Love 'em or hate 'em, Tennessee responded like a champ with its back against the ropes in Super Regionals
Nobody would’ve shed a tear to see Tennessee get an early exit.
Well, check that. Nobody outside of the Volunteer State would’ve shed a tear to see the Vols fail to make the College World Series after entering the field as the brash, polarizing No. 1 overall seed.
If Tennessee had come out and laid an egg in Saturday’s Super Regional survival game, you know the haters would’ve been out in full force, especially after the way things played out on Friday night in Knoxville. Drew Gilbert’s controversial ejection and subsequent suspension meant that the heart and soul of Tony Vitello’s team was unavailable with the season on the line.
But like a heavyweight champ with its back against the ropes, Tennessee bounced back just fine to keep its dream season alive. An 8-run 5th inning with 4 home runs — 2 of which came from Luc Lipcius — was exactly the haymaker the Vols could’ve hoped for after the first 13 innings of the Super Regional was more of a nightmare than a dream.
Besides, who needs a Gilbert bat flip when you can get a Jordan Beck bat spike?
JORDAN BECK ABSOLUTELY SMASHES ONE AND THE VOLS LEAD BY 5!!!
📺 https://t.co/wqNNQ1roXU#GBO // #OTH // #BeatND pic.twitter.com/9kJJPq84nq
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Tennessee online sports betting officially launched on November 1, 2020, and many of the largest sportsbooks are live and operating in the volunteer state. Tennessee is only one of a handful of SEC football states with legalized sports betting.
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) June 11, 2022
Love or hate Tennessee, give the Vols credit. The masses were in the opposite corner. There were a whole lotta people bleeding blue and gold (and green?) while watching ESPN on Saturday afternoon.
Then again, what else is new? This is who the Vols have been all year. Win it all and it’ll be considered the fuel that the championship engine needed to get from Point A to Point B. Anything short of that and the Vols’ daddy hat-wearing ways will be considered the roadblock.
That’s the reality that Tennessee signed up for. What they didn’t sign up for was a do-or-die game without Gilbert. I suppose that’s what was new.
Was that Game 1 pitch that Gilbert got ejected on low? Sure. Would every umpire on planet earth have ejected him for dropping a couple of F-bombs? Probably not. But at the same time, getting hung up on a strike-1 call down 8-2 in a Super Regional can’t happen, especially when Gilbert had apparently been warned by umpires about comments made at them earlier in the game.
If Tennessee had lost on Saturday without Gilbert, you know what the narrative would’ve been.
“See, this is why you can’t play the game that way.”
Baseball purists everywhere would’ve rejoiced and Tennessee would’ve watched the College World Series from its couch instead of trying to do something that hasn’t been done since 1999. That is, win a national title as the No. 1 overall seed. Of course, if Tennessee is knocked out Sunday, the outside world will conveniently leave out that context and instead say that cockiness denied the program a return trip to Omaha.
Vitello and Co. don’t have time to worry about that. What they do have to worry about is getting another quality start like they did from SEC Pitcher of the Year Chase Dollander. He went 7 innings and surrendered 2 earned runs with 5 scattered hits. More important, he preserved the bullpen instead of putting Tennessee in a tough spot Sunday.
In Tennessee’s ideal world, Gilbert’s return Sunday will spark the Tennessee bats even more and the pitching staff will get a 9-run cushion like they got Saturday. (Gilbert’s ovation will be something fierce). There’s no guarantee of that scenario coming to fruition. As Gilbert’s ejection reminded us, things can change in a hurry, especially with the Vols. Usually, that sudden change comes in the form of a bases-clearing bomb, a bat flip and a wardrobe change … not a potential season-defining ejection.
Sunday’s elimination game won’t come down to how much juice is in Knoxville. To be fair, Tennessee didn’t get to this point simply because of the passion that it plays the game with. Tennessee has the No. 1 offense and the No. 1 ERA in America. You can have less personality than a patch of asphalt and that’ll still play.
Then again, that doesn’t guarantee Tennessee anything, nor does the fact that Vitello’s squad lost 1 series all season. Sunday is once again about survival. Tennessee won’t hear all that outside noise in the friendly confines of Lindsey Nelson Stadium, so it doesn’t make sense to pretend it’ll make or break the Vols’ chances of reaching Omaha.
Tennessee has a long way to go yet in order to be the last one standing. Round 2 on Saturday was a championship-level counterpunch.
But that’ll be an afterthought if Round 3 is anything short of a knockout blow.
“Nobody would’ve shed a tear to see Tennessee get an early exit.”
Nope.
At least the hillbilly fans held back from throwing McDonalds bags and mustard bottles at the umps.
