The Road to Glory
We're down to the final two teams in the 2024 College World Series, and a new college baseball champion will be crowned in the coming days. Tennessee managed to hold off a wild comeback attempt by Texas A&M on Sunday afternoon to tie the series at 1-1, setting the stage for a do-or-die game on Monday.
The Journey So Far
The Aggies drew first blood with a Jace LaViolette home run, but the Vols responded with four unanswered runs, bringing the final score to 4-1 in favor of Tennessee. This score persevered even as Texas A&M threatened in the ninth inning. The College World Series began last week with eight teams, but Virginia, NC State, North Carolina, Kentucky, Florida State, and Florida have already been eliminated.
Adding an extra layer of excitement, neither Tennessee nor Texas A&M has ever won a national championship. Tennessee is making its first College World Series Finals appearance since 1951, while this is Texas A&M's first-ever Finals appearance.
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 offensive prowess all year. Moore hit for the second cycle in College World Series history during the Vols' CWS-opening win over Florida State.
On the other side, the Aggies have reached the Finals despite having their top hitter sidelined. Braden Montgomery, a potential top-10 draft pick, has not played in the CWS after injuring his leg earlier in the NCAA Tournament.
The Schedule Ahead
The anticipation is palpable as we approach the final game. Here's the schedule and everything else you need to know about 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)
Each game is available for streaming on fubo (try for free).
Highlights from the Series
Throughout the series, fans have witnessed some 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. The very next day, Kentucky managed to clinch a victory over NC State with a score of 5-4 after ten thrilling innings, and Texas A&M secured a narrow 3-2 win against Florida.
As the series progressed, the intensity ramped up. Florida State eliminated Virginia with a 7-3 victory on Sunday, June 16, followed by a solid 6-1 win against North Carolina by Tennessee. By Wednesday, June 19, several teams faced elimination, resulting in Florida State eliminating North Carolina with a 9-5 win and Tennessee sending Florida State home with a 7-2 victory.
The Super Regionals
The road to the College World Series Finals was paved 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 had a strong showing with a 15-9 victory over Oregon, striving to prove their mettle every step of the way. The Super Regionals presented 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 win against West Virginia. Florida needed 13 innings to edge out Clemson 11-10, solidifying their spot in the finals despite their ultimate elimination 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 this far, and come 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.