BOX SCORE (PDF)

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Barrett Charpia's walk-off single in the ninth sent The Citadel baseball team off with a 6-5 victory over Delaware State on Saturday at Joe Riley Park.

The senior stepped up to the plate for the first time on the day with two runners on and one out. On a 2-2 count, Charpia hit a hard shot that made its way past the diving shortstop, scoring William Kinney from second base before Charpia was swarmed by his teammates in the infield.

The Bulldogs (2-3) entered the ninth inning with a 4-3 lead, but Delaware State rallied with four straight singles with two outs to take a 5-4 advantage. Jonathan Sabo, who pitched in the eighth and ninth innings, led off the bottom of the ninth with a laced ground-rule double to left center field. Kinney brought him home with a single off the shortstop's glove to tie the game up. Three batters later, Charpia walked off as the night's hero.

Will Abbott made the start for The Citadel, receiving his second straight no-decision. The freshman struck out three batters over 4.1 innings, allowing three runs. Dylan Spence threw 1.2 shutout innings with two strikeouts. Jordan Buster pitched a clean seventh inning for the Bulldogs, while Sabo received the victory after striking out four batters over two innings.

Cole Buffington led the offense with a 3-for-4 afternoon, driving in one run and stealing a base. The Bulldog catcher also threw out the only attempted base stealer. Bryce Leasure recorded two hits and scored a run, while Taylor Cothran and Joe Sabatini each added an RBI.

With two straight wins over the Hornets, the Bulldogs will look for the series sweep on Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Joe Riley Park. Live stats and video will be available at CitadelSports.com.

Scoring Summary
Bottom 1st – The Citadel 1, Delaware State 0: Clay Martin scored on a single up the middle by Joe Sabatini with two outs.
Top 2nd – The Citadel 1, Delaware State 1: Jared Gillis scored on a single to right field by Rich Rountree with two outs.
Bottom 2nd – The Citadel 2, Delaware State 1: J.D. Davis scored from third on a wild pitch with two outs.
Top 3rd – The Citadel 2, Delaware State 2: Kwestin Smith scored from third on a ground out to second by Austin Bently with one out.
Bottom 3rd - Citadel 3, Delaware State 2: Joe Sabatini scored on a single to right field by Taylor Cothran with two outs.
Bottom 3rd – The Citadel 4, Delaware State 2: Bryce Leasure scored on a single to right field by Cole Buffington with two outs.
Top 5th – The Citadel 4, Delaware State 3: Tommy Jordan scored on a single to right field by Darnell Maisonet with one out.
Top 9th – The Citadel 4, Delaware State 4: Darnell Maisonet scored on a single to right field by Jared Gillis with two outs.
Top 9th – Delaware State 5, The Citadel 4: Austin Bentley scored on a single to left field by Ciaran Devenny with two outs.
Bottom 9th – The Citadel 5, Delaware State 5: Jonathan Sabo scored on a single to shortstop by William Kinney with no outs.
Bottom 9th – The Citadel 6, Delaware State 5: William Kinney scored on a walk-off single through the left side by Barrett Charpia with one out.

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