Tony Vitello encouraged by Tennessee's experience entering Super Regionals

No. 1 seed Tennessee is set to host Evansville in the Knoxville Super Regional in a best-of-three series beginning on Friday evening inside Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

The Volunteers have been in this position before, hosting a Super Regional against an underdog with a trip to the Men’s College World Series on the line. With all signs pointing toward the Vols making their way to Omaha next week, head coach Tony Vitello explained why he believes his team’s experience in postseason play aids Tennessee heading into the series.

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“Billy’s (Amick) kind of been a part of it from a different angle. Some other guys are like that, too Cannon (Peebles), you kind of see what it looks like and you know how to navigate through situations a little better if you have experienced them,” Vitello said of his roster. ” But I think really for the dugout and the whole from our side, you lean so heavily on our preparation from our league, from being in Hoover and then last weekend, it’s different. You know, it’s different. 

“Even though you just got done with the conference tournament, the regional’s different, the NCAA now is running it instead of the SEC. And there are little subtle differences that you need to get outta your comfort zone and adjust to. And I’m a big routine guy. I want our guys to have routines, but you’re gonna have to adjust them this time of year to things that are a little quirky because it is the NCAA tournament.”

Vitello believes that Tennessee’s experience gives them an advantage in controlling the adrenaline and intensity of the game. He pointed to the Vols’ home-field crowds helping them in that sense. Being back inside Lindsey Nelson Stadium for a second-straight weekend in a playoff environment will only help Tennessee down the stretch in the Knoxville Super Regional.

However, Vitello was sure to point out at least one negative example from last weekend that he doesn’t want to replicate against the Aces. In the regional final against Southern Miss, the Golden Eagles led Tennessee 3-2 after five innings.

“Our guys were a little too amped up about finishing the job or whatever cliche you want to throw out there,” he continued. “And for about three or four innings there was a little too much tension. So whether it’s try hard or tension or too much adrenaline, those are things that come with the nature of it being a postseason game and playing at home in front of a juiced-up crowd.

“So our guys need to enjoy it ’cause they’ve worked hard to get here and then they just need to play ball.”

The first pitch between Tennessee and Evansville is scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m. ET. Game one of the best of three series will be aired at on ESPN2.