Three-Run Ninth Sends Kent State Past Vanderbilt, 6-4

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Chuck Moore's bases-loaded two-RBI single capped off a three-run ninth inning as Kent State rallied past Vanderbilt, 6-4, Saturday, March 1 at Hawkins Field. With the win Kent State moves to 4-1 on the year. Vanderbilt drops to 6-4.

Trailing 4-3, the Golden Flashes started the rally with one out in the inning. Chris Welsh reached first base when he hit a ground ball that was mishandled by VU third baseman Tony Mansolino. Welsh then advanced to third base when Chad Kinyon followed with a single to right field. Eric O'Brien singled inside the bag at third base to plate Welsh and tie the score at 4-4. After a passed ball by Commodore catcher Matt McGraner moved both Kinyon and Eric O'Brien up one base, Vanderbilt elected to intentionally walk Eric Holick to load the bases. Moore then stepped to the plate and delivered the go-ahead runs.

Commodore reliever Matt Buschmann (0-1), who was in line to earn his third save of the season before the rally, instead took his first loss of the year. All three runs in the ninth were unearned. Kent State's Gus Hlebovy (2-0) pitched the final two innings to earn the win.

Vanderbilt rallied from a 3-1 deficit in the fifth when Cesar Nicolas belted a two-run home run over the left field wall. The Commodores then grabbed their first lead in the game in the seventh inning when Mansolino legged out a RBI fielder's choice that scored Matt Zeller.

Kent State scored the game's first run in the second inning when Moore hit a sacrifice fly to center field that scored Kinyon. The Golden Flashes went ahead 3-1 in the top of the fifth when Welsch's double into left center field scored Matt Sega and Pat O'Brien.

Vanderbilt's Warner Jones and Nicolas each had two hits apiece. Ryan Klosterman was 1-for-3 with three stolen bases. Welsch, Moore and Eric O'Brien each had two hits for Kent State. KSU starter Dirk Hayhurst pitched seven innings and allowed eight hits, three earned runs and struck out six.

VU starter Robert Ransom lasted four innings, allowed five hits, three runs and three walks. Commodore reliever Jensen Lewis struck out four and walked four in the three innings.

Vanderbilt concludes play in the Music City Classic Sunday when it plays No. 17 Kansas at 1 p.m. The game also completes the Commodores' nine-game homestand. VU travels to Florida next week for four games during Spring Break.