Middlebury, VT - The Vermont State University Lyndon baseball team used a five-run fifth inning to jump in front of Middlebury College, then held off a late Panther rally to come away with a 6-4 non-conference victory on Thursday afternoon. With the win, the Hornets improved to 2-5 on the season, while Middlebury, the defending New England Small College Athletic Conference champions, fell to 4-4. The win was also Lyndon's first in any sport over a NESCAC opponent since at least 2008, when the Hornet athletic program rejoined the NCAA.
Neither team was able to generate much offense through the first three innings, as Lyndon starter Nathan Bigelow (East Hampton, CT) kept the Panthers off the scoreboard and didn't allow a hit, while three Middlebury hurlers tossed a scoreless inning apiece. After the Hornets went down in order in the top of the fourth inning, Middlebury broke the tie in the bottom of the frame when Kyle McCausland launched a ball over the left field wall to put the Panthers in front, 1-0.
Lyndon finally got their offense going in the top of the fifth inning against Zander Gilmartin, the fifth Panther pitcher of the day. Dale Ostermann (Harrington, DE) drew a walk leading off, then EJ Camden (Corona, CA) followed with a base hit to center field. Carter Paquette (Shoreham, VT) then tripled down the right field line, driving in Ostermann and Camden and giving Lyndon the lead. Sean Dunton (Quechee, VT) then drove in Paquettte on a fielder's choice when Paquette beat a throw home. After Evan Duncan (Little Elm, TX) reached on an errorKearson Grisham (Choctaw, MS) beat out a bunt to load the bases. Matt Gonyeau (St. Albans, VT) drew a walk to drive in Dunton and chase Gilmartin. Oscar McCandless came in for Middlebury and got Ryan Alt (Poultney, VT) to ground into a double play, but Duncan scored in the process, giving Lyndon a 5-1 lead.
Lyndon tacked on a run in the top of the sixth inning when Ostermann walked leading off. After moving to second on Camden's bunt and to third on a wild pitch, Ostermann crossed the plate when Dunton reached on a fielder's choice.
Bigelow was cruising on the mound for Lyndon, with McCausland's home run the only Middlebury hit through six innings. However in the home seventh, Middlebury finally got to Bigelow. Carter Chi singled leading off, then Isaac Rosario drew a one-out walk. After both runners advanced on stolen bases, Brian Olson delivered a two-out single through the left side, driving in both runners and cutting the Hornet lead to 6-3. Will Ashley then singled to put runners at the corners and bring the tying run to the plate. Alberto Bustamante (Northridge, CA) came on to relieve Bigelow and got McCausland to ground out to end the threat.
After a quiet eighth inning, the Hornets went down in order in the top of the ninth. Middlebury did not go quietly, as Joe Basso doubled to lead off the home ninth. After Bustamante retired the next two batters, Olson's fly ball was misplayed, allowing Baso to score and bringing the tying run to the plate. However Bustamante got Ashley to fly out to end the ball game.
Bigelow picked up his second win of the season while allowing four hits and striking out four. Bustamante picked up his first save with 2.1 innings of one-hit relief and two strikeouts. Gilmartin, the fifth of nine pitchers, took the loss for Middlebury.
Lyndon will be on the road again on Friday evening when they travel to Wentworth Institute of Technology for a 5:00 pm start.
