Live Baseball Updates: No. 23 Vanderbilt at Florida

No. 23 Vanderbilt and Florida are set to start the second game of their weekend series at noon Saturday. The Commodores won the first game Friday, 6-0, behind strong pitching performances from JD Thompson and Sawyer Hawks.

Can the Commodores repeat that performance Saturday? Or will the Gators’ offense find a way to break through? We’ll find out soon enough. Taylor Hodges will be providing live updates and reactions throughout the game.

Live Updates

(Most recent updates at the top.)

Final: No. 23 Vanderbilt 3, Florida 2

Ninth Inning

B9: Well, the question of who will start Sunday's game for Vanderbilt remains a mystery. One of the prime candidates, Connor Fennell was brought in to pitch the ninth inning. That most likely means he won't be pitching tomorrow.

It ended up being a great decision by coach Tim Corbin. Fennell got a long fly ball for the first out and then struck out Boser on three pitches. Shelton hit a first-pitch double to right center field, but Fennell would get a strikeout to end the game. Vanderbilt wins 3-2.

T9: Vanderbilt had a failed replay challenge on a stolen base attempt at second base but Colin Barczi made sure it didn't matter with a solo home run to right field three pitches later. Vastine would line out in the following at-bat to end the inning, but the Gators have just three outs to avoid the loss. Vanderbilt 3, Florida 2

Eighth Inning

B8: The Commodores respond with a three up, three down inning of their own, sending the game into the ninth inning with a tied score. Vanderbilt 2, Florida 2

T8: Vanderbilt is held hitless for the third-straight inning and doesn't get any runners on base, which gives Florida a chance to take a lead and leave the Commodores with three outs to comeback. Vanderbilt 2, Florida 2

Seventh Inning

B7: Florida manages to tie the game on a out out single to center field, but RJ Austin threw out a base runner at third base, leaving the Commodores one out away from ending the inning. That ending came one batter later on a fly out to right field. Vanderbilt 2, Florida 2

T7: Jonathan Vastine draws a one-out, full-count walk for Vanderbilt, but the Commodores failed to add to their lead with a fly out and strikeout after Vastine's walk. Vanderbilt 2, Florida 1

Sixth Inning

B6: For the second consecutive inning, Florida loads the bases on a single and pair of walks with just one out against Green. That led a pitching change and Adam Kranzler struck out the first batter he faced and forced a simple groundout, leaving the Gators without any runs off a bases-loaded situation. Vanderbilt 2, Florida 1

T6: Florida makes a pitching change to start the inning, replacing King with Luke McNeillie and hit Riley Nelson on his first pitch of the game. But he'd strikeout Brodie Johnston and forced Mac Rose into a groundball double play ending the inning.

Fifth Inning

B5: Vanderbilt fans experiencing a case of deja vu are forgiven. In a repeat of Friday's game, Florida loaded the bases with two against Vanderbilt's starting pitcher in the fifth inning and was relieved by Miller Green, who struck out his only batter faced Friday to end the Gators' best scoring chance. Green didn't get a strikeout this time, but got a one-pitch fly out to end the bases-loaded scoring threat. Vanderbilt 2, Florida 1

T5: Vanderbilt hit five-straight pop flies for outs before Rustan Rigdon drew a full count walk and then advanced to second base on a wild pitch. He'd score Vanderbilt's second run on a Mike Mancini double to centerfield. Austin struck out to end the inning, but the Commodores extended their lead. Vanderbilt 2, Florida 0

Fourth Inning

B4: Bowker gives up his second hit of the game, but the hit came with two outs already recorded and Bowker got a fly out to center field to end the inning. Vanderbilt 1, Florida 0

T4: So, maybe, there won't be a pitching change soon for Florida. King threw seven pitches and forced three pop flies to end the inning quickly. Vanderbilt 1, Florida 0

Third Inning

B3: Bowker now has six strikeouts after recording two more in the bottom of the third inning. He's allowed just one base runner so far and there's no reason to think that trend won't continue. Vanderbilt 1, Florida 0

T3: Jonathan Vastine scores the first run of the game with a leadoff home run to center field. One batter later, Jacob Humphrey hit a single to center field and then RJ Austin drew a two-out walk, putting two of the Commodores' best base runners on base. Riley Nelson wasn't able to capitalize on the opportunity, hitting a pop fly to left field.

