The 2023 Men’s College World Series will begin on Friday afternoon with the Tennessee Volunteers set to play their game on Saturday night. The Vols will take on LSU in a highly-anticipated rematch from a series in Baton Rouge during the regular season.
Prior to Tennessee’s game on Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. ET, Vols head coach Tony Vitello met with the media in person and over Zoom to preview the upcoming tournament. Vitello spoke about the challenge of the LSU matchup, returning to Omaha, the excitement and adrenaline around the team, leadership, the season in review, and several more topics along the way.
“To be honest with you, last time the way we advanced here (2021) and the downtime we had between — you could even throw out there was no opening ceremony like we’ll have tonight,” Vitello said on Thursday. “There was no celebration because it was so close to 2020. I don’t even want to say the word. There was too much downtime, and there was too much media and hype, the Daddy hat stuff. I think it became a distraction. It kind of took most of the attention of our guys instead of just focusing on the game.
This time around I think the guys are just trying to get some rest. We got done in Hattiesburg at midnight. They probably went to bed at 3:00, 4:00 in the morning just by nature of adrenaline. We fly out the next morning, and then we fly here about 18, 20 hours later. They’re probably just trying to get back to neutral and enjoy this thing. It’s probably moving a lot faster. I think the nature of the schedule could benefit us this go-around.”
Behind the scenes in Omaha!#GBO // #OTH // #MCWS pic.twitter.com/9uIx0EU4Nc
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) June 16, 2023
In addition to Vitello, Tennessee outfielder Jared Dickey and relief pitcher Camden Sewell were also in attendance for the media session. Both of the Tennessee veterans spoke about the road leading up to Omaha, turning-point moments in the season, the mindset heading into the weekend, and more.
More from RTI: Tennessee vs. No. 5 LSU: How To Watch, Bats To Know, Prediction
Check out the full interview with Tony Vitello, Jared Dickey, and Camden Sewell below. Make sure to also stay locked into Rocky Top Insider all weekend for non-stop Tennessee Baseball College World Series action.
First Round Matchups
Bracket 1 – Friday, June 16
- TCU vs Oral Roberts – 2 p.m. ET (ESPN)
- Florida vs Virginia – 7 p.m. ET (ESPN)
The losers of both Bracket 1 games will square off in an elimination game on Sunday (June 18) at 2:00 p.m. ET. Meanwhile, the winners of both games will square off on Sunday (June 18) evening at 7:00 p.m. ET.
Bracket 2 – Saturday, June 17
- Wake Forest vs Stanford – 2 p.m. ET (ESPN)
- LSU vs Tennessee – 7 p.m. ET (ESPN)
The losers of both Bracket 2 games will square off in an elimination game on Monday (June 19) at 2:00 p.m. ET. Meanwhile, the winners of both games will square off on Monday (June 19) evening at 7:00 p.m. ET.
