Box Score (PDF)

Charleston, S.C. – The Citadel scored six runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to erase a 7-1 deficit on its way to a 9-8 victory over USC Upstate Wednesday afternoon from Riley Park.

The Citadel (8-9) scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the second on an RBI groundout from Bret Hines. Tyler Griffin led off the inning with a single to left and took second when Drew DeKerlegand drew a walk. After a sacrifice from Calvin Orth advanced both runners one base, Hines put the Bulldogs ahead with a groundout to shortstop.

Upstate (8-11) struck for three runs in the top of the fourth inning to take its first lead of the game. Luke Weber drew a walk to begin the inning and came around to score two batters later on an RBI double from Daniel Seeba. Four batters later, Tyler Lesch drew a bases loaded walk to put the Spartans ahead 2-1. Erik Samples singled to shortstop later in the inning to drive in Jordan Miller from third.

Miller was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the fifth inning to collect his first RBI of the season and put the Spartans ahead 4-1. Sam Kysor delivered an RBI single through the left side later in the frame to account for the team's fifth run.

Spartan first baseman Zach Krider led off the sixth inning with his first career triple, and Weber followed with a single to right field to move into fourth place all-time at Upstate with his 127th career RBI. Dylan Woods plated Weber from third three batters later with a groundout on the infield.

The Citadel started its half of the sixth inning with a double from Mason Davis and a walk from Hughston Armstrong. Bulldog designated hitter Bo Thompson followed with a home run down the left field line to pull The Citadel within 7-4. After an Upstate pitching change, The Citadel recorded three more hits to score another run and leave runners on the corners. The Spartan defense induced a double play to minimize the threat, but The Citadel got a two-out single from Ryan Kilgallen and a double from Barrett Charpia to tie the score at 7-7.

Austin Mapes and Armstrong picked up RBIs in the eighth inning to put the Bulldogs out in front 9-7. Upstate mounted a rally in the ninth inning when Stephen Dowling drew a one-out walk and moved to second on a groundout from Lesch. Samples followed with a double to left to drive in Dowling, but Bulldog reliever Skylar Hunter retired the final Upstate batter to preserve the win and collect his fourth save of the season.

Zach Sherrill (3-0) earned the win in relief after allowing no runs and one hit in two innings of work. Miller (0-1) suffered the loss for Upstate by giving up two runs on two hits in 1.1 innings on the hill.

Upstate returns to the diamond Friday at 6 p.m. when the Spartans travel to Jacksonville, Fla., to open conference play with a three-game series against North Florida from Harmon Stadium.

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