By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Playing its fourth game in as many days, the Tennessee Tech baseball team couldn't overcome a strong first inning by defending national champion and No. 4 ranked Vanderbilt Tuesday evening, as the Commodores (17-4) defeated the Golden Eagles (9-9) in Nashville, 9-1.

Vanderbilt got off to a hot start in the first inning, plating four runners thanks to four hits and two walks. The home squad tallied another run in the third to grab a 5-0 advantage before the Golden Eagles snagged their first run of the game.

All-American shortstop Dylan Bosheers flared a double down the left field line, just out of reach of a sliding Rhett Wiseman. Freshman Chase Chambers followed with a single to left field, advancing Bosheers to third with no outs. Bosheers scored three pitches later on a ground ball by Jordan Hopkins.

Commodore starter Ryan Johnson and the rest of the staff shut the door the rest of the way, surrendering just one more hit over the final five innings. The Vandy bats notched four more runs along the way as well, providing the final score of 9-1.

Johnson picked up his second win of the season, tossing six innings with a strikeouts and one run given up. Matt Ruppenthal, Collin Snider and Kyle Wright combined to finish the final three innings.

Tech freshman Will Gardner took the loss in his first collegiate start, surrendering five runs on seven hits over two and two thirds innings. Kyle Keatts led all pitchers with three punch outs on the night, providing two and one third inning of relief while allowing just one earned run. Austin Tolle provided three scoreless innings to close out the game for Tech, giving up just two hits and striking out two.

Bosheers led the Golden Eagle bats with two hits on the day while scoring the lone run for the Tech squad. Vanderbilt second baseman Tyler Campbell led the winning squad with three RBI on two hits and leftfielder Bryan Reynolds added two RBI and two runs scored on a 3-for-3 day at the dish.

The Golden Eagles will return to Cookeville and Bush Stadium on Friday to kick start a huge Ohio Valley Conference series with SIUE. The Cougars will enter the weekend at 6-0 in league play while the Golden Eagles look to defend home field in a 6 p.m. start Friday evening.

Photo by Jim Dillon