The Road to Glory
The 2024 College World Series is down to its final two teams, and a new college baseball champion will soon be crowned. Tennessee managed to stave off a thrilling comeback attempt by Texas A&M on Sunday afternoon to tie the series at 1-1, setting the stage for a do-or-die game on Monday night.
The Journey So Far
The Aggies initially took the lead with a home run by Jace LaViolette, but the Volunteers responded by scoring four unanswered runs, ultimately securing a 4-1 victory. Despite a late surge by Texas A&M in the ninth inning, Tennessee held firm to level the series.
The College World Series began with eight hopeful teams: Virginia, North Carolina State, North Carolina, Kentucky, Florida State, Florida, Tennessee, and Texas A&M. However, only Tennessee and Texas A&M remain, both seeking their first-ever national championship—a fact that adds an extra layer of excitement to this year's finale. It is Tennessee's first return to the College World Series Finals since 1951, whereas Texas A&M is making their debut appearance.
Key Players and Performances
Christian Moore has been an offensive juggernaut for Tennessee all season, and he lived up to his billing as a projected first-round MLB Draft pick. Moore made history by hitting the second cycle ever recorded in College World Series history during the Volunteers' opening win against Florida State.
The Aggies, on the other hand, have reached the Finals despite missing their top hitter, Braden Montgomery. Montgomery, a prospective top-10 draft selection, has been sidelined since injuring his leg earlier in the NCAA Tournament. Nevertheless, Texas A&M has showcased considerable depth and resilience throughout their campaign.
The Schedule Ahead
"Who will rise to the occasion and seize the national title?" is the burning question on everyone's mind. Below is the schedule for the highly-anticipated final game of the 2024 College World Series:
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)
For fans eager to catch the action, each game is available for streaming on Fubo (try for free).
Highlights from the Series
The series has been a rollercoaster of emotions, filled with nail-biting finishes and standout performances. On Friday, June 14, North Carolina edged out Virginia 3-2 in a tightly contested game, while Tennessee narrowly beat Florida State 12-11. The following day, Kentucky clinched a dramatic 5-4 victory over NC State after ten innings, and Texas A&M secured a close 3-2 win against Florida.
As the series progressed, the intensity only heightened. Florida State eliminated Virginia with a decisive 7-3 victory on Sunday, June 16, followed by Tennessee's commanding 6-1 win over North Carolina. By Wednesday, June 19, several teams faced elimination, resulting in Florida State ousting North Carolina with a 9-5 win and Tennessee sending Florida State packing with a 7-2 triumph.
The Super Regionals
The path to the College World Series Finals was fraught with riveting matchups during the Super Regionals. Highlights include Florida State’s dominant 24-4 win over UConn and Tennessee’s hard-fought 11-6 victory against Evansville. North Carolina overcame West Virginia 8-6, while Virginia bested Kansas State 7-4. Texas A&M put on a strong showing with a 15-9 victory over Oregon, consistently proving their mettle.
Super Regionals also saw dramatic do-or-die moments and comeback stories. Georgia trounced NC State 11-2, and North Carolina eked out a 2-1 win against West Virginia. Florida needed 13 innings to edge out Clemson 11-10, solidifying their spot in the series despite their eventual elimination.
The Final Showdown
As we head into the final game, every aspect of the competition will play a crucial role—from pitching and batting to maintaining composure under immense 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 palpable.
Tennessee and Texas A&M have both demonstrated remarkable resilience, tenacity, and skill to reach this point. When they take the field on Monday night, only one team 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.