SEC Baseball Saturday Recap: Vols & Razorbacks remain hot; Aggies, Wildcats, & Tide even series; more

Razorbacks cruise again vs State

Saturday's contest unfolded in a similar manner to Friday’s, as Arkansas  (21-4, 7-1) handled Mississippi State (16-12,3-5 SEC) with relative ease. While the Arkansas bats would eventually put it out of reach, it was a poor performance from Bulldog starter Parker Stinnett that got the ball rolling. The righty had a clean first inning before imploding and issuing 5 free passes in the 2nd, allowing 4 runs on just 1 hit. The State bullpen wouldn’t fare much better allowing an additional 8 runs. For Arkansas, Cayden Wallace led the way driving in 4, while Brady Slavens, Chris Lanzilli, Zack Gregory, and Robert Moore all blasted home runs. Freshman Hagen Smith turned in another nice effort as he tallied 7 strikeouts across 6 frames, allowing 3 ER. 

The machine keeps rolling as Tennesse stays undefeated in SEC play

One of the conference’s best arms in Chase Dollander continued to dominate as he went 8.0 strong innings allowing just 3 hits and 2 earned runs. Offensively, it was the meat of the order that did damage for Tony Vitello’s club. All 6 of the Volunteers’ hits came from the 3-4-5 spots in the lineup as Trey Lipscomb delivered the big blow with a 5th inning 2-run homer that put the Vols (26-1, 8-0) up 5-0. Vanderbilt (20-6, 4-4) added two solo home runs late, but only managed the three hits on the afternoon.

Kentucky bats power past Ole Miss to even series

While the offense has been the story for the Wildcats’ (18-10, 3-5) success this season, on Saturday 6’6 righty Darren Williams delivered in a big way, going 6.1 innings allowing just two runs and striking out 7 Rebels. Mike Bianco went with a new weekend starter for the second straight day which seemed to go well until the Ole Miss (18-8, 3-5) bullpen allowed 7 runs over the last 3.2 innings. The offense was highlighted by big blue slugger Jacob Plastiak belting two home runs. The Rebel offense only mustered 3 hits on the afternoon. 

Missouri’s late comeback evens series

South Carolina (13-13, 3-5) ace Will Sanders delivered another stellar outing as he allowed just 2 runs in 7 innings, but the Missouri (16-8, 2-6) bats would ultimately get to the Gamecock bullpen as the Tigers scored runs on each of the final four arms that entered. Nander De Sedas blasted a clutch 3-run homer late to give Missouri the lead, while Tre Morris delivered the walk-off via a sac fly in the 9th. DH Fox Leum also had a 3-hit, 3-RBI day including a HR. For Carolina, it was Brandt Belk who found success at the plate. The Missouri Tiger transfer drove in 4 runs with a home run and a double against his old club. 

Georgia completes sweep of Gators in ranked matchup

Florida (18-10, 3-6) held a 6-3 lead at the stretch before Georgia (22-6, 6-3) exploded for 11 runs in the final two frames, earning a sweep over the #14 Gators. Neither club had strong individual pitching performances as the bats drove most of the conversation on the afternoon. Connor Tate paved the way for UGA as he blasted a home run and drove in 5 runs, while Jud Fabian hit his SEC leading 12th home run of the season. The Gators have now lost its last 5 SEC games after starting 3-1 in league play.

Auburn earns second consecutive road series win

In one of the league’s biggest surprises of the season, Auburn (19-9, 5-4 SEC) has continued its strong play by clinching the series over LSU (19-9,4-5), its second straight road series win. Joesph Gonzalez returned to the rotation for Auburn after missing a few weeks due to a blister issue and provided 6 stable innings allowing 3 runs to the potent LSU lineup. At the plate, Sonny DiChiara had another big day belting a home run and a double as part of his 4-hit game. 

Alabama evens series vs the Aggies in high scoring affair

Alabama (16-12, 3-5) jumped out to a 7-1 lead thanks to crooked numbers in the 4th and 5th innings, but that lead vanished quickly as the Aggies (16-10, 4-4) scored 7 runs in the 6th, aided by Bama miscues. The Tide have experienced bullpen woes, and it felt like things were trending in that direction again, but a pair of clutch 2-out RBI singles from Bryce Eblin and William Hamiter put Alabama back in front for good. Dylan Ray allowed 4 hits in the final two innings but just one run as the Crimson Tide were able to hang on.