Continuing the trend from Thursday, Friday was a day for the bats in Hoover. For the first time in the SEC Tournament, the full slate of 4 games was played, even if it did leave Tennessee and LSU playing past 2 AM Eastern time. While the Vols and A&M ground out impressive wins, No. 11 and No. 12 seeds Alabama and Kentucky will both be playing on Saturday. Here’s a look at where the SEC spent Friday … and where it’s heading on Saturday.

Florida 7, Arkansas 5 (Arkansas eliminated): Florida rebounded from an ugly loss to Texas A&M with a big day with the bats to knock out Arkansas. A pair of 5th-inning homers launched Florida to a 5-0 edge. Arkansas trailed 7-2 down to its last out but made the score closer with a run-scoring wild pitch and then a 2-run homer from Braydon Webb. But the Hogs didn’t get the tying run to the plate and UF moved on with a 7-5 win. MVP: Jac Caglianone, who had a 2-run single and a solo blast to lead the UF offense.

Kentucky 10, Vanderbilt 2 (Vanderbilt eliminated): In the second game, Kentucky never trailed Vandy in a 10-2 thumping that sent the Commodores back to Nashville. Vanderbilt went 1-2 in Hoover and was outscored 20-3 in its losses.

The Wildcats hit no homers but manufactured runs well, scoring on bunts in the 4th and 5th innings. UK led 5-1 after 5 and cruised from there. MVP: Shortstop Ryan Ritter, who had a pair of doubles and a single with 3 RBIs.

Texas A&M 12, Alabama 8: Alabama jumped out early on Texas A&M in the winners’ bracket, leading 6-1 after 4 innings. But in the 5th frame, the Aggies’ offense awoke. Dylan Rock’s 3-run homer chased Bama starter Grayson Hitt and trimmed the lead to 6-4. In the following inning, after a 2-run single from Kole Kaler tied the game, Rock was hit by pitch to force in a run to give A&M a lead they did not relinquish. The Aggies won 12-8, moving into Saturday’s semifinals, while Bama will face Florida in an elimination game. MVP: Rock, who was just 1-for-5, but did have 4 pivotal RBIs.

Tennessee 5, LSU 2: The Vols got a big start from ace Chase Dollander, whose 6 2/3 innings of excellent work saw him depart with the Vols ahead 5-2. UT jumped out to a 3-0 lead, but LSU trimmed it to 3-2. Jorel Ortega ripped a 2-run double in the 5th to give Dollander some cushion. On to the semis for the Vols, while LSU will face Kentucky again in an elimination game. MVP: Dollander, who fanned 9 Tigers in his quality start and victory.

Saturday’s slate …

Florida vs. Alabama (elimination game)

Can the Tide wrangle up a few more quality innings? Their pitching depth had been superb, but blowing a 5-run lead against A&M raises the question. Meanwhile, Florida has either been awful (in the 10-0 shutout loss to A&M) or very good (squeaking out a pitcher’s duel win over South Carolina and outhitting Arkansas). UF won 2 of 3 in Tuscaloosa back in March. If they approach the 8.7 runs per game they averaged in that series, they’ll be fine on Saturday … and then get to play A&M again in the semifinals. Meanwhile, Alabama is probably in the NCAA Tournament field, but could all but guarantee a spot with another win.

Kentucky vs. LSU (elimination game)

These two met Thursday, with the Tigers winning 11-6. Kentucky needs to play better defense than they did in that game, with LSU being the most error-heavy defense in the SEC, a sharp defensive game could give UK an edge. Meanwhile, the Tigers will look to get the offense rolling again after Dollander and the UT bullpen did a number on them. The winner gets the Vols. Kentucky probably needs not just this win, but another one on Saturday to feel good about the NCAA Tournament field including the ‘Cats.

Texas A&M vs. (Florida/Bama winner)

Since the Aggies just battered Florida miserably, they probably wouldn’t mind seeing the Gators again. The Tide are 2-2 on the year against A&M, including their loss on Friday. The Tide haven’t struggled for runs against the Aggies, averaging 7 runs per game in those matchups. A&M’s pitching will be set up better than UF or Bama.

Tennessee vs. (Kentucky/LSU winner)

The Vols would love to avenge their only series loss of the season to Kentucky, while they just finished LSU off in the early hours of Saturday morning. Kentucky kept the UT sluggers in the ballpark to the tune of 0 total homers in their 2 wins over the Vols. If UK wins, that will be a key in the matchup. For LSU, the question is whether the Tigers can jump-start the bats that were cold against the UT pitchers just a few hours before.

Predicted winners: Alabama, Kentucky, Texas A&M, Tennessee