Tennessee swept it way through the first half of the College World Series too. The Vols used a ninth inning comeback to defeat Florida State 12-11 in their opener before defeating North Carolina 6-1 and Florida State, again, 7-2 to advance to the finals.

Probable Pitching Matchups

*Both teams have only announced their game one starters

Game One: LHP Chris Stamos (3-0, 4.26 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 31.2 IP, 16 BB, 35 K) vs. LHP Ryan Prager (9-1, 2.88 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 93.2 IP, 118 K, 20 BB)

Game Two: RHP Drew Beam (9-2, 4.30 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 98.1 IP, 92 K, 25 BB) vs. TBD

Game Three: LHP Zander Sechrist (5-1, 3.22 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 72.2 IP, 69 K, 15 BB) vs. TBD

Everything Tony Vitello Said About The Aggies

On Texas A&M and its style of play

“As far as your one question, I think this is a series, SEC series that did not happen during the regular season, obviously. But I don’t mean to speak for anybody else. Both sides are probably pretty happy it’s at a neutral site. Their place has their own unique brand, how they do things. And you’d be remiss if you didn’t say it gets rowdy in that ballpark.

And then, I guess, you’re only as good as your last game, so to speak. That Evansville game that Zander pitched in was absolutely bananas with our fans. Maybe it’s best that it’s on a neutral site.”

On what they learned about Texas A&M by playing them in the SEC Tournament

“I was asked — I’ll lead because I was just asked that question on the radio and how much value does that game have. And unfortunately, not a whole lot because we’re, for whatever reason, able to edge them out on that particular day, but we don’t get any runs for that on the scoreboard.

And I think everyone who has ever competed in that tournament loves it. It’s hard to put into words quickly how awesome that event is and how well they do running it.

But, again, every SEC coach and player knows there’s a different vibe to each day and how you approach that tournament is unique for each team. So to recall on that game, maybe you look at some match-ups that occurred or something like that. I don’t think it carries a lot of weight.”

On Texas A&M’s pitching staff over the course of CWS

“In that particular instance, looking around the locker room, you’re looking at all kinds of guys. I’m reflecting back there — just talking about our group being good about competing against anybody. But obviously you get into match-ups with our lineup.

It’s like, man, Florida State and then Florida’s younger guys are getting more experience, which A&M shut them down. And you’ve got the most dangerous guy, him and Charlie, you know, I don’t include our players in any of that, and Cags. So they’re capable of shutting down anybody.

Then, again, you get to this point, every lineup, I feel like ours and theirs, can get you at any one spot. There’s a lot of uniqueness to each lineup, too, where there’s a variety of ways they can get you. I feel we’re included in that group.

But we’ll have to go up against Prager. It will be the second time. And he’s given a lot of people fits, either a lot of strikes out of him, but also gets guys to chase out of the zone a little bit.

At this point in our league or the ACC, too, you’ve got about as much experience as you are going to have. He’s already thrown on the mound out there.

It’s up to us to put our best foot forward or put ourselves forward and stay true to who we are. And he’ll be trying to do the same thing. Then you look at the guys who will be available afterwards — or better yet look at the way they’ve gone to the bullpen in the postseason — he’s not afraid to go to the bullpen early because he knows he’s got weapons down there.”

Bats To Know

OMAHA – The No. 3 Texas A&M baseball team looks to capture its first College World Series title in program history as they face off against No. 1 Tennessee in a best-of-three series starting Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. from Charles Schwab Field.

Game one of the series will air on ESPN, while Sunday’s game will be broadcast on ABC at 1 p.m. Monday’s ‘if necessary’ game is scheduled for 6 p.m. on ESPN. The championship series can also be heard locally on Sports Radio 1150AM/93.7 The Zone. Fans can also follow along with the games on X, @AggieBaseball.

The Aggies (52-13) punched their ticket to the championship series for the first time in program history after blanking Florida 6-0 Wednesday night. The shutout marked the squad’s first-ever at the College World Series and nation-leading 12th of the season, which matched the 1990 team for the most in program history. In the win, the Aggie pitching staff totaled 14 strikeouts to up their season total to 680, which is a program record.

The victory marked the 52nd of the season for the Maroon & White, which is the most since 1999 and tied for third in school annals. The squad’s three wins at the College World Series are the most in program history.

Saturday’s championship series opener marks the 22nd meeting all-time and second this season between the Aggies and Volunteers (58-12). The Maroon & White lead the series 11-10 and are 2-1 in a neutral venue against Tennessee.

Under Head Coach Jim Schlossnagle, Texas A&M is 17-4 in the postseason and 5-2 at the College World Series. The five wins at the Greatest Show on Dirt are the most by any head coach in program history. Prior to the 2022 College World Series, the Maroon & White had only won two games in Omaha.

Copyright 2024 KBTX. All rights reserved.

Sixty-four teams entered the NCAA Division I baseball tournament. Only two remain.

The Tennessee Volunteers and Texas A&M Aggies will face off in the Men’s College World Series Finals after dominating their respective brackets. From regionals to super regionals to the eight-team field in Omaha, there has been only one loss between the two teams since the start of the Division I tournament in late May – an Evansville upset of Tennessee in Game 2 of their super regional.

Now, college baseball’s two hottest teams will face off in the best-of-3 series to decide the championship.

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The two teams met previously this postseason during the SEC Tournament. The Vols took that one, 7-4, and went on to win the tournament and take the undisputed conference title.

Tennessee vs. Texas A&M Game 1 predictions

Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee 8, Texas A&M 6

Mike Wilson writes: “The Vols have that feeling of being an unstoppable force since the ninth inning against Florida State in their CWS opener. That isn’t stopping now in the finals.”

“

SB Nation: Tennessee win in three games

“Watching the entire Men’s College World Series this year, you get the sense that today’s game is about what you can do at the plate. While both teams have potent lineups, Tennessee does have an advantage at the dish.

This is likely a series that goes the entire three games, and when all is said and done, the Volunteers will take home the title.”

COLLEGE WORLD SERIES: Tickets are on sale for the finals. See how much they cost

Tennessee vs. Texas A&M: Odds, spread and lines for Men’s College World Series Finals

The Volunteers are favored to win Game 1 of the MCWS Finals, according to the BetMGM college baseball odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering 2024 sports betting promos.

Odds listed as of Thursday.

• Moneyline: Tennessee (-160); Texas A&M (+125)

Tennessee vs. Texas A&M: How to watch Game 1 of the Men’s College World Series Finals

• Date: Saturday, June 22
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• Location: Charles Schwab Field, Omaha, Nebraska
• Cable TV: ESPN
• Streaming: ESPN+; YouTube TV; fuboTV

HOW TO WATCH: Catch the Men’s College World Series Finals with a subscription to ESPN+

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