On Thursday night in Tuscaloosa, the Alabama Crimson Tide are set to begin a three-game set against a team which has given them problems in recent years, the Vanderbilt Commodores.
Led by long-time head coach Tim Corbin, Vanderbilt comes to Tuscaloosa having won nine of the last 12 games with Alabama head-to-head, a stretch which dates back to the 2019 season. The span also includes the 2025 series that was played in Nashville last season when Vanderbilt took two-of-three, headlined by a 9-7 victory during Game 3.
This year, Vanderbilt comes to Tuscaloosa unranked in the latest USA TODAY Sports College Baseball Coaches Poll, while Alabama sits at No. 23 nationally. The Commodores also have a similar record to Alabama at 27-19 overall (10-11 SEC), with the Crimson Tide currently 29-16 (10-11).
Thursday night’s showdown will feature a pair of right-hander’s facing off in Tyler Fay and Connor Fennell, with each having recorded 70+ strikeouts on the season so far. Each have talented lineups as well, with Vanderbilt in particular sporting a combined .292 team average, as well as four double-digit home run hitters.
Following are live updates from Thursday night’s series opener between the Crimson Tide and Commodores.
John Lemm leads off the ninth inning with a solo home run to centerfield, and the Crimson Tide walk-off Vanderbilt to win Game 1, 5-4. The Crimson Tide complete the comeback to improve to 30-16 overall (11-11 SEC).
Matthew Heiberger works another scoreless inning, and Alabama now has a chance to walk it off in the bottom of the ninth. Alabama has John Lemm, Jason Torres, and Luke Vaughn due up.
We head to the ninth in Tuscaloosa after Alabama is retired in order. The score remains tied 4-4.
Matthew Heiberger retires Vanderbilt in order, and we head to the bottom of the inning tied 4-4.
Brennan Holt walked with two outs in the seventh, but a Justin Lebron strikeout has ended the inning. We remain tied heading to the eighth.
Matthew Heiberger retires the next two batters in order, and we head to the bottom of the frame tied.
Matthew Heiberger has replaced Tyler Fay on the mound for Alabama, and will inherit a runner on first with one out.
Alabama has tied the game via a three-run home run off the bat of Eric Hines, bringing the score to 4-4. Hines’ home run out to right center was the first pitch thrown by Vanderbilt reliever Luke Guth, and scored both Brady Neal and Bryce Fowler. We now head to the seventh in Tuscaloosa.
Vanderbilt has extended their lead once again following a solo home run from Rustan Rigdon, bringing Alabama’s deficit now to 4-1. Tyler Fay is now up to seven strikeouts, but has allowed three home runs.
Alabama started the fifth with a double and single, and eventually ended the inning by stranding two baserunners. The Crimson Tide’s deficit still stands at 3-1.
Following a leadoff single, Vanderbilt was retired in order during the fifth, two of which were Tyler Fay strikeouts. The score remains 3-1, Vanderbilt.
Alabama is retired in order, and the Commodore lead remains 3-1 heading to the fifth.
The Commodores have immediately gotten the run back following a solo home run from Colin Barczi. The Vanderbilt lead is now back to two runs as we enter the bottom of the fourth.
Alabama has immediately responded with a RBI ground out from Peyton Steele to bring the score to 2-1, Vanderbilt. Prior to Steele’s groundout, Luke Vaughn started the frame with a leadoff triple to right center.
The Commodores have grabbed an early lead following a two-run home run from Tommy Goodin, with Vanderbilt now leading 2-0. Vanderbilt also got runners at second and third before Tyler Fay struck out the final batter to escape the jam.
Alabama is retired in order during the second, keeping the score 0-0. Eric Hines and Jason Torres both struck out in the second.
Tyler Fay has retired the Commodores in order to start the second. Fay also struck out a batter to end the frame, his first of the night.
Alabama’s first inning featured Justin Lebron reaching via a hit by pitch, with the shortstop going on to steal a base. Lebron was however thrown out at third, and the inning shortly after ended by a strikeout.
Vanderbilt got a one-out baserunner in the first following a Mike Mancini single, but immediately grounded into a double play to end the frame. Alabama will come up to bat for the first time.
Tyler Fay delivers his first pitch of the game, and the Thursday night series opener between the Crimson Tide and Commodores is officially underway.
According to SEC Availability Report as of Wednesday, April 29
Alabama:
Vanderbilt:
Alabama and Vanderbilt will begin their series Thursday night, April 30, from Sewell-Thomas Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. CT live on ESPN2.
Odds are according to FanDuel as of Thursday, April 30
Prediction: Alabama 5, Vanderbilt 3 – The Crimson Tide have been impressive at home this season sporting an 18-5 overall record in Tuscaloosa, and I’ll go with Alabama to get the series opening win behind another quality start from Tyler Fay.
Record: 29-16 overall (10-11 SEC)
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