Tennessee vs Texas A&M in Game 1
Drew Beam on the Tennessee baseball player reaching the College World Series finals
Tennessee State baseball defeated Florida State 7-2 on Wednesday to advance to the College World Series finals for the second time in program history.
After more than 100 games in the NCAA baseball tournament and more than a week at the College World Series in Nebraska, two teams remain in the championship series. And it’s no surprise that they’re two teams from the SEC, the conference that has won the last four titles and made seven of the eight appearances in the most recent best-of-three round during that span.
What’s special, though, is that both Tennessee and Texas A&M, this year’s finalists, are newcomers to this situation. The Volunteers have only been in this position once – when they lost to Oklahoma in 1951. The Aggies have never been here before, meaning one of them will be wearing the crown for the first time.
Tennessee is also looking to make history by becoming the first to win the tournament title as the No. 1 seed since Miami, Fla., in 1999. The Volunteers will likely rely on their offense, which is a nationally best 9.2 runs per game and boasts five players who have hit at least 20 home runs. Christian Moore and Blake Burke are the two players who have done the most damage in Omaha.
Texas A&M is the only undefeated team in the tournament with eight wins in the regional, super-regional and CWS rounds. The Aggies’ hopes rest on a pitching staff that ranks third in ERA (3.80) and features ace Ryan Prager and reliever Evan Aschenbeck, who leads the nation in ERA (1.54) and has 10 saves in 70 innings. Prager pitched against Kentucky on Monday, so he may not start Game 1.
This is only the second meeting between the two schools this season. They did not play each other in the regular season and Tennessee won 7-4 in an elimination game in the SEC Tournament last month.
Follow updates and analysis on Game 1 of the College World Series championship round between Tennessee and Texas A&M:
Tennessee vs. Texas A&M: TV, time, streaming and how to watch
Date: Saturday, June 22
Time: 7pm ET
Cable TV: ESPN
Streaming: ESPN+, fuboTV, YouTube TV
Will Jace LaViolette play for Texas A&M?
Texas A&M’s depleted outfield faces questions about the status of standout Jace LaViolette, who injured his hamstring while running from first to third on a double against Kentucky on Monday. LaViolette, who leads the team with 28 home runs and is second with 77 RBI, played Wednesday before being temporarily taken off the field. His ability to play at full strength is critical with star centerfielder Braden Montgomery already out after a season-ending lower leg injury suffered in the Super Regional against Oregon. Montgomery is the Aggies’ best player with 85 RBI and is also second with 27 home runs.
Tennessee vs Texas A&M: College World Series odds
Tennessee is considered the favorite for Saturday’s game and also to win the series outright, according to BetMGM college baseball odds. Want to bet? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering sports betting promos for 2024.
The odds for Game 1 as of Friday afternoon are:
- Money line: Pittsburgh (+120);
- Chances of winning the title: Pittsburgh (+120);
College World Series Championship Table
Saturday, June 22
Game 1: Tennessee (58-12) vs. Texas A&M (52-13), 7:30 p.m., ESPN
Sunday, 23 June
Game 2: Tennessee (58-12) vs. Texas A&M (52-13), 2:00 p.m., ESPN
Monday, June 24
Game 3: Tennessee (58-12) vs. Texas A&M (52-13), possibly 7 p.m., ESPN
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