Tony Vitello, Peyton Manning share touching moment following CWS victory

Tennessee legend Peyton Manning got to celebrate with Volunteers’ baseball coach Tony Vitello on the field following the College World Series win. The Volunteers beat Texas A&M 6-5 in Game 3.

The boys in Knoxville orange were crowned national champs for the first time in school history. Manning was on hand to watch Tennessee, his alma mater win it all in Omaha.

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You can see the two celebrate below.

Peyton Manning and Tony Vitello celebrate the championship on the ESPN Trophy presentation broadcast. via ESPN. ⁦@rockytopinsider⁩ pic.twitter.com/dzlJs1pBwY

— Ric Butler (@Ric_Butler) June 25, 2024

Heck, Manning probably knew it was going to be a great day when he celebrated the lead off home run with Morgan Wallen.

Before his guys chose to drench him in electrolytes, Vitello had been talking up his guys, who had just won the 60th game of Tennessee’s season. Obviously, it was a team effort all the way through.

“Kids are tough these days, these guys will do whatever you ask them to do,” Vitello said postgame. “I don’t really know what happened the last pitch, but I know our fans got us through that tough inning. … Incredible group of guys. Team chemistry — Just be a good teammate if you’re listening. If you’re in the SEC, you’re going to be a superstar player but you need to be a good teammate and that’s where these guys were.”

It was the bottom of the seventh inning that truly separated the Vols from the Aggies. Dylan Dreiling’s bat was hot after recording an RBI his last time out. He was able to just send the ball over the fence over the outstretched arms of Texas A&M’s outfield and into the bullpen to score two more runs for Vitello’s squad.

Kavares Tears almost matched Dreiling’s effort two batters later, but wind forced the ball to remain inside the park and fell for an RBI double. All of a sudden, Tennessee boasted a five-run lead heading into the eighth inning.

Texas A&M gave Tennessee its best shot over the next two innings, however. The Aggies were able to score four runs between the eighth and ninth innings to make things interesting. Despite its best effort, Texas A&M struck out on its final opportunity to win it all which left Vitello and crew celebrating.

Tennessee fans from Omaha all the way back home in Knoxville will be celebrating the historic win deep into the night. As the party begins, the Vols can rest assured knowing they’ve been one of, if not the best team in baseball since the 2024 college season began, led by Vitello.