Arkansas 7, Vanderbilt 1 - FINAL
Jake Reindl retired all three batters he faced in the ninth and the Razorbacks won the series.
This is a really big win for Arkansas - possibly its biggest of the year. It keeps the Razorbacks in contention for the SEC West title and a home regional in the NCAA Tournament.
Georgia won its series over Mississippi State in probably the second biggest upset of the SEC season. That's a big blow to MSU's hosting chances.
LSU is going to go into next week's finale leading the West with an 18-9 conference record, followed by Mississippi State at 17-10. That 18-9 mark also is tied for first in the SEC.
Arkansas will go into the final weekend with a 16-10 mark in the SEC, meaning the only way the Razorbacks could win the division is with a MSU series win (but not sweep) next week over LSU and an Arkansas sweep at Texas A&M. That's not likely to happen.
What is more obtainable for Arkansas is to get into the top four of the SEC standings, which could happen. That not only would give the Razorbacks a bye in the SEC Tournament, but also a good chance at hosting a regional. I think the SEC will probably get four host spots this year.
Arkansas 7, Vanderbilt 1 - End 8th Inning
Arkansas turned a double play in the top of the eighth before going down in order in the bottom of the inning. Here comes Jake Reindl back to the mound, three outs from a big series win that keeps the Razorbacks' hosting hopes alive.
Arkansas 7, Vanderbilt 1 - End 7th Inning
The Razorbacks had back-to-back singles to leadoff the seventh, but couldn't add to the lead after Dominic Fletcher and Jax Biggers both struck out against reliever Jackson Gillis.
Jake Reindl, who has thrown 2 1/3 scoreless innings so far, is back out for the top of the eighth.
Arkansas 7, Vanderbilt 1 - Bottom 6th Inning
Chad Spanberger just hit a home run off the right-field foul pole, too. This one was a two-run shot off the Vandy reliever Maddux Conger. The Hogs have three home runs today.
Arkansas 5, Vanderbilt 1 - Bottom 6th Inning
Dominic Fletcher just hit his fourth home run in five games with a first-pitch drive that hit the right-field foul pole in the sixth. That was Fletcher's 10th home run this season.
Arkansas 4, Vanderbilt 1 - Middle 6th Inning
Julian Infante had a two-out single, but Jake Reindl worked a scoreless sixth for the Razorbacks. This has been a nice bounce-back for Reindl, who threw six straight balls and was pulled during a relief outing Friday.
Arkansas 4, Vanderbilt 1 - End 5th Inning
The Razorbacks loaded the bases when Eric Cole walked with one out, but could only muster one run when Carson Shaddy's sacrifice fly plated Chad Spanberger.
Jack Kinley is going to be the new third baseman, replacing Jared Gates, who grounded out to end the fifth.
Arkansas 3, Vanderbilt 1 - Bottom 5th Inning
Vanderbilt starter Chandler Day has reached the end of the line after hitting Chad Spanberger and Luke Bonfield in consecutive at-bats to leadoff the bottom of the fifth. Grant Koch, who has reached twice, will bat next. He has been hot lately, reaching in three consecutive plate appearances, including two home runs.
Arkansas 3, Vanderbilt 1 - Top 5th Inning
Barring a home NCAA regional, Dominic Taccolini just walked off the mound for the last time at Baum Stadium. The senior right-hander allowed a leadoff double and a two-out walk, and gave way to sophomore right-hander Jake Reindl, who struggled in a short relief appearance Friday. Reindl got out of the inning with a first pitch fly ball to strand runners on the corners.
Taccolini was given a standing ovation as he walked to the dugout.
Arkansas 3, Vanderbilt 1 - Bottom 4th Inning
The Hogs have extended their lead on Jax Biggers' sacrifice fly to score Carson Shaddy with two outs. Shaddy reached on a single up the middle and advanced on Dominic Fletcher's single with one out.
Dominic Taccolini has settled down since that home run to leadoff the second, although Vanderbilt is getting some good swings on his pitches. They are just dying in the outfield because of a gusty south wind.
Arkansas 2, Vanderbilt 1 - Bottom 2nd Inning
Vanderbilt's Ro Coleman just made an outstanding play to rob Arkansas of a hit in the second. Dominic Fletcher's drive went to the right field wall, but Coleman - who is about 5'5" - made a leaping catch in the fence to take away what probably would have been a double.
Arkansas 2, Vanderbilt 1 - Top 2nd Inning
Julian Infante has two home runs in two games after a leadoff hit just cleared the left-center field fence in the second. That is the fourth home run for the Commodores in this series.
Arkansas 2, Vanderbilt 0 - End 1st Inning
The Razorbacks just missed on a chance for an even bigger first. Eric Cole walked after the home run and Carson Shaddy followed with a single. But the inning ended when Jared Gates flied out on a well hit ball to left-center field.
After a poor showing at the plate last night, that was a good way to start today for the Razorbacks.
Arkansas 2, Vanderbilt 0 - Bottom 1st Inning
Grant Koch has home runs in two consecutive at-bats after a big blast here in the first that cleared the seats in left field. Koch also had a solo home run with two outs in the ninth last night.
This home run also came with two outs. Jake Arledge reached on a first-pitch single, stole second and advanced to third on Luke Bonfield's fielder's choice.
Arkansas 0, Vanderbilt 0 - Middle 1st Inning
Dominic Taccolini worked a perfect top of the first inning with a groundout and two consecutive fly balls. This is Taccolini's first appearance in exactly one month, since an April 14 game against Georgia. He has missed the past few series with some soreness in his forearm.
He'll go up against Vandy RHP Chandler Day (7-1, 3.54 ERA).