Vanderbilt won its first SEC series of 2009 on Sunday, exploding for seven runs in the eighth inning for a 16-9, come-from-behind victory over No. 19 Florida.
The big inning was punctuated by junior Brian Harris parking a three-run home run in the top row of the left field bleachers at Hawkins Field.
Coach Tim Corbin stressed the importance of the win for his team's psyche.
"It was really big for our confidence," he said.
The insertion of sophomore Alex McClure for redshirt freshman Aaron Westlake at designated hitter and senior outfielder Johnathan White for redshirt sophomore Alex Hilliard in center field in the bottom of the sixth inning contributed mightily to the offensive outburst by the team.
"That's what you want to do when you get in to the game," Corbin said, referring to White's two-run single in the seventh inning with the bases loaded.
White also reached on one of three errors by Florida shortstop Josh Adams, allowing two runs to score. Florida's four total errors lead to three Vanderbilt runs and helped extend the five-run Commodore 7th inning.
Freshman Sonny Gray (2-0) earned the win for the Commodores, pitching the eighth and ninth innings after relieving regular Sunday starter senior Nick Christiani, who appeared in relief and gave up two runs. Gray struck out three, and his fastball consistently touched the upper 90s as Florida batters struggled against the hard-throwing freshman.
Sophomore Taylor Hill, who saw minimal action in Friday night's game, started in lieu of Christiani, but did not fare much better giving up two earned runs in three innings of work. Sophomores Russell Brewer and Sean Bierman also appeared briefly in relief. Brewer gave up one hit and issued one walk, and Bierman was charged with three earned runs on two hits in the fourth.
Florida took game one of the series on Friday night, 8-4. The Gators had 18 hits while holding Vanderbilt to just five. Junior Vanderbilt starter Mike Minor (2-3) went seven innings, giving up five runs, four of which were earned, and struck out nine on 104 pitches before giving way to Hill in the eighth. Hill threw only seven pitches, giving up two singles and recording one out.
Sophomore Richie Goodenow came on to replace Hill, allowing both runners he inherited from Hill to score. Brewer pitched the ninth inning, surrendering three hits and the final Gator run. Brewer struck out two and did not issue a walk.
Freshman third baseman Jason Esposito hit a solo home run over the left field wall in the third and junior catcher Andew Giobbi knocked a triple down the first base line with the bases loaded in the sixth to score three runs. Vanderbilt would not score for the rest of the game, and did not record a hit after the 6th inning.
The Commodores responded to Friday night's loss on Saturday by beating the Gators 4-3 behind a stellar performance from starting pitcher Caleb Cotham (4-3). In a game played in bright sunshine and a slight breeze, the sophomore surrendered four hits and three runs, only one of which was earned. He struck out six and walked five on 116 pitches. Gray made his first appearance of the series in the ninth picking up his fourth save of the season.
Liddle, Giobbi, Westlake and Esposito each had one RBI for Vanderbilt in a low-scoring affair.
