NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The No. 1-ranked Vanderbilt baseball team used two big innings to earn a 16-1 win over visiting Illinois State in the first game of a three-game series Friday night at Charles Hawkins Field.
Vanderbilt plated five runs in the third inning before adding 10 more in the sixth inning, while starter Carson Fulmer scattered two hits and struck out a career-high 11 over six innings of work.
"That's a really good team. You tip your cap to Vandy," said Illinois State head coach Bo Durkac. "That's a good team, from pitching to hitting to the defense. They just kicked our butt tonight."
Vanderbilt (7-2) used a five-run third inning to take control of the game. The Commodores tallied five hits in the frame to score the runs, all of which were earned, off Redbird starter Will Headean, who had worked two scoreless innings to start the game.
The hosts pulled away further with an eight-run sixth inning. Jeffrey Barton, who had pitched scoreless fourth and fifth innings, walked the first two batters in the inning, leading to the Commodores' first two runs of the frame. Craig Larkin relieved Barton, but allowed five runs without recording an out. Tyler Feece finally got the Redbirds out of the inning, but not before allowing three more runs.
Vanderbilt added one more run in the seventh inning before Jake Sale pitched a scoreless eighth with a pair of strikeouts.
Dennis Colon drove in the Redbirds' only run of the game, as his two-out triple scored Ryan Koziol and spoiled the Commodores' shutout.
The Redbirds (4-3) return to action Saturday with the second game of the three-game set. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
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