NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Brad French’s three-run homer capped a five-run fourth inning as No. 1 Vanderbilt rallied to defeat Xavier 10-3 Saturday afternoon at Hawkins Field.
The win pushed the Commodores record to 13-0 on the year, marking the best start in school history. The Muskeeters fell to 1-9 on the season. It was the ninth time this season VU has come from behind to win.
Vanderbilt trailed 1-0 in the fourth when Alex Feinberg led off with a walk and moved to second on a single by Pedro Alvarez. Ryan Flaherty then walked to load the bases, paving the way for Andrew Giobbi’s sacrifice fly RBI to center to tie the game. Shea Robin extended the inning after reaching on an error and Dominic de la Osa’s sacrifice fly RBI to right scored Alvarez to put the Commodores ahead. French capped the inning off, hitting the first pitch offering by starter Bill Konecny over the leftfield wall to make it 5-1.
The Commodores added three more runs in the fifth to make it 8-1. Feinberg led off the inning with a walk and scored on a RBI double by Ryan Flaherty. Giobbi then laced a RBI single to left-center scoring Flaherty. Dominic de la Osa singled moving Giobbi to second and Giobbi then scored on a RBI single by Brad French to close out the frame.
The Muskeeters plated two runs in the sixth on a RBI double by Matt Waskerwitz.
VU got the runs back in the bottom half when Feinberg singled with one out and came home on Pedro Alvarez’ seventh homer of the season to make it 10-3.
Nick Christiani (3-0) picked up the win, allowing three runs on six hits with five strikeouts and two walks in 5.2 innings. Stephen Shao came on in the sixth and pitched 1.1 innings of one-hit scoreless relief. Ty Davis pitched two innings of hitless, scoreless relief to wrap up the game.
French led the Commodores with a 3-for-3 day at the plate with four RBI. Alvarez had three hits and two RBI and Giobbi chipped in with two hits and two RBI to help lead the 11 hit attack.
XU starter Bill Konecny (0-2) gave up five runs, one earned, on two hits with five walks and two strikeouts to take the loss. Drew Schmidt led the Muskeeters with two hits on the day.
The Muskeeters took a 1-0 lead in the third when Drew Schmidt led off the inning with a single and eventually scored on a groundout by Jordan Wolf.
The Commodores and Muskeeters will close out the three game series Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. Righthander Brett Jacobson (2-0, 3.86 ERA) will take the hill for VU, while Xavier’s starter is still to be determined.
Xavier 001 002 000 – 3 7 2
Vanderbilt 000 532 00x -10 11 0
Konecny, Janszen (5), Kohler (6) and Wolf. Christiani, Shao (6), Ty Davis (8) and Giobbi, Hawkins. W- Christiani 3-0. L- Konecny 0-2. Sv- None. HRs: VU: French (1), Alvarez (7).
