Kentucky
What Tony Vitello Said After Tennessee Baseball Dropped Series Opener At Kentucky | Rocky Top Insider
Tennessee baseball dropped its series opener 5-3 at Kentucky on Friday night, ending a six-game winning streak for the Vols.
The Vols rode a strong AJ Causey performance on the mound into the seventh inning when a few defensive miscues led to a three-run inning for Kentucky.
Following the loss, Tennessee coach Tony Vitello discussed what went wrong in the seventh inning, the quiet night for the offense and more. Here’s everything Vitello said.
More From RTI: Everything To Know About Tennessee’s Series Opening Loss At Kentucky
On the two errors in the seventh inning that allowed Kentucky to score the three runs that proved to be the difference in the game
“It was a back-and-forth game. I don’t really feel like anything came apart. We just didn’t play well enough to win a game. We had a chance to throw out a runner — (Kentucky catcher Devin) Burkes is not 100 percent on the base paths, so if we just play catch right there, we’ve got a chance to throw the guy out. I think that was a source of extra frustration. But otherwise, they put together a rally and ultimately put together — their big inning was three (runs) and ours was two, and you know, obviously it was 5-3, but to me, that was kind of the difference.”
On what was different about AJ Causey in the seventh inning compared to the previous innings
“I think they were just able to do something against them. I mean, to talk about the catcher (Burkes) again. That at-bat wasn’t very good. I believe we walked him on four pitches (five pitches). Other than that, he let a ball get away. It was a hit by pitch, but they had taken some good swings off of him at times and had a little bit of action on the bases with some base hits, but he was so competitive out there and so good he was able to put out the fire. He did his job. Got the two outs. You never know what’s going to happen if he faces (Emilien) Pitre, but to me, he was really good the whole night. But the one at-bat that if he could turn back in time, I’m speaking for him, but to not have a four-pitch non-competitive at-bat.”
On pulling Chris Stamos after just eight pitches in the first inning
“Just gut and treating the first inning like it’s the fifth, sixth, seventh or eighth was really about it. Nothing crazy beforehand or after. We had Stam available on Sunday last weekend and now he’ll be available not just on Sunday, but on Saturday, so he’s done a good job for us just accepting the role of what we’ve given to him the last two weeks and obviously last week goes better. This one doesn’t go that great, but there was a zero in the first inning and ugly, pretty, it doesn’t matter. That’s at the end of the day, what you’re looking for on defense.”
On what he saw from the offense
“Pretty good early on as far as just the competitiveness, kind of having somewhat of a plan up at the plate, but their guy is good for a reason. I think we pushed more across then he’s given up in the SEC run wise. Maybe three for us and two for the opponents. Maybe a little bit quicker to adjust to some things we were talking about in the dugout either as coaches or players so some good and some bad and then as the game goes on and things get fired up we seem to have a knack for playing in front of big groups like this. The crowd gets excited or there’s a little more adrenaline in the air. I think the offense, and anyone involved, needs to be able to calm themselves a little bit.”
On the excitement of being able to turn to Drew Beam on Saturday
“That helps but it’s kind of like that ever since Drew was a freshman whether it was Saturday, Sunday, whatever day we’re pitching him. I think it’s more about excitement to get back to the park and last year we joke, it’s not complaining, last time we were here I should say— it was just kind of chaos. There were some things that went on with our travel, the weather was abysmal. We didn’t play very well and everything else has kind of been the opposite here. Nice day, good crowd, competitive ball and guys should be excited to come to the park no matter who is pitching.”
On if AJ Causey is back to what he was earlier in the season
“Yeah and I don’t think it necessarily left. If you dissect those games or break them down, what happen was a couple mistakes kind of snowballed on him a little bit. It takes composure in this league because there’s probably usually a pretty big crowd. There’s big circumstances or a lot talked about leading into the series and then there’s probably somebody explosive waiting to come to bat if you do make a mistake so I think it’s just a lesson learned of how important his composure and bulldog mentality helps him and he needs to maintain it no matter what’s going on around him.”
On going to Nate Snead in the seventh inning jam
“He’s been great for us. I thought, in particular, he’s done well in some situations so really it is kind of interesting. The outcome of the at-bat is the exact same as Causey’s last time facing Pitre. We just don’t make a play and to our third baseman’s defense he’s getting 75 different hand signals and directions and things like that. I don’t know if he got caught in between on that deal right there but Snead has done pretty well for us.”
Kentucky
Fayette County school board chair, KEA sue to block Kentucky law that would oust current members
LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX NEWS) — Fayette County Board of Education Chair Tyler Murphy and the Kentucky Education Association have filed a lawsuit challenging a newly enacted Kentucky law that would overhaul the governance structure of Fayette County Public Schools and force all current board members out of office at the end of 2026.
The lawsuit names the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the Fayette County Board of Elections and Fayette County election officials as defendants.
At the center of the legal challenge is Senate Bill 4, which lawmakers passed over Gov. Andy Beshear’s veto earlier this year.
Under the law, the seven-member Fayette County Board of Education would be reduced to five district-based seats, the lawsuit reads. The terms of all current board members would end Dec. 31, 2026, and new elections would be held for the restructured board.
The lawsuit argues the law is unconstitutional and asks the court to block its implementation, including any election-related actions tied to the measure.
Court filings contend the legislation unlawfully targets a single school district and interferes with the terms of duly elected local officials. Plaintiffs also argue the law violates provisions of the Kentucky Constitution governing local elections and public officeholders.
