Nov. 25, 2014
The Commodores split into two teams for the second straight day on Tuesday this time sweeping the two games, topping the academy teams from the Indians 5-2 and the Red Sox 11-0.
In the game against the Indians, Ryan Johnson got the nod on the bump and took advantage of it. The lefty twirled 6.2 strong innings to pick up the victory. Johnson dominated the first four innings allowing only a pair of singles while striking out three batters. He ran into trouble in the fifth inning when the first three batters of the inning all reached base but Johnson battled back to minimize the damage at two runs and preserve the Vandy lead.
The Dores took the lead in the third inning when Kyle Smith led off the inning with a double down the left field line and came around to score on Dansby Swanson’s solid single to left-center. Vanderbilt blew the game open in the fourth with three runs on one hit. Bryan Reynolds worked a walk to start the rally and was followed by a Zander Wiel single and Will Toffey placing a perfect bunt down the third base line to load the bases. Jason Delay’s bases loaded walk forced the first run across the plate. Karl Ellison’s bases loaded walk and Ro Coleman’s ground out to second pushed the VU lead to four runs.
The VU bullpen locked down the game with Ben Bowden, Brendan Spagnuolo and Collin Snider finishing out the game allowing only one hit over the final 2.1 innings.
The game against the Red Sox featured a unique twist to the Commodores’ roster. With the Dores scheduled to play seven games on this trip, the Rangers academy team loaned the Commodores four pitchers to take on the Red Sox today. Three of those four pitchers made a significant impact on the game, not allowing a run in the 11-0 win.
Vandy’s offense exploded for 11 runs on 13 hits led by Penn Murfee’s four hits and two RBI. Nolan Rogers chipped in three hits and two runs with Tyler Green and Joey Mundy each driving in two runs with two hits apiece.
The Commodores are slated to take tomorrow off from baseball activities and instead will hit the beach for an island tour. The team returns to action on the diamond on Thursday with a game against the Escogido reserves.
Busy Tuesday
The Dores’ on field action was just a small piece of the day as the team played two games in the morning before returning to the hotel. After a brief rest and shower, the team traveled back into Santo Domingo to tour the colonial section of the city and attending a Dominican Winter League game. For more info on the Commodores’ busy day check out Will Toffey’s journal.
