Holmes, Offense Pace The Citadel in a 10-4 Series-Opening Victory Over Samford

Friday, May 8

Charleston, S.C.

12:00 p.m.

The Citadel

26-22, 0

Samford

25-22, 0

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Samford	0	0	0	0	0	2	1	1	0	4	3	1
The Citadel	2	0	2	1	1	3	1	0	X	10	12	0

Holmes, Offense Pace The Citadel in a 10-4 Series-Opening Victory Over Samford

5/8/2026 3:49:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

By: The Citadel Athletics

CHARLESTON, S.C. — A career day on the mound from Will Holmes set the tone early as The Citadel (26-22, 7-9 SoCon) secured a decisive 10–4 victory over Samford (25-22, 9-7 SoCon) in game one a three-game weekend set at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park. The Bulldogs' offense was highlighted by a pair of home runs and four doubles, contributing to their 12-hit performance.

Michael Gibson led the offense with a season-high four hits, including a solo shot over the right-field wall and a double, and drove in three runs. On the year, the senior leads the team with a .389 batting average.

TJ Anderson added a home run of his own, tallying three RBIs on the blast and building on his team-best 35 RBI mark. Lane Tobin crossed the plate three times as well, and notably broke the single-season program record for most hits-by-pitch at 23, previously held by Bo Thompson (22) and set during the 2014 campaign.

On the mound, Holmes (5-4) delivered a standout performance, pitching 6.0 innings with a career-high 12 strikeouts and allowing just one run. Following the win, the grad student now leads the Southern Conference with 89 strikeouts on the year.

Ben Brash stepped in for a frame, allowing a solo home run while striking out one. CJ Van Slooten closed the game with 2.0 innings of work, giving up one hit and one walk, striking out three, and allowing a home run.

"Great start to the weekend. Will Holmes was good, as good as he's been all year. He keeps getting better, and this was the best start of the year. We needed it," said head coach Russell Triplett. "Offensively, we got contributions throughout the lineup. Anderson and Gibson each had a big swing, and together they had quality at-bats. Now we have to turn the page and be ready for the next nine innings."

For Samford, Luke Boykin and Eddie Marshall notched a homer apiece while Gus Gandy collected a RBI on a triple in the sixth. Joseph Lee (3-2) suffered the loss after tossing 4.0 frames in the start, giving up five runs on as many hits with one walk and five strikeouts.

Up next, The Citadel hosts a 6 p.m. matchup against Samford on Friday, May 8 in the latter half of a doubleheader at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.

𝐃𝐎𝐆(𝐒) 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐚𝐰 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐦 🦴 (@cannonlawsc)

Will Holmes: 6 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 12 Ks and earned the W 🔥

Michael Gibson: 4-for-5 w/ 3 RBIs including a solo bomb 🤘💣#jOURney pic.twitter.com/wBJ3VOdQDE
— The Citadel Baseball (@CitadelBaseball) May 8, 2026

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐉𝐨𝐞 🙅‍♂️: 6 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 BB and a career-high 12 Ks 🔥

Five great years of toeing the rubber at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park! Thank you, 2️⃣3️⃣ 🫡#jOURney pic.twitter.com/z0TIcpkBkW
— The Citadel Baseball (@CitadelBaseball) May 8, 2026

THAT BALL IS LONG GONE!!!

Three-run 💣 for TJ Anderson as the Bulldogs lead 9-2!

419 FT🚀
108 MPH🔥#jOURney pic.twitter.com/3MHWZuTBnP
— The Citadel Baseball (@CitadelBaseball) May 8, 2026