Tennessee Baseball Head Coach Tony Vitello Reacts to Thrilling Extra-Inning Victory Over Texas in SEC Tournament Showdown

Tony Vitello had plenty to say after his Tennessee Volunteers battled past Texas in a dramatic extra-inning clash in the SEC Tournament—a game that tested the mettle of both teams and offered yet another reminder of why postseason baseball in the Southeastern Conference is among the most thrilling in college sports.

The Vols edged the Longhorns 6-5 in 11 innings, a game filled with tense moments, clutch pitching, and key at-bats that swung momentum back and forth. After the final out, Vitello stepped into the postgame press room still riding the emotional rollercoaster, sharing his thoughts on everything from player performances and strategy to what this kind of win says about his team.

“That was a gutsy win,” Vitello said right out of the gate. “I know people say that all the time, but this was one where you could feel the grit in every inning, especially when things didn’t go our way.”

Vitello, now in his seventh season at the helm of Tennessee’s baseball program, praised his players for staying composed, even when adversity struck. Texas had tied the game in the eighth inning with a two-run shot off a reliever who had otherwise been solid, and then both teams stranded runners through the ninth and tenth innings.

“Our guys didn’t flinch,” Vitello said. “There’s a difference between wanting to win and refusing to lose, and tonight I thought we leaned into that second one. We refused to give in.”

One of the major talking points was the performance of sophomore shortstop Dean Curley, who ended up delivering the game-winning RBI in the 11th. On a 2-1 pitch, Curley laced a single through the left side to plate the go-ahead run. Vitello didn’t hold back in his praise for the young infielder.

“Dean’s been learning all year. That’s what people forget about these kids—they’re still learning the game,” Vitello said. “But what I’ve seen with Dean is this maturity that’s showing up in big spots. That’s not just talent, that’s a kid who cares deeply about his team and prepares the right way.”

Vitello also spoke at length about Tennessee’s pitching staff, especially the combination of veteran and young arms that helped keep Texas at bay for the final few frames. Senior right-hander Andrew Behnke threw two key innings in the 10th and 11th, shutting down a potent Longhorns lineup that had started to find its rhythm late in regulation.

“Behnke is just steady,” Vitello said. “The dude doesn’t get rattled, and that’s invaluable in games like this. It’s not just about having a good fastball or slider. It’s about breathing, about poise, and about controlling the situation when you’re out there alone on that mound. He did that as well as anyone could ask.”

It wasn’t a perfect game for Tennessee by any stretch, and Vitello was honest about that. The team left 10 runners on base and had two base-running miscues that cost potential runs early in the game. But he emphasized that postseason baseball is more about how you recover than how you execute flawlessly.

“There’s no such thing as a perfect game in this environment,” he said. “You make mistakes, and you hope those mistakes don’t bury you. But the only way that happens is if you fight to give yourself more opportunities, and I thought we did that.”

Another highlight from the night came courtesy of freshman outfielder Bryce Jenkins, who made a diving catch in right-center in the bottom of the ninth that potentially saved the game. Texas had a runner on second with one out, and Jenkins laid out to rob what would’ve likely been a walk-off hit.

“That play by Jenkins—unreal,” Vitello said, shaking his head. “You practice that stuff in the fall, but to do it in May, in Hoover, with the game on the line? That’s a dude who’s locked in. He’s not playing like a freshman anymore. He’s one of our guys.”

The SEC Tournament has been known to drain teams—emotionally, physically, mentally—and Vitello acknowledged that he’s conscious of not just surviving these tight contests but managing the big picture. With the NCAA Tournament around the corner, his message to the team remains rooted in perspective.

“We want to win every game, obviously,” Vitello said. “But we’re also playing for something bigger than just today. That means taking care of your arm if you’re a pitcher, getting your swings but not overdoing it, sleeping right, eating right. All that boring stuff matters more when you’re playing multiple games in a short span. And I think our guys have bought into that.”

He also took a moment to credit the Texas program and coaching staff, noting the high level of competitiveness and mutual respect that exists between the two schools.

“That’s a tough team. They’re well-coached, they’ve got talent, and they know how to battle. It’s no accident they’re here and playing this well,” he said. “And it’s fun. That’s why you coach. You want your team to be in moments like this, against teams like that.”

When asked whether he felt the win made a statement to the rest of the SEC or even the NCAA selection committee, Vitello was typically reserved, preferring to let the play on the field speak for itself.

“I’m not into statements. This isn’t politics,” he said. “Our job is to play hard and represent Tennessee the right way. If people see that and respect it, great. If not, we’ll just keep showing up and doing what we do.”

He was, however, clear about what he saw in his clubhouse after the win and what it meant going forward.

“The locker room was loud, yeah,” Vitello said with a grin. “But it wasn’t just about celebration. There was a lot of talk about what’s next. That tells me this team is focused. We’re not satisfied just winning one game in Hoover.”

As the Vols prepare for their next opponent in the tournament, Vitello hinted that lineup adjustments and bullpen usage will continue to be fluid.

“You have to be flexible. You can’t script baseball, and especially not in tournament play,” he said. “We’ve got some guys that didn’t get in tonight who might be key for us tomorrow. Everyone’s got to stay ready. The energy you bring—whether you’re starting or pinch-hitting or just leaning over the rail—matters. That’s the kind of thing that shows up in wins like this.”

Before wrapping up, Vitello returned once more to the idea of unity—a theme that’s been central to his program since his arrival in Knoxville.

“You can talk about talent, stats, matchups—all that stuff,” he said. “But at the end of the day, these games are won by teams that care more about each other than they do about themselves. And this group’s got that. That’s not something I have to manufacture. That’s who they are.”

After a game like this, Vitello’s Volunteers look like a team ready to make a deep run, not just in the SEC Tournament but into the NCAA postseason as well. And if Tennessee does keep winning, it’ll be with the same mix of grit, belief, and brotherhood that showed up in full force under the lights in Hoover.