Remarks made by former Tennessee baseball coach Rod Delmonico regarding the Vols’ current situation.
Baseball in Tennessee is just one victory away from making it to the Men’s College World Series final series in 2024. The program’s first national championship is three games away. With a 6-1 victory over North Carolina on Sunday, the Vols advanced to their side of the eight-man field’s Bracket 1 final. After two days off, they’ll be back in action on Wednesday at 3:06 p.m. ET. They would play for the national championship in the championship series if they won.
A rematch between Tennessee and Florida State is planned. In the exciting opening game for both teams in Omaha on Friday night, UT defeated FSU, 12–11, with four runs in the bottom of the ninth inning.
In response to the devastating defeat, the Seminoles defeated North Carolina on Tuesday, 9-5, and Virginia on Sunday, 7-3, to win back-to-back elimination games and move out of the loser’s bracket. To advance, they must defeat Tennessee two days in a row. Former Tennessee baseball coach Rod Delmonico discussed his views on the program’s present status with Josh Ward and former Vols receiver Jayson Swain on 99.1 The Sports Animal in Knoxville.
Delmonico discussed a variety of topics, including his connection with Tony Vitello, his observations on Vitello’s development as a head coach, Christian Moore’s iconic performance, and the work that Vitello and Frank Anderson have accomplished. This concludes Delmonico’s remarks. His opinions on this Tennessee baseball team’s performance thus far this season:
“Well, their team has really pleased me. They truly do have a full squad. They can hit really well. They really don’t need to steal bases, but they can if they so choose. Excellent coaching and defense. I’m really proud of Tony; he’s done an incredible job at Tennessee. I must admit, though, that it did take another Italian to remedy it.
“Frank Anderson is among the best three pitching coaches in the nation, in my opinion. He might be the pitching coach of choice. His pitchers are throwing three pitches for a strike, if you can see at them. As you are well aware, changeup is your best possible pitch. Additionally, each of his pitchers possesses three pitchers that can throw strikes. Very competitive. It’s an entire team. They played North Carolina and North Carolina the other night, and from what I’ve seen on TV multiple times, North Carolina is an extremely talented team, and Tennessee made them seem mediocre. That is the quality of Tennessee.”
If he has observed the coaching styles of Frank Anderson and Tony Vitello changing during the past few seasons: “Well, sometimes I believe it to be the law of average. Even with a fantastic team like they had a few years ago, things don’t always work out the way you had hoped. The competition is just too fierce. Everyone is doing well. Additionally, there are just two teams who advance to Omaha. A number of the teams there were ecstatic to arrive, and there is one team that is content to be there. And they’re content if they succeed.
“And after that, a squad goes on to win the national title. Additionally, LSU excelled under Skip Bertman. Their goal was to take home the national championship when they arrived. And I believe Tennessee is at this moment. They have a goal in mind. To win the national championship is the goal. They’re sick of being content to simply arrive; they’re not claiming they were in the past; rather, it’s a process of development. Additionally, two of your coaches have been there.
They understand how to triumph. If they follow their coaches’ instructions and continue to play as they did the other evening. They simply defeated them the other night. It wasn’t as though we would play, take the lead, and then kind of coast. They’ve just removed all opposition from North Carolina. Because of it, North Carolina appeared far worse than they actually are.”
If this is Vitello’s most balanced Tennessee squad to date: “That’s what I would say. They exhibit excellent leadership among their seniors. They are capable of everything, as I have stated. They are able to defend. Really, the other night you had guys hitting home runs right out of the ballpark off the bench. They do, after all, have good depth. Without a doubt, I believe this to be Tony and Frank’s best combination to yet. And at the conclusion of this, they will be extremely proud of what they have accomplished if they continue to play like they are.”