Texas A&M Takes Game 1 of CWS Final Against Tennessee
In a thrilling start to the College World Series Final, the No. 3 Texas A&M Aggies asserted their dominance over the No. 1 Tennessee Volunteers with a commanding 9-5 victory at Charles Schwab Field. The Aggies’ explosive offense, led by Kaeden Kent’s impressive performance, set the tone early and never looked back.
From the first pitch, Texas A&M showcased their firepower as Gavin Grahovac made history with a leadoff home run, the first in a CWS Final since 2003. This early strike set the stage for a relentless offensive display throughout the game. Jackson Appel and Hayden Schott contributed to the onslaught, capitalizing on Tennessee’s defensive lapses to build a 2-0 lead in the opening inning.
The Aggies extended their lead in the third inning, capitalizing on Jace LaViolette’s patient at-bat and timely hitting from Appel and Schott. Caden Sorrell’s RBI single and a critical throwing error by Tennessee compounded the Volunteers’ woes, pushing the Aggies ahead to a commanding 7-1 lead.
Tennessee, known for their resilience, managed to chip away at Texas A&M’s lead with runs in the third and seventh innings, courtesy of Dylan Dreiling and Hunter Ensley’s home runs. However, each time the Volunteers attempted to rally, Texas A&M’s pitching, anchored by Evan Aschenbeck’s dominant relief effort, shut down any hopes of a comeback.
Kaeden Kent further solidified his postseason heroics with a crucial two-run homer in the seventh inning, effectively putting the game out of Tennessee’s reach at 9-2. Kent’s four RBIs in the game added to his impressive playoff run, highlighting his clutch performances under pressure.
On the mound, Texas A&M’s pitching staff demonstrated resilience and depth, weathering Tennessee’s offensive bursts and ensuring the Aggies stayed in control. Starter Brad Rudis battled through 4.1 innings, supported by Josh Stewart and Aschenbeck, who combined for 4.2 innings of solid relief, striking out a total of seven batters.
With this pivotal Game 1 victory, Texas A&M moves one step closer to claiming the College World Series title. Their ability to capitalize on offensive opportunities and maintain composure in crucial moments underscores their status as a formidable contender. As the series progresses, both teams will undoubtedly adjust their strategies, setting the stage for an exhilarating conclusion to the championship showdown.
Tennessee Forces Game 3 with Victory Over Texas A&M in Game 2
In a tense and pivotal Game 2 of the Men’s College World Series Final, the Tennessee Volunteers displayed resilience and pitching prowess to defeat the No. 3/4 Texas A&M Aggies, 4-1, on Sunday afternoon at Charles Schwab Field. With this hard-fought win, Tennessee forces a winner-take-all Game 3 on Monday night, where the 2024 national champion will be decided.
The Volunteers handed Texas A&M (53-14) their first loss of the NCAA Tournament, snapping a nine-game winning streak that had propelled the Aggies through the postseason. Despite Texas A&M initially taking a 1-0 lead in the first inning with a solo home run by Jace LaViolette, Tennessee’s pitching staff shut down the potent Aggies’ lineup for the remainder of the game.
Tennessee’s breakthrough came in the seventh inning when Dylan Dreiling delivered a clutch two-run homer off an 1-1 pitch, propelling the Vols to a 2-1 lead. Dreiling has been a standout performer for Tennessee throughout the College World Series, leading the team with a .500 batting average and crucial hits when it matters most. Cal Stark extended Tennessee’s lead in the eighth inning with a two-run blast of his own, providing insurance runs that proved pivotal in securing the victory.
Junior right-hander Drew Beam provided a stellar start for Tennessee, striking out seven batters and surrendering only one run on three hits over four innings. After an early hiccup, Beam settled in, striking out five consecutive batters and keeping Texas A&M off balance until he handed the ball over to Aaron Combs. Combs continued the dominant pitching display with four scoreless innings, allowing just three hits and striking out five to earn his third win of the season.
Nate Snead closed out the game for Tennessee, earning his sixth save of the year by navigating through a challenging ninth inning, inheriting two runners on base with no outs but ultimately securing the victory with a pivotal catch in right field by Kavares Tears.
A standout statistic from the game highlighted Tennessee’s defensive prowess, as they held Texas A&M scoreless over the final eight innings, showcasing their ability to stifle even the most potent offenses in crucial postseason moments.
The stage is now set for an exhilarating Game 3 showdown on Monday night, where Tennessee and Texas A&M will battle one last time for the 2024 national championship. With both teams demonstrating resilience, skill, and determination throughout the series, the decisive game promises to be a fitting conclusion to an outstanding College World Series.
First pitch for Game 3 is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT (7 p.m. ET) and will be broadcast live on ESPN, as baseball fans across the nation eagerly anticipate the crowning of a new national champion.