Hogs clinch share of SEC title regardless of loss to Vandy

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – No. 12 Vanderbilt edged out No. 2 Arkansas 7-6 on Saturday afternoon at Hawkins Area to take the collection in opposition to the Razorbacks and finish the common season with back-to-back wins.

Regardless of the loss, Arkansas (39-15, 20-10 SEC) secured its fourth regular-season SEC championship at Hawkins Area. The Razorbacks cut up the title with No. 4 Florida (42-13, 20-10 SEC) after each groups completed the season with an SEC-leading 20 wins.

Arkansas clinched its second SEC title within the final three seasons and its fourth at school historical past (1999, 2004, 2021 and 2023). The Razorbacks additionally received their eighth SEC West title, 4 of which have come since 2018. Dave Van Horn has led this system to seven division championships and its final three SEC titles since turning into head coach in 2003.

Nonetheless, the day on the sector belonged to Vanderbilt.

Troy LaNeve hit a three-run residence run for the second sport in a row to assist spark the Commodores’ offense. Vandy totaled 12 hits with the underside 4 hitters of the order going a mixed 8-for-15 on the plate.

Ryan Ginther earned the beginning and turned in 4 sturdy innings to match his profession excessive. Ginther did not enable an earned run and struck out 5 batters. David Horn threw 2.1 scoreless innings and Nick Maldonado closed the door for his eighth save on the season.

Arkansas struck first with the assistance of an error by Vanderbilt. The Razorbacks put a pair on base with a stroll and a single within the prime of the second. A groundball offered a double play alternative however the throw to second was errant, permitting the runner from second to return round and rating. Arkansas added a second run on a sac fly to guide 2-0.

Vanderbilt answered shortly within the residence half of the second. Parker Noland bought issues going with a one-out single. RJ Austin adopted with a double to place two on base for LaNeve. LaNeve, who hit the go-ahead three-run homer within the eighth inning Friday, did it once more Saturday with a three-run shot to left to place Vanderbilt on prime 3-2.

Schreck singled to guide off the underside of the third and moved to second on a sac bunt. Austin then lined a two-out single to left that scored Schreck from second to extend Vandy’s result in 4-2.

Arkansas retook the lead with 4 runs on 5 hits within the prime of the fifth to go up 6-4.

The Commodores rallied again within the backside of the sixth. T.J. McKenzie singled with one out and Vastine doubled to place runners on second and third. A balk introduced residence McKenzie and Bradfield pulled the Dores even at 6-6 with an infield single that allowed Vastine to the touch residence.

Bradfield stole each second and third and one other balk introduced him residence as Vandy took a 7-6 lead. Bradfield now ranks third in SEC historical past with 127 profession stolen bases.

Nick Maldonado recorded his second save in as many days and his eighth of the season. Arkansas put the tying run on within the ninth however Maldonado bought a groundball to Austin who began a 4-6-3 double play to finish the sport.

UP NEXT

Vanderbilt would be the No. 4 seed at subsequent week’s SEC Match in Hoover, Alabama. The Commodores will play within the fourth sport on Wednesday and can face the winner of the 5-seed vs. the 12-seed matchup.

Arkansas is the No. 2 seed within the SEC Match and can play its first sport on Wednesday at The Hoover Met. The Hogs play the winner of Tuesday’s single-elimination sport between seventh-seeded Tennessee and Tenth-seeded Texas A&M.