The Road to Glory
The climax of the 2024 College World Series approaches with only two teams left standing. As Tennessee and Texas A&M gear up for a final showdown, anticipation builds for the crowning of a new college baseball champion in the coming days.
Tennessee showcased remarkable resilience on Sunday afternoon, fending off a spirited comeback by Texas A&M to level the series at 1-1. The do-or-die game on Monday promises to be a battle for the ages.
The Journey So Far
The series has been a roller coaster, with Texas A&M drawing first blood thanks to Jace LaViolette's home run. However, Tennessee responded emphatically, scoring four unanswered runs to secure a 4-1 victory. Even as Texas A&M mounted a late challenge in the ninth inning, Tennessee's lead remained intact.
The College World Series commenced with eight teams vying for the title, but Virginia, NC State, North Carolina, Kentucky, Florida State, and Florida have since fallen. The current finalists, Tennessee and Texas A&M, bring an extra layer of excitement to the finale since neither has ever clinched a national championship.
Tennessee has returned to the College World Series Finals for the first time since 1951, while Texas A&M is making its inaugural appearance in this crucial stage.
Key Players and Performances
One of Tennessee's standout stars is Christian Moore, projected as a first-round pick in the upcoming MLB Draft. Moore has been an offensive powerhouse all season, achieving the second cycle in College World Series history during Tennessee's opening victory over Florida State. His performance has been instrumental in Tennessee's journey to the Finals.
Texas A&M's path has been remarkable, especially considering they have played without their top hitter, Braden Montgomery. A potential top-10 draft pick, Montgomery has been sidelined since injuring his leg earlier in the NCAA Tournament. Despite this setback, the Aggies have demonstrated exceptional tenacity to reach the Finals.
The Schedule Ahead
The burning question on everyone's mind: Who will emerge victorious this year? Below is 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)
Every game is available for streaming on fubo (try for free).
Highlights from the Series
The series has not been short of drama and thrilling finishes. On Friday, June 14, North Carolina edged out Virginia 3-2, while Tennessee barely secured a 12-11 victory over Florida State.
The following day saw Kentucky clinching a 5-4 win against NC State after ten nail-biting innings. Texas A&M also registered a narrow 3-2 victory over Florida.
As the series progressed, the intensity only increased. Florida State eliminated Virginia with a 7-3 triumph on Sunday, June 16, and Tennessee overpowered North Carolina with a solid 6-1 win.
Several elimination games took place on Wednesday, June 19, with Florida State sending North Carolina home after a 9-5 victory, and Tennessee ending Florida State's campaign with a 7-2 win.
The Super Regionals
The path to the College World Series Finals was laden with gripping encounters during the Super Regionals. Noteworthy moments include Florida State's commanding 24-4 win over UConn and Tennessee's determined 11-6 victory against Evansville.
North Carolina triumphed over West Virginia 8-6, while Virginia overcame Kansas State with a 7-4 score. Texas A&M showcased their strength with a 15-9 victory over Oregon, consistently proving their worth.
The Super Regionals saw do-or-die moments and extraordinary comebacks, exemplified by Georgia's 11-2 victory over NC State and North Carolina’s narrow 2-1 win against West Virginia. Florida needed 13 innings to edge out Clemson 11-10, solidifying their spot in the finals before their ultimate elimination.
The Final Showdown
As the final game approaches, every element—from pitching to batting to composure under pressure—will be critical. With the stakes at an all-time high, the atmosphere is electric.
Both Tennessee and Texas A&M have demonstrated remarkable resilience and tenacity to reach this point. On Monday, only one will emerge as the new champion of college baseball.
Tune in for an unforgettable conclusion to the 2024 College World Series.