Vanderbilt Commodores

Game Preview: No. 17 Vanderbilt Opens SEC Series At No. 19 Oklahoma

Two of the SEC's best base-stealing teams meet in Norman, Okla. for the start of a three-game weekend series on SEC Network.
Taylor Hodges|
Vanderbilt center fielder RJ Austin (42) celebrates his two RBI double against Xavier during the fourth inning at Hawkins Field in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 7, 2025. Vanderbilt won 15-3 in seven innings.
Vanderbilt center fielder RJ Austin (42) celebrates his two RBI double against Xavier during the fourth inning at Hawkins Field in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 7, 2025. Vanderbilt won 15-3 in seven innings. | Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Even without No. 19 Oklahoma having its ace pitcher, base runners will be at a premium in Friday’s series-opening game against No. 17 Vanderbilt. Fortunately for the Commodores and Sooners, they’re good at stealing bases.

The Sooners lead the SEC in stolen bases with 74 and Vanderbilt is third with 63. Conversely, the Commodores have allowed just 18 stolen bases against them and the Sooners have allowed 29 (but have also caught more base stealers, 12-6). The Commodores' Jacob Humphrey leads the SEC in stolen bases with 16 and RJ Austin is second with 13.

Vanderbilt and Oklahoma rank in the bottom quarter of the SEC in home runs, so each side knows it has to manufacture runs. That can make for very entertaining baseball.

Here’s everything to know about Friday’s series-opening game between the Commodores and Sooners:

Vanderbilt Commodores Starting Lineup

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

Oklahoma Sooners Starting Lineup

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

Pitching Matchup

LHP JD Thompson (2-2, 4.10 ERA, 41.2 IP, 50 SO, 12 BB, 19 ER, .221 opp b/avg) vs. LHP Cade Crossland (1-2, 7.06 ERA, 1.64 WHIP, 29.1, 35 SO, 15 BB, 23 BB, .282 opp b/avg.)

Injury Report

Vanderbilt will be without RHP Hudson Barton for Friday’s game and RHP England Bryan was listed as questionable in the initial Student-Athlete Availability Report and/but XXXX.
As reported earlier, Oklahoma will be without ace pitcher Kyson Witherspoon for Friday night’s game. Catcher Scott Mudler and RHP Jason Bodin were listed as probable in the initial report, but were XXXX in the game day report.

Weather Report

The Commodores and Sooners won’t have to worry too much about the weather Friday night. AccuWeather’s forecast has temperatures starting in the low 70s and falling into the mid 60s later in the night. There’s no rain in the forecast and winds are expected to be minimal with gusts reaching just 12 mph.

How to Watch: No. 17 Vanderbilt Commodores at No. 19 Oklahoma Sooners

  • When: 7 p.m., Friday
  • Where: L. Dale Mitchell Park, Norman, Okla.
  • TV: SEC Network
  • Radio: Live Radio
  • Stats: StatBroadcast

Vanderbilt Commodores On SI:

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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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