Attorneys included exhibits detailing criticism of Murphy and Fayette County Public Schools leadership from state lawmakers, including a petition seeking Murphy’s removal and a letter from state Sen. Chris McDaniel calling for the resignations of Murphy and Superintendent Demetrus Liggins.
The lawsuit seeks a declaration that the law is invalid and requests expedited review from the court due to upcoming election deadlines.
No hearing date had been announced as of Wednesday.
The lawsuit comes as Fayette County Public Schools continues to face scrutiny over budgeting decisions, district spending and governance issues that have drawn attention from state lawmakers over the past year.
In a statement, Representative Matt Lockett criticized Murphy as he highlighted what he stated are district failures under Murphy.
“This lawsuit is nothing more than an attempt to distract from the disaster that Fayette County Public Schools is under Tyler Murphy’s leadership as board chair. Under his watch, the district has spiraled into a financial crisis so severe that it is now seeking to borrow up to $110 million simply to keep the lights on and make it through the school year. Students have been failed. Families have been failed. Teachers and staff have been failed. Taxpayers have been failed. And the Lexington community has been left paying the price for years of mismanagement and poor oversight.
Rather than taking responsibility for the district’s financial failures and focusing on what is best for students, he has chosen to file a lawsuit challenging a law that was duly passed by the General Assembly and enacted through the constitutional process. He may be emboldened by recent rulings by activist judges, but there are no legitimate grounds for overturning a duly enacted statute simply because you can’t do the right thing by this community. The General Assembly has both the authority and the responsibility to establish standards for public offices and governance structures across the Commonwealth.
At a time when Fayette County schools are facing unprecedented financial turmoil, the focus should be on accountability, transparency, and fixing the problems that have brought the district to this point. The only filing Fayette County taxpayers should be expecting from Mr. Murphy is his resignation.”
LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda has been causing fear around the world, and a Lexington doctor is preparing in the event a case is found in Kentucky.
According to the CDC, there have been 49 deaths and over 300 confirmed cases across the two countries, with more suspected cases still being investigated.
UK Healthcare is working to become a Level 2 Special Pathogen Treatment Center through the National Special Pathogen System, which would allow the facility to treat Ebola patients in-house.
Dr. Nicholas Van Sickels, an infectious disease physician at UK Healthcare, said the current outbreak is serious, but Kentucky residents are not at significant risk.
“Ebola scares people just because of the mortality, the death rate, associated with it and some of the long term consequences when you do survive. Fortunately, the strain that we’re seeing in Eastern (Democratic Republic of Congo) is thought to be not as deadly, but either way it’s a very serious disease. It carries a lot of stigma and fear,” Van Sickels said.
Here in Kentucky, however, is a very safe environment, Dr. Van Sickels said.
Currently, Dr. Van Sickels says UK Healthcare operates as an assessment hospital, meaning it can evaluate patients with symptoms who have traveled to regions with active outbreaks, coordinate testing with the state, and transfer patients to higher-level care centers if needed.
Once the Level 2 designation is complete, UK Healthcare will be the only facility in Kentucky with that capability.
“We’re the only facility in Kentucky that is able to have a level 2 designation once we finish this grant award and get approved,” Dr. Van Sickels said.
In January 2026, UK Healthcare received a grant from the National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC), the governing body of the National Special Pathogen System.
“It’s approximately half a million dollars to transform our institution,” Van Sickels said.
The funding has been used to run simulation drills in coordination with Lexington Fire, EMS, and the state health department. The grant also enabled UK Healthcare to upgrade its protective outerwear, with all seam points covered to provide additional protection. Ebola is transmitted through bodily fluids.
During a recent site visit and simulation, evaluators identified vulnerabilities in the facility’s previous protective suits.
“When we had our site visit and had our stimulation, for example, they said that the seams that we had on our old suits, you could pull and stretch, and that they were rather porous,” Van Sickels said.
Van Sickels had been working on the preparedness project since the beginning of the year.
Citing lessons learned from the 2014 West Africa Ebola epidemic, which spread to the U.S. and resulted in 4 cases and 1 death.
“Ebola 2014 taught a lot of hospitals in the US about high consequence infections, established what is now NETEC, the educating body for our country, uh, about high consequence pathogens,” Van Sickels said.
“We’re constantly wanting to push preparedness, uh, because that is the key to success in evading further outbreaks,” Van Sickels said.
UK Healthcare expects to complete its Level 2 Special Pathogen Treatment Center designation by the end of summer.
The Kentucky Wildcats have had some fits with West Virginia over the past few days, as the baseball team was sent home by the Mountaineers on Monday night. Now, they have flipped a Wildcat commit.
Bryian Duncan Jr., a Cario, Georgia native, committed to the Wildcats in March and has now flipped to West Virginia. The 3-star running back had a recent visit to Morgantown, then announced his commitment to the Mountaineers.
Duncan, a 5-foot-9 player who can play out wide and at running back, is the No. 60-ranked ATH in the nation and the No. 89 player in Georgia, according to 247 Sports. He’ll play in the Big 12 with the Mountaineers, giving himself a good opportunity to become a true gadget guy with legit speed.
This isn’t a big disappointment for the Wildcats, as they’ll collect nearly 10 commitments as the summer rolls on and already have a pretty loaded RB room for the class of 2027. Kelsey Gerald and Mason Ball are two tailbacks who have already pledged their commitment to the program.
Head coach Will Stein and Co. have been stellar on the recruiting trail as they have the 13th-best class overall and the fourth-ranked class in the SEC, according to 247 Sports. Expect the Cats to pick up a few more commits here soon and rise in the rankings.
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