Nov. 23, 2009
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TOKYO- Vanderbilt and Hosei played to a 4-4 tie in a game that ended after nine innings due to darkness.
Sophomore right-hander Sonny Gray started for Vanderbilt. Gray struck out the side in the first inning, and recorded four straight strikeouts before allowing allowing a single to Hosei designated hitter Kameda. A hit batter moved Kameda to second base and a single by Ohyagi put Hosei up 1-0. An error by senior shortstop Brian Harris allowed Ohyagi to score and increase Hosei’s lead to 2-0 after two innings. Gray finished with seven strikeouts over four innings before being removed from the game.
Vanderbilt got on the board in the fourth inning. Riley Reynolds and Curt Casali drew walks to start the inning. After Reynolds moved to third on a ball in the dirt, Andrew Giobbi hit a sacrifice fly to deep center field to plate Reynolds.
Brian Harris led off the top of the sixth inning with a single into right field. He advanced to second base on a ground out by Reynolds. A two out single by redshirt sophomore, Aaron Westlake, scored Harris and knotted the game at two.
Hosei responded with a run of their own in the bottom of the sixth. Doi led off the inning with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Hiromoto. After getting the following batter to fly out to first base, Hosei second baseman Ohyagi put his team ahead 3-2 with a two-out RBI single down the third base line.
Harris led off the eighth inning with a walk. Aaron Westlake’s two-out single into right field allowed Harris to move to third. A wild pitch by Hosei closer Migiami scored Harris and tied the game at 3-3.
Redshirt freshman Will Clinard took the mound for Vanderbilt in the bottom half of the eighth inning.
After striking out the first batter of the inning, Doi reached base on an error by freshman centerfielder Connor Harrell. A walk to Hiromoto put runners on 1st and 2nd for Hosei with one out. Numba hit a single into right field that scored Doi from second base and gave Hosei the lead at 4-3.
After two quick outs to start the ninth, Joe Loftus drew a walk against Migiami. Pinch hitter, Andrew Harris drew a full count walk to put runners on 1st and 2nd for Vanderbilt. With two outs and two strikes, Brian Harris hit a ground ball between the third baseman and the shortstop that appeared as though it would sneak through the infield but Hosei shortstop, Hasegawa made an incredible play diving into the hole. He got up quickly and fired the ball to third base. However, Loftus had already rounded third and was well on his way toward home when the Hosei third baseman caught Hasegawa’s throw.
Senior Drew Hayes recorded the final three outs for the Commodores, including two strike outs.
The game ended in a 4-4 tie after nine innings due to darkness.
Vanderbilt will be back in action with a double header vs. Aoyama Gakuin University and Tokyo 6 fall champion Meiji University beginning at 10 a.m. Tokyo time.
Junior right hander, Taylor Hill is expected to get the start vs. Aoyama and Chase Reid is the expected starter vs. Meiji.
