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This weekend’s series for The Bucs was against The Citadel. Back home for the first time since late March, The Bucs come into this series with a 16-2 record at The Thom this season. Coming off of a loss at Georgia, ETSU’s record going into Game One is 23-11.
Game One, Tough Luck Late in the Game
Friday Night, Game One. First Pitch at 5pm. Starting out the scoring for ETSU was Tristan Curless in the first, singling up the middle, allowing Nate Conner to score. In the second, during a wild pitch, Mason Ault glided across home plate, bringing The Bucs up 2-0. Additionally in the second, Conner flied out to CF, allowing Ian Guanzon to score. More scores in the second, Jamie Palmese doubled down to left, sending Curless and Luke Matlock home. Palmese also scored when Tyler Fetterman doubled to left center. The Bucs ended the second with a wide lead, 6-0.
In response, The Bulldogs answered with a homer from Christian Stratis in the third. Fourth inning remained scoreless. In the top of the 5th, an incredible catch from Palmese stunned a potential base hit from Stratis.
Continuing in the 5th, ETSU gained another run from homer by Matlock. However, in the 7th, the tides changed. Citadel scored a total of 8 runs, pushing The Bucs’ bullpen to their limits. Bell, Brosnan and Scott all faced the Bulldogs in the 7th. The Bulldogs continued their lead through the rest of the game, gaining two more runs in the 8th. The Bucs scored one additional run in the bottom of the 8th, ending the game 11-8, Citadel.
Game Two, Bucs Down 0-1
Coming off of a loss on Friday, The Bucs are driven to not let a couple of unlucky innings stand in the way of their great home record. Starting out the scoring, The Bulldogs’ Stratis singled up the middle and pushed Gibson home. The Bucs responded in the 5th, with runs from Melendez by way of a Matlock hit to SS, and runs from Fetterman, Palmese and Curless in the 6th. Citadel responded with 2 runs, one in the 7th and one in the top of the 9th to even the score 4-4. To claim the win, Luke Matlock singled to center, sending Palmer home to end the game 5-4.
Game Three, Rubber Match for The ETSU
First pitch at Thomas Stadium on Sunday was at 1pm. The Bucs started the game with Palmese homer to left, bringing Curless and Ferguson in to score as well. In the fourth, Conner doubled to left center and also sending Guanzon to home. Additionally in the fourth, Ferguson singled to left field pushing Conner to home. Bucs ended the fourth up 5-0.
Citadel responded by scoring a run in the 5th, from a ground out by Dansky that pushed Gibson to score. This was the only score for Citadel. ETSU continued to score in the 7th, with a run from Curless, Ferguson, and Palmese. In the 8th, Conner and Fetterman both homered, and runs were added by Ferguson and Curless. The Bucs won by run rule, 12-1.
Next Up for The Bucs
ETSU will head over the mountain to Boone, North Carolina as they face Appalachian State on Tuesday. The game will be played at Jim and Bettie Smith Stadium, and first pitch is set for 6pm. The Bucs faced The Mountaineers last on February 25th, and App State took home the win.
Currently, App State is 22-16, with a home record of 13-8 and on a 3 game winning streak over James Madison (ASU outscored JMU 43-20). This game will be televised on ESPN+.
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