Chicopee, MA-The top-seeded Castleton State College baseball game stumbled out of the gate in the opening round of the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) tournament, losing the opener to fourth-seed Husson College 5-3 at Szot Park.

Husson senior pitcher Keith Nason allowed two earned runs in 7.1 innings and the No. 4 Eagles plated five runs over the first six innings then held on for the win.

With the win, Husson (15-21) now advances to Saturday's 2:00 p.m. winner's bracket game to face the No. 3 Thomas (12-17), which posted a 9-3 win over No. 2 Elms College in Friday's other first round game.

Castleton (18-18) and Elms College (12-19) will meet in an elimination game on Saturday at 10:00 a.m.

Following a scoreless first two innings, the Eagles plated three runs in the third behind junior designated hitter Nick Arthers' RBI single, a RBI double down the right field line by sophomore first baseman Dennis Graham and a RBI sacrifice fly by junior right fielder Jeff Miller.

The Eagles extended their lead to 4-0 in the fifth when freshman third baseman Chris Maguire drew a bases-loaded walk.

The Spartans got one back in the home half of the fifth when senior second baseman Brad Polcare drew a one-out walk, stole second then scored on a RBI double to right center field by junior designated hitter Kyle Brooks.

Husson ran its lead to 5-1 in the sixth when freshman shortstop Ethan Guerrette delivered a RBI single.

Although Castleton added single runs in both the eighth and ninth innings, Husson senior pitcher Samuel Adolphsen allowed just one earned run over the final 1.2 innings to earn the save.

Guerette finished 3 for 5 with two runs scored, freshman center field Tom Crews went 2 for 5 and Nason struck out five and issued four walks for the Eagles in the victory.

Senior left fielder Lauck Blake and sophomore first baseman Ted Mills each went 2 for 4 for the Spartans in the losing effort.