‘I don’t give a s–t who’s pitching’ – Tennessee’s Tony Vitello sends message to his team after Vols drop series to Vanderbilt...Read More… ⬇️⬇️👇👇
“I Don’t Give a S–t Who’s Pitching”: Tennessee’s Tony Vitello Sends Stern Message After Series Loss to Vanderbilt
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Date: May 12, 2025
Knoxville, Tenn.
Tennessee baseball head coach Tony Vitello has never been one to mince words, and following a disappointing series loss to in-state rival Vanderbilt, he made that clear once again. In a fiery postgame message that has since gone viral across social media, Vitello addressed his team and the media with a blunt reminder of the mindset he expects from his players moving forward.
“I don’t give a s–t who’s pitching,” Vitello said after Sunday’s 7–3 loss at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. “If you want to wear this jersey, if you want to represent Tennessee, you better show up ready to compete—no excuses.”
The statement, both raw and emphatic, served as a wake-up call to a Volunteers team that came into the series riding high, ranked No. 4 in the nation with a 34–10 record, only to be humbled over the weekend by the No. 11 Commodores, who took two out of three games with dominant pitching performances and timely hitting.
A Rivalry Series With Postseason Implications
The annual Tennessee-Vanderbilt baseball series has taken on renewed significance in recent years, with both programs emerging as SEC powerhouses and national contenders. This year’s clash was no different, with high stakes involved in the SEC East standings and NCAA regional seeding.
Tennessee won the opener 5–2 behind a strong outing from junior left-hander Drew Beam, but their bats went cold the rest of the weekend. On Saturday, Vanderbilt ace Carter Holton shut down the Vols with 11 strikeouts over seven scoreless innings, and the Commodores took the game 4–1. Sunday saw more of the same as Tennessee’s offense struggled against Vanderbilt’s deep bullpen, which held the Volunteers to just five hits.
Meanwhile, the Commodores’ offense made the most of their opportunities, stringing together clutch hits and capitalizing on Tennessee’s defensive miscues.
Vitello’s Frustration Boils Over
Vitello, known for his intense energy and deep connection with his players, did not hold back in the aftermath of Sunday’s loss. The coach’s blunt postgame comments weren’t aimed solely at his players’ performance, but at their mentality—something he’s built his program’s identity around since taking over in 2017.
“I don’t care if it’s a future first-rounder or a walk-on throwing against us,” Vitello continued. “You step into that batter’s box with a plan. You don’t flinch. You fight. And if you can’t do that, then we’ve got other guys ready to take your spot.”
The quote encapsulated both the intensity and the urgency Vitello is now demanding as Tennessee approaches the final stretch of the regular season.
Players React
Though some might be taken aback by Vitello’s choice of words, several players backed their coach’s message, emphasizing that accountability is part of the culture at Tennessee.
“He’s right,” said junior outfielder Blake Burke. “We’ve set a high standard here. If we don’t meet it, he’s going to let us know. And we need that. We got outplayed, plain and simple.”
Senior shortstop Maui Ahuna echoed those sentiments: “There’s a level we have to play at every single day. It doesn’t matter who’s on the mound—we’re supposed to be the aggressor.”
The Vols now sit at 15–9 in SEC play with three conference series remaining before postseason play begins. Though still in solid position for a top-8 national seed in the NCAA Tournament, the margin for error is shrinking.
A Pattern Emerging?
While Tennessee has enjoyed another strong season overall, Sunday’s loss added to a concerning trend: struggles against elite pitching.
In all 10 of their losses this season, the Vols have scored fewer than four runs. In fact, five of those defeats came against pitchers projected to be selected in the top three rounds of the upcoming MLB Draft. Vitello’s postgame comments reflect his growing impatience with how often his offense has failed to rise to the occasion against top-tier arms.
“There’s no magic formula,” Vitello said. “You face good pitching in the SEC, and even better in Omaha. If you’re scared of that challenge, you’re in the wrong dugout.”
National Reaction and Social Media Buzz
Vitello’s passionate statement quickly gained traction online, with sports outlets and fans alike applauding his intensity. ESPN’s SEC baseball analyst Kyle Peterson called it “vintage Vitello,” adding that “this is why players go to Tennessee—because their coach cares and demands excellence.”
Vol Nation responded with its usual blend of fire and loyalty. Many fans defended Vitello’s outburst as a necessary tone-setter for a team that has realistic national title aspirations. Others called it a timely check on complacency.
“It’s exactly what they needed,” wrote one fan on Twitter. “If these guys want to win it all, they better start playing like it.”
Still, some critics questioned whether such a public rebuke could backfire, particularly among younger players. But those familiar with Vitello’s leadership style dismissed those concerns.
“This isn’t new,” said former Vols pitcher Chad Dallas, now with the Toronto Blue Jays organization. “He says what needs to be said, and he always has your back. The guys in that locker room know it.”
What’s Next for Tennessee?
With the Vanderbilt series in the rearview mirror, Tennessee now turns its focus to a critical final stretch. The Volunteers will host Georgia next weekend before traveling to South Carolina, followed by a regular-season finale at home against Florida.
Vitello made it clear there’s no time for pity or doubt.
“We’ve got a choice to make,” he said. “We can keep thinking about this weekend, or we can use it. This team’s got the talent to go all the way, but only if we play with the right mindset.”
The players now know what’s expected. The fans are watching. And after Sunday’s loss and Vitello’s impassioned message, the pressure—and potential—for Tennessee baseball has never been higher.
