PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Castleton baseball team was topped in Little East Conference action at Rhode Island College on Saturday afternoon, falling by 14-0 and 10-0 margins.
Leading the way on offense was Evan Keegan as the graduate student went 3-for-6 with a double to extend his hit streak to eight games. Jackson Cardozo chalked up his sixth multi-hit game of the year, collecting two hits in the opening contest.
The Spartans (8-13, 0-6 LEC) used three arms in both contests as starters Adam Winchell and Aubrey Ramey were tabbed with decisions in games one and two, respectively. Luke Russell had the most efficient day on the mound, tossing 3.0 innings without giving up an earned run on two hits and two walks.
Game 1: Rhode Island College 14, Castleton 0 (7 innings)
The Anchormen (15-10, 5-1 LEC) tallied runs in six of seven innings, including a six-score outburst in the third stanza.
Batting in the home half, Tyler McLain reached on an error and Cardozo singled in the first inning to put two on, but RIC ended the threat. The Spartans were retired in order from innings 2-4.
Ryan Lawrence drew a two-out walk in the fifth frame and stole second base; however, RIC pitcher Shaun Gamelin bagged his 10th strikeout of the day. Despite a leadoff single from Cardozo to start the seventh, Gamelin retired the next three Spartans to end proceedings.
Game 2: Rhode Island College 10, Castleton 0 (8 innings)
RIC took a 1-0 lead in the first inning, but the Spartans' leadoff hitter McLain cracked a single to left field. Two batters later, the Bethany, Conn. native was doubled off in a 5-4-3 twin killing.
Ramey held the Anchormen to just one tally in the second, navigating around a pair of hits to leave bases loaded. A one-out double by Reece de Castro was all that Castleton could muster in the home half.
Keegan and Kannon Dush singled in the fourth and fifth inning, respectively, but neither could come around as Keegan was caught stealing. Zack Marlow pitched the sixth and seventh stanzas for the Spartans, limiting RIC to two runs on one hit while fanning three. Earning a double in the bottom of the seventh was Keegan as he was stranded 90 feet from home.
After putting three runs across in the eighth for a double-digit lead, RIC put away the Spartans in order to complete the sweep.
Next on the schedule for Castleton is another league opponent in Keene State on Tuesday, April 11. First pitch of the home opener is set for 3:30 p.m.
