Tony Vitello praises atmosphere, disappointed team didn't play to capabilities

Following Tennessee’s 8-6 loss in the opening game of the Knoxville super-regional, Vols coach Tony Vitello didn’t have anything “profound” to share. However, he did single out the fans to credit them for a raucous atmosphere during the game.

Vitello praised the student presence, referring to them as the “crazies” during his press conference. He said he hated to lose when “everybody is packing the house.” Then Vitello further praised the crown, saying that fans in the stands gave “as much energy as we ask our guys to give on the field.” High words from the coach.

He said that when his team lets down fans who were that excited, he feels “a little disappointed” as a coach. Though you could point to several areas where Tennessee didn’t play well on Friday, the group belongs to Coach Vitello. His team’s disappointment vs. Notre Dame is also his own.

In his assessment of the first game of the super-regional , Vitello was brief. “They played well and we didn’t,” the Vols coach summarized. Though he urged fans to bring their all once again on Saturday in the stands. His team could sure use the boost and he expects they’ll provide folks with a better performance their next time out.

Tony Vitello reveals thoughts on Drew Gilbert passion, validity of ejection

Tennessee center fielder Drew Gilbert earned an ejection in the fifth inning of Tennessee’s loss to Notre Dame on Friday. At his third at bat of the day, the plate umpire called a strike one which Gilbert disagreed with. He admonished the ump, sharing some expletives to express his anger at the call. The plate official had enough of Gilbert’s tantrum and threw him out of the game for good, which also means Gilbert misses all of the next game too — Saturday’s game two of the super-region vs. Notre Dame.

Reporters asked Vols coach Tony Vitello after the game about Gilbert’s outburst and ejection. As to whether the call to eject Gilbert was correct or not, Vitello explained that a call of that nature is up to “their discretion,” meaning it’s all in the eye of the beholder. But the coach noted that Gilbert had said something to the refs and that’s why he was kicked out.