LEXINGTON, Ky. - The Citadel Bulldogs (5-6) fell to No. 21 Kentucky (12-2), 10-5, in the series opener on Friday night at Kentucky Proud Park.
 
Jayden Williams posted a career-best game with three hits, two runs scored, a double, and a stolen base. Miles Barbrey matched that performance with three hits, an RBI, a stolen base, and a run scored. Phillips Daniels added an RBI and a walk, while Rhyder Poppell hit his first home run of the season. The Citadel recorded a season-high 12 hits as well.
 
On the mound, Will Holmes started for the Bulldogs, tossing 2.0 innings and allowing just one run on one hit with five walks and two strikeouts. Andrew Buffkin threw 2.2 innings in relief, giving up two runs on six hits with one walk and three strikeouts.

Michael Gibson pitched 1.2 innings, issuing two walks while surrendering five earned runs and recording two strikeouts. Zane Davis finished the game behind 1.2 innings, allowing two hits and no walks while setting down two on strikes.
 
"Not the result we wanted. I thought the game was much closer than the final score showed," head coach Russell Triplett said. "Our hitters did a really good job against an elite pitcher, but we couldn't extend the lead in the middle of the game, and the big inning caught us in the seventh."
 
The Bulldogs face the Wildcats in the second game of the weekend set at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 7.


 

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