Live Updates: No. 2 Arkansas at No. 14 Vanderbilt, Game Two
No. 14 Vanderbilt returns to Hawkins Field for Saturday's second game against No. 2 Arkansas. The Razorbacks won the first game of the series 9-0 on Friday behind a strong pitching performance from Zach Root.
But a new day brings new opportunities for the Commodores. We'll have live updates throughout the game below from staff writer Taylor Hodges.
Live Updates
(Most recent updates at the top.)
Final: Arkansas 6, Vanderbilt 4
Bottom 10th: Humphrey leads off with a single to centerfield and is able to advance to second a wild pitch. Austin then follows up with a base hit on a hard hit ground ball that bounced off the Razorbacks' pitchers' glove. That sent Brodie Johnston to the plate with runners at first and second base, but wound up sending a pop fly behind home plate for the inning's second out. Nelson got one run on the board with a sacrifice fly to right field, but Rose's ground out in the following at-bat ended the inning. Arkansas 6, Vanderbilt 4.
Top 10th: Miller Green enters the game for Vanderbilt in relief of Hawks, who ended up allowing one run on one hit, one walk and three strikeouts.
A fielding error by Mancini at second base, put Wehiwa Aloy on base and after a pair of right field singles by Maxwell and Iredale, Aloy give the Razorbacks the go-ahead run with one out and two runners on base.
Kozeal continues to terrorize his former team with a squeeze bunt that scored a run and sent him safely to first base. Another bunt by Helfrick wasn't a well-executed, but Riley Nelson bobbled the ball and allowed Iredale to score from third and Helfrick to reach safely. Green would get Thomas Jr. to strikeout to end the inning, but now Vanderbilt needs its offense to come through.
Bottom 9th: Vanderbilt gets a runner on base with a two out single by Rigdon, but the Commodores couldn't get the walk-off win and now the game is headed into extra innings. Arkansas 3, Vanderbilt 3.
Top 9th: Hawks continues to shutdown the Razorbacks and now Vanderbilt heads to plate needing one run to claim a win, but has the bottom half of the lineup coming up to bat. Arkansas 3, Vanderbilt 3
Bottom 8th: Arkansas records three strikeouts to send the game in the ninth inning tied. Arkansas 3, Vanderbilt 3.
Top 8th: Hawks shuts down the Razorbacks again, but not without a specatcular play from Vanderbilt's center fielder. RJ Austin is now two-for-two in games this weekend with spectacular catches in the outfield.
Bottom 7th: Arkansas may be better at hitting home runs, but Vanderbilt is better at playing small-ball baseball. Vastine drew a leadoff walk and stole second (without a pickoff attempt) and would advance to third base on a Mancini groundout to first base. A few pitches later, Vastine would score on a wild pitch, tying the game. That at-bat ended end Humphrey drawing a walk and Arkansas to make a pitching change. Arkansas 3, Vanderbilt 3
Top 7th: Arkansas didn't waste any time retaking its lead. Thomas hits a fourth-pitch home run off of Hawks to very deep left center fielder, giving Arkansas a one-run lead. It was the only runs scored by the Razorbacks in the inning, but it was enough. Arkansas 3, Vanderbilt 2
Bottom 6th: Vanderbilt ties the game at 2-2 after RJ Austin got on base with a leadoff single, then worked his way to third base where Mac Rose hit a two-out single to right field to score Austin and tie the game. That also resulted in Arkansas making a pitching change and bringing in Carson Wiggins in place of Gabe Gaeckle. Arkansas 2, Vanderbilt 2.
Top 6th: Sawyer Hawks relieves Bowker to start the inning. Bowker finished the game with 84 pitches thrown that resulted in two runs on six hits, two walks and three strikeouts. Hawks would get through the inning without allowing any baserunners, striking out one batter in a three up, three down inning. Arkansas 2, Vanderbilt 1
Bottom 5th: Rustan Rigdon, who didn't start Friday's game, got on base with a one-out single to centerfield and Colin Barczi was able to go from first to home on a fielding error by Razorbacks' centerfielder Justin Thomas Jr. Rigdan advanced to third on the ensuing at-bat's groundout to first base, but Jacob Humphrey's strikeout ended the inning with Rigdon stranded at third base. Arkansas 2, Vanderbilt 1
Top 5th: Brent Iredale got a two-out single to left field, but other than that Bowker got through the inning without any damage done and even got his third strikeout of the game. Arkansas 2, Vanderbilt 0
Bottom 4th: Vanderbilt goes three up, three down with Mac Rose nearly getting a two-out hit, but Arkansas shortstop Wehiwa Aloy was able leap into the air and make the catch. Arkansas 2, Vanderbilt 0
Top 4th: Bowker gets three ground balls that lead to ground outs and Bowker has his first clean inning of the contest. Arkansas 2, Vanderbilt 0
Bottom 3rd: Vanderbilt managed to get a runner into scoring position, after Mike Mancini stole second with one out. But a Humphrey strikeout and Austin line drive to right field ended the threat. Arkansas 2, Vanderbilt 0
Top 3rd: Bowker escapes a bases loaded jam with two outs in the inning with a strikeout against Kozeal. Arkansas 2, Vanderbilt 0
Bottom 2nd: Mac Rose is able to get to third base after a left field double and a stumble by Arkansas centerfielder Justin Thomas Jr. that allowed him to tag up from second. Jonathan Vastine flew out to left field, ending the inning with Rose stuck at third base. Arkansas 2, Vanderbilt 0
Top 2nd: Cam Kozeal may end up being a big problem for Vanderbilt this weekend and in any potential future game. The former Commodore hit his third home run of the season off Bowker after a one-out single in the previous at-bat that put Arkansas ahead 2-0. Bowker would force a fly out and record his first strikeout of the game to end the inning. Arkansas 2, Vanderbilt 0
Note: Arkansas has hit a few balls deep into the outfield already, one of which went over the right center field wall.
Bottom 1st: Not much happens for Vanderbilt in the bottom half. Jacob Humphrey, RJ Austin and Brodie Johnston went three up, three down in the inning. Arkansas 0, Vanderbilt 0
Top 1st: Vanderbilt starter Cody Bowker gave up a ground ball single to Arkansas's leadoff batter, Wehiwa Aloy to groundout into a double play and forced a Logan Maxwell popup to end the first half of play. Arkansas 0, Vanderbilt 0
Pregame: Taylor Hodges back to provide live updates, analysis and reactions for the second game of the SEC weekend series between Arkansas and Vanderbilt.
After Friday’s first game, you have to hope the Commodores facing a different pitcher will lead to a better day at the plate for the Commodores. Zach Root gave up just three hits and three walks to Vanderbilt in 7.2 innings of work Friday night in the Razorbacks’ 9-0 win.
How to Watch
Who: No. 2 Arkansas Razorbacks (24-3, 6-1 SEC) at No. 14 Vanderbilt Commodores (20-6, 4-3 SEC)
When: 2 p.m., Saturday
Where: Hawkins Field, Nashville, Tenn.
TV: SECN+
Radio: 94.9 The Fan
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Vanderbilt Commodores On SI:
-8b6c726067ba8eb0b5197041f28d1b64.jpeg "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.