Tony Vitello sends message to players not open to new roles: 'You don't want to play, go home'

Tennessee defeated Indiana State 12-1 in a midweek matchup ahead of this weekend’s rivalry series against Vanderbilt. 15 different players were given the opportunity at the plate during the blowout victory.

With Tennessee’s talent running deep through its roster, there are multiple players who received plate appearances that aren’t in the Volunteers’ everyday lineup. Although several players who don’t normally appear in the batting order saw action, head coach Tony Vitello explained how he tries to navigate playing everyone who deserves time at the plate when NCAA rules dictate the Volunteers turning in a set lineup before each game.

“I think if anything, like on a situation like tonight, you don’t want somebody to get left without an at-bat or an appearance that you wanted, or you kind of want to spread the jam on the toast evenly, but that’s not going to work out either,” Vitello explained. “So yeah, at the end of the day, you just want everybody to be excited for the team to play, and excited for the team if we win, and then the rest is just kind of detailed. So I don’t see that as a big thing, and I think it’s a cop out too. I’ve coached a guy a long time ago that wanted to cry in his Wheaties every day he was in a new position.

“If you don’t want to play, go home. I would have killed to play. I had to sit there and watch. So regardless of where you’re at or what inning you go in and stuff like that, these kids are pretty blessed. Heck, they’re blessed with just the food they’re getting delivered right now for post game spread.”

Vitello likely expects his team to take that mindset to heart and to be a team player. To take nothing for granted.

Looking ahead, the Volunteers will look to capitalize on its midweek success and use it on Vanderbilt when the Commodores come to Lindsey Nelson Stadium for a three-game set beginning on Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET and will air live on the SEC Network.

It will be the panultimate regular season series for Tennessee, who will round out the regular season in Fayetteville against the Arkansas Razorbacks. After that, the Vols will look to repeat as SEC tournament champions — not to mention winning potential back-to-back national titles for the first time in program history.