Tag: tony vitello

Dayton Dooney commits to Tennessee

Story detailing commitment of Dayton Dooney to Tennessee baseball.

KNOXVILLE — The University of Tennessee baseball team and head coach Tony Vitello received a commitment from a top transfer.

Dayton Dooney, a freshman All-America infielder who previously played for the University of Arizona, has committed to continue his collegiate baseball career in Knoxville for the Volunteers.

Following his freshman campaign with the Wildcats, Dooney left Tuscon to play at Central Arizona following the 2020 season.

He saw limited action for Arizona last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, hitting .146 in 13 games before the season came to a premature end.

In 2019, Dooney was named a freshman All-America by Collegiate Baseball, the NCBWA, Perfect Game/Rawlings, D1 Baseball and Baseball America.

Dooney played high school baseball at Poway High School in the San Diego Area.

He has played every infield position other than catcher. The future Vol hit .323 as a freshman at Arizona.

Tennessee in top 6 for elite 2021 defensive tackle

The Vols have a chance to sign this elite prospect from the northeast.

Tennessee is still in the conversation to land Tywone Malone, a 2021 defensive tackle prospect from Oradell, New Jersey.

Malone is not only a blue-chip interior defensive lineman, but also a high-level baseball player.

The Vols are included with USC, Rutgers, Ole Miss, Florida State and Texas A&M in Malone’s final decision.

A 6-foot-3.5, 300-pound lineman, Malone is rated a 4-star prospect, and the No. 5 defensive tackle in his class per the 247Sports Composite. A strong, powerful defender, Malone is also the top prospect in New Jersey.

The Vols have a few connections that could help bring Malone to Knoxville.

Tight ends coach Joe Osovet is listed as his primary recruiter, a coach who is familiar with the northeast, having spent much of his career coaching JUCO football in New York.

Malone also attends Bergen Catholic High School in New Jersey, the alma mater of current Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano. A burgeoning baseball program at UT under Tony Vitello could also help in the effort for Malone’s signature.

The Vols’ 2021 recruiting class currently sits at No. 6 in the country, and No. 3 in the SEC. Tennessee currently has two defensive tackle commits, including 4-star prospect KaTron Evans.

Matthew Dallas commits to Tennessee

Matthew Dallas commits to Tennessee.

ARLINGTON — The University of Tennessee baseball team and coach Tony Vitello have picked up a commitment from a rising sophomore from West Tennessee.

Matthew Dallas, a rising sophomore at Arlington High School and member of the Class of 2023, announced his decision to play college baseball in Knoxville with a social media post via Twitter Wednesday night.

Dallas, an outfielder, first baseman and pitcher for the Tigers tweeted:

“Extremely blessed to announce my athletic/academic commitment @Vol_Baseball. Thank you to everyone who has helped me along this journey. All Glory to God.”

Dallas plays his travel ball for the East Coast Sox, a team based in Mississippi.

Tony Vitello discusses 2020 Vols and ‘time they were given opportunity to play’

2020 Tennessee baseball.

KNOXVILLE — Tennessee’s baseball team started the 2020 season 15-2.

The Vols were set to open SEC play March 13 at South Carolina before the season ended abruptly due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Third-year Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello discussed his team and the shortened season — a campaign that showed the Vols defeating No. 1 Texas Tech and fans packing Lindsey Nelson Stadium in support throughout 14  home games.

“Vol Nation is a pretty powerful group,” Vitello told Vols Wire.

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Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Last year Vitello guided the UT program to its first NCAA postseason since 2005. Energy and excitement surrounded the program entering the 2020 season — something that was lacking upon his arrival in 2018.

“There was a buzz this season and I thought there were a lot of things that went in the right direction last year,” Vitello said. “You felt like when we first got the job we were just kind of a footnote. Baseball goes on, but it hasn’t done this in the past. We just wanted to be part of that group. I think we have done that.

