Belmont Blanks Vanderbilt in Pitcher's Duel, 1-0

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Ryan Pettit's third-inning RBI single proved to be all the offense Belmont needed as six Bruin pitchers combined to throw a three-hit shutout to defeat Vanderbilt, 1-0, Wednesday, Feb. 26, at Hawkins Field. The victory moved Belmont's record to 2-0 while Vanderbilt slipped to 4-3.

Stephen Sundstrom led off the third inning with a walk off Commodore starter Jensen Lewis (1-1) and took second after a sacrifice bunt by Joe Novak. Two batters later, Pettit knocked in Sundstrom with a base hit to left field.

Vanderbilt managed to place only four runners in scoring position the entire game. Its biggest threats came in the third and ninth innings. In the third, the Commodores drew two walks off Belmont reliever Alex Renes. But after a Ryan Godfrey ground out moved Jonathan Douillard to third base and Ryan Klosterman to second, Cesar Nicolas popped out in foul territory to first baseman Dan Soukup to end the inning.

Vanderbilt threatened again in the ninth when Tony Mansolino drew a two-out walk off Belmont reliever Will Tucker. Mansolino then moved to second when Worth Scott singled sharply to center field. However, Warner Jones struck out to end the game.

Belmont starter Shane Haas (1-0) pitched two innings, allowing one hit while striking out two to earn the win. Relievers Alex Renes and Dennis Gomez pitched two innings apiece, while Justin Jordan, Ryan Herzberg and Will Tucker threw one inning apiece. Tucker earned his second save of the season.

Vanderbilt pitchers posted strong efforts as well. Freshman right-hander Jensen Lewis pitched four innings and struck out a season-high six batters in his first collegiate start. He gave up only three hits and the game's lone run. John Scott came on in the fifth and threw four innings of three-hit baseball. He struck out three in his longest outing of the year. Matt Buschmann entered in the ninth inning and gave up one hit and struck out one.

Vanderbilt plays again Thursday when Trevecca visits Hawkins Field for a 3 p.m. game.