Game Notes (PDF)

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Winners of two of the last three games, The Citadel baseball team will open the 2018 Southern Conference Baseball Championship presented by Holston Gases as the No. 8 seed. The Bulldogs will kick everything off at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 22 with a game against No. 9 seed Western Carolina for a chance to advance into the double elimination portion of the tournament.

PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUP
Tuesday, May 22 – 10 a.m. – Tournament Website – Live Stats – Live Video – Live Audio (WTMZ 94.7-FM & 1340-AM) – Tickets
RHP Chase Walter (2-7, 5.47 ERA, 15 APP, 12 GS, 74 IP) vs. RHP Dylan Spence (3-5, 3.81 ERA, 15 APP, 14 GS, 87.1 IP)

Since 1984, The Citadel has posted a 73-40 record in the Southern Conference Tournament, including winning eight SoCon Tournament titles. The Bulldogs won their first crown in 1990 with the last coming in 2010. In between, The Citadel claimed back-to-back tournament titles twice, in 1994 and 1995 as well as in 1998 and 1999, and posted perfect 4-0 records seven times. From 1994 to 2004, the Bulldogs won six titles and posted a 34-11 record. The 1990 championship team advanced to the College World Series and featured now head coach Tony Skole as a player.

Entering Tuesday's SoCon Tournament game, Western Carolina currently holds an 87-65 record over The Citadel on the baseball diamond dating back to the 1971 season. Earlier this season, the Bulldogs took 2-of-3 at home over the Catamounts after WCU swept all three games last season.

Western Carolina enters the weekend 7-45 on the year, including 3-20 on the road and 0-3 in neutral-site matchups. The Catamounts have dropped their last five games since winning the last two games of a three-game series at Furman. Heading into the SoCon Championships, Western Carolina is batting .263 with 233 runs scored and 121 extra-base hits. The Catamounts are slugging .375 with an on-base percentage of .332. WCU's pitching corps brings a combined 7.41 earned run average into the week as opposing batters have hit .311 against the Catamounts with 426 runs scored, 366 of which have been earned. The Catamount pitchers have struck out 373 batters.

At the plate, Spencer Holcomb and Justice Bigbie lead the way with above .300 batting averages. Holcomb has batted .350 to this point with a team-best 28 runs scored and 13 doubles to go along with 22 runs batted in. Bigbie leads the team with 68 hits and 45 runs batted in. Justin Sparks is fourth on the team with a .281 batting average and is third with 23 RBIs. Will Prater, who is batting .287, is third with 25 runs scored. Matthew Koehler leads the team with nine stolen bases on 11 attempts, but brings a .294 on-base percentage into the tournament. Holcomb leads the team with a .395 on-base percentage and a .519 slugging percentage. On the mound, Chase Walter will get the nod. He is 2-7 on the year with a 5.47 ERA in 74 innings of work. He has made 15 appearances, including 12 starts and has pitched one complete game on the year. Walter has struck out 59 batters compared to giving up 41 walks.

2018 SOCON TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
TICKETS: Tickets for the 2018 Southern Conference Baseball Championship presented by Holston Gases at Fluor Field can be purchased at SoConSports.com under the "Championships" tab by selecting "Baseball."

PARKING: Free parking is available at County Square, approximately a 10-minute walk from the stadium. For the convenience of the fans, a complimentary shuttle service runs from County Square to the Field Street Gate.

CLEAR BAG POLICY: The Southern Conference and Fluor Field will adhere to a strict "clear bag policy" for the tournament. Fans will be permitted to bring in one clear bag no larger than 12" x 6" x 12" or a one-gallon clear freezer bag (Ziploc or similar). In addition, fans may carry a small clutch bag or purse no larger than 6.5" x 4.5", with or without a strap. Each ticket holder, including children, may carry an approved clear bag and a clutch purse. Diapers and wipes may be carried in a clear bag, however diaper bags are not permitted. Additional clothing, blankets, etc. are permitted if carried loosely or in an approved clear bag. Blankets should be carried over the shoulder to be screened more quickly. Small cameras, binoculars and cell phones may be carried in loosely or in an approved clear bag. Seat cushions must not exceed 18 inches wide and contain no pockets, zippers or concealable areas.

For more information on The Citadel baseball team, please visit CitadelSports.com or follow @CitadelBaseball and @CitadelSports on Twitter.