The Road to Glory: College World Series Finals
The 2024 College World Series has boiled down to a thrilling final match-up between Tennessee and Texas A&M, as a new college baseball champion is set to emerge in the coming days.
Tennessee held off a wild comeback attempt by Texas A&M on Sunday afternoon to tie the series 1-1, setting the stage for a do-or-die game on Monday.
The Journey So Far
The Aggies started strong with a home run by Jace LaViolette, but the Vols responded by scoring 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 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 eliminated, leaving Tennessee and Texas A&M to battle for the championship.
Both Tennessee and Texas A&M have never won a national championship, adding an extra layer of excitement to this grand finale. Tennessee is in the College World Series Finals for the first time since 1951, while this marks Texas A&M's first-ever appearance in the Finals.
Key Players and Performances
One of the stars for Tennessee has been Christian Moore, projected as a first-round pick in next month's MLB Draft. Moore has been a significant factor in Tennessee's offense all year. He etched his name into the record books by hitting for the second cycle in College World Series history in the Vols' CWS-opening win over Florida State.
On the other side, despite facing adversity, Texas A&M reached the Finals even with 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
The anticipation builds as we look forward to the final game to determine this year's champion. Here is the schedule 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)
Each game is available for streaming on fubo (try for free).
Highlights from the Series
Throughout the series, fans have been treated to 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 following day, Kentucky clinched a victory over NC State with a 5-4 score 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 Tennessee's solid 6-1 win against North Carolina. 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 journey 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 showcased their strength 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 their 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. 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.