A six-run third inning for The Citadel proved to be too much, as the K-State rally ended just short in a 10-8 loss on Saturday afternoon at Riley Park in Charleston, SC. The Bulldogs struck first with a solo home run from Tyler Griffin in the bottom of the 2nd inning, before the Cats matched with an RBI single from Jared King to tie the score at 1 in the top of the 3rd.
K-State starting pitcher Joe Flattery ran into trouble in the third as a pair of errors, a bunt single, and a walk allowed the first four batters of the inning reach base. Citadel catcher Joe Jackson then laced a two-run single to right center field for a 4-1 lead, and cleanup hitter Bo Thompson blasted a three-run homer to left center to expand the Bulldog edge to 7-1. Flattery (0-1) was chased after another base hit, lasting just two innings, giving up five earned runs on six hits with a walk.
The Cats battled back with two runs in the top of the 5th, a Shane Conlin RBI triple and a sacrifice fly from King to make it 8-3. Two more K-State runs scored on errors in the 6th, and King added his third RBI with a single to left field to make it 9-6. The Cats were down 10-6 going into the top of the 9th, but managed three hits including a two-run double from R.J. Santigate, his fourth hit of the game to get K-State to a 10-8 deficit. However, Bulldog reliever Skylar Hunter struck out the side including Tanner Witt to end the game.
The Citadel’s (2-0) starting pitcher James Reeves (1-0) took the win in five innings of work as he gave up two earned runs. Hughston Armstrong and Griffin led the Bulldogs with three hits.
K-State (1-1) will finish the Homewood Suites Tournament in Charleston on Sunday morning at 9:00am central time against George Mason. The BD4 Distributing Pregame Show begins at 8:30 on SportsRadio 1350 KMAN with Rob Voelker and Ryan Lackey.
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