CASTLETON, Vt. – The Vermont State University Castleton baseball team defeated Keene St. Tuesday afternoon, 5-1.

VTSU Castleton (7-28, 4-10) hosted Keene St. (17-20, 6-8) for their final regular season game at home this season. The Spartans went to Luke Russell for their starter on the mound and he did not disappoint. Pitching confidently, Russell dealt out three strikeouts, one walk, and one run on 60 pitches in four innings of action. 

The Spartans came out strong out of the gate with Jackson Cardozo smashing a double to right field to allow Hunter Perkins to advance to third base and get the Spartans in scoring position. Tyler McLain sent the runners home with a two-run double to give the Spartans the first runs of the game.

In the fourth inning, the Owls hit back-to-back doubles to put themselves on the board and trail the Spartans by one. Mikey Raby Jr. responded with a double to get himself into a scoring position. He advanced to third on a wild pitch and would make it home after a groundout play to first. The Owls caused an error that allowed Jack Boyle to get on base, setting up Perkins to crush a ball down the right-field line to send Boyle home and earn himself a triple to extend Castleton's lead to four. Perkins would make it home with an RBI single from Cardozo to put Castleton up 5-1.

Owen Phelps entered the game for Russell in the fifth inning and was light outs. He shut down the Owls with three strikeouts throughout five innings and held them scoreless to claim the win and secure a much-needed win for the Spartans as they push for a spot in postseason play. 

The Spartans return to action Wednesday, May 1 at 2:30 p.m. against Colby-Sawyer.