Castleton, Vt. - Castleton sent their seniors off in style, sweeping North Atlantic Conference opponent Johnson State 6-0 and 14-1 in the team's final home games of the regular season. 

Before the games began, seniors Caylee Fleury, Taylor Lively, and Emily Sweeney were honored for their contributions to the Castleton Spartans softball program, and each got the starting nod in game one, Fleury in left field, Sweeney as the designated player, and Lively on the rubber. 

Tori Fearon went 3-for-3 for the Spartans in the first game, scoring two runs and driving in one, while Stephanie Sylvester earned two RBI for the home team, on their way to a 6-0 victory in the first contest.

Lively and Johnson State hurler Andrea Williams seemed poised for a pitcher's duel from the very beginning, as both pitchers struck out the side in the first frame. The Spartan bats were the first to get to Williams, striking for a run in the bottom of the second. Back-to-back singles from Fearon and Sylvester plated the Spartans first run of the day, making the score 1-0.

In the bottom of the third, Castleton tacked on two more runs. Chelsea Crehan and Kristy Pinkham laid down consecutive bunt singles to put runners on the corners. Crehan scored on a passed ball and Pinkham came around to score on a single by Jessica Babcock to make it 3-0. 

Kayla Daigle drove in a run in the bottom of the fifth, and the Spartans added two more in the sixth to finish the game at 6-0. Lively tossed a seven-inning complete game, allowing just two hits and striking out eight Badgers to earn the victory. Williams took the loss for the Badgers, allowing five earned runs on eight hits over six innings pitched.

In game two, the Spartans sent 16 batters to the plate in the first inning, cashing in for 11 runs on nine hits and four Johnson State errors. After four consecutive singles to begin the inning, Fearon rocked a two-run single, followed by a two-run double by Sylvester. Chelsea Grady ripped a double that brought home another run to make it 6-0 before the Badgers recorded the first out of the inning. Five more runs would cross for the Spartans before the inning was over.

On the rubber for the second consecutive game, Taylor Lively cruised through the Badgers lineup, allowing just two hits over four innings, striking out four.

Castleton went on to add three more runs in the bottom of the third, including a two-run single by Ruby Bushey that put the home team up 14-0.  

In the fifth, Lively was relieved by freshman Taylor Trombley. In her collegiate debut, Trombley allowed a run on two hits, letting up a double to Emily Comins, and an RBI single by Emily Himberg before settling in to force a double play and a game-ending strikeout.

The Spartan offense finished the day with 20 runs on 19 hits, including a 4-for-7 performance by Babcock. Sylvester drove in a team-high four runs on the day, with two RBI in each game. From the rubber, Lively combined for 12 strikeouts in 11 innings pitched, surrendering only four hits.

Seniors Lively, Sweeney, and Fleury have been essential parts of the Castleton softball program for four years, leading the Spartans to 67 victories and a 41-17 record within conference play during their tenure.

 Caylee Fleury has played in 113 games over her four-year career. A Second-team all-conference selection last year, she has 83 career hits and scored 46 runs with 34 RBI. Fleury also has 13 steals, ninedoubles and one home run.

 Emily Sweeney has made 54 career appearances in the circle over four year. Last year she was a second-team all-conference selection after winning 10 games with a 5.46 ERA. She has 22 victories and thrown 41 complete games with 156 strikeouts in her career.

 Taylor Lively has won at least five games in each of her four seasons at Castleton. She owns 35 career victories with a 3.53 ERA and has thrown 18 shutouts, including a no-hitter last season. In 2012 she was named the NAC Player of the Year and in 433 innings pitched has 455 career strikeouts, which ranks 12th among all active players within Division III.

With the sweep, Castleton finishes their regular season at 15-19, including a 14-4 mark within the NAC. Entering the playoffs this week, they will likely host a NAC quarterfinal matchup on Apr. 24.