2021 College World Series preview: Vanderbilt vs. NC State betting odds, picks, analysis, more

(Vanderbilt Athletics)

Here are the resources you need for Vanderbilt vs. NC State on June 21 at the 2021 College World Series.

Vanderbilt vs. NC State betting odds (via DraftKings)

Run Line: NC State +1.5 (+105), Vanderbilt -1.5 (-125)

Over/Under: 10.5

Moneyline: Vanderbilt -170, NC State +150

Projected starting pitchers

Vanderbilt: Jack Leiter (R) 96 IP, 10-3, 2.16 ERA, 0.96 BRIP, 14% FP, 41% K

NC State: Sam Highfill 86 IP, 8-2, 3.98 ERA, 1.24 BRIP, 9% FP, 22% K

Vanderbilt defeats Arizona in extra innings

Jayson Gonzalez delivered when Vanderbilt needed him the most. 

The senior third baseman stroked a walk-off single in the bottom of the 12th inning to lift Vanderbilt to a 7-6 win over Arizona at TD Ameritrade Park on Saturday.

The Commodores improved to 5-0 all-time in CWS openers thanks to Gonzalez's heroics. Gonzalez matched his season high with three hits and posted a season-high three RBIs in the win. 

The Commodores had opportunities to win the game in the ninth, 10th and 11th innings, but could not push the winning run across. Vandy left the bases loaded in the 11th inning. 

Arizona jumped on Vandy ace Kumar Rocker for three runs in the first inning to grab an early 3-0. Brandon Boissiere stroked a two-run double in the frame.

Rocker had allowed only three runs in previous six NCAA Tournament starts and was the Most Outstanding Player as a freshman in the 2019 CWS.

Vandy pitchers struck out 19 and walked only one.

Read our in-depth College World Series preview for Vanderbilt at this link.

NC State notches 10 runs in win over Stanford

The Wolf Pack jumped out to a 3-0 lead through the first two innings and didn't look back in Saturday's 10-4 win over No. 9 national seed Stanford.

Jonny Butler drove in five runs to lead the way for NC State after hitting a two-run home run in the first inning, while Vojtech Mensik (2), Tyler McDonough (1), Luca Tresh (1), and Devonte Brown (1) all added to the tally. 

Every NC State hitter in the lineup reached base at least once in the game. NC State's top three hitters were 7-14 in the win.

Stanford rallied for three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to make it 6-4, but the Wolf Pack posted four runs in the top of the ninth to earn the convincing win.

NC State continued its trend of playing well away from Raleigh, with the Wolf Pack now 4-2 in neutral field games and 19-4 in away games.

Read our in-depth College World Series preview for NC State at this link.

Southeastern 14's Game Pick for Vanderbilt vs. NC State

Vanderbilt has Jack Leiter on the mound, and while the bullpen impressed against Arizona, a couple of guys threw a lot of pitches. Still, Leiter has proven his ability to go deep into the game. He threw 94 pitches against East Carolina nine days ago, so the added rest could be to his advantage. 

Also, he has been darn-near impossible to hit (.127 average against, 12 HR, but no triples and just two doubles allowed) and if the ball isn't carrying in TD Ameritrade, well, good luck to the opposition. NC State doesn't have the same pitching depth, but it does have Sam Highfill, who handcuffed top-ranked Arkansas in the Super Regional. 

Highfill isn't a high-strikeout pitcher (22%), and that's good for the Commodores since high-strikeout guys have been a problem for a lineup that's struck out 569 times this season. But NC State does have Jonny Butler and a hard-hitting top part of the lineup that has excelled against right-handed pitchers. 

However, it's just hard to go against Leiter and the Commodores' pitching.

Pick: Vanderbilt

Southeastern 14's Best Bet for Vanderbilt vs. NC State

Pick: Vanderbilt ML

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