SHERMAN, Texas – Castleton concluded its Texas road trip with a 6-2 victory over Austin College behind a strong pitching performance from southpaw Steven Jurkiewicz and some timely hitting at Baker Field. 

The sophomore hurler set the tone early, giving up just one unearned run while allowing three hits and striking out three in 6.0 innings of work for his first victory of the season. Offensively Nick Swim went 3-for-5 while Soren Pelz-Walsh and two doubles with three RBI. Jim Buckley added a pair of hits, including a two-run homer. 

Blaine Tew absorbed the loss for the 'Roos surrendering six runs on 10 hits in 5.1 innings of work to bring his record to 1-1 this season. Todd Takabuki went 2-for-2 with a double to lead Austin College offensively. 

Castleton struck quickly as Zach Bahan singling home Tyler Lord after the Castleton centerfielder had reached on an infield single to lead off the game. The score remained 1-0 until the bottom of the third, when Jeremy Halford brought home James Arguello with a sacrifice fly to square things up heading into the fourth. 

The Spartans regained the lead in the top of the fifth as Soren Pelz-Walsh doubled down the left field line to plate Lord and make it 2-1. 

Castleton pushed its lead to 6-1 an inning later on the strength of a two-run homer by Buckley and a two-run double down the line by Pelz-Walsh, which scored Taylor Vile and Nate Swahn. Austin College got a run back in the top of the seventh when Austin Dudley sent a single through the middle to bring home Gus Daniel, but that would be the last run for either team. 

Senior Matt Ravey sent the 'Roos down in order in the eighth and Sam Spencer came on to close down the ninth, allowing a one-out single before a 4-6-3 double play ended the game. 

Castleton returns to action on March 12 when the team travels to face Apprentice School at 5 pm.