Tony Vitello explains differences in Drew Beam's numbers at home vs. on road

Tennessee pitcher Drew Beam has been really good for most of the season. But when the righty has struggled in 2023, it has been on the road.

The latest example of that came Sunday when Beam allowed seven earned runs in a 9-4 loss at Georgia.

Beam surrendered 10 hits and four home runs against the Bulldogs as Tennessee dropped the rubber game of the series.

After Saturday’s performance against Georgia, Beam has allowed 13 earned runs in his past two road starts. He surrendered the 13 earned runs in only six combined innings of work.

During his past two home starts — both wins — Beam allowed only one run each against Vanderbilt and Mississippi State.

Beam held Vandy to only one run in 6 1/3 innings pitched, while Mississippi State scored just one run in seven innings. Vols coach Tony Vitello was asked following Sunday’s loss to Georgia why Beam has been so much better at home than on the road this season.

“You know, I don’t know, because it wasn’t the case last year,” Vitello said. “And that’s a bigger sample size at this point, at least by one weekend.”

So far this season, Beam has allowed 24 runs, including 14 earned runs in 13 innings on the road, compared to 16 runs and 12 earned runs in 40 innings at home. Beam’s ERA on the road is 9.69, compared to 2.69 at home.

In 2022, Beam’s home and road splits were not drastically different the way they are this season.

“For me, he’s given us a chance to win every time out,” Vitello said. “Just the last two weekends – this weekend and then the previous time we were on the road – didn’t have his best stuff and also had some unfortunate things happen.”

Tony Vitello accepts blame for not pitching Tennessee freshman AJ Russell earlier

While Beam struggled on Sunday, Tennessee freshman AJ Russell did not.

Russell pitched well in relief for Tennessee, holding Georgia to only one run in 3 1/3 innings of work, but the damage was already done.

Vitello said after the game that he regretted not going to Russell earlier after Beam allowed eight runs (seven earned) in 4 1/3 innings of work.

“He’s good,” Vitello said of Russell. “Should’ve brought him in the game earlier. That’s my mistake. But he’s good. And he’s also building a little confidence.”

Russell has only allowed three earned runs all season in 23 innings pitched. He is 2-0 on the year with a 1.17 ERA and has 36 strikeouts, to only six walks. Russell has pitched like one of the top relievers in the SEC as of late. Opponents are hitting only .095 against him on the year.

“You can kind of see a little bit more relaxation and a little bit more swagger, whatever you want to call it, as he gets out there more and more often,” Vitello said. “He’s always been a kid that’s blessed with good composure, or at least he pays attention to that category, maybe, and has good composure, as well.”