SALEM, Va. - The Spartans were one hit away from completing a last-inning rally on Sunday but ultimately fell to Rochester College of Michigan by a 3-2 margin on Sunday morning at the Roanoke Valley Softball Bash.

Trailing 3-2, Shannon Jipner (Bristol, Vt.) led off the top of the seventh with a double and Caitlin Probst (Gettysburg, Pa.) followed with a single to put runners on first and third. After flyout, Leah Van Buren (Schenectady, N.Y.) advanced Probst to second on a groundout, however, both runners were stranded as a strikeout ended the scoring threat.

The loss drops the Spartans to 0-5 on the season while the Warriors improve to 1-8. Junior Taylor Lively (Greenfield, Mass.) took the loss once again, despite scattering ten hits over seven innings and allowing just three runs. The righty also stuck out seven batters while walking just one.

 Rochester kept the Castleton off the board through the first three innings, despite the fact the Spartans put a runner in scoring position in each frame. The Warriors also added a run in the first and third for the 2-0 lead after three.

The Spartans finally got on the board in the fourth as Van Buren singled with one out and Mercedes Maltie (Warrensburg, N.Y.) followed with a double to drive in Van Buren and cut the Rochester lead in half.

After giving up a run in the fifth, Castleton made it a one-run again in the sixth. Van Buren led off with a single, advanced to second on a passed ball and stole third all with Caylee Fleury (Barre, Vt.) batting. Fleury brought her home with a single, though they were unable to get the tying run, setting up a seventh inning rally.

The Spartans totaled ten hits with eight different players getting a base knock. Van Buren finished 2-for-2 and Margy Kerschner (Vergennes, Vt.) was 2-for-4 to lead the team.