Sure, the pros have Game 7. But in the context of college baseball, the impact of Game 3 is similar. Tonight, the final matchup between top-seeded Tennessee and No. 3 Texas A&M will take place in the Men’s College World Series, concluding the final schedule of the 2023-24 NCAA college sports calendar.
Hopefully you’re keeping track of the goings-on in Omaha by now, but if you need a quick update, here’s where we stand: The Aggies jumped out to a big early lead Saturday in this best-of-three championship series. Win 9-5. The Volunteers evened the series with a 4-1 victory Sunday thanks to a late two-run homer and several timely pitches.
Whichever team wins tonight will claim the program’s first national title. However, no matter the winner, it will be another trophy for the SEC with its fifth different national champion in as many CWS tournaments dating back to 2019.
Texas A&M running back Xander Secrist
Xander Sechrist was sensational on Monday, but the Aggies were able to shut him out of the game thanks to the duo of Jackson Appel and Hayden Schott. Tennessee tried to get closer Nate Snead out of the jam, and it worked, ending with a great catch by Blake Burke at the lineout.
Xander Sechrist strikes out the side while dealing a deal
Xander Sechrist has been a star for Tennessee this postseason, and he may very well be the reason the Volunteers are national champions. He struck out Cayden Kent, Travis Chestnut, and Gavin Grahovac in the fifth inning. He now has six strikeouts on the night and has allowed one run on four hits.
He doesn’t appear to be slowing down, but head coach Tony Vitello said his team is getting closer to the bullpen.
Tennessee leads again with two runs
The tie game did not last long after Tennessee responded to Texas A&M’s first run in the third inning with a score of its own to make it 3–1.
Leading off, Blake Burke showed power with a double to right centerfield to start the bottom of the third inning. He moved to third base after Billy Amick grounded out, and Dylan Dreiling hit a ball to deep center field that gave Burks plenty of time to tag out and score. The Volunteers’ inning was incomplete due to back-to-back hits by Hunter Ensley and Kavarese tears, causing Texas A&M to take out starter Justin Lamkin for Josh Stewart.
The volunteers had not finished scoring yet. Dean Curley welcomed Stewart with a single to bring in Ainsley. However, Curley was caught trying to extend a single to second base and was tagged out to end the inning.
Bunt leading to Texas A&M score
The game was tied due to short ball.
Travis Chestnut’s decision to bunt proved effective as he eventually went around the bases and scored, tying the game at 1–1 in the third inning.
Chestnut’s bunt was placed perfectly in front of home plate, and Tennessee catcher Cal Stark tried to throw out the runner at first when it did not appear that he had made a play. This resulted in an irregular throw that sent Chestnut to second, and a few pitches later, he stole third base to put himself in prime scoring position. Gavin Grahovac led off with a single to left field to give Chestnut the first run of the game for the Aggies.
Another Tennessee error left Texas A&M with two runners on base, but the Volunteers broke through with a double play to end the inning.
Pitchers made the second inning scoreless
Tennessee and Texas A&M both got a batter on base in the second inning, but neither side could do much with it in a scoreless second frame.
Justin Lamkin gave up a leadoff home run in the bottom of the first inning and later allowed a couple of runners on base, but he looked more composed in the second inning, and only allowed one walk which was aided by a pitch clock violation. . On the other hand, Xander Sechrist is off to another promising start with two strikeouts and one hit allowed.
Tennessee stars shine in Omaha
Some of Knoxville’s top guys are on hand to help Tennessee win its first baseball national championship. Inside Charles Schwab Field are Volunteers icon Peyton Manning, football coach Josh Heupel and men’s basketball coach Rick Barnes. They were joined by country music singer Morgan Wallen, a Tennessee native who was a notable baseball player in high school before an injury sent him in a different direction.
Christian Moore hits leadoff home run for Tennessee
What a start for Tennessee.
After a 1-2-3 inning from Xander Sechrist, the Volunteers got on the board early thanks to Christian Moore. The second baseman got perfect contact on the bat and sent the ball over the wall for a leadoff home run to give the Volunteers an early lead. It was Moore’s 34th home run of the year, the third most in Division I.
Texas A&M starter Justin Lamkin allowed two more base runners, but got out of a jam in the second inning to keep the score 1–0.
Tennessee vs. Texas A&M: TV, time, streaming and how to watch
- date: Monday, June 24
- Time: 7pm ET
- cable TV: espn
- Streaming: ESPN+; YouTube TV; fubotv
Heat rises in Omaha
It will be hot inside Charles Schwab Field, where it will be 99 degrees at the time of the first pitch between Texas A&M and Tennessee, according to AccuWeather. Temperatures are expected to drop as the game progresses, but it will still be hot, with temperatures expected to be in the low 90s by 9 p.m. local time. Keep an eye on how pitchers and hitters handle the heat.
