Vanderbilt’s pursuit of consecutive Southeastern Conference Tournament titles ended on May 20 with an 8-3 loss to No. 18 Florida in the second round.
The result marks the conclusion of Vanderbilt’s run in Hoover, where they were aiming for back-to-back championships. The Commodores now hold a season record of 33-25 as they await potential selection for the NCAA tournament.
Florida recorded a total of 14 hits during the game, including four from Blake Cyr and three each from Brendan Lawson and Hayden Yost. Brodie Johnston led Vanderbilt’s offense with two hits in five at-bats, including a double.
Brendan Lawson started the scoring for Florida with an RBI double in the first inning, followed by another run on a groundout. Yost extended Florida’s lead to three runs with a solo home run in the second inning. Although Vanderbilt pitcher Matthew Shorey escaped a bases-loaded situation in the third inning without allowing more runs, Florida maintained their advantage.
Vanderbilt tied the game at three during a rally in the fifth inning that featured doubles from Johnston and Braden Holcomb, as well as an RBI triple by Logan Johnstone. However, Cyr put Florida back ahead with a two-run homer later that inning. The Gators added insurance runs through a two-run single in the seventh and another solo home run by Lawson in the eighth.
The next step for Vanderbilt will be waiting for Monday’s NCAA Selection Show at 11 a.m. Central Time to learn if their season will continue.
