Tony Vitello opens up on what it means to see Tennessee reach College World Series

Tennessee earned their right to make an appearance in the College World Series with their 5-0 shutout victory over Southern Miss. Still, although the Vols are headed to Omaha for the sixth time ever, Tony Vitello couldn’t help but think about it through the lens of what his 2022 team wasn’t able to accomplish.

Vitello praised his team’s achievement following the clinching win in the Hattiesburg Super Regional. It meant even more considering last year’s Volunteers, who went 57-9, weren’t able to capitalize in a similar opportunity against Notre Dame last June.

“We were a little short last year from going to the World Series,” Vitello said. “And the thing that was missing in my mind and was very painful for me the rest of the summer? I can handle a loss, the other coaches can handle a loss. It was an epic year but it was a weird weekend.”

With that said, it doesn’t matter how you get there in the end. Getting in is the only goal and, at 43-20, this year’s Volunteer’s were able to do so exactly that. They picked up their berth for Charles Schwab Field by winning their last two games of their series against the Golden Eagles by a combined score of 13-4.

However, as sweet as it was to reach the final stage, Vitello also expressed regret that the program wasn’t able to make this happen in front of their loyal fans back on Rocky Top.

“I wish we could have done this in Knoxville in front of our fans. They’ve meant a lot to us. But it’s a challenge to win in the postseason,” said Vitello. “We had to go do it on the road. No one wants to hear it but there’s a lot of difficult circumstances that this group has overcome. And I’m proud of it.”

Considering this will be the Vol’s second trip to Omaha in three years, I’d be willing to bet that those clad in orange will be willing to forgive him for not sealing the deal in Knoxville. They’ll be even more willing to do so too if Tennessee can open the final stretch of the season strong when the first pitch against LSU comes on Saturday at 7 p.m. EST on ESPN.

Vitello delivers immense praise for Southern Miss coach Scott Berry

Tennessee won the war on Monday night to advance to Men’s College World Series. However, after the win, Volunteers head coach Tony Vitello had nothing but praise for the opposing general.

“[Scott Berry] this year and other years, is one that everybody needs to look to,” Vitello said during the postgame press conference. “The coach part is real good but the person part is way better.”

Southern Miss‘ 5-0 loss to Tennessee was Golden Eagles head coach Scott Berry’s final game leading the program. Berry was the head coach at Southern Miss for 14 years. He finished with a 482-256-1 record, making him the winningest coach in program history.

Unfortunately for Golden Eagles fans, the baseball mastermind couldn’t carry Southern Miss to a victory on Sunday night. Instead of gloating after win, the Volunteers gave Berry a round of applause as he walked off the field for the final time.

Vitello discussed the rare moment after the contest.

“It’s hard. I mean you have to celebrate and then you catch yourself, and then you want to celebrate more, and then you catch yourself,” Vitello said. “Any other team would have done it, and the fans and the players, of course, appreciate him too.”

Now, Vitello hopes he can learn from the special moment.

“That’s the definition of a champion,” Vitello said.