Glens Falls, NY - Husson University scored three runs with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, walking off with the North Atlantic Conference Title, 7-6 over defending champion, Castleton State College Sunday afternoon at East Field.

The Eagles trailed 6-4 entering the ninth after Castleton starter, Ken Cook pitched eight innings on just one day of rest, allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits and two walks while striking out three. Kyle Vanidestine led off the ninth with a bunt single off reliever Tyler Erickson, but Erickson was able to retire the next two batters, bring NAC Player of the Year Nick Arthers to the plate. Arthers and Erickson locked up in an epic battle, which ended in a walk. Erickson then hit Jeff Miller with a pitch to load the bases. Aaron Zrenda was then called upon to get the final out of the game, making his first appearance of the season. Designated hitter, Dennis Graham greeted Zrenda with a two-run double to the right-centerfield gap to tie the game at six. Jake Arthers watched the first pitch sail into the dirt and get passed the Catcher and Miller raced home to score the winning run.

Nick Arthers staked the Eagles to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first on a two-run homerun to left field. Castleton answered with three runs in the fourth on a two-run single from Zrenda and an rbi-single from Mills. The Spartans grabbed a pair of unearned runs in the fifth and one more unearned run in the ninth setting up the dramatic finish.

Zrenda was 2-for-3 with two runs batted in, and Dan Conley added two hits and one run batted in as Castleton falls to 26-15. Cook was named to the all-tournament team for his gritty performance. The junior right-hander pitched 16 innings and allowed five earned, while striking out seven. Jack Lancelin also earned a spot on the all-tournament squad, batting .444 with three runs scored and a team-high eight hits.

Husson improves to 31-12 with the win and will await the pairings for the upcoming NCAA Division III National Tournament. Miller and Tom Crews each had two hits to lead the Eagles. Ryan Arsenault came on to pitch a perfect ninth inning to earn his second win of the tournament, and a spot on the All-Tournament squad.

Crews was outstanding, earning Tournament Most Valuable Player honors. The sophomore centerfielder went 6-for-14 with two doubles, a homerun and five runs batted in to lead the Eagles. Crews was also phenomenal in the field, making several highlight reel catches and gunning down two runners at home plate.

All-Tournament                             

Me.-Farmington
Josh Garneau
Dan Hemdal

Thomas
Chris Farrar
Dana Leland

Castleton
Ken Cook
Jack Lancelin
Will LaRose

Husson
Ryan Arsenault
Nick Arthers
MVP - Tom Crews

Castleton Staves Off Elimination with 7-3 Win Over Husson

Glens Falls, NY - Freshman, Brandon Fay, turned in a complete-game six hitter, and Castleton scored four runs in the top of the eighth inning to break a 3-3 tie as the Spartans forced a decisive game seven with a 7-3 win over Husson University at East Field Saturday morning.

After allowing a two-run homerun to NAC Player of the Year Nick Arthers in the bottom of the first inning, Fay settled in and allowed just one run on three hits over the next eight innings. Fay struck out three and did not walk a batter in earning the win.

Castleton picked up a run in the second inning as Billy Manley singled and scored on a Jack Lancelin single. The Spartans took a 3-1 lead in the fourth inning on an rbi-ground out from Garrett Bissonnette and a run-scoring single from Ted Mills. Matt Eisenhuth (hit by pitch) and Aaron Zrenda (double) both scored in the inning.

Husson tied the game the following inning on a Tom Crews homerun to left field. Husson continued to threaten as Kyle Vanidestine singled with two outs, but Fay retired the next 13 Eagle batters in a row to slam the door.

The four-run eighth inning was aided by a pair of Eagle errors, but Manley provided the all the firepower necessary, rocketing his eighth homerun of the season to deep left-centerfield, driving in three runs.

Manley and Zrenda both went 2-for-4 to pace the Spartan offense, while Arthers collected two hits for the Eagles.