CLARKSVILLE, Ark. – The Vermont State University Castleton baseball team held an early advantage over the University of the Ozarks Eagles before the Eagles clawed back to hand the Spartans a 13-10 loss in Saturday's season opener.
The Basics
The Spartans open their season today down south, beginning in Arkansas and making their way to Alabama to close out the week. The Eagles enter today's game 3-1 following a win over Principia earlier in the day.
How it Happened
The Spartans started off hot in the first inning, with Jackson Cardozo and Mikey Raby Jr. notching doubles, before the Eagles found a run to get on the board. Castleton led 5-1 at the end of the first. The second inning was all about the Eagles, with five runs scored to take a 6-5 lead. Castleton found its groove again in the third, with Turner Clews grounding out for an RBI. Tyler McLain posted a single, bringing in another run for the Spartans to take back the lead 7-6.
The Eagles clawed back in the bottom of the fourth, to jump out to an 11-7 lead. Cardozo recorded another hit, a single to center field to bring in another Spartan score, before Clews singled for an RBI in the top of the sixth, bringing the Spartans within two. The Eagles notched a home run in the bottom of the sixth, extending their lead to 12-9. The seventh inning was the final inning of scoring, with Brandon Ramirez sending a double to right field to bring in a runner, but the Eagles posted a single with a runner scoring to clinch the 13-10 victory.
Top Performers
Cardozo led the Spartans with three hits, with Ramirez and Raby Jr. putting together two apiece. Six more Spartans contributed one hit apiece on opening day.
Sam Crawford earned the start, going 3.2 innings with three strikeouts. Owen Phelps came on in relief, throwing 3.1 innings, before Stephen Coffey closed out in the eighth.
The Spartans are back in action in Arkansas tonight (February 22) against Principia at 8 p.m. EST Monday the squad heads to Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas, beginning at 3 p.m. EST.
