Prothro Homers Twice as Vanderbilt Outlasts Lipscomb 6-3

NASHVILLE ‹ Vanderbilt third baseman John Prothro hit two home runs and went 3-for-4 to lead Vanderbilt to a 6-3 win over Lipscomb Wednesday, Feb. 20, at Hawkins Field. The win keeps the Commodores undefeated in the early season at 4-0. Lipscomb falls to 0-7.

Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the fourth, Vanderbilt rallied for three runs. After shortstop Tony Mansolino reached on a fielding error by Lipscomb third baseman Ryan Boyer, he scored on a double to center field by first baseman Sean Luellwitz. Left fielder John Kaye singled to right field to score Luellwitz. However, Kaye was caught stealing on the pitch before Prothro hit a solo homer to center field off Lipscomb starter Brian Passons (0-1).

Vanderbilt added a run in the seventh on an RBI-single to left field by Luellwitz that scored right fielder Worth Scott.

The Commodores tacked on two insurance runs in the eighth on Prothrošs solo home run to left field and center fielder Karl Nonemakeršs RBI single to right field.

Five Vanderbilt pitchers saw action against the Bisons. Right-hander Chris Maultsby started the game and threw three innings, allowing two hits, an earned run and a walk to go along with a strikeout. Left-hander John Scott (1-0) pitched two innings and earned the win. He surrendered only one hit while striking out one.

Leading 3-1 in the sixth inning, right-hander Scott Shapiro bailed the Commodores out of a jam after right-hander Jeff Sues allowed a single and back-to-back walks. The first batter Shapiro faced, first baseman Michael Bailey, grounded into a double play as right fielder Kyle Jackson scored from third base. Catcher Matt Candler then flew out to right field to end the threat.

Right-hander Dean Bennett came on in the ninth and picked up his second save of the season, allowing one hit while striking out one.

The Commodores travel to Louisville for a three-game series beginning Friday, Feb. 22, at 2 p.m. CT. Contests on Saturday and Sunday will start at Noon CT.