Top 5 best strikeouts of 2024 College World Series ft. Aaron Combs strikeout on Ted Burton
Getting a strikeout is one of the most exciting moments for a pitcher in baseball. It boosts their confidence and increases their team's chances of winning the game.
The College World Series is no stranger to this as some strikeouts in the annual college baseball showcase have become part of its mystique and lore. Here are five of the best strikeouts during the 2024 College World Series at the Charles Schwab Field Omaha in Nebraska.
Top 5 best strikeouts of the 2024 College World Series
#5. Evan Aschenbeck strikes out Ashton Wilson with 2 runners on base - Florida vs Texas A&M (First Round)
The legend of ace closer Evan Aschenbeck in the College World Series began in the first round against Florida. With Texas A&M leading 3-2, Aschenbeck faced Gators' Ashton Wilson with two outs and Michael Robertson (second base) and Jac Caglianone (first base) on base.
Aschenbeck worked a 1-2 count on Wilson before making the batter miss on his fourth delivery for a game-ending strikeout. The punchout preserved the Aggies' 3-2 win over the Gators and moved on to face Kentucky in the second round.
#4. Brandon Neely hurls 6 Ks in 3 innings against NC State - Florida vs NC State (First Round win or go home game)
Florida relief pitcher Brandon Neely had ice in his veins in this crucial game against NC State. With the score standing at 5-4 and Eli Serrano III on first base, Neely replaced Jake Clemente to prevent the Wolfpack from scoring the tying run. The 6-foot-3 junior did what he was asked to do by Gators coach Link Jarrett - to get the final nine outs of the game.
Neely struck out Alec Makarewicz and Brandon Butterworth in the seventh inning. He followed that up with a string of four Ks to Chase Nixon, Noah Soles, Serrano and Garrett Pennington between the eighth and ninth inning that set the stage for the final out of the game, a lineout to Makarewicz.
Florida's win kept them alive in the CWS while handing NC State their second loss and outright elimination from the tournament.
#3. Pierce Coppola fans 3 in the 5th inning to halt Kentucky's rally - Florida vs Kentucky (Second Round win or go home game)
Starting pitcher Pierce Coppola delivered a career game in the most crucial time of the year. Facing Kentucky in an elimination tussle, Coppola struck out nine batters in five innings - both career-highs as he led the Gators to a 15-4 win.
His last inning on the mound was special as he struck out three batters to prevent the Wildcats from orchestrating a rally when they cut the deficit to five following Emilien Pitre's two-run home run.
Coppola's final strikeout of the game was against Ryan Nicholson in a six-pitch at-bat. That set up another Florida rampage, where they scored five more runs at the bottom of the fifth to blow the game away.
#2. Evan Aschenbeck's 7 Ks on Tennessee in 2.2 innings gives Texas A&M 1-0 lead in CWS final - Texas A&M vs Tennessee (CWS Final Game 1)
Coach Jim Schlossnagle always depended on Evan Aschenbeck in clutch situations. In Game 1 of the CWS final against Tennessee, who cut the deficit to four runs after scoring three in the seventh inning, Schlossnagle summoned Aschenbeck from the bullpen to close the side.
The left-hander punched out Kavares Tears and Dean Curley to stop the Volunteers' rampage. In the eighth, he struck out Dalton Bargo and Christian Moore to keep the Aggies afloat. Aschenbeck, however, showed signs of mortality in the ninth as he allowed consecutive hits from Billy Amick and Dylan Dreiling.
With Amick threatening on third base, the 6-foot-2 closer adjusted gears and struck out Hunter Ensley and Tears (for the second time) to hand the Aggies a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three finals series.
#1. Aaron Combs Ks Ted Burton to help Tennessee win their first-ever national championship - Tennessee vs Texas A&M (CWS Final Game 3)
Tennessee relief pitcher Aaron Combs became part of national championship lore when he delivered the final out of the 2024 College World Series. With Texas A&M threatening to tie the game, Combs shut the door with his game-winning strikeout off Ted Burton to give the Volunteers their first-ever title and cap a dominant season where they finished 60-13.
The pitcher could have cost the championship in the ninth for Tennessee as he allowed Jackson Appel to score on a wild pitch that reduced the Volunteers' lead to 6-5. One play before, Appel singled to score Gavin Grahovac home and cut the deficit to 4-6.
Combs gathered and composed himself against Burton and threw his fourth pitch against the first baseman, who swung and missed, causing pandemonium from the Volunteers' side of the field.
It was Combs' sixth save of the season for the Vols and it came when the game was on the line.
Which other strikeout moment in the 2024 College World Series deserves to be in the Top 5? Let us know in the comments section.