NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt and Florida Atlantic were locked in a one-run game once again Saturday with FAU coming out on top, 5-4.
FAU (1-1), jumped out to a 1-0 lead on a double and single in the first inning. Vanderbilt (1-1) quickly responded in the home half of the frame. RJ Austin and Alan Espinal worked walks and Jayden Davis brought them both home on a double down the line in left.
The Commodores tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the fourth. Troy LaNeve singled and Chris Maldonado worked a walk to put two on with one out. After Vandy loaded the bases on an error, LaNeve touched home on a wild pitch that allowed each runner to advance. Jonathan Vastine then plated Maldonado on a groundout to put Vanderbilt in front 4-1.
FAU pulled even with a three-run sixth inning. The Owls scored on a fielder’s choice, double and a single to make it a 4-4 ballgame.
Florida Atlantic took a 5-4 lead on a sac fly in the top of the seventh and held off the Commodores to even the series.
Bryce Cunningham got the start on the mound for Vanderbilt and struck out five over four innings while holding FAU to one run on three hits. Andrew Dutkanych IV made his return to the mound with a clean frame in the eighth inning and freshman Ethan McElvain made his collegiate debut in the ninth inning, throwing a 1-2-3 inning.
Game 3 between the Dores and Owls is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday at Hawkins Field.
