The Citadel
27-22, 8-9
Samford
25-23, 9-8
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samford | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 2 |
| The Citadel | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | X | 8 | 6 | 0 |
Buffkin Tosses Complete Game Shutout in 8-0 Victory Against Samford
5/8/2026 9:20:00 PM | Baseball
Williams led with a career performance, recording five RBIs, hitting a grand slam, scoring twice and stealing two bases. Notably, Williams' grand slam serves as the first for the Bulldogs since Rhyder Poppell hit one against Western Michigan on April 5, 2025. Lane Tobin contributed on the bases as well, scoring three runs for the second consecutive game and swiping two bags. Christian Stratis added two RBIs and drew a walk.
Notably, The Citadel recorded the team's second consecutive game with at least five stolen bases; additionally, the victory serves as the first shutout win over Samford all-time and the first series win over the visiting Bulldogs since 2022.
On the mound, Buffkin (5-2) logged his first-ever DI collegiate complete game, tossing 9.0 innings with six strikeouts and zero allowing runs, securing the junior his fifth win on the year. He joins Shane Connolly as the most recent Citadel pitcher to throw a complete-game shutout, with Connolly posting his edition in 2019 against VMI.
For Samford, Cade Carr paced the visitors behind a four-hit day while Gus Gandy added a pair of knocks as well. Mason Blasche (3-7) pitched the opening 5.0 frames en route to the loss, surrendering five runs, including four earned, on four hits with a trio of walks and three strikeouts.
"It's tough to lose if you don't give up any runs. I think Buffkin battled through some tough innings. I thought we played high-level defense all over the field. Not just one guy making plays, but he creates that with the tempo and the way he attacks the zone," said head coach Russell Triplett. "And then I thought we maybe had as good an at-bat throughout the game as we've had in a long time. We didn't have a lot to show for it in hits, but guys had some big at-bats, some long walks, and big two-strike battles. And then, obviously, J-Will got the big grand slam, which we needed early in the game. Great day for the 'Dogs."
Up next, The Citadel concludes the three-game set against Samford on Saturday, May 9, with first pitch scheduled for 6 p.m. at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.
Two-run RBI single for Stratis as the Bulldogs lead 8-0! #jOUrney pic.twitter.com/vjEWLQDzhx
— The Citadel Baseball (@CitadelBaseball) May 9, 2026
J-WILL GRAND SLAM!!!! 😤
— The Citadel Baseball (@CitadelBaseball) May 8, 2026
Jayden Williams goes deep to left field as the Bulldogs take the 5-0 lead!
B2 | CIT 5, SAM 0 #jOURney pic.twitter.com/i0L3ZX0RJp
Special thanks to Josh Daniels '94 for throwing out today's first pitch! 🤘#jOURney pic.twitter.com/Be4TaKZMS6
— The Citadel Baseball (@CitadelBaseball) May 8, 2026
Players Mentioned
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Buffkin, Andrew (5-2)
L: Mason Blasche (3-7)
Base Running:
CS: Gus Gandy 1
Batting:
2B: Tobin, Lane 1
HR: Williams, Jayden 1
RBI: Williams, Jayden 5 ; Stratis, Christian 2
SH: Patel, Aryan 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Tobin, Lane 3 ; Williams, Jayden 2 ; Dansky, Sam 2 ; Patel, Aryan 1
SB: Tobin, Lane 2 ; Williams, Jayden 2 ; Dansky, Sam 1
CS: Hodges, Carson 1
HBP: Tobin, Lane 1
PO: Hodges, Carson 1
