Godfrey's Ninth-Inning Two-Run Double Rallies Vanderbilt
Past No. 10 Mississippi State, 4-3

STARKVILLE, Miss. - Ryan Godfrey roped a ninth-inning bases-loaded two-RBI double inside the right-field line that scored Rucker Taylor and Ryan Klosterman as Vanderbilt rallied past No. 10 Mississippi State, 4-3, Saturday at Dudy Noble Field. The win draws the Commodores (11-7, 1-1 SEC) even in their three-game Southeastern Conference series with the Bulldogs (12-2-1, 1-1 SEC). The series finale is Sunday at 1:30 p.m.

Vanderbilt sophomore reliever John Scott (1-0) earned the win, his first against a Southeastern Conference opponent. Mississippi State reliever Robby Goodson (0-1) took the loss.

Trailing 3-2 entering the ninth inning, Vanderbilt took advantage of Goodson's control problems. Goodson plunked the Commodores' first two batters in the inning in Taylor and Klosterman. He was then pulled in favor of MSU reliever Jamie Gant. However, Cesar Nicolas, who went 3-for-4, followed with a single to center field to load the bases with no outs. Gant then struck out Jeff Boutwell and Worth Scott before Godfrey delivered the game-winning hit.

Vanderbilt starter Robert Ransom did not factor into the decision, but pitched well. He threw seven innings, struck out five and walked one while giving up nine hits and three earned runs.

Mississippi State scored all of its runs in the bottom of the fourth to take a 3-1 lead. J.B, Tucker's double to deep right field scored Brad Corley and Brent Lewis to give the Bulldogs a 2-1 lead. Tucker, who went 3-for-4 with two RBI, came home two batters later on a sacrifice fly by Joseph Hunter.

Vanderbilt pulled to within 3-2 in the sixth inning when Worth Scott scored from second base on a throwing error by MSU first baseman Matthew Brinson. John Kaye hit a ground ball to the right side of the infield that was fielded by Brinson. However, Brinson's throw was behind pitcher Alan Johnson, who was covering first base. That allowed Worth Scott to score on the play.

The Commodores scored the game's first run in the fourth inning. Nicolas led off the frame with a double down the third-base line. He moved to third on a balk by Johnson. After Boutwell forced a walk, Worth Scott hit a ground ball double play to second base that scored Nicolas.

Klosterman was hitless on the day but walked twice, was hit by a pitch in the ninth and recorded three stolen bases against the Bulldogs.