Tag: wood bats

Jorel Ortega discusses Vols’ loss to Tennessee Tech at Smokies Stadium

Jorel Ortega discusses the Vols’ loss to Tennessee Tech at Smokies Stadium played with wood bats.

No. 1 Tennessee (31-2, 12-0 SEC) lost to Tennessee Tech (18-12, 2-4 OVC), 3-2, Tuesday at Smokies Stadium in Kodak, Tennessee.

Smokies Stadium is home of the Chicago Cubs’ Double-A affiliate Tennessee Smokies.

The game was played with a crowd of 8,183 in attendance. Tennessee and the Golden Eagles broke the attendance record at Smokies Stadium.

The game was played with wood bats.

Tony Vitello recaps Tennessee’s performance using wood bats

PHOTOS: No. 1 Tennessee plays with wood bats at Smokies Stadium

Following the game, Tennessee redshirt sophomore second baseman Jorel Ortega met with media. He discussed the contest that ended Tennessee’s 23-game winning streak.

Ortega’s media availability can be watched below.

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Tony Vitello recaps Tennessee’s performance using wood bats

Tony Vitello recaps Tennessee’s performance using wood bats against Tennessee Tech at Smokies Stadium.

No. 1 Tennessee (31-2, 12-0 SEC) lost to Tennessee Tech (18-12, 2-4 OVC), 3-2, Tuesday at Smokies Stadium in Kodak, Tennessee.

Smokies Stadium is home of the Chicago Cubs’ Double-A affiliate Tennessee Smokies.

“Give credit to Tennessee Tech for how they played,” Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello said following the game. “We got beat, regardless of where we were playing or what bats we were using.”

Tuesday’s game was played with wood bats.

Vitello further discussed Tennessee’s performance playing with wood bats.

“I think what you’re going to get out of the bats is someone’s not going to pop a cheap one,” Vitello said. “You may get a few more slower hit ground balls. It’s going to downscale the score of the game, so, to me, maybe you can make the argument, there’s aluminum in your hands, you lose 6-5, instead of what it was.

“The approach was not very good, and overall, there was just decisions, starting for me, scattered throughout the game. Players and coaches probably would like to go back and redo it, but you don’t get to do that.”

Vitello’s full postgame media availability can be watched here.

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