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

Q: 9th Inning

B9: God, I love this sport. Colin Barczi nearly ties the game, coming up feet short of a home run. He gets a double instead. And then Jonathan Vastine hits his second home run of the game to walk off the game. Second-straight walk-off win for Vanderbilt. Incredible stuff. Vanderbilt 9, Kentucky 8 T9: The sports gods have a sense of humor. That's the only explanation for this. Vanderbilt substitutes David Mendez into the game for Braden Holcomb, with a two-run lead. Now, the Commodores could use their walk-off hero who would've led off the bottom half of the inning. Ethan McElvain has a terrible outing. He gave up two solo home runs that let Kentucky tie the game, then gave up a walk, single and double for the Wildcats to take the lead. Vanderbilt needs another miracle to win. Kentucky 8, Vanderbilt 7

Q: 8th Inning

B8: Vanderbilt loads the bases, but fails to score any runs and Ethan McElvain will come in to get the final three outs against the Wildcats. Vanderbilt 7, Kentucky 5 T8: Sawyer Hawks gets through three scoreless innings and the Commodores are three outs away from the win. Vanderbilt 7, Kentucky 5

Q: 7th Inning

B7: It's starting to feel like Vanderbilt has the momentum and is headed towards a win. But we all know how quickly things can change. Riley Nelson adds a run on a one-out RBI double to the gap in left, center field. Vanderbilt 7, Kentucky 5 T7: Kentucky keeps hitting balls right after Vanderbilt infielders, including the first two outs of this inning. Sawyer Hawks gets a groundout for the final out and keeps the Commodores ahead on the scoreboard. Vanderbilt 6, Kentucky 5

Q: 6th Inning

B6: The last time we saw Jonathan Vastine at-bat, he limped back to the dugout and I thought he'd be taken out of the game. Good thing I'm not in charge. Vastine hit a solo home run to put the Commodores ahead. Then we get a weird/great (depending on your fandom) piece of base-running. Jacob Humphrey laid down a terrific bunt, but got caught in a rundown between first and second after a throwing error. Humphrey then is able to run into a Kentucky infielder and controversy ensued. After a umpire conference, Humphrey was called out and Mike Mancini grounded out to end the inning. Vanderbilt 6, Kentucky 5 T6: Sawyer Hawks gives up a couple hits, but holds the Wildcats scoreless. Vanderbilt 5, Kentucky 5

Q: 5th Inning

B5: We're past the halfway point and Vanderbilt has had three up, three down innings so far, including in the fifth. JD Thompson's night is done. Sawyer Hawks is coming in from the bullpen to start the sixth inning. Vanderbilt 5, Kentucky 5 T5: Vanderbilt's elite fielding is on full display. Rustan Rigdon makes a fantastic catch, snagging a ball out the air that would've scored at least one run, and then stepping on second to get an unassisted double play. Sometimes, though, a ball is hit perfectly and that's Kentucky was able to tie the game. Carson Hansen hits a ball down the right field line to the outfield wall and James McCoy scored from first base. Vanderbilt 5, Kentucky 5

Q: 4th Inning

B4: Nic McCay should still be in this game, but a dropped fly ball with two outs put a runner on base for Vanderbilt. McCay then walked the next batter and gave up RBI single to RJ Austin and he was relieved by Evan Byers. Vanderbilt 5, Kentucky 4 T4: That's the typical Vanderbilt inning we're used to seeing. JD Thompson strikes out the first two batters, and then Braden Holcomb throws out a Kentucky runner at second base off a hit that bounced off the left field. Vanderbilt 4, Kentucky 4

Q: 3rd Inning

B3: See? I say we're headed towards one thing and then exact opposite happens. Both offenses have gone quiet at the plate and second-straight three up, three down inning for the Wildcats. Vanderbilt 4, Kentucky 4 T3: Now that's more like what we're used to seeing from JD Thompson. Three up, three down inning and the Commodores are headed back to the plate. Vanderbilt 4, Kentucky 4

Q: 2nd Inning

B2: That was a super fast inning. Nic McCay threw three pitches to get two outs and Riley Nelson took him to a full count, but ended up striking out. Vanderbilt 4, Kentucky 4 T2: Looks like we might be in for a big offensive night (which of course me saying that means it won't happen). Kentucky gets a run on a two-out single and Thompson then loaded the bases with a full-count walk. Most troubling, though, is Thompson then walked the following batter, tying the game up. Vanderbilt 4, Kentucky 4

