(Photo by Alabama Athletics)
By Chris Marler
The first day of the SEC Baseball Tournament is over. Well, it’s technically over, but only 75% of the games were completed because of, you guessed it, a weather delay.
The six day tournament is off to a rocky scheduling start with Texas A&M and Mississippi State being postponed to tomorrow at 9:30 am CT.
Here’s a recap of the games that were played on day one.
Game 1: Alabama-Missouri
Missouri struck first with a solo home run from catcher Mateo Serna. However, Alabama was able to answer immediately thanks to potential number one pick in next year’s draft, Justin Lebron. The scoring was capped off with a solo home run in the eighth inning from Alabama catcher Brady Neal.
Alabama got a strong outing from weekend starter Tyler Fay who went six innings and struck out six. The bullpen also had a strong day, with three pitchers closing out the game with three combined innings allowing just four hits and no runs.
Not a bad pick by @RiedellAndrew.
Tyler Fay is cruising today
— Jake Mckeever (@CBCJakeMck) May 20, 2025
Missouri struggled at the plate with runners on and two outs. The Tigers came into the tournament with the fewest two out runs scored all year (97) and left seven runners on base with two outs in today’s game against Alabama.
Final Score: Alabama 4 Missouri 1
Next Game: Alabama versus Tennessee | Wednesday 12:30 PM CT
Game 2: Kentucky-Oklahoma
Oklahoma got a much needed win to help their postseason chances with a first round knockout of Kentucky just nine days after they were swept by the Wildcats. The Sooners were able to save first rounder Kyson Witherspoon on the mound for Georgia. Regardless, advancing to the second round of the tournament was a big win in more ways than one for OU.
Oklahoma only used two starters in their outing, allowing seven baserunners on the day and one earned run. Jaden Barfield and James Hitt were great on the mound going eight innings despite Barfield making just his third start of the year.
solid work from the frosh 🫡 @jaden_barfield
4.0 IP | 4 H | 0 ER | 2 BB | 3 K pic.twitter.com/SschYJZyzc
— Oklahoma Baseball (@OU_Baseball) May 20, 2025
Final Score: Oklahoma 5 Kentucky 1
Next Game: Oklahoma versus Georgia | Wednesday 4:30 PM CT
Game 3: Florida-South Carolina
Year one of the Paul Mainieri era is officially over, and it ended exactly how most would have expected from Gamecock country.
Paul Mainieri on South Carolina’s season and outlook:
“I’m an optimist by nature and I thought we had what it took to compete in this league and obviously we didn’t. I’m disappointed but not discouraged.”
He said USC has put in work on the recruiting front for next year.
— Jacob Rudner (@JacobRudner) May 21, 2025
Florida picked up their 15th win in their last 19 SEC games and completed a season sweep of South Carolina winning 11-3. The Gamecocks struck first in the first inning taking a 1-0 lead, but once again pitching became the problem. Starter Brandon Stone allowed five runs in three innings.
The Gamecocks used eight pitchers on the day and none were especially effective. The Gators racked up 11 runs and 13 hits. The Gator offense scored in four of the first five innings and added another four runs in the eighth, as well. The Gators finished 4-0 against South Carolina this season with a +39 run differential in the four games. South Carolina finished the year 6-25 in SEC play which was the worst in program history.
Final Score: Florida 11 South Carolina 3
Next Game: Florida versus Ole Miss | Wednesday 8 PM CT
Game 4: Texas A&M-Mississippi State
Jace LaViiolette, and Texas A&M for that matter, would not be denied in round one at the SEC Baseball Tournament. The Aggies took a two run lead early in the second inning over Mississippi State. They then proceeded to load the bases for their All-American center fielder.
After hitting a 400 foot foul ball just down the right field line, LaViolette delivered on the next pitch, crushing his third grand slam of the season and putting the Aggies up 6-0. They would never look back from there, as they held the Bulldogs to just five hits and no runs in a 9-0 first round win.
The only hope the Aggies have of making the postseason is by winning the SEC Tournament this week. And, while there’s still a long way to go, it was a great start for the preseason number one team in America.
Final Score: Texas A&M 9 Mississippi State 0
Next Game: Texas A&M versus Auburn | Thursday at 11 AM CT
This story will be updated after the completion of Tennessee vs Alabama.
