CHARLESTON, S.C. — Powered by a 13-hit overall performance and a three-knock day from
Zach Hunt, The Citadel (14-15) clinched the series over Longwood (18-13) behind an 8-4 win on Friday afternoon at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.
Zach Hunt compiled a season-high three hits, including a double and a two-run homer, while also tallying two runs scored. Hunt now leads the Bulldogs with four home runs and 22 RBIs.
Jayden Williams recorded two hits, including a triple, and added two RBIs. Williams has improved to second on the team with a .306 batting average.
Garrett Fulmer kept his streak of two or more hits alive, adding a pair of hits and two RBIs, highlighted by a double.
Notably, The Citadel's 13 hits mark the 11th game this season with ten or more hits.
On the mound,
Michael Gibson pitched 5.0 innings, allowing three hits and one earned run while striking out five to earn the win.
Ben Brash pitched 1.2 innings, giving up three hits and one earned run with one walk and one strikeout.
Trip Brown finished the game with 2.1 innings, allowing one hit and one earned run, securing his first save of the year with one strikeout and no walks.
For the Lancers, Brogan Jones went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI. Brayden Gray took the loss after throwing 3.2 innings, allowing four earned runs on eight hits.
"I thought we started out a little slow, but then the guys committed there. I thought they had good at-bats. They weren't pressing early in the count, and we were able to get some big two-strike hits and good two-strike at-bats to get us going," said head coach
Russell Triplett. "We pitched well. I think we've been emphasizing limiting free bases, and we did that, but we didn't play very good defense that day, probably our worst defensively, when we weren't putting guys on. I told him at the end that it was good to see us put the mistakes behind us and play clean the last half of the day."
Up next, the Bulldogs take on the Landers at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 4, at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park in the series finale.
