NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt rallied from a five-run deficit in the bottom of the ninth Sunday to beat No. 21 Tennessee, 16-15, on a walk-off grand slam by Tommy Goodin.
The Commodores completed their series sweep over the Volunteers with walk-offs in all three games. Vandy has now won seven of its last 10 home SEC games via the walk-off.
In a reverse from Saturday’s 16-inning contest, neither team had trouble scoring on Sunday.
Vanderbilt held a 4-1 lead after the first inning. Tennessee took a 6-4 lead in the fourth but the Dores answered with five runs in the home half to go back in front, 9-6.
The Volunteers scored three in the fourth and three more in the fifth and held a 12-10 advantage.
Tennessee made it 15-10 with another three-spot in the top of the ninth before Vanderbilt’s rally in the bottom of the frame.
Braden Holcomb reached on a fielder’s choice and Logan Johnstone and Rustan Rigdon each drew walks to load the bases with one out. Mack Whitcomb, the hero from Saturday’s win, laced a pinch-hit single into left field to score two.
Ryker Waite was then hit by a pitch to again load the bases, bringing Goodin to the dish in a pinch-hit opportunity.
Goodin took the first pitch off the plate before sending the next delivery over the wall in left-center to win it for the Commodores, 16-15.
The sophomore has seven home runs on the season, two of the grand slam variety.
Vanderbilt (17-12, 5-4 SEC) swept Tennessee (18-10, 3-6 SEC) for the first time since 2013 and has now won six straight against the Volunteers.
The Commodores host Belmont at Hawkins Field on Tuesday before heading to Texas A&M for a three-game series beginning Thursday.
