CHARLESTON, S.C. — A five-run sixth inning propelled The Citadel (12-13, 3-2 SoCon) to secure a 13-9 series-clinching victory over Western Carolina (17-1, 2-3 SoCon) on Saturday afternoon at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.
Phillips Daniels recorded a season-high four hits, two RBIs, and three runs scored, raising his batting average to a team-leading .309.
TJ Anderson drove in four runs, which brings his team-leading total to 19, and swiped three bases, tallying a single-game high for both RBIs and stolen bases.
Jayden Williams continued his hot streak with three runs scored, boosting his team-leading total to 27. Williams posted two hits, including a double, good his second straight game with multiple hits.
Matthew Lively scored a season-high three runs and kept his momentum going with at least two hits in back-to-back games.
Christian Stratis has recorded an extra-base hit as well, his third in as many games. The Citadel's 13 runs are the most against a conference opponent since 2023, when the Bulldogs scored 11 against UNCG on April 14.
On the mound,
Michael Gibson delivered in his start for the Bulldogs, tossing four scoreless innings and striking out two while allowing six hits.
Ben Brash threw a frame, giving up five earned runs on four hits, including a home run.
Trip Brown pitched 0.2 innings, allowing two earned runs on one hit.
Riley Ballard surrendered two earned runs on three hits over 1.2 innings to earn the win.
CJ Van Slooten sealed the game with 1.1 innings of no-hit relief, issuing just one walk.
For the Catamounts, Trent Turner went 3-for-5 at the plate with an RBI, and Walker Fox hit a three-run homer. Davis Budd took the loss after pitching 1.2 innings, giving up four earned runs on four hits.
"A solid team win. We faced some struggles in the late middle innings, particularly with finding our rhythm and giving up too many free bases, but our offense really responded and answered each time they scored, which was a big boost for us," said head coach
Russell Triplett. "
CJ Van Slooten coming in and shutting the door was exactly what we needed. So, we won the series. Of course, there are many areas we can still improve, but it was a good day for our team to secure our first conference series win. Go Dogs."
The Bulldogs are scheduled to host the Catamounts at 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 29, at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park in the series finale.
