NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The third-ranked Vanderbilt Commodores used a 13-run second inning to overpower FIU and cruise to a 20-4 victory in the final midweek contest of the season.
The visiting Panthers (20-30) struck first on Justin Farmer’s solo shot to left in the top of the first, but the Commodores (37-12) got their offense going an inning and a half later and never looked back.
Christian Little (3-1) picked up the win in his eighth start of the season. The freshman fanned six, allowed two hits and walked one in 4.2 innings pitched. Tyler Myrick (7-4) was charged with the loss. He allowed eight runs (all earned) and seven hits in 1 2/3 innings pitched.
In the home half of the second, Vanderbilt sent 17 to the plate and scored 13 runs – the most since May 15, 2018, when the Commodores scored 14 in the third frame against Middle Tennessee. Twelve of the 13 were scored with two outs.
Parker Noland led the offensive effort with a team-high five RBI, while turning in a 3-for-4 outing with three runs scored. Enrique Bradfield Jr. added a team-high tying three hits, while driving in four runs on the night.
Vanderbilt went on to add to its lead with three runs in the fifth and one run in the sixth before FIU put up a three-spot in the seventh to make it a 17-4 contest.
The Commodores plated three in the eighth, highlighted by Alan Espinal’s first career home run, to set the score at 20-4, the eventual final.
Vanderbilt’s 20 runs on the evening marked a season-high, besting their 18 runs in Stillwater, Oklahoma against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in mid-March.
The Commodores will welcome Kentucky for the final regular season series at Hawkins Field. First pitch on May 20 is slated for 6:30 p.m. and can be seen on SEC Network+.
