Everything Tony Vitello said on a midweek victory over Radford

Tennessee coach Tony Vitello met with members of the media on Tuesday night following a win over Radford in midweek action. The following is a written transcript from the Tony Vitello postgame press conference.

Up Next: Tennessee is back in action for another midweek contest on Wednesday evening from Lindsey Nelson Stadium with Xavier at 6 o’clock ET.

On his feelings about the game considering the slow start and great finish…

“Lasting impression is the last thing that happens often, and it’s impossible to not be happy for [Blake] Grimmer. He’s a kid who’s had some injuries and some other adversity, and he works hard enough. He deserves more reps, so that is kind of the lasting impression.”

On the importance of Dylan Loy’s performance out of the bullpen…

“That was a little bit of a stress reliever as far as where you are at in the game. You anticipate coming back home and taking control of the game, and it wasn’t there. So, it certainly calmed the storm, and he gave us more outs than we expected.”

On what’s different about Reese Chapman this year…

“I think the experience he can call on. Marcus Phillips is in that category. Some others are, too. But there’s just more of a sense of calm, and the body language is better. He’s just more comfortable in his own skin, and I think he’s earned that right with all the hard work he’s put in. He’s learned from guys that played in front of him. It’s rare that a guy is willing to accept that sequence of events, of playing a little bit, being a good teammate, working to get better so you get more, deservingly getting more but not getting as much as you want – and maybe even deserved last year – but there were a lot of guys like that. That’s what happens when you have a good team. Now, his time has arrived, and he’s taking advantage of it. I think he’s more relaxed and having fun at the ballpark.”

On what he was thinking when Hunter Ensley crashed into the wall…

“In that case, I was just hoping he was alright. Y’all know how I feel about our fans. I wouldn’t be standing here if I didn’t think they were A+ and arguably the best in the country, but I think the next time a guy risks his whole face running into the wall, it’d be good if he could get a good ovation that next at-bat. Standing would be ideal, but just a good ovation that next at-bat, because he literally has risked life and limb. And I know a lot of fan fares come with that, but just in that particular occasion.”

On Michael Sharman’s relief appearance…

“According to one of the coaches in the dugout, he threw his first fastball of the year. That’s a little bit of a smart aleck comments, but we know he is capable of more than what he has done. And he showed flashes of it tonight, especially when he kind of settled in . You can’t wait for the game to give you permission to be confident. He does take some time and we used Reese [Chapman] as an example, but you can’t wait for the game to give you permission – like I said – to be better. Anyway, he did a good job.”

On this team hitting so many grand slams…

“You got to get on base, that’s for sure. On a case like tonight, there’s a guy that is eager to come off the bench and get in the game. If Dean [Curley] hits a ball fair, there’s a decent chance he doesn’t even get to hit. So, sometimes it is that ‘want to’ taking place for some guys off the bench. There’s been guys off the bench who have done that. Again, I think you have to get on base. You guys [media] rightfully so, brought up walks earlier in the year. Ironically, the next game we chased a bunch of pitches – I forget what happened. There’s no one strategy at the plate to get a walk or a homer. It’s just guys grinding out at-bats for each other.”

On pitching pans for Wednesday and if AJ Russell is in those plans…

“No, he’s not. I can tell you tonight did not go to plan. Huge kudos to Radford. We could have played better defense but even having said that, they battled some two-strike pitches. They took some good swings. Without Hunter’s [Ensley], we might still be playing. Credit to them, but it certainly derailed what our ‘Plan A’ of what today and tomorrow was. I don’t know necessary who will start, but we are going to need all hands on deck. Xavier is always good. They are well coached and those guys work their butt off recruiting and coaching. I looked at their schedule. I don’t know why I did, but I told our team that their schedule is ridiculous. They have probably played the hardest schedule in the country – especially if you count what they got this week.”   

On Dean Curley having some inaccurate throws as of late…

“I think, first off, Blake Burke did such a great job over there and we’ve asked some guys to, I wouldn’t say play out of position, but get more comfortable with that position. Then tonight you have a tough double play in there where he used his arm strength to get it across the field but it was a little short and we don’t pick that one. We did pick another and then I think the play in the first inning was a deal where when you come in or sometimes a pitcher picks up a bunt, you can’t stand up. You have to stay in an athletic position and whip that thing across there. I think he got caught standing up and feeling for it over there. But (the) guy works his butt off and he was in the center of the field, the middle of the field, when we won last year.”

On a judge denying Alberto Osuna’s request for a preliminary injunction…

“Not good. Not today either. I don’t have a reaction. I would like your guys’ reaction. I’d like to know what that is because all I have gotten out of you guys is it is straightforward and it is this — I don’t see how it is straightforward. I can’t do anything other than I can tell you this: We will make sure it is worth his while being at this place.”