Tennessee baseball dropped game two of its weekend series at Arkansas 8-6 on Friday night in what was a rare poor outing from Liam Doyle.
Following the game, Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello discussed Doyle’s struggles, the message entering another rubber match and much more. Here’s everything Vitello said.
More From RTI: Liam Doyle Strugles As Tennessee Baseball Drops Game Two At Arkansas
On Liam Doyle’s outing
“Location wasn’t as good. Started out with a couple of hits in front of our infielders and then a ball we lose in the sun. After that, they started to take some good swings against him. I don’t know if they knew what was coming or had (inaudible) or anything like that. Regardless, even if they don’t, they have confident hitters who are fully capable of taking good swings – as they did against our other guys. Our other guys were just able to battle and put up some zeros. So, if anything, him throwing a hundred pitches certainly helps us for tomorrow because of course we are right in the middle of a series and not just a game.”
On Arkansas relief pitcher Cole Gibler
“Yeah, breaking balls in the dirt. I mean, it is a big-arching breaking ball. Easier said that done from the side to lay off it or see it up or any of that stuff. He had a good presence to him and really the story was not even – he threw enough strikes but balls that were out of the zone and out guys chased.”
On message for team heading into rubber match tomorrow
“Come out and play. Little bit of what we have seen so far this weekend and the last few days as far as information or adjustment you make – but to be honest with you, not of it was really groundbreaking. It was more about coming out morrow and paying ball.”
On if Aiden Jimenez surprised him as a starter for Arkansas
“No. They told us right away. Coach [Dave] Van Horn respects the game. There’s not going to be any shenanigans or anything like that. We knew as soon as the game was over, so there wasn’t even really time to think about it.
