The Road to Glory
We’re now down to two teams in the 2024 College World Series. With a new college baseball champion on the horizon, the excitement is palpable for fans and players alike.
Tennessee managed to fend off a fierce comeback attempt by Texas A&M on Sunday afternoon, tying the series 1-1 and setting the stage for a thrilling decisive game on Monday.
The Journey So Far
The Aggies took an early lead thanks to a Jace LaViolette home run, but Tennessee responded with four uncontested runs, securing a 4-1 victory. This scoreline held firm even as Texas A&M posed a serious threat in the ninth inning.
The 2024 College World Series began last week with eight teams: Virginia, NC State, North Carolina, Kentucky, Florida State, Florida, Tennessee, and Texas A&M. As the tournament progressed, Virginia, NC State, North Carolina, Kentucky, Florida State, and Florida were all eliminated, leaving Tennessee and Texas A&M to battle it out for the title.
Adding to the drama, neither Tennessee nor Texas A&M has ever won a national championship. Tennessee is in the College World Series Finals for the first time since 1951, while Texas A&M is making its first Finals appearance ever. This historic context only heightens the stakes of this final game.
Key Players and Performances
Christian Moore has been a cornerstone of Tennessee’s offense all year and is projected to be a first-round pick in next month's MLB Draft. Moore etched his name into history by hitting the second cycle in College World Series history during Tennessee’s CWS-opening win over Florida State.
On the opposing side, Texas A&M has shown incredible resilience, reaching the Finals despite their top hitter, Braden Montgomery, being sidelined. Montgomery, a potential top-10 draft pick, has not played in the CWS following a leg injury earlier in the NCAA Tournament.
The Schedule Ahead
The stage is set for the final showdown, and the question on everyone’s mind is: Who will win it all this year?
Here’s the schedule for 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)
All games are available for streaming on fubo (try for free).
Highlights from the Series
This series has already provided fans with some nail-biting finishes and extraordinary performances. For example, on Friday, June 14, North Carolina edged out Virginia 3-2, while Tennessee narrowly defeated Florida State 12-11. The very next day, Kentucky clinched 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 only ramped up. Florida State eliminated Virginia with a 7-3 victory on Sunday, June 16, followed by Tennessee’s solid 6-1 win over North Carolina.
By Wednesday, June 19, several teams faced elimination. Florida State crushed North Carolina 9-5, and Tennessee ended Florida State's run with a 7-2 victory.
The Super Regionals
The road to the College World Series Finals was full of 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 overcame West Virginia 8-6, while Virginia defeated Kansas State 7-4. Texas A&M also made a statement with a 15-9 victory over Oregon.
Throughout these high-stakes matches, many memorable moments emerged. Georgia routed NC State 11-2, and North Carolina scraped by with a 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.
The Final Showdown
As we approach the climactic final game, every factor will play a crucial role—pitching, batting, and maintaining composure under intense pressure. With neither team having previously won a national championship, the stakes could not be higher.
The anticipation and excitement surrounding this final showdown are tangible. Both Tennessee and Texas A&M have shown remarkable resilience and tenacity to reach this point. When Monday arrives, only 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.