'Roo Baseball Falls to Castleton

SHERMAN, Texas – Castleton State scored four runs in the top of the sixth to break open what had been a pitcher's duel and the Austin College baseball team was unable to chip away, falling 6-2 to the Spartans on Friday afternoon at Baker Field. The 'Roos fall to 2-2 with the loss.

Castleton struck quickly, with Zach Bahan singling home Tyler Lord after the Castleton centerfielder had reached on an infield single to lead off the inning. The score remained 1-0 until the bottom of the third, when Jeremy Halford brought home James Arguello with a sacrifice fly to square things up heading into the fourth.

The Spartans regained the lead in the top of the fifth, with Soren Pelz-Walsh doubling down the left field line to plate Lord and make it 2-1, and in the next inning Castleton surged ahead 6-1 on the strength of a two run homer by Jimmy Buckley and a two run double down the line by Pelz-Walsh, which scored Taylor Vile and Nate Swahn. Austin College would get one run back in the top of the seventh when Austin Dudley sent a single through the middle to bring home Gus Daniel, but that would be the last run for either team.

Blaine Tew absorbed the loss for Austin College, surrendering six runs on 10 hits in 5.1 innings of work to bring his record to 1-1 this season. Todd Takabuki went 2-for-2 with a double to lead Austin College offensively, as the 'Roos were limited to seven hits on the day.

Steven Jurkiewicz picked up the win for the Spartans, surrendering just one unearned run on three hits with three strikeouts in 6.0 innings of work. Nick Swim went 3-for-5 and Pelz-Walsh finished 2-for-5 with two doubles and three RBI to pace the Spartans.

Austin College athletic teams participate as a member of the NCAA Division III and the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference.