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Tony Vitello thought Levi Clark went around on a check swing in the fourth inning of Tennessee baseball's series finale against Auburn.
The Vols coach also thought Auburn's Eric Guevara went around on a check swing in the fifth inning. Only Clark's was called a swing and the different rulings were on Vitello's mind as he stormed from the dugout and headed toward an ejection.
“Probably the comparison of the check swings of Levi versus — Levi won’t like hearing it, but I think he went," Vitello said. "I think both guys went.
The Vols coach was tossed in UT's 8-1 loss in the series finale at Lindsey Nelson Stadium as Tennessee lost its third straight series.
It was Vitello's first ejection since March 19, 2023, against Missouri. It is the fifth in his career. He was ejected against Kentucky in his first season in 2018, against Vanderbilt in 2021, and against Alabama in 2022.
Vitello ran onto the field after pitcher Brayden Krenzel walked Guevara to score a run in a run in the fifth inning. The third ball to Guevara featured a check-swing call that Vitello was displeased with.
Vitello went to home-plate umpire John Brammer after Krenzel walked Guevara on the following pitch. He then yelled at third-base umpire Javerro January, who was behind the plate in Game 2. He had fire for second-base umpire Ben Levin, who had Tennessee irate with his strike zone in Game 1. He finished with a brief exchange with first-base umpire Richard Riley before heading into the dugout.
January was the umpire who tossed Vitello.
Vitello indicated there was probably "spillover" from the first game when tensions arose and Vols pitcher Liam Doyle was tossed in the 11th inning. Doyle was ejected following an exchange at home plate with Auburn's Bristol Carter after Doyle tagged Carter out trying to steal home to end the inning.
"If anything, these guys that are out there between the lines should probably get to say some things to each other and probably should be granted that right," Vitello said.
WINNER: Chris Newstrom hits pinch-hit walk-off single for Tennessee baseball in 11th vs Auburn
The Vols trailed 6-0 when Vitello was ejected after Krenzel walked in back-to-back runs.
UT lost the opener 6-1 to the Tigers then won 5-4 on a walk-off single in the 11th inning in Game 2.
Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tony Vitello explains his ejection in Tennessee baseball vs Auburn
Continue reading...
The Vols coach also thought Auburn's Eric Guevara went around on a check swing in the fifth inning. Only Clark's was called a swing and the different rulings were on Vitello's mind as he stormed from the dugout and headed toward an ejection.
“Probably the comparison of the check swings of Levi versus — Levi won’t like hearing it, but I think he went," Vitello said. "I think both guys went.
The Vols coach was tossed in UT's 8-1 loss in the series finale at Lindsey Nelson Stadium as Tennessee lost its third straight series.
It was Vitello's first ejection since March 19, 2023, against Missouri. It is the fifth in his career. He was ejected against Kentucky in his first season in 2018, against Vanderbilt in 2021, and against Alabama in 2022.
Why Tony Vitello was ejected in Tennessee baseball vs. Auburn
Vitello ran onto the field after pitcher Brayden Krenzel walked Guevara to score a run in a run in the fifth inning. The third ball to Guevara featured a check-swing call that Vitello was displeased with.
Vitello went to home-plate umpire John Brammer after Krenzel walked Guevara on the following pitch. He then yelled at third-base umpire Javerro January, who was behind the plate in Game 2. He had fire for second-base umpire Ben Levin, who had Tennessee irate with his strike zone in Game 1. He finished with a brief exchange with first-base umpire Richard Riley before heading into the dugout.
January was the umpire who tossed Vitello.
Vitello indicated there was probably "spillover" from the first game when tensions arose and Vols pitcher Liam Doyle was tossed in the 11th inning. Doyle was ejected following an exchange at home plate with Auburn's Bristol Carter after Doyle tagged Carter out trying to steal home to end the inning.
"If anything, these guys that are out there between the lines should probably get to say some things to each other and probably should be granted that right," Vitello said.
WINNER: Chris Newstrom hits pinch-hit walk-off single for Tennessee baseball in 11th vs Auburn
The Vols trailed 6-0 when Vitello was ejected after Krenzel walked in back-to-back runs.
UT lost the opener 6-1 to the Tigers then won 5-4 on a walk-off single in the 11th inning in Game 2.
Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tony Vitello explains his ejection in Tennessee baseball vs Auburn
Continue reading...
