In a commanding performance on Thursday night, the No. 15 Vanderbilt Commodores overpowered the No. 18 Alabama Crimson Tide with a 12–2 victory in an eight-inning run-rule game at Hawkins Field in Nashville. The win marked a significant statement in the SEC standings as Vanderbilt improved to 34–15 overall and 13–9 in conference play, while Alabama fell to 35–11 and 12–10 in the SEC.
Vanderbilt’s ace, JD Thompson, delivered a masterful performance on the mound, striking out 11 batters over seven innings while allowing only two runs. His dominance set the tone for the Commodores, who backed him with an explosive offensive display. RJ Austin highlighted the offense with a three-run homer in the eighth inning, sealing the run-rule victory.
“JD was electric tonight,” said Vanderbilt head coach Tim Corbin. “He commanded the zone and gave our offense the confidence to swing freely. RJ’s homer was the exclamation point we needed.”
Offensively, Vanderbilt tallied 12 runs on 14 hits, showcasing their depth and power throughout the lineup. In contrast, Alabama managed only two runs on six hits, struggling to find rhythm against Thompson’s pitching.
Inside the Booth
RJ Austin was incredible vs. ‘Bama‼️
• 4-5, HR, 2B, 4 RBIs
• 7 hits, 6 RBIs in his last 4 games. @VandyBoys earned their 3rd SEC run-rule victory of the season. Here’s how the HR looked & sounded: ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/j2OZ5cxkw3— Andrew Allegretta (@AAllegretta) May 3, 2025
Alabama head coach Brad Bohannon acknowledged the team’s challenges, stating, “We faced a tough pitcher tonight, and our hitters couldn’t adjust. We’ll regroup and come back stronger.”
Statistical Comparison:
| Category | Vanderbilt | Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Runs | 12 | 2 |
| Hits | 14 | 6 |
| Errors | 0 | 1 |
| Strikeouts (by pitchers) | 11 | 7 |
| Home Runs | 1 | 0 |
The series continues with Game 2 scheduled for Friday at 6:00 PM CT, followed by the finale on Saturday at 2:00 PM CT. Both games will be broadcast on SECN+.
Vanderbilt aims to maintain their momentum, while Alabama looks to bounce back and even the series. With postseason implications on the line, the upcoming games promise to deliver high-stakes SEC baseball action. On Saturday Vanderbilt RHP Cody Bowker (2-3, 4.50 ERA) is slated to face Alabama RHP Riley Quick (6-2, 3.54 ERA).
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