Taylor's Take: Florida pitcher Aidan King has thrown 58 pitches in just three innings. Vanderbilt is working deep into counts and could force the Gators to make a pitching change soon.

Oppo 🌮@JonathanVastine pic.twitter.com/pcvKMAhftl
— Vanderbilt Baseball (@VandyBoys) April 5, 2025

Second Inning

B2: Florida gets a hit off of Cody Bowker, but Bowker still struck out two batters and held the Gators without any more baserunners. Vanderbilt 0, Florida 0

T2: Florida pitcher Aidan King made quick work of the Commodores, throwing eight pitches in a three up, three down inning. Vanderbilt 0, Florida 0

First Inning

B1: Vanderbilt pitcher Cody Bowker records two strikeouts and a groundout in the bottom half of the inning. More importantly...

Taylor's Take: Not entirely sure what happened, because it happened during a commercial break, but Florida coach Kevin O'Sullivan was thrown out of the game after arguing with the home plate umpire. The balk call is the most likely thing O'Sullivan would be arguing about.

T1: RJ Austin smacked a two-out hit up the middle of the infield and reached second base on a balk. Riley Nelson hit a hard ground ball to first base that bounced away and Austin tried to go from second to home on the play, but was thrown out fairly easily at home to end the inning. Vanderbilt 0, Florida 0

Just nine pitches needed in the first frame for @BowkerCody. pic.twitter.com/TiPycQKJXq
— Vanderbilt Baseball (@VandyBoys) April 5, 2025

Pregame

Taylor’s Take: Last night was a great game for Vanderbilt and exactly what they needed after going winless against Arkansas last weekend and needing extra innings to beat Western Kentucky earlier this week. We’re about 5-10 minutes away from first-pitch and I’ll be here all game. Be sure to check out the starting lineups below and other fun information about Saturday’s game.

Vanderbilt Commodores Starting Lineup

Jacob Humphrey, RF
Mike Mancini, 2B
RJ Austin, CF
Riley Nelson, 1B
Brodie Johnston, 3B
Mac Rose, DH
Colin Barczi, C
Jonathan Vastine, SS
Rustan Rigdon, LF

Florida Gators Starting Lineup

Justin Nadeau, 2B
Bobby Boser, 3B
Colby Shelton, SS
Luke Heyman, C
Brendan Lawson, 1B
Blake Cyr, LF
Landon Stripling, DH
Ty Evans, RF
Hayden Yost, CF

Pitching Matchup

RHP Cody Bowker (2-1, 2.78 ERA, 43 SO, 12 BB, .191 b/avg) vs. RHP Aidan King (3-1, 3.03 ERA, 32 SO, 9 BB, .213 b/avg)

Injury Report

No changes from yesterday’s Student-Athlete Availability Report. RHP England Bryan is out for Vanderbilt and Florida’s list includes infielder Cade Kurland, LHPs Pierce Coppola and Frank Menendez, and RHP Matthew Jenkins.

Weather Report

The forecast for Saturday afternoon in Gainesville, Fla. is a mostly cloudy day with temperatures in the low 80s, according to AccuWeather’s forecast. There’s not precipitation in the forecast and slight winds at 10 mph and gusts up to 17 mph. The humidity level is 59 percent.

How to Watch: No. 23 Vanderbilt at Florida

When: Noon, Saturday

Where: Condron Family Ballpark, Gainesville, Fla.

TV: SECN+

Radio: 102.5 The Game

Live Stats: StatBroadcast