Vanderbilt 8, Tennessee 5:
Ryan Flaherty launched a mammoth three run home run over the scoreboard in right center in the first inning, lifting Vanderbilt over Tennessee at Lindsey Nelson Stadium in Knoxville. The College Baseball Blog took in the action and provides this quick recap of the action.
Tim Corbin extended his dominance over arch rival to the east to a 13-5 record. This was the first matchup between Corbin’s Dores against new Tennessee skipper Todd Raleigh. The new coaching staff in orange has many ties to the Dores, with Corbin and Raleigh both Jack Leggett disciples. Raleigh coached VU recruiting coordinator and first base coach Erik Bakich at East Carolina. And while Corbin was an assistant at Clemson, both UT assistant Brad LeCroy and VU Director of Baseball Operations Mike Calitri were players (credit to Brandon Barca at VU for the research). This has added a level of respect to a coaching staff rivalry where there was very quiet, but brutally clear animosity during the Rod Delmonico era. If there are two teams in the SEC who have truly hated each other more than VU and UT over the last three years, I’m surprised a riot didn’t break out. One can anticipate that the rivalry may turn more cordial in the future.
In the game, VU struck first on Flaherty’s 3 run bomb. In the third, Pedro Alvarez (0-5, R, RBI) knocked in David Macias (4-4, 2 R, 3 RBI, BB) with a grounder that went through secondbaseman Andy Simunic (1-3, 1 R). Then, after a Flaherty (2-5, R, 3 RBI) single, in one of the more bizarre plays I’ve seen, Flaherty was called out for interference on a cue shot grounder from Andrew Giobbi. Flaherty was nearly at second when the ball changed directions off the mound. Simunic pivoted to his left in the baseline and ran right into Flaherty. After some confusion and an argument, Flaherty was called out, costing Vanderbilt a run. It was a true no fault play, as Simunic and Flaherty only collided due to the dramatic change of direction in the ball and to this point I’m not sure anyone knows if the call really was correct. Tennessee starter Nick Hernandez (6 IP, 8 ER, 11 H, 4K) utilized the play and an Alex Feinberg (1-4, R) groundout to get out of consecutive first and third scenarios without yielding an additional run.
Vanderbilt tacked on an additional run off a Macias double scoring Steven Liddle (2-4, 2R, RBI) in the 4th. In the sixth, doubles by Feinberg, Liddle and Macias and a single by Shea Robin (2-4, R) plated three more.
All the while, Mikie Minor (8.2 IP, 5 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 5 K) was cruising along, allowing only 2 hits by the turn. But as we’ve seen this year, Minor has struggled in the late innings. This time was no different as Corbin stretched his ace. PJ Polk (2-3, 2R, RBI) launched a leadoff home run in the 8th. After two outs and a Simunic walk, Josh Liles (1-4, R, 2 RBI) sent a shot over the left field wall to bring UT within five runs. In the ninth, Tennessee touched Minor for two singles and a two run Jarred Frazier (1-4, 2 RBI). Bret Jacobsen came on to record the final out for his third save.
Vanderbilt and Tennessee match up with Caleb Cotham (6-3, 3.77 ERA) and Bryan Morgado (6-2, 3.20) taking the hill on Fox Sports Network at 4 p.m. Eastern.
Georgia 5, Ole Miss 4:
UGA continued thier tear through the SEC, all but locking up a regular season championship by beating Ole Miss ace Lance Lynn. Josh Fields notched his league leading 13th save. UGA and Ole Miss match up again on ESPNU at 3 p.m. Eastern.
Auburn 11, Mississippi State 4:
Redshirt freshman Grant Dayton struck out a career-high 12 batters in leading the Tigers to a 11-4 victory over the Bulldogs. Game 2 will be at 7 p.m. Eastern at Plainsman Park.
Florida 9, South Carolina 3:
Florida’s surprising season and USC’s someone disappointing one continued with a 9-3 Gator victory. Freshman Riley Cooper of UF tied a school record with three HBPs. The Gators and Cocks match up again at 4 p.m. Eastern.
Alabama, 11, Arkansas 7:
Bama moved into a tie for first in the SEC West behind right fielder Kent Matthes five RBI night in front of 8,041 at Baum Stadium in Fayetteville. The Crimson Tide and Ole Miss now share first place. Game two is at 3 p.m. Eastern.
UK and LSU rained out:
It wouldn’t be an SEC weekend in 2008 if at least one game didn’t get rained out. UK and LSU are underway as part of a Saturday double header.
Recap of all the action at SECSports.com.
