HOOVER, Ala. – Vanderbilt starter Mason Hickman continued his dominance and right fielder JJ Bleday made history with five hits as the top-seed Commodores run-ruled No. 8-seed Auburn 11-1 in eight innings during the second round of the SEC Tournament on Wednesday night at Hoover Met. Stadium.
Bleday (5-for-5) became the ninth SEC player and first since 2003 to record five hits in an SEC Tournament game. The hit total marked a career high and was the most for a Commodore at the event. The junior’s performance helped Vandy (46-10) snap a four-game losing streak at the tournament while notching its 19th victory in the last 20 games.
Hickman (7-0) kept his perfect record intact, holding Auburn hitless (0-for-5) with runners aboard while limiting leadoff batters to 1-for-7 (.143). The right hander, who did not permit a hit until the fourth, punched out nine and permitted just two hits and a run while walking three across six-plus frames.
Stephen Scott (3-for-4) set a program best in league tournament games, driving in five runs. The senior plated a pair to cap a four-run third and clubbed a two-out solo home run in the fifth. The defending SEC Player of the Week has collected five homers in his last five games.