One thing I have learned is this: If you really love rain, go to Birmingham in the week before Memorial Day. They play the SEC Baseball Tournament there every year at this time, and every year it rains. Today the SEC Baseball Tournament began, and they only got into the 8th inning of the second game before play was stopped by rain.
And we've started up again. Today is single-elimination day. So far, the number 6 seed, South Carolina, has eliminated the number 11 seed, Georgia, by the score of 9-0. And the number 10 seed, Texas A & M, has eliminated Tennessee (the number 7 seed), by the score of 3-0. In fact, the Vols only got one hit.
ReplyDeleteNow Kentucky (the number 8 seed) is playing Alabama (the number 9 seed).
ReplyDeleteFor the record, Mississippi State (the 2021 National Champion) and Mississippi (the 2022 National Champion) finished with the two worst records in the SEC. They didn't even qualify for the conference tournament.
ReplyDeleteThat's nuts!
DeleteThe top 12 seeds did qualify. The top 4 seeds (Florida, Arkansas, LSU, and Vandy) advanced to the double-elimination rounds. The next 8 seeds are playing single elimination games today. Tomorrow there will be 8 teams left, and those 8 will play double elimination until only four teams are left. Then it's back to single elimination for the semi-finals and final.
ReplyDeleteIt's all a bit contrived, but it's mostly for fun anyway, since it has little impact on the NCAA Tournament. And it is usually entertaining.
ReplyDeleteBut the games today have not been entertaining. Going into the 9th, Alabama leads UK 4-0. If that score holds, we will have our third shut-out in a row.
ReplyDeleteSure enough, Alabama beats UK 4-0, and the Cats go home to see where they'll go in the NCAA Tournament.
ReplyDeleteSo that leaves the number 5 seed (Auburn) and the number 12 seed (Mizzou). I'm not staying up to watch this game.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, ...
ReplyDeleteHOUSTON, Texas – No. 4 WKU Baseball and No. 5 Florida Atlantic will close the opening day of the Conference USA Championship beginning at 7:30 p.m. CT on May 24, 2023, at Reckling Park. ...
Western won this game, 10 to 9. Today the Hilltoppers play Dallas Baptist, the number 1 seed.
DeleteHere's an update on the SEC Tournament (seeds in parentheses):
ReplyDeleteTuesday:
(6) S. Carolina 9, (11) Georgia 0 (Georgia eliminated)
(10) Texas A & M 3, (7) Tennessee 0 (Tennessee eliminated)
(9) Alabama 4, (8) Kentucky 0 (Kentucky eliminated)
(5) Auburn 10, (12) Missouri 4 (Missouri eliminated)
Wednesday:
(3) LSU 10, (6) S. Carolina 3
(2) Arkansas 6, (10) Texas A & M 5 (11 innings)
(1) Florida 7, (9) Alabama 6 (11 innings)
(4) Vanderbilt 6, (5) Auburn 4
This afternoon we have two elimination games. In the first game, Texas A & M beat South Carolina 5-0, to eliminate the Gamecocks. Next up, Auburn is playing Alabama.
ReplyDeleteAlabama defeats Auburn 7-4, and Auburn is eliminated.
ReplyDeleteThe Nats were up 6-5 with two out in the 9th, only to lose on a three-run homer by the Padres. They lost to Miami on a two-run homer with two outs in the 9th last week.
ReplyDeleteArkansas hangs on to beat LSU 5-4. Arkansas advances to the semi-finals on Saturday. LSU will play A & M in an elimination game tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteFlorida gets a late grand slam to beat Vandy 6-3. The Gators advance to the semi-finals. Vandy gets Alabama tomorrow in an elimination game.
ReplyDeleteVandy had 10 hits. Florida had 4. But in baseball, they count runs, not hits.
ReplyDeleteDallas Baptist beat Western 10-4. The Hilltoppers have an elimination game with Florida Atlantic today.
ReplyDelete