Texas A&M came within one win of taking home the 2024 College World Series crown, but had to settle for second-best after falling to Tennessee in the rubber match for all the marbles.
With ’24 in the books, head coach Jim Schlossnagle has plenty to be proud of early on in his Texas A&M tenure. But coming up just short is always going to sting. in fact, when asked about the season after the game, he struggled to find immediate answers and was still sort of suck in the moment.
“Again, you’re asking some of the questions — I understand your question. It’s just tough to think big picture when literally 20 minutes ago, 30 minutes ago we were battling,” said Schlossnagle.
He then reflected as best he could and noted what a tremendous year it had been
“But it’s been a special team. There’s never been an A&M team play this far,” he added. This is an incredible team. And it’s not just because of its record, but because of their character, how fun they are to be around.”
Schlossnagle says the Aggie fans got to know very well just how enjoyable this team was to be apart of.
“I think the interaction between our team and the 12th Man was just unique,” he said. “We had great crowds all year. Tuesday night, nonconference games to weekend SEC games. It was awesome. 12th Man was well represented here.”
In Omaha, when Schlossnagle says the crowd usually favors one side, it was an even tally for both of these powerhouse SEC programs.
This is my eighth trip to the College World Series. 2001 at Tulane, we played and Nebraska was in it. That felt like a road game. But tonight felt like a bowl game, where the stadium was literally split. So I think that’s really great for our sport. Our fans were locked in.”
Next, Jim Schlossnagle issued a life lesson on not letting one result distract from a memorable experience.
“I just think the entire experience, everything, from the road trips — you know, if I was to go ask these guys who won the national title in 2004, they wouldn’t know it was Fresno State,” Schlossnagle explained.
“So I’m not discounting Tennessee’s championship, but at the end of the day, in 20 years, these guys will remember their relationships and experiences way more than they will winning and losing this game,” he finished.
2024 was certainly a year to remember forever on the baseball diamond for Texas A&M, and per Schlossnagle, that would be the case whether the Aggies got swept 2-0 or were able to bring home the title.
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