Tony Vitello discusses Tennessee’s offense after Samford series

After a hard-fought series against Samford, where Tennessee’s offense finally seemed to hit its stride, head coach Tony Vitello took a moment to reflect on his team’s performance and what it means for the future of the season. The series, which saw the Volunteers battle through adversity to take two out of three games from the Bulldogs, offered a mix of struggles and successes, but ultimately it was a defining moment for a Tennessee offense that had been searching for consistency.

With the series win secured, Vitello’s post-game comments provided a deep dive into what went right, what still needs work, and how this offensive surge could serve as a springboard for the Volunteers as they move into the heart of SEC play. The offense has been a focal point for Vitello and his coaching staff, and after the Samford series, there was a palpable sense that the team might be finding its groove.

A Slow Start: Early Struggles on Offense

Tennessee entered the series against Samford with a mixture of optimism and concern. On one hand, the Volunteers had been showing flashes of brilliance on offense throughout the early part of the season. But on the other hand, they had also been plagued by inconsistent at-bats and lack of timely hitting.

In the first game of the series, Tennessee struggled to get the bats going against Samford’s pitching staff. The Bulldogs’ starting pitcher kept the Volunteers off balance, limiting their offensive production and preventing them from stringing together any significant rallies. Tennessee managed just three runs on five hits in a 7-3 loss, a performance that left many wondering if their offensive issues would persist.

The lack of consistency in approach at the plate was evident in that game. Tennessee hitters had trouble adjusting to different pitch sequences, and there were too many easy outs on weak contact. Whether it was impatience or a lack of focus, the Volunteers’ offense was not clicking, and Vitello was the first to admit it.

“We weren’t executing the way we’re capable of,” Vitello said after the loss. “There’s a level of comfort we need to have at the plate, and it just wasn’t there today. Whether it’s pitch selection or situational hitting, we didn’t do a good enough job of making adjustments.”

Despite the loss, Vitello remained upbeat about his team’s potential. The series was far from over, and there was plenty of baseball left to be played. What was clear, however, was that Tennessee’s offense needed to find a rhythm quickly, or they could be in for a tough weekend.

Turning the Corner: A Better Approach in Game Two

In game two of the series, the Volunteers made adjustments, and it showed. Although Samford’s pitching staff still presented challenges, Tennessee’s hitters came out with a more focused approach. The team increased its offensive output, putting up eight runs on 12 hits, including some timely two-out hits that had been missing the day before.

A key adjustment was the team’s ability to lay off pitchers’ breaking balls, which had been a problem in the previous game. In this game, Tennessee showed more patience at the plate and worked the count, forcing Samford’s pitchers to throw strikes. The more disciplined approach resulted in fewer strikeouts and more walks, which helped to set up productive innings.

Vitello was quick to praise his players’ ability to adjust after the tough loss. “You could see the difference in our approach today,” he said. “We were more patient at the plate, but more importantly, we didn’t give away at-bats. When you’re doing that, it builds confidence and allows us to put up more runs.”

The offensive explosion in the second game came from multiple sources in the lineup. The usual suspects, such as junior outfielder Drew Gilbert and senior infielder Jake Rucker, contributed with timely hits, but there were also contributions from unexpected places. Sophomore shortstop Cortland Lawson, who had struggled earlier in the season, delivered a two-run double in the fifth inning that gave Tennessee a crucial lead. The contributions from the bottom of the order, which had been lacking in the first game, were a key factor in the offensive turnaround.

“The offense is so much better when everyone is contributing,” Vitello noted. “It’s not just about the top of the order getting on base and driving in runs; it’s about everyone doing their job and picking each other up.”

Game Three: Capitalizing on Momentum

Heading into the final game of the series, Tennessee’s offense had gained some much-needed momentum, and Vitello knew it was critical to carry that into the series finale. The Volunteers came out with a sense of urgency, knowing that winning the series was important not only for the team’s record but for their confidence as they headed into SEC play.

In game three, Tennessee’s offense was firing on all cylinders. The Volunteers put up a dominant 12 runs on 14 hits, including a pair of home runs and multiple extra-base hits. The team’s ability to capitalize with runners in scoring position was on full display, as they plated runs in six of the nine innings. A four-run sixth inning, which featured back-to-back doubles and a timely two-out single by Gilbert, effectively sealed the win for Tennessee and ensured they would take the series.

Vitello praised the offensive showing after the game, emphasizing how the team was able to build on their previous successes. “We’ve talked a lot about staying disciplined and staying aggressive, and I think that’s what we saw today,” Vitello said. “We didn’t try to do too much; we just focused on getting on base and then trusting ourselves to make things happen.”

Drew Gilbert, who had been one of Tennessee’s most consistent hitters all season, put up a strong performance in game three, going 3-for-4 with three RBIs and a home run. His continued leadership at the plate has been a major factor in the Volunteers’ offensive success. Likewise, Jake Rucker had a standout game, going 2-for-3 with a pair of runs batted in, demonstrating the importance of veteran leadership in the lineup.

The offense, however, wasn’t just about the big hitters. The contributions from players further down the lineup continued to be crucial. Junior outfielder Christian Moore and freshman third baseman Trey Lipscomb both had solid outings, with Lipscomb contributing a key two-run double in the fourth inning that kept the offensive momentum going.

With the series win, Tennessee’s offense had proven its ability to adjust and execute. But Vitello, ever the perfectionist, was quick to note that while the team had improved, there was still work to be done.

Vitello’s Perspective: Looking Beyond the Samford Series

Despite the success in the Samford series, Vitello emphasized that Tennessee’s offense could still improve, particularly in a few key areas. “We’re never satisfied,” Vitello explained. “We did some good things this weekend, but we still have to be sharper in certain situations. We have to be better at making the most of our opportunities with runners in scoring position, and we have to continue to be patient at the plate. I think we can still be more aggressive on the basepaths, too.”

One area that Vitello pointed to was the team’s ability to limit strikeouts. While the offense had looked more disciplined in the second and third games of the series, the team still struck out too often in the first game against Samford. Vitello knows that in SEC play, where pitching staffs are deep and talented, limiting strikeouts is critical.

“We can’t afford to waste at-bats in the SEC,” Vitello said. “We have to do a better job of making pitchers work harder, and we can’t go down looking at strikes. We need to get on base and force pitchers into tough spots.”

Another aspect Vitello mentioned was situational hitting. While the team had shown better execution with runners in scoring position, there were still instances where they left runners stranded. “We need to be better at executing in key moments,” Vitello explained. “That means making sure we’re getting runners in with less than two outs, being smart about when to swing and when to take the walk. It’s the little things that win games.”

The Bigger Picture: What This Means for Tennessee’s Season

As Tennessee moves forward from the Samford series, there is a sense of optimism surrounding the offense. The team showed that they can be dangerous when they play within themselves, execute, and trust their process. The fact that they were able to overcome an early setback and rally in the final two games of the series speaks to the character of the team and the leadership of Vitello and his staff.

With SEC play just around the corner, the Volunteers know that they will face tougher competition as they make their way through the league. The performance in the Samford series, however, has shown that when Tennessee’s offense is clicking, they can be a force to be reckoned with. Vitello’s optimism and belief in his players is contagious, and his leadership will continue to drive the offense forward as the team enters the most competitive stretch of their season.

The victory over Samford wasn’t just about securing a series win—it was about showing that Tennessee is capable of more. With their bats heating up and their confidence growing, the Volunteers will look to build on this momentum as they move into the heart of their SEC schedule. The road ahead is filled with challenges, but after the Samford series, Tennessee knows they have the offensive firepower to compete with anyone.