GORHAM, Maine – The Vermont State University Castleton was swept during Saturday's Little East Conference doubleheader against No. 28 Southern Maine. The Huskies took game one 15-8 with a late surge, while game two went in favor of Southern Maine, 17-4 in seven innings.
Game 1
The Basics:
• Final Score: 15-8 Southern Maine
• Location: Gorham, Maine – Ed Flaherty Field
• Records: 24-7 (11-1 LEC) Southern Maine | 11-24 (3-9 LEC) Castleton
How it Happened:
Carter Dickinson started off the Spartans with a three-run home run for his third in a row and third of the week as Castleton jumped out 3-0. The Huskies hit a home run at the bottom of the first to cut the lead to two (3-1). Southern Maine tied the game at three at the bottom of the third inning with a run scored on a wild pitch, followed by a single up the middle.
A double followed by a single at the bottom of the fifth gave the Huskies a 6-3 lead before the Spartans could score again.
Mikey Raby Jr. sent a sacrifice fly out to left field to bring home
Trey LaVigne as the Spartans were within two (6-4). Southern Maine notched a triple with a single to follow as the lead sat at five (9-4) at the conclusion of the sixth.
The Spartans came alive at the top of the seventh, starting with a single from LaVigne to bring in
Alex McClelland, while
Justin Strozyk followed up with a groundout to first base for Castleton's sixth run (9-6). Dickinson was able to reach first on an error as LaVigne crossed home to cut the lead to two (9-7).
Tommie Shaw reached first on an error at the top of the eighth as McClelland came home to cut the lead to one (9-8). The Huskies pulled away from the Spartans at the bottom of the eighth with a six-run inning to take a 15-8 lead with one more chance for Castleton, but the Spartans were unsuccessful as the Huskies took a 15-8 lead in game one.
Top Performers:
• McClelland, LaVigne, Strozyk, and
Tripp Shytle notched two hits each, while Dickinson led with three RBIs.
•
Luke Russell and
Kyle Wilson threw two strikeouts each.
Game 2
The Basics:
• Final Score: 17-4 (7 Innings)
• Location: Gorham, Maine – Ed Flaherty Field
• Records: 25-7 (12-1 LEC) Southern Maine | 11-25 (3-10 LEC) Castleton
How it Happened:
The Spartans took an early lead in game two as well, with a single from Strozyk to bring in one run, before the Huskies took control of the game at the bottom of the third inning. Southern Maine put up five runs before the Spartans could retire the side as the lead stood 5-1 following three complete innings.
Sebastian Vazquez got the Spartans back on the board with a double down the right field line to bring in McClelland, while
Turner Clews grounded out to the pitcher, allowing Vazquez to cross home as the deficit was cut to two (5-3). Southern Maine added one more run to the board as the fourth inning came to a close to jump out to a 6-3 lead.
Dickinson pulled Castleton within two at the top of the fifth inning with a double down the right field line (6-4) before the Huskies were up to bat again. Southern Maine posted its largest inning of the day with nine runs scored off six hits at the bottom of the fifth, taking a 15-4 lead heading into the sixth.
Southern Maine added two more runs to the board to take a 17-4 lead at the bottom of the sixth, before the Spartans had one final chance to keep the game going at the top of the seventh. Shaw started with a double before making his way to third, before the final strikeout of the game resulted in the 17-4 win for the Huskies.
Top Performers:
• Shaw, Dickinson, and Vazquez led the team with two hits each.
• On the mound,
Nick Lescarbeau,
Jake Waller, and
Robbie Briggs notched one strikeout apiece.
What's Next
The squad heads to Plymouth State on Tuesday, April 28, for another LEC contest. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
