLB Draft:
The Red Sox select Alex Kranzler (RHP, Vanderbilt) in the 17th round, 514th overall!

[PJ Potter @PJ_Potter]

Old Tappan star, 2022 Player of the Year Alex Kranzler was selected in the 17th round by the Boston Red Sox

@KranzlerAlex @NVOT_Athletics

https://t.co/NQ1ypK9X4k

[G.G. @ggeiss_mlb]

🚨 BREAKING: The Red Sox select Vanderbilt RHP Alex Kranzler with the 514th pick in the MLB Draft.

The 21yo posted a 19.1% K-BB rate and .225 BAA through 43.2 IP in the SEC last year. Four-pitch mix flashed whiff potential in MLBDL. SL is nasty. Sinker grabs 22"+ HB.

[Prep Baseball Draft HQ @PB_DraftHQ]

Extended look at the @RedSox 514th overall pick Alex Kranzler (@KranzlerAlex) from the 2023 Prep Baseball #Super60 @PrepBaseballNJ

[Vanderbilt Baseball @VandyBoys]

Kranz is shipping up to Boston 🔥

With the 514th pick in the draft, the Boston Red Sox select Alex Kranzler!

[MLB Draft League @mlbdraftleague]

Alex Kranzler ➡️ #DirtyWater

Alex Kranzler (@TrentonThunder) is drafted by the @RedSox at pick No. 514 (17th rd)! ⚡

5 GSM 2.35 ERA, 23 IP, 23 K, 0.87 WHIP

[Trenton Thunder⚡ @TrentonThunder]

Kranzler is in the league's top 10 with a 1.29 ERA over 14.0 IP

#FeeltheThunder⚡ x @HorizonDisp0235

[Trenton Thunder⚡ @TrentonThunder]

Searching for a Sensational Scrapper Sweep

#FeelTheThunder⚡ x @Mrs_Gs

[Trenton Thunder⚡ @TrentonThunder]

Killing it on the bump

[MLB Draft League @mlbdraftleague]

𝑲𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒛𝒍𝒆𝒓 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒔 🔥

Alex Kranzler takes command in the bottom of the first by striking out the side! ⚡

Across 15 pitches, Kranzler topped his FB at 9️⃣7️⃣.5️⃣ mph. 💪

📊 https://t.co/YVatTeN503
📺 https://t.co/365D9tq9TU

@TrentonThunder | @KranzlerAlex | @VandyBoys

[Trenton Thunder⚡ @TrentonThunder]

Taking the mound for your Pork Roll

#FeeltheThunder⚡ x @horizondisp0235

[Trenton Thunder⚡ @TrentonThunder]

can't wait for the new players to meet Slice

#FeelTheThunder⚡ x @Mrs_Gs

[Trenton Thunder⚡ @TrentonThunder]

let's get after it
#FeelTheThunder⚡

[Trenton Thunder⚡ @TrentonThunder]

Players on the field!! Players on the field!!

[PG College Baseball @PGCollegeBall]

High speed look at the SK-CT-SL-SP from RHP Alex Kranzler
(@VandyBoys)...

[Mike Ashmore @mashmore98]

Cool seeing FSS alum and NJ native @KranzlerAlex getting the big interview treatment on SEC Network after his big outing yesterday.

[Doug Kyle @SemperCaninus]

Here is the transcript from the Vanderbilt portion of the postgame press conference from Game 2 at the SECT

Southeastern Conference Baseball Tournament
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Hoover, Alabama, USA
Hoover Metropolitan Stadium
Vanderbilt Commodores
Coach Tim Corbin
Alex Kranzler
Colin Barczi
Postgame Press Conference

Vanderbilt - 8, Kentucky - 5

THE MODERATOR: We're joined by Vanderbilt.

TIM CORBIN: It was a good win for our ballclub. Tough win. We knew what the challenge was on the mound for certain. And he was good. And he kept us down for halfway through the game.

Obviously the sixth inning was a big breakthrough for us because he got two quick outs and it just shows you how the game can change in an instant, and it did. We got some very good hitting one right after another with Waite and Rigdon. I guess first, Logan got on with the walk and then Goodin and then Waite and Rigdon with two strikes and then Barz.

And we put a nice inning together, kind of broke through and then added on with Ruster manufacturing a run by himself and Brodie's big knock.

But the difference was the ability to stop the game offensively for them, and that was Kranzler. Kranzler coming in just doing a nice job of settling in, throwing strikes and turning the momentum to our side.

We've talked about it during the course of the year how oftentimes offense can get going because of a pitcher. And he certainly did that.

Yeah, it was a fun game because of the ABS. It was good to play with that. But funner just because of the win, so good for our boys.

Q. Colin, to score eight runs as an offense with one double and one homer, what does that say about you guys and the way you guys play?

COLIN BARCZI: Yeah, we were just manufacturing runs. Obviously we hit the long ball a lot. But being able to score runs from just singles and short game is something that we also pride ourselves on, so yes.

