When you think about the University of Tennessee you probably think of over 100,000 screaming fans at Neyland Stadium, the orange and white checkerboard endzones and the Vol Navy tailgates. Maybe it’s Peyton Manning or Reggie White that comes to mind. Or perhaps it’s Pat Summitt’s Lady Vols dynasty, who captured eight NCAA Women’s Basketball championships between 1987-2008. Today, it’s Tennessee baseball that’s #1 in the land and powering it’s way to the Finals in Omaha.
In 1951, the Vols baseball team finished as runner-up in the College World Series. Strings of success in the 1990s and early 2000s, got the Vols back to Omaha in 1995, 2001 and 2005. This year marks the third CWS appearances since Head Coach Tony Vitello took over in 2018. Vitello’s eccentricities aren’t appreciated by everyone, but the Tennessee fans love his antics. He’s also well known for his abilities to recruit and develop top level talent. Since 2020, the Vols have produced 28 picks in the MLB Draft, more than any program in the country.
Smokey Mountain Sluggers
This 2024 team has spent a lot of time ranked #1 in the nation. They’ve done so with incredible power (177 HRs) and overall run production (635 runs). In fact, Tennessee just became the first program in NCAA history to have five players hit 20 HRs or more in a single season. This includes Christian Moore (33), Billy Amick (23), Blake Burke (20), Dylan Dreiling (20) and Kavares Tears (20).
The Vols offense is led by projected first round draft picks, Moore and Amick. Christian Moore dazzled the Omaha crowd in their opening game walk-off victory against Florida State, hitting for the cycle for the first time in a College World Series since 1956.
Moore has racked up all the awards in his tenure at Tennessee and has been on absolute fire on their road to Omaha. Heading into the CWS, Moore’s blasted 33 HRs, knocked in 72 runs, with a .384 BA and 1.271 OPS. Currently, he’s projected to be drafted late in the first round. Moore’s impact in the NCAA Tournament might be enough to move him up the draft board.
Moore’s teammate, Billy Amick is another projected first rounder. His transfer from Clemson proved to be the spark the Vols needed in their run to the title game. As mentioned in my CWS preview article, ACC vs SEC Showdown in the College World Series, it’s Amick’s Savannah Bananas inspired walk-up that gets the Volunteer faithful going.
Rocky Top vs the 12th Man
The path to the NCAA Baseball Championship runs through the SEC once again in 2024. The LSU Tigers took down the Florida Gators in 2023 and this year includes another SEC East vs West showdown with Texas A&M and Tennessee. Oddly enough, the teams did not meet during conference play, so it’s a first time match-up in 2024. Texas A&M finished the 2024 regular season ranked #4 overall, so their ascension to the Finals is not much of a surprise. However, the Aggies have reached their first ever CWS Finals without their star outfielder, Braden Montgomery (ankle injury).
Regardless of this key injury, Jim Schlossnagle’s team has dominated opponents on their road to Omaha. Schlossnagle, who spent 18 season at TCU, has help lead the Aggies to the Finals in just his third season at A&M. While the Gators scored 15 runs to knock out Kentucky, the following day, Aggies pitcher Justin Lamkin kept the Florida sluggers scoreless to secure a 5-0 victory.
A CWS victory for the Volunteers or Aggies would be an historic first for both programs. But, it’s business as usual for the SEC. Gimme a T for Texas, gimme a T for Tennessee. Gimme a classic three game College World Series Championship Series in Omaha this weekend. Enjoy the Greatest Show on Dirt!
Related articles on the College World Series:
- ACC vs SEC Showdown in the College World Series
- LSU Tigers, Florida Gators and SEC Dominance at the College World Series
- Once Again, the SEC Takes Over Omaha
