The college baseball season will come down to one final game.
No. 3 Texas A&M fell to No. 1 Tennessee 4-1 in Game 2 of the College World Series final on Sunday, which results in a winner-take-all matchup on Monday night for the national championship.
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After Jace LaViolette's solo home run in the first inning, the Aggies held a 1-0 lead for the majority of the game, until freshman left-handed pitcher Kaiden Wilson allowed a two-run home run to Dylan Dreiling in the top of the seventh that gave the Vols a 2-1 lead. Tennessee then launched another two-run home run by Cal Stark in the eighth, which ultimately gave Tennessee the 4-1 win.
The match was a pitcher's duel up until the Vols' pair of home runs, as the Aggies opted with Zane Badmaev as an opener before Chris Cortez entered as the bulk option. Cortez was electric in his showing, going 4 1/3 innings and allowing no runs on two hits with seven strikeouts. He was then relieved by Wilson, who allowed both home runs and was awarded the loss.
Vols starter Drew Beam went four innings, allowing one run on three hits with seven strikeouts. Aaron Combs then entered in relief for Tennessee and was also very effective, going four innings and allowing no runs on three hits with five strikeouts. Nate Snead then earned the save for Tennessee.
Both teams will be aiming for their first ever baseball national championship on Monday night.
Follow below for the live updates and highlights from the game:
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Texas A&M baseball vs Tennessee score
| Teams | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Final |
| Tennessee | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| Texas A&M | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Texas A&M baseball vs Tennessee live updates, highlights
This section will be updated.
Final: Tennessee 4, Texas A&M 1
Bottom ninth inning: Tennessee 4, Texas A&M 1
4:47 p.m.: Targac sends a fly ball to deep right field, but it's caught at the warning track. Vols win and force a deciding Game 3 on Monday night.
4:44 p.m.: Ryan Targac pinch hitting for the Aggies in the 9-hole.
4:44 p.m.: Kent flies out to the left fielder, putting the Aggies down to their final out.
4:42 p.m.: Camarillo hits a ball off the handle to the second baseman, who tags Sorrell in the face, prompting blood. Aggies with runners on first and third with one out.
4:38 p.m.: That'll be it for Connell, who faces just two batters. Nate Snead now coming into pitch.
4:36 p.m.: Sorrell singles to put Aggies runners on first and second with no outs. Texas A&M showing some life in the ninth.
4:33 p.m.: Burton leads off the inning with a single, which results in Combs being removed for Kirby Connell.
Top ninth inning: Tennessee 4, Texas A&M 1
4:26 p.m.: Moss gets Amick to ground out to Kent at second base. Two outs in the inning now. Moss gets out of the inning. Aggies headed to the bottom of the ninth.
4:23 p.m.: Moss strikes out Burke to start the ninth. Good fastball up in the zone gets the chase.
4:22 p.m.: Peery enters for just one out, and now Weston Moss is in to pitch for Texas A&M.
Bottom eighth inning: Tennessee 4, Texas A&M 1
4:20 p.m.: A&M can't capitalize, as Schott flies out to left field to end the inning. Aggies down to their last three outs.
4:17 p.m.: Appel draws a four-pitch walk, putting runners on first and second with two outs for Schott. Aggies' famous "Ball 5" chant is out in full force now in Omaha.
4:15 p.m.: LaViolette's ground ball sneaks between first and second base for the Aggies' first baserunner of the inning. Texas A&M with a runner on first with two outs.
4:14 p.m.: Combs has been electric in relief of Beam, as he retires the first two Aggies hitters of the inning. Hank Bard, pinch hitting for Chestnut, grounds out before Grahovac flies out to right field.
Top eighth inning: Tennessee 4, Texas A&M 1
4:08 p.m.: Perry gets a fly out to end the inning. Aggies need three runs with only six outs to work with.
4:03 p.m.: Tennessee blows open the scoring, as Stark hits a two-run home run off Wilson to give the Vols a 4-1 lead. Brock Perry entering the game for Wilson.
4 p.m.: Wilson strikes out Peebles for the second out of the inning. He has pitched well outside of the home run.
3:57 p.m.: Wilson allows a single to Curley, giving the Vols a runner on first with one out.
3:56 p.m.: Wilson remains in the game and strikes out Tears to start the inning.
Bottom seventh inning: Tennessee 2, Texas A&M 1
3:51 p.m.: Aggies struggling against Combs, who retires Texas A&M in order in the seventh inning. Aggies need to get some offense going.
Top seventh inning: Tennessee 2, Texas A&M 1
3:48 p.m.: Wilson gets Ensley to pop up to end the inning. Aggies with some work to do now.
3:45 p.m.: Onions! Wilson's pitch catches too much plate, and Dreiling sends the ball over the right-field fence for a two-run home run. Aggies now trail 2-1 in the seventh inning.
3:44 p.m.: Amick flies out to right field for the second out of the inning. The freshman left-hander for Texas A&M has been getting some quality outs here.
