March 12, 2005
Box Score
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Michael Griffin's two-run first-inning home run started a 21-hit barrage as No. 19 Baylor pounded eighth-ranked Vanderbilt 16-5 Saturday at Hawkins Field. The victory clinches the series for Baylor (10-7), while Vanderbilt (12-2) drops its first series of the season.
Griffin's home run, his first of the season, was his first of three hits on the day to go along with three runs and three RBI. He was one of four Bears with at least three hits on the day along with Kyle Reynolds (4-for-6), Josh Ford (3-for-5) and Kevin Russo (3-for-4). Ford also drove in four runs with two doubles and a home run.
Baylor doubled its lead in the third inning thanks to a Reid Brees two-out, two-run single up the middle. The flood gates opened in the fourth when the Bears scored six runs on six hits and a Vanderbilt error. Chase Gerdes had a two-run triple and Ford had a two-run double, while Griffin and Russo also had run-scoring hits in the inning.
The Bears plated five more runs on five hits in the sixth inning, keyed by a Ford two-run home run to center. Russo also had a two-run triple and Seth Fortenberry had an RBI groundout in the frame.
Meanwhile, Baylor starter Cory VanAllen kept the Vanderbilt bats at bay through the first five frames. After allowing back-to-back singles to start the bottom of the first, VanAllen did not allow another hit until a Tony Mansolino leadoff single in the fifth. The Commodores finally got to VanAllen with three runs on four hits in the sixth. VanAllen (3-2) allowed three runs on seven hits and three walks with three strikeouts in 6.0 innings.
Baylor and Vanderbilt conclude their three-game series Sunday at 1 p.m. CST. The Bears send right-hander Mark McCormick (1-1) to the mound opposite Commodores' right-hander Matt Buschmann (2-0).
NOTES: Baylor leads the all-time series 4-2. The Bears are now 2-0 all-time at Vanderbilt. ... Baylor improves to 3-2 this season in Saturday games and 7-1 when scoring first. ... The Bears produced season highs in hits and runs. ... Baylor's 21 hits were the most by a Bears' squad since a 24-hit showing April 22, 2003, against TCU. ... Griffin's home run was his first in 23 games, covering a span of 89 at bats. That was the longest drought of any current Baylor player who had previously hit a home run. ... Baylor's six-run fourth inning matched Friday night's six-run 13th inning as the Bears' most productive inning this season. ... Ford extended his hitting streak to seven games, the longest this season by a Bear. ... Baylor improves to 9-0 when leading after six innings or later, 9-1 when out-hitting the opponent and 3-1 when scoring in the first inning. ... Baylor clinches its first non-conference road series since sweeping UC Irvine in 2003. ... Reynolds tied his career high with four hits on the day. ... Griffin tied his career high with three runs scored. ... Ford produced the third two-double game of his career.
