April 30, 2005

Box Score

Davidson, NC - Sophomore hurler Justin Smith struck out a career-high nine in seven innings of work, while junior Matt Matulia hit a two-run homer to lead The Citadel to a 4-3 victory over the Wildcats late Saturday afternoon in Southern Conference baseball action at Wilson Field.

The Citadel (16-26, 7-13 SoCon) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the fourth on a two-run homer off the bat of junior shortstop Matt Matulia. Following a leadoff single to left by sophomore leftfielder Zach Brown, Matulia blasted the first pitch he saw over the centerfield fence for his third home run of the season.

Davidson (21-20, 10-13 SoCon) cut the lead in half, 2-1, in the bottom of the fourth on a Gregory Zage solo homer to left. Zage deposited his ninth dinger of the year into the trees behind the right field fence.

In the sixth, the Bulldogs extended their lead to 3-1 on a RBI-single to left by senior third baseman Chris Ard. With runners on second and third, Ard ripped a single into left allowing senior right fielder Josh Stackley to trot home from third. The Dogs tried to push the lead to 4-1 on Ard's single, but Davidson leftfielder Andrew Musashe gunned down freshman centerfield Chance Smith at home for the final out of the frame.

The Wildcats pushed a run across in their half of the sixth on a run-scoring base hit to center by Alex Entrekin. Following an error by Citadel shortstop Matt Matulia that allowed Zage to reach second to lead off the inning, Entrekin singled home Zage cutting the Bulldogs' lead to one run, 3-2.

Davidson knotted the game at three runs apiece on an Andrew Musashe solo shot to right. Just as Zage did in the fourth, Musashe pulled a 0-2 pitch over the right field fence into the trees.

In the top of the ninth, The Citadel took a 4-3 lead on a bases loaded wild pitch that allowed Swauger to scamper home from third.

Citadel closer Link Saunders (5-5) picked up the win after taking the loss last night. Saunders pitched the final two innings giving up only one hit, while fanning three. Davidson's Justin Hartanov (5-5) took the loss as he surrendered the go ahead run in the ninth on the wild pitch.

Smith's nine strike outs eclipsed his previous high of eight, which he accomplished twice, once last season versus Savannah State and once earlier this year against College of Charleston.

The Bulldogs were led at the plate by Swauger, who went a perfect 5-5 with five singles, and Matulia, who had two hits, including the fourth inning homer, and two runs batted.

Today's win by the visiting Bulldogs marks the first time the visiting team has won a game in 14 tries dating back to 2001.

The Bulldogs and Wildcats will meet Sunday at 1 pm for the third and final game of the series.