HONOLULU — A two-run home run from Spencer Jones proved to be the difference on Sunday afternoon at Les Murakami Stadium, as the Vanderbilt baseball team earned a 2-1 victory over Hawaii. With the win, the Commodores improve to 10-2 on the season and clinch the four-game sweep against the Rainbow Warriors.
Hawaii jumped out to an early lead in the series finale, plating one run in the bottom of the second. The inning began with a leadoff double down the left field line before a single placed runners on the corners. One out later, a failed pickoff attempt resulted in the game’s first run to put the Rainbow Warriors in front, 1-0.
The two teams went scoreless for the next three frames until the Commodores got on the board with two runs in the sixth to grab a 2-1 lead. With one down in the inning, Davis Diaz worked a full count before drawing a walk. In the next at-bat, Jones connected on a 3-1 fastball for his first home run of the season, sending a ball to deep left field.
Nick Maldonado earned the start for Vanderbilt, making his third of the season. Maldonado allowed one run (unearned) on two hits, while issuing one walk and recording one strikeout. The Commodores used three arms out of the bullpen, with Devin Futrell (3-0) being the first. Futrell covered 1.0 scoreless frame, yielding two hits while striking out one to earn his third win of the season.
Christian Little worked 2.0 scoreless innings, surrendering two hits and one walk while picking up one strikeout.
Thomas Schultz notched his third save of the year, covering the final 2.0 frames. Schultz stranded the tying run at third in the bottom of the ninth with a groundout to end the ballgame.
The Vanderbilt offense was led by the duo of Jack Bulger and Tate Kolwyck, who both registered multi-hit outings with two knocks apiece. Jones drove in both of the Commodores’ runs on the day with his two-run shot.
Vanderbilt will take the midweek off before returning to action on Friday. The Commodores welcome Wagner to Hawkins Field this weekend for a three-game series. Friday’s series opener is set for 4:30 p.m., with action airing live on SEC Network+.
