BOX SCORE (PDF)

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Citadel baseball team was defeated 12-5 by No. 7 South Carolina on Tuesday night at Founders Park.

The Bulldogs (3-8) trailed by just a run heading into the bottom of the fourth inning, but the Gamecocks added three runs to extend their lead to 5-1. South Carolina (8-5) then exploded for six runs in the fifth inning to take a commanding 11-1 advantage.

After giving up two runs in the first, starting pitcher Alex Bialakis settled in nicely to give up no runs over the next two innings. The sophomore allowed two runs on three hits with three strikeouts over three innings of work.

The Bulldogs got on the board in the fourth inning when first baseman Ben Peden launched his first home run of 2017 over the right-center field wall.

In the seventh inning, Taylor Cothran opened the inning with a single up the middle. Barrett Charpia followed with his first home run of the season, a two-run shot to left field.
After J.D. Davis and Clay Martin each reached on a hit by pitch and a walk, respectively, Jonathan Sabo went opposite field for an RBI single. William Kinney ended the scoring with a sacrifice fly to center field as the Bulldogs put up a four spot in the seventh.

Sabo extended his hitting streak to eight games with a third inning single. The Bulldog third baseman finished 3-for-5 with an RBI. Kinney, Cothran and Davis each added hits for The Citadel.

The Bulldogs used seven different pitchers in the game. Thomas Byelick struck out four batters in two innings of work, allowing an unearned run. Freshman Austin Todd pitched a scoreless eighth inning in his first collegiate appearance, getting three fly ball outs with just a walk.

The Gamecocks hit three home runs with two from leadoff hitter TJ Hopkins and one from catcher Chris Cullen. Hopkins scored three runs with four RBI while Cullen drove in five RBI.

The Citadel next begins a three-game series at home against Stetson beginning Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Joe Riley Park.

Scoring Summary
Bottom 1st – South Carolina 1, The Citadel 0: TJ Hopkins scored on a single to left field by Jacob Olson with two outs.
Bottom 1st – South Carolina 2, The Citadel 0: Jacob Olson scored on a single to right field by Jonah Bride with two outs.
Top 4th – South Carolina 2, The Citadel 1: Ben Peden scored on a solo home run to left field with no outs.
Bottom 4th – South Carolina 4, The Citadel 1: LT Tolbert scored on a two-run home run to left center field by Chris Cullen with one out.
Bottom 4th – South Carolina 5, The Citadel 1: TJ Hopkins scored on a solo home run to left field with two outs.
Bottom 5th – South Carolina 6, The Citadel 1: Matt Williams scored on a single up the middle by Alex Destino with one out.
Bottom 5th – South Carolina 8, The Citadel 1: Alex Destino and Jonah Bride scored on a single up the middle by Chris Cullen with one out.
Bottom 5th – South Carolina 11, The Citadel 1: LT Tolbert and Danny Blair scored on a three-run home run to left field by TJ Hopkins with two outs.
Bottom 6th – South Carolina 12, The Citadel 1: Jonah Bride scored on a single to left-center field by Chris Cullen with two outs.
Top 7th – South Carolina 12, The Citadel 3: Taylor Cothran scored on a two-run home run to left-center field by Barrett Charpia with no outs.
Top 7th – South Carolina 12, The Citadel 4: J.D. Davis scored on a single to right field by Jonathan Sabo with no outs.
Top 7th – South Carolina 12, The Citadel 5: Clay Martin scored on a sacrifice fly to center field by William Kinney with no outs.
 
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