Vanderbilt Completes Sweep of No. 13 Florida with 4-1 Victory Sunday

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Nashville native Ryan Mullins (2-4) struck out six without a walk and scattered four hits and a run in seven innings and John Kaye provided the game-winning RBI single in the fourth as Vanderbilt toppled No. 13 Florida 4-1, Sunday, April 6, at Hawkins Field. The victory completed Vanderbilt's first sweep of a Southeastern Conference opponent since 1997 when the Commodores took all-three games from Florida in Nashville.

Vanderbilt moves to within a half game of the Gators for the SEC Eastern Division lead with a 5-7 record in the league. The Commodores are 16-14 overall. Florida drops to 23-9-1 overall and 5-6-1 in the SEC.

The game was delayed 33 minutes prior to first pitch due to rain. A second delay of 25 minutes came in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Florida took the first lead of the game, 1-0, in the second inning when Brian Rose led off the frame with a home run to left center field. The solo home run was the fifth long ball by Rose this season.

After the game's second delay, Vanderbilt rallied from a 1-0 deficit for three runs in the fourth inning. Ryan Klosterman led off the frame with a single to center field. Matt Zeller sacrificed Klosterman to second base. After Cesar Nicolas flew out to center field, Warner Jones doubled off the glove of the diving UF second baseman Jonathan Tucker, to bring in Klosterman and tie the game at 1-1.

Kaye followed with a RBI single to center field off Florida starter Christian Madson (2-1) that brought Jones in from second base, giving the Commodores a 2-1 lead.

The lead grew to 3-1 on the following play. Jeff Boutwell singled to center field, moving Jones toward third base. However, UF center fielder Jake Riordan's throw to third sailed into the Vanderbilt dugout, allowing Kaye to score.

The Commodores added an insurance run in the sixth inning. Kaye drew a one-out walk and scored three batters later on Jonathan Douillard's ground out to first base.

Commodore reliever Jensen Lewis registered his fourth save of the season. He entered in the eighth and allowed two walks and a hit while striking out four.

The Vanderbilt pitching staff continued to impress. Commodore pitchers posted a 1.33 ERA in the three-game series against the top hitting team in the conference. They struck out 29 and walked only six in 27 innings, while allowing 17 hits, four runs (all earned) and six walks. Vanderbilt hits the road for four games this week.

The Commodores play at Evansville, Tuesday at 6 p.m. CT before taking on nationally ranked Arkansas next weekend in Fayetteville.