The clash between Tennessee and Texas A&M in an elimination game on Thursday afternoon was a nail-biter. The winner earned the right to fight another day in Hoover. The game kicked off with both teams neck and neck, as the Aggies drew first blood in the top half of the third inning, only for Tennessee to swiftly equalize in the bottom half.

As Tennessee and Texas A&M stepped into the SEC Tournament, they were not just national top-eight seeds in next week’s NCAA Tournament Regionals. This platform allowed these powerhouses to showcase their mettle, build momentum, and compete with unwavering honor. The ultimate goal was victory, and a defeat on Thursday afternoon would not deter their resolve to make a lasting impact at the College World Series in Omaha.

Tennessee would extend a 3-1 lead over the Aggies in the bottom half of the 4th and 5th innings, putting up runs each inning. Texas A&M would respond with a solo shot from Jackson Appel, cutting the Tennessee lead to 3-2 in the top half of the 6th inning. With two outs in the bottom of the 6th, Christian Moore would give the Volunteers a base runner with a hard-hit double. Blake Burke would hit a line drive to the third baseman for the final out of the inning, stranding Christian Moore on second.

Tennessee would have a three-run home run to deep left field from Kavares Tears to extend the Volunteers lead to 6-2 over the Aggies in the bottom half of the 7th inning with two outs. Ted Burton would rip a two-out double to score a run for the Aggies, cutting the Volunteers lead to 6-3. However, that one run would be all the Aggies could muster in the top of the 8th.

Tennessee would add a solo shot in the bottom of the 8th off the bat of Cal Stark to make it 7-3 in favor of the Volunteers. Christian Moore would follow the solo shot from Stark with a base hit with no outs for the Volunteers. Blake Burke would be hit by an Aggie wild pitch, advancing Moore to second. Tennessee would strand all runners to keep the lead at 7-3. With two outs in the top of the 9th, Gavin Grahovac would give the Aggies a slice of hope with a solo shot to cut into the Tennessee lead by one run. However, the solo shot was not enough to overcome the large deficit.

The three-run bomb was the nail in the coffin for Texas A&M as the number one-seeded Tennessee Volunteers polished off a massive SEC Tournament victory. Tennessee will advance to Friday, where they await the loser of Mississippi State and Vanderbilt.