Tennessee baseball dropped its series opener 5-2 at No. 1 LSU Thursday night. LSU starting pitcher Paul Skenes was fantastic but a gritty outing from Chase Dollander and a big hit from Christian Scott kept the Vols in striking distance.
The Vols tied the game off of LSU’s bullpen in the top of the eighth inning before defensive miscues opened the door for a three-run bottom of the ninth for LSU.
Tennessee coach Tony Vitello discussed Dollander’s outing, Scott starting to find his groove and more.
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On it being a typical SEC Friday night game
“It was typical for the league but not typical for our team yet. So that’s the first time we’ve been in one it should be. That’s the way it should be on Friday. Two big leagues throwing. Outstanding relievers. There is no room for error on either side. Ultimately you could say they put a swing on one better than they did or maybe we put them in position to be able to do that but, again, Friday night, really any good game in the league the margin for error is small so you have to compete and do what you can.”
On Chase Dollander battling out of trouble
“To kind of bounce off what Kyle Peterson and Ben (McDonald) were talking about on the TV, he didn’t have his best stuff but he was putting forth a gritty effort which is what we want out of all of our guys. It could have been worse for him but he battled out, kept us in the game. That’s all we ask out of all of our starters. Give us an opportunity to win and when he handed the ball to Halvy (Seth Halvorsen) that’s what he did.”
On Christian Scott’s performance, recent success
“I think he’s relishing in his opportunity to play which earlier in the year he was doing that but maybe not executing it well. Now, he’s enjoying the fruits of his labor to use the phrase. Over the time of his career he’s put in a ton of effort. He’s been in the dugout a lot and now he’s getting an opportunity and he’s relishing in it.”
On Seth Halvorsen’s performance
“Not to discredit their relievers but Skenes and Do are big prospects and they were really good, but I don’t see how Halvorsen’s any different. You can lump him right into that category. Three guys with different styles or how they go about it and arsenals they have, but to me they’re lumped in the same category so that’s the best compliment I can give Halvy.”
