May 12, 2002

Vanderbilt used the long ball with a pair of three-run homers and a grand slam to win the series finale with Kentucky, 17-4, Sunday afternoon at Hawkins Field in Nashville, Tenn.

Vanderbilt jumped out 3-0 in the second inning when Tony Mansolino doubled, John Kaye walked, and Jonathan Douillard followed with a three-run homer.

Kentucky countered with a pair of runs in the fourth inning. Spencer Graeter walked, Brad Pickrell singled, Gordon Tyler singled in Graeter, and Seth Morris’ groundout plated Pickrell.

The Commodores took control with eight runs in the fifth inning. Sean Luellwitz singled, Scott Shapiro singled, and Cesar Nicolas hit a three-run homer, chasing Wildcat starter and losing pitcher Rob Corrado (1-3). A pair of Wildcat errors contributed to five additional unearned runs off reliever Scott Wade.

Kentucky tallied in the sixth when Tyler doubled and scored on a single by Morris. UK scored again in the eighth inning when Morris tripled and scored on an infield single by Caleb Stewart. The Commodores got their third homer of the day in the bottom of the eighth on Karl Nonemaker’s grand slam. Nonemaker went 4-for-5 on the day and drove in seven runs. Luellwitz and Mansolino also had four hits for Vanderbilt, which had season highs with 17 runs and 21 hits.

VU starter Jeremy Sowers went seven innings to even his record at 5-5, giving up three runs on seven hits with five strikeouts and three walks. Sowers worked out of some jams by picking off two runners and inducing a pair of double plays.

Tyler, Morris, and Stewart had two hits each to lead the Kentucky attack.

Kentucky returns to action Monday at 6 p.m. when the Wildcats play host to intra-state rival Louisville. The first 350 fans at Hagan Stadium will receive a free Louisville Slugger miniature bat.

Vanderbilt 17, Kentucky 4

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WP: Sowers (5-5)

LP: Corrado (1-3)

HR: Douillard, VU (1); Nicolas, VU (5); Nonemaker, VU (1)

Time: 2:47

Attendance: 483

– UK –