April 1, 2008

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By Tyler Koonce, Baseball Contact

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.

Southeast bats continued to shine the next inning. Spencer led off with a single, stole his second base of the night and then scored on Klocke's RBI single to center. Wheeler then hit a tracer down the left field line for a double, moving Klocke to third. Cummings came through with an RBI groundout to second base.

In the bottom of the sixth, Vandy's Andrew Giobbo hit a leadoff double to the right field corner and scored on a single to center by David Macias. The Commodores would add two more runs in the seventh on a wild pitch and RBI single through the left side to trim the lead to one at 8-7.

Clinging to a 1-run lead in the top of the eighth, Harris and Klocke led off with back-to-back singles, with Harris moving to third on Klocke's fourth hit of the game. Cummings came through once again with a run-scoring single up the middle, allowing Harris to cross the plate. Wagner then hit a high-chopper over Alvarez's head at third base for an RBI single bringing Klocke home to push the lead to 10-7.

Wulfers was then hit by a pitch to load the bases. The following hitter, Daniel Schuh, was drilled in the back to bring the 11th run across the plate. Spencer then reached on an error by first basemen Steven Liddle, scoring Wagner to push the margin back to five at 12-7.

After back-to-back walks to begin the bottom of the eighth, Dominic de la Osa delivered an RBI single through the left side. Jake Kemper pitched out of trouble, stranding the bases loaded with a strikeout.

Dustin Renfrow (2-1) made the start for the Redhawks and pitched three innings, allowing only one earned run. He was awarded the victory by determination of the official scorer. He struck out two and only walked one. Jake Kemper threw the final two and one-thirds to earn his third save in as many outings.

Josh Syberg and Todd Strahlendorf each pitched one inning in relief. Ryan Poole threw one and two-thirds before giving way to Kemper to finish it out.

Taylor Hill (3-2) started for Vandy and went three and one-thirds, allowing six hits and five earned runs. He struck out two and walked two others.

Offensively, all Southeast starters but one registered a hit, with five hitters recording multiple-hit efforts. Klocke led the way with four hits and two RBIs. Harris and Cummings finished with two hits and three RBIs. Wagner finished with two hits and two runs driven in.

Flaherty led the Commodores with two RBIs. Macias, de la Osa, Alex Feinberg and Parker Hanks all chipped in two hits.

The Redhawks hit the road again Wednesday as they'll face Evansville at 6 p.m. from Braun Stadium. Brad LaBruyere will start on the mound for Southeast.