OMAHA, Neb. — Zander Sechrist will get his wish.
The former Flowery Branch standout put on a clinic for six innings, holding Florida State to just three hits to help propel Tennessee into its first College World Series finals since 1951 on Wednesday. The senior lefty went 6 1/3 innings, surrendering just two runs on five hits and fanning three in the Vols' 7-2 win at Charles Schwab Stadium.
It was Sechrist's first-ever start in Omaha as part of three Tennessee CWS teams over the past four years. Sechrist (5-1) came into the game 3-0 in his previous four starts with an 0.78 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 23 innings. His scoreless streak in the NCAA Tournament ended at 17 1/3 innings when Daniel Cantu and Alex Lodise hit back-to-back homers in the seventh.
Relievers Kirby Connell and Nate Snead pitched the final 2 2/3 innings giving up just two hits to preserve the win.
"It felt good to get out there and do my job," Sechrist texted after the on-field celebration. "It’s been a long time since the Vols have been in the Championship so to pitch in a game like this was surreal."
Tennessee, the No. 1 overall seed, moves to Friday's championship series and will await the winner of the Texas A&M-Florida matchup later on Wednesday. The Aggies need just one win to get into the finals.
The Vols scored three runs in the top of the first to jump out to a quick lead to give Sechrist some early breathing room. They added single runs in the second, fourth, seventh, and ninth innings to pull away.
The Vols knocked out FSU starter John Abraham in the first. Abraham took the loss, getting just one out and giving up three runs on two hits and two walks.
Blake Burke had three hits, including a home run, and two RBI to lead the Tennessee offense.
The loss for FSU saw former Branch teammate Andrew Armstrong miss out on a chance at the championship series.
Sechrist had some heartfelt words for his friend and former high school teammate.
"I want to shout out to Andrew for making it to the College World Series and shoving [to pitch with exceptional focus and effectiveness] in his outing (on Tuesday)," Sechrist said. "We saw each other when leaving and I almost shed a tear. I can’t thank that man enough for being a brother and a good teammate to me!"
(The Associated Press contributed to this story.)
