Knox Homers Twice as Middle Tennessee Hands Vanderbilt 9-5 Defeat

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee designated hitter Jerry Knox went 4-for-5 with two home runs and three RBI to send the Blue Raiders past Vanderbilt, 9-5, Tuesday, April 15 at Reese Smith Field. The win improves Middle Tennessee's record to 17-19 overall while Vanderbilt drops to 17-18 on the season.

Knox sparked an eventual MTSU comeback in the fourth inning. With the Blue Raiders trailing 3-0, Knox led off the frame with a solo home run to left center field to trim Vanderbilt's lead to 3-1. Shane Kemp followed with a single and scored three batters later on a fielding error by Tony Mansolino to make the score 3-2.

Middle Tennessee completed the comeback in the fifth inning off Commodore reliever Jonathan Douillard (0-1). Brett Carroll's RBI single to center scored Josh Archer and tied the game at 3-3. Shane Kemp brought in Carroll two batters later with a run scoring triple into the alley in right center. Derek Phillips followed with a double to center field that scored Kemp and gave MTSU a 5-3 advantage.

Vanderbilt climbed to within a 5-4 score in the sixth inning, but Middle Tennessee put the game away, scoring four times in the ninth on a pair of two-run home runs off Commodore reliever Matt Buschmann. Nate Jaggers was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. Archer followed with a two-run shot over the center field wall. After Carroll doubled to center field, Knox connected again for his second home run of the night, a two-run homer that cleared the wall in right field.

MTSU reliever Travis Horschel (2-2) earned the win. He gave up four hits and an unearned run while walking one and striking out one in 3.1 innings. Teammate Chase Swing picked up his third save of the year. He tossed 2.1 innings, allowing one hit a run (earned) while striking out three without a walk.

The Commodores built a 3-0 lead after four innings. Zach Simpson gave Vanderbilt a 1-0 lead in the third inning when he singled through the middle of the infield to bring in Tony Mansolino. An inning later, John Kaye singled to center field to score Cesar Nicolas. After Kaye went to third base on a single by Warner Jones, Worth Scott hit a sacrifice fly to right center field that brought home Kaye to give Vanderbilt a 3-0 lead.

After MTSU rallied for a 5-3 lead, Vanderbilt attempted a comeback in the sixth frame. Kaye and Jones began the inning with singles and took second and third base respectively on a passed ball by MTSU catcher Derek Phillips. Scott followed with a blooper along the right field line that was ruled a catch after Clif Thomas made a diving attempt. Kaye ran back to third base, tagged up and came home to make the score 5-4. However, Jones was doubled up on second base for the second out of the inning. Tony Mansolino then bunted out to the pitcher to end the inning.

Mansolino went a team-best 3-for-4 at the plate, including a ninth-inning solo home run to left field. Kaye recorded two hits while Scott posted two RBI.

The Commodores registered 11 hits against Middle Tennessee. It marked the fifth consecutive game Vanderbilt has posted 10 or more hits in a contest. Commodore starter Jensen Lewis pitched four innings, striking out five and surrendering six hits, two runs (one earned) and a walk.

Vanderbilt plays host to No. 7 LSU this weekend in a three-game Southeastern Conference series beginning Friday at 7 p.m. Game two is Saturday at 4 p.m. The series finale is Sunday at 1 p.m.