Tony Vitello shares emotions of playing for a College World Series berth in front of father

The Tennessee Volunteers and Tony Vitello found themselves in a battle with Southern Miss for a College World Series berth. Adding to the emotions of the day for Vitello on Sunday — the presence of his father, Greg Vitello in the stands. Greg Vitello continues to serve as an inspiration for Tony Vitello, according to the Volunteers coach during the game, being a legendary coach in the St. Louis area in his own right.

Tony Vitello discusses College World Series confidence

After the fifth inning of their second showdown, Vitello spoke with the broadcast team about how “nobody said it would be easy” for them this season. Tennessee jumped out with a six-run explosion in the fourth inning before adding another two runs in the fifth — giving them a 8-4 lead.

“No it isn’t,” answered Vitello. “And with that we kind of had to find our way through the course of the season. We certainly had to find our way through this whole deal now. I will say this about our club, we got a kind of a fresh, strange start to today.

“And even though we didn’t win that first game, the mindset was right. Guys came out and played, we just didn’t get it done against their closer. But we’re in the middle of a new one and it’s the same thing. It’s probably the same thing going across the country, that’s why it’s fun and you guys gotta cover all these games.”

Vitello was then asked about his dad being in attendance and how much it meant to him — leading him to joke that his father was going to let him have it if the Volunteers bats didn’t come alive.

“It means our guys better get after it or I’m gonna hear about it. Nah, admittedly I looked up — normally I don’t look in the stands because I’m gonna hear some not-so-nice stuff. But I looked up right before the start of that continuation game and got to see him up there, and it reminds you to do it like he did. He was pretty good at it, and he had a lot of principle about him and I’ve always looked up to him.”

Luckily for Tennessee, they wouldn’t hear too much from Greg Vitello after their performance in the second game. The Volunteers held their lead to finish with a 8-4 final score to tie the series at 1-1. Chase Dollander nearly went the distance on the mound as he earned the win, only being pulled in the ninth inning after giving up a leadoff walk.