NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt scored 12 unanswered runs to defeat Indiana State 14-6 on Tuesday evening at Hawkins Field.
The Commodores rallied from a four-run deficit with a six-run fifth inning and never turned back. All nine starters in the lineup recorded a hit with five batters tallying two knocks.
Mike Mancini went 2-for-3 with a home run, double, three RBI and three runs scored. He also laid down a sac bunt and worked a walk. Braden Holcomb homered and drove in two runs.
Rustan Rigdon and Mack Whitcomb both tripled as the Dores totaled seven extra-base hits in the win.
Holcomb launched a solo shot in the bottom of the first to provide Vandy an early lead. Holcomb’s 10 homers this season are a career high after hitting nine in 2025.
Indiana State pulled even with a sac fly in the top of the fourth, but the Dores had a quick response.
Mancini, who hit a two-run homer Sunday, led off the home half of the fourth with a solo blast to left-center, his fourth on the season.
Indiana State pulled ahead with five runs in the top of the fifth on five hits and an error, but once again Vanderbilt punched back.
The Dores batted around in the bottom of the fifth, plating six runs on four hits while taking advantage of two defensive miscues by the Sycamores.
The big hit came courtesy of Collin Brightwell who drove a two-out single into center field with the bases loaded, clearing the bases to put the Commodores back in front.
Vandy pushed two more runs across in the sixth and put four runs on the board in the seventh to win 14-6.
The Commodores finished with 14 hits including two homers, two triples and three doubles. The Dore also worked eight walks.
The Vanderbilt bullpen settled in after Vandy retook the lead in the fifth. Tristan Bristow earned the win with 1.2 scoreless innings. Jacob Faulkner threw two scoreless frames and Nate Schlote kept Indiana State off the board in the top of the ninth, striking out two.
The Commodores begin conference play at home this weekend against LSU. The Tigers, coming off a national championship n 2025, enter the weekend ranked No. 13 in the D1Baseball poll.
