Tony Vitello talks the pitching battle vs. Southern Miss, how Tennessee can capitalize when it gets on base

As we get to the fifth inning of the deciding Game 3 of a Super Regional series between Tennessee and Southern Miss, there hasn’t been much separation so far. The Vols managed an early run in the second inning and currently hold a 1-0 advantage.

The pitching battle between Tennessee’s Drew Beam and Southern Miss’ Niko Mazza has provided plenty of entertainment, with a combined 11 strikeouts between them so far. Vols coach Tony Vitello joined the ESPNU broadcast to provide his thoughts on how both pitchers and the defenses behind them have stepped up.

“Both guys have been good,” he said. “It’s obviously an intense atmosphere. You’ve got guys digging in the box, getting after it, but both guys are throwing the ball really well. I think both defenses are locked in behind our guys as well. So you guys are getting your money’s worth.”

Although Tennessee managed a run in the second inning, it also ended with two runners left on base. The Vols again left two stranded in the third inning, as well as one to close the fourth, all with just that one run to show for it.

Vitello opened up on what he’s seen from Mazza that has prevented to Volunteers from capitalizing on those chances, as well as how he believes they can combat it.

“When he gets in trouble, he’s gotten our guys to chase a little bit,” he said. “I think we’ve gotten the guys on because we’ve either been disciplined in the box or get deep in the count and just kind of fight a little bit. A couple guys either chased out of the zone or got a little too big with the swings. So I think to get him in the zone and then swing the opposite of the way I used to swing.”

It didn’t take long for the Volunteers to answer their coach, as Zane Denton connected for a three-RBI home run in the bottom of the fifth. That put the Volunteers up 4-0 heading into the sixth, and they’ll hope to hang on to that lead as they look to punch their ticket to the College World Series.

It’s certainly not over yet, though, as we saw Southern Miss blow a 4-0 lead on Sunday. That in mind, it’s crucial that Beam and the defense keep up their impressive play as Tennessee looks to close the series out on top.