BOX SCORE (PDF)

CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Citadel baseball team put together another late rally for the second straight night, but ultimately fell 10-6 to No. 16 Virginia on Saturday at the Charleston Crab House Challenge.

The Bulldogs (0-2) fell behind early, allowing five runs in the first two innings. The Citadel got on the board in the fourth inning on a RBI groundout to first by Joe Sabatini, scoring William Kinney from third.

After the Cavaliers added five more runs from the fifth through eighth innings, the Bulldogs' bats awoke with five runs in the bottom of the eighth to cut the deficit to 10-6.

Taylor Cothran opened the eighth inning with a first-pitch knock up the middle, followed by a walk from freshman J.D. Davis. Jonathan Sabo was hit by a pitch to load the bases to bring Kinney to the plate. The shortstop smoked a line drive at the second baseman that continued into right field, scoring two runs. Ben Peden followed up with an RBI single, his team leading fourth of the season, to set the plate for Sabatini. The transfer continued the offensive barrage with a two-run home run to right center field to plate Kinney and cut the score to 10-6.

The Citadel used eight pitchers in the contest, with Morgan Foulks throwing 3.2 innings in relief. Jack Henry Beasley and Zach Taglieri each recorded their first collegiate strikeouts out of the bullpen.

Virginia starter Evan Sperling threw six innings with six strikeouts, while allowing one unearned run. The Cavaliers finished with 14 hits including two home runs.

The Bulldogs return to the field on Sunday, hosting Liberty (1-1) in the finale of the Charleston Crab House Challenge at 2 p.m. Live stats and video will be provided for The Citadel's game against Liberty.

Scoring Summary
Top 1st – Virginia 1, The Citadel 0: Ernie Clement scored on a fielding error off the bat of Pavin Smith with one out.
Top 1st – Virginia 2, The Citadel 0: Jake McCarthy scored on a single through the right side by Nate Eikhoff with one out.
Top 1st – Virginia 3, The Citadel 0: Pavin Smith scored on a bases loaded walk by Cameron Simmons with one out.
Top 2nd – Virginia 5, The Citadel 0: Jake McCarthy scored on a two-run home run by Adam Haseley with one out.
Bottom 4th – Virginia 5, The Citadel 1: William Kinney scored on a ground out to first by Joe Sabatini with one out.
Top 5th – Virginia 6, The Citadel 1: Nate Eikoff scored on a ground out to short by Drew Blakely with one out.
Top 6th – Virginia 7, The Citadel 1: Pavin Smith scored on a solo home run to right field with one out.
Top 6th – Virginia 8, The Citadel 1: Nate Eikoff scored on a single through the right side by Cameron Simmons with two outs.
Top 8th – Virginia 10, The Citadel 1: Nate Eikoff and Jalen Harrison scored on a double to left center by Cameron Simmons with one out.
Bottom 8th – Virginia 10, The Citadel 3: Taylor Cothran and J.D. Davis scored on a single to right field by William Kinney with one out.
Bottom 8th – Virginia 10, The Citadel 4: Jonathan Sabo scored on a single to right field by Ben Peden with one out.
Bottom 8th – Virginia 10, The Citadel 6: William Kinney scored on a two-run home run to left center field by Joe Sabatini with two outs.

For more information on The Citadel baseball follow @CitadelBaseball or visit CitadelSports.com.