Most fans love TN because we play good baseball. Also, we gave you 4 cans yesterday, what do you want? lol We are coming for more of your tears tomorrow..lol
Define “most fans”. The only people who like TN are TN fans, and everyone else would be more than happy to see an early exit for your program.
We wouldn’t have it any other way. You aren’t supposed to like your rivals. Vol fans certainly aren’t going to want to see the hogs advance.
” Vol fans certainly aren’t going to want to see the hogs advance.”
And no one cares.
snap, you’re missing the mark here. a # of fans may not like their rivals, but they likely still respect them. what’s taking place up in knoxville is difficult to respect.
Fans that live in the now and that does not include AR. LOL. Evidenced by AR fans who start false rumors because they are jelly. Hope that helps piggy. lol
LOL get over it pig boy. TV chose UT and will NEVER go back to the sister kissing state you call home.
“TV chose UT and will NEVER go back to the sister kissing state you call home.”
Pretty sure any southern state could be considered the kissing sister state, ma’am.
“Most fans love TN ”
LOLOL talk about delusional.
“We are coming for more of your tears tomorrow..lol”
Tears? Ma’am, you are insane if you think I get emotional over TN baseball.
And yet, here you are. Sad sack. Here commenting on a vols baseball post. Do you understand the concept of irony?
And to add to that…not just “commenting” but obviously getting emotional. So yea, take a step back and analyze your actions bud.
“And yet, here you are. Sad sack. Here commenting on a vols baseball post. Do you understand the concept of irony?”
1: There are no rules stating opposing fans can annoy other fans.
2: Irony doesn’t mean what you think it means, ma’am.
3: Your obsession with me is duly noted.
The way you rant about TN makes you a true Ma’am. Just like the ones that come in to tear up 7/11’s. lol. Can’t wait to see more Ma’am tears from you today Ronald. lol Remember, its just a game, so keep the BP low bro.
We see you obsess with TN and live rent free in your head Ronald, and we want you there. We want you to keep posting and exposing how deep the ODS (orange deragement syndrome) runs. What I wouldn’t give to be a fly on the wall and watch your reaction to Vols wins. Your an amazing creature of study lol.
“The way you rant about TN makes you a true Ma’am. Just like the ones that come in to tear up 7/11’s. lol. Can’t wait to see more Ma’am tears from you today Ronald. lol Remember, its just a game, so keep the BP low bro.’
Get your own material, k lanner.
Well yet again, gWhites prediction aged like milk
Since the 4th inning yesterday, we’ve outscored ND 18-4.
“Since the 4th inning yesterday, we’ve outscored ND 18-4.”
Do you get a trophy for that? The Atlanta Falcons scored 28 points on New England in the Super Bowl.
What does the Super Bowl have to do with college baseball. IT is hilarious when you spout off random things to try and sound smart.
LOL. It is what it is. It gives you a good indication of how effective a baseball team is against another one. The Atlanta Falcons? LOL Ok, show me the last time they were the number one football team in America? The best record, convincing wins over good teams? Also, wrong sport..sport. lol. You can never say anything for sure but way more times than not, if a team shows that kind of dominance over another to force a game three, it usually goes their way. TN just ate up the best pitcher ND has and frankly, he could have been pulled much sooner. Maybe it was the heat that got to him. Northern Indiana is one thing in the Summer, the TN heat is quite another.
“What does the Super Bowl have to do with college baseball. IT is hilarious when you spout off random things to try and sound smart.”
I see that went right over your head. Not surprising for someone with such a low IQ.
Well, at least you win the trophy for outscoring ND in the series 21-19.
And yet…
1998
Oh I see you’re here to cry a little.
“Oh I see you’re here to cry a little.”
No, I’m here to make TN fans mad. It’s working.
Taking pride in being the annoying child. Good for you.
“Taking pride in being the annoying child. Good for you.”
Corn dog, I always find it amazing how you say “let’s ignore Ronnie” yet….
Your reading comprehension skills could use work. You’re a troll. Not to be taken seriously, because you’re a troll. Best ignored is good advice for some here because they let you get under their skin. You’re like the 6 year old that thinks he’s clever. Sometimes, the adult in the room has to correct him. In you’re case, because you’re not actually six, I don’t mind pointing out your immaturity. It’s real.
LOL if you were here to make us made, maybe you should have told that to the ND team. Maybe you make the Vol players mad Ronald. Because they sure took it out on ND yesterday. So, whatever you are doing, keep it up!! 12-4 =)
” Best ignored is good advice for some here because they let you get under their skin. ”
Yet you keep posting comments to my comments, corn dog.
“LOL if you were here to make us made”
Make you made? Learn english, ma’am.
I still don’t care for the cockiness, but that doesn’t take away from the great baseball they are playing. I enjoy watching this team play.
