NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt clinched the series with a 6-2 win over No. 22 Ole Miss Friday night at Hawkins Field.
The Commodores’ (28-25, 15-14) offense was held hitless through the first four innings and had just two singles entering the seventh inning. Anthony Gomez, however, opened the seventh with a single and was followed by singles from Conrad Gregor and Spencer Navin, whose single plated Gomez for the first run of the game. Riley Reynolds pushed the lead to two runs with a perfectly placed bunt single past the pitcher to score Gregor. With one out and runners on first and second, Vanderbilt pulled off a double steal with Navin and Reynolds moving to second and third. Catcher Will Allen’s throw skipped into left field to score Navin with Reynolds moving to third after a throwing error from the left fielder on the same play. Vince Conde then capped the rally with a single to score Reynolds.
Four straight singles with two outs in the eighth put the Rebels (34-21, 14-15) away. Gomez picked up his second of the night and his 254th career hit to move into 10th place alone on Vanderbilt’s all-time hit list. Gregor followed with his third hit of the night before Navin knocked in both runs. Ole Miss made it exciting in the ninth, scoring a run on Matt Snyder’s single to right field and had two runners aboard when the game ended.
Drew VerHagen (5-2) earned the win out of the Dores’ bullpen throwing only seven pitches and getting two outs. Starter Selman was solid over 6.1 scoreless innings, scattering six hits and fanning three. The left-hander worked out of jams in the first, second and third innings before settling down. Mike Mayers (4-3) took the loss giving up one run on three hits across six innings.
Gregor led the Dores with three hits on the night pacing Vanderbilt’s 11-hit attack. Gomez and Navin each added two hits apiece with Navin driving in three runs. Tanner Mathis led Ole Miss with three hits in the loss.
The win is Vanderbilt’s fourth in a row, marking the first time this season the Commodores have won more than three straight games. The series victory is also Vandy’s fourth straight dating back to the Kentucky series.
The Commodores wrap up the regular season tomorrow afternoon at 2 p.m. Vanderbilt turns to lefty Kevin Ziomek (3-6) while Ole Miss sends right-hander R.J. Hively (5-4, 2.64) to the hill.
