NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The Vermont State University Castleton softball team dropped a tightly contested 1-0 decision to The College of New Jersey on Saturday morning at the Fastpitch Dreams Classic.
The Basics:
- Final Score: 1-0 TCNJ
- Location: North Myrtle Beach, SC | North Myrtle Beach Sports Complex
- Records: 6-5 TCNJ | 3-2 Castleton
How it Happened:
The Spartans worked out of early trouble in the top of the second inning as TCNJ put runners on first and third with one out.
Alex Brouillette settled inside the circle, striking out two batters to keep the game scoreless. Castleton looked to answer in the bottom half of the inning when
Makayla Walsh drove a deep ball to center field to put herself in scoring position. A groundout to second base moved Walsh to third, but the Spartans were unable to bring her home, leaving the game tied at 0-0.
TCNJ broke through in the third inning after a well-placed bunt along the third-base line allowed a runner to reach safely. On the attempted throw to second, a passed ball allowed the runner to advance to third. A double to right field in the next at-bat brought the runner home, giving the Lions a 1-0 lead.
Castleton tried to spark a rally in the bottom of the sixth when
Maddy Dudley lined a hit down the right field line to reach base, but the Spartans were unable to capitalize.
In the top of the seventh, TCNJ recorded a single into shallow left field, but
Alexis Rogers helped end the inning with a heads-up double play on a lineout and throw to first. Castleton's defense held firm and prevented any additional runs to keep the deficit at one. The Spartans went down in order in the bottom of the seventh as TCNJ held on for the 1-0 victory.
Top Performers:
- Dudley and Walsh each recorded a hit.
- Brouillette pitched seven innings and struck out eight batters.
What's Next
Castleton will continue play in the Fastpitch Dreams Classic tomorrow facing SUNY Polytechnic Institute at 11 am and Arcadia University at 1 p.m.
