SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Scoring 10 times in the final three innings, the Castleton baseball team overcame a four-run deficit to dispatch Union College, 13-10, in non-conference action Tuesday afternoon.
Four different batters had two-hit performances, led by Evan Keegan whose knocks were a double and his second blast of the year to total four RBIs. Reece de Castro went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two walks, crossing the plate a team-high three times. Jackson Cardozo had a pair of singles with two RBIs, while Ryan Lawrence collected a double with an RBI. Despite entering the game with just six HBPs in his career, Tyler McLain reached via hit-by-pitch three times, becoming the third Castleton (17-18) player to complete the feat this season.
It was a bullpen day for the Spartans who rolled out five different arms with Jack Callahan getting his first career start. In his longest collegiate outing of 3.0 innings, the sophomore held the Dutchmen (14-21) scoreless in the first two frames. The victory went to Stephen Coffey whose two-hit, runless eighth kept CU's lead alive. Brayden Howrigan tossed the ninth, allowing just one base runner for his seventh save of the season which ties Davis Mikell's mark in 2019.
McLain got the offense rolling with a hit-by-pitch as Keegan came through with a first-inning homer – in the same fashion as his first of 2023 at Keene State (4/25). As Callahan worked around three hits in two innings to hold off Union, the Spartans added to the lead after de Castro singled, McLain moved him over with a bunt, and Keegan delivered an RBI double to left field. In the home half of the third, a two-out rally allowed Union to cut the gap to 3-1.
The Dutchmen surged in the fourth on four hits, an error, and a wild pitch to take a 6-3 advantage. Union pushed across one in the sixth inning, but the Spartan offense was beginning to click. Four walks, two wild pitches, two singles, and another HBP helped Castleton erase the gap and tie proceedings at 7-7. The hosts responded with an attack of their own, walking twice with a pair of hits and two sacrifice bunts to retake the lead by three.
Down to their final six outs, the Spartans caught fire in the eighth inning. Kannon Dush walked then swiped second base as Lawrence's RBI single scored the junior outfielder. Lawrence stole second and third before de Castro drew a walk, putting the tying run aboard as Union opted for a new arm. The next batter, McLain, was plunked for a third time to load the bases. Keegan grounded to shortstop to plate Lawrence as the Dutchmen settled for a fielder's choice. Just after Keegan stole his way into scoring position, Cardozo grounded through the infield to knot it at 10 apiece.
Facing another new pitcher, Cardozo picked up a stolen base as Hunter Perkins gave Castleton the lead with a two-RBI base hit. Hurling with a 12-10 edge, Coffey stranded two in scoring position to end the eighth. Lawrence remained hot, knocking a one-out double and dashing to third on a failed pickoff. De Castro sent a sac fly to right field, giving the Spartans a three-run cushion. In the bottom of the ninth, Howrigan slammed the door with two quick fly outs, a walk, and a groundout to finalize the Spartan victory and chalk up his third save in as many games.
Castleton wraps up its regular season with Senior Day on Friday, May 5 against Southern Maine. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for noon.
