NASHVILLE, Tenn. – No. 15 Vanderbilt dropped Saturday’s game against No. 18 Alabama 5-2 at Hawkins Field.
After approximately 90 minutes worth of weather delays, the Commodores struck first in the bottom of the first.
RJ Austin singled with one out and reached second on a groundout. Austin took third on a wild pitch and deked a steal of home leading to a balk being called on the Alabama pitcher for the game’s first run.
The Crimson Tide pulled even at 1-1 with the help of a pair of walks before plating a run on a fielder’s choice.
Alabama put three runs on the board in the top of the fifth to take control of the low-scoring affair. A solo home run started off the inning and Alabama scored two more times on two singles and a double.
The score remained 4-1 in favor of the visitors until the bottom of the seventh. Braden Holcomb walked and reached second on a wild pitch. Mac Rose then sliced an RBI single into the left field corner to score Holcomb and make it a two-run game.
Alabama added an insurance run on a wild pitch in the top of the eighth to go in front 5-2.
Vandy’s pitching staff registered 13 strikeouts Saturday and have now reached double-digit punchouts in 12 consecutive games.
The rubber match is set for 3 p.m. Sunday at Hawkins Field. The action will air on SEC Network.
