Nashville, Tenn. – Long Beach State came out swinging on Sunday, scoring nine runs in the first three innings to down No. 2 Vanderbilt and salvage the series finale 13-9 in eight innings.
The Dirtbags (1-2) wasted no time getting on the board pushing four runs across in the first inning off Commodores’ (2-1) starter T.J. Pecoraro. VU responded with two runs in the bottom of the inning but LBSU took the runs right back with two in the top of the second before adding three in the third for a 9-2 lead after three innings. The Dores’ pitchers allowed no runs in the fourth and fifth innings as the Vandy offense scored five runs to get the home team back in the game. Vanderbilt batted around in the fifth scoring four runs on four hits. Connor Harrell’s two-run double started the rally before freshmen Dansby Swanson and Xavier Turner each delivered runs. The Dirtbags, however, were not going to be denied, scoring four runs over the final three innings before the game was called after the eighth inning due to travel restrictions for Long Beach State.
All four of Vanderbilt’s hurlers struggled on the day, combining to walk seven batters and allow 13 runs on 12 hits. Pecoraro (0-1) was pegged with the loss after giving up six runs, four earned, on five hits over 1.2 innings. Carson Fulmer allowed three runs on three hits and three walks in 1.1 innings in his collegiate debut. Ryan Millison (1-0) picked up the victory for the Dirtbags in relief recording two outs in the fifth inning. The LBSU bullpen bounced back after allowing nine runs and walking seven batters in four innings yesterday with three pitchers combining to allow two runs on five hits and three walks on Sunday.
The Commodores’ offense pounded out a season-best 14 hits in the loss with nine players contributing at least one hit. Vanderbilt squandered chances leaving 10 men on base for the day, including six in scoring position. Harrell led the way going 2-for-4 with his second home run of the year, a two-run shot in the eighth. Spencer Navin added three hits as the team’s designated hitter and Turner had his first multi-hit game of his career with a single and a double. Jeff McNeil led the Dirtbags with three hits and three RBI while scoring two runs. Eric Hutting and Richard Prigatano added three RBI apiece.
Vanderbilt returns to action on Tuesday with a game at crosstown rival Belmont. The Commodores and Bruins are set for a 4 p.m. first pitch. The Dores return to Hawkins Field on Wednesday to host Central Arkansas before welcoming Monmouth for a three-game weekend series on Friday.
