Tony Vitello addresses Blake Burke ejection vs. Illinois

Tennessee baseball coach Tony Vitello had some interesting thoughts after first baseman Blake Burke was ejected Sunday vs. Illinois. The ejection occurred in the fifth inning after Burke hit a home run to make it a 3-2 game in favor of the Fighting Illini.

Burke appeared to exchange words with the Illinois catcher as he crossed home plate, causing the umpire to toss him. The Vols went on to win 8-3 after scoring five runs in the seventh inning to pull away.

Addressing the ejection postgame, Vitello noted that both teams received a warning for unsportsmanlike conduct prior. However, he admitted that Burke could have handled the situation better.

“Well there had already been an unsportsmanlike conduct that was issued when both catchers were talking to each other during [Camden] Janik’s at-bat,” Vitello said. “Blake hit the home run and when he crossed home plate, I don’t know what he was saying but he was clearly talking to the catcher about the home run or telling him about it. Which he’s a smart enough guy, he could see where the ball landed. There’s no need to do that so I don’t necessarily agree with Blake’s approach or some of our other guys’ approach in certain situations and how they handled it.”

Burke will also miss Tuesday’s contest against Eastern Kentucky as a result of the ejection. He will return Friday when Tennessee opens up SEC play against Alabama.

Burke finished the game 1-for-2 at the plate with his home run being his only hit of the afternoon. Dalton Bargo replaced him at first base and later scored a run in the victory.

Continuing, Vitello noted that Illinois starting Jake Schwartz often threw a “quick pitch” in Sunday’s contest, comparing it to bat flips as being equally dangerous.

“I also don’t agree with how we got to that whole spot,” he said. “It was not necessary. We’ll come out of today being the bad guys and maybe something gets posted and you see Blake Burke got thrown out and he’s a bad guy. I don’t remember back then anybody throwing baseballs, 90 MPH objects at guys when they’re not looking at it, but it started about six years ago. Our guys are guilty of doing it. I’m not calling out there guy. He’s doing what he’s got to do. We saw his video last night— he’s going to be really good. He’s already good as a young sophomore so I’m not calling him out but I don’t get that whole trend.

“I’m not a rule maker and I’m not smart enough to and I haven’t been doing this long enough— they should rely on the older guys in the conference that know that stuff. But I think before bat flips let’s— I wouldn’t want Ben Joyce throwing at me when I’m not looking at it. That’s not good for anybody. One kid gets hit in the face kind of like the Evansville kid did when I was back in college and maybe someone will pay attention to it but it just doesn’t make sense to me.”

Burke had been playing well entering Sunday’s contest, as his home run marked the eighth straight game he has had at least one hit. He finished the weekend 5-for-9 at the plate with three doubles and six RBIs.

Tennessee improved to 16-1 on the young season and next faces Eastern Kentucky at 6 p.m. ET on Tuesday.