Vanderbilt Stuns Tennessee in SEC Semifinals, Claims Tournament Crown

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Vanderbilt's baseball team delivered a resounding blow to in-state rival Tennessee, blanking the Volunteers 10-0 in the SEC Tournament semifinals at Hoover, Alabama. Every Commodore in the lineup notched at least one hit, pounding out a season-high 13 singles to invoke the run-rule mercy. Third baseman Alan Rigdon starred, going 3-for-3 with two RBIs in the rout[1][4]. Pitching anchored Vanderbilt's tournament run, with JD Thompson's 11 strikeouts fueling a 6-1 quarterfinals quarterfinals win over Oklahoma. Against Tennessee, the staff combined for a shutout, propelling the Commodores to their second SEC Championship final in three years. They sealed the title with a 3-2 thriller over Ole Miss, highlighted by a game-winning solo homer from outfielder Humphrey[1]. The regular season set the stage at Hawkins Field, where Vanderbilt swept Kentucky 5-3 to earn the No. 4 seed and swept No. 5 Georgia 5-2, with reliever Connor Fennell striking out a career-high 11 in 5.2 innings[2][5]. Picked seventh in the preseason SEC poll, the 19-11 conference mark defied expectations. Tennessee fans stung by the sweep, but Vanderbilt's three near-flawless tournament games cement their status as Tennessee's top squad.