Sure, the pros have Game 7. But in the context of college baseball, Game 3 has the same impact. Tonight’s Men’s College World Series comes down to a final showdown between top-seeded Tennessee and No. 3 Texas A&M, closing out the final event of the 2023-24 NCAA college sports calendar.
Hopefully you’ve been following the action in Omaha so far, but in case you need a quick catch-up, here’s where we are: The Aggies won the first game Saturday of this championship series at best of the three, taking a big lead from the start. to a 9-5 victory. The Volunteers evened the series with a 4-1 triumph Sunday thanks to two late two-run home runs and plenty of timely pitches.
Whichever team wins tonight will capture the program’s first national title. However, whoever wins, it will be another trophy for the SEC with its fifth different national champion in as many CWS tournaments dating back to 2019.
Tennessee stars shine in Omaha
Some of Knoxville’s top personalities are on hand to cheer Tennessee on to its first national baseball championship. Inside Charles Schwab Field are Volunteers icon Peyton Manning, football coach Josh Heupel and men’s basketball coach Rick Barnes. They were also accompanied by country music singer Morgan Wallen, a Tennessee native who was a standout high school baseball player before an injury sent him in a different direction.
Christian Moore hits first home run for Tennessee
What a start for Tennessee.
After Zander Sechrist went 1-2-3, the Volunteers quickly got back on the board thanks to Christian Moore. The second baseman got perfect contact with the bat and sent the ball over the wall for a leadoff home run to give the Volunteers the early lead. It was Moore’s 34th home run of the year, third in Division I.
Texas A&M starter Justin Lamkin allowed two more baserunners but worked out of the jam to keep the score at 1-0 heading into the second inning.
Tennessee vs. Texas A&M: TV, time, streaming and how to watch
- Date: Monday June 24
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
- Cable television: ESPN
- Streaming: ESPN+; YouTubeTV; fuboTV
The heat is on in Omaha
It will be hot inside Charles Schwab Field, where the temperature is 99 degrees at the time of first pitch between Texas A&M and Tennessee, according to AccuWeather. Temperatures are expected to drop as the match progresses, but it will still be warm with temperatures forecast to be around the 90s at 9 p.m. local time. Keep an eye on how pitchers and hitters are handling the heat.
Tennessee starting lineup
- Christian Moore, 2B
- Blake Burke, 1B
- Billy Amick, 3B
- Dylan Dreiling, L.F.
- Hunter Ensley, C.F.
- Tears of Kavares, RF
- Dean Curley, SS
- Cannon Peebles, DH
- Cal Stark, C.
Texas A&M Range
- Gavin Grahovac, 3B
- Jace LaViolette, RF
- Jackson Appel, C
- Hayden Schott, DH
- Ted Burton, 1B
- Caden Sorrell, L.F.
- Ali Camarillo, SS
- Kaeden Kent, 2B
- Travis Chestnut, C.F.
Tennessee starting pitcher
The Volunteers will accompany Zander Sechrist on the mound to start Game 3. The senior left-hander from Buford, Ga. is 5-1 with a 3.22 ERA and 17 starts this season.
Sechrist is coming off one of his best performances with Tennessee when he started in the national semifinal against Florida State. He matched a career-high 6.1 innings pitched with just two runs allowed on five hits in a 7-2 win over the Seminoles. He’s been on fire during the playoffs; in three NCAA Tournament games this year, he has pitched 17.1 innings and allowed just two earned runs on 15 hits with 12 strikeouts.
Texas A&M starting pitcher
Justin Lamkin will start for Texas A&M in the championship game. The sophomore has a 3-2 season with a 5.00 ERA and 15 starts in 2024.
Although the ERA seems high, Lamkin has been excellent for the Aggies in Omaha. He had both wins against Florida, including the one that sent 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 allowed four hits.
Prediction Tennessee vs. Texas A&M
As we look ahead to tonight’s deciding game, there are positive arguments for both Tennessee and Texas A&M to emerge victorious. The Aggies, despite missing the clinching opportunity, came out of Game 2 with their pitching staff in relatively good shape. A&M coach Jim Schlossnagle managed to keep bullpen ace Evan Aschenbeck in reserve after successfully closing out Game 1, and we really like the Aggies’ chances if they can give him the ball with the lead at the end of the round. That might be easier said than done, however, as A&M’s big bats have remained largely silent outside of Saturday’s big second inning.
This brings us to the case of Tennessee, which has already gotten off to a good start with Xander Sechrist in Omaha, and coach Tony Vitello will count on him to make another one. The most pressing problem for the Volunteers has been their inability to take advantage of a lot of baserunners, with a hefty 19 in the first two games.
However, you have to think that if the Aggies continue to give chances to the Vols’ big hitters, they will eventually succeed. Although the concept of momentum in sports is nebulous and often fleeting, it is currently on Tennessee’s side. It’ll probably be close, but we’ll take the healthier Volunteers to claim the crown. -Eddie Timanus
Texas A&M players to watch
- How the Aggies can take the lead will depend on their hitting. Jace LaViolette And Gavin Grahovac hit 20 homers, with Grahovac providing the only run Sunday with a long ball. Kaeden Kent, son of former major leaguer Jeff Kent, provides the hottest bat. Pressed into action due to a season-ending injury to Braden Montgomery, Kent hit .450 with a homer and 7 RBIs in Omaha.
- The Aggies will look to Justin Lampkin to start Game 3 with the sophomore hoping to continue his success after pitching eight scoreless innings in two outings against Florida at the CWS. Waiting to take over is a bullpen ace Evan Achenbeck, who leads the nation in ERA. He will be rested after two impeccable innings on Friday and could be called up well beforehand if the Aggies take an early lead.
Tennessee Players to Watch
- Zander Sechrist gets the ball for the Volunteers in Game 3. The senior left-hander is second on the staff with a 3.22 ERA after two pivotal postseason starts — a win over Evansville in their pivotal super regional game and a solid effort against a powerful Florida State team. that sent Tennessee to the championship series. Nate Sneed picked up his sixth save in Sunday’s win and could be called up.
- Where Tennessee’s offense gets its offense is anyone’s guess. With a lineup that includes five players who have reached 20 home runs, danger is everywhere. Christian Moore And Blake Burkethe two main hitters, are the openers at the top of the lineup. Dylan Dreiling hit a key home run Sunday and is second on the team in RBI with 72, one behind Moore.
Betting Tennessee vs. Texas A&M: Odds, Breakdown for the College World Series
The Volunteers are the favorite to win the title, according to BetMGM college baseball odds. Looking to bet? Discover the best mobile sports betting apps offering 2024 sports betting promotions.
Odds announced Monday.
- Spread: Tennessee (-1.5)
- Money line: Tennessee (-250); Texas A&M (+185)
- OR : 10.5
College World Series bracket: remaining schedule
College World Series Championship Series Recap
- Game 1: Texas A&M 9, Tennessee 5
- Game 2: Tennessee 4, Texas A&M 1
- Game 3: Monday, June 24, 7 p.m. ET
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