PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – The Sycamores gave the defending National Champions all they could handle Friday night at the Charlotte Sports Park.  Vanderbilt won 3-2 on a walk-off single by Rhett Wiseman.  The loss drops the Sycamores to 2-2, and Vanderbilt improves to 3-1.

The Sycamores struck first in the second inning.  Andy Young muscled a double down the left field line then advanced to third on a wild pitch.  Freshman Tyler Friis stepped up and delivered the sacrifice fly to score Young. 

ISU tacked on another in the third inning.  Connor McClain was walked and Landon Curry followed with a single to left field.  Jacob Hayes the hit a high chopper to the left side of the infield and legged out the infield hit. McClain hustled around and scored from second on the play.  Both runs came off of Carson Fulmer, a preseason Baseball America First-Team All-American.

Vanderbilt battled back in the bottom of the fifth inning.  The Commodores tied the game up when Wiseman laced a double to centerfield scoring two.

The Sycamores threatened in the top of the ninth, loading the bases with one out but were unable to score. 

Vanderbilt was able to load the bases in their half of the inning.  Wiseman again supplied the offense with a single up the middle to score Tyler Campbell to give the Commodores the win. 

Ryan Keaffaber picked up the loss, his first of the season, throwing 0.1 innings, allowing two hits and a run.  Jeremy McKinney had another impressive appearance out of the ISU bullpen, throwing 3.1 innings, allowing one hit and striking out four.  Ben Bowden earned the victory for the Commodores.  Bowden threw 0.2 innings and struck out one batter. 

At the plate, Curry led the Sycamores going two-for-four.  Friis finished one-for-two with an RBI and walked once.

The Sycamores face off against the No. 1 Commodores Saturday, Feb. 21 at 1:00 p.m. at the Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte, Fla.

For the latest information on the Sycamore Men's Baseball team, make sure to visit GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including Facebook and Twitter.