FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Vanderbilt baseball team blanked No. 4 Arkansas, 5-0, in a seven-inning contest on Sunday afternoon at Baum-Walker Stadium. With the win, the Commodores claim the weekend series and improve to 34-16 on the season, including a 14-13 mark in Southeastern Conference play.
Vanderbilt received an impressive performance from its starter Carter Holton, as the team picked up its 10th shutout on the season. Holton (7-3) notched his second complete game on the year with 7.0 scoreless frames to earn his seventh win this season. He held the Arkansas offense to just two hits in the game, while walking four batters and striking out five.
With the performance, the Commodores earned their first series win at Arkansas since the 2011 season, while handing the Razorbacks their first series loss at home on the season.
Vanderbilt got on the board with one run in the third. With one down, Jack Bulger lined a single through the right side before Spencer Jones reached on an error by the Arkansas first baseman to place runners on the corners with one out. One batter later, Dominic Keegan brought across the game’s first run with a sacrifice fly to right field to put Vanderbilt in front, 1-0.
The Commodores added two in the fifth to extend their lead. Enrique Bradfield reached on a one-out single before Bulger drew a walk to place runners on first and second. After a double steal advanced both runners 90 feet, Keegan picked up his second and third RBI of the day with a single up the middle to make it a 3-0 contest.
Vandy added insurance with another two-run frame in the sixth. After Parker Noland reached on a walk, Tate Kolwyck launched his second homer of the weekend with a two-run shot to left center to push the Dores’ lead to 5-0, the eventual final.
The duo of Bradfield and Bulger each contributed multi-hit outings with two apiece, while Bulger added a team-high two runs scored. Keegan led the team in RBI with three.
Vanderbilt will return to action on Tuesday evening, welcoming Middle Tennessee State to Hawkins Field for a midweek matchup. First pitch is set for 6 p.m., with action airing on SEC Network+.