“I think what showed was that two of our best crowds were basketball game days and we were fortunate enough to get spillover fans that went to the basketball game and wanted to see what we had going on. Then two, there were other days that were not tied to basketball and we had really good crowds, especially for weather that was not incredibly attractive for people to come sit and watch.”

Tennessee 2020 baseball
Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

The Vols finished 40-21 and competed in the Chapel Hill Regional of the NCAA Tournament last season. It was an improvement on a 29-27 first-year campaign in 2018 for Vitello.

Through only 17 games in 2020, Vitello saw his team continue to provide “significant change and progress in the right direction” for the Tennessee baseball program.

“This year was one that I thought was a group of guys that was going to catapult us into a category that we wanted to be in, a program where top recruits could consider us. A program where we should expect to be in the postseason, not just celebrated, but expected every year. One that has everyone’s attention on social media, one where we get very good SEC-level crowds at our games. I feel our group did that for the 17 games — the time they were given the opportunity to play — and then the rest was put on hold.

“Everyone is frustrated with the situation. There are so many unknowns in the world, and in the sporting world the one thing you can look at is that we did miss out on a little bit of progress. In those 17 games there was significant change and progress in the right direction by that group.”

Early offense propels Diamond Vols past Charlotte, 8-2

Tennessee defeats Charlotte.

KNOXVILLE — The University of Tennessee baseball team used some early offense to keep its perfect record intact in the first midweek game of the 2020 campaign.

The Volunteers scored two runs in each of the first two innings en route to an 8-2 victory over Charlotte on a rainy Tuesday afternoon before a sparse crowd at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

Jake Rucker, the Volunteers’ sophomore third baseman, opened the scoring when he smacked a two-run home run off 49ers’ starter Trae Starnes in the bottom of the first inning. Max Ferguson led off the frame with a double and scored on Rucker’s round-tripper.

The Vols (4-0) added to their advantage with two more runs in the second, and it was Daniels, Tennessee’s right fielder, who delivered the big blow with a two-run double to make it 4-0.

Charlotte (1-3) scored twice in the top of the third on an RBI single by leadoff hitter Carson Johnson. David McCabe knocked in another run with a sacrifice fly.

The Vols made it 5-2 in their half of the third when Liam Spencer drew a walk with the bases loaded and two outs. Starnes was able to avoid any further damage when he caught Ferguson looking to end the frame.

Daniels had a solo shot in the fourth to make it 6-2.

The Vols made it 8-2 in the bottom of the eighth when pinch runner Christian Stewart scored on a wild pitch and Alerick Soularie drove home Ferguson with a sacrifice fly.

Soularie, a preseason American, is still looking for his first hit of the 2020 season.

Pitcher Elijah Pleasants, making his second career start, went five innings and picked up the win. He surrendered two runs (one earned) and six hits. He didn’t walk a batter and struck out three.

Sean Hunley, Will Mabrey, Christian Delashmit and Redmond Walsh each pitched an inning of scoreless relief for the Diamond Vols.

Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello said that he is pleased with his team’s effort out of the gate this season.

“I think with young kids, anytime they have success, it builds confidence,” Vitello said. “You’re not going to go through 56 games without getting punched in the mouth, in the gut, or whatever you want to call it.

“But for now, they’re excited about finding out what they can and can’t do. That’s what good competition will do and I think we had that tonight.”

Diamond Vols announce MVP Luncheon dates

Diamond Vols announce MVP Luncheon dates.

KNOXVILLE — The University of Tennessee baseball team announced the dates for each of its four MVP Luncheons, which will take place throughout the season.

The first luncheon will be held on Monday, Feb. 24 at the Ray Mears Room at Thompson-Boling Arena.

That will be the first of four monthly luncheons to be held throughout the regular season.

They will be held from noon-1 p.m. and will feature a question-and-answer session with third-year Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello.

The events will be catered by Moe’s Southwest Grill. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at AllVols.com.

