Tony Vitello shares his thoughts after Tennessee wins 2024 SEC Baseball Tournament Championship

The No. 1 seed Tennessee Volunteers played like it in the 2024 SEC Baseball Tournament. Even though they might have had some anxious moments in the ninth inning, the Volunteers closed the deal with a 4-3 victory over the LSU Tigers, bringing home the fifth SEC Tournament crown in program history and their second in the past three seasons. Billy Amick’s three-run home run in the top of the third inning was the play of the game that put Tennessee ahead for good. Following the win, Vols head coach Tony Vitello shared his thoughts with Kris Budden on the field.

What’s made this group so special?

“Mature. I think there’s a good foundation of a year that seemed like nothing could go wrong in 2022. And last year where it just got off to a poor start and a lot of things went wrong. And I think there’s a lot of valuable lessons. Successes are going on and also difficulties. And you’ve got a good little melting pot of gumbo, if I could say that. With all the fans we got here. This served us pretty well,” Vitello explained.

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Tony Vitello loves the atmosphere around the program

What has it meant for Vitello to help restore the glory in Tennessee baseball?

“It just means a lot to me in more of a place where the whole state revolves around everything that’s going on with the university. When I grew up, my dad’s high school was like that. It just seemed like everybody rallied around everybody and the high school flag was the biggest thing going. And I was jealous of some other programs that were out there like that that you could compete against or see on TV. And I guess, living the dream being a part of it,” Vitello said.

The Tony Vitello effect has been real for Tennessee baseball. Under his guidance, the Volunteers have three 50-win seasons. Then under all the other head coaches in Volunteer baseball history, the program has had just two 50-win seasons.

Tennessee pitcher Dylan Loy had an impressive showing on Sunday, tossing a career-high scoreless 4.2 innings and throwing five strikeouts. At one point, he retired seven batters in a row. Volunteer first baseman Blake Burkey was named MVP of the 2024 SEC Baseball Tournament. Tennessee catcher Cal Stark also made one of the most ridiculous throws of the tournament, when he picked off a Tigers runner at first base, getting the Vols out of a bases loaded jam.