Cannon Peebles ejection: Tony Vitello reveals what led to Tennessee catcher being tossed, suspended

In a winner-take-all game against Wake Forest, the ejection of Cannon Peebles hurt Tennessee. While the Vols did advance to the Super Regional, they will be without him for the opening game against Arkansas. But nobody was quite sure as to why Peebles was thrown out of the game.

Luckily, head coach Tony Vitello was able to explain after enjoying the victory for a moment. He said Peebles said something to the Wake Forest catcher after a celebration, admitting his player made a mistake.

“Tony Vitello said the Wake Forest catcher celebrated the strikeout and Cannon Peebles said something back to him,” Eric Cain of On3’s Volquest said via X. “Said the catcher can do that and Peebles shouldn’t have. Said it was an honest mistake. Also noted he didn’t know if it had to do with a previous warning or not.”

Peebles was ejected in the eighth inning of the game. NCAA rules state that anybody thrown out by an umpire will be suspended for the next game played. Had Tennessee lost, and Peebles returned to school for another year, he would have been in jeopardy of missing the 2026 season opener.

This one will sting a little more. Vitello will not have one of his top hitters in the lineup in an incredibly important Game 1 of the Fayetteville Super Regional. Peebles was hitting .256 entering Monday with 11 home runs and 41 RBIs.

Tennessee will get him back for the second game. Assuming no other run-ins with umpires or opposing players, Peebles should be ready for the ‘If Necessary’ Game 3 as well. Getting back to Omaha for the College World Series would be a nice accomplishment for the program, hoping to defend its national championship.

Tony Vitello explains viral celebration, punching Liam Doly after Tennessee win

Liam Doyle came into Monday night’s regional championship game and pieced together 2.1 innings of no-hit, five-strikeout baseball. He looked every bit of the 2025 SEC Pitcher of the Year as Tennessee defeated Wake Forest 11-5.

Doyle was animated throughout his time on the mound, and his head coach matched his energy immediately after the game. Vitello jumped into Doyle’s arms after the game and appeared to be punching him afterward, akin to a big brother celebrating his little brother’s achievement.

“I love him. I’m blessed to have him in my life,” Vitello said after the game. “Twitter probably didn’t like it, but the boys need to enjoy this.”

On3’s Barkley Truax contributed to this repot