Umpire Concussion Delays College World Series Game

The College World Series game between No. 1 Tennessee and No. 4 North Carolina faced a delay on Sunday due to an umpire change. Home plate umpire Kellen Levy suffered a possible concussion after being hit by a foul ball off the bat of Tennessee's Dylan Dreiling. As a result, Scott Cline took over behind the plate, while Grady Smith came in as the alternate umpire.

The incident led to a 17-minute halt in the game as Cline needed to put on the necessary equipment. Levy, who has a history with the Volunteers, previously ejected Drew Gilbert during a game in the 2022 Knoxville Super Regional. Gilbert was suspended for a game following the ejection due to NC rules.

In another instance, Gilbert argued several pitches during the game and was warned by umpire crew chief Billy Van Raaphorst to direct his comments only to his team. However, Gilbert's use of expletives following a strike led to his ejection from the game.

Despite the umpire change and player ejections, Tennessee maintained a 4-1 lead over North Carolina in the bottom of the sixth inning. A victory would see the Volunteers advance to the CWS semifinals out of Bracket 1. However, a loss would relegate them to the loser's bracket, where they would face No. 8 Florida State in an elimination game on Tuesday at 2 p.m. ET.

As the game continues, all eyes are on Tennessee to see if they can secure a spot in the College World Series semifinals. With a strong lead over North Carolina, the Volunteers are poised to make a significant impact in the tournament. The outcome of the game will determine their path moving forward and their chances of ultimately clinching the championship title. Stay tuned for more updates as the College World Series unfolds.