NASHVILLE, Tenn. – It was a tough defensive battle that ended in a loss for the Eastern Kentucky University baseball team on Tuesday night, falling at Vanderbilt, 3-0.
 
The Commodores scored two of their three runs in the first via a two-run home run, and those would be the only runs scored in the game till the eighth inning.
 
After giving up those two runs, starter Jack Briese calmed the Vandy bats, going four innings with just three hits on the evening.
 
The Colonels' best chance to score came in the fifth, working the bases loaded courtesy of a Kobe Benson single, Pedro Moreno being hit by a pitch, and Khaleel Pratt earning a walk with two outs. However, the inning ended with just a pop-up to the first baseman.
 
EKU relievers Hayden Collins, Gavin Faulkner, Griffin Howell, and Carson van Haaren combined for five innings, allowing just three hits combined, giving up one run while getting three strikeouts.
 
Vanderbilt's insurance run came with two outs in the eighth by way of an RBI single to left.
 
Kobe Benson ended the game for EKU, going 2-for-3 at the plate with singles in the second and fifth innings.
 
EKU returns to action at home this Friday for the first game of an ASUN Conference series with in-state foe Bellarmine, with first pitch scheduled for 6 p.m. at Earle Combs Stadium.