HOOVER, Ala. – The Southeastern Conference Baseball Tournament commenced at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium this week, featuring a mix of tightly contested battles, explosive offenses, and masterful pitching performances across the opening days of action. Four opening round games were played on Tuesday and Wednesday, setting the stage for further competition in the bracket.
Alabama Edges Missouri 4-1 in Tournament Opener
The tournament began on Tuesday, with Alabama defeating Missouri 4-1. The Crimson Tide advanced, improving to 41-15, while the Tigers concluded their season with a 16-39 record.
The game was scoreless through three innings before Missouri’s Mateo Serna hit a solo home run in the top of the fourth. Alabama quickly answered in the bottom half, scoring two runs. Brennen Norton singled, Bryce Fowler walked, and both scored on back-to-back singles by Justin Lebron and Kade Snell, giving Alabama the lead. Alabama extended their advantage in the seventh with a sacrifice fly by Will Hodo scoring Kade Snell. Catcher Brady Neal added an insurance run with a solo home run in the eighth inning.
Alabama’s win was anchored by starting pitcher Tyler Fay, who earned his first win (1-2) with a strong outing, allowing just one run on five hits over 6.0 innings. Alabama Coach Rob Vaughn praised Fay, stating he was “absolutely outstanding today” for “pound[ing] the strike zone, execute[ing] pitches on short rest”. Fay noted his slider was working well and that “saving the bullpen is an awesome thing, especially at this tournament”. Carson Ozmer recorded his 17th save. Wil Libbert took the loss for Missouri. Missouri outhit Alabama 9-8 but stranded 12 runners. Missouri Coach Kerrick Jackson felt the game “just kind of showed who we were all year,” calling his team an “immature baseball club” that missed opportunities. He added that Alabama’s pitching “executed. They had a plan and they stuck to it, and we didn’t”.
Oklahoma Defeats Kentucky 5-1
In the second game on Tuesday, Oklahoma earned a 5-1 victory over Kentucky. Oklahoma’s record moved to 34-19, while Kentucky finished the tourney at 29-24.
After Kentucky scored an unearned run in the top of the third on a fielding error allowing Luke Lawrence to score, Oklahoma responded in the bottom half with three runs. Jason Walk hit a two-run home run to right field, and Easton Carmichael followed with an RBI single through the left side. Oklahoma added single runs in the sixth and eighth innings, including an RBI groundout by Kyle Branch and a sacrifice fly RBI by Jaxon Willits scoring Easton Carmichael.
James Hitt earned the win for Oklahoma (2-0), pitching 4.0 scoreless innings in relief, allowing two hits and striking out one. Hitt stated he was “just hitting my spots and getting outs” and “everything was kind of working for me”. Kentucky starter Scott Rouse took the loss (4-2). Oklahoma Coach Skip Johnson highlighted the team’s defense and timely hitting, saying, “It was a great win for us today” and “We had really quality at-bats throughout the game”. He emphasized the importance of momentum in the league, noting a home run by Jason Walk helped them get some. Kentucky Coach Nick Mingione credited Oklahoma’s pitching, saying, “They threw the ball exceptionally well today. I thought… Hitt was fantastic”. Kentucky catcher Devin Burkes stated the team is “battle tested, as Coach would say all the time,” and they are “ready for next week”. Oklahoma outhit Kentucky 7-6.
Florida’s Offense Powers Past South Carolina 11-3
The third game of the day saw Florida defeat South Carolina 11-3. Florida improved to 38-19, while South Carolina’s record dropped to 28-29.
South Carolina took a brief 1-0 lead in the first inning. Florida immediately took control in the second when Bobby Boser hit a three-run home run to center field, scoring Nate Nadeau and Cade Stripling. Florida extended their lead with a solo home run by Luke Donay and an RBI double by Hayden Yost in the third. Hayden Yost added another solo home run in the fifth. South Carolina scored two runs in the eighth on RBI doubles by Will Scobey and Jordan Carrion, but Florida responded with a four-run eighth inning, including a two-RBI single from Luke Lawson.
Blaine Rowland earned the win for Florida (1-0). Coach Kevin O’Sullivan felt his pitchers “stepped up” and specifically praised Rowland for continuing “to throw strikes and doesn’t hurt himself”. Florida players Bobby Boser and Ty Evans both stressed the importance of pitching depth in the tournament. South Carolina Coach Paul Mainieri noted his team “had opportunities, just couldn’t capitalize on them” and that “the other team hit home runs, we didn’t hit any”. South Carolina outfielder Nathan Hall expressed thankfulness for the opportunity to play in the SEC. Florida outhit South Carolina 13-11 and committed no errors compared to South Carolina’s two.
Texas A&M Shuts Out Mississippi State 9-0
Opening day games finished on Wednesday, May 21. The game was postponed Tuesday due to potential severe weather in the area, Texas A&M defeated Mississippi State 9-0 in a dominant shutout performance. Texas A&M’s record improved to 29-25, while Mississippi State fell to 35-20.
Texas A&M jumped out to a large early lead, scoring six runs in the second inning. The big inning was highlighted by RBI hits from Ben Royo and Kaeden Kent, culminating in a Jace LaViolette grand slam home run to right field. Coach Michael Earley discussed working with Jace LaViolette through a recent slump, focusing on “stick[ing] to the approach”. LaViolette commented on his recent struggles, saying, “Whenever I swung and saw that ball go forward, honestly, I was pretty happy with that, making baby steps”. Texas A&M added two runs in the third and one in the seventh on an RBI single by Sawyer Farr.
Aggies starting pitcher Ryan Prager was outstanding, earning the win (5-0) by pitching 5.1 scoreless innings, allowing just four hits and striking out six. Prager stated that pitching today “was always the plan” and the early start was the “only adjustment”. Coach Michael Earley expressed “a ton of comfort with Ryan Prager” starting the game. Four Texas A&M pitchers combined for the shutout. Mississippi State Coach Justin Parker was disappointed in the early innings, stating his team “didn’t make enough pitches and plays in the second and third inning” and felt Prager “just didn’t miss spots” after the early deficit. Mississippi State designated hitter Noah Sullivan agreed, saying, “Prager was really good. He had all three pitches working”. Despite the loss, Parker was “not concerned” heading into the NCAA Tournament, mentioning Dane Burns and Charlie Foster were “bright spots” from the bullpen.
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