On Sunday night, the Tennessee baseball team suffered a walk-off loss on their own field in front of a nearly sold-out crowd. It marked the first time a Tony Vitello-led team had ever lost a regional game, sending Vols fans into a state of panic. After the game, Tennessee first baseman Blake Burke challenged Vols fans, laying out the standard he expected for Monday’s matchup.
“Going to last year's regional that they played in, the opposing pitcher couldn't even hear his pitch-com in his ear, and I don't think our fans should need an invite to get excited. As players we play with a ton of emotion. We work our tail off every single day to be the best version of ourselves. I think even today it was good, it was great, but season on the line tomorrow, I'd expect it to almost double in noise. There needs to be a showing and a will and a want from our crowd," Fischer said.
Tennessee didn’t have a set starter for the game, but head coach Tony Vitello hinted that ace Liam Doyle had been in his ear after the loss. Doyle had thrown 104 pitches in the team’s opener on Friday.
Pitching again just two days later is virtually unheard of—especially for a player projected as a top-five MLB Draft pick. But Doyle didn’t care; he just wanted to help his team win. Handed the ball with seven outs to go, Doyle delivered, striking out the final batter with a 99 MPH fastball.
On Tuesday, ESPN’s Chris Low highlighted Doyle’s selflessness and leadership.
“We don't celebrate team like we once did in college sports (coaches/players fixated on cash, opt outs, portal hopping, pro stock), but Liam Doyle, projected top-5 pick, coming back after throwing 104 pitches Friday and closing out @Vol_Baseball's win over Wake is epitome of team,” Low wrote.
Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
What Doyle did was special. It speaks volumes about his character—and more importantly, it shows that nothing matters more to him than the Power T.