Poultney, VT-The Castleton State College softball team received a pair of sensational efforts from junior pitchers Meg Robitaille and Laura Rogers to sweep Lyndon State 3-1 and 2-0.
Robitaille took the ball in game one and twirled a complete-game two-hitter. The junior pitcher allowed just one unearned run while striking out five to earn her second win of the season.
Alicia Zraunig and Allison Lamay each provided RBI singles to lead the offense.
The Spartans fell behind in the second inning when Angel Phelps walked to lead off. On the ensuing sacrifice attempt by Lauren Potter, an errant throw led to Phelps scoring all the way from first before Potter was gunned down at second by "Bibit" Marion. Robitaille would strike out the next batter and retire the following one on a harmless foul pop to Marion.
Castleton answered in the fourth when Carley Amedore walked, stole second and was singled home by Lamay. The Spartans would plate a pair of unearned runs in the fifth to seal the win.
Lyndon State's Ashlea Ireland went the distance for the 4-8 Hornets, striking out eight and allowing five hits.
In the nightcap Rogers was perfect through 5.1 innings, before an outfield error ended her bid. The error proved harmless as Rogers buckled down and struck out the next batter and followed that up by snaring a rocket right back through the box for the third out. Her bid for a no-hitter was ended with two outs in the seventh when a bloop double landed in between the shortstop and left fielder.
Rogers' final line was still very impressive, seven innings, nine strikeouts, one hit and one walk in the complete game shut-out.
Zraunig went 2-3 at the plate in the second game and made two outstanding plays in the field to help preserve the perfect game at the time. In the third inning the freshman leaped and snared a line drive that seemed destined for center field. In the fourth she made a ranging play towards first base and completed the put-out with a shuffle pass to retire Lyndon State's leadoff hitter.
Rachel Hunt went 2 for 3 with a double and two runs scored, while Allison Lamay was 2 for 3 with one RBI. Rachel Dunn also had a pair of hits, and Kelly Morse had one hit and an RBI for 4-6 Castleton.
Ireland once again pitched took the loss for the Hornets, pitching six innings and striking out six, while allowing nine hits.
Castleton will take to the road this weekend, as they are scheduled to play six conference games in three days, starting Friday with a doubleheader at NAC West leader, Lasell, beginning at 3:30 pm. The Spartans will then play a twinbill at Lesley on Saturday, and finish it off with two more games at Bay Path on Sunday.
