NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt dropped Tuesday’s contest against Central Arkansas, 5-4, at Hawkins Field.
The Commodores fell behind 3-0 early and clawed their way back into the game, but were unable to complete the comeback.
Vandy got on the board in the bottom of the fourth when Mack Whitcomb drilled his first home run in the black and gold, a 431-foot shot to center.
The Bears responded with a pair of runs in the top of the fifth to go up 5-1.
Braden Holcomb picked up an RBI on a groundout in the home half of the fifth and Ryker Waite added an RBI single in the sixth to pull Vanderbilt back within two.
Waite delivered again in the eighth with a two-out RBI single to make it a one-run game, but Central Arkansas held on in the ninth to win 5-4.
Zeb Allen went 3-for-4 at the plate for the Bears with two RBI. Central Arkansas used five arms in the win, totaling eight strikeouts.
Alex Kranzler took the loss for Vandy. The righty totaled five strikeouts over 4.1 innings. Adria Casoliba and Tyler Baird combined to hold Central Arkansas scoreless over the final 4.2 frames.
The Commodores are home again Wednesday against Troy at 3 p.m. at Hawkins Field.
