SEC Tournament Update: Oklahoma Sooners and Georgia Bulldogs Set for 4:30 p.m. Showdown Wednesday on SEC Network in Hoover

The 2025 SEC Baseball Tournament is well underway in Hoover, Alabama, and with every pitch, the stakes continue to rise. Wednesday’s slate of games brings one of the most anticipated matchups of the day as the Oklahoma Sooners are now scheduled to face the Georgia Bulldogs at 4:30 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast live on SEC Network, and the updated timing could play a role in how both teams approach what is expected to be a tightly contested elimination-round battle.

Originally slated earlier in the day, the game was rescheduled due to weather conditions and tournament logistics, a common occurrence in Hoover during the SEC Tournament’s long-standing history. Now, with the change in start time, fans and players alike are settling in for what could be one of the defining matchups of the tournament.

For Oklahoma, this game marks another chapter in what has been a remarkable inaugural SEC campaign. The Sooners, led by head coach Skip Johnson, made the move from the Big 12 with plenty of skepticism from outsiders, but they have wasted little time in proving they belong among the league’s elite. Oklahoma entered the tournament with an impressive overall record and a top-four finish in the conference standings. Their offense has been one of the most balanced in the SEC, and their pitching staff, though young in spots, has shown flashes of dominance at various points throughout the season.

In their opening-round contest, Oklahoma leaned on the arm of sophomore ace Braden Davis, who delivered seven strong innings, keeping his pitch count low and the opposing hitters off balance. At the plate, leadoff man Jackson Nicklaus has been a steady force all year, and he continued that form with multiple hits and runs scored in Oklahoma’s most recent game. His ability to set the tone will be crucial again Wednesday against Georgia.

On the other side, Georgia enters the contest as a team with something to prove. The Bulldogs have been up and down throughout the regular season, hovering around the middle of the SEC standings, but they earned their tournament berth with a late-season surge that saw them win key series over both Auburn and South Carolina. Georgia’s bats, powered by junior slugger Charlie Condon, have come alive in recent weeks, and their offensive firepower could present problems for an Oklahoma pitching staff that, while talented, can be vulnerable to the long ball.

Condon has been one of the most talked-about players in college baseball all year, leading the nation in home runs for much of the spring and putting together a campaign worthy of SEC Player of the Year consideration. His presence in the lineup gives Georgia a legitimate game-changer every time he steps to the plate. Whether Oklahoma chooses to pitch to him or work around him could be a game-defining decision.

Pitching-wise, Georgia is expected to hand the ball to left-hander Liam Sullivan, a veteran who’s shown the ability to keep high-powered offenses in check. Sullivan’s command and poise will be tested against Oklahoma’s aggressive approach at the plate, particularly if the Sooners can get runners on base early and pressure the Bulldogs’ defense.

Weather delays and schedule changes are part of the Hoover experience, and how teams adapt to these disruptions often separates contenders from pretenders. For Oklahoma and Georgia, the new 4:30 p.m. start time means adjusting pregame routines, altering pitching plans, and keeping players mentally locked in during a longer-than-usual wait. Coaches on both sides know that mental toughness and preparation will be just as important as talent when first pitch is finally thrown.

The crowd in Hoover is expected to be lively, especially with the tournament heating up and a prime-time SEC Network slot drawing added attention. Oklahoma’s fan base has traveled well throughout the season, and they’ve brought their enthusiasm to Hoover as the team looks to make a strong impression in their first SEC postseason appearance. For Georgia, the support is expected to be equally strong, with fans eager to see if this year’s squad can make a deep run in what has been one of the most competitive conference tournaments in recent memory.

One of the under-the-radar storylines heading into Wednesday’s game is the role of each team’s bullpen. With the double-elimination format putting pressure on pitching staffs to manage arms carefully, both Oklahoma and Georgia may need to rely on relievers to get big outs late in the game. Oklahoma’s closer, Aaron Calhoun, has been clutch in save situations, while Georgia’s Jack Gowen has handled late-inning pressure admirably in SEC play.

A win in this matchup could go a long way in securing a higher seed in the NCAA Tournament and building momentum for a possible SEC title run. Conversely, a loss would push one team to the brink of elimination, forcing them to battle through the losers’ bracket with little room for error. The difference between winning and losing Wednesday may very well come down to execution in the game’s biggest moments—turning double plays, coming through with runners in scoring position, and controlling the zone from the mound.

Beyond the on-field implications, this game also represents a crossroads for two programs in different stages of evolution. Oklahoma, the newcomer to the SEC, is rapidly establishing its identity in the league. A deep run in Hoover could send a message that the Sooners are not just guests, but contenders to stay. Georgia, meanwhile, is seeking to recapture some of the postseason magic it had in the early 2000s and prove it can compete at the highest level in a conference that regularly sends multiple teams to Omaha.

Recruiting implications are also in play, as SEC Tournament games are closely watched by high school prospects and MLB scouts alike. A strong showing on the SEC Network against quality competition can elevate a player’s stock significantly. For players like Condon, Nicklaus, Davis, and Sullivan, the spotlight will be brighter than ever, and each pitch, swing, and decision will be scrutinized by those in the stands and watching from afar.

Both teams have had their share of defining moments this season, and now, under the bright lights of the Hoover Met and the national broadcast window, they get another opportunity to showcase why they belong in the national conversation. The road to Omaha goes through Hoover for a reason, and Wednesday’s Oklahoma-Georgia clash is the latest example of the depth and drama the SEC brings to the college baseball stage.

As first pitch nears, the anticipation continues to build. The Oklahoma Sooners, the new faces in town, bring power, speed, and poise. The Georgia Bulldogs, battle-tested and hungry, bring experience, muscle, and a star in Condon who can change the game with one swing. The pieces are in place for a memorable contest—one that could very well shape the remainder of the 2025 SEC Tournament.

Regardless of the outcome, one thing is certain: college baseball fans tuning in at 4:30 p.m. CT on SEC Network are in for a treat. Two proud programs, one coveted victory, and the energy of postseason baseball in the SEC—it doesn’t get much better than that.