Oxford, Miss. – No. 2 Vanderbilt scored a pair of runs late to edge No. 17 Ole Miss 3-1 Friday night at Swayze Field in a pitchers’ duel.
The Commodores (27-4, 9-1) and Rebels (23-7, 4-6) battled to a 1-1 tie through seven innings as both team’s starting pitchers turned in outstanding outings. But the visitors were not content with just one run. Mike Yastrzemski reached first base to lead off the eighth inning when a pitch hit him and after freshman Rhett Wiseman walked, the duo stole second and third base respectively. Through the first seven innings the Dores had left nine runners on base, including six in scoring position but Spencer Navin cashed in on this opportunity with a sacrifice fly to right field to put Vanderbilt in front for the first time.
Vandy stretched the lead in the eighth when Tony Kemp doubled to lead off the inning and came around to score on Connor Harrell’s clutch 3-2, two-out single through the left side making it 3-1.Ole Miss attempted a ninth inning rally with consecutive singles to open the frame but Vanderbilt closer Brian Miller shut the rally down getting the next three Rebels in order to end the game.
Kevin Ziomek (6-1) and Ole Miss starter Bobby Wahl each turned in quality outings in an anticipated pitchers’ duel. Ziomek earned the win with 7.1 innings allowing one run on three hits and four walks with three strikeouts. The lefty retired the first six batters of the game before allowing a leadoff single in the third. That leadoff single came around to score but was the only run the Rebels scored all night. Ziomek shut down the Ole Miss offense the rest of the way allowing only one hit the rest of the night. Miller notched his ninth save of the season with 1.2 scoreless innings. Miller’s ninth save ties him with Clinton Johnston for the third-most saves in a single season by a Commodore.
Wahl received a no decision after giving up one unearned run on five hits and six walks to go along with eight strikeouts. Tanner Bailey (1-1) took the loss for the Rebels giving up two runs in two innings out of the bullpen.
Kemp and Jack Lupo paced the VU offense with two hits apiece. Kemp hit the first pitch of the game off the left field wall for a double and added another double in the ninth. Vanderbilt’s first run of the game came on Xavier Turner’s second steal of home of the season. Turner swiped home when Ole Miss catcher Stuart Turner threw down to nab Conrad Gregor stealing second but Gregor stopped half way between first and second and made it back to first base safely to give Turner the steal. Austin Anderson drove in the Rebels’ lone run with a single in the third.
Right-hander Tyler Beede (7-0) takes the ball for the Commodores tomorrow against Ole Miss right-hander Mike Mayers (2-3). First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.
