Down I-24

Vanderbilt visits Middle Tennessee in midweek

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – No. 7 Vanderbilt looks to snap its two-game losing streak when the squad visits Middle Tennessee on Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. from Reese Smith Jr. Field. The contest can be seen on CUSA.tv and learn on WNSR 560 AM/95.9 FM or VUCommodores.com.

The Commodores (24-8) dropped 2-of-3 over the weekend at No. 4 Georgia. Vandy batted just .129 while and scored seven runs. The series loss was the first for the Dores against the Bulldogs since 2008.

Middle Tennessee (13-18) swept Western Kentucky last weekend and is riding a four-game win streak. The Blue Raiders scored double-digit runs in all three games against the Hilltoppers and matched a season high with four homers in Sunday’s 11-4 victory.

PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUP
– TUESDAY:RHP Mason Hickman (3-0, 2.19 ERA) vs. LHP David Zoz (1-1, 2.25 ERA)

NEED TO KNOW
Vanderbilt boasts an 8-1 record in midweek games including posting six consecutive wins. Vandy is batting .340 and posted a 3.25 ERA, limiting opponents to a .191 average in those contests. A season ago, Vandy went 4-5 through its first nine.

Vanderbilt and Middle Tennessee meet for the 146th time in the history of the programs on Tuesday. Vandy leads the all-time series 98-47 (dating to 1926) including a 38-27 edge in Murfreesboro. The Dores have won nine of the last 11 overall and have scored 10-plus runs six times in that stretch.

Vanderbilt is 17-3 in nonconference games including winning 11 of the last 12. The Commodores are batting .328 in those games including seven players who are hitting above .300 (min. 15 games).

Middle Tennessee is the sixth in-state opponent Vanderbilt has faced this season. The Commodores are 5-2 in those games including taking 2-of-3 against Tennessee to close March. In seven contests vs. in-state foes, the Dores have batted .340 and averaged 8.0 runs per game.

UP NEXT
The Commodores return to Hawkins Field for a pair of nationally-televised matchups against Arkansas. Friday’s first pitch is set for 7 p.m. on the SEC Network. Saturday’s 8 p.m. middle game will air on ESPNU. Sunday’s 1 p.m. finale will be streamed on the SEC Network Plus.

PLAYERS MENTIONED

#44 Mason Hickman

RHP
6′ 6″
230 lbs
Sophomore