The Tennessee Volunteers took care of business when they needed to on Sunday, forcing a winner-take-all Game 3 in the College World Series Finals vs. Texas A&M. The Volunteers won Game 2, 4-1, which means college baseball fans will get one more game on Monday, with the winner bringing home the 2024 National Championship. Tennessee catcher Cal Stark delivered a game-changing two-run homer on Sunday, giving the Volunteers a 4-1 lead in the top of the 8th inning.
Following the big win, the Tennessee catcher spoke with ESPN’s Kris Budden on the SEC Network.
Before his pivotal blast, Stark hadn’t had a hit yet in this year’s College World Series. What was going through his mind after delivering the two-run blast and he was trotting the bases?
“A lot of emotions, you know. Wanted to come through for my teammates. Obviously, I haven’t had the best series. Just trying to keep grinding. Keep grinding at the plate. Knowing that I just need to keep putting good swings on balls and you know, good things will happen. Just have a good quality at-bat for the team and that was one right there,” Stark explained.
What did the Tennessee bullpen give the Vols today?
“I mean, a lot of confidence for tomorrow. I can’t say enough good things about them. You know, Beam, that was a heck of a start from him. And then Combs, I think that’s the most pitches he’s thrown in I don’t know how long. So, to have that coming out of the bullpen right behind Drew was unbelievable and much needed,” Stark continued.
Stark grew up in Knoxville as a young boy. What does it mean to him to be one win away from bringing the Tennessee program their first ever national championship?
“It feels pretty dang good. You know, we’ve got a lot of work left to do. You know, we’ve got to play nine innings of ball tomorrow against a really good team. And I mean, Game 3, final game of the year. What else could you want?” Stark finished.
In the top of the seventh inning, Tennessee slugger Dylan Dreiling saved the Volunteers season. With the Vols trailing Texas A&M 1-0, Dreiling sent a two-run blast over the wall at Charles Schwab Field. That put Tennessee up 2-1 and they were able to ride that momentum all the way to victory. The Volunteers also got stellar pitching performances from Drew Beam and Aaron Combs. They shut down the Aggies bats, limiting them to just one run en route to handing them their first loss in Omaha.
Game 3 between Texas A&M and Tennessee will be on Monday, June 24th at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha. The game will be televised on ESPN at 7 p.m. EST.
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