The Vermont State University Castleton men’s tennis team continued its strong start to the season with a dominant 9-0 sweep over Vermont State University Johnson on Sunday afternoon at the Vermont Sport and Fitness Club.
The Spartans took control early, sweeping the doubles matches for the second straight contest. Miki Almirall and Alberto Lantelme cruised to an 8-2 victory at first doubles, while Tanner Ciufo and Remy Maynard blanked their opponents 8-0 at the second spot. Ben Chilkott and Trevor Castino wrapped up doubles play with an 8-1 win at the third spot.
Castleton carried that momentum into singles action, winning all six matches in straight sets. Almirall set the tone at No. 1 with a 6-1, 6-1 victory, while Ciufo followed with a 6-3, 6-3 win at No. 2. Maynard, Lantelme, and Castino each delivered dominant performances, dropping just two sets combined across their matches. Chilkott closed out the sweep with an 8-1 victory at No. 6 singles.
The Spartans (2-1) will look to extend their winning streak when they travel to face LEC opponent Rhode Island College on Saturday at 1 p.m.
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Castleton swept
MANSFIELD, Conn. — The Vermont State University Castleton softball team dropped a pair of games, 6-1 and 3-2, in their first Little East Conference contest of the season against Eastern Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon.
In the first game, the Warriors began the contest with a RBI single from Maddie Bowen to give the hosting team a 1-0 lead.
A pitching and defensive showdown took place as only six hits were tallied by each side through four and a half innings.
East Conn. scored their second run of the game in the bottom of the fifth inning to take a 2-0 lead.
In the top of the sixth, Masson Billert reached base after being walked. She then rounded the bases and made it to home after a double from Jess Heinrichs, giving Castleton their first score to make it a 2-1 game.
The Warriors cracked the bats in the bottom of the sixth, connecting on five hits and brining in four runs to open their lead to 6-1.
East Conn. prevented the Spartans from a last inning rally with three quick outs to secure their first conference victory of the season.
In the second game, the Warriors took a 1-0 lead in the first inning after a sacrifice bunt saw Julia Boya reach home plate.
East Conn. extended their lead with a RBI single to center field in the third inning to make it a 2-0 game.
Castleton ignited the bats in the fifth inning, with Alexis Rogers doubling to centerfield to get into scoring position.
Taylor Russell reached first on an error by the Warriors on her at bat, allowing for Rogers to make it home to give Castleton their first run at 2-1.
Russell proceeded to steal second and reach third base after a throwing error to put herself in a great position to tie the game.
Samera Rideout smashed a single to bring Russell home and tie the game at two in the top of the fifth inning.
The two sides went back-and-forth, but couldn’t find the go-ahead run in regulation and need an extra inning to decide the winner.
Elizabeth Mitchell struck out all three of Castleton’s batters to start the top of the eighth inning. She then was a part of the Warriors’ walk off run after a single went down the left field, allowing for her to reach home to give East Conn. the 3-2 victory.
VTSU Castleton hosts its first contest of the season with a doubleheader matchup against RPI on Tuesday with the first pitch taking place at 3 p.m.
MEN’S LACROSSE
WestConn 13 Castleton 2
CASTLETON — The Vermont State University Castleton men’s lacrosse team fell in its first Little East Conference contest of the season to Western Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon, 13-2.
WestConn got off to a strong start, scoring three unanswered goals in the first quarter. Castleton responded early in the second with Cam Frankenhoff finding the back of the net off an assist from Jordan Damske to put the Spartans on the board. Frankenhoff struck again just minutes later, this time assisted by Preston Kozlowski, cutting the deficit to 3-2.
Despite the momentum shift, WestConn regained control with a late second-quarter goal to take a 4-2 lead into halftime.
The visitors dominated the second half, scoring nine unanswered goals while Castleton was unable to break through offensively, collecting their third conference win of the season, 13-2.
Defensively, Gabe Rubio had an active day for the Spartans, leading the team with four ground balls and two caused turnovers. In net, Zach Smith tallied 15 saves, facing 28 shots on goal in a strong effort against the Wolves’ attack.