Fans attending the February event will receive either a free admission voucher or a $5 concession voucher for the Vols’ series against George Washington (Feb. 28-March 1).

Free parking for the first luncheon will be available in Lot 23-D, located at the corner of Neyland Drive and Lake Loudoun Blvd., across from Pratt Pavilion.

A parking pass will be emailed to each ticket purchaser.

The other MVP Luncheon dates:

Monday, March 16: Luaricella Center in Neyland Stadium.

Monday, April 13: Location, TBD.

Monday, May 11, TBD.

John Altobelli had impact on Vols’ baseball program

John Altobelli had impact on Vols’ baseball program.

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KNOXVILLE — A Sunday Southern California helicopter crash devastated the basketball world when it took the life of legendary Kobe Bryant.

The college baseball world also lost a pivotal figure as Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli died in the crash along with Bryant and seven others. The crash also claimed the life of Bryant’s 13-year old daughter and Altobelli’s wife and one of his daughters.

NBA: Kobe Bryant Helicopter Crash
Jan 26, 2020; Calabasas, California, USA; Scene of the hillside where the helicopter carrying Kobe Bryant crashed in Calabasas, CA this morning. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Altobelli died just two days before his Pirates were to begin the 2020 season and defense of their 2019 California Junior College State championship.

Altobelli, 56, won four state championships with Orange Coast and won 705 games in 27 years in Costa Mesa in the Orange Empire Conference, one of the Golden State’s top leagues.

University of Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello and pitching coach Frank Anderson both knew Altobelli well and were saddened by his sudden passing.

“John was a great human being and an incredible baseball man with a mile-long list of contributions to the game,” Vitello said in a UT press release. “John’s family, as well as the families of the others lost in the accident, will be in our thoughts and prayers during these difficult times.”

Anderson agreed.

“John was a great guy and a fantastic baseball coach who did so much for college baseball,” Anderson said. “My thoughts are with his family.”

In addition to coaching the Pirates for nearly three decades, Altobelli, who played college baseball at the University of Houston, coached in the Cape Cod League from 2011-14.

He was the head coach of the Brewster White Caps for three seasons.

In Brewster, he coached former Volunteers Andrew Lee and Drew Steckenrider.

Lee said that Altobelli was a great baseball coach who genuinely cared for his players.

“Coach Altobelli was a great man who cared for every guy that had the privilege to play for him,” Lee said. “He coached and taught in a way that made everybody want to pull on the same rope, which is hard to achieve in a league with so much talent.

“John helped many of us on our journey to becoming men and I’m deeply saddened to hear this tragic news. My thoughts prayers go out to his family and the families of everyone involved.”

 

Tennessee baseball offers 2022 QB prospect Kaden Martin

Tennessee baseball offers Kaden Martin.

While Knoxville Catholic sophomore Kaden Martin is widely regarded as an exciting prospect as a dual-threat quarterback, his skills on the diamond are drawing attention as well.

Tennessee baseball has extended an offer to the local product, as he announced on his Twitter page on Wednesday.

Martin is the son of Tennessee wide receivers coach and former national championship-winning quarterback Tee Martin.

As a left-handed pitcher and outfielder standing at 6-foot-1 and 205-pounds, Martin will likely have his choice to play collegiate football or baseball at a high level, or possible even elect to sign for an MLB team by the end of his high school career.

Martin already holds offers from schools such as Alabama, Kentucky and USC to play football. When put on a national stage in early October, Martin did not disappoint, scoring five total touchdowns as he led Knoxville Catholic to a win over Brentwood Academy in a game broadcasted on ESPN.

While Tony Vitello and Tennessee baseball have officially put themselves in the running for Martin’s services, the rising junior still does not hold an offer from Tennessee football.

With his father on staff, it will be interesting to see if the Vols extend an offer to the talented dual-threat quarterback and decide to pursue along with the baseball program, allowing him to play both.