Vanderbilt defeated Kentucky 8-5 in the first round of the Southeastern Conference Tournament, according to a May 19 announcement. The game took place in Hoover, Alabama.
The win allows Vanderbilt to advance to the second round of the tournament, where they will face Florida. The Commodores came from behind with a four-run sixth inning after trailing by three runs. Four consecutive two-out singles helped Vanderbilt take the lead during that inning.
Alex Kranzler earned the win for Vanderbilt by pitching 4.1 innings out of the bullpen and holding Kentucky to one run on one hit while striking out five batters. Kentucky initially led with an RBI single from Luke Lawrence and a solo home run by Tyler Bell. Colin Barczi and Brodie Johnston helped cut into Kentucky’s lead before Vanderbilt mounted their comeback.
In addition to their sixth-inning rally, Vanderbilt added insurance runs in the eighth inning when Rustan Rigdon stole bases and Brodie Johnston hit his fifteenth home run of the season. Although Kentucky scored again in the ninth, Kranzler recorded his fifth strikeout to secure victory for Vanderbilt.
The Commodores will play Florida next at approximately 1 p.m. on Wednesday as they continue their pursuit in the SEC Tournament.
