Texas A&M vs. Tennessee: Monday, June 24, 2024

TEXAS A&M VS. TENNESSEE: MONDAY, JUNE 24, 2024 — It seemed to be set up perfectly for Texas A&M. Game 2 was there for the Aggies to win. Texas A&M had the momentum and got a great pitching performance for the first six innings of the game against Tennessee. All the Aggies had to do was hold on with their ace bullpen.

Except the bullpen couldn’t hold the lead, and the Volunteers did what they’ve done all season. Tennessee found its way back, and now the Vols have forced a one-game battle for the championship. And that gives Texas A&M the unenviable task of recovering after being so close to the crown.

Related: NCAA Baseball Tournament – College Station Regional

But the Aggies do have an edge: they intentionally held back their best bullpen pitchers after Game 1 to get them extra rest. Josh Stewart and Evan Aschenbeck didn’t go on Saturday, as Texas A&M knew it had the third game if needed. Both pitchers are ready to go, which means A&M doesn’t need a lot from Justin Lamkin.

Tennessee counters with Zander Sechrist, who pitched the Vols into the finals by shutting down Florida State. Sechrist has been the Vols’ series closer in the postseason, as he also shut down Evansville to get Tennessee to Omaha. With this being the final game of the season, all hands are on deck for this matchup.

The Odds

First Pitch

When: Monday, June 22 at 7 p.m. EST

Where: Charles Schwab Field, Omaha, Neb. 

TV: ESPN

Players to Watch

Justin Lamkin got called into action twice in the lead-up to this series, and he shut down Florida’s lineup both times. The Gators had pounded the daylights out of most of their opponents (they scored 15 on Kentucky the game before), but they couldn’t touch the Aggie left-hander. Now he gets the chance to try to shut down Tennessee, which brings an even better lineup than Florida. If he can give Texas A&M four to five innings, the Aggies have a big edge.

Related: College World Series FAQs

Christian Moore says that he’s good to go after a slight leg issue suffered in Game 2. Tennessee coach Tony Vitello said that he took Moore off for defensive purposes in Game 2, and Moore is expected to play. Whether he’s at 100% will make a big difference in Tennessee’s efforts to take home the title.

The Prediction

Texas A&M’s pitching has proven fantastic in this tournament. The biggest questions are, can they do it one more time and can the Aggies get some offense of their own? If the Aggies are hitting the ball against Sechrist, they’ll have the edge because of their bullpen.

Related: NCAA Baseball Tournament – Knoxville Regional

Sechrist’s been the big-game guy for Tennessee throughout the postseason, but Lamkin has also repeatedly come through. Throw in that there’s absolutely no value in Tennessee on the money line, and there’s little reason not to take the Aggies here. Backing Texas A&M on the run line makes a lot of sense here, as you’re getting plus-money and a run with a coin flip. As long as Lamkin gets the game to the bullpen, the Aggies have a real shot.