NASHVILLE – With the bases loaded in extra innings, Austin Martin sent a hot shot through the third base side that could not be fielded, vaulting Team Gold to a 3-2, eight-inning victory in the middle game of the Black and Gold Series on Friday night at Hawkins Field.
With the teams deadlocked at 2-2 entering extras, per predetermined rule, the team at bat started the inning with the bases loaded and one out. Right-hander Aaron Brown induced an infield pop-up and fly out to left, sending the game to the home half.
For a second consecutive day, Team Gold jumped out to an early advantage. Two batters in, Austin Martin doubled home Cooper Davis (leadoff walk) before Julian Infante laced a one-out line-drive RBI-single off The Monster for a 2-0 lead.
Team Black’s Pat DeMarco squared the game at 2-all by clubbing a two-out RBI-double into left field during the fifth inning. The base knock scored Ethan Paul, who continued the inning by lifting a single into center field with two down.
Team Gold starter Mason Hickman scattered two hits across 4.2 scoreless innings while walking one and striking out five. Team Black starter Kumar Rocker allowed six hits and two runs – both in the first inning – while walking one and fanning seven.
Despite drawing the loss, reliever Patrick Raby permitted just one hit and one run (none earned) while striking out three without a walk. Aaron Brown picked up the victory despite permitting three hits and two runs while fanning four across three frames.
Infante led the Gold squad, finishing 2-for-3 with an RBI. The senior has collected three hits in seven at-bats (.429) during the series including a pair of doubles. The two teams combined for 12 hits which came from 11 different players.
Vanderbilt closes its fall season on Saturday with the finale of the Black and Gold Series scheduled for 1 p.m. By virtue of the run differential during first two results, Team Gold will enter the finale with a 3-0 lead.
