Alvarez Grand Slam Wins it After 14 Innings

4/6/2006

CLARKSVILLE – Pedro Alvarez’ grand-slam homer in the top of the 14th inning broke open a 2-2 tie to lead Vanderbilt to a 6-2 win over Austin Peay Wednesday night at Raymond C. Hand Park.

It was Alvarez’ second round-tripper of the game as he finished the contest 2-for-6 with five RBIs.

“I was just looking to put the ball in play and get a base hit to get a run and I was able to hit it out,” said Alvarez of the game-winning blast.

“I thought our pitching and defense carried us in this game,” said Vanderbilt head coach Tim Corbin. “Pedro not only led us at the plate, but made some good defensive plays at third as well.”

Vanderbilt improved to 20-9 on the year, while Austin Peay saw its winning streak snapped at six games to fall to 19-9.

Alvarez got the Commodores on the board in the fourth with a solo homer to right, his fifth of the year.
VU plated another run in the frame on Brian Hernandez’ RBI groundout to make it 2-0.

James Ray’s RBI double in the bottom of the inning cut the lead to 2-1.

The game stayed at 2-1 all the way into the bottom of the ninth before Ray led off the inning with a solo
homer to left off of David Price to tie the game.

Josh Zeid started on the mound for Vandy and gave up one run on two hits in 3.2 innings of work with four strikeouts and three walks.

Casey Weathers came on in relief in the fourth and was superb throwing 3.1 innings of two-hit scoreless relief. He struck out six and walked just one and was in line for the win before Austin Peay tied it in the
ninth.

Ty Davis threw three innings of scoreless relief and struck out five, while Cameron Betourne (1-1) picked up the win with two innings of hitless relief.

Vanderbilt’s pitching staff struck out 21 batters, two off of the school record 23 set against Chattanooga on April 21, 1970.

The Commodores will get back into SEC play this weekend as Arkansas comes to town for a three game set. The teams will open the series Friday night at 6 p.m. at Hawkins Field.

Vanderbilt 000 200 000 000 04 – 6 12 1
Austin Peay 000 100 001 000 00 – 2 8 1

Zeid, Weathers (4), Christiani (8), Price (9), T.Davis (10), Rhoden (13), Betourne (13) and Robin.
Lykins, Gunter (4), Hardy (7), Kelley (8), Daniel (10), Parsons (11) and Smith, Smith. W- Betourne 1-1,
L- Parson 0-3. SV-. HR- VU: Alvarez (5, 6), APSU: Ray (1)