SCORE: Tennessee 5, Texas A&M 9 | FINAL (Texas A&M leads CWS Finals 1-0)
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Top-ranked Tennessee baseball (58-12, 22-8 SEC) is set to battle No. 3 seed Texas A&M Aggies (52-13, 19-11 SEC) Saturday night in Omaha in game one of the College World Series Finals.
First pitch at Charles Schwab Field is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
This is the first time Tennessee is in the College World Series Finals since 1951. The Vols have never won a National Championship and neither have the Aggies.
Tennessee and Texas A&M have each gone 3-0 so far in Omaha, meaning each side’s pitching plan has been reset for the weekend. Both teams aren’t at full strength, however. Tennessee is obviously without star pitcher AJ Russell who underwent Tommy John surgery last Tuesday, and A&M is without its best position player, Braden Montgomery, and top bullpen arm Shane Sdao.
Starting centerfielder Hunter Ensley is also not 100% as he is dealing with a hip issue after crashing into the outfield wall Sunday. Ensley is starting at DH for the second straight game as he’s not healthy enough to play defensively.
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This will be the second meeting between the two sides this season. Tennessee defeated A&M 7-4 in the SEC Tournament, and Prager started that game for the Aggies. However, the game is difficult to judge considering Prager was on a pitch count, and A&M clearly had higher aspirations. But Tennessee did, too, and the Vols were able to coast to a win when they also weren’t fighting tooth and nail to win.
Since Tennessee’s win over the Aggies, Texas A&M has not lost a game. The Vols have only lost one since their win over the Aggies to remain alive in Hoover – game two vs. Evansville.
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Tennessee is the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three years. The Vols swept through the Knoxville Regional and won two of three games against Evansville in the Knoxville Super Regional.
Texas A&M is the No. 3 seed after finishing second in the SEC West behind Arkansas. The Aggies have been among the top teams in the nation all year, owning sweeps over Auburn and Vanderbilt and a series win over Arkansas. In the postseason, the Aggies swept their regional and swept Oregon in the College Station Super.
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For all of RTI’s baseball coverage so far in the College World Series, including the RTI staff’s prediction for Tennessee vs. Texas A&M series, click here.
For the latest RTI Press Pass baseball podcast, click here.
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Injury Note
-Sophomore RHP AJ Russell is shut down for the remainder of the season and thus is inactive for the College World Series. Russell underwent Tommy John surgery on Tuesday to repair his UCL. However, Russell is with the team in Omaha.
-RS-Jr. centerfielder Hunter Ensley is nursing a lower-body injury after crashing hard into the wall to make a catch-of-the-year candidate Sunday against UNC. Ensley is IN the lineup but not starting defensively, serving as the DH for the second straight game.
Lineups, pitching matchup and additional pre-game notes are below, followed by the LIVE at-bat by at-bat game thread.
Starting Lineups
TENNESSEE STARTING NINE:
2B Christian Moore (R)
1B Blake Burke (L)
3B Billy Amick (R)
LF Dylan Dreiling (L)
DH Hunter Ensley (R)
CF Kavares Tears (L)
SS Dean Curley (R)
RF Reese Chapman (L)
C Cal Stark (R)
Lineup Notes:
- Ensley stays at DH as he continues to nurse a lower-body injury he sustained when crashing into the wall Sunday against North Carolina.
- Tears moves to center with Ensley at DH. Chapman gets the nod in right field. Same lineup as Wednesday vs. FSU.
TEXAS A&M STARTING NINE:
3B Gavin Grahovac (R)
RF Jace LaViolette (L)
C Jackson Appel (S)
DH Hayden Schott (L)
1B Ted Burton (R)
LF Caden Sorrell (L)
SS Ali Camarillo (R)
2B Kaeden Kent (L)
CF Travis Chestnut (R)
Pitching Matchup:
Vols Gr-Sr. LHP Chris Stamos (3-0, 4.26 ERA, 21 app., 10 starts, 31.2 IP, 22 H, 15 R, 15 ER, 16 BB, 35 K, 12 XBH, .198 opp. batting avg., 1.20 WHIP)
vs.
Aggies RS-So. LHP Ryan Prager (9-1, 2.88 ERA, 18 app., 18 starts, 1 CG, 93.2 IP, 75 H, 34 R, 30 ER, 20 BB, 118 K, 23 XBH, .216 opp. batting avg., 1.01 WHIP)
Pitching notes:
- Tennessee is sticking with its game one pitching plan, using Stamos as an opener before turning to AJ Causey out of the bullpen.
- The Stamos-Causey stack struggled last Friday against Florida State, as the pair only got six outs. Specifically Causey will look to bounce back after an abnormally subpar outing.
- Prager is A&M’s ace and probably the best pitcher on either side. Tennessee will look to work Prager’s pitch count up early and force A&M to go to the bullpen.
