Vols pitcher Chase Burns brings 102 MPH heat and overflowing emotion

Tennessee Volunteers pitcher Chase Burns throws gas. During the Super Regional against Southern Miss, he touched 102 MPH to get out of a jam before having an emotional release on the mound.

There were runners on the corners and two outs. At the time, Tennessee was holding onto a 4-0 lead in the 7th inning. With a 1-2 count, Burns brought some high heat to beat the Southern Miss batter, who had no chance at catching up to the fastball.

After getting out of the jam, Chase Burns let the emotions flow through him. He screamed out and fist pumped as he walked off the mound, even making a throat slash motion. Once he got back to the dugout, he kept screaming and even spiked his glove to celebrate.

102 MPH & PITCHING WITH EMOTION 🔥🔥🔥@Vol_Baseball x @ChaseBurns20 pic.twitter.com/IYmCdAx3pv

— D1Baseball (@d1baseball) June 13, 2023

In a sport that used to frown upon showing too much emotion, it’s great to see someone celebrate without it being seen as an issue. After all, it’s not like he tried to show up anyone on Southern Miss. He was celebrating his accomplishment while moving toward his dugout.

And who can blame Burns for that emotion? Coming out of the bullpen and throwing gas in a dangerous situation during a Super Regional has to be an incredible feeling.

Tennessee held on to beat Southern Miss 5-0 and won the Super Regional in the process. That means that the Vols are on their way to Omaha. After getting upset by Notre Dame during the 2022 Super Regional, it has to be a cathartic release for the team.

Tennessee coach Tony Vitello on the pitching battle

After the win, Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello broke down the pitching battle that made hitting difficult during the game.

“Both guys have been good,” Vitello 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.”

Vitello then emphasized that to succeed against pitchers like Southern Miss was putting on the mound, the Vols needed to battle deep into counts.

“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.”