Q: 1st Inning

B1: Well, now this is a welcome surprise. Vanderbilt's offense is alive and well early tonight. The Commodores scored X runs on X hits, including a two-run home run by Brodie Johnston (his 12th of the season). Vanderbilt 4, Kentucky 2 T1: Any question about Kentucky's ability to bounce back from an emotional loss have been answered. The Wildcats scored a pair of runs off JD Thompson on three hits. But it wasn't like yesterday's first inning. Thompson didn't issue any walks and all three hits were perfectly placed shots. Kentucky 2, Vanderbilt 0

Q: Pregame

Taylor: And then there were two...two games left until it's tournament time. Last night's game was shocking in several ways. Obviously, the way the game ended was shocking (in a good way). But the start was equally shocking, but I don't think we'll see a repeat of that tonight. JD Thompson will be on the mound to start for Vanderbilt and has looked great in the last month. We'll be getting started at Hawkins Field in just a few minutes. So, be sure to bookmark this page and check back often.

Follow along here for live updates, reactions and analysis of tonight's game between the Commodores and Wildcats.

Taylor Hodges | May 16, 2025

Vanderbilt's JD Thompson (22) celebrates an out during a college baseball game between Tennessee and Vanderbilt at Lindsey Nelson Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on May 9, 2025. / Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

It's going to be hard for Vanderbilt to top the excitement of last night's 8-7 win that saw Braden Holcomb hit another walk-off home run. But we'll be around to watch the Commodores try.

Follow along below for live updates, reactions and analysis throughout Friday night's SEC matchup between No. 9 Vanderbilt and Kentucky at Hawkins Field.

FINAL: Vanderbilt 9, Kentucky 8

(Most recent updates at the top.)

JONATHAN VASTINE!!

Cardiac Commodores strike again! pic.twitter.com/hH15f7WlfN
— Vanderbilt Baseball (@VandyBoys) May 17, 2025

9th Inning

B9: God, I love this sport.

Colin Barczi nearly ties the game, coming up feet short of a home run. He gets a double instead. And then Jonathan Vastine hits his second home run of the game to walk off the game. Second-straight walk-off win for Vanderbilt. Incredible stuff. Vanderbilt 9, Kentucky 8

T9: The sports gods have a sense of humor. That's the only explanation for this.

Vanderbilt substitutes David Mendez into the game for Braden Holcomb, with a two-run lead. Now, the Commodores could use their walk-off hero who would've led off the bottom half of the inning.

Ethan McElvain has a terrible outing. He gave up two solo home runs that let Kentucky tie the game, then gave up a walk, single and double for the Wildcats to take the lead. Vanderbilt needs another miracle to win. Kentucky 8, Vanderbilt 7

The Hage Monster!

A wild series continues. https://t.co/rPD4nFeHre pic.twitter.com/gVqoZ92zLo
— Kentucky Baseball (@UKBaseball) May 17, 2025

8th Inning

B8: Vanderbilt loads the bases, but fails to score any runs and Ethan McElvain will come in to get the final three outs against the Wildcats. Vanderbilt 7, Kentucky 5

T8: Sawyer Hawks gets through three scoreless innings and the Commodores are three outs away from the win. Vanderbilt 7, Kentucky 5

7th Inning

B7: It's starting to feel like Vanderbilt has the momentum and is headed towards a win. But we all know how quickly things can change.

Riley Nelson adds a run on a one-out RBI double to the gap in left, center field. Vanderbilt 7, Kentucky 5

T7: Kentucky keeps hitting balls right after Vanderbilt infielders, including the first two outs of this inning. Sawyer Hawks gets a groundout for the final out and keeps the Commodores ahead on the scoreboard. Vanderbilt 6, Kentucky 5

Vastine for the lead! pic.twitter.com/i4R82xHhQw
— Vanderbilt Baseball (@VandyBoys) May 17, 2025

6th Inning

B6: The last time we saw Jonathan Vastine at-bat, he limped back to the dugout and I thought he'd be taken out of the game. Good thing I'm not in charge. Vastine hit a solo home run to put the Commodores ahead.

