Now three weeks into SEC play we have a clear trend in the conference. The home team in the series has gone 16-5 in terms of winning the three game set. It makes sense than in a conference as deep and competitive as the SEC, that home field advantage plays a big role in winning the series. It also illustrates how tough life in the conference can be.
Ole Miss Wins Series vs. Arkansas
For the second weekend in a row, Arkansas came agonizingly close to taking a major series win on the road, only to fall a run short in the decisive Sunday game. It hasn’t hurt the Hogs in the poll, they’re still ranked 5th in the most recent D1 Baseball poll. Arkansas now has a chance to return to Baum after a lengthy road trip and rack up some wins.
For Ole Miss it has been a solid start in SEC play that has established themselves as a favorite in the conference right up there with Florida. Their 25-4 record is getting more and more impressive with each win. They also got the SEC Freshman of the Week and Pitcher of the Week awards in the process.
BREAKING | Ole Miss takes home two @SEC weekly honors! @ParkerCaracci named Pitcher of the Week and @TylerKeenan_10 named co-Freshman of the Week!
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) April 2, 2018
https://t.co/zBgN8PC706#HottyToddy #RebsBSB pic.twitter.com/1xUpLLwM8q
Florida Sweeps Vanderbilt
How’s that for a statement series? The Gators swept Vanderbilt for the first time in a very long time. The Gators made the jump to No. 1 in the D1 Baseball poll and still look to be the top of college baseball. Their highlights from the finale look very impressive as well.
Vanderbilt had not been swept in 59-straight SEC series...#Gators did it by outscoring them 26-8 over the weekend.
— Gators Baseball (@GatorsBB) April 1, 2018
SUNDAY RECAP: https://t.co/nB0lztdbbw
FULL HIGHLIGHTS ⬇ pic.twitter.com/FrF9e7H3LH
Georgia Wins Series vs. Texas A&M
Now we need to start asking how for real the Bulldogs are. A third straight series win and tied for the best record in the conference? Beating Alabama, South Carolina, and Texas A&M isn’t murders’ row in this conference so the smart money is on them falling to earth a little. However, grabbing a 7-2 record this early puts them in very good shape.
Missouri Wins Series at Auburn
The only road series win this weekend was a big one for Missouri. They only allowed one hit in the decisive Sunday finale in a 5-0 win. The bats were quiet for Auburn all weekend who only got six runs and only 17 hits in the series. After their hot non-conference start, Auburn has fallen a bit in SEC play.
LSU Wins Series vs. Miss State
Sunday’s gem from LSU’s Ma’Khail Hilliard led LSU to a 4-0 Sunday win and another series win over struggling Mississippi State.
Freshman Ma'Khail Hilliard with another outstanding outing this year to improve to 6-1! #GeauxTigers pic.twitter.com/QaNwuOZlgR
— LSU Baseball (@LSUbaseball) March 31, 2018
While LSU doesn’t have the starpower of last season (or most seasons for that matter) it looks like they still have a good chance of having an impact on the SEC West once again.
Alabama Wins Series vs. Kentucky
Bama stays out of the cellar and keeps Kentucky in the bottom of the conference with their first SEC series win of the year. Saturday’s game was an odd one. Alabama won 4-2 despite being out hit by the Wildcats 2-10. The Tide got a four-run eighth inning thanks to three walks and a two out grand slam from Hunter Alexander.
South Carolina Sweeps Tennessee
The Gamecocks got right back in the middle of the pack with a much needed sweep of Tennessee. Carolina was a model of consistency, getting six runs in each game and keeping the Volunteer offense in check. The weekend shows that Tony Vitello’s squad still has some growing pains to get past.
SEC Standings
EAST:
- Florida (7-2, 25-5)
- Georgia (7-2, 21-7)
- Missouri (5-4, 21-7)
- Vanderbilt (5-4, 17-11)
- S Carolina (4-5, 17-11)
- Tennessee (4-5, 17-12)
- Kentucky (3-6, 19-9)
WEST:
- Ole Miss (6-3, 25-4)
- Arkansas (5-4, 19-9)
- LSU (5-4, 18-11)
- Auburn (4-5, 22-7)
- Texas A&M (3-6, 21-8)
- Alabama (3-6, 18-11)
- Miss State (2-7, 14-15)