Early Home Runs Power Bulldogs Past Gamecocks, 8-3

Tuesday, March 10

Charleston, S.C.

7:00 PM

The Citadel

6-8

South Carolina

12-6

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
South Carolina	1	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	3	4	4
The Citadel	2	1	0	2	0	0	0	3	X	8	7	0

Early Home Runs Power Bulldogs Past Gamecocks, 8-3

3/10/2026 11:20:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

By: The Citadel Athletics

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Fueled by a pair of early home runs, The Citadel (6-8) overpowered in-state adversary South Carolina (12-6) via an 8-3 margin in midweek action on Tuesday night at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.

TJ Anderson drove in three runs, notably hitting a two-run shot straight away over the center-field fence. Phillips Daniels chipped in two RBIs, notched a hit, and reached base with a walk. Rhyder Poppell added a homer of his own to the tally as well, along with two walks and scored a run.

On the mound, Jacob Deacon tossed 2.0 innings in his first career start, allowing one run on one hit, striking out three, and issuing one walk. Andrew Buffkin relieved for 3.0 innings, permitting two earned runs on one hit with one strikeout en route to his first career win.

Trip Brown threw a scoreless inning, allowing one hit, issuing one walk, and striking out one. Ben Brash took over for 1.0 inning, facing three batters without allowing a hit or walk and recording one strikeout. Michael Gibson closed out the game with 2.0 innings on the mound, giving up just one hit and striking out three to earn his second save on the year.

For the Gamecocks, Will Craddock paced the visitors with two solo home runs. Alex Philpott received the loss after pitching 0.2 innings, giving up two earned runs on two hits.

"I thought we played our style. I thought we stayed true to ourselves. I thought we had good at-bats. We got some big hits along the way, even when we didn't execute, but I believed we were able to put some pressure on them on the bases", said head coach Russell Triplett. "We're good at getting the leadoff guy on base, and that's one of the keys to our offense. When you get the leadoff guy on base, you're able to do some things offensively. We can bunt, run, and do some hit-and-run plays, and the guys executed. We weren't at our best with runners in scoring position, but we'll keep working on that. I think guys were trying a little too hard, but overall, I was proud of how they executed in the box."

Looking ahead, the Bulldogs are set to take on UT-Martin at Skyhawk Baseball Field in Martin, Tenn. The series opener is scheduled for Friday, March 13 at 6 p.m. ET.

Rhyder Poppell drills one deep here in the second frame to extend the Bulldogs' early lead!! 💪#jOURney pic.twitter.com/mGZFs08yam
— The Citadel Baseball (@CitadelBaseball) March 10, 2026

THAT BALL IS SMOKED!!!! 🚀

TJ Anderson hits the two-run home run to put the Bulldogs up 2-1! #jOURney pic.twitter.com/n6WvttPaQX
— The Citadel Baseball (@CitadelBaseball) March 10, 2026

Philly drives in Pat from third!

B4 | CIT 4, SC 2#jOURney pic.twitter.com/m4dWEB6gYl
— The Citadel Baseball (@CitadelBaseball) March 11, 2026

Pat flashing the leather over at third! #jOURney pic.twitter.com/rEgWWsyKH1
— The Citadel Baseball (@CitadelBaseball) March 11, 2026

𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐄 𝐔𝐒 𝐔𝐏, 𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐏 🔥😤#jOURney pic.twitter.com/MQSLETyhTS
— The Citadel Baseball (@CitadelBaseball) March 11, 2026

J-Will tracks a deep line drive for the clutch third out! 💪

M7 | CIT 5, SC 3#jOURney pic.twitter.com/uDkq96GnZL
— The Citadel Baseball (@CitadelBaseball) March 11, 2026

MATTY ICE 🧊!!!

Lively drives in two for the Bulldogs to increase the lead to 8-3!#jOURney pic.twitter.com/kOBhVsKWf4
— The Citadel Baseball (@CitadelBaseball) March 11, 2026

𝐃𝐎𝐆(𝐒) 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐚𝐰 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐦 🦴

TJ Anderson: 1-for-3 w/ 3 RBIs including a two-run HR and squeeze bunt 🤘

Matthew Lively: Delivered a clutch two-out, two-run single in the 8th inning to ice the game 🔥🧊#jOURney pic.twitter.com/WtfqnkIiho
— The Citadel Baseball (@CitadelBaseball) March 11, 2026