If we’re dreaming, let us sleep one more day. No. 3 Texas A&M (53-13) stifled a prolific offense for No. 1 Tennessee (58-13) to down the Volunteers 9-5 in game one of the College World Series championship. And just like that, the Aggies are just one win away from their first national championship in program history.
Game one belongs to the Ags #GigEm x #MCWS pic.twitter.com/RofDmTY2Lt
— Texas A&M Baseball (@AggieBaseball) June 23, 2024
The game started off on the best possible note, with freshman leadoff hitter Gavin Grahovac taking one deep to give the Aggies a lead they’d never relinquish. The offense would use timely hitting and some well-placed grounders to build on that lead, going up 7-1 thanks to a five-run third inning, then adding onto it with a two-run homer from Kaeden Kent in the seventh.
From a pitching perspective, Ryan Prager delivered once again, even on short rest, going 4+ innings, giving up two runs, striking out six with no walks. He was relieved by Josh Stewart, who for the second straight game provided invaluable shutdown innings, giving up two runs (both on the homer surrendered on his last batter) with four strikeouts in 2.1 innings pitched. The Vols made it interesting with their back-to-back homers in the seventh, but closer Evan Aschenbeck closed things out (as he always does) and locked up the victory for the Aggies.
Game 2 will begin at 1 p.m. on Sunday, and will air on ABC. Game 3, if necessary, would begin at 6 p.m. Monday and air on ESPN.
As tantalizingly close as the trophy is for Aggie fans, the job is far from complete. Tennessee still has their top pitcher, and their offense is always capable of winning them a game. It will take yet another fantastic performance from the Ags to win it all, but this certainly looks like a team who has one more in the tank.