NASHVILLE – Vanderbilt pitching held Oklahoma State hitless over 10-plus innings and Commodore bats surged following a slow start during the course of a 14-inning scrimmage on Saturday afternoon at Hawkins Field.
The Commodores no-hit the Cowboys as part of the first seven innings, securing a 1-0 victory before slugging their way to a 10-4 win across the final seven innings. Per the predetermined point system, Vanderbilt enters Sunday with a 38-20 advantage.
Vanderbilt freshman Kumar Rocker headlined a largely stellar day for the Commodores on the mound. The right-hander struck out eight consecutive batters and permitted just a walk in three hitless innings.
The performance followed a nearly flawless opening seven innings for VU pitching. Tyler Brown and Mason Hickman each tossed three hitless frames while walking one. Brown fanned six and Hickman added three before Justin Wills closed things out with two strikeouts in a perfect seventh.
Julian Infante (2-for-3) provided the lone run in the first seven frames, using a two-out single up the middle to plate Pat DeMarco (two-out double) in the sixth inning. DeMarco went 3-for-6 with three runs and an RBI over the course of the 14 innings.
Nine Commodores combined for 10 hits in the final seven innings including freshmen Justyn-Henry Malloy (1-for-4), Dominic Keegan (1-for-4) and Tate Kolwyck (1-for-3) who each contributed an RBI. Vandy scored in each of the final five innings – including four in the 13th – to cap the day.
VU pitching recorded 21 strikeouts in 14 total frames. The Commodores had not allowed a hit until two-hole hitter Andrew Navigato legged out an infield single to open the fourth inning of Game 2.
The two teams return to action on Sunday at Hawkins Field with first pitch slated for 11 a.m. The squads will replicate Saturday’s format with a 14-inning matchup. Admission is free and both matchups will be broadcast (audio) on vucommodores.com.
