Box Score

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Trailing by two going into the final inning, Eastern Kentucky University brought the go-ahead run to the plate with one out, but couldn't complete the comeback bid in a 5-3 loss at No. 6 Vanderbilt on Wednesday.
 
DJ Sullivan singled to right to start the ninth inning.  With one out, Miguel Larreal drew a walk.  Vanderbilt's Ryan Ginther struck out the next two batters to end the threat.
 
The Commodores (3-2) grabbed a 4-0 lead after the first three innings.  The Colonels (0-4) got on the board in the top of the sixth.  With one out and two on, Conner Davis doubled down the left field line to bring home Larreal.  Max Williams followed with an infield single that scored Tait Nunnally to make it 4-2.
 
Nunnally's two-out RBI single through the left side in the seventh closed the gap to just one run, 4-3.  A run-scoring single from Alan Espinal in the bottom of the eighth gave Vanderbilt an insurance run.
 
Larreal went 2-for-4 with a walk and two runs.  Nunnally was 2-for-5 with a run and an RBI.  Rese Brown was huge out of the bullpen early.  He came on with two outs in the bottom of the first and surrendered just one run on two hits over four and one-third innings.  The senior retired the final nine batters he faced.
 
Espinal finished 2-for-4 with a run and two RBIs for the Commodores.  Starter Andrew Dutkanych IV pitched four shutout innings, allowing one hit and striking out six.
 
The 2024 home-opener is slated for Friday against Oakland at Earle Combs Stadium.  Season tickets are on sale now.  The season ticket package guarantees fans the best seats for all 30 home games, including Kentucky's visit to Richmond, a home game against long-time rival Morehead State, two games against in-state rival Northern Kentucky and five Atlantic Sun Conference series.