HAMPTON, Va. - Castleton nearly captured its win of the season on Saturday afternoon, stranding the tying run on third in the seventh and then going down in the eighth and ninth in a tough 3-2 loss to Saint Vincent.

The Spartans fall to 0-6 on the season with the loss while the Bearcats improves to 7-1 as each team recorded eight hits. Joe Borowski (Schenectady, N.Y.) had a team-high three hits while freshman Tyler Hoare (Duxbury, Vt.) and Ryan Zielinski (Schenectady, N.Y.) each added a pair.

Saint Vincent got on the board first as Nick Beamenderfer led off the game with a double to left center and scored when classmate shortstop Brad Burkardt beat out an infield bunt single and advanced on a throwing error by the Spartans' pitcher.

Castleton answered back with a run in the bottom of the first. Zielinski drew a walk to open the frame, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt, and later scored on an RBI single by Borowski.

The Bearcats put runners on second and third in the third inning after Beamenderfer walked and junior Andrew Kozusko was hit by a pitch, but Castleton starter Patrick Riley (Strafford, Vt.) got a strikeout to end the inning.

In the bottom of the fourth, Kyle O'Brey earned a leadoff walk followed by a single to left before Mains was able to force a double play and fly out to end the threat.

SVC added a pair of runs in the seventh on a two-run single by Zack Galasso. Sophomore Jordan Britcher led off the frame with a walk after a single by Beamenderfer Both runners advanced when Burkardt reached on an error, prompting Galasso's two-out single to right field.

The Spartans closed the gap to one run, 3-2, in the bottom of the seventh after a lead-off walk and single chased Mains. Kubeja came in and allowed a single to third baseman Peter Wagner (Brattleboro, Vt.), but struck out the final batter of the inning to end the threat.

In the bottom of the ninth, Kubeja struck out the side in order to close the door and earn the save.

Mains earned the win, tossing 6.2 innings and scattering six hits. He allowed two runs (both earned) and struck out four while allowing five walks. Kubeja earned the save after throwing the final 2.1 innings and allowing just two hits and striking out five with no walks.

Riley suffered the loss for Castleton, pitching 6.2 innings and allowing all three runs (all unearned). He gave up six hits while striking out four and walking three.