NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt rallied from an early deficit Saturday night against Oregon, but a four-run fifth inning led the Ducks to an 8-7 win over the Commodores.
A combined eight runs were scored over the first two innings.
Oregon put up three runs in the top of the first. The Ducks scored the game’s first run on an error and plated a second on a groundout before a solo home run by Tanner Smith made it 3-0.
Davis Diaz doubled with one out to get things going for Vanderbilt in the bottom of the first. Diaz would take third on a wild pitch before scoring on a Parker Noland single to cut Oregon’s lead to two.
The Ducks went ahead 4-1 with a solo home run in the top of the second.
Alan Espinal singled to lead off the bottom of the second. Jonathan Vastine followed with a double to put runners on second and third. Enrique Bradfield Jr. brought home Espinal on a sac fly to left and Vastine advanced to third. Vastine scored on a groundout to make it a one-run game at 4-3.
RJ Schreck pulled the Dores even on a no-doubt, solo home run to cap Vandy’s three-run second inning. Schreck leads the team with 14 home runs this season.
Schreck doing Schreck things❗️#VandyBoys | #RoadToOmaha pic.twitter.com/ftkaKAoX7r
— Vanderbilt Baseball (@VandyBoys) June 4, 2023
Oregon went back in front with four runs in the top of the fifth. The Ducks took a 5-4 lead with an RBI single before pushing three more runs across on a double that came with the bases loaded.
Vanderbilt loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the seventh. RJ Austin worked a walk to trim Oregon’s lead to 8-5, but the Ducks would escape the jam with an inning-ending groundout.
Chris Maldonado cut Oregon’s lead to one with a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth, but the Ducks would hold off the Dores to win 8-7.
One-run game in the ninth 😤#VandyBoys | #RoadToOmaha pic.twitter.com/Gh6MAUf7UR
— Vanderbilt Baseball (@VandyBoys) June 4, 2023
Grayson Moore kept Vandy within striking distance with four scoreless frames out of the bullpen. Moore recorded four strikeouts and two hit batters were the only baserunners he allowed.
The Commodores fall to 42-19 and will face Xavier at 2 p.m. Sunday in an elimination game. Oregon improves to 39-20 and will play the winner of the Vanderbilt vs. Xavier game Sunday night.
