#15 Vanderbilt Commodores (32-13, 12-9 SEC) vs. #18 Alabama Crimson Tide (35-10, 12-9 SEC)
Game 1: Friday, May 2 @ 6 p.m. CT • SEN+
Game 2: Saturday, May 3 @ 2 p.m. CT • SECN+
Game 3: Sunday, May 4 @ 3 p.m. CT • SEC Network
Weekend Preview: Vanderbilt begins a seven-game stretch against ranked opponents with a three-game series at home against No. 18 Alabama beginning Friday.
- Vanderbilt is 69-97-3 all-time against Alabama since the first meeting in 1893.
- Vandy is 14-4-1 vs. the Crimson Tide since 2013.
- Both teams enter the weekend ranked by D1Baseball. This series marks Vandy’s fourth consecutive, and sixth in the last eight weeks, against a ranked opponent.
Last Time Out: Vanderbilt took the finale from No. 23 Ole Miss in Oxford on Sunday in run-rule fashion, blanking the Rebels 13-0 in seven innings.
- Connor Fennell was named SEC Pitcher of the Week after throwing a complete-game shutout against Ole Miss. Fennell registered a career-high 12 strikeouts and allowed just three hits.
- The entire batting order recorded at least one hit and scored at least one run in Sunday’s win.
- Fennell has reached double-digit strikeouts in back-to-back starts against No. 5 Georgia and at No. 23 Ole Miss.
- Mac Rose and Jonathan Vastine each finished with three RBI. Riley Nelson and Colin Barczi recorded three hits apiece.
On the Mound and Behind It: Vanderbilt’s pitching staff boasts a 3.74 ERA, 11th best in D1 and third in the SEC.
- Vandy’s pitchers have reached double-digit strikeouts in 34 of 45 games this season and in 10 consecutive games entering the weekend.
- Vanderbilt leads the nation in strikeouts per nine innings (12.1) and ranks third nationally in hits allowed per nine innings (7.05).
- The Dores’ six shutouts are tied for most in the SEC.
- Defensively, Vandy owns the fifth best fielding percentage in DI (.982), second in the SEC.
Johnny V: Vanderbilt shortstop Jonathan Vastine has been one of Vanderbilt’s best hitters in conference play to compliment his premier defense.
- The Florida native was named to the midseason watch list for the Brooks Wallace Award recently, recognizing the country’s top shortstop.
- Vastine is hitting .314 in 21 SEC games with four home runs, a double and 14 RBI.
- In seven Game 3’s in SEC series this spring, Vastine is 16-for-27 (.593) with two homers, a double and 10 RBI.
- He led the team in doubles (18) last season and, after leading Vandy with 18 doubles in 2023, became the first Commodore since Dansby Swanson to lead the team in doubles in back-to-back seasons.
- In D1Baseball’s 2025 preseason position rankings, Vastine came in at No. 10 among all shortstops.
- According to D1Baseball’s Synergy stats, Vastine’s 11.27 defensive runs saved last season was good for eighth nationally and ranked first among SEC shortstops.
Big Innings: Vandy has scored four or more runs in an inning 19 times this season.
- The Dores have scored seven or more runs in an inning five times including a nine-spot twice.
Stopper of the Year: A pair of Commodores were named to the midseason watch list for the NCBWA Stopper of the Year last week, awarded to the top reliever in college baseball.
- Sawyer Hawks and Miller Green were two of 56 relief pitchers on the watch list.
- Hawks has six saves this season and boasts a 1.34 ERA over 33.2 innings of work. He has 46 strikeouts to seven walks and is holding opposing hitters to a .152 average.
- Green has five saves and a 4.00 ERA over 14 appearances. In 18 innings, the southpaw has 23 strikeouts to seven walks and is limiting hitters to a .239 average.
