Worth Scott's 12th-Inning Walk-Off Single Lifts Vanderbilt
Past Rutgers, 3-2

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Worth Scott's bases-loaded walk-off single to right field in the bottom of the 12th inning lifted Vanderbilt past Rutgers, 3-2, Friday, Feb. 28, at Hawkins Field. The win, Vanderbilt's first in the Music City Classic, was the Commodores' fourth one-run victory of the year and pushes their record to 6-3, while Rutgers slips to 0-3 on the season.

Matt Zeller led off Vanderbilt's 12th inning with a bloop single to left field and soon after stole second base. Cesar Nicolas was then intentionally walked to put runners on first and second. After a double steal moved Zeller and Nicolas to second and third, Ryan Godfrey grounded out. Rutgers then elected to intentionally walk Tony Mansolino to load the bases. That set the stage for Scott's game-winning hit.

The Commodores looked to have the game won, 2-1, in regulation but Rutgers rallied in the top of the ninth. John Defendis knocked a single to center field that scored Mike Bionde from second base.

Vanderbilt trailed 1-0 until the sixth inning when it scored twice to take a 2-1 lead. Mansolino smashed a hit to deep left field that Rutgers' Leon Shade could not handle against the wall. Nicolas scored from second base on the play. Mansolino scored two batters later when Warner Jones hit a RBI singled to left field.

Rutgers got on the board first in the second inning. Vinny Esposito led off the frame with a double down the left field line. He took third base on a sacrifice bunt by Matt Wolski and scored on a RBI groundout by Steve Normane.

Jeff Sues (2-0) earned the win for the Commodores. He came on in relief of Ryan Mullins in the eighth inning and was in line for the save when Rutgers rallied in the ninth. Sues battled through the extra frames and ended the game allowing only two hits while striking out four in five innings. Mullins put in a solid start, scattering five hits and one earned run in seven innings.

Rutgers reliever Chris Lillis (0-1) took the loss. He gave up three hits, three walks and the key run in the 12th inning. RU starter Jack Egbert threw 6.1 innings, allowing seven hits and two earned runs. RU reliever Sean Atchinson retired the only batter he faced in the seventh inning.

Nicolas went 3-for-4 at the plate for Vanderbilt, with two doubles and a single. Zeller and Jones also notched two hits apiece. Play continues in the Music City Classic Saturday at 2 p.m. when Vanderbilt takes on Kent State.