MACON, Ga. — The Citadel (9-13, 1-2 SoCon) earned the program's first Southern Conference win of the season with a 3-2 victory over Mercer (20-4, 2-1 SoCon) in the series finale Sunday at OrthoGeorgia Park.
"Great team win. Today was an opportunity for us to learn more about ourselves. It's been a tough week, both mentally and physically," said head coach
Russell Triplett. "Showing up on Sunday and competing as we did says a lot about the kind of people we have in this program."
Lane Tobin had two hits, including a double, and drove in a run.
Miles Barbrey recorded his team-leading fourth sacrifice fly, earning an RBI, and
Phillips Daniels also posted an RBI on the sacrifice bunt.
TJ Anderson stole two bases, bringing his total to 6-for-6 on stolen bases this season.
Michael Gibson pitched across 5.1 innings in the start, allowing four hits and two earned runs while striking out seven, tying a career best.
Trip Brown provided sturdy relief, tossing 1.2 innings without giving up a run, allowing three hits and striking out two.
CJ Van Slooten closed the game, pitching 2.0 innings and earning a save -- his first of the season -- by allowing just one hit and no runs with one strikeout.
"Proud of the response today from our guys after a tough first two games of the series. Gibby [
Michael Gibson] did a great job of setting the tone and being aggressive in the zone. We needed some length, and he gave it to us," said pitching coach
James Reeves. "He did a great job of executing; when he does that with his stuff, he is a tough guy to face. Brownie [
Trip Brown] came in and did an incredible job pitching us out of a jam and making big pitches in the seventh to hand it off to Slooter [
CJ Van Slooten]. Sloot came in and filled up the zone to get the save. Sloot has been working hard, and I'm proud of how consistently he's competing right now."
Up next, the Bulldogs host Presbyterian on Wednesday, March 25, at 6 p.m. ET at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.
