The No.8 nationally ranked Auburn Tigers (D1.com Baseball rankings, the standard bearer), and the No.23 Alabama Crimson Tide are setting their sights on a deep run in June in the NCAA Tournament, and that quest begins right here in Hoover, Alabama at the Hoover Metropolitan Stadium as the SEC Baseball Tournament has commenced. Yesterday, the 9th seeded Crimson Tide downed No. 16 seed Missouri, 4-1. Twelve seed Oklahoma defeated No.13 seeded Kentucky, 4-1, and No. 10 seed Florida blasted No. 15 South Carolina, 11-3. Today, 14th seeded Texas A&M is having its way with 11 seed Mississippi State, 9-0, as the teams are in the top of the 8th. Should be a stellar tourney the next four days with several of these teams having a shot to win this tournament, and, also, excel at the NCAA’s. Here are predictions for this showcase of SEC Baseball.
Today
No.9 seed Alabama vs. No.8 Tennesssee (#21 nationally ranked)
Records
Bama (41-15), UT (41-15)
1 P.M. CT, SEC Network
I’m going to take Bama’s magic here to outlast the Vols.
Crimson Tide 7, Vols 6
No. 12 Oklahoma (34-19) vs. No.5 Georgia (No. 10 Nationally, 42-14)
4:30 P.M. CT, SEC Network
I’ll take ‘dem Dawgs, but it’ll be a good contest just like the one before it.
Georgia 6, Oklahoma 5
No.10 Florida (#15 national) vs. No.7 Ole Miss (#17)
Florida (38-19), Ole Miss (37-18)
8 P.M. CT, SEC Network
I’ll take the Gators in another tight one. These teams today are evenly matched.
Florida 5, Ole Miss 4
Thursday
The tournament got a little behind due to the threat of inclement weather as the A&M-State game was pushed back to this morning. Weather looks great going forward.
No.6 Auburn (No.8 Nationally) vs. Texas A&M
Auburn (38-17) A&M (29-25)
11 A.M. CT, SEC Network
I’ll take the Tigers to advance. They’re a strong team and like them in a semi-home game just like the Crimson Tide.
Auburn 8, A&M 6
Quarterfinals
No. 1 Texas (#2 Nationally, 42-11) vs. Alabama
3 P. M. CT, SEC Net
I’ll take the Crimson Tide to pull off the upset.
Bama 5, Texas 4
No. 4 Vanderbilt (#9 nationally, 39-16) vs. Georgia
6:30 P.M. CT, SEC Network
Give me the Commodores. They’re a hot team.
Vanderbilt 8, Georgia 5
Friday, Quarterfinals
Florida vs. No.2 Arkansas (#5 national, 43-12)
3 P.M. CT, SEC Network
The Hogs are tough.
Arkansas 7, Florida 3
No.3 LSU (#1 Nationally, 42-13) vs. Auburn
6:30 P.M. CT, SEC Network
I’m going to take the Auburn Tigers in an upset.
Auburn 9, LSU 8 (11 innings)
Saturday, Semifinals
Alabama vs. Vanderbilt
12 P.M., SEC Network
The Commodores starting pitching can be questionable at times, but first year hitting coach Jayson King, who was head coach at Dayton for 7 years before Tim Corbin hired him after the 2024 season, has the Dores knocking the cover off the ball. The bullpen and the defense are solid as ever. It’ll be a hard fought contest.
Vanderbilt 6, Alabama 5
Auburn vs. Arkansas
3:30 P.M. CT, SEC Network
Arkansas is outstanding..
Hogs 5, Tigers 3
Sunday, SEC Championship Game
Vanderbilt vs. Arkansas
Expecting some fireworks with the bats. Give me first baseman Riley Nelson, hitting .370 in conference play, and the Commodores to take home the SEC Championship Trophy back to Nashville, Tennessee. Should be a classic.
Vanderbilt 8, Arkansas 7
MVP of Tournament
Riley Nelson
6 Responses
Love you going with the Dores.
I could see that match up in the finals. Lots of great teams. I think Arky/Vandy and LSU could all take it. I am hoping AU can be a top 8 super regional host and make it back to Omaha for a run there. Need to preserve pitching in Hoover
Anchor down Vandy…love your picks DW… I have not followed to closely since the days of D Magadan and R Palmeiro so I am with you. Thanks for the preview.
Thanks a ton, Fellas.
War Eagle. They certainly have it going this year. Will be following for sure. Great write up and thank you.
Thanks, ’80.
qnuo49