Ahead of Saturday’s Week 0 contest between No. 10 Florida State and Georgia Tech from Ireland, one specific sign from the ESPN College GameDay set caught the eye of several Tennessee fans.
And it was seemingly supposed to.
Among the crowd of fans was a sign that simply read, “He swung.”
A Florida State fan was holding a sign at College Gameday saying, “He Swung.”
The Blake Burke check swing has gone International! College Baseball 📈
(📸 @Fantavious9)#CollegeBaseball #GoNoles #GBO pic.twitter.com/sRUhLfEAWI
— Noah Bieniek (@NoahB77_) August 24, 2024
The reference goes back to the bottom of the ninth inning during the Tennessee-Florida State game in the College World Series opener this past summer. The Seminoles’ 11-9 upset bid was struck down when Tennessee first baseman Blake Burke sent a two-strike, two-out, two-run single into center field to tie the game. Two batters later, Tennessee outfielder Dylan Dreiling launched his own two-out RBI single to left center to give Tennessee the walk-off victory.
THIS. IS. JUNE.
THIS. IS. OMAHA.
THIS IS (what happens when you give Blake Burke a 50/50 check swing call that would have ended the game but he gets 2nd life and capitalizes) pic.twitter.com/1MpKPjwDcF— 11Point7 College Baseball (@11point7) June 15, 2024
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The controversy came prior to Burke’s single when the Tennessee first baseman was not called for a two-strike check swing during the at-bat. Florida State and Tennessee fans alike took to social media to loudly share their opinion on the play, with the infamous “red line screenshot” coming into the equation.
Ok this was a swing. Couldn’t tell when they showed the replay in real speed, but FSU was robbed. pic.twitter.com/I70d7r0NmQ
— 11Point7 College Baseball (@11point7) June 15, 2024
As we now know, Tennessee won that game and went on to eliminate North Carolina and Florida State in their next two games with two straight victories. Tennessee’s second victory over Florida State had much less drama to deal with as the Vols won that game 7-2.
Tennessee eventually went on to win the Men’s College World Series championship in three games over Texas A&M.
No. 10 Florida State fell to Georgia Tech in the Week 0 opener on Saturday afternoon thanks to a walk-off Yellow Jackets field goal, prompting Tennessee fans to have some fun in the Seminoles’ comment section.
Blake Burke broke your athletic department pic.twitter.com/O5ei1g0C7B
— realdill (@realdillvols) August 24, 2024
— Orange Kool-aid (@Vol_Bender) August 24, 2024
