Castleton Sweeps Wentworth in Northern Opener

BOSTON, Mass. – The Castleton State softball team exploded for 30 runs on 28 hits – including hitting a combined eight home runs – as the Spartans swept a non-conference doubleheader from Wentworth, winning the first game 14-2 and taking the nightcap, 16-0 in five innings.

The opener was scoreless through three and a half innings before Wentworth would draw first blood on a senor Bridget Souza (Medford, Mass.) solo home run.  An inning later, freshman Roneice Bridge (White Plains, N.Y.) gave the hosts a 2-0 lead which an RBI double, scoring junior Samantha Altieri (Lakeville, Mass.).

Castleton took the lead with a three-run sixth inning when sophomore Mercedes Maltbie (Warrensburg, N.Y.) led off with a triple and would eventually score on a foul out where an attempt was made to get the trail runner.  Senior Julie Benzenberg (Pine Bush, N.Y.) homered to left center with two outs, also scoring classmate Sarah Flore (Springfield, Vt.).

The Spartans broke the game open with an 11-run seventh inning, thanks in part to five Leopard errors.  Benzenberg and junior Shannon Jipner (Bristol, Vt.) each delivered two-run home runs and freshman Tori Fearon (Colchester, Conn.) had a two-run single to highlight the offense.

Sophomore Taylor Lively (Greenfield, Mass.) improved to 1-3 on the year as she allowed two runs on four hits and struck out 15 in the win.  Fearon and sophomore Megan Blongy (Rutland, Vt.) each had three hits, while Benzenberg was 2-for-4 with four RBI.

Freshman Stephanie Macleay (Ashley Falls, Mass.) took the loss (0-5) for Wentworth, while Souza paced the offense with a pair of hits.

The visitors set the tone early in the nightcap when two of their three first-inning runs came on a two-run home run from Maltbie.  Castleton added five runs in both the second and third innings, with Benzenberg having a pair of two-run home runs, while Maltbie added her second home run of the game in the third inning.

Sophomore Emily Sweeney (Weare, N.H.) improved to 2-2 with the win, as she allowed just three hits and struck out five.  Maltbie was 3-for-3 with three runs scored and five RBI, Benzenberg was 3-for-4 with four RBI, and Blongy finished the game 3-for-3.

Freshman Haylee Bacik (Lowell, Mass.) fell to 0-5 with the loss.  Seniors Lizz Harvey (McConnelsburg, Pa.) and Jen Giudice (Central Valley, N.Y.) and Bridge recorded Wentworth's hits.

The Leopards (0-10) host Curry in The Commonwealth Coast Conference opener on Wednesday afternoon.  Castleton, which improved to 3-5, is at Southern Vermont on Thursday.