Oct. 16, 2009
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Junior college transfer Bryan Johns went 3-for-4 to lead a Vanderbilt Gold squad that pounded out 13 hits in a 7-1 win over the Black team in the second game of the Black and Gold series Friday night at Hawkins Field.
The Gold improved to 2-0 in the series, getting strong pitching by Taylor Hill, Sam Selman and Russell Brewer.
“It’s a lot of competition out here,” said Brewer. “Everybody is fighting for a spot this season and it is fun. I don’t think there is one superstar, everyone is equally talented and brings something to the table.”
The Black squad took a 1-0 lead in the first when Riley Reynolds, Joe Loftus and Aaron Westlake hit three consecutive one-out singles. Jason Esposito hit into a fielder’s choice allowing Reynolds to score.
The Gold team plated two runs in the top of the second on a two-run double by Jordan Wormsley. Jack Armstrong led off with a single and moved to second on a fielding error by shortstop Brian Harris. Wormsley then laced a double down the left field line to score both runners.
The Gold added another run in the fourth when Armstrong and Connor Harrell had back-to-back one-out doubles to make it 3-1. They made it 4-1 in the sixth, scoring on a squeeze bunt by Harrell that scored Curt Casali from third.
Andrew Giobbi and Andrew Harris both had RBI singles in the seventh and Curt Casali added a RBI a groundout to make it 7-1.
Armstrong and Harrell had two hits to help lead the Gold, while Riley Reynolds was the lone Black squad member to record two hits in the game.
Drew Hayes (0-1), a captain for the Black squad, allowed three runs, two earned on seven hits in four innings with four strikeouts and a walk. Chase Reid finished out the game, allowing four runs, one earned, on six hits in three innings with two strikeouts and a walk.
Taylor Hill (1-0) picked up the win, allowing one run on six hits in five innings with a walk and a strikeout. Freshman Sam Selman came on in relief in the sixth and struck out two in an inning of one-hit scoreless relief. Russell Brewer closed it out with a perfect seventh.
The teams will take tomorrow off and will continue the series on Sunday at 1 p.m. Navery Moore is scheduled to start for the Gold, while the Black squad’s starter is still to be determined.