Bangor, Maine - The Castleton softball team advanced to the championship game of the NAC tournament with an 8-0 win against Lyndon State on Saturday afternoon, but fell just short of their championship dreams, losing to top seed Husson 2-0 in the final.

Castleton's Taylor Lively struck out seven in three innings, giving her 500 for her career and leading the Spartans to an 8-0 win over Lyndon in five innings Saturday afternoon in game five of the North Atlantic Conference Softball Championship.

Castleton's offense started early when the first batter of the game, Chelsea Crehan walked and then advanced to second base on a passed ball. The next batter Kristy Pinkham singled to the pitcher, advancing  Crehan to third.  Jessica Babcock reached on a walk loading the bases. Brittany Brayman followed with a two-run single up the middle

Babcock came around to score when Tori Fearon reached on a fielding error and Stephanie Sylvester brought Brayman around on a sacrifice fly to make it 4-0 Spartans. Chelsea Grady doubled to right field to score Fearon, extending it to 5-0.

That was plenty for Lively who struck out the side making it a quick turnaround for the Spartans offense who put up two more runs in the top of the second  to make it 7-0 when Fearon reached on an error scoring Pinkham who singled and Crehan who walked.

In the top of the fourth Castleton added one more run when Fearon singled again up the middle, scoring Brayman to make it 8-0.

The Hornets were unable to muster any offense and after five innings the game was final.

Katie Davis who had a strong tournament bid got the loss in the circle going five innings, allowing eight hits. Lively earned the win for the Spartans after a shut out three innings and Emily Sweeney pitched the final two innings allowing just 1 hit.

The Hornets upset bid ends after a tremendous run in the NAC Tournament. Castleton advanced to play four-time defending champion Husson in game six of the conference tournament. 

In the championship game, the Eagles' Becca McCarty twirled a one-hitter, shutting down the Spartans' offense on the way to a 6-0 win, and Husson's fifth consecutive NAC championship. 

Husson struck for two runs in the bottom of the first frame when Aimee Mortensen grounded into an RBI fielder's choice, and Deb Colpitts followed with an RBI single to put the home team up 2-0. Castleton struggled to respond, mustering only two baserunners throughout the entire game.

In the top of the second inning, Kayla Daigle reached with the Spartans only hit of the day, a two-out single into left-center. The freshman attempted to make something happen, but was caught stealing by Husson catcher Heidi Shaw to end the inning.

Castleton hurler Taylor Lively did her best to keep the Spartans in the game. After allowing two runs in the first frame, the senior pitcher tossed four scoreless innings to keep her team within striking distance. 

In the bottom of the sixth, however, the Husson offense caught up to Lively, striking for four runs on five hits and three defensive errors by the Spartans. Lona Sargent rocked an RBI double to deep center field, and Mortensen ripped a two-run single for the Eagles to take a 6-0 lead.

In the top of the seventh inning, McCarty retired the Spartans in order to solidify the Eagles' win, granting them their fifth consecutive North Atlantic Conference title. The Eagles will continue their season with a trip to the NCAA Tournament.

Castleton finishes their season with an 18-21 record. Three Spartans were selected to the NAC All-Tournament Team for their weekend performances: Kristy Pinkham, Stephanie Sylvester and Taylor Lively. Husson's Becca McCarty earned tournament MVP for her dominant pitching performance.