BOX SCORE (PDF)

GREENSBORO N.C. – A six-run fourth inning for UNCG proved the difference on Saturday as The Citadel dropped an 8-2 game against the Spartans at the UNCG Baseball Stadium.

The first three innings looked to be a pitcher's duel between starters Will Abbott and Matt Frisbee of UNCG. The Spartans then put up six runs in the fourth inning, giving them the only lead of the game.

Jonathan Sabo got the Bulldogs (15-31, 6-14 SoCon) on the board in the sixth inning, lacing a double down the left-field line to score Clay Martin and Taylor Cothran and cut the deficit to 6-2. The Spartans answered with a run in the bottom of the sixth and an insurance run in the eighth.

Abbott cruised through the first three innings for the Bulldogs, allowing just two singles. In the fourth inning, however, Abbott lost command, resulting in four walks and a six-run frame for UNCG.

The Bulldogs used four relievers over the final 4.2 innings. Beau Strickland allowed no base runners with a strikeout in a clean seventh inning.

Sabo led the offense with two hits, driving in his team-leading 30th and 31st RBI. Taylor Cothran and Bryce Leasure accounted for the Bulldogs' other two hits.

The Citadel looks to take the series at UNCG on Sunday in the rubber game. First pitch is at 1 p.m. with live statistics and video available at CitadelSports.com.

Scoring Summary
Bottom 4th – UNCG 1, The Citadel 0: Andrew Moritz scored from second on a single through the right side by Austin Embler with one out.
Bottom 4th – UNCG 2, The Citadel 0: Michael Goss scored from third on a bases-loaded walk by JoJo Underwood with one out.
Bottom 4th – UNCG 3, The Citadel 0: Austin Embler scored from third on a hit-by-pitch by Ryan Clinch with one out.
Bottom 4th – UNCG 4, The Citadel 0: Ryne Sigmon scored from third on a ground out to first by Ben Spitznagel with one out.
Bottom 4th – UNCG 6, The Citadel 0: JoJo Underwood and Ryan Clinch scored on a single to center by Tripp Shelton with two outs.
Top 6th – UNCG 6, The Citadel 2: J.D. Davis and Taylor Cothran scored on a two-run double to left field by Jonathan Sabo with one out.
Bottom 6th – UNCG 7, The Citadel 2: JoJo Underwood scored from third on a pickoff, rundown of Ben Spitznagel at first base with two outs.
Bottom 8th – UNCG 8, The Citadel 2: Cesar Trejo scored from third on a ground out to shortstop by Ryne Sigmon with one out.

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