Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn.-Despite playing an even game for over six innings with No. 3 Vanderbilt, the Belmont Bruins fell 8-2, Tuesday evening at First Tennessee Park in front of 3,782 fans.
The clash between the Commodores (21-4) and the Bruins (13-11) was the first collegiate game ever played at the home of the Nashville Sounds.
"It was a tremendous atmosphere out here tonight. We're grateful to the Nashville Sounds and Vanderbilt for putting this together and allowing us to be part of this inaugural college game at First Tennessee Park," said Head Coach Dave Jarvis after the game.
Despite outhitting Vanderbilt 8-5, defensive miscues proved costly as the Bruins uncharacteristically committed five errors in what is now their third straight loss.
"In regards to game itself, I was pretty disappointed. Our defensive effort just was not there tonight, I think we're a much better team than that. When you combine all the free passes we gave up with the defense we showed tonight, it's a tall order to try to beat one of the best teams in the country," added Jarvis.
Belmont didn't waste any time getting its offense going Tuesday night, as Clay Payne (Powell, Tenn.) singled to drive in Rafael Bournigal (Mulberry, Fla.) putting the Bruins on top 1-0 after their first at bat. Vanderbilt answered promptly though with a run of its own in the bottom of the frame.
Vanderbilt scored again in the bottom of the fourth, and the score stood at 2-1 until the sixth when Belmont knotted things up at two all. After being hit by a Joey Abraham fastball, Alex Ward (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) reached to lead off the inning. Payne, who stepped in to the box with an RBI already to his name, picked up his second run driven in when he smashed one into the left center gap to score Ward all the way from first base.
"Offensively we put together a ton of quality at bats and kept pressure on them. We had some opportunities but couldn't get the big hit at the end of the day," remarked Jarvis.
Just as it answered Belmont's opening tally, Vanderbilt did so again in the bottom of the sixth but this time it was a louder response. The Commodores broke through for a four-run frame and took control of the game during this stanza. Josh Tubbs (Camden, Tenn.), who pitched a scoreless fifth, returned to the mound in the next inning only to leave after recording the first out. The senior hurler was struck in the quad by a line drive. He managed to record the putout, but left after the play concluded. Kyle Klotz (Fairview, Tenn.) came on in relief, and after hitting the first batter, recorded the second out. It appeared Klotz and the Bruins may escape the inning with score tied at 2-2, but a groundball to the second baseman Bournigal bounced off his glove and into right field. After getting an extra out, the Commodores would capitalize on the BU miscue, scoring four runs and they suddenly led 6-2. All four runs scored were unearned.
Vanderbilt tacked on two more in the bottom of the seventh to extend its lead to 8-2.
Bournigal and Payne were the offensive stars of the night for the Bruins, as Bournigal tallied three hits and Payne, two RBIs.
Seven Belmont pitchers saw action on the mound, as sophomore Connor Etheridge (Springfield, Ill.) earned his first start of the season. Etheridge finished with two innings pitched and fanned three Commodores. Klotz was the hardluck loser, dropping his second decision of the year.
Just two of Belmont's eight runs were earned.
For both teams, the attendance of 3,782 was a season high on what was a beautiful night for a ball game.
Belmont returns to action Friday when it dives back into OVC play with UT Martin. The Bruins host the Skyhawks for a three-game set beginning with a 4 p.m. first pitch on Friday, April. 1.
