May 4, 2004

Box Score

Charleston, SC - Griff Beckham pitched 5.1 shutout innings in relief, while the Bulldogs scored three runs in the fourth inning to lead The Citadel past Savannah State 5-2 in nonconference baseball action Tuesday afternoon in front of 621 fans at Riley Park.

Savannah State (22-28) jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead after the second inning thanks to a solo home run by shortstop Rafael Blanco and a RBI-groundout off the bat of catcher Fabian Smalls.

The Citadel (27-18) cut the Tiger lead in half, 2-1, with a run in the bottom of the third on a RBI-groundout to second by sophomore centerfielder Matt Covington. After doubling with one out, sophomore shortstop Matt Matulia advanced to third on a wild pitch and then raced home on Covington's bouncer to second. The Bulldogs plated three in the fourth to capture the lead 4-2 on three hits and a Savannah State error. With runners on first and third thanks to back-to-back hits by junior rightfielder Josh Stackley and senior first baseman Chip Cannon, junior third baseman Chris Ard plated Stackley on a fielder's choice to shortstop. After tying the score at two runs apiece, junior catcher Will Coker drove home Ard on a sacrifice fly to right. Matulia then followed with an infield RBI0-single that allowed senior leftfielder Andy Phillips to cross home plate.

In the seventh, the Dogs tacked on an insurance run as sophomore second baseman Tripp Cappelmann raced home on a Tiger wild pitch. Savannah State reliever Jonathan Thomas got the next two Bulldog batters to pop up to squelch the rally and end the innings with runners on second and third.

Beckham evened his record at 2-2 with the win, while sophomore Ryan Owens earned the save as he pitched the final 1.2 innings of the game. Beckham struck out eight batters and allowed only one hit. Junior Jon Aughey pitched the first two innings in his first career collegiate appearance. He allowed two runs, one earned, on two hits, while fanning two and not allowing a walk.

Carlos Markyna (5-7) took the loss for Savannah State as he surrendered all five runs on seven hits in six and a third innings of work. Only three of the five runs allowed by Markyna were earned.

The Bulldogs and Tigers will play again tomorrow at 3 pm in game two of the two-game set at Riley Park. Fans are reminded that all children under the age of 12 will be issued free admission with a Citadel t-shirt.