Tag: SEC Baseball Tournament

Report: SEC determines baseball tournament format for 2025 and beyond

The SEC is reportedly ditching the double-elimination format, and all 16 teams will participate.

With the SEC expanding to 16 teams with the addition of Texas and Oklahoma following the conclusion of the current athletics season, one major unanswered question involving baseball was how the conference tournament would be formatted.

We seemingly now have an answer to that question. According to D1Baseball’s Kendall Rogers, the SEC is ditching the double-elimination format in favor of a single-elimination setup.

Additionally, rather than only the top 12 teams making the tournament, all 16 teams will participate with the top four seeds receiving a double-bye. It’s certainly a significant departure from the previous format, and it deviates from the strategy taken by, for example, the Big Ten, which will not include all teams in the tournament post-expansion.

We’ll still have one more season in the current format as LSU looks to defend its national title in 2024.

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Report: SEC Baseball Tournament to stay in Hoover in 2024

The SEC coaches reportedly voted last month unanimously to keep the SEC tournament in Hoover, Alabama.

There are discussions every year when the SEC Baseball Tournament rolls around. Should the conference tournament be moved to another location? That question has appeared even more with the fact that Texas and Oklahoma will be joining the conference in 2024.

However, D1Baseball’s Kendall Rogers reported that in a vote last month, the SEC coaches opted unanimously to keep the tournament in Hoover, Alabama.

The discussions to move the tournament aren’t because people have a big problem with Hoover Metropolitan Stadium, it is just the fact that there seems to be at least one rain delay every year. That isn’t the venue’s fault. They can’t control the weather. Weather delays are bound to happen wherever you go unless you play in a dome.

Where would it get moved to? Globe Life Park? It hosts the Big 12 tournament. What about Houston? It’s not really a centralized location. It seems as though there is no better option. We just have to hope for better weather.

Although, I think it would be a good idea to use the Hoover Met and the Birmingham Barons’ stadium as a venue. That might help with scheduling if the tournament runs into time constraints.

For now, the conference tournament will remain in Hoover, Alabama.

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Arkansas baseball vs. Texas A&M: How to stream, watch, listen to SEC Tournament

It’s hard to beat a team twice, but the Razorbacks will look to stop Texas A&M’s quest for revenge. 

It’s hard to beat a team twice, but the Razorbacks will look to stop Texas A&M’s quest for revenge.

After the Aggies were stung by Kendall Diggs’s walk-off homer in extra innings in the opening round,  the Aggies had to go through the double-elimination side of the bracket.

First, they shut out South Carolina 6-0, followed by a 5-4 victory over the Tigers to get the opportunity to play the Hogs for a second time in the SEC Tournament.

Not sure what happened to the Tigers, but head over to the LSU Wire for more coverage.

The Diamond Hogs are playing their best baseball at the right time, but so are the Aggies, and with this game being single elimination, the Hogs can’t afford to lose their rhythm.

DVH said this team has the best mindset, and winning the SEC Tournament isn’t the ultimate goal, but they are only one game away from the championship game, so does that mentality change?

If it does, hopefully, the Hogs don’t succumb to the potential pressure.

Photos: Highlights from Arkansas’ 5-4 victory over LSU in SEC Tournament

Here are the best photos from Arkansas’ 5-4 victory over LSU in the third round of the SEC Tournament on Thursday in Hoover, Ala.

Arkansas used a five-run fourth inning and the brilliant pitching of southpaws Hagen Smith and Hunter Hollan to outlast LSU on Thursday in the SEC Tournament, 5-4.

The win advances Arkansas to the semifinals on Saturday, where they’ll await the winner of both teams they’ve faced in Hoover (Texas A&M and LSU).

Saturday’s game will be single elimination, so a loss will send the Razorbacks home.

A win would put them in Sunday’s final.

Arkansas baseball vs. LSU: How to stream, watch, listen to SEC Tournament

No. 2 Arkansas takes on No. 3 LSU in the third round of the SEC Tournament.

Kendall Diggs didn’t waste any time during leading off in the 11th inning against Texas A&M, sending a solo shot over the right field fence, advancing Arkansas to the next round in the SEC.

Next for the Hogs is the consensus preseason No. 1 squad and rival, LSU.

Arkansas lost their season series against LSU back in March, but they did manage to win the opening game of the series. The Hogs aren’t the same team from that March weekend series, dealing with unexpected injuries and figuring out how to play consistent baseball together.

During the final month of the league play, LSU hasn’t looked like the national champions everyone predicted them to be back in February. They struggled in series against Auburn, Mississippi State, and Georgia, all residing at the bottom of the SEC.

It’s the biggest game of the day. Here is how to watch it.

