Tony Vitello explains why Tennessee remained confident in Cal Stark through struggles in Omaha

Tennessee Volunteers catcher Cal Stark has been on a cold streak since getting to Omaha and the College World Series. However, head coach Tony Vitello has stuck with him to this point and is planning on sticking with him moving forward.

Ahead of a must-win game in the College World Series final that will determine the national champion, Vitello explained why he’s remained confident in Stark despite those struggles that he’s been going through.

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“Similar, same answer, without getting too dramatic on you is he’s a ball player,” Tony Vitello said. “And he’s an unbelievable kid. And he’s so sound defensively. [Cannon] Peebles does it different. You could argue he can match up with Cal with some certain things.”

It’s been a struggle for Stark at the plate. Since getting to Omaha, he’s played in five games and gone just one for 17 at the plate while walking three times. He’s also scored three runs during the College World Series.

In many ways, Vitello sticking with Stark has already paid off for Tennessee. He had a massive home run in the Game 2 win over Texas A&M that gave the Volunteers a 4-1 lead late in the game.

“But Cal has been our guy for a couple of years,” Vitello said. “And he’s experienced so much and he knows how to work or orchestrate a game from behind that position and be that leader. I don’t know, he’s our Jake Taylor, I guess.”

Catcher is never a position that’s expected to put up massive offensive numbers with how important the pitching and defensive side of the ball can be to manage. Still, Cal Stark had been underperforming by his standards in Omaha on the offensive side of the ball. This season, he’s hitting .209 in 52 games with a .350 OBP and a .515 slugging percentage. He has 11 home runs and 30 RBIs.

Now, it looks like Tony Vitello is ready to once again go with Cal Stark as his catcher in the final game of the season on Monday night.

Cal Stark explains pivotal home run in Game 2 of CWS Finals vs. Texas A&M

Following Game 2 of the College World Series, Cal Stark explained his pivotal late-game home run.

“A lot of emotions, you know. Wanted to come through for my teammates. Obviously, I haven’t had the best series. Just trying to keep grinding. Keep grinding at the plate. Knowing that I just need to keep putting good swings on balls and you know, good things will happen. Just have a good quality at-bat for the team and that was one right there. I mean, a lot of confidence for tomorrow. I can’t say enough good things about them. You know, [Drew] Beam, that was a heck of a start from him. And then [Aaron] Combs, I think that’s the most pitches he’s thrown in I don’t know how long. So, to have that coming out of the bullpen right behind Drew was unbelievable and much needed,” Stark said.

“It feels pretty dang good. You know, we’ve got a lot of work left to do. You know, we’ve got to play nine innings of ball tomorrow against a really good team. And I mean, Game 3, final game of the year. What else could you want?”