The Tide Evens the Series at 1-1; Defeat Vanderbilt 3-1 in Rain Delayed Game

4/10/2004

The Tide Evens the Series at 1-1; Defeat Vanderbilt 3-1 in Rain Delayed Game

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama’s Gabe Scott collected three hits, including a homerun and drove in two runs in a 3-1 victory over Vanderbilt today at Sewell-Thomas Stadium in a rain delayed contest.  The series is tied at 1-1.

The Commodores are now 23-8, 5-6 in the league, while Alabama is 21-12, 4-7 in SEC action.

There was a 63-minute rain delay following the sixth inning, with Alabama leading 2-1.

The Crimson Tide scored in the first inning when Carlos Sosa hit a one-RBI double off the left field wall scoring Allen Rice who reached base on a single to left center field.  Alabama added one more run in the fourth when Scott’s single up the middle scored Zac Welch who hit a double to center field.

With two away in the fifth inning, Bill Kleinschrodt reached base on an error by the shortstop and advanced to second on an infield hit by Jonathan Douillard.  Ryan Klosterman drew a walk to load the bases and Antoan Richardson’s base hit to right field scored Kleinschrodt.

The Commodores stranded runners at first and third in the seventh inning.  Warner Jones reached base on a standup triple and Cesar Nicolas drew his second intentional walk of the series.

Scott’s final hit of the game was a homerun over the left field wall of VU reliever Stephen Shao.  Shao then struck out Matt Grooms before Matt Buschmann came in relief for the Commodores.

Lewis got the loss going giving up two runs on seven hits in six innings.  He walked one and struck out four.  Shao went .1 innings and Buschmann went 1.2 innings and gave up just one hit while striking out two.

Brandon Belcher picked up the win giving up one run on six hits in six innings while striking out four.  Seth Johnson picked up his fourth save of the season giving up two hits in three innings.

The series concludes tomorrow at 2 pm and will be televised by CSS.