Tennessee (50-17) opened play Sunday at the College World Series against Virginia (36-25) in Omaha, Nebraska.
The Cavaliers defeated Tennessee, 6-0, at TD Ameritrade Park.
Tennessee recorded six hits and left eight on base against Virginia.
Following the contest, fourth-year Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello met with media and discussed how Vol fans deserved a better performance.
“I thought there were moments, whether at the plate or on the mound, where we lacked conviction and it cost us a little bit,” Vitello said. “Towards the end of the game, when the score wasn’t the way we wanted, we uncharacteristically — rolled over is not the right word — but we lost our edge a little bit, which has been so beneficial to us. Vol fans deserve better because I know they came out in big numbers and certainly have helped us to get to this point, too. It wasn’t like there wasn’t some try hard out there and some preparation. If anything, maybe there was a little bit too much of that.
“For all those fans that did watch, certainly not the happiest Father’s Day for our crew, but it is Father’s Day, so that will be the next thing that everyone needs to celebrate in our locker room. Then we need to turn the page and have some good preparation tomorrow to prepare for Tuesday afternoon.”
The Vols will play Texas (47-16) in an elimination game Tuesday. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m. EDT with ESPNU televising the matchup.
Mississippi State defeated the Longhorns, 2-1, Sunday during the opening round of the College World Series.