BOXSCORE
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A four-run sixth inning led the Black Team to a 7-0 shutout victory in Game 1 of Vanderbilt baseball’s annual Black and Gold Series on Friday evening at Hawkins Field.
The Black Team scored seven runs – all across the middle innings – on six hits, while using a solid pitching effort to hold the Gold Team scoreless across the seven-inning contest.
Black Team starter Carter Holton posted an impressive outing for his squad to pick up the win, tossing 4.2 shutout innings. The freshman southpaw allowed just one hit across the span, while walking three and striking out six.
The Black Team used a trio of arms out of the bullpen to close out the shutout effort, highlighted by 2.0 shutout frames from freshman Kyle Magrans. Magrans struck out three to finish out the contest and seal the victory.
Pitching controlled the early parts of Friday’s matchup before the Black Team broke through for a pair of runs in the fourth to open the scoring. With two down in the frame, Christian Smith worked a full count before drawing a walk. After Smith advanced into scoring position on a wild pitch, fellow freshman Kenneth Mallory Jr. ripped an RBI single through the left side to cross the game’s first run.
Mallory worked himself around the bases on a trio of wild pitches, coming across to score to give Black a 2-0 advantage.
The Black Team returned to the dish in the fifth to add one more run to its lead. With one down in the inning, Spencer Jones lined a triple to right field before scoring on an RBI single up the middle from Alan Espinal to push the Black lead to 3-0.
A four-run frame in the sixth from the Black Team opened the game up to put it out of reach. A bases-loaded walk to Dominic Keegan brought one run across to score before Calvin Hewett cleared the bases with a three-run triple to set the score at 7-0, the eventual final.
Patrick Reilly made the start for the Gold Team, working 3.2 innings of scoreless baseball. The sophomore right-hander surrendered just one hit, while striking out seven batters and yielding five walks.
The two teams return to the diamond on Sunday afternoon for Game 2, as the Black Team looks to claim the series. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. at Hawkins Field.
