A Will Toffey two-out, two-run double broke a scoreless tie in the sixth, and Vanderbilt rode a solid start from first-round 2015 MLB Draft pick Carson Fulmer to a 5-1 win over Virginia in Game 1 of the College World Series Championship Series Monday night in Omaha.
Fulmer (14-2) went seven and two-thirds innings, giving up two hits, striking out eight and walking two. UVA starter Connor Jones (7-3) suffered his first loss since April 11, giving up four runs on seven hits in six and a third innings, striking out six and walking two.
It was scoreless into the sixth, and Jones got the first two Vandy hitters out in the bottom of the sixth before giving up an infield single on a 3-2 pitch to Zander Wiel.
Bryan Reynolds walked on four pitches to put runners on first and second with two down, and Tolley took the first pitch of the next at bat down the left-field line to break the seal on the scoreboard.
Vanderbilt added three in the seventh, on a one-out RBI double by Ro Coleman, a two-out RBI double by Dansby Swanson and an RBI single by Reynolds that made it 5-0 Commodores.
UVA threatened in the eighth, getting two on with two out, on a double by Adam Haseley and a four-pitch walk to Daniel Pinero that chased Fulmer.
Vanderbilt reliever Ben Bowden fell behind Cavs three-hole hitter Matt Thaiss, but got a pair of borderline called strikes to work his way back into the count, before inducing an inning-ending fly ball to end the threat.
Virginia finally got on the board in the ninth on a one-out RBI single by pinch-hitter Jack Gerstenmaier. The ‘Hoos had two on with one out, but Commodores closer Kyle Wright struck out Kevin Doherty and then got Ernie Clement to fly out to center to end it.
Vanderbilt has a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series. Game 2 is Tuesday night at 8 p.m. Eastern.
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Chris Graham
