Tony Vitello sticks around to congratulate Arkansas coaching staff, Dave Van Horn following Razorbacks advancing to CWS

Tensions were high in the Fayetteville Super Regional this weekend, with Arkansas knocking off Tennessee to advance to the College World Series. But despite the fact that his team won’t have a chance to defend its national title, Volunteers coach Tony Vitello was cordial following the game.

The head man took the time to stick around and congratulate every member of the Arkansas coaching staff after the win. Vitello could be seen on a video by Jacob Morris shaking hands with Arkansas skipper Dave Van Horn.

The two have had their differences over the years, but everything looked on the up and up after the game. You can check out a brief snippet of the scene involving Tony Vitello below.

Coach Vitello stuck around to congratulate each member of the Arkansas coaching staff.

He finished up by spending a couple minutes with Coach Van Horn. #WPS pic.twitter.com/vX16m5It7i

— Jacob Morris (@JacobMorrisTV) June 8, 2025

In the first game of the Fayetteville Super Regional, things got a little testy between the two teams. It was in the sixth inning that things got heated.

Arkansas pitcher Zach Root got a much-needed double-play ball off Andrew Fischer to get out of the frame. Walking back to the dugout, Root taunted Fisher and went on an NSFW tirade.

Players had to pull Root back into the dugout, possibly saving him from something more than just an eventual warning from the umpires. You can check out the full moment from Root here, one filled with quite a few expletives.

Warnings were handed out by the umpires to both teams, including Tony Vitello’s squad. However, ESPN play-by-play announcer Tom Hart asked if there should have been something more for Root. A possible ejection was questioned by Hart, turning over to color commentator Kyle Peterson.

“Listen, you can think of what you want from the Soto take earlier in the game,” Peterson said. “But the reality is Fisher really hadn’t said anything and Root kind of lost it for a minute. (Ryder) Helfrick might have saved him. Helfrick grabbed him by the jersey and starting pulling him off the field.”

Chris Burke, another color commentator in Fayetteville, agreed with Peterson’s assessment. He thought Root’s actions may have crossed the line, wondering if something more should have been assessed.

In any case, following that sequence and the result of Sunday’s decisive game, Tony Vitello found a way to muster up some serious sportsmanship. He congratulated Arkansas on its win and left it at that. That’ll certainly please those at the SEC offices.

On3’s Griffin McVeigh also contributed to this report.