- Prager is coming off one of his best outings of the season Monday against Kentucky, in which he had a no-hitter going for 6.0 innings. He threw 95 pitches but should be ready to go full force.
Uniforms
Tennessee: Icy Whites
Texas A&M: Grey on grey with maroon hats
*NOTES*
- There is NO Run-Rule in NCAA Tournament play.
- Tennessee is the HOME team. The Vols will be the away team Sunday and the home team Monday, if necessary.
GAME THREAD
1st Inning:
T1
First pitch is a strike at 7:40 p.m. ET.
-Gavin Grahovac smacks a solo homer to RF.
- 0-2 pitch lifted out the park as A&M strikes first. Wind probably assisted a tad as it’s blowing out to right.
-Jace LaViolette flies out to LF.
-Jackson Appel ropes a double down the LF line.
-Hayden Schott reaches on a fielding error by Dean Curley. Appel advances to third.
- Curley got in front of it but couldn’t cleanly make the transition to his throwing hand. Third time in Omaha Tennessee has committed an error in the first inning.
*Pitching change: Jr. RHP AJ Causey (13-3, 4.21 ERA) on to pitch for Stamos*
- Third time in the last four outings Stamos has gotten just one out. 18 pitches this time after eight last week. Causey will look to get Tennessee out of this jam.
-Ted Burton strikes out swinging.
-Caden Sorrell sends an RBI single up the middle to score Appel, unearned. Schott advances to third.
Sorrell steals second.
-Ali Camarillo strikes out swinging.
END OF TOP HALF
B1
-Christian Moore pops up to SS.
-Blake Burke strikes out swinging.
-Billy Amick strikes out swinging after an eight-pitch at-bat.
- 19-pitch inning for Prager.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 0, Aggies 2
2nd Inning:
T2
-Kaeden Kent strikes out swinging.
-Travis Chestnut strikes out swinging.
-Gavin Grahovac grounds out to P.
- Great 1-2-3 inning for Causey. Up to 4 Ks in 1.2 innings so far.
END OF TOP HALF
B2
-Dylan Dreiling singles to 2B.
- Second baseman couldn’t field the awkward chopper. Would have been a close play anyway as the throw may have not beat Dreiling’s speed.
-Hunter Ensley slaps a single to left-center. Dreiling advances to third.
-Kavares Tears fouls out to 3B.
-Dean Curley drives an RBI single to shallow center to score Dreiling. Ensley advances to second.
-Reese Chapman flies out to LF.
-Cal Stark lines out to 1B.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 1, Aggies 2
3rd Inning:
T3
-Jace LaViolette works a walk after a long battle.
-Jackson Appel singles off Causey. LaViolette advances to second.
- Ricocheted off of Causey’s foot and went flying in the air, allowing Appel to reach.
-Hayden Schott knocks an RBI single up the middle to score LaViolette. Appel advances to third.
-Ted Burton reaches on a fielder’s choice to 1B. Appel out at home, 3-2. Schott advances to second.
- Great play by Burke on the safety squeeze to get the out at home.
Texas A&M CHALLENGED the ruling of out at home plate and the call was CONFIRMED.
-Caden Sorrell sends an RBI single through the right side to score Schott. Burton advances to second.
- Chapman threw to second instead of home. Don’t know why. Ball hit Reese’s glove as Schott tagged third. There was a chance Chapman could’ve thrown out a banged up Schott at home.
-Ali Camarillo reaches on a throwing error by Billy Amick, advances to second on the error. Burton scores on the error. Sorrell advances to third on the error.
- Just a horrible throw by Amick. Had all day to throw it and bounced it to Burke too far outside. Picked it nicely, but the throw costs Tennessee big time.
-Kaeden Kent deposits a two-run single to right-center.
- Things are unraveling for Tennessee.
-Travis Chestnut grounds out to P on a bunt. Kent advances to second on the sac bunt.
-Gavin Grahovac grounds out, 1-4-3.
- Nicked Causey’s glove on its way to CMo. Pretty routine play to finally get out of the inning.
END OF TOP HALF
B3
-Christian Moore strikes out swinging on three pitches.
-Blake Burke singles up the middle.
-Billy Amick strikes out swinging.
-Dylan Dreiling drills a single up the middle. Burke advances to second.
-Hunter Ensley cracks an RBI single to left-center to score Burke. Dreiling advances to second.
-Kavares Tears strikes out swinging.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 2, Aggies 7
4th Inning:
T4
-Jace LaViolette strikes out swinging after a long battle.
-Jackson Appel grounds out to P.
- Nice play by Causey as that ball was hard-hit.
-Hayden Schott doubles to deep right-center.
-Ted Burton flies out to left-center.
