NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt lost 8-4 to No. 1 Tennessee in the series opener Friday night at Hawkins Field.
The Dores scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth to overcome an early deficit but the Volunteers posted a five-run eighth inning to retake the lead claim Game 1.
Christian Moore hit a leadoff home run in the top of the first to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. The inning continued with a walk, wild pitch and RBI double as the Vols went in front by two.
Bryce Cunningham settled in after the first inning and held the top-ranked Volunteers to three runs on five hits. Cunningham recorded 10 strikeouts, reaching double digits for the third time this season.
Watch all 10 of Bryce’s punch outs 👀
This is the third time he’s struck out 10 or more this season 🔥 pic.twitter.com/l18PIGGRk6
— Vanderbilt Baseball (@VandyBoys) May 11, 2024
Jacob Humphrey, making his first since March 30, went opposite field for his second home run as a Commodore to get Vandy on the board in the bottom of the second.
The Volunteers used a two-out, RBI single in the top of the third to push their lead back to two.
The Commodores put together a two-out rally of their own in the bottom of the sixth to take a 4-3 lead with three runs on three hits.
Camden Kozeal started the rally with a two-out walk and Colin Barczi kept it going with a single up the middle. Matthew Polk drove home Kozeal with a double to left field. Jacob Humphrey then put Vandy in front with a single to left, scoring both Barczi and Polk.
Dores. On. Top. pic.twitter.com/hfcK8n3TgC
— Vanderbilt Baseball (@VandyBoys) May 11, 2024
The Volunteers retook the lead with five runs in the top of the eighth. A pair of two-run homers were two of five hits in the inning that gave Tennessee an 8-4 lead.
Vanderbilt looks to even the series Saturday at 2 p.m. on SEC Network.
