HENNIKER, N.H. – In a battle of two of the top pitchers in the North Atlantic Conference, it was Castleton sophomore Kayla Wood who came out on top as the Spartans beat New England College 2-1 on Thursday afternoon. 

Wood was dominant as she allowed just two total hits and one unearned run while striking out nine batters without a walk to improve to 9-1. NEC starter Debra Mazzeo was impressive as well, giving up just four hits and one earned run with three strikeouts in the loss. Brittany Brayman and Chelsea Grady each had a hit and an RBI. 

In the top of the first Kayla Daigle reached first on an error and after advancing to second on a groundout, she scored on a single down the right field line by Brayman. 

The Pilgrims came back with the tying run in the bottom of the first. Kiley Williams singled and advanced on a wild pitch before going on third on an error. Rebecca Allen then reached on a fielder's choice, allowing Williams to even the game 1-1. 

Castleton threated in the second, loading the bases with two outs but a groundout ended the threat. 

Wood send NEC down in order in the bottom second and in the top of the third Grady launched a solo home run to give the Spartans a 2-1 advantage. 

The one-run lead was all Wood need as she faced one batter over the minimum in the last five innings, including a pair of strikeouts in the last of the seventh to put the game away. 

The Spartans improve to 14-9 and 5-1 in the NAC while the Pilgrims dropped to 15-13 and 4-4 in conference action. 

Castleton returns to action on Friday when the team goes on the road to play Thomas in a doubleheader starting at 3 pm.