The Citadel
34-24
Mercer
44-15
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Citadel | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 14 | 16 | 0 |
| Mercer | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 10 | 1 |
Coulter, The Citadel Dispatch Mercer to Clinch SoCon Title Berth, 14-4
5/22/2026 2:20:00 PM | Baseball
Christian Stratis delivered at the plate, finishing with season-highs in both hits (4) --including a home run -- and RBIs (4) while scoring twice. Michael Gibson contributed by driving in four runs and crossing home twice on his two hits, marking his fourth straight game with two or more hits and at least two runs scored. Zach Hunt added two hits as well, good for his second consecutive contest with at least two hits, for a pair of RBIs for the fourth straight game.
Across four games in the SoCon Baseball Championship thus far, The Citadel has scored 57 runs on 66 hits, including 14 doubles and five home runs, and has driven in 53 RBIs. As a unit, the Bulldogs have recorded double-digit hits in all four wins as well, outscoring opponents by a combined 27 runs. Individually, Gibson needs just two more scored runs to match current assistant coach David Beckley for the most runs in the league tournament (13), a mark set in 1996.
Coulter registered a complete game, pitching all 7.0 innings for the Bulldogs against Mercer. He allowed 10 hits and four earned runs and struck out a career-high five batters. The outing marked Coulter's second win of the season, improving his record to 2-2.
For Mercer, Chris Katz and Michael Graziano each hit a home run. Brant Baughcum went 3-for-3 at the plate. Jeb Johnson took the loss after throwing 2.2 innings, allowing six hits and seven earned runs while striking out two.
"When people describe themselves as Bulldogs, it takes that kind of performance to win a championship, especially in a tournament," head coach Russell Triplett said. "We dug ourselves a hole earlier in the year by having to play in a play-in game, so our pitching was a little lighter, and we needed a guy to step up. Bryce [Coulter] was tremendous. He had to make some big pitches because there were a couple of innings when it could have gotten away from him, but he made the pitches to get outs.
"Defensively, I thought we stepped up and made big plays. I wanted to get Bryce out of the game earlier, but he wanted the ball. We were kind of going back and forth about taking him out, but having him throw a complete game really helped us as a team, and that's going to help us toward our main goal, which is to win the tournament."
Up next, the Bulldogs will face No. 3 Samford in the title game, scheduled for Saturday, May 23 at 7:30 p.m. at Fluor Field.
CHAMPIONSHIP BOUND ➡️🏆
— The Citadel Baseball (@CitadelBaseball) May 22, 2026
The Bulldogs punch their ticket into their first @SoConSports finals since 2013 behind a decisive 14-4 run-rule victory over top-seeded Mercer!#jOURney pic.twitter.com/7ISsbeXnq1
RBI double for Zach Hunt, driving in Matty from first!
— The Citadel Baseball (@CitadelBaseball) May 22, 2026
T7 | CIT 14, MER 2#jOURney pic.twitter.com/spuM00wzKV
Fourth hit and fourth RBI of the game for Stratis as the Bulldogs tag on another run!
— The Citadel Baseball (@CitadelBaseball) May 22, 2026
T7 | CIT 13, MER 2#jOURney pic.twitter.com/2ISdJJxOPz
We say once again, Gibby is that dude! 🤘
— The Citadel Baseball (@CitadelBaseball) May 22, 2026
Bases clearing RBI double for Michael Gibson! #jOURney pic.twitter.com/NmXLkf4DVe
Players Mentioned
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Coulter, Bryce (2-2)
L: Johnson, Jeb (3-4)
Batting:
2B: Gibson, Michael 1 ; Hunt, Zach 1
HR: Stratis, Christian 1
RBI: Daniels, Phillips 1 ; Anderson, TJ 1 ; Dansky, Sam 1 ; Gibson, Michael 4 ; Hunt, Zach 2 ; Stratis, Christian 4 ; Williams, Jayden 1
SH: Gibson, Michael 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Patel, Aryan 1 ; Daniels, Phillips 1 ; Lively, Matthew 1 ; Anderson, TJ 2 ; Dansky, Sam 1 ; Gibson, Michael 2 ; Stratis, Christian 2 ; Williams, Jayden 3 ; Tobin, Lane 1
SB: Gibson, Michael 1 ; Williams, Jayden 1
HBP: Williams, Jayden 1
Batting:
HR: Graziano, Michael 1 ; Katz, Chris 1
RBI: Baughcum, Brant 1 ; Graziano, Michael 2 ; Katz, Chris 1
SF: Graziano, Michael 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Baughcum, Brant 1 ; Graziano, Michael 1 ; Katz, Chris 2
