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Commodores slam Cats, claim series
Harrell’s slam caps five-run eighth
Nashville, Tenn. –
Vanderbilt rallied for five runs in the bottom of the eighth inning
Sunday afternoon to top third-ranked Kentucky 6-1 and clinch the series
at Hawkins Field.
The Wildcats (36-9, 9-12)
rallied for a run in the top of the eighth inning to tie the game just
like yesterday when the Cats scored three in the eighth to draw even.
But just like yesterday, the Commodores (21-23) answered in the bottom
of the frame with the winning run. The inning started with a leadoff
single from Mike Yastrzemski and was followed by walks to Anthony Gomez
and Conrad Gregor. With the bases loaded and no outs, Spencer Navin was
hit by a Trevor Gott pitch to force in a run and put the Commodores up
2-1. Connor Harrell then blasted a grand slam over the left field wall
to cap the rally and push the Dores’ lead to 6-1. The home run was the
first hit allowed in SEC play by the Wildcat’s closer Gott. Sam Selman
struck out the side in the Kentucky ninth to finish the game and earn
the win.
Vanderbilt scratched out a run in the
third inning with two outs when Mike Yastrzemski doubled to knock in
Vince Conde, who led off the inning with a single. That lone run stood
until the eighth when the Wildcats put a run on the board. With runners
on first and third, J.T. Riddle grounded into what looked to be an
inning-ending double play but beat the throw to first to score Luke
Maile from third.
Yastrzemski led the way for the
Commodores going 3-for-4 with Gregor adding two hits. Harrell’s grand
slam was the first by a Commodore since Aaron Westlake’s last May
against Florida. Over his last six games Harrell is 9-for-25 (.360)
with five extra-base hits and 10 RBI. Maile led UK with two of the
team’s five hits. The series loss is the first of the season for the
Wildcats.
Selman (6-3) picked up the win in his
first relief outing since March 17 at Florida. The lefty fanned four
and gave up one run on one hit over 2.1 innings for his team-best sixth
win. Kentucky reliever Alex Phillips (5-2) took the loss allowing two
runs and recording only one out. Vanderbilt starter Kevin Ziomek was
strong over 5.2 scoreless innings scattering three hits and striking
out eight. Cats’ starter Corey Littrell allowed one run on six hits
over 5.1 innings.
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