Vandy Holds Off MT 5-2

The Blue Raiders got a solid start from freshman Chris Mobley and banged out 14 hits, but stranded 13 runners against Vanderbilt and dropped their fifth straight game 5-2.

The Commodores (18-18) got on the board in the bottom of the first inning when Mobley hit Cesar Nicolas with the bases loaded for force a run across.

Vandy struck again in the bottom of the fourth.when a bases-loaded walk from Mobley forced a run in. In the same frame, the Commodores got another run when Karl Nonemaker hit into a fielder's choice.

The Blue Raiders (21-20) rallied to cut the lead to 3-2 in the top of the fifth with an RBI groundout from Nate Jaggers and a run producing single from Justin Sims. However, the inning would prove to be the only offensive production for the Blue Raiders on the night.

The Commodores iced the game with two more runs in the bottom of the fifth behind the second Blue Raider error of the game.

Mobley, despite walking six batters in the game, turned in his most impressive outing of the season. The Kingsport native twirled 6-1/3 innings, allowing only four hits while striking out four. The game marked his longest outing of the season in only his second start.

Unfortunately for Mobley, he took the loss to fall to 3-4 on the season. Jeff Sues got the win for Vandy to improve to 4-1.

The Blue Raiders offensive bright spot was a 3-for-4 performance from Jason Howarth. Brett Carroll, Jaggers, and Sims had two hits each.

The Blue Raiders will attempt to break their current slide on Wednesday afternoon with a 6 PM game against Belmont at Nashville's Greer Stadium.

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