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Price Pitches No. 1 Vandy to Series-Opening Win, 4-1

by LSUsports.net (@LSUsports)
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Price Pitches No. 1 Vandy to Series-Opening Win, 4-1

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Junior left-hander David Price scattered four hits through 8.2 innings Friday night, recording 15 strikeouts to lead top-ranked Vanderbilt to a 4-1 win over LSU at Hawkins Field.

Vanderbilt improved to 44-10 overall and 20-8 in the Southeastern Conference. LSU is 29-24-1 overall, 12-15-1 in the SEC.

Price won his 10th game in 10 decisions as he allowed one run on four hits in 8.2 innings with three walks and 15 strikeouts. The strikeouts total represented the most for Price in an SEC game this season.

LSU junior left-hander Charlie Furbush (3-9) pitched effectively in defeat, limiting the Commodores to four runs ? just one earned ? on 11 hits in seven innings with two walks and six strikeouts.

“This was a tough loss for Charlie Furbursh because I thought he pitched very well tonight,” said LSU coach Paul Mainieri. “We couldn’t get him any run support, and our defense allowed three unearned runs. Price is obviously one of the best pitchers in the country, but I thought our players competed very well and we still had a chance at the end of the game.”

Vanderbilt opened the scoring in the bottom of the second inning when designated hitter Matt Meingasner launched a solo home run, his fifth dinger of the season.

LSU responded with a run in the third as third baseman Chris Jackson doubled, was sacrificed to third base by shortstop Michael Hollander and scored on left fielder Blake Dean‘s sacrifice fly.

The Commodores, however, took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fourth with the first of its three unearned runs. Left fielder Ryan Davis singled and advanced to second on a passed ball charged to catcher Sean Ochinko. Davis then scored on catcher Shea Robin’s single to left field.

Vanderbilt increased the advantage to 3-1 in the fifth as the Commodores loaded the bases on a single, a throwing error by Jackson and a walk from Furbush. A sacrifice fly by third baseman Pedro Alvarez gave the Commodores the two-run lead.

Vanderbilt added another unearned run in the seventh when Meinsgasner grounded into what appeared to be an inning-ending fielder’s choice. However, second baseman Chris McGhee dropped a toss from Hollander, allowing Alvarez to score from third base.

Price struck out the first two LSU batters in the ninth inning before walking center fielder Jared Mitchell. Price was lifted for reliever Casey Weathers, who ended the game by inducing a fielder’s choice grounder by right fielder Steven Broschofsky.

Weathers, who has 10 relief wins, picked up his sixth save of the season.