Then we get a weird/great (depending on your fandom) piece of base-running. Jacob Humphrey laid down a terrific bunt, but got caught in a rundown between first and second after a throwing error. Humphrey then is able to run into a Kentucky infielder and controversy ensued. After a umpire conference, Humphrey was called out and Mike Mancini grounded out to end the inning. Vanderbilt 6, Kentucky 5

T6: Sawyer Hawks gives up a couple hits, but holds the Wildcats scoreless. Vanderbilt 5, Kentucky 5

5th Inning

B5: We're past the halfway point and Vanderbilt has had three up, three down innings so far, including in the fifth.

JD Thompson's night is done. Sawyer Hawks is coming in from the bullpen to start the sixth inning. Vanderbilt 5, Kentucky 5

T5: Vanderbilt's elite fielding is on full display. Rustan Rigdon makes a fantastic catch, snagging a ball out the air that would've scored at least one run, and then stepping on second to get an unassisted double play.

Sometimes, though, a ball is hit perfectly and that's Kentucky was able to tie the game. Carson Hansen hits a ball down the right field line to the outfield wall and James McCoy scored from first base. Vanderbilt 5, Kentucky 5

4th Inning

B4: Nic McCay should still be in this game, but a dropped fly ball with two outs put a runner on base for Vanderbilt. McCay then walked the next batter and gave up RBI single to RJ Austin and he was relieved by Evan Byers. Vanderbilt 5, Kentucky 4

T4: That's the typical Vanderbilt inning we're used to seeing. JD Thompson strikes out the first two batters, and then Braden Holcomb throws out a Kentucky runner at second base off a hit that bounced off the left field. Vanderbilt 4, Kentucky 4

Holc's throw is on the money 💰 pic.twitter.com/JDWGlqiStG
— Vanderbilt Baseball (@VandyBoys) May 16, 2025

3rd Inning

B3: See? I say we're headed towards one thing and then exact opposite happens. Both offenses have gone quiet at the plate and second-straight three up, three down inning for the Wildcats. Vanderbilt 4, Kentucky 4

T3: Now that's more like what we're used to seeing from JD Thompson. Three up, three down inning and the Commodores are headed back to the plate. Vanderbilt 4, Kentucky 4

2nd Inning

B2: That was a super fast inning. Nic McCay threw three pitches to get two outs and Riley Nelson took him to a full count, but ended up striking out. Vanderbilt 4, Kentucky 4

T2: Looks like we might be in for a big offensive night (which of course me saying that means it won't happen). Kentucky gets a run on a two-out single and Thompson then loaded the bases with a full-count walk. Most troubling, though, is Thompson then walked the following batter, tying the game up. Vanderbilt 4, Kentucky 4

Vasty plates Holcomb to add on in the first frame. pic.twitter.com/xL2v4SwhAx
— Vanderbilt Baseball (@VandyBoys) May 16, 2025

1st Inning

B1: Well, now this is a welcome surprise. Vanderbilt's offense is alive and well early tonight. The Commodores scored X runs on X hits, including a two-run home run by Brodie Johnston (his 12th of the season). Vanderbilt 4, Kentucky 2

T1: Any question about Kentucky's ability to bounce back from an emotional loss have been answered. The Wildcats scored a pair of runs off JD Thompson on three hits. But it wasn't like yesterday's first inning. Thompson didn't issue any walks and all three hits were perfectly placed shots. Kentucky 2, Vanderbilt 0

Pregame

Taylor: And then there were two...two games left until it's tournament time. Last night's game was shocking in several ways. Obviously, the way the game ended was shocking (in a good way). But the start was equally shocking, but I don't think we'll see a repeat of that tonight. JD Thompson will be on the mound to start for Vanderbilt and has looked great in the last month.

We'll be getting started at Hawkins Field in just a few minutes. So, be sure to bookmark this page and check back often.

Vanderbilt Commodores Starting Lineup

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

Kentucky Wildcats Starting Lineup

Tyler Bell, SS
Luke Lawrence, 2B
Cole Hage, LF
James McCoy, 1B
Patrick Herrera, 3B
Carson Hansen, RF
Kyuss Gargett, DH
Devin Burkes, C
Griffin Cameron, CF

Pitching Matchup

RHP Nic McCay (5-0, 4.06 ERA, 64.1 IP, 62 SO, 36 BB, 29 ER, .192 b/avg.) vs. LHP JD Thompson (4-5, 3.88 ERA, 72 IP, 94 SO, 23 BB, 31 ER, .234 b/avg.)

How to Watch: Kentucky at Vanderbilt

TV: SECN+

Radio: Live Radio

Stats: Live Stats

Vanderbilt Commodores On SI:

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Published May 16, 2025

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.