NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The No. 2 ranked Vanderbilt Commodores scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth to beat Western Kentucky 6-5 Tuesday night at Hawkins Field.
With two outs in the bottom of the ninth and the bases loaded freshman Tony Kemp coaxed a walk to drive in a run and tie the game 5-5. Then with Mike Yastrzemski at the plate pinch runner Sonny Gray scored on a wild pitch to complete the Commodores two-run rally and win the game for the home team. Western Kentucky had led since the fourth inning when the Hilltoppers scored five runs on six hits.
The Commodores grabbed an early lead scoring in the second inning on Joe Loftus’ RBI-single. Vanderbilt extended the lead in the third with three more runs on four hits, including three doubles. Jason Esposito and Curt Casali knocked in runs with doubles and Anthony Gomez’s single capped the rally.
Yastrzemski led the Dores with three hits and eight different Commodores had at least one hit. Kemp, Esposito, Aaron Westlake and Gomez each had two hits in the win. Ivan Hartle and Kes Carter paced the Western Kentucky offense with two hits apiece.
Navery Moore picked up the win in relief for VU working a scoreless ninth inning. Rye Davis was pinned with the loss allowing two runs on in his one inning of work. Vanderbilt starter Corey Williams allowed five runs on five hits over 3.1 innings with four strikeouts. Freshman Kevin Ziomek was solid over 3.1 innings of relief striking out six.
Vandy returns to action on Friday afternoon at Hawkins Field when the Brown Bears visit. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Friday, 2 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. on Sunday.
