CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Fueled by a season-long 6.1-inning start for
Andrew Buffkin along with a pair of three-RBI performances from
TJ Anderson and
Michael Gibson, The Citadel (21-21, 6-8 SoCon) overpowered visiting UNCG (15-28, 2-12 SoCon) in the second game of the Southern Conference series, orchestrating a 10-1 victory Saturday afternoon at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park to clinch the weekend set against the Spartans.
Gibson generated a 3-for-4 showing at the plate, including one double, with a trio of RBIs along with two runs scored, one walk and three stolen bases. Meanwhile, Anderson notched the go-ahead run for the Bulldogs in opening frame on a sacrifice fly before capping the game with a two-run homer over the right-field wall, finishing with one hit, two runs scored and a pair of walks.
Jayden Williams,
Christian Stratis and
Lane Tobin contributed two hits apiece as well, combining for five runs scored and two RBIs on the day.
On the mound, Buffkin (3-2) battled through 6.1 frames of action, surrendering just one earned run on six hits with three walks while setting down five Spartans on strikes.
Ben Brash took over for the final two outs of the seventh inning, notably striking out back-to-back batters in a bases-loaded situation to keep UNCG off the scoreboard.
Zane Davis closed out the contest over the final 2.0 frames, allowing just two hits while striking out a pair as well.
"I thought we executed early, something we've been talking about and trying to do a better job," head coach
Russell Triplett said. "We've been getting a little bit better with runners in scoring position and just taking what they give you. We talked about after game, I didn't think we went too many at bats in a row without having a good at bat. At times this year, for stretches too long, we go too many hitters in a row without having a quality at bat."
For UNCG, Jacob Dilley posted the lone RBI for the Spartans behind two hits while JT Weaver (0-4) suffered the loss after giving up four runs on three hits with two walks over the initial 2.0 innings.
Next up, the three-game weekend series between The Citadel and UNCG concludes with game three on Sunday, April 26, with first pitch slated for 1 p.m. at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.
-- #jOURney --
