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Tennessee

Tony Vitello looking for pitchers to throw strikes, continue to play with grit

IMG_0985by:Griffin McVeigh•06/20/23•

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Tony Vitello, Tennessee Volunteers baseball coach
Tennessee baseball coach Tony Vitello surveys the field during a game on June 10, 2022. (Icon Sportswire / Getty Images)

Tennessee finds itself in a hole against LSU early in Tuesday night’s elimination game. Down 1-0 heading into the fifth inning, head coach Tony Vitello knows this game is far from over. A win is required to advance in the College World Series and keep the dream of winning a national championship alive.

Drew Beam is on the mound for Tennessee, someone Vitello described as consistent. The key for him has been throwing strikes and getting ahead of LSU pitchers. Beam has issued just one walk on the night, coming in the lead-off spot to Dylan Crews.

Thus far, that’s the only runner who has crossed the plate for the Tigers.

“He’s been good,” Vitello said. “He’s usually one of our most consistent performers. The guys like playing behind him. He works quick, throws strikes. The one exception, of course, would be to Crews, who is a dangerous hitter. That’s the only run that’s scored so far this game. So, I think the key is to throw strikes.”

LSU is known for its power, looking to connect with power and hit home runs. Beam has an advantage with the wind blowing in, allowing him to be more aggressive in the zone. More likely than not, the Tigers are not going to be able to get one out, even with their incredible power.

Tony Vitello describes Tennessee team as gritty for comebacks

A theme for Tennessee at times this season and been major comebacks. It’s escalated in the NCAA Tournament, winning games in dramatic fashion after having a larger deficit. Tuesday’s is not too bad, down just one run to LSU. But it’s the grit of his team Vitello loves when getting in these situations.

“I don’t know,” Vitello said. “It makes it more stressful when you do it that way. So, it would be great to get a lead. But I think there’s a lot of fight to them and kind of represents how the season has gone on.

“There’s been moments in the season and gone into a tailspin or given up. But they’ve had a little bit of grit to them. I think that has to be with each game we play too.”

If there is going to be another day of Tennessee baseball, a mini-comeback will have to take place. The grit Vitello loves to talk about with his team will have to once again show in Omaha.