Mizzou baseball staged a comeback to lead 7-6 against Vanderbilt, but a controversial ninth inning tied the game due to fog obscuring a crucial play. The situation escalated as players miscommunicated about the ball's status.
Youâve probably heard the story by now, in the fact that what was first appearing to be a seamless Vanderbilt victory on Friday night turned into possibly the most chaotic Southeastern Conference baseball game of the 2026 season in the span of two half innings.
Down 6-1, Mizzou baseball fought its way back from a five-run deficit in the bottom of the eighth to take a 7-6 lead. Vanderbilt then responded in the top half of the ninth to tie the game, in a sequence marred by controversy.
Not because the Commodores werenât deserving of tying the game, but it was the fact that Vanderbilt thought they had taken the lead.
Two runners on first and second, two outs. Braden Holcombâs drive into right center field was hit into a deep outfield fog, resulting in Mizzou right fielder Donovan Jordan putting his hands up to indicate a ball out of the field of play; other Tiger fielders followed his gesture.
As cited on the SEC Network television broadcast, the ball traveled at 108 miles per hour and 379 feet, according to Trackman data. This didnât result in a Holcomb homer even after he and his two teammates all crossed home plate. After a conversation among the umpires, a game-tying ground rule double was the announced ruling on the field.
That moment in the game, resulted in suspended play, with the contest resuming on 4:00 p.m. of the same Saturday, with the suspension of play officially at 12:10 a.m at Taylor Stadium.
Mizzou, after play resumed, escaped the ninth inning two-out jam with the game tied and later went onto win the game 8-7 on a walk-off single by Jordan himself in the bottom of the tenth.
Until the conclusion of the second contest of the two game series between Mizzou and Vanderbilt, resulting in a weather delay game that ended in an 11-8 win for the Commodoresâneither Mizzou coach Kerrick Jackson nor Jordan had spoken to the media.
Hereâs what each of them had to say in full, in regards to how they saw the controversial play in question go down.
Q: Were there conversations Friday night with the weather about whether you could play two games Saturday or Sunday instead of starting the game at 9:00 p.m on Friday?
In the ninth inning, a controversial play occurred when a ball hit into deep fog led to confusion among players, resulting in Vanderbilt tying the game.
Mizzou scored six runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to overcome a 6-1 deficit and take a 7-6 lead before the ninth inning controversy.
Braden Holcomb's drive was obscured by fog, leading Mizzou players to signal the ball was out of play, causing confusion about whether Vanderbilt had taken the lead.
The incident highlights the challenges of playing in adverse weather conditions, which may impact future games and officiating decisions in the Southeastern Conference.
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KJ: No.
Q: Were there conversations at some point late into the game as the fog was rolling in about calling it for player safety?
KJ: âOnce the game starts, itâs in the umpireâs hands to make that decision with regards to safety and those types of things. They met with us before the last half that we played and asked for opinions. But at that point when the game starts, when it comes to rain or any of those kinds of things, thatâs in the umpireâs hands to be able to say weâre going to call it and postpone it until the next day.â
Q: What did you see on that final play of Fridayâs portion of the game?
KJ: âNot much, it was foggy. When you look at it, I think people can argue and say whether or not based off Trackman it was a home run or if it wasnât a home run. I find it difficult to believe that at the launch angle, and where he hit it in the park with heavy air that the ball actually got out.â
Q: What did you see with the final play of the game before the suspension was called?
DJ: âI didnât see anything, all I remember is hearing something hit the ground, looking around and I didnât see any ball on the field. Other than that I thought it was a ground rule double.â