NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Belmont gave No. 7 Vanderbilt all they wanted Tuesday at Hawkins Field, but the Commodores pushed the game-winning run across the plate in the eighth to come away with the 2-1 victory.
A pair of walks and a Belmont error allowed Vanderbilt to take a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second.
Belmont tied the game in the top of the seventh after Matthew Kinney (Alpharetta, Ga.) reached on a fielder's choice to score Greg Brody (Dacula, Ga.).
Belmont threatened in the eighth after Alec Diamond (Kennesaw, Ga.) singled to left and Matt Beaty (Dresden, Tenn.) walked. A fly out left the runners stranded and the score tied at 1-1.
An RBI single from Bryan Reynolds in the bottom of the eighth put the Commodores ahead, 2-1.
James Buckelew (Lawrenceville, Ga.) delivered a solid performance going four innings giving up only one hit and one unearned run. The left-hander walked two and struck out two.
Chase Cunningham (Bluff City, Tenn.) came into the game in the bottom of the fifth and sat down the side. The right-hander went three innings allowing three hits and striking out two.
Belmont continues its road swing this weekend at Morehead State. The three-game series begins Friday at 2:00pm.
