LEXINGTON, Va. (Interstat) — Will Holmes threw seven no-hit innings with 10 strikeouts as The Citadel defeated Virginia Military Institute 9-2 on Thursday afternoon at Gray-Minor Stadium.

The Bulldogs (28-24) scored four runs in the first three innings, highlighted by a two-run homer from Jayden Williams in the third. TJ Anderson went 3-for-4 with four RBIs, and Michael Gibson contributed two hits and an RBI. Citadel finished with 12 hits.

VMI (28-24) managed only five hits. The Keydets scored two unearned runs in the ninth, including an RBI single by Bradley Garner and a sacrifice fly by Cole Raile.

Holmes, who also threw seven shutout innings against Presbyterian on May 1, was backed by a defense that committed no errors. Zane Davis pitched two innings of relief, allowing one unearned run.

The teams meet again Friday in the second game of the Southern Conference series.