Chris Stamos' best outing for Tennessee baseball gives Vols reset they needed at SEC Tournament
HOOVER, Ala. — Chris Stamos didn’t resist Tony Vitello taking him out of the game Thursday.
The Tennessee baseball pitcher did want to have a surprising conversation first, though.
“He wanted to talk to me about the movie ‘Tombstone’ out there when I take the ball from his hand,” Vitello said.
Stamos was understandably in a grand mood. The senior pitcher had his best outing at Tennessee to keep the Vols playing in the SEC Tournament. He threw 3⅓ innings of one-hit baseball to set up No. 1 Tennessee for its 7-4 win against No. 4 seed Texas A&M at Hoover Met.
“I think it was kind of what the doctor ordered after (Wednesday),” Vitello said.
How Chris Stamos reset Tennessee baseball pitching in SEC Tournament
Vitello realized Thursday he didn’t know if Stamos had postseason experience before starting against Texas A&M (44-13). Maybe Stamos pitched in the Pac-12 Tournament during his two seasons at Cal. Perhaps in junior college.
It didn’t matter.
“He looked like a pro out there,” Vitello said.
Tennessee (47-11) wasn’t reeling following a 13-4 loss to Vanderbilt in its SEC Tournament opener. Still, it was happy to get a good palate cleanse in a return to its typical pitching attack after a midweek-type approach against the Commodores.
Stamos struck out two in the first inning, ringing up All-SEC outfielders Jace LaViolette and Braden Montgomery to end the inning. He got another strikeout in the second to pitch around a walk. He allowed a third-inning solo homer. That was the lone damage the Aggies got on Stamos, who is 3-0 with a 3.34 ERA this season.
The 6-foot-4 lefty set down Montgomery again before departing after reaching the fourth inning for the first time.
“I know he is not waving his fist and all that stuff, but he is a pretty intense guy,” Vitello said. "I think that is important to manage in a setting like this. He seemed to have a good balance of the proper intensity but also having his breath under him.”
How Chris Stamos, AJ Causey pairing sets up Tennessee pitching in SEC Tournament
Vitello and pitching coach Frank Anderson have used the pairing of Stamos and AJ Causey (seven strikeouts in four innings) through most of SEC play in the opening game of weekend series. It was highly effective again Thursday in shutting down one of the nation's most powerful offenses. Kirby Connell (two strikeouts in 1⅔ innings) closed the game.
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Junior Drew Beam will start against the loser of No. 5 Mississippi State and No. 8 Vanderbilt on Friday (approximately 7 p.m. ET, SEC Network). Reliever Aaron Combs is also available. UT wants to get starter Zander Sechrist work, which could be an inning Friday or a Saturday start if the Vols advance.
They have the chance to advance thanks to Stamos’ outing.
“I’m just glad the guy is here,” Vitello said.
Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on Twitter @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee baseball: Chris Stamos surprises in SEC Tournament win
