The Commodores were simply dominant right from the start today. It all began with some solid plate discipline. Back to back walks to start the game from Dansby Swanson and Bryan Reynolds. Then it seemed like John Hochstatter might settle down for the Cardinal after he struck out shortstop Vince Conde. But the bad pitching continued for the Cardinal in the 1st, there were 4 walked batters and 2 runs scored before they gave up their first hit, a single to centerfielder John Norwood, bringing home two more Commodores for a 4 run lead. The runs just kept coming for Vanderbilt too, scoring 3 more in both the 2nd and 3rd innings, to go up 10.
The Cardinal did start showing some life at the plate themselves in the top of the 4th inning, when Wayne Taylor hit a 2 RBI triple, but they were unable to bring him home to score. But starting pitcher for the Commodores, Tyler Beede, really came apart the following inning, walking 3, hitting another with a pitch, and giving up 2 singles to give up another 4 runs to the Cardinal, who seemed like they might be making this into a game.
Then Tyler Ferguson and Brian Miller came in to finish the job on the mound for the Commodores. Combined they went the final 4.1 innings, and shutout the Cardinal the rest of the way. The Commodores added another run in the bottom of the 7th, largely due to a throwing error.
The same two teams play tomorrow at Hawkins Field in Nashville, Tennessee, at 3 PM Eastern Time. The Commodores will be looking to end the Cardinals season with 9 more innings of solid play while the Cardinal will be looking to give the Commodores their first loss in the tournament, and a 3rd game in the series.