OMAHA, Neb. – There will be a new national champion crowned on Monday.
Four pitchers held the Aggies to one run while Dylan Dreiling and Cal Stark belted two-out, two-run homers late in the game as top-seeded Tennessee rallied to knock off No. 3 Texas A&M 4-1 on Sunday afternoon to even the CWS Championship Series at 1-1.
The Volunteers (59-13) and the Aggies (53-14) will play a winner-take-all game on Monday, June 24, at 6 p.m. CT to determine the 2024 National Champion.
“It was an SEC war,” UT head coach Tony Vitello said, “or just a postseason war. It was an exciting win. I felt we were more true to who we were today in pregame, in the dugout, during the game. I’d rather go into battle with that group the way they showed up today and hope they do the same tomorrow.”
A&M started the scoring in the bottom of the first as Jace LaViolette belted a long home run to right, his 29th of the season and first of the NCAA Tournament, to give the Aggies a 1-0 edge.
“In the moment that felt great,” LaViolette said. “Would have felt a lot better if we had won.”
UT had its leadoff hitters reach in each of the first four innings but could not bring any of them home. The Vols stranded eight over the first four frames, including leaving the bases full in the second and four innings.
Drew Beam put together an effective start for UT, going 4.0 innings with three hits, one run, two walks and seven strikeouts.
Christian Moore drew a leadoff walk in the top of the seventh for the Vols. With two away, UT had been 0-16 in the game with runners on base before Dreiling belted a two-out homer to right, his 22nd of the season, to give the Vols a 2-1 lead. It was his fifth homer of the NCAA Tournament and second in the CWS.
In the eighth, Dean Curley had a one-out single and Stark smacked a homer to left, his 11th, to push the advantage to 4-1. Stark had been 0 for 16 with nine strikeouts in the CWS prior to his home run.
“Felt pretty good,” Stark said, “finally getting that first hit out of the way. Every kid dreams about playing on this stage. And being able to do that late in the game like that, it was pretty cool and something I’ll never forget.”
Aaron Combs (3-1) worked four scoreless innings in relief for UT with three hits, two walks and five strikeouts to earn the victory.
“I had some struggles throughout the game with command,” Combs said. “So I had to adapt with my mechanics. I was missing with some fastballs up, so I had to fix my mechanics and make sure I could get the ball down. The curveball was definitely there.”
Combs exited in the bottom of the ninth after allowing a leadoff single to Ted Burton. Kirby Connell gave up a hit to Caden Sorrell, the only batter he would face. Nate Snead took over and got a fielder’s choice and a flyout to right. With two in scoring position, pinch-hitter Ryan Targac sent a fly ball to the warning track in right center to end the contest. Snead recorded his sixth save.
“I think our kids kept their composure in that ninth inning,” Vitello said.
Curley went 2 for 4 with one run, the only Vol with multiple hits. Moore was 1 for 3 with two walks and a run, while Cannon Peebles drew three walks for UT.
Chris Cortez pitched 4.1 innings in relief in relief for A&M with two hits, five walks and seven strikeouts.
LaViolette went 2 for 2 for the Aggies with a homer and two walks. Sorrell was 2 for 4. The Aggies had two runners picked off, one in the third and one in the fifth.
“I thought it was a great ball game,” A&M head coach Jim Schlossnagle said. “The difference in the game, two two-out homers. They got the big swings at the right time.
“We don’t have to play, we get to play the last college baseball game of the season. And that’s awesome.”
Notes
This will be the 12th different CWS champion in 13 tournaments at Charles Schwab Field. Only Vanderbilt (2014 & 2019) has multiple titles.
Tennessee leads the nation with 59 victories, a program record and tied for the most in SEC history. Vanderbilt posted 59 in 2019 in winning the national championship.
The Volunteers lead the country with 182 home runs, second in NCAA history behind LSU’s 188 in 1997.
Christian moore leads the nation with 110 hits, second-most in program history behind 118 by Chris Burke in 2001.
Blake Burke has reached base in 20 straight games.
Texas A&M suffered its first loss in the NCAA Tournament, having started 9-0.
The Aggies are 6-3 in their last two CWS appearances after going 2-12 in their first six trips.
A&M pitching has held opponents to 5-for-50 hitting (.100) with runners in scoring position in the CWS.
Jace LaViolette has reached base safely in 25 straight games.