Wildcats Complete Series Sweep of The Citadel

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Box Score (Game 1) | Highlights (Game 1) | Walk-off Finish (Game 1) | Box Score (Game 2) | Highlights (Game 2)

DAVIDSON, N.C. – Davidson won both ends of a Southern Conference baseball doubleheader Saturday at Wilson Field, completing a three-game series sweep of The Citadel with a 2-1 walk-off win in the first game of the day, and a 10-8 win in the second.

The win extends the Davidson's winning streak to seven games - its longest since 1988. It is also the Wildcats' first 3-0 start in SoCon play since 2000, when they swept VMI.

Against The Citadel (8-12, 0-3 SoCon), which was voted to finish second in the SoCon this season by both the league's coaches and media, Davidson (10-6, 3-0 SoCon) has now won five straight, dating back to last season, and three of the last four series. The sweep of the Bulldogs was the Wildcats' first since 2003.

In Game 1, RHP Danny Mooney (3-1) went the distance for Davidson for the first time in his career, holding The Citadel to three hits and an eighth-inning, unearned run, with eight strikeouts and no walks allowed. An RBI-triple by centerfielder Forrest Brandt (2-for-4) in the first inning was the Wildcats' lone run until the bottom of the ninth inning. By virtue of smart base running by left fielder Lee Miller, shortstop Sam Foy (1-for-4) scored from third with two outs on a fielder's choice ball hit by second baseman Andrew Pope to end the game.

Foy had doubled to right center with one out earlier in the frame, and advanced to third on a wild pitch during the next at-bat. RHP Skylar Hunter (1-2), who entered the game before Foy's at-bat, then earned a strikeout for the second out, and intentionally walked lefty-hitting leftfielder Ty Middlebrooks (1-for-3) to get to the right-handed catcher Daniel Gerow. Head coach Dick Cooke went to his bench though and sent Miller, another left-hander, to the plate, so Hunter intentionally walked him too to load the bases.

That brought the right-handed Pope up to bat. Pope hit a bouncing grounder to second base that was fielded by the shortstop, who elected to make the soft toss to second base to retire Miller for the final out. However, instead of losing precious time sliding, Miller ran full-speed straight through second base, beating the toss and avoiding a tag before Foy scored the game-ending run.

The Bulldogs also received strong starting pitching in the contest, as LHP James Reeves struck out 15 in 8.1 innings, allowing just the first-inning run on five hits and a walk.

Brandt, the reigning Southern Conference Player of the Week, continued his hot hitting in Game 2, going 3-for-5 with his second home run of the season, five RBIs and two runs scored. Foy was also productive at the plate, going 3-for-4 with his second home run of the season and two RBIs

Davidson jumped out to an 8-0 lead after three innings before the Bulldogs rallied in the latter half of the game. In the first, Brandt drove in two runs and Foy one, with base hits. In the second, an RBI-single by third baseman David Daniels (2-for-4, BB, 2 R) and an RBI-single by Brandt, gave the 'Cats a 5-0 advantage. Foy led the third inning off with a homer into the trees in left field, then Miller (1-for-4) scored from first base on a failed pickoff attempt and Pope (0-for-4) drove in another run.

The Citadel began cutting into the deficit in the fourth inning with a solo home run by shortstop Johnathan Stokes (3-for-5, 3 RBI, 2 R). Designated hitter Bo Thompson (1-for-3, 2 BB), right fielder Tyler Griffin (1-for-6) and left fielder Drew DeKerlegand (2-for-4, 2 R, 2 BB) then hit back-to-back-to-back home runs to lead off the fifth and make it an 8-4 game.

Brandt hit a two-run home run in the sixth inning for a 10-4 advantage, but The Citadel added a run in the seventh and three more in the eighth to make it a two-run game. RHP Matt Saeta, who pitched the final 2.2 innings, grinded through though, and faced just four batters in the ninth to secure the victory.

RHP Michael Goldberg (2-1) was credited with the win. He entered in the fifth inning to slow the Bulldogs' rally, and pitched 2.1 innings, allowing a run on two hits and two walks with six strikeouts. Starting RHP Austin Livingston (0-3) took the loss, allowing the first five runs in just 1.2 innings.

Davidson will return to action Tuesday at Wilson Field, concluding a home-and-home series with Wake Forest with first-pitch set for 6 p.m.

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