Vanderbilt Scores Seven in Final Three Innings and Defeat Morehead State, 9-4

Vanderbilt Scores Seven in Final Three Innings and Defeat Morehead State, 9-4

3/23/2004

Vanderbilt Scores Seven in Final Three Innings and Defeat Morehead State, 9-4
Warner Jones Extends Hitting Streak to 27 Games which ties school record

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Vanderbilt Commodores collected 13 hits, including three home runs and sophomore right-hander Jeff Sues threw a no-hitter in five innings enroute to a 9-4 victory over Morehead State tonight at Hawkins Field.  Vanderbilt improves to 15-5 overall, while Morehead State is 5-12.

Sues pitched five hitless innings and struck out five.  Only two batters reached first base – one on an error and the other on a fielder’s choice.  Sues faced 16 batters in his second win of the season.

“Everything just clicked out there tonight,” Sues said.  “When you have command of all your pitches, everything just comes easier. I felt really confident and smooth out there.”

Sues left the game after throwing 60 pitches with Vanderbilt leading 2-0. 

“Jeff threw nicely and if we extended him any, we might not have had him for this weekend,” Vanderbilt Head Coach Tim Corbin said.  “He is just starting to feel good out there. In the fifth inning his velocity was at its highest.  I hate to look ahead, but we had to,” Corbin added.

The Commodores scored four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to extend their lead to 9-2.  Junior centerfielder Antoan Richardson hit a triple off the centerfield wall that scored senior right fielder Worth Scott and junior left fielder Matt Zeller who pinch hit for freshman Bill Kleinschrodt.  Sophomore second baseman Warner Jones then hit a two-run homerun over the left field wall that bounced on top of the Memorial Gym Swimming Pool roof.

“I had noticed earlier in the game that he changed his arm slot and wasn’t throwing his slider from there,” Jones said. “It was just a reaction and it just jumped off my bat.”

Jones went 4-5 in the contest with two singles, a double and the home run.  He extended his consecutive game hitting streak to 27 games when he hit a stand up double down the third base line in the third inning which ties the school record held by Greg Thomas (27 in 1991).

The Commodores added two runs in the bottom of the seventh to extend their lead to three, 5-2, when senior first baseman Cesar Nicolas hit a double down the third base line scoring Jones and designated hitter Mike Baxter. Junior third baseman Tony Mansolino added one run in the fourth when he hit his third home run of the season over the left field wall.  Senior right fielder Worth Scott added one run in the sixth when he hit a solo homerun, his third of the season, over the right field wall. The Commodores scored in the first inning for the fourth consecutive game.  Junior shortstop Ryan Klosterman drew a walk and advanced on a bunt by junior centerfielder Antoan Richardson.  Richardson outran the throw and was safe at first.  Klosterman and Richardson  advanced on a double steal and Klosterman scored when Jones grounded out to the third baseman.   

Freshman right-hander Michael Wagner provided one inning of relief giving up one run (earned) on one hit while striking out two and walking two.  Freshman right-hander Tyler Rhoden pitched two innings giving up one run (earned) on two hits and striking out one.  Freshman left-hander Greg Moviel closed out the ninth with two runs (both earned) on one hit, while walking two and striking out one.

The Eagles scored one in the sixth inning off Wagner.  Jesse Howell drew a walk.  Lance Seasor then hit a double to centerfield advancing Howell to third.  Robert Dittrich entered the game as a pinch runner for Seasor.  Pete Troyer then hit a sacrifice deep to left field scoring Howell from third.  Wagner then struck out Patrick Lager to retire the side.

The Eagles added one run in the top of the seventh when Paul Rhodes hit a stand-up triple off the centerfield wall off Rhoden and scored when Matt Morris hit a sacrifice fly to right field.

Morehead State added two runs in the top of the ninth when Patrick Lager and Ryan Plank scored off Moviel. There was an 18-minute delay in the bottom of the third inning when plate umpire Mark McGill was injured (knuckle on right hand) on a pitch.  He returned to the game a few innings later at third base.

The Commodores host Georgia in the three-game SEC home opening Series Friday at 6:06 pm.  The game will be telecast by CSS Sports.  A fireworks show will follow the game and each fan will receive a commemorative ticket.