Tennessee wins College World Series: Reaction, final call after Vols’ first baseball national title

Tennessee coach Tony Vitello fought back tears following the Vols’ first national championship at the College World Series after his team won a decisive third game against Texas A&M, 6-5, becoming the first overall No. 1 seed to accomplish the feat since 1999. Tennessee led 6-1 in the eighth inning before the Aggies brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth.

“They’re fun, but also … kids are tough these days,” Vitello said seconds after the final strikeout. “These guys will do whatever you ask them to do. I know our fans got us through that tough inning. That was a group effort on the mound. Incredible group of guys. Team chemistry.”

Tennessee slugger Dylan Dreiling had a three-game series to remember, clubbing homers in every matchup for the Vols. He was named the College World Series Most Valuable Player for his performance and said after the game it was a team effort with no individual meaning more than any other.