Western Kentucky’s baseball team dropped an 8-1 decision to No. 24 Vanderbilt on Tuesday night at Hawkins Field in Nashville.

In his third career start, WKU freshman Jeff Ciocco held the Commodores to one earned run in four-plus inning. Catcher Ty Hogan knocked in the Hilltoppers’ run and finished 2-for-3 at the plate.

Ciocco left after facing one batter in the fifth, with a final line of four innings and two strikeouts, allowing five hits and one earned run.

The Hilltoppers host their first Conference USA opponent, UAB, for a three-game series at Nick Denes Field from Friday through Sunday. The Blazers are 11-6 this season, but are 1-4 away from home after also falling against an SEC team Tuesday; a 4-0 loss at Auburn.