News Summary
The Vanderbilt Commodores baseball team secured a spot in the SEC Tournament semifinals by defeating the Oklahoma Sooners 6-1. Stellar pitching from JD Thompson, who recorded 11 strikeouts, and strong offensive performances, including three RBIs from RJ Austin, propelled Vanderbilt to its 40th win of the season. With this victory, they strengthen their NCAA Tournament positioning. The Commodores will face Tennessee next, continuing their impressive post-season run.
Hoover, Alabama – The No. 4-seed Vanderbilt Commodores baseball team advanced to the semifinals of the SEC Baseball Tournament following a decisive 6-1 victory over the No. 12-seed Oklahoma Sooners on Friday. With the win, Vanderbilt improved its overall record to 40-16 and continued its impressive late-season form, having won three consecutive SEC series to earn a double-bye into the tournament.
The game took place at the sprawling Hoover Met, and Vanderbilt’s pitching staff shone with an outstanding performance. Starting pitcher JD Thompson struck out 11 batters over five innings, allowing just one earned run on two hits. His accomplishment places him among a select group, marking him as the fifth Commodore pitcher to achieve double-digit strikeouts in an SEC Tournament game. In total, the Vanderbilt pitching staff compiled a remarkable 17 strikeouts, setting a new program record for the SEC Tournament.
The Commodores made their mark early, scoring four runs in the third inning. This offensive surge was initiated by a single from Jonathan Vastine coupled with several error-assisted plays that loaded the bases. Key contributions came from Rustan Rigdon, who recorded an RBI groundout, RJ Austin, who hit a two-run double, and Riley Nelson, who followed up with an RBI double. Oklahoma managed to secure its only run in the fourth inning with an RBI groundout but could not keep pace with Vanderbilt’s scoring. Austin later added another run in the fourth with an infield single, stretching the lead to 5-1. In the seventh inning, Braden Holcomb wrapped up Vanderbilt’s scoring with a double, finalizing the game at 6-1.
RJ Austin was a standout player for the Commodores, leading the team offensively with three RBIs and contributing a 2-for-4 performance at the plate. This win not only boosts Vanderbilt’s confidence heading into the next match, but it also positions them favorably for the upcoming NCAA Tournament. A victory against Oklahoma enhances their chances of hosting a regional tournament and possibly securing a top-8 national seed.
Vanderbilt’s successful march through the SEC Tournament was highlighted by their prior victories, including a hard-fought win against No. 5 seed Georgia in the second round, demonstrating their capability to rise to the occasion against strong opponents.
Throughout the game, Vanderbilt’s pitching rotation included contributions from Luke Guth, Levi Huesman, and Sawyer Hawks, showcasing a strategic pitching strategy that played a vital role in their triumph. However, the team faced a setback before the game when Colin Barczi was scratched from the starting lineup due to illness and was replaced by Mac Rose.
The Commodores are set to face Tennessee in the semifinals of the SEC Tournament on Saturday after this pivotal win. The game was televised on the SEC Network, providing fans with streaming options to catch the action. As they continue their postseason journey, Vanderbilt remains a strong contender in the conference and on the national stage.
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Additional Resources
- Sports Illustrated: Vanderbilt vs Oklahoma Live Blog
- VU Commodores: On to the Semifinals
- ESPN: College Baseball 2025 Schedule
- NCAA: 2025 NCAA Baseball Bracket
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Baseball
Author: HERE Nashville
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