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SEC baseball teams collectively tie undesirable opening day record
By Ethan Stone
Published:
Baseball is baseball, and the last time to worry about your team’s record is the day after opening day when lineups are still far from finalized and there are 55 games to go. Still, starting the season off with a win heading into Saturday and Sunday can set the tone for the weekend.
Five SEC teams started off on the wrong foot Friday night on opening day for college baseball. Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Georgia, Missouri and Kentucky all dropped their first games of the season, some in better fashion than others.
The SEC went 9-5 Friday, tied for the worst mark since SEC expansion to add Mizzou and Texas A&M in 2014. Five teams also lost on opening day in 2017.
The #SEC went 9-5 yesterday, tying the conference’s record for most losses on Opening Day since it expanded to 14 teams in 2013. Five SEC teams also lost on Opening Day in 2017. The 10-year average had been only three losses.
— Andrew Hutchinson (@NWAHutch) February 18, 2023
The state of Tennessee suffered the worst from opening day. The No. 2 Vols and No. 10 Commodores both fell to strong Power 5 opponents, Arizona and TCU. Tennessee’s pitching looked strong, but couldn’t get anything going at the plate. Vanderbilt struggled defensively, losing 11-4.
All 14 SEC teams, of course, are back in action Saturday, highlighted by Vanderbilt vs. No. 9 Oklahoma State and No. 8 Arkansas vs. No. 15 TCU.
Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.
