Harwich, MA-The eighth-seeded Castleton State College baseball team was the first team to exit the 2008 NCAA Division III New England Regional, losing to fourth-seed Southern Maine 16-7 on the second day of the double-elimination tournament. Castleton's season comes to a close at 22-20 overall. The Huskies improve to 33-13, and will take on the loser of the Keene State vs. Wheaton match-up Friday at 1:00 pm.

After a scoreless first inning, Southern Maine exploded for eight runs in the top of the second. Chris Burleson ripped a two-run single to start the scoring, and was followed by and rbi-double from Collin Henry and an rbi-triple from Anthony D'Alfonso. After the Huskies loaded the bases, Eddie Skeffington delivered a two-run single that chased Castleton starter, Ken Cook. Rob Turner came on in relief and ended the threat.

Southern Maine tacked on one more in the third to make it 9-0 on a D'Alfonso rbi-single. Turner held the deficit through six, and Castleton plated seven runs in the bottom of the sixth to cut the lead to 9-7. Brad Polcare got the inning started with an infield single, and scored on an rbi-double to right field by Kyle Brooks. Dan Conley, Chris Ragis, and Ted Mills all followed with singles to score two more runs. After the Spartans loaded the bases, Polcare stepped to the plate and delivered a bases-clearing double to cap the rally.

The momentum was short-lived, however as the Huskies plated seven runs of their own in the top of the eighth to provide the final margin of victory.

Cook took the loss for Castleton, going 1.1 innings and allowing eight runs (six earned) on six hits and two walks. Polcare led the offense with two hits, three RBI and one run scored. Ted Mills collected a pair of hits and one RBI.

Southern Maine's Mike Eaton earned the win pitching three innings of scoreless relief, allowing two hits while striking out two. D'Alfonso and Skeffington each had three hits, with D'Alfonso driving in three and Skeffington two. Both scored a pair of runs as well. Chris Burleson and Chris Henry each added two hits and two RBI at the top of the lineup.