Waterville, Maine – Castleton got an impressive offensive performance in the opener from Jessica Babcock as well as the pitching duo of Taylor Lively and Emily Sweeney as the Spartans swept Thomas 6-0 and 1-0 on Saturday afternoon. 

In the first game of the day, Babcock hit for the cycle, smashing her first career home run, and scoring four of the Spartans six runs. Senior Taylor Lively went the distance, giving up just four hits while striking out seven without walking a batter 

Emily Sweeney got the ball to start the second game and went the first 6.0 innings before Lively came in for the last frame to close out the win, striking out two of the three batters she faced. 

Castleton improves to 7-3 in the North Atlantic Conference and 10-16 overall on the season. Thomas drops to 3-9 in the NAC and 4-21 on the year. 

In the opener the Spartans wasted little time getting on the board, scoring in the first inning. Babcock and Brittany Brayman rapped back-to-back singles, before a double by Tori Fearon scored Babcock. 

Two innings later, Babcock doubled to left and Brayman followed with a run-scoring single. In the fourth it was Sweeney who drove in Kristy Pinkham on a sacrifice fly to left for the 3-0 lead. 

In the fifth, Babcock led off with a home run and Stephanie Sylvester eventually drove in Fearon on a single to make it 5-0. 

Babcock led off seventh, needing a triple to complete her cycle, and she came through with a shot to right field. She then scored on a groundout by Brayman. 

Lively allowed just one hit over the final two innings and gave up just four hits, three singles, to earn her sixth win of the season.

In the nightcap, Chelsea Crehan led off the game with a single and advanced to second on an error. She moved to third on a double by Caylee Fleury and scored on a sacrifice fly by Fearon.

That would be all the offense in the game, as it became a battle of pitchers. Sweeney allowed runners in scoring position in the first, second, fourth and fifth innings but held the Terriers at bay.

Her counterpart Faith Robinson was nearly as impressive, giving up just five hits over the final six innings without allowing a run.

In the bottom of the seventh Lively came on in relief. After a fly out to lead off, she struck out the final two batters of the game to secure the victory. Sweeney got the win, her fourth, and struck out two batters without a walk in 6.0 innings. 

The Spartans return to action on Sunday when they face Maine-Farmington in a doubleheader beginning at 12 pm.