Tennessee wins first College World Series title

Tennessee baseball won its first World Series championship Monday night, powering past SEC rival Texas A&M 6-5 in the decisive third game.

Why it matters: Winning a championship turns coaches and players into legends on Rocky Top.

• That's why names like Pat Summitt, Phillip Fulmer and Tee Martin are synonymous with UT athletics.

Between the lines: Tennessee coach Tony Vitello had already put his program among the nation's elite with three World Series appearances in four years.

Yes, but: Despite reaching the World Series six times, a championship had eluded UT. The program hadn't made it to the final since 1951.

What they did: Dylan Dreiling was clutch once again for Tennessee in the championship game. He hit a homer and drove in three runs to lead the Volunteers' offense.

• Starting pitcher Zander Sechrist turned in a gritty performance, beguiling Texas A&M with a sweeping curveball that barely registered 70 miles per hour.
• Tennessee had to hold on for dear life at the end of the game. After trailing 6-1, the Aggies stormed back and brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth.

"This group is just special," Dreiling told ESPN after the game. "The bond we have is unbreakable. We're all just brothers."