Baseball
Thursday, June 20, 2024
Vols: the brink of triumph
Vols: the brink of triumph
Friday night, I had resigned myself to the fact that Tennessee was going down in flames at the College World Series.
The Vols endured a disastrous six-run third which put them behind Florida State 7-4 and the Big Orange, try as it might, never could seem to top that hill.
I'm sure, like many of you who were interested in the outcome, wanted to see if Tennessee could rally for the victory, knowing the odds were long. Trailing 11-8 going into the bottom of the ninth is a tall order for any team.
Then, things started to take shape. Tennessee's Kavares Tears led off with a triple and came home on Dean Curley's sacrifice fly. The Vols had scratched a run, but sacrificed an out for the score.
Cannon Peebles walked and took third on Christian Moore's two-out double. Up next, Blake Burke delivered a base hit, scoring Moore and Peebles to tie the game at 11.
And, oh by the way, what a game Moore had, hitting for the cycle. That hadn't been accomplished in the CWS since 1956.
Billy Amick provided a single, moving Burke to third. Down to his last strike, Dylan Dreiling ripped the base hit that brought in Burke for the stunning victory. Consider that twice in the ninth, the Vols were down to their final strike before being consigned to the flames of loser-bracket misery. Tears' lead-off triple and his resulting reacton seemed to catalyze the Vols, who rose from the canvas to provide the knockout punch.
Someone on social media equated this victory to Tennessee's 1998 resurrection against Clint Stoerner and Arkansas. If you'll recall, the Vols had a chance, trailing late in that football game, and couldn't get the first down, allowing Arkansas to take over, leading 24-21. Stoerner fumbled, the Vols and Travis Henry took over for the game winning touchdown, a score that helped keep Tennessee's national title aspirations alive.
As many will remember, the Vols fought off adversity and eventually won the national title, beating, ironically, Florida State in the Fiesta Bowl.
Sunday, Tennessee was able to take down North Carolina 6-1 to advance to the winner's bracket final. What does this mean? The Vols can can rest their pitching. They are a victory away from playing for the CWS title. Meanwhile, North Carolina or Florida State will have to beat Tennessee twice to advance.
I'd say the Vols are in pretty good shape, wouldn't you?
This team appears to be on a mission. In the past, there have been disappointing finishes. As mentioned before, perhaps Tennessee wasn't ready to be great. Its perseverance against Florida State and the fact that it didn't live on past laurels when it played North Carolina State may be a pretty good indication of its willingness to be great.
Of course, baseball is a fickle game and anything could happen, but greatness awaits these UT sluggers.
Even with backs against the wall, I wouldn't count this team out.
Jim Steele can be reached on X @steelesports or by email at pressbox1@gmail.com.
Friday night, I had resigned myself to the fact that Tennessee was going down in flames at the College World Series.
The Vols endured a disastrous six-run third which put them behind Florida State 7-4 and the Big Orange, try as it might, never could seem to top that hill.
I'm sure, like many of you who were interested in the outcome, wanted to see if Tennessee could rally for the victory, knowing the odds were long. Trailing 11-8 going into the bottom of the ninth is a tall order for any team.
Then, things started to take shape. Tennessee's Kavares Tears led off with a triple and came home on Dean Curley's sacrifice fly. The Vols had scratched a run, but sacrificed an out for the score.
Cannon Peebles walked and took third on Christian Moore's two-out double. Up next, Blake Burke delivered a base hit, scoring Moore and Peebles to tie the game at 11.
And, oh by the way, what a game Moore had, hitting for the cycle. That hadn't been accomplished in the CWS since 1956.
Billy Amick provided a single, moving Burke to third. Down to his last strike, Dylan Dreiling ripped the base hit that brought in Burke for the stunning victory. Consider that twice in the ninth, the Vols were down to their final strike before being consigned to the flames of loser-bracket misery. Tears' lead-off triple and his resulting reacton seemed to catalyze the Vols, who rose from the canvas to provide the knockout punch.
Someone on social media equated this victory to Tennessee's 1998 resurrection against Clint Stoerner and Arkansas. If you'll recall, the Vols had a chance, trailing late in that football game, and couldn't get the first down, allowing Arkansas to take over, leading 24-21. Stoerner fumbled, the Vols and Travis Henry took over for the game winning touchdown, a score that helped keep Tennessee's national title aspirations alive.
As many will remember, the Vols fought off adversity and eventually won the national title, beating, ironically, Florida State in the Fiesta Bowl.
Sunday, Tennessee was able to take down North Carolina 6-1 to advance to the winner's bracket final. What does this mean? The Vols can can rest their pitching. They are a victory away from playing for the CWS title. Meanwhile, North Carolina or Florida State will have to beat Tennessee twice to advance.
I'd say the Vols are in pretty good shape, wouldn't you?
This team appears to be on a mission. In the past, there have been disappointing finishes. As mentioned before, perhaps Tennessee wasn't ready to be great. Its perseverance against Florida State and the fact that it didn't live on past laurels when it played North Carolina State may be a pretty good indication of its willingness to be great.
Of course, baseball is a fickle game and anything could happen, but greatness awaits these UT sluggers.
Even with backs against the wall, I wouldn't count this team out.
Jim Steele can be reached on X @steelesports or by email at pressbox1@gmail.com.
