COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Through the first third of its season, top-ranked Vanderbilt readily displayed its reliable defense and offensive prowess. On Sunday, the story was different.
A season-high four Commodore errors and dominant Texas A&M pitching lifted the Aggies to a series-clinching 7-0 win at Blue Bell Park. The loss snapped Vanderbilt’s streak of 17 consecutive series victories (April 29, 2016-present) when winning the opening game.
The Aggies (17-5, 2-1 SEC) used four hits and a Vanderbilt error to put across four runs in the fourth. Cam Blake (infield single) raced home on a Braden Shewmake triple into the right field corner. Mikey Hoehner doubled the advantage with an RBI-groundout.
Vanderbilt (15-5, 1-2 SEC) had a chance to keep the deficit there with two away but an infield single, throwing error and Jonathan Ducoff’s double into left stretched the Aggies’ advantage to 4-0. It marked the second consecutive day in which Vandy had allowed four-plus runs in an inning.
Right-hander Kumar Rocker lasted 5.2 innings, scattering eight hits while permitting four runs (two earned) alongside four strikeouts and a walk. Reliever Jake Eder used two pitches to induce a groundout and strand a pair in the sixth.
Texas A&M added three insurance runs with two outs in the seventh, capitalizing on a failed pickoff attempt and booted ball at shortstop. Ty Coleman sent an RBI-single through the right side and Ducoff looped a two-run single into center.
Vanderbilt moved just two runners as far as third base, coming in the sixth and ninth innings. In the sixth, right fielder JJ Bleday successfully bunted Cooper Davis (walk) and Austin Martin (single) into scoring position before Texas A&M starter Christian Roa (2-1) added a punch out and groundout.
Bleday’s on-base streak of 47 consecutive games (March 4, 2018-present) came to an end with an 0-for-3 day. The active streak was the nation’s second longest. Stephen Scott (3-for-4) collected three of Vanderbilt’s four hits with Martin adding the other.
The Dores return to Nashville for nine consecutive games beginning Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. against Belmont from First Tennessee Park. Vandy will begin a three-game series against SEC East-rival Florida on Thursday at 6 p.m. from Hawkins Field.
