MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - The Castleton University softball team earned a season-opening sweep of NVU-Lyndon and NVU-Johnson Thursday afternoon at North Myrtle Beach Athletic Complex. Kate LaPan led a hot Spartan offense in the opener with a career-best four hits before Olivia Joy's one-hit gem highlighted the nightcap. 

Castleton 12, NVU-Lyndon 4

Lyndon led 3-1 following the first inning, but Castleton chipped away and eventually took command in the fourth. Doubles by LaPan and Jamie Boyle helped the Spartans plate three in the frame, taking a 5-3 advantage. 

Castleton tacked on three more in the sixth inning as Hannah Mosher smacked a double and Machaila Arjavich tripled. Boyle rounded out the scoring in the final inning with a sacrifice fly - it was one of her three RBIs in the opener. 

LaPan went 4-for-5 at the plate while Mosher and Boyle followed with three hits apiece and tied for the team-lead in RBIs. 

Katie Gallagher made the start in the circle and pitched five innings, allowing four runs and striking out four. Kylie Wright tossed two hitless innings and struckout three. 

Castleton 9, NVU-Johnson 0

The Spartans scored early and often against the intrastate foe, cruising to a 4-0 lead in the first inning. LaPan led with a single and stole second before Boyle doubled. Wright singled to plate Boyle and freshman Blake Riche earned her first career hit. 

Castleton wouldn't look back, using consistent offense to provide more than the needed amount of run support for Joy. The junior struckout a career-high nine in the five-inning affair and allowed just one hit without issuing a walk. 

Boyle and Riche led the offensive effort with two hits. Six different Spartans tallied an RBI. 

Castleton is set to take on Howard Community College Friday morning at 10 a.m. before battling Johnson once again at noon.