CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — Pinch hitter Dominic de la Osa’s game-tying RBI single in the top of the ninth sparked a four-run inning as Vanderbilt rallied to defeat Austin Peay 4-1 Wednesday night at Raymond C. Hand Park.
VU rallied for the 16th time this season to improve to 27-4 overall, while Austin Peay dropped to 16-11.
The Commodores trailed 1-0 heading into the ninth before Governor closer Ben Wilshire hit Alex Feinberg to put the tying run on base. Matt Meingasner popped up a bunt attempt for the first out in the inning before de la Osa, who had sat out most of the last two games to rest a sore hamstring, came through with the tying double down the left field line. Wilshire struck out pinch hitter Kurt Lipton and walked David Macias to set up a game-winning two-run triple by Pedro Alvarez to make it 3-1. Ryan Flaherty added a squeeze bunt RBI single to score Alvarez to cap the four run inning.
“I knew I had to hit the ball hard and that’s why coach put me up there,” said de la Osa. “My leg is still a little tight but hopefully I’ll be back on Friday.”
David Macias finished with a 4-for-4 night at the plate to lead the Commodores, while Alvarez had two hits and two RBI.
Casey Weathers pitched the final 1.1 innings of scoreless ball with four strikeouts and a walk to move to 5-1 on the year.
Michael Dunn pitched 7.1 innings of six hit scoreless ball in his third appearance for the Governors. He struck out five and walked two and left the game with a 1-0 lead in the eighth.
Austin Peay took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the sixth courtesy of a RBI single by Matt Smith. Pinch hitter Jake Lane and Trey Lucas both walked with one out in the inning before Smith came through with a single to center off of Cody Crowell to score Lane and give the Governors a 1-0 lead.
The Commodores had a golden chance to take the lead in the eighth when David Macias led off with his career best fourth hit of the night and advanced to second on an infield single by Pedro Alvarez. Ryan Flaherty then bunted the runners to second and third, before Austin Peay lifted Dunn. Ben Wilshire came on in relief and got Shea Robin to hit a check swing grounder to shortstop Levi Cheshire who threw home to get Macias for the second out in the inning. Andrew Giobbi then flew out to right to end the rally attempt.
VU was able to thwart a scoring opportunity for the Governors in the bottom of the third to keep the game scoreless. APSU had runners on first and third with one out and Tyler Farrar at the plate. He attempted a squeeze bunt that Brett Jacobson was able to field and throw out the runner at the plate. Will Hogue then struck out to end the inning.
The Commodores had an opportunity to make some noise in the fourth with runners on first and second with one out. Michael Dunn got Alex Feinberg to fly out to right and after walking Matt Meingasner, he struck out Jonathan White to end the threat.
Brett Jacobson threw four innings of shutout baseball before being relieved by Cody Crowell to start the fifth. Jacobson gave up six hits with three strikeouts and a walk in the no-decision.
Crowell gave up one run on two hits in two innings of work with three strikeouts and two walks. Ty Davis pitched 1.2 innings of two-hit scoreless relief with a walk and a strikeout.
The Commodores will return home to face SEC West foe Alabama in a three game series this weekend starting at 7 p.m. on Friday night.
Vanderbilt 000 000 004 – 4 9 0
Austin Peay 000 001 000 – 1 10 2
Jacobson, Crowell (5), Davis (7), Weathers (8) and Giobbi. Dunn, Wilshire (8) and Smith. W- Weathers 5-1, L- Wilshire 0-2. Sv- None. HR- None.
