MIDDLEBURY, Vt. – The Vermont State University Castleton baseball team was shut out during Sunday's non-conference matinee against the Middlebury Panthers, 7-0, despite a combined seven strikeouts from three pitchers.
The Basics:
- Final Score: 7-0 Middlebury
- Location: Middlebury, Vermont – BB/SB Complex
- Records: 6-2 Middlebury | 5-10 Castleton
How it Happened:
The Panthers put one run on the board at the bottom of the first, to take an early 1-0 lead after the Spartans stranded one runner at the top of the inning, unable to bring in runs. Both teams went down in order in the second inning, while Castleton did the same at the top of the third. Middlebury added three more runs at the bottom of the third for a 4-0 lead.
Castleton opened the fourth with a walk, followed by
Trey LaVigne singling to center field, advancing
Tommie Shaw to second. The third batter of the inning struck out, while the next grounded out to the pitcher on a bunt, moving Shaw and LaVigne forward. With two runners in scoring position, the final at-bat was another strikeout as the Spartans stranded two at the top of the fourth.
Middlebury added a fifth run on the board at the bottom of the fifth, while the Spartans went down in order at the top of the sixth.
Nick Lescarbeau struck out two in a row at the bottom of the sixth as the Spartans escaped with no runs scored. The Panthers put two more runs on the board at the bottom of the eighth and then put Castleton out in order to take the 7-0 win.
Top Performers:
- LaVigne and Jack Humbach had one hit each.
- Kyle Wilson and Lescarbeau each posted three strikeouts, while LaVigne added one.
What's Next
The Spartans head to Worcester for a mid-week contest against Clark University on Thursday, March 19, with first pitch scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
