Sophomore Cameron Goulet delivers a pitch in the double-header game against Colby-Sawyer on April 11 in Castleton. Photo courtesy of CastletonSports.com

The Spartans finished their busy week a perfect 6-0.  After winning a doubleheader at home against Colby-Sawyer College on April 11, the Spartans won four straight on the road at Thomas College on April 13. and Saturday April 14. Supported by strong displays on the mound and solid hitting, the baseball team moved to 16-9 on the season, with a 10-2 record in the North Atlantic Conference.

The first game against Colby-Sawyer highlighted a dominant pitching performance by sophomore Cameron Goulet. The southpaw from Winsted, Connecticut recorded his first win on the season, throwing 10 strikeouts in a complete game, allowing only two hits to the Chargers. Goulet’s superb outing was complemented by sophomore slugger Davis Mikell’s 3-RBI home run in the sixth inning, giving Castleton a 7-3 win.

Mikell’s hitting ability was once again on display in the second game of the doubleheader. Mikell went 2-2 with two doubles and two RBIs in the 7-1 victory. The Williston, Vermont native is currently ranked ninth in the NAC in batting average with .329, which leads the Spartans. Junior outfielder Dillon Benham also hit an RBI double for Castleton, giving him eight doubles on the season.

Friday the 13th was anything but scary for the Spartans as they took game one of a four game series at Thomas College in Waterville, Maine. Junior third baseman Mitchell Caron felt at home, crushing his first career collegiate home run and seventh double on the season in the 5-2 win for Castleton.

When asked on how he felt after hitting the homer, Caron replied humbly.

“Relieved, honestly,” said Caron, the product of Cony High School in Augusta, Maine who went 2-4 with two RBIs. “I’ve had quite a few hits where I’ve got doubles or triples that have hit the fence in the air, so to finally put one over, I honestly just was like: finally!” Caron said with a laugh.

Joining Caron with two hits in the game were fellow juniors Dillon Benham, Pat Mumford and sophomore Jonathan Lindau. Sophomore Joe Gratton earned his fifth win on the season after throwing five strikeouts in six innings. Senior Aaron Smith closed the seventh inning with a strikeout, giving him his second save on the season.

On Friday, the second game was stopped in the fifth inning and postponed to Saturday due to darkness. However, this wouldn’t discourage the Spartans, as they eventually topped the Terriers 13-3. Before the stoppage, Lindau provided the spark that lit the fire for Castleton, going 2-3 with three RBIs. The hitting display from the Spartans continued when play resumed Saturday morning. Castleton recorded three hits and four runs batted in to start the fifth. The game was wrapped up by Benham’s first homer of the season in the seventh inning.

Game three against the Terriers resulted in a hard-fought 3-1 win for the Spartans. Sophomore Garrett Moran earned his third win of the season by going the distance. Moran’s seven strikeout performance was backed up by a 2-3 and one RBI showing for sophomore Andrew Graciano.

The Spartans completed the sweep against Thomas on Saturday, winning 4-2. The sixth straight win came as a result of two sacrifice flies by Lindau that allowed junior Deagan Poland to score twice, and a 3-inning relief pitching performance by Aaron Smith.

Caron credits the win-streak to the team as a whole.

“People are starting to string together some hits to drive in runs, and our pitchers are throwing strikes and keeping the other teams from scoring. So all in all, we are looking to continue winning and keep gaining momentum as we near the NAC tournament,” Caron said.

The red-hot Spartans will be back on the diamond for a doubleheader at home against Lyndon State College on Tuesday at 2 p.m..