The official student newspaper of Vanderbilt University

The Vanderbilt Hustler
The official student newspaper of Vanderbilt University since 1888
Interested in joining The Hustler? Fill out our interest form here.
The official student newspaper of Vanderbilt University

The Vanderbilt Hustler
The official student newspaper of Vanderbilt University since 1888
Interested in joining The Hustler? Fill out our interest form here.
The official student newspaper of Vanderbilt University

The Vanderbilt Hustler
The official student newspaper of Vanderbilt University
Interested in joining The Hustler? Fill out our interest form here.
headshot of luke rollifinke

Luke Rollfinke, Former Senior Staffer

Luke Rollfinke (’25) was a student in the College of Arts and Science who majored in mathematics with a minor in communications. Luke loves all things sports, so when he’s not writing for The Hustler, he’s probably either playing for a club or intramural Vanderbilt sports team. You can reach him at [email protected].
All content by Luke Rollfinke
RJ Austin waits for a pitch, as photographed on March 30, 2025. (Hustler Multimedia/Meagan To)

Film Room: The five-tool player

By Luke Rollfinke, Senior Staffer
Apr 17, 2025
JD Thompson delivers a pitch to home plate as photographed on March 28, 2025. (Vanderbilt Athletics)

Baseball: Bats go silent as Vanderbilt drops series opener to Arkansas 9-0

By Luke Rollfinke, Senior Staff Writer
Mar 28, 2025
Colin Barczi prepares for a pitch as photographed on March 5, 2025. (Hustler Multimedia/Nour Abida)

Baseball: VandyBoys get back in the win column, defeat St. Bonaventure 14-1

By Luke Rollfinke, Senior Staff Writer
Mar 5, 2025
AJ Hoggard stares into the camera after making a basket, as photographed on Jan. 18, 2025. (Hustler Multimedia/Connor Campbell)

AJ Hoggard: The vet

By Luke Rollfinke, Senior Staffer
Mar 3, 2025
RJ Austin leaves the batter's box, as photographed on Feb. 25, 2025. (Vanderbilt Athletics)

Baseball: Vanderbilt takes down Tennessee Tech 16-3, extends winning streak to seven games

By Luke Rollfinke, Senior Staff Writer
Feb 25, 2025
Jonathan Vastine and RJ Austin in action. (Hustler Multimedia/Sam El-Shaamma)

Baseball: Vanderbilt’s bats gear up for the 2025 season

By Aiden Rutman, Luke Rollfinke, Connor Campbell, Vincent Xu, Grace Hall, Nolawi Solomon, Dylan Tovitz and Adam Burns
Feb 13, 2025
Team Black celebrates during its win over Team Gold in game three of the David Williams Classic, as photographed on Oct. 25, 2024. (Hustler Multimedia/Miguel Beristain)

Baseball: Team Black emerges victorious with a 3-0 win in the final game of David Williams Fall Classic

By Luke Rollfinke, Senior Staff Writer
Oct 25, 2024
Kumar Rocker begins his pitching motion. (Hustler Multimedia/Lexie Perez)

Film Room: Rocker’s introduction to The Show

By Luke Rollfinke, Senior Staff Writer
Sep 30, 2024
Kumar Rocker (80) and Jack Leiter (22) jog side by side. (Vanderbilt Athletics).

‘Dores in the Pros: Pitcher Edition

By Luke Rollfinke and Nicholas de la Guardia
Sep 5, 2024
Former Commodore and Orioles prospect Enrique Bradfield Jr. hitting on March 8, 2023. (Hustler Multimedia/Lindsey Jorda)

‘Dores in the Pros: Minor League Baseball edition

By Luke Rollfinke and Frankie Sheehy
Oct 8, 2023
Anfernee Orji playing against Missouri on Oct. 22, 2022. (Vanderbilt Athletics)

‘Dores in the Pros: NFL Kickoff

By Jonah Barbin and Luke Rollfinke
Sep 6, 2023
Davis Diaz rounding the bases after his home run on June 2, 2023 (Hustler Multimedia/Barrie Barto).

