Baseball

Citadel’s bat and arm dominate Mercer, setting up championship clash

Bryce Coulter’s complete game and Christian Stratis’s four‑run outburst put the Bulldogs in position for an NCAA Tournament berth

The Citadel baseball squad surged to a 14‑4 victory over Mercer in the semifinals of the Southern Conference Tournament, a game that showcased the Bulldogs’ offensive firepower and pitching depth.

Right‑hander Bryce Coulter delivered a complete game, surrendering only ten hits and four runs while striking out five, a performance that kept Mercer’s bats at bay.

At the plate, Christian Stratis was a catalyst, finishing with four hits and four RBIs, including a solo homer in the sixth inning, while Michael Gibson added a double and two hits, driving in four runs and extending his hot streak.

Championship outlook

The Bulldogs will now meet the winner of the Western Carolina‑Samford matchup in the championship, a contest that carries an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament and a chance to cement their postseason hopes.

Mercer, despite the loss, is expected to earn an at‑large bid with a No. 27 RPI rating, while the Bulldogs’ .431 tournament batting average and 14.2 runs per game underscore their dominant form.

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