 |
|
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Freshman Aaron Westlake had two hits and three RBI to lead Vanderbilt to a 6-2 win over Arkansas Sunday afternoon at Hawkins Field.
The win gave the Commodores their first ever series victory over the Razorbacks in 11 previous chances dating back to 1994. VU improved to 18-6 overall and 5-3 in Southeastern Conference play, while Arkansas dropped to 15-11 and 2-6 in league play.
The game was a shortened seven inning contest due to SEC travel rules regarding play on Sunday. The teams started the day by completing Saturday’s suspended contest that was tied at 5-5 after 11. VU won the game in the 12th and after a 30 minute break, the team’s played the seven inning contest.
“There was no rhythm to the weekend whatsoever,” Vanderbilt coach Tim Corbin said. “I’ve never had a weekend like this.”
VU took a 1-0 lead in the first, scoring on an error by first baseman Andy Wilkins on a hot shot by Westlake that allowed Dominic de la Osa to score.
The Dores then broke the game open with a four-run second to take a 5-0 lead. Shea Robin doubled with one out and Brian Harris was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second. David Macias flied out for the second out before de la Osa doubled down the first base line to bring in Robin. Ryan Flaherty walked and Westlake followed with a two-run single to left to score Harris and de la Osa. Steven Liddle later walked with the bases loaded to finish the scoring.
Arkansas scored a run in the fourth on a solo homer by Tim Smalling off of Caleb Cotham and VU responded with a run in the bottom half on a RBI double by Westlake to make it 6-1.
UA added another in the fifth on a RBI double by Andy Wilkins to make it 6-2.
Arkansas squandered three bases loaded situations in the game in the first, third and sixth innings. They left 13 runners on base to the Commodores six.
The Razorbacks had one final opportunity to make a rally in the sixth, loading the bases with one out on reliever Drew Hayes. VU went to sophomore southpaw Richie Goodenow in his first ever SEC appearance and he struck out Andy Wilkins and got Brett Eibner to ground out to end the threat.
Cotham (4-1) picked up the win, allowing two runs on five hits in three innings of relief with six strikeouts and two walks. Taylor Hill, who finished off the first game, started the second and pitched an inning of one hit ball. He also got out of a bases loaded jam with one out by getting Wilkins to pop out and striking out Eibner.
Brett Jacobson closed out the game with a scoreless ninth.
De la Osa had two hits and three runs scored and Shea Robin added two hits as well to lead the team.
“It took us three days to just finish one game,” VU catcher Shea Robin said. “It was different, but mentally we stayed with it and stayed focused. We didn’t mess around during the rain delays. We were ready to play.”
Arkansas starter Kendall Korbal gave up four runs, three earned on three hits in 1.2 innings of work to take the loss to drop to 0-4 on the year.
The Commodores next scheduled game is a Wednesday non-conference contest at Middle Tennessee on Wednesday. The team is attempting to schedule another home contest on Tuesday to make up for two games lost to weather this season. More information on that will be sent out if a game is scheduled.
Arkansas 000 110 0 – 2 7 1
Vanderbilt 140 100 x – 6 6 1
Korbal, Bolsinger (2), Cox (2), Hill (4), Seibert (5), Hill (6) and Cisterna, Hauskey. Hill, Cotham (2), Hayes (5), Goodenow (6), Jacobson (7) and Robin. W- Cotham 4-1, L-Korbal 0-4. Sv-None HR: ARK: Smalling (4).
