NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt mustered just six hits as its eight-game win streak was snapped by Hawaii with a 3-1 loss in the middle game of the series Saturday afternoon at Hawkins Field.
Hawaii (8-4) struck for the first run of the day in the first after a leadoff walk and sacrifice bunt set the table for an RBI-single from Dustin Demeter.
Vanderbilt starter Thomas Schultz (0-1) settled in after the rocky first. The freshman dealt five innings, allowing one run on three hits with one walk while striking out six.
The right-hander escaped trouble in the third with the help of Austin Martin’s arm when the junior threw out the baserunner attempting to go first to third on a single to center.
Strong first start, @_ThomasSchultz_.
5.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K#VandyBoys | #AnchorDown pic.twitter.com/hteFwG3IeC
— Vanderbilt Baseball (@VandyBoys) March 1, 2020
The Rainbow Warriors tacked on another after freshman right-hander Chris McElvain entered in the sixth. Following a leadoff double and sacrifice fly, Adam Fogel drove home the runner from third with a sharp single off the glove of Harrison Ray.
The Thompson Station, Tennessee, native pitched two innings out of the pen giving up one run on two hits with three punchouts.
The Commodores (9-3) cut the deficit to one in the seventh on a two-out RBI single from Cooper Davis. Ray led off the inning with an infield single to short before stealing second.
A duo of veteran bats led the way for the Dores’ offense, including Ray who legged out two infield singles and swiped a pair of stolen bases. The Longwood, Florida, product has reached base in all 12 games this season and leads Vanderbilt with six stolen bases.
Martin collected two hits and has safely reached base in all 12 games. The Jacksonville, Florida, product added his 20th career stolen base in eighth.
Hawaii starter Aaron Davenport (3-0) cruised through six scoreless innings, striking out six while only allowing three hits and three walks.
Junior reliever Tyler Brown took the mound in the eighth for the Commodores. Hawaii added insurance against the right-hander in the ninth on a two-out RBI single from Matt Wong.
In his fourth appearance on the season, Brown permitted one run on four hits through two innings while punching out four batters.
The Commodores look for the series win at noon Sunday. Tickets are available by calling (615) 322-GOLD or by visiting VUCommodores.com. The contest can also be seen on SEC Network Plus.
