Vanderbilt-UIC Series: Vandy wins 16th straight
By Jesse Johnson - March 09, 2007
In a very interesting ninth inning, the Commodores remained undefeated with a called strike three for All-American lefty David Price on UIC centerfielder Larry Gempp. The Flames rally started with bunt single from third baseman Nick Bainwater. Shortstop Chad Schroeder looked as though he was going to advance the runner over to second but chose to try a slap hit to right. His decision was not a good one as the hit went weakly in the air to right and was caught for one out. Then after a infield single by first baseman Jack Carr, Gempp came to bat with runners on first and second. UIC coach Mike Dee then chose to apply a double steal but Vanderbilt catcher Shea Robin gunned out Carr for the second out.
At one point later in Gempp's at-bat, UIC tried to apply the rare safety squeeze with Rainwater at third. But after failing to apply the squeeze, Gempp would be called out on strikes on Price's 126 pitch of the game. A good turnout considering the circumstances, many Commodore fans waited til well after the team handshake to cheer on the now 16-0 club. Price, who moved to 4-0 on the season, finished with a 16 strikeouts, four hits, one run, and one walk on the evening. The hitting stars of the night included second baseman Alex Feinberg, who went 4-for-4 with an RBI, Shea Robin who was 2-for-4 with a run scored, and Dominic de la Osa who was 3-for-4 on the night with the decisive solo homerun in the third inning.
The loss dropped Illinois-Chicago to 4-6 on the year and starting pitcher Zach Peterson to 0-2 on the young season. Peterson went seven innings with 10 hits, two runs, and a season high seven strikeouts.
The two teams will return to action tomorrow in a very important Saturday game at 2 p.m.
Posted by Jesse Johnson at 09:19 PM on March 09, 2007
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