Dores Live to Play Again

In what has become typical Vandy baseball fashion, the Commodores jumped out to a big five-run lead in the third before letting Ole Miss back into the game with a two-run fourth. That was until Brett Jacobsen entered the game, and while he struggled early to find the strike zone, he gave Vanderbilt four huge scoreless (and hitless) innings in the Dores' 7-4 victory.

If you get CSS wherever you are, make sure to tune in a little after 5 p.m. CT today, as the Commodores will play Ole Miss again for the right to advance to the final against either Alabama or LSU.

Don't forget to check out VU Commodores for all the latest, as well as links to the audio for the remaining games if you won't be able to watch.

Vanderbilt moves on in SEC Tournament

Junior Nick Christiani gave the Commodores an effective start, pitching 6 1/3 innings and allowing only one run, and the Vanderbilt offense woke up enough to earn a 7-5 victory over South Carolina in an elimination game in the SEC Tournament.

It was good to see the offense snap out of the doldrums. The top four batters in the lineup, who combined to go 1-14 in the 8-2 loss to LSU, went 7-18 and drove in five runs. Pedro Alvarez had only one hit but made it count: a two-run home run to push the lead to 7-1. David Macias had three hits and scored two runs.

Vanderbilt faces Ole Miss Saturday at 10 a.m. CT in another elimination game.

Thanks to www.vucommodores.com for the statistics.

An Absolute Mess: The Georgia Doom

In case you haven't heard, the SEC tournament has been moved to Georgia Tech following the damage to the Georgia Dome.

Because the winner of the SEC tournament earns an automatic bid to Big Dance, the games must be played before the NCAA tournament selection committee announces the draws. This bit of news leaves the winner of the Kentucky-Georgia game in a difficult position. In unprecedented fashion, either Kentucky or Georgia will play two games today. As an aside, how much longer until the NCAA lets a team's body of work across the whole season (instead of these little tournaments) determine the automatic bids?

Even worse, the SEC is restricting attendance to players' families, cheerleaders, bands, and university administrative figures.

The claims by those in attendance that a "freight train was approaching" or that it could have been an act of terrorism, might not be all that far-fetched when it has been confirmed that a tornado whisked through downtown Atlanta with 130 mph winds.

Get Ready...

Tomorrow, it begins. Twelve teams, one goal: the coveted SEC Championship. For teams such as Vandy, Tennessee, and Mississippi State, this is a chance to pad their stats and seedings for tourney time. And for pretty much everyone else... it's win or go home.

Four back-to-back-to-back-to-back (whew!) play-in games are being held tomorrow, starting at Noon CT at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. Here's what I think is going down...

GAME 1: LSU (SEC West 4 seed) vs. South Carolina (SEC East 5 seed)

You know what? LSU's firing of coach John Brady mid-season may not have been politically or personally correct, but the Tiger's have been on a (relative) tear as of late. South Carolina's quick guards can run some teams ragged, but LSU won't let that happen.

Tigers 68
Gamecocks 63

GAME TWO: Vanderbilt (SEC East 3 seed) vs. Auburn (SEC West 6 seed)

So, Vanderbilt is the 17th ranked team in the country and a lock to go dancing. And Auburn is, well... I don't know what they are, but they aren't going to beat Vandy.

Commodores 80
Tigers 61

GAME THREE: Florida (SEC East 4 seed) vs. Alabama (SEC West 5 seed)

Florida has probably slipped off of that all-important "bubble", so they'll have to beat the Tide to at least have a shot of going dancing. But it isn't going to be easy- 'Bama proved they can grind out and win big games, as evidenced by their OT victory vs. our Commodores. Anyways, maybe Al Horford will skip Hawks practice and come to the game to provide some motivation and love. I guess it's better than having some 6-11 crazy dude with a ridiculous ponytail and major gap between his teeth showing up in the locker room and scaring all of the freshman.

Florida 61
Alabama 58

GAME FOUR: Ole Miss (SEC West 3 seed) vs. Georgia (SEC East 6 seed)

This game is scheduled to tip off at 9:45, but I wouldn't stay up if you have to get up early on Friday, like me (screw you 8 o'clock English!!!). Ole Miss and superfrosh Chris Warren just beat Georgia on the road, and on top of that, the Rebels are a team on a mission: to not embarrass themselves by missing out on March Madness after that stellar start to the season. Warren, Eniel Polynice, and David Huertas will be too much up top, Dwayne Curtis and Kenny Williams will be too much down low, and the Rebels will roll in a grind it out game despite Georgia's home team advantage.

Rebels 75
Bulldogs 62