Box Score Game Box (pdf)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Wofford baseball team was defeated 10-7 by Vanderbilt on Wednesday evening at Hawkins Field. The Terriers outhit the #17 ranked Commodores thirteen to seven on the night, but a five-run fourth inning for Vanderbilt was the difference in the game.
Wofford is 8-17 on the season, while Vanderbilt is 23-4 overall. The Terriers were led by Landon Bennett with three hits, including a solo home run, and James Foster with three hits and three RBIs. The Commodores had two hits and three RBIs from both Brian Harris and Jason Esposito.
The Terriers opened the top of the first with two walks, but both runners were left on base. The Commodores loaded the bases in the bottom of the first and scored two runs on an RBI single by Jason Esposito. Andrew Giobbi reached on a fielder’s choice to drive in a third run in the inning. After a wild pitch, Vanderbilt had a 4-0 lead after the first inning.
Landon Bennett had the first hit of the night in the top of the second for the Terriers, but was left on base. Kyle Behrendt added a single in the top of the third and stole second and third base. Mac Doyle drove in Behrendt with a double to right center for a 4-1 score.
In the bottom of the fourth, a bunt by Anthony Gomez added a run for the Commodores. Brian Harris hit a three-run homer over the scoreboard in left field to give Vanderbilt an 8-1 lead. Jason Esposito added an RBI single for a 9-1 lead at the end of four innings.
To open the fifth, Wofford had three straight doubles by Matt Moore, James Foster and Josh McKinney. Moore scored and Foster was brought home with a sacrifice fly by Kyle Behrendt. A ground out by Mac Doyle scored McKinney to make it a 9-4 game.
In the top of the sixth, Landon Bennett hit a solo home run that bounced over the left field wall. David Roney followed with a single and Matt Moore walked. A double to right center by James Foster scored both runners for a 9-7 score.
After retiring the Commodore side in the bottom of the sixth, Landon Bennett had his third hit of the night in the top of the seventh. David Roney added a single, but both runners were left on base. Vanderbilt went down in order in the bottom of the seventh.
James Foster singled in the top of the eighth with one out for Wofford, but was caught stealing. In the bottom of the eighth, Connor Harrell added a run for the Commodores on a wild pitch and Vanderbilt left two on base after a diving grab by Josh McKinney in left field to end the inning. Konstantine Diamaduros hit a two-out triple to right center in the top of the ninth, but was stranded for a 10-7 final score.
For the Terriers, starter John Cornely (1-5) went the first three innings and allowed four hits and four runs. Pete Noordsy recorded one out in the fourth and allowed three runs. Anthony Rowland worked an inning with two hits and two runs allowed. J.D. Osborne worked 2.2 innings and struck out four without a hit allowed. Brandon Yarusi worked two thirds of the eighth with one hit and one run scored. Gus White picked up the final out.
Vanderbilt starter Navery Moore (2-0) threw three innings with three hits and one run allowed and two strikeouts. Drew Hayes went two innings with three hits and three runs allowed along with one strikeout. Taylor Hill allowed three runs on three hits. Richie Goodenow worked 1.1 innings with two hits allowed and one strikeout. Russell Brewer had the save with two inning pitched and only two hits allowed.
Wofford returns home after the six-game road swing for a three-game conference series against The Citadel beginning on Friday, April 2.
