The Citadel baseball team captured the Southern Conference Championship on Sunday, defeating Samford 3-1 to claim its 22nd conference title and earn a berth in the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship.
Pitching that made the difference
Will Holmes delivered a stellar start, tossing seven innings and allowing just two hits, one walk and a single run. His effort set the tone for a dominant performance.
Closer Michael Gibson finished the game with 1.1 innings of shutout baseball, striking out two batters and preserving the lead. Gibson’s clutch work earned him the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player award, the Walt Nadzak Award.
The offense was equally balanced. Jayden Williams paced the team with three hits, while Zach Hunt and Christian Stratis each contributed two hits and an RBI. TJ Anderson added a hit, two walks and a run, and Gibson himself chipped in with a hit and a run scored.
Head coach Russell Triplett lauded the team’s character and the progress they’ve made throughout the season, emphasizing that the championship was a reflection of collective effort and resilience.
The full NCAA Division I Baseball Championship bracket will be released on Monday, May 25 at noon, with the draw to be televised on ESPN2, setting the stage for the next chapter of the season.