Home runs help Middle Tennessee snap NCAA tournament losing streak against Vanderbilt

Meinhart hits slam to back Middle Tennessee

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Stuart Meinhart hit a grand slam and Taylor Dennis added a solo shot in the seventh inning, helping Middle Tennessee beat in-state rival Vanderbilt 5-4 on Friday in the Louisville regional.

The victory snapped a seven-game NCAA tournament losing streak for second-seeded Middle Tennessee (44-16) and made a winner of Kenneth Roberts.

Meinhart’s homer was the 100th this season for the Blue Raiders, who came in tied for 10th nationally. Dennis, the No. 9 hitter, hit his fourth of the season.

Designated hitter Aaron Westlake had three hits and Jason Esposito a pair of RBIs for third-seed Vandy (34-26), which split a pair of regular-season meetings with Middle Tennessee.

The Commodores’ Mike Minor allowed 10 hits and five earned runs in the loss.