CASTLETON, Vt. – The Castleton softball team won its first-ever North Atlantic Conference Championship on Saturday afternoon, defeating Thomas by a final score of 3-1 at Spartan Field.

The Spartans (20-11) advance to the NCAA Regional Tournament with the win. Thomas wraps up its season with an 18-19 record with the loss.

NAC Tournament MVP Kayla Wood powered Castleton to victory in the circle, going the distance and allowing just one unearned run on five hits in seven innings while striking out 11. Jessica Babcock and All-Tournament honoree Ruby Bushey had two hits each in the win, with Babcock also tallying an RBI.

Faith Robinson shouldered the loss for the Terriers, going the distance and allowing three runs, two earned, on 10 hits and two walks. All-Tournament honoree Katie Taylor was 1-for-3 in the game with the only Thomas RBI.

The Spartans got on the board first, pushing across a pair of runs in bottom of the second inning. Bushey tallied a one-out single and came around to score on a throwing error as Sami Carlo was trying to sacrifice bunt. Carlo moved to second on the errant throw before advancing to third on a sacrifice bunt with Timi Carone. A base hit by Babcock scored Carlo, giving the Spartans the 2-0 lead.

Castleton was back at it again in the sixth inning after the two sides traded zeros, as Krista Carcaterra ripped a base hit down the third-base line to drive in McKinlie Carpenter and make it a 3-0 game.

The Terriers didn't back down in the seventh inning, as Jordanna Agger led off with a base hit. Sonja Morse reached base on an error with one out to give the visitors runners at first and second, bringing up Taylor. Taylor sent a base hit up the middle, scoring the pinch runner, Cassie Contigiani, and making it a 3-1 game. Wood buckled down, striking out the next two batters to seal the championship for Castleton.

The Spartans find out their NCAA Tournament fate during the NCAA Selection Show on Monday at 1 pm.

2016 NAC All-Tournament Team