CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Citadel Bulldogs (0-1) dropped the season opener against Liberty (1-0) with a final score of 7-3 on Friday afternoon at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.
Liberty seized the lead in the third inning, scoring twice. Marsh singled and advanced on a wild pitch, setting up DeCandido's two-run homer to right field. The scoreboard read 2-0 in favor of the Flames after the third.
The fourth inning saw Liberty add two more runs. Following two quick outs, Hvidsten and Jaffe reached base, with Jaffe advancing on a wild pitch. Grabowski then singled to left center, bringing both runners home and extending Liberty's lead to 4-0.
Liberty continued to widen the margin in the fifth inning, adding three more runs. Marsh tripled and scored on Drumm's sacrifice fly, followed by Barone's two-run shot over the fence. The score stretched to 7-0 at the end of the fifth.
The Bulldogs found some momentum in the eighth. Tobin was hit by a pitch, advanced to third on a pitcher's error, and then scored on Williams' double play groundout, making it a 7-1 game.
In the ninth, Daniels led off with a double, and Stratis walked, both advancing on a Barbrey single. A fielding error by the left fielder allowed Daniels to score, and Tobin's fielder's choice brought Stratis home. Despite their efforts, the Bulldogs' rally ended there, with Liberty securing a 7-3 victory.
On the mound,
Will Holmes pitched 4.0 innings, allowing six earned runs on five hits, with two walks and seven strikeouts over 81 pitches.
Zane Davis provided 1.0 inning of relief, permitting one earned run on one hit and two walks.
Andrew Buffkin delivered an impressive 4.0 scoreless innings, giving up just one hit and one walk, while inducing eight groundouts to stabilize the game late.
Daniels led the Bulldogs with one run and a double, going 1-for-4 at the plate.
TJ Anderson contributed a hit and a double in his three at-bats.
Lane Tobin added one run, one RBI, and reached base twice on hit-by-pitches.
For the Flames, Ben Blair threw 6.0 scoreless innings with one hit allowed and eight strikeouts.
Up next, the Bulldogs look to bounce back as they host Liberty on Saturday, Feb. 14 at 5 pm at The Joe.
