Everything Tony Vitello said on a midweek win over the Golden Eagles

Tennessee baseball coach Tony Vitello spoke to members of the local media Tuesday night on his team’s midweek victory over Tennessee Tech, a win that snapped a two-game losing-streak to the Golden Eagles.

The following is a written transcript from the Tony Vitello postgame press conference.

On freshman infielder Ariel Antigua’s defense at shortstop…

“Yeah, he’s a lovable kid and I think the guys enjoy his passion for the game. At times, I would find myself even envious of how much he truly likes playing. It’s a never-ending vibe he has for wanting to be out there, wanting to do different things defensively and it’s not like he doesn’t want to hit, too. 

“But I think that’s kind of the source of what we have going right now with our team, is that they pull for each other and when it’s their opportunity, they seem to be prepared and skilled enough to attack the task with a decent success rate and when it’s not, they’re kind of tuned into what the other guys are doing and they got their back. Which has got some value to it. It makes your teammate a better player, but he’s already a good player.”

Why he chose to hit Robin Villeneuve in the lead off spot…

“It’s kind of like having a Friday guy. You want a guy that is going to lead you into battle. Somebody that if he was literally leading the charge, you would want to get behind him and Robin is that type of guy. He’s competitive as it gets, but he’s also really good at understanding the strike zone, and is going to be able to get on base whether it’s that or because he’s a good hitter as well. He’s got a good eye, so felt like he could kind of lead us into the charge and make C-Mo (Christian Moore) shoulder the load of that three-hole.

“Each spot, you’re kind of only in that spot one time through the order and then it’s all mixed and matched, but having said that, these kids, and you all, and coaches put labels on each spot, and sometimes they’re true, sometimes they’re not. But the one thing about sitting in that three hole, whether it be Billy (Amick) or C-Mo, you’re kind of saying I’ll jump on this grenade for the team and I’ll kind of wear this a little bit, wear this responsibility.”

What’s allowed sophomore outfielder Reese Chapman to be successful the last couple of games out… 

“I think just kind of getting comfortable out there and the game coming slower to him, rather than it maybe — and I don’t mean to speak for him — but maybe at times, it’s kind of gone fast for him because it’s your first year on campus as a freshman last year, and you’re trying to take advantage of these opportunities so the coaches will play you more and it turns into this big extra game. Not just the game of baseball.

“But this year for the most part, we started him game two of the year. Certain guys like Robin have done well, so maybe he gets squeezed out a little bit on some reps in there, but we’re always wanted to keep him involved and he’s a trustworthy defender and a really good baserunner. But the hitting part is just unlocking that skill that he has to hit by relaxing and playing, and knowing that he belongs. He’s always kind of walked around with the proper posture and kind of the right mojo, but I think right now it’s sincere and it’s true and he really believes in himself. He should for good reason. He’s had a lot of success in his life hitting and he’s worked ultra-hard in here (batting cages). I don’t know that he’s taken as many reps as anybody else, but his intent behind his reps is probably the standard for our team.”

On the freshmen pitchers’ performance…

“They’re capable. I think an obvious question to ask before this is over is how our shortstop played. To be honest with you, he played well, but he just played like himself. If anything, he could’ve had a better game, I’m sure, if he would’ve driven a ball like he did in his first at-bat, which is really hard to do. He drove two balls during his first at-bat. But everything he did today did not surprise anybody in our dugout. And that’s not to say he’s the best player ever or to be arrogant, either, but it’s just not a surprise. I tell you that long story to tell you that the pitchers should see themselves the same way. What they did today to keep down a good team that if they get on the bases, they’re going to run. And they have good numbers. And they come in – a lot of kids are from this area – so they either love or hate the Vols which can play into the deal. They (the freshmen pitchers) did what they’re capable of doing. They can throw strikes, and when they do, it’s really good stuff. [Derek] Schaefer, it’s really good stuff. I consider Marcus Phillips a freshman just based off of what he went through last year, and that stuff was the exclamation point on the night with what he had going on. So, no surprise. It’s what they’re capable of, and I look forward to the next opportunity for them to do it again.”

On all the freshmen allowing zero walks…

“It was huge because it allowed our offense, after not capitalizing on a first and third and a bases-loaded and then maybe another bases-loaded, it allowed them to breathe and go out there – you could see the swings become a little more free and the chatter in the dugout become a little more free because our pitchers literally took control of the game. They did it with our guys playing catch behind them, but it all started with them playing catch with the catcher. That was huge. It’s a staple of what Frank [Anderson] does. Throw strikes. When we look at a guy recruiting wise, it’s ‘Can this guy throw strikes?’ And they wouldn’t be in uniform if we didn’t think they could. So back to my other point, it’s no surprise. Some guys threw better pitches than others or got away with a mistake maybe. But the bottom line is that they all had good presence and they threw strikes, and they truly attacked the opportunity that they knew they were going to get today.”

On Billy Amick and AJ Russell’s injuries…

“With AJ, kind of waiting to see what’s there. I would expect, kind of maybe we went to quick or maybe we didn’t. I don’t think there’s a real answer there but maybe back to where we were where we have to let things calm down and let him rest. So I wouldn’t say we are in any kind of hurry with that or anything on the horizon for him anytime soon.

“With Billy, I think it will be sooner than later but with the appendix situation he had to go all of a sudden, as anyone who’s dealt with that (knows) it’s an all of a sudden thing. Went to the hospital, get things worked on for him to be available this weekend isn’t a reality but I think sometime soon after is a reality. It was nice to see him healthy enough to be in the dugout and he gave part of the postgame speech and stole my thunder, so he’s good at a lot of things. He’s kind of one of those guys for players like me that aren’t very good you kind of want to smack him sometimes but it’s nice to write his name in the lineup but that will be a little while.”

On Georgia Charlie Condon…

“There whole team, as I understand, has hit a lot of home runs and the standard answer for you guys is that we haven’t really looked at things yet because you’re worried about Tennessee Tech but I do know it’s kind of like Alabama. You have a new coaching staff so you have a new energy and new vibe that’s going to benefit them at the start of the year. I’m sure it has and will continue throughout the year and then the other thing is they inherited some really good players. I’m sure they brought in some guys like Alabama too. Haven’t dove in it enough to know that but he’s a guy that played with CMo and Drew (Beam) this summer so certainly familiar with everybody who was capable of being good enough to be on that team but there’s other guys too.”

On Dean Curley sliding to third base with Billy Amick sidelined…

“It’s nice. I think his arm kind of plays anywhere on the field and the first spot he was playing when we saw him recruiting was first base. And I think part of that was kind of rangy kid with a little bit of height and also a good attitude. I also think part of the deal was he was at an all-star event— who is willing to run over there instead of playing their normal spot like shortstop or whatever everybody’s favorite spot is. So he’s pretty flexible and willing to play anywhere we want to put him. I don’t think he’s caught before. Heck, I think I’ve mentioned in here once, even committed as a pitcher early. He’s capable of doing a lot of things and a fun one to be around.”