(May 15, 2008) -Harwich, MA-The eighth-seeded Castleton State College baseball team was the first team to exit the 2008 NCAA Division III New England Regional, losing to fourth-seed Southern Maine 16-7 on the second day of the double-elimination tournament. Castleton’s season comes to a close at 22-20 overall. The Huskies improve to 33-13, and will take on the loser of the Keene State vs. Wheaton match-up Friday at 1:00 pm.

After a scoreless first inning, Southern Maine exploded for eight runs in the top of the second. Chris Burleson ripped a two-run single to start the scoring, and was followed by and rbi-double from Collin Henry and an rbi-triple from Anthony D’Alfonso. After the Huskies loaded the bases, Eddie Skeffington delivered a two-run single that chased Castleton starter, Ken Cook. Rob Turner came on in relief and ended the threat.

Southern Maine tacked on one more in the third to make it 9-0 on a D’Alfonso rbi-single. Turner held the deficit through six, and Castleton plated seven runs in the bottom of the sixth to cut the lead to 9-7. Brad Polcare got the inning started with an infield single, and scored on an rbi-double to right field by Kyle Brooks. Dan Conley, Chris Ragis, and Ted Mills all followed with singles to score two more runs. After the Spartans loaded the bases, Polcare stepped to the plate and delivered a bases-clearing double to cap the rally.

The momentum was short-lived, however as the Huskies plated seven runs of their own in the top of the eighth to provide the final margin of victory.

Cook took the loss for Castleton, going 1.1 innings and allowing eight runs (six earned) on six hits and two walks. Polcare led the offense with two hits, three RBI and one run scored. Ted Mills collected a pair of hits and one RBI.

Southern Maine’s Mike Eaton earned the win pitching three innings of scoreless relief, allowing two hits while striking out two. D’Alfonso and Skeffington each had three hits, with D’Alfonso driving in three and Skeffington two. Both scored a pair of runs as well. Chris Burleson and Chris Henry each added two hits and two RBI at the top of the lineup. [Box Score]

May 14, 2008

Castleton falls in opening round of NCAA Division III New England Regional

Harwich, MA-The eighth-seeded Castleton State College baseball team fell in the opening round of the NCAA Division III New England Regional 9-5 to top-seed Trinity College. With the win the Bantams improve to 38-0 and will take on fifth-seed, Western New England College in second round action Thursday afternoon at 4:30 pm. Castleton falls to 22-19 with the loss and will take on fourth-seed, Southern Maine Thursday morning at 9:30 am, and will look to keep their tournament alive through the losers' bracket.

Castleton jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when Brad Polcare led off with a single, stole second and scored on Dan Conley’s rbi-double. Spartan starter, Mat Tuthill worked his way in and out of trouble during the first two innings, but could not escape in the third as the Bantams evened the score at 1-1. Jack Abbott led off the inning with a walk, moved to second on a ground out and scored on an rbi-single by Kent Graham.

Trinity grabbed another run in the bottom of the fourth to make it 2-1, but the Spartans answered in the top of the fifth with two runs of their own. The lead would be short-lived, however as Trinity answered with three runs in the bottom of the inning to make it 5-3.

Tuthill pitched five-and-one-third innings, allowing five runs (two earned) on six hits and seven walks while striking out one in taking the loss.

Trailing 6-4 in the top of the eighth Castleton’s Chris Ragis and Ted Mills led the inning off with singles to chase Trinity starter, Michael Regan. The Spartans could not push a run across, however, as Jeremiah Bayer was able to work come on and shut the door.

Regan earned the win pitching seven-plus innings, allowing four runs (one earned) on eight hits, two walks and four strikeouts.

Chandler Barnard led the Bantams with a 3-for-5 performance and three RBI. Thomas DiBenedetto reached base five times on a pair of hits and three walks. DiBenedetto scored four runs and had one RBI.

Conley had two hits and one RBI for the Spartans, and Kevin McPeek added two hits and two runs scored. [Box Score]

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