Breaking down the historic seasons of Vanderbilt’s Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker

Will Vanderbilt’s Jack Leiter ever give up another hit?

That was the question heading into Vanderbilt’s game at LSU Friday night and for four innings it looked like the answer would be “no.” But, like all great streaks, Leiter’s no-hit run met it’s eventual end in the bottom of the fifth inning with a Collier Cranford single into right field.

The single was Leiter’s first hit given up in 21 innings after a complete game no-hitter against South Carolina on March 20 and seven innings of no-hit baseball at Missouri on March 26. Unfortunately for the sophomore, it wasn’t his only streak broken up on Friday.

In the bottom of the sixth, Cade Doughty lined a solo home run into the left field bleachers to break up Leiter’s 25-inning scoreless streak. It was the first allowed run he has given up in SEC play and the first extra base hit allowed in his 42 innings pitched this season.

C. Doughty. No Doubter.

📺: ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/hREQdI8qFV

— LSU Baseball (@LSUbaseball) April 3, 2021

Despite the prolific streaks coming to an end, it was still a quality performance from the possible No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming Major League Baseball draft. Leiter moved his record to 7-0 on the season in the 11-2 win and struck out 12, including six straight early in the game, over six innings. The lone earned run bumped his ERA to 0.43 this season.

Jack Leiter struck out nine in his first 3 innings. Only 4 pitchers in MLB have done that over the last 5 seasons, the last was Anthony DeSclafani in June 2019.

Before tonight, the last time Leiter allowed a hit was before we set the clocks forward to Daylight Savings Time… pic.twitter.com/JCLspRZRZ0

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 3, 2021

If Leiter has any competition for the best pitcher in college baseball — and potentially for the top pick in the draft — it comes from his own clubhouse and junior right-hander Kumar Rocker.

Rocker, the 2019 College World Series Most Outstanding Player, currently checks in at No. 3 in Kiley McDaniel’s draft rankings, one spot behind Leiter.

On Thursday, Rocker threw six innings of one-run ball in a 13-1 win over LSU to improve to 7-0 on the year.

Best of the season so far

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Vanderbilt pitcher Jack Leiter tosses seven hitless frames with 10 strikeouts.

Jack Leiter, Wicked Front Door Cutter. ✂️🚪
12th K thru 5 pic.twitter.com/v1AXA7vbJp

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 3, 2021

Bases loaded and one out? No problem for Jack Leiter.
pic.twitter.com/JBiYwF5R3F

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 3, 2021

We’re on Jack Leiter Time.
It’s just delaying the inevitable. pic.twitter.com/E5WCSkd9c1

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 27, 2021

Jack Leiter, one of the top prospects in the 2021 MLB Draft, threw a no-hitter with 16 Ks today. 🔥

(via @SECNetwork)pic.twitter.com/jpcX3s4N5K

— MLB (@MLB) March 20, 2021

That is one baaaad man. 😤#VandyBoys | @KumarRocker pic.twitter.com/w17QvVhsPO

— Vanderbilt Baseball (@VandyBoys) March 20, 2021

Remaining Vanderbilt schedule

• April 3: at LSU, 3 p.m. (SEC Network+)

• April 6: UT-Martin, 7:30 p.m.

• April 9: Georgia, 7 p.m. (SEC Network)

• April 10: Georgia, 7:30 p.m. (SEC Network+)

• April 11: Georgia, 3 p.m. (SEC Network+)

• April 13: Eastern Kentucky, 7:30 p.m.

• April 16: at Tennessee, 7 p.m. (ESPNU)

• April 17: at Tennessee, 4 p.m. (SEC Network)

• April 18: at Tennessee, 1 p.m. (SEC Network+)

• April 20: Austin Peay, 7:30 p.m.

• April 23: Mississippi State, 8 p.m. (SEC Network)

• April 24: Mississippi State, 8 p.m. (ESPNU)

• April 25: Mississippi State, 2 p.m. (SEC Network+)

• April 30: at Florida, 7 p.m. (ESPNU)

• May 1: at Florida, 6:30 p.m. (SEC Network+)

• May 2: at Florida, 3 p.m. (ESPN 2)

• May 4: at Louisville, 7 p.m.

• May 7: Alabama, 7 p.m. (SEC Network+)

• May 8: Alabama, 3 p.m. (SEC Network+)

• May 9: Alabama, 2 p.m. (SEC Network+)

• May 11: North Alabama, 7:30 p.m.

• May 14: at Ole Miss, 7 p.m. (SEC Network)

• May 15: at Ole Miss, 5 p.m. (SEC Network+)

• May 16: at Ole Miss, 3 p.m. (SEC Network)

• May 18: Florida International, 7:30 p.m.

• May 20: Kentucky, 7:30 p.m. (SEC Network+)

• May 21: Kentucky, 7:30 p.m. (SEC Network+)

• May 22: Kentucky, 3 p.m. (SEC Network+)