Tony Vitello reveals what's different about 2024 Tennessee team

Tony Vitello has coached no shortage of talented teams. However, this year’s squad stands out to the Tennessee head coach. During an in-game interview on Friday, Vitello revealed what separates the 2024 Volunteers from teams he’s coached in the past.

“Starting in the fall, they were super close,” Vitello said. “Trust me, there were some incidents along the way in the locker room or out on the field. it’s not hunky dory every day. But there’s good leadership.

“They welcomed the young guys right away and the bond has seemed to get stronger as the spring goes on, which as you know, when you’re playing in our league, it can beat you up. It can kind of go the other way. So, really just the team chemistry.”

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Tennessee’s chemistry has paid dividends. The team entered their SEC Tournament showdown against Mississippi State on Friday with a 47-11 record and a 22-8 mark in conference play, the best in the SEC.

Tennessee has 16 upperclassmen on its roster, each boasting boatloads of experience. The Volunteers reached the College World Series in 2023 and 2021. Further, the program won the SEC regular season title and conference tournament in 2022.

Now, Tennessee has its eyes set on a prize it has not yet achieved under Vitello: a national title. If Tony Vitello and Co. can defeat Mississippi State on Friday evening, it will advance to the SEC Tournament semifinals with a chance to exact revenge on Vanderbilt.

2024 SEC Baseball Tournament bracket, schedule

Tuesday, May 21

Game 1: (11) LSU 9, (6) Georgia 1
Game 2: (10) South Carolina 10, (7) Alabama 5
Game 3: (8) Vanderbilt 6, (9) Florida 3
Game 4: (5) Mississippi State 2, (12) Ole Miss 1

Wednesday, May 22

Game 5: LSU 11, (3) Kentucky 0 (F/8)
Game 6: South Carolina 6, (2 )Arkansas 5
Game 7: Vanderbilt 13, (1) Tennessee 4
Game 8: Mississippi State 5, (4) Texas A&M 3

Thursday, May 23

Game 9: Kentucky 9, Arkansas 6
Game 10: Tennessee 7, Texas A&M 4
Game 11: LSU 11, South Carolina 10
Game 12: Vanderbilt 4 Mississippi State 1

Friday, May 24

Game 13: South Carolina 6, Kentucky 5
Game 14: Tennessee vs. Mississippi State | 30 minutes after Game 13 | SEC Network

Saturday, May 25

Game 15: South Carolina 13 vs. LSU | 12 p.m. | SEC Network
Game 16: Winner Game 14 vs. Vanderbilt | 30 minutes after Game 15 | SEC Network

Sunday, May 26

Game 17 (Championship game): Winner Game 15 vs. Winner Game 16 | 3 p.m. | ESPN2

All times are ET.