By: Michael Spiers

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

The Tennessee Volunteers grabbed their first-ever national baseball championship in a nail-biting finish against Texas A&M, winning 6-5 in Game 3 of the College World Series (CWS) finals.

Hunter Ensley scored the winning run, dodging a tag at home plate, despite a hurt hamstring, sealing the historic victory at Charles Schwab Field.

Ensley’s dramatic slide and the team’s celebrations marked the culmination of an extraordinary season under Coach Tony Vitello.

Dylan Dreiling was the star of the series, making CWS history by homering in all three final games. His timely two-run shots were crucial, including a clutch homer in the seventh inning of the final game, earning him the MVP award.

Dreiling finished the CWS with 13 hits, 3 homers, and 11 RBIs, solidifying his place as a key player in Tennessee’s lineup.

Starting pitcher Zander Sechrist played a pivotal role, striking out seven over 5⅓ innings and holding Texas A&M’s powerful offense to just one run.

Reliever Aaron Combs then shut the door in the ninth inning, striking out the last two batters to end the game and kick off a massive celebration for the Volunteers.

Coach Vitello’s enthusiasm was on full display as he jumped into the stands to celebrate with fans, while his players ran laps around the field, high-fiving the crowd.

Tennessee’s win broke a long championship drought for the school, which hadn’t won a national title in any team sport since the women’s indoor track and field team in 2009. This victory also made Tennessee the first No. 1 seed to win the national baseball title since 1999 and the first SEC team to achieve 60 wins in a season.

Texas A&M didn’t go down without a fight. They cut into Tennessee’s lead in the eighth and ninth innings but fell just short of completing a comeback. The Aggies, led by Coach Jim Schlossnagle, showed incredible resilience, especially given their late-season injuries and the absence of star outfielder Braden Montgomery.

Christian Moore set the tone for Tennessee early in Game 3 with a leadoff homer and despite some tense moments, Tennessee’s defense and bullpen held strong.

Moore, projected as a first-round MLB draft pick, had an impressive season, including hitting for the cycle in their CWS opener against Florida State.

Tennessee’s journey to the championship was marked by dominant performances in the regional rounds and a decisive victory in a must-win Game 3 against Evansville in the Super Regional. In Omaha, they beat Florida State twice and North Carolina, showing they could handle the pressure.

The win also underscores the strength of SEC baseball, with Tennessee becoming the eighth SEC school to win a national title. The Volunteers’ success extends the SEC’s streak of five consecutive championships won by different schools and their overall 16th title.

The game was attended by notable figures like Peyton Manning and Tennessee football coach Josh Heupel, adding to the excitement.

Coach Vitello, who shared an emotional moment with his father after the win, will also receive a $140,000 bonus for the championship victory.

Tennessee’s run in the CWS sets a new bar for the program, reflecting the team’s grit, talent, and Vitello’s leadership, turning a dream season into reality for the Volunteers and their fans.