PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Exploding with nine runs to break a 10-game losing streak, the Castleton University softball team split with Plymouth State University on Wednesday afternoon.

Following a 3-2 loss in game one and a 9-5 win in the backend of the doubleheader, Castleton improves to 2-12 overall. Plymouth State moves to 17-11.

Plymouth State 3, Castleton 2

Plating two runs in the first inning, Castleton held the lead for a majority of the game before Plymouth State rallied.

Leading off with a bunt single, Timi Carone read the infield defense, found the perfect spot and beat out the throw to spark the Spartan offense. During the next at-bat, Calli Van Gorden tallied a base knock to center to pick up her first of two hits.

Following a groundout to move the runners over, Tori Swaine came up in the clutch. The junior infielder smacked a single into left to bring home the runners.

In the circle, Taylor Paquette was tagged with the tough-luck loss after putting together a dominant first five innings. The senior kept the Panthers to just one run before the home team clawed away and tallied one in the sixth and seventh. Paquette struck out four in the loss.

Castleton 9, Plymouth State 5

Similar to the first game, Castleton began on a hot note as it scored three runs in the first and never looked back, extending to an 8-1 advantage at one point.

Swaine was the usual suspect again as she notched her third RBI of the day with a run-scoring double in the first. McKinlie Carpenter followed it up with a two-bagger of her own, scoring Swaine and Sara Baker.

Rachael McCormick turned in a stellar performance in the circle after a shaky first inning. After allowing a run in the opening frame, she retired five straight batters and did not surrender a score. Through four innings, she allowed just three hits and struck out a couple, while earning her first win.

Breaking open the game in the third, Castleton scored four to pull the lead to 7-1. Baker led off with a double into the right-center field gap. Subsequent to Carpenter reaching, Rachel Mirel slapped an RBI double to plate two.

Later in the inning, Devin Millerick and Carone did their share by driving in three more runners. The latter finished with four hits in game two and five on the day.

Softball returns to action to start conference play at 2:30 p.m. on Friday as the Spartans travel to face Maine-Farmington in a twinbill.

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