3 major takeaways from Tony Vitello’s Tennessee’s win against Florida State in the College World Series

The Tennessee Volunteers were able to take an early lead against the Florida State Seminoles on Wednesday and coach Tony Vitello hit all the right buttons to secure a 7-2 win and advance to the 2024 College World Series Finals. What were some of the major takeaways from this game heading into the finals against the Texas A&M Aggies? Let's find out.

Major takeaways from Tennessee's 7-2 win over Florida State

Chris Stamos/AJ Causey gets normal rest

Chris Stamos and AJ Causey did not pitch in the game against Florida State but they have been struggling throughout their last few starts. In the first game of the College World Series, this duo combined to go two innings and allowed six runs on six hits with three walks in 16 batters faced. Getting back on a regular rest as they will not pitch in a full week, this is a major point of why their win over Florida State on Wednesday was significant.

If the Vols lost, they would need to pitch on Thursday but with the win, they get a few extra days off.

Top of the lineup can lead the way

The Tennessee Volunteers have been an exciting lineup full of power hitters as five different players have hit 20 home runs this season. However, navigating the top three hitters is critical. Christian Moore, Blake Burke and Billy Amick are 7-for-14 in the tourney with a double, a triple, one home run, four RBIs, five runs scored and one walk.

The lineup is going to need to step up if it wants to win the best-of-three College World Series Finals against the Texas A&M Aggies. With their ability to hit at the top of the order, it is difficult to navigate against the top-third of the lineup.

Zander Sechrist looks outstanding

Zander Sechrist has been pitching outstandingly well throughout the 2024 college baseball season and was able to do well in the 7-2 win over the Florida State Seminoles. In Wednesday's game, Sechrist threw 6.1 innings and allowed a pair of runs on five hits with one walk and three strikeouts. With 19 outs in 25 batters faced, Sechrist looked dominant here.