NASHVILLE – Ethan Paul belted a grand slam and Vanderbilt scored 10 runs in the fifth inning to highlight a 15-2 series-clinching victory against UMass-Lowell on Saturday afternoon at Hawkins Field.
The No. 13 Commodores (6-1) struck for seven hits in the fifth with Austin Martin and Paul each providing multiple base knocks in the frame. The 10 runs were the most for a Commodore team in an inning since producing as many vs. Radford on June 1, 2015.
Jayson Gonzalez tagged two home runs, becoming the first Vandy player since Will Toffey (June 5, 2017) to accomplish the feat. The freshman delivered a three-run shot in the fifth and three innings later, belted a two-run homer off the catwalk in center field.
Paul posted seven RBIs in a 4-for-6 performance while Gonzlaez added four hits and five RBIs. The grand slam was the first of Paul’s career and his 11th career home run. The top four Vandy hitters – Martin, Connor Kaiser, Paul and Pat DeMarco – combined to go 11-for-18 with nine RBIs and five runs.
Jackson Gillis (2-0) picked up his second victory, allowing three hits and one run in 3.1 innings of relief. Vandy starter Zach King threw 4.1 innings, scattering seven hits while allowing one run, which provided UMass-Lowell the early lead in the fourth.
UMass-Lowell (2-4) starter Jack Riley was tagged for nine hits and seven runs in 4.1 innings. The following three River Hawks relievers did not fare much better, each allowing multiple runs. Ricky Constant was the first out of the bullpen and recorded just one out while allowing a pair of hits, a walk and three runs.
The victory pushes Vandy’s win streak to five consecutive and marks the third-straight game with 10 or more runs. The Dores have scored 15 runs in three-straight games and have outscored the River Hawks, 30-2 over the first two games of the series.
The teams close out the three-game set on Sunday with first pitch slated for noon. Vanderbilt will send right-hander Chandler Day (0-0, 2.50 ERA) to the mound to face right-hander Henry Funaro (1-0, 0.00 ERA).
