Bo Thompson’s 3-run homer keys 10-8 win for Citadel over Kansas State

The Citadel 10, Kansas State 8
Bo Thompson slugged a three-run home run and Joe Jackson drove in two runs as The Citadel defeated Kansas State, 10-8, at Riley Park.

The Bulldogs (2-0) next host High Point at 1:30 p.m. today.

Tyler Griffin hit a solo homer for the Bulldogs, who have 28 hits in their first two games. James Reeves pitched five innings, allowing six hits and two earned runs, for the victory.

After leading by as many as seven runs early in the game, The Citadel saw Kansas State (1-1) reach closer Skylar Hunter for three hits and two runs in the ninth to pull within two. But Hunter responded by fanning Tanner Witt with the tying runs in scoring position to finally secure the victory.

Tyler Griffin hit a solo homer to left in the second, and Kansas State tied it with an unearned run off Citadel starter James Reeves in the top of the third. In the bottom of the frame, the first seven Bulldogs reached base and the second of two Kansas State errors in the inning allowed Johnathan Stokes to score to break the tie.

Jackson lined a two-run single to center before Thompson easily cleared the fence in left center to give the Bulldogs a 7-1 advantage. Jackson had two hits on the day and is 6 for 10 with seven RBIs through the first two games of the season.

Mason Davis and Drew DeKerlegand had back-to-back triples to open the bottom of the fourth to make it 8-1, and later in the inning Thompson took advantage of a surprised Wildcat defense to swipe his second career base after drawing a walk. Stokes added a steal of home in the fifth, sprinting to the plate as Davis scampered back to first to get out of a rundown.

Reeves worked the first five innings, allowing six hits and three runs (two earned) with four strikeouts and no walks to earn the victory. Five relief pitchers followed Reeves to the hill with Brett Tompkins touched up in the sixth for three hits and three runs, only one of which was earned, to bring the Wildcats within 9-6.

Zach Sherrill pitched 1.2 innings of two-hit shutout ball, and Kevin Connell and David Rivera combined for a scoreless eighth. Kansas State starter Joe Flattery did not retire any of the seven batters he faced in the third and was tagged with the loss.

After seeing its lead trimmed to three, The Citadel added an important insurance run in the seventh when Stokes scored on an infield grounder by Davis.

Hughston Armstrong continued his hot weekend by going 3-for-3 to give him five hits in six official at bats. Griffin also had three hits including a triple and DeKerlegand joined Jackson with two base knocks.