Commodores Sweep the Aggies

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt put six runs on the board in the bottom of the seventh to defeat Texas A&M, 8-5, and sweep the series on Sunday at Hawkins Field.

The Commodores trailed the Aggies by a run entering the seventh but a go-ahead two-run single by RJ Austin gave the Dores the lead and a three-run homer off the bat of Riley Nelson allowed the Dores to pull away.

Vanderbilt jumped out to a 2-0 lead with a two-run home run by Brodie Johnston in the bottom of the third. It was the first SEC home run and fourth on the season for the freshman.

Texas A&M rallied with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth and took a 3-2 lead on a solo homer in the top of the fifth.

Jonathan Vastine started the seventh-inning comeback with a one-out single. Mike Mancini followed with a single and Jacob Humphrey worked a walk to load the bases.

Austin sent a two-strike flare to shallow right field, scoring both Vastine and Mancini to put the Commodores back in front.

Johnston picked up his third hit and third RBI of the day with a singled to right to bring home Humphrey and put runners on the corners for Nelson. Nelson then launched his second home run on the season to right field to make it 8-3.

The Aggies threatened in the top of the ninth, scoring twice before Tommy O’Rourke recorded the final out for his first save as a Commodore.

Cody Bowker went 4.2 innings on the mound with eight strikeouts. Alex Kranzler earned the win with 2.0 scoreless innings and four strikeouts. Ethan McElvain also tallied four strikeouts over 1.2 innings.

The Commodores finished with 17 strikeouts on the day to increase the series total to 49 over the three games against Texas A&M. Vandy’s 17 strikeouts on Sunday matched the team’s season high.

With the win, Vanderbilt improves to 15-0 at home this season, matching the program’s best start to a season at home since 2007.

Vanderbilt (19-5, 4-2 SEC) continues its homestand with a Tuesday contest against Eastern Kentucky at Hawkins Field.