May 6, 2006

Husson Eliminates Castleton State In Game 5
of NAC Tournament;  Advances to Meet St. Joseph's

STANDISH, ME - The Eagles of Husson College (27-15) had just about an hour to regroup after a difficult extra-inning loss to St. Joe's but it was clear that their offense was ready to go, pounding out 11 hits and eliminating Castleton State (21-19) with a 7-4 win tonight. Husson will face St. Joe's tomorrow at noon.

Husson took a 3-0 lead in the fourth as senior Sean Brawn (Augusta, ME) drove in senior Jason Harvey (Bucksport, ME) and senior Justin Spencer (Brewer, ME) with a triple and went home on a double by senior Chris McInnis (Winslow, ME). Harvey singled in a run in the fifth and McInnis scored in the sixth on a sacrifice by freshman Brian McGinley (Hermon, ME) to make it 5-0.

Spencer added to the lead with a two-run homer in the seventh but Castleton answered back in the bottom of the inning with a two-run homer by sophomore Eric Anderson (Chester, VT) to get on the board 7-2.

In the eighth, the Spartans plated two more runs and closed the gap to 7-4 off four hits and an error with singles by junior Ryan Bouck (Schenectady, NY), junior Phil Puleo (Utica, NY), sophomore Tim Zorio (Shrewsbury, VT) and sophomore Chris Ragis (South Bennington, VT). Massey managed a single in the ninth but the rally fell short as Castleton left him stranded.

Sophomore Keith Nason (Glenburn, ME) earned the win for Husson, going seven while senior Travis Tripp (Bar Harbor, ME) struck out four in two innings of work. Repeat hitters for the Eagles were: Harvey (3/5, 1R, 1RBI), junior Adam Sheehan (Bucksport, ME) (3/5) and Spencer (2/4, 2R, 2RBI).

Junior Adam Kuhn (Bellows Falls, VT) struck out eight in the loss for Castleton and Anderson, Massey, Zorio and Ragis all had two hits apiece for the Spartans.

May 6, 2006

Castleton Edges Thomas 10-9 to advance in
Consolation Bracket of NAC Baseball Championship

STANDISH, MAINE - A six-run 7th inning made the difference as Castleton State defeated Thomas College 10 - 9 today in game 3 of the NAC Tournament at Mahaney Diamond.  Castleton (11-18, 8-6) will play the loser of the 2:00 St. Joe's/Husson match-up at 6 pm this evening.  Thomas finishes the tournament 15-25 overall record and 7-7 NAC.

Castleton plated a run in the first and took advantage of three Thomas errors in second to score twice and go up 3-0.

Thomas got on the board in the top of the third as senior Jerry Randall (Milton, NH) doubled and scored of a sacrifice fly by sophomore Tim Mercier (Lewiston, ME).

The Spartans made it 4-1 in the sixth after a single by senior Adam Massey (Jacksonville, FL) scored sophomore Eric Anderson (Chester, VT).

Randall evened the score for the Terriers with a three-run homer in the seventh.

In the seventh, Castleton went up 10-4 with six runs on five hits which included a 2-RBI double by freshman Oliver Aldrich (Saratoga, NY).

Showing no signs of defeat, Thomas added four runs in the eighth and one more as junior Brandon Connors (Rochester, NH) hit a lead off homer in the ninth to close the gap to 10-9.  After two ground outs and a single by freshman Nick Schauwecker, Castleton closed out the game on a fly out to left field

STANDISH, MAINE - #2 Husson College (24-13, 9-4 NAC) defeated #3 Castleton State (10-17, 7-6 NAC) 4-2 in game 2 of the NAC Tournament at Mahaney Diamond this evening.  Husson takes on St. Joe's at 2:00 tomorrow while Castleton will face Thomas at 10 am.

Junior James Gray (Corinth, ME) went the distance for Husson, striking out seven and allowing just five hits.  Freshman Jeremy Gilcris (Chester, VT) recorded six strikeouts in the loss for Castleton.

Castleton jumped out to an early lead in the first as senior Adam Massey singled and scored on a sacrifice fly by junior Phil Puleo (Utica, NY).  Massey added another run in the third, scoring off a single by sophomore Anthony DiPietrantonio (Yorktown Heights, NY) to put the Spartans up 2-0.

Husson responded with a run in the fourth as senior Chris McInnis (Winslow, ME) singled and scored to make it 2-1.

The Eagles used two hits and three Castleton errors to plate 3 more runs.  Senior Jason Harvey (Bucksport, ME) drove in two runs with a double and McInnis singled in the final run of the game.

Furbush Throws Complete-Game Shutout; Strikes out 15 in 4-0 NAC Tournament Victory

STANDISH, MAINE - #1 Saint Joseph's College (31-8-1, 12-1 NAC) defeated #4 Thomas College (15-24, 7-6 NAC) 4-0 in game 1 of the NAC Tournament at Mahaney Diamond today.  St. Joe's will take on the winner of #3 Castleton/#2 Husson at 2:00 tomorrow while Thomas will play the loser at 10 am.

NAC Player of the Year sophomore Charlie Furbush (South Portland, ME) tied his career best 15 strikeouts, allowed just two hits and went 2/3 with a solo home run.

Sophomore Dustin Spiller (Gorham, ME) singled and scored on a sacrifice by Jake Rodden (Somersworth, NH) to put St. Joe?s up 1-0 in the second.

In the fifth, Furbush singled to right center and scored on a hit by junior Keil Martin (Saco, ME) and sophomore Brian Schools (Gorham, ME) hit a double and scored on a single by junior Mark Clapp (Blue Hill, ME) to make it 3-0.

Furbush added a run in the seventh with a solo home.

The Monks were led by Clapp (2/4, 1 RBI) and Martin (2/3, 2 runs, 1 RBI).

Senior Ryan Rulman (Westbrook, ME) (6-3) struck out 2 and took the loss for Thomas. Junior Jim Pierce (Dorchester, MA) and sophomore Tim Mercier (Lewiston, ME) each had a hit for the Terriers.