Dores Drop Series Opener

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – No. 14 Vanderbilt fell 9-0 to No. 2 Arkansas on Friday night at Hawkins Field in the first of three games between the two sides.

The Razorbacks used three home runs and strong start on the mound from Zach Root to overpower the Commodores in the opener.

Arkansas got on the board first after a leadoff triple in the top of the third, taking a 1-0 lead on a groundout.

A pair of home runs in the top of the fourth extended the Razorbacks’ lead to 4-0.

Another solo home run by Arkansas in the top of the sixth made it a 5-0 lead for the visitors.

The Razorbacks worked a bases-loaded walk in the top of the eighth to go in front by six.

Vanderbilt threatened with the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth to chase Root from the game, but the Razorbacks kept the Commodores off the board and plated three more runs in the top of the ninth to win 9-0.

Root went 7.2 innings and didn’t allow a run.

With the loss, Vanderbilt loses at Hawkins Field for the first time this season after a program-record 16-0 start.

The Commodores and Razorbacks are back at it for Game 2 at 2 p.m. Saturday.