College Baseball:
For the second time in two years, a San Gabriel Valley shortstop has won an NCAA World Series championship.
Perhaps equally as important, both were part of their programs’ first title in school history.
In 2022, Glendora shortstop Jacob Gonzalez helped Ole Miss claim a two-game sweep over Oklahoma.
Gonzalez went on to be drafted 15th by the Chicago White Sox in the 2023 MLB draft.
Fast forward to 2024, and Northview shortstop Dean Curley helped Tennessee edge Texas A&M, 2-1, in the three-game championship series.
The Vols fell, 9-5, in Saturday’s series opener.
The boys in black and orange responded with a 4-1 victory on Sunday to force Monday’s winner-take-all scenario in Omaha.
In Monday evening’s title tilt, Tennessee took a 6-1 lead into the eighth inning.
And to their credit, Texas A&M rallied for two runs apiece in the eighth and ninth innings.
But with a 1-and-2 count and the bases empty, Aaron Combs got Ted Burton to chase a curveball to secure a 6-5 victory.
Tennessee went 5-1 in Omaha with two wins over Florida State, two victories against Texas A&M and one versus North Carolina.
They became the first No. 1 seed to secure a series title since 1999.
Curley had at least one hit in each of Tennessee’s six games at the College World Series.
But the true freshman saved his best for the championship series.
Curley went 6-for-12 with two RBIs and one run against the Aggies.
His RBI single in the bottom of the third inning on Monday gave Tennessee a 3-1 lead.
Curley was also the shortstop selected on the all-tournament team, which is listed below.
Congrats to Dean Curley, and his teammate, Chris Stamos, a left-handed pitcher who graduated from St. Francis in 2018.
Dean Curley’s Stats at College World Series:
June 14: 1-for-3 with a walk & one run (Tennessee 12, Florida State 11)
June 16: 1-for-4 with one RBI (Tennessee 6, North Carolina 10
June 19 1-for-4 (Tennessee 7, Florida State 2)
Championship Series:
June 22: 2-for-4 with one RBI (Texas A&M 9, Tennessee 5)
June 23: 2-for-4 with one run (Tennessee 4, Texas A&M 1)
June 24: 2-for-4 with one RBI (Tennessee 6, Texas A&M 5)
2024 Men’s College World Series All-Tournament Team:
Pitcher: Evan Aschenbeck, Texas A&M
Pitcher: Zander Sechrist, Tennessee
Catcher: Jaxson West, Florida State
First Base: Jac Caglianone, Florida
Second Base: Christian Moore, Tennessee
Third Base: Alec Makarewicz, North Carolina State
Shortstop: Dean Curley, Tennessee
Outfield: Dylan Dreiling, Tennessee
Outfield: Jaime Ferrer, Florida State
Outfield: Vance Honeycutt, North Carolina
Designated Hitter: Kaeden Kent, Texas A&M
Record: Tennessee (60-13)
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