“I enjoy watching this team play.”
I enjoy watching TN fans cry.
Do you cry when they don’t?
No.
LOL Do you think any TN fan is crying? LOL TN’s baseball team maybe one of the best that ever played. Got the fastest throwing pitcher in active baseball in any league. Caught and exposed E s P N in a blatant lie purported by a SEC West jelly rival and just hammered a ND team with their best pitcher who could pitch in the majors. Not much to be sad about. Also picked up the best player in the transfer portal two days ago, Maui Ahuna. Even if we lost today, we’d be grateful for a wonderful season. A season that brought more fans to the sport and school. Your a pimple of the backside of a hermit who has no internet, or wifi. Most will never know you exist. Your comment in a fleeting in time server that will disappear into the ether and the fans will still be singing Rocky Top long after your data are in bit prints marked for deletion. lol. Maybe you could sing along?
“LOL Do you think any TN fan is crying? ”
LOLOLOL. Ma’am, for someone that claims I’m the troll you sure do a great job of stalking me.
It’s football bleed in. The football fans have been caging up 15 years of bad coaching so, baseball is a great vent for that with this team being good. I like you as I like to see good baseball no matter who the team is. The fun part is reading the fan reactions. Like Rons..lol
“The fun part is reading the fan reactions. Like Rons..lol”
Ok stalker lady.
yeah im typically not a fan of that but at this point they are who they are so they just have to continue to embrace it and ride this thing as long as it lasts. GBO and go Honcho Villains!
The more I watch, the more this team reminds me of the Spurrier Gators teams. You are either a fan or you hate them. Vitello has some of that Spurrier fire and cocky smart mouth.
This team is indeed very polarizing, much like those Gators. The main difference is I think Spurrier had more fans outside their base than this team does. Probably many more.
Not too worried about how many fans our coach has. I’m sure many of the people saying how much they hate Vitello secretly wish he was on their side.
Of course they are!
That’s how it always works. You hate him until he’s yours.
LOL I don’t think that is true LSUMC lol. No one ever laughed at Spurrier’s jokes. They roll at Vitello and his other comments. He’s younger and has a different kind of relationships than the old ball coach had with his. Vitello even gets email love from rival female fans. They think he’s hawt.. lol
Spurrier owned the orange clowns.
“The more I watch, the more this team reminds me of the Spurrier Gators teams.”
Except for the fact that Spurrier won a title….and UT hasn’t.
Spurrier was a real coach. UT is a bottom dweller school.
Says the Auburn fan
Auburn has been relevant in every sport over the last 10+ years.
TN not so much.
Yes indeed, your womens equestrian team rocks…
AUBURN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Year Sport Head Coach
2019 Equestrian Greg Williams
2018 Equestrian Greg Williams
2016 Equestrian Greg Williams
2013 Equestrian Greg Williams
2011 Equestrian Greg Williams
Oh, I almost forgot…Auburn finishes 12th in SEC All-Sports rankings, barely ahead on national powers Ms St and Vandy…riveting
Tennessee is pretty relevant. They had one of the most watched bowl games. Their men’s and women’s basketball teams all are ranked and will probably be in the top 15. And I don’t even have to mention baseball. Their number one ranking speaks for itself.
Seems like you are a little biased.
Leg humper left out the 2010 football team. Moron.
“Tennessee is pretty relevant.’
Yeah, at sucking.
LOL More tears I see. Your anger is tears. lol. Bottom feeder you say? Aren’t all villains in the eyes of their prey? lol. Spurrier was a good coach but this is baseball and have you ever seen ole Steve try his hand at baseball? lol Obama threw a better first pitch to start a baseball season. LOL
“Aren’t all villains in the eyes of their prey? ‘
UT is the k lan of the SEC.
Im pulling for them but I absolutely hate the cockiness.
In the words from the movie Troy, “that is why no one will ever remember your name”. lol That cockiness is glory and people remember the reveling in it. Confidence always looks like cockiness to the less confident ~Limbaugh 1987.
“In the words from the movie Troy,’
You have terrible taste in movies, k lanner.
So, outside of Gilbert or Beck, who is overly cocky. And I do think these 2 take it a little to far sometimes
“who is overly cocky.”
The low IQ inbred UT fans.
Bruh your team literally plays in Alabama
Bruh, your team literally plays in TN.
That’s glory and reveling in it steeped in confidence. Those who think it’s cockiness, aren’t confident. Are you sure your not left-brain dominant? lol
Alabama does not have athletes majoring Aerospace engineering with 4.0 GPA averages. Many fans are UT graduates in equal par. What do you need to be a Bama fan? A pulse. lol
“Many fans are UT graduates in equal part…”
Now that’s funny right there, I don’t care who you are. I’m guessing the ones with a mouth full of dip and in checkered overalls are the masters degree holders…skoal brother
“Alabama does not have athletes majoring Aerospace engineering”
Retard, AU has an aerospace engineering program.
