Five hitters in the Valparaiso University batting order enjoyed multi-hit games, but host The Citadel prevailed 10-6 on Sunday to fend off the series sweep in Charleston, S.C. Kyle Schmack (Wanatah, Ind. / South Central) homered to contribute to an offense that racked up 12 hits in the series finale.

How It Happened

• The Citadel scratched out two runs in the opening inning.  
• Valpo got one back in the top of the second thanks to a run-scoring single by Alex Ryan (Lake Mills, Wis. / Lakeside Lutheran).
• The Beacons grabbed the lead in the top of the third, an inning that started with a string of three straight singles including Connor Giusti’s (Hoffman Estates, Ill. / Fremd [Wisconsin Oshkosh]) base knock, which drove in Valpo’s second run. Carson Husmann (Hanna, Ind. / South Central [Bradley]) later stroked a go-ahead single to put the guests in front for the first time in the game at 3-2.
• The Citadel responded with two in the bottom of the third including an RBI triple and took a 4-3 lead, but it could have been worse as the Bulldogs had two more on base with nobody out before a strikeout and a 4-3 double play retired the side.
• The Bulldogs picked up a run on a sac fly in the bottom of the fourth to boost the lead to two.
• The Citadel threatened by packing the sacks with two down in the fifth, but Bryce Konitzer (Mukwonago, Wis. / Mukwonago [Oakland]) induced a ground ball back to the mound to end the inning and keep the deficit at two.
• The Beacons mounted a threat of their own in the sixth when the first two batters reached via a walk and a hit by pitch, but The Citadel made a quick pitching change and the new hurler sent down three straight to keep the hosts ahead 5-3.
• The Citadel tacked on three in the bottom of the sixth to boost the advantage to 8-3.
• After missing time with an injury, Griffin McCluskey (Normal, Ill. / Normal Community) returned to the mound on Sunday, facing the minimum in his first frame as he came out of the bullpen to work the seventh.
• A two-run bomb off the bat of Schmack traveled 416 feet in the eighth, climbing Valpo to within three at 8-5. Maifield added a run-scoring single later in that frame to make it 8-6.
• The Citadel scored twice in the bottom of the eighth including a solo homer to increase the lead back to four at 10-6, which stood as the game’s final score.

Inside the Game

• Schmack’s home run was the 23^rd of his career, allowing him to climb into a tie for fourth in program history with Joe Gersna (1982-1985). He has hit more home runs than any Beacon since 2003.
• Schmack, Maifield, Husmann, Kaleb Hannahs (West Terre Haute, Ind. / West Vigo) and Kevin Denty (Tinley Park, Ill. / Marian Catholic) all posted multi-hit efforts. Schmack had his team-leading seventh multi-hit game.
• Hannahs has reached safely in all 14 games this season including an active seven-game hitting streak.
• Valpo followed its season-high 18 hits in Game 2 of Friday’s doubleheader with 12 hits, tied for the team’s second-highest total this year, in Sunday’s series finale. The team’s top three hit totals of the season have all come in the last four games.
• The Beacons have also shown patience at the plate, working seven walks or more in four straight games.

Up Next

Valpo (6-8) will visit Gardner-Webb for a 3 p.m. CT first pitch on Tuesday in Shelby, N.C. The game will air on ESPN+ with links to live video, audio and stats available on ValpoAthletics.com.