Tony Vitello defends Dean Curley amid Tennessee baseball infielder's defensive struggles
HOOVER, Ala. — Tony Vitello has no problem with Dean Curley’s defense as the Tennessee baseball infielder has struggled in the back half of his sophomore season.
The Vols coach firmly defended Curley and his defense, stressing he has total confidence in Curley after an error in the fifth inning of UT’s SEC Tournament win against Alabama.
“I am plenty good with it,” Vitello said. "Ride or die — for anything, on or off the field with that guy.”
Curley threw early and wide of first base, allowing a pair of runs to score in Alabama’s five-run fifth inning. No. 8 seed Tennessee responded by scoring 10 straight runs to win 15-10 against No. 9 seed Alabama (41-16) on May 21.
The Vols (42-15) play No. 1 seed Texas (42-11) in the tournament quarterfinals on May 22 (4 p.m. ET, SEC Network) — and Vitello sure sounded like Curley will be right back in the lineup at second.
“He has done a really good job for us adjusting at second,” Vitello said.
Curley has largely started at second base in May after defensive miscues on the left side of the infield in April. He made a throwing error after Alabama’s Kade Snell hit a grounder at him with two outs and the bases loaded in the fifth.
“That was a play that was a tricky one as far as the hop you get,” Vitello said. “I think because of the way he fielded it, he thought he needed to get rid of it right away and we had Fisch deep. It was an odd play.”
Curley’s throw arrived as Fischer reached the base and skipped away from the first baseman. Two runs scored and Alabama scored another two runs on a double from Richie Bonomolo Jr. to take a 6-5 lead.
The Vols responded with a game-tying single from Cannon Peebles in the bottom of the fifth before scoring five in the sixth and piling on the Crimson Tide.
Curley, who began the season as Tennessee's shortstop, has 15 errors in 160 chances. He has played third and second base as both the lineup and defensive struggles have dictated. He also has been the designated hitter.
“When you do mess up — whether it is him or anybody else — you can’t pout or wear it on your sleeve,” Vitello said. “If anything, you relax and just play and maybe it adds to the determination you’ve got.”
Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on X @ByMikeWilson or Bluesky @bymikewilson.bsky.social. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.