For the first time in school history, the Tennessee Volunteers have been crowned the champions of college baseball. This significant achievement came after a gripping 6-5 victory over the Texas A&M Aggies in Game 3 of the championship round of the College World Series. The Volunteers' triumph marks a historic moment for the program, solidifying their place in the annals of college baseball.
Early Momentum
The championship-deciding game began with a bang for Tennessee, as Christian Moore launched a home run to kick off the bottom of the first inning. Texas A&M responded in the third inning, tying the score at 1-1, but Tennessee's offense continued to push forward.
Travis Chestnut's bunt for a hit followed by advancing to second on an error set the stage. Chestnut's subsequent steal of third base and a single from Gavin Grahovic brought in a run, giving the Volunteers a 2-1 lead. Blake Burke then doubled and scored on a sacrifice fly from Dylan Dreiling, further extending the advantage.
Building a Lead
Hunter Ensley and Kavares Tears singled, setting up Dean Curley to drive home another run, making the score 3-1. The Volunteers kept the momentum going in the seventh inning, with Dreiling smashing a two-run home run. In the same frame, Tears doubled home Ensley, putting Tennessee in a comfortable 6-1 lead.
A Late Challenge
However, Texas A&M was not ready to concede. The Aggies narrowed the gap to 6-3 by scoring two runs in the eighth inning. Volunteers’ reliever Kirby Connell struck out two batters in the same inning, staving off further advances and keeping Tennessee's lead intact.
The tension only heightened in the ninth inning. Texas A&M rallied to put two more runs on the board, but Tennessee managed to hold on, securing their historic 6-5 victory. Zander Sechrist, the starting pitcher for Tennessee, was a key player in this win, allowing only one run over 5 1/3 innings, striking out seven and walking one.
A Dominant Run
The road to the title for Tennessee was characterized by dominant play. As the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament, Tennessee hosted a regional and advanced by outscoring Northern Kentucky, Indiana, and Southern Mississippi by a combined 33-15 margin. The Volunteers then clinched a decisive Game 3 against Evansville in the Super Regional with a commanding 12-1 win.
In the College World Series, Tennessee continued their impressive performance, defeating Florida State 12-11 in a nail-biter, followed by a 6-1 victory over North Carolina. They then beat Florida State again, this time with a score of 7-2. Their CWS campaign included a stunning moment when Christian Moore hit for the second cycle in College World Series history during Tennessee's opening win over Florida State.
Overcoming Adversity
The Volunteers faced their share of adversity as well. They lost Game 1 of the finals and trailed 1-0 in Game 2, only to mount a comeback by scoring two runs each in the seventh and eighth innings to secure a 4-1 win. Tennessee exhibited a remarkable resilience, finishing with an undefeated 3-0 record in elimination games.
It's worth noting that Texas A&M reached the finals without their top hitter, Braden Montgomery, who was sidelined due to a leg injury. Despite this setback, the Aggies' journey to the finals and their performance in the deciding games showcased their depth and determination.
The 2019 College World Series started with eight teams including Virginia, NC State, North Carolina, Kentucky, Florida State, and Florida. The road to the finals was tough, but Tennessee's perseverance paid off. Their 6-5 win in Game 3 on June 24th will be a memorable chapter in their program's history, marking the institution's first national baseball title and etching the Volunteers' names into the sport's storied tradition.