It was on Monday night, 24th June 2024, the day when the Tennessee Volunteers baseball team finally broke the shackles. Christian Moore, Tennesee baseman, wasted no time to get his team back on track in the 3rd game against Texas A&M. Surprisingly, it sent the NFL Hall of Famer Peyton Manning into a frenzy back in the stands. The former QB knew the feeling of losing some very close games. Similar was the case with the Volunteers, who had failures heading into the 2024 season. Finally, the Vols bucked the trend on Monday night after winning their National Championship. Since 1998, it was the very first one for them in men’s sports!

Especially with Manning present, the alma mater, for the Tennessee side, it made the victory a little sweeter. This is the 60th win for the Vols, which became the first-ever college baseball team to reach this mark since Wichita State won the series in 1989. After the match, praising the Vols lads for the ultimate victory, Peyton Manning joyfully had a word of mouth with the reporters, saying, “I sat up there with (basketball coach) Rick Barnes and (football coach) Josh Heupel tonight and watched this. I’m telling you, this is not the last. Tennessee is coming in all sports. This is a special night, but this is the first of several to come. I really believe that.”

Eventually, it was Christian Moore who smashed a leadoff homer, bringing a smile of victory to the face of Peyton Manning. On paper, the Aggies had an upper hand in the pitching staff. But, when it was a fight on the field, the Tennessee pitchers showed a dominant run throughout the game. On the other hand, Texas A&M could not handle the pressure as they went scoreless in their final two innings. Despite putting their two batters on base in the ninth inning, they failed to capitalize at that moment, losing 6-5 against the Vols. 

Tennessee baseball parade fever is ‘on’ for the Gay Street in Knoxville!

After winning the first National Championship and celebrating on the field, the fever seems to transit off the field. The Tennessee Vols are bringing the gold back to Knoxville, and the fans are invited to attend the event. ‘Welcome the Champions Vols home following an Orange parade at 6:30 PM on June 25, 2024’- this was the announcement. The parade that started from the Gay Street Bridge marched down to Wall Avenue. Then it turned into Market Square for the celebration. 

 Of course, a parade without music might be boring. Well, to make the fans dance to the moves, famous DJ Steri was there to entertain the crowd. Additionally, the fans got a chance to hear from the Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics, Danny White, Peyton Manning, head baseball coach Tony Vitello, Voice of the Vols Baseball, John Wilkerson, and other team players. Fans who cannot participate can livestream the event on SEC Network+, Tennesse Athletics YouTube channel, or the SEC network.

In the end, the future is not in the player’s hands, but the ever-waited victory for the Tennesse Vols is something Peyton Manning and the team will cherish for a very long time. How did you celebrate? Let us know in the comments below.