NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Second-ranked Vanderbilt extended its win streak to eight games behind a strong start from Mason Hickman and a three-run second inning as part of a 5-1 series-opening victory against Hawaii at Hawkins Field on Friday night.
Hickman (2-0) held Hawaii to two hits across 6.2 innings. The right-hander, who has fanned double-digit hitters five times in his career, allowed one run and did not permit a walk while throwing 106 pitches.
The Commodores sent eight batters to the plate in the second and received a two-run double from Harrison Ray, who extended his reached-base streak to 11 games with the at-bat. Two batters later, Parker Noland added an RBI-groundout to cap the three-run frame.
Cool evening. Hot pitching.#VandyBoys | #AnchorDown pic.twitter.com/Ye4VQOBq0f
— Vanderbilt Baseball (@VandyBoys) February 29, 2020
Ty Duvall (2-for-4) followed up Wednesday’s three-hit performance with his fifth multi-hit game. The senior, who upped his team-best average to .438, drove in a pair of runs including RBI-singles in the fifth and seventh for insurance.
Reliever Sam Hliboki notched his second save, tossing 2.1 hitless frames while striking out five. The tandem of Hickman and Hliboki held the Rainbow Warriors (7-4) hitless with two outs (0-for-10) as well as with runners in scoring position (0-for-4).
The teams return to action with the middle game set for 2 p.m. Saturday. Outfield tickets are available for $9 while infield seats are $16. The contest can be seen on SEC Network Plus and heard on WNSR 560 AM/95.9 FM.
