Tennessee baseball returned home from Texas and defeated UNC-Asheville 3-2 in its 2024 home opener on Tuesday evening.
The Vols recorded a new opening day attendance record at Lindsey Nelson Stadium as it was Tennessee’s first home game with permanent seats down the left field line.
Vitello discussed the expansion, what went wrong for the offense and more. Here’s everything Vitello said following the midweek victory.
More From RTI: What To Know About Tennessee Baseball’s Victory Over UNC-Asheville
On if Austin Hunley sent a message with his outing
“A little bit. I mean it was his first opportunity to do so. His brother sent more of a statement than anything. I’m dealing with this jaw thing, so I’m struggling a little bit and didn’t feel that great today. You’re worried about a little bit of a lull. We didn’t even travel back here until yesterday afternoon. We enjoyed playing the late game out there in Texas, but it comes with some repercussions. Anyway, fast forward to right before the game and I see Sean Hunley in the park. I’ve been waiting for that man to come around forever. I don’t know if he’s been training or has a girlfriend or what. You like him a little more because he was such a good pitcher for us, but he’s such a good dude and his brother is right in line with him. The whole family is phenomenal. Kind of gave me some good vibes for the game and I was glad he was here. He was obviously here because he knew his brother was going to pitch. But I didn’t know his bro was going to pitch that long or that well. We knew he was capable of that, but yeah he sent a little message that he wants the ball. We’re looking for guys to do that this time of the year. Position players included.
“He knows how to compete on game day. We were just having a conversation with our guys. There’s a big difference between scrimmages and games. If I was a fan – trying to put myself in a fan’s shoes. If I’m hearing the coach say we don’t know what we got yet or how is this guy going to be his first time out or how is this guy going to handle the situation – I’d be like, well aren’t you paying attention in practice and the bullpens? I’m not that old but I’ve coached long enough. You can watch as many bullpens as you want and scrimmages as you want – but you don’t really know what you have until game days because guys get emotional and do different things. He seems to be able to compete the way he needs to on game day. And first go-around, so that’s awesome. Last few guys who have been on that mound for us have made a statement that they want the ball again.”
On playing the home-opener with the new renovations from last season
“It’s weird. It’s surreal. The third deck added to the aesthetics and it’s right across from our sight line in the dugout, it’s cool to see. The second deck was kind of emotional because – some of the players kind of got emotional about it and excited about having that built. Backtracking a year or two, the artificial surface – everyday you are reminding yourself that you are lucky. That good things will happen in this program if we keep working hard. But this deal is a total different thing. I mean, it makes it look like a pro park. I don’t even mean professional baseball, but first class is the right phrase. We aren’t done, which is exciting, but for now, we are going to enjoy this.”
On how he’d assess Derek Schaefer’s start
“He was good. I think sometimes these guys are able to announce their presence with authority in high school because their stuff is so different from those around them. Even though we have some guys that can get the ball up to 100 (mph), literally, I don’t think we have too many power pitchers. You just have to go out there and pitch to your strengths and work with the catcher and work with Coach Anderson and get the guy out. It’s kind of like some of our hitters. They can go up there— we have some guys that can hit the ball a long way in BP. But when the game starts you just have to get in the box and figure out how you’re going to square the baseball up against that particular pitcher or in that particular situation whether we’re trying to move the runner from second or from third or whatever it might be. I think he found himself in that compete mode and got in a rhythm in the second and third inning the more he was out there. Eventually we had to take him out because of pitch count. (Nate) Snead who I just saw, same thing. The more he was out there (against Baylor) the more he got in that rhythm of just competing. Find a way to get outs.”
On the transition from Andrew Behnke to Austin Hunley, Hunley getting out of jam
“Behnke gave us more than we thought too. We weren’t quite sure what we were going to do and we had a couple guys hot at different times but those were three different looks if you’re the Asheville hitters. An over the top righty, a lower righty and in between them goofball Behnke out there who has a unique look and really good stuff. But the fact that they maintained composure when it was a rocky start in the first inning, the situation you mentioned and then it’s easier said than done— it was a one-run lead you have out there in the eighth and ninth inning. You go out there and keep your composure so overall I think composure is the word that sticks out.”
On what went wrong for the offense
“It was a casual approach. That was the vibe I got. I get it, I feel it, too. Tough travel day. Pretty exciting tournament. You may have a little bit of a lull. I thought the strike zone was good, and both sides were throwing strikes. It just didn’t seem to be that offensive of a day is what I’m getting at. But that doesn’t mean you can’t grind out at-bats and get yourself in a good spot like we did. When Billy [Amick] struck up the middle, makes an adjustment, hits a ball up the middle, and we let it hit us. That’s not a mistake we need to make again. But overall, it was an underachieving performance from them.”
On Kavares Tears’ night
“He’s got a special arm. We’ve talked about it. I don’t know who everybody else is in the SEC, so you can’t really say it, but you throw it out as a locker room comment that it might be the best outfield arm in the SEC. Wherever it ranks, it’s really good. He works at it, he takes pride in it. And we’re glad to have it as an asset for us. Look back at how that game went, that was massive. And then just the fact you see him using the whole field – you want hits – but the fact he is using the whole field… we’ll even take outs where he is back spinning balls to the middle or opposite side of the field at times. Because we’ve all seen him hit balls a long way to the right side, and it was nice to see him hit it to the right side and move the runner. But that’s a really good reflection of his approach when he’s able to use the whole field.”
On if Matthew Dallas will start against ETSU
“I’m not sure. He’s available. He was available tonight, too, in the bullpen. We’ll see what we want to do. He’s going to pitch tomorrow. That’s for sure. I think it’s a matter of what kind of order, but again, we mapped out today’s deal, and sometimes guys change your mind by how they are performing out there.”
On how cautious they are being with Dallas given his injury
“I think he’s okay. Same thing with him and [Aaron] Combs. They weren’t there right at the beginning of Spring Training, or January, but I think everybody on that side is where they need to be. And Dean Curley was swinging a bat for us. I think he’s ready to go. I don’t know when it will be, but he will make his first appearance this week, too. So, getting them all out there, and I think we will be at our best when we have everybody, but as the season goes on, there are going to be little knicks and knacks, and guys are going to get opportunities maybe when they’re not quite expecting it. So, I hope they all stay prepared and stay ready. And again, casual was the word I used with them, so I used it with you all. It needs to be a less casual effort time and time again. You only get so many of these games to play.”
