Texas A&M takes Game 1 of MCWS over Tennessee

The Aggies started things with a bang – literally. The first man to step to the plate, Gavin Grahovac, went yard on the game's third pitch and the Volunteers trailed by two runs before their first at-bat. 

While Grahovac's round-tripper helped set the tone, Texas A&M turned the tide in the third, sending nine men to the plate in the inning, which was capped off by three clutch RBI singles from Hayden Schott, Caden Sorrell and Kaeden Kent to increase the Aggies' advantage to 7-1 in the blink of an eye. 

Leading 9-2 following a Kent two-run shot in the seventh, Texas A&M was cruising. But, in the bottom half of the inning, Tennessee made things interesting thanks to back-to-back homers – the first a two-run shot from Dylan Dreiling and the second a Hunter Ensley solo connection – which cut the deficit to 9-5 heading into the eighth.

The Volunteers put runners on the corners with one out in the ninth, but Evan Aschenbeck punched out Ensley and Kavares Tears, recording all three outs via strikeout to close the door. The flame-throwing lefty allowed only two hits in 2 2/3 innings of work with seven strikeouts. 

It's no secret that winning Game 1 of any series is important. Still, statistically, it's an excellent sign for Texas A&M. Since the championship adopted the three-game format, winners of the opener are 13-7 with nine sweeps. 

The two squads will meet for Game 2 in less than 24 hours, with first-pitch scheduled for 2 p.m. ET on Sunday.