HOOVER, Ala. – The Southeastern Conference Baseball Tournament continued its run at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, showcasing a variety of contests ranging from a dominant shutout to a high-scoring affair and a tense pitching battle.
The day began with a commanding performance from Texas A&M, followed by a back-and-forth offensive showcase between Tennessee and Alabama. The afternoon shifted gears with a pitcher’s duel between Oklahoma and Georgia, concluding with a low-scoring contest between Ole Miss and Florida.
Texas A&M Shuts Out Mississippi State 9-0
In the first game of the day, Texas A&M defeated Mississippi State 9-0. Texas A&M improved their record to 29-25, while Mississippi State fell to 35-20. The game was scheduled to be the fourth game Tuesday night, but was postponed due to weather concerns.
Texas A&M broke the game open in the second inning, scoring six runs. The rally included a double by Bear Harrison, an RBI single by Ben Royo, an RBI hit by pitch for Kaeden Kent, and a Jace LaViolette grand slam to right field. They added two more runs in the third inning on an RBI groundout by Sawyer Farr and a sacrifice fly by Kaeden Kent. Texas A&M capped their scoring with a run in the seventh inning on an RBI single by Sawyer Farr. Mississippi State was held scoreless throughout the contest, managing six hits but leaving nine runners on base.
Texas A&M starting pitcher Ryan Prager earned the win (5-0), pitching 5.1 scoreless innings, allowing four hits and striking out six. Relievers Clayton Freshcorn, Brad Rudis, and Gavin Lyons closed out the game, also pitching scoreless frames.
Texas A&M Coach Michael Earley commented that Prager was always planned to pitch today, regardless of the start time. He noted having “a ton of comfort with Ryan Prager” starting early. Earley also highlighted the team’s execution of “situational stuff”, stating they “executed a bunt the way we were supposed to” and “got guys in when we needed to”. Pitcher Ryan Prager stated his mentality was to treat it “like another game of baseball” and that his “composure… was really good”. Outfielder Jace LaViolette, who hit the grand slam, acknowledged he had been in a “slump” but was happy to see the ball go forward, focusing on sticking to his “approach” and working with Coach Mike Earley.
Mississippi State starting pitcher Ryan McPherson took the loss (3-5), giving up six runs (five earned) in 1.2 innings.
Mississippi State Coach Justin Parker expressed disappointment, noting his team “didn’t make enough pitches and plays in the second and third inning”, which put them in a deficit. He felt that after those innings, Ryan Prager “almost took that two innings to get their guys settled in, and I don’t know if he missed a spot after the second inning”. Parker added that they will “get back home, we’ll recommit… take these next couple days off and try to catch our breath”. Designated Hitter Noah Sullivan stated that after falling behind, the message was “We just had to keep playing” but acknowledged they were “unable to because Prager was so good”.
Tennessee Outslugs Alabama 15-10 in Offensive Battle
In the highest-scoring game of the day, Tennessee defeated Alabama 15-10. Tennessee’s record improved to 42-15, while Alabama’s dropped to 41-16.
Tennessee took an early lead in the first and second innings, with an RBI double from Hunter Ensley and an RBI single from Gavin Kilen. Alabama responded in the fourth with an RBI double by Richie Bonomolo Jr.. Tennessee extended their lead with three runs in the bottom of the fourth, including a two-RBI single from Gavin Kilen. Alabama erupted for five runs in the fifth inning to take a 6-5 lead, highlighted by a two-RBI double from Richie Bonomolo Jr.. Tennessee quickly retook the lead in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI single by Charlie Peebles. The Volunteers broke the game open in the sixth with a five-run inning, featuring RBI hits from Dalton Bargo, Reese Chapman, Levi Clark, and Charlie Peebles. Tennessee solidified their lead in the eighth with a four-run inning, including a two-run home run by Reese Chapman and a two-RBI double from Manny Marin. Alabama added four runs in the ninth but couldn’t overcome the deficit.
AJ Russell earned the win for Tennessee (2-1). Alabama starter Zane Adams took the loss (7-4).