3:41 p.m.: Wilson gets Burke to fly out to center field, which advances Moore to second base. Aggies facing a runner on second base with one out.
3:36 p.m.: Wilson walks Moore to kick off the seventh inning. Ashcenbeck now warming in the bullpen.
3:35 p.m.: Interesting decision for Tennessee, as Tony Vitello challenges a pitch he thought hit Moore. After review, the pitch didn't hit Moore, resulting in the Vols burning a challenge.
Bottom 6th inning: Texas A&M 1, Tennessee 0
3:32 p.m.: Burton flies out to right field to end the inning. To the seventh inning we go.
3:30 p.m.: Wow. Schott nearly launches a three-run home run, but it's caught near the wall. LaViolette advances to third on the fly out.
3:29 p.m.: Appel singles to put runners on first and second. Aggies need some insurance runs here, especially with Cortez out of the game.
3:25 p.m.: Grahovac strikes out to lead off the sixth for Texas A&M, but LaViolette is able to draw a walk in the following at-bat. Aggies with a runner on first with one out.
Top 6th inning: Texas A&M 1, Tennessee 0
3:20 p.m.: Huge pitch for Wilson, who gets Stark to ground out into a 5-4-3 double play to end the inning. Vols down to their last nine outs.
3:16 p.m.: Cortez is being relieved by freshman left-hander Kaiden Wilson. Aggies fans are hoping Cortez's injury isn't too bad, if there's one. Cortez's final line: 4 and 1/3 innings with no runs on two hits with seven strikeouts.
3:15 p.m.: Something is bothering Cortez, as the trainer is coming out to check on him. Looks like his day might be done.
3:14 p.m.: Cortez walks Peebles to after allowing a single to Curley.
3:09 p.m.: Cortez strikes out Tears to start the sixth inning. He has seven strikeouts so far to only one hit.
Bottom 5th inning: Texas A&M 1, Tennessee 0
3:05 p.m.: Another baserunning mistake for the Aggies, as Camarillo is picked off at first to end the inning. Missed scoring opportunity for Texas A&M in the fifth.
3:02 p.m.: Aggies having trouble with Combs, as Chestnut also strikes out. Back-to-back tough at-bats for Texas A&M with runners on.
3 p.m.: Kent strikes out swinging with two runners on. Aggies with one out now in the fifth.
2:58 p.m.: Beam's day is done, as Tennessee turns to Aaron Combs in relief. Combs has a 3.32 ERA on the season.
2:55 p.m.: Great at-bat from Camarillo, as the shortstop fights a nine-pitch at-bat before drawing a walk. Aggies with runners on first and second with no outs.
2:49 p.m.: Sorrell hits a dribbler to the shortstop but is able to beat the throw for the infield single. Aggies with a leadoff baserunner.
Top 5th inning: Texas A&M 1, Tennessee 0
2:45 p.m.: Cortez retires the Vols in order after striking out Dreiling and forcing a lineout. Cortez has been everything the Aggies have needed so far.
2:41 p.m.: Cortez strikes out Amick again, which marks Amick's third strike out of the game. Texas A&M has done a nice job stifling Tennessee's power hitter.
Bottom 4th inning: Texas A&M 1, Tennessee 0
2:35 p.m.: This one is quickly turning into a pitcher's duel, as Beam has been lights out since allowing the solo home run to LaViolette. After LaViolette draws a leadoff walk, Aggies go down in order on a fly out by Appel and a pair ground outs by Schott and Burton.
Top 4th inning: Texas A&M 1, Tennessee 0
2:27 p.m.: Cortez gets Burke to groundout to get out of the jam. Kent fielded the ball and glove flipped it to first base, hardly putting much velocity on the toss and nearly allowing the infield single.
2:26 p.m.: Cortez hits Moore to load the bases for Burke. Big at-bat here against possibly Tennessee's best hitter.
2:23 p.m.: Cortez gets a big strike out for the second out of the inning. Cortez trying to work out of a two-runner jam in the fourth.
2:20 p.m.: Cortez gets Curley to fly out before walking Peebles. Vols with runners on first and second with one out.
2:17 p.m.: Cortez allows a leadoff single on a line drive by Taveras.
Bottom 3rd inning: Texas A&M 1, Tennessee 0
2:13 p.m.: Chestnut and Grahovac strike out in back-to-back at bats to end the inning. Beam with five strikeouts in his last seven batters faced.
2:13 p.m.: Costly error for the Aggies, as Kent gets picked off at first base for the first out of the inning. Kent was initially called safe but Tennessee challenged the play and won.
2:08 p.m.: Kent leads off the inning with a single on a bloop to right field. Aggies with a baserunner with no outs.
Top 3rd inning: Texas A&M 1, Tennessee 0
2:06 p.m.: Cortez strands a runner after striking out Ensley to end the inning. Cortez's stuff has been outstanding so far.
