FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – No. 18 Vanderbilt held off Arkansas late to even the series with a 2-1 win at Baum Stadium Friday night and give head coach Tim Corbin his 600th career victory.
The Commodores (29-11, 8-9) and Razorbacks (24-16, 8-9) cruised through the first three innings in a scoreless game until Vanderbilt made some noise in the fourth. Vince Conde led off the inning with a single and John Norwood provided all the offense the Dores needed, blasting a two-run home run to left-center field to give Vandy their first lead of the weekend.
Granted a two-run lead in his first career start, Carson Fulmer went to work. Arkansas tried to rally against the right-hander in the fourth, loading the bases before Fulmer forced a ground ball to third to end the inning. The fourth inning threat was the last threat Fulmer faced as he retired seven of the final eight batters he faced before turning it over to the bullpen.
Three Vanderbilt relievers combined to finish off the victory. Hayden Stone turned in 1.2 innings allowing one unearned run in the eighth before turning it over to Ben Bowden, who needed just one pitch to get out of the inning. Brian Miller notched his third save of the season with a spotless ninth to push his Vanderbilt career record to 24 saves.
Fulmer picked up his first win of the season with six scoreless innings. The sophomore scattered six hits in the longest outing of his career, striking out six and walking two. Nolan Rogers led the way for the offense with two hits as the Dores collected six hits in the win.
Arkansas starter Jalen Beeks took the loss allowing two runs on six hits with seven strikeouts over seven innings. Blake Baxendale had two hits and drove in the lone Razorback run.
The Commodores and Razorbacks decide the series tomorrow at noon on ESPN. Tyler Ferguson gets the ball for the Dores against Arkansas right-hander Chris Oliver.