Alabama Coach Rob Vaughn described it as a “Really good game through 6, really through 5”. He noted they were “able to tie the game up” and “to grab the lead there in the middle is exactly where you want to be”, but acknowledged they “just couldn’t stop them” as “that offense was firing on all cylinders today”. Vaughn mentioned starting Zane Adams was “a little bit a different role for him” and he “wasn’t sharp”. He praised catcher Brady Neal, saying he has been “great for us”. Centerfielder Richie Bonomolo Jr. said the team showed “fight” and “resiliency” by scoring runs late. Bonomolo Jr. stated they will “just show up and do what we do” regardless of hosting a regional or not.
Tennessee Coach Tony Vitello felt the team’s “energy and the vibe was good all day long” despite making “a bunch” of mistakes. He highlighted the team’s reaction to errors as “better than we’ve done in the past”. Vitello commended the “unselfish” pitchers AJ Russell and Brandon Arvidson for their willingness to hand the ball off. Pitcher AJ Russell said the scoreless innings he threw after Alabama’s big inning were “massive” and felt “really good”. Designated Hitter Levi Clark stated the team’s motto after the five-run inning was “just move on to the next”.
Oklahoma Shuts Down Georgia 3-2 in Pitching Duel
In an evening matchup starting at 5:51 pm, Oklahoma defeated Georgia 3-2. Oklahoma improved their record to 35-19, while Georgia fell to 42-15.
Georgia scored first in the third inning on a sacrifice fly by Slate Alford. Oklahoma tied the game in the fourth with a sacrifice fly from Brayden Horton that scored Easton Carmichael. Oklahoma took the lead in the sixth inning with two runs, an RBI groundout by Dayton Tockey scoring Trey Gambill, and an RBI single by Brayden Horton scoring Easton Carmichael. Georgia attempted a comeback in the eighth when Henry Hunter hit a solo home run to right field, but Oklahoma held on for the win.
Oklahoma starting pitcher Kyson Witherspoon was the key to their victory, earning the win (10-3). He pitched 7.2 innings, allowing only two runs on five hits while striking out eight.
Oklahoma Coach Skip Johnson said Witherspoon was “extremely good tonight” and went out “just like he always does and takes the mound and takes the ball”. He also praised the team’s defense, stating they played “outstanding” and “a lot better than we’ve played in the last two weeks”. Johnson highlighted Brayden Horton, who “got some big hits in some big moments” and had “two RBIs”. Pitcher Kyson Witherspoon stated he threw “whatever was working” and didn’t know the percentage of off-speed pitches, but “they didn’t hit it”. Infielder Jaxon Willits expressed immense confidence in Witherspoon, stating, “In my opinion, we’re playing behind the best pitcher in the country”. Dylan Crooks earned his 14th save for Oklahoma.
Georgia Coach Wes Johnson acknowledged Kyson Witherspoon was “probably the best right-hander we’ve seen all year”. He felt the difference in the game was that Oklahoma “didn’t walk anybody, we walked three”. Johnson estimated that Witherspoon threw “probably 70 percent off-speed tonight” which made it “challenging”. Catcher Henry Hunter said his eighth-inning home run was “just trying to get the guys going” and “do something productive with two outs”.
Ole Miss Defeats Florida 3-1 in Late Game
In the final game of the day, starting at 9:16 pm, Ole Miss defeated Florida 3-1. Ole Miss improved to 38-18, while Florida’s record dropped to 38-20.
Ole Miss scored all three of their runs in the fourth inning. Judd Utermark doubled, then Isaac Humphrey doubled to right center, scoring Utermark. After R. Moerman reached on an error, Campbell Smithwick singled to right field, scoring Moerman. Florida scored their lone run in the fifth inning.
Hunter Elliott earned the win for Ole Miss (9-3). Liam Peterson took the loss for Florida (8-3). Connor Spencer recorded his fifth save for Ole Miss. No coach or player quotes were available for this game in the provided sources.
The SEC Tournament continues with more games on Thursday.
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