CHARLESTON, S.C. —
TJ Anderson recorded the game-winning hit in the bottom of the ninth inning as The Citadel (11-13, 2-2 SoCon) edged past Western Carolina (17-10, 2-2 SoCon) behind a 4–3 victory Friday night at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.
Jayden Williams scored three runs and collected two hits.
Christian Stratis contributed two hits, including a double, and drove in a run, good for his second consecutive game with at least two hits. Anderson also had two hits and two RBIs, including the game-winning knock.
Coincidentally, the walk off for Anderson serves as the second straight season he has recorded a game-winning hit in the team's home Southern Conference opener, notching the decisive hit against Mercer on March 21, 2025. Additionally, the Bulldogs have now recorded at least 10 hits in two consecutive games.
Will Holmes' start lasted five innings, during which he conceded six hits and three earned runs while striking out five.
Andrew Buffkin took over in relief, pitching four scoreless innings and striking out five without allowing a hit to earn the win.
For the Catamounts, Brody Raleigh hit a two-run homer. Owen Austin took the loss after surrendering the walk off to Anderson.
"Proud of the guys; they deserved the win. We didn't play very well, made some early mistakes, and a lot of that is on me as well, but our guys keep fighting," said head coach
Russell Triplett. "We got a solid start from
Will Holmes, and then
Andrew Buffkin was outstanding, coming in during a crucial situation — first and second, nobody out — and getting out of that without giving up any runs was huge for us. It allowed our offense to get back on track. We went through a tough stretch in the middle of the game and didn't have good at-bats, so I'm proud of the resilient at-bats we had in the eighth and ninth innings. I thought they were selfless and committed to the team, just trying to do their jobs."
Next, the Bulldogs host game two against the Catamounts at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 28, at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.
