Tennessee rides Christian Moore’s heroics to comeback walk-off vs. Florida State
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Tennessee appeared headed for disaster in its College World Series opener after a horrific 3rd inning vs. Florida State. Fortunately, the Vols rallied from a 9-4 hole, continually battling back all the way.
After entering the 8th inning with a 4-run deficit, Tennessee pushed a run across to make it 11-8 and set the stage for a dramatic 9th inning. A quick triple and sacrifice fly would make it 11-9 Tennessee, and the inning eventually swung with another key at-bat from Christian Moore.
After previously compiling the first cycle at the MCWS since the 1950s, Moore delivered a double in the 9th inning as the tying run. Blake Burke would eventually drive in the game-tying run, 2 pitches after a questionable check swing call that would have ended the game.
A single by Billy Amick would lead to another pitching change and bring Dylan Dreiling to the plate with the game tied at 11-all. Here’s how that at-bat went down:
DYLAN CLUTCH DREILING WALKS IT OFF!!!!!
VOLS WIN!!! pic.twitter.com/lHcMQxTZ9U
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) June 15, 2024
NJ, PA, VA, MD, WV, MA, KS, KY, LA, TN, NC, CO, AZ, IA, IL, IN, MI, OH Must be 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Along with Friday’s Game 1 ending in a walk-off, this is the first time in MCWS that the first 2 games have both ended in walk-off fashion. Vance Honeycutt sent North Carolina to the winner’s bracket with a walk-off single vs. Virginia.
Now, the Tar Heels and Vols will square off in the winner’s bracket on Sunday with the game set for 7 pm ET on ESPN2. Florida State and Virginia will begin Sunday’s action with an elimination game set for 2 pm on ESPN.
While the Vols walk away as winners, there is plenty to clean up for Tennessee heading into the weekend. The pitching staff walked 9 batters, and the defense in the field was not up to par. Tennessee committed 3 errors, including 2 in a disastrous 3rd inning that saw the Seminoles plate 6 runs.
Moore was the big hero of the night, keeping Tennessee afloat early and powering the comeback late with 5 hits and 4 runs, including 4 extra-base hits for the Vols. Blake Burke and Dylan Dreiling led the Vols with 3 RBI apiece.
Florida State was led by 3 hits from Marco Dinges while Jaime Ferrer was 2-for-4 with a home run and a double while driving in 4 runs.
Florida State built leads of 9-4 and 11-7 in the eventual defeat, but the lead could have been even bigger if not for a disappointing night at the plate from James Tibbs III. Tennessee’s pitching staff kept Tibbs in check as he went 1-for-6 in the game, including 4 strikeouts in the middle of the Seminole lineup.
If FSU wants to avoid elimination, Tibbs will need to come to life at the plate and do some damage.
SPORTSBOOK
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