NCAA Regional: No. 6 VandyBoys cruise to 12-2 victory over Eastern Illinois

By Luke Rollfinke, Senior Staff Writer
Jun 2, 2023
Vanderbilt's seniors were honored before the Commodores' games against Arkansas on May 20, 2023 (Vanderbilt Athletics).

Vandyboys Mailbag: Previewing the SEC Tournament

By Andrew Wilf, Frankie Sheehy, Sam Curtis and Luke Rollfinke
May 24, 2023
Vanderbilt's RJ Schreck lays out for a ball in a 2-1 loss to Alabama on May 6, 2023 (Vanderbilt Athletics).

Three up, three down: VandyBoys come up short in Tuscaloosa

By Luke Rollfinke, Senior Staff Writer
May 8, 2023
Enrique Bradfield Jr swings at a pitch against Kentucky on April 30, 2023 at Hawkins Field (Hustler Multimedia/Barrie Barto)

Weekend Update: VandyBoys sweep Kentucky after Espinal walk-off

By Aiden Rutman, Luke Rollfinke, Frankie Sheehy and Bryce Smith
Apr 30, 2023
The Vanderbilt dugout celebrates as a run scores, as photographed on April 16, 2023 (Hustler Multimedia/Lindsey Jorda).

(Baseball) Behind Enemy Bylines: Kentucky Wildcats

By Luke Rollfinke, Staff Writer
Apr 27, 2023
Vanderbilt dugout watching the game against South Carolina, as photographed on April 16, 2023 (Hustler Multimedia/Lindsey Jorda).

VandyBoys Series Preview: Taking on Tennessee

By Luke Rollfinke, Staff Writer
Apr 21, 2023
Enrique Bradfield Jr. and Chris Maldonado celebrate during a victory against North Alabama on April 11, 2023. (Hustler Multimedia/Geetika Komati)

VandyBoys Series Preview: A Skirmish with South Carolina

By Luke Rollfinke, Staff Writer
Apr 14, 2023
RJ Austin and Jonathan Vastine on March 18, 2023 (Vanderbilt Athletics).

VandyBoys Series Preview: A Chance for Revenge in Starkville

By Luke Rollfinke, Staff Writer
Mar 23, 2023
Devin Futrell throws a pitch against Tennessee Tech on Mar. 7, 2023 (Hustler Multimedia/Nikita Rohila).

No. 7 Vanderbilt routs Tennessee Tech 12-1 in a dominant offensive showing

By Luke Rollfinke, Staff Writer
Mar 7, 2023
Enrique Bradfield Jr. steals second base, as photographed on Feb. 22, 2023. (Hustler Multimedia/Barrie Barto)

VandyBoys Series Preview: Battling the Big Ten at the Cambria College Classic

By Luke Rollfinke, Staff Writer
Mar 2, 2023
Matthew Polk hits a home run in Vanderbilt's victory over Austin Peay on Tuesday, Feb. 28 (Vanderbilt Athletics).

No. 7 Vanderbilt battles back against Austin Peay to pick up sixth win of the season, 11-7

By Luke Rollfinke, Staff Writer
Feb 28, 2023
Greysen Carter pitching against UAB, as photographed on Feb. 22, 2023. (Hustler Multimedia/Barrie Barto)

No. 10 Vanderbilt dominates against UAB with 13-1 win

By Luke Rollfinke, Staff Writer
Feb 22, 2023
The VandyBoys will open their 2023 season on February 17 against TCU (Hustler Multimedia/Lindsey Jorda).

2023 Vanderbilt Baseball roster preview

By Bryce Smith, Aiden Rutman, Frankie Sheehy, Luke Rollfinke, Bowman Talbot, Bobby Kent and Connor Campbell
Feb 16, 2023
The VandyBoys before the David Williams Fall Classic on Nov. 13, 2022 (Hustler Multimedia/Josh Rehders).

