Plymouth, N.H. - The Spartans rallied with four runs late in the game to take an 11-8 lead into the bottom of the ninth, but allowed four runs in the frame, falling 12-11 to the Plymouth State Panthers on Wednesday in Plymouth.

Connor Hoagland went 2-for-5 including a two-run home run, and drove in a game-high four RBI while Cameron Curler ripped three hits for the Spartans, bringing home two RBI. Juniors Matt McNamee and Macyn Clifford collected two hits apiece.

The game was a see-saw battle all afternoon. Castleton took a 6-0 lead by the second inning before PSU rallied to tie the game at 7-all in the fourth. The Panthers pulled ahead 8-7 in the fifth inning, but the Spartans came back with one in the seventh, two in the eighth and one in the ninth to take an 11-8 into the bottom of the ninth.

The Spartans appeared poised to get the victory after Matt Ravey retired the first two batters of the ninth inning, but junior Rob Madonna gave the home team some life with a two-out single through the left side. Senior Steve Beard followed with an RBI double to right center, scoring Madonna, and senior Dave Tammaro kept the rally alive with an RBI single to center, scoring Beard.  Junior Brandon Cox drew a walk to put the potential game-winning run on base, and Thompson delivered the game-winning hit to score Tammaro and Cox.

Madonna finished with three hits and two RBI for PSU, while Cox and junior Jeff Runnals had two hits apiece, with Cox cracking his second home run of the year.  Tammaro, Cox and sophomore Justin Walsh drove in two runs apiece.

Nate Swahn started the game for the Spartans, surrendering five earned runs in three innings. Matt Ravey pitched 5.2 innings in relief, and took the loss surrendering seven earned runs on the day.

PSU used four pitchers in the game, with sophomore Josh Young picking up the win in relief.  Junior Spencer Webb pitched 4.1 innings out of the bullpen, allowing just one earned run while striking out four.

With the loss, the Spartans snap their eight-game win streak, moving to 23-8 on the season. Castleton plays a non-conference game Thursday at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.