Wild Vanderbilt comeback downs Arkansas, keeps Hogs from claiming SEC title

Arkansas seemed on the verge of clinching the SEC title on Friday night before an incredible Vanderbilt comeback flipped an 8-2 game on its head in the eighth inning.

The Commodores plated eight runs in the bottom of the eighth inning and went on to secure a 10-8 win, leaving the SEC race wide open heading into the final day of the regular season. Arkansas, Florida and LSU will all have a shot at the league crown on Saturday.

But what a rally it was for Vanderbilt.

“It’s a big win for us,” designated hitter Troy LaNeve said. “Get that momentum back is a big thing for us and I know going into the last game of the SEC regular season, it’s a big thing for us getting that win and bringing that momentum into tomorrow, because we definitely needed it.”

Trailing 8-2 going into the bottom of the eighth inning, the Commodores went to work and the Vanderbilt comeback began. Second baseman RJ Austin led things off with a single to the pitcher, putting a runner aboard. Shortstop Jonathan Vastine followed him with a walk.

A single to third base by left fielder TJ McKenzie loaded the bases with no outs.

Center fielder Enrique Bradfield plated the first run of the inning with a sacrifice fly. A single by third baseman Davis Diaz loaded the bases back up with one out.

That’s when things started to get really hairy for Arkansas.

Right fielder RJ Schreck was hit by a pitch to score one run, cutting the deficit to 8-4. After a pitching change, first baseman Parker Noland walked to plate another run, making it 8-5.

A single by Jack Bulger then plated two runs, making it 8-7. Arkansas made another pitching change.

Finally, LaNeve stepped to the plate. On the very first pitch he saw he launched a three-run homer to left center, completing the Vanderbilt comeback and making the score 10-8.

“Yeah, they brought in a lefty right there and (coach Tim Corbin) looked at me and just said I’ve got to get it done,” LaNeve said. “I was hitting fastball and first-pitch fastball just made it happen.

“There was a lot of good at-bats before me that kind of led up to it. Just kind of one thing after another and it was exactly what we needed, so it was good thing.”

The drama wasn’t quite done, though.

With one out in the top of the ninth inning Arkansas designated hitter Kendall Diggs stepped to the plate and blasted a deep shot to straight-away center field. It cleared the wall, but Bradfield leaped up and snatched it out of the air to rob a home run that would have cut the lead in half.

“I’ve played beside Enrique for three years now, so that’s just another play honestly for him,” LaNeve said. “Obviously the moment was big and he comes up and does that every single day. He’s the best at what he does and he’s consistent every single day.

“It’s fun to be his teammate, fun to be his friend. He lives for those moments. He’s a big-time player.”

Arkansas now boasts a 20-9 conference record, while LSU sits at 19-9 and Florida sits at 19-10.

The Razorbacks can clinch the SEC title with a win in the series finale Saturday against the Commodores. The Tigers can win the SEC outright with a win against Georgia and an Arkansas loss. The Gators can claim a share of the SEC title with a win against Kentucky, coupled with Arkansas and LSU losses.