LYNDON CENTER, Vt. – The Lyndon State College baseball team were unable to capitalize on scoring opportunities Tuesday afternoon, dropping two games against North Atlantic Conference opponent Castleton University, 2-0 and 7-2, at Skip Pound Field.

Game 1

With two outs in the top of the first inning Zach Bahan, drove a ball over the fence in left center to give the Spartans the early lead.

Both teams were able to get runners into scoring position over the next few innings but neither were able to push another runner across until the fifth inning when Bahan led off with another solo shot for the 2-0 lead.

The Hornets made things interesting in the bottom of the seventh as they loaded the bases.  Andre Eason Jr. (Waterbury, Conn.) singled up the middle to lead off the inning and then Trevor Markey (Ocoee, Fla.) singled through the left side.  A fielding error by the right fielder allowed both runners to advance one base.  After a strike out, Nathan Stewart drew a walk to fill the bases.  The Spartans were then able to retire two consecutive pinch hitters to end the scare.

Markey led the Hornets with two hits.  John Boulay (Dighton, Mass.) suffered the loss despite 10 strikeouts, but allowed seven hits and two runs in 5.2 innings.  Neil Robinson (Stoddard, N.H.) threw a scoreless 1.1 innings of relief.

Devin Hayes recorded his fifth win of the season in the complete-game shutout, giving up four hits and striking out five.

Game 2

The Hornets got on top first this time as Markey doubled to the left field fence to plate Eason Jr. for the 1-0 lead.

Unfortunately, the Spartans answered with five runs in the top of the second, an inning marked by Hornet errors. 

The Spartan threatened in top of the fourth with runners on first and second, but after a single to center, Eason Jr. made a line drive throw to home to get the second out of the inning.  Two batters later, Devon Rollins (Winooski, Vt.) made a solid play snagging a line drive for the third out.

The Hornets loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the fourth, but were only able to get one run across as Kevin Tufo grounded a ball up the middle that the short stop was unable to handle, allowing Markey to score from third.

Lyndon worked to hold the Spartans at 5-2 but gave up back-to-back RBI-singles in the top of the seventh to go down 7-2 heading into the final at-bat.  Unfortunately, that would be the final score as the Hornets were unable to get anything going.

Eason Jr. posted two hits and a run for the Hornets while Markey added one double, one run, and one RBI.  Tyler Davis (Williamstown, Vt.) took the loss in six innings of work, allowing six hits and five runs (one earned) while fanning five batters.

Davis Mikell picked up the win after throwing five innings and giving up two runs (one earned) on six hits.  Aaron Smith picked up the save after two innings of scoreless work.

The Hornets host UMaine-Farmington for a NAC doubleheader Wednesday starting at 2:00 p.m.