Four-Run Sixth Carries Vanderbilt Past Liscomb, 5-2

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Vanderbilt registered four hits and took advantage of a Lipscomb error, scoring four times in the sixth inning to rally past the Bisions, 5-2, Wednesday, March 19 at Hawkins Field. The win improves Vanderbilt's record to 12-8, while Lipscomb slips to 6-13 on the season.

Trailing 2-1 heading into the sixth inning, four of Vanderbilt's first five batters reached base. John Kaye led off the inning with a single through the right side of the infield. After Warner Jones sacrificed Kaye to second base, designated hitter Robert Ransom reached base after Lipscomb pitcher Seth Kuwik bobbled a slow chopper in front of the mound.

Tony Mansolino immediately tied the score at 2-2 when he doubled down the right-field line, scoring Kaye. Jonathan Douillard, who ended the day 3-for-4, followed by lacing a single through the left side of the infield to plate Ransom and move Mansolino to third base to give the Commodores a 3-2 lead. Vanderbilt pushed across another run when a passed ball by Lipscomb catcher Kyle Jackson scored Mansolino. Two batters later Ryan Klosterman singled in Douillard from third base to give the Commodores a 5-2 advantage.

Vanderbilt reliever Matt Buschmann (3-1) earned the win. He allowed only two hits and struck out three in 2.2 innings of work. Fellow Commodore reliever Blake Owen pitched the ninth, walking one and striking out two, to register his first collegiate save. Kuwik (2-2) pitched eight innings in the loss for Lipscomb. He surrendered 10 hits and three earned runs with five strikeouts.

Cesar Nicolas gave the Commodores a 1-0 lead in the third when he hit a solo home run inside the left-field foul pole. It was his third long ball of the season.

The Bisons answered in the top of the fourth when Nat McCorkle doubled and scored on a single to left field by Jackson.

Lipscomb grabbed a 2-1 lead in the sixth when McCorkle singled to right field to plate Brian Passons.

Right-hander Jensen Lewis started the game for Vanderbilt and allowed only three hits and one earned run in four innings of action. He also had one strikeout.

Vanderbilt plays its Southeastern Conference home series opener this weekend against Ole Miss. Game times for the three-game series are Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 4 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m. On Saturday, admission and concessions are $1 and those fans who attend the Vanderbilt football spring game, beginning at 2 p.m. at Vanderbilt Stadium, receive free admission to the baseball game.