Stay tuned with us all afternoon and evening, as we’ll be recapping and updating you with the scores from Day 1 of the 2018 SEC Baseball Tournament!

TEXAS A&M 3, VANDERBILT 1

The Texas A&M Aggies began the day with a 3-1 victory over the Vanderbilt Commodores. The victory advances A&M in the bracket to face the 8th-ranked Georgia Bulldogs on Wednesday morning at 10:30 a.m. ET.

The Aggies fell behind early in the bottom of the 2nd inning. It was then that Austin Martin delivered an RBI single that scored Julian Infante to give the ‘Dores a 1-0 lead. However, A&M would bounce back in the 5th. They tied the game after an RBI single off the bat of Cole Bedford. And then, they took the lead on a fielder’s choice, that came off a throwing error, which allowed for the aforementioned Bedford to score the go-ahead run.

Insurance was later tacked on by the 2-hole hitter, Michael Helman. Helman hit an RBI single that plated George Janca.

Kaylor Chafin earned the win after six strong innings of work. Chafin allowed just the one earned run along with six hits, and punched out five and issued only one walk. He gave up no extra base hits at all during the game. The only XBH recorded by Vandy was a double from Ty Duvall off Nolan Hoffman. Hoffman was otherwise terrific, allowing only two hits, no walks and had three strikeouts.

AUBURN 4, KENTUCKY 3 (F/11)

We got some dramatics on Day 1, as Auburn walked-off against Kentucky to advance in the SEC Tournament! Eduoard Juilen’s RBI single in the 11th inning lifted the Tigers to victory over the Wildcats by the score of 4-3. It was Julien’s lone hit of the game, but certainly the biggest, as well.

There were dramatics in the top of the 9th that got this game in the spot it was in. Auburn had been leading 3-1 until the 5th inning when Luke Becker hit a sac groundout that made it 3-2. Then, in what was set to be their final at-bats, UK was able to extend the game. Kole Cottam laced a double to right centerfield that scored Alex Rodriguez to tie the game at 3 runs apiece. But, unfortunately for the Cats, they were eventually uprooted by the Tigers in extras.

Sean Hjelle pitched a hell of a game in relief of Daniel Harper. Hjelle pitched 7.1 innings of shutout ball with four hits allowed, nine strikeouts and no walks. He didn’t allow a single XBH to Auburn’s batters, either. Zack Thompson was charged with the loss after allowing the game-winning hit. Meanwhile, Cody Greenhill was the pitcher of record for Auburn after he pitched three shutout innings with three hits scattered about along with two strikeouts and no walks.

Auburn will face Ole Miss in the second round on Wednesday.

LSU 8, MISSISSIPPI STATE 5

-- by Robert O’Neill

The Tigers took care of business in their opening round tilt with the Bulldogs thanks to a balanced scoring attack in the later innings. After Justin Foscue and Tanner Allen drove in the first three runs of the game for the Bulldogs, LSU responded with two runs in each of their final four innings.

The Tigers got RBIs from seven different players, with Antonie Duplantis being the only LSU player to drive in more than one. Duplantis had a game-high three hits.

Konnor Pilkington was on the mound to start the night for the Bulldogs, and recorded five strikeouts in 4.2 innings pitched. Nick Bush started for the Tigers and lasted just three innings, as the Bulldogs struck early. Devin Fontenot picked up the win for the Tigers.

LSU will face #1 Florida in Wednesday’s second round.