Vanderbilt’s No. 12 ranked baseball team opened a series against No. 2 Arkansas on Thursday in less-than-ideal fashion, losing 8-2. Friday’s game looked like it would be more of the same — until the bottom of the eighth inning.
The Razorbacks scored a run in the top half of the eighth inning to open up another 8-2 lead on the Commodores. But in the bottom of the inning, Vanderbilt came storming back.
Things started well for the Commodores, as the first three hitters all reached base. The rally kept going and Vanderbilt got runs on a sacrifice fly from Enrique Bradfield, RJ Schreck and Parker Noland getting hit by a pitch and walked, respectively, with the bases loaded and a two-run single from Jack Bulger. Despite that, though, Vanderbilt still trailed 8-7 when Troy LaNeve came up with one out and runners on first and second.
But the Commodores wouldn’t be trailing for long. Arkansas called upon relief pitcher, the left-handed Parker Coil to face the left-handed hitting LaNeve. LaNeve, though, drove the first pitch he saw over the left-center field wall for the go-ahead homer.
Homers at The Hawk just hit different 🤯#VandyBoys | #AnchorDown pic.twitter.com/Spe4JKj4BC
— Vanderbilt Baseball (@VandyBoys) May 20, 2023
The Razorbacks didn’t score in the ninth inning, giving Vanderbilt the thrilling come-from-behind victory.
College baseball fans reacted to the comeback in a big way.
⚓️⬇️ ⚓️⬇️ ⚓️⬇️ ⚓️⬇️ ⚓️⬇️ ⚓️⬇️ ⚓️⬇️ ⚓️⬇️ ⚓️⬇️ ⚓️⬇️ ⚓️⬇️ ⚓️⬇️ ⚓️⬇️ ⚓️⬇️ ⚓️⬇️ ⚓️⬇️ ⚓️⬇️ ⚓️⬇️ ⚓️⬇️ ⚓️⬇️ ⚓️⬇️ ⚓️⬇️ ⚓️⬇️ ⚓️⬇️ ⚓️⬇️ ⚓️⬇️ ⚓️⬇️ ⚓️⬇️ ⚓️⬇️ ⚓️⬇️ ⚓️⬇️ ⚓️⬇️ ⚓️⬇️ ⚓️⬇️ ⚓️⬇️ ⚓️⬇️ ⚓️⬇️ ⚓️⬇️ ⚓️⬇️ ⚓️⬇️ ⚓️⬇️ ⚓️⬇️ https://t.co/jZ1kQ6Cepj
— Vanderbilt Athletics (@vucommodores) May 20, 2023
Goodness gracious!!! #6 Vanderbilt was down 8-2 to #2 Arkansas but has since scored the last 8 runs to take a 10-8 lead! Troy LaNeve belted this go-ahead 3-run HR! pic.twitter.com/OmrrCneftr
— Peter Flaherty III (@PeterGFlaherty) May 20, 2023
— SEC Baseball (@SECbaseball) May 20, 2023
What a win. FACT: @MaxHerzTalks told me today that the Yinzer would provide a spark for the @VandyBoys tonight. Max knows Pittsburgh! https://t.co/44VawbKCSi
— Willy Daunic (@WillyD1025) May 20, 2023
Wild comeback for Vanderbilt against Arkansas. With some Tim Corbin lineup changes paying off big. Eight run eighth.
— Joe Rexrode (@joerexrode) May 20, 2023