#3 Texas A&M got two runs in the first inning and five more in the third en route to a 9-5 victory over top-ranked Tennessee in the opener of the College World Series in Omaha on Saturday night.
It was the first CWS loss for the Vols and left them in a hole in the best-of-three contest for the national title.
Vols starter Chris Stamos again had a quick exit after yielding a first batter home run by Gavin Grahovac, then a double and a run-scoring single.
AJ Causey was on the mound for a disastrous third inning in which five Aggies crossed the plate. A rally composed of a splurge of singles was aided by an infield Vol throwing error.
A two-run homer over the rightfield fence by Kaeden Kemp, son of former Major League standout Jeff Kent, was another dagger for the Vols. It was his fourth RBI of the night after driving in a pair in the third.
The Vols got home runs from Dylan Dreiling and Hunter Ensley in the seventh to keep their hopes alive.
Tennessee had two on in the ninth when Kavares Tears struck out to end the game.