SEC Baseball Friday Recap: Vols claim SEC crown, Vandy outlasts Arkansas, more

Photo: Vanderbilt Athletics

Bradfield lifts Vanderbilt over Arkansas in extra inning thriller

Vanderbilt (33-16, 13-12) raced to an early 5-0 lead as Arkansas (36-13, 16-9) starter Connor Noland struggled in the early going. Meanwhile Devin Futrell, the usual midweek starter for the ‘Dores, made his first SEC start going 5 and allowing 4 ER. The Hogs managed to tie the game in the 6th but a double play allowed Vandy to escape the bases leaded jam. In the top of the 10th inning, Vandy spark plug Enrique Bradfield Jr blasted a 3 run homer that proved to be the difference in the opener.  

Tennessee, Russell handle Georgia to clinch series

After taking the Thursday night contest, Tennessee (45-6, 22-4) put up crooked numbers in three straight innings to beat Georgia (32-17, 13-13) by a score of 9-2. One of the preseason highlights in the Blade Tidwell vs Jonathan Cannon ultimately fell a bit flat as neither would go longer than 4.1 innings. Evan Russell launched 2 home runs while Joel Ortega added 3 RBI of his own. Cole Tate notched a home run for Georgia. 

The win coupled with the Arkansas loss makes Tennessee the outright SEC champion for 2022. 

Tigers edge Tide in rival showdown

Garrett McMillan and Mason Barnett dueled in a low scoring Friday night affair that saw Auburn (34-16, 14-11) top Alabama (27-23, 10-15) 3-2. All action came in the middle innings as Auburn took a 2-0 lead in the 5th before a Drew Williamson homer would tie it the next half inning. The deciding run came via a Books Carlson 6th inning double to put the Tigers on top for good. 

Florida topples Missouri on the road

Missouri (25-21, 7-18) jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first before the Florida (31-18, 12-13) offense responded with 13 unanswered runs cruising to victory. Eight Gators tallied base hits including four home runs. On the mound, Brandon Sproat delivered a strong 6.2 innings with 7 strikeouts and only 1 run allowed. 

Texas A&M holds off Mississippi State and completes comeback

After Texas A&M (31-16, 15-10) plated four runs in the first two frames, Mississippi State (25-25, 9-16) starter Brandon Smith settled in while the Bulldog offense scored seven consecutive runs with the help of the long ball. However, the State staff would ultimately relinquish that lead as 4 consecutive walks plus a bases clearing double from Troy Claunch scored four runs in the 7th. 

Carolina tops the Cats in SEC East showdown

The South Carolina (25-23, 11-14) offense pounded out 13 hits, 6 for for extra bases, as they handled Kentucky (26-22, 9-16) by a final of 11-3. Josiah Sightler and Michael Braswell each drove in 3 runs while the Gamecocks arms limited the UK offense to 2 ER. 

Ole Miss, LSU suspended in the third

With two outs in the home half of the third, LSU (33-15, 14-10) and Ole Miss (28-19, 10-14) had their opening contest postponed due to rain. 

The Tigers jumped out to a 2-run lead thanks to a Dylan Crews home run, but the Rebels responded with a 4-run second to take the lead. The two teams will resume game 1 tomorrow before playing the scheduled game 2.