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Tennessee Vols' Tony Vitello picks up a massive win off the field over two SEC powerhouses on Tuesday
Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

It was a terrific start to the week on Monday for Tony Vitello and the Tennessee Vols.  On the strength of a seven-run outburst in a wild fourth inning and the shutdown relief appearance from Liam Doyle at the end, the Volunteers put away Wake Forest 11-5 to reach their fifth straight Super Regional.

One day later, Vitello scored another major win - except this time off the field.  Walters State IF Tyler Myatt, one of the top JUCO players available, committed to Vitello and the Vols on Tuesday. Myatt picked the Vols over LSU and Texas A&M. 

Myatt paced Walters State this year with an eye-popping stat line.  In 66 games, he slugged 31 home runs, 110 RBIs, 9 stolen bases, and a trio of seemingly impossible lines - a .484 batting average, a .583 on base percentage, and a slugging percentage of 1.014.  Myatt led all JUCO players win home runs, RBIs, and batting average. 

That should translate very well to the SEC level in Knoxville next year.  Myatt is listed primarily as a third baseman, so as far as where he'll play in the field, that will depend on what the roster looks like next year as far if there's any turnover. That's never a given in the world of NIL and the MLB draft. Tennessee has Hunter Ensley and Colby Backus as the only non-pitchers leaving for sure, as the redshirt seniors are out of eligibility, so how Tony Vitello sets up his infield will remain to be seen. 

But it's the bat that will be of serious intrigue regarding Myatt for Tennessee next year, and you always find a way to get guys who can mash into the lineup one way or another.  It'll be a terrific problem for Vitello to have next year. 

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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