Everything Tony Vitello said following Tennessee's 6-3 defeat in game two

Tennessee came up short on the road to Arkansas Saturday night, falling 6-3 in game two of the three-game series. The loss secures a third-straight series loss for the Vols during this tough stretch of Southeastern Conference games.

What did head coach Tony Vitello have to say following the ballgame? Here’s the full written transcription.

Tony Vitello Written Transcript

On Chase Dollander’s performance…

“It was good. I mean, pitch count was a little bit of a factor and we played the situation which I think was the right thing to do. Sometimes it goes your way, sometimes it doesn’t. Tonight it did. Last week it didn’t. Still looking forward to that outing where we push the limit on the pitch count with him a little bit. But to me, the starter’s job is — I’ve said this a million times — but the starter’s job is to come out of the game and give us a chance to win. He certainly put us in position to do that.”

On what needs to happen for Dollander to finally get over the hump in his outings…

“The first inning he’s got two of the better competitor in the league going at him. And the guy ends up drawing a walk. Then arguably one of the best left-handed hitters — I don’t know how you line them up. No disrespect to anybody, but that guy is pretty good. So it was a clash of the titans in the first inning that didn’t go his way. But the rest of the time he was fantastic. We could have made a play behind him but we didn’t. So maybe things roll a little smoother for him after that, but I think early in the year, yeah, there were some ups and downs. But for the most part, he’s been pretty consistent in my eyes. Especially in the last two weekends against really good clubs.”

Why shortstop Maui Ahuna didn’t play…

“That was a trainer thing. And not being a smart aleck. You’d have to ask the trainer. I don’t know what the official assessment is.”

On Arkansas scoring three runs in the seventh inning…

“Yeah, Cam (Sewell) has been our guy in the past. He’s been our guy this year. Let us to victory on the road last time we were on the road. I don’t think they can brag about hammering him all over the park, but he certainly shot himself in the foot a little bit by the hit by pitch deal. We try something there because when it’s not going well, you can’t just sit still. You’ve got to try stuff. I think we’ve probably been guilty of not executing in general. That’s pretty obvious if you’re watching in person or on TV. But also a little guilty of, because not executing, probably trying to try a little too hard and when you try hard, you die hard.”

On if they’re trying too hard to produce at the plate with runners in scoring position…

“Yeah, I mean, more off-speed pitches from their guys and some of our guys out front. So we need to do a better job of manufacturing because that’s been a couple of times I think in the first inning both nights where you’ve got a guy at third base that needs to be driven in and I guess we did get it done with the balk last night, so we got it done by accident, but we need to get it done on purpose.”

On if Drew Beam will pitch tomorrow (Sunday)…

“Yeah, [Drew] Beam will pitch tomorrow and obviously [Chase] Burns is available out of the bullpen. Our intention was to use him maybe twice this weekend, but now we are whittled down to once. What his specific role is when he comes into the game, we will see. Bu tour guys like playing behind Beamer, so he’ll start the game for us.”

On how Chase Burns taking being taken out of the rotation…

“He’s been great. It’s been a quirky deal and led me to have a conversation. We are standing on the field where Kevin Kopps had one of the greatest pitching years ever. He didn’t do that three-straight years. I love the guy, but he didn’t do it three-straight years. There are very few guys who have put together three great years in college – whether it be hitting or pitching. He was great last year, and I think he’s going to be really good next year – probably great – and he still has a chance to make it a real good year this year, if not great, it’s just been kind of quirky how it’s gone. So, I think a little reset is great for everybody. For his case in particular, we know he will have good stuff and a fresh arm. You always know he will complete.”

On if Seth Halvorsen will be available tomorrow (Sunday)…

“Yeah, he’s a guy that always wants the ball and maybe we’ve been caught being a little too conservative with our arms because he could have probably gone tonight. We had Camden [Sewell] and he’s a guy because of his leadership and years here, also his abilities to get out of jams like he did with that deal with the bases loaded, we rode him. We probably did a little too long, I know he’s a little sore. But it will man a loaded bullpen tomorrow.”

On Jared Dickey hitting a leadoff home run on the third pitch in consecutive games…

“Yeah, you will not show up at the ballpark – it could just be a scrimmage – and not see something unique that you haven’t seen before. If you are a observer. The kid really enjoys playing and it’s fun to have guys with a little bit of spunk to them. He bounces around and really enjoys playing. Back to the mistake thing. If you make a mistake but are playing the game that way, I think we can all sleep well at night or at least decent enough. You’re sleeping on a loss tonight if you’re a Vol. You’ll wake up a little more hungry and a little more determined tomorrow.”

On Bryce Jenkins outing tonight…

“He keeps growing but I think we always thought he was fully capable of that prior to the seasons starting. And once the season started, as long as he kind of got his cleats in the ground. First couple of times out, it’s expected – especially for local guys who want to wear this uniform more than anybody. They tend to put a little more pressure on themselves. Once he got his breathe under him and his cleats in the ground a few times, he’s been super consistent for us.”