The Road to Glory
We are down to the last two teams in the 2024 College World Series, and soon, a new college baseball champion will be crowned. The excitement is palpable as Tennessee and Texas A&M battle it out for supremacy.
Tennessee managed to stave off a wild comeback attempt by Texas A&M on Sunday afternoon, leveling the series at one win apiece. This sets the stage for a do-or-die showdown on Monday.
The Journey So Far
The Aggies took an early lead with a home run by Jace LaViolette. However, the Vols rallied to score four unanswered runs, clinching a 4-1 victory. This score stood firm even as Texas A&M threatened in the ninth inning.
The College World Series commenced last week with eight teams, but Virginia, NC State, North Carolina, Kentucky, Florida State, and Florida have all been eliminated.
Neither Tennessee nor Texas A&M has ever won a national championship, which adds an extra layer of drama to this final. Tennessee is making its first Finals appearance since 1951, while this marks Texas A&M’s first-ever appearance in the Finals.
Key Players and Performances
Christian Moore, projected as a first-round pick in next month's MLB Draft, has been a significant factor in Tennessee's success this season. Moore made headlines by hitting for the second cycle in College World Series history during the Vols' opening game win against Florida State.
On the other hand, Texas A&M has reached the Finals despite missing their top hitter. Braden Montgomery, a potential top-10 draft pick, has been sidelined due to a leg injury sustained earlier in the NCAA Tournament.
The Schedule Ahead
The excitement is at its peak as we wait to see who will take home the championship this year. Below is the schedule 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)
All games are available for streaming on fubo (try for free).
Highlights from the Series
This series has been nothing short of thrilling, featuring nail-biting finishes and extraordinary performances. On Friday, June 14, North Carolina edged out Virginia 3-2, while Tennessee narrowly defeated Florida State 12-11.
The following day, Kentucky clinched a victory over NC State with a 5-4 score after ten intense innings, and Texas A&M secured a narrow 3-2 win against Florida.
The intensity escalated 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, several teams faced elimination. Florida State ousted North Carolina with a 9-5 win, and Tennessee sent Florida State packing with a 7-2 victory.
The Super Regionals
The path to the College World Series Finals was filled with riveting matches 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 took down West Virginia 8-6, while Virginia overcame Kansas State with a 7-4 score.
Texas A&M demonstrated their prowess with a 15-9 victory over Oregon, proving their mettle at every step.
The Super Regionals also featured do-or-die moments and remarkable comebacks, such as Georgia’s 11-2 win over NC State and North Carolina’s nail-biting 2-1 win against West Virginia.
Florida fought through 13 innings to edge out Clemson 11-10, securing their spot in the finals despite being eliminated later.
The Final Showdown
As we head into the final game, every factor will play a crucial role—from pitching to batting to maintaining composure under intense pressure. With neither team having won a national championship before, the stakes could not be higher.
The anticipation and excitement surrounding this final showdown are palpable. Both Tennessee and Texas A&M have shown remarkable resilience and tenacity to get to this point, and on Monday, one 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.