ARLINGTON, Texas — Vanderbilt baseball survived an eighth-inning scare to get its first win of the season, defeating Oklahoma State, 11-9, in the second recreation of the College Baseball Showdown on Saturday.
The Commodores (1-1) acquired an early nine-run lead however a six-run eighth inning for the Cowboys (1-1) chopped down on Vanderbilt’s lead as a number of poor defensive performs prolonged the inning. A fly ball dropped in no-man’s land and shortstop Davis Diaz booted after which overthrew what might’ve been a double-play grounder. The Commodores had been compelled to place final yr’s nearer Thomas Schultz in the recreation.
Nick Maldonado, who closed video games in 2021, got here in for the ninth inning and struck out Roc Riggio to safe the save.
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Second-inning outburst
Vanderbilt batted round in a seven-run second inning that included 5 singles, a triple, two walks and a hit-by-pitch. A Matthew Polk triple was the spotlight as eight straight batters reached base at one level. Every batter who got here to the plate reached base in that inning besides Jack Bulger.
That was after the Commodores put up two runs in the first inning due to a Calvin Hewett double. Hewett additionally acquired a triple in the fourth inning and got here house on an RJ Austin single to increase Vanderbilt’s lead.
Austin, a freshman third baseman, acquired his first profession hit in the second inning after which tacked on a second single in the fourth inning earlier than stealing second, advancing to 3rd on a groundout and scoring on a wild pitch.
Electric arms
Vanderbilt stunned many by naming junior lefty Hunter Owen the Saturday starter, however Owen confirmed out in his second profession begin. Showing a fastball that topped out at 97 mph together with a slider, curveball and changeup, Owen struck out six batters and walked three whereas permitting two runs and made his case to be the again half of a left-handed one-two punch with Friday starter Carter Holton.
Freshman Andrew Dutkanych, one of the prime recruits in the nation, relieved Owen and confirmed good velocity on his fastball and slider however struggled to search out the strike zone.
Big-time baserunning
Vanderbilt’s group this season is constructed round velocity and athleticism and that actually confirmed up in opposition to the Pokes. The Commodores had been incessantly aggressive, taking the further base on hits, advancing on flyouts and placing strain on the pitchers.
Austin, Polk and Hewett additionally confirmed their worth as baserunners behind Enrique Bradfield Jr., indicating that it is a group that might wreak actual havoc on the basepaths prime to backside.
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