NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt finished off a series sweep of Tennessee with a record setting 19-3 win Sunday at Hawkins Field.
The Commodores took an 8-0 lead into the bottom of the sixth when the offense exploded for a season-best 11 runs to balloon the lead to 19-0. The Dores sent 17 batters to the plate in the inning, collected nine hits and drew four walks. Anthony Gomez and Curt Casali had two hits in the inning and Connor Harrell launched his second pinch-hit home run of the weekend. The top three spots in the lineup scored six of the 11 runs in the frame.
On the day 14 Commodores received at least one at-bat with 11 posting at least one hit and six picking up two hits or more. Gomez led all players with four hits with Casali driving in a game-high four runs. Tony Kemp set a career-best with four runs scored and Sam Lind hit his first home run as a Commodore with a two-run shot in the second inning. Ethan Bennett paced the Vols with two of the team’s seven hits.
Vanderbilt outscored the Volunteers 39-5 over the three-game series and Sunday’s margin of victory was the largest in the series since 1899 when VU won 20-0. The three-game sweep of UT was the first for Vandy since 2008. The Commodores have now scored 10-plus runs in six straight games and eight of the last nine SEC home games.
Senior Taylor Hill was the beneficiary of the offensive outburst earning his fourth win of the season. Hill tossed six scoreless innings fanning six and scattering four hits. Nick Blount was pinned with the loss giving up eight runs on 10 hits over three innings.
The Commodores return to action Friday night at Kentucky. Friday and Saturday’s first pitch is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. CT and Sunday at 12 p.m. CT.
Registration is now open for Summer 2011 Baseball Camps. Please click here to sign up or to find out additional information about the camps led by Head Coach Tim Corbin.
