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 held off a wild comeback attempt by Texas A&M on Sunday afternoon to tie the series 1-1 and send it all to a do-or-die game on Monday.
The Journey So Far
The Aggies went up early on a Jace LaViolette home run, but the Vols scored four uncontested runs, bringing the final score to 4-1 in favor of Tennessee. This score held up even as Texas A&M threatened in the ninth inning.
The College World Series started last week with eight teams, but Virginia, NC State, North Carolina, Kentucky, Florida State, and Florida were all knocked out. Neither Tennessee nor Texas A&M has ever won a national championship, adding an extra layer of excitement to this finale. Tennessee is in the College World Series Finals for the first time since 1951, while it's the first Finals appearance ever for Texas A&M.
Key Players and Performances
Christian Moore, projected as a first-round pick in next month's MLB Draft, has been a major factor in Tennessee's offense all year. Moore hit for the second cycle in College World Series history in the Vols' CWS-opening win over Florida State.
On the other hand, the Aggies 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
So who will win it all this year? Here's the schedule and everything else you need to know about the College World Series Finals:
- 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 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 win against North Carolina, 6-1, 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 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.