Vanderbilt Commodores

Game Preview: Oklahoma vs. Vanderbilt, SEC Tournament First Round

The Commodores new status at the top of latest RPI rankings is great, but that fortune could quickly change in the SEC Tournament.
Taylor Hodges|
Vanderbilt infielder Braden Holcomb (26) hits the ball during a NCAA baseball game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Vanderbilt Commodores at Lindsey Nelson Stadium on May 11, 2025.
Vanderbilt infielder Braden Holcomb (26) hits the ball during a NCAA baseball game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Vanderbilt Commodores at Lindsey Nelson Stadium on May 11, 2025. | Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

No. 9 Vanderbilt got a big boost in the RPI rankings without playing a game this week.

The Commodores (39-16, 19-11 SEC) moved into the No. 1 spot in D1Baseball.com's RPI Rankings after the previous No. 1 team, Georgia, lost to Oklahoma in a second round SEC Tournament game on Wednesday.

It's a great development for Vanderbilt's NCAA Tournament resume, but this new development could change very quickly. Especially since Vanderbilt faces the team that beat Georgia for its SEC Tournament quarterfinal game, Oklahoma (35-19, 14-16 SEC).

The Sooners won a series earlier this season against Vanderbilt, but that series was also the launching point for a more potent Commodore offense.

Another thing working in Vanderbilt's favor is they won't have to see ace pitcher Kyson Witherspoon, who led the Sooners to a 3-2 win against Georgia on Wednesday.

Here's everything to know about Thursday's quarterfinal SEC Tournament game between Vanderbilt and Oklahoma:

Vanderbilt Commodores Starting Lineup

  1. Rustan Rigdon, 2B
  2. RJ Austin, CF
  3. Riley Nelson, 1B
  4. Brodie Johnston, 3B
  5. Braden Holcomb, LF
  6. Colin Barczi, C
  7. Jonathan Vastine, SS
  8. Jacob Humphrey, RF
  9. Mike Mancini, DH

Oklahoma Sooners Starting Lineup

  1. Trey Gambill, LF
  2. Easton Carmichael, C
  3. Sam Christiansen, RF
  4. Jaxon Willits, SS
  5. Jason Walk, CF
  6. Scott Mudler, DH
  7. Kyle Branch, 2B
  8. Brayden Horton, 1B
  9. Dawson Willis, 3B

Pitching Matchup

LHP Cade Crossland (4-4, 7.02 ERA, 57.2 IP, 72 SO, 31 BB, 45 ER, .263 b/avg.) vs. LHP JD Thompson (4-5, 4.21 ERA, 77 IP, 99 SO, 26 BB, 36 ER, .247 b/avg.)

Injury Report

Vanderbilt

Out

RHP Hudson Barton

Game Time Decision

C Colin Barczi

SEC Baseball Tournament Quarterfinal, Oklahoma vs. Vanderbilt, Student-Athlete Availability Report.
SEC Baseball Tournament Quarterfinal, Oklahoma vs. Vanderbilt, Student-Athlete Availability Report. | SEC

Weather Forecast

Vanderbilt and Oklahoma will have about as near-perfect weather conditions you could ask for. Temperatures will be around 80 degrees at first-pitch and dip into the mid-70s. Winds aren’t expected to be significant. Winds will be traveling northwest around seven mph and gusts reaching as high as 16 mph. Humidity levels will be at 45 percent.

How to Watch: No. 12 Oklahoma Sooners vs. No. 4 Vanderbilt Commodores

When: Roughly 45 minutes after conclusion of Tennessee-Texas game

Where: Hoover Metropolitan Stadium; Hoover, Ala.

TV: SEC Network

Radio: Live Radio

Stats: Live Stats

Vanderbilt Commodores On SI:

Published
Taylor Hodges
TAYLOR HODGES

Award-winning sports editor, writer, columnist, and photographer with 15 years’ experience offering his opinion and insight about the sports world in Mississippi and Texas, but he was taken to Razorback pep rallies at Billy Bob's Texas in Fort Worth before he could walk. Taylor has covered all levels of sports, from small high schools in the Mississippi Delta to NFL games. Follow Taylor on Twitter and Facebook.

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