What a year for the SEC. Again.
SAN ANTONIO – Tennessee and Texas A&M advancing to the 2024 Men’s College World Series Finals guaranteed a national champion from the Southeastern Conference for the second straight year and the third time in four years.
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The Aggies jumped on the Vols early in Game 1 on Saturday and never looked back in their 9-5 win. Texas A&M third baseman Gavin Grahovac launched a leadoff home run over the right-field wall.
A Caden Sorrell run-scoring single put the Aggies up 2-0 in the first inning and a five-run third inning for A&M all but put the game out of reach for Tennessee.
In Jim Schlossnagle’s coaching career spanning three decades, the third-year A&M head coach led TCU to five College World Series appearances and already two with the Aggies.
The Volunteers have also never won a national championship. However, the program had one finals appearance under their belts in 1951 when they finished as national runner-up.
No national title banners do not necessarily translate to a lack of experience — neither head coach has made it to the finals despite coaching in the CWS a combined nine times.
Tennessee’s Tony Vietello is responsible for the rise of the Vols baseball program to national prominence. In Vietello’s seven seasons as the head coach, the Vols have made three CWS appearances in the last four seasons.
Game 2 will air Sunday on KSAT 12 with the first pitch set for 1 p.m. If necessary, Game 3 will be at 6 p.m. Monday on ESPN.
Below are predictions around the KSAT 12 newsroom made prior to Game 1 of the 2024 MCWS.
KSAT 12′s Predictions
Steve Spriester → Aggies in 3
Adam Caskey → Aggies in 3
Mia Montgomery (Texas A&M Alumni) → Aggies in 3
Mary Rominger → Tennessee in 3
Larry Ramirez → Aggies in 3
Mark Mendez → Aggies in 2
Daniel Villanueva → Tennessee in 2
Carlo Jagge → Tennessee in 3
Adam Barazza→ Tennesse in 3
Kolten Parker → Aggies in 2
Julie Moreno → Aggies in 3
David Ibanez → Aggies in 3
Nate Kotisso → Tennessee in 3
Ben Spicer → Tennessee in 3
Mason Hickok → Aggies in 3
Jason Foster → Tennessee in 3
Bill Taylor → Aggies in 2
Landon Lowe → Tennessee in 3