VandyBoys series preview: A clash with the Big 12 in Arlington

By Luke Rollfinke, Staff Writer
Feb 15, 2023
After battling back from a broken elbow, Vanderbilt swimming star Mercedes Traba has her sights set on a strong performance at SEC Championships (Vanderbilt Athletics).

Fighting through adversity: How Mercedes Traba overcame injury en route to becoming a Commodore phenom

By Luke Rollfinke, Staff Writer
Feb 13, 2023
Jordan Wright helped up by a slew of teammates versus Pittsburgh on Dec. 7, 2022. (Hustler Multimedia/Josh Rehders)

Behind Enemy Bylines, Basketball Edition: Kentucky Wildcats

By Luke Rollfinke, Staff Writer
Jan 24, 2023
The Wildcats beat the Commodores 14-7 at Kentucky on Saturday, October 20, 2018. (Photo Emily Gonçalves)

Behind Enemy Bylines: Kentucky Wildcats

By Luke Rollfinke, Staff Writer
Nov 10, 2022
Jayden McGowan warms up to recieve, as photographed on Oct. 8, 2022.

Jayden McGowan blazes toward Freshman All-American campaign: ‘I want to be the best in the country’

By Luke Rollfinke, Staff Writer
Oct 15, 2022
AJ Swann and the offensive line, as photographed on Oct. 8, 2022. (Hustler Multimedia/Barrie Barto)

Three Matchups to Watch: Vanderbilt vs. Georgia

By Luke Rollfinke, Staff Writer
Oct 12, 2022
Anfernee Orji and Ethan Barr celebrate during Vanderbilt's 42-31 win over Elon on September 3, 2022 (Vanderbilt Athletics).

Three Matchups to Watch: Vanderbilt vs. Wake Forest

By Luke Rollfinke, Staff Writer
Sep 7, 2022
Jack Leiter returned to the mound this weekend.

VandyBoys in the Pros: 2022 MLB Season

By Andrew Wilf and Luke Rollfinke
Apr 16, 2022
Freshman Davis Diaz steps on home plate after the first home run of his career on March 19, 2022.

True freshman Davis Diaz has found a new home and a new position at Vanderbilt

By Luke Rollfinke, Staff Writer
Apr 10, 2022
The VandyBoys celebrate during their 15-2 win over Missouri on Mar. 18, 2022.

No. 4 Vanderbilt defeats Missouri, bats explode in 15-2 victory

By Luke Rollfinke, Staff Writer
Mar 18, 2022
Outfielder Spencer Jones crosses home plate in Vanderbilt's win over Evansville on Feb. 23, 2022.

No. 5 Vanderbilt defeats Evansville 9-0 in weather-shortened blowout

By Luke Rollfinke, Staff Writer
Feb 23, 2022
Vanderbilt finished second at the FAU Paradise Invitational. (Vanderbilt Athletics).

Starting the Spring Strong: Commodores Finish 2nd in First Spring Tournament

By Luke Rollfinke, Staff Writer
Feb 12, 2022
Scotty Pippen Jr. shoots a 3-pointer in Vanderbilt's loss to Kentucky in Jan. 2021.

Looking to Defy the Odds: Commodores search for first win in Lexington since 2007

By Luke Rollfinke, Staff Writer
Feb 1, 2022
Vanderbilt linebacker Michael Owusu

Three Matchups to Watch: Vanderbilt vs. Kentucky

By Luke Rollfinke, Staff Writer
Nov 10, 2021
Nick Laning Graphic

Teeming with Passion: How senior runner Nick Laning consistently engineers success

By Kavi Jakes and Luke Rollfinke
Oct 29, 2021
After a week one loss to ETSU, the Commodores head on the road for a battle with Colorado State on Saturday. (Vanderbilt Athletics).

Press Conference Notes: Clark Lea’s team focused on moving forward

By Luke Rollfinke
Sep 7, 2021