ARLINGTON, Texas — Vanderbilt baseball used a seven-run second inning Saturday to defeat No. 9 Oklahoma State 11-9 at Globe Life Field for the first win of the 2023 campaign.
No. 10 Vanderbilt (1-1) fell behind 1-0 early as Oklahoma State (1-1) plated the game’s first run on an RBI double.
The Commodores roared back in the home half to take a 2-1 lead. Enrique Bradfield Jr. and Matthew Polk reached base to lead things off before Calvin Hewett rocketed a double to the wall in left field, scoring both runners.
Vanderbilt’s offense exploded for seven runs on six hits in the second to lead 9-1.
BIG second inning 🙌
Seven runs and six hits gives the #VandyBoys 9-1 advantage heading into the third. #AnchorDown pic.twitter.com/s9ViYMeTsL
— Vanderbilt Baseball (@VandyBoys) February 18, 2023
Matthew Polk started the scoring with a three-run triple after Jonathan Vastine led off the inning with a walk and Davis Diaz and Bradfield each singled. Polk shot a rope past the diving OSU center fielder in right-center field, clearing the bases.
The inning continued as RJ Schreck was hit by a pitch and Hewett earned a walk. Parker Noland plated two more runs on a single and RJ Austin followed with his first collegiate hit, an RBI single to right field.
Vastine’s second at-bat of the frame resulted in a bloop single to center field to load the bases once again. Jack Bulger grounded out, bringing home Noland to cap the Dores’ seven-run inning.
After Oklahoma State hit a solo home run in the top of the fourth, Vanderbilt tacked on two more runs in the bottom half to extend the lead to 11-2. Austin singled home Hewett after Hewett tripled to left field. Austin stole second, advanced to third on a groundout and scored on a wild pitch.
The Cowboys rallied late with a run in the sixth and six in the eighth to cut Vanderbilt’s lead to 11-9.
Thomas Schultz ended the rally with a pair of strikeouts to end the eighth and Nick Maldonado shut the door in the ninth, retiring the side for his 10th career save.
.@Nickmaldonado29 with the final out of the game 🔥#VandyBoys | #AnchorDown pic.twitter.com/n8Tix2fdPj
— Vanderbilt Baseball (@VandyBoys) February 18, 2023
Hunter Owen made his second career start on the mound for Vanderbilt. Owen held Oklahoma State to two runs on three hits over four innings while striking out six.
Vanderbilt wraps up opening weekend Sunday vs. Texas at Globe Life Field at 10:30 a.m. CT on FloSports.
