Go-Ahead Grand Slam

PHOENIX — Riley Nelson hit a go-ahead grand slam in the eighth inning Sunday afternoon to help lead No. 16 Vanderbilt (2-1) to a 9-8 victory over UC Irvine (2-1) at Sloan Park in the final game of the MLB Desert Invitational.

Nelson’s first home run as a Commodore put Vandy back in front after the Anteaters rallied from a five-run deficit to take a 7-5 lead.

BACK IN FRONT!@rileynelson033‘s first HR as a Commodore is a grand one. pic.twitter.com/XC7BhVhLtq

— Vanderbilt Baseball (@VandyBoys) February 16, 2025

The transfer from Yavapai CC finished his debut weekend 6-for-13 with a home run, double, five RBI and four runs scored.

Jayden Davis launched his first home run of the season with two outs in the top of the first, giving the Commodores an early 1-0 lead. Vanderbilt put runs on the board in the first inning of all three games this weekend.

The Dores struck for a pair of runs in the top of the third. RJ Austin reached on a one-out walk and Riley Nelson followed with a single to put runners on the corners. With two outs, Colin Barczi reached base on an error that allowed Austin to score from third.

Mac Rose then laced a single for his first hit as a Commodore and Nelson came around from second to make it 3-0, Vanderbilt.

Austin added to the lead in the top of the sixth. Rustan Rigdon doubled to center and took third on a groundout. After Jonathan Vastine worked a walk, the senior shortstop stole second to put runners on second and third for Austin with two outs. Austin drove a breaking ball back up the middle to plate both runners and give Vandy a five-run lead.

UC Irvine got on the board with an RBI triple in the bottom of the sixth and added a second run on a double. The Anteaters loaded the bases and drew a walk to cut Vanderbilt’s lead to 5-3. A double plated two more runs to tie the game and a wild pitch put UC Irvine in front, 6-5.

UCI went up by two in the bottom of the seventh on an RBI double to lead 7-5.

Vandy’s eighth-inning rally started with a leadoff single by Jacob Humphrey. Vastine walked and Austin singled to load the bases, bringing Nelson to the dish. Nelson sent a 1-0 pitch over the wall in right field to put the Dores back on top.

UC Irvine hit a solo home run in the bottom of the ninth but Miller Green closed out the game for his second save on the season.

Starting pitcher Cody Bowker was impressive in his first start as a Commodore, throwing 4.0 scoreless innings and allowing just two hits while striking out six. Tommy O’Rourke earned the win in his Vanderbilt debut.

The Commodores return to Nashville for the 2025 home opener Tuesday against Air Force at Hawkins Field. Vandy and Air Force will also play Wednesday. Both games are scheduled for a 4:30 p.m. CT first pitch.