The Road to Glory
As we approach the culmination of the 2024 College World Series, the excitement and anticipation have reached fever pitch. With only two teams left standing, Tennessee and Texas A&M, the stage is set for a thrilling conclusion, and a new college baseball champion will soon be crowned.
Tennessee managed to stave off a spectacular comeback attempt by Texas A&M on Sunday afternoon, tying the series 1-1 and setting the stage for a decisive game this Monday. The journey to this final showdown has been nothing short of exhilarating, packed with riveting performances and heart-stopping moments.
The Journey So Far
The Aggies opened the scoring with a home run by Jace LaViolette, but the Volunteers responded with four unanswered runs, securing a 4-1 victory. The score held firm even as Texas A&M mounted a threat in the ninth inning, intensifying the suspense.
The College World Series commenced with eight competing teams, but Virginia, NC State, North Carolina, Kentucky, Florida State, and Florida have since been eliminated. The fact that neither Tennessee nor Texas A&M has ever won a national championship injects an additional layer of intrigue and excitement into this finale.
Tennessee makes its first appearance in the College World Series Finals since 1951, while Texas A&M has reached the Finals for the first time in school history.
Key Players and Performances
Several players have delivered standout performances in this series. Christian Moore, projected as a first-round pick in next month's MLB Draft, has been pivotal for Tennessee's offense all season. Moore made history by hitting for the second cycle in College World Series history during the Volunteers' opening win over Florida State.
In contrast, the Aggies have battled their way to the Finals despite being without their top hitter, Braden Montgomery. A potential top-10 draft pick, Montgomery has been sidelined with a leg injury sustained earlier in the NCAA Tournament.
The Schedule Ahead
The burning question now is: who will capture the title this year? Here's the rundown of the schedule and viewing information for 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)
All games are available for streaming on fubo (try for free).
Highlights from the Series
The entire series has been a showcase of dramatic finishes and extraordinary performances. On Friday, June 14, fans witnessed North Carolina edge out Virginia 3-2, while Tennessee narrowly defeated Florida State 12-11 in a thrilling encounter. The next day, Kentucky required ten innings to secure a 5-4 victory over NC State, and Texas A&M eked out a 3-2 win against Florida.
As the series progressed, the intensity continued to mount. Florida State eliminated Virginia with a 7-3 win on Sunday, June 16, followed by Tennessee's 6-1 triumph over North Carolina. By Wednesday, June 19, the elimination rounds were in full swing, with Florida State ousting North Carolina 9-5, and Tennessee ending Florida State's run with a 7-2 victory.
The Super Regionals
The path to the College World Series Finals was paved with captivating matchups during the Super Regionals. Highlights included Florida State’s dominant 24-4 win over UConn and Tennessee’s gritty 11-6 victory against Evansville.
Other notable contests included North Carolina overcoming West Virginia 8-6 and Virginia's 7-4 triumph over Kansas State. Texas A&M impressed with a 15-9 win over Oregon, proving their championship caliber. The Super Regionals were filled with unforgettable moments and comebacks, epitomized by Georgia’s 11-2 victory over NC State and North Carolina’s tense 2-1 win against West Virginia. In a marathon game, Florida secured a spot in the finals with a 13-inning, 11-10 victory over Clemson, despite their eventual elimination.
The Final Showdown
As we brace for the final game, every element—from pitching and batting to maintaining composure under tremendous pressure—will be crucial. With neither team having clinched a national title before, stakes and emotions are extraordinarily high.
The palpable excitement surrounding this final clash is a testament to the incredible performances from both Tennessee and Texas A&M thus far. Both teams have shown remarkable resilience and determination to reach this point. As we look forward to Monday’s game, one team will emerge as the new champion of college baseball.
Stay tuned for what promises to be a memorable and historic conclusion to the 2024 College World Series.