GDW Analysis:
HOOVER: Southeastern Conference baseball continues to display excellence when it comes to crowning a champion from tournament play.
The SEC presented a new format for 2025 with single elimination play as all 16 teams were involved in the event from Hoover Metropolitan Stadium.
In overcoming weather concerns, Vanderbilt would go home as the champion, holding off Ole Miss Sunday by the final of 3 to 2.
Vanderbilt was a No. 4 seed heading into the tournament with Ole Miss a 7th seed.
For being among the Top 4 in seeding, Vanderbilt did not have to play until the quarterfinal round when the Commodores defeated Oklahoma.
Ole Miss was a different story. The 7th seed Rebels got by Florida in 2nd round play then would put away LSU and Arkansas enroute of reaching the championship segment.
Top seed Texas bowed out in a quarterfinal loss to Tennessee. No, 2 Arkansas was eliminated by Ole Miss in a semifinal encounter.
The tournament drew an average of 10,666 per day according to information provided by the SEC.
In state schools Alabama and Auburn did not hang around long in the new setup.
Alabama defeated Missouri in the 1st round, then got drubbed by Tennessee the following day.
Auburn, a 6th seed, was put out of play by Texas A&M.
The love of SEC baseball and it being held at a quality neutral site continues to show how good this sport is in comparison to the popularity of football and men's basketball.
Eight SEC teams to host regional play:
Now the college baseball season moves from conference tournament play to the postseason format.
Regional competition will begin this weekend with half of the field in hosting a regional coming from the SEC.
The NCAA Baseball Committee announced Sunday the following from the SEC will be hosting a regional.
Tournament champion Vanderbilt, regular season champion Texas, plus Arkansas, Auburn, Georgia, LSU, Ole Miss and Tennessee have earned this opportunity due to solid play in the SEC and very good results overall.
Photo of the Vanderbilt Commodores celebrating their SEC baseball championship May 25 at the Hoover Met.
Photo courtesy of the SEC.
