LITTLE RIVER, S.C. – The Vermont State University Castleton softball team kicked off the 2024 campaign with triumphs over Maryland-based programs Stevenson and Notre Dame on Thursday at the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex.
Alexis Rogers, Samera Rideout, and Allie Almond led the offensive corps as each collected three hits including a double. Rideout's base knocks brought a combined four runs across the plate as Almond thrived on the base paths, swiping three bags while crossing the plate four times.
Head coach Eric Ramey began his 13th season at the helm by picking up his 200th and 201st career wins.
Game 1: VTSU Castleton 8, Stevenson 2
Madison Gould put together an outstanding collegiate debut, tossing a complete game in the circle with eight strikeouts while holding the Mustangs to three hits, one earned run, and one walk.
After Stevenson tacked on a run in the initial half-inning, the Spartans tied it at one-all when Taylor Russell and Gould singled to bring Alex Brouillette across. The Mustangs regained the lead in the third frame, but Castleton responded with a fourth-inning outburst. Three hits loaded the bases as Maddie Wilson drew an RBI walk to knot the score again, then Kayleigh Osterhaudt shot a ball to left field to score two. Almond lined up the middle to plate one and Rideout mashed a two-RBI single to the left side, capping a six-run stanza.
In the bottom of the sixth, Almond doubled to the left field wall for the squad's first extra-base hit. Rideout traded places with the Proctor, Vt. product on a ball to the left-center gap to extend the gap to six. Gould fanned two Mustangs in the final inning, finishing her first career outing by retiring the last 15 batters she faced.
Game 2: VTSU Castleton 4, Notre Dame of Maryland 3
Rogers took the reins against NDMU, striking out one in 3.0 innings without giving up a walk. Katie Gallagher held the Gators scoreless in her four complete frames while also refusing to allow a free base en route to bagging the victory.
Each side added a run in the first inning, the Spartans receiving theirs when Almond and Rideout walked, Belisle moved them over on a sac bunt, and Rogers grounded out for an RBI. The Gators jumped ahead with a 3-1 lead in the third, but the Almond-Rideout one-two punch connected for a run and Jess Heinrichs forced an error to score Brianna Belisle as the squads were level again.
Following quiet offensive spells, Belisle came through in the bottom of the seventh by drilling a double to left center. With a runner in scoring position and one away, Rogers tucked a line drive inside the left foul line to plate Belisle and walk it off in the nightcap.
The Spartans are back on the field tomorrow (Friday, March 15) to take on Thiel and Mount Aloysius at 9 and 11 a.m.
