Tennessee baseball head coach Tony Vitello had a moment before the College World Series finals.
His phone sent him a memory from years before which included a photo of Vitello and his dad on a natural field at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. There were trees in left field, unclear if there were any porches — a big difference from the growing stadium that stands today.
With the several off days that come with the College World Series, Vitello took a moment to remember just how far Tennessee’s baseball program had come.
Vitello hosted lemonade stands on Ped Walkway to try and get fans in the stands. His first game as head coach, a 4-0 loss to Maryland, had just 1,312 fans inside the not yet renovated Lindsey Nelson Stadium. Things have surely changed for Vitello and Tennessee baseball.