The Citadel baseball team lost to East Tennessee State University by a score of 5-4 in a walk-off finish on April 18 at Thomas Stadium. The game was tied in the top of the ninth inning before ETSU secured the win.
The close contest matters for both teams as it sets up a deciding game in their Southern Conference series. With this loss, The Citadel’s record stands at 18-20 overall and 4-7 in conference play, while ETSU improves to 24-12 overall and 7-4 in the conference.
Michael Gibson led The Citadel with two hits, one run batted in, and a stolen base. Christian Stratis contributed two hits and drove in two runs. Sam Dansky added two hits, an RBI, and drew a walk. Garrett Fulmer also had two hits. On the mound, Andrew Buffkin started for The Citadel with five innings pitched, allowing four hits and one earned run while striking out three batters. Ben Brash pitched one inning of relief but gave up three earned runs on four hits. Trip Brown finished the game for The Citadel but took the loss after pitching over two innings.
For ETSU, Tyler Fetterman had two hits and drove in two runs while Luke Matlock delivered the game-winning hit. Tristian Curless earned the win by pitching just over an inning with two strikeouts.
Head coach Russell Triplett said: “We were on the wrong end of a good college baseball game. Buffkin was efficient, attacked the zone, and gave us a quality start. I thought Brown did his job; they just had two great swings in the 9th to beat us.” Triplett continued: “I’m proud of how our guys continue to stay in the fight and were able to extend the game with a run in the 9th. The series is tied, but when two good teams play, it usually comes down to Sunday. I can’t wait to see our guys compete tomorrow.”
The Bulldogs will return for Sunday’s rubber match against ETSU at Thomas Stadium.
