The women's softball team traveled to Maine where they opened up playoff action and potentially ended their season all in the same weekend unless they get an ECAC bid into the NCAA tournament.
Things were looking good for the Spartans winning the first three games against Lyndon State College, Thomas, and Husson in that order.
They played Lyndon Friday, then Thomas and Husson Saturday advancing them to the NAC championship.
However, things slid for Castleton as Husson defeated them in two games Sunday – losing the championship
The Spartans lost the first game 3-1 and the second 7-5.
The first of two against Husson, Kayla Wood got the start going 6.1 innings pitched, giving up 3 hits, 3 earned runs, 3 walked batters, 3 strikeouts and 1 homerun.
Husson's Kayla Merrill got the win who is also the NAC softball player of the year. Merrill went 7 innings pitched, giving up 5 hits, 1 earned run, 3 walked batters 7 strikeouts and 1 homerun.
Leading the Spartan offense was Tori Fearon and Brittany Brayman. Fearon had 1 hit, 1 run batted in, a homerun and 1 walk. Brayman had 2 hits on three at-bats.
The second game featured pitcher Katie Gagne for the Spartans. Gagne gave up 7 hits, 7 earned runs, 4 walked batters, and 6 strikeouts; five of them came in the seventh inning.
Merrill pitched the second game too for Husson, going 6.1 innings pitched and giving up 7 hits, 5 earned runs, 1 walked batter, 4 strikeouts, and two homeruns.
Jessica Babcock carried most of the load for the Spartans offensively. She tallied 1 run herself, 2 hits and a two-run homerun.
Regardless of the result, the Spartans traveled to Maine with a sense of purpose.
"We battled as much as we could. This whole weekend we came ready to play," said Ruby Bushey. "We did our best."
As far as getting a bid to into the tournament, Bushey feels they have a good chance. She explained how beating quality teams like Husson and Plymouth will help their odds and will know for sure on Wednesday.
The Spartans will finish 16-15, 11-3 in the NAC unless they get a bid. They will finish in second place in the NAC behind Husson regardless if they get the bid or not.