2:05 p.m.: Dreiling reaches on a fielder's choice back to Cortez, who fires to second base for the second out of the inning.
2:04 p.m.: Cortez strikes back by striking out Amick for the first out of the inning. Big pitch to get the Vols' 3-hole hitter.
2:01 p.m.: Cortez walks Burke to lead off the third inning. Control has been a bit of an issue so far for the right-hander.
Bottom 2nd inning: Texas A&M 1, Tennessee 0
1:56 p.m.: Strong inning for Beam, as he strikes out Burton, Sorrell and Camarillo in order to end the inning.
Top 2nd inning: Texas A&M 1, Tennessee 0
1:51 p.m.: Cortez gets another ground ball, and Kent puts it away to get out of the inning. Aggies still on top 1-0.
1:50 p.m.: Cortez appears to get an inning-ending ground ball, but Camarillo makes a costly throwing error that results in bases loaded.
1:45 p.m.: Curley flies out to center field for the second out of the inning before Cortez walks Peebles on four pitches. Vols with runners on first and second with two outs.
1:42 p.m.: Cortez strikes out the first batter he faces on a 99-mph fastball with a ton of armside run. That pitch was gross.
1:38 p.m.: Badmaev singles up the middle, and that'll be it for Badmaev. Cortez coming in relief, where he'll likely be asked to throw a starter's workload.
Bottom 1st inning: Texas A&M 1, Tennessee 0
1:34 p.m.: Appel and Schott both strike out to end the inning, but not without the Aggies taking an early lead.
1:30 p.m.: ESPN broadcast announces LaViolette's home run traveled 111 miles per hour. That's what they call a barrel, folks.
1:29 p.m.: Absolute no doubter. LaViolette destroys a fastball and puts it into the right-field seats. Aggies lead 1-0 early.
1:27 p.m.: Grahovac pops up to second base for the Aggies' first out of the game.
1:26 p.m.: Grahovac fouls a pitch off his foot, and the trainer is coming out to check on him. He's staying in the game, however.
1:23 p.m.: Grahovac steps in the leadoff the first inning for the Aggies offense.
Top 1st inning: Texas A&M 0, Tennessee 0
1:20 p.m.: Badmaev gets out of the first inning unscathed after striking out Dreiling to end the frame. Nice start after allowing the leadoff single.
1:15 p.m.: Big pair of outs for Badmaev, who forces Brock Burke to line out before striking out Tennessee 3-hole hitter Billy Amick. Aggies opener nearly out of the first inning.
1:12 p.m.: Badmaev allows a leadoff single to Vols star Christian Moore.
1:11 p.m.: Badmaev fires a pitch and we're underway in Omaha.
Pregame
11:46 a.m.: Interesting decision for the Aggies, as Badmaev will make his first start of the season on Sunday. Seems likely Texas A&M is using Badmave as an opener before moving to Chris Cortez in a bulk role.
11:36 a.m.: Here's Texas A&M's starting lineup for Sunday, with Zane Badmaev getting the start:
- 1. 3B Gavin Grahovac
- 2. RF Jace LaViolette
- 3. C Jackson Appel
- 4. DH Hayden Schott
- 5. 1B Ted Burton
- 6. LF Caden Sorrell
- 7. SS Ali Camarillo
- 8. 2B Kaeden Kent
- 9. CF Travis Chestnut
What channel is Texas A&M baseball vs Tennessee on today?
- TV channel: ABC
- Streaming: ESPN app, Fubo (free trial)
Texas A&M's game will air live on ESPN, with streaming options available on the ESPN app or Fubo, which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.
Texas A&M baseball vs Tennessee betting odds
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Sunday, June 23
- Spread: Tennessee (-2.5)
- Over/under: 11.5 runs
- Moneyline: Tennessee -250 | Texas A&M +185
Texas A&M baseball schedule 2024
Below is Texas A&M's postseason schedule. For the Aggies' full 2024 college baseball schedule, click here.
Bryan-College Station Regional
- Friday, May 31: (3) Texas A&M 8, Grambling 0
- Saturday, June 1: (3) Texas A&M 4, Texas 1 (11 innings)
- Sunday, June 2: (3) Texas A&M 9, Louisiana 4
Bryan-College Station Super Regional
- Saturday, June 8: (3) Texas A&M 10, Oregon 6
- Sunday, June 9: (3) Texas A&M 15, Oregon 9
College World Series
- Saturday, June 15: (3) Texas A&M 3, Florida 2
- Monday, June 17: (3) Texas A&M 5, (2) Kentucky 1
- Wednesday, June 19: (3) Texas A&M 6, Florida 0
CWS championship series
- Saturday, June 22: (3) Texas A&M 9, (1) Tennessee 5 (TAMU leads 1-0)
- Sunday, June 23: (1) Tennessee vs. (3) Texas A&M
- Monday, June 24*: (3) Texas A&M vs. (1) Tennessee
* If necessary
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