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NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Southeast Missouri State knocked off sixth-ranked Vanderbilt Tuesday night at Hawkins Field for one of the biggest victories in school history. The Redhawks (11-8, 3-1) registered 15 base hits and plated 12 runs, including a 4-run top of the eighth inning that proved to be the difference.
The Commodores (18-7, 5-3) cut the lead to one in the bottom of the seventh, but never came closer. The 4-hour game featured 20 total runs, 27 hits and four errors between the teams.
The Redhawks got out to an early lead with a 3-run third inning. After Tony Spencer drew a 1-out walk and stole second, Jim Klocke singled through the left side. After the ball squirted away from Vandy's shortstop Ryan Flaherty, head coach Mark Hogan sent Spencer home, where he beat the throw on a close play at the plate. Klocke advanced to second on the throw.
After Justin Wheeler walked, Tyrell Cummings delivered an RBI single with a line drive to right field, scoring Klocke and moving Wheeler to third. Matt Wagner followed with an RBI single of his own up the middle to bring Wheeler around, increasing the lead to 3-0.
Preseason All-American third basemen Pedro Alvarez struck back with a 2-out, opposite field double to left-center in the bottom of the frame. Flaherty followed with an RBI single to right field to bring Alvarez around to score.
In the top of the fourth, Nick Harris delivered a towering 3-run home run down the left field line that bounced off the top of Memorial Gym, Vanderbilt's basketball arena that sits approximately 20 feet beyond the elevated left field wall. Matt Wulfers and Spencer scored on the blast after reaching on a single and fielder's choice, respectively.
The Commodores answered with a 3-run fifth, where two runs scored as a result of bases loaded walks coupled with a sacrifice fly. Vanderbilt cut the lead to 6-4.
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