SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The Castleton baseball team hit the road to take on Skidmore in a non-conference showdown Thursday afternoon, completing their halted contest from earlier in the month before falling 4-3 in their third meeting of the season.
 
The afternoon began with a continuation of the teams' game from April 6 that was called due to darkness. With the game in extras after Skidmore tied it late, the Spartans (7-17-1, 1-8 LEC) scored six runs in the top of the 10^th to take the 14-8 lead before Adam Winchell put together a quick 1-2-3 inning to earn his first save of the season and the win for Castleton.
 
The full nine innings of Thursday's game told a different story, with Castleton coming out on the short end of a low-scoring game, taking a 4-3 loss against the Thoroughbreds (21-5-1, 9-2 LL).
 
The Spartans struck first in the fourth, capitalizing on a tough inning from Skidmore's Sam Kornet. Starting with a leadoff walk drawn by Tyler McLain, Castleton earned four more free bases in the frame — three more walks and a ball to the back of Jesus Cardenas — to score two runners and take the 2-0 advantage.
 
That lead was short-lived, however, as the Thoroughbreds responded with a run in the bottom of the inning before taking the lead with a three-run fifth inning, making it a 4-2 game.
 
Down to their final out, Castleton rallied in hopes of taking back the lead, scoring Cardenas on a throwing error before loading the bases. Despite the valiant effort, the comeback attempt came just short, as a liner to right from Kannon Dush ended the game and handed the Spartans the tough 4-3 loss.
 
Zack Marlow (1-4) took the loss for Castleton, allowing all four Skidmore runs through two innings of work.
 
Castleton is back in action Saturday, April 23 to take on Plymouth State, with the first pitch of the doubleheader set for 12 p.m.