This marks the second time in three seasons that the Vols have won at least a share of the SEC regular-season title, and the fifth time in program history. Tennessee last won the title in 2022, with the previous win before Tony Vitello’s tenure occurring in 1995.

Additionally, Tennessee won the SEC East in the final year of the division’s existence, thanks to their win over South Carolina and Kentucky’s loss. UT has now won the East three of the last four years and nine times in program history, last achieving this before Vitello in 1997.

Here are Tony Vitello’s comments following the Vols’ SEC Championship win:

On what was working so well for Zander Sechrist today:

“His approach or attitude. I’d use that word delicately because his attitude is great. He’s enjoyable to be around both on and off the field. He was unhappy when he was taken out early last week, but he handled it well. Players have different roles, and when they get their chance, they need to compete. We owe a lot to Chris Stamos and Drew Beam, but Zander showed right from the start that he was throwing with conviction and determined to keep the ball. He pitched a phenomenal game.”

On winning a share of the SEC title:

“It’s a lot to take in and very difficult to do. Congratulations to anyone in this league who finished with a winning record; it’s not easy. Finishing in the top four sets you up nicely for the postseason. We hoped Vanderbilt’s JD Thompson could hold off Kentucky today, but we focused on winning our game. I’m proud of our guys for staying focused on the task at hand, which usually leads to good results.”

On what it says about Sechrist to throw with conviction in a big game:

“He’s evolved a lot as a player, showing consistent improvement. This speaks to his work ethic and character. His determination is impressive, even if it doesn’t always show outwardly. It’s important for a player to get better each year, and he’s done that, with more room to grow.”

On having confidence in Aaron Combs in late-game scenarios:

“The biggest thing is knowing the player wants to be out there, and Combs certainly does. He has a unique intensity and his stuff is different from others, making him a valuable pitcher. His experience in various game situations makes him trustworthy.”

On changing the approach or mindset heading into the postseason:

“We’ll wait to see when we’re supposed to play on Wednesday. Competing is always important, but we also want to manage things properly. We’ve already discussed certain goals for Hoover and aim to check those boxes while trying to win.”

On what the fans mean to him and the team:

“The fans made a noticeable difference this weekend, especially in the first two games. Their support gives us an edge. We appreciate the fans, as well as everyone who has helped us, including the media. It’s a collective effort that has contributed to our success.”

On staying focused heading into the SEC Tournament:

“I’m a bit worn out, but the team has shown maturity and tunnel vision on what’s ahead. We’ll give them 24 hours to celebrate and then focus on the next task.”

On AJ Russell’s status entering the SEC Tournament:

“Russell is anxious to play, though he may not be at 100%. We plan to use him for short outings to support our staff. He’s a valuable addition, but we don’t expect him to save the day. We have a strong group we trust.”

On Dalton Bargo’s success at the plate entering the postseason:

“Bargo has confidence in himself, and so do we. Frequent lineup changes aren’t due to mistakes but because we have flexibility. Bargo’s pace and approach today were good. His success against strong competition prepares us well for Hoover.”

On what adding Russell does for the depth of the pitching staff:

“Russell adds depth and gives us more options, especially if we play more than three games. He has experience starting and relieving, which is valuable for managing different scenarios.”

On balancing trying to win the SEC Tournament with preparing for a regional:

“We want to compete and win, but also to check certain boxes like pitch counts and giving players opportunities. It’s possible to do both, and our previous success allows us to manage this balance effectively.”