FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – An eighth inning rally again doomed Vanderbilt in a Southeastern Conference game with Arkansas coming from behind to beat the Commodores 2-1 Friday night at Baum Stadium.
A five-run eighth inning last Sunday against Mississippi State led to a 9-8 Vandy loss, on Friday night in Fayettevile the Razorbacks needed just two runs in the eighth to slip by the Dores. With two outs and runners on second and third base James McCann’s infield single scored both runs to give Arkansas its first lead of the night. VU shortstop Anthony Gomez fielded the ground ball near second base but his throw home bounced off the mound and Matt Reynolds slid under Curt Casali’s tag for the eventual winning run.
The Commodores took the lead in the fifth inning on a wild pitch by Arkansas starter Cade Lynch that allowed Jack Lupo to score from third base. Lupo’s double started the inning and was his first hit as a Commodore. Bo Bigham led the Razorbacks with two hits. Anthony Gomez extended his hitting streak to 18 games with a single in the third inning.
The loss marred an impressive outing from Vanderbilt starter Sonny Gray, who took his first loss of the season. Gray struck out 12 batters and allowed two runs on six hits with four walks in his second complete game of the year. D.J. Baxendale picked up the win in relief with 2.1 scoreless innings. Lynch turned in 6.2 solid innings giving up one run on three hits.
Left-hander Grayson Garvin takes the ball for the Commodores tomorrow afternoon against Arkansas’ Barrett Astin. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. in Fayetteville.
