The Citadel Bulldogs began their baseball season with a 7-3 loss to Liberty University on Friday at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park in Charleston, South Carolina.
Liberty took control early, scoring twice in the third inning after Marsh singled and advanced on a wild pitch, setting up DeCandido’s two-run home run to right field. The Flames extended their lead in the fourth when Hvidsten and Jaffe reached base and scored on Grabowski’s single to left center.
In the fifth inning, Liberty added three more runs. Marsh tripled and scored on Drumm’s sacrifice fly before Barone hit a two-run home run, pushing the score to 7-0.
The Bulldogs responded late in the game. In the eighth inning, Tobin was hit by a pitch, moved to third on a pitcher’s error, and scored on Williams’ double play groundout. The ninth saw Daniels lead off with a double; Stratis walked and both advanced on Barbrey’s single. A fielding error allowed Daniels to score, while Tobin’s fielder’s choice brought Stratis home. Despite these efforts, Citadel could not close the gap further.
Will Holmes started for The Citadel, pitching four innings with six earned runs allowed on five hits while striking out seven batters over 81 pitches. Zane Davis relieved for one inning, giving up one earned run. Andrew Buffkin provided stability late with four scoreless innings of relief.
Offensively for The Citadel, Daniels led with one run and a double in four at-bats; TJ Anderson had a hit and a double; Lane Tobin contributed one run and an RBI while reaching base twice via hit-by-pitch.
Liberty pitcher Ben Blair threw six shutout innings with only one hit allowed and eight strikeouts.
The Bulldogs will face Liberty again at home Saturday at 5 p.m.
