Vanderbilt Baseball (3-2) took on Eastern Michigan (1-4) for the second game of their midweek series at Hawkins Field. After a run-rule win over the Eagles last night, Vanderbilt kept the momentum rolling with a 16-2 win, where the pitching staff combined for the Commodores’ fifth no-hitter since 2019. 

Three freshmen toed the rubber for Vanderbilt today, with Connor Hamilton getting the start and Arian Casoliba and Nate Schlote coming in relief.

“A lot of guys got to touch the ball today too, which was cool, and some people were doing it for the first time,” junior pitcher Brennan Sieber said after the game. “I know the nerves for the freshmen guys. It’s a cool feeling, and I’m glad they got to do that in a game like this.”  

It was also another offensive explosion for Vanderbilt as they scored 13 runs in the first two innings alone. Wyatt Goodin and Ryker Waite both hit grand slams, and Brendan Holcomb picked up three hits on the day. 

It was an all-around team performance for the Commodores that helped give them the blowout win today.   

Top 1: Vanderbilt 0, Eastern Michigan 0  

Hamilton started things off by striking out the first two batters he saw before hitting Kevin Krill with a low 90s fastball. Hamilton induced then Tristan Crane to fly out to right to avoid any further trouble.

Bottom 1: Vanderbilt 9, Eastern Michigan 0

Vanderbilt started the game with seven consecutive players reaching base: Logan Johnstone and Colin Barczi both singled to center, and Brodie Johnston drew a walk. This set the stage for Tommy Goodin to hit the Commodores’ first grand slam of the season over the right-center wall. Vanderbilt continued to pour it on with Braden Holcomb singling, Rustan Rigdon walking and Mack Whitcomb driving in Holcomb on a liner to center before Eastern Michigan finally pulled Landon Mueller, the senior pitcher. Jack Angus came in for the Eagles with runners on first and third and no one out. It seemed like Angus had done a good job of managing the damage by getting Ryker Waite to hit a sac fly and Carter Johnstone to fly out. However, Angus hit Logan Johnstone, and on a squibbler that ricocheted off the first base bag, Barczi drove in two runs on a ball that didn’t leave the infield. Still, the damage wasn’t done as Johnston doubled off the left field wall, which scored Barczi, and made it 9-0. Angus then got Goodin to fly out to put an end to the long inning for the Eagles.  

Top 2: Vanderbilt 9, Eastern Michigan 1 

On a scorcher to short, Waite made a nice play to get Bruce Jellison out at first. With the long wait in the damp, cold weather, Hamilton’s velocity was down, and his control was spotty to start the inning as he walked Nick Weaver and hit Keegan Knupp. Leewood Molessa hit into a fielder’s choice, which advanced Weaver to third and set him up to be able to score on a wild pitch. Hamilton was able to bounce back, striking out Devan Zirwas to end the frame. 

Bottom 2: Vanderbilt 13, Eastern Michigan 1 

The Black and Gold picked up right where they left off, with Holcomb hitting an infield single and Rigdon and Whitcomb each drawing a walk to load the bases for Waite to blast the Commodores’ second grand slam of the day. Carter Johnstone then walked, which would be Angus’s last batter of the day. Carter White came in relief for the Eagles and walked Logan Johnstone before recording three straight strikeouts to strand two on base.  

Top 3: Vanderbilt 13, Eastern Michigan 1  

Hamilton walked Ty Stecko to start the inning, but then struck out Krill and got Tristan Crane to roll into a double play for a quick and easy inning. 

Bottom 3: Vanderbilt 13, Eastern Michigan 1 

Holcomb picked up his third hit of the game with a single into left field, but White quickly spoiled the leadoff hit by striking out Rigdon and Whitcomb. Waite worked a two-out walk before White picked up his sixth strikeout of the game.   

Top 4: Vanderbilt 13, Eastern Michigan 1 

Adria Casoliba entered the game for Vanderbilt and worked a clean 1-2-3 inning while picking up his first collegiate strikeout.    

Bottom 4: Vanderbilt 13, Eastern Michigan 1 

Eastern Michigan went deeper into their bullpen with Emmett Gillies taking the mound to start the inning. Gillies was set to face the top of the Commodores’ lineup but made quick work of them as they went three up, three down. 

Top 5: Vanderbilt 13, Eastern Michigan 1 

Nate Schlote made his collegiate debut as he struck out Molessa, but then walked John Hale. He got Zirwas to line out and collected his second strikeout of the night against Stecko to end the inning.  

Bottom 5: Vanderbilt 13, Eastern Michigan 1 

The Eagles made another pitching change as Fischer Hendershot entered the game. Maldonado started the inning with a groundout to third base, followed by a walk by Holcomb on a 3-2 count. Rigdon hit a fielder’s choice to get Eastern Michigan’s second out of the inning. Hendershot ended the fifth, leaving one on base with his first strikeout of the game against Whitcomb.   

Top 6: Vanderbilt 13, Eastern Michigan 1 

Alex Kranzler entered the game for the VandyBoys to start the sixth. It was a 1-2-3 inning as he struck out his first two batters and forced Jellison into an out at first.

Bottom 6: Vanderbilt 16, Eastern Michigan 1 

Eli Henderson entered the game for the Eagles to close out the inning. Waite lined out to right field, followed by a walk by Hampton. Henderson collected his first strikeout of the game against Cade Sears, followed by Aukai Kea’s first home run of the season, bringing another two runs in for the Black and Gold. Max Jensen collected his first hit of the night with a double to center and scored on a single by Maldonado. Holcomb ended the inning with a flyout in center, leaving one on base.  

Top 7: Vanderbilt 16, Eastern Michigan 2 

Nate Teague replaced Kranzler to make his home debut for the Commodores. After a lineout to center field, Teague struggled with his control as he walked Knupp, Schecterma and hit Hale.  He recorded his first strikeout of the night against Zirwas, followed by another hit by pitch on Stecko, which allowed the Eagles to score. Tristan Bristow ended the game with a strikeout against Krill to secure the combined no-hitter for the Commodores.