Lynchburg, Va. – Castleton was unable to produce consistent offense but did get some solid pitching as they were swept in a season-opening doubleheader by Randolph College, 7-2 and 3-2.

The Spartans had eight hits between the two games, with Brittany Brayman earning three and Stephanie Sylvester earning one hit in each game. Castleton did draw nine walks between the two games, but committed four errors. 

In the opener, freshman starter Kayla Wood got the start. She allowed one run in each of the first two innings while the Spartan offense came up with a pair of hits. Randolph added two more runs in the third inning for the 4-0 advantage. 

Neither team scored until the sixth inning. The Spartans received a one-out walk from Brayman but Chelsea Grady hit into a fielder's choice, leaving two down and a runner on first. However, Brooke Naylor drew a walk and both runners advanced on a passed ball. Sylvester came through with a two-run single up the middle to make it a 4-2 game. 

Randolph countered in the bottom of the frame with three additional runs to put the game away. Castleton couldn't answer in the top of the seventh and the Wildcats earned the 7-2 victory. 

In the second game of the afternoon it was the Spartans who got on the board first. Cassidy Auger walked to lead off the game and then promptly stole second. A groundout advanced her to third and Brayman singled her home. Gagne then rapped a single to put runners on the corners before a strikeout ended the scoring. 

Gagne took the mound and held Randolph scoreless over the fist three innings. In the top of the fourth the Spartans added to their lead. Grady led off with a walk and eventually came around to scored on a single to left field by Ruby Bushey. 

In the bottom of the frame the WildCats put its first two runners own via fielding errors by the Spartans. Another error loaded the bases with one out and consecutive singles tied the game 2-2. A sacrifice fly gave Randolph a 3-2 advantage, but Gagne got out of the inning with a strikeout. 

Castleton threatened in the top of the seventh as Auger walked with two outs. Tori Fearon reached on a throwing error and Auger scooted all the way to third, however, a groundout to the shortstop ended the game. 

Gagne took the loss, tossing 4.0 innings while allowing four hits, three unearned runs and striking out out four batters. Cassidy Tedeschi pitched two innings of scoreless relief with two hits and two strikeouts. 

Wood was saddled with the loss in the opener, going 4.0 innings with seven runs, six walks and four strikeouts.

Castleton returns to action tomorrow for the Roanoke Softball Bash.