NASHVILLE – Vanderbilt freshman Sterling Hayes sent a two-out, run-scoring single through the right side in the sixth inning, breaking a five-all tie while lifting Team Black to a 6-5, seven-inning victory in the Black and Gold Series finale on Saturday afternoon.
JJ Bleday opened the sixth with a single and advanced to third courtesy of two wild pitches before Hayes played hero with the game-winning base knock. Team Gold loaded the bases in the seventh but reliever Michael Sandborn induced a groundout to close it out.
Before first pitch was thrown, Team Gold opened the game with a 3-0 advantage, thanks to the run differential produced through the first two games of the series. Team Black was able to make up that deficit and more.
Team Black produced 10 hits with 1-through-3 batters Pat DeMarco, Philip Clarke and Bleday combining to go 5-for-10 with three runs and two RBIs. The squad sent all nine batters to the plate and tied things at five with four runs in the fifth inning.
The first four batters in the fifth reached courtesy of a Bleday double, Jayson Gonzalez single, Ethan Paul walk and Ty Duvall single. After Walker Grisanti walked, Tate Kolwyck contributed an RBI-single and DeMarco knotted the game with an RBI-single into center.
Team Gold’s Cooper Davis, batting in the leadoff spot, led all players with three hits including a game-opening triple down the right field line. He came around to score later in the frame when Stephen Scott lifted a sacrifice fly into right field.
A combined eight pitchers made appearances including Chance Huff who picked up the win by tossing two scoreless innings for Team Black. The freshman fanned four without permitting a base runner.
Vanderbilt returns to action in the spring, opening its 56-game regular season on Feb. 15 in Talking Stick, Ariz., against Virginia. After three games at the MLB Collegiate Baseball Classic, the Commodores’ return to The Hawk for the home opener on Feb. 20 against Evansville.
