In an absolute must-win situation, Tennessee Baseball rallied late Sunday afternoon to beat Texas A&M in game two of the College World Series. With the best-of-three series tied 1-1, the teams will face each other to complete the series Monday night with the championship on the line. The Vols were able to bounce back from Saturday’s disappointing loss, which was marred by defensive errors and the most strikeouts the Vols’ hitters have racked up in a game this season (17). Much of game two was highlighted by stellar pitching on both sides, with Tennessee able to break through late in the matchup. Here are five takeaways from Sunday’s win.
Beam continues to shine on the bump
Starting pitcher Drew Beam tossed a gem on Sunday, pitching four innings, striking out seven Aggies and giving up just one run. He also had a great defensive play in the bottom of the 3rd when he threw a laser to first base, picking off Aggie Kaeden Kent.
A Stark Contrast
Catcher Cal Stark quieted his critics with an eighth inning two-run homer that went over the wall in left. But, he didn’t just contribute with his bat. Stark also made an important defensive play in the bottom of the fifth when he threw out Ali Camarillo after he strayed too far from the bag. Stark and Beam’s pickoffs were originally ruled safe – Coach Tony Vitello correctly opted to challenge the calls, overturning them to be outs.
Moore leaves the game
Star second baseman Christian Moore was replaced in the field by Ariel Antigua in the bottom of the ninth. But no need to panic, it was just a precautionary move. Moore has had a leg issue for some time now and he can clearly play, but Vitello told the media he “thought Ariel was the right move to finish the game.”
Doing what they do best
The Vols have been hitting home runs all year long, that is well known. And that ability was on display again Sunday. Not only did Stark blast one in the eighth, but Dylan Dreiling preceded him with a two-run knock of his own in top of the seventh. Both home runs were hit with two outs in their respective innings. Dreiling and Stark’s bombs gives the team 182 for the season.
Leave no man on base
In order to be victorious on Monday, the Vols will need to figure out how to get more of their base runners across the plate. Tennessee stranded ten basemen on Saturday and nine on Sunday, including two bases-loaded situations.
Next up – Tennessee plays for it all, the championship title, on Monday at 7pm EST. Zander Sechrist is expected to take the mound for the Vols.
