#1 Vanderbilt 10, WKU 6
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - WKU jumped on No. 1 Vanderbilt for five runs in the first two innings but a seventh-inning grand slam from Commodore first baseman Zander Wiel thwarted the Hilltoppers' (2-5) hot start as the Commodores (6-2) rallied to win 10-6 Wednesday night at Charles Hawkins Field.
The Hilltoppers scored six of the game's first seven runs and led the top-ranked Commodores 6-1 entering the bottom of the fifth inning but Vanderbilt scored runs in four-straight innings to close the game and capped its rally with Wiel's four-run swing over the left field wall. Vanderbilt scored nine unanswered runs after falling behind five runs and handed WKU its fourth-straight defeat.
Junior outfielder Trevor Lowe was hit by a pitch with two outs in the eighth inning but that would be WKU's lone base runner after Wiel's go-ahead blast.
It was all Hilltoppers early as they tallied two runs on four hits out of the gate. Junior outfielder Anderson Miller began the hot start with a single up the middle, senior first baseman Ryan Church moved him over on a bunt single and junior third baseman Danny Hudzina put WKU ahead 2-0 with a two-run single down the left line. WKU kept its foot on the gas pedal in the second inning as Church ripped a run-scoring, ground-rule double to plate senior shortstop Cody Wofford to make the count 3-1 in WKU's favor. Senior designated hitter Philip Diedrick then cleared the bases with a two-run single to put the Hilltoppers in control at 5-1.
With two outs in the fourth inning Miller cranked a 2-0 offering from Vanderbilt's Ryan Johnson over the right field fence to extend the Hilltoppers' lead to 6-1 but his blast would be the last hit from WKU. Miller's homer was the first Vanderbilt's pitching staff had allowed all year.
Sophomore lefty Ryan Thurston was solid in his first start of 2015 for WKU, scattering three hits and striking out five Commodores over five innings. Thurston only allowed one hit in the first 16 batters he faced and had the Hilltoppers cruising into the sixth. Vanderbilt finally knocked him out in the sixth with a leadoff double and a walk before the Tops turned to the bullpen.
Vanderbilt began its rally in the fifth with an RBI groundout from Liam Sabino, put two more on the board with RBI from Wiel and Will Toffey in the sixth and took advantage of three walks from WKU in the seventh. Those free passes set the stage for Wiel and his towering shot over the left field wall put Vanderbilt in front for good. Ro Coleman and Dansby Swanson tacked on Commodore insurance runs in the eighth with RBI singles to cap the game's scoring at 10-6.
Senior right-handed pitcher Brennan Pearson took the loss on the mound and fell to 0-2 on the season after putting the go-ahead runs on bases in the seventh. Fellow senior Tate Glasscock tried to get the Tops out of the jam with two outs but his 2-2 slider hung just enough for Wiel to deliver the deciding blow. Commodore reliever Philip Pfeifer was credited with the win for Vanderbilt.
Miller, Church, Diedrick and Hudzina accounted for all seven Hilltopper hits and all six RBI and finished the night a combined 7-of-17 at the plate with five runs scored.
The Hilltoppers return to the diamond looking to end their four-game skid this weekend at Southern Illinois. WKU and Southern Illinois are scheduled to play three games in Carbondale, beginning Friday at 3 p.m. (CT). Weather conditions in the region could force a relocation of the series but that has yet to be determined.
How to follow the Hilltoppers: For more information on WKU Baseball, follow the program via Twitter and Instagram at @WKUBaseball.