Q. Alex, what was working for you today? Just having Reynolds behind the dish, what were the key components either with your breaking pitches or what you utilized to work north to south, east to west with the strike zone?

ALEX KRANZLER: Always going east to west typically works better. But, I mean, today it was just more just executing one pitch, whether it was the slider, cutter, fastball. Just kind of had confidence in all of it. And Reynolds did a good job, especially picking me up with the ABS earlier in the game. I think that also got us one later that inning threw a kind of similar cutter down there. And he picked me up there.

And you know, not having to worry about that because he was pretty much 100 percent back there with that -- although, the other one in the ninth, which was kind of, like, might as well do it. But, no, he's been awesome back there all year. And he's been super tough for us, being able to handle the load of the pitching staff and help us out.

Q. Alex, after a rough start to the season, you've been really good the last several weeks. Were there any adjustments you made or anything that changed to turn things around?

ALEX KRANZLER: I mean, there's always adjustments, whether things are going good or bad. I mean, I'd say the main thing is me and Browny just kept talking. And the big, I guess, difference maker was stop focusing or worrying about stuff in the past, future -- just kind of be where you are and kind of just use that.

We have a kind of ongoing joke right now is, like, even if I mentioned going out to eat the night before, he'll kind of get on me and say that's the past. So just trying to stay as present as possible has been the big one.

Q. You both have been here and had success in Hoover before. Seems like the last two years, I think you've won 11 of the last 13 here. Why do you think that is? Why do you think the team plays so well here?

CONOR BARCZI: It's so fun to just be here, be with the team. It's the end of the season. And we obviously really pride ourselves on taking the SEC Tournament super seriously. We're always giving our best foot here.

And like I said, it's just fun to play here, to be at this field. It's just a great experience. And we all just like are grateful for it, and it shows when we play.

ALEX KRANZLER: Yeah, I mean, kind of to second that, it's pretty much been the most fun week of the year all three years now. I mean, you're still playing the same game. It's the same thing, so just trying to keep or stay level-headed play consistently. That's just our big thing.

Q. Colin, it's been a weird year for you with the injury and everything. Can you just take us through how it's been for you and how you feel now?

COLIN BARCZI: Yeah, I'm getting back and I'm grateful for our training staff and everyone that's helped me get to this point.

There's been ups and downs for sure, obviously with my shoulder. But just doing everything I can to get back and be full health so I can help my team out.

Q. You mentioned it was fun with the ABS. How do you feel like the implementation and execution of that the first day of the tournament has been with the ABS?

TIM CORBIN: Good. From what I saw in the first game, I think the biggest adjustment's going to be the umpire, to be honest with you, because they've called strikes and balls according to how they see it. And now it's that 2D box, which, or a hitter, because of machines and what you train with, it might be a little bit easier for them to understand where the ball is.

But I think it's just going to take a little bit of time. But I like it. I like it a lot. I think it helps both sides. I think it's clear. Anything that takes the emotion out of the game from a call is a good thing for baseball. And I'm not concerned with the time element whatsoever. We've got to do a job on picks, that's probably what we've got to do. We've got to get rid of that. That's for another day. But I think it's good.

Q. You moved Brodie Johnston to the lead-off spot today and he had three RBIs. What prompted you to make that change and what did you see from him responding to that change as well?

TIM CORBIN: We wanted to shake things up for him, and also put him at the top where he's done pretty good damage against right-handed pitching, and he's pretty good with not people on as well. He is with people on, but he's done a good job of getting on base to start things.

We just felt like it was the right move. And other than that, it kind of flipped the same. It just moved Ryker to the 6. But we just thought it was a good move for the team.

Q. You talked the other day about not wanting guys to feel the pressure of what's at stake this week. Given how this game went today, how encouraging is that in terms of how they responded and what it could be in terms of something to build off of?

TIM CORBIN: Well, the first game of a tournament is always tough, regardless of whether it was last year, year before, I think. I think you win the first one, and it kind of relieves a little bit.

They've been loose. And we've talked about it. It's like the elephant in the room. They're trying to play for Vanderbilt, and play to do something, and what I really asked them to do was get away from that and remove that from it.

I said, if they want to do something for the program, do something for the coaches and themselves, then you can't carry the program. All you can do is just play the game and enjoy what you're doing.

So they've had a lot of fun, and to Colin's point, we really enjoyed coming down here. This is a tremendous event. There's nothing like it. And going back to 2003, we find so much fulfillment in coming down here and playing in front of people. They care. They spend a lot of money. They make the kids feel special. This is something I never thought I would have been a part of when I was a young kid growing up in New Hampshire, but to see these kids enjoy what they're doing and play baseball, Vanderbilt has a good time here.

