Four-Run Eighth Pushes Vanderbilt Past Kentucky 7-5 in Series Opener

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Vanderbilt scored four times in the eighth capped off by a two-run home run by John Kaye as the Commodores outlasted Kentucky 7-5, Friday, May 9 in the series opener at Cliff Hagan Stadium.

The Commodores (24-23, 11-14 Southeastern Conference) recorded their second-highest hit total of the year by pounding out 17 hits thanks in part to a three-hit performance from Warner Jones, Jonathan Douillard and Zach Simpson. VU registered 22 hits in a 19-2 win against Central Michigan (3/5).

Kentucky lost its fourth consecutive league game to slip to 20-29, 6-19 SEC.

Despite two separate rain delays of 49 and 38 minutes respectively, Commodore starter Jeremy Sowers (6-4) pitched eight innings to win his sixth consecutive decision. Sowers allowed six hits, two runs (both earned) on a pair of solo home runs, while walking two and striking out six.

Kentucky reliever Jeff Archer (0-2) took the loss, allowing five hits and four runs (all earned) with one strikeout.

Matt Buschmann posted his fifth save this season for Vanderbilt, relieving Jensen Lewis who started the ninth. Lewis gave up a solo home run to Mike Breyman and a double to Caleb Stewart before he was pulled. Buschmann entered and, after allowing a single Caleb Brock, coaxed Brad Pickrell to hit into a double play that scored Stewart. Two batters later, UK pinch hitter Casey Gilvin grounded out to Cesar Nicolas at first base to end the game.

Vanderbilt broke open a 3-3 tie with its four-run eighth frame. Douillard started the run with a one-out single through the middle of the infield. Matt Zeller took first base on a bunt base hit along the third-base line. Simpson followed with a run scoring double down the third-base line to bring in Douillard to give VU a 4-3 lead. Ryan Klosterman followed with a sacrifice fly that scored Zeller from third base. Kaye made the score 7-3 when hit a towering two-run shot over the scoreboard in right field. It was Kaye's third home run of the year.

The Commodores scored a run in the sixth and seventh innings to pull even from a 3-1 deficit. Zeller doubled to right field to plate Worth Scott in the sixth. Nicolas hit a solo home run to left field in the seventh, his seventh long ball of the season.

Kentucky grabbed a 3-1 lead, scoring twice in the fifth inning. Pickrell led off the inning with a solo home run to left field. It was his fifth long ball of the year. Joe Naill scored three batters later on a run scoring single by Spencer Graeter.

Vanderbilt scored the game's first run of the game when Simpson singled right field to bring in Douillard from second base. Stewart's second-inning leadoff home run to left field tied the score at 1-1. It was Stewart's fourth home run of the year.

The series continues Saturday at 2 p.m. ET. It concludes Sunday at 2 p.m. ET.