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How all 8 Men’s College World Series teams advanced to Omaha

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3 weeks ago

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The eight-team 2024 Men’s College World Series field is set. Here’s a quick summary of each team’s season and how they clinched a spot in Omaha, as well as some names to know heading into the MCWS.

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Tennessee (55-12)

How the season went: The Volunteers are making their third CWS appearance in four years, and they were named the No. 1 overall seed for the second time in three years. Tennessee has crafted a formidable program over the past half-decade, but the Vols have been unable to climb the mountain as they still search for their first CWS title in program history.

FOLLOW THE ACTION: Full coverage of the Men’s College World Series 

The SEC regular season champs lead the nation in home runs (173) — 22 more than second place Georgia — and rank third for team ERA (3.83). Tennessee certainly has one of the best résumés and well-rounded squads headed to Omaha.

Who stood out: Junior second baseman Christian Moore has led the Tennessee offense all season, crushing 32 home runs to claim the single-season and career Tennessee record for home runs. In fact, eight Vols have double-digit home runs, including three with 20-plus, and Tennessee is averaging over 10 runs per game in NCAA tournament play. Not to mention flame-throwing Drew Beam, a tall righty who leads Tennessee in innings pitched. The junior tallied two complete games on the year and will be a serious threat in Omaha.

 

Kentucky (45-14)

How the season went: For the first time in program history, the Wildcats are headed to Omaha. With 45 wins this season, the team ties the 2012 program record for most wins in school history and will look to continue a 5-0 winning streak in the NCAA tournament. With a devout fan section behind them, the Cats flew through regionals and super regionals by allowing only four runs in the last 39 innings. The home crowd set a Kentucky baseball attendance record in Game 1 of super regionals and then re-set it in Game 2 (7,558). This team — and their fans — will be hard to silence in their Omaha debut.

Kentucky vs. Oregon State: 2024 NCAA baseball super regionals extended highlights

Who stood out: Nolan McCarthy’s game-winning, history-making Superman slide into home base to give the Cats the 3-2 win to clinch a ticket to Omaha is a moment that will forever live in Kentucky baseball history. The aggressive dash from second base was an embodiment of the team’s competitive spirit all season long. “When we attack, this is us at our best,” head coach Nick Mingione said.

North Carolina (47-14)

How the season went: The Tar Heels are headed to Omaha for the first time since 2018 after taking down West Virginia in the super regionals. North Carolina boasts an impressive 37-3 record in Chapel Hill this season, but it has struggled on the road and at neutral sites (10-11). The Tar Heels finished 22-8 in a tough ACC conference play and earned the ACC regular season championship.

Who stood out: Vance Honeycutt has been the heartbeat of the Tar Heels offense this season, and he certainly hasn’t shied away in the tournament. The junior outfielder hit a walk-off home run to win Game 1 against West Virginia, and on the first pitch of Game 2, Honeycutt blasted another. Two pitches, two homers. These two swings not only propelled the Heels back to Omaha, but Honeycutt now holds the single-season program record for home runs (26).

WHAT TO KNOW: Complete schedule, TV information for the MCWS

Florida State (47-15)

How the season went: In their 24th appearance at the MCWS, the Seminoles will look to bring home the program’s first-ever national title. Since losing to Duke in the ACC tournament final, the Noles have put up a whopping 58 runs, with 24 of those crossing the home plate in a complete UConn blowout in the first super regional opener.

Who stood out: ACC Player of the Year James Tibbs III is the man to watch. Not only is he tied for the second-most RBI in the nation (94), but he also put up an outstanding triple-homer performance in the Tallahassee Super Regional Game 2 to send FSU to Omaha.

Virginia (46-15)

How the season went: The Cavaliers are making their seventh appearance at the College World Series since Coach Brian O’Connor first led the team to Omaha 15 years ago. Virginia boasts the nation’s second-highest batting average (.336) and is has gone 29-5 this season when scoring first. When they’re not scoring first, this is a squad that knows how to perform under pressure. Fifteen out of their 17 total runs scored in the Super Regional sweep over Kansas State were on two-out hits. 

Who stood out: Stepping up to the mound in a big moment, pitcher Jay Woolfolk, who hadn’t had a start since March, showed out in the NCAA postseason. Woolfolk delivered seven strikeouts a piece in his starts in both the regional and super regional clinchers, setting and matching his career-high strikeout record.

NC State (38-21)

How the season went: Led by head coach Elliott Avent, the Wolfpack persevered through a series of season-ending player injuries and prolonged absences due to sickness to turn around a rough start to the season. 

Falling short of an ACC tournament title after an early loss to Duke, the Wolfpack went into regionals and dominated. Supers, however, is where the relentless spirit shone. From delivering 11 runs in the second inning of Game 1, downing Georgia 18-1, to swallowing an 11-2 defeat in Game 2, the Wolfpack’s win in Game 3 marked the team’s 16th comeback win of the season. 

Who stood out: The sixth-ranked player in program history for the most home runs in a single season (22), Alec Makarewicz has been a leading force for the NC State offense. The Raleigh Regional’s Most Outstanding Player leads the Wolfpack with a .380 batting average and 80 RBI.

Texas A&M (49-13)

How the season went: A nine-run seventh inning in Game 2 of the super regionals launched the Aggies into their second MCWS appearance in the past three seasons and eighth appearance overall. Texas A&M has been a steady force in the SEC, making a home within the top 5 of D1Baseball’s weekly Top 25 rankings all season and only dropping three out of 40 games at home. 

Who stood out: How about some love for the guys holding it down behind home plate? Catcher Jackson Appel has been a standout for the Aggies, starting in 53 of the 59 games he’s played in, and has helped guide the pitching staff to a 3.94 ERA.

Florida (34-28)

How the season went: The Gators are headed to Omaha for a second season in a row and 14th time in program history — nine of which have been under current head coach Kevin O’Sullivan. A month ago, though, this team was on a six-series losing streak, getting an at-large bid with a 28-27 record. Talk about a turn-around. Battling through the postseason on the road, the Gators proved their merit in a grueling 13-inning, five-hour super regional instant classic by claiming the series over Clemson with an 11-10 victory off a two-run double from their No. 9 hitter. 

Florida walks off to advance to MCWS vs. Clemson | Full 13th inning

Who stood out: You’ve heard his name before and will be hearing it plenty in Omaha. Jack Caglianone has been a strong force for the Gators all season both at-bat and on the mound. Caglione is one home run away (73) from tying the all-time program record (74) after earning his 33rd homer of the season in the super regional clincher — placing him as the No. 2 home run hitter nationally. The junior will look to extend his 48-game on-base streak in Omaha.

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