NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Top-ranked Vanderbilt left little to doubt, scoring in each of the first three frames including a season-high 13 runs in the third inning as part of a dominant 24-2 victory against Davidson on Tuesday afternoon at a frigid Hawkins Field.
Vandy’s 24 runs were its most since 1991 when the Commodores put up as many against Valparaiso. Vanderbilt (10-2) batted around twice in the third inning and was helped by two errors while Pat DeMarco (2-for-3) tagged a grand slam as part of a career-high seven-RBI day.
Five different Commodores contributed multi-RBI performances including Ethan Paul (3-for-5) who extended his team-best hit streak to 14 games and drove in five. Vandy was the beneficiary of 17 walks, two off a program-best, and five Davidson (6-4) errors.
Weather isn’t so bad when you’ve got ? bats.#VandyBoys | #AnchorDown pic.twitter.com/yfE4mwKaw4
— Vanderbilt Baseball (@VandyBoys) March 6, 2019
Vandy starter Chance Huff (2-0) fanned a season-high seven batters while permitting six hits alongside two runs and three walks in six innings. Reliever Austin Becker made his collegiate debut, picking up the save behind three hitless innings and eight strikeouts.
Three Vanderbilt freshmen made collegiate debuts including John Malcom who provided an RBI-groundout in the seventh and Tate Kolwyck who drew a full-count walk later in the frame.
Eight Davidson pitchers made an appearance including starter Blake Hely who did not last beyond the first. The right-hander permitted five runs on four hits while walking three in 0.2 innings. Vandy scored off six of the hurlers including seven runs (four earned) against Sam Reinertsen in 1.1 innings.
JJ Bleday (1-for-3) extended his on-base streak to 40 games – the second longest among active streaks nationally – during a three-RBI performance. Stephen Scott (1-for-3) drove in three and added two runs. Walker Grisanti (2-for-3) reached base four times and drove in two.
Vanderbilt returns to action on Wednesday, hosting East Tennessee State at 2 p.m. The Commodores will be seeking their ninth win in the 10 outings. The game will be streamed on the SEC Network Plus and can be heard on WNSR 560 AM/95.9 FM and VUCommodores.com.
