NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Top-ranked Vanderbilt cruised past Pepperdine, 6-3, in its series opener with the Waves Sunday at Hawkins Field.
After two days of rain forced the previously-scheduled three-game series into a two-game set, the Commodores (4-1) kick-started the Sunday twin bill with Cooper Davis and Austin Martin scoring on a first-inning RBI-single by Philip Clarke (2-for-4). JJ Bleday (2-for-2) crossed home after a flyout by Pat Demarco to add to the Dores’ cushion.
Ty Duvall went 2-for-2 and scored twice off RBI singles by reigning SEC Player of the Week Austin Martin. Martin matched a career-high with four hits in five at-bats and notched his fourth multi-hit performance in five contests.
Martin had two RBI and crossed home twice — the first on a passed ball and the second on an RBI-single by Clarke.
Davis, Philip Clarke, and Duvall each stole a base.
Junior starter Drake Fellows (1-0) held Pepperdine to one run through 6.0 innings with nine strikeouts, allowing just one walk and five hits.
Sophomore right-hander Mason Hickman entered in the seventh and allowed two runs and four hits over the final three frames to earn his first save on the season.
Trailing 5-0, the Waves scored three runs over the final four innings and showed signs of life in the ninth when Hickman allowed a triple to Reese Alexiades, followed by a base hit by Duncan McKinnon. The visitors were unable to cash in on the comeback bid.
Soon after the 6-3 win, Vanderbilt concluded its nonconference series with Pepperdine with the second of two games on the day. Live stats for the contest are available at VUCommodores.com.
