C. Morgan Engel/NCAA Photos via Getty Images
For the first time in program history, Tennessee baseball has won the College World Series.
The Vols downed Texas A&M 6-5 in a decisive Game 3 at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Nebraska, Monday night. The win made Tennessee the first 60-win team in SEC history.
Veteran pitcher Zander Sechrist set the tone early on the mound, putting the Aggies down in order in the top of the first. Tennessee then asserted itself on offense thanks to a leadoff home run from star second baseman Christian Moore.
Tennessee Baseball @Vol_BaseballC-Mo came to play! Vols strike first!<br><br>📺 <a href="https://t.co/57mSIippEi">https://t.co/57mSIippEi</a> (ESPN) <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GBO?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GBO</a> // <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OTH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OTH</a> // <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MCWS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MCWS</a> // <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BeatTAMU?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BeatTAMU</a> <a href="https://t.co/D9J1luzr5e">pic.twitter.com/D9J1luzr5e</a>
See AlsoTennessee baseball vs Texas A&M score updates in College World Series final Game 2Texas A&M baseball vs Florida final scores: Aggies advance to CWS championship series for first timeTennessee wins the 2024 Men's College World SeriesTennessee wins Men's College World Series: Volunteers hold off Texas A&M for first NCAA baseball title
After a couple of scoreless innings from both sides, Texas A&M managed to even things up with an RBI single from Gavin Grahovic.
Texas A&M Baseball @AggieBaseballTIE GAME COURTESY <a href="https://twitter.com/GavinGrahovac?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GavinGrahovac</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GigEm?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GigEm</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MCWS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MCWS</a> <a href="https://t.co/Fc9k7p3pTc">pic.twitter.com/Fc9k7p3pTc</a>
But the Vols got the run back almost immediately thanks to a sacrifice fly from Dylan Dreiling to make it 2-1. Tennessee tacked on another run in the bottom of the third when Dean Curley hit an RBI single.
The Aggies were threatening in the sixth inning after getting a pair of runners on base, but the Vols looked to Nate Snead in relief for Sechrist and he got Tennessee out of the jam with no damage done.
After three scoreless innings from the Vols, Dreiling finally got things started on offense with a two-run home run to make it 5-1, continuing what has been a phenomenal showing at the College World Series for him.
Tennessee Baseball @Vol_BaseballWHO ELSE?!?!<br><br>MR. CLUTCH!!<br><br>📺 <a href="https://t.co/57mSIippEi">https://t.co/57mSIippEi</a> (ESPN) <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GBO?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GBO</a> // <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OTH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OTH</a> // <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MCWS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MCWS</a> // <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BeatTAMU?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BeatTAMU</a> <a href="https://t.co/l3KUqT9jWl">pic.twitter.com/l3KUqT9jWl</a>
A few at-bats later, Kavares Tears hit one to the outfield wall and Hunter Ensley made a miraculous play to avoid the tag at home and give the Vols a 6-1 lead.
Tennessee Baseball @Vol_BaseballSAFE!!<br><br>111 mph off the bat from KT and an incredible slide at home by Hunter to avoid the tag!!!<br><br>📺 <a href="https://t.co/57mSIippEi">https://t.co/57mSIippEi</a> (ESPN) <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GBO?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GBO</a> // <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OTH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OTH</a> // <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MCWS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MCWS</a> // <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BeatTAMU?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BeatTAMU</a> <a href="https://t.co/7pj5Whlv07">pic.twitter.com/7pj5Whlv07</a>
The Aggies were able to get some of the runs back in the top of the eighth after an RBI single from Hayden Schott and an RBI double from Caden Sorrell to make it 6-3.
Texas A&M Baseball @AggieBaseball.<a href="https://twitter.com/SchottHayden?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SchottHayden</a> gets one back for the Ags<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GigEm?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GigEm</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MCWS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MCWS</a> <a href="https://t.co/XDGuC9Fj64">pic.twitter.com/XDGuC9Fj64</a>
Texas A&M Baseball @AggieBaseballKeep chipping away!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GigEm?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GigEm</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/CadenSorrell?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CadenSorrell</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MCWS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MCWS</a> <a href="https://t.co/9gmfrnK8fV">pic.twitter.com/9gmfrnK8fV</a>
After Texas A&M brought a pair of runs across, Tennessee looked to veteran reliever Kirby Connell, who allowed a walk but then recorded back-to-back strikeouts to avoid any more damage.
Tennessee Baseball @Vol_BaseballM8 | KIRBY Ks!!!<br><br>Two huge strikeouts to stand a pair of Aggies and limit the damage to just two runs.<br><br>It's 6-3 Vols with Peebles, Stark and Moore due up in the bottom of the inning.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GBO?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GBO</a> // <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OTH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OTH</a> // <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MCWS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MCWS</a> // <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BeatTAMU?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BeatTAMU</a> <a href="https://t.co/IrkpSpkzKy">pic.twitter.com/IrkpSpkzKy</a>
The Vols were in a good position to add some insurance in the bottom of the eighth after Cal Stark hit a one-out double, but Moore struck out and Stark was caught between second and third to end the inning with nothing to show for.
Things got scary for Tennessee in the top of the ninth after an RBI single from Jackson Appel made it 6-4. The Aggies then came within a run after a wild pitch brought Appel across to score.
Texas A&M Baseball @AggieBaseball.<a href="https://twitter.com/jacksonappel1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jacksonappel1</a> adds 1️⃣<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GigEm?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GigEm</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MCWS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MCWS</a> <a href="https://t.co/4NF5xl7h5Q">pic.twitter.com/4NF5xl7h5Q</a>
But Vols pitcher Aaron Combs got it done on the mound, striking out Ted Burton to end the game and give Tennessee its first title in program history.
After three trips to Omaha since 2021, the Vols have finally achieved baseball immortality and broke countless records along the way. A strong group of veterans plus some major transfer portal additions turned Tennessee into the best team in the country this year, and now head coach Tony Vitello has some hardware to show for it.
