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When Vanderbilt meets LSU today, it will be the second-day match-up that many people expected, just on the wrong side of the bracket. Both the Commodores and Tigers rode day one upsets to advance to the winner's bracket of the SEC Tournament. The 'Dores used tight pitching and Aaron Westlake's bat to defeat Arkansas 2-0, while LSU cranked out 19 hits and 10 runs to overpower top-seeded Florida 10-6.
The two teams will meet for the fourth time this season at approximately 9:00 PM Eastern, 8:00 Central in a game televised by both CSS and ESPN3.com. Vanderbilt holds a series lead 2-1, but those wins came in the midst of LSU's late-season tailspin. After a 2-13 stretch, the Tigers have rebounded to go 3-1 over their last four games, scoring 10.5 runs per game in that stretch.
To counter LSU's explosive offense, Vandy will send junior righty Taylor Hill to the mound. Hill has emerged as a solid #2 option for the 'Dores in 2010 with crisp control but no real overpowering pitches. He amassed a 3.68 ERA and 5-4 record on the season but has had some trouble getting wins in the SEC (just 2-4 in league play). The 'Dores will also have to overcome their problems at the plate, as last night's game saw the team leave 12 runners on base.
Like last night, Anchor of Gold should be there for you with a live GameThread. Should the Commodores win, we fully expect Coach Tim Corbin to ice the entire LSU starting lineup.
Full size Icing after the Jump...
Thanks to Gumbercules for the awesome photoshop. Gumbercules? I love that guy!