Nashville, Tenn. – No. 2 Vanderbilt rolled by UT-Martin 10-3 Tuesday night at Hawkins Field to improve to 30-4 on the season.
The Commodores wasted no time in getting on the scoreboard with single runs in the first two innings. The Skyhawks (9-23), however, tied it up 2-2 in the fourth inning on Matt Haynes’ second RBI-single of the night. The Vanderbilt offense responded with four runs in the bottom of the inning to take the lead for good. Tony Kemp’s bases loaded walk scored the first run and Xavier Turner’s single knocked in the second run. Connor Harrell came through with a clutch two-out, two-run single to cap the rally. VU added three more runs in the fifth when Turner capped the rally with a two-run single. The Commodores went 6-for-14 with runners in scoring position on the night.
Tyler Ferguson (3-0) picked up the win for the Dores working five innings. The freshman allowed two runs on six hits with no walks and four strikeouts to notch the victory. The team’s bullpen turned in a solid outing with T.J. Pecoraro, Adam Ravenelle and Keenan Kolinsky working the final four innings. Pecoraro worked two perfect innings with two strikeouts in his first relief outing of the year. UT-Martin starter Chris Ross (3-2) took the loss allowing six runs on five hits over 3.1 innings.
Nine Commodores contributed at least one hit as 20 Dores saw playing time in the win. Kemp and Turner led the way combining for four hits, three runs and five RBI. Harrell added to his team-best RBI total with three more Tuesday night to push his season total to a career-best 42. Haynes and Brent Morris provided the bulk of the Skyhawks’ offense with two hits each and two RBI.
The victory is Vanderbilt’s 11th straight with the team improving to 21-2 at Hawkins Field this season. The Commodores’ offense racked up 11 hits, marking the fifth time in the team’s last six games to have at least 10 hits. For the 25th time this season VU held their opponent to three runs or less.
Vanderbilt opens a three-game Southeastern Conference series with Missouri on Friday at 6:30 p.m. The series between the Commodores and Tigers will be the first meeting between the two schools. Saturday’s game is scheduled at 4 p.m. on ESPNU as part of Black & Gold Weekend following the Spring Football game. Sunday’s finale is slated for 1 p.m.