Tennessee starting lineup
- Christian Moore, 2B
- Blake Burke, 1B
- Billy Amick, 3B
- Dylan Dreiling, LF
- Hunter Ensley, CF
- Kavares Tears, RF
- Dean Curley, S.S.
- Canon Peebles, DH
- Cal Stark, C
Texas A&M Lineup
- Gavin Grahovac, 3B
- Jace Laviolette, RF
- Jackson Appel, C
- Hayden Schott, DH
- Ted Burton, 1B
- Caden Sorrell, LF
- Ali Camarillo, SS
- Caden Kent, 2B
- Travis Chestnut, CF
Tennessee starting pitcher
The Volunteers will take to the mound with Xander Secrist to start Game 3. The senior left-hander from Buford, Georgia is 5-1 with a 3.22 ERA and 17 starts this season.
Secrist is coming off one of his best performances with Tennessee when he was the starter in the national semifinal matchup with Florida State. He pitched a career-high 6.1 innings while allowing only two runs on five hits in a 7–2 victory over the Seminoles. He has been on fire in the postseason; In three NCAA Tournament games this year, he has pitched 17.1 innings and given up only two earned runs on 15 hits with 12 strikeouts.
Texas A&M starting pitcher
Justin Lamkin will get the start for Texas A&M in the championship game. The sophomore is having a 3-2 season with a 5.00 ERA and 15 season starts in 2024.
Although the ERA appears high, Lamkin has been excellent for the Aggies in Omaha. He recorded both wins over Florida, including sending Texas A&M to the championship series when he struck out nine Gators and allowed no runs. In eight innings in Omaha, Lamkin had 15 strikeouts and gave up four hits.
Tennessee vs Texas A&M Prediction
As we look toward tonight’s decisive game, there are positives for both Tennessee and Texas A&M to emerge victorious. The Aggies, despite missing the opportunity to get a win, came out of the second game in relatively good shape with their pitching staff. A&M coach Jim Schlossnagle was able to keep bullpen ace Evan Eschenbach in reserve after successfully closing out the first game, and would certainly have liked the Aggies’ chances if they could get the ball to them with a lead in the late innings. Can. However, that’s easier said than done, as A&M’s big bats have been largely silent outside of big second innings on Saturday.
This brings us to the case of Tennessee, which has already got a solid start from Xander Sechrist in Omaha, and coach Tony Vitello will be counting on him to deliver another one. The more pressing issue for the Volunteers is their inability to take advantage of multiple baserunners, having stranded more than 19 over the first two games.
However, one has to think that if the Aggies continue to give the Vols’ big hitters opportunities, they will eventually produce results. While the concept of momentum in the game is vague and often fleeting, it is in Tennessee’s favor right now. It’ll probably be close, but we’ll take healthy volunteers to claim the crown. –Eddie Timmons
Texas A&M players to watch
- How the Aggies get the edge will depend on their hitting. jace laviolette And Gavin Grahovac He topped 20 home runs with Grahovac providing the only run on Sunday with a long ball. caden kentThe son of former major leaguer Jeff Kent is providing the hottest bat available. Pressed into action due to Braden Montgomery’s season-ending injury, Kent has hit .450 while providing a home run and 7 RBI in Omaha.
- will head to the aggies Justin Lampkin to start Game 3 with hopes of continuing his success after throwing eight scoreless innings in two games against Florida in the CWS. It’s a relief to wait for the baton to be picked up ivan achenbach, who leads the country in the era. He will be rested after two scoreless innings on Friday and could be called upon much sooner than that if the Aggies get an early lead.
Tennessee players to watch
- xander secrist The Volunteers get the ball in Game 3. The senior lefty is second on the staff with a 3.22 ERA after two clutch starts in the postseason – a win against Evansville in their decisive Super Regional game and a strong effort against a powerful Florida State lineup that sent Tennessee to the championship series. Nate Sneed He made his sixth save in Sunday’s win and could be called upon again.
- It’s anyone’s guess where the Tennessee offense gets its offense from. In a lineup that features five players who have reached 20 home runs, there is threat everywhere. Christian Moore And blake burkeThe two major hitters are the tablesetters at the top of the lineup. dylan dreiling Hit a key home run on Sunday and is second on the team in RBIs with 72, one behind Moore.
Tennessee vs. Texas A&M betting: Odds, spreads for College World Series
According to BetMGM college baseball odds, the Volunteers are favored to take home the title. Want to place a bet? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering 2024 sports betting promos.
Probabilities are listed as of Monday.
- Spread: Tennessee (-1.5)
- money line: Tennessee (-250); Texas A&M (+185)
- O/U: 10.5
College World Series bracket: remaining schedules
College World Series Championship Series finale
- Game 1: Texas A&M 9, Tennessee 5
- Game 2: Tennessee 4, Texas A&M 1
- Game 3: Monday, June 24, 7pm ET
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