Arkansas slides past Texas A&M in SEC Tourney opener

Arkansas used some more Kendall Diggs magic in extra innings to advance over Texas A&M in the SEC Tournament.

Things didn’t look good for Arkansas after three innings of Wednesday’s SEC Tournament opener with Texas A&M. However, the Diamond Hogs were able to get some more magic from Kendall Diggs in extra innings to advance, 6-5.

Arkansas starter Cody Adcock got off to a rough start, had loaded the bases and Zack Morris was inserted and promptly allowed all three runners to score before getting out of the inning.

Morris only gave up one more run, a solo shot, before exiting after the seventh. Down 4-1 in the seventh with one out, Jared Wegner uncorked a bomb into the Hoover Met parking lot.

Texas A&M tied the game 5-5 in the top of the 9th with a solo shot off Will McEntire. McEntire was able to survive and escape the inning without further damage – retiring Hunter Haas after a short battle.

The Diamond Hogs weren’t able to get much working offensively in the bottom of the 9th, as Aggie reliever Brandyn Garcia was able to strike out Brady Slavens swinging to send it into extra innings.

After giving up a single to Travis Chestnut, McEntire was able to get a strikeout and fly out back-to-back. With two outs, Arkansas catcher Parker Rowland was able to catch Chestnut stealing second to get the Hogs out of the inning.

The Arkansas bats were able to warm up and get the Aggies into a jam, even after bringing RHP Ty Sexton to relieve Garcia. The Hogs were able to get two runners, Cali and Holt, into scoring position, but wouldn’t be able to capitalize. Sexton was able to ground Josenberger out to end the inning.

In the top of the 11th, Arkansas was able to make quick work of the bottom of the Aggies’ lineup, going three-up, three-down. Kendall Diggs was finally able to put an end to the festivities in the bottom of the 11th inning. Batting leadoff, Diggs sent a 2-1 fastball deep into right field for a solo home run and Arkansas win.

The Razorbacks move on to the third round of the SEC Tournament to face No. 5 LSU tomorrow night at 4:30 p.m.

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Auburn defeats Missouri in SEC Tournament opener, sets up date with Vanderbilt

Auburn has now won nine games in a row, and now has a seat in the double-elimination portion of the SEC Tournament bracket.

The No. 5 seed Auburn Tigers’ hot streak continued late Tuesday night, as they took care of No. 12 seed Missouri in the opening round of the SEC Tournament in Hoover, 10-4. The win is Auburn’s seventh in a row and the fourth straight win over the Tigers from Columbia.

After sweeping Missouri last weekend at Plainsman Park, Auburn picked up where they left off by knocking out Missouri in a come-from-behind effort. Missouri struck first on a sacrifice fly by Ross Lovich in the 2nd inning to give Missouri the 1-0 lead. Auburn answered in the bottom of the 3rd by scoring three runs on a bases-loaded walk, a ground out, and a sacrifice fly.

Auburn’s 3-1 lead was shortlived as Missouri would score three more runs in the top of the 4th to re-take the lead, 4-3. However, in the bottom half of the 4th, [autotag]Cole Foster[/autotag] decided that his team would not relinquish another lead. [autotag]Chris Stanfield[/autotag] tied the game at 4-4 with an RBI single to score [autotag]Caden Green[/autotag], and he would later score on a three-run blast by Foster that sailed over the right field wall and deep into the Hoover night to put Auburn ahead, 7-4.

After that home run, Auburn returned to its’ comfort zone.

“Cole Foster’s home run allowed us to exhale and get back to playing our brand of baseball,” Auburn coach [autotag]Butch Thompson[/autotag] said Tuesday. “We got enough and did enough. Thankful to come out here and get a win.”

Auburn would score three more insurance runs in the 8th inning to seal the victory. Peirce added an RBI while [autotag]Bryson Ware[/autotag] crushed his 22nd home run of the season, which was of the two-run variety.

“I knew that guy had a high spin rate fastball and he was going to try to blow me up with it,” Ware said. “I just told myself I was going to be on time for it. Thankfully, I got enough of it to get it out of here.”

[autotag]Tommy Vail[/autotag] got the start for Auburn and went 3.2 innings while allowing four runs on two hits. [autotag]Chase Isbell[/autotag] got the win out of the bullpen with 3.0 innings of shutout work, and [autotag]Zach Crotchfelt[/autotag] got the save by turning in a 2.1-inning effort. All three pitchers combined to strike out 11 Missouri batters.

With the win, Auburn is now in the double-elimination portion of the SEC Tournament bracket. Their next matchup is with No. 4 seed Vanderbilt, which will take place at approximately 8 p.m. CT Wednesday.

