The Vanderbilt Commodores (19-3) won their 14th straight game on Tuesday evening as they prevailed over the Belmont Bruins, 3-1 in the second annual All 4 Lou Showdown. The two Nashville schools faced off at First Horizon Park, the home of the Nashville Sounds.
“It’s beautiful. It’s Grand Canyon,” Tim Corbin said about First Horizon Park. “It’s a fun place to play.”
Ethan McElvain got the nod for Vanderbilt on Tuesday, allowing zero runs and three hits in four innings pitched. The freshman delivered 33 strikes on 54 total pitches.
“I thought he got better as time went on,” Tim Corbin said.
McElvain allowed Sam Slaughter to double in the game’s first at-bat. Jack Rando then grounded out to the hot court, which brought Slaughter to third base. A few moments later, with two outs and runners on first and third base, Landon Godsey struck out looking.
Belmont’s Blake Ciuffetelli forced Vanderbilt to a 1-2-3 inning right after. The Commodores did not allow the Bruins to score until Mason Landers hit a solo shot in the top of the eighth inning.
While Vanderbilt’s defense was stout, the Commodore bats were destructive early on. Logan Poteet hit a solo shot over the left field fence in the bottom of the second and Davis Diaz hit an RBI single to bring home Calvin Hewett one inning later.
The third and fourth innings were marked by both teams exchanging scoreless affairs.
After the fourth inning, McElvain was replaced by fifth-year senior Sam Hliboki.
Hilboki’s night started slow as he allowed Slaughter to single to right center field. With the single, Slaughter brought Michael Lareau to third base. With Slaughter at first base and Lareau in scoring position, Hilboki stayed poised and forced a ground out to keep Vanderbilt up, 2-0.
Vanderbilt was unable to extend its lead in the bottom of the fifth inning.
After allowing two hits in the fifth inning, Hilboki’s night was over.
Alex Kranzler took the mound in place of Hilboki in the sixth inning. Kranzler was threatened in the sixth inning after he walked Max Blessinger with one out. Belmont was in prime scoring position as the bases were loaded. The Bruins were unable to get on the board though as Lareau flied out after Cade Rogers struck out swinging.
Kranzler struck out a Belmont batter to open the seventh inning. The pitcher was then substituted by Levi Huesman. In Huesman’s first batter faced, the sophomore allowed Slaughter to hit a shot to the deep outfield. Slaughter’s hit was caught by Hewitt. Huesman then struck out his next batter. The Commodores entered the seventh inning stretch in the driver’s seat.
Vanderbilt got back on the board in the seventh inning when Alan Espinal singled to left field and brought home David Diaz from third base.
David Horn Jr. took Huesman’s place at the top of the eighth inning. The 6’4” sophomore got off to a rocky start, allowing a home run to his first batter faced. After that, Horn Jr. settled down and allowed no more hits in the eighth inning.
The game ended with Vanderbilt atop Belmont, 3-1.
The VandyBoys will return to action this Friday with a road game against the No. 20 South Carolina Gamecocks at 6 p.m. CDT.
