Vanderbilt baseball: Why Nick Maldonado stayed in game vs. Tennessee after giving up lead
Vanderbilt baseball coach Tim Corbin said that Nick Maldonado remained in Friday's loss to Tennessee after it went to extra innings because "he was still our best option."
The Commodores led by two going into the ninth inning, but Maldonado gave up two home runs, including one with two outs and two strikes, to tie the game. Corbin left him in the game and Maldonado eventually gave up a walk-off home run to Griffin Merritt in the 12th inning. The Commodores lost, 4-3, to the Vols (24-14, 6-10), marking the first time all season Vanderbilt has lost back-to-back games.
Vanderbilt (29-9, 13-3 SEC) has been shorthanded on the pitching staff after dealing with multiple injuries. Hunter Owen missed his typical Saturday start last week due to fatigue and swingmen Andrew Dutkanych and Grayson Moore have been out since before the start of conference play. Friday starter Carter Holton was back to full strength after missing a week due to soreness and battling ineffectiveness against South Carolina. Holton pitched six innings, allowing one run.
Corbin would not name a starter for Saturday's game.
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This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Vanderbilt baseball: Why Nick Maldonado stayed in game vs. Tennessee
