SEC baseball Saturday recap: All seven series clinched

A recap of the action across the league on Saturday.

Ole Miss claims the lone rubber game from the opening weekend of SEC play

Captain Tim Elko led the way for Ole Miss (15-4, 2-1) with a 3-hit, 4 RBI day including HR number 8 on the season as the Rebels rolled Auburn (14-6, 1-2) by a score of 15-2. Five Rebels posted multi-hit days while starter Jack Dougherty had a serviceable game 3 outing providing 5 IP and 2 ER. 

Auburn did have 9 hits on the afternoon but stranded 12 men. Starter Trace Bright who'd been one of the leagues best to this point allowed 6 runs (3 earned) in 4.1 IP, and was followed by 4.2 innings of relief work which the Rebels greeted with 9 runs. 

Aggies' clinch series of SEC coaching Debuts 

Texas A&M (12-6, 2-0) scored the go ahead run via an LSU 9th inning error before ultimately adding three more tin win by a score of 11-7. Ryan Targac led the way with a 3-3 day which featured a triple, 2 walks, 2 RBI, and 4 stolen bases. The Aggies bottom three spots in the order drove in a combined 6 runs. 

After injury bumped him from his usual Friday start, Blake Money of LSU (14-5, 0-2) drew the game 2 assignment, however, he only went 3.1 while allowing 4 ER on 6 hits.

Bombs lead Tennessee to series win vs. South Carolina

Tennessee’s Jordan Beck and Luc Lipcius hit home runs for the nation’s best home-run hitting team, as the Vols (18-1, 2-0 SEC) beat South Carolina, 5-2, to take the series at Lindsey Nelson field on Saturday. Starting pitcher Chase Dollander threw five innings of one-run ball to get the win. 

Tennessee forced South Carolina (10-8, 0-2) ace Will Sanders to throw 103 pitches over just 4 2/3 innings and got all its runs off Sanders. Carolina’s Brandt Belk and Kevin Madden added home runs for the Gamecocks.

Georgia walks-off Mississippi State

Cole Tate laced a bases loaded single in the bottom of the 9th to walk-off MSU (11-9, 0-2) 12-11 and clinch the series. In what was an eventful back and forth affair, the State pitching staff once again struggled issuing 12 walks, 8 of which were from starter Parker Stinnett. In addition, a 2-out fly ball that was allowed to drop plated 3 runs which proved to be costly. 

Corey Collins led UGA (16-3, 2-0) with a 3-hit, 4 RBI day including his 7th home run of the season. The win was #600 for skipper Scott Stricklin.

Freshmen lead Vandy to series win over Missouri

Lefty Carter Holton threw seven shutout innings with 10 strikeouts and third baseman Davis Diaz’s three hits included his first career home run, as the Commodores (16-2, 2-0) blanked Missouri, 6-0, at Hawkins Field on Saturday. Vandy has won 15 straight, the program’s longest winning streak since 2007.

The Tigers (12-4, 0-2) got two strong innings from Austin Troesser to start, but went to the bullpen after that, and freshman lefty Tony Neubeck gave up four runs, including the Diaz bomb.

Razorbacks handle Wildcats for consecutive day

Arkansas (15-3, 2-0) freshman Hagen Smith made his SEC debut with 6 innings and 7 strikeouts while allowing 3 ER. Zebulon Vermillion finished the contest with 3 scoreless innings in relief. Offensively the Hogs were led by Robert Moore's 3 RBI and freshman Hagen Smith's first career SEC home run. 

For the Wildcats (14-6, 0-2), starter Magdiel Cotto struggled only lasting 1.2 innings and surrendering 3 ER. Hunter Jump added a HR for UK. 

Langford, Armstrong star in UF win

Florida (15-4, 2-0) head coach Kevin O'Sullivan also captured his 600th career win Saturday. Wyatt Langford blasted 2 home runs and 4 RBI while Kris Armstrong notched 4 hits with a pair of RBI. Gator number two Brandon Sproat struggled allowing 4 ER over 3 IP, but reliever Ryan Slater logged 5 innings of relief which was enough to outlast the Tide (12-8, 0-2). Hunter Furtado took the loss in relief as he allowed 6 ER across 2.1 IP.