NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The 1-2 duo of Brian Harris and Bryan Johns went 5-for-6 and the trio of Will Clinard, Drew Hayes and Russell Brewer limited UT Martin to one run on seven hits in Vanderbilt’s 9-1 win Wednesday evening at Hawkins Field.
The Commodores won their seventh straight game to improve to 11-1 on the season while the Skyhawks fell to 7-5.
“Our pitching staff didn’t allow any gimmes and Will, Drew and Russell worked fast on the mound,” said Vanderbilt head coach Tim Corbin. “Offensively, anytime you score nine runs and play a complete game in two hours and 15 minutes it is a good thing.”
Clinard (1-0) gave up one run on five hits with four strikeouts and a walk in four innings of work to pick up his first collegiate win.
“I was glad to get the opportunity tonight to come out and get the win
for our team,” said Clinard. “I like controlling the pace and hitters don’t like it when pitchers work fast. We emphasize working at a quick pace as a pitching staff.”
Hayes pitched three innings of one-hit scoreless relief with two strikeouts, while Brewer closed things out with two innings of one-hit relief with three strikeouts.
The pitching staff has now allowed two runs or less in eight of the 12 games on the year.
UTM got on the board early, scoring on a balk with the bases loaded in the second. That was the only run they scored in the game.
Joe Loftus hit a two-run homer, his first of the year, in the bottom half and the Commodores never looked back after that.
Brian Harris singled and Bryan Johns doubled to lead off the third and scored on a groundout by Jason Esposito and a sacrifice fly by Andrew Giobbi.
VU added two more runs in the fifth to extend the lead to 6-1. Mike Yastrzemski reached on an infield single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Brian Harris. Johns followed with a single and both runners scored on a two-run double by Jason Esposito down the right field line.
The Dores capped off the scoring with three runs in the seventh to extend the lead to 9-1. Yastrzemski singled and Brian Harris followed with a RBI single. Giobbi closed out the scoring with a two-run homer to left, his second of the year.
Bryan Johns led the team with a 3-for-4 day with two runs scored. Brian Harris was 2-for-2 with two runs scored, while Giobbi, Loftus and Yastrzemski each added two hits of their own.
The Commodores will continue their nine-game home stand this weekend as Ohio comes to town for a three-game series starting on Friday at 4 p.m.
