Vanderbilt Commodores

Live Blog: Kentucky at No. 9 Vanderbilt (Game Three)

Follow along here for live updates, reaction and analysis of Saturday's series and regular season finale between the Commodores and Wildcats.

Taylor Hodges

Vanderbilt baseball head coach Tim Corbin during a NCAA baseball game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Vanderbilt Commodores at Lindsey Nelson Stadium on May 11, 2025.
Vanderbilt baseball head coach Tim Corbin 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

It's been a long season, but we're finally here. Game number 55. Georgia is leading by three runs as Vanderbilt and Kentucky start their game. If the Bulldogs win, Vanderbilt will need a win (or an LSU win) to get a double-bye in the SEC Tournament. If the Bulldogs lose, the Commodores clinch the double-bye.

Vanderbilt could also get the No. 2 seed in the SEC Tournament, but would need No. 8 Arkansas to lose to No. 17 Tennessee.

Follow along below for live updates, reactions and analysis of Saturday afternoon's game between the Commodores and Wildcats.

FINAL: No. 9 Vanderbilt 5, Kentucky 3

(Most recent updates at the top.)

9th Inning

T9: Connor Fennell stays on the mound to close out the game for Vanderbilt and throws 11 pitches to end the inning and game.

8th Inning

B8: Jonathan Vastine is clearly hurt, but that doesn't stop him from hitting a two-out double. Jacob Humphrey was hit by a pitch in the next at-bat, but Mike Mancini grounded out to end the inning. Vanderbilt 5, Kentucky 3

T8: Eight-straight batters retired by Connor Fennell today, including three in the eight and Vanderbilt is three outs away from securing a double-bye in the SEC Tournament. Vanderbilt 5, Kentucky 3

7th Inning

B7: RJ Austin comes up clutch with a two-run double down the left field line to give Vanderbilt the lead and Kentucky makes its second pitching change of the inning (not counting the change at the start). Vanderbilt 5, Kentucky 3

T7: Connor Fennell continues to shut down Kentucky at the plate. The Wildcats are making a pitching change to start the next half inning, bringing Simon Gregerson in to relieve Ben Cleaver. Vanderbilt 3, Kentucky 3

6th Inning

B6: Vanderbilt breaks through to tie the game. The Commodores load the bases without recording any outs and score their first run on a Riley Nelson groundout. Braden Holcomb was intentionally walked to load the bases again for Colin Barczi, who hits a single to right field that scores two runs. Vanderbilt 3, Kentucky 3

T6: Leadoff batter for Kentucky gets hit by a pitch, but is caught stealing second which ended up being big for the Commodores. James McCoy hit a double to the gap in right, center field in the very next at-bat that would've scored a run if a runner was at second. Kentucky 3, Vanderbilt 0

Big picture update: Based on current scores, Vanderbilt would be the No. 4 seed in the SEC Tournament. LSU just retook the lead against South Carolina and Arkansas leads Tennessee, 6-2.

5th Inning

B5: Braden Holcomb (who else?) breaks up the no-hitter Kentucky had going, but it was the only action from the Commodores. Kentucky 3, Vanderbilt 0

T5: Connor Fennell throws just seven pitchers to end the inning without any baserunners allowed. Kentucky 3, Vanderbilt 0

4th Inning

B4: One thing about the last two games that Vanderbilt won on walk-offs is that the offense was active throughout the game. Today? Not so much. The Commodores are hitless through four innings and are bringing in Connor Fennell to pitch. Kentucky 3, Vanderbilt 0

T4: Cody Bowker strikes out the first two batters, and a rare fielding error by Vanderbilt gives the Wildcats a runner at second with two outs. That leads to a RBI single, but Jacob Humphrey makes up for his teammate's error with a fantastic catch at the wall to end the inning. Kentucky 3, Vanderbilt 0

3rd Inning

B3: Vanderbilt nearly went three innings without a single base runner, but Mike Mancini draws a two-out walk to avoid that.

Big picture note: With Georgia winning, we have to keep an eye on LSU-South Carolina (SC leading 1-0) and Arkansas-Tennessee (Tenn. leading 2-1). Those two games, plus this one will determine who gets a double-bye and who doesn't. Frankly, Vandy fans should be hoping for an LSU win and Arkansas loss because that would give them the No. 2 seed. Kentucky 2, Vanderbilt 0

T3: Kentucky breaks that silence with Hudson Brown hitting a leadoff, no-doubt home run. Tyler Bell does the exact same thing two batters later, hitting a home run to same spot as Brown. Kentucky 2, Vanderbilt 0

2nd Inning

B2: Interesting change of pace these first two innings after two games where a bunch of runs were scored early. Vanderbilt goes three up, three down. Vanderbilt 0, Kentucky 0

T2: Uneventful inning for the Wildcats at the plate. Bowker strikes out two batters and gets another to fly out. Vanderbilt 0, Kentucky 0

1st Inning

B1: Vanderbilt offense is quiet to start. Three up, three down on less than 20 pitches. Vanderbilt 0, Kentucky 0

T1: Cody Bowker holds Kentucky scoreless in the opening frame for the first time this series. The Wildcats got one hit but it was quick inning for Bowker. Vanderbilt 0, Kentucky 0

Pregame

Taylor: Should we make bets on who hits the walk-off home run today? It's crazy Vanderbilt has won back-to-back games on walk-off home runs. Why not go for a third today?

In all seriousness, those have been some amazing games to watch and I wouldn't be surprised if we're in for another great game. First pitch is coming up soon.

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

Kentucky Wildcats Starting Lineup

  1. Tyler Bell, SS
  2. Luke Lawrence, 2B
  3. Cole Hage, LF
  4. James McCoy, RF
  5. Patrck Herrera, 3B
  6. Carson Hansen, CF
  7. Kyuss Gargett, DH
  8. Hudson Brown, 1B
  9. Devin Burkes, C

Pitching Matchup

LHP Ben Cleaver (6-3, 3.30 ERA, 71 IP, 79 SO, 26 BB, 26 ER, .183 b/avg.) vs. RHP Cody Bowker (2-4, 4.76 ERA, 58.2 IP, 78 SO, 26 BB, 31 ER, .220 b/avg.)

How to Watch: Kentucky at No. 9 Vanderbilt

TV: SECN+

Radio: Live Radio

Stats: Live Stats

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Taylor Hodges
TAYLOR HODGES

Taylor Hodges is a staff writer for Vanderbilt Commodores On SI covering all-things Vanderbilt. Taylor brings more than a decade’s worth of award-winning sports writing, photography and video experience covering every level of sports — from Little League baseball to professional sports and other sports like hunting and fishing. Taylor is fueled by his lifelong passion for sports that began the same day Kirk Gibson hit his legendary World Series walk-off home run, Arkansas beat Texas in Austin and No. 4 Notre Dame beat No. 1 Miami in the Catholics vs. Convicts game.

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