Baseball Notebook

Even with All-American third baseman Pedro Alvarez sidelined, the No. 8 Commodores (18-6, 5-3 SEC) continued to pile up wins.

They went 4-0 last week, beating Belmont and Middle Tennessee midweek before taking two from Arkansas over a rain-filled weekend at Hawkins Field. They won the first game on a walk-off double by Brian Harris in the bottom of the 12th and took the second one, a seven-inning contest due to SEC rules, 6-2. It was Vandy's first series victory over the Razorbacks in 11 opportunities going back to 1994.

The offense struggled some for the week, hitting just .273 with four homers, nine doubles and 31 runs scored, but the pitching staff was impressive, sporting a 3.60 ERA with 50 strikeouts and 18 walks in 40 innings.

Alex Feinberg continues to rake, as he went 8-for-16 with a double and five RBI on the week.

Freshman Aaron Westlake started twice and went 4-for-10 with a double and four RBI. Fellow freshman Curt Casali had only one hit in his four at-bats on the week, but it was a memorable one, a two-run walk off homer against MTSU in the bottom of the 12th.

On the mound, Russell Brewer has been clutch, getting out of two first and third and no outs situations on the week. He pitched eight scoreless innings and allowed six hits while striking out 11 and walking two.

Freshman Taylor Hill picked up two wins after pitching three scoreless innings with five strikeouts and a walk and Chase Reid (have you seen his curve ball?) threw 2.2 scoreless innings with six strikeouts and three walks.

The Commodores will be on the road the next two weekends against Ole Miss and Mississippi State, and play nine of the next 11 away from Hawkins Field.