Vanderford Goes the Distance in CSUN's 4-1 Win Over #14 Vanderbilt

NORTHRIDGE, CA---

For the second-straight day, CSUN Baseball stunned No. 14 Vanderbilt as the Matadors posted a 4-1 victory on Saturday afternoon at Hawkins Field to claim the series. Junior Tei Vanderford went the distance, scattering four hits while striking out eight batters. Riley Conlan went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. With the win, the Matadors have registered their first series victory over a Top 25 ranked team since 2009.

Allowing just one earned run through his first two starts of his CSUN career, Vanderford was dealing again on Saturday against the Commodores. Tossing 137 pitches on the day, Vanderford took a no-hitter into the fifth inning and surrendered just two hits that reached past the infield.

Vanderford retired the first nine batters of the game before JJ Bleday reached on an error to start the fourth. Vanderbilt would load the bases on a walk and hitter batter but Vanderford retired Jason Delay on a lineout to end the frame. The right hander would give up his first hit in the fifth inning with one out but he stranded the runner at second base by retiring Bleday.

The Matadors gave Vanderford early run support with a two-run third inning. A Vanderbilt miscue on a grounder to shortstop off the bat of William Colantono began the rally. Starter Patrick Raby walked the next two batters to load the bases with one out. Fred Smith would follow with a grounder to the right side to bring home Colantono. Moments later, Colan came through with a two-out single to right field, plating Alvaro Rubalcaba from third base.

CSUN added another run in the sixth inning on another key two-out hit. With Conlan at second base, Nick Sablock stroked an RBI single to right center to put the Matadors ahead 3-0.

Shutout through five innings, Vanderbilt would break through against Vanderford in the sixth as Jaren Kendall hit a leadoff solo home run.

The Matadors would have an answer, however, two innings later. The Matadors loaded the bases with two two outs after Nolan Bumstead was hit by a pitch. Colantono followed with a walk to force in a run, pushing the lead to 4-1.

Vanderbilt threatened in each of the last three innings but Vanderford would have an answer at every turn. After stranding three base runners in the seventh and eighth innings, Vanderford pitched around a leadoff walk in the ninth to record his first career complete game with CSUN. Vanderford ended the game in resounding fashion by striking out the last two batters swinging.

Defeating the Commodores for the second-straight game, the Matadors have now posted their first series win over a Top 25 team since taking two of three games from No. 19 UC Santa Barbara eight seasons ago. CSUN has also recorded its first series win over an SEC team in program history.

The Matadors will look for the series sweep of Vanderbilt tomorrow afternoon. First pitch is slated for 11 a.m. (PT).

Vanderford Goes the Distance in CSUN's 4-1 Win Over #14 Vanderbilt

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Team Stats

Riley Conlan

Fred Smith

Kevin Riley

Nick Sablock

Players Mentioned

Nolan Bumstead

William Colantono

Riley Conlan

Alvaro Rubalcaba

Nick Sablock

Fred Smith

Tei Vanderford