COLUMBIA, Mo. (Interstat) — Alex Kranzler tossed 4 2/3 hitless innings of relief and Vanderbilt erupted for three runs in the 11th inning Saturday to defeat Missouri 11-8 in extra innings at Taylor Stadium.

Kranzler, a right-hander, entered in the fifth inning with the Commodores clinging to an 8-6 lead and proceeded to strike out seven batters while allowing no hits and no walks over 4 2/3 innings. He earned the win, improving Vanderbilt’s record to 29-22 overall and 12-16 in Southeastern Conference play. Missouri fell to 21-27 and 7-20.

The Commodores jumped ahead early. In the top of the first, George Waite doubled to left field, then scored on a passed ball after a bunt single by Thomas Mancini. Mancini later crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly by Sam Holcomb, giving Vanderbilt a 2-0 lead.

Vanderbilt added to its advantage in the second when Miles Goodin crushed a solo home run to center field, his 12th of the season, making it 3-0.

Missouri answered quickly in the bottom of the second against Vanderbilt starter Aiden Stillman. After a walk and a passed ball, Missouri loaded the bases and cashed in on a balk that allowed Eric Maisonet to score. A double by Jackson Durnin drove in two more runs, and a single by Kaden Ward brought home Durnin, cutting the deficit to 4-3. Vanderbilt then brought in Brennan Seiber, who allowed an inherited run to score on a single by Ward, tying the game at 4-4.

The Tigers kept the momentum in the third. With the bases loaded, a wild pitch allowed another run to cross, and a sacrifice fly by Jace Woita pushed Missouri ahead 6-4. Another wild pitch and a hit batter made it 7-4 before Vanderbilt reliever Nate Schlote stopped the bleeding.

Vanderbilt chipped away in the fourth and fifth but could not score. Missouri extended its lead to 8-4 in the fourth on a double by Brandon Jordan that scored Eli Serna.

The Commodores began their comeback in the sixth. With one out, Carson Johnston belted a solo home run to center field, his 10th of the year. Singles by Goodin and Jack Rigdon followed, and after a bunt advancement, a groundout by Dylan Reynolds plated Goodin. Waite then singled up the middle to score Rigdon, pulling Vanderbilt within 8-7.

Vanderbilt tied the game in the seventh. Johnston led off with a double, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a groundout by Jake Holcomb. Neither team scored in the eighth or ninth, sending the contest to extra innings.

After a scoreless 10th inning from both sides, Vanderbilt broke through in the 11th. Waite led off with a solo homer to right field, his sixth of the year, giving the Commodores a 9-8 lead. Mancini followed with a walk, Johnston was hit by a pitch and Holcomb walked to load the bases. With two outs, a single by — a pinch-hitter — cleared the bases, scoring Mancini and Johnston to push the lead to 11-8.

Missouri threatened in the bottom of the 11th, putting two runners on with two outs, but Vanderbilt closer Charlie Nadeau struck out Isaiah Frost to end the game.

Chris Patterson went 2 for 4 for Missouri, including a single and a hit-by-pitch. Maisonet and Leo Humbert each failed to record a hit in limited at-bats. Trey Lawrence started for the Tigers and allowed five earned runs on four hits over 4 2/3 innings, striking out four.

For Vanderbilt, Waite finished 3 for 6 with a double, a home run and three RBIs. Johnston added a double and a home run, driving in three runs. The Commodores outhit Missouri 14-8.

Kranzler’s performance was the turning point, as he silenced the Tigers’ lineup after they had scored eight runs in the first four innings. Vanderbilt improved to 2-1 in extra-inning games this season. Missouri dropped its sixth straight conference game.

The two teams meet again Sunday for the series finale. No betting line was available for Saturday’s contest.