Fall Report: Tennessee

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tony Vitello stands near the left-field line at Lindsey Nelson Stadium, talking about the departed members of the 2019 Tennessee baseball team. Behind him, the years of Tennessee’s NCAA tournament appearances are stenciled on the left-field wall: … 2001, 2004, 2005, 2019.

“You’d rather win a national championship, but those guys are very proud of ending the—” Vitello pauses, glances over his shoulder and gestures at the left-field wall “—lull we’ve had here. So we’re very grateful to that group.”

Four everyday regulars and three of the top four pitchers by innings pitched are gone from that[…]