April 22, 2012
Tuscaloosa, Ala. – Vanderbilt erased a five-run deficit, rallying for seven runs over the final two innings to stun Alabama and win 9-7 Sunday afternoon at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.
Alabama (16-26, 6-12) built a 7-2 advantage through seven innings scoring three runs in the third, three more in the fourth and tacking on a single run in the sixth. The Commodores (18-22, 7-11) started the comeback in the eighth inning with five runs, sending nine men to the plate. Anthony Gomez’s leadoff triple ignited the rally. Conrad Gregor immediately drove in Gomez with a single to right field. An error on the Crimson Tide second baseman put runners on first and second before the Tide picked up a pair of outs. Vince Conde drew a two-out walk to load the bases for pinch hitter Chris Harvey. The freshman delivered in a big way, doubling into the gap in left-center field to clear the bases and bring VU within a run. Tony Kemp’s double down the left field line knocked in Andrew Harris, who pinch ran for Harvey, to tie the game and cap the five-run rally.
In the ninth with two outs, the Dores took their first lead of the day when Connor Harrell bounced a single over the third baseman’s head to score Grego, who had reached on his third hit of the day. Conde followed with a single through the right side to put Vandy up 9-7 heading to the bottom of the ninth. The Tide made the ninth exciting getting two runners aboard before Drew VerHagen ended the game by getting Taylor Dugas to hit into a double play.
VerHagen (4-2) earned the win in relief working 1.1 scoreless innings. Jake Hubbard (2-2) took the loss giving up two runs in 1.1 innings. Vanderbilt starter Kevin Ziomek gave up six runs, five earned, on eight hits over 3.2 innings. Reliever Brian Miller pitched four solid innings out of the bullpen allowing one run on four hits. Alabama starter Jon Keller gave up two runs on three hits and five walks over six innings.
Gregor led the way for Vanderbilt going 3-for-4 with three runs scored and his first home run of the season, a solo shot in the sixth. Conde knocked in two runs and Gomez extended his hitting streak to 12 games with a pair of hits. Ben Moore led Alabama with four hits.
The win was Head Coach Tim Corbin’s 500th of his career and 394th as the Commodores’ skipper.
Vanderbilt returns to action Wednesday at Middle Tennessee State. Game time is set for 6 p.m. in Murfreesboro.
