Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score

CASTLETON, Vt. – The Norwich University baseball team dropped both ends of its non-conference doubleheader at Castleton State College Wednesday afternoon. The Spartans swung their way to a 19-0 victory in the first game, and they rode an eight-run third inning to an 8-2 win in the nightcap.

Castleton State (12-8) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning of the opening contest as the Spartans plated a pair of unearned runs. CSC then added five more runs in the second inning to assume a 7-0 advantage. Billy Manley provided the big blow in the inning, smashing a grand slam home run deep down the left field line.

Manley's homer chased Norwich starting pitcher David Wygonski (1-2), who was touched up for seven runs (five earned) on five hits over 1.2 innings of work.

Austin Shaw came on in relief for the Cadets, and the junior southpaw gave up just two earned runs on four hits in 2.1 innings.

Castleton State blew the game open with five runs in the fifth inning and five more in the sixth. Don Dibastiani surrendered eight earned runs on eight hits over 1.1 innings of work, while Ryan Kelly yielded two earned runs in 0.2 innings.

Joe Sleeman led the Norwich offense, going 2-for-3 with a double. Dustin Shimkus added a double for the Cadets, who mustered just five base hits in the game.

Ken Cook (4-3) was masterful for the Spartans on the mound, striking out nine batters in 5.0 innings of action. He allowed just three hits in the win.

The second game was scoreless until the third inning when Norwich (2-18) took a 1-0 lead on Rob Knox's RBI double. David Maxfield got the rally going when the sophomore walked and stole second base. Then, with two outs, Knox laced a double to right-centerfield.

Castleton State responded in the bottom of the third inning, plating eight runs on four hits. The Spartans also took advantage of four walks in the inning issued by NU starter Brad Hudson (1-2). Matthew Pause connected with a three-run home run down the right field line to bolster the Spartans' uprising.

Hudson settled down the rest of the way, tossing three scoreless innings to finish with a complete game. The freshman gave up eight runs (seven earned) on seven hits and seven walks. He recorded a pair of strikeouts.

Norwich got one run back in the top of the fifth inning when the Cadets loaded the bases and scored on Kase Cook's fielder's choice.

Knox, who has hit safely in eight straight games, led the Cadets at the plate with the RBI double. Shimkus, Mitch Blair and Sean Kennedy also added singles for Norwich.

Billy Sisko (1-2) picked up the victory on the mound for Castleton, giving up one run on three hits in 4.0 innings. He struck out five, while walking one.

Norwich will resume its Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) schedule on Saturday, April 10, when the Cadets host Albertus Magnus College in a doubleheader at Garrity Field. The first pitch of game one is set for 1 p.m.