NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Vanderbilt baseball program cruised to a 12-1 victory over Western Kentucky behind a strong offensive performance Wednesday at Hawkins Field.
With the win, the Commodores improve to 3-0 in the young campaign while the Hilltoppers fell to 1-3.
“More than anything, I’m glad the young kids who got an opportunity to pitch, did well,” Vanderbilt head coach Tim Corbin. “They were aggressive for the most part and were on top of the hitters. We had very few free bases.
“Emotionally, it’s just great to see Hugh Fisher on the mound after two years. It’s wonderful to see a kid come back and I thought he threw extremely well. It was a pretty good all-around game.”
Eight of nine starters registered at least one hit as the Commodores combined for 13 hits to score 12 runs. The offensive effort was led by junior Dominic Keegan who registered a team-high three knocks and three RBIs. Each of Keegan’s hits went for extra bases, including two doubles and his first career home run.
☝️ Trot the bases
✌️ Celebrate the homer#VandyBoys pic.twitter.com/3QZSwc0n1C— Vanderbilt Baseball (@VandyBoys) February 24, 2021
The duo of junior Isaiah Thomas and freshman Enrique Bradfield Jr. also contributed multi-hit outings with two hits apiece while sophomore Carter Young added two runs scored.
On the mound, Vanderbilt used six arms to limit the Hilltopper offense to only five hits and one run. Freshman Christian Little (1-0) earned the start going three innings and allowing one unearned run to pick up his first career win.
First career win for the rookie. ✅#VandyBoys | #AnchorDown pic.twitter.com/jf0p5Qhk0Y
— Vanderbilt Baseball (@VandyBoys) February 25, 2021
Four other Commodore freshman pitchers made their collegiate debut including Hunter Owen, Miles Garrett, Grayson Moore and Patrick Reilly. Fisher was dominant in his first appearance since 2019 as the left-hander worked one inning and struck out two batters.
Vanderbilt jumped out to an early 3-0 lead after the first two innings of play before Western Kentucky responded with a run in the third to make it a two-run contest. The Commodores went on to score at least one run in four of the next five frames including three-spots in the third and fourth innings.
Vanderbilt returns to the diamond this weekend when hosting Georgia State for a four-game set at Hawkins Field. The two squads will play single games on Friday and Saturday before taking the field for a doubleheader on Sunday afternoon.
First pitch for the series opener between the Commodores and Panthers is set for 4:30 p.m. Friday airing live on SEC Network+.
