Champs! Tennessee baseball wins first national title, topping Texas A&M in 2024 CWS final
OMAHA, Neb. − Hunter Ensley barreled around third base, his injured hamstring carrying him toward the plate and Tennessee baseball glory.
The Vols outfielder ripped past the tag from Texas A&M catcher Jackson Appel to tap the plate with his left hand and ripped his helmet from his head. He emphatically signaled safe, hurling the helmet toward the backstop, and the celebration commenced Monday.
Tennessee triumphed.
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The Vols are the national champions for the first time in program history, winning 6-5 against Texas A&M (53-15) at Charles Schwab Field and reaching the highest mark of their remarkable rise under coach Tony Vitello.
Tennessee (60-13) is the first No. 1 national seed to win the national title since 1999 and is the first 60-win SEC team in history. It is UT's first national title in a team sport since women's indoor track and field in 2009 with Ensley's sweet slide providing the winning run.
Dylan Dreiling was the best player in the College World Series
Dylan Dreiling become the first player in CWS history to homer in all three games of the final series. He hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning of each game. He was named the MVP of the CWS.
The sophomore slugged the go-ahead two-run homer Sunday to keep Tennessee's season alive then provided cushion with a two-run shot Monday for a 5-1 lead. Dreiling had 13 hits in the CWS with three homers and 11 RBIs.
Zander Sechrist capped his career well
Tennessee starter Zander Sechrist fired a fastball for strike three on Texas A&M's Gavin Grahovac to strike out the side. Sechrist cut loose leaving the field, screaming and flailing his arms to the Tennessee crowd.
He struck out seven in 5⅓ and allowed on run on six hits with one walk.
The senior began his career as a midweek pitcher. He ended his career with starts that won Tennessee an SEC regular-season title, a regional title, a super regional title, a berth in the CWS final, and a national title.
Kirby Connell pitched out of trouble
Texas A&M cut Tennessee's lead to 6-3 in the eighth before Vitello turned to reliever Kirby Connell. Connell got back-to-back strikeouts to escape a two-on, one-out threat.
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Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on Twitter @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee baseball wins CWS national championship, toppling Texas A&M
