Tony Vitello says win over Clemson 'showed progress'

Tony Vitello believes Tennessee’s extra-inning thriller, that ended in victory for the Volunteers over the Clemson Tigers, showed his team’s mettle.

Vitello’s squad found victory in the 14th inning against their opponents, breaking the hearts of Clemson faithful in attendance. Afterwards, he spoke with the media, where the Tennessee leader explained his feelings of gratitude for winning a showdown like that.

“I think again it shows progress,” Vitello answered, asked how rewarding it is to win a game like that. “That is what you want. It is tough. I spoke with my dad. I don’t know what he did, but all the teams he coached in different sports, they always seemed to peak at the end of the year. There is no recipe for that. You might play your best stat sheet game somewhere in the middle of the year, but really if you could map it out, both teams that played in that game — Clemson and ourselves, I have heard announcers compare the both of us as teams that didn’t start out great and had to find out who plays this position and who goes where. It just makes it more rewarding at the end.

“To me, it would have been rewarding — it sounds crazy and I don’t know what they had to say, but you can’t be upset with your effort, either team. My words to the team would have been the same win or lose after that thing.”

Entering the NCAA Baseball Tournament, Clemson was one of the best and hottest teams in the country, and their crowd came out in droves. Playing in the SEC against the best of the best prepared Vitello’s team for the atmosphere though, and to be able to win a game like that.

“In Hoover, there is pain in the air for the Vols, Vol fans included that made the trip. Our tournament is unique because you get a one-and-done, but the comment I made was the league prepares you,” added Vitello. “So does the ACC. The crowds we had to play in front of, I shouldn’t say because now I’ll hear something new tomorrow, but I’ve kind of heard about everything myself. I don’t know if these guys agree with that. It’s right on par. We feel great about our league in all sports, and you stick your chest out, but it is the same deal. There is a long list of tradition here. Coach Leggett being in the dugout. It’s been about the same.”

“Baseball is a game of percentages. Maybe we got lucky because they have had a long streak, but I think you got the clash you did because regardless of how the last few games have gone, you have two teams that are playing for each other and continually getting better.”

Tennessee and Tony Vitello are now in the driver’s seat at the Clemson Regional, and are looking to make it back to the College World Series. Time will tell if they can do so, but good times are rolling right now for Knoxville’s finest.