CHARLESTON, S.C. — Powered by an 11-hit offensive performance and a season-best 16-strikeout showing, The Citadel (10-13) overwhelmed in-state adversary Presbyterian (4-22) by a 9-4 margin Wednesday evening at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.
Christian Stratis achieved a season-high two hits and drove in three RBIs with a triple and a double.
Michael Gibson posted a season-best three hits, two RBIs, and a double as well.
TJ Anderson scored twice, snagged a stolen base, and added one hit along with two walks.
Lane Tobin scored three times with one hit, a double, and two stolen bases.
On the mound,
Andrew Bowers pitched 2.1 innings in the start, striking out four while allowing two earned runs on four hits.
Zane Davis took over in relief, tossing 1.2 scoreless frames while allowing just one hit and striking out two.
Jacob Deacon contributed 1.1 innings, yielding two earned runs and striking out three.
Ben Brash followed with 1.2 innings, allowing only one hit and striking out three without giving up any runs to earn the win.
Liam Foley and
Kaden Kiser each threw a scoreless inning over the final stretch, striking out two batters apiece.
Notably, the pitching staff recorded a season-high 16 strikeouts, matching the most team punchouts under second-year head coach
Russell Triplett following last year's 16-strikeout display at Samford on April 11.
For the Blue Hose, Cam Mallo went 3-for-3 at the plate with one RBI. Jonathan Williams took the loss after pitching 1.2 frames in relief, allowing five earned runs on five hits while walking two batters.
"We had the opportunity to get many different players in today. Our goal was to give some guys a chance before the weekend. I thought it was a good opportunity to bring in other players who have been working hard," said head coach
Russell Triplett. "It also allowed us to avoid overusing our bullpen, and the guys who came in did a good job out of the pen;
Zane Davis,
Ben Brash,
Jacob Deacon, and
Kaden Kiser, among them. That was positive. I also think we played solid defense. Additionally, we got some important two-out hits that we haven't had yet; even though we didn't execute perfectly, those hits helped us score a run."
The Bulldogs open a three-game weekend series against Western Carolina at 6 p.m. ET on Friday, March 27 at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.
