For the first time all season, Vanderbilt baseball is in need of a bounce-back.
The Commodores (31-11, 15-5 SEC), who had not lost back-to-back games all season, entered the weekend on a four-game skid after losing a midweek to Arizona State before a weekend sweep at the hands of Tennessee. Now, they face a resurgent Kentucky (30-12, 11-9) for a three-game set at Hawkins Field.
No. 5 Vanderbilt has been banged up on the mound but the rotation is expected to be back to full strength this weekend, even as a few bullpen pieces remain out.
The 11th-ranked Wildcats have been one of the top small-ball teams in the country, focusing on bunts, stolen bases and making contact when much of the league wants to hit the ball out of the park.
This is the penultimate home weekend for the Commodores, who hit the road for two straight weekends before returning home for the season finale.
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Vanderbilt baseball vs. Kentucky: Game times, TV info
Sunday: 2 pm CT, SEC Network
Vanderbilt baseball vs. Kentucky: Probable pitchers
Sunday: LHP Devin Futrell (6-2, 2.50) vs. RHP Zack Lee (3-2, 3.89)
Vanderbilt baseball vs. Kentucky: Game results
Friday: Despite falling behind by two runs early after a shaky start from Carter Holton, Vanderbilt rallied to take the first game, 6-4. Patrick Reilly struck out 10 in 4⅓ scoreless innings out of the bullpen and Nick Maldonado struck out all three batters he faced in the ninth inning to pick up the save.
Offensively, the Commodores were led by RJ Schreck, who had three RBIs, including a two-run home run and a bases-loaded walk. RJ Austin and Jack Bulger had multi-hit games.
Saturday: Hunter Owen made his return to the rotation and pitched four solid innings, giving up two runs with two walks and six strikeouts. Following him, Thomas Schultz pitched three innings of one-run ball and Ryan Ginther pitched two scoreless innings to close out the 9-3 win.
RJ Austin was Vanderbilt’s top offensive player with two hits and four RBIs, including a home run. Chris Maldonado also hit a home run and the Commodores struck out just four times.
Vanderbilt baseball vs. Kentucky: Live score updates
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Vanderbilt baseball score vs. Kentucky: Live updates