Tennessee thumped Dayton 12-2 in Friday's series opener at Lindsey Nelson Stadium behind stellar pitching from Chase Dollander and with associate head coach Josh Elander calling the shots.
Head coach Tony Vitello is suspended for the entire three-game series against the Flyers, with that announcement made through a university release. The release revealed that Vitello and the school are "working collaboratively with the NCAA to address a violation in the program" and that an update would be provided Monday.
"Coach Vitello has acknowledged his mistake and accepted full responsibility," the university said via the release. "We appreciate his cooperation in the process and his dedication to do right by the student-athletes in the Tennessee baseball program. NCAA bylaws prohibit additional comment or details.
"The university will continue to emphasize — to all staff — the imperative of leading with honesty and integrity."
The Volunteers (4-2) have yet to play this season with shortstop Maui Ahuna, the former Kansas Jayhawks star who has not been cleared from an eligibility standpoint.
"I respect that you guys have a job to do, but I've been told there is nothing really I can say on Tony's deal," Elander told reporters. "Anything about baseball I'll be more than happy to answer."
Dollander nearly worked six full innings, recording 12 strikeouts in 95 pitches. He allowed a two-run home run in the first before matching his strikeouts high with the Vols.
"He's just got elite stuff," Elander said. "Guys are going to run into balls because it's a premium fastball. Guys circle facing him a week before we play somebody. He's the guy, and he's earned that."
The Vols amassed 12 hits from eight players, with leadoff batter Jared Dickey going 3-for-4 with a home run, three RBIs and three runs scored. Zane Denton and Griffin Merritt had two hits apiece.
Tennessee pitchers racked up 20 strikeouts, with AJ Russell replacing Dollander and striking out the first five batters he faced.
The Vols and Flyers (0-4) play again at 2 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com.