NASHVILLE — Wayne Taylor hit a game-ending home run to the right-field stands in the ninth inning, lifting Stanford to a 5-4 win against Vanderbilt on Saturday and forcing a deciding third game.
A berth to the College World Series will be up for grabs Sunday in the finale of the super regional series.
Vanderbilt (45-19) tied the score at 4-4 in the top of the ninth when Stanford reliever A.J. Vanegas hit Xavier Turner with the bases loaded in a rally started when Dansby Swanson reached first on a wild pitch after striking out. But Rhett Wiseman grounded out to second, leaving the bases loaded.
The Cardinal (35-25) took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fourth after three unanswered hits, including a two-run double by Brant Whiting.
Vanegas earned the win, allowing just one hit and four walks in two innings of relief.
