The Road to Glory
The 2024 College World Series has been a whirlwind of excitement, narrowing down to two formidable teams. With a new college baseball champion set to be crowned in the coming days, the anticipation is building to a fever pitch.
Tennessee clawed back from the brink by holding off a wild comeback attempt from Texas A&M on Sunday afternoon. This dramatic victory tied the series 1-1, setting the stage for a winner-takes-all showdown on Monday.
The Journey So Far
The Aggies took an early lead thanks to a home run from Jace LaViolette. However, Tennessee responded with four unanswered runs, eventually securing a 4-1 victory. Despite a late-inning threat from Texas A&M in the ninth, Tennessee's defense held firm.
The College World Series began last week with eight teams, but only Tennessee and Texas A&M remain. Virginia, NC State, North Carolina, Kentucky, Florida State, and Florida were all eliminated along the way.
Neither Tennessee nor Texas A&M has captured a national championship before, adding an extra layer of excitement to this finale. Tennessee's last appearance in the College World Series Finals was in 1951, while this is the first-ever Finals appearance for Texas A&M.
Key Players and Performances
Christian Moore has been a significant contributor to Tennessee's offense throughout the year. A potential first-round pick in the upcoming MLB Draft, Moore made history by hitting for the second cycle in College World Series history in the Vols' CWS-opening win over Florida State.
On the other side, Texas A&M has shown tremendous resilience, reaching the Finals despite the absence of their top hitter, Braden Montgomery. A prospective top-10 draft pick, Montgomery has been sidelined with a leg injury sustained earlier in the NCAA Tournament.
The Schedule Ahead
As the series finale approaches, fans are left wondering: who will seize the title?
Here’s everything you need to know about the College World Series Finals schedule:
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
The series has offered no shortage of nail-biting finishes and outstanding performances. On Friday, June 14, North Carolina edged out Virginia 3-2, while Tennessee narrowly defeated Florida State 12-11.
The next day brought more intense action. Kentucky secured a hard-fought 5-4 win over NC State after ten thrilling innings, and Texas A&M edged Florida 3-2.
As the series progressed, the drama only increased. On Sunday, June 16, Florida State eliminated Virginia with a 7-3 victory, followed by Tennessee's solid 6-1 win against North Carolina.
By Wednesday, June 19, several teams were facing elimination. Florida State knocked out North Carolina with a 9-5 win, and Tennessee ended Florida State's run with a decisive 7-2 victory.
The Super Regionals
The road to the College World Series Finals was marked by riveting matches during the Super Regionals, showcasing some outstanding performances.
Florida State delivered a dominant 24-4 win over UConn, while Tennessee secured a gritty 11-6 victory against Evansville. North Carolina bested West Virginia 8-6, and Virginia outlasted Kansas State with a 7-4 score.
Texas A&M showcased their prowess with a 15-9 win over Oregon, proving their mettle every step of the way. The Super Regionals highlighted do-or-die moments and comeback stories, including 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, solidifying their spot in the finals despite their ultimate elimination later.
The Final Showdown
As we gear up for the final game, every aspect—from pitching to batting to maintaining composure under intense pressure—will play a crucial role.
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 demonstrated remarkable resilience and tenacity to reach this point. 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.