It’s really weird that no other SEC team has punched their ticket to Omaha.
It really isn’t. Only two teams have played more than one game so far. Tennessee split their two. Everyone else is 1-0.
” Everyone else is 1-0.”
Lie. AU hasn’t played yet, ma’am.
Good little troll.
I do hope for your sake and the SEC Ron that Auburn beats OSU. Why? Because Auburn is less competition for us down the road that OSU. Your so welcome. lol
Good plan gwhite…it worked like a charm for us when we threw the SEC Championship game to get Bama into the CFPs, I think you’re on to something…
“Why? Because Auburn is less competition for us down the road that OSU. ‘
I’m gonna laugh so hard when UT bows out.
In fact, you’ll disappear back to the bowels of your trailer park.
My bad. Based upon a brief perusal on this website, there is zero indication that any team other than UT is even still playing, much less moving on.
That’s because SDS puts 3 “articles” about TU tying their series on the main page, but just slips in that A&M is the first team to make it to Omaha.
Yeah, SDS headlines are weighted heavily on TN but that probably is the way it should be considering their season and stats (and the way media operates nowadays).
But, yes, congrats to the Aggies who punched their ticket.
The way it is looking, half of the teams in Omaha may be SEC and future SEC members.
BatteredAggieSyndrom 7 HOURS AGO
“That’s because SDS puts 3 “articles” about TU tying their series on the main page, but just slips in that A&M is the first team to make it to Omaha.”
They had all those Gator articles ready to go and then, they lost, so it was easier to simply change FU to TU in the headlines then to provide balanced reporting…
And from a UGA fan. I’m touched.
Battered Aggie don’t get mad at UT because of what SDs decided to write about. I guess if we are tu then we should refer to you as “little brother”.
Congrats on the win and also to ark and ole miss. The three teams I thought might advance with UT. Good luck to all today.
Good luck today Vols. Hoping for a Irish beatdown
I’m down to that part of the season where it’s root for the SEC to win as my teams aren’t in it. The two that are the most interesting are Tennessee and Old Miss. Tennessee for the amazing season they have put together. Amazing talent. If you like baseball they are fun to watch. Old Miss because they pretty much snuck in and are still there.
Same here. If Bama was still in it, i’d be rooting for them as well. Bama was sneaky good in that game two series with TN. Look for them to be improved next season.
Tennessee still reminds me of Arkansas last year. Clearly the best team, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they don’t get to Omaha.
Since the 4th inning of the first game, we’ve outscored them 18-4. I’d sure be surprised. lol
By the way, I’ve posted this all year. I’ve felt this for a while. This tourney is weird every year and usually the hottest team wins, not the best. State has played in the final series 3 times and lost 2. We faced the hottest team every time, not the best. Except last year. Last year we were the hottest team and Vandy was the best left. Guess who won?
Get surprised then homie, cuz your boys are going HOME!! Hahahaha
I think todays game will be somewhat similar to the SEC championship game where it will be tied going into the 4th or 5th then UT puts up a crooked number inning and wins the game fairly comfortably. Not sure who ND will start at pitcher, but I know there 2 studs have already pitched, and I’m pretty sure of a drop of from them. Go Big Orange!!!
ND has throw us their best pitchers. My guess is they will go back to their starter in game one. When they say ND is deeper than many teams, its Bertrand, their number two who started the first game than a massive drop off. Bertrand was their ace and he’s not at Dolander level. So, whomever they start has to have a near perfect outing because there is no one left in relief that is going to stop TN from later inning runs if need be. GBO!
GO BIG ORANGE!!!
Go your @$$es right back to Knoxville and watch some baseball on TV chump.
LOL. LOL
Love it!! Karma for those tools
Well, you’d be wrong chumpette lol…losers
Ready for the jealous tears from RonMexico to roll today
Love us or hate us, don’t care either way. I can’t force you to have good taste. Also for the person saying he wants to make UT fans mad, for you to upset me, I would have to respect your opinion. Seeing that you are and LSU fan that’s still upset that Tony Vitello said no to LSU after they backed up the Brinks truck to his house, kind of makes your ability to make me angry impossible. You can deny it, but you know that’s where all of your hate comes from.
Love em!
and they’re on their way back home
Yep..love it!!…ND looks very good…
Gators won 2 nattys this weekend…and the hillbillies get stuck in knoxville. God and the deep state are good!
Notre Dame started 9 graduated players..Rare and nice to see
This article aged terribly
aged great from my perspective