The Road to Glory
The 2024 College World Series has culminated in an epic showdown between Tennessee and Texas A&M. After a series of thrilling games, the stage is set for a new college baseball champion to be crowned in the coming days.
Tennessee managed to stave off a dramatic comeback attempt by Texas A&M on Sunday afternoon, leveling the series at 1-1 and setting up a do-or-die final game on Monday.
The Journey So Far
The Aggies started strong with an early home run from Jace LaViolette. However, Tennessee responded with four uncontested runs, securing a 4-1 victory. Despite a tense ninth inning where Texas A&M posed a significant threat, the Volunteers held firm.
The College World Series began last week with eight teams. Virginia, NC State, North Carolina, Kentucky, Florida State, and Florida were all eliminated along the way, narrowing the field to the final two teams. Notably, neither Tennessee nor Texas A&M has ever won a national championship, adding an extra layer of excitement to this year's finale.
Tennessee has reached the College World Series Finals for the first time since 1951, while it marks Texas A&M's first-ever appearance in the Finals.
Key Players and Performances
One of Tennessee's major offensive weapons has been Christian Moore, who is projected as a first-round pick in next month's MLB Draft. Moore etched his name into the history books by hitting for the second cycle in College World Series history during Tennessee's opening win against Florida State.
On the other side, the Aggies have shown remarkable depth in reaching the Finals despite the absence of their top hitter, Braden Montgomery. A potential top-10 draft pick, Montgomery has been sidelined with a leg injury since earlier in the NCAA Tournament.
The Schedule Ahead
With the series tied, anticipation peaks as fans gear up for the decisive game. Here's the schedule and key details for the College World Series Finals:
College World Series Finals Schedule:
- Saturday, June 22: Finals, Game 1 - Texas A&M 9, Tennessee 5
- Sunday, June 23: Finals, Game 2 - Tennessee 4, Texas A&M 1
- Monday, June 24: Finals, Game 3 - Texas A&M vs. Tennessee, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
Fans can also stream each game on fubo (try for free).
Highlights from the Series
The series has already delivered nail-biting finishes and extraordinary performances. For instance, on Friday, June 14, North Carolina edged out Virginia 3-2, while Tennessee narrowly defeated Florida State 12-11. Kentucky clinched a 5-4 victory over NC State after ten thrilling innings on Saturday, June 15, and Texas A&M secured a narrow 3-2 win against Florida.
The intensity ramped up as the series progressed. Florida State eliminated Virginia with a 7-3 victory on Sunday, June 16, followed by Tennessee’s solid 6-1 win against North Carolina. By Wednesday, June 19, elimination faced several teams, resulting in Florida State sending North Carolina home with a 9-5 win and Tennessee eliminating Florida State with a 7-2 victory.
The Super Regionals
The journey to the College World Series Finals was paved with riveting clashes during the Super Regionals. Highlights include Florida State's dominant 24-4 win over UConn and Tennessee's gritty 11-6 victory against Evansville. North Carolina overcame West Virginia 8-6, while Virginia triumphed over Kansas State with a 7-4 score.
Texas A&M also made a strong statement with a 15-9 victory over Oregon. The Super Regionals delivered both do-or-die moments and comeback stories, exemplified by Georgia's 11-2 win over NC State and North Carolina's nail-biting 2-1 victory against West Virginia. Florida needed 13 innings to edge out Clemson 11-10, securing their spot in the finals despite their eventual elimination.
The Final Showdown
As we head into the final game, every factor will be crucial—from pitching and batting to maintaining composure under intense pressure. With neither team having previously won a national championship, the stakes could not be higher.
The anticipation and excitement surrounding this final clash are palpable. Both Tennessee and Texas A&M have exhibited remarkable resilience and tenacity to reach this point, and come Monday, one team will emerge as the new champion of college baseball.
Stay tuned for what promises to be an unforgettable conclusion to the 2024 College World Series.