- Amazing diving catch by Tears at the wall. Saved a run. Catch of the year candidate with the wall catches we’ve seen from Ensley and Tears this week. Some unbelievable centerfield play from the Vols in Omaha.
END OF TOP HALF
B4
-Dean Curley bounces a single over 1B Ted Burton’s head.
-Reese Chapman grounds out to P on a sac bunt. Curley advances to second.
-Cal Stark strikes out swinging.
-Christian Moore grounds out to P.
Tennessee CHALLENGED the call. The call was CONFIRMED.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 2, Aggies 7
5th Inning:
T5
*Pitching change: Sr. LHP Kirby Connell (4-1, 3.78 ERA) on to pitch for Causey*
-Caden Sorrell grounds out to 3B.
-Ali Camarillo singles up the middle.
-Kaeden Kent singles to RF.
Camarillo caught stealing third, 1-5.
-Travis Chestnut smacks a single to right field, advances to second on a fielding error by Chapman. Kent advances to second, advances to third on the error by Chapman.
- Couldn’t pick the ball up and the runners advance. Another mistake from Chapman in right.
*Pitching change: So. RHP Marcus Phillips (0-0, 5.12 ERA) on to pitch for Connell*
-Gavin Grahovac strikes out swinging.
- Big K from Phillips to strand a pair ISP.
END OF TOP HALF
B5
-Blake Burke drills a double to left-center.
*Pitching change: Jr. RHP Justin Stewart (1-2, 4.33 ERA) on to pitch for Prager*
-Billy Amick works a walk.
-Dylan Dreiling strikes out looking.
-Hunter Ensley strikes out looking.
-Kavares Tears grounds out to 2B.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 2, Aggies 7
6th Inning:
T6
-Jace LaViolette flies out to LF.
-Jackson Appel works a walk.
Appel steals second.
*Pitching change: So. LHP Andrew Behnke (3-1, 3.08 ERA) on to pitch for Phillips*
-Hayden Schott strikes out swinging.
-Ted Burton legs out an infield single to P. Appel advances to third.
- Dribbler to Behnke puts runners on the corners with two outs.
-Caden Sorrell flies out to RF.
END OF TOP HALF
B6
-Dean Curley pops up to LF in left-center.
*Dalton Bargo pinch-hitting for Reese Chapman*
-Dalton Bargo strikes out swinging.
-Cal Stark works a walk.
-Christian Moore grounds out to SS.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 2, Aggies 7
7th Inning:
T7
*Dalton Bargo to RF*
-Ali Camarillo works a walk.
-Kaeden Kent smokes a two-run homer to the A&M bullpen in RF.
-Travis Chestnut pops up to SS.
-Gavin Grahovac strikes out swinging.
-Jace LaViolette grounds out to 1B unassisted.
- Nice backhand by Burke.
END OF TOP HALF
B7
-Blake Burke strikes out swinging.
-Billy Amick works a walk.
-Dylan Dreiling launches a two-run homer to RF.
- Wallscraper. 21st HR for Dreiling this season.
*Pitching change: Jr. RHP Brad Rudis (6-0, 2.29 ERA) on to pitch for Stewart*
-Hunter Ensley hammers a solo homer to the Tennessee bullpen in LF.
- 385 feet. 100 mph.
- Ensley’s 12th HR of the season.
*Pitching change: Sr. LHP Evan Aschenbeck (6-1, 1.54 ERA) on to pitch for Rudis*
-Kavares Tears strikes out swinging on three pitches.
- Poor at-bat from Tears, who’s had a rough night at the plate.
-Dean Curley strikes out swinging.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 5, Aggies 9
8th Inning:
T8
*Pitching change: Fr. LHP Dylan Loy (2-0, 2.25 ERA) on to pitch for Behnke*
-Jackson Appel flies out to RF in right-center.
- Bargo initially took a bad angle, but adjusted and made a diving catch. Nice play in the end from Bargo.
Texas A&M CHALLENGED the call of a catch. Call was CONFIRMED.
-Hayden Schott strikes out swinging.
-Ted Burton grounds out to 3B.
END OF TOP HALF
B8
-Dalton Bargo strikes out swinging.
-Cal Stark flies out to RF.
-Christian Moore strikes out swinging.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 5, Aggies 9
9th Inning:
T9
-Caden Sorrell strikes out swinging.
-Ali Camarillo strikes out swinging.
-Kaeden Kent flies out to CF.
END OF TOP HALF
B9
-Blake Burke strikes out looking after a long battle.
- Questionable strike three call but not egregious.
-Billy Amick singles to LF.
-Dylan Dreiling rips a single to right-center. Amick advances to third.
-Hunter Ensley strikes out swinging.
-Kavares Tears strikes out swinging.
END OF BOTTOM HALF
Score: Vols 5, Aggies 9
END OF GAME
FINAL: Tennessee Vols 5, Texas A&M Aggies 9
