The Road to Glory
We're down to 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 1-1, setting up the fiercely anticipated do-or-die game on Monday.
The Journey So Far
In Sunday's game, the Aggies took an early lead with a Jace LaViolette home run, but the Volunteers responded impressively, scoring four uncontested runs. The final score: 4-1 in favor of Tennessee. Despite a late effort by Texas A&M in the ninth inning, Tennessee's defense held firm.
The College World Series began last week with eight competing teams. However, noteworthy powerhouses like Virginia, NC State, North Carolina, Kentucky, Florida State, and Florida have all been eliminated. Now, it's down to Tennessee and Texas A&M, with neither team having ever tasted national championship glory. This adds an exciting, novel layer to the series finale.
This is Tennessee's first appearance in the College World Series Finals since 1951, while Texas A&M is experiencing the Finals for the first time in their history.
Key Players and Performances
Christian Moore, projected to be a first-round pick in next month's MLB Draft, has been a cornerstone of Tennessee's offense this season. His standout moment came during the Vols' CWS-opening win over Florida State, where he achieved the second cycle in College World Series history.
On the other side, the Aggies have shown remarkable resilience, reaching the Finals despite missing their top hitter. Braden Montgomery, a potential top-10 draft pick, has been sidelined after injuring his leg earlier in the NCAA Tournament. Yet, Texas A&M has managed to surge forward, demonstrating the depth of their roster and their fighting spirit.
The Schedule Ahead
So, who will seize the title this year?
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 also available for streaming on fubo (try for free).
Highlights from the Series
The series has kept fans on the edge of their seats with nail-biting finishes and extraordinary performances. For instance, on Friday, June 14, North Carolina eked out a 3-2 win over Virginia, while Tennessee narrowly edged Florida State 12-11.
The very next day, Kentucky clinched victory over NC State with a 5-4 win in ten thrilling innings, and Texas A&M secured a close 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 Tennessee's strong 6-1 win over North Carolina. By Wednesday, June 19, several teams faced elimination, with 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 path to the College World Series Finals was marked by riveting matches during the Super Regionals.
Highlights included 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 outplayed Kansas State with a 7-4 score. Texas A&M displayed their strength with a 15-9 victory over Oregon, demonstrating their resolve to make it to the Finals.
The Super Regionals were filled with do-or-die moments and dramatic comebacks, such as Georgia’s resounding 11-2 win over NC State and North Carolina’s narrow 2-1 win against West Virginia. In a marathon match, Florida needed 13 innings to edge out Clemson 11-10, solidifying their spot in the finals, even though they were ultimately eliminated.
The Final Showdown
As we approach the final game, every aspect of the game will be critical—pitching, batting, and maintaining composure under intense pressure. With the championship tantalizingly close and neither team having ever won a national title before, the stakes are at an all-time high.
The anticipation and excitement surrounding this final showdown are palpable. Both Tennessee and Texas A&M have displayed remarkable resilience and tenacity to reach this point, and come Monday night, one of these determined teams 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.