Dylan Dreiling's clutch homer for Tennessee baseball forces CWS final Game 3 vs Texas A&M
OMAHA, Neb. − Dylan Dreiling screamed and Tennessee baseball's 15-inning misery to open the College World Series final disintegrated.
The understated cleanup hitter smashed a belt-high fastball over the Tennessee bullpen in right field at Charles Schwab Field. He spun to the Vols dugout and bellowed his glee before the two-run homer reached its apex.
Tennessee isn't dead yet. The Vols won 4-1 against Texas A&M on Sunday to force a deciding game in the CWS final. The Vols (59-13) and Aggies (53-14) play Game 3 on Monday (7 p.m. ET, ESPN).
Dreiling's homer backed up elite pitching by Drew Beam and Aaron Combs (3-1), who navigated a dynamic Texas A&M lineup. Nate Snead closed it in the ninth with runners on and got a flyout to the warning track for the final out.
Tennessee's powerful lineup showed up when it was needed most
Dreiling nailed a 1-1 pitch with two outs for the decisive homer, which was his second in the CWS final. He also hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning Saturday.
Catcher Cal Stark followed with a two-run homer in the eighth to give Tennessee breathing room. Stark was 0-for-16 with nine strikeouts prior.
Dreiling erased a brutal situational hitting performance. The Vols were 0-for-16 with runners on and 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position before his homer.
Tennessee left the bases loaded in the second and fourth inning. It got the leadoff runner on in each of the first four innings, but didn't score. The Vols were 6-for-19 with runners on and 2-for-13 with runners in scoring position in Game 1.
Drew Beam performed in a pressure-filled moment again
Beam performed in a pressure-filled start again, which has been the story of his career. He threw four-plus innings, allowing a solo homer among his three hits.
DYLAN: The summer that set Dylan Dreiling on path as Tennessee baseball’s quiet superstar
The junior had seven strikeouts, including five straight after allowing a solo homer to Jace LaViolette.
Aaron Combs chipped in incredible relief pitching vs Texas A&M
Combs came in with two on and no outs in the fourth after Beam allowed a single and a walk leading off the inning. He got a pair of consecutive strikeouts before Stark back-picked a runner at first to end the inning.
Combs threw four innings of scoreless relief with five strikeouts. He allowed three hits and two walks.
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: Dylan Dreiling forces Game 3 in CWS for Tennessee baseball vs Texas A&M
