Ephs Come Up Short on the Road Versus Vermont State University Castleton

CASTLETON, VT — A promising start at the plate wasn't enough for Williams College baseball on Tuesday, as Vermont State University Castleton pulled away with a series of multi-run innings to take a 19–4 win in the non-conference matchup.

The Ephs opened the scoring in the top of the first, taking advantage of a leadoff walk from Ben Swank and a double by James O'Connor to quickly apply pressure. An error allowed Swank to cross the plate, and a fielder's choice from Ryan Nakajima drove in O'Connor, giving Williams an early 2–0 lead.

Castleton responded in kind in the bottom half of the first, capitalizing on a pair of walks and an error to spark a four-run frame. Jake Boyle and Mason Meinke each delivered RBI hits, while a pair of bases-loaded walks added to the Spartans' total.

The back-and-forth continued into the second inning, when Hank Jacobus lined a single to left and Nate Rosner followed with a two-run homer to left field, tying the game at 4–4. It was Rosner's first home run of the season and marked the end of the scoring for the Ephs, despite several more base runners in the middle innings.

From there, Castleton seized control. In the fourth, a two-run triple by Jackson Cardozo broke the tie, and a sacrifice fly tacked on a seventh run. The Spartans added three more in the fifth on an RBI walk and a two-run single by Justin Strozyk, extending their lead to 10–4. They would go on to score in each of the final three innings as well, including a five-run eighth powered by a two-run single from Joe Castellan and an RBI double from Turner Clews.

Williams continued to get runners on base, including O'Connor's third hit in the sixth and Nakajima's lead off single in the seventh. Still, timely defense and practical relief work from Castleton's bullpen prevented further damage.

O'Connor led the Ephs at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two doubles and a run scored. Rosner finished with two RBIs on the day, while Jacobus and Nakajima each added a hit and a walk.

Eph head Coach Bill Barrale was disappointed with the loss but did not dwell on it, saying, "We are all excited about the opportunity the weekend provides." 

The Ephs will return to action this weekend against the defending NESCAC champions, Middlebury. The Ephs are only two games behind the Panthers in conference play and look to claim the top spot in the West. They play in a three-game series at home starting Friday at 4 p.m.