No.12 Vandy beat No.2 Arkansas in comeback style

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt scored eight runs in the eighth inning to overcome a six-run deficit Friday night as the 12th-ranked Commodores leveled the series against No. 2 Arkansas with a 10-8 win at Hawkins Field.

Troy LaNeve highlighted his Senior Day with a three-run blast in the bottom of the eighth to give Vanderbilt a 10-8 lead after the Commodores had trailed all night.

Vanderbilt trailed 8-2 entering the eighth inning before hitting eight runs with five hits, two hits, and hit after pitch. The six-run comeback was Vandy’s biggest since an eight-run rally against Ole Miss in the SEC Tournament in 2019.

Vanderbilt fell behind early as the Razorbacks scored three points to top the half.

The Commodores entered the scoring column in the bottom third as another senior, TJ McKenzie, hit his first home run of the season, a solo shot to left field. Enrique Bradfield Jr. followed that with a backfield home run as the Commodores faced each other for the fifth time this season.

Arkansas went 4-2 on a run in the fourth quarter and hit a three-run homer at the top of the sixth to take an 8-2 lead.

The Commodores started eight eighth rounds with a single infield by RJ Austin. Jonathan Vastine followed with a walk and McKenzie grabbed a single bunt to load the bases with nothing out.

A fly bag by Bradfield scored Austin and Diaz filled the bases again with a touchdown to the right. RJ Schreck was bowled to take Vastine home and cut Arkansas’ lead to four. Parker Noland then walked around to make another run and keep the base full.

Jack Bulger made it a one-run ball game with a rope to left field that scored Diaz and Schreck and took LaNeve to the plate with a pair and one out. LaNeve, making his first start of the season, sent the first throw he saw 415 feet to center-left to complete the comeback and put Dores up 10-8.

It was LaNeve’s first home run since April 9, 2022.

Senior Nick Maldonado (S, 7), who was also honored for Senior Day on Friday, took mound in the ninth and slammed the door with the help of a home run robbery in center field by Bradfield.

Bryce Cunningham was credited with the win to improve to 2-2 this season. Cunningham allowed one run by one hit in two frames. Vandy’s starting pitcher Devin Futrell hit eight batters over six working innings and walked only once.

Vanderbilt (36-17, 18-11 SEC) pulled off a series win against Arkansas (39-14, 20-9 SEC) at 2:00 p.m. Saturday on SECN+.