RELATED: Schedule, Broadcast information for the 2023 SEC Baseball Tournament in Hoover

Here’s a broadcast guide/preview of Wednesday’s game.

RPI update: Has Auburn baseball finally cemented a national seed?

A strong showing in Hoover this week could turn into monumental things for Auburn baseball.

After winning four straight SEC series, the Auburn Tigers needed just one more in order to heighten their regional host chances.

Boy, they did just that.

Auburn welcomed Missouri to Plainsman Park last weekend for the final weekend series of the regular season. Auburn was not kind to its’ host, as they swept Missouri by outscoring them, 20-9. The sweep was Auburn’s second in a row, and the Tigers closed the SEC slate with the conference’s best second-half record (12-3).

More importantly, Auburn has all but sealed a postseason hosting berth.

Following last weekend’s action, D1Baseball’s Mark Etheridge and Kendall Rogers each examined Auburn’s postseason fate, with each giving a favorable report.

In the weekly “SEC Weekend Dish” report, Etheridge stated that Auburn’s second-half streak has boosted their chances for a national seed.

In the past four weekends, Auburn won a road series at South Carolina, won a series with LSU, and swept both Ole Miss and Missouri to move to 17 conference wins. Auburn finished the back half of SEC play a conference-best 12-3. Add in a 16 RPI, and there’s a great chance Auburn will host a regional for the second straight season.

Rogers also mentioned Auburn as having a chance to earn the No. 8 seed if the Tigers have a strong showing in Hoover this week.

Some teams we will be watching this week from a top eight seed standpoint include Oklahoma State, Kentucky, Coastal Carolina, and Miami. There’s also a chance that some teams like Kentucky, Alabama, Auburn, Tennessee, Duke, West Virginia, Texas, and East Carolina hop into the mix with strong showings at their respective conference tournaments. In essence, that No. 8 spot is wide open if the Cavaliers don’t play well in the ACC tournament.

Here’s a look at Auburn’s resume ahead of a busy week at the Hoover Met.

Schedule, Broadcast information for the 2023 SEC Baseball Tournament in Hoover

When will Auburn begin its’ run for an SEC Tournament crown?

The regular season in the SEC is complete, which means that it is now time  to shift focus to Hoover, Alabama for one of the sports’ top postseason tournaments, the SEC Baseball Tournament.

The annual tournament gets underway on Tuesday morning at 9:30 a.m. CT at the Hoover Met. The previous two tournaments were the building blocks for the last two College World Series Champions, as Mississippi State and Ole Miss were both eliminated within the first two days of the tournament. However, neither team will compete in Hoover this season, as both finished at the bottom of the SEC standings.

Can the Auburn Tigers continue their hot streak in the SEC Tournament? The Tigers have won seven games in a row and 12 of their last 15 games to earn the No. 5 seed of the tournament.

“We absolutely played hard and kept going,” Auburn head coach [autotag]Butch Thompson[/autotag] said Saturday following the Tigers sweep of Missouri. “When it opened up and we got an opportunity, we made the most of it.”

Auburn will begin play on Tuesday night as they will face Missouri for the fourth straight game in the final contest of the day. Auburn swept Missouri over the weekend by outscoring them, 20-9.

As you prepare for an exciting week of action from Hoover, here’s a full rundown of the SEC Tournament schedule, which kicks off with South Carolina battling Georgia on Tuesday morning.

For Dave Van Horn, it’s bigger than the SEC title

Dave Van Horn hopes his team is eyeing something bigger than the SEC Championship.

The Hogs have a big matchup this weekend against Vanderbilt that will determine the “mythical” SEC regular season champion before the SEC tournament in Alabama next week.

For manager Dave Van Horn, the conference title is just a tiny detail in the bigger picture.

“(Our goals) do go behind that, but obviously, we want to win it,” Van Horn said Wednesday afternoon before the team left for Nashville. “I mean, it’s so hard to win. You can have a great team and be in fourth or fifth place at this time of year. Things have fallen into place for us with the guys that have made it happen.”

The SEC softball tournament had a similar situation happen when a lower seed in South Carolina played in the championship game after knocking off the hosting Razorbacks in the second round. Van Horn understands the SEC is the toughest conference, so it’s better to treat the tournament as an additive to the season and not the main thing.

“We’re going to do everything we can to win,” he added. “I’m sure Vanderbilt is going to do the same thing. I’m sure Florida is going to do the same thing. We’ll just see how it clears come Sunday evening and then go from there. We’ll try to continue to get better at the tournament and then get ready for the next weekend.”

“Our program is one that looks to the future,” Van Horn said Wednesday. “What I mean by that is, two or three weeks down the road, I hope we’re still playing.” – Dave Van Horn

If the SEC tournament is as unpredictable as the regular season, then the fans are in for a treat.