A.J. Russell explains emotions of playing in College World Series

Tennessee freshman A.J. Russell was thrown into a big-time situation Tuesday night against LSU in the College World Series.

With the Vols trailing 2-0 in the sixth inning and LSU threatening for more, Russell got Alex Milazzo to pop out to first base with a pair of runners in scoring position. The righty came back out for the seventh inning and pitched a perfect frame. He retired all four batters he faced on the night.

Russell spoke after the game about the emotions of pitching at the College World Series and how he handled it.

“I thought everything was working pretty well. It was a short warm up but just going out there, just trying to breath and bring myself down to a normal heart rate, stuff like that,” A.J. Russell said. “Just really focused on breathing. Me and Cal. And it all just kind of worked out.”

Cal Stark, who is Tennessee’s catcher, did his best to keep Russell calm and it worked. Unfortunately for the Vols, the offense couldn’t get anything going.

Tennessee managed only six hits and no runs against the Tigers as the Vols were eliminated from the CWS.

Still, it was a good experience for Russell and something he can build on heading into the 2024 season and beyond. Russell finished his freshman season with a 2-0 record and a 0.89 ERA. He struck out 47 batters in 30 1/3 innings pitched.

Tony Vitello admits frustration in offensive struggles against LSU

While Russell did his job by keeping Tennessee in the game, the offense didn’t do its part against the two lefties LSU threw.

Head coach Tony Vitello admitted after the game that he was frustrated with his team’s offensive struggles against LSU.

“I don’t think so,” Vitello said when asked if the team pressed offensively. “I think there was more frustration at times than we’ve had as of late. Maybe a word I can’t say up here, or two, like that.”

LSU shut out Tennessee 5-0. However, the Volunteers did have their chances to win the game. That included loading the bases in the seventh inning before letting LSU off the hook. In total, Tennessee got seven players on base but couldn’t bring them around.

“But that was just because guys were trying and it was a tight game. So, each pitch you could feel a little bit, but I mean certainly in pregame and at the start of the game, there wasn’t moments of tension,” Vitello said.

“You know, when I referenced mistakes, they really made us pay on walks and then defensive mistakes, and even when we don’t field that bunt, I mean everything was all good. We make a mistake later and you knew the guy was gonna come up to the plate. I was just dying somebody would be on base for him because you knew he was gonna respond. That’s just what he does.”