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Vanderbilt gifted controversial go-ahead home run late vs. Wright State after overturn, review

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultz•05/30/25•

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Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Down 3-2 in the eight inning against Wright State, Vanderbilt needed a big swing. Riley Nelson came to the plate and delivered – but not without some controversy.

Nelson hit a towering 429-foot shot down the right field line which hugged the foul pole. At first, the umpires ruled it a foul ball, and he immediately asked for a review. However, they later changed it to a home run, which would have given Vanderbilt the lead.

Wright State then challenged the overturned call. The umpires upheld it as a home run, meaning Vanderbilt went out in front 4-3 in the bottom of the eighth. Wright State maintained its challenge, though, according to the umpires.

Nelson’s home run proved to be the difference in Friday’s game as Vanderbilt came away with the 4-3 victory. That sent the Commodores into the winners’ bracket – but it wasn’t an easy path to get there.

Wright State pitcher Cam Allen threw six no-hit innings to start the matchup, needing 76 pitches to go so. However, Raiders coach Alex Sogard pulled him ahead of the seventh inning, and the ESPN+ announcers questioned that decision. Warren Hartzell came in to relieve him, and his third pitch went over the fence as Vanderbilt got not only its first hit, but its first run on a Brodie Johnston solo home run.

The Commodores then got another run on a solo shot from Mike Mancini to cut the deficit to 3-2 in the eighth inning. Nelson then came to the plate with RJ Austin on first base, and his moonshot to right field put Vanderbilt out in front for good.

Friday’s win was Vanderbilt’s fifth come-from-behind victory of the season and ninth straight dating back to the regular season. The Commodores improved to 43-16 on the year and will now get ready to play in Saturday’s nightcap against Louisville in the winners’ bracket.

Wright State, meanwhile, will head to the losers’ bracket and take on East Tennessee State in Friday’s opener. The Raiders are now 38-20 on the year after taking down Milwaukee in the Horizon League tournament to secure the automatic bid.