HENNIKER, N.H. – Castleton suffered a tough North Atlantic Conference (NAC) loss this afternoon, falling to New England College (NEC) 3-2 in the bottom of the ninth inning at Don Melander Field on Wednesday.

The Spartans outhit the opposition eight to five, but left eight runners on base in the losing effort. Castleton now stands at 9-7 on the season and 2-3 in the conference. NEC improves to 4-6 overall while also recording the squad's first conference win of the season. The second game of the doubleheader was cancelled due to inclement weather. 

Tyler Lord turned in another solid day at the plate with three hits to go along with two RBIs, while Nick Swim went 2-for-5 with a pair of singles. Christopher Smith, meanwhile, led the Pilgrim attack after going 1-for-2 with two walks, one stolen base and one run scored.

Devin Hayes took a no-decision after throwing six strong innings with just four hits allowed and two runs (zero earned) while also striking out a career-high nine batters. Zac Harrington suffered the loss after allowing one earned run in his fourth relief appearance of the season, while Brandon Quirk improved to 1-2 on the season after tossing a complete game with two earned runs and three strikeouts. 

The Pilgrims got on the board in the top of the first when Smith acored on a throwing error to give the hosts an early one-run lead. The senior outfielder led off the inning with a single to center before advancing to third on a fielder's choice. After Vincent Backert struck out, Smith forced an errant throw while stealing third, allowing him to advance home.

NEC tacked on another run in the bottom of the second when Matthew Krum recorded his first RBI of the day. With runners on second and third and one out, the junior plated Jordan Hubbard with a grounder to short, doubling the Pilgrims' advantage, 2-0. 

After being shutout for six innings of play, Castleton's offense finally came alive in the top of the seventh with two runs in the frame to tie the ballgame at 2-2. With two on and two out, Lord sent a single to right field that scored Soren Pelz-Walsh and Dylan Watts to bring the game back to level terms. Swim followed in the next at-bat with a single to center, but Lord was thrown out trying to go from first to third to end the scoring threat.

Following a scoreless eighth, the Spartans had a chance to grab their first lead of the ballgame when Lord's third hit of the game put Pelz-Walsh on third with two outs. Unfortunately, Quirk was able to work out of the jam and keep the game tied 2-2.

Harrington entered for reliever Connor Johnson in the bottom of the ninth and he walked back-to-back runners before a passed ball gave NEC first and third with no out. Subsequently, Krum stepped up to the plate and drove home the game-wining run with a single to center to secure a 3-2 win for NEC.

Castleton has a busy week ahead, as the squad is scheduled to play doubleheaders versus Lyndon St. and Colby-Sawyer on Thursday and Friday before traveling to Husson for a four-game set over the weekend.