Three-Run Ninth Carries Vanderbilt Past Cincinnati, 5-4

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Matt Zeller's bases-loaded infield single scored Ryan Godfrey with the game-winning run as Vanderbilt rallied for three runs in the bottom of the ninth to push past Cincinnati 5-4, Friday, Feb. 21, at Hawkins Field. Six consecutive Commodores reached base successfully with one out in the ninth. Warner Jones' RBI double down the left field line, Rucker Taylor's RBI single down the third-base line and Zeller's game-winning hit sparked the last-inning heroics.

The come-from-behind win - Vanderbilt's third in a row - moved the Commodores' record to 3-1 while Cincinnati dropped to 2-6, losing for the fifth time in its last six games.

Trailing 4-3, Worth Scott started the ninth-inning rally with a one-out walk off UC starter B.J. Borsa. After Borsa was replaced with Nate Bouldin (2-1), Jones doubled down the left-field line to plate Scott. After Godfrey forced a walk, Taylor singled down the third-base line, scoring Jones and advancing Godfrey to third base. Ryan Klosterman was intentionally walked to load the bases. Zeller then chopped a slow roller to UC first baseman Jon DeLuca that scored Godfrey with the deciding run.

Jeff Sues (1-0) received the win. He relieved VU starter Jeremy Sowers who gave up two runs apiece in the seventh and eighth innings. Sues allowed one hit and struck out one in 1.2 innings.

Sowers posted eight strike outs before running into trouble in the seventh and eighth innings. He finished the game allowing seven hits and four runs (all earned) in 7.1 innings of work. Sowers retired 12 in a row before surrendering a two-out hit in the sixth inning.

Borsa also pitched well for Cincinnati. He retired 11 in a row midway through the game and finished with six strike outs. He allowed five hits and three runs (all earned) in 8.1 innings.

Vanderbilt took a 2-0 lead in the third inning. Jones recorded his first RBI of the game when he singled in Cesar Nicolas with the bases loaded. Jonathan Douillard followed with a sacrifice fly that plated John Kaye.

Cincinnati's Drew Saylor tied the score in the top of the seventh when he smashed a two-run homer over the left field wall that also scored Aaron Moll.

The Bearcats then jumped ahead 4-2 in the eighth when Brad Dorrmann doubled and scored on a RBI single by Mark Muscenti. VU's Sowers was then pulled for Sues. However, DeLuca knocked a doubled to center field that scored Muscenti and gave UC the two-run lead it carried into the bottom of the ninth.

Vanderbilt and Cincinnati meet in game two of the series Saturday at 2 p.m. The series finale is Sunday at 1 p.m.