Historic Victory for Tennessee Volunteers in College World Series
For the first time in the school’s history, the Tennessee Volunteers have been crowned champions of college baseball. The Volunteers clinched their maiden title by triumphing over the Texas A&M Aggies in a thrilling Game 3 of the championship round of the College World Series, emerging victorious with a 6-5 win.
Early Momentum
The game began on a high note for Tennessee as Christian Moore hit a home run to lead off the bottom of the first inning, setting an early tone. Texas A&M, however, wasn’t going down without a fight. They managed to even the score at 1-1 in the third inning, showcasing their resilience.
Travis Chestnut played a pivotal role in keeping the Volunteers ahead. He bunted for a hit, advanced to second on an error, stole third base, and finally scored on a single from Gavin Grahovic, placing Tennessee back in the lead. Blake Burke also contributed significantly, doubling and then scoring on a sac fly from Dylan Dreiling.
Building the Lead
The fourth inning saw Hunters Ensley and Kavares Tears each hitting singles, setting the stage for Dean Curley to drive home another run, extending Tennessee’s lead to 3-1. Dreiling later hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning, followed by Tears doubling home Ensley, pushing the Volunteers' lead to a commanding 6-1.
But Texas A&M was not ready to concede. The Aggies scored two runs in the eighth inning, narrowing the gap to 6-3. Yet, Volunteers’ reliever Kirby Connell stepped up, striking out two batters in the critical eighth inning to contain the Aggies’ rally.
The Final Push
The ninth inning brought more drama as Texas A&M tried to mount a comeback by scoring two additional runs. However, the Volunteers held firm, securing a nail-biting 6-5 victory. Zander Sechrist played a crucial role for Tennessee, allowing only one run over 5 1/3 innings while striking out seven and walking just one.
The win marks a historical achievement for the Volunteers, capping off a sterling performance throughout the tournament. Tennessee, the No. 1 overall seed, demonstrated their dominance by hosting a regional and advancing through decisive victories over Northern Kentucky, Indiana, and Southern Mississippi by a combined score of 33-15.
A Journey of Triumph
The Volunteers continued their exceptional form in the Super Regional, clinching a decisive Game 3 victory against Evansville with a resounding 12-1 win. In the College World Series, Tennessee’s journey included a thrilling 12-11 win over Florida State, a 6-1 win against North Carolina, and another 7-2 victory over Florida State.
Their resilience was on full display as they came back from losing Game 1 of the finals and trailing 1-0 in Game 2, ultimately clinching a 4-1 win with two runs in both the seventh and eighth innings. Tennessee's perfect 3-0 record in elimination games underscored their championship credentials.
Another highlight from their campaign was Christian Moore hitting for the cycle during Tennessee’s CWS-opening win over Florida State, making it only the second cycle in College World Series history.
Challenges and Final Victory
Texas A&M, dealing with the absence of their top hitter Braden Montgomery due to a leg injury, showed remarkable resilience by reaching the finals. The Aggies won Game 1 of the finals 9-5, but Tennessee bounced back to win Game 2 with a score of 4-1, setting the stage for the decisive Game 3.
The 2019 College World Series, featuring eight teams including Virginia, NC State, North Carolina, Kentucky, Florida State, and Florida, concluded with the Tennessee Volunteers securing their historic 6-5 win over Texas A&M on June 24. This victory not only crowns their season but also marks a new chapter in the history of Tennessee baseball.