Vitello serving multigame suspension, but his Vols keep rolling

In the eyes of Tennessee fans, Tony Vitello is a fiery, fun-loving baseball coach who has swiftly taken the Volunteers to unprecedented heights that include their current No. 1 ranking.

When it comes to Vols opponents, Vitello can be too showy and pushes the envelope regarding the sport's unwritten rules of etiquette.

Whatever the viewpoint, Vitello may not be seen or heard from these next few days after receiving a four-game suspension per NCAA policy for bumping into an umpire. The incident took place Saturday night during the first inning of Tennessee's 9-2 downing of Alabama inside Lindsey Nelson Stadium, with hitting coach and recruiting coordinator Josh Elander serving as acting coach for the rest of that game and Sunday afternoon's 15-4 thumping of the 24th-ranked Crimson Tide.

"Obviously it's not good, because I think he's one of the best coaches in college baseball," Elander told reporters Sunday. "He'll find a way some way and somehow to have our guys prepared and will put us in a position to win."

Vitello and pitching coach Frank Anderson were ejected Saturday by third-base umpire Jeffrey Macias, with Anderson getting tossed first and Vitello entering the fray and getting ejected before quickly bumping into Macias. The fireworks continued in the fourth inning when Alabama first-base coach Matt Reida was ejected.

Anderson was suspended for Sunday's contest but can return Tuesday, when the Vols host Bellarmine. Vitello will not return until next Sunday's finale of a three-game series at Florida.

When asked what a Vitello-less dugout was like, Vols third baseman Trey Lipscomb said: "It's pretty unique, but I think we have guys up and down the list who can lead this team."

Lipscomb, second baseman Jorel Ortega and right fielder Jordan Beck combined for four home runs and 11 RBIs in Sunday's shellacking, which clinched the series for the Vols, who improved to 33-3 overall and to 14-1 in Southeastern Conference play. The Vols are also 9-0 in Sunday games this season and 8-0 on Saturday.

"It was a good day for our guys with a lot of good swings," Elander said, "and there was great energy in the building from the get-go. I am really proud of the way our guys competed."

Tennessee Athletics photo / Tennessee third baseman Trey Lipscomb homered twice and drove in five runs during Sunday afternoon's 15-4 defeat of Alabama.

Alabama handed Tennessee its first league loss with Friday night's 6-3 triumph, chasing Vols starting pitcher Chase Burns with seven hits and five runs in three innings. It was the second straight Friday in which the star freshman failed to work into the fourth inning.

"Any pitcher is going to scuffle, but let's be honest, that's two in a row here where it didn't go as well as he wanted," Vitello said Friday night. "He's facing some good opponents, but there is probably some stuff to reset a little bit."

Following Friday's setback, Vols reliever Will Mabrey provided some series spice by saying: "We're going to come back tomorrow hot, and they don't really have a chance. They were also partying like they thought they won the World Series, so we'll let them know how it tastes tomorrow."

The Vols wound up outscoring the Crimson Tide 24-6 in the final two contests.

Beck backed Mabrey's comments Saturday with a pair of home runs, and Alabama catcher Dominic Tamez aided Tennessee's seven-run victory with three throwing errors into left field, which resulted in three runs scoring.

Chase Dollander, Saturday's starter for the Vols, exited the game after taking a line drive off his right (throwing) arm that resulted in an out that ended the first inning. Dollander was replaced by former Cleveland High School standout Camden Sewell, who worked into the sixth, allowing two runs on five hits in improving to 4-1.

"Cam is always a guy who when we're in a jam, he's going to find a way to get us out," Elander said. "I'm glad Cam is in our dugout."

Dollander had his right arm in a sling before Sunday's game.

Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524. Follow him on Twitter @DavidSPaschall.