Q. Along those lines, when you heard Ryker say that a couple of days ago, or you did hear he said it, you seemed to have a visible reaction to it. Could you just go back and tell us what was going through your head and maybe how that influenced the way you approached the team in the next couple days?

TIM CORBIN: I approached the team differently even before he said that. I think when he did say that, it made me -- I don't know -- it's almost like a parent where you're thinking, you're applying too much pressure to your kids.

And I didn't want him to feel that, or the team. So, yeah, I just didn't want them to feel that way. But we talked about it, and hopefully you can relieve some of that to some degree.

But I think they're in a pretty good place right now. It's easy to say after a win, but I do. I think the conversations, and when Jelkin was going through the lineup, I thought it was very positive. The kids were good.

It felt like that game, we were going to come back at some point in time. I didn't know if we would put up a four-spot, but in order to do that, you have to have pretty good energy in the dugout. If you don't have energy in the dugout, you're not making a comeback like that with two outs.

Q. On the topic of ABS, what was the strategy that you employed in when to challenge and when to allow your players to challenge?

TIM CORBIN: We talked about it at length yesterday and again today. We just talked about scenarios that you could challenge. I think it's more instinctual. I think you know when the game is in the balance where a pitch could potentially make a difference and you know when it's not. You just have to be wise. I trust these guys. They're smart.

And the guy behind the plate is very good at what he does. He's very intelligent. He's a military kid. So I feel like if he makes a choice, I'd ride with him every day.

We just talked about the defensive side of things, with the catcher and the pitcher, and the hitter was more about the timing of it and the guys on base and that type of thing.

Q. Question on Alex, I feel his fastball has ticked to 96. I feel like he was sitting maybe 92, 93 early in the years. First of all, is that correct? And second, what have you guys been able to do to just flip a switch with him because he just looks like a completely different guy the last few weeks?

TIM CORBIN: Yeah, I think you're right. I think the velocity is certainly up. There's movement to his ball and cutter. But I think he's slowed himself down. I think that's the thing. I believe his rhythm to how he pitches, it looks easier. It doesn't look as forced. It doesn't look as much grunt work. It's letting the ball do the work. And he's a very hard worker, so he demands a lot out of himself. I think he's let himself go in some ways and he's throwing more strikes. There's no doubt about it. His strike percentage has elevated in last three weeks.

Q. What does it mean to see what you guys did in the bottom of the sixth inning, seeing Waite, Rigdon have quality at-bats, and then later in the bottom of the eighth Johnston going yard, how did you feel like that's a big component of your offense heading into tomorrow against Florida alongside saving up your bullpen?

TIM CORBIN: We played offense like that this past weekend against South Carolina. We did not hit the long ball. There were a lot of singles, there were a lot of two-strike balls, and I thought that that was kind of the case with that.

They rarely bared down and had good at-bats, because it looked like Ryker was out of his at-bat and he poked it through the hole. Looked like Rigdon was out of the at-bat. He poked it through the hole. Barczi jumped on the ball after a timeout with Esposito (phonetic), poked it through the holes. I just thought they were courageous tough at-bats.

Yeah, a little bit of fighting. It wasn't pretty. But they were well-hit balls and there was a commitment to what they were doing. I think that matters most.

Q. Coach, this is the time of year where everybody talks about RPI. Last year your RPI helped you out. This year, it's not. What's your view of that as a tool being used to select a field?

TIM CORBIN: Well, I think it's a tool. I think it's for scheduling, mathematics, it's a tool. But I don't think it's the whole tool. I think common sense prevails. When you look at a bucket of work, I think you look at a team from start to finish, what they've done.

I know we start off 13-12 and now we're 20-12 in the last half. We played on the road a little bit more. We scheduled in tournaments tough, and we didn't get off to a good start. We've had our challenges, obviously, with health. And we've overcome them to some degree.

It hasn't been easy at all, and Barczi is your starting catcher, he's not playing. And Korbin Reynolds, a freshman, who I didn't think would play at all this year is 30-for-31 in the SEC counting today.

So I think we're a pretty damn good team. We're judged by the best conference and the best teams in college baseball, but there's also a lot of precedence for a team that's 14-16.

But obviously sitting in this seat, it's not about talk, it's about doing. But at the same time, I don't think the RPI is just the one indicator. It may speak to what you have done, but it doesn't speak to how you've done it and the body of work that exists with what we've done.

Our margins have been small in some of the series we lost, whether it's Oklahoma or Texas, but we've played pretty good baseball down this stretch, and usually the committee takes that into effect in terms of where a team is moving, and our trajectory has been pretty good.

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports

[Graham Baakko @GrahamBaakko]

The numbers show that Alex Kranzler has become the most reliable pitcher in Vanderbilt’s bullpen. That improvement in his game down the stretch has been due to changes he’s made in his mental approach.

More: @VandyOnSI https://t.co/jh41sDNd1R

[Vanderbilt Baseball @VandyBoys]

On to Florida ➡️