OMAHA, Neb. — Tennessee baseball needs to win one of its next two games to advance to the College World Series finals for the first time ever. We now know who the opponent will be.
The Vols will face Florida State on Wednesday afternoon and again on Thursday if they lose the first meeting.
It’s Tennessee’s second matchup against the Seminoles this NCAA Tournament after coming from behind to defeat them 12-11 in its College World Series opener on Friday night.
Florida State didn’t go away after its heartbreaking loss against Tennessee. They staved off elimination by defeating Virginia 7-3 on Sunday afternoon and then advanced to the final four of the tournament with a 9-5 victory over North Carolina.
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Tennessee only having to win one of the two games isn’t its only advantage against Florida State. The Vols enter Wednesday’s game coming off of two off days while Florida State had to play on Tuesday afternoon. If the Seminoles advance past Tennessee they’ll have won three games in three days— something difficult to do at any point but especially at the College World Series.
North Carolina enters the matchup 49-15 (21-8 ACC) and is looking to return to the College World Series finals for the third time ever. Florida State enters the matchup 48-16 (17-12 ACC) and is looking to advance to the College World Series finals for the fourth time in program history.
First pitch between the Vols and Seminoles is at 3:06 p.m. ET at Charles Schwab Field on Wednesday afternoon. ESPN is broadcasting the game.
