NASHVILLE — Vanderbilt reliever Zach King was masterful and the offense provided an early jump following a three-plus hour lightning delay to defeat No. 19 Kentucky, 5-1, and secure the series late Friday night at Hawkins Field.
The Commodores (30-24, 15-14 SEC) struck for three runs including a two-run home run from Connor Kaiser in the first inning and were able to ride six-plus scoreless innings from King to secure their fifth victory in the last six games.
Kentucky (34-20, 13-16 SEC) put two in scoring position with no outs in the third against Vandy starter Patrick Raby while threatening to erase Vandy’s 3-1 lead. The Dores called on King, who retired two straight before catcher Stephen Scott snagged a ball that slipped away to the backstop, firing in to the lefty who applied the tag at the plate for the third out.
King retired 12 of the next 15 batters he faced without allowing his first hit until the seventh inning. The sophomore (1-3) permitted just two hits and a walk while striking out six in 6.1 innings to secure his first victory.
Chandler Day entered with Wildcat runners on first and second and one out in the ninth but stranded the pair on base. He earned his second-career save thanks to a line out into center and series-clinching strikeout.
Scott (1-for-4) belted his fifth home run in the last six games, upping Vandy’s advantage to 4-1 with two down in the sixth. Two innings later, Ethan Paul worked a two-out, bases-loaded walk for additional breathing room.
The Commodores, who were limited to six hits, were led by Kaiser (2-for-4) who drove in a pair on his fourth-career homer. JJ Bleday (1-for-3) extended his reached-base streak to 20 games while scoring two runs and driving in another.
Julian Infante (1-for-1) reached base all three times after recording two hits in Thursday’s opener and Austin Martin (1-for-4) scored one run in the Friday win.
Raby allowed three hits and walked four, including three in the opening frame, while striking out a pair and permitting one run in two-plus innings. UK starter Jimmy Ramsey (3-2) drew the loss, allowing five hits and four runs while fanning nine in six innings.
Vanderbilt has secured 30-plus wins for a 15th-consecutive season while capturing its sixth SEC series victory. The Dores seek a second league series sweep in Saturday’s regular-season finale. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.
