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Vanderbilt Commodores

Jack Leiter, son of ex-MLB All-Star Al Leiter, tosses 5 no-hit innings in Vanderbilt debut

Adam Sparks
The Tennessean

NASHVILLE — Vanderbilt freshman Jack Leiter, the son of former MLB All-Star Al Leiter, pitched five no-hit innings and struck out 12 of 16 batters Tuesday in one of the best debuts in program history.  

He wanted to get closer to a complete game no-hitter, but didn't dare question coach Tim Corbin's decision to pull him after 80 pitches of an almost flawless performance.

"I felt great. When he told me I was done, I was a little surprised," Leiter said. "But I definitely get it — first outing, a little bit of a colder day. I wasn't going to fight him."

Leiter's debut came as No. 1 Vanderbilt (2-2) won 3-0 over South Alabama (2-2) in the home opener, but the result almost seemed secondary to the pitching performance.

It wasn’t Kumar Rocker’s epic no-hitter as a freshman in last year’s NCAA Super Regional. There were no do-or-die postseason consequences. The Hawkins Field seats weren’t packed in a cold, light rain. And some fans at home turned their attention to the Vanderbilt-Tennessee basketball game on TV from Knoxville.

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But Leiter’s debut was almost as smooth and dominant as Rocker’s performance last June.

"That was good. That was very impressive," Corbin said. "Just the first time out and the conditions weren't easy, obviously. For a young kid to get on the mound and do that in his first start here, that was impressive."

Hard to find a flaw 

Leiter, a right-hander, worked fast and kept South Alabama batters off balance. His fastball touched 95 mph. And his curveball, slider and change-up dropped to the lower 70s and buckled the knees of batters.

"Jack was very deliberate," Corbin said. "He was getting on the mound, getting his sign, getting down the hill. Same mannerisms, same face. That was good."

Vanderbilt pitcher Jack Leiter (22) fires in a pitch against South Alabama during the first inning at Hawkins Field Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020 in Nashville, Tenn.

Leiter struck out the side in the first, third and fifth innings. Only four batters didn’t go down by strikeout — including two flyouts, one groundout and a fourth-inning walk to break up an otherwise perfect outing. He tossed 80 pitches, including 52 strikes.

"(Pulling Leiter after five innings) had nothing to do with a psychological (decision)," Corbin said. "It's just a long season."

Al Leiter watched his son at Hawkins Field

Leiter’s family has deep roots in pro baseball. His father, Al, pitched 19 seasons (1987-2005) and won 162 games for the Mets, Blue Jays, Yankees and Marlins. He was a two-time All-Star and now serves as an analyst for the MLB Network.

Mark Leiter, Jack’s uncle, played 11 seasons (1990-99, 2001) for eight major league teams. And Mark Leiter Jr., Jack’s cousin, pitched in 2017-18 for the Phillies and Blue Jays.

Al Leiter sat about 10 rows behind home plate to see his son’s almost flawless college debut. After the game, he took photos from above the dugout of his son being interviewed by reporters, just like any proud father.

"I think he'll definitely be happy with it," Jack Leiter said. "We got a win, and I think that's the most important thing."

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