Tony Vitello credits Chase Burns for embracing bullpen role

In an elimination game against Stanford, the Tennessee Volunteers found themselves on the ropes. So, head coach Tony Vitello turned to starting pitcher Chase Burns out of the bullpen.

Burns dominated the Cardinal, pitching six shutout innings as Tennessee came from behind to win. After that game, Vitello praised Burns for his willingness to embrace a role out of the bullpen and help the team any way he possibly could.

“He’s a pro,” Vitello said. “Normally, when you get a freshman they’re kind of out of sorts. They don’t have routines. I kept saying it last year because he kept doing great things last year. I had to answer a lot of questions about him. We didn’t know we were getting what we got his freshman year. And it’s more of a compliment to him than anything. We knew we were getting a great arm, great stuff. We were fortunate enough he decided to go to college instead of sign. But we didn’t know he was going to be that mature.”

As Vitello explained, Burns is unique from other pitchers in his approach. This makes him a pro in the body of a sophomore.

“He thinks he’s like an infielder or outfielder — he’s not that good — but his PFP was really good. His routines were already polished. He’s a pro. I think when he’s been asked to handle different situations, you know, he’s TBA last year in the Super Regional. But we start him, he goes seven innings and is incredible then. That falls under the umbrella of pro,” Vitello said.

“And the Vanderbilt series is one that local media talks about. He changed the vibe in the stands with the media, with our fans not at the game, in the dugout, with our team, that particular instance.”

Attitude and mentality are one thing. However, you still need the talent to be successful in this kind of situation and Burns is definitely talented.

“But the rest, to be honest with you, I file under the category of he’s one of the best pitchers on the planet, amateur status, and he’s just getting us outs because, again, we’ve got a starter. And it will be interesting, if we can keep playing ball, it will be interesting when his next lump of innings comes. Does it come at the beginning of the game or the middle or at the end?”

Tony Vitello reflected on his first Omaha win

For all of his success at Tennessee, Tony Vitello had not won a game in Omaha until surviving Stanford on Monday. It was a milestone moment for him and for the Tennessee program, which hadn’t won a game there since 2001.

“Yeah, I mean, anytime there’s a bridge to the history? It’s a big deal for us. We invested a lot of time, researched Coach [Rod] Delmonico’s time in Rocky Top. And the 2005 team. But also [Chris] Burke’s team and Todd Helton’s group. They helped us a bunch. Anything that excites us that serves as a bridge and the success in the past. Tennessee in general, Pat Summitt, proud tradition,” Vitello said.

“For today, to be honest with you? Our little theme we’ve had all year long, because of tough times, is just keep moving forward. This is one more day we get to keep moving forward. And a win is nice. But you need more than one win at this place to get too excited about wins. It’s more about this group getting to be together another day or two and hopefully even more than that. But I don’t know if they agree with me in August and September, like, yeah, let’s do whatever we’ve got to do to hang out a little bit more. But the team has come together. And I speak for them that we’ll take another hour together if we can.”